#but monte is giving me headaches

[themissinghand]

hello

I loved your character Brighella, could you make a scenario, after the events of 4.2 (I'm still with the trauma), where Furina is visited by Brighella, she is kind to her and congratulates her for her performance, she is the second best actress of teyvat, only after herself of course

plus: she leaves her a nice gift

I just want someone to give Furina a hug and tell her she did an excellent job.

Genshin Impact: Thank you, Dear Furina

Summary: In which a performer can finally put away their masks.

Or Furina needs a hug, and the Archons and Neuvillette help with that.

Pairing: None!

Note: I tweaked your request to the Archons because Brighella is displayed to be more cunning and not suited for this scenario. Hope it still fulfills your request!

While I loved Furina’s personality from the very beginning, getting to know her story was beautiful, empowering, and sad all at once. Hopefully this helped soothe some of the pain (even though I know Furina deserves more and more).

Warning: None. Just platonic fluff and comfort. Also includes some of my personal head cannons of the Archons.

★・・・・・・★

“I can’t go to the meeting alone! You have to accompany me!”

“Lady Furina. Is there something more to this…’friends’ hangout’ that I should know about?” Neuvillette stares at Furina who stutters in place, before laughing nervously.

“Well…I just want you to come with me and enjoy this party-” Under his intense and suspicious look, Furina gave in.

“It’s…a meeting with the other Archons!” Neuvillette widens his eyes slightly at the unexpected reveal. Furina shows a scroll with an Ameno Sijil. Neuvillette did feel the Anemo power radiating from it.

“I want you to come so that if any problems show up, you’ll have no problems navigating them.” Furina blurted out her worries, followed by an awkward silence between the two.

“So…can you come? Please?” When Neuvillette didn’t immediately reply, Furina was about to give up. But he stood up suddenly and gave a nod.

“When is the meeting?” Furina let out a sigh of relief and smiled brightly to reply.

“This afternoon!”

Neuvillette blinks, and turns to look at the clock hitting noon.

Neuvillette brings a hand to his face, while Furina fidgets nervously in her place.

“...I’ll ask Wriotheslay and Clorinde to watch over matters for this afternoon.” Neuvillette felt a headache coming, but even so, in his eyes there was an unexplainable look of curiosity and wonder.

“Hi Furina, my name is Nahida, you may know me as the Lesser Lord Kusanali, or the God of Wisdom that presides over Sumeru.

We want to invite you to an Archon gathering at Alcazarzaray in Sumeru. Please don’t be worried about your status here, in fact, many of the archons wish to meet you!

Barbados especially wishes to meet you, and is willing to help you with your travels, please wait for him at the West Slopes of Mont Automnequi when the time comes.

Oh! You can bring the Ludex with you as well, after all, we hope you will feel safe and welcomed. We look forward to meet you, dear Furina. -Nahida”

Furina never expected to receive a letter, much less from the Lord of Dendro herself. After her act had ended, and Fontaine saved from their curse, Furina was content already with her peaceful life.

To receive this on her window sill one day terrified her, not knowing what else was in store for her from these Archons.

So naturally, she sought out Neuvillette, and luckily got him on board.

When the time comes, while she doesn’t show it on her face, she felt nervous, overwhelmed, and tries to comfort herself with faux confidence and meaningless chatter with Neuvillette.

(Who was not helping by the way!)

Standing on the mountain, she and Neuvillette waited, and ensured there was no one nearby. After all, an Archon will be here to pick them up!

“The wind…” When Neuvillette finally spoke up, Furina felt the wind shift around her.

Neuvillette immediately stepped forward and covered Furina, whereas she was trying to not get blown back.

“Dragon!” A large dragon with shades of blue descended in front of them. The dragon stops and a youthful and carefree man descends with a gentle breeze.

“Hiya!” With vibrant green eyes, he smiles gently. He wore a whimsical bardic outfit adorned with feathers, and a lyre at his side. His presence is accompanied by a gentle breeze, and a small Anemo symbol hovers beside his waist.

“Barbados.” Neuvillette says with displeasure, and Furina gulps silently. This was the Anemo Archon. Although he looked quite friendly, he is still a God that could easily blow her away.

“Ehe, I go by Venti now. You must be the Water Dragon Soverign that the old man was talking about! Don’t worry, I’m simply here to give you all a ride!” Then his eyes shift to her, and she immediately straightens and grains.

“You must be dear Furina, the most talented artiste and stage performer!” He extends a hand, “Nice to meet ‘cha! Although I am an Archon, I am more known as a bard of Mondstadt these days.”

A bard of all things? Furina supposed that was why he had a lyre.

“Won’t you share some of your tips and tricks as a performer? I would love to know.” If it’s just about the stage, Furina could talk about it for a long time, after all, she is a well-loved idol in Fontaine.

Feeling a bit more confident and safe, she accepted his hand, feeling the gentle warm breeze swirl around her. She looked at Neuvillette, who gave her a nod.

“C’mon, Dvalin doesn’t bite. The others are waiting for us! Don’t worry, Tsaritsa and Murata won’t be there, they’re too busy with the shenanigans of their own country.” Furina let out a breath of relief, knowing that at least the leader of the Fatui won’t be attending.

(She’s still traumatized by that!)

“Hold on, Lady Furina.” Neuvillette held her hand, and she held on tight.

Furina felt a sense of excitement overtake her as they boarded a dragon, and with a flew flaps of Dvalin’s wings, they soared into the air like never before.

“Woohoo!” Seeing the God of Freedom being such a carefree spirit, Furina almost felt envious of him. After all, she heard many things about Barbados being the absentee God and for a lack of better words, a God on the…lazier side of the Archon spectrum.

She quickly shook the bad thoughts away, and simply decided to enjoy the view from above, after all, she did not know the God, Barbados, nor “Venti”.

A gasp left her lips as Dvalin flew faster, but she couldn’t help and laugh in excitement. The feeling of soaring in the skies above the clouds, and the rush of air brushing against her skin.

Truly, she felt liberating and freeing.

(Furina didn’t see the little relieved smile on Venti’s face as he encouraged Dvalin to soar)

“We’re here! This is the Palace of Alcazarzaray in Sumeru.”

Just in the short flight alone, Furina felt a bit more relaxed in the God of Freedom’s presence. Perhaps he is one that she could get along with well.

She looked around at the lush green scenery, then to the beautiful palace before her. It was most definitely different from Fontaine’s design, but nonetheless beautiful to the eye.

“Don’t worry, Nahida said that she got permission from the owner of this place and we can use it!” Venti hopped off first, followed by Neuvillette, who extended a hand to help Furina down. With a little wave from Venti, Dvalin nodded and left with a gust of wind.

“Shall we? I think everyone is here, waiting for you.” Venti led the way, and with a deep breath, Furina quickly held onto her confident mask.

“Don’t worry, they want to see you, Furina.” Venti smiled at her, stunning her briefly and she slightly released her hold onto her mask.

When the doors opened, a little girl welcomed them in. She has fair skin, pointed ears, large green eyes, and white hair with Dendro-green tips that glow in the light.

“Hi Nahida! I brought them here on time!”

“Thanks, Venti.” She smiled, and almost immediately Furina felt that she was like a mother-figure.

“Hello Furina and Neuvillette, my name is Nahida, and I welcome the two of you to Sumeru. I was the one who sent the letter.” Furina immediately felt charmed by this little God of Wisdom.

“Hello Lesser Lord Kusanali, we are grateful and honoured for your invitation.” Neuvillette bowed slightly, and Furina knew this man also had a soft spot for Nahida.

(She giggled at the fact that Neuvillette greeted Nahida but not Venti, as said man almost pouted at the unfairness)

“Hi Nahida, I am Furina from Fontaine, thank you for inviting me!” Furina almost gasped when Nahida held her hand, no, she couldn’t fall for her cuteness! Nahida is the Dendro Archon for goodness sake!

“Of course! I’m glad that you and Fontaine are safe.” Nahida turns around, “Follow me, Zhongli and Ei are waiting for us.”

Scrap that, although Nahida’s cuteness and Venti’s friendliness did calm her nerves, it came back at almost full force (of course, with Nahida’s cute little hands grabbing her - how could Furina ever let go).

She looked at Neuvillette, asking for silent advice, but instead, he had the same stoic expression on his face, as if in deep thought.

When more doors opened, the four of them walked into the central room. There sat two prominent figures, one drinking tea, and the other savouring what seemed like Inazuman dessert.

“Oh Zhongli~ Ei~ I escorted our guests here!”

When two extra pairs of eyes landed on her, she felt like she was electrified and buried 5 feet under.

“Ah, welcome.” The taller gentlemen sets down his tea and stands up,

“I am Zhongli. You may know me as the Geo Archon, Morax.” Furina has heard many things of the Geo Archon, of his battle history, and as the oldest of the Seven. With sharp amber eyes and long, dark hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, Zhongli wears an elegant ensemble, combining traditional and contemporary elements with a Geo vision behind his back.

Zhongli exudes a dignified and refined demeanor, almost like Neuvillette. She glances at Neuvillette who for once seemed to be surprised, even if just a little.

“You may have heard of ‘the death of Rex Lapis’, which is true, as I have decided to fully settle as a mortal named ‘Zhongli’.”

Furina was almost baffled, an Archon faked his death? She has heard of the chaos that occurred at Liyue, but to think it was masterfully orchestrated by one person…she didn’t know whether this person was heartless or…lonely…just like her.

“Nice to meet you, I am Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon.” On the other hand, the person who Furina is the most scared of is her.

Raiden Shogun, the one who can struck Furina down with a simple strike of lightning. She has a formidable presence with her regal and stoic appearance. She has piercing golden eyes and sleek, indigo hair tied in a traditional topknot.

She has heard of the Vision Decree.

Furina instantly knew not to mess with these two, especially Raiden Ei.

“Ei is not as scary as you think,” Nahida spoke up behind her, and Furina immediately stepped aside to hold her little hands.

“We have our hardships don’t we?”

“Indeed we do, Nahida.” Zhongli agreed amicably, and he gave her a gentle smile. It almost reminded Furina of a grandpa.

“But despite us as Gods, we believe we couldn’t have executed what you have chosen to do for your people, Lady Furina.” His words shook her to the core.

“Your willpower and determination as a human, has impressed us all, and we wanted you to acknowledge that your feats will not go unnoticed.”

Furina didn’t even notice the Geo Archon was already in front of her, or felt the small squeeze from the little hand.

“You are not a burden.” She felt a gentle pat on her head from the man who was known to hurl mountains as his weapons. Who knew his touch could be so gentle?

“From now on, if you need help, feel free to scream into the wind! I’d be the first to know!” Venti popped in with a bright grin.

“If you need me to exterminate-”

“Ei.” Nahida sharply said.

“...I will strike down your enemies in a flash.” Ei said regardless, despite the pointed looks from Nahida. But even so, her answer promised so much behind her words.

Furina felt touched, and before she knew it, her vision blurred slightly.

“Aww, you made her cry Ei!” Venti pointed out, and Ei stood up suddenly and walked over.

Furina, frightened, stepped back, but Nahida and Neuvillette (who had been so so quiet this entire time), stabilized her.

“...Sorry.” Raiden apologized, though sounding a little bit awkward, Furina felt that it was genuine.

“No! I just-”

“Lady Furina, you can relax now. The Archons are right. You did well in protecting Fontaine.” Neuvillette’s words were the last straw, and Furina burst out in tears.

“There there.” Nahida patted her gently, like a mother soothing a child.

“You don’t need to hide your feelings anymore.”

Before Furina knew it, she felt arms wrap around her, and despite her small figure, it felt so warm that Furina couldn’t help but hug back.

It took a moment for her to collect herself, and she felt embarrassed to break down in front of so many powerful people.

When she finally came back, Venti was playing his lyre as if to soothe her. When she returned a weak grin, he immediately responded back with enthusiasm.

“When you’re sad, drink your pain away! I got the finest wine from Mondstadt!” Out of nowhere, the bard brought out wine bottles.

“Venti.” Zhongli face palmed as if he was scolding him, and resigning to fate at the same time.

“Come on old man! This was a party in the first place!”

Glad that the atmosphere changed and no longer focused on Furina’s break down, she immediately took the lead in grabbing a bottle.

“Lady Furina-”

“Don’t worry Neuvillette! I can handle it!” Furina grinned while wiping her tears, “Venti is right! I heard alcohol is a great way to get rid of worries!”

“I don’t drink.” Neuvillette responded almost immediately, but Venti only gave him a wine bottle instead.

“Hey, Zhongli is a dragon that can hold his liquor pretty well, but what about you, Mr. Water Dragon?” Neuvillette turned slowly to look at Zhongli, who returned the same stoic expression back, neither confirming or denying that statement.

“...Then I will take you up on the offer.”

“Ei, want to join us?” Nahida called out to the Electro Archon, who stood without moving. Only when Nahida took her hand, did she move.

Before Furina knew it, she was sitting with the female Archons, drinking her heart away while performing her lines from her previous acts. She made sure Nahida didn’t drink the wine, even though Nahida is older than she looks.

On the other hand, Ei was the first one to be drunk much to her surprise. After all, for someone so powerful, Furina never thought the Electro Archon could be the sleepy and doppy drunk.

On the other side, Venti was happily singing and playing the lyre while floating upside down in the air. Neuvillette’s face gets red while he judges the wine as good quality with a bunch of fancy words.

Zhongli on the other hand simply sips his wine slowly, while answering any questions Neuvillette may have in the process.

That was her last thought before she was body slammed by the Anemo Archon, who hugged her.

“Furinaaa~ Zhongli and Neuvillette are bullying me!”

When she and Nahida looked over, the two old grandpas were clearly judging Venti with their eyes. Even so, she laughed, followed by Venti’s “Ehe!” before he floated back with a spin in the air.

Furina laughs at Venti’s antiques while drunk, teases Neuvillette about his face (much to his denial) and drinks like she had never done before.

It was liberating, fun, and most importantly, she wasn’t alone.

For the first time in a long time, she was able to put away her mask, and feel safe.

Needless to say though, she got knocked out quickly.

When she woke up the next day, she was tucked in into a bed with the covers over her. She sits up quickly, noticing Neuvillette drinking water and Zhongli drinking tea.

“Good Morning Lady Furina.” They both say simultaneously, and they shared a look before going back to their drinks.

She felt a hand tug her shirt, and when Furina looked, she almost died from the overwhelming cuteness from Nahida.

“Good morning.”

Before Furina could respond, the door was opened by Ei, who had an apron on and a tray in her hands.

On the tray was a mysterious black substance that Furina knew she would be putting her life on the line if she had to eat it.

“I made breakfast.” Ei simply says, before Furina saw Venti fall through the ceiling.

“What?!” Venti looked at Ei as if she was crazy.

“You have a problem with that? Barbados?”

Despite the threatening aura, Venti simply brushed it off.

“Ei, you suck at cooking.”

Light flashed, and thunder followed.

“Ei!” Nahida called out with worry, whereas Zhongli immediately put a shield on everyone without batting an eye.

“Ehe~”

Furina felt like she could get along with this group of people quite well.

[mermaidchan05]

Vesuvia Weekly: Reclaiming Lost Languages

So the @vesuviaweekly "Learning Languages" prompt reminded me: if the Apprentice spoke a different language than... whatever the Arcana-verse equivalent of DnD's Common is, then it's very likely that they forgot that language when they were resurrected. So here we have my Apprentices re-learning their old languages with the help of their LI's. From least to Most Angsty.

Influenced in part by this Ask Arcana answer

Julian and Damian (with an Asra cameo):

Damian, as Asra knows well, is from Nopal. 

Asra has a house in Nopal. 

Even if Asra isn't fluent in the language, they know enough to get by. 

And they know more than enough to get Damian started on finding his heritage again. 

Asra can’t actually take Damian to Nopal. Not yet. There’s still too much risk. 

But Asra's got a few books from there, and learning the language doesn’t hurt Damian, so it all worked out well. 

Damian’s attempts to teach Julian the native language of Nopal? 

That’s another story. 

Julian’s great at learning languages by listening, and he’s picked up enough to carry on conversations in a lot of different languages. 

But heaven forbid he tries to read-- or, gods help him, spell-- anything. 

Julian’s accent is adorably off, and his grasp of grammar is far from perfect.

