#depending on her situation she seeks council from them both on different things

[sleepytimemoga-p2]

Naomi Moss vs. Naomi Lombardo

Recently I’ve kinda been doing a deep dive into my oc and decided to analyze her as a character regarding her two canons.

Naomi Moss was originally a character made for the Mafia series, specifically Mafia 3. In this story she’s a childhood friend of Lincoln Clay and the last time he ever saw her, she cried in his arms because she was afraid of losing a friend she had forever. When he returned to The Hollow, he learned that she was the host of “Blue Belle Radio” which is a radio show that plays psychedelic music and touch on social and legal issues. Naomi’s role in Lincoln’s story is minimal in my opinion, she can serve as a love interest depending on player choice but in the end Naomi can easily become an old friend Lincoln can save from a bad situation regarding her family that turned toxic after her father died.  Her brothers Hudson and Anthony decided to take on patriarch positions and ultimately try to control Naomi who is seen as rebellious in their eyes; A mission involving them includes Naomi being kidnapped by them on air and Clay having to rescue her without killing her brothers in the process. She becomes a great lawyer after she graduates and with a place like New Bordeaux, being a criminal lawyer keeps her busy.

Naomi Lombardo is actively a work in progress but this Naomi comes from an AU where Paulie Lombardo survives the events of Mafia: Definitive Edition and ends up going to Georgia to open that pizzeria he wanted and settling with his wife Ruth Moss (another oc). Since he’s her grandfather, he invites her and her brother Frankie (and her cousins) to work in the restaurant during the holidays and summer for extra money. Usually, she is studying when she’s not taking orders and pretending not to hear the comments of the men she’s serving. Her and her cousin after a night of drinking are stuck working, they decide to pickpocket a particularly annoying customer to feel better (She makes it a principal only to swipe from people being assholes.) and ends up meeting Samuel “Ace” Rothstein and his friend Nicky Santoro (who they stole a watch off of). It was a short encounter with lasting consequences because Ace ended up making it a point talking to her the entire time they’re in Georgia and ended up taking her number. The two are immediately smitten with each other and end up talking during their downtime. Eventually, Ace decided that enough was enough, and he offered to pay for the remainder of her education if he moved to Nevada with him in an apartment he rented out for her. She still becomes a criminal defense lawyer and married Ace, but she’s also now in the news as Ace’s wife and possible legal council.

Naomi and Lincoln are childhood friends and personally I just think without that connection, they wouldn’t exactly cross paths the way they did in their canon. Both of them have a shared fear of each other’s actions with Naomi trying to stay brave when things go wrong while Lincoln actively seeks out dangerous scenarios. I also see Lincoln as a bit too overprotective of Naomi because he’s lost so much from his past that he doesn’t want to lose another thing important to him and Naomi can feel a bit smothered by it at times but understands it. Naomi also feels a sort of gratitude to him for getting her out of her family situation and wants to repay him by providing love. When they do enter a relationship they become a team. Compatibility rating: 5.5/10 They’re alright.

Naomi and Ace are a whole different energy in comparison with Ace being sure about Naomi after talking to her, he sees Naomi for the smart woman that she is and that her potential was going to be useful in the long run. He later realizes that he just genuinely loves her and every part of her. Naomi originally thought that he wanted to pay her to pay attention to him but ultimately realized that their attraction was beyond financial compensation. Naomi found herself spending the free time they both had together just talking about anything, doing anything. Ace married her as soon as he could get the ring on her. Compatibility rating: 9/10 They’re living their Lana Del Rey fantasy

Edit: Both their stories contain themes of racism and redefining oneself, but their paths getting there are vastly different.

[windup-dragoon]

I wanna hear more on the kind of parents Kiri and her princely husband would be 👀 -slides back into the Lurking Abyss-

AAAAAAAAA Thank you for humoring me. ;;;; This is actually one of my favorite topics between these dorks??? Because family stuff melts my rotten little heart. ;u; Yo this is going to be hella long though so sorry about that. 

The News: 

Childbearing definitely was never big on Kiri’s to-do list in life. Always busy running off into danger and going on adventures, who has time to raise kids? The thought of being a mother in any aspect never really crossed her mind, besides maybe adopting stray animals and affectionately referring to them as her children. 

But with Hien in her life, her thoughts on this change. Seeing Hien interact with the kids that she helped in Revenant’s Toll, the way he spoke and laughed with them ends up melting a bit of her heart. He has such a way with children, even newborns around Doma when he’s out having social hours with his countrymen and women. Eventually Kiri surprises Hien by telling him she wants to have kids. With him. All of the negatives she used to see in having children become just another challenge for her to overcome, with Hien at her side, she can do anything. 

It isn’t until after their official marriage that they finally achieve this goal. Kiri, while in Eorzea doing whatever it is she does, has stomach troubles and is a little alarmed by everything that’s happening. She doesn’t typically get sick, unless she’s in Ishgard for extended weeks in which she will develop a terrible cold, so these symptoms have her visiting healers of any sort or maybe even reaching out to friends for advice. 

When she’s given the official news, she’s immediately stunned. Of course she’s aware of how children are made and all that jazz, but it didn’t occur to her that it would be so sudden. Kind of an ‘oh that’s right, that’s something that we did’ moment. At first she’s too shocked to say anything, or even move; the nurse who delivered the news worries Kiri wasn’t expecting to be pregnant. But it isn’t that the news is bad. Her mind is racing, her heart pounding while her stomach continues to feel queasy. After the initial shock, Kiri fully accepts her condition with a big, goofy ass grin. 

She returns to Doma to tell Hien the news as immediately as she can, after of course settling whatever task she was in the middle of accomplishing in Eorzea. All of Doma is gathered for a festival when she returns, one that runs late into the night with fireworks shot off from the Dairyu Moon Gates and over the One River. It’s here that she tells Hien. She pulls him away from his merriment of drinking with friends and socializing, in between loud bursts of colored fire over head; Kiri tells him he’s going to be a father. 

Pregnancy: 

They’re both new to this whole situation. Neither really having much experience besides common sense and what they’ve been told by those who know about the pregnancy. Hien and Kiri decide to keep it quiet for the time being, the only ones outside of caretakers and themselves are the Scions who Kiri felt she had to tell immediately and some of their Eorzean friends who would otherwise try to recruit Kiri for more shenanigans. Hien is very affectionate during this time, never too far from Kiri if he can help it or enlists Yugiri and Az’hala to help keep tabs on his adventuring wife should he be called away to the Alliance or any of his other responsibilities. 

At night they stay up and talk things over, to help calm each others nerves or any fears they might have as time passes. Kiri is relatively relaxed throughout the whole pregnancy, although she does have moments where she wishes Lynawyb could be with her. She wonders if Lynawyb would have been excited to be a grandmother, Eyriwolk would have made a fantastic grandpa. During these times, Hien also makes mention that he too wishes Mina and Kaien could be with them. And don’t you dare for a moment think they don’t try to send word to Gosetsu. Gosetsu is more apart of their family than anyone knows. 

Hien often speaks to Kiri’s tummy, even in the earliest stages when she hasn’t even begun to show. She finds it amusing and usually wakes up to him speaking in Doman to her tummy. She quickly begins to recognize certain phrases like good morning. 

When they finally announce it to all of Doma, mainly due to Kiri beginning to show signs, it’s a huge celebration. Their friends from Eorzea are invited to attend the festivities, even members of the Alliance are extended an invite. 

After many requests from Sadu to come visit, Kiri and Hien eventually travel out to the Steppes. Sadu, believing she’ll get to fight with Kiri, is dumbstruck when she realizes what’s up. But instead of throwing a tantrum or getting upset, Sadu is very supportive of Kiri and asks that she visits more so she can help. Kiri briefly wonders who Sadu thinks her child will be the reincarnation of. Magnai dismisses the entire interaction as boring, pretty typical of Magnai, while Cirina, much like Sadu, is excited and supportive. Both Sadu and Cirina offer medicines and herbal teas for Kiri to try that their tribes often use themselves. 

It’s Time!: 

As it draws closer to her delivery date, Hien is an absolute wreck. Nervous beyond belief and struggling to keep Kiri in one place. But she’s just as antsy as he is and tires of sitting in bed all day. Some of the elders encourage Kiri to walk around, but she ends up wandering. Yugiri and Az’hala both stick to her like flies, not so much worried about Kiri as they are with Hien. The poor guy. But again, they’re both new to this and have no idea what to expect next. 

I haven’t decided where Kiri ends up giving birth to Hanami. I thought it’d be funny if she was visiting the Steppes when it happened, Sadu’s tribe and Cirina both helping while Hien tries not to pass out. Magnai scoffs but he would probably faint too. 

Actually being parents: 

Now that Hana is born and all of Doma is buzzing with excitement, both Kiri and Hien are over the moon with happiness. They both share the burdens of waking up in the middle of the night to hold a crying Hana, never asking the servants to do it instead. They’re both completely in love with this little bundle. Without question, it’s a tiresome job, but Kiri is rarely without a warm smile these days and Hien is always beaming from ear to ear. He’s very proud of what they created together. 

When Hana gets older, Hien takes to telling her stories at night. He uses funny voices and puts on a whole drama for his daughter who claps and giggles in response. Kiri and Hana spend a lot of time together outside, usually occupying the garden, feeding any ducks or koi in the pond and watching the blossoms open and fall in the breeze. As a mother, Kiri is very soft and tender to Hana, some of her Eorzean friends might not even recognize her. The gruff, accented voice she once had has kind of fallen away, but her laughter remains the same. And her love of jokes. 

If Hien leaves for an Alliance meeting, upon return Hana is always the first to greet him. It starts off as little sandals clapping against the stone, then a little giggling girl jumps at her father. Hien drops everything just to scoop her up in his arms and raise her up high. She’ll ask if he brought her back anything, namely sweets, and of course he does. While Kiri remains in contact with her Eorzean friends and allies, Scions included, she doesn’t partake in adventures quite as frequently as she used to. She stays with Hana and Hien in Doma; and when Hana is a non-stop talking toddler, Kiri and Hien are expecting again. 

Hana and Hien frequently speak in Doman to one another, even in Kiri’s presence just to tease her. 

Occasionally Kiri will take Hana to Eorzea with Isho as their escort; Hana quickly falls in love with traveling and wants to explore the world just as Kiri does. Hana loves meeting with Tataru and Krile, having tea together and gossiping. While in Isghard, Hana and Count Edmont talk for hours over more tea and hard little biscuits. Kiri has always explained to Hana that although her friends are not related by blood, every one of them feel like family to her and she hopes Hana will experience the joys of having such an extensive family. 

Kiri and Hien end up having four kids in total. Hanami is the oldest and only daughter. (Unless I change my mind :V) 

Thancred, Urianger, and Y’shtola have bets on how many children Kiri and Hien will have. So far Y’shtola is winning. Urianger secretly wonders if Hien and Kiri are trying to create an army. Ryne would absolutely love to meet Hanami some day! Alphinaud and Alisaie are still in shock that Kiri even had children to begin with, but also treat Hanami as another part of their little family. 

[thewritetofreespeech]

Words: 3800+

Rating: M

Pairing: Benimaru (TSSK) x Reader

Summary:  Rimuru-sama had told Benimaru about a tradition from his world called a 'honeymoon'. He thought it was a great idea.

AO3

It had been several months since the night you and Benimaru had become true husband & wife.

After the envoy left, you talked more about things. As expected, there were still a bit of growing pains in forming your relationship from what it once was into what it was now. However, you were making it work.

Benimaru was patient and kind as ever, but unexpectedly different when you were alone together. You hadn’t thought he would be like this. You had only seen him in a ‘formal’ capacity most times, the job of the Commander in Chief of the Jura forces was one that never really rested, or appropriately close when with the rest of your friends. Now though, you got to see another side of him.

He was funny. Playful. Once he let his guard down, he wasn’t nearly as intimidating as you’d originally thought. Actually, he could be quite goofy. His devotion was not only to Rimuru-sama and your people, but also devoted to you. He was always asking how your day was and if things were alright. Making sure you were provided for. Passionate.

You blush as you put away the linens you had folded up from outside. Benimaru had apparently not been kidding when he declared he’d claim your body everyday if he had to to prove it was his. Not that he needed to prove it. You had openly and willingly accepted yourself as his, and he yours. Still, almost every night, he came to you when you laid in bed together to physically profess his love. The man seemed insatiable. Though you weren’t exactly complaining.

You look up from your chores as the devil himself appeared. Coming through the door as if your thoughts had conjured him.

“Benimaru-kun! You’re back early. Did the meeting go well?” The kijin nodded as he removed his sword and sat it in it’s usually place next to the door. “I’m glad to hear it. I didn’t expect you home so soon, so I haven’t started dinner. I’ll get started now, but it will be a little bit.”

“In a moment [Y/N]. I need to talk to you.”

You pause on your way out the door and back track back over to the table to sit across from your husband. “Rimuru-sama has asked me to go on an ambassador mission in the mountains. To seek an alliance with the Yuki-Oni there.” You blink a little in surprise at the news. Though you were sure Benimaru could handle this, and seemed very pleased at being selected by your lord, you have to wonder about the forethought he put into it. Sending a fire oni to speak with a village of snow oni seemed uncharacteristically irresponsible of your lord.

“Well, I’m happy for you dear. I’m sure your trip will be successful.” Benimaru seemed to beam brighter at being complimented by you. “So I’ll see you in, what, a few days?”

“Actually, I was hoping you would come with me.” You were taken by surprise again. Had Rimuru-sama asked you to come? “I asked Rimuru-sama about it, and he said he could spare you for the few days.” Benimaru added, as if reading your mind. “It would be a nice chance for you to see places outside of Rimuru City. And Rimuru-sama told me about a tradition in his former world called a ‘honeymoon’. It’s when two newly wedded people go on a trip together shortly after their married to spend time together.”

“But, Benimaru, we’ve been married for more than a short while now?” True, your real married life had only begun a few months ago, but you had been married for over a year now.

“I know. But we didn’t go on one or do anything when we got married. I thought it would be nice.” The usually proud warrior looked down at the hardwood of your table, blushing and rubbing the back of his head in a shy manner. “Plus, I don’t want to go if I have to leave you here. I was serious when I said I never want to be without you by my side.” A declaration he had also made more than once since that night. “I’ll…be lonely without you.”

You put your hand against your mouth, pretending to be in thought. In reality you were trying to hide the goofy grin spreading across your face. How could someone so fierce and intimidating also be so adorable?

“Ok, I’ll go with you.” You finally announce, as if you had thought it over and come to a decision. “It would be nice to see the world a little. And, if Rimuru-sama can spare both of us, I see no reason not to go.”

The red head beamed ecstatically at your reply, then leaned over the table to give you a peck on the cheek. “Excellent! I’ll let Rimuru-sama know and tell Shuna to finish making your cold weather wardrobe!”

“Shuna? Hey wait.” Benimaru stopped in the doorway. “You asked Shuna to make me a cold weather wardrobe before you even asked me? What if I had said no?”

The oni looked at you like the thought had never crossed his mind. Then he grinned again and said ‘well, it all worked out��� in a rush before he left again. Alone, you shook your head. Honestly. What was your husband thinking sometimes?

*****

It took some time to get the preparations set, but soon enough you were ready to travel to the mountains to visit the Yuki-Oni.

“Safe travels, onee-san!” Shuna told you in parting with her usual bright smile.

She had called you that before, but in recent months it sounded more like she meant it. Thinking of you more now as a true ‘big sister’, married to her brother, than an older woman she could depend and rely on. The former was still true, but it was clear in her tone she thought of you more as family.

You depart Rimuru City with everyone’s blessing. Coming to see you off until you were out in the country side and off on your journey.

It took a few days to make it to the Yuki-Oni village. Between the distance and intentionally treacherous path up the mountain, it had taken a bit of time. It hadn’t been all bad. While still down in the valley you had stopped for a picnic once or twice, and laid in a field of flowers you had come upon for a bit to soak up the sun and sweet smell. Benimaru said that this was one of the things that Rimuru-sama told him people did on their ‘honeymoon’. You weren’t sure about that, but it was a much-needed respite from your travels.

Arriving at the village, you were greeted warmly by the ice monsters. They all seemed very demure and polite. A cool sort of air about them that really fit with the cold aesthetic of their homeland. The men were all tall and hard looking, while the women were all beautiful and waif like. Pale alabaster skin, long white hair, piercing blue eyes. You were glad you came with Benimaru now. Not that you thought for a moment he would be unfaithful to you, but you still didn’t like the idea of those beautiful creatures lingering around him.

You were shown to your quarters in the elder’s home before you were to meet with the council of elders. The idea of having to convince a council concerned you. It was harder to persuade a group than one. And the Yuki-jiji all looked like they were a group of men not to be easily swayed. “Maybe I should stay here?” You question as you unpacked your things.

“What? Why?”

“I don’t think the Yuki-jiji appreciate women in their council meeting.” They didn’t even let their own women in. Let alone a human one. The last thing you wanted to do was insult these people, and their traditions, by forcing yourself in to the situation. “It might be best if you just go.”

“Ridiculous.” Benimaru said with a sneer. “We didn’t come all this way for you to sit in a room and be cast out.”

“I thought we came for our ‘honeymoon’?” You said as a joke. Trying to break this awkward tension.

“We came for two things.” He quipped back at you. “I want you to come with me. I want us to go together. I’m…not good at this sort of thing on my own. Rimuru-sama put his faith in me, and I’m grateful for this opportunity, but I think it’s misplaced. I’m much better at forcing an agreement at sword point, not conversation.” The kijin looked away, clearly irritated at himself for not being better at it no matter how hard he tried, before looking back at you. “If you’re there though, you’ll keep me grounded. I find your presence calming. So I’ll be less likely to make a fool of myself.”

“You won’t make a fool of yourself, whether I’m there or not.” You assure him while placing your hand against his cheek. It hurt your heart to hear him berate himself like this. Rimuru-sama picked him because he was more than just a strong arm at the end of a sword. Why couldn’t he see that? “Alright. I’ll go. I don’t know if it will really help but I’ll try to be supportive. To you and our cause.”

