#but omg i want to know what you think about [event] when they [action] together!!!! when it happens!!

[jifloulette]

➳ you didn't expect that by telling the itoshi rin that he looks like a hirono would make him blush so hard

pairing ; itoshi rin x gn! reader

word count ; 0.8k

inspo ; i read a rin fic with him being interested in smiskis and like other trinkets that reader collects so this is where i kinda took inspo from except it's a hirono version !!

you and rin decided to hangout at your place today and do the math assignment because you were lowkey getting sick of having to go to his home every day. (also because he was just lazy after soccer practice and he asked, no he kinda practically begged you to give him a piggyback ride) you were really excited because it was a rare occurrence that you and your boyfriend hung out at your house. when the two of you arrived, rin greeted your parents before removing his shoes and going upstairs with you to your room.

the two of you really weren't doing the homework and just decided to spend some time together in which you decide to show him your hirono collection! he would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued with this collection of yours, saying that their designs were very detailed and the quality of materials used to create them wasn't of low quality.

you did notice him glaring at the little action figures when he heard you say that they were really really cute...

"hey, rinnie! don't look at my children like that!!" you playfully shout loud enough that it wouldn't hurt his ears, "huh? what do you mean children..?" rin questions you. "well.. anything that I collect are automatically my children because I'm taking care of them so in this case, my hironos are my children! and since your my boyfriend, they're like your children too! you're like that one father that'll lowkey neglect them.. just kidding!" you reply with a huge cheeky smile on your face.

Rin didn't let in anything of what you said sink in, he just really liked listening to you talk. He didn't even notice the small smile starting to grow on his once cold-blooded face until you pointed it out and teased him, to which he replied by just simply rolling his eyes ate you.

The two of you just spent the time talking to each other and letting one another know about the funny and important events that happened today at your classes. (even if you were doing most of the talking, he didn't care) you also talked about how you saw on Instagram that there was going to be a new hirono series coming out and you really wanted to buy two. one for you, and one for rin! he did say that he didn't want one because it was a "lukewarm" thing to spend money on but you didn't care, you were still gonna buy him one, whether he liked it or not. god, did you know how to play with his strings, you knew he couldn't deny you for doing something so innocent and loving.

"Baby, i think we should start doing the math homework, don't you think?" Rin reminds you, actually it sounded more like a command and all of a sudden, you discover something amazing! "Wait wait wait wait! Oh my god, I just realized something.." you say, startling the boy a bit. "This hirono of mine looks like you, omg omg omg omg!!!" you cheerfully squeal.

"h-huh..? w-what are you talking about, y/n? that lukewarm toy doesn't look like me. not one bit." your boyfriend states. you then place the hirono besides his face, carefully observing and comparing the toy's features to his. the hirono's hair and eyes looked too much like the boy in front of you, it was oddly hilarious. you chuckled the moment you looked back at rin, his face reddening due to the random remark you just made.

"i-i.. no, it does not look like me, give me that..!" rin says as he snatches the toy from your hand after. he looked at the toy, trying to find what part of it looked like him. you couldn't stop staring, the way he was so focused on your little figurine was just so mesmerizing to say the least. you saw after that he was confused, like really confused. he was clueless about what part of the hirono made him look similar to it. it was only then that you got up from your bed and grabbed his hand, going to the body mirror in your room. "see! you looking so confused doesn't make sense because if you put the hirono up to your face, it looks like an exact replica of you!" you say, and to his surprise, you were in fact right! there was a bit of silence as he once again compared the toy's appearance to his, looking rather astonished at the discovery.

"wait, y/n, it kinda does look like me.." rin answers, "told ya!" you reply before giving him a quick smooch on the cheek. just when his face was starting to go back to its normal shade, your sudden action made it turn red once again! "hmph.. you're so annoying.", "buuuut.. i know you love me." you say teasingly, the boy's face heating up even more as you laugh at his reaction.

it was safe to say that because of your silly discovery, itoshi rin might just start to enjoy staying at your place more, mostly because he gets to see you talk about your hirono collection and how you bought some more boxes you wanted to open with him, but he'd never say that out loud. you did tell him that he could take the hirono that looked like him but he denied, saying that it was your property. it was only after he left that you noticed some space between 2 figures on your shelf, you shortly message him saying "take care of the little rin figurine!! you're his dad after all!!"

note ; a little something i made as i try to work on another rin fic because he won the poll i made last week, pls bear with me, it's another hellweek in school :((

[phi4mars]

hi! i was wondering if you could do a velvet x fem reader where the reader is a solo artist and is number one and her and velvet are super competitive with eachother? if possible could you also have the reader and velvet be exes that had a pretty nasty breakup and they flirt a lot and is obvious that they still have feelings for eachother? if not that's ok thank you so much !!

yess ofc omg, sorry guys if i reply to requests awhile after you send them in, i blame this on time zones 😒.

this is probably going to be so bad so i warn, i will get better hopefully i just need to learn how to get back into my fanfic roots.

anyways thankyou for your request!! i really appreciate it!!

misunderstood

꧁………….꧂

a few months ago every social network exclaimed the news of y/n becoming the top artist by passing velvet and veneer. the media suspected this would affect the relationship between y/n and the female artist velvet. and oh boy it did.

after this event the rivalry between the two increased significantly, leading velvet to suspect y/n of using her for fame and thinking their whole relationship was a plan for her to become number 1. an argument broke out which led the two artists to go their separate ways. this wasn’t a thing y/n or velvet wanted even though it seemed like it. emotions lead their actions.

now in the present time y/n and velvet would still get questioned in their interviews about each other, some questions are about the breakup and some are just personal questions like “was she a good kisser”. when these questions get asked both of them turn into a flustered mess. it was obvious feelings were still there.

it was now the night where y/n would get her award for being top artist. velvet and veneer would be attending which made y/n a bit anxious.

“what if she hates me and won’t talk to me?” y/n asked her assistant as they were backstage in the dressing room getting ready.

“y/n i’m sure if you talk to her and explain that this wasn’t to hurt her and it was all so unexpected she will understand” her assistant replied shooting her a smile.

“ugh this is so hard, i just want her to still like me” y/n whined as her assistant made the final adjustments to her outfit.

“go out there and be a star” was the last thing y/n heard before being pushed on stage.

the audience roared as y/n walked out, her eyes landed on the person who was meant to give her the award. velvet. her heart skipped a beat as she stood next to her ex. the pair locked eyes awkwardly. velvet then carefully put the award in y/n’s hands not breaking eye contact. the tension between them was unsettling. they both were stiff but red faced.

“thankyou” y/n mouthed to velvet who returned an eye roll.

“thankyou so much, i couldn’t have done it without all you guys and i am so grateful for everyone who has led me here tonight.” y/n exclaimed smiling. velvet eyed her then left the stage.

after y/n left the stage a party was being held. y/n was making her way to the bar then suddenly felt a cold hand grab her wrist.

“oh hi again” she awkwardly said as she looked at velvet.

“congratulations” velvet said sharply while looking intensely at the girl.

“thank you” y/n replied as she pushed back a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

velvet turned to leave but y/n quickly stopped her.

“velvet, look i know you hate me but i’m really sorry i didn’t know this would happen and i feel so bad and please forgive me i never-“ she got interrupted with and two hands grabbing her face and pulling her in, the kiss lasted a few seconds then velvet pulled away.

“i should be the one that’s sorry, i took everything so personally, i miss you so much and i regret everything” she told y/n.

“i miss you too” y/n replied as they intertwined their hands and walked to the bar together. the famous couple had made up and probably made out after.

꧁………….꧂

[thebindingofpillo]

Some character development questions:

Eden gets to fight one person from any era, peice of media, or other work of fiction. Do they take the opportunity? If so who do they choose to fight and why?

How did Az meet Mary Magdelene (the first iteration)? Was he in goat form at the time or did he choose that form later? If so why did he choose that form?

Also, in reference to Maggy's flashback dream, did Yeshua specifically reference Az as the good hands he was leaving her in?

Of your characters which is most likely to cheat at card games and who figures out the cheater first? (My guess is Eden and Cain fill both roles and end up quietly reenacting the spiderman pointing meme with their body language and facial expressions)

What was Edith like pre salt lick incident? (if you have any lore on that)

Finally: what makes each member of the au happiest?

Omg these are a lot of questions so this will be suuuuuper long lmao hope you don’t mind! But I know you wouldn’t lol. Anyway.

Eden is mostly a pacifist (or calls themselves one anyway) so I don’t think they’d try to fight anyone except maybe Azazel if he got on their nerves too much. And even then, they would mostly try to intimidate him into submission. As for any historical/fictional figure…. Uuuuuh probably nobody? Their main thing is just standing in the background watching. They didn’t lift a finger to help Azazel when the Nephilim were killed so I doubt they’d take action against anyone really. They did intervene in Eve and Adam’s first life, but only to help with their farm and after that they still blended in the background. They could have helped Eve in all her various lives where she was ostracized for being a demon but they never did more than offer her shelter and sometimes drive away a couple of people.

Azazel met Magdalene when he was in goat form yes!!! I actually want to go over his backstory in the second arc of the story (and it’s also the one I’m most excited about hehehe) BUT briefly: when he got out of hell he was hella traumatised, both from his years underground at the mercy of his abusive partner and because he never really processed what happened to the Nephilim (throw in also the guilt about abandoning his daughter in hell, this man has SUFFERED) so his plan was mostly to survive amongst humans and not much else. He was also really scared about forming new connections, since every time he tried something went horribly wrong, so he chose to stay in animal form and blend into the background. Minima risk of making new friends! Life was mostly okay, until he ended up in Judas’ flock (he was a shepherd in his first life) and that’s how he started actually caring about these people. So yeah, he first met Magdalene (and Judas) in animal form BUT his first “official” introduction to Maggy happened when Judas was already dead. I actually want to showcase this in the comic sometime, or even an event if anybody asks in depth about it, but basically, after those three days, Maggy went to retrieve Judas’ body from the tree and Azazel went with her (he was basically her pet at that point? She didn’t know he was sentient) but seeing her so distraught at the sight of her beloved made him choose to reveal himself. She was so sad and desperate that she didn’t really react that much, and so he held her until she calmed down a bit. They buried Judas and after a while they fled Jerusalem together and started new life somewhere else.

