#but saying 'and this is all hes been CAUGHT doing' oh so were being hypocrites today

[throwupgirl]

this quinton reviews video isnt it honestly. starting off the video saying he refuses to discuss allegations against schneider without a source or speculate about him doing worse things (good. applaud that) and then right when he gets to talking abt drake bell does that exact speculation bc he wants to defend making fun of drake bell 3 years ago (what the fuck is your problem)

[nathaslosthershit]

Passenger Princess Piastri (OP81)

Summary: Oscar hates driving outside of F1, you are sick of driving him everywhere and have tried everything to curb his obsession with being a passenger princess, but you may have stumbled upon a new method of making him get behind the wheel. (Aka Oscar's wife finds a new upside to her pregnancy)

'Oh having a husband who races cars for a living must be so nice, you have a built in personnel driver!'

Unfortunately, you are dating Oscar Piastri, a man who has trained in the art of guilting you into driving.

It was always something new, 'I don't like driving on the streets in anywhere but Australia', 'i have been driving all weekend, can't you just take the reins this one time', 'I know it is summer break, but you look so hot behind the wheel, I just want to appreciate my pretty wife while I have her with me'.

And you gave in, every time. It got to the point where he didn't even ask, just happily hopped into the passenger seat while you'd sigh and get behind the wheel.

But it had to to end. Oscar's reign as passenger princess had turned into a passenger queen, and you were going to force him to abdicate.

It started with little things; not joining him on errands you didn't need to go on, putting so much stuff in the passenger seat he had to sit in the back, not unlocking the car until he moved.

It worked well, but unfortunately he eventually caught on to all of your ways and found loopholes. He'd beg, and beg, and beg for you to go on errands with him, he knew if he could produce a few tears and a line about how much he loves doing these little domestic tasks with you, you'd give in. He would just move your stuff, all of it, or if he thought ahead, stuff so many things into the back you 'couldn't possible expect him to go back there'. He would just wait, and wait, and wait until you unlocked the car, doesn't matter if you had time sensitive plans, he would happily arrive late in the passenger seat, he'd even blame it on you.

This back and forth lasted years, he didn't care, he wasn't going to give up, but neither were you.

When your first thought upon seeing the positive pregnancy test was that you were going to milk this for all its worth and make sure the next 9 months + were passenger seat filled for you, maybe you should have reevaluated the situation, clearly it had gone too far.

You felt better though when you saw the same realization hit Oscar soon after you told him the news.

"Yep! You are not getting a free ride for a very long time, honey." You said, giddy at the look of despair on your husband's face.

"Please, come on, don't you think thats dramatic? You are pregnant, not incapacitated."

"You are so hypocritical to call me dramatic! You drive for a living, Oscar, yet you force your beautiful and amazing wife to drive you around as your personal chauffeur! You did this to me, and now you have got to pay the piper my friend."

"Wouldn't I be the piper in this case?" He was trying to distract you with a dirty joke, and damn it almost worked.

"No, because I am playing you, lovie. Plus, I am holding precious cargo now, don't think I won't call your mom or sisters to yell at you if you try to make me drive."

You felt victorious as you saw all the fight leave his eyes. Maybe it was cruel to use your pregnancy against your husband to force him to do a task he hated doing. Maybe it was evil to feel giddy about how you now had a new method of getting him to drive you places. You weren't saying you'd get pregnant again in the future just to win this ridiculous stand-off you two had, but it was definitely an added bonus.

A/N: I don’t know what this is guys I just sat down and wrote something I had no preconceived plans I just knew my Oscar girlies were hungry and needed to be fed

[acid-ixx]

I’m new, I just read your fic about neglect reader. I haven’t read through your blog yet but I am so excited after reading this fic. I am an emotional wreck right now and my curiosity is eating me alive with this question “Does reader know about Jason? Will they ever met? Ever have a platonic relationship together? Will Jason be more of a brother to reader?”

I’m sorry I speed through the fic and tears are in my eyes I couldn’t think straight BUT I notice that Jason is hardly there so I’m curious. Please this is such a brain rot, it’s way past midnight after I read this cause I keep stopping to cry.

major (?) spoilers below.

reblogs and interactions are encouraged and appreciated.

hello anon !! im so happy ppl are getting more exposed to the content i have written so far. anyways, i can't believe i also got others to cry bec i did too when i was writing 😭

anyways, to answer ur question: yes! the reader will meet jason and he would actually be the first sibling you would meet after you have left the manor. the way he would turn yandere for you is a different approach to how the others would be because in the prequel, it has been stated that you had your fair share of encounters with him.

"will they ever have a platonic relationship with him/see him as a brother?" maybe, maybe not. because your meeting with him would all be a blur to you, and jason's obsession would stem from the trauma he had experienced, causing him to be more protective of you.

you're not in your best mindset and you're vulnerable walking through the streets of gotham and all alone? oh god, only a dumbass would do that— but once the red hood recognizes your face and the way you carry yourself so pitiably, he immediately tries to take you in his arms just as he should.

but the moment you push him away? tell him to fuck off despite your drunken state? the moment you cry and tell him you could deal with everything yourself without his help or anybody else's? you just remind him of himself and that triggers his first spiral into yandere-ism.

it's the way you share trauma, the way you both feel immense anger. he should've noticed sooner because you two would've been as close as peas in a pod. and yet he failed you by being a hypocrite. you were literally taken into the manor right after his death and discarded like you were mere trash. he should've taken you away when he had the opportunity to but he was too caught up in his feat of revenge.

yet the worst part was that he had taken notice of tim before he did you, and jason had momentarily hated you too because he thought bruce had replaced him. if he had looked through that veil of contempt that he had for you, and saw just how neglected and in need of attention you are, then he would've taken you under his wing.

but he didn't, and he had done the same thing to you as most did.

so take it as you will when i say you're more or less going to be closer (albeit unwillingly) to jason than anybody else because unlike his other siblings who are bound by their vigilante duties, your big brother jason wouldn't mind shooting any creeps who think they could touch his precious angel.

and he gets it, too, angel— you hate him, you hate them all and that's valid. but you can't just walk out in the streets alone and expect to be home in one piece; so leave it to him to scout your apartment alright? leave it to your big brother jason to intimidate the goons who try to stalk you when you're not looking. even if you don't want him near you, you'll always find warm food by your table and a note reminding you to take care of yourself more often.

it hurts when you rip the paper to shreds but it breaks his heart even more if you refuse to touch the meal he would leave for you, because that probably means you saw him as danger more than anything else. and he doesn't know it, but you're already planning to make a run for it now that you're under red hood's radar.

it's obvious that you have no experience when it comes to living by yourself, so please don't fucking push him away and let him protect you from any harm. your self destructive habits only causes him to become more protective of you and it only lets him stalk you more often to ensure nobody would touch his precious angel.

just like dick, you'll be treated more like a child than that of a young adult, but at least jason has the concept of personal space compared to your eldest brother. but still, jason wishes to hold you in his arms.

heaven forbid if the joker ever got his crummy fingers on you. jason would go berserk.

little does he know, little does your family know just how much they had lost the opportunity to keep you in wraps inside the manor.

they should've never let you out in the first place.

[frankenkyle19]

-Jealously-

description: Jimmy finds you at the diner, flirting with another man. He’s pissed.. but why? It’s not like you two are even dating?

word count: 1.7K

Warnings: Jimmy darling being horny and mad, oral sex (m receiving), unprotected sex (don’t do it, Jesus is watching 👁👄👁), use of the word daddy because Jimmy darling is my daddy, and I think that’s it, enjoy!!!

—————————————————————————

You and Jimmy were strictly a summer fling. When you had arrived in town and came to see a certain… Freakshow, he invited you to his caravan after the show and you two… well let’s say no one in the camp got any sleep that night because of the two of you.

But it was always only a fling. It wasn’t a relationship, something Jimmy made very clear whenever someone teased him about falling for you. 

But even if he stated over and over you two weren’t a thing, people saw right through that. They seemed to know it was a lie even if Jimmy hadn’t realized that yet.

Jimmy was fiercely protective of his family and friends, and you were no exception. If he saw you getting picked on by some random dickhead at the diner or around the freakshow, he’d take the man outside and show him a piece of his mind.

From how many times Jimmy said you two were just hooking up, that it meant nothing, you figured seeing other people wouldn’t be a problem. Oh boy were you wrong. So so wrong.

You had been flirting with a nice young man in the diner in town one night when none other than Jimmy Darling walked right in the front door, gloved hands at his sides as he looked around. His eyes locked on yours almost immediately and something dark shone in them. 

He made his way over to your table, looking between you and the man, obviously angry. The look he shot the man was nothing short of feral. Absolute rage in his dark eyes. That was all the man needed to grab his coat and run the fuck out of the diner without a word.

You tried to hide your frustration as Jimmy took a seat opposite you at the table, tapping a gloved hand on the wood. He watched you, seemingly expecting an answer, or even an apology. But why would you owe him that? You two weren’t a thing. He had made that more than crystal clear time and time again, so why did he seem so mad that he had caught you with another man? 

“What, Jimmy?” Your words were sharp. Impatient. You looked up at him. Glaring. No doubt your eyes showed the same intensity as his, if not more. He had ruined a perfectly good plan to hook up with the man who had just ran out of the diner.

“What do you think you were doing with him, doll?” He asked, never once blinking or looking away from you. If you didn’t know Jimmy like the back of your hand, you may have been a bit scared. He looked awfully terrifying right now. You found it kind of… hot.

“Talking. Am I not allowed to talk?” You replied with a deep breath, trying to keep your composure. He was such a hypocrite. You had seen him flirting with plenty of girls around the camp grounds, so why weren’t you allowed to do the same? 

“You wanted him to fuck you… didn’t you.” His voice was hard, but he sounded… hurt. God, Jimmy was so sensitive sometimes, which led to him overthinking just about everything.

“What if I was? Is that a problem?” You challenged, sitting up a bit in your seat as you looked him over. His dirty white tank top clung tightly to his form, nearly see through. 

“You want to cheat on me, doll?”

There was a rush in your ears, whatever Jimmy had said next, if anything, was lost to you. What the fuck. What was wrong with him? What was wrong with him? Trying your best not to absolutely explode on him, you simply shook your head.

“Oh so we’re dating now, huh?”

He looked startled, taken aback. That was when he realized he had fucked up.

