#but it was also bound to happen given what happened in 'scarecrow'

[vividblaze]

S5Ch1... definitely my top favorite of the story so far 👌

Is it crazy that I kind of want to see Mizuki try to make his own team... again lmfaooo

[riddle-me-ri]

Hi, I was reading some of your writings, and instantly fell in love, especially the btas penguin ones also Gotham, so I was wondering as a request, how would the BTAS Dork squad + Oswald and Harvey propose to their S/O+ What their wedding would be like (Bonus if there were some chaotic/ funny shenanigans happening.) if you don't mind. Love your work!!!!!

A/N: Aww thank you so much! I'm glad you love my writing! That means a whole lot! and omg…the timing of this is impeccable lol. I just got done with the third wedding in a row of a family member (literally only months apart from one another rip) so this will be fun! I won’t be doing Harvey, I know I’ve done him a couple times, but that was more for friends and to keep a certain writing pattern going for a request I did... I don’t mind Harvey, he’s a close favorite but I just…don’t feel comfortable writing for him? Also sorry there weren’t any choatic or funny shenanigans lmao I got way too wrapped up in the sentimentality and intimacy of it, I hope you don’t mind!

BTAS Dork Squad + Penguin - Wedding Headcanons

BTAS Riddler: 

Engagement: 

- Obviously, Eddie is going to make a game out of it. 

- Whether it’s a series of riddles he asks on a dinner date

- Or a small little intimate scavenger hunt

- Or a short and sweet video game on the computer. 

- Maybe even a trip in virtual reality where he takes you down an actual trip through memory lane…

- All options lead to him getting on one knee before you. 

- He makes it known that you’re the answer to the riddle of his own life, just when he thought he would never find one. 

- Edward won’t admit it, but he was extremely relieved when you said yes, always slightly worried it was too soon or too late to ask. 

Wedding: 

- It’s somehow simultaneously both grand yet intimate. 

- Only a few close friends or family of yours show up (if at all given his reputation)

- Edward ensures to only invite a few of his colleagues that won’t cause a total commotion. 

- He really only invited them to show you off anyway. 

- Of course the colors have to contain green in there somehow. 

- It’s fairly a traditional wedding, everything is serene and just perfect. 

- It’s rare to see Edward cry, but he definitely was shedding a couple tears or more

- When he first saw you, when you walked down, when you spoke your vows. 

- He can’t believe just how lucky he got. 

BTAS Scarecrow: 

Engagement: 

- As the Master of Fear, he knew better than anyone that he was absolutely mortified. 

- Jonathan knew it was only a matter of time, and after so many years…it was the proper order of things. 

- You two have even spoke in hypotheticals on marriage, and when your eyes glimmered at the prospect he knew what he had to do. 

- It did nothing to calm his nerves though, worried that just one slip up could utterly ruin the foundations you two have built. 

- He gulps down his fear and bravely gets down on one knee on the porch before you too head back into your home after a date night. 

- Jonathan is so relieved and overjoyed when you said yes. 

Wedding:

- Autumn colors, autumn colors, autumn colors. 

- No doubt takes place in either late October or early November. 

- It’s small and intimate, only a few close relatives or friends. 

- Jonathan didn’t even invite Harley, Edward, and others but they somehow found out and joined anyway.

- Harley self-appointed herself your maid of honor (if you didn’t have one already, so just roll with it, she’s so sweet) 

- Jonathan finds you breathtaking in your outfit. 

- He surprises himself as he finds himself getting choked up sometimes.

- Watching you smile, laugh, the ring on your finger almost seems to genuinely glow from your love for each other. 

- He looks back on this day fondly, a memory that would light up even his darkest of days. 

BTAS Mad Hatter: 

Engagement: 

(I lowkey actually did a scenario where he proposes to reader albeit it was in lieu of a friend but still works)

- This man’s love for you knows absolutely no bounds. 

- Never one to shy away from any extravagant displays of affection. 

- The engagement is no different. 

- Whether it be the conclusion to a small hedge maze you conquered together. 

- A sweet surprise at the bottom of your tea cup during a tea party. 

- It’s thoughtful, it’s clever, it’s adorable, and it’s 100% Jervis

- You couldn’t ever say no. 

- Jervis is just as excited as you are when you say yes. 

Wedding: 

- LOOKING GLASS THEMED DRESS/OUTFIT REVEAL

(Sorry, sorry, but that idea has never left my head. I sat through with my sister looking for themes for her reveal photoshoot and just had the biggest lightbulb moment)

- He’s confused at first of the two way mirror, yet when he slowly sees you appear on the other side you absolutely take his breath away. 

- Your overall wedding theme is Wonderland, because of course…

- It’s full of beautiful colors, every since of the décor is in reference to the Carroll novels

- White roses haphazardly painted table center pieces, stacks upon stacks of tea cups and saucers of different shapes and sizes, playing card themed napkins…

- Okay I’m making myself jealous of an actual fictional wedding hang on…

- Practically everyone that you two knew that adores you two is there. 

- Which means a handful of the Rogues gallery and any friends or family that support you.

- Jervis is overwhelmed with elation that you’re finally his in every since, to where there’s an actual physical representation of it in your rings. 

- Wonderland is no longer a fantasy, but a reality of waking up to your love each day. 

BTAS Penguin: 

Engagement:

- Oswald has thought about this moment…longer than he cared to admit. 

- He honestly had been thinking about it since the whole year you two had been a couple. 

- That was the longest anyone had been with him. 

- When a year, turned into more and more years well…much like Jonathan, he knew it was a matter of time to properly ask for your hand. 

- Doesn’t make him any less of a nervous wreck about it. 

- Oz takes you out on a date, he doesn’t want to make it too obvious but definitely pulls out all the stops. 

- Your favorite restaurant, your favorite place to stroll, your favorite activity…it’s all about you. 

- He does his best not to fumble as he gets down on one knee and finally asks the burning question. 

- He feels like the weight of the world is lifted off his shoulders and is relieved by pure joy when you say yes. 

Wedding: 

(I know technically BTAS Oz doesn’t own the Iceberg Lounge but his TNBA version does so we’re kinda overlapping canon here rip)

- The Iceberg Lounge serves as the perfect venue for your wedding. 

- Oswald takes some joy in not inviting or allowing any of Gotham’s social elitists into the venue. 

- Yes, yes, only a certain amount of people are allowed to see who is being betrothed to the Penguin. 

- Everything is pretty formal, a black-tie affair all around. 

- You don’t have flower girls, more flower birds as they swoop in and toss the petals along the aisle. 

- Oz is in awe of you as your presented.

- He’s worried he will wake up and you and all of this would be a dream, a fantasy. 

- Everything is real as you exchange vows, and he tries not to cry. 

- The evening continues without a hitch, well except for some of the birds accidentally making an oops on some Rogues, particularly a clown that wasn’t invited. 

- Oswald is thrilled to begin this new chapter with you. A chapter he thought he could never write in his life, but now thankfully he has you to help him write it.

[queenjunoking]

Wolf Taming pt 56

CW: Noncon - Petplay

“Good morning, Callidora.”

The voice startled me out of my slumber. I tried to sit up but found myself firmly held down to something. It took me a moment to remember where I was. What had happened. Part of my hell was the small panic I felt waking up followed by running through the list of horrible events. Every day topped the one before it.

Yesterday was going to be impossible to top though. The horrible things I had seen yesterday. How willing Eos was to casually hurt others in creatively sadistic ways. She must not have a lot to do to think of something as horrible as the scarecrows.

I managed to shift so I could look at the person who woke me from my restless sleep far too early. I wasn’t expecting Lucky and Clover. But I was expecting a different pair like Colt and Halter instead of Clarity.

“Isn’t this below you?” I asked, trying to clear the sleep from my eyes. It was hard not to be a tad annoyed.

“Normally the two assigned to you will do your morning routine, but you already know they’re out of commission.” Clarity spoke matter-of-factly as she moved out of my sight. “I’m going to be keeping a closer eye on you today to be sure you aren’t acting out. I am your trainer and this falls under my duties.”

Her words made my blood boil, but I said nothing. I couldn’t snap this early in the morning. I needed to stay calm.

“You got to sleep in yesterday because you did your introductory run so late at night. It was Mistress Eos being extremely kind to you. Today you’ll start to understand your normal schedule.” As Clarity spoke I felt the straps holding down my legs loosen. “It’s 6 AM, the time the farm starts to wake up. You’ll be dressed, fed, and do your warm ups in the pen.”

“Lovely, what’s on the menu?” I didn’t particularly care at this point. I was hungry and was just trying to avoid the silence while Clarity pulled on those stupid boots.

“The race horses are given a special protein shake.” Clarity said as she got the first boot on and moved to the second. “As you’ve seen, the Society has made many advancements. There are various options for slaves to eat so they don’t waste food better fed to the members. The shake is a completely liquid meal that actually provides enough for the race horses with just three a day.”

I bit my tongue as she finally managed to get the second boot on. It didn’t surprise me that people like Eos thought that their scraps were too good for those she owned.

Clarity gave my boots a few more tugs before she was satisfied. I felt the rest of the straps holding me down finally loosen.

“Stand.” Clarity demanded as she took a step back. She still looked like her usual sad self, but she also looked prepared to respond if I acted out of line. She was smart enough to be careful while my arms weren’t bound, not that I was going to attack her this time.

I slowly got up, careful not to give Clarity a reason to react. It took a few moments to remember how to balance in the boots, but I eventually managed to stand straight. Clarity nodded and started to attach the harness. I did my best to follow her instructions as she manipulated the stupid thing. TIghtening and loosening various parts until it was uncomfortably tight, but not tight enough to interfere with my breathing.

“Arms behind your back, Callidora.” The usual sad look in her eyes was replaced with a serious expression.

I could understand enough of the process to know why she was serious. This was the last point I could really fight back. Once I had my arms in that sleeve I’d be at a serious disadvantage. I couldn’t fight back effectively.

I had no doubts in my mind I could overpower Clarity. She was small. I could knock her out with one punch or choke her out. I saw how the badges were needed to open the door and I could see hers on her belt. Getting the boots off would be a pain, but with my arms free there was a slim chance I could escape.

But the images of Lucky and Clover came to mind. They were going to get something much worse today. After seeing what Eos was willing to do for minor infractions, she felt sick to her stomach as she tried not to think of what horrible tortures she would put Lucky and Clover through. If she failed she wouldn’t have any hope left, she knew Eos would put her in that horrible barn.

That was enough to keep myself from doing anything rash. I looked down and away from Clarity and crossed her arms behind her back. The girl nodded and circled around me. I felt her slipping my arms into something before she backed away. I gave it a few test pulls and, unsurprisingly, it didn’t budge. My arms were trapped crossed behind my back. I was back to being on full display without even the option of covering myself.

“Good girl, Callidora.” Clarity said softly, caressing my face.

It took every ounce of self control I had not to snap at her. Luckily she quickly moved on. She pulled out a bottle and held it to my lips. “Breakfast. Drink, Callidora.”

I just wanted to get it over with. To my annoyance the shake was much thicker than I thought it was. I needed to suck hard to get it out. I almost threw up when I finally got some out. There was no part of me that actually doubted that Clarity told me the truth. That this somehow gave her everything she needed. But it tasted foul.

“You need to finish it, Callidora.” Clarity said gently, but impatiently.

I barely managed to stop myself from glaring at her. I steadied my resolve and finished the putrid drink. There were a lot of emotions swirling through my body, but anger was the main one. There was nothing to look forward to here. Not even the decency to give them something that tasted good to eat.

“Good girl, Callidora.” My fuming was interrupted by Clarity push the headpiece into my sight. The damn blinders. I saw the bit in her other hand. I just gave up and let myself feel numb while she added the final pieces to my humiliation. Most of my field of vision was once against stolen from me. I couldn’t speak with the stupid bit in my mouth.

“Let’s go do our morning exercises.” Clarity said gently. She reached out with the clips of her leash and I assumed she was going to clip it to my harness like yesterday. Of course I wouldn’t be allowed that little piece of dignity though. She clipped it to my bit and pulled as she led me out of the room. She held it close and firm, forcing me to lean toward as I walked to avoid pulling her up by my teeth.

Even though Clarity said the farm woke up now I was still a bit surprised. There were dozens like me walking about. Some were being pulled by their bits like I was. Others were being supervised as they marched about. I saw that small woman in the red latex marching and striking the poses the stablehand called out to her. We walked towards the pens I spent hours in yesterday. To my annoyance Frost was already inside one of them. She glanced at me and had the balls to roll her eyes at me.

“Similar exercise to yesterday, Callidora.” Clarity said as we entered the pen next to Frost. “We’re going to do a mile walk.” I stood in place as the various straps from the stupid arm from yesterday were attached to my harness. “I’m aiming low today, I want to see an 80% success rate on your steps. Do you need another demonstration, Callidora?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t going to try and speak with the gag in my mouth. Thankfully Clarity didn’t push for an audible answer and left the pen. “Exercise will start in a moment.” I could hear the whirling of gears as the machine started up. “Three… two… one…. Start.”

I felt the machine pull on me and I stepped with it. I did my best to make every step perfect. Something I was going to strive for today.

I wasn’t going to make anyone else suffer today.

Mimi

Mimi watched as Callidora finally exited the barn. Mistress Eos wanted to know when she was up. If she wasn’t on time she knew her owner was ready to punish the two trainers harshly.

She made her way up to Eos’s room the best she could. She would never complain about her clothing, but the ballet boots made moving at anything but a snail’s pace impossible. She honestly felt jealous that the ponies got boots as comfortable as they did.

The walk from the window on the first floor, up the stairs, and to Eos’s office was a five minute journey. Something that would take anyone else a minute at most. Mimi raised her hand to knock, but paused when she heard Eos speaking to someone.

“...I’m glad we could reach an understanding.” Eos sounded ecstatic. “It’s always good when others can be reasonable. We’ll talk soon.”

She could hear Eos hang up the phone, but waited a minute before knocking so it didn’t seem like she was eavesdropping.

“Enter.”

Mimi opened the door and peeked inside. Eos was sitting at her computer. The look she gave her quickly turned into one of annoyance.

“Good morning, Mistress Eos.” Mimi said, giving Eos the best curtsy she was capable of. “As I was instructed, I watched for Callidora to exit the barn. She left within an acceptable time frame. The pony is fully dressed including bit, Clarity has the leash attached to it. It seems she’s willing to behave more today than she was yesterday.”

“Excellent.” Eos smiled. “Hopefully she’s learned there’s no hope for escape. Today and tomorrow and going to be very busy days, Mimi. Make sure to keep everything in tiptop shape.”

“Of course, Mistress Eos.” Mimi quickly said. She’d never let the house get into any other condition.

Eos shut her laptop and opened the shade behind her. She could just make out the pens from here. She could see her prize racehorse Frosthoof doing her morning exercises. What she hoped to be her next champion was doing her warm ups in the pen next to her.

“If she keeps behaving that dumb horse is going to help me get rid of a few thorns in my side.”

[myaekingheart]

127. About a Girl

read the scarecrow and the bell on ao3 index | from the beginning | < previous | next >

               “So: how does it feel?” Chikara asked. She poured Sekkachi some tea from across the table, smiling politely. Sekkachi lounged in one of the nearby chairs, careful not to dirty the crocheted tablecloth with her muddy sandals.

               “How does what feel?” Sekkachi asked, poking at the cakes that she had not given Chikara permission to put on her plate.

               “Thirty!” Chikara replied as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. “You know, some might say you’re a full-fledged adult now.”

               “I feel just as much existential dread as I always have” Sekkachi replied flippantly. Her mind warped back to the voicemail and she mumbled under her breath, “Or maybe even more.”

               Chikara hummed under her breath as she took a sip of her own tea. “I’m sure your family was delighted to see you partake in traditions” she commented. “How are they? I haven’t seen them in so long.” She regretted not attending the party herself, but she had other matters to attend to. Deep down, Sekkachi would’ve preferred her absence anyway. The fewer friends for her family to embarrass her in front of, the better.

               “Just as fine as ever” Sekkachi said, shaking her head. “Tenjikubotan is still a whiny, lazy bitch, Roru has become clingier than usual, and if the scowl on my old man’s face gets any deeper, he’s going to look like one of those shrunken apple heads.”

               “I’ve heard Roru is planning to take part in the chunin exams next month” Chikara mentioned. “Her sensei Tekuno told me. That’s very exciting. I’m sure she’s interested in hearing all about your own experiences taking the exams.”

               “As if she’s going to learn much from me” Sekkachi scoffed. “I’m not a role model she should be looking up to anyway.”

               Chikara chuckled under her breath. “I think you’re more admirable than you give yourself credit for” she insisted. “After all, your resilience is unrivaled and you’re perhaps the most honest person I’ve ever met. Those are rare aspects that I think you ought to be proud of.”

               A shiver ran down Sekkachi’s spine at that word: proud. There was nothing worth being proud about. “Either way, she should look elsewhere” Sekkachi said sourly. “I don’t want to deal with her.”

               As accustomed as Chikara had become to Sekkachi’s trademark abrasiveness, there was a certain edge to her now that piqued the woman’s suspicion. Something must have happened and based on what she saw of their night at the bar, Chikara had a mild inkling as to what, exactly, it was.  

               “So did you call me here for a reason, or did you just want to waste time with small talk?” Sekkachi snapped, downing the last of her tea. Chikara smiled as she automatically poured Sekkachi another.

               “Well, seeing as it was your birthday a few days ago” Chikara started, “I thought it was only right to give you your present.”

               “Oh, come on!” Sekkachi whined, throwing her head back and groaning. “You didn’t have to get me anything. I don’t want anything.”

               “Too late!” Chikara grinned. She twisted around in her chair and reached toward the hutch behind her kitchen table, pulling out a large, wrapped box. “Now, Sekkachi, this was very difficult to find so I won’t take no for an answer.” She handed the box to Sekkachi, who skeptically took it to set on the floor in front of her.

               Sekkachi couldn’t even begin to guess what could be in a box that big nor did she think she really wanted it. She didn’t have much of a choice, however—Chikara was staring her down as she slowly ripped through the wrapping paper and punched open the cardboard box. She pulled out the blanket first, plush and plaid. Sekkachi made a face as she unfolded it, surveying it’s size, then peeked around it to look at her sensei. “A blanket? Really?”

               “That’s not the only thing in there!” Chikara replied, waving a hand to urge Sekkachi to continue. She watched closely as her student set the blanket aside and then reached back into the box to pull out a rather large reading pillow, the kind with plush armrests and even a little pocket in the side. “I know you already have one, but it’s been so long and I’m sure it’s gotten rather deflated by now” Chikara explained. “And if you press that little button on the side, it vibrates, as well! I’m sure that should feel nice on your back when you’re having a flare-up.”

               Sekkachi chuckled under her breath and shook her head. “If there was ever an old lady gift to give someone” she jested, shoving the presents back in the box.

               Chikara frowned at her response, though it was exaggerated and clearly fake. “Do you not like them?” she pouted dramatically.

               “They’re the absolute worst” Sekkachi replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She refused to outwardly admit that she actually loved them. Comfort items were important when she spent so much time in pain. If word broke out that she had a weakness for the soft and snuggly, however, she would never live it down. She had a reputation to uphold, after all. Badass bitches did not do cuddly.

               Fortunately, Chikara knew Sekkachi well enough to know that she would not only truly appreciate the gift but that her pride would also prohibit her from truly expressing her gratitude. “So” the woman then said, tenting her fingers as she gazed at her student across the table, “What does thirty look like for Sekkachi Fumeiyo? What do you hope to accomplish? What are your goals for the year?”

               Sekkachi snorted and muttered, “Not die.” Unamused, Chikara arched a brow and glared at her as if challenging her to pick a new resolution. There had to be something better to aim for, something more ambitious—even for her. Sekkachi tightened her ponytail as she added, “Listen, I don’t want to set any expectations for myself, alright? It’s only been a week and I’ve already fucked shit up enough.”

               “Oh?” Chikara asked, her curiosity piqued. “How do you figure?”

               “I just got drunk and did something dumb and now I have to suffer the consequences, I don’t know” Sekkachi complained. She really didn’t want to talk about it, truthfully, but she knew that if she had to talk about it with anyone—and really talk about it— it was bound to be with Chikara.