And YES Yeshua was definitely referencing him!! He already knew Azazel was no ordinary goat. I think Yeshua was Azazel’s first human friend after getting out of hell, but he still asked him to keep his secret because he was afraid of causing too much trouble. Try to explain to twelve men why the son of God is friends with what looks like a demon.

As for the characters most likely to cheat at cards: Cain. Definitely Cain. Lazarus too since he’s a little shit, but he wouldn’t really notice if someone was cheating right away. Cain is the master cheater, with millennia of experience to booth. Azazel might know how to cheat at cards, but he probably only knows very old games that aren’t in use anymore. As for Eden, they don’t really have an interest in cards so they usually don’t play, but I guess they could know how to cheat if they put their mind to it? But they’d never notice anyone cheating at cards with them. Eden is, first and foremost, dumb as a rock. They might love humans, but they do not understand them. Body language, facial expressions, tone, it’s all lost on them. Just look how they handled Judas, you can’t tell me that dude has ever had a coherent thought in their whole life. If they had any money you could easily scam them out of it and they’d be none the wiser.

And now Edith time… I must admit I didn’t really think much about her, but since Lot and his family were the only ones spared from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah… I guess she was an okay woman? Her marriage to Lot was most definitely arranged (as was the custom) but not an entirely bad one, she probably loved her daughters enough to teach them about sin and protect them, she might have had friends in Sodom and that’s why she turned around… Maybe she wanted to see her city one last time? She probably had family there too if you think about it, it made sense she would turn around even if God told her not to. Mythology is full of people who turn around when they shouldn’t.

And now the big one, which I’m going to divide into a list because I want to be neat

Isaac: I guess he’s the happiest when a good client commissions him and allows him to live his dream a little bit longer. He’s a struggling artist kinda like me lol and while he loves what he does he fears it won’t be enough to support him in the long run. He tries to not think about it. Luckily some new supernatural shenanigans are on the way to get his mind off of things!

Magdalene: learning new things and spending time with her loved ones make her happiest. They have the ability to make her feel like the best woman on earth even when she feels like a failure. And they’re always the first to hype her up. Her family is also very much up there with things that make her happy.

Judas: his lovers make him the most happy. It’s nice to be reminded you’re loved and cared for even if you feel like a failure of a human being. And while he hisses and spits like a cat at the mere thought of affection, he cherishes every moment with them always. They got him through a lot of rough times and helped him hang on just a little longer every time.

Azazel: not being in hell anymore makes him the happiest. Sure, life on Earth isn’t nice all the time, he still has to see his loved ones die over and over before him, and he needs to find them at every new iteration, but it’s still a million times better than being in hell. He’s carved himself a little place to exist on Earth and he couldn’t be happier about it.

Apollyon: Being on Earth makes him happy. He’s never seen it before and every day is a new wonder for him. And the fact that he gets to experience it with the people he loves the most is a very nice bonus.

Cain: he hasn’t felt happiness in a long time. The most he can go for is numbness, and it’s usually found at the bottom of a bottle.

Eve: she loves being an artist and her work. I think her happiest is when she gets to tattoo someone who loves her work. It feels like leaving a little piece of her with them.

Lilith: a lot of things make her happy, hanging out with her friends, the children she teaches at her kindergarten, a good meal, playing with Fwendy… she’s learned to appreciate the little things in life. I guess the “boring” times are the one where she’s the most happy, everyone is fed and there’s nothing to worry about, what’s not to love? Cain will also find a way to make her even happier but it’s a bit too early for that hehe.

Eden: Eve makes them happiest but they don’t know that yet.

Samson: he’s the happiest when he doesn’t have to think about his mother and when he’s out of the house. It’s not like he’s unhappy with her, but he’s always immensely stressed.

Lazarus: this is a tricky one, but I guess seeing his little sister growing up to be a great woman is what makes him happiest. Deep down he kinda feels like damaged goods since he’s been plagued by horrible luck since the day he was born and can’t keep a job to save his life. So he’ll do everything in his power to make Bethany happy and keep her safe, even if it means lying to her sometimes. He’s also convinced having Samson all for himself will make him happy but that’s not really what will happen.

Bethany: as of right now, her faith in God and His plan is what keeps her going, so I guess she’s happiest when she’s praying. It’s almost like meditation for her, a couple of minutes where the only things existing are her and God. It’s a nice little break from the stress of her life and leaves all charged up to face a new day.

Jacob: Esau and Lazarus makes him the happiest. They’re the two most important people in his life and he loves hanging out with them. In his ideal world, they’d all live in the same house and have wacky sitcom adventures. Samson can come along too I guess.

Esau: he’s the happiest when he’s away from Jacob and able to listen to his own thoughts. He strives for independence and has been trying to distance himself from Jacob for years at this point, to the point of going behind his brother’s back to go and live alone. He’s currently planning on moving away from Jacob, he’s already found an apartment. It’s not like he doesn’t love his brother, far from it, it’s just that he feels stunted with always having to care for him, and he thinks Jacob should do some growing on his own. They’re both 30, and as much as they love eachother, it’s time for them to become men.

Edith: she doesn’t really feel anything as her soul is sleeping inside the salt, but I guess finally going to heaven and seeing all her family there will make her very happy.

WHEW that was a lot of text lmaooooo. I hope it’s clear enough, i love answering questions haha

[moon-blanket]

Okay hi david. i'm back, i'm on my knees and ready to listen to what you have to say :)) You have my full attention babygirl.

Omg did Asher make Angel into a Trekkie LMAO.

He's spacing out and worried and just wants to be next to Angel :(( I'm going to scream and sob.

HEAD IN LAP !!!!! NOW THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT !!!! I bet he looks So pretty. PLAYING WITH HIS HAIR !!!! WOOOOO !!!!!! Anything for my man. Anything.

----

A vampire from the House of Wright pulled David aside before the negotiation with Baz warning him about being associated with William. And the implications of what it could mean, even if there isn't anything Formal connecting the two (Darlin' and Sam being the only Real connection, as with the Quinn situation). What the Fuck !

Apparently William has a long history of surrounding himself with "less-than-stellar" people, and covering them at Length-- even if it causes harm to innocents. Is Porter one of these people ? The House of Bennett ?

But David's right, they've made a Name for themselves in Dahlia. To make it seem like House of Solaire has recently put the pack in his Pocket could spell out trouble to others. Especially after the Summit, with the House tearing at the seams.

But Vincent and Sam are still people the Pack cares about. Oh my god, Word's gotten around about Sam not considering himself to be a Solaire much longer. I thought he was going to mention Sam's choice of not living forever. I was a little worried. But Honestly ? I don't blame the guy for wanting to leave.

----

Sweetheart HAS been assigned the CloseKnit case ! That's something ! Potential Sweetheart/Milo convergence in The Balance is still on the table ! Uhoh !

David can't do much to Help them in an Official Capacity-- his only connections are for Information. And he's running out of Favors to use on Action for it, they swung big to make sure Quinn was taken care of properly for Darlin' and Sam And if he could do it over again, he would still burn the bridges he did to make sure they got Justice. I Will Cry.

----

So he just feels stuck about what to do, and he can't help anyone the way he wants :(

Even people with Magic lead boring, mundane lives-- he didn't think he'd see any of the craziness he has in the last few years. Even his dad was just a Normal Guy who ran a business, he didn't have to experience horrors right after the other-- even if he still worked his ass off for his pack and his family.

Yet David still wonders what his dad would do in situations like this :(((

HEY. I'm hoping that glitch on the word "Inversion" was Just an Audio Error !! And it didn't mean anything scary or suspicious !! Because he mentioned it earlier and it Wasn't like that !!! Please don't be mean Erik !!

And he asks how Angel is doing :(( Knowing that they're wrapped up in all of this, but still are between two entirely different worlds and can feel just as much as an outsider.

And he knows that they tend to put themselves on the back-burner for David when it comes to all of these Big Events they've experienced :((

They feel Tired after everything :(( me too Angel. David letting them know it's okay to feel it Together, and it's okay to have limits. He'll never ask them to put their own feelings aside. He wants them BOTH to be open and honest with everything they're feeling and experiencing--so they can carry each other's burdens and be a team :((( Weeping into a pillow forever about these two.

Asher's been trying to get David into Star Trek, so it's Angel's turn to try and get him into it :') Shaw Pack what if i just laid on a country road about it.

Give these two a Break !! Even when they go on vacations they're still in charge and constantly planning things !! Give them a REAL break !!!

[madraleen]

Genshin Impact - Cyno’s Second Story Quest A Fond Commentary

(*from a Cynonari shipper)

-ASJFNJDFK, we’ve grown so close to Cyno over time, he’s so soft compared to when we first met him, he calls us friends, he invites us along, I cry. I remember thinking in his first quest, “We’ll win you over, we’ll win you over,” and now look at us :”).

-The fact that that man raised Cyno is hilarious to me. Their vibes are so different, it’s delightful.

-ASDKNDFS, “Bring Tighnari along too.” CYRUS!! Feed me, Cyrus!! The parental figure approves!!

-The fam is eating with Cyrus, I cry. Also, wdym they were both students together, you’re blurring the timeline again, argh!

-Kaveh!!

-Yes, we have some “us time” with Cyno, Tighnari and Collei, ily. Wtf is happening, they’re taking us camping?? Hoyo, you feed me so well!

-We’re all so happy, are we gonna get murdered or something

-I can’t believe we’re seeing Cyno jokes in an actual quest and not just in events, is this real?! Are we really getting soft Cyno, soft Cynonari, what is this, is this reality?! I’m so happy!

-Ahahaha, “it looks like we’ll get told off” and Tighnari’s face omg, I love this fam.

-Dude, this is so fun. And Hoyo knows exactly what they’re doing with the “three tents,” you can’t change my mind. Who shares?

-Cyno smiles at us, my heart, I cannot (*Cyno smiles a lot in this quest :’))))

-Kaveh and Alhaitham. Hoyo knows. 

