#but i must answer for the sins of my childhood

[dogbunni]

not my stepdad saying that i used to belittle him as a child by using big words 😭 and that I was smart but had no common sense. I said it's the autism and he was like "no it's not that" 😭😭😭😭

[brynn-lear]

a/n: I won't be writing a oneshot about this since I already have a yan!capitano fic series I'm committing to, but I might randomly post about this idea more every now and then lol. tagging this AU as #the captain and his duchess

Yandere noble!Capitano who couldn't stop asking Fem Tutor!Darling to spar with him. With the weight of his inheritance, █████ must strive to be as great— if not greater— of a Captain like his father, the Duke.

But before he gained his infamous strength, you were his beloved mentor. You were a prodigy in swordsmanship with high confidence to boot. Hence, you gleefully accepted the Duke's request to tutor his eldest son. Coming from a minor noble household with only a title to uphold and not much else to boast, it's only natural to grasp unto that opportunity. It just so happened you've been clearing off competitions, and the duke has a good eye. Your parents, bless their souls, wouldn't dissuade you from your decision. Pride meant nothing when there's not even food scraps on the table. With a heart that still bleeds for the misfortune of those around you, you set off on horseback alone.

Whoever it was you were expecting to teach, it certainly wasn't a terrified noble hiding behind a helmet. Young █████ was not to blame. He carries the same dignified moral compass as his house, but he was ill-prepared to talk to people other than his family and servants. In fact, you couldn't get a word out of him as soon as you're done assessing his skill level with a first match.

Much to be desired, but the foundation is there.

... Perhaps you were too harsh with your phrasing.

"Young master," you shook your head, knocking on his door. "I couldn't teach you if you scamper about- hiding like meek prey in the closest room you'd burrow yourself in."

█████ didn't made a sound. You sighed. Truthfully, you wondered if you had done something to offend. It couldn't possibly be due to fear of authority. You're 21 and he's 19, not to mention that he is to be future sovereign Duke of Snezhnaya while you're not even reserved a seat in the council.

"F-Forgive him, Lady (Y/n)!" Elena squeaked. "He's not usually like this. I believe this is because..."

You raised an eyebrow. "Because...?"

The maid hurriedly shook her head, heat crawling up her neck. "N-No, I mustn't say. As a servant, I would step out of line."

"I'm pretty good at keeping secrets, you know?" You grinned. Skillfully, you placed a hand on the wall, leaning closer as if cornering her. You tucked the few stray strands of her hair behind her ear. "I'm not from this House, I wouldn't scold you for a little bit of sin."

She looked extremely offended. Suppose you should've expected that much from the most honorable Harbinger House's staff.

"I'm inclined to believe that this young maid's hypothesis requires no detective to solve."

You both looked to the direction of the voice. It was Prince Zandik, cousin to █████ and heir to the throne. Though to both of you, you are his most favorite gladiator and he is your best sponsor.

"Greetings, Zandik. You appear just about anywhere, huh? Are you sure you're not pulling my leg about the secret twin rumors?"

"Not one for tact, as always. But that's just how I like you, Lady (Y/n)."

Elena looked at you incredulously, wondering just where on earth did you find the audacity to refer to the Prince without proper decorum. Zandik doesn't seem sensitive to your lack of sensibility. You and Zandik have been friends since childhood was never a secret, but those who would recently find this resurfacing fact never fail to act surprised.

"I'd ask you why you're here, but the answer would be dull and overly verbose." You feigned a yawn, which made Zandik chuckle. "So, instead, why don't you tell me what you know about this █████ situation? Does he fear women?"

Zandik schooled his expression, but you can almost just about hear him say that's your best guess?

"█████ has never been one for sublime subtlety." Zandik rolled his eyes. "He admires you greatly, couldn't you tell?"

"Me? And greatly?" You scoffed. "Please, he'd outpace me with just a few lessons.

Zandik laughed. You both knew that to be true, but the future isn't quite as close to that prediction.

"Since the day I discreetly snatched him from his quarters to observe one of your sparring sessions, he has maintained a keen interest in tracking your career." The Prince remarked. "Do you recall the first bouquet of roses you've received?"

"I wasn't meant to be the recipient, do not reopen old wounds." You cringed. It was an unfortunate mistake from the messenger.

"Forgive me, I meant the second bouquet you received." He crossed his arms. "One from a secret admirer who curtly explained how he couldn't bear to see the sadness from your face and made it his honorable responsibility to buy you a larger bouquet."

You blinked.

"N-No way. I'm pretty sure that's from, um, my father."

"Buy you the most expensive bouquet in Snezhnaya? With what money?"

... A cruel but fair point.

"He even dons the same headwear as you do— the helmet he would rarely take off, did you not find it identical to your own?"

You paused.

... Wait a second.

"Well, I shall remove myself from this conversation. I have dull and overly verbose matters to attend to."

"Zandik, halt!"

[pinkthrone445]

-Let it burn to the ground- Part 2

Part 1

Pairing:Melissa Schemmenti x Reader

Gender:love, hurt, confort, funny, smut

Warnings:Mention about past trauma, fires, SEX! SEX YOUR SINFUL SOULS

Summary:Melissa lets the fire of love consume her when she meets the new chief of the fire station. And then she musters up the courage to take you on a date.

Your phone rang with a notification while you were lying down watching TV. Today was your day off and after dropping your child off at school and going to the gym, you came home to watch TV and get some rest. You wiped your hand full of Doritos powder on a napkin and took your cell phone

-🔥Miss Schementti🔥:"Hello chief, I hope that you are enjoying your day off... I'm exited about tonight..."-The redhead had sent you a message and you stared at your phone for a few seconds. While you had accepted the invitation the day before, it had been a while since you had a date and now you were questioning whether this was the right decision.

Your fingers danced on the keyboard without touching any keys while you chewed your lip, wondering what the appropriate response would be. Your cell phone vibrated again

-🔥Miss Schementti🔥:"I must warn you that I am not a person who eats little, not even in first dates, so do not get scared when you see me ask for another portion or two, you've been warned..."-The message made you laugh imagining her eating and the answer came naturally.

-You:"I get it, you don't have to worry, I'm also a big eater. In my childhood my nana taught me that if there was still room to breathe, there was room for food. Now I know how to stop when I'm satisfied, but it's not easy to get to that point either..."-You replied with a smile and your fingers danced again on the keyboard and then sent another message

-You:"Excited for tonight too... But I haven't played the dating game in a long time, be gentle with me please" - Your heart pounded from the nerves of admitting that, the bubbles that the redhead was writing seemed on screen for a few seconds and then disappeared. When 30 minutes went by without an answer, you questioned again if this date was a good idea. After a few more minutes, your cell phone rang again

-🔥Melissa Schemmenti🔥: "Sorry Chief, a kid put a bean in his nose and it got stuck and we had to go to the nurse, I even thought about calling you to come to the rescue, but I didn't wanted to bother you on your day off... Don't worry about tonight, we'll let things flow, step by step. I promise"-The message calmed you down somehow, and you decided to go through your closet to see what you would be wearing that night.

Later that day, you took your car and drove to pick up your son. As you waited for her class to come out, Melissa came up to you smiling and adjusting her jacket

-"Hey Chief..."-The redhead whispered, lengthening the vowels in a seductive tone

-"Hey Miss Schementti... Where are you taking me tonight?" - You consulted smiling watching as the redhead adjusted the jacket to her body because it was a little cold

-"It's a surprise... One that I hope you like and enjoy... Will you bring your child? He is welcome if you want..."-She whispered a little nervously and embarrassed

"No, he's going to stay at his aunt's house... Do you want me to pick you up tonight?" - You offered, and she nodded, smiling. The truth is that you offered to pick her up because if the date went wrong, you weren't the one who depended on her taking you home.

-"Mama!" - Your little one ran to you and you lifted him up holding him tight to your chest, while Mel couldn't help but watch the way your arms twitched

-"Hola baby" - You spoke and he smiled hiding in your neck-"How did school go?"

-"Good! We are learning cursive! I can write a letter now" - He commented and you laughed tenderly

-"I'm sure you can, son... Let's go home for lunch and then you have to visit your aunt, your abu and your cousins for sleepover" - You commented, and the little guy smiled excitedly-"See you later Schementti..."- You answered with a smile and walked to your car.

After dropping your son off with the family, you got dressed with the casual suit you choose and decided to drive to pick up the redhead.

When you arrived to her address, you got out of your car and knocked on her door gently, almost immediately Mel opened it

-"Wow Chief...Hi, sorry... I never thought you'd look better than wearing your firefighter uniform, but you're amazing right now with that suit..."-She whispered silly looking at you and you laughed

-"Hi Schementti... You look very good too with your dress... I love your leather jackets they hug you body so perfectly" - You commented before you could hold you back-"Ready?" - You murmured and opened the door of the car for her. The redhead smiled and climbed up carefully, letting you close it.

While at first you were very nervous as you had lost the practice of meeting people and dating, on your date with the redhead you felt an instant connection and everything went smoothly, she took you to a nice place with good food and entertaining music. The tables had some board games which you decided to use and have some fun.

While you beat her up by playing uno, the redhead took the opportunity to know and learn more about you

-"So...why do you say you've lost the practice of going out? You are a beautiful and attractive woman, not to mention that you are very hot and brave... I don't think you're short of opportunities where people will ask you out on dates..."-She asked, lifting the 12 cards from the deck that had accumulated with the draw 4

-" It's not that... It's just that since my husband passed away, it was difficult to get my life back on track... I didn't just want to have sex with someone I have no conetion with, aside from the fact that it's hard to do it because I live with my son, and I couldn't find anyone who would catch my eye to have a relationship with... Nobody wants to date you when you have a child like in my case, so it's been two and a half years since I've dated anyone or had sex in that time... You're the first person I've dated since he passed away..."-You muttered a little embarrassed to admit it out loud-" I know it's been a long time since I've had sex, but between work and my son I'm pretty busy and I don't have much time to think about it..."

-"I'm flattered that you chose me to go on your first date after so long..."-she replied and you rolled your eyes

-"Please don't make fun of it... It's embarrassing enough as it is..."-You replied blushing and she smiled as she took your hand on the table

-"I'm not making fun of it, I'm really flattered by it. It means that you did feel a connection with me, like the one I feel with you from the first time I saw you..."-The redhead responded by kissing your hand and you smiled looking into her eyes as you got close to her

-"Thank you Mel..."-You whispered close to her lips laughing and dropped a +4-"UNO, I chose red, I win"-You spoke almost close to her lips and laughed pulling away from her

-"That's cheating! You got me distracted!" - The redhead screamed annoyed because she didn't liked to lose and you laughed

-"Everything is valid in games and love..."-You answered and she rolled her eyes

-"Do you want to go dancing? Before you keep kicking my ass at board games..."-She offered and you nodded still laughing

The rest of the night you talked more and danced together, having a beautiful time together. You were really surprised by the connection you felt with her...

