#cafe aida

[vienna-city]

cafe aida. vienna. stephansplatz.

[dee-overseas]

Eisecaffe @ Aida 😌🩷

[unar-mage-ddon]

focus group test q&a (and the stuff before it)

i decided to sit down and translate all of 蒼's tweets about the focus group test to have them all in one spot, since i haven't seen them all anywhere. i've also copypasted their exact words in jp so that if anyone who knows more than me wants to double check the wording, you can do that easily (also there's one specific answer that i just don't understand. i got a friend to help me but i left a note on it just in case)!

also excuse the formatting, it's awful but tumblr won't let me do anything on shift-enter'd lines

under a readmore because it's super long:

Lead Planner: Shirokami (白神さん) Character Designer: Yamashita (山下さん) Brand Manager: Aida (間さん) And of course: Nomura (野村さん)

But first, the stuff before the Q&A:

—About Remus: designed by Yamashita; "he's a guy who helps pull Player along, so he's a reliable older brother type" (タレ目 just means drooping eyes) —レムスは山下さんがデザイン。山下さん「プレイヤーを引っ張ってくれるお兄さんなので、頼れるタレ目のお兄さんに」

—The designers check in with Nomura when deciding on characters —野村さんと相談しながらキャラクターを決めていく。

—There are plenty of other characters outside of who's shown in the closed beta, along with other Societies —CBTで出てる以外のキャラもいっぱいいる。結社も他にいっぱいある。

—Aside from Nomura, there are three other character designers —キャラデザのデザイナーは野村さん他3人、みんなでやってる。

—Freya was designed with the image of a cat in mind because she does navigation, and her hair is also designed with that in mind; OP's comment says "so basically Chirithy!" (メッシュ means hair highlights i think??) —フレイヤはある猫ちゃんをイメージ。ナビゲーションしてくれるから。メッシュもその子の柄を意識している。（チ○シィじゃん！）

—About avatar outfit coordination: "The person who designs weapons also designs the outfits" -Nomura —野村さん「武器職人が衣装職人やってる」武器のデザインやってた人がコーデデザイン

—There are a bunch of outfits modeled after different jobs, like Fighter, Hunter, Wizard, Healer, variations of Soldiers, Hunter(again), Black Mage, and White Mage —いくつかジョブをモチーフにしている衣装がある。ファイター、ハンター、ウィザード、ヒーラーは、それぞれ戦士、狩人、黒魔道士、白魔道士をイメージ

—There are also outfits designed to look like Scala civilian wear, like the ones working at the reception desk or the Top Hat outfit. "The order called for 'People from Scala'" -Yamashita —スカラの街の人っぽいデザインも。受付の人やシルクハットのコーデ。山下さん「オーダーが『スカラの街の人』だった」雑、と（笑）

—There's also one that looks like a flower shop owner —お花屋さんっぽいコーデも『スカラの街の人』っぽいデザイン。

—Other job motif outfits that haven't been shown; a Thief design that's predominantly black and green, includes goggles; a Dark Knight that has a sword accessory —ジョブモチーフ衣装、まだ出ていないものも！シーフは黒と緑の衣装、ゴーグルつけてる。暗黒騎士は使えない飾りの剣もついている

—The Red Mage outfit is predominantly black and red, with a cape on left shoulder; "To me it doesn't really look that red, just black" -Nomura —赤魔道士は黒と赤の衣装、左肩のみ肩マントつけてる。野村さん「俺から見ると赤くない、黒い」

—The Dragon Knight outfit is very spiky. The design for the hat is having trouble coming together so just that part is under revision —竜騎士はトゲトゲな衣装。帽子がまだしっくり来ていなくて帽子だけ監修中。

—The designers all have their opinions so there'll be a lot of different clothes —色んなデザイナーが関わっているから色んな服が出る。

——About the Guide Moogle: —Yamashita: They got their own new clothes, too —Nomura: (about the clothes) I was asked if the Guide Moogle could wear those outfits early in development, so that's why you see them in these outfits. Then I was asked if there could be one in each Society, which had to be turned down.* —山下さん「モグちゃんにも新しいお洋服を」 —野村さん「（ガイドモーグリの服について）開発から着せていいですか、って言われたから。結社一つモーグリでもいいですか？って言うから、それはダメだよ、って言った」 *(take this with a huge grain of salt. these two sentences are the most confusing lines i've ever read in my life. i have no idea who's saying what to who. help me)

—There are other Moogle designs too, such as flower shop and cafe employee outfits, and others can wear crowns and top hats; they mostly wear different hats and aprons —モーグリのデザイン、他にもあり！お花屋さん、カフェ店員さん…王冠かぶっていたり、シルクハットかぶっているのも！ほとんど帽子をかぶりエプロンをつけている。めっちゃかわいい。

—Outfit revealed for a character who can't be shown yet, outfit is mostly dark colors; "I can't say if they're an enemy or an ally yet. A name has been decided on, but I can't say that either. They aren't the only one" -Nomura —まだ出しちゃいけないキャラの服も公開！黒い衣装。野村さん「敵か味方かも言えない。名前は決まっているが言えない。…一人じゃない」

—There are subspecies of Behemoths, and one kinda looks a little like leopard print; "The closed beta testers are seeing them more often than their parents' faces" -Nomura, when looking at the Behemoth —亜種もあり。ちょっとヒョウ柄っぽい。 野村さん「（ベヒーモスを見て）CBTやっている人は親の顔より見てる」

—Scala was designed after the image of a main street at night; "It turned into the view of my childhood home…" -Nomura —スカラの街のイメージ資料。大通り（夜）。野村さん「実家と化した…」

——About the Dive Station: —Nomura: It went through a lot of name changes —Nomura: After the first time we showed it on Twitter, people thought maybe it was under construction, but like it was mentioned in the closed beta prologue, it's a place that's no longer in use —Nomura: Something that happened back when the cranes were still in use… You'll understand once the live service starts —野村さん「名前何回か変わった」 —野村さん「（ダイヴステーションについて）Twitterで初めて画像上げた後、建設中かなーと言われたけど、今回のCBTのプロローグでも言っていたように、今はもう使われなくなった場所」 —野村さん「クレーンを使っていた頃の何がしかは…正式サービス開始時にわかる」

—About the scenery of Scala: Since the design is the basis, it's been drawn with care by the same person who did the background scenery for Union Cross; "Everyone is living here now" -Nomura —スカラの全景。デザイン画なのでしっかり描かれている。このデザイン画はUχの背景を描いていた人が描いている。野村さん「皆さんはここに住んでいます」

Now to the actual Q&A section (where Nomura says, "You guys wrote way too many questions"):

—Q: Will Guilds or Friendlists be added? (a lot of this same question) —A: If possible. Stay tuned. —やれたら。お察しください。ご期待ください。

—Q: Is there compatibility with the Apple Watch, like being able to use it in hands-free mode? —A: With the step counter, yes. We'll see what we can do with the hands-free mode. —歩数で連動しています。ハンズフリーは善処します。

—Q: Will other raid bosses like the Guard Armor be added? —A: I can't say for all of them, but yes, there will be more. —全部とは言えないけど、出ます。今後増えます。

—Q: Will we be able to obtain more Keyblades such as Kingdom Key? —A: There will be more Keyblades, but I'm not sure about adding Kingdom Key. —キーブレードの種類は増えます。キングダムチェーンが出るかどうかはわからない。

—Q: Will Pieces have voices or BGM (like some medals did in KHUX)? —A: We're discussing it with Disney since the game is Global. Please be understanding. —ディズニーと相談中。お察しください。グローバルなので。

—Q: Is it possible to rollback a material you've already used? —A: That'd be difficult because of the Strengthening Record. —強化レコードの関係上難しい。

—Q: Will there be more clothing options and/or Pieces? —A: For clothing options, like we revealed earlier, there are ones that haven't been added and ones that we still can't show. They will be added gradually. The rest depends on our effort. —アバターはさっきお見��したようにまだ出していないもの、そしてまだお見せしていないものもある。順次増える。他は頑張り次第。

—Q: The music is beautiful, so I was wondering if there would be an album release? —A: We still don't have many songs, so that will depend on if service continues. —まだ数曲しかないので、サービスが続けば。

—Q: What are Glow Pieces? —A: Special pieces that shine. Please wait for live service. (laughed at that one ngl) —光ってる特別なピース。正式サービス開始をお待ちください。

—Q: Do you recommend any specific Pieces or skills for battles? —A: (Shirokami) "The King. He can sweep the map in one shot." / (Nomura) "For me, it's Gothel. Though I feel a little bad when everything on the field gets Slow'd." *(edit: i just realized i misread this and it doesn't say "slow," it's "through," but i genuinely have no idea what that even means in the gameplay sense nor have i seen someone use gothel. maybe it takes aggro off of you??) —白神さん「王様。一発で一掃できる」野村さん「俺はゴーテル。みんなフィールドでスルーするからかわいそうだなって」

—Q: Will there be an easier way to save specific colors on clothes when you want to change them to something else temporarily? —A: That's under consideration. —やりやすくするよう改善を検討中です。

—Q: Since you can share raid boss URLs, are there any plans to create an official community? —A: If Disney's alright with it… —ディズニーがよければ…

—Q: If the game can be played at home, then is there a reason for it to be a mobile app? Wouldn't it be better to just make it a console game at that point? —A: (Nomura) "Staff have told me that mobile games nowadays can be made with the same quality as console games, so I thought it'd be worth a try to bring the normal KH experience to mobile. I wanted to use the hardware features that can only be accomplished on a smartphone, so I went with a location-based concept. Console games can accomplish different things. And, well, if we did make a console game that would be a separate thing, while this is its own thing." —A: (Shirokami) "With Party creation, for example, it's more interesting because you're interacting with the people around you and showing them this fun new thing and getting to play it together, which makes it a bit easier for you to expand outside of already existing communities." —A: (Nomura) "Keep joining more and more raids." —野村さん「今のスマホは家庭用のクオリティでできるとスタッフから言われて、じゃあスマホで据え置き並のKHやってみよっか��。ハードの機能を使いたいから位置ゲーに」 —野村さん「家庭用は家庭用で別にやる。まあ、今後家庭用で出してもそれはそれ、これはこれ」 —白神さん「パーティー機能など、リアルの近場の人だからこそ、これ面白いよ、やってみようよ、と既存のコミュニティから飛び出していく内容」 —野村さん「どんどんマルチ入れて」

—Q: What's something that you had the most trouble with during development, but actually ended up working out pretty well? —A: (Shirokami) "Getting the Pad function and the GPS function to coexist. It's hard to set up servers for that." / (Nomura) "Getting the vertical and horizontal orientations to coexist. It's ridiculous. Doing checks on it was even worse." —白神さん「パッド機能とGPS機能の両立。サーバー置いたり大変」 野村さん「縦画面と横画面両立。正気じゃない、狂気。チェックも倍」 縦横画面の両立でメニューなどコントローラーのこと追いついていない。

—Q: If someone disconnects and reconnects during a raid, are they able to continue? —A: Since it's in real-time, they can't continue. —リアルタイムなので継続はできない。

—Q: The miasma is so dark that I can't find the Area Enemy within it. It wasn't that strong during the prototype test. —A: I agree with that, and we tried to fix it after the closed beta started but it wouldn't work. It'll be fixed in the final release. —確かに濃すぎてCBT中に直したかったけど直せなかった。正式リリースでは直します。

—Q: Will there be costumes of characters such as Sora and Riku like there were during KHUX? —A: That kind of thing usually happens because the main producer brings it up… so if they do, then we'll do it. —野村さん「そういうのやるときはプロデューサーが話を持ってきたときだから…プロデューサーがそういう話持ってきたらやる」