But he makes himself understood well enough.

And he has fun treating his new knowledge of the language of Nopal like some secret code between himself and Damian.

(it is not, but Damian's not about to ruin that fun)

Damian, meanwhile, takes to the reading and writing part much more quickly. 

Which means when he’s surprisingly adept at learning the completely separate alphabet they traditionally use in Nevivon. 

After all, if Damian’s giving him language lessons, Julian would consider himself a terrible partner if he didn’t return the favor. 

Damian’s writing is almost perfect, and his sentences flow like poetry.

His accent...?

It’s terrible. Julian loves it. 

Between the two of them, they should be able to decently learn a language, but really they end up making an adorable mess of things. 

At least they’re enjoying their adorable mess, so it’s all good in the end.

Nadia, Portia, and Chimalus:

After their resurrection, Chimalus completely forgot their native language

And they were so secretive about their past that even Asra has no idea where they were born or what language they spoke. 

Which was sad, especially for Asra

But Chimalus picked up on the Common Language so quickly that it was never really a problem. 

One day, while Nadia and Chimalus were in the middle of a meeting with a representative from Galbrada, Chimalus happened to hear a phrase they recognized. 

The moment of realization nearly knocked them out of their chair. 

(But, thankfully, it didn’t cause them a catatonic headache) 

Now Nadia is armed with an incredible piece of information. 

Her beloved is from Galbrada. 

But while Nadia is fluent in a dozen languages, Galbradan is, infuriatingly, not one of them. 

Now she is a woman on a mission. 

She’s determined to not only learn the language, but to help Chimalus reconnect with this glimmer of their past. 

And maybe she can teach them a bit of Prakran along the way. 

All free time is now spent in the palace library, pouring over any and every useful book they can find. 

Portia is only too happy to assist in their mission. 

Most of the time, she’s bustling around the library, grabbing more books (each with varying degrees of relevance), bringing in tea and snacks, and making everyone laugh with the nonsense she finds in some of the less-helpful books she found. 

Much like her brother, Portia is excellent at picking up on the speaking part of a new language

She is loving every second of learning it.  

Chimalus is very good at learning languages through repetition as well.

But when they’re studying from books alone, it leads to some... fun mispronunciations. 

Both Portia and Chimalus are speaking Prakran like natives within a month, though, thanks to Nadia's expert teaching. 

And Portia might be having a bit too much fun learning Prakran swear words. 

Nadia knows plenty of them. You pick up a few things when you’re the youngest of seven, after all. 

And both Nadia and Portia find it adorable when Chimalus goes a little red at their profanity-laced conversations. 

Asra and Meleia:

It was difficult at first. Very difficult. 

As Meleia started recovering from the resurrection, the first words she spoke (after Asra’s name) were from her native language. 

A language that Asra had never heard before in his life. 

And after years of speaking with her perfectly fluently in the Common Language, it just made things hurt all the more.

He had to pick up some phrases rather quickly. 

The first one he learned was her word for something being wrong.

So he could rush to her side when he needed to. 

And Asra had to coach Meleia through the language that she used to know... all without triggering any debilitating headaches. 

It was touch and go for a while. But finally, finally, they managed it. 

Now Meleia barely remembers her native language. 

It wasn’t until she found an old journal of hers when the two of them were doing some much-needed cleaning that she started picking up her native tongue again. 

In a moment that was both scary and wonderful, Asra and Meleia went through the entire journal together, picking out all the phrases that they could. 

It’s slow going, but Meleia’s starting to reconnect with her past. 

Becoming fluent again is bound to be a long journey.

But Meleia and Asra are taking it together. And that’s what really counts. 

[mccarthyplumbinggroup]

Binge-Learning; 7 business lessons I’ve learnt from the couch watching Netflix

I love watching TV. I love talking to friends and workmates about what ‘show’ they’re currently watching and get their advice on what I need to watch next. My husband and I always watch TV together at night, with a cup of tea. That means a). We have to agree on what to watch (he’s currently suffering through season 6 of Outlander) and b). If either of us are out for the night, we can’t watch that show without the other (that’s cheating). 

The kids don’t go to bed until 8.30pm now so we watch a family friendly show from 7.30pm-8.30pm, reducing our couples binge-watching show time from 8.30pm-9.30pm. After 9.30pm its Come Dine With Me or Anthony Bourdain for 10 mins wind down (yes, after TV wind down is a thing, especially after watching something like The Handmaids Tale).

All of the business books and life coaches say TV is bad and life-wasting and we should be reading a book or doing meditation or writing in a journal or Wim Hof-fing or something else to develop oneself. And that’s all great advice of course. But after a big day of client woes, late payers and HR headaches a TV show can be just what’s needed to desensitize you for an hour, and soothe your day before bedtime.

Some of that mind-numbing stuff will not only pacify you, but teach you some lessons in business when you least expect it, while you’re nestled under your hygge rug munching on a square of Cadbury fruit and nut. Here are some business tips I’ve learned from some of my favourite TV shows recently (spoiler alert!).

Formula 1: Drive to Survive – You’re Only As Good As Your Last Race

Drive to Survive is now in its 5th season and is a documentary series based on the behind-the-scenes happenings of the Formula One World Championship. The show has been so popular its driven Grand Prix attendance numbers and viewership of Formula 1 to new heights; pumping an extra US$1billion into the motorsport annually. The series highlights exactly how dispensable the drivers are; there are only a limited amount of ‘seats’ (20 per season, 2 per team). And whilst I stop short of feeling sorry for these pampered and famous multi-millionaires with homes in Monte Carlo, I do feel for how consumable they are by their teams.

Fan favourite, and one of the shining stars from the series is Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo. A fellow sandgroper, Daniel is the class clown of the program, a loveable larrikin and genuinely talented race car driver having won 8 Grand Prix victories. In his Formula 1 career he drove for Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing, Renault and McLaren. His history of changing teams and progressive decline has reduced him to now becoming the backup driver for Red Bull Racing (ironic, as he left Red Bull previously because he didn’t want to be driver number 2). Daniel hasn’t had a win since September 2021, and was replaced in 2022 by fellow Aussie up and comer Oscar Piastri. 

Not unlike in business, Daniel was only ever as good as his last race, which weren’t great in 2022. In business, we are only ever as good as our last client interaction. We could have 99 wonderful interactions with a client, but they will remember the last one, over everything, as it is freshest in mind. This is what we try and convey to our team, particularly honing in on the importance of the client experience and ensuring we give them a positive journey with our company. They’ll remember if they’ve had a good experience with our company, but if they’ve had a bad experience, they won’t just remember it, they’ll tell their friends about it. We’re currently reviewing our Client Experience Process to ensure its on point for 2023 as we’re only as good as our last race job.     

Below Deck – Safety First

We occasionally like a bit of trashy reality TV in our house, and there is no trashier than Below Deck. Based around ‘yachties’ working on superyachts in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, the series (there’s also been lots of spinoffs) showcases how the boat’s team members impress their wealthy clientele on charter by creating flawless experiences.  

There are a LOT of messages, and lessons learned from mistakes, around customer service. The end game for the yachties is to earn a tonne of cash from tips. The tips are based around the experience had by the clients. There are also loads of examples on teamwork, and how being a supportive team member can benefit everyone else, and how a toxic person/weak member can really let down a team if not managed correctly.

The biggest message I learnt from the show however was about safety. And not just safety, but the impact being unsafe can have on yourself and on others. In one episode, a deckhand stepped on a tow line which wrapped around his ankle, dragging him into the water. He could’ve lost his life, or at the very least his foot, from being towed by the yacht, had a cameraman not untangled the lines quickly giving him time to swim free of the ropes he was tangled in.

When my husband and I watched this scene we froze, I think I even started crying. Not over the happenings of a reality TV show, but the reality of workplace accidents and how one split decision could be so hazardous and lifechanging, or life ending. The Captain spoke and choked up about how lucky the deckhand was, and the importance of safety on boats. I had trouble sleeping that night, thinking about being in the Captain’s shoes and how devastated I’d be if one of our plumbers got seriously hurt or had a terrifying near miss, or worse. We ended up showing our team the clip at the following toolbox talk, in the hope that a bunch of good looking, tanned reality TV stars could convey such an important message that perhaps my monthly drone at a toolbox talk couldn’t.

Ted Lasso – Encouragement

I didn’t think I’d be a fan of this show as I thought it would have to much American slapstick humour, but it didn’t disappoint. The relegated British Premier League team plot appealed to me as I had worked for a Premier League Club in my previous pre-plumbing life, and that team was also relegated.

Ted is an American football coach, employed to manage the fictional AFC Richmond. Initially employed out of spite by the owner’s ex-wife in the hope he’d fail, Ted wins the hearts of the players, staff, fans and media with his ever-positive attitude, and thoughtfulness.

It’s not just me who took notes on Ted’s powerful management messages, his leadership advice has been written about by Forbes magazine and the Financial Review, because it’s so damn good. Ted is a great leader because he embodies empathy, positivity, and humility. He listens to his team members and genuinely cares about their well-being, both on and off the field. He also leads by example, showing his team how to treat each other with respect and kindness. Ted doesn't focus solely on winning but rather on the process and the growth of his team. He acknowledges his own mistakes and encourages his team to do the same, creating a culture of accountability and learning. Ultimately, Ted's leadership style fosters a strong sense of community and inspires his team to believe in themselves and each other.

I love how he encourages his players, and respects their opinions even if he doesn’t necessarily agree with them - “I appreciate you for saying that”. Ever gracious, and conscious of his team’s mental health, even if his own is failing.

Vikings – Grit

I could keep watching this show forever but unfortunately my husband zones out of everything after 3 seasons. Vikings loosely follows the old Norse legendary sagas, however instead of hundreds of different characters, the sagas tend to be depicted in one small community; Kattegat.

Vikings portrays the value of grit and determination through its depiction of the Viking warriors and their way of life. The characters face numerous obstacles and challenges, from battles and raids to harsh weather and difficult living conditions. Yet, they persist and push through these difficulties, relying on their strength, endurance, and resilience to overcome them. The show emphasizes the importance of mental and physical toughness, perseverance, and the willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause. The characters' determination to survive and thrive in a harsh and unforgiving environment underscores the value of grit and the rewards that come from enduring through adversity.

The trials and tribulations main character Ragnar Lothbrok and his family (wife Lagertha, best mate Floki and sons Bjorn, Ubbe and Ivar) have to endure is brutal. But they never, ever give up and through sheer grit and determination keep soldering on for the betterment of their community.

Running a small business relies on grit more than anything, especially in a post-pandemic, inflation rising, recession looming World. It’s a core value business owners require to get past that 1st, 5th, 10th year in business.

Clarkson’s Farm – Red tape

This show is a new favourite in our household, with one side of our family being dairy farmers from Colac, Victoria. Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear fame, lives on a property in the idyllic English farming village of Chipping Norton. Rather than continuing to subcontract his farm work out, he decided to learn to be a farmer himself. The show spans over three seasons of hilarity, showing Clarkson learning how to farm from scratch including how to drive farm machinery, grow crops, shear sheep, feed calves and pick vegetables.

What begins as a humorous journey, morphs into a serious message of the adversity farmers face in modern Britain. Firstly, Covid strikes, and every business owner knows what that means for businesses (everyone except Kleenex that is). Next, Brexit impacted the farm and local community of farmers; why buy a £10 pork roast when you could buy a £5 pork roast imported from Europe? Most consumers don’t care for supporting loyal when they’re struggling to support their families.

The cost of imported foods was discussed in later episodes; UK produce was taxed higher, and the farm businesses had to cut through more red tape and regulations than their European counterparts. There were various green taxes (eating into profits), pesticide bans (meaning crops were eaten by insects) and various levels of legislation and council regulations making it nearly impossible to grow and innovate.

It was refreshing to see that Clarkson had chosen to show the warts and all side of farming, and small business ownership, and his frank account of showing the viewer how almost impossible it would’ve been for him to proceed had he not been a millionaire. The show has done wonders for farmers in Britain, showcasing the local produce lifecycle to viewers, and also highlighting what regulations and red tape do to hinder growth and prosperity in small business.    

Peaky Blinders – Loyalty Isn’t Enough

If my entire family of sisters, cousins, aunties and uncles could choose a show we’d all watch together happily, we’d all choose Peaky Blinders. I don’t know if it’s the working class grimy British setting that reminds us of our grandparents’ humble beginnings, or the fact that its just a brilliant show.  

If you haven’t watched the show (where have you been?!) It tells the tale of the infamous Peaky Blinders gang in Birmingham, who hide razor blades in their peaked caps, ready to ‘blind’ their enemies with.

We should hate the peaky blinders; they are a band of violent brothers and their mates, bullying others and making their fortune from drugs and illegal betting. But for some reason we, the viewers, seem to turn a blind eye to the misdemeanors of Tommy Shelby and his brothers. Perhaps it’s because Tommy can be charming, intelligent and strategic; with the charisma of a Hollywood star. Or perhaps it’s because we feel sorry for Arthur, the perpetually downtrodden, traumatized underdog. For a good 4 seasons, the Peaky Blinders strength is their loyalty, to the cause (whatever that may be at the time) and to the family. But things change in the final few seasons, when loyalty is all but gone and their end up warring with former Chief Accountant, and cousin, Michael Gray.

For the Peaky Blinders, loyalty was EVERYTHING. But they relied on it too much and in the end it meant nothing as the post-war world was changing. I think of it akin to today’s current ‘employee market’; we as employers can’t just assume our employees will stay due to ‘loyalty’. We need to create a positive team culture, communicate regularly, reward and recognize, provide training and pay appropriately to begin to foster employee loyalty. Easier said than done, getting the mix right is challenging and we as business owners don’t always get it right, I put my hand up now saying my husband and I are no experts, we’re continuously learning and hopefully improving.   

The Founder – Systems and Processes

The final addition to my binge-learning favourites list was the movie The Founder. The Founder is the story of Ray Kroc, who turned the McDonald’s chain of restaurants into the goliath it is today. The movie shows Ray as an unremarkable milkshake maker salesman who chances upon a restaurant owned by the McDonald brothers.

After watching the brothers serving at their restaurant (with some genuine unique selling propositions over their local competitors), Ray gets the idea to franchise the restaurant, one that sends him on a trajectory of uber-wealth, amassing nearly $600M by the time of his death in 1984.

The movie shows how McDonald’s came to be the titan of systems and processes it is today, through having a standardized menu, robust staff training on how to follow specific procedures, using technology to streamline operations, and focusing on customers’ needs and preferences. Love or hate McDonald’s, they continue to dominate due to their dedication to the process. I may employ plumbers not hospitality workers, but if two near identical resumes come in and one has worked for McDonald’s previously, that one normally gets the phone call first. Why? Because the ability to follow systems and processes is a highly sought after, transferable skill.

The Netflix Effect: How Binge-Watching Can Teach You Business Lessons

So next time you feel a pang of guilt when you’re slouched over your hot chocolate on the couch, just think; binge-watching Netflix can provide practical lessons for business. By observing successful companies/people (such as Red Bull) and avoiding their mistakes, viewers can learn about leadership, teamwork, and innovation. The diverse range of characters from programs can also inspire creativity (Jeremy Clarkson) and empathy (Ted Lasso). It may never be as info-laden or insightful as a Stephen Covey or Robert Kiyosaki book, but it’s a fun and engaging way to gain practical lessons for success. I’ll still listen to my business books and podcasts on my commute to the office, but its Netflix & Chill during me time. Or is it more HBO & Merlot when you’re married?...

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

235 of 2023

How far apart in age are you willing to date, oldest and youngest?

Well, my husband is 18 years older than me and one of the guys I liked is 11 years younger; seems that the age doesn’t matter to me.

Have you or have you ever considered messing around with the same sex? What is your opinion on same sex marriage?

I’ve only ‘dated’ guys and I’m much into them, so it speaks for itself. My husband is obviously a man as well.

If you got to choose anywhere in the world to go, all expenses paid, where would you go, and why?

Finland, because I’ve been always interested in this country.

Who would you say you text the most? Is there anyone you avoid texting?

The most I text my dad. And I avoid texting certain people who are a huge pain in the ass, seriously.

Are you particular about any brands of food you will or will not eat? Are there any restaurants you refuse to go to?