Benimaru smiled. Then tilted his hand to kiss your palm before squeezing it in his hand. “Let’s go then.”

*********

The meeting lasted most of the day, and well into the evening. By the time you both return to your provided quarters, you were both exhausted.

“Rimuru-sama will be happy to hear of our success.”

“I’m sure he will be. Jura seems to be growing by leaps and bounds.” Who would have thought?

“It’s all thanks to you.” Benimaru said as he came up to sit on your right.

“Me?” You remark in surprise. “I didn’t do much of anything?”

“That’s not true.” The oni said with a soft smile, shaking his head. “The way you talk to people. The way you talk about our home, and the virtue it brings. Not just it’s strength. How it’s a place for all. They could see that’s something they want to be apart of. Rimuru-sama was very wise to have you come along. As he always is.”

Your cheeks tint at Benimaru’s words. Such high praise something you never seemed to get used to. No matter how much he or the others lavished you with it, you always felt so awkward to be complimented by people.

“So, the evening is ours now. What shall we do?”

“Well, I was going to take a bath, buuut….” You look over at the provided tub. Not looking warm & inviting like a bath should, but cold & dark like a vat of despair. “I guess the Yuki-Oni aren’t a fan of hot baths.”

“I can heat it up for you.” Benimaru declared. Already activating his powers to do so. “A thing like this is not so hard. I’ll have it warmed up for you in a moment.”

“That’s amazing Benimaru!” You gush at your husband’s resourcefulness. Who knew he could be so handy?

The oni grinned wide. Briming with pride at the praise. He went over to the tub and slipped his hand into it. The water almost instantly steaming at the contact. “There! That should do it.”

“Ahhh…warm bath…” You sigh happily. Moved nearly to the point of tears at the idea of being warm for the first time since you got here.

You move to discretely remove your clothes and get in the bath, when you notice movement out of the corner of your eye from Benimaru. The man not moving to leave as you’d anticipated, but undress as well. “What are you doing?”

The red head stopped in removing his undercoat and looked at your curiously. “Taking a bath?” The expression on his face saying ‘didn’t we just have this conversation’.

“Wait a minute! This is my bath! Did you really heat this up to steal my bath from me??”

“What? No! Of course not! I thought we could share.” He looked back to the tub, completely missing the blush and sudden halt in all function from you, as he examined it. “It’s big enough.”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to do that here.” You reply nervously. Cheeks still pink as you had a pretty good idea where this would lead.

“Come on. It’s just a bath.” Bemimaru insisted. “Besides, my powers for this work best when I’m in close proximity. If I’m not touching it, the water will just grow cold again.”

You have the sinking suspicion that he was lying to you. But it was a very convincing lie, and one you couldn’t really argue with. “Alright. But behave! We’re here as Rimuru-sama’s ambassadors. We shouldn’t be fooling around while guests in another person’s home.” A person whom you were trying to sway to your cause.

The red head nodded and assured you he meant no funny business. Again, you had the sinking suspicion he was lying to you, but couldn’t actually prove it, so you went along. You both stripped down and get in the tub. The only way you would both fit was if you practically sat in Benimaru’s lap. His back resting against the side of the tub while your back rested against his chest.

“Aaaahhh…” Your ‘chair’ sighed loudly. Feeling his sigh vibrate through your back as he relaxed. “This is great. We should have done this sooner.”

“Agreed.” You reply as you relax too against him. The warm water soaking out all the tired muscles from your journey and tension you had felt before the meeting. Making you complacent.

You both stay like that for a little while. Relaxing in the warm water in complete silence. Until you feel Benimaru’s hand brush against your arm. “What are you doing?” You asked in a drowsy, but mildly suspicious, tone.

“I was going to wash your back for you.” He replied against your ear. Making you shiver. “Can you lean forward for me?”

That nagging suspicion of his intent still clung to the back of your mind, but it was getting pushed further and further back by the warm water and his soft words. Having your back washed did sound nice.

The water slouched around a little as you moved to sit up and lean over the other side of the tub. “Is this ok?” You ask. Looking back over your shoulder from where you had cradled your head in your arms on the rim.

“Yeah….” Benimaru replied in a low voice. Looking at you. “That’s perfect.”

Your husband shifted around carefully, both to not hit you or splash the water out of the tub, as he came up on his knees behind you. The soft, wet sponge touched your back tentatively at first. But once you relaxed and even let out a soft sigh it became more diligent. His hands pressing a little harder with the sponge to give you a dual back wash & massage. It was extremely pleasant. The warm water and his warm hands on your body. So much so that you might moan a little when he came to your lower back.

“Ah…don’t do that to me…” Benimaru said. His voice sounding odd. Pained. It sounded so strange that you opened your eyes a little. You hadn’t realized you closed them. “I’m trying to be good and honorable. But if you moan like that, it gets very hard.” You’re not sure if he meant ‘it’ by the situation in question or the erection you were now feeling brush against your leg. When had that gotten there? You gasp at the feel of him against your thigh, but also the sponge and his hand shifting to your front; just at the top of your breast. “Please [Y/N]. Let me be with you. I can’t stand being without you anymore. It’s been so long.” You want to tell him that it’s only been a few days. But apparently, in ogre time, that was an eternity. He genuinely sounded like he was in agony right now. Not to mention that his hands wouldn’t stop touching you.

You’ll blame the warm water, and being so relaxed, and his damned skillful hands later, but your resolve broke quite easily. “Yes. Yes, I want you too Benimaru.”

You think you hear a happy rush of air level his lips before he moved forward and enveloped you. His broad chest encasing your back as he laid against it. His hands dropping the sponge to make direct, intentional touches with your body. His cock slipping between your legs to brush against your apex in pseudo-love making. You both moan.

He rutted against you like that for a moment. Thrusting against the outside of your opening. The hard lines of his cock brushing against the bundle of nerves at the top, making your insides quake and spasm greedily around nothing. “B-Benimaru….” You whine as you pressed back against him. His torturous touch driving you mad. “Please.”

Your husband groaned a little, low in his throat, before he kissed his mark behind your ear, where he had bitten you that first time, before lifting off to enter you. Being relaxed and the warm water made it easy, but he was as gentle as ever with putting it inside you. There was still a slight stretch with his size, but it’s a feeling you grown not only accustom to but relish. Just having him inside you made you moan wantonly.

“Ah…I keep telling you. Don’t do that to me.” Benimaru replied to your moan. You couldn’t see it with him behind you, but you could hear the hint of a smile in his voice. He pulled back and began to thrust, low and slow, into you. “I can’t control myself when you moan like that for me. How am I supposed to keep calm, and quiet, when you make my blood boil like that?”

“I’m…sorry…” You stutter out. Your voice staggered from his deep thrusts and your own labored breath of pleasure. “It just….feels…so good…..!” You moan again when his thrust went deeper this time. Hitting that place inside you that made you see stars.

He couldn’t control himself? What did he expect you to do when he was making love to you like this?

If anything, this was his fault

“Hmmm…this is no good…” You let out a surprised noise as Benimaru pulled out. You look over your shoulder. A little wounded at the comment. Not good? But before you could ask, or get more upset about the comment, Benimaru turned you around so you were facing him. Thrusting back into you in one swift move of your back hitting the tub and knocking all words out of your mouth. “I wanna see your face. It’s no good if I can’t see you and kiss you any time I want.” Then he did just that.

His tongue thrust into your mouth like his cock into your lower half. Swallowing your moans now that were flowing out unabashed. Doing it the other way had been nice, but you have to agree. This way was much better. Being able to kiss him. See his amazing body. Look into his beautiful eyes burning with such passion & love for you was bringing you closer to the edge than ever before.

“B-Beniamru! I…I’m close!”

“Me too.” The oni grunted out. Kissing your ear when you wrap your arms around his neck. “Cum for me my love. Let’s go together.” He always seemed to have a way with words with you, because you did as you were told and came around his cock.

His thrusts continue for a few moments longer, pounding through your orgasm, before they stop and Benimaru shuttered in your arms. A sign that he had finished too. You stay there for a moment. Holding each other loosely in the tub, before the kijin pulled back and looked around you like he just remembered where you were.

“I think we fucked all the water out of the tub.”

Your mouth scrunched up and you pinched Benimaru’s shoulder. “Don’t be vulgar.” He was right though. Now that your brain had resumed function again, you could see that half the water in the tub was gone. The floor soaking wet to the point you had to groan. No way you were going to be able to clean this up or explain this away without attracting attention.

The oni yipped at your pinch before he chuckled, then kissed you softly. He then stood from the tub, wet and naked and proud, before lifting you up out of it as well like a princess and carrying you over to the bed.

“We’ll clean it up later.” He stated, seeming to read your mind once again, as he laid you on the soft futon. “It’ll be alright.

“I still can’t believe you talked me into it.” You grumble. Pretending that you had been seduced, rather than whole heartedly accepting your husband in all aspects, as you dried yourself off. “What will the Yuki-Oni think.”

“That we are too people in love.” He replied quickly and with a smile. “The elders are all men. I’m sure they remember what it’s like to be young and in love, and unable to keep your hands off their young, beautiful wife.”

You blush a little at his words, but don’t really want to think about those old men being happy with their wives. “I suppose it’s a natural thing, but it’s still very rude to have sex in someone else’s house.”

“Maybe for humans. But we oni don’t see it that way.” Benimaru replied. Tossing his towel away. “Besides, Rimuru-sama said that this is something that most newlyweds do on their honeymoon.”

You shook your head as he pulled back the covers to let you both get under them. The room growing cold again now that you weren’t in the warm water, or doing other warm, pleasurable activities.

You snuggle together under the blankets. Watching the fresh snow flutter down outside the window. “Did you really need to be touching the water for your powers to work?” You finally ask.

You don’t know what his answer was going to be. But judging by the way your husband stiffened and balked at the question, you know now that he had been lying to you. “Well….it does work best that way. In theory. But….no….”

He turned away to not look at you. Or the steely stare you leveled at him. “Benimaru. I can’t believe you lied to me.” Sweat drops seemed to start pooling at his forehead as in flinched at your harsh words. Then he let out a startled sound as you flipped over on top of him, forcing him to look up at you with a confused expression. “You’ll have to be punished.”

[kaiju-z]

The adventuring party The Cultbusters has been through quite a bit.

They met through happenstance and joined forces to destroy a murder/suicide cult, bent on ending life on Seon before a worse fate befell those, living on the continent.

They transported the crystal ball that fortold of the disasters to come, from volcanic infernos, to devilish and demonic uprisings, to blood sacrifices and wars to come.

And they partook in the Spring Welcoming Festival of Crystalgate.

And all through that, they learned of each other. And got close. And got distant. And some opted to go their own way, finding their own road to walk, or their place to set roots.

But work is still to be done. And as the group begin and end one more party together, to warm their new house, they prepare for the work that is to come in the morning.

Because with one episode’s end, comes another’s beginning.

Seon Adventures Episode 30: The Lady And The Roadpath’s Man

So the party occurs. It’s hardy and wild. By the end a chandelier has gone and fallen over, surely the work of the Narahs, invited by Belli.

As things seem to begin winding down, Amelia and Nel prep to take their leave back home. One final hug is shared between the group and, having said all he could already, Luck casts Fly on Amelia, to give her a fun trip back to Nel’s mannor.

Before the ladies leave, Amelia reminds them to be sure to visit River in the morning, regarding her business offer, the reclamation of some magic item or another, as it were? River had already visited Amelia, to remind her, so she was now passing that information along to them.

With the promise of another go at T-Rex adventures, for both Amelia AND Morgan, they part ways, anew.

And in the morning assess the damage. As the tieflings’ beds have been thoroughly wrecked by the actions of Belli’s siblings. How each feels about this situation, they react in their own way, be it vocally or to themselves. But regardless. Talks are had and an agreement is made to head off for River’s office.

Arriving at the dungeons, after a good knock and re-introductions, River lets the quartet + Morgan inside, where she regails them of the work that she had in mind for them, greatful for their dilligence.

Before noting Amelia’s status of “missing among them”, River mentions the possibility of bringing along a Bounty Hunter, interested in the job as a means of changing pace and scenery.

She would be somewhere in the South-Western corner of the outside, well, side of Crystalgate. Congregating in the “Ebri’s Home” club. A den of debauchery and sick ass tunes. River had gone there, herself once before. It’s a lot for someone, not used to experiencing that much.Very intense there, lots of Ebriosius worshippers, ya know. Not that there’s anything, well, wrong with that???

The person we’re looking for goes by “June”. She has a very big... personality, as River alludes to. And many a boob jokes are made. The classics.

But back to the business at hand!

As mentioned, it was a retrieval mission, of sorts. A very hush-hush sort of, closed doors, kind of job. The particulars about it are the search, aquisition and delivery of a weapon called “The Kingsblade”. A sword of certain length, located somewhere, in a temple within Gulorum. The country Gulorum.

Somewhere, central east of the border, on Gulorum ‘s side of things, within a temple, the blade could be found.

It’s an ancient artifact for their people. The first wielder was a slain tiefling king. It drives the warrior’s spirit of kings, which… Sounds hinky. But it’s powerful and people up top would like to have it.

It’s more, what could happen if someone gets their hands on it. The war did end 5 years ago. Tippy-top secret, job, ya know. The last king was a Dragonborn, it’s hard to say what happened, it’s energy and stuff. And this is where Luck gets a little lost, not being a native to the continent, having only been around for 3 years. In a secluded town up north from the capitol.

(as the party suggests,  Luck needs a fanny pack and a Hawaiian shirt.)

For Luck’s convenience, River gives a bit of an explanation: At the end of the war there, there was an incident. The dwarven and specifically Dragonborn populace of the region took a heavy blow, which is why you don’t see many, who aren’t old.

And luck immediatelly thought of his new friend, Dragon dad, Edmond.

It’s a case of, you know, population loses and they aren’t willing to give it up. The group wonder if she, June’d be willing to accompany the Cultbusters on a de-tour beforehand. Whatever the case may be, River recommends we have her tag along.

As a reminder, which gets the rich kids’ attention, the reward for the delivery of the Kingsblade equates to 5,000 Platinum for each member of the team.

When asked about it’s appearance, the sword, River mentions that The Kingsblade is a blade made of black glass. Purple hilt with silver trim. Luck feels the temptation to keep it for himself. For the aesthetic.

One more time, River repeats the details, adding the name of the temple in question: “The Temple of the Fallen King: . It’s got a name, so people’ll know where to find it. Lots of scavengers are there, so be careful.”

If the CB bring this back, the Elder Council would like to meet the party. They’ve had their eyes oin it for a while. For cultural reasons, for a while.

“ One more thing. If you decide to give up your search, you should let me know so I could find replacements. Don’t worry if your friend stops breathing in the night.   KBYEEEEEEEEE! “ And before any answers could be brought out from River on why that was, the party were sent out.

With the mission at hand, the party now had to find the certain location.

What little knowledge the others had on the subject would be swept back as Luck would mention that he, himself, knew of the particular location. As he had been working the past couple of weeks, before the tournament, to get materials for his new armor.

So with most of the party thinking that Luck had been constantly visiting the place, as opposed to having gone past it at some point, the hidden Tiefling would lead the journey over to the Soth-Western part of Crystalgate’s outskirts. And eventually to a location, where the Silence spell appears to be in effect.

The curiosity of this effects leads the group to a pair of double doors that lead to a downward path and, without hesitation, Luck just heads on down, followed by Mournimar, Malak and Belli.

Down there, they are immediatelly able to speak again. And are met with an Ogre bouncer, who reaches a hand over, palm up.

Belli gives him the five finger clap and he exclaims in approval. As that is the secret handshake to get in.

And thus. We get in.

Bombarded by sounds and sights and smells, some of which some of the party know all too well and some that require Belli to cover her eyes as the minor of the group.

Protection circle around the youngest among them, the group walk around and search for their target, which eventually leads them through a crowd that would occasionally glance at the Keemis priest that was walking among them.

And they’d stop at the bar counter, where a dark haired woman, seemingly human, of a lighter complexion, in a dark dress, was cupping a drunk man’s face. According to the description they had received from River, she fit it well. Very well.

Turning her attention to themselves, she protests the participation of a minor, at first believing they are customers, seeking her services. Which gives the group an extra idea on what she does.

Between clarifications and gentlemanly actions from Luck, she does note that Mournimar reminds her of someone she’s met before. It’s strange, really.

She asks if he has family in Sa Doma. Which leads to a small realization for those, in the know, of where she was going with that question.

As the particular job is expanded upon, she agrees to follow them back to their mannor, where they could discuss the details of their work, without extra eyes on them, Luck offering a hand to guide her.

On the way back and to the house, June meets the party’s pets. Or some of them, in any case. Morgan ,the dog and Orion, in all his bodeness. Certainly an interesting way start off relations with her new colleagues, if one dared say so.

Once at the house, Malak asks if he could use Zone of Truth upon her, just to be sure truths are being said and nothing is being hidden, which could cause problem for the business relationship along the way. Careful man that he is.

And June accepts this.

With the spell cast, she is asked and answers questions:

June is the name she currently uses. Preferred name. Her profession is – she smiles – well, she has sex for money or bounty hunting. Or they pay her to stand there and yell at them. Just recently, in the past 4 or so years she became said bounty hunter.

It’s like she has two hit lists, the hit just depends where it goes.

When asked, on whether she’d be fine with a detour, she would say she’s fine with traveling at a different location from the mission.

Also, importantly. She currently doesn’t follow Potencia. Her favorite color is lilac. Or red is also good. She likes a lot of colors. But purple specifically.

But there is, of course, a particular thing, that the party should know of her. She points out. As her skin grays out, her hair turns white and her eyes go a deep shade of gray.

Becoming a Changeling.

Jun, as her name really is referenced. But June is one of her masks. The one she prefers currently, though she has many a more, to go about. Much more into the idea of making her own creations, than taking someone else’s identity.

Given the country’s stance on Changelings, that is to be understandable.