This was not a conversation that needed to be had in public, and you told him such. You two walked out together after you paid for your uneaten food. You glanced over at Jimmy, who was so tense it looked like he may pull something and hurt himself. 

He offered to drive you back to the camp and you agreed, arms wrapped around his waist as he drove back on his motorcycle.

He had led you back to his caravan to talk, but once you stepped inside, you found yourself pinned to the wall, Jimmy’s hands on your waist as he kissed you, roughly. You loved this side of Jimmy, the dominance, and despite how mad you were at him, you couldn’t deny his actions had you soaked.

“Did you imagine him doing this to you? Did you want him to fuck you? Did you imagine him pounding you from behind?”

A whine slipped from your red lips, some of your lipstick having smeared onto Jimmy’s lips and chin.

“N-no-“ you cried, clawing at his back, trying to pull him closer.

“Dammit Jimmy take those gloves off-“ you groaned, longing to feel his bare skin against your own. You loved his hands, and no matter how much he hated them, he did love how he was able to please you with them.

There was a whirlwind of motion and clothes were thrown in all directions as Jimmy led you to the bed dressed in only his striped boxer shorts, and you in your bra and panties.

“I think you owe me an apology.” He said, moving to slip off his boxers, cock slapping his stomach as it was freed from its confines. God he was absolutely gorgeous. 

“Get on your knees and show me how sorry you are.”

If your mind wasn’t so clouded with lust, you’d argue that you had nothing to be sorry for. It wasn’t illegal to flirt with another man, especially when you weren’t even dating this one.

Without further argument, you got on your knees, wasting no time in engulfing his thick cock head in your mouth, lips wrapped tightly around it as you lapped at the slit.

Jimmy couldn’t help the moan that came from his now parted lips as he tangled his hands in your hair as he panted. You knew exactly how to make him a mess.

You let him pop out of your mouth as you traced the prominent vein on the side of his cock, hands resting on his thighs for support.

Jimmy got impatient and yanked you back by your hair, tapping his cock against your pretty pink lips, smearing his slick pre-cum across them like lipgloss. 

“I’m going to fuck your throat, then I’m going to fuck that pretty pussy of yours.” He growled, shoving his cock past the tight ring of your lips and all the way in till his tip hit the back of your throat.

When you were with Jimmy, you had learned to control your gag reflex, well… as much as you could, because as he shoved into you, you choked a bit before breathing deeply through your nose.

“Mmm just like that doll, so good for me, you just love daddy’s cock don’t you?” You didn’t even have time to nod in confirmation before he was pulling back before thrusting back into your awaiting mouth.

Your mouth felt so good around him, only ever being beaten by having your pussy squeeze around him. 

A tear slipped from your eye, your mascara getting smudged on your cheeks as you looked up at him. He loved seeing you cry while choking on his cock.

After a few more harsh thrusts he pulled himself from your lips, conjoined fingers wrapping around his cock to stroke himself, spreading your spit across his length to lube himself up.

“Up on the bed doll, take off those panties for me.” He whispered, eyeing you like a predator. “And that bra too.” He added. He watched the whole time as you undressed, cock rutting between his fingers as he eyed you up and down, a sheen of sweat resting on his forehead, his hair damp.

You quickly got onto the bed, laying down but Jimmy shook his head, clicking his tongue “all fours, baby. And hold onto the headboard.” 

A shiver ran up your spine as you did as he said and not a second later he pounced on you, giving you no warning before thrusting his cock into your tight cunt.

Jimmy wasn’t a fan of condoms, but always always pulled out, cumming on your stomach or breasts. 

He rested his chest against your back, letting you adjust to his size as he panted, hands holding onto your hips. “God, you’re so fucking good baby doll. Squeezin’ my cock so perfectly, you’ve just got the perfect pussy, like it was built just for me.” He slowly began to pull out before sliding back into you, starting a steady pace, breath shaky.

The caravan was filled with sounds of skin on skin and the loud moans coming from both of your mouths at the pleasure.

You felt the pleasure building and building deep in your belly as you got closer and closer to the edge. Jimmy always knew which spots to hit inside of you to get you close.

“F-fuck- Jimmy-“

Jimmy growled, stopping his thrusts as he grabbed the back of your neck, turning your head to look at him.

“D-daddy-“ you choked out, which seemed to please him as he let you go and continued his brutal pace.

“Cum for daddy, doll. Cum for me.” His voice was like music to your ears, and how were you to ever deny him anything?

So, you clutched onto him, body convulsing as you clenched around him, the knot in your core snapping as you tipped over the edge into ecstasy.

Jimmy made sure to keep his pace steady as he helped ease you through your orgasm before he pulled out, shaking hand stroking his length.

“Turn around baby- I want to cum on those pretty titties of yours-“ he begged, though he’d never admit it.

You did as told, collapsing back onto the bed as you faced him.

“Cum for me daddy” and with those words, he let out a guttural groan, cum spurting onto your breasts, some even shooting up onto your chin. He collapsed next to you, wrapping an arm around you.

“I want you to be my girlfriend…” he panted, looking at you intently. And once again, how were you to ever deny Jimmy Darling?

[gyutarling]

INFINITE

late night adventures with beomgyu...

♯ — beomgyu x gn!reader ⋆ fluff ⋆ wc 1.7k

warnings! — cursing, mentions of burning things, mentions of ghosts and death, catcher in the rye slander (not srs if u like that book thats cool!), a little pretentious, jokes about dating a senior citizen, lowercase intended, not proofread

note — went ballistic after gyu made an insta..... save me manic pixie dream boy..... save me....

“gyu, where are we even going?” you enquired. frankly, you were still a little grumpy from being woken up at 3 in the morning, with beomgyu outside your window holding your shoes, wordlessly telling you to follow him.

when no reply came after several pauses, you glanced over next to you, only to find him completely zoned out. you were about to open your mouth to snap at him, patience spreading thin from the sleepiness, but then he smiled.

“the library, we’re sneaking in.” he turned his eyes back to the road ahead after making eye contact with you, mischief still heavy on his cheeks.

what he said took you a few seconds longer to process. “oh, okay— wait. what?!” in your befuddled state, you stopped in your tracks, “what do you mean by ‘sneaking in’? why the library?” honestly, you were more surprised that you didn't have more questions, but then again, this is beomgyu, you wouldn't put something like this past him.

beomgyu casually fixed his bangs, “sneaking in as in, we’re gonna not-so-legally enter the library like, right now.” he stopped in front of said building, you didn’t even notice you had been walking for so long. “and the library because there's a book i wanna burn.”

you almost shouted out a question, if not for beomgyu placing his hand over your mouth when he saw you staring at him with wide eyes. “hush! we might get caught!” his hand dropped after he felt your tongue touching his palm, “gross! anyway, do you have a paperclip i can borrow? kinda need to pick this lock before we do the actual ‘sneaking in’ part.” he held out his hand as he inspected the lock.

“what the fuck? are you insane?!” you opted for whisper shouting instead. you take it back, just when you thought he couldn't get any crazier, he proves you wrong with his stupidly perfect smile that seems to grow wider with each late night adventure. “first of all, why did i have to come with? could you not have done this yourself? i don’t wanna get in trouble again.” you said with a roll of your eyes.

“this is a two-person operation! besides, it’s more fun this way. so sorry in advance if i do get us into trouble,” beomgyu whispered back, and by the dimple peeking out from his smirk, you can tell he didn’t mean his apology.

you let out a relenting sigh and handed him a paperclip, “okay, but second of all, what book got you so enraged that you just had to sneak into the town library at such an ungodly hour just to steal and burn it?”

“it’s not like it enraged me, i mean, books are supposed to make you feel intense things, so i would have liked it if it did enrage me,” beomgyu mindlessly spoke while fidgeting with the paperclip, “it’s ‘the catcher in the rye’, borrowed and finished it recently, and i don’t know, the main character is just such a whiny ass bitch boy. he’s got this whole self-loathing, self-aware hypocrite persona going on, and throughout the book he pretty much just talks and drinks and pities himself. i think the author tried to make him too relatable, to the point that he became unrealistic, if that makes sense,” he rambled on, “the only part i liked was near the end, the part with his sister was actually pretty well-written.”

“so you are enraged,” you couldn’t help but giggle at his mini rant, “you’re cute when you ramble, by the way.”

“hm, i’d say the word would be ‘unimpressed’, i just don’t like it.” he pretended to inspect the lock closer, yet still failing miserably at hiding his reddening cheeks. a few minutes after poking and moving the paperclip around inside the keyhole, you heard a click, and seconds later, you two were inside the pitch dark library. “alright, we’re in. the rest should be fairly easy.”

“hold on, one more question,” you realised as you took out your phone for the flashlight, “why didn’t you just do this when you still had the book? why did you have to return it and then come back?” you were too far into the theft and arson two-person operation to be angry at beomgyu for dragging you into it at this point. you were happy to be hanging out with him anyway.

“hey, this might make me a criminal, but i’m not a heathen. i return my shit, never had an overdue book in my entire life,” beomgyu bragged, “mrs. librarian is basically my best friend.”

“and yet you don’t know her name?” you laughed at his antics.

“i believe in the magic of mystery,” he said in an exaggerated fancy accent, “besides, names and such formalities are for first dates, which i might score one soon, heard her husband’s been out a lot.”

“gross, dude! she’s like 78!” you couldn’t help but to playfully shove him.

“and yet she remains such a radiant beauty, her prune-like visuals never fail to amaze me!” beomgyu emphasised even more, and you both couldn’t help but let out loud laughs you weren’t supposed to.

“how romantic, even shakespeare wouldn’t have been able to be as eloquent as you. save it for her, though, i don’t wanna hear about how you’re into an old, saggy woman who’s pushing 80.”

as the laughter died down, you two decided to split up to look for the object of beomgyu’s hatred. you were a little unsettled by the dark, this was a library after all, a very fitting place for a victorian ghost to haunt.

just when you were about to let out a breathy laugh at your own absurd thoughts, you heard a creaking noise. you quickly turned off your phone’s flashlight, this was it, you always knew beomgyu would lead to your downfall by baiting you to some supernatural entity. he probably made a deal with the devil and offered up your soul. no, scratch that, beomgyu is the devil himself—

“boo!” you let out a squeak and fell backwards, startled as you saw beomgyu with his flashlight shining from below his face. you breathed heavily, trying to catch up with the shock as he let out silent cackles. beomgyu might be even more evil than the devil.

