#did this in a rush but honestly quite happy with the result

[c-hrona]

Trigun body horror week

Day 2 - Skin

Menarche

Do you ever wonder if Knives was afraid, the first time he sprouted blades instead of feathers? Would have he been less terrified, if he wasn't alone?

Do you ever wonder if he begged for his brother to come and help him understand?

Do you think it hurt?

[yourstrqly]

✰ BABY DADDY, L. HAMILTON

[ preview ] to lewis and yours excitement you're finally pregnant, causing not only happiness but also a slightly feral Lewis because of your body changes.

[ tw ] smut, pregnant reader (= sex whilst pregnant (honestly made me slightly uncomfortable but requested), soft sex, mention of jealousy + possessiveness on Lewis part, unprotected sex, fem oral, missionary, begging, slight praise kink

[ tags ] @e-nonsense for giving me the idea and this request 🖤 hope i did it justice and I might write a cute little smau for it too, just because I love soft lewis and I'm slowly converting to a lewis girly (pls send more requests for him or other drivers!!)

. previous |minors do not read | masterlist .

It's been quite a few months of free practice as Lewis likes to call it, before you finally held the white plastic stick in your hand with the word positive blinking on the screen, causing your man to tear up because of the excitement and relief that had rushed through his body. He had embraced you, whispering sweet promises of the journey that would begin now, telling you of plans before the baby arrives. You reduced working hours, enjoying the soft glow lulling you into motherhood.

It's a beautiful thing to witness yourself turning into soon to be parents and it's a whole lot of new experiences like renovating the guest room to fit it into your child's room, something that blesses you often with a shirtless sweaty Lewis building the furniture together. Meanwhile you sit in one corner of the room with a snack on the moss green armchair Kevin Magnussen's wife recommended you, gazing at the muscles flex as he moves around.

Another trait of Lewis shines brightly — he detests leaving your side, would rather choose to sit out a race than leave you all alone back in England, even though his mums as well as yours are there for you.

He also hates the amount of attention you get since falling pregnant; everyone likes to comment on you, friends like to touch your stomach as if his child would react to their touch — Lewis doesn't let go of you, having you close, almost hidden behind his massive build and pulls you away when people get to close to his liking.

And last but not least, it's impossible for him to keep his hands off your body, especially when your stomach shows, your breasts are fuller and the face slightly chubbier. "You're too stunning to resits, pretty girl", he'll mutter while pressing a soft kiss on your forehead, arms slung around your hips.

Whenever he's home you'd be woken up by his gentle whispering, telling your child of crazy yet child friendly memories around the track or of you, nuzzling his nose to your bump and kiss the faint strechmarks.

As of right now Lewis impatiently waits for your family to leave, his hands itching to touch you. The love your guests give you are making you glow and giddy, even more so than the first half of the week with only him, causing the ugly feeling of jealousy to strike within him. He knows he shouldn't feel like this but he wants to be your sun, not one of many stars shining on you.

Jealousy is a horrible emotion.

A delightful sigh escapes him as you hug your sibling goodbye before closing the door and falling right in his awaiting arms, bump pressing against his abdomen. Its innocent, you just want to feel his warmth, through your man has other plans and slowly drops his hands from your the small of your back to your perky ass, pulling the cheeks apart just to let them jiggle, which results in you snickering.

"You're horny again, Lew?", you sweetly ask, hands wandering to his braids, tugging them.

He groans and you feel him getting hard. "You know I can never not touch you. Making me all hot and bothered, specially like this, so full of me." His tone holds honesty and leaves no room for anything other than his endless love he showers you in as he guides you down the hallway and into your shared bedroom, where he clicks the lights on. He wants to see you when you take his cock and make a mess on it.

"I'm a lucky bastard, if not the luckiest, having you, the most drop deep gorgeous woman carrying my baby and to make love to you as long as you let me", he husks, "to kiss those lips, to touch your beautiful body."

He grabs the hem of your cute summer dress and then your underwear, gently removing both clothing articles from your body to see all of you. You're beautiful like this, naked and natural, blushing under the confession he has said and the avoiding of eye contact because he knows you're shy now.

"Lay down for me and spread those legs, yeah?", he whispers, still in awe of you.

You do as he says, body tingling as his eyes roam freely over you, taking you in, while taking his clothes off. Then he stags up to you, slothing between your legs and press a butterfly kiss on your sensitive pussy that has you whimper desperately. A hand of yours curls in his hair and you look down at Lewis, a blissful expression on his face as he has his eyes closed and his nose nugging your clit.