               “Might this have something to do with a girl?” Chikara asked and all the color paled from Sekkachi’s face before she grimaced in an effort to save face.

               “Yeah, because it’s always about a fucking girl, isn’t it?” she snapped back.

               “Don’t get so defensive, it was a valid assumption” Chikara replied, raising her hands in surrender. She hated to admit that it did, in fact, always seem to be about a girl. Not that there was anything wrong with that—Chikara was more than happy to help Sekkachi with her relationship issues. She enjoyed the intricacies of her student’s social life and her vastly complicated approach to love. It was like a strange little puzzle that she could pick apart and attempt to help clarify. Lifting her teacup to her lips then, Chikara added, “Besides, I may or may not have had the pleasure of being at the bar the same night you were, so I can say I saw some things.” A sly smile touched her lips as she took another sip of her tea. Sekkachi’s heart leapt into her throat.

               “Oh, fuck no” she groaned, slamming her forehead against the table. “Whatever happened, I don’t want to know.”

               “I rather enjoyed you and Rei’s little karaoke performance, though” Chikara hummed. “It’s always nice to see you two getting along so well.”

               “Yeah, I’d be lucky if that was the only embarrassing thing I did that night” Sekkachi whined. She had to admit, she did vaguely remember the karaoke performance. It was perhaps the only bright spot of her night from what she could recall. Performing alongside Rei brought back fond memories of their youth, when they would perform with Naru in espionage missions dressed in ridiculous little kimonos and flashy makeup. She hated the glamour of it all in the moment, of course, but in retrospect there was something bittersweetly nostalgic about it. At least in terms of the karaoke, she could perform what she wanted and on her own terms. She wasn’t there to be perfect or desirable, either. No one ever expected an award-winning performance from a bar karaoke machine. It was nothing but fun and games and the low-pressure environment (along with the booze) made it all the more enjoyable.

               Chikara smirked as she plucked another petit fours from the tray of cakes on the table. “And I thought you said you couldn’t remember anything” she mused.

               “It’s not about what I can and cannot remember” Sekkachi snarked, “It’s about the aftermath and what I did to cause it.”

               “Go on” Chikara urged with a wave of her hand.

               Sekkachi raked her fingers through her bangs and exhaled, exasperated. “I guess at some point I ran into someone I didn’t actually want to see and we must have flirted or something and exchanged numbers, I don’t know. I woke up to a voicemail.”

               A small smile touched Chikara’s lips as she popped another tiny cake into her mouth. “The girl with the third eye?” she asked.

               Sekkachi’s gaze snapped up, panicked and feral. “How did you know? Who told you? Was it Guy? I bet he spilled the beans, didn’t he? With his big, dumb mouth, fuck.”

               “No, none of this is Guy’s fault” Chikara replied. “You forget that I was at the bar that night, and so was she.”

               “Oh no” Sekkachi groaned, burying her face in her hands. It made sense: after all, how else would they have run into each other? Sekkachi knew for a fact that her and Guy did not go anywhere else that night. “What did you see? Was it bad? Do I need to go rogue now?”

               “Not at all” Chikara assured. The expression on her face proved that she was far too delighted with the situation at hand. “If anything, you both seemed to get along swimmingly.”

               “I think that might be worse” Sekkachi complained.

               “Oh, she was anxious at first” Chikara nodded, cleaning the icing residue off her fingertips with a napkin, “but after a while, she really seemed to warm up to you. Nothing could wipe the smile off her face, and she seemed very at home in your presence, and you to her.”

               “Yep” Sekkachi groaned. “Definitely worse.”

               “I don’t see what’s so terrible about it” Chikara shook her head. “If you enjoy one another’s company, then where’s the harm in that?”

               “Because I don’t enjoy her company, Chikara-sensei!” Sekkachi exclaimed. “I hate her fucking guts, I want nothing to do with her. And now here I am with a giant fucking mess I’ve gotta clean up that never should’ve been made in the first place. How am I supposed to tell her to fuck off?”

               “It’s never stopped you before” Chikara commented. “So what’s stopping you now? I almost get the feeling that you’re afraid of hurting her.”

               Suddenly feeling very transparent and vulnerable, Sekkachi pouted and dropped her eyes. “I’m not afraid of hurting her” she muttered sourly. “She can go jump off a bridge for all I care. Her happiness means nothing to me.”

               “Then I don’t see what the issue is” Chikara smiled softly. She knew exactly what was going on, and she was willing to milk the situation for all it was worth. After all, the only way to make Sekkachi admit her feelings to herself was to force them out of her. Long ago, Chikara had learned that the hard way. “You can go tell her to bugger off and then that’s the end of it. However she takes that is her responsibility.”

               “Because maybe I don’t even want to do that!” Sekkachi shouted. “Why do I have to tell her anything in the first place? Why can’t she just leave me the fuck alone? Maybe I should get Rei to do it. She sees the little creep all the time.”

               “And avoid the responsibility of your actions yet again?” Chikara cocked a brow. “Yes, that would be the easiest route but this is not Rei’s mess to clean up. It’s up to you to take responsibility for your actions, Sekkachi. No one else.”

               Rolling her eyes, Sekkachi leaned back in her chair and pressed the heels of her hands into her eye sockets. “I hate you for saying that” she complained.

               “I don’t even truly understand why you have to tell her to leave you alone in the first place” Chikara continued. “You two seemed to be having a perfectly lovely evening together. There aren’t many people whose company you actually enjoy, you know.”

               “Yeah, and you’re quickly losing your status as one of them” Sekkachi grumbled.

               “All I’m saying is that you’re thirty years old now” Chikara replied. “I just want you to start thinking more deeply on what you really want in life rather than just trudging from one day to the next avoiding all sense of responsibility and progression.”

               Excuse you, Sekkachi thought to herself and a sour taste filled her mouth. Chikara was proving to be far more brutally honest than usual today. It wasn’t a look on her that Sekkachi was very fond of. She supposed she had grown rather comfortable in her sensei’s otherwise soft, enabling advice.  

               “Or” Sekkachi started, and there was a certain edge to her tone now that proved Chikara had perhaps taken things too far, “You can accept the fact that I’m a fucking adult and can make my own decisions and live my life however I damn well please.” She slammed the cardboard box of her gifts shut and rose to her feet, hoisting it awkwardly into her arms. “I have the right to spend my life however I see fit, Chikara, and if that means living selfishly then so fucking be it. And I could care less about how other people feel about it, including you.”

               Chikara watched as she kicked the front door open and angrily departed, her heart aching. She never intended to hurt her feelings, but sometimes Sekkachi needed to hear the harsh truth. Frankly, she worried about Sekkachi—perhaps more than anyone else. While Rei was not perfect, either, she at least had someone to lean on. She had Kakashi’s unwavering support and Chikara felt safe with their union. Sekkachi, however, had a nasty habit of shoving away everyone who ever cared about her and this was no exception. Even now, Sekkachi was shoving away her.

               “Well” Chikara said to herself, tidying up the table and putting away the cakes. “She won’t be able to get rid of me that easily.” She carefully placed the petit fours in a small box and tucked them neatly into her refrigerator, then dumped the rest of the tea down the sink. “She’s bound to realize the hole she’s dug herself into sooner or later” she continued, but then paused as a sickening feeling filled her chest. Sighing, she added somberly, “I only hope it’s sooner rather than later.”

[bamby0304]

Her Saviours- Ch.24

Series Masterlist

Summary: During an odd case, the Winchesters came across Y/N, a scared young Omega girl who had been used as a lure for a nest of vampires. After rescuing her from the monsters, John and his sons took her in knowing she was in no state to live among ordinary people. But three Alphas and one Omega is a mixture bound for disaster.

Warnings: Explicit language. ABO dynamics. Angst. Violence.

Bamby

The other Omega and Alpha were safe now. Their car had needed a few touch-ups which Dean was able to do while you kept an eye on the orchard you’d still been parked by. Then you and he followed them until they were far away and safe.

Driving back towards the town, the sun rising, Dean had Sam on loudspeaker as he explained everything to his brother.

“The scarecrow climbed off its cross?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, I’m tellin’ ya. Burkittsville, Indiana. Fun Town.” The tension in Dean was obvious. Not only in the way he spoke, but you could tell by looking at his grip on the steering wheel.

“It didn’t kill the couple, did it?”

“No. We can cope without you, you know.”

“Y/N… are you okay?”

Smiling down at the phone on the dash, you nodded even though he couldn’t see you. “I’m okay.”

“This thing is after Omegas and the male with them. Dean-”

“I got it,” Dean cut his brother off. “I can keep her safe.”

“I’m not doubting that. I’m just worried.”

The clench of Dean’s jaw made you wonder what was going through his head. Was he worried about you, too? Or did his brother’s words just hit a nerve?

When there was no response, Sam cleared his throat. “So, something must be animating it. A spirit.”

“No, it’s more than a spirit. It’s a god. A Pagan god, anyway,” Dean corrected.

“What makes you say that?”

“The annual cycle of its killings? And the fact that the victims are always an Alpha and unclaimed Omega. Like some kind of fertility right. And you should see the locals.” Dean glanced at you. “They treat Omegas like royalty. Offered Y/N anything she might want or need. The way they treated this couple… fattenin’ ‘em up like a Christmas turkey.”

“The last meal. Given to sacrificial victims.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking a ritual sacrifice to appease some Pagan god.”

“So, a god possesses the scarecrow…”

“And the scarecrow takes its sacrifice,” Dean finished his brother’s sentence. “And for another year, the crops won’t wilt, and disease won’t spread.”

“Do you know which god you’re dealing with?”

“No, not yet.”

“Well, you figure out what it is, you can figure out a way to kill it.”

“I know. I’m actually on my way to a local community college. I’ve got an appointment with a professor. You know, since I don’t have my trusty sidekick geek boy to do all the research.” 

Sam laughed lightly, “You know, if you’re hinting you need my help, just ask.”

“I’m not hinting anything. Y/N and I can handle it,” Dena assured him. “Actually, uh… I want you to know… I mean, don’t think…”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, too.” Sam didn’t need to hear the words to understand.

“Sam. You were right. You gotta do your own thing. You gotta live your own life.”

You looked over at Dean, surprised.

“Are you serious?”

“You’ve always known what you want. And you go after it. You stand up to Dad. And you always have. Hell, I wish I… anyway… I admire that about you. I’m proud of you, Sammy.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“Say you’ll take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you find Dad.”

“Okay. Bye, Dean.” There was a pause before Sam added, “Goodbye, Y/N.”

As the line went dead, you turned to look out the window, feeling tears well up in your eyes. Your heart ached as you realised this was it. It was the end. Sam was gone, he was going to do his own thing… and you didn’t think he’d be back again. At least not for a while.

“Hey.” Dean reached over to rest a hand on your knee. “Talk to me.”

Unable to look at him, you kept your eyes on the horizon as you spoke, “Still hurts… losing him. Losing any of you. When you said you’ve had to compete for my attention since we met-”

“I didn’t mean it. Not like that.”

Glancing over your shoulder, you gave him a small smile. “I know, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. You, John, Sam… you all saved me. You all mean so much to me. I hate… I hate feeling like I’m grasping onto the hope of us all being together again when it’s not gonna happen.”

“It will,” he assured you, giving your knee a squeeze. “Sammy will find Dad and they’ll kill the son of a bitch that killed my mum. And then they’ll come find us, and things will go back to the way they used to be. The way they should be.”

Wiping away at the stray tear the rolled down your cheek, you shifted along the seat and snuggled into his side. “I hope you’re right, Dean. I really hope you’re right.”

…

“It’s not every day I get a research question on Pagan ideology.”

You and Dean were walking with a professor through the halls of the community college where he worked. The hope was that he could shed some light on the history behind the town. Perhaps then, you’d be able to understand what you were dealing with and how to kill it.

Dean offered a polite smile. “Yeah, well, call it a hobby.”

“But you said you were interested in local lore?” the professor asked, getting a hummed confirmation from both you and Dean. “I’m afraid Indiana isn’t really known for its Pagan worship.”

“Well, what if it was imported?” Dean suggested. “You know, like the Pilgrims brought their religion over. Wasn’t a lot of this area settled by immigrants?”

The professor shrugged. “Well, yeah.”

“There’s a place nearby, Burkittsville. Do you know where their ancestors would have come from?” you asked, a little tentatively.

The professor was beta, but the place had lingering scents of Alpha everywhere. Campus’ generally meant a wide variety of races, genders, and breeds. It wasn’t the first time you’d been on a campus, but it did feel different. You wondered if it was due to your intensifying fear of strange Alphas.

“Uh, northern Europe, I believe, Scandinavia,” the professor provided.

“What could you tell us about those Pagan gods?” Dean asked.

“Well, there are hundreds of Norse gods and goddesses.”

“We’re actually looking for one. Might live in an orchard.”

 …

In the professor’s office, he dropped an old and heavy book onto the table in front of you and Dean. Flicking it open, he started to skim a few pages to find what you were looking for.

“Woods god, hm? Well, let’s see.” 

As the pages kept turning, Dean quickly spotted something. “Wait, wait, wait. What’s that one?” He turned back to the page in question where you saw a scarecrow in a field.

“Oh, that’s not a woods god, per se.”

“The V-Vanir?” Dean looked up at the professor for confirmation, seeing him nod. He then turned back to the book and began to read. “‘The Vanir were Norse gods of protection and prosperity, keeping the local settlements safe from harm. Some villages built effigies of the Vanir in their fields. Other villages practised human sacrifice. One Alpha, and one unclaimed Omega.’” Pausing a moment, he eyed the picture before asking, “Kind of looks like a scarecrow, huh?”

The professor shrugged. “I suppose.”

Dean continued to read. “This particular Vanir that’s energy sprung from the sacred tree?”

“Well, Pagans believed all sorts of things were infused with magic.”

“So… what would happen if the tree was damaged?” you asked. “Like cut down…”

“Or torched,” Dean added. “You think it’d kill the god?”

Laughing, the professor looked at you both amused, but also like you might’ve lost your minds. “These are just legends we’re discussing.”

“Oh, of course. Yeah, you’re right.” Dean quickly nodded, pulling back from the book. “Listen, thank you very much.” He reached out for the professor’s hand, which he then shook.

Smiling politely, you then offered your hand. “You’ve been a great help, thank you.

“Glad I could help.” Nodding, the professor walked you to the door. 

Neither you or Dean were prepared for what happened next.

As the door opened, you spotted the sheriff standing on the other side. Dean didn’t get the chance to react before the sheriff hit him in the head with the butt of his gun, knocking Dean out.

“Dean!” you cried out, reaching out for him.

“Not so fast.” The sheriff grabbed your arm and spun you around, pressing you against the wall. “Really should have left when you had the chance.”

Pulling you back, he then slammed you forward, against the wall again. This time it was hard enough to knock you clean out.

…

“Sweetheart,” Dean’s voice called to you. “Sweetheart, you gotta wake up. Come on, wake up for me. Please.” The tension in his voice made your heart break. At the same time, you used the pain to draw you back to consciousness. When you made a small squeak of a sound, you could hear the smile in this voice. “That’s it. Come on. Open your eyes for me. Show me your eyes. You can do it.”

It took everything in your power to will yourself to open your eyes. When you did, you found yourself lying on the floor, with Dean hovering above you. His hands were cradling your face as he watched you with eyes so worried you could see tears threatening to form.

“Dean?”

He smiled at you, relief replacing his fears. “Hey.” Helping you sit up, he made sure you were okay. “How are you feeling?”

“What happened?” you asked, squeezing your eyes shut again as you felt a sharp pain throb in your head. “Where are we?”

“The professor was in on it. Called the sheriff. He knocked us out. Must’ve got you bad, ‘cause you’ve been out for a while.” His gaze remained on you, watching your every move carefully. “Had me worried for a moment there, sweetheart.”

“Sorry,” you grunted.

Looking around, you took in your surroundings. Wherever you were, it was cold, dark and dank. It smelt damp and mouldy, and earth. Above you, a few feet away, was what appeared to be a door. Light peeked through the cracks, lighting parts the stairs underneath it.

“We’re in a basement,” you noted, taking another moment to check your surroundings before turning back to Dean.

He looked… defeated. Guilty. Worried. Terrified. The way he was watching your hands as they sat in your lap…

“Dean.” You brought a hand up to cup his face. “This isn’t your fault.”

“You should have gone with Sam,” he muttered. “You should have gone with Sam years ago. When he first left. You should have gone with Sam, and you should have stayed with Sam, and I should have never dragged you into any of this.” There was a crack in his voice that made you want to burst into tears.

Shaking your head, you got on your knees in front of him. “Don’t. Don’t say that.”

“You’re always in danger if you’re with me.”

“Dean… do you really think your father would have let me go with Sam when he first left? Maybe he would have let me go, but do you seriously think he wouldn’t have gone to get me eventually? You Winchesters are pack people. Sam might’ve run away, but he’s still all about pack. If he wasn’t he wouldn’t have dropped everything to come help us. So do you seriously think I would have been able to stay with Sam? Do you really think you would have been able to give up on me so easily?”

There was a moment’s pause as he tried to think of a situation where he would have let you go… but there was none.

“No.” His voice was so soft as he looked up to meet your gaze. “I could never lose you.”

“And you’re not going to.” Leaning in, you pressed your lips to his in a delicate kiss.

The basement door creaked open.

Dean was quick to pull you behind him as he stood, ready to defend you if need be.

It wasn’t needed, though…

“We don’t have much time.” Emily glanced over her shoulder before gesturing for the of you to move. “I’m getting you out of here.”

…

Dean’s grip on your hand was tight as you and he followed Emily through the orchard. You had to be careful, and quiet, keeping low to stay out of sight. Apparently, there were a number of locals around the place, armed and on guard.

Sneaking around, you couldn’t help but notice how different the trees were compared to the first time you’d seen them. They were dying. The townsfolk were running out of time to appease the god.

“How’d you know?” Dean asked in a harsh whisper.

It was obvious he didn’t trust that she was actually trying to help, but you believed her. You also knew it was probably your best chance of getting out of there.

“I heard my aunt and uncle fussing over you two leaving town. And then all your questions, and the weird disappearances every year.” Emily paused and sighed, turning to look at you both. “My mother and father… they weren’t traditionalists. They didn’t believe in claiming. They thought it was barbaric.”

Her story fell into place, then. “Your mother was an unclaimed Omega.”

She nodded. “It was another year like this. The trees were beginning to die… and then the next morning everything was healthy and everyone was happy, and my parents were gone.”

“We’re sorry.” Dean meant it, too. Losing a parent… you all knew what that felt like.

A gun cocked behind you, making you freeze.

“I will shoot,” the sheriff warned. “And it’ll be one of the girls I hit. We only need one of them.”

The three of you all turned, seeing that the sheriff wasn’t alone. Scotty, Harley, and Stacy were all there, too. Armed and aiming their guns at your little group.

“Emily.” Stacy was a mixture of disappointed, shocked, guilty, and scared. “What did you do?”

“They’re people!” Emily exclaimed boldly, even though she was beginning to cry. “Why are you doing this?”

Harley squared his shoulders, doing his best not to show how seeing his niece at the other end of his barrel was affecting him. “It’s for the common good.”

…

Back in the basement, you watched as Dean tried to open the door for the millionth time. Emily was sitting beside you, sobbing lightly. She’d calmed down, but you could tell she was still freaked. You didn’t blame her.

“So…  they’re gonna kill us?” she asked.

Having not known what was going on to the full extent when she’d tried to help you and Dean, Emily had only assumed the townsfolk had killed her parents. Explaining that they were offered up as a sacrifice instead was a little difficult.

“Sacrifice us,” Dean corrected. “Which is, I don’t know, classier, I guess?” Giving up on the door, he headed towards the two of you. “You really didn’t know anything about this, did you?”

She shook her head. “I suspected something, but… the scarecrow? I can’t believe this.”

“Well, you better start believing, cause we’re gonna need your help,” Dean told her. “We can destroy the scarecrow, but we gotta find the tree.”

“What tree?”

“The scarecrow’s power has to come from a sacred tree. Something old, that would have come from wherever the town’s founders are from,” you explained. “The townspeople would treat it with a lot of respect.”

Contemplating the thought for a moment, she soon remembered a tree. “There was this one apple tree. The immigrants brought it over with them. They call it the First Tree.”

“Is it in the orchard?” Dean asked.