“oh man, you should’ve seen your face!” he spitted out between laughter, but that abruptly stopped when you two heard the jingle of keys. you looked at beomgyu, panic still in your eyes, but for a different reason this time. you were still on the ground when he helped you up and dragged you to a corner, sandwiched between two bookshelves as he covered your mouth.

you didn’t know if you were dizzy from being out of breath, or the distance (or the lack thereof) between you and beomgyu. one hand covering your mouth, one hand on your waist to keep you steady, his equally fast breaths on your cheek. if you weren’t insane enough already, he gave you a reassuring squeeze, and leaned his forehead on yours from exhaustion. you wanted to stay like this forever.

of course, your dazed moment was interrupted by the lights of the library turning on, and then came the sound of approaching footsteps. your anxiety returned, and beomgyu glanced to the side just to quickly turn back.

“change of plans. fuck the book, we’re booking it.” he smiled. honestly, how can he have time for word play in such a predicament?

“what—” at that, he grabbed your hand and bolted out from between the shelves. you could hear the shouting of someone, presumably the security guard, but the buzzing adrenaline was louder. beomgyu hurriedly bursted through the doors that you both came in from, with your hands still connected, then down the streets. your legs burned, but at that point, you two were laughing like crazy. in the small, empty neighbourhood, well into the night, you swore you could take on anything if you had beomgyu by your side.

slowing down, he continued to hold onto your hand as you came to a stop. inhaling and exhaling rapidly, the rush died down and you noticed the delicate snowflakes that nipped at your skin. beomgyu seemed to notice as well, he stood up straight and stared upwards, mesmerised by the fluttering whiteness.

“it’s the first snow,” he mumbled, “you know, they say that seeing the first snow together with someone means you’ll be with them forever, and any wishes you make will come true.” he looked back at you, and you found yourself admiring his twinkling eyes.

“that’s pretty,” you smiled at him, “did you wish for anything?”

“yeah, i wished that you were mrs. librarian instead— hey, ow! i’m kidding!” beomgyu dramatically rubbed his arm after you very lightly and playfully punched him.

“moment ruined.” you said, unimpressed as beomgyu giggled.

a comfortable silence fell over the two of you as you continued watching the snow, it’s light enough to not be too cold, but cold enough for beomgyu to pull you closer to him, close enough for the moment to feel real.

“sorry you didn’t get to take out your burning anger on the book.” you slightly chuckled as you remembered the events of the night.

“it’s alright, didn’t matter too much to me,” he shrugged, “i didn’t even hate the book that much, just wanted an excuse to drag you out with me.”

you looked at him, stupefied, “so you couldn’t just ask me to hang out during the day like a normal person? what if that security guard was secretly a victorian ghost protecting the library? and what if said ghost happened to die from a thief who burned their house down?” you started exaggerating to show that you weren’t actually mad at him.

beomgyu jokingly scoffed at your silly rambling, “normal is boring, and from your whole spiel just now, you’re clearly not normal either, weirdo.” at that, you both smiled at each other.

beomgyu is truly beautiful, but especially when he smiles. the way his nose scrunches, pinkish from the cold, eyes turning into crescents with tiny sparkles in them. the way his lips curl up, matching the wispy ends of his soft-looking hair, framing his face perfectly. his smile is truly perfect.

in that moment, all you could feel was beomgyu and the world, both infinitely yours.

PERMANENT TAGLIST (italics = can't tag!) @malswrldsworld (send an ask to be added!)

[muzzlemouths]

Apologies if this has been asked already, but is there any chance we might get to see what those conversations between sun and moon were like? I just started reading (Don't) Fear the Reaper and now that I know they talk when Sun is quiet, I can't help but wonder what's being said.

When I eventually get around to writing the follow-up fic (which will explore the story from Sun's pov) you'll get to see each and every conversation they had!

Since I'm not sure when that will be (and I have a rough version of what it might look like already written up in my notes) I'll go ahead and drop it here for you to chew on in the meantime :3

This conversation occurs in their personal cabin when y/n first finds out about Moon's existence. I've left the original lines in for context, but they'll be indented so you know what is and isn't internal.

“We?” You watch with growing curiosity as he freezes in place and winces, like he’s just been caught in a lie.

“Sun—”

“I know, I know.”

“Fix it.”

There it is, again. That distant expression like his mind is somewhere else entirely. You aren’t sure if robots are capable of internal monologue, but if they are, his must be pretty intense for the absolutely guilty expression he wears before smothering it with another mocked up smile.  “Me and…Moon,” he answers, voice pitifully small. 

“What are you doing?”

“It’s better to be honest, isn’t it? They’re going to find out eventually.”

“No. No. You’re going to say something you shouldn’t.”

“I can handle myself in a conversation just fine, thank you very much. I have so fa—”

“You don’t know when to shut up.”

His smile falters, eyes panicked like a child being scolded.

Moon. You recognize the name from the conversation with Oscar earlier, how scared he had looked from the mere mention of it. You aren’t entirely sure how to navigate this situation, but if this Moon has everyone up in arms, there must be a good reason for it, right? “Is he…dangerous?” 

“....Well? Am I?”

“Oh, now you want me to talk?”

“Just thought they should know all the grisly details, since you seem keen on being truthful.”

Sun hesitates to answer. He bides his time by tending to your ankle, instead. Carefully drawing your shoe away like a reverse cinderella, then gently turning your ankle in all directions to get a feel for the damage. 

“You’re not being fair.”

“Go on, tell them.”

“I don’t think that’s a good ide—”

“Tell them how I butchered her. How I didn’t stop until her pulse flickered under my hand.”

“Moon—”

“Tell them how much I regret letting go.”

“I—”

“Tell them how often we think about her blood caking our palms. How relieving it felt to finally—”

“It doesn’t feel broken,” he tells you. 

“Don’t ignore me.”

“I think you might have just twisted it. Should be in tip-top shape by morning!” He faces you with that telltale smile once more, only for it to droop significantly when you don’t immediately mirror his relief. It’s not the answer you’re waiting for. 

“Hypocrite.” Moon snarls. “Cornered yourself. Now you’re the animal stuck in a trap.”

“Little rabbit…” he sighs. “You are very, very lucky, you know. This could have been much worse.”

Pebbles climb in your throat, brought on by his words. Each bigger than the last and taking up space where you need to breathe. They rattle with every inhale, collecting in great heaps the longer he fits you with that emotionless stare. You don’t think he’s referring to your ankle, anymore.

“Cruel. Warning a rabbit with one foot already in a trap.”

“They’re smarter than you think.”

“It’s too late to save them.”

“...I know.”

“Then why bother?”

A twig snaps just outside the door, relieving you of his piercing gaze as his neck wrenches to follow it. Just a squirrel.  “Sun, I—” “Anyone can be dangerous,” he whispers, eyes still zeroed in on the animal.

“Caaareful.”

“I told you, it’s better to be honest," Sun's optics twitch ever briefly. "They ought to know it isn’t you they should fear.”

[weirdmageddon]

yesterday i wrote a scene where jade wasnt a plot device and was left the hell alone in A6A5 because this being dave and jade’s last proper conversation in years made me sad and i wanted to see them reunite properly. i mixed a bit of narration in too even though it was rare around this point in the comic but its just to paint a better picture. also i wouldnt mind feedback on character voice (it’s important to me that the dialogue sounds believable)

[3 years are over, everyone is in the new session. The prospit ship is on LOMAX, as is everyone who arrived on the meteor, safely warped by Jade onto LOMAX as well. Jade has banished B2 Jack to the Furthest Ring already. She hasn't seen her friends in 3 years, not to mention she never met the trolls in person yet.]

[Jade teleports to LOMAX where John was talking with the meteor crew. Her eyes widen when she sees the trolls, giving everyone a greeting. Jade waves to the trolls.]

You’ll have time to catch up with them later. First you want to reconvene with Rose and Dave.

> ==>

Dave... Oh my god! DAVE!!! That’s right! The last time you saw him, he died in your arms after Jack redirected the bullets from your gun into his body!

JADE: dave!!!! DAVE: hey DAVE: this has been three years coming hasnt it DAVE: cmere

> ==>

[Dave hugs Jade with a slight grin on face. He notices her… sniffing him?? but doesn’t even bother to question it.]

JADE: it is so nice to hold your body when its not a corpse :) DAVE: ok DAVE: weird thing to say DAVE: actually who am i kidding who gives a shit DAVE: i almost forgot how much i missed the enigmatic riddlefuckery that is your phrasing DAVE: fortunately i have context for this so i know what youre saying DAVE: humor me for a sec and imagine that i didnt DAVE: but first DAVE: are those dog ears JADE: yes! i am part dog now JADE: because i prototyped my dreamself with becsprite JADE: jadesprite became part of me! and so did her doggy traits from bec DAVE: got it DAVE: oh yeah john mentioned that on the back of his dumb poster inside that bucket that appeared out of thin air DAVE: right before we had to haul ass out of there before jack caught up to us DAVE: karkat had a complete fucking meltdown over that btw i wish you couldve seen it DAVE: damn it feels like so long ago now JADE: heheheh i remember JADE: john realized it at the last second but it was too late! DAVE: of course it was johns idea only he could do something that gooberish DAVE: you know what this means though JADE: yup!! woof woof DAVE: it means youve done it harley DAVE: youve finally done it god damn it DAVE: the evolution of humankind is finally upon us DAVE: the scientists said it would never happen in our lifetime DAVE: but look what we have here DAVE: before me stands mans first legitimate furry subspecies DAVE: homo canis DAVE: as the name implies theyre gay as fuck btw DAVE: its too bad all those scientists are dead and cant witness this phylogenetic breakthrough DAVE: rip to the science community yall wouldve lost your collective shit DAVE: hey jade lets pour one out for the science community for being real ones

> ==>

You are still nestled into Dave’s shoulder. He’s taken a sort of protective position over you. Your perceptive barkbeast ears can hear his formerly bullet-riddled heart beating a mile a minute with the regularity of quartz beneath his time-branded pajamas, all the while he continues to ramble to you about certifiably dumb shit. You can tell Dave is psyched to see you again, even if he expresses it in his OWN bizarre way, which means extended metaphors and topical tangents. What a hypocrite, calling YOUR phrasing perplexing! You sure missed this guy.

You realize you started tuning him out while thinking about all this.