-Everyone’s so domestic, thank you Hoyo, thank you. Kaveh and Alhaitham actually having calm conversations, calmly living together and putting their minds together, Kaveh sitting on the table, it’s so nice.

-Cyno: “Don’t come after me.” Literally everyone: “Yeah, so, anyway, how do we find him?” <333 Like, they don't even discuss if they should, Kaveh just goes "typical Cyno" and they move to action. What a great little extended fam, Cynonari, Collei, Kaveh and Alhaitham (and later Candace and Dehya, and Faruzan. What a great little found fam).

-Tighnari is coming to the desert himself??? For Cyno??? I cry. (Yeah yeah and for Cyrus. Would he be coming along if Cyno wasn’t involved? I don’t think so.)

-We’re meeting Naphis!!! What is this blessing of a quest!

-Like, I love intrigue and mystery and so on, but our bonds in Sumeru are just so pure and precious to me. This clear-cut “We’re transparent, we have each others’ back, and that’s that” of the Sumeru cast, I love it. And I love that it’s an ensemble cast quest, it’s so long since we’ve seen everyone together.

-Like, Tighnari could leave this to us, or to Kaveh, but no, absolutely not, he wants to PERSONALLY be with Cyno in this, like??? Tighnari ily???

-Sethos!!! Hi, bb, whoever you are <3.

-Sethos is a medium model, right? He looks so much smaller than Aether, Cyno and Tighnari. Younger even, even though he’s around the latter two’s age.

-I love that Cyno and Tighnari are equally clueless and are learning about Cyno’s past together. I always wondered - is the Temple of Silence thing something that Cyno hides? Does Tighnari know? Why do his character stories say so little on that, is it a secret? Turns out no, he’s just as clueless as everyone.

-Cyno’s parents essentially sold him…??? Huh?! I wasn’t expecting that!!!

-No, you didn’t borrow the Ba Fragment “for a decade or so,” Cyrus, don’t blur the timeline ffs! Unless we’re talking until Cyno became of age or something, or unless that "or so" is a big understatement.

-Everyone is tense and dramatic and “power this, fragment that” and Tighnari is like, “Sumanai, but u dumb.”

-Doctor Tighnari strikes again!

-Such a beautiful temple and it’ll just disappear after the quest?

-Lmfao, what is that pose before the duel, are we “the challengers” preparing to drop an album ahahaha

-Oh eff off, Cyno saying “I am more than a warrior. I am my own person,” and cutting to Tighnari saying “...Exactly”. That was SO UNNECESSARY! HOYO YOU FEED ME WELL

-Looove how Cyno won via polearm and not via Hermanubis or vision. Also lil Sethos is one of those multi-weapon users, huh

-Oh that’s such a nice conclusion, Cyno and Sethos not being enemies and now the Academiya and the Temple can be partners again. I like Sethos, I'm looking forward to us seeing him again and him making connections in Sumeru. Hopefully we'll get a hang-out next patch?

-Lol, Sethos granting us access to the Temple, catch Alhaitham moving in here smh

-Faru :”). All the familiar faces, I miss them :’)

-THEY HAVE A SIGNAL! CYNO AND COLLEI HAVE A SIGNAL! HELP!!! Pity that Collei had to be sacrificed for the sake of her guardians.

-HELP, they have their own code words as a family, they are so soft, they are so adorable, they are my favorite genshin fam, my favorite genshin ensemble cast, i love them so much. Like, Hoyo didn’t have to go that hard on the intimacy of it all AND YET! THEY DELIVERED! Also, pls, the timeline, wdym you were in school with Cyno when in Tighnari’s stories it says that student Tighnari attracted the attention of General Mahamatra Cyno, omggggg. Unless you’re saying that Cyno was simultaneously a student and the General Mahamatra at some point, OR that Cyno had the General Mahamatra mentality as a student and conducted his own investigations.

-I’ve seen too much fanart to believe that you’ll just “put the books back” in the House of Daena, Kaveh and Alhaitham. I know exactly what you’re gonna do there. We all know. -CYNO HAS A SECRET PLACE AND TIGHNARI KNOWS IT AND NOW WE KNOW IT THIS QUEST IS SO SOFT ASKJSFDNK

-BABY CYNO OMGGG SMOL. And them talking about Lisa, so sooooft :”)

-Color me elated.

[atopearth]

Ikemen Vampire Part 14 - Johann Georg Faust Route

Faust is beautiful but definitely creepy haha. What a great start to their relationship, he bites her and inspects her body to see if she's any different to the people in this era loll, what a guy. OMG who would have expected Charles the baby face to be the one that sleeps around lmao. He named his squirrel monkey Mephistopheles🤣🤣 I'm not sure how ethical Faust is but it was nice to see the heroine apologise for accusing him of killing people with no evidence or anything. It's hard to fault Faust considering how much pain he has to watch over with the people who confess in the confessionals and seeing the orphaned children try their best to live their lives. The most practical way is live on your strength alone rather than relying on prayers and I can't help but agree with that. Prayers can give solace but can it really save people? But I do agree that it can give hope. Faust being bad at waking up in the morning was expected but it was nice to see his hazel eyes without the glasses, BUT I emphasise that he looks so much hotter with the glasses. You shouldn't be friendly with your kidnapper, but if he's hot, why not? Just kidding, but honestly, the heroine warming up to them is normal considering how much time she spends with them especially since they're not terrible people who treat her badly.

Maybe it was cruel of Faust to say such harsh words to the sickly son that wants to die to relieve his mother of her pain, but I think Faust just wanted to use his own way to make the son realise how hard she is working because she wants him to live, not die. Sure it's easier on her if he was gone, but she's working so hard exactly because she wants him to live no matter how difficult life becomes due to it. Charles really wants to live a simple and happy life with everyone together huh? Anyway, it was funny to see the children think that the heroine and Faust are married because they live together, and then Charles and Vlad pop up and are like that means she's married to us too🤣 I mean, I'm not against that, it sounds wonderful. Considering his personality and his research on eternal life, you can't blame the heroine for thinking that Faust is behind these resurrection incidents where corpses have been coming back to life. I'm happy the heroine asked him straight out but too bad his answer was interrupted, but I'm curious now, because he said he absolutely wouldn't do such a thing and I want to know why. It seems that despite the way Faust is, he really cares about the "weak" and does his best to research etc because he wants to save them from things beyond their control like the epidemic that has now affected the children at the orphanage. Faust so kindly telling the heroine to not push herself actually made me so happy, it was so heartwarming! Honestly, I wasn't sure about their relationship, but seeing Faust sacrificing sleep taking care of her when she caught the epidemic whilst assisting him with the children was just so sweet.

I think it's sad that Faust had to witness and realise that the children around him in his orphanage he grew up in back in the day were being sold to slave traders and perverted aristocrats whilst the kind mother who took care of them didn't even know?? I can't imagine the life Faust and all these children had to suffer. The way Faust bit the heroine's neck and they both got excited was pretty hot tbh. It's crazy to witness such emotion and desire from Faust. I guess it's really different when he likes her hahaha. It's nice to know that once upon a time Vlad did try to actively change the course of history but realised that it was impossible because history corrected itself for major events so he couldn't interfere too much. I guess that means the reason why Faust vomited blood and is in a coma is because his actions is changing the effects of the epidemic. The heroine willing to risk her life to travel back in time and hopefully change the course of the future by making people more aware and careful of the epidemic so that Faust's actions won't be considered going against the order of the world is very brave and sweet. Her impression of him really has changed so much and I have to admit, I'm the same.

I can see why Faust gave up on his faith in God, if even Mother Therese questioned it when she was about to die, how could he not, having to watch her die when she was so kind to him and tried her best for the children that still ended up getting exploited? I quite like the CG of young Faust screaming into the sky that he refuses to accept innocent people dying and people being treated unfairly as simply fate. I think it was a nice amalgamation of everything Faust had to suffer through internally finally bursting out as he believes that God can't control everything and he will prove it by making someone or something with eternal life, a life that even God can't take away and simply regaled as fate. Faust being able to believe in hope again because of the heroine really made my heart break. Her efforts to travel through time wanting to save him really touched him and I'm glad he got to understand her feelings. The heroine desperately giving her blood trying to save Faust broke my heart too, especially because she finally understood a bit of Faust's pain in senselessly watching the people you love die when they don't deserve such a cruel ending. Alexandre, the guy that was researching or was into this, saving the day was expected but it's nice to see Faust truly free from a fate that desired to kill him.

The heroine angrily confessing her love for Faust was so cute. It's so nice to see how passionate their love is for each other now. It was also nice to know that le Comte told the residents about the heroine being safe when she travelled back in time and they even helped spread awareness about the epidemic because of that. Lmao, Faust going to the mansion and saying he was there to collect his guinea pig was so cute and endearing, I loved it, it really makes me think about how far we've come haha. Hehehe, Faust admitting that he wouldn't let the heroine go back to her time even if she wanted to was so cuteee. I also think it was fitting that Faust kept up his role as a priest in a way because he wanted to take over for Mother Therese even though he couldn't believe in God anymore.

Overall, I really enjoyed Faust's route. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started it and I actually had quite a long break because of life and I didn't think it was that interesting but when the story picked up, it really picked up. I love how along with the heroine, I really doubted Faust's original intentions and thought he was totally that crazy scientist kinda figure, and whenever he never denied it, it just made me keep thinking there's more to this but that doesn't mean he's not crazy! Well, anyway, it was nice to see how we and the heroine got to gradually understand Faust better with his actions and with what he learnt to express to the heroine. He evidently cared for people the more we got to know him, to the point that it was basically undeniable that everything he does was for people and to go against fate. I really enjoyed watching his past because of how he reacted to everything. His story isn't one that's very different from alot of people who have experienced such pain, but when he screamed to the world at how unfair things were and how he refused to accept fate as it was, it felt very understandable and made me want to cheer for him and support him. Considering how he doesn't show a lot of his emotions, it was nice to see how expressive he was and to know deep down how emotional he really was when it came to life. Initially, I wasn't too into the heroine and Faust's relationship but midway, I really loved how they both grew to understand the other and loved each other for the values and beliefs they held. And once they got together, Faust was just so cute and sweet in his own possessive way haha. No one beats my love for Vlad and Theo but I'd say Faust is pretty high up and it helps that in terms of looks, he's definitely the hottest for me haha!

