#can't wait to see how royal expands on him

[reallyromealone]

Ganon omegaverse 3

Fandom: the legend of zelda

Warnings: omegaverse, male reader, Zelda isn't good in this

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

(name) wasn't sure what to do, with these new freedoms he previously lacked back at Hyrule Castle, Ganon letting him wander around the palace AND THE CITY! With guards of course but still! He wasn't allowed to leave the grounds back home... Well he supposed this would be his home now.

That was something to get used to, things he was noticing back with his sister that left a sour taste in his mouth...

Why did she do what she did?

Why did she lock him away the way she did?

(Name) didn't know if he would get the answers he wanted to know or at least honest ones...

"Over the years we have expanded the town, it's not as big as Hyrule Castle town but it is impressive on its own" a guard explained as she showed him around the merchants row, before the palace entrance that surprised (name) at how accessible it was "unlike Hyrule Castle, we firmly believe the people should not be barred from visiting the palace-- of course there's times where it's not possible such at night but closing the palace from its people seems unreasonable to us"

"We believe in transparency to the people, of course they can't go anywhere they want in the palace but they are welcome to visit the throne room or see the public areas with the understanding of respect"

(Name) was fascinated by this information, the palace he knew was very closed off and from what he knew, very different from the rest of the kingdom in terms of wealth, the valley was much more forgiving and attentive to their people.

Zelda was a good queen, he knew this but he also knew she often focused on her own adventures and left the responsibilities to her second in command.

"There's so much I must learn..."

"And you will in time, you will have the rest of your life to learn" (name) nodded as he was slowly brought to the private dining area, unlike back home it wasn't stiff and cold, regal still but it felt....warm.

There was a low table with many bowls and plates with delicious looking foods as Ganon waited for his fiance to join him "how was your day, my star?" Ganon had grown to call (name) pet names, my beloved, my star... Many sweet words that made (name) flustered, his body warm with each sweet word.

"We went throughout the city today, one of the vendor ladies gave me this! I tried to pay her but she refused, she said "a gift to our future queen" the piece in question was one the made Ganon nearly blush, it was a fertility amulet.

"It looks very lovely on you" Ganon said as he led the Omega to sit in his lap, the Hylian dwarfing in comparison as they began eating, (name) finding he quite enjoyed spicy foods that the desert offered "try this!" Ganon already knew what all the foods presented tasted like but gave into his mates whims, eating the food presenting "very good, my love" his words rumbled through (name)s body, Ganon liked having his omega perched in his lap, so small and cute...

Ganon liked having (name) accompanying him during his royal business, include him on things and let him know how things worked And have an intimate knowledge in Ganons life.

"Our trade routes should alternate to this come winter months" Uberosa pointed to the map, an alternative map to get to the Bazaar "the merchants coming from the east have been notified through notices at inns and ranches" she explained as (name) looked curiously at the large map "This will also be the route we take for the wedding, I assume?" The concept of the wedding was both nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time, to think they should have been married for much longe...

Ganon gently pumped out pharamones as to calm the Omega, knowing he was nervous about his sister but Ganon knew she wouldn't try anything as to not disrupt the peace.

Going to war with the Guredo was a death wish after all.

"The wedding will be held at the temple of time now that it's been restored" Uberosa pointed to the map and (name) seemed excited, having never gotten to see it repaired.

Ganon worried (name) would grow bored when Ganon had to leave him, but the Alpha was pleasantly surprised to see (name) helping the teachers with the pups, the little girls wanting (name) to play with them the second they saw him as he was the only Voe outside of Ganon himself who they were allowed to look at, omegas were always deemed safe to the Guredo people.

"He will make a fine dam, brother" Uberosa said as Ganon gazed from a window, a soft look on his face "he will raise wonderful children if they get his attitude... God help if they turn out like you" the elder teased as Ganon huffed with false annoyance "he will be wonderful"

"Any word from the princess?"

"She's been quiet, she made many people upset with her actions and is most definitely doing damage control" he said methodically and Uberosa laughed slightly "she could have started a war, thankfully her brother is less selfish"

"His priority is always those around him, like a true Omega"

"You better spoil him to make sure he cares for himself"

"I already have things on the way"

Ganons clothes were going missing, mainly his shirts, thankfully he had an abundance due to needing to change from the heat.

Something Ganon took notice of was that (name) hadn't started nesting while here, weeks passing and the Omega seemed nervous when offered nesting materials "I-im allowed...?"

"Why wouldn't you be allowed, little one?" Uberosa asked the other who bit his lip, Ganon having a bad taste in his mouth as (name)s words confirmed his suspicions "w-wouldnt it be an inconvenience? I'm a royal Omega, it's unsightly for us to nest, no?"

"(Name), nesting is a basic instinct for all omegas, it doesn't matter what status you are, not nesting can affect your physical and mental wellness" Uberosa knelt down to the sitting Omega who seemed uncomfortable "I... I just don't want to inconvenience you all with my Omegan problems..."

"You have never and will never be a problem to us" Ganon was serious as he was half ready to start war over this but knew better, soon (name) will never have to deal with that again, he would be free to do as he pleased.

It took another week for (name) to try and make a nest, shy and nervous about it though happy Ganon gave him a spare room connecting to the bedroom "such a beautiful nest my Star" Ganon comforted (name) who looked at him for approval, his mood something new to Ganon compared to the others he was used to "we will get you even more nesting materials if you desire" he would have the finest materials sourced for his mate, anything for him.

[nunununuy]

Part 2

Part 1 Part 3

Main Character Prince x NPC Fem Reader

Tittle: "Awakening in a World of Survival: The Prince's Fate"

Leonhart leaned against the headboard, lost in thought. The room was quiet, occasionally interrupted by the soft rustling of curtains swaying in the breeze from the large window. His mind raced as he tried to piece together the sequence of events that would unfold in this world. Seven years might seem like a long time, but with the impending disaster, every moment was precious.

His thoughts returned to (name), the NPC he admired greatly. In the game, she was a side character—someone important to the storyline but not eligible as a true love interest. She lived in a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom, renowned for her skills in potion-making and healing magic. Leonhart had always admired her character for her kindness and strength, even though the game never allowed him to pursue (name) romantically. However, now, with seemingly no game rules, all possibilities were open.

"I have to find her," he murmured to himself. "I can't wait for the story to take me there. I need to seek her out on my own terms."

Leonhart swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He felt stronger now, even though his body was still adjusting to the new environment and identity. He could feel the weight of responsibility pressing on him, but also the freedom that came with it. If he could start early in gathering the necessary artifacts, perhaps he could prevent the worst disaster from happening.

He recalled the memories of the original Leonhart, still fresh in his mind. The royal family seemed unaware of the impending doom. For them, life was peaceful, and their only concern was expanding their small but prosperous kingdom. They had no idea that in a few years, the world would be on the brink of destruction.

Leonhart stepped toward the mirror again, still a bit unsettled by the reflection he didn't recognize. The silver hair, sharp blue eyes, and tall stature made him look like a true prince, yet he still felt like a stranger in this body.

"Alright," he murmured, "if I want to survive and change this world, I need to start making plans."

As he was sorting through his thoughts, there was a knock on the door. A young maid entered, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, the king and queen request that you join them for dinner tonight if you feel well enough."

Leonhart hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure how much he could reveal to his parents, at least not yet. They still believed he was the same Leonhart who grew up in the palace, their only son who had just survived a drowning accident. He needed to act cautiously, or they might suspect something was wrong.

"Tell them I will join," he said, giving the maid a slight nod.

After she left, Leonhart began formulating his next steps. He needed to maintain the appearance of the perfect prince for a while, but behind the scenes, he had to start his mission. The first step was quite simple: to go to the outskirts of the kingdom where (name) lived. From there, he could begin building connections and resources. If he could convince (name) to join him early on, it would give him a significant advantage—not just in battle but in every aspect of the upcoming journey.

He knew that obtaining the Azure Eternis ring was still a long way off, but it was the key to everything. In the game, the ring was tied to the destiny of the main character and their chosen love. But Leonhart was determined to change that. He would ensure (name) was the one to receive it, no matter what.

That evening, Leonhart sat at the royal dining table, surrounded by lavish dishes and elegant decor. The king and queen watched him closely, concern still evident in their eyes, but they seemed relieved to see their son behaving normally.

"Leonhart," the king began, "how do you feel now? We were very worried after what happened at the river."

Leonhart put on his best princely smile. "I feel much better, Father. The rest was very helpful."

The queen leaned forward, her eyes soft yet still filled with worry. "We are so relieved. You must be careful in the future, dear. Rivers can be dangerous, and we cannot lose you."

"I understand, Mother," Leonhart replied gently. "I will be more careful."

They continued to eat in silence, the royal family still recovering from the fright of almost losing their sole heir. However, Leonhart remained focused on his plans. He had to maintain this balance, pretending to be their beloved son while preparing for the storm ahead.

After dinner, Leonhart returned to his room. As he sat at the table by the window, gazing out at the peaceful kingdom scenery, he knew that this tranquility wouldn't last long. There was still much to learn, and many challenges to face. But first, he would find (name), and from there, he would begin his journey to change the fate of this world.

Time continued to pass, and Leonhart would not waste it.

***

The next morning, Leonhart woke up early, with a single goal in mind—to find (name). He had to meet her as soon as possible, to see if she was still the same as he remembered from the game and to start executing his plans. However, before he could leave, he knew he had to ask his parents for permission. As much as he wanted to go unnoticed, sneaking out was not an option.

He dressed in his noble attire and walked toward the royal dining hall, where his parents were enjoying breakfast. As he had anticipated, when Leon expressed his desire to leave the palace and visit the nearby village, the king and queen initially refused.

"But Leonhart," said the queen, her voice filled with concern, "you just recovered from a terrible accident. You should rest more. What if something happens again?"

Leon remained calm, giving her a reassuring smile. "Mother, I feel much better now. I've been cooped up in my room for too long. I just need some fresh air, maybe a short trip outside the city. I promise to be careful."

The king observed him closely, furrowing his brow slightly but sensing his son's determination. "I understand your desire to go, but your health is still our concern, Leonhart. We cannot risk you overexerting yourself."

"Father, I will be fine. I won't go far, and I will be accompanied by a maid and some knights for protection. Please," Leon said, his tone slightly stubborn. "Just a short trip."

After a moment of hesitation and shared glances between the king and queen, they finally relented. The queen sighed gently, unable to deny her only child. "Very well, but only if you promise to take your escort. You must not go alone, Leonhart. You must be careful."

Leon nodded gratefully. "Of course, Mother. I will be cautious."

With their approval, Leon quickly prepared for his journey. He requested a small escort, including a maid and several knights, but made sure it was not too conspicuous. He didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention on his first visit to the village where (name) lived.

As he stepped into the royal carriage, Leon looked out at the bustling city beyond the palace walls. The streets were alive with activity, merchants hawking their goods, children playing in the streets, and nobles preoccupied with their affairs. Everything was just as he remembered from the game—even the large clock tower standing proudly in the town center.

As the carriage rolled through the city, Leon felt an odd sense of wonder and disbelief. He had played this game for hours, navigating these streets virtually, but now he was truly here. This world was no longer just pixels on a screen—it was real. He could smell the fresh bread from the bakery, hear the laughter of townspeople, and feel the gentle sway of the carriage as it moved over the cobbled streets.

After passing through the city gates, the scenery began to change. The roads became less crowded, lined with trees and open fields. Soon, in the distance, Leon spotted a small and simple village—the village where (name) lived. His heart raced a little faster as they drew nearer, his anticipation mounting.

The village was humble, situated just outside the capital. Though not as grand or bustling as the city, it had its own charm. Thatched-roof houses lined the narrow streets, with villagers busy with their daily routines. The sounds of children playing and animals in the distance filled the air, creating a peaceful and almost idyllic atmosphere. This was exactly as Leon remembered from the game.

As the carriage slowed near the village entrance, Leon took a deep breath. This was the beginning of his journey—not just as a prince, but as someone determined to change the fate of this world.

"Let’s go," Leon murmured to himself, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Soon, he would see (name), the girl who had captured his heart even in a world that was once just a game. Now, everything felt real. And in this reality, he would ensure things went differently.

***

Leon’s carriage stopped just outside the village, as instructed. He didn’t want to draw attention by entering the quiet settlement in a flashy way. His goal wasn’t the village itself but the forest nearby. He knew (name) often wandered near the edge of the forest to gather herbs and vegetables, which were important for both medicine and her daily meals.

How did Leon know this? Because in the game, (name) herself had told the protagonist. As the player got closer to her, a dialogue option would open up, allowing the protagonist to ask about her past. (name) shared that she lived with her grandmother, a renowned herbalist in the village, after her parents died when she was very young. Her grandmother raised her, teaching her everything about medicine. Together, they made potions for the villagers, often without expecting payment, especially when the villagers were too poor to afford them. (name) kindness and dedication to helping others always touched Leon's heart while playing the game, and that was one of the reasons he was so drawn to her.

Leon stepped down from the carriage, followed by his small entourage, but he quickly dismissed most of them. He wanted to approach (name) quietly and without too much fuss. “Stay here,” he commanded the knights. “I’ll just go a little way into the forest. Don’t follow unless I call for you.”

The knights exchanged worried glances but obeyed his orders. They were uncomfortable leaving the prince out of their sight, but Leon’s determination was unshakable. However, his servant remained close, and Leon accepted this compromise for the time being. He knew he had to play the role of a compliant prince, at least until he gained more freedom in his new world.

Walking along the dirt path toward the forest, Leon’s thoughts raced. He replayed (name) dialogue in his head, remembering the quiet sorrow in her voice when she spoke about her grandmother and how they struggled together after her parents' deaths. In the game, these moments were depicted in text and voice, but now, everything felt much more real.

The trees towered before him, thick and lush, with sunlight streaming through the canopy above. As he neared the forest’s edge, Leon signaled for his servant to stop. “Wait here. I’ll go a little further and see forest a bit.”