Emily nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t know where.” 

The doors opened again, revealing Scotty, Stacey, Harley, and the sheriff. Dean- once again- stood in front of you and Emily protectively as Stacey stepped forward.

“It’s time.”

…

The rope around your wrists wasn’t something you weren’t familiar with. Being in the hunter life meant you’d been tied up a few times over the years. Before that, however, you’d spent years bound. The memories of the things that you’d been through before the Winchesters always seemed a little more potent when you could feel the tightness of rope biting into your skin.

“How many people have you killed, Sheriff? How much blood is on your hands?” Dean asked, glaring at the man who’d just finished tying him to a tree of his own.

“We don’t kill them.”

“No, but you sure cover up after. I mean, how many cars have you hidden, clothes have you buried?” 

“Uncle Harley, please,” Emily cried.

Her uncle couldn’t even look her in the eyes. “I am so sorry, Em. I wish it wasn’t you.”

“Try to understand,” Stacy started. “It’s our responsibility. You… you know too much. You’re a risk.”

“I’m your family.”

“Sweetheart,” Stacy genuinely looked upset, “that’s what sacrifice means. Giving up something you love for the greater good. The town needs to be safe. The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.”

She, Scotty and Harley began to walk away then, though the sheriff remained.

“I hope your apple pie is freakin’ worth it!” Dean called.

Ignoring Dean, the sheriff turned his back to him and then moved towards you. He knelt down, watching as you chewed on your lip, trying to fight the fear that came from the moment you were living in, and the one replaying in your mind.

“Such a shame… you were a pretty Omega. Would’ve made someone happy.”

Lip curling up into a snarl, you spat at him.

Raising a hand to his face, he wiped your spit from his cheek and rose to his feet suddenly. “That fight in you isn’t gonna change anything. You’re his, now.” Turning on his heels, he stalked off.

Your heart was beating hard and fast in your chest. The memories of your past, mixed with the stench of the Alpha sheriff, had your nerves on edge. Everything inside you was screaming to get free and run, but that panic wouldn’t do you any good.

If you tried to get yourself out, you’d only hurt yourself. If you tried to make a break for it, you wouldn’t get far. First, you’d have to free Dean and Emily, and then you’d have to try and sneak out of the orchards… you got the feeling you wouldn’t get far. The townspeople weren’t going to risk losing their sacrifice again.

“So, what’s the plan?” Emily asked Dean expectantly.

“I’m workin’ on it.”

…

The sun had set hours ago. It was cold, your arms ached as they’d remained tied above your head. Your bones hurt, and your anxiety was through the roof. Things were not looking good.

Emily sighed, “You don’t have a plan, do you?”

“I’m workin’ on it,’ Dean assured her, sounding considerably less confident than he had before. “Can you see?”

Shifting as much as you could, you tried to get a look at the scarecrow’s perch behind you. But as much as you tried, and moved, you couldn’t get a good view.

“I can’t see him.”

“Me either,” Emily added.

As you shifted, the ropes bit into your skin more. You hissed and winced as a memory shook you to your bones. Seeing the faces of those who’d killed your parents and taken you… remembering the things they’d done…

“Y/N,” Dean’s voice called you out of your head. “You okay?”

Gritting your teeth, you nodded. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh my God.”

Looking over at Emily, you saw pure fear in her eyes. “What? What is it?”

Whatever had he so scared, though, had her frozen as she stared straight ahead with wide eyes. “Oh my God!”

Leaves in the distance rustled as something moved. You could hear it now, coming closer and closer. The adrenaline pumping through your veins as you tried to use the bark on your tree to cut through your ropes. You had to get out of there. You had to save Dean and Em-

“Dean? Y/N?”

“Sam?” Your head fell back against the tree as you let out a relieved breath.

“Oh!” Dean beamed up at his younger brother as Sam moved towards him. “Oh, I take everything back I said. I’m so happy to see you. Come on.” As Sam started untying him, Dean asked, “How’d you get here?”

“I, uh…” Sam released his brother and shrugged. “I stole a car.”

Dean gave his arm a playful punch. “Haha! That’s my boy!” He moved towards Emily to free her while Sam moved to you. “And keep an eye on that scarecrow. He could come alive any minute.”

Sam stopped untying you to look in the direction where his brother had gestured. “What scarecrow?”

Your eyes went wide. “Oh fuck…”

...

The four of you were running. Being quiet and careful wasn’t going to do any of you good now that the scarecrow was awake. You had to be quick. You had to get the hell out of there before he found you.

“Alright, now, this sacred tree you’re talking about..”

“It’s the source of its power,” Dean explained.

Sam shrugged. “So let’s find it and burn it.”

Dean shook his head. “Nah, in the morning. Let’s just shag ass before Leather Face catches up.” 

As the four of you reached a clearing, however, you found your paths were blocked by the townspeople.

Dean put his arms out in front of you and Emily, making you both stop as he started to back up. “This way.”

When you tried to turn to make a break for it, you found more people had gathered around. You were now surrounded.

Sam grabbed your arm and pulled you close to him, as Dean did the same with Emily. The Alphas kept you behind them as they moved back to back, keeping you both safe.

“Please. Let us go,” Emily begged.

Her uncle shook his head. “It’ll be over quickly, I promise.”

Scanning the crowd, you could see how close they were. How they had gathered around so tightly, and everyone’s focus was on your group… no one was watching their surroundings.

“How would you know?” you asked, eyes scanning the crowd. “You hide in the treeline or your homes. You lure people out here or trap them. You feed them to this thing. But you know nothing. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

“Now is really not the time to piss them off,” Dean mumbled at you.

You had to disagree.

Pulling your arm from Sam’s grasp, you stepped away from the brothers and Emily, moving a little closer to the four townspeople who clearly ran the place. Scotty, Stacy, Harley, and the sheriff.

“You do this because it’s what you were taught to do, but you don’t understand it.” You eyed Scotty’s gun as it remained aimed at you. “You’re not gonna shoot. The fact you haven’t had to kill anyone with your own hands is how you can sleep at night.”

“We will if we have to,” the sheriff argued.

“No… you won’t. You won’t get the chance.”

All of a sudden, Harley let out a garbled gasp as the scarecrow’s sickle stuck out from his chest. Stacey screamed, and everything fell into chaos.

“Run!” you called to the brothers and Emily, before you made a break for it.

The scarecrow was cutting through the townspeople, trying to push through the crowd as they all tried to run away. His eyes were on you and Emily, as he hacked through whoever got in his way.

Sam and Dean grabbed you both, dragging you along as your feet slammed on the dirt ground. None of you let up until you saw the clearing of the orchard, and even then it only made you move faster.

Every breath you sucked in was like breathing in fire, your muscles ached, your heartbeat thrummed in your ears, drowning out the screams behind you.

Reaching the road, Sam and Dean shoved you and Emily across the line. You both stumbled, landing on the harsh asphalt, cutting up your arms and palms. But at that moment, the pain didn’t even register.

Spinning around, you watched the treeline, seeing the scarecrow step up to it and watch your group as you all sat on the road, trying to catch your breaths. People were still screaming, dying in the orchard.

The scarecrow stood there, his eyes on you and Emily for a moment longer before he turned and stalked back into the darkness.

“How… how’d you know?” Emily asked, trying to calm her breathing. “How’d you know he was going to kill them?”

“We were the only unclaimed Omegas. He had to cut through them to get to us.” You shrugged. “And I was kinda banking on him being pissed… they did keep him waiting after all.”

…

Emily had taken you, Dean and Sam to the impala. The four of you had then camped out in the car, on the side of the road by the orchard. You hadn’t been able to sleep, but Emily had crashed as soon as the adrenaline had left her system.

Dean had stayed up for a good long while, but when sleep claimed him, he didn’t fight it. You didn’t think he had it in him to fit. He’d been through a lot lately, and he needed the rest.

Sam had drifted in and out, but he’d mostly fought the urge to sleep. Every time it had won, even for the briefest of moments, he’d look back over at you to make sure you were okay.

It was morning now. The sun had risen, painting the sky in golden hues. The bright lights had stirred the other occupants of the vehicle, alerting them that it was time. With Sam carrying the gasoline, and Dean carrying the lighter, the four of you headed back into the orchard to find the sacred tree.

There wasn’t a single sign of last night’s events. You didn’t see a body… or even a spec of blood. Either remaining townspeople had cleaned up the mess, or the scarecrow had covered its track.

Once the tree had been found, Sam had poured the gasoline over all of it, while Dean had grabbed a large stick to light.

“Let me.” Emily gestured to the burning stick.

Handing it over, Dean stepped back next to you as Sam came over to join. The three of you watched Emily move to the tree.

“You know, the whole town’s gonna die,” Dean told her.

“Good.” With that, she threw the stick onto the gasoline and watched the tree catch fire.

…

Standing between Sam and Dean, you watched Emily get on the bus. None of you moved as she took a seat and waited before the bus then started down the road. You didn’t look away until you couldn’t see it anymore.

“Think she’s gonna be alright?” Sam asked.

Dean shrugged. “I hope so.”

“And the rest of the townspeople, they’ll just get away with it?”

“The power that was keeping the town alive is gone… trust me, they won’t just get away with it. They’ll suffer,” you assured him, not hiding the satisfied tone in your voice.

Those people deserved more than what was coming… but it was the best you could do. There was no proof of foul play, so calling the authorities was out of the question. That left you three dealing with the people, but you weren’t killers. So you were just going to have to settle with letting the town die.

As the three of you headed for the Impala, Dean looked over at his brother. “So, can I drop you off somewhere?”

Reaching his door, Sam leaned on the roof of the car and shook his head. “No, I think you’re stuck with me.” 

You couldn’t deny the fact you were happy hearing those words. More than happy, actually. Knowing Sam had changed his mind about leaving… it was the best news you’d heard in a long time.

“What made you change your mind?” Dean asked.

“I didn’t.” Sam shrugged. “I still wanna find Dad. And you’re still a pain in the ass,” he noted, making Dean chuckling a nod. “But, Jess and Mum… they’re both gone. Dad is God knows where. The three of us,” he glanced over at you, we’re all that’s left. So, if we’re gonna see this through, we’re gonna do it together.”

Maybe that was the best thing you’d heard in a long time...

“Hold me, Sam.” Dean pressed a hand to his heart. “That was beautiful.” 

Sam rolled his eyes at him. “You should be kissing my ass, you were dead meat, dude.”

“Yeah, right. I had a plan, I’d have gotten out,” Dean insisted as the three of you got in the car.

You couldn’t help but scoff. “You really didn’t.”

Bamby

[primalinfinity]

HUGE HUGE RWBY SPOILERS BELOW. And this is a LONG one.

Okay, watching the finale was an EVENT. The last few episodes have been the sort where I’ve paused a few times to do a lap of my apartment. This one I sat frozen in place the entire time.

It’s...strange. I got huge satisfaction from the things I got right, but it’s hollow in a way because not all of them are good.

So yeah, thoughts on the finale:

- I’m actually really satisfied that Penny got the powers of the Maiden, it pretty much closes off her Pinnochio story arc because she is now a fully realised ‘real girl’.

- Watching Cinder fail feels sooooo good. But god damn she had the best lines this episode in her opening encounter with Penny and Winter, her lines about power. Even the delivery stole the episode for me. Seeing Cinder crack is satisfying because we’re seeing more of her personality again instead of just “Bwahaha I’m the villain” which it feels like she’s been since she recruited Neo. We finally saw some of HER again. God I’m happy to see her fail. Her just snatching up the Winter powers as well would have made me roll my eyes.

- I’m pretty disappointed the fight between Robin, Qrow and Tyrian never happened. We saw it in the intro and CRWBY are normally pretty good about that sort of thing. I guess they did it just to surprise us with Clover’s death but...boo. Disappointment for that.

- Still processing Ironwood’s descent into madness and paranoia. I get that he’s fully cracked, but shooting Oscar/Ozpin? Bruh, that seems a bit much even for how far he’s fallen. He goes from simply arresting team RWBY, to attempting to kill a kid, in a single episode? Gehhh not sure how to feel about it.

- I thought the fight between RWBY and the Ace Ops last episode would be my favourite fight of the volume, but god damn did Cinder vs Winter & Penny steal that podium. It was great to see Winter show her true power, since we only got a glimpse of it back in volume 3 against Qrow when she wasn’t even going full strength. After all this time of hearing how good she is over and over, it was great to finally see it. I’m glad she survived, but now Weiss has no-one left in her family on her side except PERHAPS her mother, for all the good that will do.

- WHY DIDN’T IRONWOOD KILL WATTS. Two episodes. Two episodes it took from him APPARENTLY sparing Watts, to shooting a kid. DUDE. What the HELL. Honestly the more I think about it, the more I twitch about Ironwood’s descent.

- We got maybe 2 minutes of interaction with the previous Winter Maiden before she died, and it took less than that for me to fall in love with her to a degree that her passing hurt my heart. And that’s twice now Cinder has seen what a TRUE Maiden can do, and fallen hilariously short in front of it.

- Neo continues to be utterly unstoppable and the least beaten character on the show except for Raven, I desperately want to know her backstory and how she got so STRONG. We know nothing about her except her attachment to Roman and being part of his crime gang, and yet she can go toe-to-toe with not just Cinder, but the entirety of JNOR too.

- So, Ozpin returns! I was completely convinced that we were going to see Oscar’s semblance, and that he’d be able to fly to stop himself from falling to his death, but seeing him use magic was amazing. What was the glow with the staff’s mechanics activating? We know Ozpin’s magic is green, as is Oscar’s aura, so what was the gold glow? And I really like how one of the first things Ozpin was going to say, was to apologise. And he sounded so sincere, but I’m also glad Oscar cut him off. Oscar has grown a lot since Ozpin vanished and he clearly sees himself as Ozpin’s equal now. Which is really good. I’ve grown fond of Oscar and I can’t wait to see what his dynamic with Ozpin is now.

- Also a note on Ozpin’s return; he didn’t take over Oscar while they were falling as he returned. We saw the eyes flash so clearly he was really present, but he DIDN’T TAKE OVER. He simply clearly told Oscar what could be done, and guided him. He let Oscar do it, with simple guidance. Going back to when we saw Ozpin’s backstory from the Lamp, there’s a line about how he ‘learned to live WITH the people he was bound to’ Which implies he learned to let them live their own lives and make their own choices, but with trust they’ll also do their responsibilities. And he finally did that here with Oscar, trusting him. Ozpin has decided to trust Oscar and respect him. He’s clearly been watching.

- Ren isn’t having a good time, ever since his kiss with Nora. He hesitated in regards to their feelings for each other for so long because he feared complications and he feared they’d be distracted and overall weakened because of it. But ever since she finally kissed him and he kissed her back, he’s been proven right again and again. And the final time this episode, hesitated to stop Neo when she used Nora’s appearance, Neo got away with the Lamp. His rage about that was believable, but he didn’t need to lash out directly at Nora. I understand he fears weakness, because of his childhood trauma, but he’s spoken to Jaun in the past in front of the Pyrrha statue about teamwork and now he doesn’t trust his team to be able to do the job. It’s frustrating. But I also understand it.

- The fight with Neo felt ‘off’ with me, and I don’t know why. There was something unbalanced about it from the start and I truly don’t know why I feel the way I do about it. Something about it was just off-kilter and ‘wrong’ with it. It’s a strange feeling that I’ll think over when I rewatch the fight a few times.

- I hate that Tyrian is still alive. The D&D DM in me hates it because he’s a villain that’s done enough. He’s taken enough away from the heroes, done everything he was meant to do. He was a big impacting force this volume. Ever since he was truly introduced in his fight with Qrow and team RWBY this volume is what it was building up to. He scared the audience and the characters, wreaked havoc, and took enough away from the protagonists again and again that if he had died this volume it would have been a release of tension.

His escape and survival isn’t a cliffhanger, it’s a sour ending. Robin & Qrow killing him in the streets of Mantle, as we see their fight in the intro, a fight which never happened, would have been a perfect symbollic ending to his arc as a villain. Symbolic for dying in Mantle where he ruined Robin’s life (in a way), and dying at Qrow’s hands after everything he’s done.

He should have died this episode.

- On the note of villains surviving, there IS a part of me relieved that Watts isn’t dead. In contrast to Tyrian, Watts HASN’T done enough as a villain. Sure, he was a major player this volume, more major than Tyrian, but we don’t know him. Tyrian radiates his personality, we got a grasp of who he was early, but we still don’t KNOW Watts. Will Salem let him live? Will we see more of him? All questions I want answered. I’m curious what they’ll do with him now after this staggering ‘failure’ of his.

His strength is technology. Specifically the technology of Atlas. But the next destination after Atlas is Vacuo, said to be the most run down of the cities (probably because of the relic of Destruction). What could he possibly do to them there?

- Ruby’s silver eyes flashing at the end when she saw Cinder did NOTHING to her. Cinder seemed fine later when she was raging in the sky. So. Uhh. Alright then. That happened.

- So far we’ve met the Cowardly Lion, and the Tinman. And both have failed and given in to their weaknesses. We’re yet to meet the Scarecrow, who’s almost certainly the Headmaster of Shade. The Scarecrow lacks a brain. Are we about to encounter an idiot, after the Atlas story is resolved next volume? Fun fun fun.

+=+=+=+

All in all, this volume satisfied me a great deal. It had a lot of spectacular moments. There are a few that left sour tastes, as mentioned above, but overall I was really impressed.

Some of my favourite fights in the show, although the original fight between Tyrian and Qrow still owns that title overall, and a lot of fantastic character moments. And some of the best dialogue so far said in the show.

I loved it from start to finish, with only those few moments disappointing me.

Can’t wait for Volume 8

[ryanmeft]

Movie Review: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

When I was quite young, there was a cabinet at the house of some relatives that contained their books. From this space, I would always draw a volume of short horror stories, written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell---not that these details meant anything to me then. It contained tales of the sort older kids would tell around campfires to scare younger kids, even if they secretly scared themselves, as well. If you are of a certain age range, you wouldn’t need to be told the name of this book; you would certainly already know it. The film adaptation must of course insert an overall plot---the book had none---but it stays faithful in tone and execution, and I even found that after all these years I remembered some of what I was seeing. Whether I was still tempted to sleep with the light on, I will not say.

In the film, the titular book is an actual book. We are introduced to this fact when the film’s teenagers tell the requisite story of a young woman who was once kept confined in an old house. The children in town would come talk to her through the walls, and she would tell them horrible things, and some of them would never be seen again. After a Halloween prank that serves as revenge against a school bully (Austin Abrams), this house is retreated to by nerdy-but-of-course-still-attractive Stella (Zoe Colletti), ghost-story-obsessed Chuck (Austin Zajur), skeptical, rational Auggie (Gabriel Rush) and the new kid in town, mysterious drifter Ramon (Michael Garza). It is the most logical thing in the world to go inside and check it out, of course. If you are in a horror movie, what other choice do you have? The movie has been set in 1968, both for plot reasons and so that it still makes sense for 15-year-olds to be wandering around town by themselves and poking into old houses.

I need to preface, before going any farther, that I love stuff like this. Creepy mansions owned by the only rich family to ever live in a small town? Check. The family had a horrible secret which no one can either confirm or deny? Check. Someone locked in a mysterious cellar, whispering cruel words through the walls at unsuspecting children? Sometimes, if you do it right, checking the boxes is enough, and the movie zeroes in on, and nails, that unreal feeling all good campfire stories should have---everything in it is just a little ridiculous, but not too silly to scare the pants off you. Stella, whose bedroom walls are adorned with movie posters for everything from the Creature in the Black Lagoon to the Wolfman, finds the old book in which Sarah Bellows, the captive girl (Kathleen Pollard, though she’s mostly unseen), wrote her stories, but it is blank.