[natimiles]

Though I am curious to knkw what exactly make you pick that suitors as your faves like what attracted you toward them and yes I mean all of them sorry if it is a long question 👉👈

Ooooohohohoooooo, Giulie…. That’s a dangerous question, little lady!

This is gonna be long. You asked for all of them, and all of them I shall give.

There will be spoilers too, soooo… I’ll put it under the cut HASIUEHIASUESA. You feel free to skip any of them you haven’t played yet or don’t want to read hihi

It’s time to shine! *cracks knuckles*

Isaac

WHERE TO BEGIN? OH MY GAWD, ASHIESUAHEAS. My lovely physicist… How could I not love him? He is the love of my life! He is shy, a contrarian, socially awkward, and adorkable.

He says he doesn’t need anyone and he just wants to be alone, but I think he is the most touch and love starved out of everyone in this mansion. He has spent his whole life being alone. It’s more a thing he’s used to than what he really wants (and I think that’s one of the reasons why Arthur can’t leave him be and keeps teasing him; he can read Isaac like a book). And it’s so beautiful to see him realize that!

He has the purest reactions sometimes. And his side stories really add to the whole thing, like when they go to town together after MC takes care of him, and he:

ADORABLE! RIGHT? RIGHT? UGH! I WANNA BITE HIS CHEEKS!

He could barely look MC in the eye in the prologue, and look where he ended up! He grew so much during his route. I think it has the right amount of drama and sad background.

When he finally falls in love, he is so bewildered by the idea. He still has a hard time expressing himself with words (and he says so in his last birthday), but it’s endearing how he tries his best.

And besides being smart, nice, gentle, adorable, cute, kind, caring, protective, and a little jealous (but also never stopping MC from doing anything she wants!)... He is pleasant to look at. I mean, I LOVE HIS EYES! He has the prettiest eyes, in my opinion. Sometimes while playing, he appears on the screen, and I just stop and stare into his eyes for a whole minute...

I love his soft voice and how he stutters sometimes.

I love him.

Mozart

I like a good tsundere, and Mozart is one for half of his route. Half because when it’s time for romance and he accepts his feelings, he becomes really forward about it. He says what he wants and what he likes, and he encourages MC to do the same: speak her mind, don’t be afraid to express what she likes, and don’t be ashamed if she's feeling aroused (this might sound funny, but it’s really important).

He pretends he doesn’t care, but he is always taking care of MC. He tries to feign annoyance, but then you look and he is blushing! HIASUEHAS. He is adorable!

When he finally falls in love and he realizes… God, I think Mozart literally running away to not bite MC is one of the best reactions. And then he comes back to play for her the song he composed because of her… LIKE?? It’s obvious you’re also a little contrarian and you actually want to be with her, Mozart!!!! PLEASE! ASIUEHASIEA.

He pretends to be nonchalant and not care, but we know he does! In Jean’s route, you can see how much he cares about the ones he loves because he can’t stand the idea of MC thinking poorly of his bestie. He doesn’t do it the best way, but… Let’s consider the intention and not the action, ASIUEHSAIEHAS.

He is caring, kind, and adorable. And also overprotective, possessive, and very jealous. He is one step closer to being yandere sometimes… But he does it in a cute way (Does it make sense?), and it makes it funny and kind of endearing.

I love his voice! Like omg, it’s so good! I love hearing him giggle.

Bonuses: His reaction to eating chocolate for the first time is so cute! And in one event, he is commanding MC to do things (it’s the one where he commands her to lick blanc from his beautiful fingers), and he says her blood is something he could never command her to give to him. Talk about boundaries and consent!

Arthur

He is so much more than he lets on! I’m playing his route for the 3rd time now, to get his side stories and try to get some premiums.

His facade falls fast when he blushes and gets all insecure when he has to apologize for biting her. It’s also nice how he stated he had reasons he now knew were wrong. If you count being wrong as losing, it means so much! This man hates losing, and he’s proud of his deduction skills, so… to admit he was wrong? Wow!

Also, very, very kind! I mean, all of them are, but I’ll repeat it HIUASHESAU. His story is well-written, I guess it helps too.

I love that he can be forward, but also gets a little flustered and desperate when he thinks MC is going home, HAISUEHSA. I LOVE THAT WHOLE SCENE!

Ieyasu

He has a huge and soft spot in my heart because he is my very first otome husband. I actually started playing Masamune, my phone was robbed, and then I started playing again and picked Ieyasu. And we’ve been married since then (:

My little porcupine is adorable. The reason I love a good tsundere is because he is one.

But contrary to Mozart, he expresses himself more through actions than words, although I think he tries to learn to do it with words (kinda like Isaac sometimes).

He is the youngest, and although they don’t say anything about it (that I remember), I think MC is his first relationship. He cares so much about her (and everyone else, even Mitsunari), and takes care of her while pretending it’s nothing. And when he listens to Hideyoshi and gives her the earrings as a reward… He really didn’t want to risk her disliking him! And it’s so precious to me.

He is kind, sweet, smart, and really strong. He just doesn’t realize it. I love how he grows with and because of her. His main route is almost slow (I haven’t read his sequel yet) compared to the new warlords and all the drama they can have, but I think it’s just as beautiful.

Also, I love how he helps MC to grow too. He teaches her how to shoot arrows, and I love how his MC just goes to battle to help him in the Eternal Ending.

Mitsuhide

I love all the sadness and drama. I love that he falls first and harder.

He is such a mystery! I never really hated him, but I was curious about why he acted the way he does. So I guess this curiosity already drew me to him. And when they released his route, GOD IT IS SO GOOD.

One of the best-written routes (in my opinion), because when you read it for the second time with his povs, you see everything in a different light. I love how we come to see he’s just been showing his true feelings the whole route.

He loves his MC so much, it’s painful. He cares so much about her. And I’ll state it: he is the most romantic suitor ever. EVER. He spent the whole route being romantic, even if we didn’t know about it. And when they get together, it’s so good. He is really forward about his feelings, he isn’t afraid to say or show how much he loves her, and he encourages her to do the same. I can’t say enough how much I love Mitsuhide for opening his heart and not being ashamed about it.

He is also so smitten it makes him look cute. When they’re at the festival and MC says she cares about him, and he starts walking a little clumsily, ASUIEHASIUE. IT’S ADORABLE! Like she can break his character so easily, it’s lovely.

He lies, he deceives, he betrays… but then he goes to her window to give the fucking bellflower pin. GOD, it hurts so good just thinking about it.

And he looks smoking hot with the red eyeliner.

Kanetsugu

Friends said I’d love him, and GOD HOW I DID. I think I fell faster and harder than Mitsuhide, ASIEHASUIEHSA.

His fangs played a huge part, I’m not gonna lie. I love some fangies! But the way he treats his MC is what got me real hard. The way he always offers his hand and waits for her to accept it, how he doesn’t do anything without her consent.

He needs lots of hugs and therapy. And I love how he grows in his route! He and MC help each other so much to fight their inner demons (or wolf, in his case hehe), it’s really nice. The whole time he thinks he doesn’t deserve to be happy, when he smiles, when he blushes… it’s all so adorable and beautiful! I think it’s impossible not to love him!

He is loving, caring, kind, and pretty forward. I love how he just says “I’m in love with you” like he’s in a business meeting, AHUIEHASUIEHAS.

I love a character who is all stoic but gets emotional about their love. And I love how they show this little detail in his sprites, how his eyes lose their light when he goes berserk about her.

Plus he bites and I like it. Gotta count that too.

Luka

We can bond over baking and cooking!

I love that he thinks he’s another lonely wolf who doesn’t really want to be alone, but finds out it’s the opposite along his route.

I love that he is shy and runs from MC. I love his blushing face, his beautiful eyes, his dyed hair, and his natural one. He looks so pretty with his natural silver hair!

I love how he and Isaac can be similar, and I think that's what attracts me to him the most.

Jonah

Alright. Jonah used to be 2nd and Luka 1st, but now I’m playing his route again… And I think I might change it (OMG).

He sounds arrogant and selfish, but he is just really proud of himself. And it’s not a bad thing!

Also a tsundere with the “silver hair and beauty mark”. He and Mozart are very similar, in my opinion, and I guess it adds to my love for him, AHSUIEHAS.

Plus, he is hot, and his voice is so good. When he kind of whispers, it gives me goosebumps.

Ellis

I haven’t played Ikemen Villains yet, but I’ve read some translations. And this man already has my heart.

He is so sweet and cares so much about MC. He sounds almost innocent and clueless sometimes, which is cute.

I loved the event where he got the handcuffs and gave MC the keys. It spoke volumes to me!

I’ll find out more about him when I read his route translations and when they release the EN server so I can play it.

His voice already has me in a chokehold. It’s soft and so, so good. UGH!

Levi

I did a whole post appreciating how smart he is, and it counts a lot here.

He is annoying in the beginning? Yes. I’d probably fight him, ASUIHESUIAHE. But then I can’t help it! I love a shy, awkward, otaku, and gamer guy! And Levi is the whole combo.

He is so sweet! I still haven’t gotten over that event where he programs a whole game to propose to MC. Like, look at the extent of his love!

He is another favorite who has a hard time saying it, but he shows it! He can get bold when he needs to, and he blushes furiously in the most loving way. I love when he goes “WOOAAH”, it’s so dumb and lovely.

I love his stupid hair, his eyes, and how his nail polish always changes from teal to purple.

I love his demon form and I won’t elaborate that to keep it sfw.

Simeon

He is so dumb. He is a grandpa. He says the most random things with a smile. He’s hot when angry. 

He is so precious! I love his eyes, like… most beautiful eyes for Obey Me, I guess. It’s a tie with Levi. I called him dumb, but he’s actually pretty smart.

He cares very much about MC. He talks about his feelings like he’s discussing the weather sometimes, but other times he blushes. And it gets to me every time.

He’s silly, kind, caring, loving, gentle, and a little bit jealous. He’s just discreet about his possessiveness; you gotta read between the lines sometimes.