His servant hesitated for a moment but nodded. Leon walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of the village fading behind him. His heartbeat quickened, knowing that (name) might be nearby, just as he had often imagined while playing the game.

Soon, he spotted a figure in the distance, bent over a patch of wild herbs. His heart leaped at the sight—(name) . She looked exactly as he had imagined, perhaps even more enchanting. Her (hair length and colour) flowed down her back, and the simple, handmade dress she wore brushed the forest floor as she gracefully moved among the underbrush, skillfully gathering herbs and placing them in a woven basket beside her.

Leon took a deep breath. This was the moment he had dreamed of. But now, standing here in this reality, his confidence wavered slightly. Would she be the same as in the game? Would she accept him, or would she see him only as a distant, untouchable royal?

Slowly, Leon stepped forward, careful not to startle her. “Excuse me,” he called, his voice soft yet intentionally audible.

(name) turned, her eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, she seemed unsure how to react to the sudden appearance of a stranger in the forest, but her expression soon softened. “Oh, hello,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t expect to meet anyone out here.”

Leon smiled warmly, though he could feel a small tension in his chest. “I was taking a walk and saw you gathering herbs. You must be very skilled at this.”

(name) offered a small, simple smile. “Maybe. My grandmother taught me everything.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Are you from the town? I don’t recognize you.”

Leon chuckled lightly, knowing that (name) wouldn’t immediately recognize him as the prince—after all, he hadn’t visited the village in the game’s storyline until much later. “You could say that,” he replied, sidestepping the truth for now. “I’m just passing through and thought I’d explore the forest.”

(name) expression remained friendly yet curious. “It’s a great place to gather materials. My grandmother and I often come here.” She gestured to her basket, which was already half-full with various plants. “We make potions for the villagers. Many can’t afford the medicines sold in town, so we help as much as we can.”

Leon felt a familiar warmth in his chest as (name) spoke. This was the (name) he knew—someone who cared so much for others, even when she herself didn’t have much. He had always admired her for this, and now, standing before her in this real world, his admiration only grew.

“I think what you and your grandmother do is amazing,” Leon said, his voice sincere.

(name) blushed slightly at the compliment, lowering her gaze toward her basket. “We’re just doing what we can. There’s a lot of need in the village.”

For a moment, they fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being those of the forest around them. Leon wanted to say more, to tell her he had come here specifically to meet her, but he knew it wasn’t the right time to reveal everything. For now, he was content just to be near her, watching her work and listening to her voice.

“Would you like some help?” Leon asked, gesturing to her basket. “I may not be as skilled as you, but I can learn.”

Elara looked at him, surprised by the offer. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking,” Leon said with a smile. “I’m offering.”

She hesitated for a moment, then smiled back. “Alright, if you’re sure. I could use an extra hand.”

And just like that, Leon knelt beside her, helping gather the herbs she needed. Though it wasn’t much, it was the beginning of something significant—a relationship that transcended the boundaries of the game he had once played. Here, in this world, he had the chance to build a real connection, and he wouldn’t let that opportunity slip away.

As they worked together in the tranquil forest, Leon felt more at peace than he had since waking up in this world. He was finally where he belonged, with the person he had always wanted to meet.

***

Leonhart stood tall before (name), his height inherited from his father making him appear larger even though Elara was considered quite tall for her age. They were actually the same age, but Leon’s presence made him seem more mature, more intimidating. Yet his demeanor remained gentle and friendly, in stark contrast to his authoritative appearance as a nobleman.

(name), on the other hand, was a quiet and somewhat shy girl, often overlooked by the villagers. Most girls her age preferred to spend their time discussing the latest trends in the town or gossiping about the boys they liked. However, (name) had no interest in such things. Her days were filled with responsibilities—gathering herbs, tending to the garden, and helping her elderly grandmother prepare medicines for the villagers. Her busyness, combined with her disinterest in the topics deemed trivial by her peers, often made her feel isolated. Although the other girls in the village were polite, their conversations with (name) were always brief and shallow.

So when Leon greeted her so warmly and without hesitation, (name) was taken aback. She wasn’t used to boys her age showing interest in her, let alone casually chatting with her while offering help. Most boys in the village preferred to speak with the cheerful, well-dressed girls who drew everyone’s attention. In contrast, (name) was quieter and didn’t care to dress up or follow the latest fashion trends. Her face was often considered ordinary by those who compared her to the other girls, but Leon saw something different—a quiet beauty, a hidden strength behind her appearance.

At first, (name) was confused by Leon’s approach. Why would someone like him want to talk to her? Leon didn’t seem like the average village boy, and his confident yet friendly demeanor surprised her. However, as time passed, she couldn’t help but feel a warm sensation in her chest. There was something calming about Leon’s presence, something that made her happy, even though she didn’t fully understand why.

Though they had just met, (name) felt herself trusting Leon. His genuine curiosity and kindness melted her heart. As they worked side by side gathering herbs and vegetables, Leon constantly asked questions, his interest in the plants clearly evident. Yet his inexperience was also apparent—more than once, he mistook a weed or useless plant for a valuable herb. (name) chuckled softly at his mistakes and patiently corrected him.

“What about this one?” Leon lifted a handful of green leaves, his brow furrowing in concentration.

(name) stifled a giggle, shaking her head. “No, that’s just a common weed. It does look similar to the herb you’re looking for, but if you pay attention, the leaf shape is slightly different.”

Leon nodded, smiling sheepishly. “Ah, I see. They do look very alike. Good thing you’re here to help me, or I might end up with a basket full of weeds.”

(name) soft laughter warmed the atmosphere between them, and the usual embarrassment she felt slowly faded away. She appreciated Leon’s patience and willingness to learn. Despite the awkwardness, Leon never seemed frustrated, listening attentively to (name) explanations, valuing her knowledge. This was a refreshing change from her usual interactions

Leonhard decided to end their interaction today. He didn’t want to overwhelm or make (name) uncomfortable by insisting on escorting her back to the village. Instead, he chose to maintain a distance, quietly watching from afar to ensure that (name) returned safely. Although they had shared a pleasant time together, Leonhard was careful not to force the situation.

As they prepared to part at the edge of the forest, (name) hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I just realized… I haven’t asked your name,” she said softly, glancing at Leonhard.

Leonhard smiled warmly. “My name is Leonhard,” he replied, bowing his head slightly. “But you can call me Leon.”

(name) returned the smile, her expression gentle yet slightly shy. “I’m (name). It’s nice to meet you, Leon.”

Leon nodded, feeling satisfied to finally know her name. “Nice to meet you too, (name). I hope we can meet again.”

(name) blushed a little but nodded. “Maybe. I’m usually around here, gathering herbs.”

With that, they exchanged brief farewells, and (name) turned to head back to the village. Leon remained silent, watching her disappear into the distance, his gaze following her retreating figure. There was a subtle connection between them, an unexpected bond, but it was undeniable that it existed.

Leon smiled to himself, feeling a strange happiness. He had moved forward in this new world, not only in his grand plans for the future but in something more personal—something related to (name). Though their meeting was brief, it had left a profound impression on him.

He stayed at the edge of the forest, safely observing as (name) walked back to the village, ensuring she arrived safely before Leon decided to leave. As he returned to the path toward his carriage, his mind continued to be filled with the image of (name). He wondered what she thought of him and whether she felt the same connection.

On the other hand, (name) walked through the village with her thoughts also consumed by the image of Leonhard. There was something different about him—his kindness, curiosity, the way he spoke as if (name) truly mattered. She couldn’t help but wonder when they might meet again.

And so, both Leonhard and (name) carried thoughts of one another as they went their separate ways, unknowingly beginning a bond that would only grow stronger with the passage of time.

***

After Leonhard returned to the palace, his calm footsteps were immediately halted by the worried gazes of the servants and guards waiting in the main hallway. The sky had grown dark, and he knew full well that his late return would surely cause trouble. Indeed, as he stepped into the main hall of the palace, the loud and firm voice of his father, the king, greeted him.

“Leon, do you think you can go off without informing us where you were going and return at your leisure?” the king scolded, his tone reflecting more than just anger. There was a deep concern in his voice. “You have just recovered from a long coma! Your body is not fully healed. What were you thinking, being out until this late?”

Beside the king, the queen also looked at Leonhard with deep concern, her face mirroring his father’s worry. “We were about to send a search party for you. You know we only allowed you to go out because you said you wanted some fresh air, not to wander until dusk without any word.”

Leonhard lowered his head in genuine regret, realizing that their concern was warranted. They had just gone through a great fear when he had been unconscious in a coma for months. He sincerely apologized, his voice soft yet firm, “Forgive me, Father, Mother. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just… felt the need to enjoy some time outside. The fresh air made me lose track of time.”

The king and queen exchanged glances, and although their worry wasn’t fully gone, they could sense the sincerity in their son’s words. After a moment of silence, the king finally nodded, though his face still bore traces of irritation. “Alright. We understand that you need time to adjust, but please, don’t repeat this again. Your safety is more important than anything.”

The queen sighed and stepped closer, gently touching Leon’s shoulder. “We just don’t want to lose you again, dear. If you want to go outside, please let us know first.”

Leon nodded, guilt evident on his face. “I understand. I will be more careful in the future.”

After a lengthy reprimand, the king ordered him to clean up before dinner. Leon promptly made his way to his room, and as soon as he arrived, he submerged himself in a warm bath, hoping the warmth of the water would help ease the remaining tension. However, even though his body relaxed, his mind wandered far away, returning to (name) and their conversation in the forest.

(name), a simple yet captivating girl, with her gentle smile and eyes that radiated sincerity. Leon could not ignore the reality that the girl made him feel at ease, something he had struggled to find since awakening in this world. How could their brief meeting leave such a deep impression? His mind was filled with visions of (name), her smile, her voice, even the way she patiently taught him about medicinal plants.

After finishing his bath and donning formal attire, Leon joined his parents in the dining room. Dinner proceeded in a quiet atmosphere, though the tension still lingered. The mood was somewhat more relaxed than when he had first arrived, but Leon could still feel the remaining worry from both of his parents.

After dinner, Leonhard asked for permission to return to his room early. When he finally arrived, he changed into his pajamas and sat on the edge of his bed, allowing his body to lean slightly against the wooden post behind him. Yet, sleepiness did not come. His mind remained filled with thoughts of one person—(name).

Leon pondered how (name) would change in the coming years if everything followed the storyline of the game. In the future, (name), in her twenties, would bear a large scar on her face—one that reflected not only physical suffering but also the emotional burden she would have to bear. This scar would be received when (name) was nineteen, during an attack on their village by monsters unleashed by a traitor within the kingdom. The assault claimed the life of (name) grandmother, the only family she had left.

In the game, the scar was always hidden beneath a hood worn by (name), a symbol of her reluctance to open up to anyone—except to the protagonist, when their relationship grew close enough. Leonhard vividly remembered how in the game, the scar became a turning point for (name), making her more withdrawn and filled with loss. Although the scar never diminished her beauty in Leon's eyes, he knew it brought much suffering into (name) life.

“I won’t let that happen again,” Leon murmured, his voice filled with determination. He lay down on his bed, staring at the intricately carved ceiling of his room. If I can change this storyline, I will protect her.

But how? Leon began to think about the steps he might take to prevent that incident from occurring. What can I do to prevent this betrayal? How can I ensure (name) village remains safe? His thoughts kept spinning, trying to plan for every possibility. This world, though reminiscent of the game he once played, felt far more real now. Every decision he made would impact the fates of those around him, including (name).

As he contemplated, Leon was unaware of when sleepiness finally overtook him. He fell asleep with (name) image still filling his mind—her smile, her voice, and the sincerity that radiated from her. Their meeting in the forest today may have been brief, but for Leon, it was only the beginning of something far greater.

In his dreams, Leon saw (name) once more—but this time, she stood in the gentle sunlight, unscarred, smiling happily. I will protect you, Leon promised in his heart. And with that resolve, his sleep deepened, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in this world.

--- 

[kiame-sama]

The Hylian Zonai (Yandere!Ganondorf x Fem!Hybrid-Zonai!Reader) pt. 2

Warnings; Yandere, yandere relationship, yandere temper, platonic yandere vs romantic yandere, reader insert, fem pronouned reader, Zonai-Hylian half-breed reader, slight ToTK spoilers, the word 'king' in reference to ganondorf is not capitalized in Rauru's view because he doesn't respect Ganondorf as a king but it is capitalized in Reader's view because she does respect him as a king, neither king nor queen are capitalized in Ganondorf's view because he respects neither Sonia or Rauru as royals but he does respect reader,

"Hylian"

"Zonai"

"Gerudo"

~~~~~~~~

"King Rauru, please. I need a word with you and Queen Sonia. It's about Princess (Y/n)."

Rauru kept replaying those words over and over in his head as he waited for Zelda and Sonia to his study, the balcony giving a great vantage point to the gardens below where (Y/n) and that visiting king Ganondorf sat talking. His dearest daughter was keen to show the visiting king around her father's palace and kingdom, eager to spend time with the king despite having just returned home.

Though it burned him to admit it, it seemed his daughter was more than eager to be near the Gerudo king and focus her time on him instead of her parents. A dark part of his soul hated it with a deep and burning passion.

He wasted no time in approaching the two women as they arrived, guards outside of the room closing the door for privacy. Sonia looked worried and it set Rauru's heart fluttering with concern, never happy to see his beloved Queen upset. His family meant the world to him and likely held a place higher than his Kingdom in his heart despite how he cared for both.

"I'm sorry for calling you both away suddenly, but this cannot wait."

"Go ahead, Zelda. We are keen to hear what you need to tell us."

"Princess (Y/n)... She was there when Link and I went under the castle. She was wrapped in gloom and stuck in a kind of stasis entrapped in crystal. I know I have already told you both about the Demon King from my time, but her being there and arriving with the Gerudo king now can't be a coincidence. I believe she is in very real danger the more time she spends with him."

The revelation set pure and utter fear through the couple as they considered the possibility of their beloved daughter being pulled in by such a monstrous man. It was already obvious to both Rauru and Sonia that their beloved daughter was quite smitten with king Ganondorf. Zelda had not been false with them yet so they had reason to believe her recounting of their daughter's presence in the same chamber of the mummified demon king.

"And you are certain it was (Y/n)?"

"Yes. She looked as she does now. I don't know what sealed her in such a state, but I know it was her."

"This... Is most troubling. I will have to call upon Mineru to keep (Y/n) away from Ganondorf."