I don’t think so. I just don’t eat puddings from Monte, because they contain hazelnuts. But me not eating hazelnuts has nothing to do with brands, I’m just allergic to them.

If you had to choose one favorite day of the year, what would it be, and why?

24 December because Christmas dinner. Or 21 June because the longest day of the year.

What was the most current dream you can remember about? Do you generally dream every night, or hardly at all?

Well, I keep dreaming about trains. Seriously. I travel by trains a lot, so this might be the reason. Recently I didn’t sleep very well and I had plain nightmares. Usually I remember my dreams, but not always. The better I sleep, the less I remember.

What do the last pair of shoes you bought look like?

They’re black boots, but iridescent.

Do you play any games on your computer? What’s your favorite video game to play in general?

I don’t play games.

How often do you light candles in your house? What’s your favorite candle scent?

Basically never. They give me headaches.

If you’re waiting to meet with someone, and they’re not answering their phone, how long would you wait for them?

Well, maybe something happened. I’d try to contact someone else about it.

How many followers do you have on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, etc.?

I don’t check, it doesn’t really matter to me.

Are there any local restaurants, or anything really, that you would recommend to someone who’s never been to your hometown? What is there to do for fun in your town?

Please. It’s a bloody tourist spot, rather known for its architecture and museums, and water canals. You can take a boat trip through the canals or take a ride in a droshky. From restaurant, I like the Chinese ones and Bavet, even though it occurs in more cities than just mine.

How many questions is the perfect survey? How many questions is too short? What about too long?

There’s no such thing as a perfect survey. Really.

Do you like really thought provoking questions, or ones you can just use a simple answer on? Do you put your life into your surveys, or just the basic response?

You know as much about me as I allow you to know. I sometimes need to take time to think about the answers.

Talk about a piece of jewelry you own. What does it look like? Where did you get it and how much was it? What outfits do you wear it with?

My wedding ring, it’s kinda obvious where I got it from. It’s a gold-coloured ring, but in fact, it’s made of stainless steel. I wear it every single day.

If you could permanently change your eye color, would you do it? If so, what color? Would you ever get plastic surgery, if yes, what would you change about yourself?

I’d love to have green eyes, but I’ve never thought of plastic surgery. What’s the point?

What would you say is the worst thing you’ve ever done? Are there any secrets you have that nobody, or just a select few people know?

Of course I do. After all, everyone makes mistakes, the key is to learn from them.

Describe your basic routine for getting ready in the morning.

Getting up, going to the toilet, taking my meds, taking a shower, getting dressed.

What are your opinions on stretched ears? Would you ever do it? Do you like it on other people?

I’m not a big fan of these, but to each their own. I wouldn’t do it myself.

[purplesurveys]

1593

do you like candy corn? It’s nowhere near as terrible as some people make them out to be, but the taste is also...boring? For me it’s just some chewyish candy with an forgettable taste. I definitely wouldn’t have an idea what to do if I suddenly had a sack of candy corn given to me.

favorite halloween candy? I never really ‘celebrated’ Halloween by collecting candy, and I never viewed candy as a Halloween thing. I just have them all year round.

do you like pickled vegetables? I like kimchi and pickled radish but that’s about it. favorite fruit? least favorite fruit? Favorite would be avocado, which is the only fruit I care to eat really. I don’t like fruits in general but I’d say my least favorite out of the ones I’ve tried is mango. Flavor sticks out way too much. Also not too keen on pineapple and grapes.

what is the strangest food combination you like? Sausage and marshmallow on a stick might sound weird to others but it’s a staple in birthday parties here, so I’ll go with that.

what is your favorite snack? French fries, corndogs, and takoyaki.

what did you have for lunch today? I skipped lunch, as always.

do you usually eat breakfast? No, I don’t. I usually consume just coffee; the only times I have breakfast are on the weekends, or if I’m on vacation and the accommodation has a breakfast buffets.

favorite dipping sauce for chicken strips? Any mayo-based dip, really.

do you like sweet potato fries? I looooove anything sweet potato; it’s one of my most recent food faves. When it comes to fries, though, I prefer the original.

least favorite vegetable? Ampalaya even though I’ve never tried it. I’m just scared of how bitter it can possibly be. Otherwise I love veggies.

favorite vegetable? Green beans, spinach, and broccoli.

do you like chocolate and mint together? Love me some mincho.

have you ever dipped fries in a milkshake? Yeah. I dip them in hot fudge sundae too.

favorite flavor of gum? Whatever. I’m not too picky; the flavor fades out after like 20 chews anyway.

what was your favorite food as a kid? I was a VERY picky eater as a kid, and I can just imagine the many headaches I gave my elders when they’d try to feed me. That said, I didn’t have a long list of favorite food and I only liked to eat eggs and hotdogs. And fast food spaghetti lol. I had a hard time swallowing anything else.

favorite fast food place? Jollibee and KFC.

favorite soda? Sprite if I had a gun to my head.

least favorite soda? All of them.

do you like sweet or unsweet tea? Uhhh I like the artificial/powdered iced tea that’s common where I live, wherever that falls under.

how do you like your coffee? (or do you drink coffee at all?) My palate for coffee is pretty flexible and I’m fine taking it either black or filled with stuff that’d make it sweeter. That said, my go-to coffee orders are Americanos and caramel macchiato.

do you like bubble tea? If that’s the same as what we call milk tea, then yeah. Weirdly enough though, I prefer it without the pearls; I just like milk tea for the taste of the tea itself. I don’t like how I have to chew on something that doesn’t even taste like anything hahaha.

do you like curry? I LOVE curry. Give me all the kinds and all the spice levels known to man.

favorite type of cuisine? Anything from Asia is a favorite but my top cuisines would be Indian, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian. Japanese would count but I feel like I get just sushi and ramen most of the time so I don’t think it’s deserving of a podium finish ha.

favorite sandwich? Monte Cristos.

favorite cheese? Mozzarella, burrata, and feta.

have you ever been vegan or vegetarian? No. I went through a period where I wanted to switch to a vegan diet, but that was easily squashed when I realized how inaccessible such a lifestyle is here. I still go for vegan options whenever I can, but I don’t think I can ever be fully so.

favorite breakfast cereal? I like Oreo O’s and Cookie Crisps but I am most likely to eat them on its own. Don’t like it when cereal gets soggy and starts tasting like nothing.

what do you eat when you're sick? I rarely get sick, so I haven’t developed a comfort meal.

favorite thanksgiving dish? Yeah, about that...

favorite salad dressing? Idk I just go for spicy mayo all the time.

what are you currently craving? Chocolate chip cookies.

Snickers or Milky Way? Snickers. 

have you ever had chocolate covered gummy bears? No, but I’m open to trying even though it sounds kinda odd!

pulp or no pulp orange juice? I haven’t had one with, so I’ll go with without.

beans or no beans in your chili? I never have chili. Not common here.

favorite burger condiments? Again, anything mayo-based hahaha.

do you like peanut butter? Oh yeah, I love peanut butter flavored anything and only back off if it’s mixed in with banana.

what flavor of jelly/jam is your favorite? Guava.

favorite flavor of potato chips? Just plain. But on fries, I like barbecue powder.

how do you like your eggs cooked? Scrambld or sunny side up.

favorite kind of soup? Creamy mushroom soup for. days.

do you like cold pizza? Love it. I had a couple of slices of pizza fresh out the fridge just last night.

do you like sour candy? I’ll pick some when offered, but I’d never buy candy on my own.

what food do you absolutely refuse to eat? There’s nothing I wouldn’t try at least once, except for most fruits.

[yozue]

Sunday Funday

characters: ran haitani, rindou haitani, izana kurokawa, kakucho, shion madarame, yasuhiro muto, and reader.

warnings: fluff, some cursing.

word count: 2.9k

note: had this idea after i saw that new info about the haitani brothers in the new character book.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

There are only two things that Ran Haitani likes; any apparel from Saint Laurent and his favourite dessert, mont blanc. Now normally, with how much Ran dotes on his two younger siblings, a lot would expect that they'd be at the very top of the list.

However, there's a clear difference between likes and priorities. They're at the top of his priorities of course.

But likes?

Nah.

With how much headache they give him. Top 10 is probably the closest they've gotten.

He hadn’t really gotten much trouble taking care of Rindou while growing up, mainly because they were only a year apart. Whatever Rindou was going through, Ran was also undergoing the same phase. 

Meaning, it was easier for him to locate the problems, and find solutions. 

However, you were a completely different case, he has to approach all your problems and any other situation in a different light. With your massive age gap, it was quite hard to understand you from time to time.

He had noticed however, that you seem to take after them; habits and personality wise - and this time, you have seemed to adopt a majority of Rindou's mannerism and it was driving him crazy.

"Nii-chan, you look like sadako" you said one morning, while he was cooking your breakfast. The way you had bluntly commented on his look was something he did not expect, usually you cushion your words. Giving vague comparisons, easing your way to prove your point. 

However, now that you've gotten older, you seem to have gotten more brutally honest.

"That's mean (Y/n)" placing both hands on his hips, he stares you down. A look of faux hurt on his face for extra effect, thinking that you might feel guilty and say sorry.

"But you are" Rindou has to cover his laugh as he watches you from behind your eldest brother. Almost forgetting to flip the pancake he was cooking, too engrossed at your and Ran's little squabble.

Letting out a huff, Ran crosses his arms over his chest. "Then no chocolate chip pancakes for you" 

You let out a gasp, eyes widening as you look at your eldest brother in disbelief. Rindou raises a brow, that was just way too dramatic. Definitely, you got it from Ran.

"Nooooo'' you cried out, immediately wrapping yourselves around your brother's leg.

He ignored your pleas as he tried to walk around your kitchen to finish setting up your breakfast.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

"No, you were very mean"

Rindou sweardrops, clearly Ran's enjoying this way too much. You may be the youngest, but Ran sure as hell enjoys tormenting you from time to time. 

He's evil like that.

"I'm sorrrryyyy" Rindou wanted to laugh, really, he does. However, if he does you'll definitely start getting pissy with him later, and he does not want to deal with a bratty (Y/n).

"Apology not accepte- ow! Did you just bite me?!"

Ran rolled his pyjama pants to see a bite mark just above his knee, he didn't actually think you'd do something so bestial.

Even Rindou was left speechless, someone definitely has been a bad influence on you.

"Pancakes!" you stomp your foot as you glared at your brother. Clenching your little fists, refusing to accept any other food aside from that flat round thing Rindou was making.

"No pancakes for naughty girls like you" Ran wagged his finger at you, he was only joking a while ago. But your little stunt just caused him to rethink his decision and decided to deny you for once.

"Pancakes, pancakes, I want pancakes!"

Your voice was getting an octave higher the more you were screaming, as Rindou quickly motions for Ran to do something before you start throwing a tantrum,

"Okay, okay you little banshee" Lifting you up so now you were eye to eye with him. "You will get chocolate chip pancakes but you'll only get two, you're not allowed to eat too much sweets in the morning"

You eagerly nodded your head as Ran put you down, Rindou snorted.

'Too much sweets my ass' 

Ran doesn't even give two shits if you eat ice cream for breakfast. The only reason you're getting two was because he accidentally ate way too much before you woke up, and they don't have any more chocolate chips or pancake mix left.

“Now go change first before we eat”

“Okay!” 

You quickly run to your room to do what your brother had instructed. As Ran lets out an exasperated sigh.

“We spoiled her too much” Rindou commented, placing the pitcher full of juice on the table, before taking a seat. Ran lets out another tired sigh plopping down on his own chair, he can’t really deny his brother’s words. They had spoiled you since you were a baby, giving you everything and anything you wanted. Showered you with so much love and attention.

But can you really blame them? 

The moment you were born, your parents didn’t really give you any attention, you were always left in the care of nannies. Your mom would only visit you when you needed to be fed. Only your brothers were there watching over you, opting to stay in your room to accompany you and make sure you were safe.

“Itadakimasu”

Breakfast was peaceful, some small talk here and there. It was going the way your breakfast usually does, with Ran occasionally stealing some of your pancakes, and Rindou sneaking you some sips of his coffee when Ran wasn't looking.

It was going great, as a few minutes later you were all chilling in the living room. Rindou had went out to go to a friend's house to celebrate a birthday, but Ran knew damn well that he was just going to a brothel to get a quick fuck.

Mindlessly going through the channels, there wasn't anything good to watch, and so; the both of you settled for one thing.

Going back to sleep.

Just like that, the two of you laid down on the couch, situating yourselves properly before falling asleep.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

The sound of the doorbell woke you up, the chime resonating throughout the apartment breaking you apart from your dream. You wiggled out of Ran's grasp, landing on the floor with a thud, another chime sounded as you stood up and walked to the door.

Opening the door, you were greeted by Kakucho and Izana. Your brothers friends from Tenjiku.

"Good Morning (Y/n), did you just wake up?" Kakucho gently pats your cheeks to try and wake you up. You nod your head, a yawn leaving your lips, struggling to keep your eyes open.

"Where are your brothers?" you pointed to the couch, where a loud snore was coming from. “Rin-nii went out though” 

You lifted up your arms towards Kakucho, the boy understanding what you meant picked  you up then followed after Izana.

"Should we wake him up?" Kakucho asks, bouncing you a little after noticing that your eyes were starting to close again. 

"We can just go without him" Izana replied before turning his attention to you. Ruffling your hair a little to get your attention. "(Y/n)"

"Hm?"

"Want to go to the aquarium with us?"

The question seemed to have awoken you as you nodded your head, you wanted to see the fishies again. It's been so long since you visited, the last time you went there, you left the place crying because you thought the shark was going to eat you. 

But you're a big girl now, and no shark was going to ruin your experience.

"Okay, go change" you quickly ran to your room to change, as Izana and Kakucho were trying to wake your brother up. Informing him of your whereabouts beforehand.

"Oi Ran" Ran scrunches up his face, moving his head away from the hand touching him. "Hey, listen"

"Hm what?" 

“We’re taking (Y/n) to the aquarium”

“Mm’kay” 

Both boys look at each other then shrugging their shoulders, not quite sure if Ran heard them. Hearing the pitter patter of your little feet, you emerged from the hallway all dressed up.

“Okay, let’s go”

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

“Oh look it’s the tiny Haitani” Shion bends down to look at you, a grin plastered on his face as you lift up your hand to give him a little wave. Then giving Mucho’s stretch out hand a high five.

Entering the aquarium, they didn’t really expect you to run around from one exhibit to another. You may be little but damn were you fast.

“(Y/n), don’t run around too much, try to stay in our sight” Izana reminds you, as you nod your head. Before dashing towards a larger tank with Shion running after you in case you do get lost.

“Look, look!” you excitedly pointed to the whale shark swimming by, its large body casting a shadow over your smaller form. 

“Imagine getting eaten alive by that thing” You involuntarily shuddered at Kakucho's words as you watched the whale shark open its large mouth to capture its food. 

Walking further into the aquarium you spotted a little display area where they let children interact with smaller fishes. They watch you crouch down on your knees, looking at a webbed starfish. Stretching out your hand, you dipped it into the little pool and grabbed it.

“(Y/n), no put it back” Kakucho gently took it from your hand and placed it back into the water. You didn't pay it any mind as you found your next victim.

Moving towards the pool just beside it, you saw a little yellow octopus. Its little flappers catch your attention as it flaps above its head.

Your eyes were literally sparkling at how adorable it looked, its tentacles curling beneath it. Occasionally using its flappers to cover its face, when it starts getting shy from the attention it was receiving.

But what caught your attention the most was how squishy it looked. 

With that thought in mind. You put your hand in the water and move to grab it, and just as you were about to get take it and give it a big fat hug. Shion lifts you up and places you on Mucho's shoulder.

You blink, wondering how you get so tall. 

"There, that way she can't go grabbing any of the animals"

They fully expect you to start throwing you a tantrum, kicking and complaining. They weren't strangers to your little episodes, they've witnessed it beforehand how you would give your brothers a hard time.

However, you seem to be satisfied being on Mucho's shoulder.

"Are you comfortable?" he pats your knee as you nod your head. Wiggling a little before pointing to where you saw a turtle swimming.

The trip to the aquarium seemed rather fast, although you all spent a good four hours there. It wasn't supposed to last that long, but when they made the mistake of passing by the area where the kids were allowed to interact with the animals. 