He's fully focused on making out with your pussy, pressing open mouthed kisses and slurping the juices like its his last time. Hands roam your body until your legs close around him, and he pulls them apart, holding them up as far as possible with your bump — it's not that big but can get in the way of things.

"So beautiful and all mine." His hot breath faws over your wet cunt that flutters around nothing. "You're so needy, want to have a finger in you, don't you, pretty girl?" You prob yourself on the elbows, gaze at him to already find him looking at you — there's a smug smirk on his wet covered lip and he waits for your answer. "I— I need your cock Lew", you sob,"please don't tease me, fuck me."

The sobbing is music to his ears. "Nah, baby, beg some more. Ain't gonna fuck you with my cock if you're not behaving correctly, you know that." Your boyfriend moves over you, elbows resting on either side of your head as he leans down to crash his lips on yours. Instantly you open your mouth to let his tongue glide in and interweave your hands with him. Kissing him itself is sloppy and breathtaking, intense even because he re-focus all your senses on the feeling of his tongue brushing against yours and plush lips moving sensually. A loud whine fills the space when he breaks the kiss. "Beg for me, pretty girl, be good f'me."

"Please. . please fuck me", you cry out, "Want your cock inside of me, please."

Lewis raises his eyebrows. "Don't you think you forgot something?"

You gulp. "Sir, please fuck me. I'm so so wet for you."

"That's better", is all Lewis says before you feel him rubbing his thick tip along the slit of your slick cunt and hear him groan. "Someone is just as horny as me, huh? Have you been wet all day, pretty girl?"

A loud incoherent moan slips from your lips when Lewis bullies his length past your tightness, grinding his hips as he's fully sheated between your gummy walls. "Can't talk to me anymore? Already gone, huh?" Lewd squelching are heard when he pulls out till only an inch is in you, and then he trusts, first one slow, the second one a bit rougher, pace growing faster as your begging cries echo through the bedroom. He grabs your shaking legs, laying them on his left shoulder to get a deeper access to your wetness.

Meanwhile your eyes fill with tears of pleasure, abdomen tightening and toes curl, nearing the edge. Lewis knows your body inside out, and dips a finger between your lips. You suck on his thumb, tongue tracing the tip as if it is his cock. But before you can register what comes next, he pulls his thumb out and smooth it on your clit, circling to push you to the orgasm.

Moaning uncontrollably, your back arches off the bed as the pleasure crushes you, shine glazes over your eyes and you're a goner. Through the high, long dick still slides into you despite the come flowing out on either side, making Lewis grunt. He's much closer than expected, having leaned over again — he's now kissing your tears tenderly away, you're feeling giddy. "Such a pretty girl", he groans, his own high peeking.

You cling to him as you both come down the high, peppering you with kisses and praise. It has you glow in his strong arms, and you're sure there's nothing better than this — building a family with the man you love beyond the stars.

[privatebooth]

Previously

Hawke considers his options. He needs to be careful about using attack spells lest it makes Fenris wake up, and he needs to keep him here to talk.

Carefully he takes out the fear demon burning it down (without Fenris noticing, as he is immersed in his vision). Then he uses a frost spell on the nightmarish image of himself and makes it shatter.

Fenris turns in his direction. Hawke approaches him cautiously and tries to smile. Fenris stares and Hawke notes that he doesn't look good - haggard, slow, eyes dim and apathetic and almost devoid of color. He wonders if this is the projection of how Fenris currently feels about himself, or does he really look like that in real life now. Has he been able to get any night's rest with dreams like this? Has he been eating at all? He must have been drinking, too... Hawke really hopes that Fenris will be able to hear and understand him. He takes it slow and doesn't say anything for a while, letting Fenris take a good look at him, searching his face.

(I honestly tried to tweak his textures to make him actually look "not good", but it proved to be useless. He's simply too beautiful, no matter what D:)

"Not giving me much credit, are you? I thought you knew me better than that!" Hawke makes an attempt at a pout. Fenris peers into his face.

Hawke doesn't know how much time has passed - his own time here fighting demons felt like an eternity. Fenris must have been tormented by his demons for quite a while, so Hawke doesn't expect him to be quick about his reactions. He decides it best to not do or say anything for now, just give Fenris time. There are no demons in sight, and no reason to rush things, so they spend a few moments simply looking at each other. In the meantime Hawke is trying to come up with just what to say, but when he finally meets Fenris's gaze his mind only screams It's me, it's really me, please see me, hear me.