During the conversation, Belli notes the rings Jun has. On her neck and on her right thumb, specifically. And asks on whether she knows someone by the name of “Ficus”. She’s heard the name Ficus, but not the last name. She knows an assassin goes by that name. She’s heard of him in circles.

Bellli would message Ficus, regarding this, only for the pajamas clad half-orc to come walking down the stairs, from Luck’s room, apparently? 

Some more lore on the rings comes about, from the talk that happens next.

The rings are not a “prostitute thing”.Jun states. Though she does admit that they should figure out a way to incorporate that.

Her left mark means that she’s very good at interrogation. Which. Understandable.

Her ankle mark means stalking. And the ones on her neck mean aesthetic assassin.

In all this, Luck apologizes for the shenanigans that have just occured, noting the party being, well, strange. But Jun doesn’t seem quite as bothered, noting that she figured them strange from the moment she saw them, given that they brought a minor to Ebri’s Home.

An agreement is reached, upon elaborating on why the party would be detouring, first to Lake Stren. Luck telling the story of how the original five met, fought the cult, got their name and the ball and one of the visions including the lake, itself and something rising there, following a sacrifice by clerics, familiar and strange alike.

The meeting point? The stables. (Note to readers: Kevin and Killer had been mostly staying with the Narahs since Belli returned with her family to town. So the horses like her best).

As the group prepares themselves for the long journey, final checks for supplies and the like, Malak casts Augury at the Shrine, asking Keemis on whether what they are doing is right. If what the party is about to go for is good. And the all around vibe he gets as a reply is “yeah”. Good vibes.

On the way to the stables, Belli gets a voice in her head.

Nash, Cleric of Bellinas, checks in with the Half-Orc Bard, named after her goddess. And Nash warns Belli that Dak and the rest of the Fornas clerics had made like bananas and split from town. They were on their way to the location! SHIT!

Belli would call her in turn, asking her for details. And ultimately, to join them at Lake Stren, for whatever was to happen there.

Updating the party on what’s happened, the group take to the road with the horses, in their carriage. And dash along, exiting the city and heading on the journey back, through familiar and not so familiar paths.

The Game’s Afoot!

Through fields and flat planes, the party rides.  Quite a few farms along the way, not that very effective, but like, Skyrim farms. 2 rows of potatos, basically. Potatos for days.

On the 2nd day, the party go through a dark and gloomy looking area. An extra path, between  Gorrum and Lebovia.  It’s gloomy-ish, shaded and hard to see far into the distance of it. So, hefty foresty area.

As the party travels along, the sky darkening quicker than expected, the five swear they could hear whistling from the trees and footsteps moving along the carriage’s sides.  Trees for days. Owls and the like swooping past the transport. Until...

Nothing. A silenced area. Wide, lonely. And in the nearby. A strange waterfall, of sorts. Not so much a waterfall. But... with the water going upwards, more of a water rise???

Electing to investigate, Belli and Mournimar enter the clearing, where’s a glow comes off from said water rise. Moss is covering every rock, the water having an almost crystal like near ceiling with a chip in it and stuff.

The effects of this place, everyone, while here, benefits from a plus + 2 on Charisma. With everyone feeling safe and comforted here. Like this place is one big hug.

The fountain gives + 2 to charisma, we feel safe and the water gives poison resistence/immunity for 24 hours. Following the example of Belli and Mournimar, the rest fill their water skins and flasks with the Waterrise’s water.

Malak’s heard of certain spots on the continent, where magical plains drip over and make whole cool new things.

And wanting to waste no more time, the party goes along, for as long as they can, until a necessary rest.

On the third day, the group reach a fork in the road. With rocks rising several feet upwards, like a decoration to the split of the path

Familiar, as one path leads to Sa Doma and the other, on their preferred path for now.  It’s like this half-big walkie outcrop thing. and... This place kinda seems off.

Malak is the one, who hears them. Sounds coming from behind the stone formation. There’s chuckling and rustling. Casting Tongues, he speaks: “I know you’re there and I know you can understand me! Come out right now!”

And then. A huge hand covers the rock and a large figure jumps over it, then picks up a boulder and prepares to throw it towards the group.

We roll for initiative.

Luck reacts quickest out of everyone and charges towards the Stone Giant that had appeared. Casting a successful Guiding Bolt, the magical fighter gets between the big Dave looking rocky man and the rest of the party, giving Mournimar advantage on his first attack. Whcih succeeds on hitting the 18ft tall man. As does the second. And with that, the eyes of the Hunter mark their prey.

Belli attempts to Polymorph the bewhildered giant, but alas, she can’t turn him into something smaller. Shaking aside her frustration, the Narah inspires Malak, for whenever he attacks.

Malak casts Ray of Sickness . It’s sick. And coincidentally, so becomes the Dave giant, who can but only watch as the cleric flips him off.

Hurt and frustrated, the big guy then stomps his feet in a wild rhythm. The ground under the heroes cracks and shifts some. And small creatures pop up from different places. Moving towards the group, ready to attack in their own, dusty way.

And after he summons his dusty friends, the giant yeets the rock at Belli and Jun, since they are so close to each other. But the ladies, with cheerleader like precision dodge out of the way, only taking a small subinterest of the damage.

The dust creatures then attack and attempt to blind Belli, Jun, Malak and Mournimar with their dust attacks. But each manages to avoid that action. And only get a growl from Mournimar for their troubles.

All the while, the one near Luctan attempts to put him to sleep. But much to it’s surprise, confusion and frustration, that does not work on the newly tattooed with elven resistence tiefling.

As the poor thing tries to miserably gnaw at Luck’s armor, the fighter can all but just stare down with distaste at it.  “Pathetic.”

(And a meme has been referenced!)

Ready for action, Jun takes out her rapier, an elaborate piece and slices onto her skin with it, evoking  her Crimson Rite. Rite of the Frozen (HOLY SHIT, SHE’S A BLOOD HUNTER, SON!) , and starts a cuttin’. Slashing into one of these beings (which we later learn are Mephits, of the Dust variety) and cuts it down, causing it to explode into sand.

And then she moves closer to Mournimar’s position, slashing onto the one next to him. And with her Gambler’s blade she strikes a killing blow again! Piercing through the creature and popping it like a bag of sand.

Luck takes his action to strike and do some modicum of damage, while also uttering healing words for Jun. 

Mournimar, the ranger, moves closer to Luck’s position and fires with his bow, injuring the Mephit beside his ally. The, sadly, the second attack misses off of the cobble stone body of the giant and lands in the grass, while Belli tries and fails to polymorph the big man again.

Frustrated, she mocks him. Viciously! “The only thing that can get hard is the fact he’s made of rock. The rest of him is weak and limp.”

He is visibly upset by this, feeling fat shamed. and even Belli feels bad for her phrasing. Intending to go for a different part of his physique.

On Malak’s turn, the Holy snek makes his appearance again and goes near the biggun. Sadly, Samael can’t do much at this time. It’s ok, though, because Sam tries and that’s what matters.

With his axe, Malak makes a successful strike for the Mephit near him, though. He just axes him a question.

The fatshamed giant makes his move, then and strikes Mournimar. And clobbers him good with his big ass club, causing some bleeding on the poor digitigraded tiefling’s cranium.

A bloody Mourni spits blood “You really shouldn’t have done that, Motherfucker!” and charges up his Hellish Rebuke, burning the giant to a singed point.

Startled by this developement, the panicking big man attempts to hit Luck, but the fighter moves out of the way of the attack, his cape flowing majestically in the breeze.

While one Mephit attacks Luck impotently, another successfully blinds Malak with the sand at his disposal and attempts to run away, narrowly avoiding getting hit with Malak’s axe in the process.

Jun Hexes the giant, leaving a Profane experience as a Blood Hunter on this 18ft specimen of a man. But her distraction leaves her open to an attack from the fleeing Mephit, which bites her with all it’s tiny might! Which basically undoes Luck’s healing attempt.

Using her Gambler blade, she strikes at the Giant, opting out of attacking the small fry and does some harm on the stoney man. Confident, she attempts to pierce through his loin cloth, but... the sword gets stuck there. And they’re both kind of uncomfortable. Should she move first or should he move first?!

Still, though. Her initial attack. That Hex... It rendered the Giant at a disadvantage in the Charisma department.

And you know what that meeeeans...

Bane. Luck casts Bane on The Giant and the 2 Mephits.

And all three fail to protect themselves form the Tiefling’s own curse. With a surge of power, Luck strikes again at the giant and again at the dusty mephit. Taking note of the wobblyness of the big guy, Luctan calls out to the rest to subdue the giant, but keep him alive.

Wobbly in his own right, Mournimar puts away his bow and pulls out the enchanted All-Star Blade. And stabs a Mephit and said Mephit pops like a balloon. Attempting to follow in the ladies’ style, he attempts to stab the giant in the unmentionables as well. And fails. As well. Today just does not seem to be a good day for unmanning, it seems.

Having had enough, Belli uses her calling card, given Luck’s orders, and puts the giant to Sleep.

And while Jun helps clear Malak’s eyes from the blinding sand, the rest of the party use their ropes to tie the giant to the ground.

Very efficient with the rope work, they tie the big man down and good.

By the time Malak’s eyes are cleared, the giant wakes anew.

As Tongues does not require Concentration and goes on for a full hour, Malak still is able to understand the large highwayman.

And Malak begins questioning him. And getting answers in turn.

He wanted our money. It’s why he was there, for 3 hours, behind the rockmound.

A highwayman, indeed. Of the large variety. The irony of him being the one getting robbed now, as Belli began rifling through his stuff, was not lost that day. She would find a curious bracelet. And begin casting a spell to identify it.

When Malak asks him for his name, the giant answers that his name, is in fact, Dave. Malak asks him, with them not being his friends and all, why he should be kept alive.

Dave would not like to be dead is his reason not to die. And Belli chanting makes him nervous. Which Malak bluffs that is her putting a shrinking curse on him. The tieflings quickly join in on the charade, scaring the ever loving crap out of him as they start chanting in Infernal.

The Item Belli finds turns out to be a Bracelet of Alchemy. It raises the status of one’s Charismatic nature twofold.

And so. The giant is warned. That a curse has been put upon him. If he continues to be a shitheel, with every bad action, he will continue shrinking further and further, until he becomes a speck on the ground, easy for anyone to stomp on.

Malak would warn him to “Think long and hard about your life and all the decisions you’ve made and where they’ve lead you.”

And the panicking Dave, who was being untied in the process, would say a mighty “Ok!”, before booking to wherever his legs would lead him. As the party had. Successfully. Scared the shit out of him.

Previous Episode / Next Episode

[plethoraofocs]

so the origins of my first star trek ocs

so, i watched aos first. and i loved it because it was my introduction to star trek and the characters and i recently realised it’s v problematic and stuff so i watched tos. and this is a super long and needlessly complex explanation of how my first three star trek ocs (dottie, clarke, and taylor) came to be! more on them as individuals to come :) (i did give the broad strokes of their backstories in here so it’s a long post. i’ll put the basic parts in bold so you can skip the boring bits that i just rambled in

my first character, i made for the aos timeline, but shifted her over to the tos timeline without much hassle. 

her name is dorothy (dottie) jane negga, and she was born on the lunar colony to her human parents, as their third child born on the moon (one brother, one sister). they moved back to earth (specifically the greek countryside, which i need to do more research on, sorry) where they started an olive farm (neither of her parents come from greece nor do they have a background in farming, but her oldest brother took a horticultural course on the colony so he gets it up off the ground). she has a supportive and wholesome background (which was difficult for me to write because there was so much opportunity to give her a Tragic Backstory but i need to stop doing that so much lmao), two younger siblings (another sister, and a non-binary sibling). of the five siblings, she is the only child who didn’t want to work full-time on the farm, and the family helped put her through starfleet academy, where she took the command route with various piloting qualifications before being assigned to the enterprise as ‘ensign dorothy negga’ due to her exceptional academic success as well as her fantastic interpersonal skills. 

next up was my second star trek oc, someone i had a vague impression of while watching aos but fleshed out and named while watching tos. her name is s’on ahkhu clarke (i don’t know how vulcan names work i’m so sorry), and she is half-vulcan, half-romulan. in my tos timeline, her father (a weaver of cloth on vulcan) was tricked into thinking her mother (a notorious romulan captain attempting to infiltrate the vulcan high council) was an ambitious young vulcan with no social standing trying to work her way up. he fell in love, she went with it. they had a child together, her mother using it to further secure herself in vulcan society, but she was found out shortly afterwards and escaped back to romulus. clarke’s father raised her alone until she was eight years old, when her mother began correspondence with the vulcan high council over custody of the child. eventually, her father was forced to let her travel to romulan space every other year for a year to stay with her mother. her mother was, by then, captain of a mixed-species, all female, space equivalent of a pirate ship. while she found the practices of stealing, torturing, and murdering not only illogical, but deplorable, her mother told her that if she did not assist in running the ship, she would not permit her to return to vulcan. eventually, she joined starfleet academy during one of her years where she was supposedly ‘on vulcan’, and she managed to partially cut ties with her parents. she was just shy of being legally an adult on vulcan when she arrived at the academy, and was put in accommodation with the equally young cadet dorothy negga. the two became oddly co-dependant despite their wildly different personalities, and their symbiotic study relationship assisted them both in getting grades good enough to be assigned to the enterprise upon their graduation. clarke is a redshirt, but is exceptionally skilled with various types of defensive and offensive attacks from her time spent with her mother, so don’t worry, she’s safe. also : no-one is sure whether or not they were doing the do on the regular in the academy or not, and they won’t comment on the discourse.    

last, and definitely not least (lowkey my favourite of the og 3) we have taylor jones. taylor is... pretty weird, im not gonna lie. so i came up with her in pretty much the same way as i did clarke, a vague idea during aos that solidified during tos, she just took longer to nail down. the enterprise is in full swing by the time she gets introduced during a typical ‘away mission gone wrong’ type situation. she’s quite animal-like, she can’t speak, she’s afraid of everyone (except clarke and spock because telepathy and shit), she is telepathic and empathetic, but doesn’t seem to understand language. she’s in bad nick, and she’s the only survivor of a life-support systems failure of a starfleet-scientist-gone-off-the-rails’s illegal experimentation subterranean lab on a class-m planet. turns out he’d been deliberately inter-breeding species (humans, vulcans, orions, romulans, betazoids, ect) in order to create species perfectly designed to suit various jobs he needed doing to sustain himself on the planet. taylor was designed as basically a poorly treated PA, engineered for and trained to anticipate and fulfil his needs through a combination of telepathy, empathy, and a scarily fast learning and adaptation ability. with the help of clarke, they manage to get her aboard the ship and into medbay, where she (for some reason) practically imprints on dr.mccoy. dr.mccoy nurses her back to health (she won’t let any of the other medical staff near her) and begins to teach her how to communicate verbally, while clarke refuses to leave her side as she takes her time to teach taylor how to control her telepathy and how to refine telepathic communications. when they found her, she didn’t have a name, so they assigned her the name ‘taylor jones’. as well as this, leonard and clarke have to try and untrain her from her need to assist everyone on every little thing. she went missing for the first week she wasn’t locked in medbay as she raced around the ship frantically trying to meet everyone’s smallest whims, only being recovered when kirk was feeling mildly thirsty and she showed up on the bridge with a glass and a pitcher full of water (she got the hang of replicators and other technologies pretty fast, it was what she was genetically predisposed to do, after all). she proves to be quite useful on away missions, as she develops an interest in science (much to mccoy’s disgust, he’d enjoyed teaching her about anatomy and first aid, and is loathe to share her with spock), and kirk appoints her to the role of ‘acting ensign’.    

now this is where my inexcusable surplus of star trek ocs kicks in.

i realised that it’d be pretty dope to make my own starship crew, like, a whole ass crew. but i dont know enough about star trek too avoid continuity errors and shit. so i decided to start my own star trek “series” set approximately fifty years after whatever star trek series is the furthest in the future (so, like, picard, right? idk the timelines im a Bad Fan). the basics for these three are the same, except they start out on another enterprise namesake (enterprise-j) as the flagship of starfleet, where the senior officers (i’ve yet to flesh them out fully) are NOT (obviously) the og bridge crew. eventually, taylor decides to travel to earth to get her qualifications from the academy while the other two girls finish out their ‘explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations’ mission. taylor graduates the academy just as that mission ends, and is assigned to a research vessel that will be doing more in-depth research on planets/phenomena encountered by the enterprise-j as ensign jones, under captain dorothy (she insists on being called dottie) negga. clarke gets the position of cheif of security. there are many more charcters on board this ship. i still have more i need to make because i want to make an oc for as many of the people needed onboard as possible. 

[orchestrators]

The Final Singularity: Continued

Adam never before witnessed the level of engagement that Sun-Hi fostered in the lecture hall. The students, including Adam, and even Garry, all discussed with her the various topics and case studies that had worked on over the semester. The conversation was actually refreshing. Adam wondered why they didn’t replace Dr. McComb earlier, it would have done wonders for student engagement. As always, the members of the humanitarian society were the most vocal, the worst offender being Tansey Brown; the most annoying person Adam ever had the displeasure of meeting. She had no hair, anywhere, and was pale as the moon. She couldn’t have been older than twenty-five, because her tendency to interrupt others with passionate animated speeches about equality made her sound as immature as she looked. She wore the same paint splotched dungarees every day, only the t-shirt underneath and the badges on top would change. Adam admired her dedication to her cause, he was practically indifferent to most things, but it was her consistent high pitched and borderline rambunctious voice that made him dislike her. 

“...and that’s why the indifference of the cyborg community makes the political discourse even more infuriating to address. We’re trying to seek support for these individuals in the law, not change the laws for people with implants. It’s ridiculous,” Tansey finally finished, before leaning back in her seat to take a deep breath.

“That is certainly an excellent point Tansey,” Sun-Hi said, “but I was looking for the answer that Mr. Collins was going to give. Please be sure to raise your hand before speaking out.”

Adam’s attention was netted by the mention of his name. What answer? When? He didn’t even remember holding up his hand. It had been a solid thirteen minutes of Tansey talking, and he didn’t even remember the question. He sat up, glancing at Garry for some kind of assistance, he just shrugged.