~~~~~~~~

You smiled happily at the Gerudo King as you taught him about the various Zonai devices around you. Though it took energy cells to properly run the devices, you were happy to teach the visiting King about them and their intended use. The various Zonai automatons were content to bring you what you asked of them and provide you with however many devices you wanted.

It was during this demonstration of these devices that Ganondorf posed a question to you.

"And how do you secure them to one another?"

"Oh, that's easy for me. I inherited several abilities from my father and from my Zonai ancestors. Father calls it Ultrahand, but it is more like a building tool. I can make them attach to one another or even non-device objects and they will stay secure. Not sure how others get by though."

Before the King could ask another question or expand upon what you told him, someone cleared their throat behind you. The large Zonai ears atop your head angled back towards the sound instinctually despite hearing it clearly. When you turned you felt excitement run through you as you saw your aunt Mineru standing behind you, flanked by two automatons.

You couldn't help the growing joy within you as you turned on one heel, rushing into the open arms of your beloved aunt. Her gentle smile was a great comfort to you and you always appreciated visits from your only other Zonai relative. Her smile was warm and affectionate as she reciprocated the hug in kind.

"Hello, little one."

"Hello aunt Mineru, how goes things in the underground?"

"They continue on as expected. I heard you were showing a visiting king around?"

"Yes," a soft and almost nervous laugh escaped you as you led your aunt back to the handsome man, "King Ganondorf is a visiting King from the deserts of the Gerudo. King Ganondorf, I would like to introduce you to my Aunt, Mineru of the Zonai."

The tall King grinned a rather charming smile as he took her hand respectfully in greeting. You took extra note of the fact that- unlike the way he greeted you- he was almost cold and did not kiss the back of her hand. That simple fact made a certain level of giddiness build up in you as you realized the King had certainly shown some interest in you. Something about his devilish smile and quick wit was thrilling, especially when those beautiful golden eyes were locked on you.

"A pleasure to meet you. It seems I've met all the remaining Zonai now. What a marvel it must have been when there were more of you around. From the few I've seen," his gaze flicked to you for just a moment, a coy grin toying at his lips, "you all are rather magnificent. Godlike."

Mineru hummed, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the charming King of the sands. You were too busy looking away with a shy smile on your lips to notice the clear distrust your aunt held for the Gerudo King. His grin ever so slightly turned to a taunting sneer when you looked away, but smoothed back into that charming smile as you glanced back.

"You're far too kind, King Ganondorf."

Mineru's voice was clipped and she seemed far less pleased with the visiting King than you were. She could see how much you had fallen for him in the way you smiled at him and seemed so blind to the danger he posed to you. It was as if you were clueless to the genuine threat that was Ganondorf and far too blinded by your own affection for him to realize that he sought the ruin of Hyrule.

Mineru would have to try very hard to keep you from the Gerudo King.

~~~~~~~~

"Your father does not seem overly pleased with my presence here."

Ganondorf stated with a casual tone, looking across the small garden table at the lovely Zonai-hybrid. Though his intent was originally to woo the trusting little Princess, he found himself more and more interested in keeping the sweet Hylian-Zonai by his side for his own comfort. His Gerudo warriors had also begun picking up on the language, seeming to become protective of the little Princess as well despite her being from another Kingdom.

"Well, Father can get over it. I certainly don't see why he is so unhappy with you, you've been cordial and polite with every interaction. I guess it could be because he's always been a bit protective of me. I understood why when I was younger, but he is still quite overprotective now."

Ganondorf hummed in response to your words, looking down at the small tea-cup that seemed even smaller in his large hands. He had half a mind just to take his little Princess prize and return to the Gerudo without the rest of the Kingdom under his control. However, he was reveling in taunting Rauru and still charming the sweet Princess at the same time. Mocking the king to his face and keeping the soft Princess on his arm all in one fell swoop was quite satisfying to the man's pride.

"Well, of course he is protecting you. I can only imagine the kind of people that follow your every step, hoping for a mere second of your attention. He needs to protect you because of how many others seek to claim you."

You seemed a little surprised by the visiting King's words, tilting your head slightly as your soft Zonai ears slightly angled back in embarrassment. His words made sense to you, but to some degree the idea of your father trying to keep the Gerudo King from you was a displeasing one. Your father wouldn't be able to keep you away from everything and you had a right to seek out companionship if you wanted it. Goodness, you were even expected to seek out someone to wed for the sake of Hyrule.

"But he is being too protective. It is my duty as the Princess of Hyrule to find a suitable spouse and lead Hyrule when my parents step-down. How am I expected to find someone to wed if I am never allowed to even look? It makes no sense that he would be so... So cruel."

"You think he is cruel?"

"In this case, yes. Is it not cruel to forbid a Rito from flying? Or a Zora from swimming?"

"... Do you think I am cruel?"

"No! Goodness, never! You have been kind to me since the moment we met in the sands. You have tolerated my endless questions and curiosity without a single complaint. You are not cruel. Not to me."

The slightest grin tugged at the corner of his lips as you spoke so highly of him, knowing he had quite easily won you over. To some degree he has fooled you as he was no kind and gentle ruler, instead he was considered to be brutal and cruel. Still, it was very sweet to hear how highly you viewed him despite his reputation and Rauru's clear dislike for him.

As you spoke, he reached up to catch one of your hands, bringing it to his lips once more. You fell silent as his large thumb stroked over the skin on your hand, his red beard feeling slightly rough against your fingers. Clearly the simple act was able to stop your racing thoughts as the King smiled warmly at you, those golden eyes burning with passion.

"And... Have you found anyone you consider a suitable spouse yet?"

"I..." You slowly intertwined your fingers with his seeing how large his hands were when compared to your own, "I think I have..."

~~~~~~~~

Rauru glared angrily down at the sheltered little garden table where you and the visiting king sat, his hands gripping tightly to the metal railing and slightly bending the metal when he saw your hands intertwined. Mineru told Rauru how interested you were in the Gerudo king, but he could see for himself that you were absolutely smitten with him. It was a terrible thing to Rauru to know how easily the man had won you over, not wanting to give you up by any means to the violent and cruel king.

Though Rauru knew it would be better for your heart to dismiss the visiting king, he also knew you wouldn't be keen to say goodbye just yet. If he could only make you see how awful the man was for all living things, maybe then you would be willing to keep your distance. The only way he could get you to see it without it seeming like he was trying to defame the man was to get Ganondorf to reveal his true nature himself.

How Rauru planned to get that to happen, he didn't know, but what kind of father would he be if he let his beloved daughter fall into the clutches of a monster like Ganondorf?

Rauru needed to out the man and his monstrous behavior, or it would be his Kingdom and his daughter who suffer most.

[flonbowe]

So I was thinking about Mettaton, and something hit me

Mettaton Neo has a very angelic design. I may be stretching it, but considering what a certain other angel looks like

The resemblance is very much there. Mettaton's Ex and Neo forms look far more human than anything or anyone in the underground, including Frisk themselves during the Genocide run. Mettaton Neo is specifically a form used in a last case scenario to stop you. Now depending on how you view the Neo form, this can probably mean a few things. My two cents is that its Mettaton trying to keep himself and you fooled. Mettaton first and foremost is a showman. He's a TV star, and even if he may no longer have an audience, there's no way he's going off air lying down.

Now why would this relate to his Neo form resembling the Angel? Well he's bluffing, whether intentionally or not he is bluffing. He can't beat you, and deep down I think he knows too. The best he can do is stall for time to get as many people out and evacuated as possible, to inspire hope. Its why he stays in the underground, and its what he's good at: inspiring. So he fights you and blocks your path, in the face of a demon he uses the visage of an Angel as the last line of defense for Monster kind. Undyne has fallen, the Asgore will fall too, but Mtt cannot let the monsters hopes die too. I know this isn't in game, but this kind of idea is even further expanded with this cover of Power of Neo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0CxTgpA6Q

It uses a bunch of leitmotifs, and one of which is Bergentrückung, the other theme of someone who tried to bring hope to the Monsters, and the theme of who will fall after Mtt. This is also apparent with how Power of Neo is a more techno Mtt themed version of BAATH to begin with. At every point in the Mettaton Neo fight, from design to music to personality: Mettaton is stalling and pulling an intimidation act as a last ditch effort, since he doesn't know Sans is waiting in his church to play ball with Frisk. https://www.tumblr.com/dn-838/738700806141952000/how-aborted-genocide-affects-the-mettaton-neo?source=share This post goes more in detail on other aspects and Is generally just really interesting. But what I want to point out is what this means for Spamton Neo. By this logic, Spamton ALSO uses the visage of an Angel. Just for funnies, lets compare sprites too!

I know im using fan made content again but after UTY, that really isn't too bad I think, especially for a more for fun exploration like this. Speaking of fan made content, lets see where that sprite came from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkDjXdp2Ayc&t=69s

Notice how it only uses the first part of the loop, it doesn't go on and doesn't continue Power of Neo fully. It doesn't have the full meaning of Mettaton's heroic sacrifice to help people, as instead of an Angel to save the Underground, Spamton is that Angel of Death in Undertale's prophecy (in the Snowgrave route anyway). Like Mettaton, Spamton also uses the visage of an Angel to achieve a goal, but no matter what route it is its a dark perversion of Mettaton's goals. Mettaton wanted to inspire the Underground and achieve his dreams, trying to stall and kill Frisk to either save them from Asgore, or save the survivors from You. Spamton wanted his freedom and attacks and tries to kill Kris for their soul so he can be free. He also assists in the Snowgrave route, being an accomplice to many many deaths for 15 minutes of fame. This idea is more properly conveyed in the last parts of Big Shot with the use of Power of Neo. Oh yeah this was a Mettaton analysis whoopsie Ok so I know this was a Mettaton Neo thing at the start but man I just wanted to gush and gush about Mettaton cuz man I really can't get enough of him. He's the only one of two characters in Undertale to directly have connections with the Angel prophecy when it isn't just the Delta Rune itself, he inadvertantly saved the Underground because he's what made Alphys get the Royal Scientist posi--OH WAIT YEAH THATS SOMETHING I CAN TALK ABOUT OK SO SIDE TANGENT METTATON UNINTENTIONALLY SAVED THE UNDERGROUND AND I FIND THAT REALLY REALLY COOL! Because Alphys used Mettaton as a project to show to Asgore to become the Royal Scientist, this let Alphys work on the amalgamates and also create Flowey. Without Flowey, the barrier wouldn't have broken and no one would have been freed. Yes I know this isn't all solid since Mettaton didn't somehow cause 6 random kids fall down but you get the idea. Mettaton transitioning saved the world totally I NEED MORE METTATON AUS GRHEYCGDHWUDYGHJWYDH IM GOING TO GO FERAL!!! HE'S NEEDS IT AHHHHHHH!! Ts!Underswap is honestly amazing for Mettaton. I mean Mettacrit. He doesn't get his JoJo body, but is that going to stop him? OF COURSE NOT!

HE'S METTACRIT! AIN'T NO ONE STOPPING HIS DREAMS! He's also a wonderful little gist of Mettaton's whole character, just get rid of Alphys (sadly). Someone who wants to achieve their dreams, wanting to share the love and kindness around, with of course the sassy show stealing charm he needs.

But what if that wasn't so easy

SURPRISE! UNDERFELL TOO! We got the whole holy trinity of Undertale au's, specificallyyyyy

I MAY BE READING TOO FAR INTO THIS BUT I LOVE METTATON GAMMA SO MUCHHHH Its still our same ol Mettaton, but now his dreams are falling on deaf ears. He's Spamton in nature instead of Fabulous. Everyone is violent and blood hungry, so a simple cooking show with a touch of murder won't be enough, or another beautiful rendition of Oh My Love~! Its clear (to me anyway) that Mettaton in this au is nowhere near as big a star as he is in the normal Undertale continuity. In his intro monologue he brags about the audience he brought in, and during the fight he's much more focused on what the Audience wants rather than the show HE wants. Something OUR Mettaton just wouldn't do. This is the same sexy rectangle who basically just broadcasts whatever he wants. I forgot the exact dialogue and screenshot but its just not something Undertale Mettaton really does. Underfell though? A different story. He's bound to his viewers in a bad way till Frisk comes along. He's even more bound to Alphys in this AU as her little science fair project. GOD I LOVE THIS GAME ITS WHAT I'D WANT FROM AN ACTUAL UNDERFELL GAME! Oh my god I haven't even talked about Deltarune Mettaton and Mike and how that works OK SO THIS IS ENTERING MY PERSONAL FANON BUT Y'know how Spamton and Mettaton have their parallels? Y'know how the internet has been down in Deltarune?