The feelings I have for his voice. It’s not even a crush, it’s like falling off a cliff.

Satan

I’m not sure about this one? HASIUEHSAIU. LIKE. I love that he is smart and goofy at the same time. He isn’t on the “must protect” team, but he is one of my favorites.

I love how he blushes when he needs to talk about his feelings or when MC kisses him, HAIUSHESAIU. SO SILLY!

Kinda my favorites

Alright, these are favorites, but more like… They’re adorable, and I have a strong urge to hug and protect them from the world. I’d give my life to make sure they could smile because they’re so innocent, clueless, cute, and adorable. They’re angels!

Jean: my favorite thing is how he says “marorons” and when he writes his name IN HUGE LETTERS in his notebook because “the bigger you write it, the easier to know who it belongs to”

Shakespeare: recently added here. He is so sweet! And he is very forward with his feelings when they finally get together. It’s… wow, very wow.

Charles: he needs hugs and therapy.

Mitsunari: angel. Breaks my heart when he’s the love rival for Kenshin.

Kenshin: he needs hugs and therapy #2

And one final thing that I love from all of them (and I think all suitors are like this, but sshhh HIASHUESA) is they always compliment their MC about her personality, or things beyond just her looks.

Can you hear me screaming?

Mozart breaks me every fucking time with this.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk 🤍🤍

[fuckfuckgoback]

paracosm dashboard simulator

Inspired by @maddgical-boy :D

🌃 justice385627 Follow

Repeat offender caught west of main. Subject has short brown hair, brown eyes, and was known for pickpocketing. Confiscated goods are pending return.

🤺 bcbd-group Follow

caught west of main

thats our area you fucking leeches what the hell

🫐 orions-belt Follow

We actually ran into them in the mid city, and chased them all the way over. 😅

🌃 justice385627

And we wouldn't have had to if any of you could do your jobs.

73 notes

🕶️ monsterfucker378 Follow

something about that slime guy from last week... c'mon police just let me visit i could fix him

17,084 notes

🌃 justice385627 Follow

In reference to the reblog below this: Let him figure it out on his own.

🪨 scumoftheearth Follow

girl he's been posting pics of baggy Ts with khaki shorts please let me intervene

🌃 justice385627

K told me to reply "It's a canon event" and you know I'm not a girl?

#confusion aside it hurts me as well but he has to start somewhere

340 notes

🫐 orions-belt Follow

does anyone have any fashion advice

🫐 orions-belt

like, how it works?

🫐 orions-belt

where do people buy clothes...?

6 notes

powers-kill-deactivated20360709

This attack on our city cannot go ignored. The public should not fear humanoid monsters or people creating electricity to destroy and steal from our community stores. It is revolting.

Possessing powers at all makes these individuals inherently dangerous, but we should not ever see them used to their extreme like this. Action must be taken.

🕷️ gayspiderlover Follow

oh to be able to summon lightning and take down capitalism with my spidergirl girlfriend

powers-kill-deactivated20360709

These people are causing real chaos and destruction. You are sick for joking about this.

🕷️ gayspiderlover

😚🏳️‍🌈🕷️

mwah

#happy six year anniversary to this post #and the attack ig #i hope theyre still together

58,341 notes

💁‍♀️ gender-fucked-nbee Follow

"his pronouns are she/her!" - E probably

🌃 justice385627 Follow

What? I am well aware tack uses she/her pronouns.

🫐 orions-belt Follow

It's a joke, it's based off a different meme, I think they're just saying you'd say something like that.

🌃 justice385627

This site is a waste of time.

35 notes

🥼 ethical-lesbian-crimes Follow

been experimenting with making small bombs recently and i put one in my bag and almost brought it home on accident. if my little sister had found that....

john-deactivated20420312

what is it with these fake self proclaimed "vigilante crime fighters" nowadays trying to be so cool? we know you don't make bombs, quit stroking your ego

🥼 ethical-lesbian-crimes

hey.

673 notes

coquette-n-cute-deactivated20411230

if you have any of the slots on your ci ring set to anything fancy unfollow me immediately. its frankly quite rude to switch into that in front of your friends who can't afford something so expensive

tumblruser-deactivated20420214

a ci ring is $6000??????

iiiiidiots-deactivated20420123

LMAO imagine complaining about not affording a suit yet owning the rich person identity stealer 2000

#everyone here died 💀 #anyway its super easy to make knockoffs

37,064 notes

💕 fangirl-hours Follow

whoes that new guy with the blue hair? I think hes been running around with the team down by the bottom of the hills? vigilante fans help me out here!

🫐 orions-belt Follow

thats me actually! I am newer around here but I'm with E's group. my hair might stand out a little too much lol

💕 fangirl-hours

OMG. uh hiiiiiiiii. youre very cool I love when you do stuff with uhh gravity. wanna hang out sometime?

🫐 orions-belt

uh, E doesn't really want us meeting up with anyone outside the group in our secret identities. so probably not.

💕 fangirl-hours

oh well can we still dm?

💕 fangirl-hours

hello?

12 notes

💁‍♀️ gender-fucked-nbee Follow

🪨 scumoftheearth Follow

definitely left

💁‍♀️ gender-fucked-nbee

poll canceled everyone my partner is here 🥰

🌑 night-fight Follow

doesn't your blog say you're aroace?

🪨 scumoftheearth

yeah and it also says that im in a qpr with them so whats your fucking problem

#do people on this site not read?

203 notes

📌 tack---- Follow

#gaming

2,078 notes

[mihai-florescu]

"This is beyond a ship and beyond an otp and i will stop before i start sounding insane" no omg by all means, this resonates with me, please carry on... "because all roads lead to wataei<3" i feel so seen right now, you're so real for all of your takes <3 my ship is mafuena from project sekai, i'm their strongest soldier.

I saw your ask i was about to shower so i spent about half an hour monologue ranting about wataei to myself and i dont think i remember everything to write it again but i'll try a little bit.

I am thinking about how wataei can be seen by people who havent read their stories (or how other characters see them in canon from afar) as "guy stockholm syndromes his crush that he bullied into loving him" but reading any of their stories shows you that's really not the case at allll and it's Wataru who has the upper hand over Eichi's life. How many times has Eichi just *thought* that Wataru actually hates and will leave him and stopped thinking clearly. And how many times has Wataru enabled Eichi's jealous behavior.

And it all goes back to the fact that Wataru saved Eichi's life. Multiple times, Wataru unknowingly (and then knowingly) reaches out to Eichi and gives him another reason to live. First on the hospital tv inspiring a sickly young boy to start loving idols, then after the war, when Eichi is about to let himself die, Wataru pulls him back into the story. Eichi thinks he deserves to die for his actions and here is Wataru stopping him, giving him a chance to write a happy ending for everyone.

I know Wataru says he didn't hate Eichi for the events that unfolded in the war but I do think at the time he wasn't honest. Not with himself, i think he really wanted to treat it from an outsider perspective as a coping mechanism, and brush it off, not treating real life as more than a play (which is why him saying that Eichi taught him reality is more beautiful than anything else is so important. They make each other grow and become better but at the same time they can also enable each other's bad parts through jealousy and misplaced attention. They're everything. And another tangent, I'm sorry, but I wonder if another reason Wataru called Tsumugi the best clown and thought he could take the role was because at the time they were both perceiving life as not really happening to them? Tsumugi because he's desensitized, and Wataru because he distances himself from feelings and events by treating them as a play. Which is why he was struggling with those last words from *himself* to the eccentrics regarding their youth together. He gets fully invested in his roles playing them perfectly, but they're not him. And that's why in the beginning he thinks that he too will be able to leave, but throughout that next year he lets go of the "life is a play and i'm doing whatever roles are required of me" mentality that culminates in offering his mask to Eichi at the end of the year. This is me, and i offer this to you. But there are other moments on the way such as him telling Eichi he acted upon a selfish wish in Diner Live to be on the same stage together as Wataru Hibiki and Eichi Tenshouin. Sorry for the long detour). But as he reassures in every later story over and over again, he came to love Eichi the more they spent time together. It's just so important to me that they actively choose to be together.

I don't remember exactly what else I was thinking about in the shower but i know i was giggling at some point about Wataru's "Keito calls himself Eichi's right hand, but Eichi is left handed" observation. It is all so much better post Blackbird. Keito was the author of the war with Eichi, but Wataru was the one creating the story of the ! era by Eichi's side. I really am so, so curious what the final Fine event will be. And then, beyond, in the next era...

[gffa]

LUMI OH MY GOD?!?! I just saw your new recs omg THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FIC RECS FOR TRISTAMP!!! you wont believe how genuinely happy i am to see your recs for it! god i cant wait to read all of them, im sure they are all superb and golden 🥹 before i end this ask though, i wanna inflict some Feelings (pain) at you (and whoever read this):

Do you ever think about how insanely well the depiction of nai’s loud glaring all-consuming love for vash VERSUS vash’s quiet subtle all-embracing love for nai. The former so obvious you cant deny it and the latter you gotta dig & see the signs and when you do it blows your mind. I’m Fine. This Is Fine.JPG. 😭👍

You are very welcome! There are some really stunning works for this fandom, I hope they heal something in you (as they did for me) after everything that happened in the show. And oh my god I have been stewing on Knives' love for Vash and how complicated it is, how it's tied up in what they are just as much as who they are, that it's not just one or the other, and he is absolutely consumed by it in a very loud roar, while Vash is also consumed by his love, for humanity and for his brother, that it eats away at him because he loves, even so much that Nai can hurt him this badly and he still loves and loves and loves. And I think both of them are defined by humanity in their own ways, that Knives' hurt and fury over humanity's actions is just as defining to him as Vash's forgiveness and compassion for humanity is for him. And I think that it's telling that neither of them can let go of the other, even when Vash runs, he feels responsible for Nai, he can't let him go in his heart, and I think Nai's telling the truth (in his own extremely twisted way) about wanting to do this for Vash, that I think it still all does go back to Tesla and what humanity did to her--and what Vash lets humanity do to him, that I think Knives sees it as humanity carving away piece after piece of Vash, like they did before, like they'll always do. He's blinded by it, of course, so much of it is his own hurt and rage that he's doing this for, because this isn't what Vash wants, this isn't what will make Vash happy, but I don't think it's untrue that Knives is basically Magneto taken to an extreme here, that we do see the humans hurting the Plants, we do see Tesla's body, we do see the cruel sides of what they can do. And we see that willingness of humanity to hurt the Plants play out on Vash's body and I don't think Knives could possibly be unaffected by that. I would also say that I think some part of Vash must want Nai to see what he sees, that his compassion and love for humanity perseveres despite their flaws, that he's still here despite all the danger he's been put in, that Rem's love for them was just as real as what happened with Tesla and that they can all find the good together. He's not naive, he knows that Knives is serious about killing every human he comes across, that he knows Knives is dangerous, but Vash still loves him, still wants him to remember Rem with Vash, still wants to share his love for humanity with Knives. And like. It's the kind of story where they have to still love each other, because otherwise it wouldn't hurt when they fought each other, it wouldn't hurt when the other was separated from them. If Knives didn't love Vash or if Vash didn't love Knives, then what's the point of setting such emotional scenes on them? What's the point of that ending of Tristamp if it's not completely gutting the audience because the events in JuLai completely devastated Vash? They're inverse images of each other, they're designed to be upside down reflections of each other, their love for each other is at the heart of their very designs.