DAVE: jade JADE: umm homo is the species name JADE: so wouldnt that mean were all gay? :p DAVE: yeah that sounds about right DAVE: anyway enough of this bullshit

> ==>

[Dave motions to retract his arms since he doesn’t want it to get too weird, but Jade squeezes tighter. Dave immediately yields to the movement]

DAVE: jesus wow ok DAVE: really happy to see you too DAVE: like if you had a tail it would be wagging so forcefully youd be knocking over all the fucking furnishings in the room DAVE: just slapping it so hard on the owners thigh that it feels like theyre being flogged DAVE: talk about getting bitch slapped JADE: :D DAVE: so howve you been JADE: really really excited to see you guys all again!!! JADE: and to meet the trolls! DAVE: yeah theyre pretty weird DAVE: and im still not used to it DAVE: but it gets more manageable the longer youre around them DAVE: by the way JADE: ?

> ==>

DAVE: sorry you had to go through that JADE: through what? DAVE: seeing me die and stuff again DAVE: except that time right in front of you JADE: .... DAVE: when we were gathering up all those frogs i knew jack was going to appear DAVE: i was waiting and waiting to play it out DAVE: mentally rehearsing my fucking torso getting turned into swiss cheese and knowing you would have to watch on top of it DAVE: i had to make sure it happened to protect the integrity of the alpha timeline DAVE: but if you knew this was going to happen you wouldve tried to prevent it and created a doomed one DAVE: and so i didnt say anything DAVE: i couldnt DAVE: so DAVE: sorry for putting you through that JADE: oh..... JADE: dave D: JADE: well im here JADE: if you ever want to talk about it DAVE: its cool DAVE: you just deserve to know what happened there DAVE: but thanks DAVE: so am i JADE: yeah i know JADE: i guess i should be glad you did that then... JADE: even though i was freaking out when it happened ._. JADE: otherwise you wouldnt be here will us now dressed in your red god tier time pajamas DAVE: yeah these magical rags really are comfortable arent they DAVE: and they stay like perma clean JADE: they are! i would wear mine over and over for days on end JADE: id take a nice shower and put it right back on JADE: and you know how much i love cycling my outfits through my wardrobifier JADE: by the way dave your cape is sooo cool! :o DAVE: thanks DAVE: yeah i love it its hella soft DAVE: its like ive got a portable snuggle blanket with me in case i ever need to drop to the floor like a tired sack of shit and get my snooze on DAVE: ive got a permanent personal reservation at club bed featuring dj pillow and mc blanky JADE: heheheh JADE: can i touch your cape? DAVE: of course go nuts JADE: yaaaay!!

[hadleysmis]

There's just so many things I want to say about the 1903 Su Manshu's translation of Les Misérables

It is a unique AU adaptation fanfic translation

I will put some kind of a list of observations that is sorted out, since right now all the information is falling out of my brain like a waterfall at the moment. There's just so many things one person can keep in about this liquid of an information.

If the translation is so different from the original, do we categorise it as a translation or an adaptation? I mean like, e.g. Jean Valjean tries to kill, then successfully robs the writer's political and religious mouthpiece Hero after he releases Jean Valjean from prison, etc.

The whole thing is so wild that "one of the main characters try to assassinate Napoleon but fails and thus dies from suicide" fact is mentioned in the footnote in the paper I'm reading; as if it's the least of our problems, because there's just so much going on.

Su was multilingual, but probably not in French. Instead, he translated from Charles E. Wilbour. And due to it being published in volumes, and it being hard to get by because how fast it sold, he only have access to volume one, apparently.

Even then, he minused Book 1 because it was too praise-y of Christianity via Bishop Myriel.

Oh, did I not mention? He hates Christianity, and he definitely hates the Bishop. That's why he deleted Book 1: it had too many nice things to say about the greedy and hypocritical Bishop.

「When in the English text Valjean asks whether the Bishop would like payment for his stay, the response is:

“No,” said the bishop; “keep your money. How much have you? You said one hundred and nine francs, I think.” (Wilbour, p. 48)

But Su translates:

孟主教果急忙答道：“不然，不然，一定要算饭钱的。你共有多少钱呢？你曾说你有一百零九个银角子。” (Su, p. 58)

Bishop Myriel answered in a hurry as expected, “Yes, yes, of course. You have to pay for your meal. How much money do you have in total? You told me you have one hundred and nine silver coins.”」

(Li Li, Su Manshu’s Adaptation of Les Misérables: The Manipulation of a Bridging Text in an Activist Translation. Translation and Literature. 2022)

Li Li suggests it might've also been because Su wasn't as fluent in English as we thought as well, since there are some misunderstandings of meaning (that bears no political or religious sway) in his translation.

On the topic of translation, there is also an excerpt I would like to share.

Su was writing during the nearing end of Qing Dynasty, and he was against the said Dynasty and thus was a revolutionist. If people were too critical and loud about their thoughts on the governing body and Confucianism, then the ruling class would've prosecuted him.

And thus, he had to cover his tracks and make sure he wasn't caught saying anything incriminating. He did this with his self-insert Ming Nande, and he did it with other contexts such as here:

[Quote:]

「In this moment Nande knew it was the girl that he was worrying about. Then he affectionately held up her slim waist and kissed her several times (This is a western custom, please don't be surprised!)."

这时，男德才知道是他心里所惦记的美人，急忙亲亲热热地用手一把搂住那美人的细腰，连亲了几个嘴（这是西俗，看官别要见疑）」

(Translation by Li Li, 2022)

I will definitely talk about this more at a later date because I have to go to Scotland, so I'm probably going to be travel-stressing xD

Even though I can't share the PDF of the essay paper that I have, I do have the link to a publicly shared webpage by the same author with her summarised thoughts on this translation, so please take a look if you're interested!

[samgirl98]

Mending a Family 52/?

Prev | Next

The next chapter has them going back home. Anyway, enjoy.

Jason gave Danny and Jazz some space while they said goodbye to their friends. It turned out that while it had been over a year since Danny and Jazz had been away from their dimension, it had only been two days for Tucker and Sam.

Danny had caught up with his friends and had introduced Jason as his dad. Even after all that time, it still warmed Jason’s heart to be considered Danny’s father. Bruce had been strangely quiet the whole time.

Jason was prepared to protect Jazz from Bruce’s ‘every life is precious’ speech, but the man had bitten his tongue, for which Jason was grateful. Jazz did it out of self-defense, but Jack had still been her father. As much as she preached about the benefits of talking about one’s feelings, she kept hers close to her heart like the hypocrite she was.

Watching how happy and animated Danny and Jazz were while talking to Sam and Tucker, Jason suddenly felt a sinking feeling hit the bottom of his stomach. What if Jazz and Danny decided to stay in their home dimension? After all, the Fentons, the main threat to them, were gone. This was their place of birth. They were bound to have other family and friends here. Jazz was eighteen, and they wouldn’t need to forge papers…No, Jason would stay in this dimension if it meant being with his son. He couldn’t, wouldn’t lose him.

“You have a good family,” Bruce said suddenly, stopping Jason’s spiral.

“Are you sure you’re not going to bring up your antiquated moral code right now,” Jason couldn’t help but ask. He had to know if he had to protect Jazz. She would be vulnerable right now, and the last thing she needed was the big bad Bat criticizing her for defending Danny and herself.

“I don’t like the fact that two lives were lost, but I can also recognize that, well, having me bring it up isn’t going to help her, and it won’t bring them back. So no, I won’t say anything about it and keep my thoughts to myself.”

Jason blinked at Bruce, surprised.

“Would you have said the same thing if I had killed them?”

Why would Jason be stupid enough to bring that up when he didn’t have to? Oh, it’s because he was dumb enough to care what Bruce thought.

Bruce and Jason looked up when a light flashed. The girl, Sam, was taking Polaroid pictures. Another flash went off and Bruce still hadn’t answered.

“Jason, I don’t want to lose you again. I don’t like the killing that happened here, but I can keep quiet about it in some instances. Right now, for example. Do I still believe there could’ve been another way? Yes, I do, but I won’t say anything to her about it. I still would’ve kept my mouth shut if it had been you.”

Sam gave Danny one of the photos they had just taken. Danny thanked her and hugged his two friends before walking toward Jason. He ignored Bruce completely.

“Dad, come meet my friends before we leave.”

Jason’s beating heart slowed down at his son’s words. They were still going home with them, and that’s all that mattered. For a second, he wondered if Bruce would feel the same way if Jason were to tell him that he could see them again.

Well, that’s a problem for him in the future.

____

‘Mourn them if you have to, but don’t regret saving your family and yourself.’

Talia’s words echoed in Jazz’s mind as she drank her water. She had left everyone behind and was alone in the kitchen. Jazz could still hear the ‘thunk’ as the dagger hit Jack’s forehead. She had killed someone, not just someone but her father. But she had to! If she didn’t, they would’ve hurt Danny. She had no other choice!

“Breathe, Jazz,” a deep voice said. She turned with a knife she got in her hands.

Nightwing put his hands up in surrender.

“Hey, it’s just me. You need to take deep breaths, or you might faint.”

It wasn’t until Nightwing mentioned it that Jazz noticed she was hyperventilating. She already felt lightheaded.

“Five things you see: go.”

Jazz had to concentrate, but she eventually understood what Nightwing asked her.

“Um, blue bird on your chest. Batman frowning in the corner, Jason’s red hair. The table and, um, she looked around, the Fenton ray gun.”

“Good, good,” Nightwing said softly, “How about four things you feel?”

“The countertop, the tears down my face, um, I don’t—I can’t think. Um.”

“Take your time, Jazz,” Jason said. He was giving her some space.

Jazz took a deep breath and let it out. Then she started hiccupping.

“I’m sorry, it’s just. Ancients, I killed my dad. I know it was to protect Danny, but I killed him.”

She started sobbing and went to her knees.

Nightwing bent down to Jazz’s level.

“What can we do for you, Jazz?”

Jazz shook her head, “I just have to, I have to come to terms. Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“Can you please make sure Danny doesn’t see me like this?”

Jason approached Jazz and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he stays with his friends. Unless you want me here.”

“No, go with Danny. I’ll be there as soon as I compose myself.”

Jason looked conflicted, but eventually, he left. Jazz was left alone with Batman and Nightwing. Somehow, having the two heroes watch as she broke down wasn’t as bad as she thought.

It still sucked.

“I’m sorry. I just killed a man, and I’m acting like the victim. That must irk you.”

Nightwing and Batman looked at each other.