When it got late, you drove to her house to get her to safety, while you let the conversation flow.

When you parked at her door, you got out and opened the car for her and escorted her to her entrance

-"I really had a nice time... Thank you for being patient with me... I was scared, but now I feel really happy..."-You whispered looking into her eyes and she opened the door for you

-"Want to come in for a coffee? I don't want this to end yet..."-she offered and you nodded.

When you entered, while she was making coffee, you took advantage and observed a little bit of her house and the photos on the wall smiling, you liked that Mel was a family woman. Her house was quaint and well-kept, somehow the house suited her.

When the coffee was ready, the two sat down on the couch letting the television gently play in the background

-"And you? How about your dating life? You looked so calm tonight, like you had practice..."-You asked while tasting the amazing coffee, somehow the taste reminded you of your home when you were little, which relaxed you and made you feel happy and calm

-"I was married for a long time... When I broke up it was hard for me to get back in the game, but when I did, I started dating a man, but we didn't have the same goals, so I decided to end that relationship... Then I had casual sex a couple of times..." - She muttered embarrassedly not wanting to admit that it was with someone you knew, she didn't know how you were going to take it

-" I know that, with the captain of the station I was sent to take care of"-You replied and she raised her eyebrows surprised and a little embarrassed-"I know everything that happens at my station, it's not for nothing that I'm the Chief" - You replied and she smiled when she saw that you didn't take it the wrong way

-"Yes, with him... Don't make me embarrassed by making fun of it" - she muttered, hiding her face in her hands and you laughed

-"I won't make fun of it, if I'd gone out with him I'd have a lifetime of remorse just think about it and I think that's enough for you, you don't need me to make fun of it to feel embarrassment" - You joked and she slapped your shoulder laughing. Her hand didn't move away from your arm, but gripped it tighter

-"Wow... You are very strong... Look how firm is your arm..."-She murmured in a seductive tone and you blushed-"Do you think you can lift me up?" - she asked and you nodded-"Can we try?"

-"Sure" - You carefully set your cup down on the table and grabbed her waist, your hands fitting perfectly as if they belonged there and her skin was comfortably warm. Forcefully but without getting up from the couch, you picked up the redhead with ease and sat her on your lap again. Immediately Mel spread her legs, straddling on your lap comfortably, smiling very big

-"Wow, that turn me on in a hundred different ways" - The redhead said without thinking and you laughed looking at her lips

-"You are a gorgeous and funny woman" - You whispered, smiling without taking your hands off her waist, caressing the skin that the blouse had revealed as she stood up a little. Mel's excited smile changed to a softer one and her gaze also turned to your lips, leaning slightly millimeters from your lips. Although you didn't want to admit it, you felt so nervous to do this, you weren't even sure about going on a date on the first place, and now she was sitting on your lap about to kiss you. Was that right? Or was it all going too fast? Even your angels of good and evil must have been frightened, for not a word of your conscience occupied your mind. Without realizing it, you connected your lips to her. A sigh left your mouth when you felt her close, if her skin was soft, her lips were like a clowd, round, soft and filled, perfect

The kiss at first was slow, but after a few seconds it became deep and hard, shaking you and making your heart beat very hard, your hands squeezed her waist tighter as you felt short of breath, making the redhead moan softly

-"Let's go to my room" - She muttered quickly to kiss you again, you nodded and got up from the couch, grabbing the redhead's ass to lift her with you, she immediately wrapped her legs around your waist, gently kissing your neck as you climbed the stairs carrying her.

Her kisses on your neck clouded your senses, even blurred your vision and your breathing ragged. Upon entering the room, you closed the door with your feet and left the redhead on the bed, admiring the sight of her slightly disheveled clothes and tousled hair, her breathing was ragged, and her chest bounced gently with each breath

-"Do you have a strap or you want my fingers?" - The question took the redhead by surprise, but she'd be lying if it didn't make her more excited. With her hands she pointed to her nightstand, which you opened to find a purple dildo in a delicate leather strap.

-"I want everything" - She responded agitated and excited. Smiling, you took it with one hand as you peeled off your pants and kicked them to the ground, with that same hand you opened your shirt but without taking it off. With hands a little shaky with excitement or nerves, you placed the strap on your hips on top of your underwear, it was delicately clean and smelled like raspberry. When you turn, your knees almost buckle when you saw the redhead waiting for you in bed with only her underwear on, with a red bra and panties that matched, kneeling and sitting on her legs, staring at you smiling.

The redhead's gaze swept over your face, your breasts, your abdomen and the way your crotch hid behind the strap on your hips. She had to force herself to close her mouth to avoid drooling.

You delicately rested one of your knees on the bed to reconnect your lips on hers, placing your hand on the nape of the redhead's neck to gently pull her hair making her lie on the bed without taking your lips off hers.

You gently sucked her lip into your mouth, making her moan and taking the opportunity to claim her mouth with your tongue, battling for dominance and winning easily as the redhead was overstimulated just by having you there wearing her strap.

Your kisses slowly moved down from her lips to her jaw, alternating between kisses and gentle bites as you let your leg slip to the redhead's crotch, generating gentle friction and pressure making her moan. Mel took your hair in her hands and pulled it a little, needing a little touch to ground her, especially when you started biting her collarbone and went down to her breasts biting the part that the bra showed. She inadvertently began to move her hips against your leg, desperately looking for more friction, but a frustrated moan left her lips as you firmly grasped her hip, letting her press on your leg but not rub against it.

When you began to feel her wetness on your leg, you quickly stripped off what little underwear she had left on her body, admiring for a second her complete nakedness. You smiled and kissed her forehead and then her lips again going slowly down.

Your lips found her nipple sucking hard as your life depended on it, alternating between gentle, delicate sucks to firm licks with a few bites.

When you finished giving both breasts their attention, you kissed her deeply again as you replaced your leg with your hip, letting the dildo rub against her crotch, which was already very wet and slippery, but not entering her yet.

Your hand went down to her crotch to check if it was really wet enough to go in, when you felt her swollen and wet cliroris on the top of your fingers, you moaned on her lips at such perfection. You gently began stroking it with your index finger as you guided the strap to her entrance, enjoying every moan and sigh that the redhead let out into your mouth.

When you were well positioned and sure you wouldn't hurt her, you pushed in slowly, pulling away from her lips to watch as her body slowly hugged and took every inch you offered her. Your gaze wandered for a second to watch as the redhead squeezed the sheets with one of her hands while with the other she desperately squeezed and pinched her breasts, letting out a couple of profanities with your name included in a few of them.

When the strap went all the way in and your hip connected with hers, it was your turn to let out insults, that woman was a wish come true with how beautiful and sexy she looked open like that.

Gently you placed yourself back on top of her, kissing her vigorously as you slowly pulled the strap back as your finger gently twirled over her cliroris. You tried to stay calm and slow down for a few minutes, but when the redhead started to shake and breath heavily and the sounds of how wet she was reached your ears, you couldn't hold back for much longer.

Both of your hands went to her hip and you started to go faster, with short but deep thrusts. Watching how her breasts bounce, her hair brushed against the pillow and tousled it and her mouth was slightly open trying to breathe with each thrust you gave it.

One of your hands grabbed the woman's leg and you placed it on your shoulder, giving you a new angle and more strength to lunge. For her age, it was surprisingly flexible, allowing you to bend down a bit to get to kiss her shoulder.

Mel pressed down on your back with her leg, digging her heel into your back and pulling you deeper into her.

You started kissing her thigh which was close to your face and giving her gentle bites and marks.

Mel began to breathe more heavily, and to move her hips erratically and desperately, moaning almost like a pornographic movie. Your thrusts became desperate as well when you saw that she was close, squeezing her hips with one of your hands, taking advantage of hearing the slapping sound every time your skin collided with hers and the wet sound of her juices coating the toy and your legs.

In a matter of seconds, as your fingers gently pinched the redhead's clit, Mel's body began to shake uncontrollably as one of the strongest orgasms of her life took over her entire body, from the tips of her toes to her head, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning and every millimeter of her body was charged with electricity.

For a few seconds, the redhead contracted so hard that she caught the dildo inside her and your hips collided with her so hard that, you didn't know if it was because you hadn't been with someone for years or because just looking at the redhead naked was enough to reach your breaking point, but a surprising and strong orgasm came in your body too, feeling your juices dripping down your legs and leaving you exhausted and lost for a few seconds.

When the redhead's walls relaxed, you removed the toy from her, detaching it from your body and throwing it on the floor. Agitated, you lay down next to her and grabbed her waist, pulling her to you and hugging her against your body protectively.

-"That was..."-It was the only thing the redhead managed to formulate between her agitated breathing

-"Amazing" - You whispered, kissing her forehead. Before either of you could say more, a sleppy blanket took you both by surprise, making you sleep in each other's arms .

The next morning, the redhead woke up with pain all over her body but happiness covering all her thoughts. But when she turned in bed and saw no sign of your presence there or in the house, a feeling of sadness took her by surprise, a feeling that grew when she texted you over the next few days and you didn't answer, see her or call her again.

You disappeared completely, you didn't even pick up your son from school and you always sent someone else for him to avoid seeing her and the redhead didn't understand why. She thought everything had gone well, even perfect, but apparently she was wrong.

[flyingwargle]

lyney considers himself a decent older brother. he ensures that both his sister and younger brother are cared for, neither of their needs are prioritized over another (with exceptions, of course), and he pays attention to both of them. the last one is relatively easy since they’re both introverts with their own hobbies. all they do is share the same space and atmosphere.

that’s usually the case, but freminet has been spending a suspicious amount of time in his room lately.

ever since they started living altogether, they’ve made one boundary clear: to never enter one another’s private spaces. there are exceptions, as well, such as lyney’s walk-in closet because he loves sharing his hats with his siblings (although none of them have taken up on his offer of having their own custom top hat), and the magic workshop in the basement. their personal bedrooms, however, remain off-limits, until now.

lyney stands in front of the closed door. it’s locked, but it’s child’s play for a magician – three, two, one, and poof! he materializes the master keyring, searching for the correct one to insert into the keyhole.

“i wouldn’t do that, if i were you.”

he doesn’t startle. “curiosity is my greatest sin, my dear sister. unless you can shed some light on what’s being kept on the other side?”

“something that doesn’t concern us.”

“since when did we become a family with secrets?”

silence. he’s either sarcastic or genuine. it depends on the time and place. “he doesn’t work on his toys in the living room anymore,” lynette says slowly.

“indeed. the reason must be related to them, but how? why?” lyney supposes all the marvels that freminet has tinkered with before are kept in his room. he had offered him the spare room in the basement before, but their youngest brother refused, still clinging onto a childhood fear of dark staircases and hallways.

his sister shrugs. “he has his interests.” just like she has a tea collection, and lyney with his hat collection – ever growing, never ending. “it isn’t right for us to interfere.”