Chapter 3's dark world is definitely TV themed, there's no way it can't. I know Tenna is the big TV related baddie now, but Im using Mike in this take. If Spamton is the more passive parallel to Mettaton, Mike in this chapter 3 take would be the darker direct parallel. Instead of the dreamer from humble beginnings who, even if he can be vain and self centered at times, still means well deep down like Mettaton is, Mike would be the cynical producer type who's fueling problems in the industry to make it big on top. A dark Mettaton if you will. Basically like this

https://www.tumblr.com/paintedhen/703948707502145536/determinators-determinators-mettaton-has?source=share

WHICH SIDE NOTE METTATON IN DELTARUNE IS DEPRESSING IM SO SORRY FOR HIM

https://www.tumblr.com/everysongineverykey/691083816166686720?source=share

I KNOW I KEEP LINKING OTHER POSTS BUT ITS NOT MY FAULT EVERYONE IS COOKING! GRAHHH Mettaton's such a character man. He makes me think lots of things and I wish I could gather my thoughts more clearly

[otome-obsessions]

Fairytale Keeper Archives - Keith Darrow

At the request of Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, I have enclosed a series of summations regarding the personal opinions, recollections, and experiences of the members of the covert organization Crown. Each member was interviewed in regards to their developing relationship with the newest additions to Crown's assemblage in an effort to ascertain the efficacy of expanding Great Britain's cursed forces. With great humility, I submit my findings for your consideration.

Signed:

Kate, Her Majesty's Royal Fairytale Keeper

To the Members of Crown, what do you think about Keith? William: I think it's fair to say he's a troubled child. Though it's a shame we didn't find him earlier, I'm confident he'll adjust well given time. Harrison: Honestly, he’s tough to get along with. Tends to push everyone away, but after seeing where he came from, I can’t blame him. Liam: Keith and I... Well, we have some things in common. I don't really know how to talk to him, and I don't want to make his life harder than it already has been. Elbert: We don't speak much, but I feel he is also looking for something. Alfons: Talking to Keith is like having a conversation with an angry, elderly midget. He's the most unchildlike child I've ever seen. Roger: He's in and out of my clinic a lot trying to get a handle on his curse. He's reckless, that one, but that's nothing a few years in the gym can't iron out. Jude: Brat's got a mouth on him, that's for sure, but he works hard and knows when to keep his head down. He'll be fine. Ellis: I'm a bit sad for him. I haven't figured out how to make him happy, but he seems less angry when he's around Victor. Victor: Keith is... sigh It's impossible to explain what I feel for him with only a few words. So instead, I'll show you my Keith's Wicked Childhood: Wrapped in Loving Darkness scrapbook! Keith: NO! I told ye tae burn that pile o' rubbish! (Keeper's Note: Keith proceeded to chastise Victor for approximately 15 minutes as he showcased the scrapbook. This interaction was omitted for the sake of brevity.) ━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━ To Keith, what do you think about the members of Crown? William: He gives me the willies. That curse o' his is fierce strong, but it's his eyes that really spook me. It's like he sees right through ye... His mind games are beyond me ken. Harrison: The lad's the most sane out of the lot. Wouldnae mind speakin' with him if he wasnae spewin' horse shite half the time. Liam: He's a cheery lad, but his head's full o' mince. Always runnin' off without thinkin' like he's tryin' tae get himself killed. Elbert: I've ne'er had a problem with him. He keeps to himself well enough. Alfons: Och, that gallus git. He's got the brain of a toddler, that one! Cannae keep his hands or his mouth to himself. Always shovin' and spewin' what he's got no business tae! (Keeper's note: A long tirade listing all of Alfons' recent misdemeanors have been omitted for the sake of brevity.) Roger: Could hardly call him a "good" man, but he's been good tae me. He's been teachin' me about me devil - er - cursed power and boxin'. Can't wait til I'm brawny enough to knock him on his arse. Jude: I like him. He's a right canny man, and he disnae coddle me. He taught me a thing or two about me letters and numbers at a fair price. Ellis: He's a weirdo, and he's always treatin' me like some wee bairn. He must think he's me big brother or somethin', but I dinnae need lookin' after. Victor: Half the time the bampot has his arse out the windae, but he's a reliable sort the other half... I'm grateful he and the red hen came tae find me. He's been good tae me... If ye whisper a word of this tae him, I'll have yer head! ━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━

[rawliverandgoronspice]

Ok so weird thing: Puppet Zelda. I mean, it was pretty obvious as a player Imo? But what I don't get: The tears show her ONCE! and it's the scene right before Ganondorf gives Sonia a backbreaking back massage. It's alluded to that she (he) did some other weird stuff to mess up for Sonia and Rauru, and it's not expanded upon at all. I was so put off by that, because it feels like that would have been a big chance for ACTUAL character development for ALL the characters from the past. What did P-Z do? Where was Ganondorf? Was he hidden, or was he inside the castle? How did Sonia react to it? How did Rauru react to it? How did Sonia catch on? Why was it only Sonia and Zelda confronting P-Z? Why wasn't Rauru somewhere hidden as well? I doubt Rauru would have dismissed such a serious accusation. Sonia confronts P-Z, Zelda comes out, then Rauru lies in wait to check for extra danger. The time it takes for Rauru to arrive also kinda makes me think he wasn't that far away? P-Z is a cool concept, but I'm still just so baffled by the absolute "non-story" they built by alluding to her bullshit.

Okay so. Yeah. I completely, 100% agree, and I want to use the opportunity to air out a very particular complaint I have not really seen a lot of people talk about, because I just rewatched that scene and I am shocked all over again.

The teacup scene, after Ganondorf submits, is, in my opinion, horrendous. Like not because of secret Problematisms (though yes also this, we just saw them asking their enemies to kneel and the very next scene they're having a little tea party with cake between royals while armed guards protect them and it's not supposed to be a red flag and it's wild to me), but because the actual writing, at a craft level, reads like a first draft at best. There are three narrative information beats that matter in this entire scene:

The war has stopped

Zelda wants to help her ancestors and not only return to her own era (??? okay, she already did and the problems are technically over already as far as they know??? and it's not a choice she's making since she still can't master her powers and never learn to btw)

Rauru learns Link's name

I'd argue the only real important thing is that Rauru learns Link's name, and it could have been done in a much more interesting and dynamic way.

Instead the scene just goes on and on with lore dumps that never go anywhere, reiterations of the bond between Zelda and Sonia we had already established, dialogue that is... shockingly bad...

Actually, let's examine just one case: "Ah. I can see that you have absolute faith in him."

Like, just, general pro-tip: if you use "I can see that X" in dialogue and it's not ironic or used as de-escalation and just there to reiterate what we have just immediately established, cut that line. It's doing nothing, it's dead weight, it's just grinding the pace of a scene to a halt for no reason (unless you want it to be about stagnation, like I could see a David Lynch dinner scene where every character restate each other's actions by saying "I can see that you really like the gravy." over and over but it's not.... very applicable to more generic situations). This is writing 101, and the scene is full of these nothing sentences that go nowhere and establish nothing about the characters or the world and set up nothing and pay off nothing and it's driving me wild!

(also it does my least favorite thing in game writing aka the game praising the player character for an unreasonable amount of time, but I realize this is a pet peeve and not as important but it always makes me roll my eyes incredibly hard when it's not earned and it wasn't earned or useful here, the fact that the scene ends on everyone being like yaaay link!!! is... completely disconnected from the actual story happening in the past and shouldn't be the focus of the characters at that moment --it would be more powerful if Zelda used Link as an image of strength to inspire Rauru after Sonia's death later, for example)

It's a scene that completely undermines the tension built in the previous memory, makes the timeline of events confusing, and it leaves a ton of questions open, like: where the hell is Ganondorf? What is he doing? What did Rauru mean by "keeping him close", if he isn't actually close? Do they think he returned to the gerudo lands while he actually stayed hidden in their palace to do his Puppet Zelda shenanigans? I don't know! There is no way to know, because we're being told about teacups and how Link is amazing instead of anything relevant to the plot!

So yeah. Would have *gladly* done away with that teacup scene and focused more on a very tense moment of Sonia and Puppet Zelda where she acts very suspiciously and maybe aborts a first attempt at stealing the stone that goes nowhere, and this is when Sonia catches on that something is off? Honestly, I would also have killed for an actual scene of tension between Zelda and Ganondorf where they, like. Talk to each other. Instead of this actual current version of the story where they never do. And maybe this is how he realizes that she has a special connection with Sonia and it's how he tries to get her.

But yeah. Sorry, I kind of hijacked the ask into a "this damn teacup scene!!!" *shakes my first at clouds*, but I think it mirrors the thought that priorities were not given to the actual tension points laid down in the story. Puppet Zelda inherently calls upon ideas of fear of imposture, of abuse of power, of insecurity, of a twisted version of what Hyrule *could* be, which is so interesting and ripe with conflict and counterpoints.

I would have done unruly things for a Zelda arc where she is struggling to be a ruler and she's still very insecure and wrecked by guilt over the Calamity thing and feel disconnected from the land because of the whole "being locked 100 years away fighting a demon" thing and her daddy issues, and this is this insecurity that Ganondorf picks up on and preys on by trying to dismantle Hyrule using her very image as he plans his Big Comeback, and our role is to unite all of Hyrule against this weird nasty caricature of her created by an envious man who was furious to see his rule rejected and his rebellion considered less important than peace, then go to her acknowledging the immense and unjust sacrifice she made becoming a dragon and being like "hey Zelda we all love you and we will all fight for you because we made the choice to believe in the future you want to build" and it would have been soososo powerful and I would have perhaps shed a tear or two or ten. ;_;

[daily-rayless]

Asch, for the character rant meme ❤️

Oh, absolutely.

Favorite thing about him:

This feels very hard to narrow down. I like the arc of his story. I like how he both mirrors and contrasts Luke. I like that he's dark and often in the wrong. I like that he's soft and wants to come across as cold and rational, but is fundamentally incapable of burying his feelings. I like that he's a loose cannon who sometimes makes mistakes, but then also comes at his enemies from a direction they never saw coming. I love the character growth we get in things like Tales of the Rays, which show him warming up to Luke and becoming happier and his whole personality expanding into something more mature. I always like long implausibly red hair. But I think what really draws me to his character is the tension between him being angry and depressed and disengaged, but still an idealist. He has the potential for heroism, and he never succeeds in killing it -- arguably, he never even wants to kill it. He might think of himself as worthless, and he might say awful things to his loved ones, and he might frown all the way through it, but he keeps doing what he thinks is the right thing. Not the right thing for himself, the right thing.

Least favorite thing about him:

I think there's a reason Abyss adaptations keeping cutting out the scene where Asch controls Luke's body in order to make him attack Tear. Yes, it's a dramatic scene, but when you look at the rest of Asch's personality, it feels jarringly sadistic.

Favorite line:

I'll go with Asch's closing line during Natalia's escape from Baticul: "Luke! One mistake and I will kill you." First off, he does it while standing over an evil general he's just struck down for the sake of his people, check him out, he would actually be a decent royal. Secondly, look at him revealing his love for Natalia, right then and there, in front of a crowd of witnesses. A lot of his lines in that scene do that, and it's great -- a rare moment of Asch being emotionally honest. And tied in with that, he unthinkingly, seriously calls Luke "Luke" -- not replica, but using their shared name. Yes, he's threatening to kill him, but he's not only trusting Luke with his most precious person (Natalia), he's using his own name for Luke -- I feel like, in that moment, Asch trusts and respects Luke in a way he usually doesn't allow himself to -- he finds reasons not to. This is the real Asch in this moment, and this is what his relationship with Luke could really be.

brOTP:

Ginji! I feel like Asch and Ginji seriously bond over the course of the game. Asch doesn't often express it (of course), but by the end of the game, I think they're as close as Luke is to any of his party members. I see Ginji as having a softer, more emotionally open personality, but he's also thick-skinned enough not to take Asch's angry posturing too seriously; he sees past Asch's pretenses to the real him, and I imagine he misses him terribly and has a lot of regrets after the game.

OTP:

Asch and Natalia, it's always Asch and Natalia. I remember my first time playing Abyss, being in Ortion cavern when Natalia thanked Asch for protecting her from the boss monster, and Asch very coldly brushed her off. And my brain just went, Oh wait, hold on...? Does he still...? Is it not just her? Are they both...? And then a few minutes later there was an earthquake and he protectively grabbed her and I haven't looked back once.

nOTP:

This is sort of a yes and no. No, there are no (major) Asch ships that I consider so out there that I can't believe anyone would ship it. (I had to add the "major" because maybe out there there's someone who ships AschMieu.) But at the same time, while I acknowledge that Asch and Natalia can have very interesting ships with other characters, I love them so much together that I tend to never even entertain the possibility. I think for me, one of the most significant things that bothers me in an AschNot-Natalia ship is when writers use it to denigrate Natalia's character. Write her off as unimportant, or even unlikable to Asch. By all means, pair him with someone else, but I don't think you can believably write him as not caring at all about Natalia and finding her awful.

Random headcanon:

He (and Luke) are naturally very musically gifted. Asch is particularly good at the piano and used to play it for his mother when he was a child.

Unpopular opinion:

Hm, I think there are potentially some controversial takes with Asch. I think some fanwriters sometimes err too far on the side of making Asch cool and composed and mature, always in control and aloof compared to the more emotional Luke. This makes him very suave and alpha and unflappable, a bit more of a conventional brooding hero. That's not really the Asch I see. To me, Asch is overflowing with emotions and often not good at hiding it. There's footage of the stage play rehearsals showing their Asch actor releasing a primal scream, and I don't know why he's doing that, but whatever his reasons, that feels closer to Asch.

Song I associate with them:

Something edgy and forceful would be right, but let's go with his softer side and say "Lonely Lullaby" by Owl City. It's always made me think of Asch, and all through writing The Stars Are Fire, I had my eye out for an opportunity for Asch to sing Natalia to sleep -- never happened though.

Favorite picture of them:

Excuse me, let me go search my files.

Okay, I limited this to art that's just of Asch, no one else, and while a lot of his official art is unintentionally hilarious (I have a dedicated tag), I've always liked this shot from the anime:

Hair is down, he's super moody, and having him leap onto the side of the moving Tartarus is a much more dynamic way to end the scene than in the original game.

Thanks for the ask! I always love talking about Asch.

Meme taken from here.

[moonsb1996]

If I wrote MHA, what would I do with it? (AU??) TW:long post

Okay, this is a weird idea that popped into my head. And I want to complain to MHA while I wait to see how much more disappointing this series will be next. From the message above If I wrote MHA, what would I do with it? You can call it AU. Ps. Most of the ideas range from assassin's creed and bloodborne, etc. If I remember where they came from they will be in parentheses.