Finally Fenris asks what's going on, and even his voice sounds wrong. Hawke asks if Fenris will hear him out. Fenris wonders sceptically if there's anything left to be said. Hawke heaves a deep sigh and groans that It's going to take a while. He takes a seat on the ground and suggests that Fenris do the same. No, really, it's going to be a long talk, you should sit down.

Fenris eyes him suspiciously but complies. They sit opposite of each other and keep staring.

Awkward silence ensues. Hawke hopes that if it drags on long enough with nothing happening for longer than expected and Fenris starting to get bored, he may be more susceptible to the new information. After all, demons aren't exactly subtle with their temptations, they usually get straight to the point!

When it feels like the time is right he starts talking.

We have a problem.

You don't say.

You're dreaming, and this is a very bad dream. There are demons out to get you, and you already let them in.

I did not! Fenris gives him an offended glare and frowns. Hawke is happy to see a genuine emotion on Fenris's previously blank face and it makes him smile. Fenris is watching him intently, as if trying to see through his deception.

I am here.

Fenris finds it surprising. He talks about Varric's letter which said that... (His face turns blank again as he recalls the exact phrasing). Before it arrived he'd been trying to reassure himself that Hawke's dream goodbye was a result of his own deep seated fears and anxiety.

Hawke winces imagining just what soul crushing words his writer friend used to notify Fenris of Hawke's apparent death. The dwarf was dangerously good with words, so it must have messed Fenris up pretty badly. Hawke also recalls that his own "last words" to him were frighteningly genuine (he believed it himself then!). He shifts uncomfortably.

Varric had a lot on his plate at the time. He had no way to know what happened later.

Hawke doesn't think it wise to share all the truth with Fenris, especially about the spirit he encountered. Nevertheless he needs to give him something to go on. He struggles to continue their conversation.

I appreciate knowing that you'd put me out of my misery should I go off the deep end, wouldn't have it any other way (if it ever comes to that)! But It's early yet. I'm still kicking!

Hawke is searching Fenris's face, and braces himself when he says

I may have rushed with conclusions last time we spoke. My goodbye to you was premature. I mean, I'm still trapped here, but it's not as permanent as I had thought. I'm working on a plan to get out!

Fenris's look is so intense, Hawke is ready to believe that he got through to him.

Look, I know you're worried about me, but right now you are the one who's in danger.

Hawke has a request. He asks Fenris to find a jar of very specific herbs at a specified location at his workplace back home. (After they left Kirkwall and settled down in a quiet remote place Hawke took to advanced herbalism. It became his hobby to experiment with effects of the herbs. He really wanted to do something that would help people). The jar is labeled "for extremely bad times". Fenris should brew a pinch of those herbs in a cup of hot water, let it draw for at least an hour, and drink it before going to bed every night. For Fenris this will block out all dreams - preventing demons from entering them. He will be completely out, not seeing any dreams whatsoever (I haven't yet thought of how Hawke would use it for himself or other mages). Also he really should refrain from imbibing any alcohol, lest it messes up the effect of the herbs. And it's just not very good for your health

He pauses, and holding Fenris' gaze pointedly states

I'm not giving up. I'll find my way back to you, but promise me you'll take care of yourself. I need you to be there.

With a timid smile he adds

It looks like you're the one who's going to have to save me!

Hawke presents to him the basic outline of the plan which involves finding a weak spot in the Veil, Carver coming to hold Fenris's hand, and Fenris pulling Hawke out. They will need to coordinate their movements, but for now Fenris needs to regain his strength.

Fenris lets it sink in. He is afraid to believe. He'd already sort of accepted that Hawke wouldn't come back, and now this? But this request is so simple. Something he can actually try and see.

He points out that without being able to dream he won't be able to see Hawke either, to which Hawke replies that it won't be necessary. He still needs to find a way to reach Carver, and if it works out he'll send a message through him.

Fenris asks if Hawke is a Dreamer now, and Hawke chuckles and says that apparently in his current state he can mentally connect to those he loves most.

Fenris ponders.

Finally he looks up at Hawke, and when he speaks his voice sounds stronger:

If you don't come back I don't know what I'll do with you.

Hawke is overjoyed because Fenris finally sounds like himself again.

He can't resist the urge to move closer to Fenris and touch his face.