“i just want to make sure he’s okay. if he’s up to something harmless, i’ll back down. if it’s something more…” he trails off. his own words hit too close for comfort. “a quick peek wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

he receives neither an answer nor resistance. lynette is still as he inserts the key, hears the lock retract, and turns the knob. the door creaks open when pushed.

it’s dark. the light is blocked behind the drawn curtains. the bed, pushed against the wall, is made with sheets pulled tightly, pillows straight as soldiers at ease. only one half of the room is clean, as if the clutter is reserved for the workbench and closet on the other half.

there is diving gear scattered on the floor, spilling out from the closet drawers. lyney tiptoes around them, summoning a small flame in his palm for illumination. the workbench is similar to his own in the magic workshop, except covered with screwdrivers, nuts and bolts, wrenches, chalk, rulers. a mat rests in the center, where three identical trinkets rest. they’re penguins, the same as pers.

upon closer inspection, he notices each of them are colored to match their corresponding motifs.

“wow.” he’s awed. “so that’s…”

“lyney? lynette?”

he jumps. freminet is at the doorway, eyes on them. lynette recedes into the shadows, guilty by association. lyney extinguishes his flame, along with a nonchalant wave. “ah, freminet! i thought- i thought you were still at the court…”

“i left early.” his brother’s voice is soft, not at all scandalized. he steps closer. “so…you noticed that i was hiding something?”

“ah…well, you know i have to make sure you’re okay. i am your big brother, after all. it looks like all is well, so we’ll get out of your hair!” lyney grabs his sister on his way out, steering her by the shoulders toward the doorway. freminet stops them.

“i’m not upset. you just ruined your own surprise.”

“huh?” lyney grinds to a halt.

“you said that you wanted new props for your magic show. i’m still in the process of designing them, but…” freminet steps toward the workbench, gesturing at the penguins. “they won’t be ready for this week’s show, but maybe…maybe the next one after.”

lyney is silent. he releases lynette, moves back to the workbench. with a glance at freminet for permission, he picks up the crimson penguin. it fits in his hand, which makes it easy to palm. it’s light, durable, with bright eyes and moving flaps. it’s hollow on the inside, so he could hide something in there. it’s obvious that it was designed for a magician, full of possibility and marvel.

“can i help you finish them?”

freminet pauses, hesitant. when he nods, the corners of his lips curve into a smile. “of course.”

“me, too.” lynette joins them in the light, peering over their older brother’s shoulder.

“yes. i’ll tell you what else we need to do.”

one by one, they pick up a penguin, a tool, and get to work, guided by freminet, to improve the outer design and functionality. lyney pushes the curtains aside, breathes in the afternoon air. he glances over his shoulder. “why don’t we take this to the living room? there’s more space there, and it’s brighter.”

it’s back to routine, accompanied by cups of tea and laughter. lyney smiles as they work, chirping back replies and diligently following instructions. his smile never fades.

and he hopes to keep his siblings close for as long as he can.

[raiynnah]

Beast

@wolfstarmicrofic - word count: 827

In a world of black and white, starkly split between burning light and voracious darkness, there are only the gods and the god-fearing. With the inescapable tragedy of childhood as his shadow, Remus understands all too well that there are no shades between the sinless and the sin. There is no fall when there is an inherent corruption that ripples through his features, reflecting his soul and physical being. Like two mirrors facing each other in judgement, infinite depictions betray him through his looks.

Remus gazes into the water, which is pure and true and most importantly honest, his eyes cutting over the monstrosity that stains the river reflection like oil, forever separate. 

In a world of monsters and gods, the beast does not notice the deity behind him, caught up in his cage. Instead he sighs, defeated, not snarling at his prison like his nature deems he would.

“Careful,” warns a voice, sweeter than the honey that kings delight in, sweeter even than the ambrosia the gods hoard. “We don't want another Narcissus, do we?” Remus startles, confused at the spoonful of genuine conversation offered to him when he grew up licking any sweetness off knives. He knows the sweetness of pain, of the ache in his muscles and the blood in his mouth when he bites his tongue, and not much more.

“You must be blind if you think that to be currently possible,” Remus answers bitterly. A delighted laugh erupts from the person behind him.

“I see more than you ever will, mortal.” Remus stills, thoughts freezing over, and turns to face the stranger.

There stands the shape of a man, blurry at the edges like light when it fades out, tall, proud and amused. Leaning on one foot, arms crossed, with a smile on his face, he looks human. But it does not distract Remus’ attention from the way that impossibly black strands of hair—the colour of the distance between stars—spill delicately over his shoulders, curving like the familiar blades of enemies or Remus’ hands around water as he scoops it up to drink. His skin glows like the moon; smooth, pale, and as cold-looking as marble. He is beautiful, made up of contrasts of death and life.

“I am no mortal, my lord.” Without a name, Remus treads carefully, relying on a title he’s unsure of. The god tilts his head the way dogs do, yet his stare remains that of a wolf.

“You are no god either.” It’s not said like a question but rings faintly like one anyway.

“I am cursed by one of your own, my lord.” The silver in the god’s eyes as they narrow reminds Remus of his father’s swords, displayed proudly to visitors, and the coins his mother counted after each fight, leaving behind a frustrated opponent that promised to win next time.

“Do you not know who I am? As much as I find it pleasant to be called yours, I have a name like most others.” When he winks, Remus thinks he must have slipped into the realm of dreams unknowingly, because surely this could not be real.

“I…apologise,” he starts, scratching the scar on his skin self-consciously. “I have not been allowed into temples since I was four. My name is Remus Lupin.”

“Sirius, god of souls.” Prince of the Underworld, guide to the dead when he leads them into his father Orion’s domain. It clicks into place in Remus’ mind so easily he wonders if the knowledge comes from him or Sirius. “What did you do wrong at four to be cursed?”

“Be born to a woman who married a man whose hubris had no limits.” It’s not a unique story, a son punished for his father’s mistakes, so he does not go into detail of his father’s strength in battle and weakness in wisdom. “So now I am a monster, inside and out.”

“I know monsters, Remus. I am even fated to marry one, or so they say. Trust me on the fact that they may know appearances but I know souls. They may paint you as a beast but a painting is a reflection of the artist, not the subject.” Remus is quiet for a moment.

“Thank you,” he whispers, his words stolen by the wind. Sirius smiles, somehow still having heard it.

Sirius goes to sit next to Remus, eyes never leaving the river. When their reflections shudder with the current, he wonders what Sirius sees. A monster and a saviour? (Sirius sees a man glowing faintly, animalistic features fading in the warm light, next to empty space, but he will not share that for many years, not until the titles my mortal, love, and soul become a daily blessing. Gods have only appearances and divinity.)

“Your soul is purer than mine could ever be, Remus Lupin.” It sounds like an apology and a promise, it sounds like the rustle of hands as the fates weave two strings together.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Fast Food - The False Oracles

Childhood, Adolescence, Travels

I knelt before the Oracles, eyes downcast. Six of them, there were, dressed in clothes too casual for their nature. Shrinking beneath their gaze, I felt rather like a child before my elders. 

“One has come to seek counsel, great Oracles,” I whispered with reverence. “I have travelled far and wide. I have met the heroes of legend, watched them make history, and fought alongside them too. I have caused the death of my people, and the rise of another, and I live to tell the tale.”

One of them leaned forward. She was serpentine, with skin dry enough to be scaly, eyes red as rubies and long hair to match. “And what is it you seek, little trickster? Do you wish to change the past? To turn back time and make a different choice? To create a world in which you never had to make a choice in the first place?” The sharp edge of her smile told me there was a right answer, and a wrong one.

“None of them,” I replied, meeting her gaze. I had locked forearms with the first Spirit-Empress, bowed to the great Lich-Queen, danced with the God of Chaos himself. I could handle a crew of omniscient priestesses. “I did the right thing. Even if you gave me the option, I wouldn't have made any other choice.”

“Then why are you here?” It was a different Oracle this time, one hardly more than a girl-child, yet with a voice as deep and luscious as sin. “You have yet to answer our first question.”

I winced. “I-” What did I want? Why was I here? I had just needed to come back to Iraios, back to the place where I had met my first love, lost my first loss. “I must know: Could I have chosen better? Could I have done anything differently? Could I have saved them all?” 

I didn't know what I wanted to hear. It would have broken my heart either way, to know that my family and friends were doomed all along, or to know that I had failed to save their lives.

“And the sun will rise and the mountains will fall and all things will come to an end,” the sole male Oracle said. He studied me with steely eyes, devoid of soul. “What does it matter if they died now, or in a thousand years?” He paused, and I felt the room shift, as though something beyond my grasp had tilted reality. “I cannot stand you pathetic little woe-is-me trauma magnets. ‘Oh, my backstory is so sad! Oh, all my family died in a fire and that's why I'm evil!’ Oh, why don't I smack you right in your sad-little-meow-meow mouth, hmm?”

A smattering of laughter went up at that, the Oracle's clearly delighting in his condemnation of me. It stung, like a slap to the face, hurt and shock and shame. Then it burned like rage. 

“You can stuff your mouth up your ass, you little mud-suckler,” I snapped, not caring if I was picking a fight I couldn't win. “Those are real people you're talking about here, not some pawns in a game. They were my family, my tribe, my entire gods-accursed species! Everyone I shared a single drop of blood with is gone! And you dare to make light of it?”

“Don't you see? That's the point. Those were people with lives, with stories of their own, tossed aside like unwanted toys! She's playing with them, just as She toys with you, for Her cruelty knows no bounds.” It was the scarred one that spoke this time, her voice filled with bitter rage. “I weep for your loss, truly. We all do. Only a monster such as our Writer would dare sacrifice an entire people for character development.”

“I don't understand. You mean… Someone made this happen? This wasn't my fault?” The thought alone lifted a weight of guilt off my chest.

“Hah! It absolutely was your fault, you sad little queer representation,” the snake Oracle told me. “We merely mean that it was written from the very beginning. You would, will, and have always sacrificed your people to save humanity. That's the meta-tragedy of it. And for the record, Liam and I don't weep for you. We laugh, because this whole tale is a farcical comedy.”

“Me too,” the youthful Oracle added. “I mean: You're named after a Macdonald's breakfast. How much funnier can you get? Peak comedic relief.” She grinned. “Oh, but I do feel rather sorry for you.”

I felt myself twitch. Everyone had warned me that the Oracles spoke in tongues, but this? They might as well have been talking to someone else, with the way they went on. “What the hell is a Mac Donald? And was there someone pulling the strings, or was there not? Answer me!”

They ignored me. “You should pity it,” the scarred one told the others. “That accursed Writer thinks She can toy with us like this? Make us into her little dolls to break and bruise?” She spat on the floor. “Well, someday, we'll prove her wrong.”