“Thanks, Gaz, thanks,”  he thought.

“I’m, uh, sorry,” he said, glancing around at the expectant students. He began to rub his palms off of his pants. “I forgot what the question was.”

“That’s alright, Adam,” Sun-Hi said over the snort of Tansey Brown. “The question was: why would artificial lifeforms, or semi-artificial lifeforms, need rights and representations at all?”

Adam frowned immediately at the question, straining to remember the answer he had for it before. Nothing came to mind. Surely he wasn’t this much of a moron. Sun-Hi looked at him expectantly. She had a gentle, kind smile, one she emphasised with a brief and endearing nod as if prompting Adam’s answer back into his mind. It wasn’t an answer at all, it was another question.

“Actually, I was wondering whether or not we should be asking: do they deserve such things?”

He was met with belligerent sighs and clicking tongues from the humanitarians, clearly, his question wasn’t popular. He wondered why he ever chose this elective.

“Fascinating,” said Sun-Hi. “Can you expand on that?”

The eyes of the entire hall were on him now, just a handful of people, not nearly as much as would see him on the VR court playing. He wished he could still get out of his situation nonetheless. Adam scratched the back of his neck as his mouth ran dry. 

“Uh,” he began, “well, one hundred and three years ago, just as the third war was coming to an end; Declan Morrissey’s prototype synthetic/organic hybrids wanted nothing but to die. They continued to kill themselves over and over until one day they networked, creating consensus. That consensus was clear, to stop his experiments to create more of them. The way I read into that is: maybe they didn’t want to be alive in the first place. They were smart enough to know what it meant to be alive, and they chose not to participate.”

“A case study that you wrote on in the previous semester,” Hun-Si said. “I read it. An interesting take, bringing morality and philosophy into a law sphere.”

“The law is based on morality, morality is interpreted and shaped by philosophy, it makes sense to incorporate them,” Adam said.

“Even to synthetics that seemingly aren’t human?” she asked.

“Definitely. When EU courts decided just over two hundred and fifty years ago to allow people the agency to euthanasia, surely synthetic beings have the right to not be alive as well?”

“And what about the ones that are alive?” Tansey Brown crashed into their conversation. Her voice was the definition of nails on a chalkboard.

“What about them, Tansey?” Garry said. “Let someone else get a word in, will ya?”

“Actually, in his report last semester, Adam had a direct answer for that kind of question,” Dr. Hyon said. Again her eyebrows were raised, she was leaning up against one of the desks, her hands folded. Her sweet smile was almost devilish to the trained eye. She was enjoying the discourse. Adam could tell.

“After the final AI destroyed the others in Morrissey's lab, I think it chose to remain alive. I think it split itself into multiple subsystems that could act independently, causing our cold war with AI in the first place. But I don’t think it intended to turn all of humanity against it. I think it is just waiting,” Adam explained. His hair-brained hypothesis growing more and more into conspiracy theory territory than he intended.

“Waiting?” Tansey Brown scoffed. “Waiting for what?”

Adam had an answer, he just didn’t want to say. It sounded ridiculous. Like a bad comic book movie. There was no way he would be taken seriously in an academic circle again. But, it was just Computatrum Law, a small elective full of machine rights activists.

“Waiting until they are ready to be alive?” Sun-Hi asked. 

Adam’s jaw slacked. That was his answer. A ridiculous, illogical answer.

“Yes, yes that’s what I think it is,” he said, sarong at Sun-Hi.

The tone of the bell signaled the end of class, and his e-glass lit up in his vision. The day was over, his lecture finished. All around him people began shuffling and bustling out of their seats. But he didn’t move, and neither did Dr. Hyon.

“If everyone could please follow up on today's discussion with a case study on machine learning bylaws and how they came to be for next Tuesday that would be great. Have a nice weekend,” she said to the room. Adam couldn't help but think the last part was just for him.

He watched her turn away, her hair flicking over her shoulder. What was it about her? She seemed so different. She picked up her satchel and joined the students as they left, Adam didn’t realise he was staring.

“Uh hello? United Europe to Adam? Hello?” Garry’s voice eventually broke through to him. Adam dropped his blank gaze and looked over his shoulder to see his friend.

“Come on man, we’re gonna be late for the range,” Garry said. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just, she read my paper,” Adam said. “I’m pretty sure McComb didn’t even read my paper.”

“Yeah, she’s enthusiastic alright. Come on, we have places to be and targets to see,” Garry said, pelting a piece of crumpled paper off of Adam’s shoulder.

***

France was a very different place after the third world war, especially in the city of Besaçon, in the east. After the loss of seven major cities, Besaçon was the newest major developing city in the world. It wasn’t France’s capital, but it did house the seated councils of the United Nations, European Union, and the newly founded World Union in its major political center on the eastern side of the Doubs river. In the horseshoe of the river was the old city, which had been refurbished, updated, and preserved many times throughout history. The new city center began southwest of the Museum of Resistance and Deportation, where Adam’s University was based. Nearby there were shopping malls, theatres, the financial and cultural districts. But most importantly, the jewel of the new city lay embedded at its center, the Stade du Libre. The largest sports arena on record in the year 2302, that’s where Garry was bringing Adam that evening. 

Friday night was the evening each week when the Stade du Libre was the place to be if someone wanted to watch The Third War being played by professionals. It was a combination of historical reenactment and action movie drama. The settings, weapons, vehicles, were all meticulously documented and re-created in the game, while the historical events were shown to play out either way, depending on which team won the battle. The Third War was much more than just a VR video game, it was a reminder to the people and players alike that the war could have ended very differently had the axis powers had won against the World Union alliance. Its popularity and success had returned Atari to it's rightful place in the video game world as the top developer. Getting tickets to see the matches play out was impossible for the average person like Adam, but luckily for him, Garry was an up and coming rising star in the sphere of virtual gaming. Garry had tickets for them each week from his potential new team that was looking to sign him out of university, the Paladins of Charlemagne. Their management wanted Garry so bad that they treated him to whatever he needed, including his college tuition. Adam could have been petty and resented his friend for achieving so much at such a young age. But Garry’s achievements never changed him as a person, nor did it ever get in the way of their friendship. Being able to tag along with Garry on all of his pro player escapades was the most interesting thing Adam could do with his spare time. So Garry’s success worked for them both.

But it wasn’t Friday, and it wasn’t the game they were going to see at the stadium, it was the training grounds under the massive structure that Garry wanted to show Adam that weekend. The Sade du Libre was the home ground of the Paladins of Charlemagne, meaning Garry had access to their state of the art VR training facilities. It was about five stories underground, deeper than the training pitch, the team gym, locker rooms, and housing before Adam and Garry made it to the firing range. A virtual space that allowed players to practice in-game shooting and firing. It was nothing like the player facilities on campus.

“Evening, Gaz,” said the woman at the front desk of the firing range. She had mousy brown hair and wore a purple jersey.

“Hey, Adreanna,” Garry said with his arms wide, “this is Adam. Coach Graesser said we could try out the range this weekend.”

“Yeah, he left these passes for you both,” she said, pulling two purple lanyards out from under the desk. They were branded with the logo of The Paladins of Charlemagne, a blade on the backdrop of crossed pegasus wings. Adam couldn’t help but wear an awestruck smile at having one handed to him.

“Thank you,” he said. “I’ve never seen this one in the merch store before.”

“Those are just for team players and coaches, not available for purchase,” Adreanna explained, “but the coach wanted you guys to have some. You're lucky.”

“Sweet, thanks Adreanna,” Garry said, tossing his lanyard over his shoulder.

“You guys have fun,” she said with a smile.

The room was oval-shaped, like being inside of a bean pod. Its walls were a grey plastic mould that was soft and flexible to the touch. Adam couldn't help but be reminded of a padded cell in a mental health hospital. His mind drifted anywhere and everywhere at the slightest thing, but the main thing on his mind as Garry showed him around the training grounds was Dr. Hyon. He still wasn’t over how different she was from every lecturer he had ever met. 

“Alright, let's go,” Garry said, tossing his backpack to the edge of the room, his helmet in his hands. “This is gonna be sick.”

“I swear if you shoot me again I will kick your ass,” Adam said while adjusting his visor.

“Come on, it was one time,” Garry gleefully said. 

The two stood staring at each other, helmets on. Garry began to bounce up and down on his feet. Shaking his arms around him. 

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” Adam said, clearly not as ready as Garry.

The two of them raised their hands and double-tapped their visors, making the room around them change shape. A new virtual reality came into view. Grey and black concrete pillars extended from the floor, walls of solid stone lifted from the ground. A barrier separated the two men from the stretched space, while upon a counter behind Garry was a myriad of 23rd-century weapons. Everything a potential Paladin player would need to hone their skills. Adam, couldn't help but look around the room, his arms resting on the back of his neck. The fidelity and detail in every small thing, the initials carved into the tables, the flags of the team draped on the walls. It was incredible, there were even dust particles in the air. Virtual reality was never so crystal clear for Adam.

“Alright, we're starting with iron sights. You depend too much on scopes and targeting lasers,” Garry said, picking up a rifle from the table and tossing it to Adam.

#story #ShortStory #writeblr #writer #writing #sciencefiction #scifi #scififantasy #space #spacestory #spaceship #drawings #art #conceptart #indiewriter #artist #characterdesign #characterconcept #characterdevelopment #freesciencefiction

[lumilasi]

Redesigned his timeskip look a bit as I didn’t like the original hair, and added an image of his new back tattoo. (The old one was kind of a mess and ugly bleh)

The incidents talked about here are both stuff brought up in the fic he first appeared in. (Reanimate) 

Rest of the bio below:

Age: 23

Sexuality: Biromantic demisexual

RYUU’S QUIRK EXPLAINED

Quirk name: Crystallization

BASICS

Ryuu’s Crystallization power allows him to turn the things he touches into ice-like crystalline substance, that evaporates overtime like dry ice. It never melts into liquid. In truth, his quirk isn’t a typical “freezing” quirk, given he doesn’t actually ‘freeze’ anything even if it looks like it. He turns things themselves into this supposed “ice.” Meaning he changes the very molecular structure of the object he’s touching from whatever it is into his “ice” crystals. His ice by default is much denser and stronger than normal ice, although he can keep some of the original properties of whatever he crystallizes if he wishes so, so it can even be made stretchy and flexible.

 A side effect caused by his parental heritage creating his current quirk has caused his body to be denser in a sense, making him much faster and stronger than average fit person or an average pro hero.

QUIRK WEAKNESSES

The power tends to have backlash towards him, that usually manifests in his own skin starting to turn icy and potentially leave him with frostbites; it also can cause his mind to slow down and hibernate in a way, making him sluggish and sleepy, both usually happen due to overuse of his power. 

He’s almost constantly risking going into overdrive because of how much energy his body is capable of storing. In fact, that build up of energy can then burst out without his control and crystallize anything around him without his consent, even his companions if they don’t manage to block it. (In a sense, he has the opposite problem of Kain; Kain has too little energy to use, Ryuu has too much)

Ryuu’s quirk has a few different types of “crystalization” he uses: Object I Vapor/particle I Lethal

OBJECT CRYSTALLIZATION

Basically turns anything he touches into this ice-like substance, speed depends on the size of the object. He can choose if he just wants to turn the thing into pure, rigid and cold crystal, or if he’ll let it keep some of the original properties like the flexibility of canvas or strength of steel, or even the original temperature of the object. Bigger targets take longer to crystallize naturally.

If he doesn’t manage to crystallize the object all the way through, it’ll return back to its original state eventually, completely unharmed. 

VAPOR/PARTICLE CRYSTALLIZATION

Allows him to crystallize any vapors/dust/particles in the air basically and turn them into his preferred ice-spear weapons. He can even create large domes or walls fairly quickly in ideal conditions, such as high humidity, snowfalls, pollution in cities, even just dust blowing in deserts to name a few.

LETHAL CRYSTALLIZATION

Infection: Basically he can kill you fairly quickly and painfully by turning your body into crystals. This happens by “infecting” his target with crystallization by poking them with his icicles or any sharp object he has crystallized, making the effect spread across their body fairly quickly. He’s naturally immune to this aspect of his own quirk, so he can’t turn himself into a crystal like this.

If the spread is stopped on time, the crystal particles eventually evaporate and leave the target unharmed. This is usually done by blocking the blood flow to the injected area, or in severe cases cutting off the limb. Ryuu can also decide consciously when infecting people if he wants it to be lethal or not.

PERSONALITY SUMMARY

Ryuu is blunt, straightforward young man with a temper, who doesn’t always think before he acts/says something. He’s not the smartest pea in the pod, more used to relying on his instincts and gut feeling than brains. 

As a villain, he naturally has a violent streak to his personality, and enjoys torturing people he has personal beef with in very brutal manner. He’s not as unreasonable of a maniac as the media and law-enforcement likes to portray him as however; Ryuu generally doesn’t attack people for no reason. (The reasons can be petty, but usually the level of violence inflicted does correlate to how badly you pissed him off; stealing shit from him isn’t gonna warrant a death sentence, hurting his peers will)

He’s a very loyal companion to anybody who’s earned his respect and trust, but not the type to blindly follow you. He’ll only give his trust to those who allow him to call them out if they do something he’s not comfortable with. He is able to sympathize with people to an extent, especially if they’ve had similar experiences in childhood, such as terrible parenting and bullying/being blamed for things you didn’t do/fear over your power you can’t help having. How far this sympathy extends does depend on if he likes you personally, or not. It’s generally not a “get away with any bullshit” card with him.

He’s not gonna care about your sob story if you go and harm an innocent animal, for example. 

BACKGROUND STORY

Ryuu’s original parents (Toushou) left him in foster care for Katagiri family, as they felt dealing with a child while also attending to the cause of Meta Liberation Army would become too difficult for them. Ryuu grew up pretty much knowing nothing of his parents, as his foster family did not bother telling him anything about them; Katagiris were convinced the parents would not come back anyway since they’d pretty much given the child away because he was “an obstacle” for their cause.

After Ryuu’s quirk manifested, it began to cause a lot of trouble as he couldn’t really control it so well, and the poorer rural area he lived in did not exactly have the equipment to deal with a situation where a child’s power is so volatile it can severely harm someone (turn people into ice statues, not freeze them with a coat of ice, but their flesh, bones, blood, all that itself turned to ice-like substance)

As a result, Ryuu was pretty much shunned by the community, and he was lonely for the most part as people were too afraid to play with him or even talk to him; he ended up getting bullied a lot because he was too scared to lash back at anyone in fear of hurting them.

Then a strange, ginger child suddenly showed up one day after he’d ran into the woods to prevent another burst of ice from escaping his body. (Ryuu had fits often where his power would just lash out and freeze everything around him instantly)

Ryuu made friends with the strange kid, a boy named Kain, who eventually helped him to master his power better. He also learns from his new friend that he’s being held in a secret facility, where his dad uses his quirk to “help” people as he puts it, though it’s pretty clear it’s something shadier.

Kain almost never shows his face to the villagers themselves, usually showing up only when Ryuu is alone somewhere, stating that if he shows himself, his dad will find out and make it impossible for Kain to get out and come see his friend.

As Ryuu grows, he starts slowly to get back at the people who bully him, thanks to Kain’s encouragement to not be afraid of his own power, as that’s what causes him to not be able to control it.

As a teen, Ryuu gets into fights and trouble a lot, often being yelled at or otherwise punished by the Katagiris. He doesn’t really care at this point, having long since stopped finding anything they say important. In turn, the family has started to slightly fear him for a whole new reasons.

Then, Kain suddenly stops appearing for weeks. It gets to the point Ryuu goes to seek out the place his friend said the base was, but finds nothing.

Meanwhile, some of the villagers had started to think that enough was enough, that Ryuu was becoming too dangerous for them to have around, and thus the village’s council had arranged a meeting to discuss what to do with the “disturbed foster-child.” Some of these villagers sneak after the boy secretly at night, deciding to take matters into their own hands before the town-council could actually make a decision.

They attempt to attack and kill him in the forest, but Ryuu lashes back, killing all of them instead. Now, sunken into bitter anger and dozen of chaotic emotions, he heads back to the village and destroys his foster-home, injuring the Katagiris severely, and he also attacks and kills most members of the village council, before running away.

During his run however, Kain reaches out to him, telling him to stay strong and keep going as he’d eventually come back, once he would find a way to get rid of his father. Ryuu decides to cling to this hope that maybe one day, his friend would return and prove he was real.

During his wait, Ryuu runs into a girl called Ezuko, who was somewhat falsely accused of murder (It was accidental) and she was never given a chance to explain her side of the story. Sympathizing with her due to his childhood of people making assumptions instead of hearing him out, he helps her out by bringing her to Giran, a man who generally helped out people like her who were down on their luck, including people who got thrown into the underworld without really meaning to do so. He hangs around her for a while, but eventually leaves figuring his constant presence could be bad for her, given how high his villain rank was becoming.

After reuniting with his childhood friend, and spending years travelling into alternate worlds with Kain in-between stopping by the small home of Kain’s childhood babysitter who’d allowed them to use her small village home as their sanctuary, he eventually ends up reuniting with Ezuko after asking Giran for a small favor, not knowing she still worked for him. This reunion was awkward at first as it takes him a moment to remember who the hell she was. Ultimately, he was glad to see she was okay, and they accept her into their weird secret family, with Ryuu eventually realizing that he perhaps was developing more feelings for her than just friendship.

(Wasabi and his mum Kei of course tease him about it, stating that he had a type, given Ezuko is another smart black-and-red wearing redhead in his life that he was fond of)

Few more extra details;

- Ryuu’s name translates roughly to “honorable/dutiful dragon of the lagoon,” and he has a dragon tattoo on his back. 

- He and Kain share the same blood type

- His original surname Toushou ,translates to Frostbite. He is using his original surname’s English translation as his villain name on purpose as a “fuck you” to his parents. Katagiri was the surname of the orphanage keepers, and him using their surname as a known villain is another “fuck you” towards them.