“The fact that you’re regretting tells us a lot, trust me.”

Talia’s words suddenly came back to her.

“I don’t regret it, though. It was to save Danny; if I had to choose, I would do it again. I wish it hadn’t ended like this. Why couldn’t they just have accepted us? We were their children?”

Jazz broke down again. This time, Nightwing and Batman let her cry.

[twst-drabbles]

Jack 10

Summary: Someone from Savanaclaw, with black coyote ears and red hair, was following you around, carrying your books and notes with a pep to his step. Jack doesn’t want to judge, he’d be a hypocrite if he did, but the reason he wanted to help out was…odd to say the least.

(If anyone’s wondering, it’s that one Savanaclaw NPC with the black ears and red hair. He has no name, anyone want to give him one?)

Jack’s not really one to remember names of people he’s not close to, or won’t see often, but he remembers faces pretty well. He knows of that coyote over there, always in a posse, following what the others do. It gives Jack this weird sense of illusion, like the strength that coyote wants to show off is only as good as the people he’s with. There���s pride in being with a pack, certainly, but one can’t forget that you’re also an individual. It’s probably why he doesn’t remember his name.

All this to say that it ticks something off for Jack to see this student following you, the janitor, to and fro the hallways, carrying stacks of books and papers, all neatly tabbed and coded. Jack’s only impression of this man was an exaggerated scowl fit for a guard dog. But now here he is, shoulders pulled straight, black ears at attention and a silly smile on his face. Even his tail was waving without a care in the world.

It’s not unusual to see you in the hallways at this time. Everyone basically went back to their dorms or are in their clubs so it’s probably the only time you can study in peace. A janitor you may be, you don’t seem to waste an opportunity to study. It’s admirable.

Though, you have no magic, and Jack gets the sense that coyote is of the kind that don’t like to snuggle up to humans. Which begs the question: why is he following you around with that giddy expression on his face?

Well, whatever you do is your business, no sense in prying.

So he says to himself but look what he’s doing, walking right towards you anyway.

The senses of a beastman never fail, so the coyote was the first to turn around. Jack should really learn his name at some point.

“Ah?” His voice challenged, teeth bared as though ready to growl at him, but the student perked up at the sight of Jack. “Oh! It’s Jack! How you’ve been?”

Jack really needs to learn his name. But it’s rude to ask now. Ugh.

“Hmm?” The bandages on your arms caught his attention more than anything else. Raw skin, dusted to golden sand. Jack tore his eyes away to your face. “Howl? What’s up?”

Jack crossed his arms. “…he’s not bothering you, is he?”

The first one to greet should always be the person you respect the most. If he’s causing trouble, Jack will take up the books and follow you.

“Him?” You glances over you shoulder, the coyote brightening up, almost bouncing on his heels when you gazed at him. “Oh, no he’s been a great help.”

“Really?”Jack’s ear gave a twitch when he saw how the lackey deflated when you turned back around. You jutted a thumb behind you.

“Mm-hm. Said he’ll take care of all the heavy stuff so long as I give him something.” You backed up, leaving the coyote room to join in the conversation. “What was it you wanted again?”

“Yeah!” The coyote butted in, adjusting the books as though showing them off, “I carry the stuff and you choke my lights out as soon as you heal!”

“���what?” Did Jack hear right?

You nodded with a sigh, as though you had no choice. The injuries already left you looking tired and somehow you shifted to downright exhausted. “It’s as my lackey says. He carries my shit, take my shift and I send him off as a ghost.” You snorted. “I kid, just to dreamland. I was willing to give money but—”

“Nope, this is my sorry to you,” The coyote shook his head, firm and unwilling to budge, “I thought you were some weakling bothering the boss but you knocked him a new one! I can’t just say sorry and leave it at that.”

“Is the choking part of the apology?” Jack dared to ask.

“Yes!” Why is he so eager then? Why is his tail wagging? “An apology and nothing else!”

You shrugged at his lost expression. “He’s willing to help basically for free. Can’t exactly reject that.”

Jack shouldn’t have said anything.

[hells-sirenqueen]

As Lilith continued to rebuild her kingdom brick by brick, flashes of memory came back to her from her final day before she ended up here. Her heart ached at the memory. She had the scar to prove it - as did her beloved Lucifer.

Lilith made sure of it. Such a bittersweet ending they had. It was only a matter of time before she had to fight him, back then. The tension between Heaven and Hell was so thick one could literally cut it with a knife.

Fallen angels were dubbed commanding officers to lead hordes of demons - all following the lead of their cursed demon queen. Any who refused to fight in her name were either burned or decapitated on sight. She refused to allow any to speak a word against her to live. You either supported the queen or you suffered for your ignorance.

Father had warned her that pressing for war was a bad idea. It would only bring heartbreak and destruction. Even after being summoned into in realm for a serious 1v1, she dismissed his warnings and twisted his words into things she wanted to hear.

Destruction? Wonderful! If she falls, she's taking his precious Heaven with her. Their hypocritical double standards made her skin crawl. Their preaching fell upon deaf ears. She refused to believe that anything that Heaven preached was true.

Heartbreak? Well that was easy as ever to narrow down. There have been a few encounters between her and Lucifer before her march to Heaven. His "monitoring Hell on Heaven's behalf" felt more like an excuse to see her. There was one time she was so close to distracting him from his duty. A time where he caught a glimpse of her executing a Duke for thinking about assassinating her with one of his own men by seducing her.

She wouldn't stand for it. After sending his body to the cannibals, she had her guards take his head to the gates and placed on a pike. Following the action of giving her orders, she caught a glimpse of Lucifer standing in the shadows, silently watching. The corners of her lips curved as she made her way to his location. She questioned him, as it wasn't safe for him to be alone in Hell. He uttered a reply, saying he could handle her on his own if needed to. Classic of Lilith to utter an innuendo, hoping that he certainly could handle her - preferably without all of his noisy armor.

He became flustered, turned away from her but she never heard a note of rejecting the idea. She teased him with a brief kiss and managed to lure him to her chambers for an hour but she sadly couldn't convince him to stay. He was still honor bound to serve Heaven. He refused to remain in her arms, giving an excuse that he had to report back topside and warned that she should stay more than an arm's length away from him if she knew what was good for her.

Though his words hurt, she could tell in his eyes that he struggled to believe in his own words. He wanted to stay, he wanted to remain in her arms..but he couldn't. Duty came before personal wants. God's favorite solider had a weakness and she planned on exploiting it for all it was worth until he was in her claws.

It wasn't long before his visits became less frequent, the work of those above rank. All the more reason to tear Heaven apart!

When her people were ready, she made her orders. They were greeted by quite the welcoming party. The finest that Heaven had to offer greeted them at the Golden Gates. The angel heading the welcome party? Who better than Lucifer himself.

He warned her to step down, to turn turn around and return to Hell so there would be no bloodshed; all while pointing a blade at her.

He stood his ground but she could see those dark circles around his eyes. The fatigue, the pain in his soul for being separated for so long. She had a feeling that if they weren't being watched that he would drop his blade and come running.

Oh, the poor tortured thing. They were doing her job for her! The absolute nerve!

But he wouldn't move, not even as she pointed out Heaven's flaws and pointed out how he looked ragged. As much as she detested having to fight him, she gave him a curved grin and took him up on his challenge. Taking out her own blade made of obsidian, their blades clashed. War broke out at the gates as the many legions of Heaven battled against Hell.

All the while, Lilith and Lucifer fought in the sky. She played dirty, using shadows to sneak attacks here and there. At one point, he managed to pin her against a wall, berating Lilith for being so selfish for having this war to begin with.

She only laughed. The reason for her war was to dismantle the powers that be, those that were in charge of Heaven and change how their laws were. Every lesson she had been preached to screamed hypocritical. If they were supposed to have unity, their laws were double standards.

She spoke with Sera and others before, to come to a compromise but Heaven refused to budge. It was Hell that had to change, not them. She didn't quite like the idea that change had to be one way. So she repeated to Lucifer what she told God; if one is making the effort to change, unity he wishes for won't happen. Change must go both ways. If not, then there is no more room to talk. Only action. Action to validate one's opinion.

She was going to head for Sera's head and take great joy in holding her head in her claws.

That obviously didn't go well with Lucifer.

So their battle continued and he managed to score several hits against her, but she was still standing tall, taunting him. Her taunt was the final straw.

He uttered a prayer before throwing his holy blade in her direction. Lilith's eyes gave a dark sinister glow as she used shadows to teleport him against her chest. If she was going down, she would take him down with her.

His blade ran through them both as she pulled him into a bittersweet loving kiss. Their last moments alive spent with each other's blood in their mouths.

Lilith smiled against his lips, feeling him kiss back as his arms hesitantly wrapped around her as the angelic steel slowly killed them.

As darkness slowly wrapped around her mind, the last sight she recalled was the glowing golden gaze of regret from her Lucifer.

When she awoke once more, the bodies of her fallen soldiers were no where to be seen. Not even Lucifer was to be seen anywhere. Her skin was paler and she noticed how broken the gates of Heaven were. Before she could explore, she was pulled by shadows and thrown into a small pocket plane; imprisoned for centuries.

Now, she had a second chance to pull him into her arms once more. She was tired of others keeping him away from her. The only time she felt alive was when she felt his presence at her side.

Taking a deep breath, she continued to rebuild her Hell. It may have few subjects, but she would make due with what she had. A number of vampires and lesser demons thrived here in this little space bubble. Soon it would be thriving with more subjects, but at least they had a decent start.

ll @themosthatedbeingg ll

[texancommie07]

"And everything was made for you and me

All of it was made for you and me

'Cause it just belongs to you and me

So let's take a ride and see what's mine"

Heavy Metal Valentines Day One: Confession

December 16th, 1984. Billy Had Only Been In Hawkins For About Two Months, And He Hated It Here. In Fact He Hated Everything About The Place.

Well... Almost Everything...

There Was One Thing There He Liked, Loved Even. The Problem Was How To Go About It.

Billy Didn't Know, He Wasn't The Kind Of Guy Who Caught Feelings, Well Ever Really, So He Did The First Things That Came To His Mind That Put Him At The Least Amount Of Risk Towards Getting His Shit Knocked.

He Wrote A Letter. Stupid Right? Well It Gets Even Stupider When You Know That He Didn't Even Come Up With The Letter. Nope, Just Took Some Lines That Were Commonly Used On Him, Slapped Them Together And Hoped For The Best.