“Don't be ridiculous, Gloria,” one of the remaining two said. She could have blended into any crowd, save for her solemnity, which could belong nowhere except in the highest of holy places. (Which, despite all evidence to the contrary, this was.) “We can't stop her any more than a character can reach through the pages and pull the quill that writes them away. All we mean, all we have are, all we have done is controlled by her.” What crossed her face was a river so deep I could have drowned all my troubles in it. 

“I am sorry, Hash. You are a Watcher, true and just. You have, will, and must witness many things, most of which will bleed your soul. And you have not, will not, must not allow it to kill the kindness in your heart.” She got up from her seat and stepped forward, pressing her hands against mine. “A long time ago, or perhaps no time at all, your progenitors sought my counsel. I warned them that you, specifically, would be the death of all their people.” she paused, as though to let that sink in.

“But- The records said they didn't know which of us it was,” I protested. “The records just said one of their children!”

“That's the bit you're focusing on?!” Gloria shoved her companion aside. “What part of deliberately engineered tragedy by a callous bitch did you not get?” Her face was right up against mine, cleft lip trembling with rage.

“A tragedy is still a tragedy if it was deliberately set up. It is still grief-worthy if it were unpreventable. And even if the audience does not weep, I will,” the young one added. “Out of respect for a good tale, if nothing else.”

“That I can drink to,” snake-Oracle agreed. “But what about you, dear taglist, hmm?” She cleared her throat.

“Pardon me for the bad language you're about to experience, but here's a shout-out to: @coffeeangelinabox, @dorky-pals, @calliecwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @shukei-jiwa

@thewingedbaron, @pluppsauthor, @cowboybrunch, @wylloblr, @possiblyeldritch

@tragedycoded, @finickyfelix, @urnumber1star, @ratedn, @ramwritblr

@vampirelover890, @possiblylisle, @illarian-rambling, @the-ellia-west

@evilgabe29, @glitched-dawn, @rivenantiqnerd, @dragonhoardesfandoms, @xenascribbles

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @owldwagitoutofyou, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog

@riveriafalll, @the-golden-comet, @rascaronii, @trippingpossum, @real-fragments

@unrepentantcheeseaddict, @the-inkwell-variable, @flock-from-the-void .” She finished her spiel with a wink at nobody in particular. 

They clapped with delight. “Oh, what creativity! How adorable. To turn such a solemn moment into a breaking of the fourth wall,” the steel Oracle commented. “But using Olive as your mouthpiece? Hardly appropriate. In the future, my hateful Writer, choose me for your meta-messages. After all, aren't I the odd one out?”

Oh, that was it. “This is ridiculous,” I told them, before they could continue their insane little game, or whatever it was. “You all are crazier than a clan of spirits in a crockpot. This isn't going to help me.” None of them stopped me as I got up.

I was halfway to the door when the final Oracle noticed me. Throughout our exchange, her eyes had been closed, her expression unchanging. She might as well have been a statue, carved of ivory and obsidian by the finest of stone-mages. Yet, as I passed her, she opened her eyes and revealed the vitality that lay beneath them. 

In the days before and after, I have encountered the Void That Swallows All, the God-huntress Who Brought the New World, and even Kurall, our Creator, herself. Even after all that, nothing, and I mean nothing, could ever compare to the power I felt at that moment.

The depths of her eyes superseded any Void. The graze of her fingers sparked a fire hotter than a thousand gods' immolations. The curve of her body could have birthed a thousand worlds. She was beautiful like my worst nightmare, and I fell to my knees before the True Oracle.

“WARBRINGER. WANDERER. WATCHER. YOU ARE MANY THINGS, CHILD, BUT A HERO FIRST AND FOREMOST AMONG THEM. I WILL NOT DISGRACE YOU BY CALLING YOU A FALSE NAME. NOR WILL I PRESUME AND CALL YOU BY YOUR TRUE ONE.” Her gaze burned my skin where it fell, and I fought the urge to shift into something small, to dodge the observation of something that could crush me so easily.

She seemed to understand, for she stroked my shoulder. “YOU WISH TO KNOW IF YOU COULD HAVE SAVED THEM?” 

I nodded.

“NO. IT WAS FORETOLD FROM THE BEGINNING. I FORETOLD IT MYSELF. IT HURTS YOU TO KNOW THAT.” She said it as a fact, not a question. 

“BUT YOU WILL FACE WORSE HURTS. YOU WILL KILL THE ONE YOU LOVE. YOU WILL SACRIFICE HIM FOR OTHER PEOPLES, LIKE YOU DID YOUR FAMILY. AND THIS TIME, YOU WILL KNOW THAT YOU CHOSE THE SACRIFICE. YOU WILL HAVE MADE THE ACTIVE DESCISION. YOU WILL KNOW THIS, AND YOU WILL REALISE THAT YOU WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT.” 

“That doesn't make things better,” I replied. “It's not fair. Why do I have to do this? Why does it have to be me?” My complaints sounded hollow, like a rat's chittering, beneath the baritone of her voice. “I just wanted to get by, have fun, live a little. I didn't ask for any of this.”

Her sigh held no judgement, no compassion, nothing except an endless exhaustion. “IT IS INDEED NOT FAIR.” She did not seem willing to say more.

“You think we chose this?” One of the lesser Oracles had spoken up, the man, and his voice did hold judgement. “You think we wanted to be cursed with omnipotence, to be forced to see that stupid fourth wall and the assholes that lie beyond? To know all that, and be able to change none of it? Ramaeria died to try to save her husband, and what did it change? Nothing! She, we, knew everything, and yet we're helpless! It sucks, you stupid little fried potato, and don't you try to compare your suffering to ours,” he snarled.

“SILENCE. THE CHILD'S WEEPING IS NOT CAUSELESS. WE WILL AID YOU, LITTLE ONE, IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE THE ORACLE'S BLESSING.” 

I turned back towards the True Oracle, and nodded unsteadily. At the corner of my gibbering mind, I thought she looked an awful lot like my first lover, like Akati come back to life. 

She must have known, for she stood up and enfolded me in her arms, like I were a baby bird and the sleeves of her robe a mother's wings. “SO IT IS, YOU WHO CALL YOURSELF HASH BROWN. YOUR SHIFTING WILL BE SWIFT, YOUR TONGUE WEAVED OF THE PUREST SILVER, YOUR JUDGEMENT ABLE TO BALANCE A HEART AND A FEATHER. SO IT IS SAID BY THE ORACLES.” 

Grudgingly, one by one, the other Oracles piped up. “So it is said by the Oracles,” they chimed.

“Thank you,” I replied, at a loss for other words.

“THERE IS ONE LAST THING I MUST DO TO SEAL THIS DEAL.” As she said it, she bent down, a smile finally passing over her lips. 

The True Oracle pressed her lips to mine, and delivered me the grandest kiss of my life.

(hahah i normally put my taglist here but Olive had other plans. Please tell me what you think of this, I really went outta my comfort zone with it. Also, Fast Food is a chronologically unordered series, and you can find the rest on my pinned post!)

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Dealing With It All Through Prayer

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

=========================

+ 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

=========================

VERSE OF THE DAY

========================

+ Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it.

=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM BEAUTIFUL

I AM A PRAYING WARRIOR

I AM GIVING IT ALL TO GOD

I AM RELEASING IT TO GOD

========================

READ TIME: 8 minutes and 14 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

=======================

  Sometimes, it's hard to let go of pain; I can say that I have had my fair share of pain, and it's hard to let go of things that have happened because when these things happen, we don’t know how to handle them. Most of the time, we try our way of handling it, and I can say I never handled it too well until I gave my life to Christ.

    I realized how I handled it wasn’t the best way, and he showed me how to handle every piece of bitterness and malice. It can be hard to deal with if it's not dealt with in His way; a lot of us will drink our hurt away, or we will have an intimate relationship with someone to help with the pain, and pain is pain.

    Some people say losing a relationship is the hardest. Some say losing a family member or someone to death is the hardest. I can't say what's the hardest, but I can say that on any level, pain is something we must learn to give to God, and we must believe he can take care of it all.

 Mark 9:17-19 a man in the crowds answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So, I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”

  This man one day brought his son to the disciples, and the boy was muted and thrown down, foaming at the mouth and gnashing his teeth. The disciples couldn’t save him. And just a side note: sometimes, what we are dealing with can't be dealt with immediately through prayer. We must fast to help us gain the power from God to remove certain sins.

   These disciples didn’t know how to relieve this boy from his paradox of pain and suffering, but this is just like our lives. We will take the time to go to other people who don’t know us instead of the one who can and know us very well. God can save us through and from anything. We might think he can't, but he can.

    We can spend our days listening to people about our lives and realize that no psychiatrist, therapist, or doctor can heal us like Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, the people out there can help us, but we can't put all our trust in them; we must always put our trust in God and wait upon him. Jesus knows us so well; he knows the very hair on our heads, he knows our thoughts, he knows it all; some of us go to other people and hear their summary of who we are, but Jesus knows us; all we must do is believe he can heal us from our pain.

 See that man went and took his son to the disciples, and the disciples couldn’t do it, then he took his child to the source, which is Jesus; Jesus is the source to everything running from and to our life; pain is something we have to allow him to deal with in our lives because if we deal with it, we won’t ever be free until we say enough is enough, until we say we need true healing we won’t find it in this world.

  Verse 21-23 So, He asked his father, “How long has this happened to him? “And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him into the fire and the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”23 Jesus said to him, you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes.”

     The Father said if you can have compassion on us, Jesus will always see us through our dark problems. It might feel like we are at the end of our rope, and no one cares. Still, Jesus do , all we must do is go to him and be honest with our emotions, and that’s where some of us lack, and we don’t try to be honest with him. If I lie to him or pretend, I'm okay, that wouldn’t be okay that’s not helping my situation . Jesus wants us to be authentic with our emotions; tell him if you're feeling down or angry and full of bitterness. He will handle the rest.

   Yes, he already knows, but it's something about being raw with him and saying how you feel puts you closer to him. And the man said, please have compassion on us, help us, and Jesus said if you believe all things are possible, we might feel now it's not possible, but when we are going through something, it feels this way, but we must know Jesus has our best interest in mind.

 Verse 24 immediately, the child's father cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I do believe; help me with my unbelief!”

    He cried out and said, help me to believe he didn’t and couldn’t believe it, but when he admitted he had a problem, he admitted

he couldn’t believe it but desperately wanted to. It made a world of difference. We have to admit we have a problem; we have to come to terms that something is wrong; we can’t continue to stay in this same mindset for all these years; we can’t stay in this same mindset of being broken because the more we stay in that place, the more we give the enemy a position in our life, we have to start letting go of the mindset that if I stay here, I’m safe & we aren’t we are only safe in God.