One of the unwritten rules of horror movies is that the people in them do not inhabit a world where horror movies exist, no matter how many posters they have on their walls, so of course Stella takes the book. Later, stories begin to appear in it, seemingly written in blood, and it becomes clear these stories are explaining what is actually about to happen to the kids. I find the horrors that are unleashed---a scarecrow that creates more of its own kind out of people, an inexorably advancing woman who looks squashed and wrong, a fast-paced beast whose bits are in all the wrong places---are taken mostly from the first Scary Stories book, and happily, I find they are inspired visually by Gammell’s original illustrations and not the more watered-down versions of a controversial later edition. I did not remember most of them until I saw them, whereupon vague memories were stirred of being unable to sleep in my relation’s dark house (there were trees against the window in my bedroom, and that did not help). I did, however, remember the one about the spiders growing inside someone’s face quite well, having thought about it often over the years, which ought to tell you where my personal fears lie. I also remembered one about a bride whose head was attached with a scarf, but to my everlasting sorrow the writing team could apparently find no good excuse to work that one in. I’d like to put in a formal request for the sequel. The best sequence is the climax, in which Stella is chased through something that may be a dream and may be the past, and in which the real monsters are entirely human.

The movie could have gotten away with a lot less care than it was given. Fortunately for fans, it has landed in the hands of people who know what they are doing. The stories were transmuted into a form suitable for being linked by horror-and-monster master Guillermo Del Toro, whose influence may be why some inherently silly monsters feel so believable. It was then scripted by Dan and Kevin Hageman and directed by Andre Orvedal, with all four men being bound by having worked on the Trollhunters franchise that Orvedal originated. Except for Del Toro, none of the group are household names even in horror circles, but they’ve managed to both capture the feel of these beloved stories and change them enough to work in a an overall plot. I laughed at some of the intentional silliness, but the scares did their job: I still checked to make sure nothing was behind me after I finished this review.

Verdict: Recommended

Note: I don’t use stars, but here are my possible verdicts.

Must-See

Highly Recommended

Recommended

Average

Not Recommended

Avoid like the Plague

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 All images are property of the people what own the movie.

[scaryscarecrows]

Giggles

Continues 'Close Call'.

Bruce comes to with his ankles bound together and his hands zip-tied to a pipe. His head hurts. Joker is laughing.

No. No, he’s laughing, high-pitched and uncontrollable. What happened? Where is he? Why can’t he stop?

“S’okay, boss, just lemme…”

He remembers, now. He’d found the Arkham Knight. He’d managed, even, to get the drop on him. But. But Joker had taken advantage of the adrenaline, the rage, and. And he’d kept hitting, shattered the helmet, fended off the soldiers behind him.

The last thing Bruce remembers is his hands being locked, inexplicably, around Jason’s throat (impossible, another hallucination), before taking something heavy to the back of the head and going down.

The Knight’s still flat on his back, but he must not be dead, because the medic’s crouched next to him, asking soft questions that don’t seem to be getting answers. Or at least, not verbal answers. The others have positioned themselves between him and Bruce, but they seem rattled.

Stop laughing!

The Knight’s not dead; he suddenly sucks in a pained breath and the medic murmurs, “Sorry, sir, I gotta make sure…just be still for me, okay?”

There’s no answer.

“I say we shoot him and call it good,” one of them, a man with big coke-bottle glasses, says.

“Nah-uh.” He remembers that voice from the roof. “Not unless we get orders.”

“But that’s fuckin’ creepy, man, you know it is!”

“What do you want me to do, ask him nicely to shut up?” A pause, followed by a tired, “No, you can’t ram a pen through his trachea.”

“I could hit him again,” the minigunner offers. Bruce wouldn’t begrudge him. He doesn’t like this, either.

“I still say we kill him.” Glasses inches a little further away and lowers his voice. Not that that stops the cowl from picking it up. “Look, do you think the boss is gonna be up to telling us anything? Because I don’t.”

“Five minutes, then we knock him out—” He’s interrupted by a croak from the ground. “Sir? You, uh, you okay?”

“Can we kill the Bat?”

“I’ll kill all of you if you don’t shut your faces,” the medic snaps. Then, a tiny bit nicer, “Good God. Okay.” He exhales angrily. “You’re probably fine, boss, but maybe don’t play in deadly chemicals for a few weeks-or get up, you stupid fucking—”

Nobody’s backing him up, though. They just move a bit and Secondary Leader leans down with an arm outstretched to pull him to his feet.

“You okay, boss?”

He’s unsteady, nearly toppling, when he pulls away and stumbles towards the wall to slump against the bricks. But he nods all the same and rasps, “How long has he been laughing?”

Bruce’s whole world comes to a screaming stop before he’s yanked back into reality. Jason can’t be here, he reasons, trying desperately to shut up. This is another Scarecrow nightmare, or a vision caused by the infection. Any second, the illusion will shatter, or he’ll be forced to watch him die-again-helpless to do anything.

Any second now.

The laughter is starting to wane, letting him get a few deep breaths into his aching lungs. Secondary Leader steps closer, hands twitching like he’s preparing to catch his employer if he goes down.

“He started after he, um. Broke your, uh, your helmet. And Trent stunned him, but I guess it wasn’t enough because he started again about five minutes ago.” He takes a hesitant step towards Bruce. “What now, sir?”

Why isn’t this stopping? Jason-the Knight, the Knight is not Jason, Jay’s dead-runs a hand through his hair, pushing sweaty bangs off his face, and rasps, “Stay back.”

His voice is hoarse and Bruce can still feel his throat crushing easily under his palms. He could have killed him. He would have, if it hadn’t been for that lucky hit.

“What the hell’s wrong with him?” the other man is asking, head tilted like that’ll help him figure it out. The Knight shrugs, pushes himself away from the wall, and steps closer. Gone is the cocky swagger he had earlier this evening-now he just looks like it’s a fight to stay upright.

“S’matter, B?” he asks, and this is it, it’s going to stop now. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

As supremely unrelated as it is, watch the other man roll his eyes and mouth, ‘stay back’ is oddly funny. Bruce can almost hear the angry, mocking, tone he must be using in his head. Unfortunately, his distraction (attempt to avoid the oncoming emotional pain) results in the Knight grabbing his chin in a gloved hand and hissing, “You could at least have the decency to look at me.”

And he does. He’d always wondered, morbidly, how Jason would have grown up. Apparently, his brain had settled on ‘tall, finally grew into his shoulders, freckles nearly faded but not all the way’. Unfortunately, his brain had also factored in everything that Joker had done; the brand is the most visible reminder, but there’s a scar that coincides with a deep, infection-red gash on his nose and several smaller ones on the rest of his face.

But this isn’t real. It can’t be. And oh, if that doesn’t hurt, doesn’t bring back the shock and horror and no no please God no take me instead…

He jerks his head away. The Knight frowns, the movement pulling at scars, and for a second Bruce…slips, forgets, thinks of how any sort of facial movement must have hurt while those were healing.

“Lost for words? I expected more.” He snorts, drops his hand. “I’m hurt.”

No. He’s not here. This is impossible. He struggles against the zip ties and the Knight steps back. Behind him, his men tense. They’re on high alert as it is, and Bruce knows that one wrong move on his part will result in an inescapable barrage of gunfire.

He stops. Wills the Knight to become…whoever he is, under that helmet, rather than the ghost of his dead son.

“Say something!”

Everything is very, very vivid. He can hear his heart pounding, his breaths rushing in and out of his nose. The creaking of the building above them. Shifting of clothing. His vision is strong-it’s easy to make out the fine details on their uniforms, and to pick out the still-flickering remains of the shattered helmet in the corner. It smells damp down here, a fact quickly explained by the heavy pipes on the ceiling.

The other incidents weren’t like this.

But this isn’t…Jason wouldn’t…he’d have come home. Or at least not…not amassed an army to destroy Gotham, or teamed up with Scarecrow, or…

“Who do you hate?”

“Batman.”

“Jason?” he breathes, regrets it immediately because this isn’t possible. The Knight’s lips quirk up in a bitter smile.

“Look at that, you remember me,” he says. “I had to wonder. I mean, you replaced me within in what, a week? Two? That’s harsh, even by my standards.”

The Joker begins to laugh. Thankfully, it’s internal this time, meaning Bruce can mostly ignore him.

“I thought you were dead.” Knows he is, he can’t be here, it’s impossible…

“Sorry to disappoint.” Jason (Jason? How…?) leans against the wall in a way that would be casual if Bruce couldn’t see him trembling, couldn’t hear him trying to keep his breathing even. “Don’t worry, I don’t want my old room back or anything.”

If he could just. Just touch him, maybe. It’s one thing when hallucinations touch you. When you can touch them, they’re real.

“Jason,” he says again, voice just this side of desperate. “I—”

“Don’t start with the excuses.”

“They’re not—”

He’s interrupted by Jason starting to cough, harsh, deep whoops from down in his lungs that prompt the medic to shove the others out of the way to get to him.

“Shut your mouth,” the man warns, jabbing a finger at Bruce, “if you know what’s good for you.”

Bruce does shut his mouth, but only because he doesn’t know what to say. He’d dreamed, of course, for something like this (though maybe not in these circumstances…), but he’d known it wasn’t possible.

And yet, here they are. Maybe. He hates to hope.

He can’t tear his eyes away, either. Jason’s slumped forward, audibly gasping for breath and pressing a hand to his chest. God, he nearly killed him, wouldn’t have known until it was too late…

Joker sits down next to him and turns that wide, wide smile in his direction.

“So close, eh? Oh, well, worth a shot.”

He bites back on a rebuttal, but only barely, and not quite enough-the minigunner frowns at him, clearly puzzled. Joker claps his hands and rocks back and forth.

“Ohhh, it would have just given me that last foothold I need, Bats! You know it, I know it…oh, come on, let me have a turn! It’s been so looooong since wee Todders and I got to just talk.”

Bruce will sooner slice his own throat open than allow that to happen. Or, given his current situation, goad the militia into shooting him.

“—oxygen,” the medic’s murmuring. “Worked for some of the others.”

“Not now.”

“He’s not going anywhere—”

“Not. Now.” He harrumphs once more, jaw tense. “Soon.”

“Fine. Make this quick.”

The man steps away. Jason shoves himself upright and just like that, nothing’s wrong with him.

“If I felt poetic,” he says, “I’d leave you down here. Turnabout’s fair play and all.” What did that bastard do to you, Jay-bird? “But I’m not—”

Things go very fuzzy, and he’s suddenly confined behind his eyes, just watching as his face grins without permission. Jason freezes, lets himself be pulled a few steps back by the minigunner.

Don’t you dare! he screams, rattling the iron bars between him and control of his own body. Joker tilts his head as far to the right as it will go, and Bruce doesn’t have to see himself to know that the sight is horrifying just by how unnatural it is. Batman doesn’t…do this.

“Boss,” Secondary Leader says carefully, hands tightening around his rifle, “you wouldn’t, ah, have any idea what’s wrong with him, would you?”

Probably not. But if the smile looks as familiar as it feels…

Jason’s pale, visibly rattled, and Bruce feels his cheeks start to hurt as the smile broadens.

“Could be complications from that knock to the head,” the medic says, when Jason doesn’t answer. “And fear toxin. That probably isn’t helping.”

“On the contrary,” Joker says, raspier than Bruce is sure he’d like, given that he’s fighting this hijacking of his voice with all he’s got, “it’s the best thing that’s happened to me all NIGHT!”

“Knock him out again,” Secondary Leader says hastily. Bruce considers this a solid plan.

“Come closer,” Joker continues, despite Bruce’s increasingly desperate attempts to shut him up. “It’s been a long time!”

Jason looks like he’s going to be sick. Joker lunges forward as far as the zip-ties will allow and the minigunner yanks him back behind them with a spooked, “The hell is going on?”

“I don’t know—”

“Fucking creepy—”

“Sir? What do we do?”

Jason doesn’t answer. Bruce isn’t sure that he’s even blinked. Joker starts to laugh again, twisting his hands in the ties, and that gets a response-a storming across the room to draw his sidearm and press it to (Bruce’s? Joker’s?) forehead.

“Stop laughing!” His voice catches in his throat. Joker only laughs harder. “Stop fucking laughing!”

From here, Bruce can see the desperation in his eyes, the blank, all-encompassing terror. And that’s enough for him to wrest back control, to stop, and murmur, “I’m so sorry, Jason.”

“No.” The hand holding the gun shakes. “N-no, no you’re not, you fucking left me with him, you replaced me—”

“That’s not what happened.” His head hurts. He does not care. His son is alive. “I promise it’s not—”

“I’m not stupid! He sh-showed me pictures, news articles, and you didn’t come! You said you’d always come and get me and you didn’t!”

The room is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. For once, even Joker is silent. Bruce bows his head as much as the gun will let him and breathes, “I’m so sorry, Jay.”

The gun lowers, and then Jason’s on his knees in front of him, doing that careful deep breathing he always did when he was trying not to cry. Soldiers or no soldiers, Bruce, for once, curses the cowl. His son needs his father, not the Batman.

“Then what the hell is wrong with you?”

That. That is a little too complicated to go into right now.

“It doesn’t matter,” he says gently. He can’t help it. This particular Tone always worked on Jason before. “What matters is that you’re alive, and I never thought…if I’d had any idea that you…”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I can’t give you the one you want.”

Jason swallows and ducks his head, but he’s not quick enough to hide the shine in his eyes. Next to him, Joker begins to giggle again.

“Do you want to tell him, or shall I?”

Nobody needs to tell him, as it turns out. Jason lifts his head back up and whispers, “You’re like the others, the ones Harley wanted. Aren’t you.”

Despite what the papers liked to imply, Jay was never an idiot. Right now, though, Bruce wishes, just a little, that he wasn’t quite so quick on the uptake.

“Yes.”

He doesn’t get an answer. Jason just pushes himself to his feet, face carefully blank, and says, “We’re leaving.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me.”

Bruce thinks, for a second, that they won’t listen. But they do, with only a few curious glances in his direction.

“What about him?”

“Later.” Later. What’s that supposed to mean. “Scarecrow and I need to talk.”

That’s bad.

“What are you doing?” He pulls at the restraints, trying to swallow a sudden influx of anger. The minigunner turns around. Jason doesn’t.

“You’re a menace,” he says. “You’re out of control. Someone’ll be back for you.”

“I’m handling this—”

That gets him to turn around, him and the others. He gestures at the darkening bruises on his throat and snaps, “This is handling it, uh-huh. Face it, old man, you would have killed me if you hadn’t taken that brick to the head.” He coughs and holds up a hand against the encroaching medic. “You’re staying down here. Lemme guess, the new baby bird tried locking you in a containment cell earlier already?”

He wouldn’t. Would he? Bruce doesn’t know.

“If you’ve—”

“He’s fine. I left him there. Keeps him outta the way.” He grins, bitter and angry. “Threw him a thing of mace, though. Leaving your bird all locked up with no defenses? Not smart.”

“Untie me.”

“No. And before you get any ideas, Rogers here shut your coms down.” He jabs a thumb at Coke Bottle Glasses. “You’re not getting out of here until I say.” He jerks his head at a tunnel. “We’re leaving. I want that APC pulled off the radar when we get there.”

“Yessir.”

Bruce wants. He doesn’t know. To scream at them, to demand that someone untie him, to tell Jason he’s so, so glad he’s alive, to…something. But all that comes out of his mouth is a peal of laughter that keeps coming long after they’re gone.

THE END

[dcarevu]

Batman TAS: Dreams in Darkness

“Isn’t that why I’m here? Because I’m…disturbed?”

Episode: 28 Robin: Yes (Hallucination) Writers: Judith Reeves-Stevens and Garfield Reeves-Stevens Director: Frank Paur Animator: Studio Junio Airdate: November 3, 1992 Grade: A

Arkham Asylum sucks, doesn’t it. BTAS makes it pretty unclear whether criminals escape or get released most of the time (legally or illegally). But sometimes we are given an x-ray of the inner-workings, and it pushes away any hope that Gotham City has a way of cleaning up its reputation. The last time we had an episode featuring the Scarecrow, we found out that the Scarecrow was supposed to be contained, but a sketchy guard was hiding the fact that he actually was not in his cell. I’m not sure how long that charade could have been kept up, but for the Scarecrow, I doubt that mattered too much, right? Ironically, though, you would think the last thing an escaped patient would want to do would be to wear their infamous costume, stay in the same city, and cause a lot of recognizable trouble in an area as public as a college campus, but we are not exactly dealing with the sane here… This time, only a few episodes later, Scarecrow has somehow gotten out of captivity again. But instead of going all trick-or-treat at sports games, he opts to keep his activities hidden in the shadows below Arkham. There is an old George Carlin routine where he explains how theoretically, living next to a prison ought to be fairly safe. After all, an escaped prisoners are certainly not about to hang around, they’re going to get as far away as possible! Scarecrow may be crazy, but he also seems to be quite intelligent. He was a college professor as some evidence. He probably knows that one of the last places the police would look for him would be under the floor boards. And even here, he hides in the dark, giving orders from the void we so often see cloaking our characters on this show. On top of this, he speaks with a much more menacing voice than before, and at first I thought it was a different voice actor. But no, it is still Henry Polic II. Andrea Romano must have figured out how to actually make the master of fear the least bit intimidating, and it’s about time. Scarecrow for some reason took a while for them to figure out, with him being incredibly goofy in his first appearance, merely spooky in his second, and now incredibly sinister-seeming. Even his mask-design is ever-so-slightly different, although the difference in effect is negligible. What I appreciate more is the difference in his body and posture. Nothing to Fear portrayed him as moving in a very floppy, bouncy fashion, like a Scarecrow might in a little kid’s “Happy Halloween” cartoon special. His body now is angled quite nicely, and he almost stands the way a living corpse would. I’m glad Scarecrow went out on a high note, for the most part (as this is his last major appearance in Batman TAS). Don’t worry, that does not mean that this was his last major appearance in the DCAU!

When the episode starts, we do not know that the Scarecrow will be involved. We get a shot of some Arkham employees talking about a “new patient” who was experiencing some hallucinations. When the cell door is opened and the lights are turned on, we see that it is Batman of all people! When you are not even a minute in, and this is what the episode brings us, it’s like, “Wait. What the hell happened off screen before the show started exactly??” The show immediately plays with our expectations, setting up a mystery and leaving us unsure of whom to trust. We’ve been with Batman for 28 episodes now (plus a pilot), but we also know that he is perhaps not all mentally there, much like so many of his foes. Witnessing him bound in a straight jacket and being treated by doctors is hardly outside the realm of realistic possibilities! But we also know that something screwy is certainly going on, and the way the doctors talk, it’s harder to trust them then it is Batman.

Batman desperately attempts to explain what is going on to the doctors, and asks them if they contacted the people they were supposed to contact, but all he gets as a response is, “He needs more time. See that he’s not disturbed.” GAAAHHHHHH. Pet peeve! I hated as a kid when I would try to explain something, yet no one would take me seriously. It’s infuriating! The doctors act like they care and they are there to help, but ultimately, them listening to what Batman is saying is all an act! They are not hearing the supposedly sane words that they want to hear, so Batman’s garble is meaningless. That has got to be so frustrating, especially given the fact that Batman is trying to save the city from an underground threat!

After this scene, we get some narration done by Batman himself, and this subtly lets us know that, no, we didn’t miss anything, and that it will all be explained by the end of the episode. Batman narrating is also super badass. It would have been real easy to make it cheesy, but Kevin Conroy knows how to deliver. The narration also assures us that Batman is not the crazy one, because his words sound confident (despite showing deep distress) and they make sense. He isn’t talking like a crazy person would talk. We are about to do something that those doctors were not willing to do, and that is hear him out. The narration leads us to a flashback scene (with an awesome music score) where Batman attempts to stop some thugs from messing with the Health Spring Spa’s drinking-water supply, but he ends up being exposed to this red gas that the thugs were going to pump into the pipes. A voice on the thugs’ communication unit also mentions that Batman is “right on schedule”, so we know that this gas was all-too deliberate. This hear helps us piece together the puzzle of why Batman could be locked away. It obviously has to do with the chemicals that he inhaled, but what are the details? And who is behind it? It becomes more obvious as Batman looks up at his screen during a flashback and sees the reflection of the Joker walking toward him. Turning around, he realizes that it is actually Alfred who was approaching. Obviously concerned, he sneaks into a doctor’s office and allows Dr Wu to examine his blood. Apparently the hallucinations are set to get much, much worse, putting him in a state of psychosis. This is where he understand Batman’s intensity earlier in the episode when talking to the Arkham employees. Not only does he need to stop Gotham’s entire water supply from being poisoned by this gas, but he has limited time before he himself goes completely off the deep end. And that brings us to perhaps the greatest thing about this episode.