—Q: Is there anything specific that you really like and want other people to pay attention to? —A: (Shirokami) "The Lock mode uses a seventh of the battery, so it's great to use to defeat enemies while in the car or on the train." —A: (Yamashita) "The scenery is pretty so please take a look at it. I'd like if you could climb the walls and look down every nook and cranny." —A: (Aida) "GPS games usually have some regional disparity, but this doesn't." —A: (Nomura) "There's a big reason why I wanted to use GPS, but I can't say. People have been speculating about it, right? On social media and whatnot." —白神さん「ロックモードはバッテリー消費7分の1になる。ロックモードは車や電車でも敵を倒せる」 —山下さん「背景が綺麗なので見てほしい。壁を登って隅から隅��で見てほしい」 —間さん「GPSゲーは地方格差あるけどこれはない」 —野村さん「GPSを取り入れようとした大きな理由があるけど、言えない。みんな書きますよね？SNSで」

—Q: I wish it was easier to collect jewels all in one place outside of checking the mail. —A: That will be addressed accordingly. There will be other ways to receive your items besides checking the mail from the Astral Plane. (Nomura: I find it annoying too) —順次対応します。メールがアストラル界以外でも受け取れるようにします。野村さん「僕もこれめんどくさい」

—Q: Will the Pieces be made into figures? —A: (Matsushita, present and in charge of merch) I wanna make them! I'll see what I can do! —イベントに立ち会ったグッズの松下さん「作りたいです！善処します！」

—Q: Can you make parties with the story characters? —A: There will be opportunities in the story to be joined by other characters, like Remus in the prologue. However, there are currently no plans to create parties freely with them. —ストーリー内では今回のレムスのように機会があります。自由に、というのは今のところ考えていない。

—Q: What Disney worlds will be in the game? —A: That's a secret. —秘密。 - They're shown anyway at the end of the Q&A: the player is seeing running through a forest, in a cave, on a shoal, near a beach, and finally Olympus (the only one OP was able to identify) - Disney worlds will work like they always have; they're places you can visit, have their own stories, and you can meet the inhabitants. There's one other thing, but OP can't say what it is - Other descriptions: A large lake? The ocean? Mountains, a moon in the night sky… A townscape from afar that you can see the lights from, and a boat on the wharf (Nomura: The colors were adjusted to get them as close to the original as possible)

—Q: Will there be a way to rewatch cutscenes within the game? —A: We're thinking of a theatre mode. (Nomura: There are people who skip cutscenes because they don't have time to watch them, so to make sure they don't miss out, it'll be added.) —シアターは考えている。野村さん「やってて今見てる時間なくてって飛ばしたい人もいるので、飛ばしたらもう見られないってならないよう、入れてもらいます」

—Q: Will there be time-limited events? —A: Meetings about events have already been arranged, but we can't say anything about the details. —イベントはもう打ち合わせ済み。内容はまだお答えできない。

—Q: How much of the story will be available when service starts? —A: Since there are so many characters, the modelers can't keep up, and aside from that, it's voiced with animated cutscenes. While we're trying to fix up the structure, we don't intend of making it more compact. It'll be about the same as a traditional Kingdom Hearts game. —新キャラばっかりでモデルが追いつかない。声もついてるしムービーも出る。構成見直し中だがコンパクトにする気はない。従来のKHと同じくらい。

About the pacing of story releases: (Nomura) "How many months did it take for KHUX? Nowadays that pacing is unacceptable."

—Q: Will Scala get any bigger? —A: Yes. —広がっていく。

—Q: Who are the staff's favorite characters? —A: Since there have only been two new characters shown so far, this is about Pieces instead. (Nomura: Gothel) —キャラは2人しか出ていないから、ピースを。野村さん「ゴーテル」

—Q: Will cutscenes look like the prologue instead of the text-based cutscenes that KHUX had? —A: If all the cutscenes were on the same level as the prologue, they would take a year to come out, so not all of them will. They'll be more lightweight than the prologue, but they will be voiced. All the cutscenes for the live service release have already been shot. There are very little to no cutscenes that are text-based like the KHUX ones are. —すべてを今回のプロローグレベルにすると出るの一年後になるので、すべてがそうではない。プロローグより軽量になることはあるけど、ボイスは入る。正式リリース時のカットシーン分は撮り終えてる。Uχみたいなテキスト送りイベントになることはよっぽどない。

—Q: Since Freya wears a skirt, are there any outfits that are gender-restricted? —A: (Yamashita) "Outfits are unisex. There's no restriction against what you can wear. Just like how the player can freely change bottoms, this is simply how Freya decided to coordinate her outfit." —山下さん「コーデは男女兼用。男性用、女性用と区別はなく、どちらも着られる。プレイヤーがボトムを変えられるように、フレイヤがそういうコーディネートをしているだけ」

—Q: Are Navigators different from Keyblade wielders? Are there others across the different Societies? —A: They are Keyblade wielders, but they just don't use them. Navigators don't exist in other Societies; Freya is the only one. By the way, you can't select a Society to join like you could with Unions in KHUX, the choice is fixed." —野村さん「キーブレード使い。使わないだけで。ナビゲーターは各結社にそれぞれはいない。フレイヤだけ。ちなみにUχみたいに好きな結社選ぶとかなく、プレイヤーが入る結社は固定」

(scenes in the closed beta are very cut, like with freya suddenly being friends with the player. the conversation with freya as seen in the closed beta is a discarded cut. that conversation will be in the final release, but the cut is different. / CBTのイベントはかなりカットしてる。フレイヤと突然仲間になってる。フレイヤ��会話シーンはCBTのみの捨てカット。リリースであの会話はあるが、カットは違う。)

—Q: Is the Guide Moogle part of a Society? —A: We said earlier that they weren't, but maybe just that one is. —先程モーグリ結社はないと言ったが、このモーグリだけはどこか所属するかも。

[2n2n]

Aida Iro has been posting a lot of art this month 😍 and honestly it's been incredible, but is that a bad sign? Aida Iro makes us happy with her art and then shows us a great misfortune, but maybe I'm digressing...What is your opinion, do you think Aida Iro is up to something?

these are release notices in celebration + advertisement of Volume 21. They depict scenes in Volume 21, or things just out of frame that we didn't get to see, but make sense to have happened (like Tsukasa attending Sakura's maid cafe!). It is a sign that Volume 21 is out. So far, it's 9 images, but it could be more by the time next chapter is out!

AidaIro often do this in the past couple of years to celebrate volume release, and the images then might recirculate as cards in cafe events or what have you. Lately, it's been around 10-13 images! Aida-sensei is just that much of a powerhouse!

For Volume 20, Aida drew 12 images. Again, these all represent scenes IN volume 20, OR things that happened JUST off-screen but logically between events, suchas Tsukasa comforting Mitsuba, & Teru feeding Nene-chan his cooking.

I do often see people confused and trying to interpret these images individually, but they're always 'about' the volume being released. Sometimes, these images seem to TELL you something NEW-- apparently, after leaving Teru's house, Akane and Aoi resumed their night together, & rented movies! They're wearing the same outfits as when they left Teru. Isn't that sweet... & we get the bit of loredrop that Aoi apparently likes shlocky B-movies like uh, Sharknado or somesuch. One of them must own a VHS player!

AidaIro like to draw scenes from new angles, often, or show you what a moment in canon looks like, in color. It is a chance to pick up the already-drawn scene again & maybe relay new information. If you look at when a piece of art you like was released, it may be a volume release notice for a specific volume & tied to a very specific chapter!

There's something really funny about thinking "oh no, a lot of art, that's an omen/portent" and it's actually just a cyclical thing AidaIro do at a typical, predictable time. Maybe you should never stop fearing what AidaIro might do. That's the lesson.

[jarenka]

I turned on TV today and witnessed the worst offence against stage costuming. This dress looks like a cheap copy of the designer dress from Wish.

Also, this staging (it was La Traviata) was overall extremely bad. And it's in a fucking Monte Carlo opera house not some student production.

While I was searching for this clip I found out that Aida Garifullina wasn't the only one opera singer to be dressed terribly by this theatre. This is Mariam Battistelli as Musetta in La Boheme.

I can't believe someone saw it and said: yes, this dress looks good.

(directing in both scenes is also terrible btw)

For the comparison some recordings of these scenes with normal directing under the cut

After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the one in her life (Violetta: È strano! ... Ah, fors' è lui – "Ah, perhaps he is the one"). But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life (Violetta, Alfredo: Sempre libera – "Always free"). From off stage, Alfredo's voice is heard singing about love as he walks down the street.

Pretty Yende as Violetta Valery at Royal Opera House.

Tuuli Takala as Violetta Valery at Finnish National Opera

As the men and Mimì dine at the cafe, Musetta, Marcello's former sweetheart, arrives with her rich (and elderly) government minister admirer, Alcindoro, whom she is tormenting. It is clear she is tired of him. To the delight of the Parisians and the embarrassment of her patron, she sings a risqué song (Musetta's waltz: Quando me'n vo'—"When I go along"), hoping to reclaim Marcello's attention.

Vuvu Mpofu as Musetta at Glyndebourne Opera Festival

Chelsea Lehnea as Musetta at Gulfshore Opera

[7ban-sama]

please give me your opinion on all the tsukasas / yashiros / amanes from the different aus aidairo makes ….. (feel free to just pick one character though if you want skdjfvns)

Forgive me if I forget anything egregious-!! There's so many AUs, I'll do my best to browse through them, but AidaIro are industrious... I might miss something. u.u

You will be getting my opinion on all 3 of them per AU though. It's fun to consider the OT3... :3 Subsequently, I think I'll be skipping anything where we don't see all 3 (like ah, that standalone idol Hanako from earlier on.) Just to streamline things. Here we gooo!

🔍Phantom Thief 💎

I'm including this one out of fairness sake... but I will be real. I do not really think much about it, nor really care about any of their designs here. Unfortunately, idc about, detectives, criminal investigation, that sort of intrigue. Whether it's serious or funnay-sillay, I can't say it's very interesting to me. The most aesthetically pleasing one here is just Hanako, with hims fancy crane fabric and mask etc... (Kind of cheating though, bc he's just in his gakuran otherwise.) I know Aida-sensei really had fun drawing this guy whorishly covered in jewels. Tsukasa being a little boy-lad, funny. Nene-chan in some sherlock cosplay dress, bad. My eyes glaze over.

It's amusing to see their roles be stripped down to like, Nene INVESTIGATING Hanako's CRIMES, and Tsukasa being an INFORMANT, giving her TIPS because he knows Hanako's IDENTITY. That's what's happening in the manga, yes. It's so crude, in this way, I have to laugh.

🦇Ghost Hotel🩸

For this AU, I really love going over the interview of the people coordinating it, because you get to hear reports of AidaIro-sensei being very enthused about the theming of the cafe. They decided the theme, menu item names, and explained aspects of the world to the staff. It's very cute to me lol, it feels like they were having so much fun. The first cafe they did was more 'typical', with the characters as waiters/waitresses serving you. I think GH is a clever concept, finding a way to transport you into a whole other world, and also still justify that you are 'going' to an 'establishment', and going to be eating there lol. You still get the delight of experiencing the characters be 'staff', even — just in a more creative and stimulating way. An evil hotel manager is a lot more fun than just being your waiter-!!! Etc.

Seeing Amane as an evil vampire, it's almost like seeing a frog on a lilypad. Suddenly it's like we're putting a pin on the whooole look, the Halloween cat vibe, black and gold eye'd scraggly shota. B'caped, villainous, but so cavalier. The villain of a point and click adventure game. His ah, many rows of buttons are a lil silly, but overall I like his 'fit. It's like Amane was always meant to be this... Running some sort of honeypot to ensnare innocent, poor wanderers, and seeming to do it simply for the love of the game. Glib, while watching you lose your memories and become brainwashed.