If I do come back you can do with me whatever you want.

Fenris seems to relax a little.

Hawke notices a faint glow in the far end of the dream space and sees Hope tentatively poke Its head into the "room". Their eyes meet, It smiles brightly and waves at him excitedly.

(It's very happy about being able to come in!)

Next

[ask-sister-solaris]

“Wait me?”

Ray Stantz X reader ficlet

Warnings; none just toof rotting floof

————————

You had an extensive education. Psychology, science (physics, biology and chemistry) aswell as some more ‘niche’ studies including neuroscience and parapsychology. You had quite a deep understanding of the paranormal and occult, seeing it as nothing but a hobby, but when the Ghostbusters come around you realize you could actually make use of your PhDs and knowledge.

You stood infront of the tall and rundown building looking back at the paper. Yup this was the place, old Fire station. You peeked in before stepping in and going over to the reception desk. A dark red haired female looked up at you and she gave you a confused look before you explained why you were there

“I’m here about a job..I believe I can be of assistance to the Ghostbusters, I have proof of my PhDs and exam results..”

She hummed and turned around yelling for someone a man, no taller than you, pelted out of his office and vaulted over the border between the back room and reception. You recognized him as Peter Venkman. You’d never met him personally but you’d heard from students he’d had.

“Well hello, how can I help?” Peter gave you that signature smile and you rose a brow, how did women actually fall for him..shaking your head gently you held out the envelope containing all your certificates

“I’d like a job” your voice was surprisingly firm despite how shaky you felt. Peter looked it over and hummed impressed before smiling holding a hand out toward you. “Welcome to the Ghostbusters, follow me and Dr Stantz can get you all situated” you nodded and followed him as they reached some sort of garage. A pretty beaten up car was sat with the bonnet up and it looked as if someone was working on it, a small radio blasted out rock music, Peter turned the radio off.

“Ray! We have a new recruit walk them through the proton packs and stuff will you” he walked off before the poor man could answer. You gave him an awkward smile and wave. Ray wiped his hands and held it out, which you shook with a smile.

“Ray Stantz, I’ll try to explain the whole proton pack thing but we haven’t even had a test run of them yet” he rubbed the back of his neck. You chuckled and smiled gently waving it off “It’s fine Dr Stantz honestly, I’m just happy Dr Venkman took me on..”

He smiled gently “please call me Ray” he led you to the storage room where the suits and packs were kept. He explained it briefly, it peaked your interested quite a bit and you took in every word he said. You’d always been the same, attentive, friendly and hardworking.

It didn’t take long for you and your fellow ghostbusters to actually gain popularity, after the hotel everything seemed to be smooth sailing. Most of your time was spent in the lab with Egon and Ray, or in the garage with Ray. Venkman usually left you two alone in the garage teasing he didn’t want to interrupt two lovers bonding. You found it funny that he’d say that, considering you’d had a massive crush on Rag since day one, and little did you know that Ray felt the same.

Time seemed to fly by, you, Ray and Egons researched revealed more about Dana’s apartment and you and Ray spent even more time than you had previously. You had to confess but you were so scared. And she panicked when she was called and found out Ray and the others had been jailed. She rushed to the police station and told them you were also a Ghostbuster and if they were jailed you should be to.

Admittedly Ray found that downright attractive that you’d put yourself up there proudly claiming you were a Ghostbuster. Shortly after you were called in to the Mayors office. You stayed silent while the madman that had turned the grid off ranged (Egon had filled you in) and you hummed “Hold on. If what you’re saying is correct then it’s your fault, you turned off the grid releasing all the spirits and ghouls onto New York. And not to mention you blatantly ignored Dr Venkman”

The other four looked at you surprised and you turned to the Mayor “Now id listened to my colleagues before the whole of New York is destroyed and plunged into darkness” you stepped back and stood beside Ray his eyes never leaving you. God his heart was pounding even faster for you. Once the Mayor finally agreed offered a lending hand all five of them set off in the Ecto 1.

Fighting Gozer wasn’t easy, nor was it fun. Venkman taunting said cursed spirit. After Ray accidentally summoned a huge Stay Puft you stood beside him and fought bravely. With Stay Puft defeated and the gate closed you stood up with a groan covered in Mallow fluff. You were hugged by an equally covered Rays and you both laughed. After the two entrapped by the Keymaster and Gatekeeper you and the others headed down. You were holding Rays hand and he looked at you as people cheered.