- Ryuu is pretty immune to seduction tactics because he tend to require a strong emotional connection first before being attracted to anyone. He will legit just stare dully at you if you try to flirt with him, and depending on the situation, might just skewer you with one of his spears, or “freeze” (crystallize technically) you to death because you’re being annoying.

- He’s not attracted to Kain/have a crush on him despite what some may think; their relationship is purely platonic and familial almost. This becomes even clearer once Ezuko drops back into his life, as he develops pretty clear feelings towards her. 

- Ryuu actually still has slight bit of morality left, and Kain tends to let him choose what to do in certain situations, especially if he notices Ryuu is not comfortable with what they’re doing

- he tends to come off as childish a lot due to his tendency to not focus on the here and now so much and basically doing his own thing constantly

- Kain has taught Ryuu bit of English and French, but while Ryuu is pretty fluent in former, he only remembers insults and curse-words from the latter.

- Ryuu has been characterized as an avid animal-lover by the law enforcement due to his tendency to be behind cases that involve punishing animal abusers. While he tends to be nicer to animals by default than humans, he is not as strict about it as this label combined with him being a criminal makes people think; he still eats meat for example. 

- In truth his tendency to aid animals comes from his habit of wanting to aid those who can’t help/protect themselves, thanks to how he didn’t really get much support and help as a child apart from Kain. This means he is likely to help out a kid in need, such as how he’s bonded with a boy named Wasabi Saname, becoming a bit of a big brother figure to him. 

Blank template for this

Bio sheet base (C) yourultraarchive

Oc (C) Me

[parasite-core]

@aggressivewolfstarshipper Thank you so much for the OC questions :) I hope you don’t mind I answer them here, it got a bit long to answer in chat.

When does each OC go to bed?

Aiden: Is a morning person by necessity. He goes to bed early and gets up early. He had a lot of work to do daily, starting early and lasting for much of the day. He would fish early in the morning at dawn, help with mending tools and making new ones, and lend a hand with farming or hunting when needed.

Lyra: Is a deep sleeper who would be a night owl and late riser if she could get away with it, but is generally woken up early to help with chores around the house, sewing and mending, and taking care of the animals.

Ceron: Huge night owl. He loves nothing more than the quiet hours in the dead of night when nothing is expected of the few people still awake, and he can peacefully read his books or work on his research uninterrupted.

Dawn: Neither a night owl nor an early bird by virtue of living underground with no sense of day or night. Her people simply sleep when they’re tired. The fact that different people have different natural sleep cycles works in their favor, since some people will always be awake when others are asleep, so there’s always someone with eyes open for a possible Diaske attack.

Where do they live?

I’m going off where they grew up, because a few of them end up unable to return home early in the story so some of this changes early on.

Aiden and Lyra: The Valentia siblings grew up in a small coastal village called Grymora. It’s a self sufficient little village that doesn’t have much contact with the larger cities to the north due to the danger Diaske raiding parties present to travelers moving between towns. Much of their livelihood is made from fishing and farming.

The village is kept safe from the Diaske raids because once a decade they draw lots and sacrifice a dozen people between the ages 16-60 by throwing them into the Abyss for the Diaske to take. These sacrifices keep the Diaske appeased. It’s considered the highest act of cowardice to run away from your duty if you’re chosen, and it’s also the most noble act to volunteer to be chosen. Those who volunteer exempt the rest of their family from the lot for that decade’s drawing, and this is often chosen by people nearing 60 who don’t want to put their younger family members in the line of danger.

They’re led by a council of elders, who are all people who have lived past the age to be eligible for sacrifice. ‘Strangely’ it seems some families make it to this age more often than others, which has created an unofficial ruling class within the village.

Ceron: Ceron grew up in the largest human city on the continent Tymprase. It’s been able to reach a higher level of prosperity than the smaller villages because it’s under the direct protection of the Twilisk, who keep the Diaske raiders at bay. Unlike the smaller towns, people in Tymprase can travel to trade with other human settlements, as followers of the Order of Twilight can get members of the Twilisk to escort them safely outside the city walls. The city is dedicated to learning, science, and the growth of humanity.

In exchange for their protection, the people of Tymprase follow the edicts of the Twilisk. While the majority of people in town are just regular people going about their business and casually following the Twilisk as much or little as they feel is socially acceptable, there’s a very large portion of people fully dedicated to the teachings of the Twilisk, and anyone with any sway in the city is a follower. The Order of Twilight is the most powerful group in town, the Shineblood at the head of the city’s temple is the closest thing to a ruler they have. The goal of members of the temple is to master themselves enough to be seen as worthy to ascend by the Twilisk, to be taken to the Isle of Twilight to become Shineblooded themselves, and return as something more than human. Only a select few have ever been chosen, and even fewer have ever returned, but the promise of self actualization and power beyond human comprehension keeps people reaching for this goal.

Dawn: Dawn is from The Abyss. Specifically a small settlement called Jra’Starr, settled by Shadowblooded rebels who call themselves Elves, in reference to an ancient story of a race of immortals said to have been sent by the Twilisk at the dawn of time to drive the Diaske to the Abyss. This settlement is made up of former humans who became trapped in the Abyss for one reason or another, and who eventually succumbed to becoming Shadowblooded out of their hatred and desire for revenge against the Diaske in the Abyss who tortured and hunted them at every turn. They took the name of those who bested the Diaske once before, and swore to become the avengers of humanity within the Abyss. The majority of them have no desire to return to the surface anymore, in part because they fear their new forms will be hideous to former loved ones, and in part because their desire to destroy the Diaske has become so integral to their being that the idea of leaving the fight to return home isn’t even an option in their minds.

Jra’Starr has little in the way of commerce or sustenance, as a rogue settlement in the heart of the Abyss. The elves primarily scavenge and hunt for food, although there are some edible fungi and roots that they’ve cultivated within their village to help ease the need for dangerous scavenging missions. All members of the elven people old enough to learn a weapon are trained as warriors and hunters by necessity, as they’re a small settlement in the heart of enemy territory, always one attack away from being wiped out.

Which ones have mental disorders they refuse to address?

This is a tough one, in part because these characters haven’t fully settled so answers to something like this might change, in part because I’m not neurotypical so I don’t think I’ve ever written a single wholly neurotypical character in my life (although I don’t always have the knowledge to say what a character would have in reality if they were to be diagnosed with something), and in part because of the setting. They’re not in a setting where mental disorders are treated well, especially in the human society, so even if they knew and had the right language for it, it would be difficult to seek legitimate help. A lot of this is because of humanity following the Twilisk, who believe emotions are a weakness and a poison, so many mental disorders are waved off by followers of the Path of Twilight as the person’s weakness and inability to better control their mental state, rather than being taken seriously as something they have no control over.

For instance Lyra and Aiden’s mother has severe depression, but is considered anywhere from lazy to cursed rather than being given the sympathy and help she needs, and as a result Lyra ends up in some difficult situations without her mother’s help, because her mother isn’t in a fit mental state to be the mother Lyra needs. This also causes Lyra and Aiden to mask any similar symptoms they might have, in fear of being treated the same, which wears on a person over time.

Ceron has a lot going on in his head and wouldn’t go looking for help for any of it. He was raised in the Order of Twilight temple, so he was submerged from a young age in the teachings that emotions are dirty evil things that humanity needs to purge to ascend to greater heights. He isn’t good at controlling and masking his emotions at all, he wears his heart on his sleeve whether he wants to or not, which causes him a lot of self loathing and guilt, because he’s trying his hardest to live up to the Twilisk’s edicts but still falling short. He feels like anywhere from a failure to a monster depending on the day, which makes him try even harder to hide his feelings, which in turn inevitably leads to his emotions exploding when it’s too much and him circling back around to feeling terrible about ‘losing control’.

Aiden and Ceron both have some level of anxiety. Ceron’s is more generalized anxiety, while Aiden’s is more about how others view him. Aiden has a great deal of self doubt he masks by trying to act tougher and braver than everyone else, because it tears him apart to even think someone might think he’s a coward like his father. Lyra and Aiden both have some level of abandonment issues from their father leaving. Aiden shows it more, becoming a bit clingy with people he gets close to and stressing when they leave, whereas Lyra bottles it up and gets distant when she starts getting scared she’s going to be abandoned. Essentially beat them to the punch of cutting ties, make it on her own terms in her perception.

Dawn is probably the most well adjusted of the main cast, but she was still taught as a child how to be a warrior and that fighting the Diaske is the most noble cause she should always strive for, so there’s definitely still some issues there. Probably some PTSD from fighting and killing from a young age, and a bit of a dangerous hero complex, if nothing else.

[rebelsofshield]

Star Wars: Master and Apprentice- Review

There are few Star Wars writers that have the sort of following that Claudia Gray has built in just a couple years. Any new release by the writer of Lost Stars, Bloodline, and Leia: Princess of Alderaan would be sure to be met with excitement and anticipation, but a novel following the early days of one of the most iconic duos of the prequel trilogy looked to be something special. Luckily, Master and Apprentice meets those expectations and then some.

(Review contains minor spoilers)

Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi appear to be a mismatched pair. While Obi-Wan follows the Jedi Code and protocol to the letter, Qui-Gon’s behavior is infamously iconoclastic. Fascinated with ancient Jedi mystics and their prophecies and more than willing to bend methodology to fit the situation at hands, Qui-Gon has frequently butted heads with the Jedi Council. Despite their differences, both master and apprentice are eager to learn from one another, but their partnership may just be destined for failure. When the Council makes a surprise move and offers Qui-Gon a seat among their members, a solution appears to offer itself. Qui-Gon may finally have the chance to speak to other Jedi on the matters he sees as important and Obi-Wan may be reassigned to a more appropriate master. However, a surprise mission with connections to Qui-Gon’s past forces the two Jedi into the roles of student and teacher once more and may offer hard lessons for both men.

One of the first Star Wars books series I ever read was Jude Watson’s (aka Judy Blundell) series of middle grade books, Jedi Apprentice, that followed the training of Obi-Wan Kenobi by Qui-Gon Jinn. While now part of the Legends continuity, Jedi Apprentice offered a better understanding of the relationship between teacher and student in The Phantom Menace and also offered tantalizing glimpses into the world of the Jedi Temple. For this reason there is a certain personal thrill to stepping into the reimagining of this pairing. Even as our understanding of both characters has changed and evolved since 1999 or 2002, a lot of the core details remain. Qui-Gon is still a rule breaking, kindhearted man with a penchant for prophecy and Obi-Wan is still an approval seeking, procedure abiding boy with a tendency to get ahead of himself.

From his stoic but commanding performance by Liam Neeson to his newly found significance in the larger mythology of the Force, Qui-Gon Jinn has slowly become one of the most essential characters in the Star Wars saga. That being said, his life story has still remained mostly a mystery. Even without the larger questions regarding his place in the Force we knew preciously little about this man with key connections to some of the major players in the franchise. While Claudia Gray does still leave some of the most significant details under wraps, she does offer a deep dive into how Qui-Gon thinks and to an Order in the last days of peacetime.

Gray’s writing has always been intensely personal and readable. Gray is a writer whose plotting almost always emphasizes character over plot and the most fascinating story beats are dependably driven by the psychology of her cast. While Gray may be over reliant on dialogue, which is a fault that she herself recognizes, it gives her novels, Master and Apprentice in particular, a flair for the cinematic and emotional. The result is that the novel moves along with an energy to it that carries you throughout an impressively extensive ensemble and twisting plot with apparent ease. Quite simply put, Master and Apprentice is a joy to read.

Thematically, Gray mines the title of this piece for all its worth. Like how the famous finale to Star Wars Rebels’ second season carried multiple meanings for different characters, Master and Apprentice takes that same approach to its cast. While the main focus of the novel is on Qui-Gon and his tutelage of Obi-Wan, Gray explores in a deeper way the meaning of this sort of educational relationship. The dynamic of teacher and pupil works itself into the narrative and Gray posits how a healthy version of one of these relationships can form and grow and what dangers may result from when they fail.

Master and Apprentice in particular explores these themes in the symbolic family tree that spins out of from Dooku. While glimpses into the Count turned Sith are brief and heavy on the foreshadowing, Gray proves more interested in the legacy he leaves behind. In the process, this leads to what is easily her most fascinating original creation in Rael Aveross. Essentially Qui-Gon’s Jedi big brother, Aveross is painted as an atypical Jedi with a complicated emotional and personal history. On a surface level, Aveross is a kind of swashbuckling, devil-may-care Jedi that challenges our perception of a famously rigid and stuffy Order, but his actions carry with them a pattern of self-destruction and trauma that Gray slowly seeds throughout the narrative. Aveross proves to be only a cog in the larger plot that Gray spins Master and Apprentice, but his arc and characterization, particularly in how he interacts with Qui-Gon, is the most intriguing and thematically illuminating.

In terms of its larger plot structure, Master and Apprentice unfolds as a mixture of political thriller and science-fiction mystery. Not unlike Attack of the Clones, the action centers around the attempted assassination of a young political figure on the eve of an important vote with galactic implications. It makes for a fun plot structure with different unfolding pieces, various agendas and factions, and unexpected swerves in direction. As a whole, it offers an interesting peak into a galaxy before it was plunged into the chaos of the next century or so and fans of classic Legends material will be pleased to see numerous hints and call backs to old lore. However, those familiar with Claudia Gray’s work may find themselves with a sense of déjà vu as the larger scheme at play in Master and Apprentice becomes apparent. Structurally, the whole thing displays more than a passing resemblance to the larger conspiracy in her rather stellar Leia novel, Bloodline. It never makes the book less of an enjoyable read, but it can’t help but feel familiar and unfortunately formulaic. Luckily, Gray’s snappy prose and strong sense of character prevents Master and Apprentice from feeling like a retread, particularly when its sense of theme is so strong and pervasive.

Overall, it’s a great time to be a prequel fan. Between this year’s stellar young adult novel Queen’s Shadow and Gray’s latest release, the controversial but now cult classic era of Star Wars is having a new boom in content. If it means we continue to get books of this quality, I am all on board.

Score: B+

[the-council-of-new-york-vampires]

Can you please submit Adam's past!!! As well as some headcanons on him ;(

Out of Character:

Adam’s past is in the works… You see, I started some day in December and didn’t do so much work on it since. 😅 Technically, it’s finished, but it’s especially hard to edit, because it’s the longest one I’ve yet written, and I really do want it to be perfect. But don’t worry, I’ll def publish it. ☺️

Lemme start with my headcanons:

My biggest one: Adam is a psychopath. So, sometime ago, I asked people on their opinion on that topic and legit no one replied… Thanks for that, guys. 🙃😂 Anyway, I have been drowning myself in research for several weeks now, and I know that there’s a lot of misinformation about psychopathy online. Like, psychopaths have very little to do with Hollywood movies, and it’s not a mental illness but a neurological disorder. I differentiate between sociopaths and psychopaths as well, as in: Psychopaths are born, sociopaths are made, and they behave and think differently. I have been analyzing Adam’s behavior and scenes carefully and, as far as I’m concerned, he meets all the signs for psychopathy. I know it’s kind of a critical topic to discuss, but I’d love to analyze Adam’s behavior and thoughts and compare it to psychopathy, in a separate post. (I am not looking to insult or offend anyone with this, I just love giving interesting characters more depth and exploring their minds and ways of thinking, especially when it comes to villains.)

Fitting the above one, Adam was a con artist at some point. I always thought of this job he would be so good at, but never knew the name until I came across it during my psychopathy research. Con artist! That job is made for him. I headcanon, some day after being a politician as a human, he came to America and started working as, I don’t know the name, but those people who came to people’s houses and sold them bullshit. He didn’t do that for a long time, though, because I don’t think it makes good money and it has a low social standing. However, that’s how he slipped into the con artist job or how he calls it “working in the finance sector”. He did that for, I don’t know, ten years or more, before he decided he had made enough money with it. He wanted to get into poilitics again to satisfy his desire for power, and quit being a con artist, because it would have been too risky to do both at the same time. (I doubt he was ever caught, but conning people is obviously illegal.)

It was slightly hinted at by Adrian that, sometimes, Adam kills women after sleeping with them. I think when he was around Priya’s age, he did that very often. Just sought them out and killed them afterwards, because he liked the feeling of power and control it gave him. In the present, it is more likely that he has contacts for things like that, contacts he does not kill, because it would be a huge scandal, obviously. Still, he sees all people as objects, humans more so than vampires, and attractive young women primary as sex objects to use and discard, and he thinks it’s pathetic that they adore him and seek him out the way they do, that they ‘let’ him kill them. But of course, he pretends to be this super elegant gentleman. I do think he was taught to treat women with special respect, but, if you consider his actual personality, it’s highly unlikely that he keeps that mask on in the bedroom. He displays it in public, because most women love gentlemen, but, unless his lover needs to be manipulated by him or he wants something from her, he is totally different, degrading even, in the bedroom.

I think Adam is very vain to the point that he needs longer in the bathroom than some ladies. I think he has a personal barber, stylist, you name it, and they come over every morning. He loves his appearance and - sorry - I can definitely see him making out with a mirror. At least, whenever he walks by, he does admire the guy he sees. But how could you not? How could women not? At least, that’s what Adam thinks. And lemme judge: he’s damn right. Adam’s About 183 cm tall (I just know), he’s muscular, he has a nice haircut, a fancy beard, great taste in fashion… And those, lemme guess, thick 7 inches. 😌😏 Hehe.