They knew they weren't leaving that place any time soon.

You were having the time of your life, the handlers helping you interact with the dolphins, while the rest watched from the side. Holding their phones and recording anything happening in front of them.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

While you were having fun at the aquarium, your brother was losing his mind.

"Where in the world did she go?" Ran was close to pulling all of his hair out in frustration. Racking his brain for any idea as to where you could have gone.

When he woke up alone on the couch he didn't really pay it no mind and just thought that maybe you went back to your room or you went to the toilet. So he sat there, trying to get his bearings together. However, he had noticed something rather different in the apartment.

It was quiet, a little too quiet, and at that moment he knew something was wrong.

After checking every single room in the apartment and still no signs of you. He finally concluded, you were missing and for the first time Ran Haitani didn't know what to do.

"C'mon Rindou pick-up" Ran stared at his phone screen as it kept on ringing before going straight to voicemail. Cursing under his breath, Ran let out a heavy sigh before another call went through.

"Did you find her?"

"Sorry boss, there's no sign of her in Roppongi"

"Then look somewhere else!" he snapped, pocketing his phone and storming out of the front door.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

"Is there somewhere else you'd like to visit (Y/n)?" you thought for a moment, swinging yours and Kakucho's intertwined hands as you walked through the shopping district.

One hand holding some souvenirs from the aquarium to give to your brothers. Courtesy of Shion paying for all of them of course (albeit forced by Izana, but you don't know that)

"Over there" you finally decided and pointed to a Saint Laurent store. They led you inside as you started skimming through the various forms of apparel displayed. 

"Are you buying something for yourself (Y/n)? They don't seem to have anything of your size here at this shop" 

You shook your head. "It's for nii-chan" you ask the sales lady to get the coat hanging just beside the scarves and other winter clothing. You saw Ran inspecting this specific piece a week ago, and you knew he liked it when you would see him put it somewhere discreet so that no one else could take it.

"Can she even afford any of these?" Shion took hold of a shirt's price tag and stared at the 6 digit price on the tag with bugged out eyes.

"Who knows, maybe she can" Mucho shrugged his shoulders as a sales assistant led him to the area where clothes his size were displayed.

Wandering over to the counter, he arrives just in time for you to pull a wad of thousand yen bills and give it to the cashier as she counts them one by one.

"Did you take that from your brother's bank account?" Izana inquired, raising a brow at you. You shook your head.

"It's my savings" you answered. "I don't really spend the allowance nii-chan gives me so I save them"

"...and how much is the allowance your brothers give you?''

"Around 6,000 to 10,000 yen"

Shion’s jaw drops, staring at you incredulously. "How the hell is a kid have thousands worth of money, while were out here broke as fuck?" 

"You're broke, not us"

"Where do you even get your money, we don't even have jobs!"

Shion clamps his mouth shut the moment he sees Izana glared at him. Those lilac eyes staring right through his soul definitely meant. "I will kill you later"

The cashier too got a bit startled at his outburst, as Kakucho strikes a conversation with her. Redirecting her attention to someone else.

"Yeah, I'll just wait outside" he walks towards the door, Mucho following after him.

After that little commotion, the cashier started wrapping up the coat. Giving you the bag, you thank the cashier as the three of you walk out of the store. Your hands are now filled with different paper bags, regrouping with Mucho and Shion you were about to go back home when a shout from the distance stops you.

"(Y/n)!" turning around, you saw Ran running towards you. You tilt your head to the side when Ran lifts you up and gives you a tight hug.

"Where did you go? I was looking everywhere for you!" Ran exclaimed, putting you back to the ground as he kneeled down in front of you. 

You noticed how his eyes were slightly puffy, most probably the result of him crying just a while ago, and with the way his eyes were starting to get glossy you knew that he was about to cry again.

"I'm sorry" you feel bad now, you never intended for him to worry that much. you thought that maybe it was okay since you were going out with people they know.

"Did you just search all of Yokohama for her?" 

"Yes!" your brother replied as Izana let out a sigh.

"I knew you'd forget, I told you  that we'll be taking her to go out. But you look like you weren't listening to me so I told Kakucho to send a message again to make sure"

Ran stares at them for a movement, trying to remember what exactly happened after breakfast. He did remember someone talking to him while he was asleep, but he was far too engrossed in his dream to even bother listening.

He just shrugs his shoulders, before he feels you tugging on his shirt.

"I'm sorry" you mumbled, eyes cast downward. Afraid to look at your brother in the eye.

All the things that he wanted to say had been pushed down. He knew you didn't mean it, he should've been more careful and properly aware of his surroundings no matter how tired he is.

"It's fine, but please don't do that again" you nodded your head, as your brother gave you a hug. 

Picking you up, the both of you bid the rest of Tenjiku farewell as you went back to your apartment. Promising to hang out again the next day.

"Shion tighten your jaw"

"Wha-?" Shion didn't have time to prepare himself when fist collided with his face. Sending him stumbling backward.

"The hell?!" He rubbed his jaw as Kakucho and Izana walked away. Resuming their day with just the two of them.

"You should've tightened your jaw" Mucho gave him a lazy grin as Shion stalked off, grumbling to himself.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

© 2022 yozue. All rights reserved.

[hirayaaraw]

Unbreakable Ties 2 - Tell Me Where Is Home

Idol!Jaehyun x OC

Genre: Childhood friends to lovers; angst; fluff

Summary: In which Jaehyun is searching for his best friend who went missing in action 10 years ago. When she finally appears, Jaehyun not only found his lost best friend but also his son.

Vibrant.

She’s all the colors in the world wrapped in one. She’s an enigmatic force that made him stick with her whenever she goes. Jaehyun and Eunhye were inseparable after that summer.

They became two beans in a pod, partners in crime, and source of headache for their silly plans. Eunhye is the mastermind and he executes them perfectly. Their teachers often say they work well as a team who occasionally gets in a debate but Jaehyun always gives way.

“Come on, Jae! We should be doing something this summer.” Eunhye flops down at his single-sized bed with one hand propped on her to see Jaehyun.

“I already have a plan.” 12 years old Jaehyun evades eye contact as he knew Eunhye can see through him.

Eunhye raised her eyebrow. “I can smell crap.”

“What?”

“Mom told me you don’t have plans at all except for being a couch potato,” Eunhye said in a matter of fact. Jaehyun rolled his eyes. Of course, his mom gave this crucial information to her.

“Stop calling her mom. She’s not your mom.”

“Okay, Mommy’s boy.” Eunhye teased him. He is still uncomfortable for some reason whenever she calls his mother ‘Mom’. “So are you in?”

“I don’t get why do we need to enroll for a voice lesson if we can just watch Disney channel, cartoon network, or nickelodeon for the rest of the vacation or have a movie marathon,” Jaehyun explained exasperatedly. “Besides you are tone-deaf.”

“That’s why we are enrolling for a voice lesson.”

“My voice is decent compare to yours.” Jaehyun is not lying. He can sing a tune and hold a note. Eunhye knows this as she always sings Gabriela’s part for all the duets in High School Musical. “Spare our ears.”

“Okay, Troy Bolton wanna be.” Eunhye stood up and walked towards him. “What do you want? My mom is sending a box from heaven.”

Jaehyun scoffed at her old inside joke. He once thought her mom is in heaven. In his defense, Eunhye pointed to the sky when he asked her ‘where’s your mom’. He can still remember her judgemental look from her before she replied, ‘My mom is in abroad. Dumb ass.’

“Shall I ask her for the latest Nike shoes or a transformer?” Eunhye poked his right dimple. His eyes widen but faltered immediately.

“Don’t bribe me.” He crossed his arms on his chest.

“It’s not a bribe. It’s a token of gratitude.”

“That’s what a politician will say.” Jaehyun pointed out. “I will guard this country against you.”

“I only have two careers in mind.” She raised her two fingers in front of his face. “It’s either I become a politician or a singer.”

“You are terrible on both.”

“I will be by your side for the rest of our lives so I can guarantee you that I will never be near in any government positions.” Eunhye smiled endearingly at the blushing Jaehyun.

“The rest of our lives?”

“Yeah. That’s what best friends do, right?”

Best friends. They are best friends even though sometimes he imagines her as his very own Gabriela Montes who is there in his wins and troubled days.

“So are you enrolling in a voice lesson with me and spare the ears of millions of people in this world?”

“How can I let you go alone and torture other people’s eardrums?” Jaehyun sighed and Eunhye squealed then jump on him to hug him.

Thanks to Eunhye’s stubbornness. That’s how his journey to be a kpop idol started.

—

“Are you really not coming with me, Mother?” Eunhye asked her mom while she is folding her clothes in their living room.

“You know that I can’t.”

“Just trying my luck.” She shrugged at her mother’s answer.

“So many memories and regret in that land that I don’t want to remember anymore.” Her mother said without any emotion and ice cold stare. “Remember how your evil grandmother mocked me at your father’s funeral.”

“Mother…” Eunhye hissed at her mother’s bitter trip down to the memory lane.

“How about you? Why are going back to that country?”

“It’s father’s 20th death anniversary, mother.” She reminded her firmly.

“I know. Except for that what’s the reason? To see your son’s father? Did he finally bump his head and realize that he should be a responsible father?”

“Mother!” Eun Hye couldn’t help but raise her voice. “Fine. You are not coming with me but please let’s stop talking about my child’s father.”

“You wouldn’t be breaking your bones to work hard if he only knows about your son. Monthly child support won’t even hurt his pocket.”

“Mother please…”

“He seems like a good child whenever I come home. Maybe fame got in his head.”

“It’s not like that, Mother.”

“Even if he has a new partner, it is his obligation to provide to my grandson.” Eunhye sighed in defeat just by imagining it.

“Mother, it’s already 3 PM. Jeno’s bus will be here any minute.” Eunhye stood up with the pile of folded clothes on her arms before going to her bedroom. Once she laid their clothes on the cabinet neatly, Eunhye sat at the edge of her bed. All her energy were drained from the conversation with her Mother.

Her phone’s screen brightens. She opened the new message that came in.

My love: Mom, I will be coming home late. Coach extended our training. :(

My love: Can we have a kimchijiggae later? 🥺

Eunhye: how about Kimchijiggae and bibimbap?

My love: You are the best mom in the world! I love you, Mom!!!!

Eunhye chuckled. Her son is her sole source of strength and light in this world. Without him, her life must be in shamble right now. She is about to stand up from the bed to start cooking when her phone lit up again. She just stared at it while the messages come in one by one.

Jaehyun best boy: Eun

Jaehyun best boy: I heard from Mom you are coming back home from…

Jaehyun best boy: I don’t know where you are right now but you are doing good, right?

Jaehyun best boy: Can we catch up like the old days? Mom said she will cook your favorite. I will listen to your adventures.

It’s almost 5 am in South Korea. Eunhye wonders why is he still awake. He might be in the set of a music video somewhere or just about to sleep. Just like she always do, Eunhye archive the message without opening it.

You are coming home.

When was the last she felt at home? Daegu was her home. She felt familiar and sense of belonging in that place but everything start to change when Jaehyun became a trainee. Slowly, Daegu became just a place to her. Her Father died and Jaehyun left to pursue his dream they dreamt together. Nothing was left to remind her of home.

Now that she is going back to Daegu, no Father to welcome her or Jaehyun that she can bother anytime. And even though Jaehyun will appear miraculously, nothing will be the same. They live in two different worlds now. How can someone who used to be so familiar for years became a stranger?

On the other part of the world, Jaehyun stares at his phone waiting for her to seen his message.

[itsany62]

SteveTony - Alternate Universe

Here are some Alternate Universe fics that I love. Don't forget to leave kudos and nice comments in every fic!

Food for the Heart, by LagLemon, 14 k >, Cooking, No Powers.

After being introduced to a gourmet food on a budget blog by Pepper (a gift for her elderly, cheapskate mother) Tony starts cooking again. The recipes are good, but the blog owner is even better. Still, Tony isn't so sure Captain America, the guy who runs the blog, can compete with Hot Bagboy, the gorgeous blond who works at the grocery store.

"Free to Good Home" by Captain_Panda, 7 k > words, Alternate Universe - Animals.

"Oliver and Company" AU.

There's a great big world outside the box.

But it's a dog-eat-dog world, and Tony's just one cat. Then a stray dog comes along, looking for a friend.

A Day In Principal Stark's Office, by nannersmelo, 10 k > words, Steve Single Parent, Director Tony.

Tony Stark has his hands full with not only Stark Industries, but also his beloved mother's life project: The Maria Stark Academy, and as he enters his office in order to deal with a ferocious mother whose son was apparently assaulted by one of his brightest students, he was sure this day would culminate in nothing but a heinous headache. Little did he know - he was in for one hell of a surprise.

I Am the Night by gottalovev, 6 k > words, Alternate Universe - Vampire, Vampire Tony Stark, Wizard Steve Rogers.

That's it. Tony is doomed. He rolls on his back, crosses his wings over his belly and closes his eyes. He'll await death here, misunderstood by the world to the bitter end.

C is for Calculus and Compromise, by heydoeydoey, 11 k>, Gifted AU, Post-Divorce, Angts with a Happy Ending.

Steve's just trying to give his prodigy daughter a normal childhood. Enter a meddling school administrator, Tony Stark, and too many lawyers.

tell you my love for you by jelliebean, 22 k > words, Alternate Universe - Normal High School, Based on Love Simon.

A guy at Shield High comes out on tumblr, anonymously. Tony thought he was the only gay guy on campus--not out, because of Howard--and sends him an email.

“Hey, Flying. Same here. I’ve got a secret too, and it’s like I’m hiding who I am, every day. From everyone. All the closest people to me. But I just can’t tell them. I’m gay, too. It feels like I’m putting on this mask, this shell of who I think they want me to be. Even though I don’t think my friends would judge me. I don’t know why. I just. I’ve got a secret. –Shell”

The guy seems great--amazing, even, and then Hammer has to step in and ruin it all.

Mergers & Acquisitions by Robin_tCJ, 33 k > words, Angst, sex as currency.

Steve Rogers is the CEO of the Rogers Corporation, which he built from the ground up. When he learns that Hydra International is making a bid for a hostile takeover of Stark Industries, he decides he has to do what he can to stop Hydra from overtaking the market and becoming an unstoppable, unethical conglomerate. Tony Stark asks for something Steve isn’t sure he should give, but he does it anyway – and it completely changes everything. But when Hydra keeps coming, Steve and Tony realize there’s more to this than they’d realized.

Meeting the Monsters by itsallAvengers, 23 k > words, Alternate Universe - High School, Alternate Universe - Creatures & Monsters.

Tony's at public school with kids his age for the first time in seventeen years, and he is determined that this year is gonna be his year. He's going to make friends. He's going to be popular. People will like him.

Unsurprisngly, none of that actually happens.

He does sort-of-maybe fall in love with a vampire in his class that everyone is terrified of, though. So... there's that.

(I Want You To See) The Darkest Side Of Me by ann2who, 45 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Fusion, Post-World War II.

In Monte Carlo, Steve meets the wealthy widower Anthony Stark. It’s love at first sight—at least for Steve—and he can’t believe his luck when Tony asks him to live at Stark Mansion, his large estate in Malibu. Never in his life had Steve thought something like this was possible… never had he been this happy. However, soon Steve realizes that Tony is still deeply troubled by the death of his first wife and haunted by the many ghosts she left behind. The longer Steve lives in her shadow, the more he understands that… He can never be what Tony’s wife had once been for him. And Tony might never truly love him.

Gift With Purchase Remix by sabrecmc, 43 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, hooker Steve, Sugar Daddy.

Gift With Purchase Remix wherein Steve actually is a hooker. But for a Really Sympathetic Reason.

The Little Glass Screwdriver by ann2who, 19 k > words, Cinderella AU.

When Prince Steven is forced to find himself a bride, true love gets in the way. As the night of the grand ball unfolds, the prince meets a mysterious knight who might just change his entire life in a way he could have never imagined.

**Cinderella AU**

Covered in Lines by royal_chandler, 3 k > words, Alternate Universe - Student/Teacher, Alternate Universe - College/University, Age Difference.