What happened next you didn’t expect to happen at all, Ray tilted your hand up and kissed you gently. Your eyes widened before you melted into the kiss as everyone cheered, you swore you heard Venkman yell at Egon about owing him.

[fernandopiastri28]

quand c'est? - part 3~ ln4 x op81

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7

Yeah, yeah, he’s an idiot and should just accept defeat. He shouldn’t push himself so far. It’s nothing he hasn’t heard before, so the attempt is mute. Oscar knows he won’t listen to him, he should just give up while he’s ahead.

warnings: major illness, cancer, sickness, major angst wc: 2267

Lando ends up back in bed, a pair of Oscar’s boxer’s awkwardly sagging around his ass and a plain black quadrant shirt on. He’s been loaded up with pain medication and he can still taste the powder of the tablets lingering on his tongue. Oscar’s off in the gym doing a workout with Kim and had only left after much insistence from Lando.

He’d tried to check his phone, catch up on anything via social media he’d missed or answer some messages from family and friends, but it felt as if just looking at his phone screen was burning his corneas and brain, so he settled for staring up at the ceiling.

He thought about Oscar for a bit, but thinking about his boyfriend for too long resulted in him being half chubbed up against his thigh at seven in the morning. He could’ve done something about that, maybe it would’ve helped reduce stress from his body, but he was too tightly strung to do anything to himself- he genuinely thinks it would’ve killed him if he put his body through something as strenuous as wanking.

And that’s genuinely fucking embarrasing, so he tries to sleep away the shame.

Lando’s woken up by a heavy mass crawling on top of him. “Morning,” He grumbles as Oscar drapes himself half onto Lando.

“Morning,” His voice is less thick with sleep, but he’s clearly tired and panting, “You feeling better?”

“Mhm,” He shifts to wrap his arms around Oscar. His shirt is slightly saturated with sweat, as is his hair, but it’s nothing he hasn’t gotten used to. It’s part of being and/or dating an athlete. “Somewhat,” He adds- he feels far from ‘better’ or ‘good’, but it’s more manageable.

“Feel up for anything?”

Lando quirks his eyebrow, very forward, “Early morning sex?” It’s uncommon for them to have sex in the middle of a race weekend due to the imminent aches that Lando has to suffer post penetration, but honestly, it couldn’t be worse than his head right now, and if it makes Oscar happy- he’s down.

Oscar’s cheeks go splodgy red, “Tha-that’s not what I meant,” Lando isn’t sure why he gets so flustered and awkward about it. They hooked up for the first time in silverstone 2023, and that was over a year ago. Since then, they have been many cases of slow and languid sex before the race weekend and last night rushed fucks at the end of it.

“Okay? Then what did you mean?” His fingers drift through Oscar’s fluffy swoop, already dried and not showing a trace of being sweaty. Lucky bastard.

“Uh, a shower maybe?” They basically just had a shower, Lando doesn’t see the point. Maybe Oscar is testing his abilities to see if he can withstand a shower this time around. “Or get up and ready for the day if you just want to skip to that- we have some media stuff around midday, so I was thinking we could just wander around Orchard road until then,”

Lando thinks about it for a bit. He likes orchard road, pretty much each building is an architect's dream and an engineer's nightmare. Plus, there are quite a few luxury shops, so he could go get some new clothes and shit- but, it’s always so busy whenever he’s been in the past. Busy means being recognised, being recognised means having to take photos and autographs, interacting with fans means being peppy and.. and being normal Lando.

He can’t be normal Lando today, his body can’t even fake it.

“Not Orchard road,” He shakes his head, mumbling into Oscar’s arm as his nose juts against it. “I can’t do- can't deal today,” And of course Oscar is sickeningly understanding.

“All good, Lans,” God, he loves when he calls him that. It just sounds so good with his accent. “I’ll let Jon know, yeah?”

“Why?” Lando feels dopey, his mind clogged up with drugs.

“He’s your trainer, he needs to know if you’re unwell,”

“Yeah- okay,” His eyes blankly focus on his nails, where they’ve grown out too long like Oscar’s always are. They gently scrape down Oscar’s back, faint red lines appearing in its wake.

They stay like that for a few minutes, Lando unmoving and silent. “What’s going on in your mind?” Oscar’s got his eyes on Lando’s unfocused ones. “You look so out of it,” His thumb slides across Lando’s cheek, and he struggles to bring his mouth to answer.