Now He Just Has To Wait.

--------------------------------------------------

He Stood At The Rickety Old Table In The Woods. It Was About 9:00 p.m. And The Silence Was Creeping Him Out. You Didn't Really Get Quiet In California. He Was About To Head Home, Assuming That They Just Thought It Was A Joke, Until He Heard Footsteps.

"Hey Billy."

He Turned To Face Them. "The Hell Do You Mean 'Hey', How'd You Even Know I Was Here?" It Made No Sense. He Knew Eddie's Eyes Were Good, But It Was So Dark Out You Couldn't See A Foot Infront Of You. And He Was Facing Away!

"You Wrote The Letter, Right? The One Shoved In My Locker? I Recognized Your Handwriting."

"Oh..."

Billy Stood There, Slightly Stunned. He Didn't Know How To Move Forward, He Hadn't Really Planned This Far. He Didn't Even Expect Eddie To Show Up.

"So, Are You Gonna Tell Me What The Note Was About, Or Are You Just Trying To Have A Staring Contest With Me?" Even With How Dark It Was, Billy Could Practically See The Grin On Eddie's Face.

"Shut Up. You...I Haven't Been Here Long, But This Place Sucks. It's A Shit Hole Full Of Shit People."

"Very Astute Observation, Tiger. Anything Else You Wanna Tell Me About That Place Before We Continue The Grand Tour?"

"Shut Up! Lemme Finish Jackass." Billy Heard The Russeling Of Fabric As He Watched The Blob Of Eddie's Shadow Put It's Hands Up.

"I Hate This Place And Absolutely Nothing Good In It... Except For You... You're The Only Decent Thing About This Place. Hell, If People Saw The Way We Interacted, They Might Even Call Us Friends. But I Don't Wanna Be Friends." He Paused, Taking A Breath Before Speaking Up Again.

"I Wanna Be More Than That..I Like You More Than That. I Want You More Than That."

Billy Stopped, His Eyes Having Finally Started To Rejust After Opening Them Again(When Did He Close Them?), To Look At Eddie. They Were...Smiling?

There's No Way, But It Couldn't Be Anything Else, Billy Could See The Way Their Teeth Reflected The Moons Light.

"Well Well Well, Big Bad Billy Hargrove Is In Love With The Town Freak. Can't Say I Saw That Coming. Though, Can't Really Say I'm Upset About It. That'd Make Me A Pretty Big Hypocrite, Considering I'm Pretty Sure I Fell First."

Wait, "Fell First?"

"Oh Yeah, I Was Mildly Obsessed With You The Moment You Got Here, You Make Quite The Entrance, I Must Say. I Thought It Would Pass Like Most Feelings Like That, Aesthetic Attraction And Nothing More. But Then I Started Dealing With You, And, If I'm Being Completely Honest, I Think I Was Gone After Our Second Meeting."

Eddie's Tone Seemed Almost Sheepish, Like They Were Ashamed Of Admitting It, At Least To Billy. Billy Took The Risk.

"So, What I'm Hearing Is, You Wanna Be My Boyfriend, Maybe?" The Second The Words Left His Mouth He Cringed. God, He Was So Good With Women, How Was He Struggling This Hard?

Although, Maybe His Skills With Men Weren't As Terrible As He Thought, As Eddie Let Out A Cackle At His Response, Their Stupid Goblin Laugh Echoing Off The Trees.

"Yes Billy, I Would Be Delighted To Be Your Boyfriend."

Billy Was Actually Sunned, He Almost Couldn't Find It In Him To Speak. Almost.

"Can I Kiss You?"

"Please."

Sketch

[hekateinhell]

#VCKinkWeek, Day 6: Edge Play

Lestat/Armand/Louis. 1.1k. Rated M (impact play, knife play, S&M, Lestat in tears because seeing it is my personal kink). 🖤

“Do it, Louis,” Armand’s voice, soft yet commanding, that of the little coven master, echoes through Lestat’s ears.

Words being spoken for Lestat’s benefit only when Armand could just as easily have an entire silent conversation with Louis in front of Lestat’s very eyes, and Lestat would be none the wiser? Should be none the wiser, if Lestat’s lovers can behave themselves in his presence, that is. 

He watches Louis turn the sharp blade from side-to-side, as though he’s never seen such an instrument in his life, the steel refracting the light from the chandelier over Lestat’s bed. Beautiful Louis... deceptive in his humanity as Armand is in his innocence.

“Go on, my love,” Armand prompts Louis again. He hasn’t said a word to Lestat since their night began, even as he’s sitting on the bed beside him, absentmindedly running his fingers through Lestat’s hair, letting them snag on a tangle and yank through, an abrupt burst of pain that blossoms and crests simultaneously.

Louis’s glance flickers from Lestat’s face back to Armand’s a moment too long; he’s dropped his guard and let the secret slip. Lestat swallows back the furious urge to snap: “Whatever is it you have to say to each other, say it out loud, damn it!”

Hypocritical, given how much Lestat cherishes his own telepathic communications with Armand and shouldn’t begrudge Louis that same intimacy with one they both love so dearly? Maybe so. Does Lestat care? Quite frankly, no.

Louis is his Louis! Armand is his Armand! Oh, Lestat’s not fool enough to consider that the two of them don’t have plenty of secrets between themselves, those concerning Lestat and those having nothing to do with him whatsoever. He isn’t sure which one of those possibilities is a more infuriating notion. 

It must show on his face. Lestat has never been able to hide his mercurial moods. His upper lip curling back in a snarl, his brows drawing together in a scowl as he considers breaking free of the restraints Armand had lovingly strapped around his wrists and ankles. It’s symbolic. They all know nothing manmade could ever hope to hold Lestat, and ordinarily he’s delighted to play into the illusion. 

“Well?” Lestat demands when no immediate apology is forthcoming. Louis’s emerald eyes boring into his as he blinks slowly, knife still poised in mid-air, expression blank, almost as though he were processing Lestat’s reaction. 

Processing it and seemingly made weary by it, the look of a fatigued parent. 

Armand shifts on the bed and the motion is so abrupt Lestat doesn’t have a chance to anticipate the full weight of it before the back of Armand’s hand strikes hard across his right cheek. Hears Louis gasp out loud at the sound of the impact as the gemstones on Armand’s many rings scrape over the skin of his cheekbone, the heady scent of his own blood permeating the air even before Armand pulls back. 

“Now that is enough, Lestat,” he hisses and Lestat nods, too stunned to do anything other. If he had been less caught off guard, he might have laughed in Armand’s face or even dealt him a worse blow in return. 

Armand could handle it, he could handle Lestat. 

He bends down, his auburn curls spilling over to frame his face as he licks a broad strip up Lestat’s face like a kitten. His long lashes dusting over Lestat’s skin as his eyes flutter shut and he groans at the taste. 

Lestat can’t suppress the pitiful little whine that leaves his throat at the sight. How he loved sharing his blood! Witnessing the most primal and powerful part of him become a part of those he loved. He ought to chain Louis and Armand down in his dungeons, keep them there forever with only Lestat’s blood as substance! What more could anyone possibly desire? 

And Louis, where is Louis now? It’s an all-consuming urge, Lestat’s need to have them pressed to either side of his throat, taking and taking as much as he can give, infusing his essence into them so there would never be any question as to whom they belonged to. 

“Louis…”

No sooner does Lestat whimper Louis’s name than Armand drops his head down to Lestat’s collarbone, his hand coming to pat along the inside of Lestat’s exposed thigh, languidly caressing the hard muscle. “Right there, Louis. You will have to dig deep to reach the vein, mon amour. Don’t be afraid. Let us make a mess of our lord as he so desperately desires.”  

Louis, his tender Louis, looking at Lestat and only him with his pupils blown wide, the exhilaration of a natural-born predator in the presence of his prey. The combined provocation of having smelt his maker’s blood, the promise of more, and Armand’s sensual spell — the witchcraft Armand welded with words alone! — finally enough to spur him into action. 

Lestat’s breath locks in his throat, his mind denies him the searing pain for all of a millisecond at the first incision Louis makes: a clean line at least 4 inches long and 4 inches deep into his thigh, slicing the outer layer of Lestat’s femoral artery, flaying him open like a pig at the slaughter.

A wild jump of adrenaline courses through him as he cries out — no, that was a scream, something visceral and anguished and liberated —Armand’s hand closing above the strap over Lestat’s wrist in an attempt to ground him in place. Every nerve ending in Lestat’s body becomes alive as the goosebumps break out over his flesh, fear sending his heart hammering in his throat, every erratic beat causing the blood to gush out even faster from the gaping wound. 

“Is he alright?” Louis, more mild-mannered than most and every bit deadly as the rest of them. Perhaps even more so. “Shall I do the other leg as well?” 

A warm twinge of pride is the last feeling Lestat would expect to feel right now, and yet he does. A maker’s comfort and a lover’s pleasure at seeing Louis embrace his more sadistic tendencies. Another scream tears itself out of his chest as Armand dips two fingers deep into his pulsating flesh, the wound struggling in vain to heal as Armand forces it to remain open, spreading his fingers inside him. 

“Wipe away his tears first, my love. I want him to see,” Armand instructs. Louis’s fingers are cold and delicate as his thumbs gather up the blood tears clinging to Lestat’s lashes, obscuring his vision. He wipes them on his handkerchief, the perfect gentleman. 

Lestat lets out a low moan that turns into a high-pitched sob as Armand suddenly jerks his fingers out of him, coated and dripping in glistening crimson. He dangles them over Lestat’s very face, and a droplet falls, teasing him with his own taste, but it’s not meant for Lestat at all. 

“Have him first, Louis. Remember, this is what he wanted.” 

[freedomfireflies]

Hiiihello 👋. Finally caught up on insufferable you, and let me just say…. I’m obsessed with this fic concept. You so beautifully allow each character to explore their place in the dynamic, and the tension that we’re seeing at the moment is so natural as they adjust (or struggle to adjust, in some cases) to the new dynamic. Like in some ways, I’m actually so grateful that Rebecca and H are settled into this 5 year relationship, because I think there would be so much more unease if everything new with Kitten was compounded by Rebecca and H still figuring out their own thing. Instead, we have Rebecca who is an absolute LEGEND. So warmly inviting Kitten into the dynamic, sort of guiding the way with teasing H about the intimate moments, revealing how their relationship works. Honestly Rebecca is top tier and they’re both lucky to have her!