He can’t lose sight of pale, deft hands that gesture on transitive verbs, an ink-stained thumb edging underneath Tony’s ribcage with an affection that can only be called dangerous.

half-wild and glimmering by deathsweetqueen , 15 k > words, Alternate Universe - Western, Prostitution.

“Give me a drink, Tasha,” Tony sighs as he lands in front of the bar. “I’ve had one hell of a day.”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “Have you really?” she asks, loftily, sliding a tumbler of whiskey along the well-polished wood.

Tony lets his head hang, the sweat beading on the back of his neck. “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve had to put myself through today,” he sighs, wearily.

“I would not know. You will not let me work the rooms,” Natasha retorts, her voice a little strained, busying her hands in a dirty glass.

“I don’t let you work the rooms ‘cause you’re liable to kill anyone who touches ya the wrong way and we can’t lose that much of our business,” Tony reminds her, wryly amused, sipping at his whiskey. He shakes his head at the burn. “We peddle flesh, darling, not death.”

peers, fears and holiday cheers by jacobby, 24 k > words, Parent Tony Stark.

“He’s only two years older than you,” Tony finally says when the silence becomes too much to bear.

“Dad, Teddy is turning twenty-seven next year.”

“I am not dating your husband—”

“I’m not implying you are. I just want you to be...aware that he’s practically the same age as my husband.”

AKA

Tony Stark's new boyfriend is only two years older than his adult sons. Telling them is one thing, introducing them is another. What Tony doesn't expect is that the past always has a way of catching up to him, of biting him in the ass when he least expects it. Well, at least they're all together for the Holidays. What more can he ask for?

A Higher Form of War by sabrecmc, 292 k > words, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Historical Romance.

Tony is a King with a surprising number of people out to kill him. Steve and the rest of the Avengers are fighting for Pierce's rebellion and end up with Tony as their prisoner. Oops.

you can call me babe for the weekend by complicationstoo, 10 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, actor Tony Stark.

Tony left his small town for Los Angeles after high school, leaving behind everything to pursue his dream. Ten years later, he comes back for the first time and finds that some things are impossible to let go of.

Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be by iam93percentstardust, 72 k > words, Alternate Universe - Theatre.

Famed director Phil Coulson brings Shakespeare’s beloved play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to Broadway. This production though comes with a twist: a brief but passionate love affair between the faerie king, Oberon, and his attendant, Puck. In the roles of the two star-crossed lovers, Coulson casts America’s darling Steve Rogers, fresh off his third Academy Award, and Broadway royalty, Tony Stark. Steve quickly finds himself falling for the quick-witted and sarcastic actor but Tony is dating the stage manager. Unwilling to come between the seemingly happy couple, Steve steps back but all isn’t right behind the scenes and Tony may need him when everything falls apart.

and so we rebuild by raeldaza, 26 k > words, Alternate Universe - Star Trek Fusion, Soulmates, Mutual Pining.

Sometimes, a voice whispers: you will never atone for your mistakes.

Tony believes that, believes it so strongly some days he drowns in it, but he still tries. Tries through Starfleet, tries through inventions, tries through missions. Then, one day, he meets his new Captain, and things change.

and teach this heart (how to beat with light), by starklystar, 40 k >, AU Hospital, Single parent Steve.

Eight years ago, at a funeral with a baby's cries ringing in his ears, Tony Stark decided to turn his life around. He's a genius, billionaire, philanthropist. What's so hard to adding 'doctor' to that list? And after that, it can't be that hard to add 'husband' and 'father' too, right? But the past has a way of haunting even the very best of us, and in any universe, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers have never had an easy love.

Featuring: drama, chaos, Peter's scheming, meddling friends, and doctors learning again that the heart can never be as simple as four chambers and four valves.

Catching Lightning in a Bottle by sabrecmc, 120 k > words, Alternate Universe - Sweet Home Alabama Fusion.

College student Tony meets janitor Steve at MIT and they fall blissfully in love, until Howard happens and things fall apart. One divorce paperwork snafu courtesy of the ever-helpful Jarvis, and ten years later, Tony has to get re-divorced from Steve.

This does not go as he imagines.

Or, the Sweet Home Alabama AU that no one--well, okay, a few of you--asked for.

The Night Shift by weethreequarter , 16 k > words, Alternate Universe - Hospital.

Welcome to the Emergency Department of San Antonio General where Dr. Tony Stark joins the team fresh from his most recent tour in Afghanistan and - much to the consternation of the other staff - strikes up an instant rapport with Nurse Steve Rogers. Meanwhile, new resident Bruce Banner refuses to give up on his patient, and Dr. Sharon Carter learns something from her own patients. Throw in a pissed off hospital administrator, Clint using the coffee pot as a mug again, and a major car crash and you have, well, just another night shift.

Cake It Till You Make It by ChocolateCapCookie, 10 k > words, Kid Fic, Alternate Universe - Bakery.

Steve Rogers and Tony Stark have a lot in common. They're single parents, they own rival bakeries at the center of town... and they both hate each other's guts.

When a mix-up at Peter and Morgan's school has both fathers scrambling to prove they're the better baker, they do the mature, adult thing and compete in a bake-off. Between the mixing and the creaming, the baking and the icing, Steve and Tony find that hate is actually not that far from love.

Looking for Heaven by foxxcub, 31 k > words, Alternate Universe - Regency, Marriage of Convenience.

When young Lord Anthony Stark learns Steven Rogers has enlisted in the army, he thinks he's seen the last of his tiny, headstrong, haughty stable boy. But four years later, Lord Stark gets an unexpected visit from Steve, whose mother has fallen gravely ill and into financial ruin. Even more unexpected, Steve agrees to a shocking proposal: they will marry, giving Steve the necessary funds to save his mother, and Tony the much-needed reprieve from harassing would-be suitors. It is a business arrangement, nothing more. But as time goes on and circumstances arise, Tony begins to learn that keeping his heart away from his husband is easier said than done.

just a guy, standing in front of another guy by theappleppielifestyle, 12 k > words.

“It’s not real,” Tony says, still smiling, jaw twitching with effort. “The fame. It’s - I’m just a guy."

(Or, Notting Hill AU, with a twist.)

Mother of Exiles (A Titanic AU) by BladeoftheNebula, 21 k > words, Alternate Universe - Titanic Fusion.

“You’ll never guess what just happened!” Steve said, taking a deep breath to try and calm his breathing. “I met someone. A guy from first class.”

Dublin 1912: Steve Rogers is barely making ends meet, living in the tenement slums of Dublin. But a stroke of good luck gives him and his best friend the chance to change their fortune. Two tickets to America on board the RMS Titanic.

The Devil You Know by shetlandowl, 17 k > words, Alternate Universe - Detectives, Alternate Universe - Author/Novelist.

Best selling author Tony Stark revives the bodice ripper genre for a modern audience. From frisky gay cowboys to ravenous lesbian pirate queens, he consistently delivers riveting thrillers full of romance, drama, and the filthy, unapologetically kinky sex that has become his trademark specialty.

Tony has everything a man could dream of - horny, adoring fans, and boatloads of money. Or that's what he thought, until Detective Steve Rogers walks into his life and turns it all upside down.

Bears and Mountains and Lumberjacks Oh My! by justanotherrollingstony (adoctoraday), 24 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Lumberjack Steve Rogers.

It was supposed to be easy--go meet the reclusive artist and buy some art. And then came the broken down car. And the snowstorm. And the lumberjack with a face like a greek god. So yea, Tony is stuck in a cabin in the woods with a hot lumberjack till the storm clears. Could be worse.

Series: A Furious Vexation by Annie D (scaramouche), 18 k > words, Alternate Universe - Post-Apocalypse.

A Steve/Tony post-apocalypse AU that exists pretty much just for the smut.

That Feline Beat by Tito11, 5 k > words, Alternate Universe - Animals.

Presenting Steve and Tony in the Aristocats!AU

Tony and his three kittens have been kidnapped from their fancy Upper East Side apartment while their owners are away and deposited on the mean streets of Harlem. Unsure of where they are or how to get back home, they'll have to rely on street cat Steve to guide them. Will they get home safely? Will Tony's fear of abandonment cause him to drive away the best tomcat he's ever known? Only time will tell.

do you fondue? by calciseptine, 16 k > words, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting.

Tony has done crazy things in the name of food, but falling in love with Steve Rogers really takes the cake.

a glimpse of heaven's love by parkrstark, 13 k> words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Terminal Illnesses.

The child begins to empty his pockets. He starts to count coins on the counter. Tony huffs a little impatiently as he realizes most of them are pennies.

The cashier actually humors the kid and counts along with him. They reach 3 dollars and 54 cents before he shakes his head sadly. "Sorry, kid. There's not enough here."

The kid sounds close to crying. "I need these paints for my Papa. It's Christmas Eve and these...he doesn't have any. The doctors said he doesn't have long. I want him to have these. In case he meets Jesus tonight, I want him to paint one more time. Please."

Tony takes a step forward, arms still full of toys he's buying just because. He can cover this child's gift for his dying father. Money. Money is what he's good for.

"I'll buy them."

--

Or, the Christmas Shoes AU no one but me asked for.

If you survive first impressions, you're good to go by itsallAvengers, 3 k > words, Parent Tony Stark, Alternate Universe - No Powers.

The first time Peter Parker-Stark sees Steve Rogers, he may or may not be standing in direct path of the man's motorcycle.

His daddy is really not going to be happy about that one.

A Rat-ional Conclusion by BladeoftheNebula, 6 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Veterinarians, Parent Tony Stark.

He had a strong flurry of patients throughout the morning and by the time it rolled around to noon, he was just about worn out.

He walked out into the reception, stretching until he felt a satisfying pop. “Are we done?”

Bucky checked the screen. “Just about. One more before lunch - a rat, singular.”

Steve breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully straight forward then. “Great, let me know when they-”

He was interrupted by the bell over the door and looked up to see a little girl cradling a small animal carrier, being shepherded through the door by easily one of the hottest men he’d ever seen in real life.

Oh wow.

Tidal Pull by sabrecmc, 97 k > words, Octopus Tony Stark, Alternate Universe - Shipwrecked.

After the American Civil War, Union soldier Steve Rogers takes a chance on an opportunity to sail with the Stark Trading Company down in the Caribbean. During a terrible storm, his ship is lost. To his surprise, he survives, and ends up stranded on an island that isn't quite as deserted as he first thinks.

Or, a reverse Little Mermaid tale where Steve has to fall for the fish-man.

Twelve Days by elysianprince, 22 k > words, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Ghosts.

In which Tony finds himself in a town that looks like it crawled out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, trying to sell an inn he didn't know he owned, all while dealing with Steve Rogers, the resident ghost who has returned to haunt the inn each December during the twelve days of Christmas for the past seventy years. Tony has only one logical solution that benefits them both: break the curse that binds him - but falling for a man almost a century old wasn't among his plans.

She kissed me by S_Horne, 1 k > words, Tony Stark Needs a Hug, Howard Stark's A+ Parenting.

“Your mom kissed me.”

Steve blinked awake and lifted his head from his pillow to look over at the silhouette in the doorway. “What?”

“Your mom,” Tony reiterated. “She kissed me.”

“Yeah,” Steve said simply, “she does that.”

[pollylynn]

Title: Prototype WC: 1100 Episode: Murder Most Fowl (3 x 08)

She thinks of him as dealing exclusively in heroes and villains. Drama queen doesn’t begin to cover it, and from her vantage point it seems that humans in between don’t exist for him. She’s not sure how he maintains it—this investment in absolute polar opposites—given that they spend their days and nights sifting through the details of the lives of people who are mostly fair-to-middling when it comes right down to it.

Most of the time, she supposes it’s just a writer thing. It’s his job, in some sense, to be that drama queen, to blow up the banal misdeeds and petty motivations of the everyday person until they’re fit to keep the pages turning until the very last.

Today, though, she has to consider the possibility that it’s a dad thing. The villain of the day is, of course, The Boyfriend.

“You can’t tell me a rat isn’t a red flag,” he huffs as he tries to keep up with her. It’s a struggle, given how much breath he’s expending on his scenarios where Ashley falls somewhere in between the Gilgo Beach Killer and The Manson Family—Yes, Beckett, all of them—in terms of murderous depravity. “A rat with a ‘special diet’?”

She’s not listening. She is definitely not listening, and still it’s almost a relief when he moves on to The Falcon Killer. This second villain springs forth, fully formed, from the writer part of his brain, so it looks like his hero–villain complex is a both/and situation. The Falcon Killer is not one bit less annoying than Ashley the Rat King, but being imaginary he at least has the virtue of having no financials someone might try to demand that she run, and there’s a lower likelihood that she’ll find herself on the receiving end of pointed questions about how to file an order of protection on behalf of someone else.

By late morning, things have swung around to the hero end of the spectrum. It’s all working class hero Lightbulb Len all the time. Arthur Sansone, she supposes, is the exception that proves the rule. He’s neither hero nor villain.

“He’s Sancho Panza to Lightbulb Len’s Don Quixote!” The grimy tiles of the subway reverberate as he waxes rhapsodic, and she wonders what city she’ll pull up stakes and move to, because she can clearly never show her face on New York public transit ever again. “Samwise to his Frodo!”

She’s thinking very seriously about being Michael to his Fredo even before he sets to work on special guest villains, Mario Rivera and Byron H. Singer, to say nothing of the shadowy figures behind the conspiracies aligned against Len Levitt.

“It’s a blood pact.” She, like everyone else in the bullpen, hears his stage whisper to a nodding Ryan. “It’s so much bigger than bulbs—it’s bulbs and birds.” He slaps a palm down on whatever evidence it is he’s spread out on the desk. “Lightbulb Len never stood a chance.”

She’s got a pinching headache right between her eyes the next morning when he rousts her practically at dawn to spend another day seeking justice for his latest Campbellian hero. The coffee he hands her is hardly enough to counteract the way he’s pin-balling between singing their vic’s praises and contemplating how he can get Alexis out of the country before Ashley returns and fully commits himself to a Count of Monte Christo–level revenge scheme. He’s crossing the writer–dad streams and it’s too early for any of it.

It all falls away, though, when the case breaks in a terrible, unexpected direction. Len Levitt’s last act on earth was to turn his camera on a man abducting a child, and damned if that isn’t the most heroic thing any of them has heard in a long while.

He’s all work from that point on. There’s no talk of heroes or villains. Lightbulb Len, it’s sad to say, is all but forgotten as lead after lead on the abduction turns up absolutely nothing.

Heroes and villains are forgotten entirely. All his dadly, all his writerly energy is focused on every single thing he can remember about Alexis’s life just four or five short years ago—everything that might give them a lead.

Even when they have their hands on Dean Donegal and he’s goes after the man hard, there’s no villain across that interrogation room table. It’s obvious, even as they take turns grilling him about Indianapolis—about everything—that he sees a mirror for his own desperate fear. It’s clear he sees a father facing the worst pain of his life.

Before long, she feels like the villain—she sees herself through his writer’s eyes when someone has to be the rational, not-a-parent in the room when the Captain decides that they’ll back Dean as he goes to meet the kidnappers’ demands. She imagines how he’d cast her on the page right now—implacable, ice water in her veins. She has all too easy a time imagining Nikki Heat’s villainous turn, but what can she do when no one else will say what needs saying?

She feels like something worse than a villain in the subway for the second time in as many days. Adrenaline is running the show when she kicks in the door and gets her shot off. Her momentum carries her on a beeline for Tyler Donegal, but somehow he gets there first. Somehow his body is between hers and the boy’s, and he’s crouched down, two careful feet away, talking in a low, absolutely calm voice.

She doesn’t hear what he says at first. She’s too busy re-running the last minute-and-a-half, complete with what was very nearly yet another traumatizing event for Tyler Donegal with her in a starring role. When she catches back up with real time, he’s standing up. He’s reaching a hand down patiently to help the boy up from the filthy floor in his own time.

“Your dad told us you were smart,” he says. “But save yourself smart? That’s hero smart.”

She can only just make out Tyler’s wide eyes in the dim light, but she feels the tension slowly trickling out of him. She sees his pale skin moving through the shadows to grip Castle’s hand as he staggers to his feet. He places a careful palm on the boy’s shoulder and flashes her a grin that’s exhausted and triumphant all at once.

“Wouldn’t you say that’s hero smart, Detective?”