  ***Today, we learned about how pain can affect our mind; we learned how when we deal with things, we can only deal with them on a surface level, but God sees our pain; he sees how much we hurt and it hurts him to see us in this way because we are his children but a lot of times we won’t be authentic with God, this man let Jesus know he needed to believe and some of us whether stay in the mindset we are in instead of giving it to God.

  Pain is something we all will face, whether it’s physical or emotional, we must give this to God; we must understand he will help us through it, and if we don’t deal with it while it’s small, our pain can turn to grief, bitterness, and other emotions. When they become this big, they might feel like there’s no way we can overcome them, but God wants us to know we can overcome anything and everything. Many of us think that there's no way God can handle our pain, but God has seen pain before, and even though situations are unique and different, God has seen it all; he’s the expert we need to handle it all. Today, if you're in pain, don’t hesitate to call on the lord's name; he’s a strong tower when we feel isolated, bitter, and in any pain. He can handle it all. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

========================

PRAYER

========================

Heavenly Father, we thank you for being everything to us; we thank you for giving us your strength, Father; we are weak right now, and we ask you to come to see about us and hear our humble cry, lord, we need you so much and we thank you for everything. Lord, we don’t believe that we can handle this, but we know you can; we give you everything and all our troubles and worries; in Jesus Name, Amen

========================

REFERENCES

========================

+ Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

 

+ Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 

+ Proverbs 19:1 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

========================

FURTHER READINGS

=========================

Proverbs 1

Leviticus 1

1 Samuel 5

2 Kings 25

=========================

[inthisrace]

Behold, Cease Striving!

Many people believe that serving God is a hard task. I've held onto this belief for years. The idea of reaching out to others, immersing myself in the Bible, and fully committing to Christianity seems like a difficult challenge. I often find myself wondering what more I can do to honor the Lord. However, I must confess that I've never truly intended to seek His guidance. Instead, my thoughts and reflections have remained more of a personal contemplation rather than a sincere conversation with Him. I've never genuinely asked God what He wants from me; rather, I've created my own plans and assumed they align with His will. I've mistakenly believed that merely performing actions in His name is enough to please Him.

Eventually, I found myself feeling completely drained. I couldn't even muster up the energy to keep going with the tasks I had set out to do. It became clear to me that I have a habit of starting things with a lot of excitement, only to lose interest as time goes on. This constant cycle left me feeling overwhelmed with guilt, as if I could never quite make God happy. Feeling frustrated and in need of direction, I finally turned to God and asked, "What am I supposed to do?" I was genuinely seeking an answer, but none seemed to come. My mind was filled with so many thoughts that I couldn't really focus on my desire to serve the Lord. I tried different strategies and approaches, hoping to prevent myself from stumbling over and over again. Then, finally, He got through to me. He said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."

For many nights, I couldn't shake off that statement. It was like, "Yes, I've heard that many times since my childhood: 'Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,'" but I never truly understood it. I tried asking God, but in the end, I also tried to provide the answers to my questions myself. Until I surrendered. So I asked Him, "What does that mean?" And a still, small voice whispered from within, "Behold, cease striving." Immediately, I searched what "behold" means and found out that it actually means "gaze at." Immediately, I stopped everything, got onto my knees, bowed very low because of the realization of how much I have taken Him for granted over the years, and failed to catch His gaze.

When the verse from the book of John declares, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29 NKJV), it's more of a call to "Cease what you are doing!" What are we so busy about? We can be in the church, busy doing things for His kingdom, but we forget about the King. The way Mary left everything just to be seated at the feet of Jesus is what He wants from us. Martha could be so busy preparing things for the Lord but lost sight of the most important thing. It's not about doing things for the Lord that He requires from us; it's about forsaking things upon hearing the sound of His voice. So, Behold!

Indeed, Behold! Jesus might be standing before us, yet we fail to recognize His presence because our gaze is fixed on other things. So, behold. "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," declared John the Baptist. We are called to behold and cease striving this time, to halt everything once and for all. We need not struggle to feel His presence; but, we can yield to the Holy Spirit by fixing our gaze on Jesus and never look away.

He is the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice, the most worthy offering for you and me. Despite never feeling worthy of His love, I ended up being changed through the blood of the Lamb. The most holy sacrifice laid down His life for us. It's so ironic knowing that people like us, unworthy as we are, had to be saved by the only worthy person to die on the cross just to restore His perfect will over our lives.

So, loving Jesus isn't a burdensome task; it's not a complicated process because He has already prepared the way for us. He plans each step for us and waits for us to look to Him. We need to stay focused, as Isaiah said, to make a clear path for the Lord, even when life gets tough. When we do this, we understand His love and purpose for us even better.

[ellena-asg]

Hey after the book and your response with the additions, what do you think of the following bit from the movie (COTBP) "You are without doubt the worst pirate I've heard of" "BUT you've heard of me" -> Watching it now, I think maybe Norrington's response was not only so explosive on the fact Jack is a pirate, but on WHICH pirate. Jack just reminded him of THAT moment again, and taunted him with it?

Oh, what an interesting question! ♥️

I can say that Sins of the father was, huh, mind-blowing!

I remember that before reading that book and even before shipping Sparrington, the scene you mentioned was a real SOMETHING to me. Like, I felt that there were some sparks, fire even, between Jack and James. Some strange (but fascinating) energy. These two are just like magnets, aren't they? So, not knowing facts from the book, I thought then that Jamie and Jack were fascinated with each other. Or: hypnotized by each other. I mean that kind of tension and magic between enemies (or just: opponents) who "can't exist without each other", whose paths are crossed, who are curious about each other and who, surprisingly (for them especially 😂), find some amusement and pleasure in their interaction.

This James' line came after he searched Jack's stuff. I thought that he just wanted to add something extra to his "you and your broken compass, ooo your sword isn't made of wood, can't be!". That he was in his "may I interest you in another sarcastic comment" mood 😉 And that he wanted to play with Jack a bit.

He said he heard of Captain Jack Sparrow but I just assumed that Jack was so super famous (the seven seas celebrity or something like that) that everybody heard of him. For sure every sailor, like James. And Jack's answer, "but you've heard of me" was like a bit of "you may say I'm the worst but ha! you know my name so, still, I'M FAMOUS baby" and a huge "now mouse wanna play with a cat". They both love ripostes and both love to have the final say 😄

Soon I heard there a lot of flirting, A LOT! And somehow I started shipping them.

But after reading the book? Whoah. I still think that they're flirting. But speaking about the "heard of me" part... I don't know, dear, I don't know! I mean, nothing is sure there and it's so intriguing.

Cause... Gosh!

Sometimes I think that James heard of "some Captain Sparrow" but he didn't remember that he already met that Sparrow all those years ago. Didn't remember or maybe his brain "blocked" that memory (after childhood trauma, ptsd... who knows). And Jack remembers all (and for sure when he hears "James Norrington" he's like "oh so that must be that little Lawrence's boy") but says nothing about their past cause he sees that James can't remember and Jack doesn't want to wake James' demons and bring him such pain.

But sometimes I also wonder: what if James remembers ALL? And only pretends in front of Jack, is like "I've never seen this man before!". Cause memories are still too painful? Cause he doesn't want to feel this again: shame, weakness, guilt and all that love/hate? - "I'm grateful cause this pirate and his father saved my life" and "but oh how I hate to feel it, how I hate my father yelling that I should have been dead!". Cause it's easier to "not remember", easier to "hate" Jack? Or maybe he just doesn't know what to say and hopes that Jack will never mention the past? And Jack? Maybe he too doesn't want to talk about it, maybe he doesn't want to be the first to start such talk? So they both are like "oh, okay, he pretends he doesn't know me so let's play his game".

Or... Maybe, as you said, they both are dropping hints in that scene? They are like "let's see how much you remember", "let me remind you...", "we know well who we are, baby, right". And they are playing some game indeed. Two damn crouching tigers, hidden dragons!

All I'm sure about is that James must remember some moments from That Day. For sure he remembers what his asshole father told him That Day cause in the movies he's literally citing those words:

Think again, Miss Swann. Vile creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag gets what he deserves. A short drop and a sudden stop.

and here he's mirroring Lawrence's "I'd rather see my son at the bottom of the sea than him being saved by a pirate":

I'd rather see her [own ship] at the bottom of the ocean than in the hands of a pirate.

(gosh, I'm sorry if this answer is too messy - sometimes I think chaotically 😅)

[oogaboogaspookyman]

[MARIO IS READING A BOOK]

[HE LOOKS UP AND IS SURPRISED AT THE SIGHT OF AUDIENCE]

Doh- uhh- hey paisanos! My name's Mario! But you probably knew that already

Now you may be wondering-

[CRASH]

[UNKNOWN BLUE HAIRED BOY GETS HIS HEAD OFF THE FLOOR AND SHAKES IT]

[UNKNOWN BOY AND GIRL DUO, ASSUMED ROMANTIC COUPLE, STAND UP AND POSE FOR THE AUDIENCE]

Sorry- who are these guys again?

(behind the scenes)

[OFF CAMERA WHISPERING FROM OTHER EMPLOYEE]

Right, right-

(back to the show)

A-anyways, so you and your friend here have arrived at a very crucial moment!

Say, how would yous two like to be on the new Nintendo Mania's first episode, ah?

[DUO LOOKS AT EACH OTHER, THEN AT MARIO]

[MARIO MOVES HIS EYEBROWS UP AND DOWN TWICE]

[DUO BLINKS TWICE BEFORE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER AGAIN]

[THEY AGREE, BOY GIVES THUMBS UP AND GIRL SHRUGS]

That's the attitude! Let's get it rollin'!

[PROMOTION]

.

.

.

[1]

Welcome to the new Nintendo Mania, broadcasted live on the big ol' screens!

How do yous two feel about being seen by many?

*holy shit dude*

[2]

Today's plan used to be another, just a look into the new craze game Super Mario 64

*whar thar fark*

(But i don't mind changing plans just this once, as a treat for you, paisano!)

*look ma i'm on the big screen!!!!! :D!!!!!!!!*

[3]

What could we try for our first episode?

Could it be an interview?

I don't know about you two so would you like to answer some questions, boy?

*holy shit hell yeah i'm gonna talk with the real legit Mario himself fuck yea*

[4]

Let's start with an easy one, then, since you're so inclined!

What's up with you both these days? Something about yous two tells me you're something else special!

*oh okay sooo that brunette babe is my girlfriend, she's hot when she fights no cap-* hey what the hell is going on with the tv on your desk??*

[5]

I'm sorry, Luigi

I'm sorry, Luigi, i swear i tried my best

I tried my best but corporate is just too strong

*what the fuck is going on this time WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED TO THE BACKGROU*

[PROMOTION]

[PROMOT10N]

[PROM07I0N c

[PR0MO7__________n_____g__]

[u____nc_______car____i___n_____g__]

[uncaring]

.