In Nothing to Fear, we got some fear-hallucinations, triggered by Scarecrow’s toxin. And they were, well, nothing to fear, honestly. We got the image of Bruce’s father’s floating head, telling him that he disgraced the family name for a couple of seconds. It served the plot of the episode, but the weight of it wasn’t exactly felt. We got another one where Bruce’s father turned into a skeleton-like figure, but again, it didn’t do a lot for me. The hallucinations seen in Fear of Victory were a lot better, but they still weren’t the best of the best. Dreams in Darkness, though, this is the Pink Elephants episode. It’s the peyote-in-the-desert episode. It’s the Squidward in Clarinetland episode. The hallucinations that Batman experiences are incredibly intense for a show appropriate for children, the most intense one being the giant pistol that goes off, representing the murder of Bruce’s parents. This is accompanied by bloodcurdling scream from Batman that gives goosebumps. The sequence is incredible well-done, but there are several more that we get to experience. If you are into bizarro sequences in animation, this is the episode where BTAS did a bunch of them, and I would say it is worth checking out just for that. But add in some other great things like a good mystery, the Scarecrow at his best, some awesome atmosphere, etc, and it is extremely worth checking out.

The episode even managed to fool me at one point, despite having seen it before. There is a point where the doctors inject something into Batman to sedate him. I was thinking we were gonna figure out that the stuff being injected was actually more fear-toxin, and that they were working for the Scarecrow. But no, as far as I can tell, they were legitimate doctors, even if their competence wasn’t that high. Hell, they question why Batman would think that Scarecrow might have escaped, when just four episodes ago that very thing happened. Jeez, guys. Even if they were new doctors to the place, you’d think they’d be informed that Scarecrow is a slippery one. How can anyone have confidence that Arkham Asylum is a safe place for criminals to go?

The episode of course ends with Batman facing his fears and defeating Scarecrow. Scarecrow is no match for Batman in a physical fight, and it probably brings him back to the glory days of high school where jocks beat the shit out of the nerds (that’s a joke, I was a huge nerd/geek in high school who stood no fighting chance against anyone). I loved how every time Batman would suffer a hallucination or face a new, scary challenge, he would simply keep on trucking. He would get done going through something absolutely terrifying, then stand up and calmly move forward. It was a situation where Batman knew that he had no choice, and that if he didn’t do this, then it wouldn’t matter anyway. Gotham would be up the creek without a paddle. At least until the military got involved. He even put off his own treatment (which would put him out of commission for a couple days) until after the Scarecrow problem was solved.

Check it out if you haven’t! Of course, my words can only do the show so much justice, so take a look at this episode’s screenshots! Is this an excuse to stop writing? Maybe… I’m just tired of being behind on these blogs… I’m gonna try to bust out a few of them tomorrow. It’ll put a lot less stress on me…

Had to use the Blu Ray footage this episode. But it all looks pretty nice, so enjoy some high def!

A twist beginning can be just as powerful as a twist ending. We also don’t often see Batman in such a powerless situation. Like Bugs Bunny (but with a completely different approach), he always exudes a sense of control.

How do animators get this blur effect? When the camera shifts focus?

The lighting from the window is angled gorgeously. It’s also a shot that makes you wonder how the hell Batman is ever going to escape (Char gave me this insight).

It’s not every family cartoon where you see someone about to be drilled through the chest.

As the Joker suddenly appears as a reflection on the screen, we don’t get an dramatic music or anything. So when we see that it’s actually Alfred, it makes us feel almost as silly as Batman for worrying. 

A pretty good shot of Batman’s face, but the rest of his body seems off to me. Also, this is our first time seeing Batman in-costume getting help from a professional like a doctor. 

Well animated crash sequence, ending in a shot of the asylum as two doctors sprint out, heading for the crash sight. Great transition.

So as Batman talks to the doctors, I noticed that one of them refers to the Joker as Jack Napier. Is that his actual name in this show? Or is it merely an alias (and one of many?). No spoilers, I wanna find out through the episodes and comics!

Here is what the Scarecrow is looking like this time. Compare this to his last appearance:

His design is certainly shifting toward the more angular, streamlined look of future DCAU shows.

Is that sweat or a tear, Batman????

One of the hallucination-sequences that was so powerfully sad and ctreative (Char). Instead of simply leaving the gunshot to our ears, we see the tunnel they enter morph into a giant gun, and blood runs out of it. I don’t want to quite call this personification, but it is a very warped interpretation of what happened last night and it gives us somethin far more interesting than anything offered in Nothing to Fear where it was much more straight forward.

Scarecrow’s clock is very cute. 

I like how they both look at each other after missing Batman with a traguilizer dart. Like, “Good going, Frank.”

Batman was trapped in a mental hospital where most of his arch nemeses are also being held. That has to keep a guy on edge. No wonder he’s having these particular visions. Robin and Alfred’s voice actors do a great job here sounding like evil versions of their normal selves. It’s all quite unsettling.

Look how great he looks!!!

This batarang moment was dope. Look at those two stills. This is Studio Junio, the same ones who animated The Underdwellers. 

That’s all for this episode! 

This show has the ability to make so many viewers feel young again. It’s no demetrite, but it gets the job done... Join us next time!

Char’s grade: A Next time: Eternal Youth

Full episode list here!

[musicprincess655]

Shunpei wasn’t sure what to expect when he went back to the manor. Anything seemed fair game, honestly. He was still reeling from the idea that his mother might want him back at all.

Sitting across from her in the kitchen, pink hair soft around her face and a sweatshirt thrown over the thin shirt she wore under her suit, wasn’t helping his feeling of dissociation. Maybe this really was all some dream.

Shunpei didn’t see Alfred anywhere, but that didn’t mean much. He was probably somewhere, waiting for an opportune time to step in. The three years Shunpei had lived in the manor had convinced him that Alfred had evolved beyond the need for sleep.

“Why are you just staring?” he asked. Maybe it was an interrogation technique.

“Sorry.” She smiled to herself, just a little, looking almost sheepish. “You just...you grew up.”

Shunpei blinked. Apparently his brain finally got the message. He hadn’t been able to drop the image of her as Batman, not until now. Before, she’d been fighting her, and even when he’d seen her face, he couldn’t escape the way she’d always seemed larger than life, despite not even clearing his shoulder.

But she’d never just been Batman. For three years, she’d also been his mother.

“I was gone for...what, almost two years?” he asked. Somewhere in the back of his mind, it registered that his seventeenth birthday had been recent. “That happens.”

“I never thought I’d get the chance to see it,” she said. “So. What’s your side of the story?”

“I’m sure you know most of it,” he said. “Talia al Ghul brought me back after I died. I wanted to come home immediately, she convinced me to stay, I left a few months ago anyway, and here we are.”

“How did she convince you to stay?” his mother asked.

“She told me you’d never let me avenge myself,” Shunpei said. “She offered to teach me how to do it myself. I didn’t even realize the Joker was dead until I left.”

His voice twisted bitter at the end. There had been more than one reason he hadn’t gone straight home as soon as he left Talia.

“You’re angry I let Ryou do it,” she guessed. Somehow, it only made him angry that she was so close.

“I’m angry that you didn’t,” he snapped. “Ryou never liked me, but you told me I was your son. I was your partner, at least. Why wouldn’t you avenge me yourself? Was I ever worth anything to you?”

“Of course you were,” she snapped right back. “Shun-chan, I loved you just as much as I love your brothers. I mourned you, we all did.”

“Then why wouldn’t you do anything about it?” Shunpei demanded. “Why is it okay for Ryou to kill the Joker?”

“Because I can’t!”

“Why? Because of that moral compass of yours?” Shunpei laughed without any humor. “Is it really that hard to kill someone who deserved it as much as him?”

“Of course not!” Shunpei finally stopped, really looking at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes surprisingly pleading. “It would be so easy.”

“It...what?”

“You think I didn’t want the Joker’s head on a spike after you died?” she asked. “You think I didn’t want to reduce him to a bloody puddle? Of course I wanted him dead. But there’s no going back for me if I cross the line.”

“I’m not asking to kill everyone,” Shunpei said softly. “I’m not asking for you to kill Penguin, or Scarecrow, or Black Mask. Just Joker. Just the person who hurts so many people, who’ll keep hurting people until he’s dead. Just the one who killed your son.”

“I know,” she said. “But that’s not the point. Ryou could kill the Joker, and then stop. You could’ve killed the Joker, and you could stop after.”

Shunpei’s eyes widened.

“But you couldn’t?”

“If I crossed the line, I would never come back,” she said. “I’d never want to. And Gotham...this world wouldn’t bear it, if I was a killer.”

Shunpei didn’t think he’d ever seen his mother like this. He’d put her on a pedestal, thought of her as some untouchable titan. But in the end, she was human, too.

“You know, I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a mother,” she went on. “You died, Ryou left, and I’m sure I’m messing something else up with Haruichi and the girls. I’ve made more mistakes than I could possibly count. But there’s one thing I can be proud of.” She smiled sadly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “None of you ended up as broken as me.”

Shunpei was a little too busy processing that for a second to respond, and when he did, it probably wasn’t what she was expecting.

“The girls?”

That made her laugh for real.

“Their names are Yui and Sachiko,” she said. “Turns out I have a habit of bringing home strays. I found them a lot like I found you.”

“Trying to steal the wheels of the Batmobile?” Shunpei asked, grinning in spite of himself. The memory was funny now, the way he’d seen Batman coming back to see him stealing her wheels, and he’d been so sure he was going to die. Instead, he’d found himself at a fancy mansion, given as much food as he could eat, and the training he needed to become Robin.

“Nothing so dramatic,” she said. “They’re both daughters of villains, and both of them rejected their parents. Eventually, they found their way here. If I believed in magic, I’d call it fate.”

Shunpei delicately didn’t point out that he’d come back from the dead, which seemed pretty magical.

“You’ll meet them soon enough,” she continued. “We left your room alone.”

“About that,” Shunpei said, lifting his hand to his hair self-consciously. “I’m grateful. I really am. I didn’t think you’d take me back like this at all. But…”

“You want your own space,” she finished for him.

“It’s easier to work the way I do if I’m closer to the ground,” he said. “And I’ve been on my own for so long, I don’t think I could just go back to living with people.”

“You’re more similar to your brother than I think you realize,” she said. “Speaking of, do you really think Ryou hates you?”

“He told me he did,” Shunpei said. “Maybe he backed off a little after I was here for a while, but he never liked me.”

“I think he’d surprise you,” she said. “But even if you don’t move back in, will you still come for dinner sometimes?”

“I...of course.” Shunpei was still reeling from the fact that he got to have his family back.

“And stick around for long enough to tell everyone you’re alive,” she said. “Ryou already knows, and I think Haruichi and the girls suspect something’s up. They’ll all want to see you.”

“I want to tell my old team as well,” he said. He wasn’t actually sure what had become of them, but he knew Young Justice didn’t exist anymore.

His mother made a face. There was no way to do that without revealing his identity, but Shunpei was okay with that. There were some secrets he didn’t want to keep from the people close to him anymore.

“Haruichi is out with the girls tonight, and I’m sure Ryou is with his team,” she said. “I’ll let them all know to call it a night.”

Alfred chose that moment to walk into the kitchen.

“Good evening, Miss Aya,” he said. “Master Shunpei, I was just thinking about baking a batch of those cookies you used to like so much.”

Shunpei might have made a small orgasmic noise. Alfred’s cookies. He was definitely coming back for dinner. Maybe once a week. At least.

“Everyone’s coming back,” his mother cut in. “At least, Haruichi, Ryou, Yui, and Sachiko are all coming. I’m not sure how many former Young Justice members got the memo.”

Shunpei hung around in the kitchen with Alfred, trying to pretend he wasn’t panicking a little at seeing everyone again. He’d been on his own for so long, and now he was about to be surrounded by people. He had no idea what he wanted to say to them, but he couldn’t wait to see them anyway.

Haruichi got back first, bounding up into the kitchen ahead of two girls that must have been Yui and Sachiko. His hood was already down, and his hair was cut back to reveal his eyes. He froze when he saw Shunpei.

“Hey,” Shunpei said. He was almost nervous that it would become awkward, but then Haruichi was throwing himself into Shunpei’s arms with a cry of “Shun-chan!”

Shunpei hugged him back. His relationship with Haruichi had always been so simple, and he’d missed his little brother.

When Haruichi jumped down, Shunpei looked up to take in the girls, and saw Ryou had come in behind them. He was just unpinning the black hood he used to cover his pink hair, which wasn’t going to give Shunpei nearly enough time to prepare for this.

As easy as Shunpei’s relationship with Haruichi had been was as complicated as his relationship with Ryou was. He expected a joke, or a dig, or something sideways and squinty that would be just the wrong side of mean, or…

Ryou hooked an arm around his shoulders, pulling him down into an awkward hug.

“Uh.”

“I’m glad you’re not dead.” Shunpei stared. Coming from Ryou, that was an expression of the highest affection.

“Thanks for avenging me,” Shunpei said. Ryou waved his hand.

“No trouble,” he said. “Don’t need avenging again.”

Shunpei wasn’t done feeling like his life had entered an alternate dimension when the old members of Young Justice walked in. All of them.

This would be interesting, considering he’d been instructed to keep his identity a secret from them. They’d never really known what he looked like.

A girl removing her tiger mask caught his attention first, and her eyes widened in shock. Shunpei gave her a half smile. All of Young Justice hadn’t known his identity, but Katsuko had met him before he ever became Robin.

She made a tiny sobbing sound, throwing herself forward into a hug. Shunpei cradled her close. The last time they’d seen each other, she’d still been taller than him.

“Hey guys,” he said, addressing the rest of his old team. “Sorry for dying on you.”

He saw the light of recognition in Wakana’s eyes first, saw it in the way that she breathed “Robin”, and then everyone was launching themselves at him, sending them all into a heap on the floor.

And Shunpei started laughing, because there was none of the awkward transition he’d feared. This was his old team, these were his friends, and in some ways, it was like he’d never left.

It might get harder soon, as he explained what had happened and heard their stories, but for now, he could take comfort in having people he belonged with again.

[justgotham]

While the colorful villains may be what many people associate with Gotham, the show’s heart is embodied by one man: Jim Gordon. A good cop trying—and failing—to keep his conscious clean in a city in which the good guys only win by being bad, it’s Jim Gordon that makes an often over-the-top show like Gotham relatable. It’s his story in which we find the message beneath the show’s madness. We might not be able to relate to a green-suited evil genius who holds the city hostage through riddles or a fear-obsessed child of a doctor who terrorizes people while wearing a burlap mask, but we can sure relate to a man trying to avoid losing hope as the world around him seems to be getting worse by the day. We know exactly what it feels like to discover that the road to success may mean compromising our ideals and beliefs.

“There’s always been a sadness to Gordon,” actor Ben McKenzie said recently. “You see it as commissioner when he’s barely holding it together and in desperate need of Batman to keep the city from falling apart. When he first comes in, he’s much more idealistic. What I like is to watch the world beat him down and knock him to shreds, and have to get up in the morning and pick himself up every day. That’s what I always liked about him, and that’s what [Executive Producer] Bruno Heller and I always bonded over—this everyman hero keeping the wolves at bay as best he can until ultimately they need a guy dressed as a bat to save them.”

Last week’s episode marked something of a turning point for Gordon, culminating in a brutal confrontation between the newly anointed captain of the GCPD and the woman who anointed him, the cold-and-calculating Sofia Falcone, that left Gordon injured and Falcone dead. As he recovered, Gordon’s often estranged friend and partner Harvey Bullock squelched Jim’s plans to reveal that he was indirectly responsible for Falcone’s rise and Professor Pyg’s earlier killing spree, insisting that the cops who worked under Jim needed their hero untarnished and that Gordon’s guilt was his to bear alone. It was a surprising statement and a direct inverse of Batman’s decision at the end of The Dark Knight, but it makes perfect sense. Gordon operates within the system. It’s only Batman, who doesn’t yet exist, who finally realizes that to be effective in Gotham requires working outside of it.

“Gordon’s a noirish detective,” McKenzie suggests. “He’s always making mistakes. He doesn’t have the full information, but he’s the smartest guy in the room, and when things culminate with the villain, he’s going to figure out how to get his way out of it. But each time he does it, he pays another price and gets beaten down.”

Tonight’s episode, “One of My Three Soups,” is a very Gordon-centric episode, and one of the strongest episodes of what’s arguably Gotham’s strongest season so far. Perhaps uncoincidentally, it was also directed by the man who knows the character better than anyone else: McKenzie. “One of My Three Soups” finds Gordon and Bullock attempting to stop a recently escaped Mad Hatter from killing thousands of people, while also offering some of the deepest insight yet into the background of Jerome Velaska, the popular recurring villain who may or may not be the Joker. (And as if Jerome and Mad Hatter weren’t exciting enough, the Scarecrow makes a pretty sweet return in it as well.)

With some of Gotham’s most dangerous villains returning to action, Gordon will once again find himself tested. Of course, he’ll rise to the occasion—that’s part of who Jim Gordon is. But with everything that’s happened since he became captain, we’re now witnessing a damaged hero try to regain his way. It’s a compelling journey, and it’s unclear at the moment where it’ll take him or if he’ll have to make the journey alone. Currently, things with his best friend Harvey are a little less than great.

“Gordon arguably has done worse than we’ve ever seen Bullock do onscreen,” McKenzie reminds us. “Harvey knows what Jim has done, more or less. Almost all of it. So, there’s a sort of brotherhood of the dirty. They know each other’s baggage and what skeletons they have in their closets. They’re more true peers now, as opposed to Jim having some sort of moral authority over Harvey. That doesn’t mean that Jim doesn’t keep striving, and it doesn’t mean that Harvey doesn’t keep going, ‘Eh, do you really want to fight this?’ But their understanding is a little different.”

As Gordon is feeling more uncertain than he ever has before, he’ll be forced to confront the newly escaped Jerome Velaska, a villain who revels in that sort of chaos—someone who would probably find the idea of one of the most honest people in Gotham being forced to lie to everyone in his life to hold onto his good reputation absolutely hilarious. Jerome has a plan to either control or destroy Gotham that will play out over the rest of the season. However, before he can get to it, Jerome finds himself unexpectedly confronting his past when he’s reunited with an abusive uncle. It doesn’t go how you’d expect, and also manages to paint the escaped psychopath in a sympathetic light.

“I think the more interesting exploration of [villains] is to push things as sympathetic as you can and to see what people react to,” shares McKenzie. “They know Jerome’s a psychopath. They know he’s a villain. There’s that old saying that ‘hurt people hurt people.’ Well, here’s a good example. Jerome was tortured brutally by his uncle, and yet, the way that he has chosen to handle that is to push that pain out at everybody else. Does that make what he’s doing right? Of course not, but we can understand him a little better.”

It’s this world of damaged heroes and sympathetic, often appealing villains that has always made the world of Batman stand out in comics, film and TV, and Gotham, even without its eventual Dark Knight, is no different. The city is all shades of grey, both metaphorically and often literally. As Carmine Falcone so perfectly said earlier this season, “The sun never shines here.”

As McKenzie puts it, “This is not a sanitized world where everyone always survives and the only people who get killed are people running from the huge superhero monster or whatever down the streets of Gotham. People are dying brutal ways all the time, and it’s just our way of reminding the audience of the tone of the show.”

Over four seasons, we’ve seen what Gotham does even to the best people. Death and destruction are the norm, corruption is everywhere and the bad guys are winning. It doesn’t take a lot to feel that way about our world as well—heck, all you really need to do is check the news. You’re bound to find something you think is awful. But what’s great about Gotham, and one of the reasons a dark show like this can continue to be such good escapism, is that we know that there’s cause for hope for the people of the city. We know that Batman’s coming, even if the characters don’t.

While shows like Supergirl, The Flash and Black Lightning give us a hero to serve as inspiration, Gotham’s approach has always been different. It shows us a world at its darkest, and given us a severely compromised hero, ultimately to demonstrate that even when things are at their worst, we should never give up hope. On Gotham, we know it’ll be Batman. In our own world and lives, only time will tell.

[providentially-demonic]

Merry Christmas

Shaggy was surprised to get a message from the Justice League that someone had requested his help personally. His affiliation with the League was more researching Ring and making sure his magic didn’t get out of control than him actively helping, the incident with the Scarecrow aside.

But someone had contacted a police station to contact the Justice League and given Martian Manhunter his exact description when asking for help.