And of course, it is so natural for Kitten to be jealous and nervous and settling in. She’s been monogamous for her prior relationships, and suddenly there’s someone else spending time with her crush/ partner. It broke my heart a little when she was trying to rush off the phone at the beginning because H was with Rebecca and has plans, even when she apologised for calling so early. Almost as if she only “has him” when he’s in her space or physically with him, whereas H was trying to take care of his girl and show her all of the other ways he could be hers even when es not there. I just thing that moment was so responsible of him, both the checking in post scene but also trying to care for her as she struggles to adapt to this newness.

And of course, the jealousyyyy. I’m glad H can admit it was hypocritical for him not to want her to call Ethan when he has Rebecca, but we have to remember this is new to him as well. We know he has shared Rebecca with other relationships previously, but so soon after they got together? Maybe not. And maybe (we hope) he’s feeling maybe some new things for Kitten which makes his struggle a little harder. I mean, we know I love a bit of angst and I see that coming sooooon if this Ethan bit does come in. In this chapter, H literally said he knew Kitten didn’t have any other plans because she tells him so much, and so what about when he asks to meet up and she says he can’t because she actually has plans?! And he’ll realise what she means and it will be a whole “oh…oh” moment. I will be HOWLING. And I can see him sulkily being like “can we do something Tuesday or is that Ethan’s night too?”. This man is about to get jealous on a whole new level. And maybe a bit petty as well, if he doesn’t agree with Ethan’s date choices (“he brought you to a horror film? As if, you hate those things. Here, why don’t we go see X film to make up for his horrible taste?”).

Lastly I just want to say that I have seen the other asks who were not comfortable with this dynamic and I think you had very respectful responses back. It’s true that this dynamic will not be for everyone, but that is why authors notes and warning tags exist. I personally am not so into fantasy themes, so when I see an author posting a new fantasy fic, I just done read it. I have no doubts the writing is excellent, I just know personally it won’t be for me. So I do hope you continue to write this fic, as myself and others are so invested to see what happens next. As I said up top, you’ve given each character their time to explore the dynamic and I think that’s a beautiful thing.

Sorrrry this is ridiculously long, I just had ✨thoughts✨. What was your favourite line from this chapter?

No because you don't understand, I just sat here staring at my phone with tears pouring down my cheeks over this because this is so incredibly sweet and kind and MY HEART IS GOING TO BURST???

Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to say such wonderfully kind and crazy insightful things!!!! ALSO BC "Or is that Ethan's night, too?" THE WAY I FUCKING HOWLED OH MY GOD can I please steal this bc now I need him to be that bitter alsfjdf

I cannot thank you enough for reading and sending this, like I literally feel SPEECHLESS right now?? You have no idea, I'm actually going to think about this all week??? You absolutely got everything I was hoping would convey in the story and I'm 🥹

THIS IS SUCH A FUN AND GOOD QUESTION ILY!! Honestly......I don't remember any of the lines anymore so I had to go look HAHAH but!! I think I'd have to say, "If I don’t put a bit of distance between us…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to breathe on my own.” because I feel like it perfectly explains her reasoning and her feelings in this part! She's scared by how much she's starting to care for him and she knows this dynamic isn't sustainable when he doesn't feel the same way!

BUT ALSO ALL THE FUNNY ONES WHERE SHE SAYS SHE PREFERS HIM HARD ALSO HAD ME LAUGHING AT MY OWN JOKES AT LIKE 2 IN THE MORNING SO MAYBE THAT TOO HAHA

Thank you again so much for this, I'm.....still at a loss for words and I appreciate this more than you know!!!

[lavender-descendentheart]

What do you think of azure lion and his friends since I really don't like him very much, azure is a little hypocritical for me? I don't know

As it is literally "oh, that evil sun wukong and his fellow pilgrims attacked my house in the name of the heavenly court "it is not as if they did not do it first and why he is surprised that heaven retaliates for it, also it seems he blames sun wukong as if the only culprit for his defeat when enralidad they all lost was not just sun wukong (in memory they were all rounded up)

It also bothers me about the different treatment given by the fandom azure lion

Azure lion who is the same villain archetype as lady bone demon but have different deals

Example azure does questionable things for good reason, the fandom treats him oh poor cat man just wants to help the needy"

Lady bone demon does questionable things for a good reason: what an evil and manipulative monster

I don't think I don't know all the bad things lady bone demon did, because if she did bad things, although that's the point, she was a villain (an amazing villain)

But it bothers me what azure lion, in the series we still don't show much of him but I really don't want the series to start trying to justify and throw under the rug all the things he's done as they did with a certain character (look at macaque)

Sorry if it's not understood try to put my thoughts in order as best I could maybe not understood but anyway 🤷

So you think of him

ah wonderful! It has been a age now then to address the fandom thing regarding the treatment of azure and LBD respectively it is

Fandoms have a lot of it guy villains are seen as more tolerable then a female villain case in point check the genshin fandom they riot whenever a woman is even slightly mean much less evil may the heavens restrain me when arlecchino is released it will be hell and also lmk with Macaque and LBD the former being somehow worse then the latter thanks to the special which altered our bone lady so macaque is legitimately a worse person…make of that what you will we have probably incurred the wrath of the macaque Stan’s in the mentions tbh now anyway regarding Azure

this blue fluffy kitty

He’s a bit tone deaf which is to be expected he did the wukong brain tendenrizer scroll edition so he’s a bit not caught up with things as evident by his interaction with DBK our resident and earliest defanged villain and his complete and utter disdain for PIF(reading that as a word never fails to make us laugh hahah oh god we are getting into hotd discourse later) now the thing is that Azure is very much the type to blame others for shit going wrong such as the wukong scroll cut incident tbh tho he had a point but he’s very much a how to say this…a earlier version of LBD that’s more relatable because he hasn’t gone “the world needs to be perfected” yet like she has so he’s a bit more relatable also helps that his season is a better season 3 and gives us significantly more time with him then we did with LBD as she only got bits of other seasons with other characters being focused on and then got robbed of her focus so she never got any real insight other then the special which was VERY much rushed now as to our opinion of Azure as a character…

We like him he’s a bit foolish and a poor substitute for the villain that came before him but he actually does what the rushed change with her intended better he’s overall kinda neat nice design good voice a fucked up personality and the first thing he decided to do was 1v1 god all around good character and he’s most likely going to get the macaque treatment so prepare for the fics butchering him as the show regulates him to background fodder at best and that’s if he doesn’t die which tbh is a 50/50 chance also funny how the mayor hasn’t shown up at all thanks for your ask cami and even we struggle with putting our thoughts into words so there’s that now time to suffer the hell that is the hotd fandom

[hekates-corner]

Apothecary Diaries | WN Translation | Arc 9 - Chapter 18

Hi and welcome!

For a number of reasons I ended up here. I relay all that happens in the chapters, playing wine-aunt.

So, be warned, all the spoilers are down below. If you'd like spoilers, but less - my dm's/asks are open!

New here or missed a part? Check out the Masterlist.

Chapter 18 | Hitoban Pt. 3

There was an uproar in the courtyard but as soon as Jinshi, the mightiest man, told them to disperse, everyone returned to their posts. Once everyone was gone they checked inside the net.

“What *the hell* is this…..” - both Jinshi and Basen went wide-eyed. Based on Basen’s reaction, Narrator-Mao concludes that the bird must’ve escaped him before he could get a proper look.

The bird that Chue had caught was an owl (esp ural owl), about a foot long. However, it had a somewhat eerie look (kao) to be called an owl and they were taken aback by it.

It’s face (men) was white and round, as if it was wearing a mask (men). The feathers around the face were dark, so if it were in a dark place without spreading its wings, it would look like a floating mask (men).

But—

“It’s kind of small, isn’t it?” - It’s Tianyu who says it plainly.

I think Narrator-Mao goes on noting that even in front of Jinshi, the moon prince, Tianyu looks/is bold/imposing. The double mention of Jinshi’s titles is throwing my translators off.

Maomao nudges Tianyu with her elbow.

“Oh, I’m very sorry. You were here too, moon prince”

Maomao finds Tianyu pretty unfriendly. Of course she’d moved herself elsewhere.

Jinshi too wore a slightly hard/stiff facial expression. On the surface it was the smile of a heavenly being/he had the smile of a celestial being.

“There was an uproar. It would be strange if we didn’t notice. But what were you doing?”

Maomao thinks something that's either “shameless” or “hypocritical”

She goes on wondering as narrator what he (Tianyu) is going to say since he (Jinshi) even sent Basen to her.

Maomao steps forward because she doesn't know what Tianyu would say/reply.

“Okay. Lately, there have been rumors that strange things have been happening around this mansion. The military attaché with the medical officer had been consulted about this matter by a servant, so he investigated it while patrolling the residence. Today, I was consulted by that servant in the morning, but I was reluctant to ask the military officer, who had (just) finished his night guard, to directly investigate. His original job is to protect the medical officer, not doing chores.”

Maomao thinks “Let’s mix a little sarcasm in there”

She goes on adding something along the lines of “So I, as a court lady and medical officer went out to see if I could hear the story.”

Jinshi’s pretty much like “I see/Hm. Then what about the doctor next to you. There must be other work for a doctor to do.” (referring to how she couldn’t wake Lihaku but chilling with Tianyu’s fine) - His eyes sharp/cutting/discerning.

In her head Maomao’s like “Ah-” - going on as narrator that in the end it wasn’t good to involve Tianyu at all.

“I’m very sorry. I forced myself to follow her (he’s basically saying he forced his presence upon her). Maomao is better at dispensing medicine than a young medical officer like me, and I’m currently learning a lot of things *from her*. When I heard Maomao was walking around the courtyard, I thought she was looking for something to use as ingredients for herbal medicine, so I followed her.”

Mind-Mao’s like “This guy… …” - apparently Tianyu shifts the way he refers to himself, using second person now. She also notes as narrator that he apparently seems to purposefully misspell someone’s name on purpose (I think it’s hers?)

She feels like Jinshi’s eyes have become even more stern/steely.

“I see. I understand the general situation, but is it true that the real mystery is this bird/I have a general understanding of what’s going on, but the key question is, is this bird the true identity of the monster?”

Maomao’s like “Yes. Half of it.”

Maomao looks at the owl.

“There will be people watching us here. I’d like to change the location and ask for more details, is that okay?”