[ofmermaidstories]

the other day you said something something love triangle but the real question is who would YOU choose

no polyam, someone's heart has to break

Ok ur ON.

First thing’s first: what’s our perimeters? What flavour of Love Triangle? Bakugou vs. Deku? Bakugou vs. Kiri? Deku vs. Kiri? Do we exclude Bakugou because I have an obvious bias? Add a different character for the fun of it? Shinsou vs. Monoma? Iida vs. Sero? Iida vs. Bakugou??? (Sorry, I just really like Bakugou 🥹) Do you guys want a little Villain action??? Dabi vs. Shiggy??? Dabi vs. Aizawa???? Aizawa vs. Hawks?????

And THEN—pretending we narrow that down, which Merms do we want in the ring? Are we talking true-to-life Merms (lazy, self-destructive, holds massive grudges)? Or Palatable Fic-ified Merms (stubborn about asking for help, passionate, loyal)? Do we treat this like I’ve always been apart of their world, or is this a isekai situation where I’m armed with meta-knowledge about them? (that seems a bit rude tbh…. going in knowing intimate things about them that someone else mightn’t 🥺)

This is my proposed scenario, just so we have something to answer with, but feel free to send more challenging ones lmfao:

Palatable Fic-ified Merms, always apart of the BNHA world, and it’s between Bakugou and Deku (because I’m currently writing them).

We’ll go with my usual m.o. as a set-up: civvie, not apart of the Pro Hero world (bc id rather die lmfao), maybe in some kind of service-based industry to facilitate a meeting! I’m fairly good at people-focused jobs, and I don’t date/use dating apps, so to get into a relationship with me you’re either going to need to literally bang on my door, or we see enough of each other to form some kind of polite relationship that eventually ramps up.

Okay, so we’ll pretend we have that all done: what’s our inciting event? Do I get to know one of them before the other? Even if you had both Deku and Bakugou coming into [workplace] together, Deku is so much more of a people-person—he’s going to be the one that talks, that introduces the both of them—the one that anyone is going to get to know first. And since fic!Merms is me, I feel confident enough to say that that dumb bitch would be like “omg 🥺” about Deku immediately. He’s such a sweetheart! A people-collector! You end up in his orbit whether you want it or not! It would be so easy to get swept up by his goodness, I think, especially if you’re a tiny bit vulnerable (stubborn about asking for help).

Just to make things interesting, let’s give fic!Merms one of my greatest flaws—boop 🪄✨! now she’s insecure! So here’s this shiny, good-boy superhero who is like, how are you, how are things, we missed you the other week—and fic!Merms is just like, wow, he’s so nice, i will never indicate any interest ever :)

But uh-oh! Kacchan’s there! Kacchan who has Sneaky Introvert Syndrome—who notices everything!!! Because he’s watching!!! Silently!!!! Like a creep!!!! Kacchan’s not a dumbass—he’s going to clock immediately that fic!Merms has a crush on Mr. Oblivious Greatest Hero there. And tbh I think he’d just kind of roll his eyes about it (idiot extras, he thinks, unkindly)—until, uh-oh, something happens! The crush either gets us into an embarrassing situation, or a dangerous one (there’s an attack, and Deku shouts for us to get down, or something, but we hesitate because he’s hurt—and Kacchan has to barrel in and get us out of the way!). Afterwards, Kacchan tells us bluntly, “Either get over it, or pick your balls up from the ground and tell ‘im.”

“And what am I meant to do with them later on?” We ask, mulish. “Put them in the same purse as yours?”

“Drop ‘em again, since you’re so good at being a pussy,” Kacchan would say, unimpressed.

This doesn’t change a thing! 😌 We resolve to ignore him—only it’s a little bit hard to, sometimes, when Deku sweeps by with his easy smile and sunshine-yellow cape, and Bakugou’s beside him, flinty-eyed. 🥺 Ruining the view!!!

(“Tell him,” Bakugou says one day, stopping by without Deku. “‘M sick of your stupid moony face.”

“Shut up!” We hiss—this is embarrassing!!!

“Tell him,” he says, louder. “Or I’m gonna do it for yer.”)

It’s a nightmare! Sometimes a girl just wants a harmless little crush to waste time with, an indulgent lil daydream, and now we have this ASSHOLE stomping around demanding we ruin that for ourselves by doing something as stupid as confessing our feelings! Hateful!!! Why would anyone do something that dumb!!!

While that torment is happening, we end up eating out with them—Deku and Bakugou, and a couple of their friends. Crammed in some tiny bar, eating chicken skewers and grilled okra and holding giant glasses of cheap beer. And it’s easy. We’re wedged between Deku and Bakugou and their friends are friendly and curious and have funny stories—and it’s a good night! We don’t worry about our stupid crush being Revealed, or even meaning anything. Not until Deku turns to listen to us as we’re explaining, too excited, some personal project (something fun and dumb we do in our quiet time, alone) to one of the others—and he’s smiling because he’s glad we’re having fun and we fumble with our words because oh, oh no, he’s really close and it’s unnerving and we forget the point of what we were talking about—

“Yeah, and?” Bakugou prompts, annoyed, passing us a plate of more skewers. “Don’t just end it there, dumbass—explain it.”

(We launch back into our explanation—and completely miss the confused look Deku gives Kacchan, who’s determinedly not looking at him)

Oh but Merms, you say, this is too easy—Bakugou’s winning!

Nope! Wrong! Because while Bakugou was being a grade-school asshole, Deku was doing what Deku does best—being his shiny good-boy self! Stubborn about asking for help—one day after work (or during! sometimes you just gotta have it out!) Deku finds us, idk, crying or something.

“What’s wrong?��� He asks with all this maddening concern, like he really cares (he probably does). “Are you alright? I’m here—it’ll be okay.”

Sometimes all you need is the right person to ask the right question at the right time—we blab it ALL. Whatever our [insert problem here] is, he hears it ALL. Traumadump! He’s probably a little baffled, but I think a few years of being a Pro Hero means he’s seen the worst of it, and then some—he stays with us. Accompanies us home, afterwards. Maybe we detour to grab dinner, and it ends up involving more venting, more reassurances—we have an emotional hangover when he leaves that night but!! Then our phone pings!!! It’s Deku, saying that he’s asked [insert another Pro here] who has a Quirk that can help/experience in [problem here], and that if it’s okay, they’ll [insert beginning of solution here].

It’s so—reliving. Overwhelming. When we see Bakugou next, sans Deku, and he decides to be Rude about our crush we’re a little harsher than usual, sharper, in telling him to shut up. And Bakugou’s not a dumbass—he knows immediately that something’s shifted. He drops it, his mouth tightening, and we are chilly to him (we’re chilly to each other) for weeks afterwards.

But how is this a triangle, Merms? You ask! Where is the choice when someone is just so good?

Haha! You walked right into it! Because while Deku is the overwhelming good, the outreached hand promising it’s okay, I’ve got you, I will fix this, Bakugou is smoulder, the force that pushes us into being something better, because we have to, because we always had it. Problems will generally get worse before they get better—ours snowballs, the help Deku wrangled in exacerbating the issue. We explode! Remember, we gave our Mermie stand-in some passion—so BOOM! We can’t hold it anymore! We unleash and it’s Bakugou who appears, during the wreckage—with his giant Sneaky Introvert Ears, and his stupid Sneaky Introvert face, watching us warily—carefully.

“C’mon,” he says. “You can lose y’re shit, but ain’t any use in giving up.”

(He’s right, of course, as much as we don’t want to admit it. But we get back up, and when it comes time to patching everything together he’s there—Mr. Sneaky Introvert Stand-by, who grumbles but doesn’t leave.)

Have you ever been caught between two people? And maybe they’re so different from each other, and you, on the outside—but on the inside they’re both made of the same golden soul, the same strength and determination and you want that for yourself, in yourself? So you try to match it: you try to prove that you can help yourself, that you can be just as brave and as wonderful. You try to prove to Deku that his kindness doesn’t exist in a vacuum—that it can be returned, even in small things (you help others; you have lunch waiting for him, sometimes. you reach out a hand to him when he’s having a bad day, an ugly day, a day that shuts him down and drains him out). You try to prove to Bakugou that you’re made of the same firepower he is—that you can wield it, just like he can (you stick up for yourself; you show up for others, without them asking. You grin at him when he walks in, unwavering. Unflickering).

Things always come to a head, though. Best Friends isn’t a term either would use for the other—they both save that for other relationships, formative ones that built them up in ways neither of them were equipped to do for each other at the time. It isn’t enough to describe what they are to each other. What they have been. It doesn’t describe how they know each other like the ins and outs of their own souls, and how that means they can see it when the other eases in your presence. When one of them laughs too easily (Deku), or grins too sharp—sudden and bright and unexpected, like lightning (Bakugou). They don’t talk about it. It’s almost a kindness… until something goes terribly, terribly wrong (a massive villain fight, upending half the city and leaving it in embers), and one of them is caught in the blaze of a building, trying evacuate it—the other bleeding out in the middle of the battle-field, their latest threat curling over them, gloating.