This Amane is INCREDIBLY FUNNY and an INCREDIBLY DIRECT representation.. In a way that just makes me feel like I'm gonna barf. Like every layer of it lol, the, I'm never going to let you leave❤ Mmhh I love to consume beautiful women (so what does it say I sucked my brother dry?) Anyways I will take your life tonight. Ehh, the fact that he doesn't seem guilty or troubled at all by what he did.. Well, it's maybe been so-? Many years-?? And he's become so established, he's just at a point of-?? A-acceptance? Enjoyment? With what he did... does-??? He's decorating Tsukasa's grave playfully, I dunno...

Also the, fact that Amane is a vampire, means you have to, basically conclude that killing Tsukasa was... pleasurous... in the way that eating a delicious meal would be... It's a biological urge. And also killing Nene, again, will be, pleasurous. Hm... What does this mean for their situations in canon... Aha hahahahaha hahaha

So yeah overall I like this guy a lot. I think I would have a lot of fun RP'ing this one.

As for Nene here, I'm not really big on her starting look... It's liiike, not doing it for me, a bit too. Fancee lady. Victorian flavor etc. which just isn't my bag... She doesn't look awful or anything; I like her lil parasol. That being said...

... this nightgown is wonderful. I love her hair adornments too. A sleepy little lady, bride material. Thank you Amane for, assaulting her like this, I agree with your decision. I've envisioned her becoming a ghostie just like Tsukasa, as a result...

She's at her sweetest here, too, just innocently letting Amane in without thinking too hard about it. I like that she thinks over her day, and smiles, noting that she had fun, despite the strangeness. (Despite the scariness...) It's very Nene-chan of her. I think she'll take to her fate graciously, as she is always destined to... I see a lot of potential in her. ❤

Now, the original victim, in HIS frilly nightgown, ready for beddy-bye. Isn't he sweet... He's actually my favorite out of this AU, out of the three. Far too precious, it really hurts me. I like to think that, in the past, when Amane was a newly-formed vampire, he was a lot more self-hating and afraid to feed, prone to starving himself. (Closer to emotional profile of the more troubled Amane in canon.) Despite this, Tsukasa was always gracious and encouraging, permissive. In true Tsukasa fashion, he was so encouraging and loving that Amane one day couldn't stop. That was that. His ah, nubby right hand is also a remnant of that interaction (as much as the pillows and blanket...) Bit clean off.

So much time has passed and they've been bound to one another like this. Tsukasa is found lingering outside of room 87 / Nene runs into him instead when trying to seek the Manager / Amane's key is definitely to room 87, just blurred... They must share a space and interact. I feel like after 'work', once everything's quieted down, Amane must simply retire to his special ghostie boy at the end of the day. And does god knows what.

It's quite scary that not everyone can see Tsukasa... yabai. I always feel like Tsukasa's existence gets buried and obfuscated by Amane's actions... Isolated, locked away. *frantically gestures at the Antares speech also* Much to be concerned about. It's eerie, then, that Nene is one of the few that can see him. And ah, of course, again Tsukasa is simply willing to aid and guide Nene through this. I like when he's this counter-force... A rogue agent, someone who'll answer questions if you just asked. He'll help you.

My overall feeling for the AU is, I like how ship is here! It's fun! Whereas Phantom Thief feels crude with how 1:1 it is, I think GH is more like, a gd riot, while still managing to be sexy too. I'm simple, I like vampirism, I like the direct correlation of Amane predating on Tsukasa and Nene. Makes me feel endless concern whenever I look over the details. Much in store for the canon.

🎭Hanako of the Opera🌹

IDK what it is about me, but I can admit, I struggle to parse this event. It's not easy for me to follow everything that happens... Perhaps just the nature of it being one of those 'game' type events, with randomized elements, and also it being a story with present 'roles' being inserted. It's limited in ways, ,,

Okay but, as always, it's funny what is conveyed in a couple details. Amane is looking so crazy during scenes, maniac. Tsukasa ?? kitty cat?? Lurking about??? Enigmatic. The twins matching rings (which, in the original story, are given to Christine to represent her loyalty to the phantom) — OK. Matching jewelry symbolizing twins devotion to one another, check ✅ And all three of them have roses? Wonderful, something threading Tsukasa and Nene-chan, as Amane gives both his girlies roses. Overlapping romance check✅ (This ship is always too much lol...)

Rating the looks: Nene is lovely 💕 Shining star of the opera. The boys are more *noncommital hand gesture* but I like the fanfare of the cape, and I do. *sigh* I do think the half mask is cool, I've always thought it was cool. Fsr I vibe 'split' face situations (even specifically having sonas with large white face markings...) so yeah I'm into it. I wonder if? They are-? Both disfigured under there-?? Mysteries.

I distinctly like the shawl Nene is wearing here. Kiss kiss. (... I also just really love this image lol, this is so funny of AidaIro-sensei... to explain the delays within the narrative like this...) wait why am I just realizing in this image Amane has like. A laced up boot up to his calf. That's not what the twins are wearing in their character profiles ? Wait why does it look like he's only wearing 1? What? hm okay. Anyways I love this image

🐉Kamome Monster Nursery🍭

This is one of those really wild AUs... Though I feel like it's iconic, perhaps just as an example of how Iro-sensei can invent unpredictable worlds. Overall I really like their Halloween AUs; both Aida and Iro love Halloween, and since JSHK overall is so ~spookeh ghosts~ it kisses well with Halloween mischief.

The twins. Let's evaluate them both at once!!

This is one of those Amane's that's more on the 'subdued' side, along with being more academically inclined. To me, it feels like there are a couple 'sliders' that move around in relation to one another. If Amane is more studious, he's lessss... ostentatious, with his look and personality. He's too busy looking at clipboards and taking notes. In this way I think he's a loser with no game (lol) but at least he has Tsukasa with him to keep him on his toes. Tsukasa meanwhile seems to be having lots of fun here! I like that he's the more capable one, I feel like that's a consistent truth, deep down... That Tsukasa is actually smarter and more talented, overall. He's just so 'odd' that people don't notice... ww

I like the thickness of Amane's turtleneck, and I like that Tsukasa's in shorts and has such thick purple socks. So fun!! I also like how 'blue' the shades of purple on his outfit are, I really love the dark purp and black stripes on his top. His stripes make him match Amane's turtleneck's ribbing. Harmonious. Tsukasa's stethoscope feels horny to me though, in a way that makes me, mad-? (I don't trust AidaIro and their thing with hearts.) Aside from that, lab coats are whatever, not my thing. They're not super fun to draw but I can forgive it. (I have drawn these goons.)

They're kind of enigmatic to me, in that I wonder how they wound up here, doing this specifically...? But the world is so odd lol, I think it's odd how the class of 'monster' feels like they-? Don't... have rights-?? They're raised and studied, not treated like people-?? As a result, I feel like the twins kinda have broken lizard brains in this world, regarding monsters as specimens purely, and not forming deep attachments... They are engrossed in their research. Tsukasa is playful as a person, and good with raising monsters, but doesn't bat an eye as they get shoveled along through the system. This place perhaps outright facilitates that kind of detachment, so they're a perpetual motion machine doing this. So ultimately they only care about one another...

Small detail, but the drawing looks like Tsukasa's art to me! Aida-sensei bothers to be consistent with characters having a 'style', so ah, I think the point is it 'looks' like a little kid made it, but it's actually a gift from Tsukasa.. We don't see them interact much, but I like to think they must collude throughout the day, and then after the workday is over they retire together. They have matching seals too which means-? Some-? Thing-? Critical about their connection to one another...?? So they have to be entangled...

But we need a Nene-chan to come into their life and shake things up-!! Hahaha. I'm glad she has the ability to burn this whole place to the ground herself... A creature with a lot of potential!

As a lolicon I'm SIMPLE, and I love to see LITTLE GIRL. Lil girl, baby girl, baby baby baby. Soo freakin' cute, ugh, acting like a little feral beasty... and that we can just put her in a thick collar. Whatttt?? Sexy... Are there really no limits here? I get to watch Nene-chan be bitey and demanding?? Ourghh

Also, the fact that she's being raised by Tsukasa and taking after him, while dressed up in 'his' color... Sick & twisted. Showing me Tsukasa playing with Nene and giving her whatever she wants and them going on rampages together??? Sick & twisted-!! The fact that she has a little red heart earring on her, corresponding her to Amane, SICK & TWISTED!!! It's worrisome you know, because Nene is Amane's bespoke love interest across every world... They HAVE to collude-? He has to be interested in her, he has to. Find her attractive...?? Inevitably!? At that point, it's suspicious to me that monsters also develop faster than humans. Hmm, so she will be sexually mature soon enough. (Lol, Renesmee swag?)

You can't just show me Nene being Tsukasa-like, resembling Tsukasa, acting like Tsukasa, and Amane's just also in the room. Dragon loli all dressed up and collared, and being hand-reared by the brother of her love interest. DON'T YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE THIS TERMINATES-?? I sure do. *sucks in drool*

The set pieces make me pretty horny. I think I am a bit weak to esoteric research labs and, like dehumanizing situations for sapient(?) beings. Nonhuman behaviors, hand rearing, the aesthetic of daycare and baby toys etc... fun, I like it. I like to explore the space.

🏫Teen School Drama🪄

This AU is like. Lol where are we-? This boarding school and the overall aesthetic is giving a kind of Western-slay. Ahh I've been transported back to Angelland lol. There's a photo on AidaIro's twi tter featuring a Harry Potter mug (the Marauder's Map lolll) so ah, this combined with some of their other work gives me the impression they like... That sort of Vibe, ~wizarding school in London~... regardless of whether or not that's the actual setting, I just think it's worth noting. The particular stink going on.

This Amane... he makes me laugh. Who is this-? Little nerd? An even more subdued, sciency-aligned Amane than the guy in Monster Nursery.

He's so stripped down feeling, and his palette has mysteriously become black/blue/gold, instead of black/red/gold. Why's that... The way no one could have guessed he was that little blue apple. Like— obviously people would sooner guess the ghost cookie or devil cake, etc. Even the fanciful king, thing, Teru was, because like. You would think Amane is devilish or has some sort of imposing presence... so it's the funniest reveal he's like, a quiet nerd who tinkers with RC cars and drones... I would even say fandom at large is more apt to see canon living-Amane as more shy than I personally would, but this still came as a shock for many. This little meep. (Octavius rex i guess, since Nene is barking up this tree.)

It's pretty novel though... to be able to think of an Amane that is this hobbled with social interactions. I like to imagine he struggles with making eye contact. A guy of few words... not practiced with having conversations. If you read his mind, he would be slowly disassembling and reassembling devices. *staring at nothing, waiting for class to end so he can go back to his dorm and do this*

But as much as he amuses me, he also frustrates me... How to word this. I find it suspicious that this Amane can command Tsukasa to manifest to him, without even a word, just sending a drone at him — and Tsukasa would drop everything to do so. Okay, so you have this very powerful wizard at your beck and call... and Tsukasa is typically quite obsessed with Amane, so. Hmm. Just simmer on that. And then you have fact that Nene is, putting herself out there, being CUTE about it, and he's like. Mnnn. Please don't. You'll draw attention to me... thinking moreso about the social discomfort, not like, Nene's gesture.