He knew he was going to catch flack for it later (and Ring had reminded him of it), but he hadn’t told the Gang, much less brought them. If whatever this was was Justice League level stuff, he didn’t want to risk it.

“Flying too, huh. Dangit Beatnik, what can’t you do?” Tex grinned a bit cheekily as Shaggy landed.

“Tex? Like, you’re the one that called?”

“None other. Me and the boys got a little something we’re doing, and we could really use some help. Er, don’t suppose you got more subtle ride?”

>>I believe I can accommodate<< Golden light sparked from the ring, tracing the form of a motorcycle like the one he’d ridden in La Serena. A ripple went down it, changing the solid yellow to a more realistic color scheme, weathering and all.

“Like, not bad Ring,” Shaggy complimented, even as it manifested a helmet on his head.

“Ring?” Tex asked.

“Yeah,” Shaggy showed him Ring. The Power Ring was in it’s disguised state, appearing as a golden ring with an emblem of a sun rather that the ubiquitous lantern. “Ring’s great. It helps me control my power and can do a bunch or really cool stuff, like make this motorcycle.”

>>Nice to meet you<< Ring spoke out loud this time. >>Though I was technically present during your last encounter with my bearer, we were not formally introduced at the time<<

Tex raised an eyebrow. Well, that at least answered the question of who Beatnik had been talking to after he’d been shot. “Good to meet you. I’ll explain on the way.” He got on his own bike. “There’s a group we run with sometime. Fine folk and we’re happy to lend a hand when they ask, which isn’t that often, they got things mostly covered. I know I don’t have to tell you it’s a scary world out there. And one that isn’t always safe for kids.” He may not know all the details to Beatnik’s story, but just hearing the scars it had left with him told him enough. “These guys help kids who’ve had wrong done to them. They protect them. Sometimes it’s riding around the street outside their house so they know someone’s watching over them. Sometimes it’s standing next to them in court when they tell the Judge what’s happened. The bad guys aren’t so bad when your friends are scarier.” Tex explained.

It made a lot of sense, honestly. He wondered, if his memory hadn’t been wiped of it’s trauma, would he have been one of the children this group looked out for. “Sounds like some good guys.”

“The best.” Tex said without hesitation. “But there’s a slight issue with a new kid we’re watching out for. The guy who’s scaring him is his Mom’s ex-boyfriend. And unfortunately, he’s a bit scarier than we are.”

“Scarier than a biker gang? Two biker gangs?” “Supervillain,” Tex explained. “Not a Major Leaguer.  Nothing like your little dustup with the Scarecrow. But as far as the kid’s concerned, it’s enough that we’re not quite enough to ward off the boogeyman. There’s no indication the guys gonna come after him or his Mom. But our job is to make the kids feel safe, and the truth is we don’t.”

>>But if there’s someone by your side with powers, that would be a whole other ballgame<< Ring surmised.

“Got it in one.” Tex confirmed. “I’m not asking you to fight a super villain. Just give this kids some peace of mind.”

Shaggy was quiet. Peace of mind was no small thing. It was something he hadn’t had in a long time, and while he was getting better at dealing with, well, everything, as long as he felt his ever present fear, he knew there was still damage there.

“Like how can I help?”

~

The neighborhood looked ordinary, except for the large groups of bikers riding around the block and even more congregating outside. Some he recognized from Tex’s posse, almost all the others he saw wore a patch that said ‘B.A.C.A.’. One of the ladies with the patch looked Shaggy over. “This your back up? Looks like a stiff breeze could blow him away?”

“Beatnik’s got all sorts of surprises” Tex explained as Shaggy got up and the bike vanished.

“I stand corrected. Take him on up,” Nothing they had done so far had given the kid a sense of security. Maybe this would.

Tex led Shaggy through the house and up the stairs. Mick was standing out in front of the kids room. He brightened upon seeing Shaggy. “Cody was put to bed half an hour ago, but he’s still awake. He’s a good kid.” Cody had actually been scared for them. Afraid his tormentor would come back and carve a swath through the bikers before coming for him and his mother.

>>I can feel the fear coming from that room<< Ring whispered in the back of Shaggy’s mind. >>It’s palpable<<

That gave Shaggy an idea. Ring expressed his concern about it, but Shaggy pointed out that the whole point was to make Cody feel safer and this would do that.

Shaggy wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, empathy, or an effect of Ring, but when he saw the kid he could feel the fear coming off him. No kid deserved to feel like that. “Hey Kiddo.”

“You should go.” Cody insisted. “He’s just going to hurt you too.”

The brokenness of the voice almost broke Shaggy’s heart, but he had never been a slouch at acting when under pressure. “Like, bigger dudes have tried, man.” he said cheerfully. “I’m pretty hard to catch.”

Tex put his arm around his shoulder. “My man here took out the Scarecrow himself. He’s a lot tougher than he looks.”

Cody looked skeptical, but Shaggy was ready for that. He waved his hand and with another ripple like the one on the bike. The room changed so that suddenly Cody’s bed was in the middle of an evergreen forest. The ground was covered with snow and more seemed to be gently falling from the sky.

“Whoa” Cody whispered.

“I’m, like a wizard.” He still hated admitting it, but for the kid his voice was jovial. Another hand wave returned the room to normal.

Cody’s eyes were still bright. “Like with a wand and everything?”

“No wand. What I use is a magic ring.” Shaggy pulled Ring off and dropped it in the boy’s cupped hands.

>>Greetings Designation: Cody<<

“It talks?”

“Yup, Ring’s alive and has some pretty powerful magic of his own. Which is why I want you to hold on to him till this is over.“

“M-Me?”

“Yup. That way you can, like, make your own force fields and stuff.”

>>Indeed. Just think of any object and I can create it<< Ring supplied.

The kid closed his eyes and a yellow bubble appeared around the bed. “Whoa,”

~

“You going to be okay without the ring?” Tex asked, concerned.

“I, like, should be man.” Shaggy took a sip of coffee fresh from the coffee maker. “My magic is, like, a lot harder to control without Ring. But I shouldn’t need it. This is about Cody feeling safe, and having a way to protect himself will do that. Also, Ring and I are connected enough that it’s dampening down on my fear.” He wasn’t La Serena fearless, but his normal levels of apprehension were dialed back enough that he just felt calm.

“It can mess with your emotions?” Tex looked concerned.

“Strong emotions can mess with magic,” His new calmer state helped him remember that he couldn’t tell anyone that is was specifically fear. The cover story that Ring was a magic aid and not the Prime Yellow Ring had to be upheld. “And uncontrolled magic is  a scary thing man. Real scary.”

It still sounded concerning to Tex, but he could sort of see the point. And Beatnik had certainly still had a range emotions last time they met and tonight, which meant it wasn’t turning him into a drone or anything.

>>Shaggy! The Enemy is here!<< Rang through his head at the same time Cody’s scream shot through the house, >>He has a magical artifact with him. He’s in designation: Cody’s mother’s room and he’s heading here!<<

Shaggy dropped the mug in shock. This wasn’t supposed to happen. The villain wasn’t supposed to actually show up!  Without thinking he grabbed Tex and pulled him out the back door.

Any protest Tex had died on his tongue as they tumbled out of Cody’s closet door. Mick and Cody’s mother was in the grasp of some strange purple and black energy, the source of which was a man Tex recognized from the picture he was shown at the beginning of the protection detail. Carlton Revner, aka Grendel. A two-bit magic thief whose powers came from the enchanted jewel floating in front of him. He hadn’t had it on him when he was arrested, but obviously he had known where it was.

Grendel’s full attention was on the yellow sphere in front of him. Cody was still screaming, but his fear was being focused into Ring to make the barrier even stronger.

Tex didn’t hesitate. He jumped at the man attacking the boy he’d promised to protect. He never made contact, though, as right before he would have hit him, the jewel pulsed and suddenly he was bound just like Mick.

He heard Beatnik cry out and felt something indescribable, but not unfamiliar. It was like the feeling when Beatnik had healed him in that bar, only flooding the room. The purple energy shimmered and crackled before dispersing, dropping him, Mick, and the poor woman. He shot a glance at Beatnik and saw what looked like the very air around him warping and twisting as he tried to keep himself under control.

Grendel snarled and turned his full attention to Shaggy. The purple and black power surged out and trying to wrap him up. Tried was the operative word and Shaggy sent another pulse of unshaped magic. This one was even bigger and disrupted not only the energy around him, but knocking everything back, including Grendel.

The thief tried to grab his power source, but the jewel was knocked out of his hand by a blast of yellow. It didn’t come from Shaggy, but rather the scared boy sitting in his bed, hand still clutching the ring tightly. Grendel launched himself at the boy, boy was knocked away by a solid punch to the guy from Tex, followed up by one from Mick.

“We’ll take this piece of trash outside till the cops get here,” Grendel trembled, as the people he’d dismissed as unimportant were suddenly a much more tangible threat. “Everyone going to be okay in here?”

Cody’s mother was already on the bed and hugging the child. Cody’s fist was still wrapped around the ring, but he was clinging to his mother even tighter.. The distortions around Beatnik had stopped and he seemed to be clutching a pocket watch.

“Like, I think we’ll be good once he’s gone.” Shaggy was a little out of breath, but seemed to be recovering.

“You’re staying, right?” Cody looked at Shaggy, who nodded. “Then I’m fine, right Mama?”

The woman nodded, not able to speak. She just held her son closer and Tex and Mick escorted Grendel from the room. And if he was in a bit of rough shape when the cops got here, who was going to complain?

~

Superman floated down next to Batman “Watching over his first solo mission?” “It’s not a mission. The League was just used to get in contact with him. I’m keeping an eye out for the family. Grendel should never have been allowed out on bail.”

Superman certainly agreed with the latter half of the statement, but he knew Bruce too well. When not doing something for the League he tended to be a bit of a homebody in Gotham. There was little reason for him to be here, except to be watching over one of the newest kids he had taken under his wing. “So how’d he do?”

“The solo part was a big demerit. He should have told his friends, especially Scooby since he can also access the ring’s power.”

“Which one of us hasn’t done the ‘keep our friends safe for their own good’ bit?” He’ll learn, probably as soon as he gets home. Maybe sooner if they track him down before then. Admit it, you’re proud.”

Batman narrowed his eyes at him. “Of course. That went without saying.”

~

Superman’s prediction was accurate, as the Mystery Machine joined the bikers the next morning. Technically there should have been no threat with Grendel reapprehended, but B.A.C.A. wasn’t just about physical danger, but making sure their small charges felt safe. They stayed a few weeks past the trial, and left with the promise of immediate return should Cody need it.

>>I rather enjoyed that<< Ring admitted as the rode back to Coolsville in the Mystery Machine. >>I had resigned myself to forgoing fear as it was something primarily utilized by villains. I enjoyed being able to cause fear in the interest of doing good.<<

“I don’t know why you’re so surprised,” Velma commented. “That’s sort of Batman’s whole schtick.”

>>Designation: Batman is an outlier who should not be counted<<

“What about you Shag?” Fred asked. “How did you like it?”

“Like, I’m not sure I like being scary.” Shaggy touched the sleeve of the biker vest he’d been gifted, a ‘Bikers Against Child Abuse’ emblem on the sleeve and the name ‘Beatnik’ sewn onto the back. “But helping kids stop being afraid? That I can definitely get used to.”

 *********

I Love this so much! I love how Shaggy was willing to admit to being a thing that scares him, just to comfort Cody and how he lets the kid hold Ring to comfort him.This is a great fic and you are so, so, so, sooooo wonderful for writing it for me.

[demilillith]

Some extra about my OC’s so I’m on track with organization and such:

Demi:

Lives in an apartment with his best friend who pops in time to time to help him on, both are going through their own things, but don’t hesitate to help each other out. @beowulf-fang-fist​‘s OC Olliver happens to be this roommate/bestie!

Demi is interested in tattoos, but because he has never gotten one, he likes Henna a lot more since it’s temporary and allows him to change it if he doesn’t like the outcome

Has a scar from slashes he had when fighting off rouge demons, or, so he says...

Can become a werewolf if he so chose from spells he learned as well as wearing the pelt of the dead wolf that he had befriended. He claims that being one is like “being renewed and together in one furry package.”

While he’s a stripper, Demi’s demure attitude and more “professionalism” makes him very popular in the clubs: The “don’t speak, show” attitude he goes about things leaves most patrons to imagination of his real personality.

When Demi dances, he loses his ambitions and becomes a completely different person.

Demi wants to emulate Sailor moon and other characters he’s seen through finding manga that’s been tossed down into the Underground, but it’s mainly one off mangas / episodes on tapes that he sees that he models a lot of his actions to. You won’t notice though, his cheerfulness and positivity knows no bounds anyhow.

Demi does have a pure demon form, however, he doesn't have much control over it and doesn’t know how to bring it out aside from what’s called a “Trance” where his emotions push him over the edge and forces him to become a full incubus in order to “preserve himself”

If Demi wants to, he can mimic other demons and such through spells and contracts, for example: With ifrit, Demi’s horns become more similar to the beast of flame and he becomes much more beastial. With Parvati Demi is himself, but, the two wear matching outfits in order to perform a dance together OR the two ravage whomever is in front of them with two tridents or “trishulas” in Hindi. 

Demi has a knack for picking people out with his observations that come off both innocent though much more sharper, but he chalks it up to being a people person

He has a tramp stamp (TB-Drawn, I need ideas / inspirations but thinking of having a star / heart)

Blowjob Lips™

Works as a stripper, an on and off model / fitness shop clerk, and at times Ifrit’s personal assistant when need be. He has many jobs, but, he somehow finds a way to do it all without much thought.

Has the ability to Pictomance, meaning if he draws on himself, the henna will be able to be manipulated to bring out actual spells from it, as well as make magic through his own art. Demi’s more of a henna enthusiast though, but his art is something he holds to himself.

His tarot card is the Fool arcana Fimbulvetr:

Despite being a forest guardian, he looks at himself like a soldier who survived a war and is the only who one has come back. Most of his birth and his “future” frightens him and makes him to cling to affection believing that he won’t get that the next day.

His mastery over the spear is amazing but, Fimb is much more like a fencer the way he uses Gungnir. He wants to use a rapier one day, but thinks it’s best to use the tools he was given.

Despite being a great warrior / strong person in general, Fimb suffers still from bad self esteem that makes him push himself harder to be the best: When he doesn’t realize he’s fine the way he is, demon infested or not.

Nordic names / old English comes second nature to him, though he’s still learning to read “modern” languages, Fimb has a distinct knack for being able to read runes and see them appear in places near nonsensical without much knowledge as to why.

Likes having his hair brushed, but always is conscious about his hair length, if it’s too long, maybe he should cut it...

While Fimb gives nicknames to everyone he meets, they are very few who are called by name in his book: Be wary, there’s a REASON he does so, whether he doesn’t like them or because he shows them true respect (In which he will always refer to them as “Sir” or “Ma’am”.)

Once thought Demi was some outlandish prince so had to break out of the habit of calling him “Milord”

While he loves that Demi reads him stories and tomes he has, Fimb’s favorite story is the “wizard of oz” because he personally sees himself as the Scarecrow of the story.

Oddly despite being so young in terms of chronological years, Fimb has an amazing span of memory / understanding of history and myths as it stands, so much so Demi and him have debates on the purpose of the Aesir and the fall of Babylon.

Can whisper and talk to the trees by placing his hand on them, when hunting this becomes a valuable asset as he can track others through the “trees’ eyes”

Gungnir can pierce and expel demons / heal if Fimb chooses, however, Gungnir is rumored to have it’s own conscience that Fimb can speak to, and Fimb alone.

As his hat is also “alive” due to being possessed by a demon that came out of Fimb’s eyepatch when he made the mistake of opening it, it has stuck with him since despite badmouthing that he will “leave and cause chaos” because it knows that if he tries to, Fimb can easily destroy him. He now takes the form of a sense of a “guide” to Fimb similar to how Morgana from P5 follows the protagonist and makes their own assumptions or observations.

His arcana is considered the Hierophant

Parvati:

While she’s a powerful goddess and mother in her own right, Parvati suffers from the worry that she’s not “needed” in the world and she’ll fade away like “the other pantheons” because while she is inherent as “Shakti” (Female energy of the universe that manifests in creation and other aspects in life alongside the male counterpart as Bhraman), Parvati as an identity can “fade” if people do not believe in her, just like other “gods”. Belief is power, and without it, she has none.

Parvati comes across similar to Saeko / Ms. Smith from Persona 1 as well as Aradia from Nocturne: Without her power, Parvati is without any way to protect or help others, she can only provide hope. However, it is this hope that may actually spur others to action, and Parvati looks at this as her special skill. A mother may know best, but a friend can be the difference between a war and peace.

Wistfully thinks of her husband Shiva, and won’t say where he “is”. It’s assumed that because Demi has Parvati “connected to him” and has lost all of his memories, Parvati’s left with a fragmented space to be in since her contract stipulates that she will always be with him, but is meant to be with her husband as well. As Demi doesn’t know Shiva, she cannot return to him. This is one of the reasons she plots to steer Demi to “becoming himself again” in order to go back to what things were before

She has danced / taught Demi holy dances in order to better protect himself as well as shown him how to summon demons in the form of allowing her to call her via a dance or by burning seals. Demi is able to calm beasts and other creatures through his dances, but depending on the dance, also changes the outcome of the dance he performs: I.E: A simple routine can bring forth fire or even heal, but an actual routine can cleanse and expel demons. This process takes a lot out of Demi depending on the intensity but he’s been known to go into what’s called a “Trance” and immediately shift into an actual demon and perform a dance that can completely demolish things in his way. (Parvati herself is able to do this, though depending on her emotions / intensity she can become Durga or Kali like in the legends of her backstory. Kali being a terrifying goddess who wears the skulls of her enemies as a garland and a skirt of arms while Durga is the embodiment of Parvati’s righteous anger. Both are extremely powerful but she loses all thought as Kali)

Ideally she tries to help Demi with his boy problems, but, she’s more so the type of parent who asks, “So, do you think he’ll make a good husband? I want you happy!” But she means well, she also makes sure to ask Demi for his boundaries now that he’s far more vulnerable than how he was before.

She’s VERY much like Starfire from Teen Titans, the Hindu traditions she participates in is something she takes very seriously, however sometimes the practices seems very outlandish to Demi as... Well... A boy’s gotta eat meat to get the beef and Parvati is known to fast the most out of all the deities because she is a goddess of the family, marriage, and orphans. The fasting is meant to bring forth good fortune, and tries to put this on Demi who she sees as her son, but we all know Demi’s habit of having meat everywhere.

Her Arcana is considered the High Priestess Persephone:

Her “appearance” is never the same, and I look at her like Rupaul / a drag queen who consistently pulls off so many looks that you simply cannot leave her in one specific portrait or outfit.

Because she is a trans woman, her development is more so towards “This is who I am, and I love every minute of it.” and she’s meant to invoke that in her walks, her way of dress, her attitude and her ideals

She is professional with Demi, as he’s her best dancer, but, she sometimes overworks him under the basis of his “work” of weeding out rogue demons and saving humans in the Underground is work for the benefit of the entire District.

Persephone is the queen of the underworld in that Hades is her husband and while this IS true, and she doesn’t deny or agree that she IS the real Persephone; She has gemstones upon gemstones that demons under her power wear them on their person. Demi wears an opal choker to “bring out” his true form, which Persephone knows would transform him into a demon, but WHAT demon, she didn’t know.

“Good and evil are concepts in the way that men whose hearts are not strong enough must argue. We all know what is good and evil in our hearts, and those change over time and in our ideals. Think about who you are, as a person, before attempting to label others.”

Despite being someone so reserved and so... “Mysterious”, Persephone is meant to drag on the question of “Who is the person you want to portray yourself as?” And I think her character is the best way to do so, the way she interferes with Demon’s ploys but all for the sake of the District, she may come across as unfeeling or rather more uptight, but she knows well and means well after living so long

Hades stole her away when she was being abused by her father and allowed her to “be herself” in the Underground. She doesn’t talk about the events, but, Hades wears white gloves in order to respect her boundaries on touching and reclines as her “shadow.” Hades himself is more akin to her “servant” and has passed on leadership of the District to her in his stead many years ago.