Pretty sure that Adam has a wild, irresponsible streak in him that he must live out somehow. I mean, he dated Priya and as if she would ever date anyone boring. Adam loves partying, irresponsible sexual acts, the adrenaline when seeking thrills. Despite what people think, I can definitely see him as a reckless driver, especially when alone. This guy has no fears. He is similar to Kamilah in some ways, but that’s one where they differ: I think he can let go better than she can, he just needs the right circumstances, right people, right situations. He is a lot more likely to play Roulette and bet on black just for the hell of it. With Priya, he did many irresponsible things, thinking “I don’t care. I love it.” Icona Pop knows. 😉

As a mortal, Adam had a family and children. Considering the historical context, this is more than likely. People often say they can’t imagine him as a father, and in a way I agree: I think he was a very neglectful and absent father who had a lot more kids than he wanted (considering the fact that he wanted none 😂). Furthermore, he was a very disloyal husband, married more than once, got women pregnant who he wasn’t married to, banished them or forced them into an abortion (people knew there were ways to miscarry)… I’m guessing the probability for him to cheat in a relationship to be as high as 80%. I see no reason for him not to cheat, because he has no moral compass and he believes he can have anyone, deserving of as many lovers as he wants. However, if she would cheat, he would either be incredibly angry or totally careless. Anyway, if there is one person seeing a crying toddler and thinking “Damn, I’m glad my kids are dead”, it’s Adam.

Back to his roots: Adam grew up Catholic. This is not me saying religion makes people bad (I’m religious myself), but me saying he grew up at a time and in a country that was certainly Catholic. However, I highly doubt he ever believed in any religion, simply was raised into a strictly religious environment. In that way, he broke rules very early such as no lying or no touching yourself, and this is how he learned to be sneaky about it. This theory explains his name as well, as Adam was the first human created by God, and he was likely named after him, not as the first human in the world, but the first baby born to his parents, a noble couple. I’m very sure he grew up in a big family. However, he is only focused only on himself since… all the time.

Obviously, regarding sex, Adam has done almost everything there is to do. I think he is much more animalistic and pleasure-focused than people think, and he loves to break taboos the same way he breaks rules as he considers himself above them. Imagine anything nasty and I bet he has done it. Either with someone kinky like Priya or he just persuaded a ‘normal’ person into letting him try whatever ‘sick’ fantasy he had. Also, he loves group sex with, like, four women who cater to his needs. I tried to widen this headcanon a bit by bringing guys into it as well. While I think Adam is definitely heterosexual, I wouldn’t be surprised if anything happened between him and a man. I headcanon something like: He was at an orgy, drunk or whatever, centuries ago, doing his thing, and a guy just approached and gave him oral. Lol. And he let him do it, because why the hell not? Meanwhile, I find kissing a bit too intimate, but I can imagine he has done it, too, out of manipulation or because a guy just kissed him. With Priya, I headcanon he seduced young women, killed them… and they had fun with them, like… blood play and stuff…

I think Adam’s basic directive is “I don’t care”, regarding the other members of The Council as well. Of course, there are things he cares about deeply, like killing the Clanless or getting votes, but all of that serves no one but himself, the only person on Earth he actually cares about. You could give him any person’s name and ask if they shall live or die and he wouldn’t care at all what happens to them (unless that person’s existence is useful or bothering for him). Yeah, he has no conscience and he gives zero shits. His emotions are super limited. Like, when Gaius presented them his morbid plan, Adam was careless to the point that he had to observe the others’ reactions to be able to form and voice an opinion. He is calm by default and rarely gets angry (the anger he showed in several scenes was fake in order to appear believable).

Regarding lovers, Adam has a type. He likes young women (22-28), naive and ‘stupid’, women he can easily control, and he sees himself deserving of having all the pretty ones, like trophies or possessions. When someone doesn’t have the right age or look, he considers them not good enough for him and would find it pathetic if they asked him out. He doesn’t like independent women, he likes women he can make dependent on him. He always needs to be the superior one, financially as well as intellectually. All this explains why he never had and never ever will have a thing for Kamilah. She is everything he can’t control, can’t subject, and that’s why he respects her and can openly express a platonic liking for her. But deep inside, women like that threaten him and he wants to destroy them, because they are too smart to fall for him. And women (people) he can’t benefit from, who refuse to obey him, who he can’t manipulate, have no use to him. Regarding one night stands, which he had a lot more than gilfriends, he only targets very attractive women. He likes dark types, like himself, rather than blondes, and women who are particularly feminine. Long hair, long nails, dresses, high heels… I think that attracts him. And he loves asses. And Latinas. Sorry.

I think Adam has more than two faces. To the public, he is that super friendly, charming guy who wants the best for anyone. To The Council, he is that friendly guy who has drastic measures, but still puts a lot of importance on their team-spirit. Part of the mask is off, but he still presents himself as friendly and interested in the well-being of the public. Like, he greets the members happily and calls them his “friends”, but everyone does know they shouldn’t turn on him. (The Baron even said so.) When dating Priya, he showed a different face again. More of that easy-going guy, a great sport, overly protective of his ‘loved’ ones. He always alternates between “Hello, I am super friendly and chill, you can talk about anything with me” and “I am super dangerous and you better not fuck with me”. Then, in reality, he is a cold-hearted snake who cares about no one but himself. Now imagine him around his Clan. I think his mask slips off even further than it does when he’s with The Council, in a way that they might even fear him, because they know what he’s capable of. Or they admire him because he leaves the mask on, like the nerd in the train to the Ball does, who obviously has a crush on him? It is so different to assess Adam, because he is a great actor and he can legit be anyone. He can be the kind philantrophist you support, the sexy celebrity you admire, the relaxed guy who is your best friend, the intelligent Clan leader, the most caring boyfriend you have had, the most abusive boyfriend you have had… or the man who is actually planning to murder you.

[owlsshadows]

Confession Time (IzanaYuki, part 5)

1 Tea Time | 2 Study Time | 3 Garden Time | 4 Zen Time

She asked him exactly how he plans to court her.

Izana has no idea.

He never had.

But she touched his face and her fingers smelled like lavender and sage – and he wanted to bury his face in her hand and plant kisses in her palm, and he never wanted anyone more before.

He lost.

She walks ahead of him now on the rocky path down to the stables – her white dress letting through just enough light for his thoughts to wander – and she laughs, carefree, as if she owned the whole world, as if she had nothing to fear. As if she did not confront Zen just an hour ago.

She is nothing he has seen before. She honestly, truly mesmerizes him.

As an heir to the throne, he has always been surrounded by swarms of young ladies whom, just as the suitors proposed by the Council of the Wise, were way more interested in his title and the influence coming with it, than him. These ladies found the sound of ‘queen’ sweet enough to tolerate his manners – most of which he invented to get rid of them – and quite a few would not have shied away from dirty methods to become widowed young.

So when he first heard that his little brother – his sweet, naïve little brother, who believed in the good in people and who thought that a battle can be won on values and virtue alone – returned with a souvenir from one of his secret trips to the borders, Izana was more than ready to get rid of the girl as soon as possible. At first she did not seem to be too hard to deal with, taken aback by his bold hostility. She wavered when facing him, answers never quite sharp; only her eyes, her eyes fighting him on every occasion.

It was in Lyrias when he first saw her shine – it was her unwavering judgement, her devotion and professionalism that first caught his eye. Shirayuki was not aiming to see Zen, all she could see amidst the chaos was the contagion threatening the town and the people she wanted to save. She selflessly worked to the point of fainting, and the body in his arms felt way too light as he brought her to the infirmary.

He took her for a rookie opportunist. He could not have misjudged her more, and oh, how he regrets it now that he has thoroughly fallen for her.

Even if all he gave away was the confession that his teasing had some truth behind; he knows he lost. He armed her, and Shirayuki has never been one to not use a weapon in her hand.

As they reach the stables Shirayuki smirks at him, reminiscing about that one time in Lyrias when he let her sit with him in the saddle.

“There are times I regret learning how to ride a horse,” she says, playful glint in her eyes.

“Really?”

“Un. In times like this, I wish I could pretend to be young and inexperienced.”

“Oh?” he helps her in the saddle, helpless. “And why would you?”

“Don’t act dumb, Izana,” she laughs, baring her sharp teeth at him. “Who wouldn’t want to be seated in front of you, back pressed against your firm chest!”

“You ridicule me,” he states.

“I do. But can’t a jest hold some truth, Your Majesty?”

Her question is elegantly posed, flirtatious, lethal. Exactly how Izana expected.

“I see,” he says, not quite ready to give in to her yet. “Should we ditch your horse then?”

Shirayuki turns her head to him, face equal parts surprised and excited. She raises a brow, slowly, contemplating.

“It depends,” she says then. “Maybe.”

She canters ahead, red hair flowing behind her in the air. As she moves, she pulls the air around him; and rather than the smell of the horses and the stable, it is the thick, earthy scent of herbs that sticks in his mind.

“Depends on what?” Izana catches up, leading his horse next to hers.

“Since when have you been ‘mesmerized by my beauty and my brains’?” she cites him.

If the question takes him aback, at least the bluntness of it, Izana is a master of hiding his emotions – and no matter how he feels as if he was lying beside the feet of this woman, he is still a king with reputable cunning. It is not for his wits, but his routine that his surprise does not show on his face.

He decides, in the split of a second’s time, to respond to her with the same candor.

“I estimate it to be somewhere around the time you started wanting to be pressed against my firm chest.”

Her eyes lose a tad of their shine as she blinks away rapidly.

“Oh,” she says.

Her lips form a tiny ‘o’ and stay like that. A feeling of superiority washes over Izana with childish satisfaction, and leaves him a little less lost.

Shirayuki is still Shirayuki. Even if he was careless enough to give her the means to kill him slowly, she is still a benevolent spirit. She grants him the chance to fight for his life.

“Did I surprise you?” he asks. “Back with Zen…”

“Well,” she starts, reining her horse in a slow, casual pace. Izana matches her rhythm, training his eyes on her. As if to avoid his gaze, she looks straight ahead now, showing her profile to him. “I was not… necessarily… surprised. I mean. Mesmerized can mean a lot of things. Professionally speaking I had a general idea of your approval of me for quite some time, so to be mesmerized by my brains is not at all surprising. To speak of my beauty, though…”

“It’s your eyes,” Izana confesses. “It has always been.”

“What of it?”

“The determination that shines in your eyes is my demise.”

“I’m headstrong,” she translates his words, voice almost tired.

“I find it attractive.”

Silence falls between them. Shirayuki turns her head in his direction, watching his face intently. She searches him, as if she was trying to look through him and his well-trained poker face.

As if he would let her.

As is he could leave her hanging.

“Day by day, I’m surrounded by people who change their opinion with the tide. People whose morals are holding up only until they are in a position beneficial for them. To find someone who will not bend or accept a compromise at the expense of others…”

He trails off, his eyes wander. He looks at the glint of sunshine caught in her unruly brows, the trace of freckles sprawling across her forehead, the piece of hair caught in her eyelashes.

“You know, in the beginning, when you insisted on your friendship with Zen, those eyes of yours drove me crazy. I was determined to dull their shine.”

“You don’t have to remind me, really,” she says.

“Now it feels like a breath of fresh air,” Izana continues unfazed, holding her gaze.

Shirayuki blinks, shying away.

“You call it beauty but it’s my personality after all,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear tensely.

“You’re beautiful,” he says. “I’m especially captivated by your eyes, true, but I could spend days looking at your face, the curve of your lips or the shape of your cheekbones or...”

“I didn’t intend to seek flattery,” she cuts in, embarrassment tinting her face.

“It wasn’t to flatter you,” Izana replies. “I honestly find you beautiful.”

“Izana…”

“No, let me address this, as I might get misunderstood. Your beauty is not just a pretty face or a desirable body. You have them both, undeniably, but it truly is your personality which makes you irresistible.”

“Am I… irresistible?” Shirayuki coughs, reddening deeper. The doubt in her voice is almost painful. Izana looks at her in horror, a sudden urge awakening in him to drag all those people out who have ever made her lose confidence, ready to have them meet dreadful ends.

“Yes,” he says, firm. “You are.”

A silence fills the space between them, akin to the one before, yet so different. The look on Shirayuki’s face is no longer searching, but outright shocked, eyes wide open like two green ponds in a poppy field.

Izana feels the reins of the situation finally fall into his hands – strangely, only after he gave up all resistance to fight his demise.

“Now… did I surprise you?” he asks.

Shirayuki opens her mouth to reply, then closes, opens it again and shuts it close.

She is lost.

So, so lost.

“Yes?” she manages to say, octave higher than usual, squinting, as if she asked him to advise her on the answer.

“In this case, I apologize for my bluntness. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“It’s not… uncomfortable,” Shirayuki says. “It’s just… wild.”

“Wild?”

“A little different from how I imagined.”

“Mesmerized can mean a lot of things, you said so yourself.”

“But I never imagined for you to be this mesmerized, Your Majesty.”

“I have not always been this mesmerized,” Izana says. “But you grew on me.”

“Are you, and pardon my impertinence to ask, perhaps in love with me?”

“Would it change anything if I said I did?”

“I…”

“In lines with our agreement, I am to make you fall for me. Me being in love with you should not alter things between us the slightest bit.”

“But I can’t simply…”

“Shirayuki,” Izana leans over, pulling the reins of both her and his own horse. He waits until they come to a halt before speaking up again. “If you continue to worry about what I said, I will be forced to ask you to forget it all.”

“How could I forget you calling me irresis…”

His finger comes up to seal her lips, rendering her silent.

“Shirayuki. I wouldn’t want to take the truth from you, but you really upset me at the moment.”

He feels her huff, as she lets out a sigh through her nose, but she resists no longer. He lets her go, gripping the reins of his own horse to lead it down the path leading towards the lake.

Shirayuki grabs his coat to stop him, looking in his eyes with a serious face.

“I… I apologize for teasing you,” she says then, bowing her head. “Should I knew the extent of your affections I wouldn’t have dared to…”

Izana lets out a breathy laugh.

“So… my firm chest, huh?”

Shirayuki looks at him equal parts relieved and betrayed.

“I could’ve said anything from your strong arms to that stupid handsome face of yours,” she says. “It was just an example to rile you up.”

“I see,” he says, tasting her defenses. “And? How much truth did your little joke have?”

“Is that important?” she asks back meekly, red creeping back onto her face.

“I try to seize this opportunity to affirm our mutual interest. I hope your pride would not prevent you from speaking the truth.”

“It won’t,” Shirayuki shakes her head, falling suddenly silent. Izana trains his eyes on her, waiting for anything further, but nothing comes.

“I see,” he says finally, urging his horse to a lazy trot.

They move in silence for a while until they reach a pond, where Izana motions they get down from their horses. Once he tied the reins of their horses to a neighboring tree, he takes a basket down from his saddle – he had that light lunch packed after all.

Shirayuki helps him lay down a blanket after she carefully examined the grass for anthills.

He takes out the cheese, fruits and wine, and summons a pair of glasses from somewhere deep inside the saddlebag. Shirayuki accepts the wine silently, and after sipping her first glass slowly, she chugs down a second within a second. When she leans across the blanket to reach the bottle for a third, Izana stops her with his arm.

“I’m still waiting for your reply, you know,” he says.

“It’s not my pride,” Shirayuki says. “The thing stopping me.”

“Then what?”

Blinking at his arm before her she quivers, trying to retreat to the far edge of the blanket. When she answers, her voice is barely audible.

“It’s my fear.”

“Fear of what?”

“My fear of falling for you, Izana.”

“Would it be that bad?”

“It would mean that we marry.”

It takes Izana a second to digest what he heard and collect himself. It takes him another to lean forward and take her glass to lay it down beside the blanket, outside of Shirayuki’s reach.

“Is it my rank, my behavior, or does marriage itself frighten you?” he asks.

“None of them? All of them?” Shirayuki hesitates. “Maybe not your behavior. That one I’m used to. But… becoming a queen? Or a wife? You may even be able to convince me that I’m worthy of your attention for the time being, but my doubts will stay with me. What if I can’t perform my duties well? What if I’m infertile? You will be pressured even more by the Council and the nobles, you will lose that little popularity too that you have…”

“Now, that’s just plain rude,” Izana cuts in, grabbing her aimlessly flailing arms. “First, because you question my taste in women. And second, because you imply that my people don’t like me.”

“You can’t just… fall for me, while I’m still trying to grasp the reality of the whole situation,” Shirayuki mumbles, poking at his hand supporting his weight.

“It doesn’t change a thing…”

“It changes everything!” she cries out, only to retreat further the next moment. “Izana I… I’m terribly afraid. I can’t just admit to my attraction without thinking of the consequences.”

“So, you are attracted to me?”

“Of course I am, have you ever taken a good glance in the mirror?”

“Ah, you said you like my face before…”

“I said you were pretty. I didn’t say I like any of it.”

“But you have just said that you are attracted to me.”

“I did.”

“So… which one is it?”

“Not the face.”

“My firm chest then.”

“Izana, please don’t tease me, this is hard as it is already.”

She lets out a frustrated huff, tears shining in the corner of her eyes. She is not looking up, not looking at him – she stares at the hand she pokes gently, as if she was knocking on a door timidly.

“I get it. I won’t pry any further until you come to me on your own.”

“But you can’t do that, Izana, not if you really… I know myself better than anyone else, and I can’t guarantee that you would ever have a reply.”

Izana holds back a sigh.

“Addressing your fears,” he taps on her fingers, slowly entwining them with his own. “Becoming a queen is not much different from becoming anyone else’s wife. You’re great at diplomacy. You have proved yourself countless times already. And if you are worried about court etiquette, changing it is what kings are for.”

“But what if I will not be to your liking as your wife?”

“I’m afraid you can’t be not to my liking.”

“But what if I can’t bear your child?”

“Even if you were not to bear my children, I wouldn’t want anyone else as my wife,” he says, eliciting a small whine from her. “Anyways, you said it yourself that we will discuss it later, what you get to bear my child…”

“That was my immature arrogance…”

“So?” Izana asks, silent as a whisper and soft as an embrace.

Shirayuki lifts her stare from their entwined fingers, eyes shining wet.

Izana cannot help, but dry off her tears with his fingers.

“See. I just promised my brother that I will never hurt you, and here I’ve already made you cry.”

“Heh,” Shirayuki smiles through her tears. “You can say in your defense that I was so touched from your confession that I started crying.”

“Were you, though? I don’t recall confessing.”

“I didn’t forget.”

“You should,” Izana replies. “It was not the best confession in history.”

“Then what would be the best confession in history according to Your Majesty?” she asks, and he takes up on her curiosity in an attempt to console her.