Where do quirks come from? "Humans would have traveled the universe if quirks hadn't appeared." Midoriya Izuku “It is caused by an unprecedented virus spreading to the world, carried by rats.” Chisaki Kai From the above information that has not been further stated or expanded, it can be concluded that before the era The superhero society in MHA is an era where space technology is heavily invested. Let's take this part and write it as the origin.

Humans are experiencing energy shortages. (Let's take what we can easily see in our era) because to travel the universe requires energy. When you have to use energy, you have to have money! Which government can find new energy? Or has any scientist discovered new energy? The government will raise as much capital as possible so that the country can become a cosmic superpower.

When you can't find it on Earth, go find it outside of Earth (dead space). Send people to drill outside the universe. But as far as the moon And then a new energy was actually discovered. The owner country and the drilling company received financial support. Raise funds and equipment for free to become rich.

But they went to the moon and got infected with something. and caused the project to be temporarily suspended. Send sick people to Earth to be healed. and covering up news about extraterrestrial drilling projects and these illnesses to keep the public from panicking

Some viruses were found from the patient. And started experimenting to find the cause (resident evil) by testing it on rats. But it caused the lab rats to have thoughts. Until he obtained things called quirks, he planned to escape from the testing center (the origin of Nezu, which Hori didn't think to tell).

Boom! Glowing babies in China! Ps. If you want to make it a big issue and set it in Japan, a superpower country in the style of the Japanese, that would be fine.

okay ! Let's talk about the origins of quirks and what to do after that. The era of the origins of chaos has begun, right? At that time, everyone called it "special powers" (How do you spell it correctly?) From within MHA, we roughly know that it must have been the same era in which AFO was born, but the Villain style of the cartoon Saturday-Sunday is boring, so let's add something that makes sense.

The government has declared that quirk is a medical condition. To maintain power, you must find people who understand. Give a lot of funding to scientists who will study this matter and bring people with quirks to experiment and check. p.s. Quirk analysis is a professional matter. There will be employment in the future. But in order for the government to be a villain, it must cause the government to do bad things, such as kidnapping, human experimentation, torture, etc.

People know about their dissatisfaction. Come out and protest. Trying to harm each other (MHA-ch193) and an AFO appears. Become the most powerful outsider. Along with having so many followers, the government is like, they have to turn them into criminals. It began to be called "Villain" because of AFO. It was the origin of the Dark Lord from a comic book. AFO called himself "Villain" which caused the government at that time to call him "Villain". ”

How has the government responded? Use martial law in the area to protect leaders such as the Emperor of Japan. (You can just talk about it) etc. that raises the level of the royal family. I still wonder if AFO wants to rule the whole world. must destroy the entire royal family as well To prevent the government from using the royal family to gather manpower to take back their own power. (For countries with royal blood or it could be a reference to the government's fears)

There is a special military unit. that uses technology that travels the universe to fight with AFO (armored core 6) will explain the robot How can you get Iron Mite?!) which can be connected to the search for energy sources. It uses reverse technology to use energy discovered on planets where old projects used to send people to drill for energy sources.

According to MHA style, the government cannot fight. This has led to a group of vigilantes using their quirks to fight against villains. People began to have hope and called them “heroes”.

Change the new government because the old group is not working well. Was withdrawn by the people to help support the heroes. America came up with the Hero Law! People like it. The vigilante became a hero.

The government must find a way to eliminate AFOs and know that “Heroes don't kill villains,” so they created secret units, special forces soldiers who fronted them as “heroes” like lady nagant (MGS), so they trained these people to become both Assassins, special forces soldiers, secret royal agents, etc., and then use them to wipe out the Villain underground organization until it is completely gone, until even the AFO has to pretend to make itself a legend. Because sometimes The hero is too prominent. Therefore, there must be a special forces gang with a part of them being spies to enter the village. and spy on the heroes to see if they are AFO spies or not at the same time Who came up with the idea? It's the United States of America! (Other countries like kgb, mi6, take it with them and get the same results) And the matter remained unfinished until it reached AM.

And when it comes to our main character, Midoriya Izuku, he gets the power of AM and goes to take the entrance exam for UA according to the rules as the story progresses. What do I do next?

Let Aizawa do as he says. If he really wants to expel a student, he actually does it. For example, Bakugo tried to attack Midoriya the first time. Okay, he warned. The second time (Deku vs Kacchan 1) he put down the documents after the incident. told Bakugou “The exit door is over there.” A cold but attentive teacher will soon appear!

Worthy competitors: I have at least 2 people in mind. 2.1. Iida Tenya at the UA school sports event said that Izuku is his rival, right? Let it be! Both friends and competitors Not having to think about fighting each other all the time is an interesting dynamic. 2.2. Todoroki Shoto also announced at the UA school sports event. The story of AM and Izuku and the story of Shoto and Endeavor (father and son and father and son) are interesting!

Increase the relationship between Izuku and Ochako. There will be a female lead character who is interested in the male lead character. But what does it mean to be someone who likes him so much that in the first episode he didn't show up at all? Let's show some. will feel that This pair has chemistry, okay! And let's face it, these 4 people are their own group with the main prominent roles, like Izuku's side and everyone in Room 1-A, how they became a family, such as Izuku and Aoyama. Are you close friends? (If you were to have a traitor, it would be Aoyama. If you encounter something like this, Izuku and the reader will get hurt a bit.) The female students in Class 1-A were their own gang. Give Ochako friends who are ready to join her in the boat. But I have to put my hand on my forehead because Ochako and Izuku are both equal. Present mic and Midnight side story: Searching for the traitor. To make Mitnight's death even more painful. You have to see her role. (AOT)

If not, Aoyama is a traitor. I would like to present the ideas of those who have written here. Aizawa's former student (His idea is really cool!) which Present mic starting the investigation alone. It's like when no one believes him, he has to find evidence. But don't worry, Midnight believes him. also join in the secret investigation

Showing the lives of UA teachers to make them feel like they are not props. OK, Hori.

Nezu joins the gang. After knowing that Present mic And Midnight doing secretly in his school? but because one must maintain neutrality So he has to be really impartial (and he's very clever, he has to be good at playing political games, like in pre-Chinese movies, right?)

What role does HPSC play? Which side is it? The second villain (if AFO is the villain) and what do they do?

Control a special unit that takes on the role of a hero to eliminate the target. or organization group and corrupt heroes by ordering killings (MHA ch.314) They fear that if AFO is not the only one who must be careful They had to be careful like this all the time. Still gathering manpower Keep bringing in children to train as these special agents (I don't think Lady Nagant and Hawks, just two people working like this, this organization will last until the Izuku era.)

Todoroki Toya and Takami Keigo are in this special training project (fan comic :@keiidakamya I really enjoyed it, go check it out in 2.1 Endeavor sent Touya because HPSC tricked him about it. How to cure Touya so he can become the hero he dreams to be (I might like his redemption arc a bit But I want another type because Enji who is depressed because of Touya's story is an interesting drama.) 2.2 Keigo is number 1 in the training program and Touya is number 2. Their relationship is more like rivalry (no need for Yaoi that much). 2.3 Touya clashes with HPSC after learning that the project wants to create a unit of assassins, not heroes. So he escaped. Then there was a fire at Segoto and the AFO met as per regulations.

And our main villains LOV, if I get them, how will I write them? : They're really villains, but there must be a redemption role if you want the ending. “Well, your eyes say you want me to help you.”

Shimura Tenko has never disappeared. I know Shigaraki Tomura is a favorite villain of many people. But what if we didn't see Tenko at all? It feels like why Shigaraki must want to be better than AFO. Is it true? He could be in the same style as AOT (Eren Yeager is the hero and the villain who hurts a lot. I'm not finished yet. )

Himiko Toga didn't intend to kill Saito (MHA utra analysis –p.226-227) If you want her to not be a psychotic murderer, then a 17 year old girl forced to hide her quirks becomes. It's a mental problem, such as not getting the right amount of blood to drink. become an addiction Because I feel “I'm afraid he'll say I'm not cute. So I took a knife and stabbed Saito.” It sounded like this. Killing people with clear intent

Mr.compress is a Robin Hood like his ancestors. will come to change society by destroying I'm afraid that his great-grandfather, Oji Harime, will curse Mr.compress. He's really a Robin Hood. Go ahead and don't kill people because it's against his family's rules and such.

Spinner, the voice of reason Characters who become supporting roles Instead of getting a prominent role with him, let him be the No. 2 glue after Twice. When LOV does something that is against the idea of calling everyone. Let him be the one who speaks with reason to his people. During the battle in front of the hospital, you will feel that, yes, this is the leader. Not an MLA poster boy.

Twice is Twice. But you may have to change the subject. Some of my best friends (for example, killing all the people who aren't my friends, etc.) If you want LOV to survive, you have to show other sides than just your own group.

Dabi has no icy quirks: I hate it when Hori said it was like a slap in the face to Enji: Look! He is already a masterpiece. You made a mistake, Endeavor. Ha ha ha! Damn it! A message that will make readers like me feel that Endeavor is dead. He is Todoroki Enji. Where has he gone?! words to say Even if you're not a masterpiece, you're still my child! That's because if it has more power than Endeavor but is inferior to AM, it makes AFO's kidnapping sound more believable. But I love my father very much, so it's like this now. Ae Wang Okay, looks like I'm complaining a lot again. Use a translator If it's weird, I apologize in advance. Thank you for reading until the end.

[tinysnailtales]

Thoughts from reading Yona of the Dawn Ch. 6

Ch.6 in summary: Soo-Won, hiding his inner turmoil, moves to become king and unite the tribes while Yona continues her recovery as her world, knowledge, and identity expand from meeting regular people

Upon arriving in the Wind Tribe, we (and Yona) get to see a different side of Hak. Here, he is very popular and revered.

And as he is fawned over, Hak is focused on scoping out the situation. He's good at his job.

Yona as an "apprentice lady-in-waiting" makes her enter her princess in disguise era.

"What happened to her? Kind of a weakling, hmm?" – Yona is weak, for now. Her body and mind have been through a lot. And Hak is right on it, immediately at her side and giving us a ~bridal carry~

Hyeong-dae and the others are quick to notice 'O...the young chief's being nice to a girl..." – they can tell Hak likes Yona/that she's important to him.

We get a nice little spread of world-building/information about the structure of Kouka.

Five tribes– fire, water, wind, earth, and sky (royal family)

Hak is the leader of the Wind Tribe, one of "the mightiest warriors of the land" who "[defends] the king and [his] tribe"

I wonder how the elemental make-up of the tribes speaks to the religion of Kouka that we learn more about later.

"The palace is swarming with rumors...that General Hak murdered his majesty and has taken Princess Yona hostage." –an awfully convenient rumor for Soo-Won, but it seems to bother him. He chooses to say that King Il "was assassinated by an unknown assailant."

The political situation and Soo-Won's plan: avoid war amongst the tribes and with other nations, unite the tribes and strength + stabilize Kouka, and (of course) become king.

He still orders others to avoid harming Hak and Yona, hiding his care behind practicality.

Soo-Won is the only choice for king, as "he is the son of Lord Yu-Hon, King Il's elder brother" and "under ordinary circumstances, he would have been crown prince," so why wasn't he crown prince? Why was King Il named king instead of his brother?

Soo-Won's ascension to the throne could be viewed as a righting of a wrong.

This is also all very well done by Soo-Won and co, he appears to be "innocently" gaining the throne and saving Kouka.

The many faces of Soo-Won– I can't keep up with how he is ever-shifting in his expression. Is he doing it on purpose or does he continue to be a complicated figure with many sides?

"Without a king, the nation can't function" – Soo-Won's belief and a driving force for him?

"If you'd married Princess Yona and become king through proper means...I would have joyfully brought you a wedding gift" – it does seem Soo-Won took the hard way and that many expected he would end up king, only it would come about from him marrying Yona.

Soo-Won acted clueless about a potential romance and marriage with Yona, but was he really oblivious or just pretending? Maybe he had considered it, but it wouldn't accomplish his goal of avenging his father by killing King Il and maybe he knew King Il was determined to prevent him from becoming king.

Mundok also seems rather angry and suspicious of Soo-Won despite not knowing he killed King Il. Is it the Hak element that is making him act this way?

"Hak wouldn't have left the palace for no good reason" / "I'm not a general. Hak is the one you should speak with." – Mundok is very loyal to his adopted grandson. And he trusts him. He knows there's more to the story because of Hak's absence.

"We'll be holding the coronation in three days. It can't go forward without the approval of the Wind Tribe...but I believe you'll be here then, Elder Chief Mundok...for the sake of the people of Fuuga." – Soo-Won goes from soft and yielding to compromise (or at least appearing to) to making threats, worded in such a way to avoid being outright.

OUCH.

Soo-Won keeps losing support and love, favoring the throne over relationships with those closest to him.

"Aren't you being soft-hearted? I can't believe you're pursuing Princess Yona and General Hak without killing them. If they spread the truth..." – Is Soo-Won being soft-hearted? Can he strike a balance between what his father and King Il had to offer? Could he be an ideal king?

"Hak's no fool" – part of Soo-Won might be protecting his friends, but he also knows them and respects Hak.

"We must prepare for opposition from the Wind Tribe. General Kang, please proceed with the next step of the plan." / "Thank you. I was so happy when you said...you saw me as a grandson, Master Mundok." – Soo-Won plans an indirect strike/threat against the Wind Tribe despite his obvious affection for Mundok (in addition to Hak).

And just...AHHH. Soo-Won! He seems to have clashing desires, but despite his personal feelings, sticks to his plans. He is probably torn up inside.

I wonder if like Yona, Soo-Won was (and is) lonely too. He doesn't seem to have any immediate family left and now has isolated himself even more. He got what he wanted and he has people working with/below him, but he's alone. And he might be the only person who knows the truth of who he is on the inside.