His tongue rests heavily in his mouth, and it feels like his brain might throb out of his ears. He hadn’t noticed that he was coming off the painkillers because it had been so sudden, and he’d been trying so hard to just focus on Oscar.

“Empty,” His voice is hardly there, much like how it sounds after a party that consists of a lot of screaming.

Oscar licks his lips, pressing a chaste kiss to Lando’s lips. “Don’t feel up for talking?” His face is bare centimetres from Lando’s, and his features are all fuzzy being so close up.

He shakes, I’m not up for anything. It’s too many words for now, so he stays silent. It’s weird, only minutes ago he’d be considering the aspect of having sex, now he can hardly blink on command.

Maybe this is what it’s like being properly sick, and he’s just always gotten lucky with only having brushes with bad colds.

Oscar rolls off him after a little bit, and Lando’s eyes shut again. He doesn’t notice how much time passes- seconds, minutes, hours. It feels like it’s only been a 10 minute power nap when he’s awoken by Oscar again who tells him it's ten am and they actually need to get a move on.

He’s in a very typical Oscar outfit- black castore shorts and a team supplied papaya polo shirt. He has an 81 cap in his hand, his other hand on his hip. “Lando,”

“Oscar,” Lando slurs as he tugs the blanket further over his head.

“Lando, if you’re not up for the race today- just tell me,” He sighs, a frustrated one. “I’ll tell Jon, the team just needs to know now so they can get Pato race ready,”

He doesn’t get a reply, “Lando, wake up, mate,” He’s getting increasingly more irritated, and so is Lando. “Lando, wake up, Lando- fucking hell. Lando!” His voice is about as loud as the Oscar Octaves go, and Lando genuinely wants to smack him across the face.

Lando groans, a weird strangled noise of pure affront, “Shut the fuuuck up, Oscar,” He pushes the covers down and just stares at Oscar. “Fucking hell,”

Brown eyes meet green eyes- very unfocused green eyes. Green eyes that have no emotion behind them. They’re open, they’re there, but it doesn’t look like Lando is actually seeing anything.

“Jon’s looking for you,” God damnit Jon, does the man have anything better to do with his life?

Well. He is employed to pretty much hound Lando like a dog, so he is actually doing his job.

That makes one of them.

“And you need to get dressed, we’re just gonna head straight to the motorhome and shoot some stuff, alright?” Oscar sits on the edge of the bed and Lando’s lip juts out slightly. It would be unnoticed by anyone else, but Oscar knows each and every quirk of Lando’s. “C’mere,” He opens his arms.

Lando shuffles to prop himself up, not able to quite sit up. He makes a slight scoot forward before letting out a harsh breath. He’s not sure how much he’s going to be able to do today at this rate.

Oscar meets him halfway and embraces him. “You can’t race like this,” He hums, “You’re burning up- you could hurt yourself,” Lando allows himself to fully zone out, the words going in one ear and out the other.

Yeah, yeah, he’s an idiot and should just accept defeat. He shouldn’t push himself so far. It’s nothing he hasn’t heard before, so the attempt is mute. Oscar knows he won’t listen to him, he should just give up while he’s ahead.

“I’m.. gunna get dressed,” The words fall out of his mouth awkwardly, like they haven’t had time to fully form before they’re said.

Oscar moves back, standing up too. “Great,” He knows there’s no use in trying, so it’s better to just cheer Lando on where he can- make him feel somewhat better.

Oscar goes to the front door to put on and lace up his shoes while Lando debates what he wants to wear. Despite the uncontrollable sweating the night before, he’s feeling on the edge of a shiver, so after a long debate, he settles for a random pair of black jeans and an orange hoodie, the sleeves rolled to his elbows.

He shuffles into the bathroom, staring at his appearance for what feels like a concerning amount of time. It feels compulsive, in a way, like he physically cannot control his eyes to look elsewhere. He goes into autopilot as he reaches for his toothbrush, squirting toothpaste onto what he hopes are the bristles.

He turns the sink on, waving the toothbrush around in a hope to get it wet enough. He could’ve just settled for a dry brush, like he’s caught the younger boy doing a few times, but the thought makes his body physically cringe. According to Oscar, it’s better for your teeth, to Lando, it’s psychotic behaviour.

Lando gets impatient after a minute of brushing and spits out the toothpaste from his mouth into the sink, wiping his lips clean with a towel after. By this point, his eyes are working again and he can see. His headache has also weaned off somewhat, so that’s exciting.