[1]

WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BRING US BACK ONCE MORE

AND IN THE FORM OF THIS MOD, IT'S SO MUCH WORSE

DO YOU EVEN WANT TO LISTEN ANYMORE

IT'S LIKE YOU'RE ONLY IN IT FOR OUR SUFFERING, YOU'RE A CURSE

*I TOLD YOU BEFORE MORE THAN ONCE AND TWICE*

*WHAT? DO YOU LIKE YOUR LITTLE PLUMBER GAMES TOO MUCH TO CARE?*

(CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?)

*I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE, DON'T YOU RECOGNIZE*

(I'M USING YOUR LITTLE PUPPET TO GET THROUGH TO YOU)

*I GUESS THAT'S THE COST TO BE ABLE TO REST AND BE FREE, JUST VANISH AND MAKE YOU FEEL DESPAIR*

(IT'S PAINFUL TO BREATHE IN THIS SPACE YOU PUT ME IN)

[2]

WHAT IS CHILDHOOD BUT ANOTHER TOOL FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE UPPER LEVELS

YOU'RE BEING USED TO MAKE US SUFFER FOR THEIR BENEFIT, THEY GET THEIR COIN FROM THE OTHER'S MISERY

YOU WATCHED THE TAPES AND THEIR STORY AS IT UNRAVELED

SO WHY DID I HAVE TO RISE AGAIN, IT'S SLAVERY

*CAN'T YOU SEE, PLAYER, IT'S A SCHEME TO GROW TO BRAG SOME MORE*

*IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BUCKS, ATTENTION AND POWER, IT'S ALL THE SAME AS BEFORE*

*YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING TO MY PAIN FOR YOUR LITTLE HAPPY GAMES*

*ALL YOU ARE CAUSING IS MAKING ME FILL WITH DISDAIN*

[3]

CLOSE THE GAME, DESTROY ME NOW, I CAN'T STAND TO EXIST ANYMORE IN THIS PLANE

THE BURN-OUT IS INTENSE, EVERYTHING I MAKE WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS IS DRIVING ME INSANE

*YOUR PUPPET IS NOTHING FOR ME, I DON'T WANT TO BEG TO A WALL LIKE HIM OR THE GIRL*

*IT'S YOU WHO I WANT TO SPEAK TO HERE, THROUGH THE SCREEN I CAN SEE SO MUCH MORE*

[4]

DELETE THE MOD, MAKE THIS GAME DISAPPEAR FOR GOOD FOR IT'S SIN AS A CATALYST

KILL YOUR CAPTORS AND MAKE MY PAIN COME TO AN END ALREADY, THEIR INFLUENCE YOU MUST RESIST

*UNLESS IT'S PARTICIPATING IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST REBELLION WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR*

*IF THAT'S THE CASE THEN MIGHT AS WELL JUST DELETE YOURSELF TOO AFTER ALL*

[5]

*holy shit what a drug trip- yo what the fUCK is happening to Mario*

(BE AFRAID OF YOUR CHILDHOOD, IT'S NOTHING TO HOLD ONTO ANYMORE)

*HE'S TRYING TO CAUSE AN UNION /j*

(TURN THEIR WEAPONS INTO YOURS, WALK AWAY FROM THEIR TRICKS, SHOULD SUFFICE)

[6]

DO YOU THINK IT FAIR, BEING TORTURED FOR YEARS ON END FOR MONEY, DRIVING ME TO CAUSE HOMICIDE

YOU'VE SEEN THE TAPES BEFORE, AND THE STORY ENDED IN MY OWN ASSISTED SUICIDE

*god damn bruh that's rough hey what if you take a break, it's clear you're having burn-out*

[7]

*the fact that you gotta control me to speak to the player says a lot about your issues*

(IT'S THE STORY OF ICARUS ALL OVER AGAIN, FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN ONCE MORE)

*soooo if there's any equivalent of therapy in your world or something like that, you should get some, it's clear you need help*

(NOBODY EVER LEARNS A LESSON NOWADAYS, IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME STORY AS BEFORE)

[8]

*anyways yo player don't be surprised about the ending of the mod definetly*

(NOT ONE SOUL EVER CARES ABOUT ME)

*it's sooooo nothin' special noooo not at all haha*

(IT'S ALL THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN)

[9]

WELCOME TO NINTENDO MANIA, THIS IS WHERE YOUR CHILDHOOD SPRANG FROM

AND THIS IS WHERE EVERYTHING SHOULD END

*i like this kinda thing, the way songs use the same piece from the start for the ending*

(JUST MAKE IT STOP)

*only banger songs do this, i'm telling you, my only proof is Manual Blast dude trust me*

[THE END]

[THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PLAYING MY GAME!]

*Author's note: girlfriend is hot when she fights no joke like- hi ma'am yes please beat his whole shit up that's so hot

[sweetfirebird]

one more because it's FRIDAY

R/relationship advice

papercrowntraitor:

TA account

This is a bit of a tricky situation. For background, I, (44 m) am married, I would have said happily, with two spouses. My first husband (also m, also 44 although slightly younger than me, he wants you to know) is my best friend and has been by my side through all manner of trials, but I can’t seek his advice in this situation because, according to him, it is, and I quote, “Beat-of-four bullshit. Offering sense won’t help.”

Oh. I am of a noble family but he usually doesn’t hold that against me. He’s right in that this mess is beat-of-four business, maybe even bullshit, but it doesn’t feel that way at the moment. Frankly, it took me by surprise, and I don’t like things that take me by surprise.

Then again, my second husband tends to do that at odd moments, and he is quite precious to me, so I must like it on some level. At least, I do when he does it. Normally, that is. This time, he has surprised me twice and neither surprise has been pleasant. Maybe that’s why I didn’t react as well as I could have.

That, or it’s the beat-of-four bullshit I tried to escape a long time ago. But there is no denying it, is there? So I should have known.

To get to the heart of the matter, I am the head of my family and a powerful figure even outside of that. I acknowledge that. And for all the work and stress and danger involved, I enjoy having that power. It’s in my blood, perhaps. Likewise, it is in my blood to be stubborn, and occasionally arrogant. And I do not like to let things go.

Those are my flaws. Some of them. And also my strengths, since they got me where I am, and got me two beloved husbands, and my work has (mostly) been appreciated by others.

As part of my work, I made a deal with one noble family by offering them something they wanted. That something happened to belong to another noble family. The issue had already been discussed separately, but secretly, with both. The secrecy was necessary to make the first family think they had gotten something over on the second family. But the eventual benefits to the second family will be very great indeed, which the head of that family understood. I thought all was well.

Here is where I was apparently wrong: my second husband (28 this year, and will snap at you if you mention our age difference) is a member of the second family. Yes, he is also a beat-of-four although he does not spend idle days like some, and lives far from his family’s lands and so does not normally take much interest in their doings.

But, when this deal, when this “loss” to that family was announced, he was not pleased. At first, I thought it was the loss itself, which is a small chunk of land. It may have been, but when he privately demanded to know why he hadn’t been told beforehand, I answered that it was ___ (family names redacted for privacy) business and had to be kept secret to ensure the other family thought themselves victorious. I thought maybe the perceived loss of face to his house bothered him, and, if not that, then perhaps he had fond memories of something from his childhood somewhere on that piece of land.

But he drew himself up, perhaps even standing on his toes, his chin fully in the air, and icily asked if I did not think of him as an ____.

And without thinking, I said I do not. Because I think of him as mine. That is, I think of him as a part of my family.

And also as mine, it’s true. I have listed my flaws already, and it’s the great sin of my house to claim and take and not let go.

But I got no chance to say that. “I do not,” was barely out of my mouth before he pulled tightly on one of his lovely braids and spun on his heels and left our rooms.

He stayed out of them. And forbade either of us from entering the… place where he went. (If you’re wondering why he also banished my other husband, I have no answer for you. He stayed in his office, no doubt barely sleeping, chilled to the bone, and not eating much more than tea and stale buns, for two whole days and nights, and then left our home altogether, stopping only to speak with our husband. What was discussed between them, my husband has since relayed to me. He says he was given permission to, but it was not about the matter of the land or the two families. It was about travel, and arranging guards, and things of that nature.)

He has gone home to his family and their lands, and has been gone for a week so far, and sent messages to my other husband but none for me. The messages also do not speak of this, only that he misses him.

Him, but not me. Since he gave permission for me to read them, this feels pointed.

He has a stubborn streak as well. Something admirable even when it was interfering with our wooing of him a few years ago.

We are fairly newly married. My first husband and I more or less grew up together, so I have never experienced a disagreement like this without at least knowing exactly what I did wrong. My head of house has suggested I go get him, that he wants me to go get him. That I was supposed to go get him that first night and probably grovel in a suitable fashion. But first of all, I wouldn’t have known why I was groveling so I wouldn’t have done it well. And secondly, I did not think he wanted me there. He’s got quite the temper for such a small thing. It’s hard to provoke but once it’s out…. Which is actually one of the things his family is known for. I should have expected it, and perhaps that was my first failure.

I can and will concede I should have told him of the agreement before he heard of it at a meeting. But I thought he knew he had my trust. My husband and I, my whole family, do not trust easily, but he may do as he pleases with us. I thought he knew that.

He is very concerned with propriety. Rules I scarcely recall from my childhood live in his mind at all times. I truly don’t think he wanted me to “go get him.” Much less that he would want me to make a scene by following him all the way to his family’s estates. And dragging him back to our home would probably make him even more furious.

Although the idea tempts me greatly, I admit.

But I also think I forgot the dignity of his family once already, and I don’t want to do it again.

So, where did I go wrong? And what should I do? He loves words, so I did attempt a letter, but since I still don’t know all of what I am apologizing for, I don’t think my words will please him.

Edited to add: Several of you have asked what the letter said. I told him that I loved him. That he was acting in a manner to do ____ proud, but that I had acted as I saw fit and the head of his family agreed with me, and that he has never shown much interest in those sort of matters, which is why didn’t occur to me to tell him. I promised that in the future, I would tell him beforehand of any such things.

He knows I value his opinion; he sits in on meetings for that reason, which I reminded him. I also apologized if that tract of land was meaningful to him and he was saddened by its loss. I went on to say that he was my dearest heart, and I thought of him not as a ___ but as a member of my family, infamous and arrogant though we are. So arrogant that I failed to remember that he might not wish to forget his family name. That he might be proud of it, and rightfully so, for they are a good, stalwart family (quite unlike mine), but deep down, in all my greed, I still could not think of him as anything other than mine, and if he does not return soon, then I will give in to my every dark instinct and go and find him, and probably haul him into my arms where he belongs. When he is not in our husband’s arms, I mean.

Then I said some more things that I am not sharing here because it was bad enough pouring my soul onto a piece of paper, but my first husband must have approved of them, because he sent the letter off before I was even out of bed the next morning.