Young Soo-Won in Yona's dream flashback admired Mundok so much, so we know how much Mundok's words mean to him.

Soo-Won is also an interesting contrast to the usual complex "villain." I find they are usually more outwardly aggressive with a concealed softer internal life, but Soo-Won's "mask" is different. He comes off as capable and stands his ground, but he can also be taken as "soft-hearted" and gentle. He can be contradictory and hard to read.

"These aren't my clothes" – the shedding of Yona's identity (as a sheltered princess).

Notably, Yona also fainted after being asked: "What's your name? Where are you from?"

"Who am I? Who do I want to be?" – something for Yona to explore.

I love how this scene mirrors both Yona's memory dream of getting sick as a child but also Soo-Won's "motherly” care for Yona.

She wakes up in this new place, assuming a new identity, and she is still being cared for by an expanding circle of others. For someone who was so isolated and lonely, and used to being treated a certain way because she is a princess, this touches her.

This is a taste of Yona being treated as a person rather than a princess. And she is still treated with love and kindness.

I think she also starts to realize how often others are taking care of her and a seed is planted that will later become her desire to do the same for others.

"Are you [Hak's] friend?" "Probably...?"

This whole scene is hilarious. How to define Yona's relationship with Hak...

It's interesting that Yona hesitates to give the affirmative on Hak being her friend. I don't think she considers him in usual relationship terms. I guess she'd best describe him as her "guard" but he kind of goes beyond labels.

"Probably his friend?! At least say you're his lover or his consort...Poor Lord Hak! She doesn't return his feelings...at all!" "Want me to tear your eyes out?" – I am still greatly amused and love how the others can tell Hak has feelings for Yona. And Hak's reaction to them saying that he does! XD

"Who're you calling a friend?" – Hak teases Yona a bit (as usual), and part of him is playing a part to keep Yona's real identity a secret, but I think he takes how Yona views him seriously.

"Huh? 'Servant,' then?" – And to top it all off, Yona the comedian. And she's being genuine! Interesting how those are the two options here: "friend" or "servant"

The antics continue! Having other characters like those in the Wind Tribe really add to the dynamics and humor.

"Your name is Rina. You're an apprentice lady-in-waiting from the palace. That's how I'll be treating you while we're here. Got it?" "All right" "Good girl." – Hak! My guy. I get that you needed to keep Yona informed, but the method! And the "good girl" XD

"I didn't do anything Tae-Yeon shouldn't see!" "It just looked kinda dirty, Lord Hak" – Exactly, Tae-Woo. Exactly.

Listen, it might not have been intended to be flirtatious or a move, but there is a charge to Hak and Yona's interactions (that was noticeably absent between Yona and Soo-Won?)

Maybe it's somewhat inherent to the bodyguard romance dynamic, but it is interesting to see play out with these two. Hak is bringing his protective energy here but I'd say his feelings/attraction are also at play. This again displays their comfort level and Yona's trust of Hak, and then you also get her wide-eyed, trying-to-make-sense-of-it-all look.

"What's my brother like at the palace?" "At the palace...Hak is...insolent. No, wait. He's insensitive. No, um...arrogant? Or maybe...unpleasant?" – More comedian Yona! And again she's being genuine. Her answer is more reflective of their teasing relationship, a shift from last chapter where Hak was in the position of caregiver.

"Everyone is smiling. They're all so cheerful." – Seeing this amazes and makes Yona happy, and seeing Yona's soft happiness from the Wind Tribe makes Hak happy. Soft all around!

"So this is where Hak grew up..." –Even Yona's knowledge of Hak is limited, as if she's only been exposed to one side of him and hasn't considered him beyond how he appears in her world. I think this contextualizes Hak a bit for her.

Also, I said Hak bringing Yona to his homeland was symbolic and then here she's doing well there and that adds even more to it! Yona blooming in "Hak's world"...

It's almost like Yona can finally breathe a bit. She was somewhat stuffed away at the palace and then choked up from everything that happened with Soo-Won's betrayal. Appropriate for the "wind" tribe XD

I enjoy thinking of Yona as a flower who needed some nourishment, and on her journey, she will go from a domesticated flower coveted and conserved for its beauty to more of a wildflower.

"There are lots of girls like you here" – I believe part of Yona's isolation before was being the only girl around, but she was not just a girl but a "princess." Now she will learn how to be herself as a girl/more about being a girl (and young woman). She needs to find herself and her identity ("Who am I outside of "princess"?)

"I hear you came here to train because you can't cook, sew, clean, play the koto or dance, and they kicked you out? Maybe you should give up trying to be a woman!" – Hak's revenge for Yona's unfavorable descriptions of what he's like at the palace XD

What makes a "woman"? Yona will carve her own path and become her own type of woman, but it is notable that she lacks practical skills. And though she is not a regular woman/girl, you'd think she would have some skills, albeit those suited for a princess.

Yona will find and work on developing her own skills/talents as well and become a more well-rounded person.

Very domestic of them tbh.

"You seem a bit more like yourself" –More of a return to their banter and teasing indicates to Hak that Yona is recovering.

"I had no idea you had a little brother He's cute...and nothing like you" "That's harsh" – A little dash of teasing, and I think Yona is sad that she didn't know about Hak's brother. And though part of it is because she didn't seek out that knowledge, I also think Hak is pretty tight-lipped about himself. He doesn't think of his own life as very important or of his own self as worth knowing much about + he's kind of private.

"The river's very important to our tribe. We think of it as the water of life" – Yona is learning practical skills (like laundry) + more about individual people in the kingdom (like Hak and his brother) + how tribes and regular people live and what they value. Her world and knowledge are expanding.

And then we end on HakYona looking good next to each other (and if I said they looked great carrying laundry together too!) "Hak, I don't think I can–" "Come on, you haven't even tried yet!" "But...there's no water" is also just another great + amusing moment.

[taegularities]

yay, so glad to see it was a nice experience for you! ❤️ the nose ring sounds so cool too, i was thinking about one, but i have an office job so i’m still debating.. for now i’m gonna expand my tattoos collection, i need to warn you that it’s addictive 🫢

ahh okay, now i really can’t wait for royal JK! my first thought of him was 5th muster, that white shirt outfit 😮‍💨 but honestly Rid, i guess this is my toxic trait, but i do enjoy reading angst (but with happy ending ofc), i love when love characters are walking red flags (mean? douchy? f*ck boy??? give it to me!!!) so yeah, no ammount of your snippets is gonna scare me 🥰 give me my douchebag prince 🥰👑❤️

- 🔪

thank you !! 🥺 oh i got a nose stud, but i definitely want to switch to a ring one day (if it suits me, that is) – and ugh i hope you're someday able to as well. for now, allll the yesses to expanding your tattoo collection. can absolutely imagine that it's addictive bc i already want another one 🤣

ohhh, the 5th muster look under the cut, right? ykw, 5th muster isn't bad at all either. i have this odd obsession with long hair jk (i know i know, don't we all 😮‍💨), so i absolutely thought of 2019 kook, too (will put him under the cut, too LOL). you're not wrong :') ugh babe i know, i 1000% understand. honestly, i live for angst, can't really stomach bad endings either – unless they're realistic – so 🤝 i'm so fkn curious how you'll like c&f 🥺🤍

[fate-magical-girls]

The Queen always dresses neatly. She understands how appearance and poise can project power. She will not shame the dignity of her office. She is always the image of elegance when she appears in public.

But she is never extravagant. She's after power and success, not ceremony or luxury. She won't waste money on pampering herself while there are so many public projects to be funded, and peasants' welfare programs to be overhauled.

Some of the court ladies giggle and gossip about her behind her back. A few make sure to flaunt their delicately moussed tresses, voluminous skirts, and dazzling jewels during state functions. It's not hard for them to outshine the Queen, or at least, attract attention with their dramatic airs, but they never enjoy their triumph for long. They and their husbands are among the first to have their tax revenues investigated and their ill-gotten gains seized. Then they count their blessings if they keep their lives, and count them further still if they keep their ancestral manors, worn down from years of neglect after their owners moved to newer and trendier homes with better amenities.

After the King and his beetles help solve the kingdom's agricultural issues, the Queen decides to try to expand the national economy by diversifying exports. One of the new industries she signs off on is a Perfumers' Guild. It's a little selfish of her, but after all the austerity and hard work involved in getting the kingdom back on track, she craves at least one familiar luxury.

The King pays close attention when she talks to him giddily of perfumes. His questions are less about the scents produced, than the process itself. Mixing, distilling, bottling. He takes a special interest in how weasel and badger musk are mixed into the perfume, and asks if the same could be done with stink beetles.

In the days and weeks to come, the King drops in on all the meetings with the perfume guild masters, and even issues one or two royal summons of his own, without the Queen present. The Queen is somewhat miffed that the King is arranging official business without her, but decides that it's harmless if he'll just be swapping notes with perfumers. It's good to see him so excited about a project.

Eventually he hands the Queen a bottle of perfume. It has a sweet floral scent that seems familiar, but that she can't exactly recognize.

"Made it from leftover nectar, after mixing beetle chow."

She raises an eyebrow at that, but has to admit, "It's not half bad."

More charming than the ugly armor, at least.

She doesn't test out the perfume for the Court the next day. After all, it would be rude to show up already perfumed on the day the Perfumers' Guild is set to present their new array of scents to her. She doesn't test the King's perfume after this event either. After all, she has so many different scents to work through.

And then right before a trade deal with the ambassador from the Queen's homeland, her lady in waiting, who has a still healing cut on her hand from warding off an assassin, fumbles her perfume bottles, and ends up spilling that beetle perfume on the Queen. She doesn't want to risk trying to cover up the scent, so she heads out to the meeting smelling like that.

It's a surprise hit. The ambassador is amazed at her strange, sweet scent. The talks go well. She gains respect for her kingdom and her kingdom's emerging perfume industry. When she sees her husband in the evening, she asks him to synthesize more of his special perfume. He agrees, and asks her to wear it on the Midsummer festival. He wants it to be a special occasion.

The scale of the Midsummer celebrations is bigger and the activities rowdier than any of the previous years, as a sign of the kingdom's increased prosperity. Nobles and commoners are given free reign to mingle with each other over the course of celebrating, free food from the Royal Kitchens is distributed to anyone in need, and there are special games and prizes for everyone who signs up to compete.

The biggest game is a women's triathlon, designed by the King and open to noble and peasant alike. The Queen is the only noble to make it into the top ten competitors because her simple fashion choices don't weigh her down. Her athletic limbs are also greatly admired by the audience. At least one ode is composed in praise of her healthy beauty.

That night, she asks the King if he came up with this game just to show her off. The King tells her it's a secret.

Simplicity becomes the fad of the day among noblewomen, because their queen does make simplicity look good.

I think the funniest dynamic for arranged-marriage royalty would be a queen who came here 100% prepared to murder her future husband and rule as a widow queen in her own right, only to discover that the king is autistic as hell and responds to her wish to rule with "oh thank god please do, I don't want to be bothered by these people. I can just tell them to go bother you instead, if you really want that. I've got beetles I wanted to study."

[shadowtarot]

Shad Playing P5 For The First Time: I'm not that big of a fan of Akechi. The deal that he's famous and stuff and is also sketchy AF kinda bothers me.

Shad Playing P5 on NG++++ After Consuming A Lot Of Addtional Matirial: Akechi is written in a way that you hate him at first, but as you peel back the layers you understand why he is the way he is, making him really interesting. He gives hints with each interaction that he's not in control of his life, yet you only tend to pick up on it retrospectively, just like the Phantom Thieves.

Shad Looking At Akechi's Trailer For P5R: OwO?

[mgmoments]

Growing Into Your Own

Diavolo | Obey Me!

Muscle growth, muscle worship, macro

Warning, NSFW

Your time spent with Diavolo was always some of your favorite. When you first arrived, little did you realize that the Lord of the Devildom would quickly become not only one of your closest friends, but even something a little more.

It wasn't uncommon for Diavolo to summon you to his opulent home for coffee, tea, or simply to spend the evening talking with you. Barbatos never seemed to mind the extra company, likely because it was good for the Master of the house to have someone else to talk to. That, and you were fairly good about cleaning up after yourself.

Today was no different. Diavolo had summoned you to his office to chat while he finished paperwork. Something seemed slightly off, however. You were never really one to notice the smaller details, but you couldn't help but take note at every time Diavolo tugged at his collar or attempted to pull his sleeves down.

"Dia, is something wrong? You've been tugging at your suit a ton since I got here," you asked, curious. He simply smiled.

"Ah, no no. Nothing's wrong. It's just...a touch tight. I suppose Barbatos must have shrunk it in the wash!"

"I assure you, I did not such thing Master Diavolo," Barbatos stated, entering the room to refill Diavolo's tea. "There is...another matter of concern. Perhaps our guest should depart so we might discuss this matter privately?"

Diavolo seemed ready to protest, but a sharp glance from Barbatos quieted him before he had the chance. He sighed. "I suppose it is getting late. I'll see you again tomorrow, yes? We can have one of those 'slumber parties' you said humans like to have!"

You laughed, but Diavolo simply beamed his bright smile. With no reason to protest, you gathered your things and headed back to the House of Lamentation. You couldn't help but wonder what exactly the two needed to discuss, however. Even more confusing is how it could possibly be related to Diavolo's clothing being tight.

"I'll be Barbatos just didn't wanna admit he messed up in front of ya," Mammon said at dinner that night. "Dude's obsessed with perfection, he just didn't want ya to think he was anythin' less than perfect."

Mammon squealed as Lucifer smacked him in the back of the head with a rolled up paper.

"There is a good enough reason why they needed to discuss matters without a human present, Mammon. It has little to do with perfection. It simply is not their business, or yours for that matter."

"Then you know what they're talking about?" You asked, knowing that Lucifer wouldn't tell you even if he did know. The frown that settled on his face was answer enough.