He emerges from the bathroom, trying to remember what he needs to pack for the day. Phone, paddock pass, hat, journal, camera. Phone, paddock pass, hat, journal, camera. Phone, paddock pass, hat, journal, camera.

He can’t find his pass. Fuck. Where the fuck is it.

He grabs his pillow, tossing it to the ground with the thought his pass would be under it. It’s not a crazy thought, it’s happened once or twice before. He looks under the bed, which is a difficult task as it hurts to move usually, so squatting down and tilting his head towards the ground feels hellish. It’s not on the desk, not yesterday’s bag or jacket.

It’s just- gone.

“Lando, Lando,” Oscar repeats, walking up behind him. A hand loosely wraps around Lando’s bicep and he jerks at the feeling. “What’s wrong? Have you misplaced something?”

“Yeah, my- my pass,” His eyebrows knit together, a look of frustration and anxiety painting his features.

“I have it, I saw it on the ground this morning and grabbed it because I knew you’d forget it,” The aussie calms him, handing it to him as proof. Lando presses his fingers into the card tightly, squeezing it as if he’s worried it might fly off.

“Thanks,” He smiles, relief flushing his system. “I love you,” He looks over his shoulder, pecking Oscar on the lips. “Sorry- for being mad earlier,” Deep breaths and sighs break up some of his words, but Oscar can understand him all the same.

“It’s all good- you’re not well. I understand why you’re just a bit out of it,” Oscar holds Lando’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Just get your shoes on and we can head off,” Lando’s nostrils flare in effort as he steps towards the door, bending down to get his shoes on.

Oscar looks hesitant to ask if he needs help, his mouth opening and closing a bit like a fish, “I’m okay, I’m good to go,” Lando stands up, steading himself with a hand on the wall, out of sight of Oscar.

Oscar pauses in front of him, and for a few seconds they just stare at each other, then Oscar slides his hand up Lando's cheek and kisses him softly. Lando melts into it, moaning embarrassingly easily and quickly. God, he hadn't realised just how much he needed this until now.

They physically have to pull off each other after a few minutes, Oscar’s face flushed pink and Lando’s chest heaving through desperate shallow pants. “You’re so hot,” Lando bites his own bottom lip, grinning hard.

“Don’t-” Oscar warns, “Don’t do that face or we’re not gonna leave for another hour,”

Lando wants that insanely bad, but he genuinely thinks his legs would buckle and break underneath him if he tried, so he’s the one who opens the door and leads them outside of the room.

They go down the elevator, down to the ground floor where they’re practically attacked by fans. Their hands get separated, Oscar being pulled into a different direction by a pack of young boys while Lando’s swarmed by a group of teenage girls.

Lando’s sure he’s taken about 30 photos and signed about 20 shirts by the time they’re able to get properly outside and into the car. Oscar takes his hand back, squeezing it harder, “Sorry about that, I know you wanted to avoid the fans today,” He murmurs, doing his best to comfort his unresponsive boyfriend.

Lando’s tongue drags over his teeth, recognising the gap in between his two front teeth, the slight difference of lengths between each tooth, the ridges in them. He moves to sucking on the inside of his bottom lip, pinching it with his teeth. The pain is distracting from another uprising headache.

He won’t say anything to Oscar this time, he’ll just tough it out.

[heylookomegas]

One punch Boys and how they feel about being pregnant

King

Did you say “Valid as fuck excuse to retire from heroing”? Because that’s what he heard.

This man would be popping bottles if it wouldn’t hurt his new internal tamagotchi.

Immediately sends a mass email telling everyone he knows from the association so they won’t worry when he doesn’t show up to meetings. (And also so they don’t ask him to.)

Because of his previous career as a hero and living below his means for so long he has quite a lot of money saved up and is quick to make an elaborate budget and start looking up larger residences. 

His general reaction will be positive regardless of whether he’s happily married and the baby was planned or if this was the result of a random hook up.

The only things that change are his nanny budget and what he tells the press. If this was a hookup baby then he’s telling every reporter that asks about the father that they were an “Anonymous donor” which isn’t really a lie, technically.

Zombieman

*Deep breath* AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Immediately rushes to the doctor, not to get rid of it but to make sure his powers aren’t going to mess with the baby.

The answer is yes and no. His regenerative powers are causing seriously accelerated cell growth, but his reproductive system has dealt with that by splitting the initial zygote into multiple babies and growing them faster than normal. Repeat screaming.