... to ME, he feels kind of, 'stuck in his comfort zone'...? I'd say it's pretty generous to see him as 'just shy'; if I think about Amane across worlds, I'd guess this one is probably just as asocial and disconnected from valuing people as individuals... He's always had Tsukasa, there, reliably, and has never had a reason to do anything besides funnel into his interests. Eh, it's kinda like if Amane could just blithely read about constellations AND just have Tsukasa by his side, super OP, catering to his whims. And then if later down the line, Nene was pursuing him on her own terms, so he didn't have to lift a finger or put the moves on her... This is all insane to me... kslkfksdg.... I suppose this Amane feels like a LESSON in, how COMPLACENT he can BE... It is possible for him to be this withdrawn, this uhh, stubborn, this placid. Not oozing anyyyy charisma, it's crazy, lmfaofdj hgdks I really think if you dated this one, he'd absolutely suck. Negative one thousand points, bad boyfriend material.

(As an Amane kinnie it's like, watching myself be kind of insufferable like a spoiled child LOLL where is your GAME man... lol but you're still gonna get it i guess...)

Now... this girl. I want to fuck this Yashiro so very badly. She exists to torment me. Hruu.

The look is lovely. Her blue knit top, her red jacket, short plaid skirt, tall socks. The absolute territory...! Since she's usually so shy about her legs, and covers them up, it's amazing to see her showing some thigh. Ehh... scandalous. And then pretty twin tails, decorated in hearts, makes me feel weak. I really like twin tails...💔 Her witch outfit isn't appealing to me, but I don't mind rly, since her base look is soo good. I don't imagine she has to get fully decked out all the time anyways.

Her status as both a cheerleader and a witch intrigues me... Such a confident girl! I wonder if having magic abilities helps her feel more capable? It's incredible to me she just, attempts to talk to Amane regularly. That she would be like heehee❤ I'll cheer for you~... She doesn't feel so uncertain about whether or not he'll be interested in her-?? Even though he's quiet and avoidant of attention. So fascinating... With the right tools at her disposable, perhaps Nene can do anything.

Hmm, I often like to envision her... getting in over her head, with the whole witch thing... Onene inflating her head a bit! The 'downside' to that gained confidence. It's easy to imagine that Nene wouldn't be above using magic to gain favor in the pursuit of love... If Nene would swallow a mermaid's scale out of desperation for a relationship... I think being a witch capable of spells would provide unfathomable temptations for her. Along with Amane being a challenge to court, I ah, feel like the situation is rife for Nene to create, schemes, plans, to bag him. With the confidence that she could definitely succeed... and that he would be none the wiser, about it. There could even be an angle of, feeling like she's doing him a favor by being forward, he's just so shy, I bet he's never had a girl like him before ❤ I'll take care of it all!!

Which is funny, because I think this is exactly the way Hanako thinks of his 'flirting' (sekuhara) in canon. This AU flips things around, but in a way that I enjoy. ^^ I like that Iro-sensei is capable of scrambling the main cast around, but still keeping things so interesting! Allowing me to witness the girlish version of simping and the wear down method lol...

Now... Wizard Tsukasa-!!! The catalyst of the event!! The capable, full-fledged magic user... He's enchanting💜 In his nice white sweater, and untucked undershirt... Would love to see him put on that hat. Sigh

I love seeing a Tsukasa so capable. I like to think he's a prodigy, and no one on campus who uses magic could hold a candle to him. The great and powerful TsuTsu!! Bare with me for this flight of fancy, but in settings where the twins are in a 'normal' setting (going to school and all), I still like to factor in Amane's heart condition. I like to believe he was still born with it, though technology is advanced enough that he was able to be saved through surgeries at a young age. That being said, it leaves him with a weak constitution, still being the sickly twin. I like to think that Tsukasa's nature of fetching Amane gifts to his bedside persists, and he's by Amane's side constantly, helping with little things. For magic to exist in this world... I feel like, of course, Tsukasa would pursue it to be able to service Amane even better. It's in his nature... when granted power, access to grant wishes, he simply wants to use it for Amane. So, the reason he gets so good at it all is for Amane 💜 It's what sets him apart from others.

... haha, okay, personal delusions aside, I think Tsukasa exudes a sort of... pleasant serenity here. I like the music notes in his text, like he's humming or speaking melodically. Fun, playful boy... Someone who speaks with hearts❤ Similarly to Nene, I think being able to wield magic gives him a bit of a confidence 'boost', so he's less self-conscious than some younger versions of him (that feel clumsy or like a burden...) Comfortable with his position in life currently. He's by Amane's side, after all! Hum humm, might as well have fun then, ne? There's no harm in it~

Argh, you know, it's an AU where things are atypical/shuffled around, so I think Tsukasa looming over Nene and taunting her is closer to something 'unusual' and unexpected (he's not purposefully ominous in canon ww) ... but like, it's sexy to see here, heurr. I feel a little messed with, when I have to consider TsuNene like this... It's as if I'm being baited lol. But I LIKE IT so oh well. As much as I think about Nene getting up to shennanigans behind Amane's back, I like to think of her having to deal with Tsukasa, who can observe and thwart her with ease. He doesn't do it mean spiritedly or anything, but I feel like sometimes he is watching her like...~ It would be fun to meddle. Just a tiny bit... <3 Able to give Nene a run for her money. The fact that Amane likes her is interesting to him <3 and maybe there's a little bit of flirting on Tsukasa's end too... <3 Ahee...

The fact that Tsukasa is able to intercept Aoi and Nene's combined efforts to stop him, and, that Amane then interrupts — and Tsukasa just goes ohp, ok, Amane needs me! Bye! & drops everything... feels like it says so much about the ah, flow of 'power' here. Despite Amane being The Mundane and despite Tsukasa being OP magic user... Tsukasa still defers to Amane-!! Ugh it creates this visual in my mind, where Nene's POV is one where Tsukasa might as well be Amane's big pet tiger curled around him. Lounging, languid, but... intimidating...

I like this AU overall lol. It just makes me horny very effectively. At least I feel like I'm not alone, because fujoshi are distinctly distressed about this AU and the implications of. Amane like, sending a drone to get Tsukasa, with the? Head of the? Rabbit costume he is horny about now? It literally feels like he's just ordering Tsukasa to come help him out with this, problem. Like why are they about to have weird sex through this conduit. Yamete kudasai...

Nyways final note is, I think Amane can eventually tempted by poon, between the forces of Tsukasa and Nene both, and then he will start to metamorphasize into a nastier guy, thinking about suck fuck fuck fuck suck suck & fuck. Which is good for him. He will be healed.

📞Kamome Valentine Company💘

This AU came out of nowhere and really sucker-punched us for Valentine's day... One swift sock to the gut. I barely survived February because of this all. My god. Where to even start.

At first glance from the twitter icon, you don't get much of an impression of this Amane. I was mostly surprised to see that he had angel wings, as so far, it's usually been the inverse (other illusts having Amane be a devil while Tsu is holy aligned...) However, once the event started rolling out proper, I felt my gut sink as we got a better look at this guy. Promising that he can polish your love and make it shine... That lidded gaze, the look of an Amane that is trying to WORK YOU OVER... I could not BEGIN to trust this creep, ueeuahhh!! Makes my skin crawl. He actually is a devil. (Avvy's proposed he might actually be identical Tsukasa, and it's just an illusion he has going on... good possibilities.)

Alright but what's this looooook??? The metal... collar? The corset-!? The boots, the one glove... All this fetish gear, why are you looking like this! Running this shop with your brother! Ackkk! Oh and of course, to top it all off, you and Tsukasa both have matching jewelry, as some, expression of your commitment to one another… While you endlessly make bets and squabble for fun, in this warehouse full of jewels... It's really yabai that they have some sort of, hearts in cages, while their power itself is the ability to make love into jewelry. Their hearts look different from what's present in the cages, so I feel like whatever extraction process was done was different...

It's extrapolating a lot, but eh while I'm here, I might as well say — I like to think of the twins as having once been human. Some... dirty raggamuffin orphan boys... And one day, they effectively tapped into a kind of magic, some sort of dark ritual, etc. that effectively cursed them into their current forms... It was an act of commitment, equivalent to canon's shinjuu, and they've been bound eternally since. The end product is they've really become cursed beings who cannot, think or love properly. Avvy's described them as having a sort of emptiness to them, and I agree. It feels like they're locked in their obsession... Ermm, and much like how, it feels like the canon circumstance is one where, the twins can't help but want to reenact the shinjuu — Amane just wants to kill Tsukasa / Tsukasa just wants to be killed by Amane — again and again... I feel like once the twins get on a tear, they're kind of endlessly looping their desires, and they almost can't conceive of anything beyond what they are doing. Just slamming the button that says MORE. Do it AGAIN.

Obsessed with turning love into jewelry endlessly... obsessed with playing with each other... so it goes... sigh

(also I hate that he's likely evoking Eros... Ughh, god of sex and love, urghhhh... I'm gonna hurl... *has had a sona named Eros since I was 14* Whatever.)

It is time to have much pity in my heart for this Nene... She's a VICTIM of this establishment... one of MANY. They have cages lining the walls of what they do to girls like her. So scary... Excessive! Diabolical!!

I do wish we had more time to spend with her. I hope somehow she makes her way back here, through some thread of fate... I don't want to believe she'll be gone for too long... *worried for her* At least, she's technically unburdened from her last circumstance...

This is again not ah, the sort of look I personally would choose for her — too 'mature' feeling? A type of formal clothing I'm not especially into. That being said, I like the hair framing her face mostly emphasized as the rest is pulled back. (Still, not into the braid it's in...) She's pretty in some close ups... Not bad looking, just not my favorite look for her. This is a nicer hat than GH girlie tho. I'll kiss her still~ chu...

Mmmh, once again, out of the three, I'm most bewitched by the Tsukasa of this set. First getting a glimpse of him in the header, brutal for me. Horns! Devil wings!! Pppuuushed back hair, white frilly top, shorts, baby blue socks... Girlie on the phone? *0 brains* call girl... *even less brains* Phone sex. Sex with this one. Sex between work. *stops having a stroke* anyways.

To me, pragmatically speaking, the idea of my unrequited love being destroyed and forgotten about is the most appealing. I trust Tsukasa's proposal more... well, I at least feel as though he's being more honest. Assuming that Tsukasa had a different path laid out for Nene, I would trust it more than what Amane did.

I kinda waffle back and forth on it though, because Avvy's brought up a good point, that perhaps both the twins functionally do the exact same thing — part of their game might just be about whose proposal wins? In that case, ugh, twins-!! I guess you shouldn't trust either of them lol. That might just be the reality of this world. =.=

Yk. Despite the twins having such an intertwined existence, and surely doing this sort of thing all the time... I like how Tsukasa, at the end of this all, is staring quietly with small mouth big eyes, as he feeds Amane. That's the sort of expression I often read as Tsukasa being... overwhelmed, or kind of subdued, his mouth practically disappears. It's like he's really focusing on Amane's mouth eating the chocolate. I must see. His hind brain is tingling, due to what Amane is...? Insinuating? With his comment? But it's Tsukasa, so I think he also can't fully grasp what is being said. I'll do something for you later? Okay, Amane. ⬅ It's aspects like this that really mess me up though. Because a world like this is like, urgh, ugh, ok, the twins are? Definitely fucking? Or inbound, about to fuck, maybe fucking all day, or like, on the precipice. Perfect 50/50 split, what is the reality. Fucking today for the first time on Valentine's day? Suck your fingers while you feed me c hocolate. Ahh... *you lose me in the mist*

🐈‍Bakeneko Ryokan♨️

Our most recent cafe event to date, and honestly, what feels like the most luxurious one. It feels embarrassing to say (since it just came out) but this is my favorite AU of them all, currently-!!! It's far too decadent in every way... Just look at this map!! Eh, ahh! I wanna go here so badly! Ehhh! Everything feels luscious and beautiful...! It's crazy Aida-sensei made this... This feels so involved and over the top... Meanwhile, I'm enraptured by Iro-sensei's description of things, like how it feels to approach this place.