"Unfortunately," he replied, "Whatever this issue is it is one they've decided does not concern me. It is worth stating that Diavolo has been complaining about his clothing for some time now, at least a week. I'm surprised that it just now became an actual issue. Regardless, we all need to keep our noses out of royal Devildom business. Am I understood?"

You and all the brothers gave a quick nod. Lucifer smiled, and dinner continued. Despite everything, you couldn't shove the issue out of your head. In a way it was almost exciting to think about all the possibilities. Your mind raced with theories as you drifted off to sleep.

You returned to Diavolo's castle later the next day, only to be greeted by the towering demon dressed in a dragon onesie.

"What do you think?" he asked, turning around to show off the fine details, "I heard that humans dress in fun nightwear for events such as these, so I had Barbatos make this special. Is it nice?"

"I love it, Dia," you said with a smile, laughing at Diavolo's antics, "It suits you. Though, I see you more as a teddy bear than a dragon myself."

Diavolo smiled, and wrapped you in a massive hug.

Demons, on average, were already larger than humans. Even the relatively short Mammon and Asmodeus were still both slightly taller than you. Large demons like Beel and Diavolo, however, towered over you. You always considered yourself lucky that they were so kind, because you could only wonder how things would be if these two titans decided to use their size against you.

Diavolo's strong hand enveloped your own as he led you to his home theater like am excited child. He gleefully informed you of all the movies and snacks he had planned for the two of you as you both settled down into massive beanbags. Your seat didn't last long, however, as you were soon sitting comfortably in Diavolo's lap with his arms wrapped around you.

You both sat in quiet comfort watching some cheesy romcom when you felt something throb beneath you. You were taken aback- Diavolo wasn't the type to be...like that. Then you felt it again, realizing that Diavolo's legs appeared to be tensing up. Looking up to him, you noticed him wincing slightly. A small groan escaped his lips.

"Dia...? Everything ok?"

"Y-yeah. I...I think my legs are asleep is all. Let me just...urgh....stand up."

You rose from Diavolo's lap as he rose to unsteady legs. You couldn't help but feel like he looked slightly larger than before. It was subtle, but it was almost as if his onesie had begun to cling to him where it had once hung off of him.

Diavolo groaned again and nearly stumbled over as Barbatos entered the room with a new tray of food. Barbatos quickly placed the tray down and rushed to his master's side to hold him up.

"Is Dia ok, Barbatos? He seems out of it."

"The Master has simply been overworking himself recently, that's all. Exhaustion is beginning to get to him."

"No, Barbatos," Diavolo groaned, "It's finally coming, I just can't hold it back any longer. We need to be honest with them. They'll find out soon enough anyway."

"..Very well," Barbatos said, turning towards you. Diavolo sat back down as Barbatos began to speak.

"Lord Diavolo, as you are well aware, is lord of the Devildom. It is more than a title. You may consider it...something like a race. He is unlike the other demons you've met here. He is far more powerful, not simply because of his station but because he is naturally more inclined towards power. Part of his natural aging involves what you humans could almost consider a second puberty, a period of time when he finally fully matures and can be considered ready to take the crown of the Devildom for his own."

"What does...what does that actually involve?" you asked, watching Diavolo breathe heavily in his seat.

"You may have noticed the young Master tugging at his clothing recently. It's been a slow process thus far, but part of this evolution involves Lord Diavolo increasing drastically in physical size. This is no longer common knowledge, but Lord Diavolo's father was large enough to completely fill this room. Lord Diavolo will likely be that size when this process is completed, and based on what we are currently seeing, the process will be completed tonight."

"Wait, hold on! You're saying Dia is gonna completely fill this room tonight? Sure he's big, but he's nowhere close to being that big."

"It will cease being a slow process soon enough. Lord Diavolo is entering the final stage, and it will all happen relatively quickly. I recommend-"

Before Barbatos could finish, Diavolo let out a large groan. Both you and Barbatos' eyes snapped towards the demon prince as his entire body began to tremble and pulsate. The sound of tearing fabric began to fill the room as Diavolo's body began to push outwards in all directions. The onesie struggled to hold on as Diavolo's body began to tear through it, each muscle increasing in size and thickness. His feet were first to break free, tearing away Diavolo's slippers with his toes curling in seeming pain. His arms and legs followed, his swelling biceps and thighs tearing through the cloth like it was merely tissue paper. As each second passed, Diavolo's body grew larger and large with more and more muscle packing onto his steadily taller frame. His groans slowly became moans. The process was clearly no longer painful.

Sure enough, Diavolo's cock broke free of his pants and flopped about in front of him, throbbing half-erect. He breathed heavily as pre began to drip from the tip, the cock continuing to grow with his body. You felt your cheeks grow hot, embarrassed to watch the obscene display but finding yourself aroused by the process.

"L-love," Diavolo panted, his horns and wings erupting from his head and back, "p...please..."

You looked to Barbatos who was nowhere to be seen. With no one to tell you otherwise, you climbed Diavolo's powerful thighs and placed yourself atop his expanding lap. You wrapped your own legs around his cock, the entire thing reaching up to your chin, and began to stroke it gently with both hands. You carefully ran both hands over the tanned skin, feeling every muscle and tendon in the cock with care before steadily picking up the pace. The cock stood at attention, and Diavolo's entire body shuddered in response. Without thinking you placed your mouth around the tip as best as you could, and began licking. Diavolo moaned in ecstasy as the cock throbbed with newfound power in your mouth. You felt the pressure within slowly build until it erupted outwards. Unable to remove your head in time, a large amout of Diavolo's seed found its way into your mouth before you were thrown backwards from the force of the eruption. The cock continued to let loose powerful stream after stream of semen until the room was nearly completely covered in it. When the stream finally abated, you felt the massive body beneath you begin to relax.

You, however, were not finished. You rose from the cock and began to admire the rest of Diavolo's newly massive body. You ran each hand over his powerful new muscles, tracing every curve and line and taking the time to appreciate every individual muscle. Diavolo's body shuddered again as you reached his chest and rubbed each of nipples. A small moan escaped his lips. Eventually he seemed satisfied with your worship, and cupped you in a massive hand. Next thing you knew, you were sitting on his palm in front of his movie screen sized face, his golden eyes looking at you with adoration.

"Are you ok, my little love? I hope this all didn't come as too much of a shock to you."

You simply smiled, and brought your lips to his. The two of you exchanged the closest thing to a kiss you could, Diavolo's lips nearly engulfing your entire head. You pulled back and smiled at one another.

"I would like to apologize for ruining our sleep over, my love. And for...my unseemly behavior. Please do not think worse of me for it, and please know that even now I will never do anything to hurt you."

You knew. You'd known for nearly a year now that Diavolo would never harm you. If nothing else, tonight had simply shown you how much he truly cared for you. Life moving forward would be different for you both, but you never were one for doing things the normal way. You settled down in Diavolo's warm palm as something deep within your body began to shudder...

[fictionadventurer]

I think the multiple POVs is a great idea. Elystan and Josiah have very distinct perspectives and a lot of issues going on in their lives, so getting inside their heads is the best way to get the full picture. Plus, Tamett's POV would be more effective when contrasted with theirs. Alone, he might seem bland (and he's definitely too outside-the-loop), but as an equal POV with the other two, he could be a breath of fresh air. After the dramatics and politics of the other two, getting inside of the head of someone who's just a normal, well-adjusted boy with a loving family could be a welcome break (and drive home just how weird those two are by comparison). Plus, getting outside POVs would heighten the contrast between Tamett the servant who's mostly just there to be useful and Tamett the kid with a personality and definite opinions and a hidden penchant for mischief--it would naturally add layers.

I don't think you'd have to repeat parts of the story--just pick the most useful POV as you go through the story chronologically. Like in "The Christmas Chapters", you could have Tamett get blindsided by Josiah making him stay in Corege, then switch to a Josiah POV where we learn about his father's telegram, then back to Tamett's visit to the headmaster, etc. It could even be interesting to throw in an occasional scene from someone else's point-of-view--Bethira, Delclis, even Odren or the headmaster--to really expand our knowledge of the story.

I think the visit with Odren could be a nice opening scene that puts Tamett's everyman perspective front-and-center (and could even offer a sort of framing device). You'd get the chance to see the family dynamics that Josiah comes from and the employment situation Tamett is stuck in, and position them both as outsiders stepping into a portal fantasy where their personal problems get entangled with the politics of this foreign nation.

Starting it with Tamett meeting Elystan (the original first scene you wrote) could work, too--plunge us right into the school environment and then learn the backstories of the boys who are there. I don't think you'd need to do full flashbacks. You could tell pretty much the same story with a few paragraphs of memory woven into the text every so often.

Overall, I just really love the idea of getting a many-layered view of the lives of these boys and the politics they're caught up in. The important thing structure-wise would be to make sure each boy has his own personal arc that's resolved by the events of the story, the more personal, the better--for instance, maybe Elystan and Josiah reconciling with (or perhaps escaping a toxic influence of) their families, and Tamett deciding to give up something to help these boys (especially Josiah) due to friendship, rather than just being forced into it by circumstances. (Or maybe Tamett could just plain learn to see these boys as boys rather than strange royal creatures who can order him around).

Anyway, not sure if any of that helps, but I love this story and can't wait to see you develop it further.

I won't be writing Book 3 for a long, long time, but I've been thinking about it anyway.

Its plot has never been extremely well-defined, but basically it's going to be about dealing with the aftermath of what has to happen after Book 2. Delclis makes a tough political decision, and he's not the only one who has to live with the consequences. The focus of the narrative is on Elystan, Josiah, and Tamett, and it's a school story, my homage to early Wodehouse books, but also deals with political intrigue, from the perspective of the young characters.

But it's also a story about family relationships. Elystan's grief over his father, hostility toward his mother and Delclis, and how some plot twists recontextualize all that. Josiah's fall from grace with his father, his desperation to be restored, and the distant, cold family situation he's grown up in. Tamett's highly contrasting positive relationship with his family, especially with his sisters (although it's not without its difficulties).

Earliest versions of Book 3 were in Elystan's first-person POV, but that was too ambitious for my skills at that point. When I reworked the series with a new setting several years ago, I decided to change Book 3's POV to third-person limited, staying with Tamett. I had some sort of idea that it would be effective to see Elystan and Josiah from the eyes of someone else. He could be a sort of Costis. Or Mike Jackson. That sort of thing.

But writing the three different versions of "A Christmas Chapter" has made me rethink that. Tamett's POV might be too limited to fully explore the story I'd like to tell. And on top of that, it might just be too boring. Tamett is the blandest of my protagonists--something that I've been meaning to work on--whereas Elystan and Josiah have very distinctive personalities that make them (for me, at least) more compelling. The audience might be more engaged if we were in either of their heads.

But how to manage that? How could I get, say, "A Christmas Chapter" as it currently stands to work in a long-form story? A reader might lose patience with having to read essentially the same story three times in succession, even with the differing POVs. Whose would I chose? I have no idea. Omitting any of them would mean losing a lot. Perhaps a composite of the most important bits of each would be the most effective. But I'm strongly considering the possibility of using multiple POVs in Book 3, alternating them chapter to chapter.

The current first chapter is about Tamett being informed of the plans to send Josiah and him to boarding school and being commissioned to write heavily detailed letters about his experiences in Corege to an uncle he's never heard of. If I ever do get to this book, I don't think I want to start it there anymore. That's the problem with this particular story; I don't know just where to begin it. Instead, I think I might rework that current Tamett scene into a flashback later in the narrative. It might work for the book to put the boys directly in the school situation and then gradually bring in background through flashbacks. Which is a structure that I don't really have experience using and therefore will be a challenge. Not a bad thing, just a challenge.

Anyway, what do you think? Is this something that might work, or do you have a suggestion of your own? What would you like to see out of such a book? Do you have a POV preference?

[genshin-impacted]

empress of the first water // Zhongli x Reader (4)

Word Count: ~2.8k

Palace/Harem Imperial Drama AU: You are a princess, soon-to-be-Empress, and Zhongli is the teacher invited by the royal court to show you the ropes before you ascend to the throne after a royal tragedy.

Notes: female!reader (she/her), Zhongli/Reader, Zhongli POV, mutual pining ofc, fake politics, can I call this slow burn yet

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Chapter 4 Synopsis: Of the secrets that people keep, how much can they say without saying anything about it at all?

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You are falling for your tutor. That much, at least, is clear to you. Your quickened heart rate, the way your heart flutters when he smiles, and how your mood lifts when he praises you-- if wisdom is to know thyself, then you consider yourself wise enough to know that you see Zhongli xiansheng as more than just a teacher.

But what of him? You wonder, how does he think of you? Does he know what he means to you? Does he feel the same?

“My lady?" Amber asks you, when you dip your head underneath the rose-infused waters of your bath. "What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” you reply back quickly, hugging your knees to your chest. You take a glance at the mauve coat that Zhongli had left on your shoulders and think about how it will still smell like him.

Amber can only look at you in mild concern when you bury your heated face into your hands and try not to think of kind eyes, a warm embrace, and a gentle voice.

(But you do anyway.)

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Zhongli finds himself talking more freely than ever in your presence, especially now that the two of you have made it a habit of walking around the compound or drinking tea to pass the time together. He talks about fantastical things or expands on random trivia he thinks you would enjoy, even though he finds himself more often than not overindulging.

Your eyes are bright and alert when he tells you about the folktales he had learned when he was younger, so he tells you as many as you can in the cold, wintry months. Under the cozy kotatsu imported over from Inazuma, Zhongli shares slices of mandarin with you as he retells the history of the Qilin to you-- a mythical creature whose stone statues stand at guard in front of the main compounds of the palace.

“In many stories, the Qilin is sacred pets of the gods and rank highly only below the dragon and the phoenix,” Zhongli says, accepting the last slice of fruit you slide into his hands. "It’s said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler."