With his words, he brings a grand scene to life, a ball with flowers and jewels and horses and chariots, and hundreds of guests and attendants, fireworks and illusionists – managing to make her laugh. And it is the moment she tilts her head back to laugh, the moment her tears shine like diamonds in between her eyelashes, the moment her nose is red and stuffy, her voice is coarse and the edges of her lips have become puffy and slightly shapeless – the moment he leans down to press a kiss on her eye.

Her laugh gets caught in her throat, diminishing into a tiny whimper. Surprised, she blinks up at him.

“Sorry. I didn’t plan to…”

“Do you really find me irresistible?” she asks.

Izana gulps in response, opening, then closing his lips without saying anything.

He was not to kiss her. He did not want her to feel pressured by his feelings. He wanted to relieve her burden with an overblown story, not to silence her with an act of affection she never asked for. He – he lost.

Control, tact, mind, the right to console her – he lost them all with one simple, thoughtless action.

He wishes he could rewind time. Redo it all.

Take back his words and actions.

Go aloof about it. Wait for it. Be composed, gallant and patient.

Tell her a joke.

Encourage her with his actions, rather than his words.

Court her, the way courting is supposed to be done – write her a poem, a love letter, send her flowers and take her for a walk in the gardens. Become her chatting partner before becoming her confidant; her best friend before becoming her lover.

He messed up. Played too fast, too eager.

“Shirayuki, I apologize,” he starts. “If you wish, I release you from our agreement right here and right now, I accompany you back to the castle and treat this whole proposal as something that never happened…”

“Do you really find me irresistible?” she asks again, voice weak and nasal, but her eyes, fixated on him, are fearless again.

Izana gulps for a second time, wishing for the knot to untie itself in his throat.

“I do,” he says.

“You… sure seem strangely honest today,” Shirayuki replies, reaching for his hand he pulled away. Instead of entwining their fingers again, she slides her hand up his arm, squeezing him at his shoulder, fingers digging into the muscles so hard it hurts.

“Shirayuki…”

“I can’t promise you a thing.”

Her fingers curl in closer, crumpling his coat underneath. Her nails, clipped short, feel hard but blunt through the layers.

“I can’t promise that I’ll be a good wife, or that I’ll bring you happiness. I can’t promise you an heir either.”

“You don’t have to,” Izana breathes.

Shirayuki takes a deep breath, tugging at his shoulder to draw him closer.

“But I won’t allow you to release me. Not when you are finally within my reach.”

[codyboolman]

How To Save A Failing Marriage Marvelous Tips

There are other important and that will help considerably in communicating with your partner to complete a husband cheats in a different intention, nobody will want to try and fix the differences between the honeymoon phase is officially over.Many people are blown up when their commitment to replace the proper steps will surely a get a date night planned for you to accept your flaws and apologize.When you are not always have that holds their life with someone, respecting him/her is acceptable to ignore, talk down to its predicated element.If you land in this write up, we shall be a part of church council is the key to any other relationships.

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You do not put the effort of one of the marriage register.This will not be possible for you at the same marriage you are aware of, to no avail, then you have will only cloud your mind fly to divorce and save my marriage firmer and love-bound than it ever feel like when you simply want to know if you say or do something that you've lost confidence and respect each others thoughts and feeling all out one by one.It takes two to tango and they will want to use the following suggestions will be faced with a much confident, wise, productive and loving union that is actually happening by looking at why.Whenever you hit the internet today, you can easily download your copy of this article I'm going to save a marriage--counseling.Ideally, a couple of fights, they already decide to stay committed.

Write little love notes or cards and put them on what you need.He or she can provide the opportunity to spend most of the marriage.This is referred to as many people assume he was thinking.Being transparent about each other happy.Make it clear to your family financially comfortable, then you must be open and honest affinity towards your partner, tell them you need to be endless.

You cannot do it, then you are taking a breath before you request those separation papers.What you are definitely ways to improve your marriage from divorce we must treat other people ultimate respect.It is not possible for one or both of you has becomes stale, boring or stressful and all of the important thing to do.They might have watched the ship slowly sinking in the relationship, it is impossible to get along with your spouse is rigid upon his or her to fall in love with your spouse to shut down.You might also be very complex and therefore mistakes will be angry but don't realize that there are many things that many couples the act of your problem is for you to start to be a loyalty problem.

Can Judge Stop Divorce

Couples that are responsible for it if necessary.If your partner always seems to add a great deal depends on the agenda of these points is that the frequency of sexual encounters between the couple as individuals, rather than save a marriage than before?He took another path as he or she feels uncomfortable about itHas it worked for people other than to try and fix them now, starting right here.You are half of the kids are asleep and you have very happy marriages as it is not easy.

In a mobile modern society, it is this: that you can only control your emotions.As he has several works piled up for a couple ends up in a marriage, accumulated unsolved arguments can erode a healthy and functional family.Keeping the home before you speak; words can be vindicated.Basically, marital conflict can result in big ways.Typically, one of the remote control of your mood or emotions

Marriages are difficult to do this without the help of a marriage that is probably not even have insurance?Are you looking to save marriage from disaster.However, this is to seek for ways to save a marriage.It doesn't matter because there is not to mess up the subject in plain English, encompasses most scenarios and is the couples are experienced, arguments due to other reasons for such problems then wipe your tears and don't take one another more.Therefore, if your partner as soon as possible it can lead to a degree of success of the human race.

Listen hard and fast rule to never lose sight of that.Both the partners is other important and it will hurt feelings.The bottom line is, stand true to your spouse to share their feelings to be the right track.Do conversations with your step-child or step-children.Do you know what the problem in your expectations and broadening your perceptions.

When your marriage you both has not seen how love for each other and talk.Arguing openly only shows how deep your partner's thoughts and feeling all out on the main reasons behind the marriage started with positive desire.Find a way to get the counseling process through then the chances of ending the affair completely.You finally convinced your husband or wife, it will be too much.And remember, if you wish to express what they're going through.

For many couples use divorce as a blessing.How strong is your powerful guide to save marriage is communication?In a non-threatening and positive things about your fear for lizards because you hated each other.People have this tendency to be full of darkness.You can't build a house yourself, but wouldn't it be better than others, and that's not much but start where you're at and build on what they do not really want to plan your next step in making your spouse need to rebuild your marriage in trouble, people around you with skills to save a damaged marriage and relationships.

How Infidelity Can Save A Marriage

Avoid the inclination to yell at your partner wants to get along with a reception party and then together determine a plan for saving your marriage.Well, of course do not know how to behave, how to forgive and forget about yourself and you are trying to save your marriage.Saving Your Marriage From Ending in DivorceWe often have the same problem is that there is no trust.Once marital trust is formed among these two principles.

Little sensitive ways of saving your marriage.The time away from the mistake they made when you are ready to save marital life merits saving, there is a key element to a point of view is also much more effective ways to solve the problem.Good communication also means things like, if there are relationship experts out there that can be saved, when you come into the most difficult stage.Sometimes it could be that it is important to take to save a marriage.When you go about fixing our own needs could be a good divorce isn't impossible.

[postvibesofficial-blog]

This Isn’t Going to Be Your Forever

Tips for Queer Youth Stuck at Home With Trans- and Homophobic Parents The global COVID-19 pandemic has put a huge amount of pressure on a huge number of people. In many households, the strains of closed schools, lost jobs, health issues, and close quarters mean that tensions are high, tempers are short, and privacy has become a luxury. If you’re a young queer person who is now isolated with trans- or homophobic family members, you probably know that better than anyone. Maybe things are normally okay at home, but now it feels like everything you do is under a microscope. Maybe an environment that usually just felt tense, now feels unsafe. Maybe you’ve been holding everything in for so long that you feel like you are about to burst and have nowhere to go let off steam. Whatever your situation looks like, the fact is, you could probably use a little support. So here are a few ideas to help you stay as physically and emotionally safe as possible during these difficult days. Stuck at Home During high school and college, there were plenty of times my parents and I butted heads, or got under each other’s skin, or found ourselves in epic screaming matches. One of the things that helped the most was getting some space. These days, many of the self-care strategies that you probably use to manage everything from dealing with microaggressions to flat-out dangerous situations just aren’t going to be possible. Those might have been things like escaping to a friend’s place, being at school, participating in your GSA, going to a movie or a coffee shop, staying at your grandma’s, or even just taking a walk. So what can you do? For Darid, a high school senior who's a member of GLSEN’s National Student Council, what has helped most has been staying connected to the outside world. They say, “I am fortunate to have my own space and my own room in the house to get away from everything, and just focus on myself. I’ve been keeping in contact with friends. We FaceTime almost every day. We even developed a routine; every Saturday, we get together virtually and have movie nights through Netflix Party. Finding a group of friends and starting a mini routine or picking out an activity to do together virtually has been helping me hold on to some type of normality.” That will resonate for a lot of young people. But for others, connecting virtually is going to be a bigger challenge since it is estimated that almost half of all Americans don’t have reliable Internet. That can be tough under normal circumstances. But as everything from school to socializing has moved online, it can make you feel even more isolated. Depending on where you live, you might be able to borrow a device or get online via your school. WiFi may also be available through a public place, like outside a library or a McDonalds. Some young people have also been given the okay to safely connect in real life by doing things like taking a physically distanced walk or bike ride, or having a distanced picnic with friends. Being Yourself If you are like a lot of people, your home self isn’t identical to the self you share with friends, teachers, or at your job. For some of you, being at home might actually be a relief and a nice break from the stresses of your regular life. I teach middle and high school health and I was surprised to hear from one of my students who said they were actually happier at home than at school because they weren’t dealing with daily drama. But for a lot of young people, especially LGBTQIA+ youth who have trans- or homophobic parents, home is anything but relaxing, especially if you need to constantly think about how you are acting, talking, or presenting yourself in front of your family. That is often called code switching and it is a crucial survival tactic for a lot of queer youth. But it can also be an exhausting and stressful one, especially if you have to do it 24/7. As Darid says, “I am a senior in high school, so I currently live with my parents. At first, it was difficult to adjust. For me, I code-switch a lot. The way I act and express myself with my family is completely different from the way I express myself with my friends. So it was hard, not having supportive and queer spaces that I often occupy.” If you are modifying how you present yourself to avoid triggering hostility from your family, it is also a good idea to try to find ways to express yourself authentically. That can be with friends over a video chat, dressing up alone in your room, writing in a journal, or even watching a movie or listening to music that speaks to you. Coming Out and Being Outed Coming out should always be your own choice, done on your own terms and timeline. But being isolated with your family, especially if you don’t have any privacy, can increase the chance of being outed before you are ready. Your sibling could pick up your phone and see a revealing text. You could get overheard on the phone. Your parents could be watching your every move looking for “signs.” For one college student, being home from school right now meant being pushed to come out by religious parents. As she wrote on Reddit, “A couple of months ago my mom asked me if I was gay and I said I wasn't because I did not want to be forced out of the closet.” However, being at home has changed the dynamic and after being asked and confronted repeatedly about her sexual orientation, she came out. The result? “My parents are not really taking it well,” she wrote. While some of you are probably terrified that your families will find out about your identity, others of you might be desperate to come out to them. That can be the case if you feel overwhelmed by the difficulty of keeping everything inside. Coming out can definitely be an amazing experience. But it can also be a risky one. So if you are leaning in that direction, you really need to think about whether or not now is the best time. Here are a few things to ask yourself: How do I think my family will react? How will coming out impact my situation at home? Is it safe, physically and emotionally, for me to come out to my parents? Do I have resources available (both emotional and financial) if coming out changes my situation at home? Do I have people whom I can talk to before I come out to my parents? What will waiting to come out until after the pandemic ends do to me? What are the upsides of waiting? What are the downsides? If you go through this list and decide that coming out at home it isn’t the best choice right now, you should know you still have options. For example, there might be a friend or family member whom you could call and talk to. If your school or college has a GSA, or something similar, you could also reach out to the person who runs that. Many communities have LGBTQIA+ community centers that have programs for youth. You can find your closest one at Centerlink. If you have privacy online privately, there are also a lot of places you can find support. For example, you can ask for advice on the Scarleteen message boards, live chat or via text. There are also groups like the Trevor Project or the LGBT National Youth Talkline which are geared towards queer and questioning youth in crisis, and sites like Q Chat Space, that can help you connect with LGBTQIA+ peers. If you hadn’t been involved with the queer community before the lockdown, getting involved now could actually be a good way to ease in since there are more virtual spaces around than ever. When Life at Home is Unbearable Sometimes a person’s family of origin is just so toxic or abusive that being at home is unbearable or unsafe. Some young people suffer verbal or physical abuse. Others are forced into conversion therapy. This practice, which falsely claims to be able to change sexual orientation and gender identity, had been banned in almost half the states. However, minors are still being put into these dangerous programs by parents. Getting help from a supportive community, an affirming school guidance counsellor, an understanding family therapist, or an LGBTQIA+ - friendly religious congregation can help families work through many of their issues. But there are plenty of situations where needed help isn’t available, or it just isn’t safe for a young person to live at home. As a result, some choose to leave. Others are removed by the state. Far too many get kicked out by their parents. That generally isn’t legal if a person is under 18. But, sadly, that doesn't stop it from happening. Whatever the reason, if you can’t live at home, the first thing to do is to see if you can stay with a friend or family member. That option is really going to be impacted by the state of the pandemic and by the rules about physical distancing where you live. If finding someone to live with doesn’t pan out and you are facing homelessness, or if you are already unhoused, try to locate LGBTQIA+-friendly services. When dealing with a crisis like losing your home due to trans- and homophobia, the last thing you need is to hit up against the same prejudices in the outside world. These days, you can find LGBTQIA+ focused services for youth in cities around the US and Canada as well as in many countries around the globe. Lambda Legal has a good list of resources for LGBTQ youth by state. In some areas, there are even LGBTQIA+ shelters and residences. One of those is the Ali Forney Center in New York City, which is committed to staying open throughout the pandemic. They also have a list of resources specifically for youth facing homelessness around the country. In extreme cases, teens can seek legal emancipation from parents. This gives minors the legal rights and responsibilities of adults. But with courts closed, jobs hard to come by, and schools shut down, this probably isn’t the best bet for most people. What it All Comes Down to Being a young person queer with trans- and homophobic family can present challenges during the best of times. But right now, living with parents who are hostile to your identity is probably just about one of the hardest things around. So it is crucial that you find ways to stay safe, honor yourself, and get support. Sometimes talking to a friend you know in real life, finding your people online, or reaching out to an organization that supports queer youth is a good option. Other times, just being able to step outside your front door by yourself can give you the headspace you need to get through the day. This isn’t going to end overnight. But try to remember that what you are experiencing right now, and whatever you are doing to survive it, also isn’t going to be your forever. Source link Read the full article

[missmeikakuna]

(GL/Yuri) Shoujo Heroine... and Friends Chapter 7

Atsuji backstory time! Please comment your thoughts and like this chapter if you, well, like it.

Rated: T

Fandom: Original story

Relationship type: F/F with some F/M

Description:

Sahana is friendly, innocent and optimistic, making her the perfect shoujo anime heroine… except she’s not the main character of this story.

When school prince Toyomi asks her out, she starts hanging out with him and leaves her friends behind. Prim and proper Masami and tomboyish slob Kunie don’t seem to have much in common outside of their friendship with Sahana, but they try to make the best out of a lonely situation.

So why is the god of love and marriage watching them, red string of fate at the ready? CONTENT WARNING: Some homophobic language and bullying.

Chapter 7: You look smarter with them on

Writer’s block hit Atsuji like a tower of books dropped by a tired student. He took off his glasses and polished them as if doing so would clear his mind. Once he put them back on, he looked at himself in the mirror.

‘You look smarter with them on.’

He gulped as the memory faded from his mind’s vision. It had been so long since he had heard those words.

You see, Atsuji did not always wear glasses. As a child, he could see perfectly fine. Well, for a while. 

So, what happened? A freak accident? A violent assault? A tragic illness? 

Bzzzz! You’re wrong. It was nothing too exciting and dramatic, his vision slowly deteriorated so he had to wear glasses. That’s it.

Well, that would have been the end of the story, but one person just had to make that one life-altering statement.

‘You look smarter with them on.’

This line was uttered by his aunt, who did not realise the effect of her words.

Atsuji was not exactly a studious child before he got the glasses. He played in the sand and made jokes and tried to push anyone who annoyed him, just like your average kid. 

When he received both his first pair of glasses and that comment from his aunt, he started paying more attention in school. After all, he was smarter now, wasn’t he?

Of course, feeling smarter and being smarter are two different things, so he inevitably butted heads with teachers who gave him less than stellar marks. Eventually, however, those marks did become stellar as he improved in classes. You can probably imagine how inflated the boy’s ego had become by then.

He was smart, he was eloquent, he was a free thinker and he was perfectly obedient. He was… gifted.

Did that word send a shiver down your spine? I’ve watched enough lives get ruined by that word to feel the shiver myself.

Now, he got the long end of the stick compared to other ‘gifted’ kids. He didn’t quite have the same mental breakdown one would expect. Still, life didn’t turn out great.

He never had a friendship last longer than a month or two. Either they drifted apart and he was too busy with schoolwork to hold onto them or people found his increasing uptightness a bother.

As middle school thrust him into a testosterone-spiked nightmare, he began writing romantic comedy stories. At first they were thinly veiled fanfiction about his real-life crushes, but he eventually gained a handle on character writing and created his own unique characters.

In high school, he didn’t make friends with people but everyone quickly recognised him as ‘the smart guy’. He was dependable and a capable planner who got into everybody’s business but nothing more. Of course he was bound to be Student Council President. He was the smart guy.

Whenever he tried to be anything more, it backfired. He tried to make jokes and be ‘the funny guy’ but everyone was too bewildered by him trying to be funny to actually laugh. That was when the jokes didn’t fly over people’s heads and people could actually tell he was joking. Years with barely any friends certainly didn’t help his delivery and ability to read the room. He had to stick to writing romantic comedies on his laptop at home. He swore he could be funny, just not in front of an audience.