"The air outside is cool and fresh. A deep fog enshrouds this place… The only light you can see is coming from the Ryokan." (Translation by DBS Scans!)

I'm just like UGH, atmosphere!! Makes me want to immerse into this world so badly! Traveling up the mountain side, as the fog encloses around me... A light in the distance, my only hope... Again, I really admire the integration of ah, an entire narrative alongside the theme of, cafe, food establishment, being served by the characters, etc... Transported to another world while you come here to eat. And again there is an element of danger to your visit here. A place you won't likely be returning from... Will you get eaten, or will you get turned into a bakeneko yourself-!? Such a fun set up omg

Hmm, another Amane that looks like a too-pleased maniac... why am I not surprised. :I It's so devious he is a nekomata amidst bakeneko... it's like ah, Amane is decidedly the more evil and dangerous version of this yokai — almost to make sure there's no misconstruing that you shouldn't trust him ww. I think it also conveys that he is perhaps more powerful than we can observe, hiding a slew of abilities... maybe even a more extravagant beast form, larger than his typical kitty cat body. No way to know... (typical for Amane though... he won't let us know...)

But much like his vampire self, being a naughty kitty really suits him. If there was anyone destined to be a shitty tom cat, it's just, Amane... He's just got that sort of nature, don't he. Patrolling his territory, pissing on your things. Rubbing his scent glands on you. Because you are his. Enjoying that silvervine... Meanwhile, the texture of his hair and ears make me feel like he must be a very scruffy feeling black kitty, if you saw him up close. Hmm, it's just a very compatible charisma... the Halloween cat swag once more.

Always fun when Amane is in yukata. :3 Get all silked out... and I like his black tabi socks, they are cool. They further obfuscate slivers of skin, making him feel very clothed, toe to tip. The cut in his high collar, so that his bell comes out, is very crazy looking. I'm into it. Also like the extra gold band and bell on the tail, and the teal ribbon with it... The red and white rope on his zori, and for the keys slipped in his yukata, are the same as Tsukasa's shimenawa obi he is wearing. A little something connecting them here. I have to assume the keys he's keeping are to Tsukasa's room directly. Ugh, lock you up. I get it I get it... *exhausted, threadbare*

As for this Amane's nature, it's kinda fascinating... because, I feel like having been Tsukasa's pet kitty means, he kind of, couldn't have the same sort of problems he typically does when they are human brothers... It's just? Hard to imagine that he struggles in quite the same way. Wasn't he living a simple life once, getting chin scratches... He would surely just purr and rub up against Tsukasa... and then, why would that change, after their escape from the circus? Just so easy to imagine the twins are very, pet pet rub rub, nuzzle purrrrr purr mrr... The way their life has gone, there's also no pressure of 'the future', in the sense of some impending career or pressure from parents. They are freed from such things. Maybe he still wouldn't be the best at uhh, verbally comforting you lol, but I think he would be openly affectionate. Oozing out, condescending sounding, but very much enamored. Kitty lurvvve...

Another thing: I've seen JP fans theorize that Amane chose to emulate his human form after Tsukasa's, which I totally love the thought of. He's so distressed in that shot of them running away... I like to think he was less capable with magicks once, so it took a lot to finally congeal his human form — so it comes to him in the moment of adrenaline, saving Tsukasa from the fire. But it's cute to choose to match... I want to think that's how it went. :3

Mmm oooh I was soooooo looking forward to seeing more of this Nene, after the few glimpses of her from promotional art (and the original shikishi...) She seemed so, gormless, empty shiny gaze. Yet lovely and pleasant, happy kitty. I'm so happy the more we've seen of her. Her yukata is gorgeousss.... Love the petal-y frills at the end, the pink inner fabric, the long embellished sleeves and tassles! Light blue/green, pink, red! Yes yes yes!! Colors that totally suit her! Mmm she would be so nice to touch... I prefer how her hair is done up here btw, no braid, just tied up! I disprefer the tightness of a braid. A small bun like this is nicer to think about playing with, pulling loose. *Amane voice* I ah, also like that she has little bells in her hair, and they feel like they thread her design with the twins' ostentatious big bells... It's a nice touch. A little something.

She really lives up to her name... She really is Pretty-chan! Ackkh.... by the way, I'm still dying every day over the name PRETTY-CHAN!!! It's that thing, that rule almost, where Nene is considered beautiful when she is nonhuman... Becoming this fanciful, large breed of cat, long fluffy fur, and her seafoam green tipped tail!! It makes so much sense she was once a beloved house pet.

Though, true to form, a platonic guardian cannot mean much to the romance-focused Nene... Off into the mountains she goes! Searching for guys to fawn over her... Only to! Wind up with this shitty, scruffy mans harassing her! Such is her destiny...

I like that she does dances :) fun, I would love to watch. Shake that tail around for me, girl... Ahh. She's so fun. I guess I understand actually why Amane can't resist sekuhara... With such a nice girlie walking around, it really makes you want to nip her heels and chase her around lol

With the release of this story card, I've been kind of arrested though... Learning that even Pretty-chan is like, slobbering over the idea of eating a human... A-ah, okay, and Amane is stoking her? Playing along? Even though he's harboring his human brother-!? Whyyy... 😭 I do n't understand... What do you mean there's a world where Nene could desire to eat Tsukasa-!?!??Fg h gg./h. fhg... why is she also i nsan e... help... I still feel like I'm falling out of my body. I 've literally always wanted to explore Nene being 'crazy' but now that I have the chance it's like sits on my hands . This is too much. The potential here... I shudder violently thinking about it. I'm in a dream I can't escape...

*biiig sigh* Glorious images of Tsukasa-chan in this AU... Much color and splendor... No shoes of any kind, because he's probably mostly indoors! The long decorative sleeves tucked away, because he's gotta be ready to scrub the floor. Little miss mittens. Nya. Even if you're not really a bakeneko, you've got all the charm of a kitty, don't you? Rolling around while your 'brother' dangles a cat tail above you...

I feel like this Tsukasa lives quite a fun life. Padding about, RPing as kitty, meeting nice girlies who talk to him and might find him novel and cute. Hiding in closets, getting dragged about by his tyrant master. Random naps, lazing in hot spring water, enjoying the food here... Considering where his life started — as some unwanted child performing labor for a circus... This is probably more than he could've ever dreamed of. Life is good and life is fun!

I have to assume the details of his disguise were by Amane. I feel like if it were up to Tsukasa, he'd just match identically with Amane... it's probably Amane who is like 'no, you're not a nekomata... and actually, you could never even become one, ever, you'd be some kinked tail little thing'. Fetishistic perception of Tsukasa. The fact that Tsukasa could complain about his ears and tail is like, so funny to me, it makes it feel like it really is mostly for Amane's sake... He's the one trying to keep you his tasty little secret, shhh. I have to assume it's also Amane who wanted the reciprocation of giving Tsukasa a collar, since he's earing the one from when he was Tsukasa's pet in the past. Ugh, I swear it just represents that they own one another, mutual feelings...

So much going on here... and I have to accept this is just another world where Tsukasa is some tasty morsel. There is a biological urge to consume him. Again. Because it just feels so good and he is so delicious. Thanks I guess, iro... *i am frowning*

!! Bonus section for AUs featured in stand alone illustrations !!

🐹Hamster Owners🐭

Attached to one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE VOLUMES, is this baby. It's such a simple image, isn't it? But this is one of those things where I feel like, Ah. This was made for me, specifically... I love rodents... I love this style of little ferals, where they still have human heads — little sphinxes! Nene-chan hamster!! Tsukasa as some sort of little, mousey-wousy!! Incredible-!!!! The way Tsukasa is helplessly licking the outside of the water... he no understand. Ack... and then this young Amane!! 8 yo boy!! Peak boy!! In his shorts and with bandage booboos... clutching hamster cage bedding! Nrghhh! Pet owner Amane... yes, he's the 'owner' in the situation, and they're the pets. Ra urhghg!!! It's all so 'simple' but it's for me to adore!! It looks amazing!!!! It's feeding me endlessly, as a standalone image... (I've drawn too much porn of this AU... LOL)

🧹Maids📚

Haha, these feel like some random sketches Aida-sense did one day, just for fun. Maybe without much of a 'world' behind them... but they still give me pause! The Yugi's fancy rich lad quality coming out... Perhaps they are home schooled. While Nene is a servant to their household-!! God it's a good age gap here, she is very onee-san. The despicable charm of Amane splitting a donut with Nene and going shh, secret... Maybe it's unprofessional and not the sort of thing your parents would like, maybe you'd get in trouble for interrupting her from sweeping. But must do it still... Hehe. And Nene of course is like, oooh, okayyy~ Going along with...

Unforch at these ages, it's too easy to imagine Nene being like lol, handsome lil guy lol, teeheee, maybe he has a lil crush on me, so cute. Far too seamlessly going to make jokes like, ahh, well mayb e when you're older❤... Ohh, Amane-kun, how charming... I'll wait for you❤... (A particle of Nene's brain: but it would be nice if he grew up all handsome and I got to go from being a maid to a mistress of the house... swag...) All of this will get out of hand quickly. It's like a, give a mouse a cookie problem, you fuel this crush/concept, you will make Amane sick and entitled. He will like incel rage about it almost. I don't want to wait over a decade... I want my slaw

I'm tunnel vision ofc, would love to see Tsukasa tugging on Nene's dress as well. He's here too, he will have a crush too. Onene-san should have a lot on her plate.

❄️Kamome Skating School⛸

Splendid... incredible... marvelous... This image blessed my crops, as they say. In one fell swoop, it introduced me so many things. Simply, a world where the twins are alive, and together, and we're watching them about to skate together? (It's usually more ambiguous, where they overlap...) B-bandaged boy-!? Bandaged Amane-?!? Even just aesthetically, that's crazy, he's such a specific boy that is featured in highly specific contexts... but wait, so is living Tsukasa! He's really a rare sight! Double rarity! And then Tsukasa is, looking, amazing, with skates on his hands, I want to see him SKATE LIKE THIS!! I think he could do it.

And then, you just have Amane dazzled by this increble Nene... The super capable Nene, look at her! Amazing!! Show stopping! I'd love for her to be super good at skating, distinctly... Ah, again, a Nene confident enough to show her bare legs ;; I love when this is the case... Rare girlies... Ugh and I'm like, actually very attracted to figure skating and the kind of attire that goes with it, so I feel very very very very serviced. We really just barrelled into this AU and RP'd it excessively the month we got this illust... good times✨

🎶Idol Cup🎤

Much delight had here. To reiterate, I'm a simple idol otaku. I mostly like female idols but I'm into the general concept enough to be allured by the twins as a duo. They look amazing ww, it feels like Amane stans Tsukasa so hard here...

In the past, I was mostly keyed in on Tsukasa being mic'd up, but I realize Amane is as well, and they must be singing together. Duets... that's almost too much for me. I like to think the twins have 'the same voice' in reality, like how they work in the anime, just for ah. Some sort of eerie, unusual element to them. I wonder how much that would make their singing fascinating to hear... Would they blend seamlessly? The same voice, twice, harmonizing, echoing... IMO the twins are very talented and good at dancing/singing, but they can't win #1 because they are too creepy and incest vibes. It's like hmm it almost feels too scandalous, trashy. If only you two would gyrate less... but the women in the crowd ARE screaming.

Meanwhile: Nene back there makes me wanna cry, little cupcake. Littel cake topper wife. Help-!! !!! I want to talk to her backstage and invite her into our room lol, like come to our studio. Let me watch you sing and harmonize with Tsukasa... Really, I'd love to abduct her for a 3way routine, let's all have matching black and purple 'fits. And then I'll fuck you after the show just like I do my brother. Yaaaaaaa the crowd is going wild back there... Mmmm doesn't it just feel so good.