“I see…” You listen to him attentively, hands absently clearing the table of the orange peels without saying a word. You let out a breath of laughter as you joke, “Hopefully, if I pray hard enough, the Qilin might gift their presence when I ascend to the throne.”

“Nonsense,” Zhongli replies immediately. “If the qilin does exist, you do not need prayer for the qilin to appear before you, as benevolent as you are, my Princess.” He takes the slice and brings it to his lips to taste the sweetness of the mandarin, catching a glimpse at the way you hide your smile behind your hand.

“You have a way with words as usual,” you tell him. “You spoil me with praises, xiansheng; how ever will I survive without them now?” You bemoan, laughing afterwards. Though he knows you’re joking--surely-- he still feels his heart tremble at your words. It is in these moments that he feels keenly how it is to be Amber, abashed by the praise that flows freely from your lips and by the fondness that rings true through the way you speak. To be at the center of your attention is something that Zhongli understands very well to be addicting.

It is only when Zhongli hears the light rapping of knuckles on wood does he realize how long he has spoken and how late it is.

"My apologies," Zhongli says, surprised from his thoughts to bow his head (you fussed at him about apologizing before, but even with your kind reprimands, it is hard for him to kick the habits ingrained in him). "I didn't mean to dominate the conversation this entire time. It's even time for supper--"

"Bamboo Shoot Soup," you pipe up instead, and he can only look up at you stunned as you thank the maid. She sets down the pair of utensils in front of the two of you and clears the table to make space for the large metal hotpot. "It's your favorite dish, isn't it?” You say cheekily, “I thought it was a perfect dish to eat during the cold weather."

What are the protocols to eating dinner with the royal family? Zhongli thinks to himself warily, feeling wildly as though he is constantly stepping out of line despite his learned nature. Still, you would scold him for his distancing, so Zhongli decides to do as the both of you please, as improper as it may be, and waits to be served.

The bamboo soup is beautifully slow-cooked, the broth milky white; just taking a waft of the aroma is enough for him to know that the meat is tender and the bamboo shoots are soaked to the center with flavor. The warmth that pervades is partly due to the fresh heat of the soup but also from the fact that you had remembered a detail he shared in passing. (He says ‘in passing’ but he had gone into detail about where to procure the best ingredients for each component of the meal while you listened to him with eager nods. The bamboo shoots, he recognizes, are from Qingce Village. Did you remember even the smallest details from your conversation when he speaks?) Like many other times before, he is speechless. It seems as though you are constantly surprising him-- for the better.

"What happens next?"

Zhongli blinks, the steam from his bowl rising up to his face. "Pardon?"

"Oh, never mind! We should eat first!" You say, smiling widely in a way that makes his heart leap. You pick up your chopsticks and click them together playfully. "But tell me what happens next in the story later on, Zhongli-xiansheng."

"One day you'll find yourself someone who listens to you and you'll talk their ear off."

Zhongli remembers Guizhong telling him this time and time again, though he never believed in it. He is old-fashioned, he always replies back. He is overly burdened by the expectations of his family and passionate in things that most others cannot care to relate to. How would he know that someday, as proof of the wisdom (or perhaps abundance of hope and love) that Guizhong held, he would find someone who cared enough to listen and look at him as though he knew the meaning of life itself?

The bright-eyed gaze you shoot at him lasts only a moment, and perhaps you don't even know the magnitude of your gesture, but Zhongli feels his chest burn nonetheless with gratitude and soften at the kindness you have shown him. He reaches out to place his hand gently on yours. "Thank you," he says, squeezing your hand. "I'll be sure to not lose my place in the story then so you can hear the rest of it."

He blinks when you look at him, frozen and wide-eyed, and that is when he retracts his hand, feeling as embarrassed as you look. "Ah, my apologies again--"

"No, it's-- it's alright," you stammer, looking down at your bowl. Zhongli feels his face redden and he drops his gaze as well. "But yes, you better remember! I'm counting on you!"

"Yes-- yes, of course," he says, clearing his throat. "It would be my pleasure to." Before Zhongli can wallow in mortification, he hears the beginnings of your laugh and looks up to see your smile as wide as ever. And just like that, he can feel himself be at ease again, just as you have always made him feel with your presence.

"Perhaps next time," he says, a small smile dancing on his lips, "my lady can tell me a story instead."

"Only if you fill in the details I missed," you quip back easily, and he laughs.

Even with an impeccable memory, Zhongli still cannot remember the last time he has ever laughed so easily and so readily as though he could never run out of laughter. He thinks of quiet hours in his study, pouring over pages of text without speaking till his voice grows hoarse from disuse. He remembers days of entertaining guests who never truly listened to what he was saying, and he finds that he is the happiest he has ever been for a long time.

He has you to thank for that.

This is why he responds back, with a soft reverence that is reserved only for you. "Of course." He returns your smile with his own. "I would be honored to, my Princess."

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Reverence should be a tone well-practiced and used in the royal court, but when Zhongli stands aside during the proceedings, he hears very little of it directed toward you. You have half of the court talking over you despite your grace, and he can clearly see your patience wear thin when your presence goes unacknowledged by one of the court officials.

"My studies have been going steadily," you speak unto the crowd, clearly and powerfully, as though you have always known how to command attention. Projecting your voice, you maintain your gaze on all of them as you speak. Zhongli can see from the way your hands clench at your side that despite your display, fear has not left you, and for that, his pride for you seems to overflow.

"With the xiansheng, I can foresee being able to replace my great uncle for the time before the end of this year," you say. "I will have prepared myself dutifully until the time has come--"

"The end of this year?" One of the nobles exclaims in protest, making you pause. "How would you be ready at the end of the calendar when you have started lessons, not even yesteryear?"

"I can't imagine the magnitude of power placed upon the shoulders of the inexperienced,” another one drawls. “Perhaps, ah, the Princess will consider taking a husband to make up for it?"

Zhongli doesn't realize he's gripping imprints into the palm of his hands until he goes to raise his hand and realizes they have gone numb from his tension. The nerve of some of the nobles-- some of which he can recognize have never sought to be on your side. He wishes nothing more than to be able to provide them a verbal lashing, but he knows that neither you nor he can do anything at this point in time.

With knowledge comes power, and you do not know enough to utilize the title you have nor the inherent authority that comes with it. Though one day, you will, if he can help it, regardless of what has been expected of him.

It makes his skin crawl to know that many nobles look to him and believe he is on their side. How many times have they requested him to keep you away from the main chambers to check on your great uncle? How many times have they hoped he would provide falsities and ignorance in the guise of guidance so that you would never truly ascend to the throne? Even with the promise of power beyond his wildest dreams, Zhongli cannot bring it to himself to manipulate you in such a manner. Even though his hands are clean, he still cannot help but taste sin on his lips for knowing the harm that exists against you without your knowledge.

When is the right time to inform you, if at all? Is it kind or cruel of him to keep this ploy from you? (Is his judgment even sound, as muddled as it is with his rapidly growing feelings for you?)

You narrow your eyes, your lips pressed in a straight line, but you refrain, once again. And Zhongli feels a burst of pride at your show of restraint and composure fitting of a lady of your status. "Yes, this may be one of the things I will take into consideration, and I appreciate--" Zhongli feels himself tense at the way you spoke, "--the counsel of the court, though I still foresee my way coming to fruition regardless."

There is a stilted silence that follows your words, and you look toward the messenger who has come with the land's grievances in letters. "I believe this matter can be discussed at a later time," you say with finality. "Let us look at the first report from the harbor."

Using what you know from your lessons thus far, you guide the conversation towards solutions for the problems brought to the court by the people. You are too inexperienced to make decisions on your own, gathering opinions from your council; corrupt or not, they know more about managing land than you. But Zhongli sees how you watch carefully as the discussion continues, letting the information sink in so that you can utilize it in the future, and he is reminded again of how far you have come from a princess holding that urn to the prospective empress quietly learning how to lead a country.

(Is it any surprise at all that he is enamored with you?)

Court adjourns after hours, and Zhongli follows you as you leave first, your robes billowing behind you seamlessly as you hold your head up high. The guards bow their heads as you pass by them, your ladies-in-waiting slowly retreating from the room when you arrive, closing the door behind them. The moment everyone is gone, you sigh in relief, your shoulders dropping to a more comfortable height as you stretch your arms and legs.

“I applaud you on your conduct during court,” Zhongli says finally, amused by how nonchalant you act in comparison to how high-strung you are in front of others. “That was an impressive display of authority.” He sees your face flush from the compliment as you stammer out your thanks. He chuckles. "Perhaps I should start getting used to calling you 'Empress’ then, Princess.”

"Yes?" Zhongli replies, confused. "Is that not a title you would like to be referred to?"

"'Princess?'" He hears you echo, turning yourself to him, and Zhongli loses his train of thoughts when he sees your expression with brows pulled together, disconcerted. "Just... 'princess?'"

"No--well, yes..." you say, trailing off. Your hand, out of habit, nervously reaches up to fiddle with your brooch. "I was just thinking you would have normally referred to me a little differently is all."

Zhongli tilts his head slightly in thought as he watches you press your lips together in what he assumes to be in embarrassment. Has he been calling you differently without his knowledge? He doesn’t think so; you have always been the Princess for him, and he, your xiansheng.

But, ah, he thinks, he has not always called you ‘my Princess’ has he? (Astonishing what one word can change.)

For a brief moment, Zhongli’s mind wonders whether he has overstepped his boundary, but he quickly reminds himself with your words, that if you truly did not want him to call you by that, you would tell him. The fact you protested at his recent use of your title… It was the slip of the tongue; Amber has referred to you by the same title, and Zhongli has always, in some form, coveted the same level of intimacy that the two of you possessed. His fondness for you must have seeped into his words, and he would never have anticipated having you reciprocate.

That being said, could you blame him for feeling pleased that you wanted to be referred to as his Princess?

“But 'Princess' is fine,” he hears you say, gathering the composure to sweep your hands down your gown and appear nonplussed. You take out your fan and hold it to your face as you begin to walk toward the study. “I don’t mind it. You should call me as you so wish, I--”

Your laughter is enough as a sign of validation, but then he hears you say, shier than you have ever been, “My xiansheng,” and he thinks his heart balloons until it takes up the entire expanse of his chest with how much affection he feels for you.

"It is soon time for our next lessons," he says, following behind you without pause, "my Princess." And he watches, enamored, as you look back at him with a smile blooming on your face. "Is that... alright with you?"

“Yes,” he says to you, feeling as though that is the only thing he can say. You shoot him another captivating smile and turn, and all Zhongli can do is walk only a step behind you.

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And he follows you for as long as you will allow him, hoping his choice to keep the darkness at bay is the right one.

[peachypizzicato]

Hi, it's me, the evil Anon again. Today, I have for you...

- Ruvyzvat has also expanded the Royal Guard massively. He says the first thing he'll do after we get out of here is take his army, and personally hunt you down, and destroy you, - Boyfriend clutched the cellphone in his hand, remembering the head of the Royal Guard's strength, as Garcello continued, - Meanwhile... I've been knocking on the door to the Ruins. But that lady hasn't been answering me. Maybe, she's not feeling well?, - The ever so slightly noticeable waver in his voice, a mark of one last spark of hope could be heard.

But Boyfriend knew the man was grasping at straws. Desperately trying to comfort himself with a feeble lie that he knew was just wishful thinking. After all, the truth was less than desirable for both of them. He was a coward, he didn't want to Reset, so he ran ahead, and ran through the entire Underground, and ran until he reached the surface. It's what Olive would have wanted for him, she was kind, but he didn't really think he was worthy of it.

- Wait, did you say "child"?! Can I talk to him?!, - Annie's voice on the other end of the line snapped the kid out of his thought. He felt a stab of guilt again. Annie was so excited to talk to someone younger, someone her age, and someone she remembered as such a good friend. But... She wasn't allowed to. No. This time... Something was different.

- No, no. Sorry, Nie, you must be imagining it, I was speaking to a different friend, that's all, - Garcello laughed, - Go back to your post. Ruv did assign you an important duty. I think you're super good at it.

- Alright, then!, - No, no, this was wrong. This was very wrong. For some reason, Boyfriend felt like this, this wasn't meant to happen. He had to talk to Annie, and- Instead, he was left alone with the man on other end of the line. It felt like the phone exhaled chilling air. How else could the child explain this strange feeling of shivers, as if something was crawling on his back?

- She talks about wanting to meet you again, - He could have sworn another person started talking, that's how dry and cold the voice grew, as if someone snuffed out the light in that person, - But, truthfully, I don't. You know, I'd like to keep my Sister safe. From creatures like you, - Garcello's voice wavered again, but returned to the same tone as earlier. The child stared off into the distance with unseeing eyes, feeling dread grab a hold of his throat.

- When we get out of here, Ruv won't be the only one visiting you. Doctor Jade would like to have a word with you as well, - He would rather have his heart jump out of his chest and die here and now, - As for me... I'll be seeing you too, little man. Can't wait for our joyous reunion. I hope you have fun while you still can, - He laughed again without a hint of happiness, - Just kidding. Go to Hell.

On Boyfriend's end came a click. On Garcello's end came a slam. He sat down on the couch, and pulled a small notebook out of his pocket. "knock-knock - whos there - old lady - old lady who - i didnt know you could yodel", his handwriting was abysmal. "knock-knock - whos there - aherd - aherd who - aherd you like knock-knock jokes", he could barely read it himself. "knock-knock - whos there - geemy - geemy who - geemy a kiss", that one. That was the last joke she said. And immediately left afterwards. And he didn't even know her name.

Garcello clutched the notebook in his hands, trembling. Thank whatever is up there Annie already left, allowing him to spend some time with the crushing misery, and she didn't hear him. She shouldn't have to watch him break down. He wanted to break something, though. Should have killed the kid, when he had the chance.

... Tomorrow? Who knows.

oh FUCK we stan a neutral ending

im just gonna pretend i didn’t see any sad shit, i am looking away