“I would.” She returns the grin. “I definitely would.”

A/N: This has no morphousness in its flabby, flabby end, but I am so very tired.

images via homeofthenutty

[darrowsrising]

What brands do you think still somehow exist in Red Rising?

I think the Simpsons is just inexplicably somehow still going. Sadly not even the Society can kill the Simpsons.

McDonalds also exists but is gentrified to the point that only Golds can afford it.

I've been scratching my brains trying to answer this and I can only come up with serious answers, so I devided to roll with it. I can tell you what brands I think went poof and a few that sirvived...idk, this is a weird question for me, I never think of such things, sorry. I don't really get hooked up on brands to be honest...

I don't watch most american cartoons of great popularity (they all give me a headache for some reason), but I read some posts and articles about the Simpsons and they tend to mock some awful regimes, politics, politicians and behaviours, so I kinda think that of World War III did not destroyed the Simpsons, then fascist Society did. But not before they predicted abismal things about said Society.

I genuinely doubt that Golds actually consider McDonalds good enough for them - Pixies still gorge on champagne and caviar and Bronzies aren't actually rich or from rich families (see Fitchner), and Silvers exist, so I don't see how only Golds can afford fast food, no matter how gentrified.

I think that to my infinite dismay, Starbucks would still be a thing. But if I am even a bit lucky great streetfood from around the Earth is now available everywhere in the Solar System (vietnamese streetfood, mexican streetfood etc. Yum!)

In Red Rising, Harmony mentions something about highReds being brainwashed with advertising to spend even the little they earn for things they don't need, so I think a lot of fashion brands survived even though they had to rebrand a bit. Heaven Gaia and Zuhair Murad dress everyone that I like, I take no criticism.

The make up and skincare industries died because Carvers said so. Silvers took whatever was left and are now trying to fool young people to buy stuff they don't need. Pinks are the only ones to be trusted with beautification, though.

Because there is medicine for cancer in the Red Rising universe and they adapted skin to withstand desert sun on Mercury, I like to think they stopped doing harmful practices that affect nature and by extention humankind, so any brand that put a safety problem had to go.

Small bussinesses and freelancing are on a leash, most especially if you are a not a Gold.

I would like to think that people still watch shows and read books that have been banned. I mean, if Darrow can breeze through the Count of Monte Cristo, Good Omens must still be a thing as both show and book.

Ermm...that's all I've got to say on this for now. Kinda lackluster, I know...

Howl on!

[lokimostly]

Polaris (Ch.16/?)

Loki x Reader, Pirate!AU

Word Count: 4,466

Warnings: violence, language

Summary: Your life has always been set in stone. Born to a wealthy merchant family in the Caribbean, you’ve spent your years as an heiress in the daytime, escaping at night to wander the streets of St. Thomas. Now, on the eve before your life settles into mundanity for good, you discover someone who could change everything– if you choose to trust him, that is.

A/N: As promised, this chapter is entirely from Loki’s perspective! Don’t worry, we’ll get back to our debutante reader soon. For now, this is his part of the story. Let’s let him tell it.

Chapter One ~ Chapter Two ~ Chapter Three  ~ Chapter Four ~  Chapter Five ~ Chapter Six ~ Chapter Seven ~ Chapter Eight ~ Chapter Nine ~ Chapter Ten ~ Chapter Eleven ~ Chapter Twelve ~ Chapter Thirteen ~ Chapter Fourteen ~ Chapter Fifteen

The sun was making its first appearance over the glass sea, turning the sky pink and lighting on the waves with a rosy glow. The clouds were as pale and wispy as stretched cotton. As the sunrise dimmed the map of stars above, it burned bright in the reflection of Loki’s bloodshot eyes, staring out at the waves as they turned to gold.

His hands were already blistered from rowing. The sinew of his muscles had been stretched to their limit a few hours ago, and so he had let go of the oars to hold his head in his hands instead, filled with a despair that felt larger than the ocean around him. Hot, frustrated tears fell from his eyes, more to try and soothe their dryness than to curb the aching in his chest. Perhaps it was a mix of both. It was only in raising his head to dry his eyes, blinking away the water and fatigue, that he saw the merchant ship approaching.

Loki’s brows pulled together. It was a trading company ship; not Odin’s. Rather small. The bell on deck was ringing, signaling a man overboard as they approached, and a few seconds later, a rope landed in Loki’s lap.

Several pairs of hands helped haul him over the side, pulling him onto the deck, but they were quick to leave him; Loki’s reddened eyes and haggard look gave him a frightening aura, one that the men obviously weren’t keen to hang around. He slowly straightened his posture, rolling his sore shoulders and looking down at the Captain, standing in front of him. 

Loki gave him a single glance, surveying him without much consideration. He was small and portly with receding hair, hardly intimidating– though clearly he was doing his best to look nonplussed by Loki’s sudden and unexpected arrival.

“Glad to have you aboard, sir,” he greeted, as warmly as he was able. “I’m Cap’n Montgomery, and this’s my ship The Duchess. How’d you wind up all the way out here?”

Loki didn’t answer. He stood still on the rocking deck, his posture stiff, looking out at the pale dawn sky with a hardened expression. 

Captain Montgomery waited awkwardly for his response, shifting his posture. Then he cleared his throat. “Perhaps you’d like to talk elsewhere?” He gestured to the doors that led to the Captain’s cabin.

Loki’s eyes trailed to the left, and he nodded. He followed the Captain inside, walking slow and cat-like with a look of apprehension as he stepped over the threshold. His eyes were quick in surveying the small room, unadorned by lavish decor. The only notable object of interest was the mahogany desk that Captain Montgomery sat himself behind, setting his elbows atop its surface and waiting for Loki to close the door.

He did so, and stepped over. The ship’s charter laid open-faced by the Captain’s hand, and Loki’s dark eyebrows pulled together. “Where is this vessel headed?”

Captain Montgomery’s eyebrows raised and he held out his hand in a stopping motion. “Now, hang on a minute. I have some questions to ask you first–”

Loki reached forward and spun the paper to face him, scanning the lines. “Kingston?”

The Captain’s eyes flickered. “Aye, that’s right, sir.”

Loki’s frown deepened. “That is exactly the opposite of where I need to go,” Loki muttered in annoyance.

The man shifted in his seat, visibly uncomfortable. “Well–”

“What day is it?” Loki interrupted again, looking up at him. His gaze was sharp enough to cut glass. They might have been a different color, but when he wanted them to, Loki’s eyes could hold just as much chill as his father’s. 

The Captain blinked. “Uh– the first of August, sir.”

“What was your name again?”

“Mont– Montgomery. Captain Montgomery.”

Loki hummed shortly, leaning on the desk. He glanced back at the closed doors, then returned to the paper in front of him, running a finger over his lip in thought. The captain watched him uneasily as he stood there, still as stone, with nothing but the rocking of the ship to mark the passage of time.

Suddenly Loki reached forward and grabbed the captain by the collar, slamming his face into the mahogany and twisting his arm behind his back in one fluid motion. The Captain shouted in surprised pain, only to be silenced when Loki twisted his arm further, his lips curled in a snarl.

“Listen to me very carefully, Montgomery,” he threatened between his teeth. “It is in our mutual best interests that you take this ship to St. Thomas immediately. One more inch in the wrong direction and this arm will break. If you don’t do as I say, the same thing will happen to your neck.”

The Captain struggled fruitlessly beneath Loki’s grip, his face squashed against the desk in a contorted expression of anger. “You – you bastard!”

“Pirate,” Loki corrected, applying the slightest fraction of pressure. It was enough to make the captain gasp and pant in pain. “Do we understand each other, Montgomery?”

“It’ll–” The Captain wheezed, struggling to speak. “It’ll take more’n three days to get there. The wind… the wind’s against us.”

“Then you should bear a hand and tell your men to come around,” Loki suggested coldly, and let go of him. Captain Montgomery stood up so fast that he stumbled backwards, holding his arm and staring at Loki with frightened eyes. He darted past Loki and out of the cabin, running faster than Loki suspected he ever had in his life. Judging by his portly stature, it was probably a good thing for him. Nothing like a healthy fear of death to keep you fit.

Loki stood in the empty cabin and listened to the muted sounds of the captain shouting orders above, and he tightened his jaw, reaching into his pocket. The cold coin was there, safely stowed away. He rubbed it between his fingers, smoothing over the serpent’s pattern with the pad of his thumb. His eyes drifted to the window. Somewhere, out there, you were being held in a cell – stuck behind rusted bars while the sand in the hourglass slowly sifted through.

August the first. That meant he had until the end of the month to secure your safety, with at least four days already spent by the time he reached St. Thomas. Loki’s grip tightened on the coin. If fate had pushed you together – and he firmly believed that hit had – then fate would keep you from being pulled apart.

~

Nearly a week later, The Duchess floated into the rainy port of St. Thomas. The sun peeked out occasionally behind the clouds while it showered. It was one of those odd, rainy summer days before hurricane season where the weather couldn’t quite whip up enough energy to storm with full rage and intensity; not yet.

The sailors were still tying the small merchant ship to the dock when the gangplank dropped and Loki descended from the ship, running down the slippery wharf so fast that he nearly stumbled. He dodged the men loading crates, ducking underneath a load of lumber carried between two sailors, and climbed the cobble stairs with exhausted determination.

Home was only a few hours away, but Loki wasn’t headed there; not yet. Instead he headed up the street, doing his best to keep his tired legs from giving out underneath him. He made a right and found the corner bar, stumbling inside. This was the place you and Loki had first encountered one another, but also somewhere that he’d frequented long before your fateful meeting. The creaking floorboards beneath his feet were as familiar as the mattress of his own bed, and the heady smells of mahogany and beer reassured his senses that he was safe. Home. 

Being the middle of the day, the corner bar was totally devoid of customers. Light streamed in through the fogged windows while the building’s only occupant, the bartender, polished glasses behind the counter with monotonous repetition, glancing up only when Loki pulled himself into one of the barstools and leaned against the counter, his hair and clothes dripping wet. The only sounds were the steady shower of light rain outside and the squeak of fabric rubbed against glass.

“You’re a bit early in the day, young master,” The bartender observed curiously. The man sported a heavy accent behind his mustache, but his tone was good-natured and amiable. He was as much a part of the bar as the polished countertop and neatly lined bottles on the shelves behind him.

“I need a drink,” Loki said hoarsely, dropping his head into one hand and massaging his temples. His whole body ached, inside and out. Beating slow inside his chest, Loki’s heart weighed him down as though it was made of lead.

The glass slid down the counter and Loki caught it with his free hand: cold, polished glass with dark liquor inside. He tilted his head back and downed it in one go, setting the empty cup down on the polished wood. The bartender refilled it without asking, handing it back to him before returning to his former task. He polished the cups until they sparkled like crystal, despite the fact that they were already clean; no doubt it was a soothing, repetitive notion to help the empty afternoon hours pass by. “You ‘ere to talk, or just drink?”

Loki scoffed. “What’s there to talk about?” He asked, squeezing his eyes shut and rubbing them tiredly. Dull sparks floated behind his vision, signs of dehydration and an oncoming headache.

“Fair ‘nough, sir. I won’t press you.”

Loki dropped his hand and regarded the man with a flat expression. His mouth pressed into a thin line, and he dropped his gaze, spinning the glass of liquor in his hand. He stared at the distorted wood pattern of the bartop through the brown liquor. 

The bartender watched him with soft, dark eyes for a moment longer before he tried again. “Is it a woman?”

“Of course it’s a woman,” Loki snapped, though his words didn’t have much bite; they never did when he was telling the truth. He thumbed the rim of the glass. “It’s the woman,” he admitted, more quietly.

The bartender nodded knowingly, tossing his rag aside and fetching a fresh one. “She leave you?” He asked, his tone conversational and unassuming, from decades of practice with discussions far more delicate than this one. 

Loki shook his head. His wet raven hair slipped past his shoulders when he did, falling in gentle waves past his ears and smelling of saltwater. “No. I lost her.” He frowned at the sudden blurriness in his eyes, downing his second glass and setting it down with a gentle thud. He sniffed. Straightened in his seat. “I’m getting her back.” Whether he said this to reassure the bartender or himself, Loki wasn’t entirely sure.

The city bell tolled out the hour, bringing him back to a state of clarity. It was later than he’d thought. Loki reached into his pocket for money to pay – and then realized he didn’t have any, apart from the serpent coin. The coin he couldn’t give away. Loki stalled, his elegant fingers still at his sides while he tried to think of a solution to this sudden dilemma. 

The bartender noticed his hesitation and extended his hand with a polite shake of his head. “You’ve been generous in the past, young master,” he stated. “I trust you’ll be back.”

Loki met his eyes. Normally he would take offense to a gesture of charity; Loki had never lacked for money, not once in his life, and he never intended to. But if he’d learnt anything from the past weeks, it was that even his best intentions didn’t guarantee the future. He met the bartender’s eyes and found them to be soft and reassuring. He bowed his head. “Thank you.”

The man shrugged, like it wasn’t any problem to him, taking Loki’s empty glass and polishing it alongside all the rest. “Bring your woman next time.”

Loki laughed once, humorlessly, and stood. “I will,” he promised, with a final nod of thanks before he turned his back to the bartender and walked back out towards the drenched cobblestone street, feeling renewed somehow – perhaps by the drink, though more likely by the man’s kindness. Not everyone in the world was bloodthirsty and rotten.

Not everyone in the world is a pirate, Loki thought. Of course, he considered himself a rare exception: Loki was a pirate, yes, but a reputable one. Honorable, even. However – somewhere deep in his heart – Loki was beginning to come to terms with the fact that getting you back might permanently soil that reputation. He intended to do whatever it took, however foul, even if it meant killing Vane and all his crewmen with his bare hands.

Would you be able to love him, if it came to that? If he became a murderer? Would you let him touch you with bloody hands, or would you turn away in fear and disgust?

The thought disquieted him, and he shook his head to clear the thought. Whether you hated him or not at the end of this didn’t matter, so long as you got out alive. He owed you that much. 

His seaglass eyes looked up instinctively towards the road that he knew lead home, but he turned the opposite way instead: there was still one more errand to run. 

In order for Loki to both save you and maintain a clear ledger inside his father’s business, he had to find a way to combine the two. That meant enlisting in his family’s help, while simultaneously making it look like he wasn’t involved at all. During his time floating adrift in the waves, waiting for the sunrise, Loki had surmised a plan of action. With some skill, and a great deal of luck, it would prove itself successful.

He hoped his luck hadn’t run out yet.

Loki found himself in a familiar backside alley, the entrance hidden behind empty fruit crates stacked six feet high. He stepped carefully down the narrow cobble path, wrinkling his nose at the stench of city sludge and old bathwater dumped unceremoniously onto the ground. The clotheslines above hung limp in the afternoon, the fabric heavy and wet from the rain – whoever put them out had neglected to retrieve them. He found the heavy wooden door with gold hinges and knocked, twice. Then he stepped back into the rain, no more than a light mist at this point, and waited. 

He was considering turning away when it finally opened. The man who answered the door had dark skin and eyes that shimmered like copper. His hair fell over his broad shoulders in locs, decorated with metal clasps. His face wore a stern expression that revealed exactly nothing, and he waited with one hand on the door – prepared to shut it again at a moment’s notice. “Yes?”

“Heimdall,” Loki greeted solemnly, and glanced out at the alley for listening ears.

“You don’t have an appointment.”

“This isn’t my usual business,” he explained, squinting as misty rainwater dripped down his face and clung to his eyelashes. “It’ll be quick. I only need one page; no forgings, no signatures. It just can’t be my hand.”

The dark man hesitated, gripping the door while he considered this. Loki’s clothes stuck to him, and he silently wished that Heimdall would at least let him inside, but he knew not to press the matter. Their relationship was a strictly professional one, and he knew how much he was asking. “I’ll pay twice whatever you ask,” he added.

Heimdall’s copper eyes met Loki’s, his expression still flat, and then he opened the door further. “Come in. Don’t sit. You’ll ruin the chair.”

Loki obliged, stepping in quickly. The room was dark and smelled of leather, lit only by candles and the narrow, cross-hatched windows that lined one wall. The other three sides of the small, square space were lined by bookshelves, lined with bottles, parchment, and bookkeeper’s tools. Less conspicuously, there were a few shelves full of antiquated volumes, which he knew to contain ledgers upon ledgers of signatures and scripts. A forger’s library.