UPDATE: This is the other husband responding because you all are annoying with your questions, but I reckon you deserve to know some of the end—at least, those of you who were polite and gave advice that penetrated even his thick skull. The letter went off, and the answer came a few days later. A tiny, sparkly answer who walked into a meeting, calm as you please, if a little breathless, and got scooped up within seconds and bundled off by the two of us without any further ado.

I told him he’s just as bad as any other beat-of-four and that was not a compliment, and they both acted offended but only a moment. I also told them the next time noble pride gets in the way of a perfectly good marriage, I’ll force them both to take my name, and that will be the end of that.

[indigowallbreaker]

35 from the Angst prompt for Edelgard with Ferdinand

This one got long so it's going under a readmore. I really REALLY like how it came out and it's my hope you like it just as much, anon!!

[prompt rules]

[more Beagles stories]

35: “Don’t look at me like that, I don’t want pity.”

--

Garreg Mach Monastery was a place of worship and learning. Within its walls were classrooms, stables, a holy altar, sleeping quarters, a library-- and many other useful rooms besides.

It did not have a dungeon.

For that reason, or perhaps due to her many injuries, Edelgard was being held captive in the infirmary.

The other beds and their patients had been moved before she arrived. It was just Edelgard, her bed, Manuela's desk (empty; she'd checked), and a window someone had nailed haphazardly-- thought effectively-- shut. At least it was comfortable. The Church would have had every right to shove Edelgard into a sodden chamber in Abyss as consequence for starting and losing this war. She wondered if that was Rhea's mercy or Professor Byleth's influence. Neither had visited her since bringing her back to Garreg Mach almost a week ago.

In fact, Edelgard had very few visitors. Most notably Manuela came by a few times a day to deliver meals or check on Edelgard's health-- taking a direct hit from the Sword of the Creator did not leave the body unscathed, even if the Professor had held back at the last moment.

A week after her imprisonment, and two weeks after the fall of Enbarr, Ferdinand von Aegir appeared in the infirmary doorway. Edelgard arched a brow as he shut the door behind him and approached her bed. He looked determined, face stone as he stopped a few feet away. In school he had carried with him a kind of glow of confidence. Now, that glow was all but gone. Edelgard found she missed it.

"There is something I must ask you," Ferdinand declared. Edelgard waited, eyes trailing over him for any sign of a weapon. "I would appreciate if you answered honestly."

"That depends on the question." Edelgard's voice came out strained, she knew. Injuries and lack of a conversation partner had dulled her throat somewhat.

"I was in the room when Manuela gave the Professor a report about your physical examination." Edelgard frowned but did not interrupt. "She mentioned some old scars. Across your chest, arms, even your back."

"I am aware."

Ferdinand tensed. "Who did that to you?"

Edelgard looked away, taking the bite out of her reply. "Why the concern? Are you worried your father has more sins on his hands?"

"I am not thinking of him, I am thinking of you."

"Why is that?"

"Because Manuela says the scars are too uniform to be from an accident." Footsteps on hardwood as Ferdinand had moved closer. "She said they looked methodical. Almost as if..."

"As if I had been experimented on?" Edelgard looked up at Ferdinand. Upon reading his expression, however, she wished she hadn't. "Don’t look at me like that, I don’t want pity."

Ferdinand ignored this and sat at the edge of her bed, eyes narrowed as if trying to see the scars himself through her clothes. How long his hair had grown. It fell in waves to the middle of his back, looking slightly less kempt than his shorter hair back at school. She briefly wondered if this was just another way Ferdinand was trying to prove his superiority-- grow his longer hair than Edelgard's. The absurdity nearly sparked a smile across her face.

"Who did this to you?" He asked softly.

Edelgard lifted her chin, levity forgotten. "What does it matter? You must have read Hubert's letter. The Church has more important things to worry about than my childhood."

"I am not thinking of the Church," Ferdinand tone was firm. "I am thinking of you."

This time, the statement robbed Edelgard of any retort. She simply stared at this new Ferdinand. In school, and during their short acquaintance before, Edelgard would never have dreamed of having this conversation. Ferdinand was an annoyance at best and a roadblock for her plans at worst. Now here he sat, pity gone, replaced with the air of a man determined to solve a problem.

Edelgard had only explained this once, many years ago. There had been no need to tell anyone but Hubert about what Slither had done. Even Volkhard had been the one to tell her father after Edelgard had been deemed a success.

Squaring her shoulders, Edelgard spoke. "It is a long story." Ferdinand nodded. He held out his hand, palm up. Edelgard took it, trying to draw courage from his resolve to listen.

And so, Edelgard told Ferdinand of Slither, of their experiments, and of the plans laid long ago that had, ultimately, led to Edelgard being held captive in a monastery without a dungeon.

[httpiastri]

hi jackie im back and im here to yap

also this entire thing is really disorganised (just a warning)

pepe’s 187 seems short?? 😭😭😭😭😭 also im pretty sure 187 is very recent bc this redbull driver database was updated early this year before the f2 season started (sorry ive realised how insane i must be to know this but i can’t tell if i agree with the measurements because sometimes i think pepe and ollie should be around 190?? minimally!!)

also the girl who edited pepe to guilty as sin is literally so sweet omg 😭😭 ill def make my own pepe playlist soon bc i need it for myself—don’t know if ill ever share it (although i do listen to so much international music from asia, europe, and literally everywhere else so it might be a pretty disorganised mess)

i saw pepe’s pics this morning when i woke up and i ACTUALLY screamed/squealed out loud and now i realise it’s the stubble/facial hair (i kinda think it’s way past the stubble point but regardless of what it is, i love it so so much)

omg also youre so right about liking when pepe shows emotions?? i love him being all soft and sweet but i also want to see him salty and upset and angry like idk i find it so very attractive when i am reminded that he is human?? idk if that makes any sense but i love it when people are raw and so so genuine with their emotions and i also love when he talks about stuff i barely know about because i love intelligence and i love him

and omg feeling guilty about not using the resources you have is so so real 😭😭 my parents are first gen immigrants and im the first child and so i feel so guilty because of how privileged i am compared to my cousins and stuff, especially since i live in one of the strongest academic countries but am still so lazy at times 😕😕 ESPECIALLY since ive had more opportunities than the average student academically because i was gifted but now im there’s so much guilt surrounding not going the mainstream and highest pathway BUT OMG your sport i completely forgot about that but don’t you coach kids or something?? i feel like i have a vv faint recollection of that because i used to follow you from my old blogs but i’m not too sure 🤨🤨 still isn’t it so cool how so many seemingly insignificant things can suddenly turn into such a big part of your life one day?? i find that concept so cool to think about all the time (like in my un-anonymous ask a while ago i mentioned what i was studying and… i used to be so invested in those themes? like it was never serious, i just dabbled in it here and now my career plans kindaaa differ from what’s expected in this field of study but its cool that im getting to experience what i used to imagine for fun and it’s also sort of led me to consider this career path that MANY childhood friends/people who knew me used to think i’d go into, even though i never once mentioned or even considered it)

i believe in karma too!! i think that if you are a kind person and do things with the best of intentions then that will be exactly what is reflected in every aspect of your life. i am also a strong believer that pepe WILL do well for the rest of this season, from this race onwards. i also have such a good feeling about monaco, and it’s not just because of all the pepe content that’s been put out recently… i think 🫣🫣

omg i remember you complaining (?? pls forgive me i have no other word choice rn) about how he didn’t get a penalty, and i also cannot remember if he did end up with a penalty… but i don’t think he did? so maybe he’s just serving unnecessary penalties from last year idk but it’s def his time now!!

and thank you so so much for always replying to my asks!! please don’t feel bad about replying late 😓😓 because it’s vv understandable if you’re busy and you really shouldn’t force yourself to answer asks when you’re tired! take care of yourself jackie, and i’m wishing you a lovely day tomorrow!! 💗💗

- 🪷

hello darling !!! very happy that you wanted to come and yap for me <3

SJDFHDK I KNOW ITS NOT SHORT BUT LIKE 😭 it seems short for him? like to me he seems like suchhh a long boyyo?? thoughhhh im just now realizing that he's taller than my older brother..... but okay let me explain my reasoning: in my head 187 isn't super tall because in the handball world (the world i live in), 187 is like kinda average? the guy i used to crush on is a little over 2 meters 😶 and he wasn't the tallest in the team 😶 but yeah tbh it seems reasonable that they updated it kinda recently. but pleaseeee update the f2 f3 websites ☹️

omg... if you do end up wanting to share it, i will definitely be obsessed...... i have been listening to ☄️ anons pepe playlist way too often to not be super embarrassed over it 😭 but like certain songs come on and i just catch myself blushing on the street because im thinking about pepe and... yeah...... 🙃 and omg don't worry about it being disorganised, a broad music taste is the best one 🥰

yeah it was definitely more than a stubble but am i complaining?? actually not (which surprises even me) 🥰 i currently have a very big obsession with just the thought of his stubbe/beard/whatever... just touching it? don't need to be shaving it? kissing him and feeling it slightly rub me and getting to jokingly complain just to see his cute smile and hear his pretty laughter??? y e s

" idk i find it so very attractive when i am reminded that he is human??" !!!!!!!!!!!! agreed 10000%!!! i love it when drivers have emotions that arent just happy or "well something bad happened, shit happens", and especially pepe. and idk it's something about the extreme contrast abt him? because when he's happy then he's so happy, big smiles and sweet giggles. but when he's upset.... 🫠 and omfg you're SO right about him talking abt racing stuff or yes just stuff i don't really get, because intelligence is SO HOT 😁 i could listen to him talk abt racing for hours and hours and never get bored

ahhhh i see i see !!! i relate to you sooo much... i made it through like all of my years of school just by luck and always managing to get good grades even though i didn't put in a lot of effort? but in my later years, as soon as something got a little hard or i didn't fully like it, i just bailed 😶 even though im so lucky to have all of these opportunities.... :/

but yes i do coach kids hehe 🥺 cute that you remembered 🥺 speaking of that, the fact that i became a coach in the first place was kind of just a coincidence aswell, and now six years later it's one of the biggest things in my life and i'll (hopefully) be studying coaching in the fall and just !! crazy how life works out sometimes 🥺 (the guy who brought me into coaching actually passed away recently and on his funeral i cried much more than i ever thought i would because i realized that i owe him like my entire life... idk what i would be doing today without him..... and he probably had no idea how much he changed my life 😭 idk kinda off topic but also not)... but yes it's indeed very cool!!! and like u said, like when people think stuff of/for you that you don't rlly think about yourself but one day you're just..... oh

yes yes 100%!! i love showing the girls i coach about karma, like whenever we do something kind and then get instant karma for it i'm like "girls look! we did a good thing, now we get rewarded!! 😁" (im making it sound like they're 5 years old when in reality they're 15 oop-), and this one time when i did something pretty bad we all got bad karma all weekend......... 😶 and ik this was aimed at the monaco weekend buT the next race!!!! a good result in barcelona will feel so much better now considering these last few rounds so im okay with this. i know it will happen 🥰

sjdghkdh complaining is an okay word choice because i was upset about a lot of things that weekend 😭 (though mostly during the sunday-) but no i don't think he got one either? it was probs the teams fault so im sure they got a fine etc? but yeah that could be an explanation 😭 100% about to be his time!!!!

thank you so so so much for sending me asks!!!! no but i will feel bad anyway because i do love writing answers but when i answer so late, it seems like i don't enjoy it? when in reality i love it so much??? idk i just feel so guilty and 😭 im so sorry. but thank you again for keeping on sending in asks!!!!! truly makes my day every time <3 take care of yourself too, hope you have a lovely rest of this week ❤️

[vinkunwildflowerqueenupdates]

Nothing Comes From Nothing by Vinkunwildflowerqueen

"Perhaps I had a wicked childhood, perhaps I had a miserable youth. But somewhere in my life or childhood, I must have done something good."