OK that's all I got in me. Enjoy

[downwiththeficness]

Shadow and Veil-Chapter Thirty Nine

Summary: Eva Moore’s life was a carefully constructed fiction.  Every day, she did exactly what her mother in law, her husband, and his  best friend expected of her. No mistakes. And, that was going pretty  well for Eva right up until a huge complication literally tried to run  her over. Now, she’s faced with trying to keep the pieces of her life  from falling apart while attempting (and failing) to keep her feelings  for her husband’s new business partner at bay.

A/N: This fic is a sister-fic to A Need So Great and A Need Unleashed.  You do not need to have read ANSG or ANU to read this fic, but there  are Easter eggs from those fics in Shadow and Veil for readers with keen  eyes.  This fic is explicit for canon-compliant blood, gore, violence,  and sex. As such, it is intended for an adult audience, only. A/B/O  dynamics come with their own warning. Anyone under the age of 18 should  not interact with this work. I do not consent to reposting this work to  other platforms. Reblog only to Tumblr.  

Word Count: ~4,800

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Eva was glad she asked Horacio for a recommendation on the restaurant.

The little cafe was nice—not too nice—and Aida seemed to know the wait staff. She greeted them by name and engaged in a little small talk on the way to the table. Eva followed along dutifully with her sweater folded over her arm and a small, secret smile on her lips.

They were seated at a table next to one of the large windows that spanned across the front of the building. Sunlight filtered through the glass, giving the room a bright and airy ambiance. The heavenly smell of coffee and spices wafted from the kitchen.

Aida settled into her seat and asked the waiter to bring them a pitcher of water and a fresh set of silverware. The smile on Eva’s lips widened as she watched the staff scurry to do as Aida wished. She pretended to focus on arranging her sweater on the back of her chair and the napkin in her lap. Folding her hands together, Eva let her expression fall into something both congenial and neutral. And then, she waited.

Aida moved the tiny vase of flowers between them an inch to her right, she straightened the salt and pepper shakers, she adjusted the collar of her dress. Then, with nothing left to correct, she looked Eva in the eye.

“My son is not an impulsive man.”

To say that Eva was stunned would be an understatement. Aida’s English was as polished as Horacio’s, possibly more. She spoke with the softest hint of an accent, all confidence. The ease with Eva’s native language, however, did nothing to assuage the accusation in Aida’s tone.

Hands curling in on themselves, Eva made herself say, “No. He isn’t.”

Aida blinked, accepting that they were both on the same page, “Then, you understand how a sudden...marriage would be out of character for him.”

Eva nodded. She had been preparing all week for this moment, wondering how Aida would bring it up. Eva was glad she was being direct about it. She was out of practice fielding passive aggression from people who did not like her.

The waiter dropped off the water pitcher, two glasses, and silverware. Aida thanked him and poured a healthy serving into each glass before sliding one over to Eva, “What changed?”

A whole fucking lot, Eva thought, unkindly.

She licked her lips and let go of the initial burst of anger that came with the memories of how Eva made it out of Louisiana. Aida would likely never know how difficult it was for  Eva, or the fine line Horacio walked while he negotiated his feelings for her with the demands of his job. All she saw was what Horacio wanted her to see, and Eva respected that.

“I don’t think anything changed,” Eva said, eventually.

Aida’s gaze narrowed, “Liar.” She leaned forward, “If you were my daughter, I’d slap you for telling lies.”

Direct and aggressive. Eva was getting a two-for with this conversation. That was fine. She could work with direct and aggressive.

The waiter returned to take their order. Aida spoke for the two of them—just coffee, they wouldn’t be here long.

Eva let the waiter get out of hearing distance, then said, “Mrs. Carrillo, I am not your daughter. Frankly, I don’t expect you to treat me like it. What I am is Horacio’s wife.” She paused, let that sink in, then continued in an airy voice, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but your son and I have started a bond.” Another pause, longer this time. “And, I hope some day soon that bond will be completed.”

Aida looked away briefly, “I am not surprised that my son has honor.”

At first, Eva didn’t follow, but her brain caught up eventually. And, when it did, she found depth of offense that made her ears burn. “Your son asked me about it first.”

She might be willing to take a few across the chin for the sake of Horacio’s relationship with Aida, but she wasn’t about to be painted as a woman who trapped a man into something he didn’t want. Aida didn’t need to know the details, but there was going to be no doubt between them that Horacio was fully on board with their bond and would continue to be on board for the foreseeable future.

The coffee was set in front of them.

Eva picked up her cup and breathed deeply in an effort to reset, “I’m not interested in driving a wedge between you and Horacio.”

Aida scoffed, “Our relationship is not weak.”

“But, mine is?” Eva shot back, “With Horacio—my relationship with him is weak?”

“It is new.”

She set her cup down, “I’ll give you that.”

“And untested,” Aida added. “Marriage is work. Hard work.”

God, did Eva know that.

“I’m willing to do the hard work,” she said in a firm, even tone.

Aida very nearly rolled her eyes, “Have you ever worked a day in your life?”

Another left turn. Eva felt the first impulse to give up the effort it was clearly going to take to have an actual conversation with the woman wander around the forefront of her mind. Only the fact that the coffee in her hand was extremely good kept Eva in her seat.

“Excuse me?” she asked, between sips.

Picking up her own cup, Aida gestured towards Eva, “You’re wearing diamonds in your ears. The blouse you’re wearing is silk. Your shoes are high end leather, possibly Italian. There is not a single callus on your hands.”

It looked a lot like Horacio got more than just his stubborn nature from his mother. Eva could admit that Aida had a point, even if she’d drawn the wrong conclusion. Still, she had a point of her own to make.

“Ask the waiter for a calculator.”

“What?”

Eva repeated herself.

Aida looked at her askance, but flagged down the waiter. When she had the device in hand, she looked at Eva with expectation.

“Pick any two numbers. Make them as large or as small as you like.”

The woman in front of her hesitated, thinking, “Four hundred fifty seven and eighty five.”

“Multiply them,” Eva directed. Then, half a beat later, said, “Thirty eight thousand, eight hundred and forty five.”

Aida tapped out the number, then look up at Eva with surprise. Good. She’d gotten the woman’s attention.

“You want to try again?”

The calculator was set aside, “No.”

Eva nodded, “The diamonds were a gift and I earned the money I used to pay for these clothes.” She picked up her mug and sipped, “I understand you have hesitations. That’s normal. But, I reckon you should take some time to get to know me before you start adding two and two together. As you can see, I’m better at it than you are.”

Aida was silent for a moment, then her spine straightened and she said, “Horacio wanted to be a priest when he was little.”

Eva almost choked on her coffee, “What?”

Brows lifting, Aida replied, “You said you wanted to know what Horacio was like as a boy. He wanted to be a priest. But, after his father died, Horacio decided to follow in his footsteps.”

Feeling warm, all Eva could say in response was, “Oh?”

A few hours and several very enlightening stories later, Eva walked through the front door of the house. She hung up her coat and toed off her shoes. The house was silent, not even the television was on. Eva walked around the first floor, then climbed the stairs to the second.

She slowed as she rounded the door to the bedroom. Leaning against the jamb, Eva grinned while she watched Horacio snooze on the bed. He was lying on top of the covers with one arm thrown over his head. His chest was rising and falling steadily. She could just barely hear a soft snore over the sound of the fan.

He hadn’t even taken off his shoes.

Not wanting to wake him, Eva padded down the stairs and plopped onto the couch. She turned the TV on at low volume and flipped to the right channel so that she could catch up on the love triangle between Sergio, Maria, and Luz.

Luz had just found a letter to Sergio from Maria buried at the bottom of an old chest of drawers. Her heart, of course, was breaking at the thought of her husband-to-be having an affair. Eva wondered if the woman portrayed so consistently as sweet and timid would be driven to an outrageous bout of jealousy.

Too bad she wouldn’t find out until the next episode.

Eva let the next program roll even though she wasn’t nearly as interested in the story line. About ten minutes in, Horacio ambled down the stairs. He yawned wide as he cleared the landing. Eva stifled a giggle.

“Almost dinner,” he rasped, “Hungry?”

She was, and said as much. Aida might have relented somewhat in her initial assessment of Eva, but she hadn’t changed her mind about just having coffee.

“I’ll throw something together,” Horacio said, and he disappeared into the kitchen.

After the show was over, Eva got up and wandered after him. Horacio was standing at the stove, sauteing vegetables. She eased around him on her way to the fridge where she grabbed a beer for each of them. A quick search of the silverware drawer and she had a bottle opener in her hand.

Horacio smiled at her when she handed him the beer, “How was lunch?”

Eva shrugged, “I think it went well.”

His brows lifted in surprise, “Really?” Then, “Hand me that cutting board.”

She picked it up and gave it to him, “We’re not best friends, but I think we’re in a better place.”

Horacio looked dubious, but went about adding garlic and onion to the meat sizzling in the pan. Eva lifted up and kissed his cheek, catching his satisfied smirk before turning to set the table. She had just set down the napkins when Horacio left the kitchen with two steaming plates.

“Another drink?” she asked, knowing he would say yes.

Fresh beers in hand, Eva sat down next to Horacio and dug in. He was a much better cook, could make a simple dish of fried meat and vegetables taste like something from the best restaurant in town. She guessed all those years manning the grill in his teens were paying off.

“I need to talk with you about something that happened today.”

Eva’s fork paused on its way to her mouth, “Okay.”

Horacio sighed, “I got a fax from Javier. He’s been tracking the situation in the States.”

Her stomach dropped along with her fork. She didn’t like what he was saying, didn’t like the tone he was using while saying it.

“You were right,” he said, “about Josh. He set up in Mexico. Partnered with a local cartel.”

Eva scoffed, “I wonder how that’s going.”

“Very well, apparently,” Horacio replied. He was quiet for a few seconds, then, “He’s been looking for Diego. Asking every mule and dealer he can find.”

The hair on Eva’s arms stood on end. She knew exactly how much Josh would blame Diego for the state of his life. Exactly how much he would be seeking revenge.

“I’ve been asked to help track him down.”

“Track who down?”

Another sigh, this time more forceful, “You know who. I’ve been asked to...become Diego again so that Josh can be extradited back where he belongs.”

Eva’s lip curled, “Mexico can’t handle one fucking criminal?”

Horacio shifted in his seat, “You know how smart he is. What he’s willing to do.”

“Yeah. I do,” she replied, “And, if you get within fifty miles of him, he’ll put a bullet in your chest before you have a chance to say a single word.”

“You’re underestimating him. He’ll want to gloat first.”

Angry, Eva spat, “This isn’t a joke.”

“I’m not laughing.”

She shook her head, “No. No. They can find him some other way. You’re not going to do their job for them.”

Horacio fixed her with a long look. His lips pulled through his teeth and a cool hand walked down Eva’s spine.

“You’ve already agreed,” she croaked. “God damn it, Horacio.”

He held up his hand in defense, “They needed someone with experience.”

Jaw clenched, Eva gripped her fork until it felt like the metal would cut through her palm, “I’m coming with you.” When he went to argue with her, she added, “You’re not doing this by yourself. Either I’m sitting next to you on the flight, or I’ll be on the next flight right behind you.”

“Eva…”

“This is not a discussion,” she snapped. “You go. I go. If I don’t go, you don’t go.”

Horacio stared at her and Eva could see the him working through the problem and trying to find a way to change her mind. She met his stare with one of her own, prepared to take apart every argument until he relented. Failing that, she would rely on sheer stubborn will.

The phone rang.