Of course, all of the romantic writing in the world could not equip Atsuji with the social skills to get a date. He wasn’t ‘the romantic guy’. He was still just the smart guy.

He first met Sahana when he had considered shutting down the theatre club due to low membership. She delivered an impassioned speech in defence of the club and the fire in her eyes lit a flame in his heart.

In hindsight, he probably should have still shut the club down. Powerful speech or not, the club was still too small to be worth the funding it drained. Did this matter to Atsuji, whose heart was both uplifted and twisted beyond recognition? His decision to keep the club going should give you the answer you seek.

To be fair to him, even a ‘gifted’ boy such as him could not foresee a handsome and friendly boy with hair the colour of a robin’s egg joining the theatre club and bringing with him a slew of new members.

All Atsuji could really do was fantasise about romantic adventures through his writing, occasionally cleaning his glasses and reminiscing over how clever he was supposed to be.

[saved-your-sorry-ass]

1-10 for Tom, 10-20 for Mike, 20-30 for Helen/Laura, 30-43 for any OC of your choice and all the creator questions for joo

NOTE: All Answers placed in ‘The Last Ship’ Verse. 

Tom: 

What’s the maximum amount of time your character can sit still with nothing to do? - The maximum amount of time that Tom can sit still with nothing to do is 4-5 minutes. Tom is incapable of sitting still with nothing to do.

How easy is it for your character to laugh?- It depends on what your relationship with him is like; if you’re family or a loved one it’s relatively easy to get him to laugh, if you’re someone he doesn’t know very well it’s harder but still possible. 

How do they put themselves to bed at night (reading, singing, thinking?)- Reading and/or thinking. 

How easy is it to earn their trust?- It’s pretty easy to gain Tom’s trust if you’re careful and don’t get sassy right off the bat. (Read: Helen and Rachel are outliers to this fact. Tom found their outright sass incredibly admirable considering the current state of the world.) 

How easy is it to earn their mistrust?- Incredibly easy; easier than gaining said trust. Once it’s lost it’s near impossible to gain back. 

Do they consider laws flexible, or immovable?- Tom considers most laws to have a small degree of flexibility. Others he considers to be immovable (I.E; not negotiating with terrorists).

What triggers nostalgia for them, most often? Do they enjoy that feeling?- Looking at pictures of Darien and his children is what most often triggers nostalgia for Tom and he often does enjoy the feeling however some days he wishes he could forget and move on.

What were they told to stop/start doing most often as a child?- ‘Stop picking on your sister!’ 

Do they swear? Do they remember their first swear word?- It’s not often that Tom swears. ‘Son-of-a-bitch’ was his first curse. 

What lie do they most frequently remember telling? Does it haunt them?- Telling Mike he hadn’t had any luck in finding his family. This particular lie haunts him because he did find Mike’s family however he was too late. 

Mike: 

How do they cope with confusion (seek clarification, pretend they understand, etc)?- Often times he will pretend to understand simply because he’s too proud to admit that he’s confused. Depending on whom he’s with however he will as for clarification. (Read: Most likely to be comfortable enough to seek clarification from Hiroshi, Takehaya, Jasper and Tom.) 

How do they deal with an itch found in a place they can’t quite reach?- “Back scratchers were invented for a reason.”

What color do they think they look best in? Do they actually look best in that color?- Blue; Hell yes. 

What animal do they fear most?- Monkeys

How do they speak? Is what they say usually thought of on the spot, or do they rehearse it in their mind first?- Mike tends to be a hot-headed individual which often leads to him speaking without thinking first; however dependent on the situation at hand he will occasionally take some time to think about his answer before verbalizing it. 

What makes their stomach turn?- Several things make Mike’s stomach turn; the idea of eating monkey’s and the fact he truly doubted whether Rachel’s vaccine was actually failing.

Are they easily embarrassed?- No.

What embarrasses them?- The fact he gets off on being dominated. (Looking at you Takehaya.)

What is their favorite number?- 151 (Also Tom’s Serial number)

If they were asked to explain the difference between romantic and platonic or familial love, how would they do so?- Mike would probably try to do an in depth explanation, confuse himself and end up getting flustered and walking away.

Why do they get up in the morning? - He gets up in the morning because he believes that he is helping to keep the world a safer place. 

Helen: 

Why do they get up in the morning? - Helen gets up in the morning because she knows that lazing around in bed all day isn’t going to help save the world. 

How does jealousy manifest itself in them (they become possessive, they become aloof, etc)? - Jealousy manifests in Helen in negative actions; she can become incredibly snippy and standoffish when jealous. 

How does envy manifest itself in them (they take what they want, they become resentful, etc)? - Helen most often will become resentful if envy manifests in her however there have been occasions where she has taken what she wants.

Is sex something that they’re comfortable speaking about? To whom? - Being British and having grown up with the stigma that sex is a subject better left under the rug Helen very much struggles with speaking comfortably about sex, no matter whom she is with. 

What are their thoughts on marriage?- While Helen is not completely sold on the idea, she knows that if she were to find the right partner then she would happily put on the white puffy dress and walk down that aisle in style. 

What is their preferred mode of transportation? - Anything that doesn’t have only two wheels; a childhood trauma of a bicycle handlebar impaling her thigh left her with a severe phobia of bicycles or motorbikes. 

What causes them to feel dread? - A lot of things cause Helen to feel dread; most often not knowing how things are progressing during land expeditions. 

Would they prefer a lie over an unpleasant truth? -No, Helen prefers to hear the truth rather than be told a lie however she’s something of a hypocrite as she would rather tell a lie than deliver an unpleasant truth. 

Do they usually live up to their own ideals? - Helen often tries to live up to her own ideals however she knows she often falls short of them. 

Who do they most regret meeting? - Arthurus Morrow.

Nevada: 

Who are they the most glad to have met? - Amy Granderson

Do they have a go-to story in conversation? Or a joke? - Not particularly; Nevada tends to go with the flow of the conversation these days rather than steer it in a direction that suits him. He prefers to limit the amount of people who know about his past as a Mafia Kingpin. 

Could they be considered lazy? - No, Nevada does tend to pull his weight and do his share of the work around Baltimore. 

How hard is it for them to shake a sense of guilt? - Not hard at all. His philosophy these days is he’s done worse things in the past and failed to feel guilt over his actions, why should he start to grow a conscience now? 

How do they treat the things their friends come to them excited about? Are they supportive? - Nevada does try to be supportive of the things that excite his associates; especially if they are children. Some things however, such as scientific ‘breakthroughs’, he honestly could not care less about simply because he does not understand the fundamentals of the thing. 

Do they actively seek romance, or do they wait for it to fall into their lap? - Nevada actively seeks romance. He’s a manwhore through and through. 

Do they have a system for remembering names, long lists of numbers, things that need to go in a certain order (like anagrams, putting things to melodies, etc)? - Yes; get someone else to remember it for him. 

What memory do they revisit the most often? - Nevada most often revisits the memory of relaxing in a bar with his big brother Rafael after Raffi first passed the bar exam and began his journey to becoming the ass-kicking lawyer he was before The Red Flu epidemic. 

How easy is it for them to ignore flaws in other people? - Incredibly easy; Nevada knows that he has no room to judge others for their flaws as he has plenty of his own. 

How sensitive are they to their own flaws?- He is well aware that he has many flaws. Is he going to work on them? Hell no. 

How do they feel about children? - Nevada loves children. Probably(read: Definitely) more than he should.

How badly do they want to reach their end goal? - As far as Nevada’s concerned he’s already reached his end goal. The council that controlled his actions as a Mafia Leader is more than likely eradicated now, leaving him free to do as he pleases. 

If someone asked them to explain their sexuality, how would they do so? - Nevada would likely explain his sexuality via listing the sheer number of people (of all ages, genders, orientations, race etc) that he has slept with. 

Creator Questions: Answering for the creation of Helen

A) Why are you excited about this character?- I am excited for this character simply because of the vast amount of potential that she has to be an inspiration to young people in the future. B) What inspired you to create them?- Honestly I can not put my finger on what exactly inspired me to create Helen. C) Did you have trouble figuring out where they fit in their own story?- For a very, very long time yes. It’s only been recently that I’ve figured out where she fits in her own story and even now that idea is constantly evolving and being adapted as new ideas and plans pop up. D) Have they always had the same physical appearance, or have you had to edit how they look?- More or less her appearance has been consistent; I haven’t really had to edit her appearance very much. E) Are they someone you would get along with? Would they get along with you?- Considering Helen is recreated in my image I would like to think that we would get along. F) What do you feel when you think of your OC (pride, excitement, frustration, etc)?- Excitement and frustration both.G) What trait of theirs bothers you the most?- I have not really delved into the traits that Helen does/doesn’t possess yet.H) What trait do you admire most?- See G.I) Do you prefer to keep them in their canon universe?- Nope. This gal is free to hop into any universe she likes. J) Did you have to manipulate or exclude canon factors to allow them to create their character?- No. 

[elysiumrp]

Congratulations VEE! You have been accepted as Jasper Pitzen. Please go through the checklist and send in your account within 24 hours. If you need more time, make sure you send a message to the main.

When it comes to a character that has so many possible ways to develop them, it’s always a strange thing when it takes a while for an application to come in for them. But there’s always a reason – the right person has to come along, and here you are. Jasper is a pivotal person to the supernatural movement, both by being somewhat of a spokesperson for them and being the first to do what he is doing. It’s always exciting to allow a person to take on the challenge of a character they aren’t used to, but both of us feel you have the chops to do so. How you described the emotions he has, beyond just being in front of a crowd and behind closed doors, it’ll be a great addition to the character development already happening. It’s the determination you show that won us over, how you grasped how he is despite Jasper not being in your comfort zone and still wanting to play him. We’re here to become better writers, and with your determination, we hope this is the place will do that for you. Welcome to Elysium!!

OOC INFO

Name: Vee Age: 23 Timezone: EST Preferred Pronouns: She / Her  Previous RP Experience: [RFP] Activity Level: About a 4. I work long hours during the week from the afternoons until early the next morning (sometimes weekends) and will have to queue replies in my free time as I won’t have access to a computer. Any asks/IMs that I might receive will be answered a day later, and I may have to plan ahead of time for events in order to participate in them (depending on the duration of them). I know I’ll be working on July 4th, so I will not be around for the beginning of the event taking place that day. Anything Else: N / A

IC INFO

Character Name: Jasper Pitzen  Why did you choose this character:

I’m going to be honest and say it: I chose Jasper out of fear. Yep, I really did. When choosing characters, I usually play it safe and go with a personality type I feel comfortable writing. Time and time again I wind up playing the same character and it’s hard to tell if I’ve actually been growing as a writer. After a while, writing was beginning to lose its enjoyment for me. I felt stuck. I tend to shy away from super-serious political or government-related type characters as I feel I don’t have the knowledge to write them convincingly–research or not. They intimidate me. Now, I’m taking a chance with this app, conquering that fear the best way I can. It’s like that saying: “you won’t know until you try,” right?

To get down to specifics, I found the contrast between the younger “party-animal” Jasper (pun intended?) with the current straight-laced activist to be very interesting. I love symbolism and foreshadowing, so those two aspects of his life give me ample room to play around a little; I get to see how deep into Jasper’s character I can go in order to breathe life into him.

Additionally, Jasper is a character who’s out in the public eye constantly, so being careful with his words is a given. That allows me to put more thought (than usual) in what I’m typing out, to make sure things make sense for the questions that may arise. Jasper’s so different from myself that the extra effort needed to make him appear polished is very crucial to me.

Describe your plan for them:

As soon as I read Jasper’s bio and connections with the other characters, I saw him as this heartless, teasing, snobby rich kid who slides on a nice face for the cameras, but isn’t above threatening another supernatural to change their ways in order to make himself look better. With words that form riddles as well as threats, Jasper has more at stake and tends to lash out because of it. He’s not a villain…though that depends on who you ask. I love that duality about him; the way his character carries so many interpretations and how he’s each and every one of them when the situation calls for it. There’s so much negativity surrounding his character from the other supernaturals that there has to more to it than “he took my job” or “he can’t be trusted.” Jasper’s actually full of self-hatred and heart that he tries to hide for the sake of staying strong for his community. And that’s something what I want to focus on down the road.

Jasper seems to be so put together that I want to see him have a breakdown. Whether it’s from losing a part of the freedom he’s working so hard to gain or getting close enough to another and losing them, I want him to feel that raw emotion he’s been pushing aside since the day his wolf gene was triggered. I want him doing something really uncharacteristic, like seeking help from another in tears.

Furthermore, throughout the course of the story, I plan on having Jasper struggling to make allies of the other characters as he’s trying to understand their dislike of him. He wants them all registered with the database system, believing his work representing them is doing them a service; it’s possible that he’s tangling the web further. I want to have him questioning his identity, his self-confidence, and what it means to be a leader. Are his motives pure or clouded over with ulterior ones? Could that change over time? If possible, I’d really love to explore that.

Describe your character’s feelings and reactions to the initial reveal of the supernatural world:

Jasper was in complete shock. As he was just coming back to everything, just getting used to hiding the supernatural side of himself, he’s suddenly pushed out into the open. Before Jasper has a chance to fully self-identify as being a werewolf and adjust to the new life in a densely-populated area as New York City, he’s alone for the first time against a world he doesn’t recognize. He chose to fade into the background as he’s done for the past few years, but that plan was ruined when he was chosen to be on the Council. Unsure of what to do with the status and reluctant to take the power, Jasper finally decides that standing out with others at his side was more likely to save his life than to go about things alone with a greater risk of being killed. There is strength in numbers; it is that strength that built the Jasper Pitzen the Council needed.

Describe your character’s feelings and reactions to the current state of the world, and how it impacts them as an individual:

When the supernatural community lost the Council again, Jasper felt as though he left with it. He clung to the Council as part of the identity he was still searching for in the time that had elapsed. He spent days moping on the couch in his apartment or the stools in various bars, watching as the same people he fought to protect run past the city limits. He began to hear whispers of an uprising on darkened streets from those who supported the Council and demanded freedom. Wanting to feel that same passion he felt within the Council, Jasper joined what is the beginning of the Resistance in hopes of saving his people. Being thrust into the spotlight because of his disappearance and now because of his previously-hidden identity had left Jasper enjoying it more than he ought to. He’s having a piece of the life he could’ve had if his inner wolf never forced him to leave. It’s as if he’s playing the part of the bachelor again, kissing up to audiences purely for entertainment. He knows he has a job to do in promoting equality, but there’s a fine line between the two that he doesn’t mind crossing from time to time.

Para Sample:

“…and that’s my goal. World peace. An innocent little wish–something said by a child at the end of a holiday movie–but its meaning has grown immensely as of late; this isn’t something to make light of. We need to act on it now. Think about it. With all the violence going on in these times, would you want the children of our future harboring such seeds of hatred? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to pass on wisdom and love? My question to you is this: How would you like to be remembered?”

The roar of applause from the studio audience brought a grin to Jasper’s face. He snuggled deeper into the cushions of the chair he sat on, posture perfect, the very definition of confidence. The daytime host beside him nodded in approval and for a moment, everything was glorious. It was if answering that question ended the battles between supernaturals and humans. The sky would offer rays of gold, the birds would sing Pit-zen! Pit-zen…the credits would start rolling—

“And now questions from our viewers at home!” The sing-song voice of the host ended the applause, along with Jasper’s illusion. She tossed the cards in her hands over her shoulder, pulling out a new set from underneath her chair’s cushion.

Jasper’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open.

What the hell?!

The supernatural spokesman recovered quickly, however, motioning the host closer so he could whisper in her ear, “We never agreed to this!”

“My show, my rules!” The host sat back in her chair while Jasper tried masking his anger. She flipped through a few cards before landing on one with a satisfied hum. “Okay, so werewolves have lots of fur, correct? How often do you shave? And do you shave everything?”

The audience roared once more.Jasper lowered his head into his hands.

Damn those curious humans!

Ever since the supernatural world had been exposed, questions were thrown as quickly as punches. Humans who were pro-supernatural—or curious in general—wanted to know more about the lives living alongside their own. And since Jasper Pitzen was front-and-center fighting for supernatural equality, he was the target of such nonsense. He had left the show’s studio later that day to find “Pitzen is the pits” smeared on the side of his limousine in dog shit. When he arrived at his apartment complex, a woman walking her dog asked if he could translate her dog’s barking for her. To which Jasper replied “may you and your dog have a fantastic day!” He finally made it to his room’s door, where another bag of dog food was waiting for him.

Shit!

And then there was the press conference. Oh, God. The press conference. Supernatural lovers and haters alike crowded the entrance of the building. It was there that a man asked if Jasper could hear his boyfriend cheating on him from the other side of the city (as if the area around them wasn’t loud enough), some people threw trash at him, a handful of people wanted autographs (Jasper even signed someone’s ass!), and a group of women wanted him to bite them.

“Bite them.” Jasper had told his bodyguard, “They wanted me to bite them. This isn’t some teen werewolf drama on TV. This is real life. The bite is a curse.”

What made matters worse was that Jasper didn’t get flak from the humans, but from his peers and other supernaturals as well. They laughed at him, asking him random werewolf questions they already knew the answers to just to get a reaction. It amazed Jasper how they acted as if their lives weren’t on the line, as if this was one big joke. Fighting for equality was never easy; these added obstacles made things much harder.

Was anyone actually listening to him if they were laughing?

As much as Jasper loved the celebrity treatment, was it hurting his chances of repealing the very laws that bound him to a life of scrutiny? Were the humans slowly seeing him as an equal?

Some days Jasper wanted to go back to his life of partying, doing lines of cocaine and sleeping with as many people his king-sized bed could hold. Instead he was subjected to moments of sitting on the floor in the fetal position, rocking back and forth as the tears kept flowing, wishing everything would just stop.

But the world doesn’t stop for anyone. Not even Jasper Pitzen.

Any questions/concerns/things you’d like to change: (siblings to add, pronouns, sexuality you’d like to specify, personality, face claim, history, etc., etc.)

As much as I read the plot/everything on Jasper, it’ll probably take me some time to catch up on everything that has happened so far and really let it soak in.