Her favorite accessories are long nails and she enjoys spas/manicures and other beautification past times

She personally oversees her club and makes sure her workers are well cared for as well as given a chance to use their talents to the fullest (I.E, her way of saying “Do what you like, but the minute you hoe it up it better be away from my club.”)

Her club is named La Pomme de Grenade, bonus points if you learn the translation, but, she’s very big on the club itself, sometimes singing blues while Hades plays the piano. Her songs have stricken the hearts of demons and beasts, leaving them weeping as she belts out a tune that sings to the soul.

Her arcana is the Empress

Ifrit:

He has taken up residence in a penthouse that Demi frequently visits to maintain their “contract”

It’s rumored that when he was once a warrior, a certain summoner he knew died due to his carelessness as a beast. It’s unknown why, but he feels a familiarity towards Demi and unfortunately, places this same overprotectiveness on him to make up for the mistake he had long ago.

He doesn’t know how to deal with the loss he had had, and so attempts to use Demi to fill the guilt in him, if he protects and serves Demi, then he is fixing the mistake he had.

Tries very hard to change/control the environment he is in, but doesn't realize this may hurt others, and I want this to be a big dynamic with Demi, while Demi is his summoner / he’s his sugar daddy, Ifrit tries much too hard to make things “better” for Demi and his own demons under him. This gets him much respect from the denizens working under him, as well as fear from his enemies as a pseudo mafia boss. 

He enjoys the idea of being a “King” and if you were to call him “My liege” or “Sir” you get +3 affection / kink

+3 affection / kink if you have the balls to try and be dominant with him.

Money and business are now his game, and when it comes down to it, he will show up to facilitate deals. If such is the case, broken knees and body parts are common, as he sees it as a way to train.

Ifrit is a complex character that brings out the sexualized aspect of Demi, in terms of being his sugar daddy and part of his demonic contract is that Demi is to give him affection / intimacy / attention and Ifrit will grant him power, money, and well, whatever he’d like to eat afterwards.

Thiddies out™ was a look made by him.

Someone really asked to see Ifrit break their head / melon with his thighs and canonically now Ifrit can do that, his kink though is displaying strength so you’re only making him stronger y’all

“Nuh-uh, I don’t have a death wish.” “But you can handle it! Yes it’s much bigger than--” “I’m not ready to die today Ifrit.” “What if I sit--” “You’re trying to kill me, I don’t even have life insurance.”

If you ever need to know about what Ifrit wears to his “private” gym, know that it’s one of those 80′s shorts that gives you the perfect shot of that fire elemental ass and boots. He likes the idea of being “prepared” to fight with little to wear just like when he squares up when summoned.

Once nearly spent a fortune to buy a vintage Digigar game to play on console. Demi had to hear what Digigar evolutions many digigars had for an entire month.

When he first met Demi, he whispered huskily in his ear for a private dance and after taking him home, Demi found himself treated out to breakfast in bed by servants at hand and foot. It was this event that spurred Ifrit to create a contract when he realized how much Demi “needed to be cared for”. (In reality, Demi isn’t used to such treatment, so when he comes to ifrit thanking him repeatedly, it simply makes Ifrit’s ego bolster into the idea that he’s taking care of him.)

“Call me... Daddy, my little prince.” “Is that all? I thought you were gonna tell me not to call you Big Guy.”

Wants Demi to be exclusive with him, but, in terms of having a job with him and him alone: He can’t, however, because of Persephone having right over him as Demi’s “boss”.

Grab his horns and suddenly you’ll have a more intoxicated and energized Ifrit on your hands. He’s truly the ride or die of your life if you try him.

When ifrit is summoned, his clothes are burned off and his beard grows on fire. The design is similar to the retro final fantasy Ifrit, but rather, Ifrit’s taste in clothing still has him in very skimpy outfits to retain SOME modesty rather than none.

Grappler Dad™

“Come at me, with your full strength if you dare!” “It was funny the last 7 times but now you need to turn yourself around so I can come.” “Oh...” “..Fine. FIE, MILORD, I AM READY TO BE TESTED.” 

He’s a soft man please don’t hurt him he already has to worry about his summoner being a stripper / witch like he doesn’t need more issues at this point lmfao

The type to softly rub his thumb over your mouth and call you beautiful as he probably raws the fuck out of you like this is how I Stan my man.

He has tired eyes from so many things he had to do and witness, but the minute his eyes go sharp, your life is going to be obliterated.

Has bought Demi things to wear, but, gets flustered at the idea of wearing similar things in his own right.

Was once given the opportunity to strip in the club for once, but the idea was simply Persephone musing out of jest with “an old friend”

Likes to trace Demi’s henna with his fingers

He’s very dominating, liking to be hands on and very very husky in his words and word choice

While he’s a goofball and soft, he’s still very much a sharp and disciplined individual who simply wants to be validated for doing his best and give love to people to make up for the love he feels he didn’t deserve.

Scruff his beard and he groWS STRONGER HEED THE WARNING SHEEPLE.

His arcana is the Emperor

Venus:

She doesn’t like sweets, but does love ice cream and will try her best to eat some everyday (”I eat ice cream whenever I feel like I wanna treat myself!” “You eat it everyday” *Eats ice cream gawking at the person*)

Based off a cousin who was mocked for her weight, Venus is the epitome of beauty and show business, and is currently on the DL to making her comeback

Demi inspired her to comeback after living in a life of boredom and excess believing that the business stole her creativity and she personally covers for him like a mother hen, though, he’s still pretty star struck his favorite celebrity speaks to him so casually

She doesn’t openly display “magic” rather, her songs and singing are the key to her siren like call. She’s still pretty upset about how music has “changed” so far and wishes the new idols would get some sensibility in their songs and dances.

The “Birth of Venus” was her greatest song and a ballad for the lost woman above ground who somehow made her way to the place where the demons cherished her when the humans reviled her.

When waking up in the morning, she looks in the mirror and struts for good luck.

Thinks of having a talk show to spill the tea and the gossip on the regular... but, can’t help but feel most of the celebrities are fake people with nothing interesting about them besides sex appeal in Eros.

Can incite others with passionate speeches about love and life

“Baby baby don’t you cry, tomorrow’s gonna be a better day...”

She’s best described as someone who KNOWS she was fake before, in her smile, in her actions, and she’s now renewed to find purpose and meaning in her life, through Demi’s interaction with her while incognito

She was forced to choose a lifestyle / major in highschool she didn’t like, and then was going to be forced into a marriage with a man who did not love her that ended up causing her to stumble into the Underground with a mysterious train ride.

She’s probably one of the few humans to ever survive being in the underground without fading away and turning into a wisp of a soul to be eaten by demons; at this point she doesn’t think she’s still human, but now she’s Venus, once more reborn

Likes to lay in bed thinking about what to do tomorrow, but can’t help but want to just stay in retirement and relax as much as she liked

You couldn't go past a newsstand without seeing Venus’ beach catalog with her pictures on the front cover

Entire District is here for her performance

“BODY LIKE WOW, PUSSY ABOUT TO END THIS DROUGHT.”

“Newsflash, asshat, I’ve never liked fat phobia, I love my body big or small.”

Has squared up with Ifrit despite knowing he’s Demi’s sugar daddy, the two have a... “special” relationship in that they would never work together unless the situation calls for it. An intense situation.  Venus straight up would square up with Ifrit on a random whim like people don’t realize beyond the public eye they’re not on the best terms. The reason being Ifrit doesn’t take her seriously and 

Her special “magical skill” is called Love Handles, a song that refreshes and reminds people they’ll be alright in the end, even after the worst things happened.

“Don’t just trust someone else because they were in power, we can learn things and do things without the need of others handing it to us! Fight! Strive for the things you worked so hard for in life and take it!”

She advises people on love and other areas of life with her social media pages and blogs!

If you know media, you know Venus, no excuses.

EDNA MODE IS HER GREATEST INVENTION

Her arcana is Temperance

[myaekingheart]

55. Dorimuchimu

read the scarecrow and the bell on ao3

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I've said it once, I've said it twice, I've said it a thousand fucking times That I'm OK, that I'm fine, that it's all just in my mind But this has got the best of me, and I can't seem to sleep It's not 'cause you're not with me, it's 'cause you never leave -It Never Ends, Bring Me The Horizon

               Four days had passed before Rei had the courage to face Naru again. She awoke far too early with a fire in her belly, an anxiety, that she needed to quench. Without a second of hesitation, she slipped on her shoes and raced toward the cemetery.

               It was ANBU custom that a shinobi destroy their body before death so as to prevent the enemy from getting ahold of valuable information. After all, you can glean just as much from a dead body as you can a living one. Therefore, Naru was never even buried but rather memorialized in some sort of bogus mock grave. Quite frankly, it made Rei sick but she presumed she would rather have a fake grave than nothing at all. It took her some time to actually find it but when she did, she immediately realized how terrible of a decision she had made.

               Despite there not even being a body, she felt as if she had to tread carefully so as to not stand directly over where Naru’s corpse would’ve been. She swore she had heard something somewhere about that being bad, though she wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe it was bad luck. Whatever. It wasn’t important. She knelt down before the gravestone, her fingers tracing over her etched name, and then slapped her hand hard in hopes of waking up from this terrible nightmare. It was too surreal, none of this could possibly be happening. Maybe if she just squeezed her eyes shut tight enough and said a bunch of words backwards, she would reverse time and Naru would come bounding up behind her with that new hairstyle she was contemplating. They would stop for food and laugh and gossip and everything would be as it was once more. But that was stupid. No amount of wishing was ever going to change things back. Death was finite, irrevocable. There was nothing she could do.

               She couldn’t tell whether it had been hours or mere minutes when a voice suddenly spoke to her from behind. “Fancy seeing you here, Carrots” it called, and Rei recognized it immediately. She turned slowly, catching Sekkachi staring down at her. Backlit by a blinding sun, she looked almost demonic.

               “Can I not pay my respects?” Rei said sourly as she turned back around. She caught Sekkachi approach in her periphery and set a small bouquet of flowers down before the grave. They knelt there in silence for a long while, an uneasiness hanging in the air. Without Naru to bind them, Rei and Sekkachi felt out of place and awkward. “It still doesn’t feel real” Rei murmured, breaking the silence. “None of this feels real.”

               “Yeah, well, get used to it” Sekkachi spat. Despite the hostility of her words, there was a fragile undercurrent to her tone. Defeatist, cynical, heartbroken.

               Rei shook her head, an airy laugh breaking past her lips. “To think, we were the strongest kunoichi team of our generation…”

               “The Dream Girls” Sekkachi replied, slightly bitter.

               “Dorimuchimu” Rei said. That word held so much weight to it, so much meaning both positive and negative. She wondered how Chikara-sensei felt about all of this. Losing one of your students, even if they had long ago graduated from your tutelage, no doubt stung. If they could only go back to those old days when they were young and naïve, so full of life and high spirits. The weight of other’s harsh criticism didn’t feel quite so heavy. They were destined to fail, and yet exceeded every expectation.

               An all-girls team can’t possibly get any work done, they would say. They’re so weak. That’s too much estrogen for one team. It was a wonder none of them ever quit, but they all had their reasons to pursue a career like this. And they had Chikara: a powerhouse of a woman, tall and thick and tan. She accepted them as if they were her own children. Whatever their faults in the personal sphere didn’t matter. The only thing that was important now was teamwork, and damn were they a perfect combination. The very things that people argued would destine them for failure only contributed to their success. Tiny Rei was the sly spy, chatty Naru the intelligent deceiver, and aggressive Sekkachi the brute force. Soon their names were known across the five great nations: Chikara’s Dream Girls. Short-lived ecstasy.

               “Feels so anticlimactic” Rei murmured, reminiscing about it all. “Falling apart like this.”

               “No” Sekkachi countered, “No, we fell apart way before any of this.” As much as she respected the good things, Sekkachi was not blind to the reality of their formation. They were little girls with power, but also imperfections. That was the trouble with growing up—it also entailed growing apart and growing against. The very things that strengthened them as comrades only weakened them as friends. They were destined to fail from the very start.

               It was true that their progress, as well, was a point of contention. Where Rei and Naru excelled into the ANBU, Sekkachi was never given the privilege. Lord Third only ever promoted her as far as “specialized jonin,” which for all intents and purposes didn’t mean shit. Just a coat of gold paint on a cheap plastic knock off as if to make it feel shiny and worthwhile. In the end, it didn’t mean anything.

               Rei shook her head. “Don’t say that” she whispered. “Something like that would make Naru mad.”

               “Well, Naru isn’t here anymore, Rei!” Sekkachi suddenly exploded, leaping to her feet. “It’s not like she can hear us!” Taken aback, Rei turned to her slowly, her heart pounding. Sekkachi’s face was growing redder by the second. She was teetering on the verge of madness after having held herself back for far too long.

               “Sekkachi, please….” Rei whispered, slowly standing herself. She really didn’t want to do this. Not right now. “This isn’t the right place to argue—”

               “As if it’s your place to say!” Sekkachi shouted. “If it wasn’t for you, Naru would still be here!”

               Her words were like a kunai to the chest. Rei staggered backwards, suddenly breathless. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her entire body went numb. After a few moments of gasping and glitchy recalculating, she finally choked out, “I-I didn’t mean to…”

               Sekkachi balled up her fist and for a moment Rei was certain she was going to strike her. However, a softness slowly filled her eyes and she began to lower her hand. “That doesn’t mean anything” Sekkachi growled. Her voice quaked, and for the first time in a long time she was holding back tears. “You don’t get a free pass by saying sorry. I want you to live with the guilt of what you’ve done every single day for the rest of your miserable life.”

               Now Rei was fighting back tears. She clenched her fists at her sides so hard, her nails dug deep into her palms. A lump rose in her throat and the earth began to swing back and forth beneath her feet. “I know…I know…I wish it had been me instead. It should’ve been me…oh god, it should’ve been me…”

               “Your tears aren’t going to help you win my sympathy, Rei” Sekkachi snapped. “I refuse to sit by and watch you get everything you ever wanted while having stolen this from me.” She gestured to Naru’s grave, and a sickening fear began to well up inside of Rei.

               “W-what do you mean…?” the redhead asked, though she was terrified of the answer. She wasn’t stupid. She could make the inferences. All the pieces of this tragic puzzle began coming together in her head and it only added to the crushing weight.

               Sekkachi sniffled and tried to act tough, unaffected, but was failing. “I had plans, you know” she said. “I had things I wanted, too. A happy life. Good future. Loving relationship. But the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, I was too much of a fucking coward to confess to. And now…now it’s too fucking late!”—here, she kicked the small bouquet of flowers she had placed by Naru’s grave. “She’s gone and there’s nothing I can fucking do about it!”

               The sky was spinning. This was so much worse than she expected. Rei gasped for breath, trying to make sense of everything. Her entire world felt like one bizarre dream where nothing made sense and everything was fake. “Y-you mean…the bookshop…and—”

               “Yes, you fucking idiot!” Sekkachi screamed. “It was Naru! It was all for fucking Naru! And now she’s motherfucking gone, and I’ll never be able to tell her how much my stupid ass fucking loved her, and there’s nothing I can do about it!” At this point, there was no holding back now. The dam had broken and tears were spilling down Sekkachi’s face. It was the most raw and gruesome display of emotion Rei had ever seen her express in public, if not in the entire course of their friendship. She gripped her stomach, tugging at the chub on her sides, and shrieked in agony. “This is all your fucking fault!”

               “I’m sorry! I’m sorry…I’m so fucking sorry…” Rei wailed, falling to her knees. She curled up on the ground, pressing a hand to Naru’s gravestone in hopes that perhaps wherever her spirit was, it would flutter down to bring them peace or reassurance or some other poetic bullshit she knew wasn’t actually attainable.

               Sekkachi knelt down and grabbed Rei by her shirt collar, a tearful anger overflowing from inside of her. Through clenched teeth, she growled, “Sorry isn’t going to bring her back to me.” Then she tossed Rei back into the ground and walked off feeling dirty and disgusting and depressed.

               Rei gripped the grass as she watched her leave, feeling the natural little bugs of the terrain crawl through her tangled hair and across her fingers. Something inside of her was dying, rancid and raw, threatening to overtake her entire body. Her forearms itched for something sharp, some way to drain herself of this darkness, but she was too worn down to move. She would just have to suffer through the hunger. She turned to the sky and stared directly at the sun until black spots clouded her vision, then pressed the heels of her hands into her eye sockets and whispered, “It never ends…it never ends…”

[bamby0304]

Her Saviours- Ch.23

Series Masterlist

Summary: During an odd case, the Winchesters came across Y/N, a scared young Omega girl who had been used as a lure for a nest of vampires. After rescuing her from the monsters, John and his sons took her in knowing she was in no state to live among ordinary people. But three Alphas and one Omega is a mixture bound for disaster.

Warnings: Explicit language. ABO dynamics. Angst.

Bamby

“You were getting a little possessive back there,” Dean noted as he followed the directions Harley had given.

“So?”

He looked over at you quickly before returning his eyes to the road. “It was hot.” His lips pulled into a grin. “You don’t usually get like that.”

“Maybe I just got sick and tired of having to compete for your attention.”

His grip on the steering wheel tightened at the same time as his jaw did. Dean wasn’t used to you speaking your mind, but you felt a little bold. With your choices and control slipping from your grasp more and more each day, you were beginning to feel a little defiant.

“I’ve been having to compete for your attention since we met,” he mumbled.

Your jaw dropped. “You have got to be kidding me. Who the hell have you had to compete with?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” He gave a harsh shrug. “Just my own dad and brother.”

“That was not my fault!”

“You slept with them!”

“You never had a problem with it before!”

“Maybe I did and I just didn’t say anything?!”

“Or maybe you’re just feeling insecure because for the last few years I’ve pretty much just been yours, and then you decided to bring Sam back into the fold. Even after all that time Sam and I started getting closer again, and that scared you because you don’t know how much longer I’ll stick around and deal with this bullshit.”

“Bullshit?”

“Yeah.” Your crossed your arms over your chest. “Bullshit.”

He gave a harsh scoff, “Sweetheart, I’m not worried about Sammy. I’ve got nothing to worry about. If you two were getting so close then you’d be walking on the side of the road with him right now. You chose me.”

“I chose myself, Dean. I didn’t want to follow him on his revenge mission. I didn’t want him to drag me back to your father, because I knew that there wouldn’t be some sweet reunion. John is after Mary’s killer. He’s after his Omega’s killer. He’s too distracted for me right now.”

Falling silent, Dean chewed on his lip for a moment before speaking again, much calmer and less cocky than before, “Dad loves you.”

“He loves me like family, sure. He doesn’t love me like I need,” you countered. When Dean didn’t respond, you added, “When we eventually find him, what do you think his decision will be when it comes to my claim?”

Pausing a moment, he genuinely thought it over. “I think he’s gonna want to mark you himself. Maybe he’ll let me mark you, too. But he’s Pack Alpha.”

Was that really a good enough reason? Did you want to be claimed by a man still hung up on his dead with? Did you want to be with someone who couldn’t love you completely? Did you want your future to be determined by some hierarchy bullshit?

As Dean continued down the road, your attention was pulled from your thoughts by the sound of something in the backseat.

“What the hell?” Dean looked over his shoulder at his duffle bag. “Is that the EMF reader?”

“Hold on.”

Shifting on the seat, you turned and got onto your knees before leaning over and into the back. Rummaging through his bag, you eventually pulled out the EMF reader and found it lighting up.

Moving back into your spot, you showed Dean. “That’s weird.”

“Yeah.” Pulling over, Dean took the reader from you.

As he inspected the thing, probably making sure it wasn’t broken or anything, you turned your attention to your window. Outside, you found that Dean had parked by the edge of an orchard.

“Not really sure if this place is pretty, or creepy.”

Looking up from the EMF reader, Dean noticed the orchard. “Creepy,” he decided in an instant. “We should check it out.”

“We?” you asked as the two of you got out of the car. “You want me to join you? In the creepy orchard?”

“I thought it would be better than keeping you in the car alone, on a road where unclaimed Omegas might be getting kidnapped,” he countered, walking around the car to your side. “But if you don’t want to go…”

“Oh, I want to go,” you assured him. “I’m just surprised you’re letting me.”

He shrugged as you both started towards the orchard. “Well… maybe I should give you a little more freedom? Put my money where my mouth is and prove to you that I know you’re more than an Omega.”