Eva rolled her eyes and picked up their nearly empty plates while Horacio went to answer it. She already knew who it was, already knew that the rest of their evening would be a wash. In an hour or two, Horacio would still be sitting at the dining room table, talking to whoever was on the other side. As much as she understood how important Horacio’s job was, it was still frustrating that it got in the way of them living their lives so often.

She washed and dried the dishes, then leaned her palms on the counter while she tried to think. It was stupid of her to assume that, just because she left the country, her past would remain in Louisiana. It was even more stupid to think that Josh would give up on his project that easily.

Eva was serious when she told Horacio that she would be right behind him if he went to Mexico. They were in this together, had been in this together since that moment on the sidewalk. There was no way she was going to let him deal with it alone. They were a team, now. Partners.

Husband and wife.

She pushed from the counter and made her way upstairs. In the bedroom, Eva found her jewelry bag and opened it. She sifted around through it until she found the small, black box from the jewelry store. It was heavy in her hand, the leather shining dimly in the light.

Decision made, Eva went back to the dining room where Horacio was sitting in his usual position at the head of the table. The phone was sitting off to the side and he held the receiver to his ear. His head was in his hand and his shoulders were slumped. Eva watched him nod, heard him made a soft ‘uh huh’ sound. He looked...a little bit defeated.

Horacio glanced up.

Not defeated.

Annoyed.

Eva could empathize with him. The longer she looked at Horacio sitting there with the phone to his ear, the more she hated the fucking thing—and anyone on the other side of the line.

A low voice spoke to her in the back of her mind...he might be required to do his job that evening, but Eva was free to do whatever the fuck she wanted. There was no one to tell her she couldn’t find a way to enjoy herself.

Carefully, so that he didn’t see it, she opened the box and slid its contents over her thumb for safekeeping. Then, she set the box aside and walked over to him. Horacio’s eyes followed her the whole way. They were narrowed in both question and curiosity.

Eva smiled.

One by one, she thumbed open the buttons on the front of her dress, until it hung open from her shoulders. A shrug, and it fell to the floor at her feet. Eva reveled in the way Horacio’s jaw dropped. She let him get a long look that lingered over her breasts and hips. Then, she wiggled between the chair and the table so that she could sit in his lap.

He gave a nervous, bemused laugh and started to end the conversation. The attempt was halted mid-word, distracted by a fast, urgent tone on the other side. Around the handle of the receiver, his hand flexed hard. The other hand fell into the bend of her waist.

Eva breathed deep, taking in his scent and the feeling of his body. Horacio was definitely a little bit confused, but he wasn’t stopping her. She threaded her arms around his shoulders, careful not to jar the phone, and laid her head on his shoulder so that her nose touched the soft skin of his neck.

He was tense beneath her, which she expected. But, the longer she sat, the more relaxed he became—which she also expected. The conversation resumed, though Horacio mostly listened. His sporadic responses were not much more than an indication that he’d heard and understood what was being said.

She ran her fingers through his hair, disrupting the pomade. Horacio smiled softly and leaned into the touch. He brushed a kiss to her temple and looped his arm around her body to hold her close. It stunted her movements a little, but she compensated for it by brushing her lips ever so closely, but not quite, over his gland.

Eva lay like that, playing his with hair and listening to his heart thump in his chest, until Horacio made an angry sound in the back of his throat. Fast, cutting words left his mouth and he sat up, taking Eva with him.

Balanced on his thighs, she ran a soothing hand down his neck and shoulder. He resisted her, turning his head to the side and spitting more angry words into the phone. Eva didn’t bother to try to follow the conversation. She focused on the man in her arms, took note of the way his scent shifted and soured.

Eva’s plan seemed to collapse in front of her and she wondered if she even stood a chance against Horacio’s sense of duty to his job. He was as dedicated now as he had been in the States—possibly more.

Her hands drifted over his chest and the glint of the ring on her thumb caught her attention. The sight of it hardened her resolve. He could be dedicated to his job, but Eva wasn’t going to let it become the thing that stirred resentment between them.

They had come too far for that.

Taking his hand, she laid it against her cheek. His scent filled her nose, easing the sharp edge of frustration that wanted to overcome the faint rise of arousal in her belly. Horacio’s eyes focused on her face, the angry cant of them softening. He looked very much like he wanted to kiss her. Eva indulged him. Mindful of the mouthpiece of the phone, scant inches away, Eva touched her lips to his chastely. Once. Twice. She pinched his chin between her thumb and forefinger and held back a giggle when he cut his eyes to the side and had to ask for the caller to repeat their question.

His hand trailed down her neck and chest in a slow glide. Eva arched into the touch to encourage him. The heavy weight of his palm curved around her breast, kneading firmly. His gaze followed the movement of his hand in rapt attention. It grew more focused by the second and the sourness in his scent faded away to be replaced with the first blush of spice and heat.

With gentle pressure, Eva pushed him into the back of the chair. It was an easy motion, not a hint of resistance. He got comfortable, hips tucking under so that she could sit higher on his thighs. She felt a little thrill go through her when it became clear that he was willing to let her lead.

The buckle of his uniform dug into the inner muscle of her hip. She tried to shift around it to ease the ache, but couldn’t find a position that worked. That was fine—it needed to go, anyway. Eva reached down and nimbly tugged the leather through. With the two sides angled upwards, she could sit exactly as she pleased.

Horacio pulled the phone away from his ear and held it out as far away as he could, “Eva, what are you doing?”

She didn’t think there was any need to actually answer his question. Eva was being pretty clear about her intentions. Rocking forward, she kissed him firmly. She meant for it to be a quick, hard kiss. The kind of kiss that both answered his question and stunned the confusion out of him.

That’s not what happened.

It started that way, but Horacio easily took the reins from her. He deepened it, coaxing her mouth open so that he could twine his tongue with hers.

The sound of his name and rank rang out—tinny and somehow far away and too close. Horacio pulled back with a loud breath and brought the phone back to his ear. He quickly made his excuses, complained about a bad connection, and volleyed a few words back and forth.

Eva, not to be outdone, shimmied backwards a little bit to give herself some room and palmed the fly of his uniform. Horacio’s whole body flinched and his eyes unfocused briefly. He shook his head to clear it and wrapped his fingers around her wrist to keep her still.

She let him hold her there for a long time while she waited for her next opportunity. When he rolled his eyes dramatically and went into an explanation about policy that she knew would go on a while, Eva deftly loosed her wrist and reached back to unclasp her bra.

It was so satisfying to watch him stumble over his words, repeat himself, and then fall silent. His expression was lost, almost helpless. He went to set the phone back into the cradle—and, again, she stopped him. Eva wanted to know how far he’d let her take this. She wanted to know how far she would take it.

Arm around her middle, Horacio pulled Eva into his chest. He laid his forehead against her temple, nose pressing into her cheek. His lungs filled with a deep breath. And, on the exhale, was a barely audible groan.

She smiled and ran her hand from the crown of his head down to the nape of his neck. Here, she massaged tense muscle. Horacio’s chin dipped and he rooted around until he found the soft swell of her gland. He nuzzled it, taking another deep breath.

Eva’s eyes fluttered shut and her head tipped back. Pleasure sizzled over her nerves in rapid succession. She bit her lip to keep quiet, pressing even closer to him. Warm breath puffed against her skin. His eyelashes brushed against her jaw. The room was so very quiet.

Except for the voice on the phone.

Eva could hear Horacio’s smile when he replied. He pulled back to look at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. He licked his lips and dropped his head back against the chair, silently handing the control back to her.

Eva slipped the first two buttons on his shirt through the holes, spreading the fabric. Hanging from his neck was the gold chain he always wore. The pendant was warm from his body. Eva used it to pull him forward for a nearly silent kiss. His mouth lingered, following hers for another, slower, kiss. He broke away to listen for a moment, gave a two word reply, then kissed her again.

Horacio released her mouth, grinning when Eva made a sound of want. His grin held while he talked into the phone, explaining that he would be available the next day for a meeting. Eva barely heard him over the challenge growing in her chest.

With quick hands, she got the fly of his pants open and pushed her hand down inside. Horacio cursed beneath his breath, hips lifting to meet her palm. His mouth opened, breathing sawing in and out. The amusement in his expression was long gone, replaced by hot arousal.

Her hold on his attention was brief.

Another bout of urgent words took it, along with Eva’s patience.

While he was distracted, Eva shifted her weight and eased him out of his uniform. His eyes dropped to her hand, but he was still talking. Eva stroked him a few times, thumb gathering the little bead of moisture on the tip to ease the way. Then, she gathered her courage and rose up onto her toes. Pulling her underwear to the side, Eva balanced on the tip and let gravity pull her down very, very slowly. She was wet, but the pressure momentarily took her breath. Even after all the times he’d been inside her, Eva’s body still resisted.

The man beneath her slapped his hand against the mouthpiece of the phone and hissed loudly. His body bowed up driving him deeper inside. Eva grunted and grabbed the back of the chair.

While they caught their breaths, Eva intentionally relaxed the muscles of her thighs, slowly dropping down until her hips were flush against his. She stared down at where they were connected for a long time. Eva could barely believe what she was doing, but there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that she was going to stop. She looked up at him with wide eyes, seeing her own shock reflected back at her.

Good.

Feeling like she’d fully regained the upper hand, Eva draped her arms over his shoulders and rested her head in the bend of his neck. His heart was pounding in his chest and a tremble wracked his body. She heard him swallow audibly and it took effort to keep from grinning at the rasp in his voice as he murmured an absent reply.

Eva tried to sit still.

Impossible.

She couldn’t ignore him. Couldn’t forget that he was inside her, filling her. Every breath was scented with him. Every minuscule movement reminded her that she was sitting astride a man who not only knew how to play her body until it sang, but was willing to use that knowledge to drive her into oblivion.

Eva managed to keep from shifting around for half a minute at a time. At regular intervals, she was compelled to move—to grind, to rock, to fuck. Horacio encouraged her, sometimes anticipating her need to rise and fall in tandem. She stared at him, feeling too hot, too needy, and her hand drifted over his cheek, catching the rough stubble.

The ring.

It still sat around her thumb, shining in the ambient light of the room. Eva blinked rapidly, her chest clenching around a feeling that she didn’t recognize. It was like affection, but stronger. Steadier.

Suddenly breathless for an entirely different reason, she pulled the ring free and reached for his left hand. Then, watching his face carefully, she pushed it over the knuckles of his ring finger.

Horacio choked a wordless gasp.

Eva was nearly jostled from her seat as he slammed the phone down. In almost the same movement, Horacio lifted her up and set her on the table. He grabbed her heels and jerked them to either side so they rested on the wooden top. Looming over her, Horacio grabbed his cock and lined it up, pushing inside quick and hard.

She cried out, eyes squeezing shut while stars danced behind her lids. Her hands pulled at his hair, his shoulders, his hips, telling him without words that she wanted more.

Horacio listened to her.

He fucked her with a strength he usually withheld—bruising, reckless. His face was buried in her neck, mouth biting between kisses. He leaned weight into her, forcing her into the table. His hands held her down. Still.

A painful sound hit her ears as he came. His whole body pulled so tight that the hands holding her began to hurt. He trembled. Kept trembling for long moments, even as he began to soften inside her.

Eva tried to relax beneath him, tried to calm the wild beat of her heart. She danced on the knife point of desire, suspended just beneath the crest of orgasm. A little more friction and she would get there.

Horacio didn’t let her wait long.

He eased back and sat heavily in the chair behind him. Then, he grabbed her calves and yanked her forward so that her legs dangled off the table.

Eva sat up on her elbow and lifted her brows at him.

Horacio smiled, “I didn’t get to finish dinner.”