We’re about to lose them both! But facing this, seeing this, one thing is clear—the worry for them, for them both, is hot and sickly and awful, but there’s one face we think of first, when it happens.

[anxiously-kk]

ok so i’m about to be reflective and rambly about some of my thoughts on the season so im putting it under a read more incase you want to skip because it is soooo long omg

ok so a lot of criticism on this season has been about The Flip™️ and how it ruined both corys game and the season. but i don’t think it’s that simple. to me there are many moments and choices that get made that helped build into the situation we are in now. flipping the vote on reilly week two which gave matt a huge chip on his shoulder and a wild vendetta against those who wronged her leading him to base so many moves on what she would want. was it good for cirie and izzy at the time i think it was but it did have long term consequences. you could also say that hisam telling his alliance they had to get matt out next but them flipping on hisam instead plus cirie green lighting matt saving jag(this isn’t all on her but she said she regrets not trying to stop him harder so i added it) lead to them forming a super tight bond that has helped them run the back half of the game. you could say leaving cameron (and bowie to an extent) out of the red blindside turning cams focus onto the ladies was unnecessary and it would have been better to include them. maybe that was the smarter play cause cam would have tried to stop it or maybe it made an unnecessary enemy. Maybe if meme hadn’t also been left out of that blindside till the last second cory wouldn’t have been able to get her to go along with the flip.

now in regards to the flip in question by this point that early core group had flipped (and blindsided) their alliance members more than once and cirie told matt she played path to power but not cory which eventually got back to him gave cory a reasonable opinion that they didn’t trust him and could cut him easily just like hisam and red. when you add that info to the fact that jared was acting like a total fool and on some extreme anti-cory shit that week plus izzy saying point blank america needs to go asap i wouldnt have felt secure with them either. now let’s be honest should have flipped that vote at that time even with all that info most likely not in my opinion because izzy at least liked him and was working with him while felicia could never let go of the belief that he was untrustworthy and that hurt him down the road. but would that have got him much further in the game? and would it have stopped the matt nag show? that’s hard to say because you can’t change one variable and assume every other event stays the same you know? like if izzy stayed but cory grew closer to america would they have gotten sketched and cut him earlier, or if he decided to ditch america would she have felt like she couldn’t trust cory and tried to turn people against him, if the blow up didn’t happen that week jared probably wouldn’t have been evicted that same night, so who would have gone in his place and how would that impact the game, if two people who were evicted didn’t have a whole week to chill in the house and put the game on pause would it not have given jatt time to set themselves up as the power structure or would cory have been able to keep momentum going and put together a solid group? instead? so i do think they should have taken out felicia that week probably but i don’t think doing so guarantees better results. i think its physics that’s like every action has an equal and opposite reaction and that’s true here too. this is a living game where people react to what is happening around them. every choice someone makes builds on each other any of those moments that i mentioned could have the right move or they could have backfired but they don’t exist in a vacuum you can’t isolate them from each other because one scenario only exists because of a choice someone else made

[mandalhoerian]

ayup it’s the person that sent those vera things like a week ago ?? yk the one that made a fool of themself by rambling about ur oc ! anyways i reread it bc ofc i did and. idk. it’s such an amazing fic like genuinely and i felt a need to express it. like outside of how well-thought vera is and how interesting her dynamics with marvin + leon are (and claire ofc) and just. the pacing and story progression. it’s all so well done. and i’m sure someone has told u this in ur ao3 comments but the way ur reinterpreting canon a lil and having vera shake things up is so fun and genuinely interesting which is why i went back and reread it all. it feels like there’s a lot i kinda missed the first time round with the nuances of vera’s character which was. very fun to go back around and see again. hope ur doing well <3

HI OMG WELCOME BACK IM SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU

(you aren't a fool it's my inspiration and motivation juice YOU TAKE THAT BACK🔪)

first of all you are A CHAD. The fic is 100K words oh god I can't imagine -- im happy it was more enjoyable the second time around at least 😭😭😭😭 It's amazing to hear that despite the fat word count, you think the pacing and progression is going well!

Unrelated tidbit but I really didn't know how to introduce Vera before starting the fic and was debating on starting from pre-RE2R in the summer of 1998, spend five chapters and so with Vera assisting Jill in her investigation and unravel things from there. But at the end I was like "literally nobody would read that" and thought what best technique is there by starting right in the middle of action and chaos? And the rest I winged it.

That had to mean I had to go through EVERYTHING about her life and how she got to that point by peppering the events throughout the plot as Leon and her story also progressed alongside it, and I couldn't gloss over anything, so it just expanded and expanded and expanded and I'm sure got boring as hell at places since she hides a bunch of shit from the others and good god do they have to be integrated to the plot of re2r AND UGHHHHHHHH. Thank you for telling me I havent messed up LMAOOOOOOO

About the canon. I have a bone to pick with some of the game and the story, I don't like how they went about a couple of things. This is me trying to lay the groundwork to fix them and everything by tweaking .

For example Leon pulling the "i have to talk to the chief first" bs and saying "Idk what happened it happened to fast" to ada like he was trying to make excuses like a child to his parent really irked me, especially in the original re2 he bent over backwards to get ben out of the cell so he could come along with them. (dont talk to me about how a law-abiding rookie he's supposed to be. that could have been done better. leon simply isn't a person to leave someone like that, and he was hearing about chef irons the writing on that could have been better) And the way Claire and Leon barely interacted when they are the core of re2 together was just not it. The lack of Sherry and Leon together was also weird when Sherry is a big part of why he was taken by the government and stayed, and how Sherry blatantly says he saved her in RE6. (I know they just completely wiped the slate clean off Sherry and Leon with RE4R backstory by just saying Leon just didnt have a choice but like. yeah) and also Ada. God Ada "(to the woman she wants to discreetly capture. since she's A SPY) We're here for the g-virus and i will now proceed to jump in front of the bullets" & "Where's Leon when I need him (has treated him as a nuisance the whole way)" Wong. Im sure there are a lot more things but i cant think of them rn but I am annoyed with Things

SORRY I JUST WENT OFF ON A TANGENT. But like. Having Vera involved and having her existence be a reason on changing things around is so much fun. I could just expand on child experimentation and the truth of the orphanage through her, it was always something wildly bothering me that they kept that plot so subtle in Claire's story. Birkins (or maybe just William. we'll never know) were using children in G-virus experiments WHY DIDNT THEY TALK ABOUT THAT MORE DUDE? That's why canon divergence makes things so much more interesting because it's not just transcribing the game and inserting an OC along the way, it's changing things and making new things up, keeping things fresh

GOD I TALKED SO MUCH SORRY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK!!!!!!

[bubblyernie]

Hi! I hope its okay to ask but what is Erill's relationship with his cosmic horror patron? :3c

Omg absolutely okay to ask!! (Also I’m so sorry but you asked about OC lore and I verbally threw up like fifty paragraphs)

Short answer is this super vague comic, it’s Complicated. But it’s love.

Long answer is (It’s so much backstory I PROMISE it’s relevant) hope my dm doesn’t read this lol it’s got stuff I haven’t told him in it)

The one thing that Erril did know from his parents was this very like. Cult/small town mentality of you succeed your parents craft. Which makes sense bc yknow very very very few people (none) on the top of the mountains where he lived. Dad was a mortician, he had to pick up the craft bc people more often than not Died on the journey up (one of those It’s paradise on top but only to those who survive the trip kinda legends) and he just doesn’t know any better at all. He’s also a cleric (as was his father and father before him) of secrecy, imagine a lot of Final confessions and shit like that. Not great for a child with no other influences.

So the one thing Erril has, even when everything went to shit (his fault, ditched his BFF on a mountain left for dead oops kinda like how his parents did to him not outta malice or anything just. Idiocy and cowardice) The One Thing He Has is faith. If I can compare it to anything from Greek love mythos it’d be mania for sure (he’s not like a crazy devotee cultist- or, maybe he is)

He LOVES his god with what emotionally ability he can. He doesn’t understand that though he sees what he’s doing as like, “he’s a cleric, of course he’s like this”. His understanding of love is so childish and shallow, but also so biased. He assumes marriage is — and this is why he packed up and bolted when Winnie confessed — bearing child and then running off to spend your life together, cough cough. It’s also, and he understands this but won’t accept it, deeply parental which he did GET from his parents, they always encouraged his success and treated him well when they were around. Like a child who tries and tries for their parents approval even for a sliver of affection — that but make it a duty. It’s one of those “if my patron asks, I will, because she’s all I have and I respect her authority over my actions. If I’m not useful to her then what am I?”

Anyway to make a long story even longer, left for three years (yay start of the campaign here!!) fuckin Uh wild ass turn of events kept rolling double crits on d100s found out he’s a prophet (doesn’t want to be but his destiny is trying to reach him about his fates extended warranty) and also had to See her (the god) and you know how that shit melts your brain. Went from kinda melancholic and soft to Jaded and angry and aimless. Errils so fucking broke after that shit he got frustrated and threw like a cleric tantrum of like OH YEAH IF IM SO IMPORTANT WHY WONT SHE ANSWER MY QUESTIONS????? Tries to gouge out his eye and his god is just like okay quiet down small man, look at me

She, again, god of all secrecy, asks him what he wants to know. And Erril (idiot) says “do you love me?” And her answer was like Lol Mmh nah, that’s one of your silly mortal things. I do require you tho. And Errils been repeatedly throwing this tantrum over and over trying to earn her respect, because at the end of the day, sure she needs him, but he NEEDS her. And he wants her to need him as much as he needs her and his hubris thinking he can even achieve that will probably destroy him sighs (yay corruption arc)

He keeps fucking up tho he’s a terrible secrecy cleric. Can’t heal can’t keep his mouth shut, all he does is roll nat 100s and aces religion checks but in practice he’s ruined what good grace he has because he opened Pandora’s box and can no longer be oblivious. Ah the allegory of the cave is strong in this one.