Heimdall sat down at the desk, dipping his quill into the inkwell. “You’re lucky. I’m not busy today.”

Loki nodded in agreement, feeling relieved. “Yes, I know – it’s short notice.”

“So,” Heimdall began without looking, pulling a clean sheet of plain paper from the desk drawer. “This isn’t a false shipping charter, or an inventory log, or a bank note. What is it?”

“A ransom letter.” Loki regretted revealing this information the moment it left his mouth, but he had no choice – better to tell it now, rather than when Heimdall started realizing it halfway through writing and risked blotting a page.

Heimdall’s metallic eyes flitted up and he frowned at Loki, setting the quill down and leaning back in his chair. “Now, why would you want me to write that?”

Loki looked up and set his jaw, shaking his head slightly. “That, I can’t tell you.”

Heimdall regarded him silently. Whether it was judgement, scrutiny, contemplation, Loki couldn’t say for certain. Heimdall’s expression didn’t change. While Loki respected his ability to be discreet, Heimdall’s strong-and-silent personality made reading him nigh impossible. Finally, he raised one eyebrow. “It’ll cost extra.”

Loki’s mouth opened slightly and he nearly rolled his eyes. “I can afford it,” he grated, feeling a flicker of agitation in his chest that the man would even be concerned about such a thing. “This isn’t a fleeting interest. Give me what I want, receipt it under my private catalogue, and I’ll be on my way. ”

Heimdall sighed and picked up his quill again, leaning over the desk. “Fine.”

Loki inhaled deeply, raising his eyebrows and directing his gaze to the ceiling. He’d been devising a speech from memory for a week, running it over his tongue inside his mouth and sounding it out when no one was around. He dropped his eyes and began reciting the words from memory, watching Heimdall’s skilled hand start painting the words on the page almost as soon as he spoke. “To his esteemed grace who receives this note …”

~

“... I hope it finds in a prosperous enough position to enable us both to get what we want,” Thor read aloud, his elegant brow furrowed in both concentration. He unfolded the letter further and skimmed a few more lines silently. Flipped it over, and found no return address.  He looked up at the maid standing at the door and held it up in the air. “What is this?”

Her eyes were wide with innocence and confusion. “I – I don’t know, sir, it was delivered with all the rest.”

Loki sat silently at one end of the long table, holding a spoon in his hand and stirring the bowl of soup before him in slow, disinterested circles. Green flecks of some kind of vegetable rose and fell from its cream-colored surface; neat chunks of tomato, too, alongside pale meat cooked to perfection and pulled apart. 

It was a favorite of his. He knew this, somewhere in the back of his mind, but even the smell of it wafting up in gentle curls of steam failed to appetize him. Every ounce of his focus was bent on looking unassuming as Thor continued to read the note aloud; the note that he’d carefully hidden amongst the other letters, delivered at breakfast every morning.

“I have in my possession one soon-to-be bride of your eldest son. I understand she means a great deal to you, so let me get to the point: in exchange for 12,000 guineas, I will return her unharmed, so  long as the exchange is made at the end of August…”  Thor’s brow furrowed further. 

Loki had been home for three days– it was the ninth of August now, and an otherwise ordinary Wednesday morning. It felt strange to know the date again after being stuck on an island, where the only sense of time could be ascertained in the rise and set of the sun.

Only last night had he decided to risk delivering the note. Waiting to reveal your situation to Thor and his father was agony, but Loki couldn’t afford to take any kind of risk. The coincidence of his arrival and the note’s arrival on the same day would have been too close for comfort. Loki was cautious to a fault, and he was painfully aware of that fact: he was treading on your borrowed time, after all. His stomach twisted, feeling physically ill, and he abandoned the spoon entirely, staring out the window with a thinly veiled expression of discomfort as Thor finished reading.

“Otherwise, she will die gruesomely, after her usefulness and entertainment to us has been spent. With a letter V as the signit,” he added as an afterthought, setting the letter down carefully, like it might bite him. He reached for the envelope it had been delivered in and tilted it, and the serpent coin fell into his palm. He gazed at it in silence.

Loki was practically crawling out of his skin. “V,” he repeated, breaking the silence with false curiosity and looking between Thor and his father. “Like Charles Vane, perhaps? The pirate?”

“No doubt,” Odin replied amiably, reaching across the table for the letter. Thor handed it to him, his expression stony, waiting while their father read the ransom note over for himself. He let out a derisive scoff and shook his head, letting it drop. “Twelve thousand guineas.”

Thor’s handsome face lit on confusion. “You will pay the ransom, won’t you? Her ship was supposed to arrive in Norway weeks ago. Who knows how long she’s been held captive.”

“That much for one girl?” Odin said skeptically. “A girl who wasn’t keen on marrying you either, I recall. Ungrateful thing. The whole arrangement has been nothing more than a bad business venture.”

Loki’s face was dangerously pale, anger lighting up his veins like fire on alcohol. “But we have the money,” he argued, trying to keep his vocal tone only mildly invested. It cracked. “And you made a deal with her father.”

Thor nodded in agreement, though clearly exhibiting a great deal more patience. “Loki’s right, Father. We have a duty of care–” 

“Silence!” He interrupted, and they both shut their mouths. Odin set down his fork to eye both of them with a steely grey stare. “There is nothing we can do.”

“But we can,” Thor argued, leaning against the table on one hand and gesturing with the other. “We’ve seen the bank ledgers – Loki and I both,” he added, nodding to his brother. “Your wealth would hardly be dented. I don’t see why –” 

“I will not deal with pirates,” Odin groused firmly, his voice icy and cold.

Something inside Loki snapped. He stood abruptly, turning to Odin. The chair scraped on the ground behind him. 

“So that’s it, then,” he began. He was smiling, but in more a baring of teeth than an expression of joy. “You would first resign her to marry a man she doesn’t know, and then let her die when it’s inconvenient to help?” He pointed an accusing finger. “You’re just afraid Vane will slip through your grasp, the same way he did before, and wound your pride more than he ever could your prospects.” Loki realized that he was snarling, his lip curled and tone venomous, cheeks flushed uncharacteristically red but he didn’t care – it was too late now. The man who he called Father stared back with equal animosity, the two of them locked in heated, palpable silence.

Thor excused himself from the dining room with a quiet, grumbling apology, and Loki followed.

When he exited the room and the doors shut behind him, he saw Thor walking down the hall – but his footsteps were slow, and he clearly didn’t know where they intended on taking him. Loki’s eyes flickered, and he sighed, loud enough to draw Thor’s attention and halt his steps. 

He turned around and came to Loki’s side. He watched his brother reach up and press at his eyes, rubbing them none-too-gently, and he glanced back at the gilded door. “It sounded like you know a great deal about her,” he stated quietly, breaking the thin silence between them. His large hands were restless at his sides, wanting for actions instead of words. 

Loki dropped his hand and cleared his throat, and his eyes were distant. “I spoke with her at the ball before she left. You remember.”

Thor grunted, looking out the window. “I didn’t get the chance. I had business to attend to.”

Loki’s lips upturned in a bitter smirk. “You always do.” His gaze found the window, too, staring out at the palm fronds as they blew in the humid afternoon wind. His chest tightened with the reminder of your island – the trees and the cave, of your smaller body pressed beneath his, smelling sweet and tinged by saltwater. Of feeling complete.

Loki could only guess at how much his father knew. Thanks to his outburst, Odin knew Loki was aware of his true parentage – which meant it would only take one line drawn in the sand between Loki and Vane to connect the dots and undo all his work. Your life and Loki’s livelihood, felled in one devastating blow.

Thor was uncharacteristically still, a sign that he was deep in thought. His wide arms were crossed over his barrel of a chest, brow furrowed, and he shook his head almost imperceptibly, silently dissatisfied. “We have to do something.”

Loki scoffed and rolled his eyes, picking at the dark green fabric of his wide sleeves and spreading his fingers, staring disinterestedly at the faint scars that lined the back of his hand from years of seamanship. “Don’t humor me. You would never act outside father’s orders.”

“I would,” Thor argued, and paused, glancing over his shoulder at Loki. “If I had help.”

Loki’s expression flickered and he looked up, meeting Thor’s gaze. The two of them shared a silent exchange; the same kind that they had since boyhood, a silent discussion and a mutual agreement. Perhaps your cause wasn’t lost after all.

The corner of Thor’s mouth turned up in a smile, and he shrugged his broad shoulders, returning his gaze to the window. “Besides,” he added, “What kind of husband would I be if I couldn’t keep her alive?”

At the same time as a humoring chuckle left his lips, Loki’s breath was punched from his lungs. Realization hit him like a hollow bell – something he had forgotten to consider when he decided to enlist Thor’s help. The two of you were, by all accounts, still engaged. If Thor and Loki succeeded in rescuing you, you would wed him all the same, hopelessly stuck in the same trap as before. His mind searched frantically for an easy solution, some weakness in this sudden and unexpected obstacle, but to his growing panic he found none, and a feeling of utter hopelessness rooted inside his chest that was too deep to claw out.