[aucrowne]

ﾟ+*:ꔫ:*﹤Aida Cafe Maids ﹥*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ

[antal74]

Bécs

Bécs az év minden szakaszában vonzza a túristákat, és nem csak az adventi vásárok miatt. Ausztria fővárosa gazdag kultúrális örökséggel rendelkezik, és számos látnivalóval büszkélkedhet. Bécsbe érkezve első dolgod legyen egy jó kávét inni! A bécsi kávéházi kultúra egyedülálló. A Mozart Cafe és a Hotel Sacher kávézója a város legelegánsabb helyei közé tartozik. Az Aida kávéház és cukrászda…

[luxmaeastra]

"Nox wished you to have these. He said we'd know when to give these to you."

Rhysand had never seen this citizen, but he could somehow tell she was part of Seraphine's Den. Maybe it was the words she used, or the little bit of her inner song he could hear. What was it Remus said? Soul-songs could be modified and twisted to change the very fundamentals of a person.

He could see how someone like Hesperus did what he did now. Even if he was only used as a last result by the Triad. He supposed it was good more Daglan were mating and staying with Changelings, saved them all another war.

He took the letters from the girl, staring at them. He looked up, not surprised to see she vanished into the crowd.

Seraphine may have authorized the hit, Kaden and he had laid waste to Spring - ensuring very few survived.

But she had still lost her father, he supposed he could understand her rage. The buzzing though, did she hear it? The way her Den's magic was affecting everything around her? That her Den, she was powerful enough to make him feel that aching, pit of anger.

He had retreated to this small cafe to get some work done, to stop himself from saying or doing something he regretted.

He looked at the letters more closely, one stood out.

The handwriting was elegant and looping, for when you realize just how much power she holds.

It was a long title but he supposed that summed up his feelings. He didn't mind her Den, just the fact they held her away from him. That they could deem him a threat and he would have no recourse for it.

He tore the letter open.

------

Rhysand,

Seraphine is three now, a beautiful, darling little girl. Lumas and I have known for awhile what you would both become.

Aidas wrote me these letters when Silence and first mated. It was all the wisdom he'd known before mating Theia. I thought as I watch you both grow I'd continue the tradition.

I'm not sure when you'll read these, I hope it's a long while yet. I hope I'm around when you and my daughter mate - that I can deliver my wisdom in person.

But if I cannot, I'll start with this. A Changeling's Den is their lifeblood, it is as important as our mates are to us. As our bloodlines and lineages are to us.

I knew that of course, you don't survive a war with changelings and not learn that.

But this was the first time I understood it.

Seraphine plays at my feet in the small koi pond in our gardens. Her mother and I haven't spoken since last night, I'm not sure if she knows that.

Helena and Pelias died last night, well they were murdered. Mab had them kneel and cut their heads off. She went after their children, only one survived.

Silene is furious I refused to take the boy in. Kaden will be sent to the Camps in the east where Orphaned Changeling go to hone their magic and find new Dens.

I hate to disappoint her, I hate fighting with her more.

But Mab's power stretches farther than she realizes, what is good for her Den isn't for my court.

Have you realized that when they get angry their Den close ranks? Have they tapped you yet at night? To know you'll be woken to protect their Queen if they fail?

I wished for the first time to tear the threads out of her Den. To have Silene all to myself last night.

But I've seen what happens to Changelings like that. Neculai was fond of that punishment, they'd wither away and throw themselves onto the nearest sharp object.

I have no true advice but to find ways to love her Den. They've been invaluable spies for me, and playmates for Seraphine.

They give Silene a sense of safety I can't always give her.

For those reasons I suppose I'll swallow my pride and apologize. The boy can't be saved but if the Goddess is good he'll survive. His parents were survivors, I expect nothing less of Kaden.

Warm regards,

Nox

Rhysand carefully folded the letter and slid it into his pocket, the weight of the heaviness of its content weighed upon him as he looked up and across the small cafe. It was not a letter he had expected to read, it wasn't one he had been prepared for.

There was knowledge in that letter that he wasn't prepared for, but it was a welcome knowledge as he waded into this world he had not been ready for. He trudged through it, tripping and falling, yet it was nice to know he had some guidance...He had feared wading this world along.

Not that he imagined he would be alone for long, he watched the pining for one after his cousin - a friend he hoped would one day step up.

Step up. Maybe like he needed to do, he and Seraphine had already taken the step but sometimes he felt he was lacking in terms of a mate. Not understanding her and her Den, the connections they held. Nox's words read true, for someone who was not a Changeling it was hard to understand.

----------

It had been a few hours later that Rhysand returned home, bags in hand as he made his way along the hall. The familiar buzzing had returned, the noise of the Den that he was just out of reach from.

Yet she wasn't. He picked up her scent and followed it to where she was, the beauty of Night who was his entire world. His eyes softened when he saw her, his knees felt like they should buckle.

"Serie," he said softly as he walked towards her, his fingers brushing against her hair. "I brought some gifts home..."

Home. She was home.

[gasthausnostalgie]

Old Vienna

Anno 1955

Opernring

ein Bild aus dem Jahr 1955 Aida Cafe Konditorei . Ja, so lange gibt es die Filiale bereits.

[captainmartinisblog]

For the Ship Enthusiasts!

Monday 30th October 2023 – Alexandria, Egypt

We were still in Alexandria until lunchtime and were up early again. Andrew was out with the deck walkers as I was swimming – 60 laps today!

Rather than going ashore for more sightseeing though, we stayed aboard for a lovely relaxing morning, enjoying mid-morning coffee and pastries in the Mosaic Cafe.

Azamara Journey then sailed at 12.30, leaving Azamara Pursuit behind.

Beside her was the mv Aida IV, an Egyptian training vessel of 3,105 gross tons built in 1992 in Shizuoka, Japan.

Across the harbour I spotted this magnificent classic yacht, the El Mahrousa. She was built in Britain in 1865 as a royal yacht for the Khedive Ismail Pasha. Originally powered by paddles, she was later converted and served King Farouk and the late President Nasser. More recently, she inaugurated the latest new section of the Suez Canal in 2015.

Facing the Western Harbour is the Ras el Tin Palace, built 1834-47 as a royal palace for Muhammad Ali and today used for occasional state purposes as it is right next to Egypt’s principal naval base and a submarine pen straight out of a James Bond movie!

There were ships galore in port today, including these two new German-built frigates, Aziz and Qahhar, as well as an Italian-built frigate of 2015.

But top of the power-list were two identical helicopter-assault ships L1010 and L1020, the Gamel Abdel Nasser and Anwar el Sadat respectively.

Interestingly, both of these carriers were built in France in 2015-2016, and originally intended for the the Russian Navy but because of Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, they were sanctioned, causing a brouhaha at the time. In due course, they ended up with Egypt instead.

[dee-overseas]

Jet lag is NO.JOKE. lol

This is us after we landed @ 7am Vienna time (1am home time), with this cafe opening @ 9 and a 2pm air BNB check in. LUCKILY our place ended up being available at 1030ish, bc literally we felt like we were in pergatory 😂 could not comprehend where we were our of pure sleep deprivation and time travel. I think Tom slept a total of 2 hours on the flight and I 'slept' for 1. A few great movies tho

This coffee and cinimon bun from one of my fav Cafes in Vienna slapped and was much needed, but luckily we got to NAAAAPPPP earlier than expected. Neither of us set an alarm (whoops), slept until 230/3, but ended up being what we needed. We got ready and headed out around 5 and had a great first day 😌 just got back to the BNB

[heavymetalzen]

cafe 1771. umm, sana dumating si jotham.

ADB Avenue, Ortigas El Pueblo, Julia Vargas Center Pasig, Metro Manila Philippines Mandaluyong City

we'll try studying for a bit. bring along kei, yohei and manang aida&

[rabchunter]

What a fantastic Pass It On Young Sports Air Rifle Range Night we had last night.

We were packed right out with young shooters and their families, some wonderful scores put in last night on their league cards, especially our Air Arms Dioptric bench rest young shots, with a special mention to young Darcie and Aida these young ladies can shoot the wart off your nose without breaking the skin.

The club room was buzzing with so many people chatting and enjoying our clubhouse cafe with radio 2 playing in the background.

We had a special event on last night too, I raised Young Sport Theo to the highly sublime position of Pass It On Young Sports Ambassador, look out for the post dedicated to him, but I have included one pho here.

A truly wonderful night of Marksmanship and Cameraderie.

A huge thanks goes out to The Really Wild Adventures Marksmanship Team for being ROs and Coaching.

Teach Them Right, Coach Them Well, for TOGETHER WE CAN INSPIRE.

www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org.uk

www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

#passitonyoungsports

#passitonyoungsportsambassador

#passiton #theolehedgecreeper #longashtonanddistrictrifleclub #targetshooting #targetsports #shootingtargets #shootingsports

[creatiview]

[ad_1] The Passion for Chocolate event in Tower of Fantasy follows the structure set down in the Aida Cafe event. You give tasty treats in sets of three to the various major story characters you meet during the campaign and receive reward points based on how closely you match their tastes. This guide aims to provide the best gifts for each character so you can maximize your event points quickly and easily.The Best Gifts for Each Character During the Passion for Chocolate EventScreenshot by GameSkinnyYou’ll only be able to give three gifts per day, resetting at 5:00 AM EST every morning. The amount of points you accrue depends on which characters appear for gifts, as the points awarded vary, even when giving the best options. For a complete list of how to make each gift and the rewards for giving them, check out our general guide to the Passion for Chocolate event.Here are the best gifts for each Tower of Fantasy character. Note that neither Alyss nor Annabella can appear as customers currently.Bai Ling Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Classic Square Round Chocolate: Coffee Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Mint Crush Claudia Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Meat Floss Square Round Chocolate: Floating Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fish Oil Crush Cobalt-B Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Hazelnut Square Round Chocolate: Flower Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Meat Floss Crush Cocoritter Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Flamegon Square Round Chocolate: Strawberry Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Cream Crush Crow Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Crab Stick Square Round Chocolate: Crab Stick Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Crab Stick Crush Echo Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Nut Square Round Chocolate: Truffle Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fallen Fruit Crush Ene Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Meat Floss Square Round Chocolate: Meat Floss Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Meat Floss Crush Frigg Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Tail Square Round Chocolate: Floating Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fish Oil Crush Hilda Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Salted Egg Square Round Chocolate: Crab Stick Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Crab Stick Crush Huma Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Nut Square Round Chocolate: Flower Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Cocoa Crush King Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Crab Stick Round Chocolate: Liqueur Filling Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fish Oil Crush Lin Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Tail Square Round Chocolate: Floating Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Meat Floss Crush Lyra Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Crab Stick Square Round Chocolate: Crab Stick Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fish Oil Crush Meryl Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Classic Square Round Chocolate: Flower Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Mint Crush Nemesis Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Flamegon Square Round Chocolate: Strawberry Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Mint Crush Pepper Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Hazelnut Square Round Chocolate: Coffee Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Cream Crush Ruby Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Cocoa Square Round Chocolate: Cocoa Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Cocoa Crush Saki Fuwa Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Crab Stick Square Round Chocolate: Crab Stick Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Crab Stick Crush Samir Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Tail Square Round Chocolate: Floating Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Spicy Crush Shiro Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Crab Stick Square Round Chocolate: Sea Salt Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Roe Crush Tian Lang Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Flamegon Square Round Chocolate: Strawberry Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Blueberry Crush Tsubasa Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Classic Square Round Chocolate: Strawberry Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Fallen Fruit Crush Zero Best Gifts Square Chocolate: Classic Square Round Chocolate: Coffee Planet Heart-shaped Chocolate: Mint Crush As long as you follow the gifts on this list, you should average around 150 event points per day, sometimes more. That pace gets you everything of real value in four days, as 600 points is the last Red Nucleus reward.

There are additional rewards up to 1,000 event points, but those are mostly gravy. For more on many different aspects of Tower of Fantasy, check out our guides hub.Featured image via Hotta Games !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '841642082853375'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link