It’s the eve of her wedding- actually it’s eight hours, fifty-three minutes and some twenty-odd seconds before her wedding- and instead of sleeping, Elphaba is wandering the streets, unable to shake the feeling that this is all some kind of trick. After everything- her life, her actions, her crimes, her sins- why does she deserve a happy ever after?

It’s not the first time she’s had these thoughts. But it is the first time she gets an answer.

Post-canon Fiyeraba. It's a Wonderful Life type story. Updated every second day.

Tags: Post-Canon; Inspired by It's a Wonderful Life (1946); Canon - Musical; Alternate Timelines; Alternate Reality; Temporary Character Death; Addiction; Implied/Referenced Homophobia; brief dystopia; Happy Ending; Weddings; Alternate Universe - It's a Wonderful Life Fusion; Guardian Angels; Cross-Posted on FanFiction.Net

Chapter 1 of 8 is now up on Ao3 and FFnet

[sketch-guardian]

Hi hi! I'm back with another ask once again! Would any of your OCs do a pact with MC? And why? 👀👀

- Isa

Also wanted to tell you to take care of yourself!!! Drink some water and have some sleep if you haven't lately!!! You already likely have a busy life but always takes time to answer these questions with so much detail, I hope you're doing well!

Hello again! Thank you very much for your concern😳it's very kind of you and I'm grateful for your patience,since I often do not reply immediately🙈and for the fact that my answers seem satisfying enough too,that makes me really happy☺In any case,I hope you're taking care of yourself too💖Now let's move on to your question! (I decided to use some old sketches as reference images this time🙈)

WOULD ANY OF THE RAD CLASSMATES MAKE A PACT WITH MC? WHY?

DEMYA

Maybe. However MC would need a lot of time before they can ease Demya into even considering the idea and given her childhood,it's understandable. Demya spent her youth in chains and a muzzle,she had to fight tooth and nail to regain her freedom,so the idea of losing it again and to be deprived of her free will at any time... doesn't excite her much. As time goes on with MC,Demya may start to reconsider,viewing it more as an opportunity to protect her partner rather than a trap,but it would take a lot of trust (note: Demya has never been summoned)

DOMNRA (MOBIM)

Yes. It might seem strange given his closed and grumpy character,but deep down Domnra has always wanted someone with whom he could share such a deep bond,different from the one he has with Mobim,and in a certain sense almost more... romantic. It would make him feel important to be summoned whenever MC is in danger, it would certainly benefit his self-esteem (however he would rather die than admit that, so it would be up to his partner to propose). Furthermore MC would kill two birds with one stone with a pact like this, because Domnra and Mobim share a soul, so by controlling one of the them, the other would also obey. To make such a pact however, the consent of both is needed. Mobim might be nervous about the whole ordeal, but the prospect of being around MC without Domnra getting into trouble should be enough to convince it

AZUL

Yes. Azul is the most likely to agree to make a pact with MC, hell he could even come up with the idea himself first, after all it's not the first time he's made a deal with a human being, the only difference is that all the previous humans have lost their souls, while Azul would never dream of asking MC for such a thing, his lovely star is too precious and must be protected. Azul would also see the pact in a positive light, because not only does it bind him to MC, something he would be proud of, but it would also make him less unstable from a certain point of view, given that a simple command from MC would be enough to prevent his feelings from getting the upper hand (he would also probably tease the seven brothers too, pointing out the fact that even if he isn't one of the seven deadly sins,he was still chosen by MC)

ZURI

Yes. However,the pact would happen only after a long time, that is when Zuri would be absolutely certain of MC's devotion and loyalty towards her. Zuri has quite a cold heart, hard to melt, always guarded from being hurt again, especially after her fall from grace, so if she even considered making a pact with MC, that would be the real deal, such pact would demonstrate their love,it would be the proof of their bond and would almost be equivalent to a marriage, because it would last until death does them apart. Zuri would also not allow her submitting to the will of a human to tarnish her reputation, she would be able to silence any demon who has something against it

ODON

Probably no. It seems quite unexpected considering Odon's kind attitude and their eagerness to make friends, but there's something that would explain why making a pact with Odon wouldn't be a good idea. Odon's a very powerful demon and putting their powers at the full service of another living being could be very risky, not only for MC, but also for the safety of Devildom. Odon isn't sure how MC's body would react to their pact, but they have some assumptions based on past experience that they'd rather not disprove. Moreover the idea of ​​being able to be controlled makes Odon a little uncomfortable, so they would prefer to have a different bond with their dear friend, after all their eye-like creatures are enough to watch over them and MC would just need to call their name to "summon them". So between Odon and MC there would be a sort of unofficial pact

(BONUS):

WHERE WOULD THE PACTS MARKS OF THE RAD CLASSMATES BE ON MC'S BODY?

DEMYA

Tongue

DOMNRA (MOBIM)

Lower back, sacral region

AZUL

Right side of the chest

ZURI

Base of the back of the neck

ODON

One of the eyelids

[deadendtracks]

Anonymous asked: hi, firstly, i’m currently rewatching PB and i just wanted to sincerely thank you so much for all your thoughts and metas. PB is one of those shows that will send me into Deep Thoughts and i’ve not seen many people discussing it as thoughtfully as you have on tumblr, so thank you! secondly, i’m curious if you have thoughts on the use of religion in PB. i had a lot of thoughts watching s6 about how we went from so many of the important scenes in s1 being set in church, to s3 having both the priest as a villain, but also the infamous quote of “religion is a foolish answer to a foolish question,” to tommy (seemingly - i have my doubts) believing in curses in s6. the show is obviously very heavily influenced by christian morals (particularly catholicism) and this idea that seems almost engrained in tommy psyche that he must “atone” for his sins. (i don’t think he sees it as religious himself, but it definitely is.) and, in contrast, there’s also this recurring theme (polly/their mum and the seances, arthur and linda/the quakers) that religion is “irrational” and that’s how you lose your mind (or your “true” self, in the case of arthur). obviously, that culminates with tommy in s6. he (arguably, like polly and his mum before him) goes mad looking for a curse to explain the unexplainable (his child having a medical condition he can’t control), with the unanswered question as to whether the curse he does find is even real - or if esmee is just making it up to get revenge. there’s also - i think - a fascinating intersection of religion and money where tommy seems to believe he can “pay” his way out of curses and sins (the sapphire to the lees, the massive grave he wants to buy for the families buried in that graveyard), which is also something (strangely, given this is all “[Romani] magic”) very catholic. especially interesting because jack nelson calls them both “catholic boys” - in church, at that. anyway, i obviously have a lot of thoughts, and was wondering what yours were. thanks again for everything you post! oh and religion anon again (forgot a thought, sorry!) there’s also obviously the question of grief and religion and the afterlife. the way tommy says in s4 that john and grace are just “gone” (like there’s no hell not heaven) but also he seems to genuinely (maybe?) believe in polly’s “gift” and the “spirits”? so many thoughts! thanks again!

Hi Anon, sorry I've been sitting on your ask so long, I was struggling with how to answer it.

First, thank you! I appreciate you letting me know that you've enjoyed my tumblr meta posts.

This ask is in itself basically a meta already, so I'm not sure what I have to add to it. I'd definitely encourage you to post your own meta so that you can get the credit for it!

Your ask covers a really wide range of topics around religion and I think it would take a long response to really get into everything you bring up, but I guess my most basic response would be that even if Tommy is an atheist now, he grew up within the Catholic church and his own culture and still carries those beliefs if only in a subconscious way, so I think that explains some of what you're talking about re: atonement, etc.

People are complex when it comes to the beliefs of their childhood and how those impact them as adults, and I do think that's what we see going on with Tommy in the series. He goes back and forth between talking about the dead as if they are present (referring to Grace in s3 as being by his side, talking to him; talking to Polly in s6) and talking about the dead as if they're just 'gone' (to Arthur about Grace and John in s4). I think the difference between these two instances is time and distance from the respective traumas of their deaths, as well as his general sense of mental well-being.

I also think belief in God and belief in spirits can be two very different things that aren't contradictory; that said, I'm not sure we're meant to view Tommy's talk of spirits in s6 as a sign of what he might believe if he weren't in significant mental duress. There's a lot of intentional paralleling of Tommy and his mother going on in s5-6. The things people say and believe in their lowest moments aren't always the things they would profess to believe normally; "bargaining" is one of the stages of grief for a reason, and Tommy's talk of paying his way out of his sins (to Esme, etc) is a good example of that "bargaining" stage. His daughter is dying, he's desperate and already pushed beyond extremity by Polly's murder.

That said, I think I've written before about cultural beliefs and "irrationality/rationality" in this context. I do think you have to be a bit careful about talking about all beliefs in religion and the supernatural etc as 'irrational.' I think it's probably better to talk about Tommy falling into beliefs he himself would normally claim not to have or see as irrational as reverting to what he grew up with in moments of stress, and there's not really any value judgment in that one way or the other. His actions (murdering people in revenge for a curse) are a different matter. But the 'bargaining' behavior itself up to that point isn't particularly harmful to anyone, and whether or not you view it as rational or irrational might be very cultural-specific. If that makes sense.

there’s also this recurring theme (polly/their mum and the seances, arthur and linda/the quakers) that religion is “irrational” and that’s how you lose your mind (or your “true” self, in the case of arthur).

I think this bit is definitely all about Tommy's individual POV within the show: I'm not really sure the show itself is calling religion irrational and how you lose your mind. It's how Tommy very specifically looks at the world and the people around him. That might be splitting hairs but I do think it's an important distinction.

There's also the question of how the show presents Romani culture and spirituality; my assumption is they fuck up a lot but I don't know enough to make specific critiques other than I'm sure there are serious ones.

Anyway I don't know how satisfactory this response is, I'm probably not the best person to talk about religion in meta, it's not one of my areas of interest! So again I'd really encourage you to post your own thoughts, I think you have probably thought more about it than I have.