Loki might yet be able to save your life. But it wouldn’t be a life with him that you’d return to.

~~~

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[mashkaromanova]

Olga Nikolaevna and Tatiana Nikolaevna with wounded, October 1914

“My dear golden Papa!

Thank you very very much for your telegram which made us all happy. I am so happy that the darling is with you. And so nice about our victory. Thank God. All the wounded came alive, and the little flags on the maps were moved forward, i.e. to the West. We three are sitting in Mama’s lilac room and writing to you, while Mama is already in bed. She has a very bad headache. She regrets awfully that she cannot write to you. She kisses you affectionately and wishes you a good night.

Nastasia and I walked a bit today and went to the warehouse. There were about 6 ladies working, and Madame Sapozhnikova, incredibly fat, and most of the time did everything wrong, so that Trina had to redo everything. At 6 o’clock Tatiana and I went to Anya’s. Grigori and Zina were there, not Anya’s bu the one who comes to him often, very charming, and finally Princess Gedroitz. She decided not to give the lecture since Mama was not there, and went to listen to Grigori. He poured tea for us and told us a lot of interesting things. He said that the strong rains helped us, and other good stuff. The weather is clear, but very cold - only 1 degree of warmth. ‘The Evening Flyer’ just came. It says it came to the active army. Could that be true? A. I don’t know why I wrote this letter.

Well, goodbye, sunny-Papa. Sleep well and dream of many good things. Forgive me for my silly letter. May God keep you. I love you very much and kiss you. I am with you with my entire soul. Always Your daughter Elisavetgradetz Big regards [from] A.A.”

- Olga to Nicholas II, 22nd September/5th October 1914

“Papa, my good darling,

Today we again worked at the infirmary, and it went very well. Such a shame that probably this week Zhdanov and Mama’s Ulan Ellis are going to the Crimea, and both we and they feel sorry that they are leaving, because we got so accustomed to each other. Your Sharpshooters’ Pobaevsky’s arm hurts terribly, and he walks in the hallway all day, poor thing. I feel so sorry for him. The others are all very dear. Especially Mama’s Ulans - there is so much sympathy between them and me, something familiar, ‘Ulan-like.’ Your friend Suza-Muza-Laperuza-Valeriani-Kasteliani-Witte-Ponte-Monte-Count de Mendoza Botello sends his warm regards. So terribly charming!

We saw General Alexei Poretsky on Alexei’s train. We found him to be looking older and did not look very well, poor thing. Was Uncle Nikolasha very pleased to receive a letter from Alexei? I am so sorry that I am not with you. I am glad for General Ruzsky that you enrolled in your suite. How do you spend your evenings on the train? Do you play dice with Drenteln? The sisters played dice with the wounded yesterday. Mama asked me to tell you that today she changed the dressings of General Westman’s son (Preobrazhenetz). He was wounded in the leg, but can walk and lives at home, and only comes to us for dressing changes.

My meeting is on Wednesday at 2 o’clock in the Winter Palace in Petrograd. And that knave, Neydgart* - he wanted me to read something at the beginning of the committee, but darling Mama said there was no need. To think, I would read such idiotic, stupid things in front of 14 people! Ah! Well there. Goodbye, my golden, good Papa. May the Lord keep You. I kiss you firmly and gently, my dear, how much I love [you]. Always your faithful daughter Voznesenetz. So tiresome that poor Mama is lying down with such a headache. Regards to Nilov.”

- Tatiana to Nicholas, 22nd September/5th October

* “I have always been troubled by the servile tone in which Neidgardt leads these meetings and found quite tactless when he stood in front of the Grand Duchess [Tatiana], uttering senseless praises to her in this address, calling for hr name to be blessed in all corners of Russia, ect. The poor Grand Duchess blushed furiously, then she blanched, with absolutely no idea what to do. Neidgardt went on to offer endlessly amazing and inappropriate comments.” - V. F. Dzhunkovsky

[purplesurveys]

820

what venue was the last real concert you went to at?: It was in a local arena and seeing as it’s the only big and also the most modern arena that we have in the city, all foreign acts usually hold their shows there because other venues are too small. 

does your best friend and their mom have the same last name?: Not fully. Their moms hyphenated their surnames.

when was the last time you watched a horror movie? what was it?: Sometime in June-ish. It was Midsommar, and we watched the last full show so it was very late at night :c Loved the movie but hated the ride home as I could barely look at flowers or the color white after.

does your mom think robert pattinson (twilight) is attractive?: I’m not sure actually. I think she found Taylor Lautner to be a bit more attractive.

what color is your cell phone?: Answered this on a recent survey, but while Apple calls it space grey it’s really just fancy talk for black.

are you currently waiting for a phone call? from who?: Gab and I are gonna video call later tonight.

do you have any drugs in your bedroom?: I think I have a couple of Biogesic pills left. I remember taking a whole pack of it from my parents’ room because I had a phase not too long ago where I had a headache almost every night.

is there a feature on your face that people compliment you on?: My eyelashes and single dimple get the most compliments. I also never really had acne problems so I get a lot of comments on that too.

what are your plans for the rest of the week?: Professors are starting to put our grades on our student portal thingy so I’m just spending the week waiting for my record to be complete so I can start really feeling like I’m graduating. I’m also thinking of trying to make a Monte Cristo sandwich hahaha but I’m just not sure if we have all the ingredients needed for it. Safe to say that my plans are all over the place.

have you taken your license test yet?: Yes, four years ago. I’ve already told the story on old surveys but I’ll never forgive the LTO for giving me a car I was completely unfamiliar with to use for my driving exam, since it affected my performance and made me nearly fail the test altogether.

are you annoyed with the side-bang phase?: I don’t remember being annoyed with it. It was a big trend and honestly it looked okay on a lot of people lmao, I never felt like I wanted to complain about it.

what kind of perfume do you mainly use?: I haven’t used perfume in a whiiiiiile because I haven’t gone anywhere anyway, but I’d normally put on Beyoncé’s Heat Rush.

how many studded belts do you own?: Exactly zero.

has your boyfriend/girlfriend ever had braces?: Yes. We had braces put o around the same time, but she was permitted to have them removed much later than me. I only had braces for a year and a half, whereas she needed them throughout high school so that’s four years.

if you could get one piercing and one tattoo, where would you want them?: I’d get either a nose ring or nose stud for piercing; as for tattoo, I’d get Kimi’s pawprint on my wrist.

what have you eaten today?: I had garlic rice, scrambled eggs, and two hotdogs for breakfast; milk tea in the afternoon c/o my dad; and afritada for dinner.

what was the last thing you dissected in a science class?: If my memory serves me right, it was some sort of fish. We didn’t dissect often, just three times: an earthworm, a frog, and then that fish.

have you ever experienced being in love?: Yes.

what’s your favorite thing to do?: I don’t have a top 1 favorite thing to do but one of my favorites is to lift my dog up and carry him around like a baby until he gets annoyed and starts squirming around as if to say “put me down” lol.

have you ever drawn a portrait of somebody? who?: No thanks.

did you wear a jacket today?: No, I don’t wear jackets at home.

where did you buy the last album you purchased?: I have no clue, it was such a long time ago – 2013 to be exact. My best guess would be Mega since their CD shops are always the most updated.

what is your best class in school?: In college, I fell in love with my international relations class right from the first lecture. So easy to appreciate a class when you see your prof’s passion bleed through the readings, lectures, Powerpoints, etc. Back in high school, I loved all the specializations of history that we covered: Philippine history for freshman year, Asian history for second year, and world history for third year.

what was the last kind of vitamin water you consumed?: I don’t drink vitamin water but I do take a vitamin C pill everyday.

how many times a week are you told that you’re beautiful?: Uhhh lately, not that much since we haven’t seen each other and we don’t really do video calls that often. Gab usually calls me beautiful when I send her a selfie, but I don’t do that a lot either.

how many years apart are you and your boyfriend/girlfriend?: A month and a half.

have you kissed more than two people of the same sex?: Mmm just one. I kissed Andi on the cheek once and looking back I now acknowledge the fact that I had meant to do it romantically, but I don’t really count it cause it’s just a cheek kiss.

how many times have you had sex in one day?: Such a personal question lmao but I think my record was 3 or 4 times in a day.

did you exercise at all today?: I don’t exercise.

what color of hair did you have the beginning of this school year?: It’s always just been brown. It’s never changed. < Same sentiments, except change brown to black in my case.

who are you planning to hang out with this weekend?: Just my family, as has been the case for three months now.

when are you getting a new phone?: Idk, maybe a few months into my job once I get one.

have you ever seen a transvestite in person?: That’s a politically incorrect term that pisses me off greatly. < Oooooh. Honestly, genuinely did not know this, so thanks for teaching me something new. I’ve since looked it up and apparently the more appropriate term is cross-dresser, and yeah I know several. My university welcomes all forms of expression, so anyone can dress and project themselves in however way they desire.

what was the last show that you almost went to but didn’t?: This doesn’t count as a show but there was supposed to be a wrestling boot camp in Manila as part of a publicity campaign for a brand new wrestling promotion, and Andrew and I had plans on cutting class so we can attend the boot camp and learn basic wrestling moves. It was gonna be the coolest thing ever since WWE legend Rikishi was gonna be the one teaching at the boot camp, but unfortunately and shittily enough, the whole thing had been scheduled right around the time panic over Covid was at its peak. Lockdown started at the same week the boot camp was supposed to happen, so yeah I never got my chance to step into a ring.

what did you wear today?: I wore a UP shirt and a pair of shorts, but I’ll be showering after this.

what book are you currently reading?: Nothing at the moment. I can’t decide which wrestler’s autobiography to read next.

[wasilewskitbfrostzn64insura-blog]

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dodge viper insurance rates

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[murfeelee]

My OFFICIAL Best/Worst TS3 EPs - REVISED 2019

I did a 2014 Sims 3 countdown list here, but since then I’ve played a lot more, and changed my mind about a few things. (Except the SPs -- I stick by what I said about those.)

Disclaimer: My “best/worst” is really just my personal favorites, with no real bearing on how well I think EA actually created the game, the quality vs quantity, how they executed the concepts, or anything like that.

With that said, let’s go Worst to Best this time! >:D

11 - Late Night: My opinion hasn’t really changed; if anything it’s gotten worse, especially after Boroughsburg went and dookied all over Bridgeport. XD

10 - Island Paradise: I’ve yet to even touch Isla Paradiso (I plan to...eventually), but the mermaids are meh & I was bored underwater (there’s not much to do); I don’t give a eff about resorts; and though I really like all the boats, they’re a EFFING HEADACHE to route & control. The new collectibles & items are cool, but I don’t feel my gameplay expanded all that much, as most of those objects are just a new, more colorful/tropical coat of paint on the regular stuff we already have. (Formerly #9)

9 - Generations: A huge expansion, yes, but when I’m not playing with kids (which is most of the time, outside of my Malec gameplays), I sometimes forget this pack exists. I disabled Memories & Imaginary Friends almost as soon as I installed Gen, and Story Progression on Day 1, so all I ever really use is the toys. It REALLY should’ve been basegame, or added in a free patch the way the TS4 Toddlers stuff was. Especially considering it didn’t include a new world to play in. And for all its claims, it effing ignored Elders, lbr. The new CAS & Build/Buy items get the most use from me by far, and the new sorting/filtering systems they added. (Formerly #7)

8 - University: I have zero intention of ever using the university mechanics, or going to the world at all (RL school already traumatized me enough; thanks). But I really like the Plantsims (a heck of a lot more than Mersims), and again, the collectibles & new CAS/Build/Buy items are the coolest part for me. I LOVE the harvestables, possibly even more than the ones in Supernatural. And the Buy Mode objects are effing cool -- the wealth of hobbies & skills stuff especially. 

7 - Showtime: My feelings about SHT have been conflicted since it was first announced. I still feel like it’s an expansion of an expansion (*cough* Late Night *cough* cuz it needed one -- or two *cough* Supernatural *cough* -- I’m ALLERGIC to EA’s BS!). I never used Simport, I don’t like Katy Perry, the Genie lifestate is glaringly out of place, and Starlit Shores is just ok. But the keeper for me is hands down the new professions, particularly the Magician, and I absolutely LOVE the CAS & Build/Buy items. (Formerly #6)

6 - Pets: I. Am. IMPRESSED. I think this is possibly the second best EP in the whole game (the best =/= my favorite). I’ve owned Pets & IP for years, though I was never able to run them on my old laptop, and had to wait till late 2017 before I got a new one with better specs. While IP was a letdown for me, Pets certainly isn’t; it’s so cool having pets & wildlife in the game! (Formerly #10)

—The rest I didn’t change my original ranking for, I just have more to say—

5 - Seasons: Still the best, most well-made EP out of the bunch (which says a lot, cuz it had its flaws, too). Winter is still my favorite (which is ironic, cuz I effing hate snow & cold IRL), but I still think the “holidays” mechanics & content are really bad -- EA was so busy trying to be politically correct that they watered down each and every one. At least small yet welcome additions/improvements were made in TS4, but TS2 still had the best, IMO. I miss Father Time. 

4 - Into the Future: A STAPLE for sci-fi gameplay, along with Showtime & Ambitions (and Seasons, for sneaking in the Aliens for no effing reason). But I am SO IN LOVE with the Build/Buy items, that I use them all the time. (I frikkin hate a lot of the CAS nightmare fuel, though.)

3 - World Adventures: I get tempted to bump WA up to #2, but I honestly don’t use the tomb exploration much at all, the mummies scare me, and I never cared for Champs les Sims; I think Monte Vista’s much prettier, with more interesting townies. I just love the fact that they added new cultures and lifestyles -- the worlds (plural!) are the biggest draw. 3rd best game, because they could’ve done so much more, but for the first EP out the gate, it’s a great expansion.

2 - Ambitions: Granted, I disabled Laundry (cuz eff chores); I don’t play in Twinbrook much anymore; and ITF’s Plumbbots make the Simbots look like a bad joke. But the content? The content. Dude: they’re EXPANDED. The traits, professions, hobbies & skills are sooo good. And I refuse to give up the CAS & Buy Mode items, not to mention that some of my favorite Build Mode content is from Ambitions (especially the plants). (Magnooooooooolia Crawford XD)

1 - SUPERNATURAL: Cuz duh, of course it is. XD Major flaws, particularly with the lifestates, but the content is just too integral for fanciful simmers to pass up. I have gripes with each and every lifestate (y’all know I raved a bunch about the 3rd party mod that added magic for kids), but I still have loads of fun with what we have (even the vampires, when I suspend my disbelief >_>).  

[fgodestinyawakenings]

EOR Shinjuku Singularity: Section 10~Section 12

2/3 of the chapters completed for this Singularity! I’m going to head to the final few bosses very soon! So far so good... Which I’m not really liking how it’s turning out... That’s me being paranoid, so let’s start the next chapter!

Section 10

Previously, the Gudas got kidnapped by the Assassin of Shinjuku and got themselves knocked out in the process! Meanwhile, Edmond learns the Gudas being in danger was part of Archer of Shinjuku’s foils to lure him out

Waking up inside the Leagues’ HQ... More like night time here, Assassin. No given shit here if you beat us for trying to escape! Then why did you bring us if the boss still want to kill us?! Just kill us already you ass--!

Okay, we got the closed up of Other Archer... Oh fuck, they look the same but they definitely aren’t... Right?! Though it explains his reason to tear his good counterpart out to face his rival?

And he pretty much confirms into destroying the whole planet... But why?! You... You did it... BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO TEST IT AS AN EXPERIMENT?! I’ve heard worse in destroying Singularity, yours just feel like a facepalm and a slap too!

I guess somewhat he’s lenient in keeping the Gudas alive, fearing Chaldea will ended up sending another Master to stop him. After leaving us to consider as we reject the idea to turn a blind eye at his doings... So... SHAKESPEARE?! IT’S REALLY OUR SHAKESPEARE THAT CAUGHT UP HERE?!

Yeah, totally that explains the chains meant to hold and torture Servants there. *facepalm* Okay fine, so that where the King Lear Spriggan came from. Look if you two want to shit-talk each other, do it later after I summoned you both in Chaldea!

After Assassin leave us... No dramatic plans to get out of here. But good to know on floor plan, Hornets and King Lear are around in this tower as watchdog. Also, Shakespeare somehow noticed something about Assassin too? Or at least the strange action of our Archer of Shinjuku, since knowing the Hassan disguised should be strange to catch some attention...

Oh he really did give us letter, while drunken enough to do so! And as the letter brings more question... Edmond!! Unfortunately, he could only bring one of us out of this place... We’ll come back to save you for sure, Shakespeare!

Meanwhile, looks like the alarm caught both Gudas and Edmond’s presence. Expected of the Counte of Monte Cristo... A Jail Break like this is nothing but 3 Hornets + 1 King Lear at our ass!

Defeating those 5, Edmond brought the Gudas up to the roof for safety... We’ve got to delay communication temporary until we’re far away from the enemy’s view. So... Time to drop the act, Fake Edmond! Because that Edgelord we know, will never referred himself as his name but the Count of Monte Cristo!

So Edmond is... Sherlock Holmes?! It’s a long time since the last we saw him was at Camelot Singularity! Seems like the reason he came was during Camelot when he was wondering the possibility in finding out if a Singularity could occurred after Humanity was restored

And was still possible if humanity moved passed the incineration Goetia attempted... So more Singularities was created thereafter. Fine, keep your secrets Sherlock Holmes!

Moving on... Sherlock ended up being forced to particpate in the spotlight was thanks to his well-known Nemesis in the story, James Moriarty. Wait.. Our Archer of Shinjuku... Is... James Moriarty?!

But our James is the good one here? Though that doesn’t make him the right to get the Gudas kidnapped here! So before we meet with everyone to get Sherlock to tell us the real motive in that experiment of other James... WHY THE HELL IS THERE 3 RUFFIANS CANNIBALS COMING AFTER US?! WE’RE NOT DELICIOUS MEAT TO EAT!! 

3 crazy ruffians gone... With Sherlock dressing back up as Edmond’s disguise again. Bringing us to Kaburagi, an owner of a general store in this Singularity... Or a black market general store seeing the demonic beasts and weapons he sells.

Oh come on! Can we have enough of kidnapping for one day?! And it’s cool, the only pet we need is Fou, Ozymandias’s sphinx cubs, Caster Cu’s wolves, and our little plushie Mini Cu-chan!

Removed his disguise off, Sherlock brought us to be ready to go by Artoria and Jeanne... Great, so much for a success in breaking out.

If you guys got Archer of Shinjuku before starting this Singularity, his True Name will finally be revealed: James Moriarty

Section 11

In 3, 2, 1-- Both Jeanne and Artoria Alter immediately rushed to the Gudas wondering if they were okay. Mash was relieved as the three her Master was fine, but revealed on her part to confirm they weren’t able to contact to the Gudas

Sherlock then greeted everyone after Da Vinci acknowledge his presence, answering to Mash that he was the one who saved the Gudas. And one long explanation + introduction later, Archer of Shinjuku comes out revealing he knows Holmes a long time... Or rather, James Moriarty.

We more or less forgive James, despite the bullshit he brought us through. Aside from the cat fight, James confessed his True Name to the Gudas properly, establishing a proper contract with them.

Other than the worries and understanding concerns, we’re already stuck with him until we defeated his evil counterpart. Sherlock explained the true motives that was similar to Lion King and Edison back in their own Singularities using the Holy Grail power. 

Within own discussion inside Chaldea from Da Vinci and the Staff... Gudas summarized James’s plan of destroying the world was removing it from history first! Or rather, the separated Shinjuku will be destroyed along with other inhabitants and Servants!

Gudas objected in saving themselves at the price of Shinjuku getting destroyed. And James, please kindly shut up before you should get the deserve beating from the two Alters. Deciding to save Shinjuku, Sherlock is glad they decided to save and revealed how other Moriarty decided to destroy the world

A time limit to prevent the meteor from reaching the gun barrel tower thanks to the Servant he absorbed in... Good to know you learned your lesson a little from France, Jeanne Alter

First step now is to stop that pervert Assassin that kidnapped the Gudas! Sexiness? Why does that need in a plan for? Buy, steal clothes? What’s going and no stealing!!??

Now in the streets, the idea was reckless as Holmes regretted... Dress-up?! Why? And okay firstly, get rid of the 3 Coloraturas that’s blocking the shop!

So as everyone change their clothes... Oh... Wait... What... NO... WHY?! WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS, JAMES, SHERLOCK?!?!?!?!?!

Section 12

A narration about hierarchy in this evil-filled Shinjuku Singularity... This is Assassin’s narration of his past and own thoughts?

Welp, after entering the party... And once the two Alter done with the cat fight, they had their radio inside their ears to relay information from within the party. Because it’s part of the plan to infiltrate Assassin’s lair... Why do we dressed up again? Well... For Gudao I’m playing, amusingly, him in a red dress!! XD

Don’t you dare take that picture (but please do!), screamed Gudao! XD Gudas danced with Artoria Alter while waiting for Assassin to show up, of course purposely adding fuel into Jeanne Alter’s jealousy...

Flashback to Holmes’s plan on foiling Assassin’s disguise, turns out he’s always on his doppelganger skill in the public, and intention is to seek glory... Expectedly getting beaten from the two Alter, James got knocked out from that insult he gave.

Back to the party.... Artoria Alter? No, Assassin of Shinjuku taking her disguise now?! After he gave his speech while calming the angry Lion Alter... SHIT, Assassin noticed Artoria’s presence!! Joined by James and Sherlock with Mash... Welp, that explains the 6 hornets needed to fight!

But that doesn’t end with the Assassin... More incoming! Along with... A giant ghost of Romeo and Juliet?! I hope you’re still kicking alive, Shakespeare, especially creating this mob for us to fight!

3 Hornets + 1 Ghost died... Okay now among the Hornets, Assassin disguised himself as one! Removing the disguise, only one shouted... YOU! Show yourself, Assassin of Shinjuku!

That’s rich coming from someone who disguised others! One will play fire right back at ya! Looks like no need to find out his True Name since he revealed himself... Yan Qing!

3 Taunters + Xuangzang + Merlin helps a lot... Especially given his own skillset may give him random charge of NP. Though a little headache was the gimmick where he’s got defense against certain cards for a turn or crit buffing

While fighting in story, Yan Qing detonated a bomb within the building! Grabbing the Gudas with them, they managed to escape safely. James too, positively and very much alive! Sherlock too, together with James, both deduced Yan Qing’s identity among the casualties and deal fatal damage!

Thanks to their own experience of murdering each other... Yan Qing laments of his own side effect of his doppelganger skill that has him remembering all those he copied. Creating a huge memory disorder of his own identity... So the Hassan we supposedly should meet already died before we knew it...

A last thought about his past and lord... He has returned back to the Throne of Heroes. As we head back to base to get some rest, the Gudas can’t drink ya know? Not only the Alters, you don’t know to face Mama Squad’s wrath when they found out

Wait... The howl... No way? NOW?!!!? OH FUCK, HE’S REALLY BACK FOR VENGEANCE THIS TIME!

If you have gotten Assassin of Shinjuku before the start of the Singularity... His True Name and Noble Phantasm will finally be revealed after this chapter: Yan Qing

And done! I’m going to break here again since Part 2 of CCC will be starting back in 6hrs+ so gotta head to grinding hell for BB’s copies!