“Yes, sir.” - Maomao accepts Jinshi’s offer/request.

“I’ve never seen a bird with a face (kao) like this before.” - Jinshi gives the caged bird a serious/fixed long look.

From the courtyard they were led to the guest room used by Jinshi - there’s also another couple of rooms in use that Maomao notes you could hold a light/small tea party in.

Jinshi is sitting as the host, and around him are the usual: Suiren, Maomao, Taomei, Chue and bodyguard Basen. Narrator-Mao also has a feeling that Basen’s older brother Baryou is probably nearby but she doesn’t think he’ll come out.

For some reason Tianyu is also in the same room, smiling.

Maomao thinks that Tianyu should just say he has some job to do and decline.. but as narrator she knows that “if something seems interesting, he’ll follow you, that’s Tianyu”.

“Why did you think this bird was the true identity of the mysterious “Hitoban”?”

At Jinshi’s question Maomao closes her eyes. She has to be careful not to give Tianyu strange information. (one could also use suspicious or unexpected, etc)

“Okay - the first thing that struck me as odd/I thought was strange was the word “mask” (men). When I heard that people had seen “masks” on trees and buildings, I first looked around/checked the trees.”

Then she found the bird droppings which clarified that it wasn’t a small bird, but a carnivorous one of a certain size.

“Small bird were normally flying around the residence during the day, so I suspected that if there were carnivorous birds, they must be nocturnal.”

“I see/Hm. At that point you felt like the bird was the true identity of the monster, but what was the basis for that?”

“If you know this bird, you can imagine it. This is my first time seeing one in real life, but I knew that there were birds that looked like they had masks (men) on. They were drawn in an illustrated book of living things that I got at the pharmacy I used to work at.”

Jinshi, Narrator-Mao assumes, would probably know what the illustrated book is - it’s one of those taken from the Shi clan’s fortress. She also notes that he should be the one holding onto it now, so he can see it if he gets someone to bring it to him.

“The name is said to be: barn/masked (men) owl. If it was a normal owl, you wouldn’t think it had a floating face - but, above all, I feel like this owl has a slightly unusual color.”

Dark feathers. She notes that she thought most owls had black wings and a white belly, but this one’s almost entirely dark brown except the face.

“May I ask you a question?” - Tianyu raises his hand.

“Let’s hear it/Say it.” - Jinshi’s tone is a little more imperious/coercing than usual.

“It certainly looks like a mask, but isn’t it too small? It’s too pretty/cute to be a human face though/called a human face though.”

Tianyu looks at the owl in the cage. The owl didn’t act violent, it just looked sleepy. If they were to put nesting material in the cage it might sleep.

“Human eyes are ambiguous/unclear. I think that the presence of the white floating in the air is significant. Besides/Also-”

Maomao takes a piece of paper out of her pocket - when she’s looking for a writing utensil Chue quickly handed one to her. Narrator-Mao notes that she moves quick/works well. In addition, she often provokes Basen, who let the owl escape, by giving him an irritated look.

Maomao writes four dots on a piece of paper and shows them to Jinshi and Tianyu - they should be exactly where eyes, nose and mouth are.

“The human eye is designed so that when the dots are lined up like this, it looks like a human face. This is similar to the idea of seeing a persons face floating on a pillar/It’s just like the way people’s faces are often seen on pillars.”

“Understood. You found out the identity of the mask(men) floating in the night.”

Tianyu puts his hand in the cage and.. pokes/nudges the owl - it doesn’t put up/offer any particular resistance. Taomei(?) comes over with a plate with raw chicken on it.

Maomao thinks “Luxurious.”

As Taomei(?) offers the owl the chicken with chopsticks, it easily takes a mouthful (beakful? xD). It has no qualms about eating things offered to it by others.

“You found out the identitity of the mask (men). But what is the identity of the head (atama)?”

Narrator-Mao notes that Tianyu’s not a fool - he remembers exactly what Maomao said.

“Mask (men) and head (atama)? What does that mean?” - Jinshi’s asking for an explanation.

Maomao decided to speak again, including a review.

“There have been reports of sightings for the past 20 days. At that time it was called “men” or “kao”. However, it seems that the last few sightings are of a head (atama). Moreover, it was floating outside the mansion.”

“I suppose you are trying to say that “mask/men” and “head/atama” are different things. So, if this bird is the “mask/men” what would/will be the head/atama?”

“That’s the thing.” - Maomao glances at Chue.

“What is it? Do you need something from Chue-san?”

“It’s not Chue-san, is it?”

Maomao was thinking about the chronology. Witness testimony of the “atama” from a few days ago. This coincides with the date when Maomao and the others came to/arrived in Saito. And there’s one person who seems to be doing something strange.

“Pardon me. Chue-san has been with Maomao-san for the past few days.”

That’s right, she was away plowing the field with Maomao.

“This is just a hypothesis. However, just by looking at this owl, I feel like I figured something out.”

Narrator-Mao takes note of the owl eating chicken with its foot, spotting beautiful goldwork.

“Probably, but I think we’ll find it soon. We just have to leave a little trap.” Maomao grinned, patting the owl with its creepy face.

The next day Chue appears, alongside with her the distinctive sound of her footsteps.

Maomao had finished cleaning up the breakfast and was preparing medicine with the quack doctor.

“Are you a prophet, Maomao-san?” - Chue said/asked while blinking.

“I see that you found it. Have you been rough with them?”

“What are you two talking about? I have no idea what you mean.”

He’s a quack from beginning to end, but since it’s too troublesome to explain Maomao asks him to continue dispensing medicine - after, the tea should be prepared.

Chue, looking like she owned the place, sat on a chair waiting for Guen to bring the tea and sweets. (i’d like her balls, ngl xD)

“Okay. As Maomao-san said, I kept watch over the owls cage at night. Then, I looked to the place where the owl suddenly started making noise - there was a big problem/and lo and behold, there it was. I/We found someone dressed in black with a strange mask on.”

Chue seems to be having fun, drinking the tea that Guen was offering quietly - the sweets he brought were dried fruits from Saito.

“I couldn’t believe he really looked/was dressed like that.”

Even Maomao was surprised that it fit so well.

“So, is that suspicious person the one who raised the owl?”

“Correct.” - Chue makes a large circle. (i’d assume with her arms)

“Maomao-san, why did you think that the culprit behind the strange incident was the owl breeder?” - Chue asked frankly.

Maomao recalls/remembers the owls characteristics.

“Because it was clearly a pet owl. It also had the decoration/ornament on its legs and it didn’t seem to get angry in the cage, so it was eating the processed chicken without any caution. I thought that he had been taking care of it for many years, rather than just temporarily caught it as a pet.”

“Ah/Oh”

“And there was one thing that bothered me about the sightings.”

Narrator-Mao explains: The sightings of the “mask/men” were reported about 20 days ago, and the sightings of the “head/atama” was reported a few days ago. There’s one/some similarity.

“If it was twenty days ago, it must’ve been around the time that Empress Gyokuyous niece left for the capital.”

“Ah/Oh” - Chue seems to understand.

“Owl’s were originally one of the offerings brought to the capital/The owl was originally one of the offerings taken/to be taken to the capital. What if it somehow escaped?”

“Oh/I see. So did they decide to capture it now because the royal family was coming and they wanted to present it again? Is that the reason he put on such a strange mask so that no one can see his face?”

Maomao had an idea about the strange appearance - but it’s not a clear answer, just one of the guesses that Maomao makes.

“Maomao-san. Chue-san is a easygoing person, but I’m not a fool, so I won’t take Maomao-san’s opinon as just a story.” - Narrator-Mao notes that she’s basically telling her to keep it short - once she hears this she feels lighter/her mouth does.

“I think the mask and black costume are probably meant to resemble the owl’s parents.” - Chue tilts her head at Maomao’s words.

“Do you know what imprinting is?”

“Yes, Chue-san knows. When a bird is born from an egg it recognizes the first thing it sees as its parent.”

“Right. I wonder if the caretaker intended to release the owl back into the wild. I thought that they might’ve tried to avoid them remembering people’s faces.”

“Oh”

Narrator-Mao remarks that judging by the owl’s droppings, it was probably catching its own food.

“But in the end, it seems like it developed the habit of receiving chicken from people. If an owl with a funny face was accustomed to humans, rich people would buy it as a novelty, or give it as a tribute to a nobleman.”

“Do you mean that the person who raised it didn’t like that and let it free or let it escape?”

“It’s just an assumption.”

“However, the owl that was supposed to run away ended up living in the villa of Gyokuen-sama. And if the royal family were to stay there, it would be a big problem.”

“That’s just hypothetical.”

“If you call for the owl and are dressed as you were when you raised it, it will come - then catch the owl and release it far away.”

“Assumption.”

“I know.”

Narrator-Mao notes that to call the owl they’d have to blow a whistle or something. The owl responded, but couldn’t get out. (that’s when it went crazy in the cage while Chue was keeping watch on it)

She goes on that whether or not her assumptions are true, one thing has been learned.

“There’s no doubt that he’s an owl breeder.”

“I agree.”

Maomao and Chue laugh with a grin. The quack doctor watches the two evil spirits outside the mosquito net and is frightened. If he, like Maomao assumes, is a person that can raise birds from chicks, a certain problem will come closer to being solved.

“The wind reading tribe”, told by a former serf named Nenshin - a tribe said to have been surrounded by the dog clan.

Maomao thinks that they probably can’t survive just by holding festivals/rituals.

Also, if “we” think about how they exterminated insects, one answer emerges.

The “wind reading tribe” is said to have handled birds. Maomao recalls that a certain thing was once done with birds.

Communication using pigeons.

Similarly, if birds were used as a means of communication, the wind-reading-tribe would become adept at not only festivals but also about espionage.

Maomao decides to meet the suspicious person they had caught.

Notes | Chapter 19

Yeah.. it was an owl all along xD outside of Tianyu, this was the most confusing back and forth so far. If you stuck around or knew what the ending was gonna be, congrats!

Maomao calls Jinshi shameless/hypocritical because Lihaku had mentioned he's been involved in getting the job to Maomao yet acted like he didn't know a thing.

Yes, Jinshi was jealous and Maomao knows.

I'm sorry that the mansion and villa thing keeps switching, we all know it's just a pricey, fancy house at the end of the day

So, now it's officially confirmed for you and me that the "dog clan" was Nenshin's group. It was confusing for me, but yeah.

Hope you enjoyed and stay safe!