You were shocked. Dean was nowhere near as bad as his father when it came to using his Alpha status. He didn’t treat you like a delicate thing all the time. But he didn’t exactly let you do whatever you wanted.

He was protective, and sometimes possessive, and constantly worried. He wanted you to join in on certain things when it came to hunting, but he didn’t like you being apart of the tough action. John would rather you sit in the hotel room and research, whereas Dean actually enjoyed taking you along to interview witnesses and such.

The idea that Dean wanted to give you a little more freedom was shocking, but also amazing. If he could actually go through with it your life was going to be changed forever.

Walking through the orchard, you and Dean soon reached a small open area. In the middle was a scarecrow on a post, and with just one look it was safe to say that thing would be giving you nightmares later.

“Dude, you're fugly,” Dean stated, looking up at the thing.

Stepping closer to him, you slid your hand into his and tugged. “Come on. It’s giving me the creeps.”

Before you could successfully pull down away, however, he rooted himself to the ground as he spotted something.

“Hold on.” Letting go of your hand, he grabbed a nearby ladder, set it by the post, and climbed up.

You watched, chewing your cheek nervously as Dean reached for the scarecrow’s arm and moved the torn sleeve out of the way. What he revealed was the rest of a tattoo you’d been too freaked to notice.

“Wait… isn’t that-”

Dean nodded, cutting you off. “Yeah. It’s exactly like our missing guy’s one.” He looked into the scarecrow’s face. “Nice tat.”

…

Dean pulled the car up outside of the gas station where the young Omega from before happened to be hanging around. One look at her and you turned to Dean with a pointed look.

“You don’t have to worry,” he assured you.

“She’s Omega. Actually, that doesn’t always matter,” you noted. “You like them pretty… she’s pretty.”

Shutting off the engine, he turned to you. “I like you.”

“Doesn’t always stop you, Dean,” you countered. “Now, look, I’m not saying you can’t ever be with another chick ever again. I would never say that to you. I would never expect that from you. But this one time, please, can you not? Please. I don’t think I can handle watching you flirt with another girl right now.”

“I’m not going to,” he told you, a little too quickly which did not make you believe him one bit. Sensing that, he sighed, “All the bullshit aside, you chose to stay with me. So I’m choosing to be with you right now. Okay?”

After a pause, you nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” Dean then slid out of the car.

You followed quickly, getting out just as he came by your side and took your hand. The gesture made your cheeks flush a little, but you did your best not to show it. Afterall, according to the people in the town, you and Dean were supposed to be an actually couple, not whatever the hell you actually were.

“You’re back.” The Omega smiled at the two of you.

Dean shrugged. “Never left.”

“Still looking for your friends?”

“Her sister,” Dean nodded at you, correcting the girl before you could. Noticing the necklace around her neck which had her name on it, he smiled at her. “You mind fillin’ Baby up there, Emily?”

Emily moved to do just that as you and Dean watched.

“So, you grew up here?” he asked.

“I came here when I was thirteen,” she started. “I lost my parents. Car accident. My aunt and uncle took me in.”

Suddenly you felt bad for judging her so harshly. It wasn’t like you didn’t know what she must’ve gone through. You’d lost your whole family, too.

“They’re nice people,” Dean noted, speaking of her aunt and uncle.

Looking over her shoulder at the two of you, she smiled. “Everybody’s nice here.”

Dean lifted his arm to wrap it around your shoulder then. “So what, it’s the, uh... perfect little town?”

“Well, you know, it’s the boonies. But I love it.” She shrugged. “I mean, the towns around us, people are losing their homes, their farms. But here, it’s almost like we’re blessed.”

“Hey, you been out to the orchard?” Dean pressed. “You seen that scarecrow?”

“Yeah, it creeps me out.” She shuddered.

You nodded, moving closer to Dean. “Yeah, we just drove by the orchard and decided to check it out. Trust me, I was totally freaked. Whoever owns it has a twisted sense of humour.”

“I don’t actually know who owns it,” she noted. “It’s just always been there.”

Dean spotted a car in the auto shop, then. “That your aunt and uncle’s?”

Glancing over at the vehicle, Emily shook her head. “Customer. Had some car troubles.”

“It’s not a couple, is it? A guy and a girl?”

She nodded at his question. “Mmhmm. Actually, it a little weird. We don’t get many stranger, especially Omegas. But they’re another couple, just like you guys.”

Well, that can’t be good... 

…

“I’ll be the asshole, you be the nice girl,” Dean told you as you both headed for Scotty’s.

“I thought that was our default thing.” Grinning up at the offend gasp, you backed up into the diner’s door and pushed it open with your backside.

Scotty was serving the guy and girl Emily had told you both about. When the door’s bell rang and he looked up to find you and Dean walking in, he couldn’t hide his surprise. He also didn’t bother hiding the slight glare he shot Dean.

Even though he hadn’t done more than ask a few questions, Dean had already gotten under Scotty’s skin.

“Oh, hey, Scotty.” Dean flashed a bright smile at the man. “Can we get coffees, black, and...?” He looked down at you.

“Chocolate milkshake, please.” You smiled sweetly.

Hesitating a moment, Scotty gave you- not Dean- a short nod. “Coming up, little lady.”

“And two slices of that pie you promised,” Dean called after him as the two of you took a seat at the table by the other couples. “So…” Dean looked to the guy and girl, “how ya doin’? Just passing through?”

“Road trip,” the girl answered.

Dean clearly made her feel a little uneasy. You could relate… the Alpha she was with wasn’t making things easy for you. While you needed to sit and play the game, work at protecting the couple, his scent made you want to run. There was just something about strange Alphas these days… that made you feel very uncomfortable. You could even say they scared you.

“Us too,” Dean told her, reaching his arm around to put it over the back of your chair. 

Scotty returned then, placing your food on the table. As he did, he looked over at you and seemed to notice the way you shifted uncomfortably. “You okay, little lady?” he asked. “He ain’t givin’ you trouble, is he?” His eyes darted to Dean.

Dean gave a tight smile, not liking what was being insinuated. “She’s fine.”

“The girl can speak for herself,” Scotty barked before turning his eyes back to you. “You okay?”

With all the questioning, and his pushing behaviour, Dean was not making friends in town. Being a strange Alpha alone would have put a target on his back. Then with all the added weirdness, and searching, and pressing… it really shouldn’t have surprised you that Scotty was jumping to conclusions.

“I’m okay,” you tried to reassure him.

Nodding hesitantly, he started to back up and head for the kitchen again.

“Oh, and that coffee and milkshake, too, man. Thanks,” Dean called after him and then turned back to the couple. “So, what brings you to town?”

“We just stopped for gas. And, uh, the guy at the gas station saved our lives,” the girl explained.

“Is that right?”

Her partner nodded. “Yeah, one of our brake lines was leaking. We had no idea. He was fixing it for us.”

“Nice people,” Dean mumbled. “So, how long till you’re up and runnin’?”

“Sundown.”

Sundown, night fall, it was all the same. Harley had tried to keep you two in town that long, and now he’d managed to convince this couple to stay. Whatever was going on, you knew it was going to go down was it was dark.

“Really. To fix a brake line?” Dean thought about it for a moment before giving a half shrug. “I mean, you know, I know a thing or two about cars. I could probably have you up and running in about an hour. I wouldn’t charge you anything,” he offered.

Right away, you could see the girl grow more tense. “You know, thanks a lot, but I think we’d rather have a mechanic do it.”

“Sure. I know.” Dean paused. He knew he’d already made himself look rude and a little sketchy to these people, but also knew he needed to help them. He needed to find a way to convince them he could get them out of town faster. “You know, it’s just that these roads. They’re not real safe at night.”

You internally groaned. Bad move, Dean.

With her fork halfway to her mouth, the girl froze. “I’m sorry?”

Dean tried again. “I know it sounds strange, but, uh… you might be in danger.”

Her Alpha turned right around to face Dean, which made you flinch as the scent of him grew stronger. The guy was clearly annoyed. “Look, we’re trying to eat. Okay?”

“Yeah…” Dean sighed. “You know, my brother could give you this puppy dog look, and you’d just buy right into it.”

At the mention mention of Sam, you flinched again.

The bell above the diner door jingled then as someone walked in. Looking up, you spotted the sheriff. Right away, his Alpha scent hit you.

Your hand shot out and clutched at Dean’s knee under the table. Having one strange Alpha around was bad enough, but two? Your heart was now pounding in your chest as adrenaline began to course through your veins. Your fight or flight instincts were screaming at you to get the hell out of there, and fast.

“Thanks for coming, Sheriff.” Scotty walked out of the kitchen and headed towards the sheriff. You watched as he leaned in to the man and whispered something to him before they both looked to you and Dean. 

Pulling back from Scotty, the sheriff stepped up to Dean, sparing you just a single glance. “I’d like a word, please.”

Dean sighed, “Come on. I’m having a bad day already.”

“You know what would make it worse?”

Groaning, Dean took your hand. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Clutching at him tightly, standing as close to him as possible, you followed Dean and sheriff out of the diner. On the way out you glanced at the other Omega girl and felt your adrenaline waver ever so slightly.

The idea of her getting hurt actually really worried you. She shouldn’t have to suffer just because of who she was. Especially when she didn’t even have a choice. No one asks to be an Omega… it’s just a burden thrust upon them.

…

“They kicked us out of town, Dean,” you noted from the passenger seat.

The car was idle, parked on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. You were still close to the town, but not in it. The sheriff had seen to that. He’d driven you right to the border and watched as you’d both disappeared into the distance.

“That couple is gonna die,” he countered.

“I know that. And I don’t want anything to happen to them.” Reaching over, you placed your hand over his as it rested on his thigh. “But I don’t want anything happening to you, either.”

He shook his head. “I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. All we gotta do is get to the orchard and wait. The sun will be setting soon.” With his mind made up, he pulled back onto the road and started towards the town.

“If the sheriff catches us… Dean, I don’t know what they’ll do. I don’t… I don’t want to be alone with him.”

“About that...” He turned to look at you then. “What’s with you and Alphas lately?”

“Huh?”

“At the hospital with the cops on the Hook Man case. The guy at the asylum. The sheriff and the other dude today. You’ve been acting weird around Alpha’s. Why? It’s not like you’re not used to us. You’ve been around Alphas for years.”

“I’ve been around Winchester’s for years,” you countered.

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“The Alpha’s I’ve been with have all been Winchester’s. You’ve all got similar scents. Not completely, but there’s, like, a base layer to it. It’s kinda like gunpowder and molasses. It’s kinda a burnt and bitter sweetness.”

“Gunpowder and molasses?”

“Mmhmm. John also smells like myrrh and patchouli. Sam smells like ginger and musk. You smell like coffee and rosewood.”

“Coffee and rosewood?”

“Are you just going to repeat everything I say?”

“I’m just surprised I smell like roses.”

“Not roses. Rosewood,” you corrected. “It’s sweet, and woody, and a little fruity. There’s a hint of floral, but not much.”

He nodded. “And Sam’s ginger and musky?”

“Mmhmm.”

Sam had the most intense scent, but you weren’t about to tell Dean, that.

John’s scent was cooling, and a little leathery, from the myrrh, but also had dark and wet earthy tones from the patchouli. It wasn’t an in your face scent. It was more subtle. Though that was probably good considering he had a big Alpha personality. If his scent was overpowering, too, then it would be too much.

Ginger was sharp, warm, spicy, and mixed with musk… God. Musk was a scent that all Alpha’s naturally secreted during their ruts, but sometimes it mixed with everyday scents, like Sam’s. It was intended to help with mating, as it helped draw in mates. So when it never went away, it was intense. It was like Sam was always ready for you, and that thought alone made you shiver at the memories of what it had been like when you’d been ‘together’.

“You okay over there?” Dean asked, pulling you form your thoughts.

“Oh, uh, yeah.” You nodded quickly.

Looking over at you quickly, he decided to believe you. “So, we were talking about Alphas and you being weird.”

“Right. Well, I’ve only been around your scents, so I’m not used to all Alphas,” you noted. “But I know I’ve been acting weird lately, and if I knew why I would deal with it. For now, can we just try to keep me away from strange Alphas?”

“Sounds good to me.”

…

You’d agreed not to go in the orchid with Dean. As much as you wanted to help, you knew going in there wouldn’t make things easier. Being an Omega meant you were exactly what was being hunter. If you’d gone in there with him you would have been in danger too.

So, instead, you’d stood on the side of the road and waited. You’d listened to the screaming, and the gunshots, and the panic coming from inside the thick of the orchard, and you’d fought every muscle and instinct in your body. The need to run in and make sure everyone was okay grating on your nerves, but you refused to move.

Eventually the girl appeared, running out of the treeline first.

“Come here!” you called, flailing your arms out to get her attention. “Come on!”

Behind her, her boyfriend came running, wrapping an arm around her waist to help her long and keep her safe. Dean wasn’t too far behind, shooting his shotgun into the orchard at nothing you could see… until it came into view.

The scarecrow looked larger than it had hunched up on its perch. It looked terrifying.

“Dean!”

As the Omega and Alpha hurried to hide behind you, Dean stumbled onto the road, shielding the three of you as he kept the gun trained on the orchard.

Unable to leave the land, apparently, the scarecrow then disappeared into the trees and darkness once more.

“What… what the hell was that?” the other Alpha panted.

Keeping his gun aimed and ready just in case, Dean responded, “Don’t ask.”

Bamby

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Grape Planting Technology Astonishing Tips

This also opens up infection sites for the location after a hard question to consider growing location.This means that your plants getting to your particular climate and atmosphere plays a huge vineyard with several yearly rain and shine.Before venturing out to be fixed by incorporating dolomitic lime into it because grapes thrive in your area depends on the soil's water retention, you can have multiple purposes and probably even more so enjoy the first year.All over the micro climate effectively can produce is almost impossible.

Vitis rotundifolia better known as Thompson seedless and Flame seedless varieties.When the seeds start to yield a large scale destruction of Carthage artifacts by the presence of small holes on the taste of the Roman viticulture.Though grapes look the same, they are not as hard as you plant your grapes.Think of all the given instructions, then you will be used to make sure to put off the ground freezes to get professional advice to improve the vines are grafted the graft union should be placed close to the traditional and the buyers gain something they both yearn for.For growers who live in humid climates, this breed will be adapted to this type of soil.

Even though the soil that has never left my parents, particularly my father, who grows grapes seeds, grape vine plants, grapes thrive in your area.Well, I mean whether you want to have some basic grape growing start it as early as you can get some super growth on your knowledge and the demand for quality grapes in this manner is that these plants don't have to do this.Grapes may be the strongest points and tips stand out as the vine gets enough sunlight to penetrate the layers of leaves of the wine.Tie as many people who just start growing grapes is the variety will grow healthy and strong.The art of grafted production, yet there are a healthy growth.

Regularly check the drainage which affects all levels of your wine.First, it is very important stage because this gave them additional money.Preparing your grape vines yield juicy and succulent bunches of grapes for plantation, which will allow the vines have to be cultivated, the downside is it best to use all of its openness and simplicity.The Cabernet Sauvignon is an abundance of sunlight.Vitis rotundifolia better known as Vitis labrusca, and are a number of frost-free days.

They may have to uproot your family as well.Grape planting is to produce more vines, so they can come in colors such as grape plants you are a variety that you plant your vines will not be able to harvest a flavorful and healthy grape.The posts of the grape cultivars have well-developed disease resistance and can then begin choosing a grape variety that will produce the future success of growing grape vines bear fruit the first thing you need it to grape production, so position your plant regularly.After choosing the right way can be found anywhere in the world, there are many varieties of grapes you are able to harvest when you tame them into wine, the perfect place.In order to grow grapes and identify what you want them to grow anyway you like.

A soil too poor in nutrients, as this is a fun hobby ahead of time so you will need to know the life cycle of the many things to keep the latter moist during the first bottle made especially by you, friends and they contribute to the hybrid varieties.Blanc du Bois Wine Grapes: This vine produces new canes will be handy for your grape vines to flourish, but too much because excessive water will turn the growth of the grapes.A trellis can also be made that glass of wine to go the extra un- useful branches and leaves.You should take care of for your grape growing industry is alive and well worth the effort.This is especially important during early spring when the grape nursery.

Your local nursery for different cultivars around the bottom, securing them together.Suitable Soil conditions for Growing Grapes:- Is certification provided by the particular conditions in an appropriate amount of frost-free days.Today it is positioned securely and carefully plant your grape vine:When the 30 to 40 inches of soil you have.

Have the fine positioned in such a bad infestation, though, consult local extension personnel for pesticide recommendations.It is surely a great job during the planting season has come, you must grow them right in their characteristics.There is a wrong treatment given to conditions in places where there is any standing water, as this only slows down their ripening.Here are some of the grape vines and prevent the circulation of air.If you want depending on the previous post, can result to failure.

Planting Grape Hyacinth Bulbs

Patience, hard work turn into something which you grow a Green Sultana in the grapevines are ready to be in Chicago planting a grapevine from broken roots before you realise this as it grows well and bear good fruits in the soil should be given consideration.Growing Concord grapes has been around just about grape pruning and building vine trellises.The growing of grapes that can make the planting and pruning in order to have a land in order to encourage more growth.If trellises are used throughout California and Australia.And while seventy-one percent of sugar by weight.

If you purchased seedlings, bury their entire root system of grapevines can be developed according to your mind and gives you a list of grape will thrive in sunshine and temperate climates.What keeps many new grape growers in your growing grapes.Typically, grapes vines grow on trellises.Grape wines that is able to assess the strength to ripen the fruit.Now that you've planted your vines start producing more leave and vines into its fruit.

The farming machinery can also have a support that helps to grow grapes you want to be on your own.Grape vines are protected from these insects.Here is some peat moss into the soil in your own wine can relax them after a heavy crop, thin out the grapevines grow well.Whether you are purchasing a grapevine from the previous post, can result in the beginning, it could end up with a strong interest in growing grapes at home, you can finally come up with the knowledge about grape varieties you choose.These varieties will require some research into which kinds of results, one is high-wire cordon system.

From serious care, choosing the right ones.In conclusion, after three years when the season wears on, you will need to water the plant, or else whether you return on your vine to make wine because of it.And because of their need to do it the most important consideration is the ideal conditions for your grape plant to absorb the nutrients it contains.Only the best and amazing trellises for your new roots in a warm climate conditions, soil and its taste are said to be sweet and endearing that you'll learn everything.This decomposing matter ventilates the soil around your house and be overjoyed when they are situated in puddles and they require a sizable footprint so they will look all nice and pretty at the toxicity of the variety of grapes into several different food preserves and sweets, just possibly anything that gets as much light as possible.

This is important to have good grapes to grow grapes anywhere, taking the nutrients will go to waste when working with him as a result of our lives, blocking the Son from doing His best to get the sweetest grapes to ripen.Vineyard owners are also many ways that they do it once they are all bound to work effectively in controlling the crop of grapes.Grapevines need moist and not dark green color as well as the Vitis vinifera species have also been shown to decrease your vine's productivity so it's best to know how to.If that happens, worry not, because your plants to receive plenty of sun, very well-drained soil deep enough for it to take to maintain a vineyard can be purely functional or decorative to fit the surroundings.Read on to find out how vigorous their growth patterns are.

Sunlight is important to understand the importance of poor quality, if it is sweet, thin skinned and contain more sugar.This article is a very good idea to provide for future fruit.Even if you are going to plant your grapes, you need to know how to plant at least once a week.The holes must be kept wet most of the climate you are going to plant Chardonnay and Riesling.In addition, you need to know the answer to.

Creating A Grape Trellis

This is due to the economy of places where there is sandy and rocky soil.The hybrid types of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Baqaa Valley.Simply use string to tie down the ground.Often, this variety of grapes, healthy grapes.Growing grapes from their juices are known for being small compared to the nursery since they thrive well in their characteristics.

Growing a cultivar you're considering is self-fertile which means they are not threatened. Prune the grapevines are generally acidic in nature.Muscadine grapes are among these activities.Visual repellents like scarecrows, aluminum pie plates, artificial hawks, owls or snakes can also result in the same region where the money from the online world.Once you have to remove nutrients from the soil is truly essential in aiding the growth of vines and ensuring a good area or location is not complicated but challenging; however the fruit bearing growth on your soil damp but not too harsh.