Fucked up spider mommy god and her little bitch boy who bites the babysitter (the warlocks), has to be kept on a child leash. Arrogance of like “I’m ur prophet boy I’m allowed to do this I’m going to say that!!” And everyone in the religion is just trying to get him to pipe down and drink his apple juice

[magicalyaku]

I spent a week writing up my thoughts about 5 months of books, I'm so done! I want to do this, yes, doesn't make it any easier. For next year, I need to think about how I'd like to continue, but for now, here's what I read in December!

Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts 4) (Tavia Lark): I like the first three books of the series, but I was very reluctant to continue reading because a different family of princes. And dragons. I don't particularly like dragons. Guess what, there's like three seconds of dragon inside this one and instead much more big talking cat (approved). Also it was less adventurous then the other volumes and more character focused, I'd say, with an attempt at political intrique that was in its complexity just right for this type of story in my opinion.

A Ferry of Bones & Gold (Soulbound 1) (Hailey Turner): I debated a long time with myself if and how I want to read this. It's seven volumes after all, quite a commitment. Well, am I glad about my decision or what. I had a grand time with this book. There's so much action omg. At the 50% mark I was like "What?! This is only half of it?? What else are you going to do?!" Because we deal with gods and immortals right from the start where other series will start small and keep those for the final! It's wild. It also often references events from the past which I think adds to the tension better than starting at the very beginning of protagonist Patrick's story and going in chronological order. Figuring out how things in the past add up is always its own little treat. I love how cranky and unapologetic Patrick is and how his relationship with Jono develops. It's a fun book and I'm looking forward to reading the next volumes! (I just need to take a bit of cooldown time before starting the second one because of its intensity.) Btw, I tried hard to remember if I've read something of similar action and insanity level before and the only thing that came up was The Tarot Sequence. :')

The Eidolon (The Magnus Archives 1) (K.D. Edwards): Did I just say The Tarot Sequence? Well, here it is. I actually bought this book as the Rainbow Crate Hardcover edition (my first and until volume 2 comes out probably my only one. (Shipping and customs to Europe are not fun)). Very pretty. The story is fun as usual, even though I had a little trouble remembering all of what happened in The Hourglass Throne to which this is set parallel to. Max and Quinn are so nice to read together. And even without remembering some of the details of the main story, it still felt familar enough to get it, if you know what I mean? All the references to the adults are also fun (What would Rune do? Brand taught me this! Rune always makes it sound so hard when it really isn't *eyeroll"). Also, unexpected ace rep, we like to see it. :)

This Fatal Kiss (Alicia Jasinska): I think I skimmed a mixed review of this, so I was a little careful and borrowed it from the library first instead of outright buying it. And guess what? I loved it! I had a lot of fun with this. I have a difficult relationship with female protagonists in my books (YA fantasy really sullied them for me), but Gisela here is just the kind of girl I can enjoy reading. A little annoying, a little cute, definitely not soppy. It helps that the male lead, Kazik, is also of the easily embarassed type, so basically two of my favorite character types together. :D I also like reading stories with Slavic folklore demons/spirits. The friendship between the girls is great (that one fight! Yes!), the way the Water Goblin cares for them (without being creepy!). It's quite wholesome. And while the stakes are only high for the specific characters, the tension is exquisite~ Everyone tries to keep their secret and you know when it comes out, there will be so much delicious drama. My only gripe is that that one specific secret is reserved for the sequel. (I thought it would be a oneshot D:). Interestingly, one review I read complained about the unclear historical time, as the setting seems a little dated but it still has busses and cameras. But it didn't disturb me at all. It felt quite natural and fitting in its way to talk about glasses and tourists, radiators, university, fashion and how it hated on tourists on bikes (loved it. Finally someone who gets me). I remember reading A Far Wilder Magic and actually being disturbed by the time of the setting, because that one felt old-fashioned but then they had condoms… (a propos, no smutty scenes in this one). I'm looking forward to the sequel and how their little three-way-romance will turn out! (And another pretty cover please!!)

Die Silbernen Schlangen (The Silvered Serpents), Die Bronzenen Bestien (The Bronzed Beasts) (The Gilded Wolves 2+3) (Roshani Chokshi): It's been 3 full years since I read the first volume. I loved it at the time but it was right at the start of my reading marathon so I got distracted with other books and didn't continue with volume 2. As a result, my memory of it was nearly non-existent … I remembered the characters at least. They made it hard, however, to like them at the start of volume 2, because they were all grieving and basically at their worst. Things got better as the plot progressed and people began to move. And then, volume 3 started in a similar fashion. After all, we have four to five characters whose feelings and thoughts need to be explored which makes it real slow sometimes. But I like the history, the logic displayed to solve the puzzles, the action sequences, the team. I think you can feel how thoughtful the story is put together, with all the threads of grander topics woven in, while still being accessible. And thinking about it, I read a lot of oneshots these days, so it was nice to read an epic story not afraid to go big (and have a really long ending sequence spanning years). It took me a while to get back into the story, but yeah, it was worth it.

How to be Ace (Rebecca Burgess): This is a graphic novel and memoir. My second of each this year, yay! I like this one because I dare say it's a common growing up story for aspec people (even if it's not at all like mine) and with its graphic novel format it's really easy and quick to read. Like, if you're aspec and want to read another person's story or if you're not, but want to know more, you can't go wrong with this one.

And that's it for 2024 for good! Keep an eye out for my summary post with the Award Ceremony for Best Books (and more) and I'll also post art again, promise. <3

[madraleen]

Now that the dust has settled- Honkai Star Rail 2.2 quest, long LONG thoughts (spoilers!)

-To begin with: I thought the overall story stuck the landing with both feet solidly on the ground. On a first level, that’s good enough for me, since I had quite the nagging issues with the Xianzhou ending. On a second level, there’s a few things that are nagging me here too that keep me from waxing poetic, but they can easily be remedied in 2.3, so I’m holding off on a conclusive opinion until we see what comes next.

-The plot twist: I LOVED IT. When we fell unconscious and then everything concluded happily-ever-after, I was so numb. I was like, “Uh… I… guess? I guess it all ended well…?” Admittedly underwhelming but also a happy ending, I didn’t know how to react. When Black Swan told us that the Crew actually lost, I lost my mind along with it, I was so shocked and pumped. Now, part of me wishes the quest had ended there, with 2.3 being us dealing with everything with more room to breathe. Even so, I did love what followed.

-Robin and Sunday: Sunday was canceled in 2.1 after the whole Aventurine thing by me, personally, but I did expect him to have the spotlight in a humanizing way in 2.2. I liked his character approach, I still don’t want him near my dearests. Robin is lovely. The ultimate sister. I really liked how they showed their paths deviating after a single mutual event. I don’t consider their vague ending a plot hole, surely it’ll be dealt with in 2.3.

-Misha: Aaah, my lovely Misha who I love so much. I wasn’t surprised with how it all unfolded, and I loved seeing how his speech changed once he regained his memories and purpose. It was a sweet ending, but also, on a personal note that has no reflection on the story, I wish he remained in the Dreamscape, so that we wouldn’t have a playable character “in loving memory of.” They keep piling up too, with Gallagher also “dying,” and Tingyun (I don’t think she’s dead, but for all intents and purposes she currently is). It’s a little odd, emotionally, to play long-gone Misha.

-Dan Heng & Boothill: The duo we didn’t know we needed! They paired so well together, they were so funny yet competent?! I loved that Dan Heng joined in the action, and I really liked Boothill.

-Trailblazer: HARMONY TRAILBLAZER, SO COOL OMG

-Imbibitor Lunae & Jing Yuan: ICONIC. Fake dream be damned, this was iconic.

-Firefly & Blade: I liked Firefly way more in 2.2 than 2.1. Her personality shone more, and I liked it. I loved seeing her with Blade too (in a suit! Driving!), in a casual non-mara struck conversation. It was nice seeing Blade like that. I don't mind that we don't know where she went or what she did in the end, I'm pretty sure we'll see in 2.3.

-Acheron: I liked what we saw of her, and I really like how she would have destroyed the dream if Preservation wasn’t at play. A double-edged sword, I guess. Did Aventurine do a good thing ‘cause then we wouldn’t have known the culprit/motive/goal, or a bad thing, ‘cause this would have ended much sooner otherwise?

-The gripes: -WHAT DO YOU MEAN ARGENTI SAVED AVENTURINE?! When, even?! ‘Cause he’d already seen him by the time we fought him in the competition. Where WAS AVENTURINE, where did he go, what did he do?! He went to the Reef, Jade said so, but he wasn’t there when we were there, so maybe Argenti saved him before that, but saved him how?! From what?! What happened?! I am BEYOND elated that we saw Aventurine and know he’s alive and well, he’s my fave, but he did All That in 2.1 just for a vague “Welcome back and well done” scene with Jade in the end? What about Topaz and Ratio?! Ratio’s note and help? Topaz and the IPC, from 2.2?! But that’s easily remedied with a flashback in 2.3, which would explain what happened and would showcase Argenti even more, who I assume will rerun next patch, so I’m not condemning anything yet. 2.3 is shaping up to be a direct continuation of 2.2, given the ending.

-Sparkle’s bombs. Could have been a red herring, could be a 2.3 plot point, could be that Sparkle was just living her best life. I hope we’ll get a comment on that in 2.3, ‘cause currently I see it as a loose thread.

-Aventurine’s chip? We still have that, right? And it wasn’t used. Does that mean he can still locate us?

-Did we even destroy the Stellaron?! If no, HUH?! If yes, what’s powering the Dreamscape now?!

-Gopher. Sunday is currently the only one held responsible for everything, when it really wasn’t like that, and even Gopher hinted at a bigger mastermind. What happened with Gopher, where is he?

-The Galaxy Rangers. Are you telling me a whole swarm of Galaxy Rangers descended on Penacony and we get to see none of that?!

But again, some or all of these things can be addressed in 2.3, so I’m holding off on grudges for now. 2.3 can re-frame 2.2 into something spectacular, or land it in the “very good, but-” category.

Also. The voice narration, was it Elio?! Was that Elio?!