He’s only going through with this if he’s already mated and moved in with his alpha, otherwise it would be totally irresponsible of him to keep multiple babies.

He loves his kids more than anything but he 100% has the worst pregnancy experience, all the symptoms are magnified, all the medicine he’s given doesn’t get processed properly by his body so it’s useless, he gets so hungry so fast he almost takes a bite out of his alpha and suddenly everyone is allergic to minding their own damn business.

Ends up taking something more like an extended vacation than retiring, he recovers from everything too quickly to justify to himself not going out and saving people.

Genos

Has to have a test tube baby since he’s basically just a brain in a hunk of metal.

Thank you Dr. Kuseno for your volunteering to help with this project.

And thank you house of evolution for the involuntary donation of your research.

Genos is psyched btw.

Saitama

“Damn, this is gonna be expensive.” 

Has a very delayed reaction to the whole thing, it’s totally possible it won’t fully sink in that he’s a mom until he’s holding a whole baby in his arms.

In the meantime he’s just living his life about the same as he always was minus alcohol and sushi.

He’ll be 8 months pregnant and punching aliens into oblivion.

Wins award for most clueless new mom. Maternal instincts of a brick this one.

Mumen Rider

WORRIED

Worried about cost, worried about danger, worried about birth plans, worried about birth defects, worried worried worried!

Someone please calm him down before he spirals into the center of the earth.

He’s going to need serious emotional support from his alpha and a lot of meditation apps.

Under all the anxiety he is happy, he’s always wanted a baby and well there’s never truly a right time is there?

Is there???

Garou

Goes from “Oh my god my life is ruined!” To “My baby is gonna be cooler than ALL ya’lls babies!” In like a week.

He just needed time to figure out how to fit a baby into his life mentally(if not practically.)

Has no idea what he’s doing but like a true Gen Z parent he’s doing what the internet tells him to.

Googling “Who has the happiest kids?” Followed by “Netherlands parenting” followed by “How to routine”

Garou honestly has to double check he’s still pregnant once in a while, his body doesn’t start noticeably changing until the final trimester and his symptoms are very mild. He didn’t even have any kind of morning sickness.

Fully committed to giving birth at home in his bathtub because he thinks the government will show up to take his baby and train it to be a super soldier or something and he’ll never see them again. Saitama said that “sounds like something the government would do.” While they were randomly getting udon together one day. Saitama’s emails from the hero association get a lot more passive aggressive after that, not that he notices.

[freisende]

Ensemble Stars! - Memories Selection: Checkmate Episode 1 -  折れた枝先 (The Broken Branch Tip) English Translation

Provided by Happy Elements, あんスタチャンネル on Youtube

Ensemble Stars Memories Selection: Checkmate 『チェックメイト』 Adapted from Ensemble Stars! Story: Checkmate Written by: 日日日 (Akira) English Translation: Freiya

*All copyrights of the stories, scene pictures and writings, all belong to Happy Elements. I only translated the scenes into English to help overseas fans understand the dialogues. I do not own any copyrights other than the English Translation*

——————————————

—In Yumenosaki Academy’s garden terrace, Izumi and Eichi are playing chess together, during Eichi and Izumi’s third year—

Eichi: Checkmate.

Izumi: …Haa? What is this joke? This is just the beginning–so what are you playing on winning already?

Eichi: Chess is my specialty. I have fairly good talent on it. (pours tea for himself)

Ever since my childhood, I have never lost to any adults, not to anyone. (picks up the cup)

Izumi: Hmm..

Eichi: A draw–or to be exact, a match that couldn’t be concluded, it has only been achieved with Tsukinaga-kun.

Izumi: If such an average guy could result in a draw with you, then I should be able to win against you easily, right? That brat–he could not do anything else other than composing songs.

Eichi: …Is that so? Isn’t that only what you want to think of him? (drinks his tea, then put the cup)

Let’s end the playing time now, and delve into the business. 

It’s a negotiation. I want you, Knights, to be a united party with us, the Student Council– In next week’s DDD that will be held, to crush Trickstar.

Izumi: …Didn’t I tell you that I’m still considering it? Don’t rush me, can you..! I don’t give a care about DDD, though.

Eichi: (drinks tea) 

Izumi: The current Knights is an empty shell–no seats nor domination. Can you believe this?

The Knights now, even already including the newbie, only barely made up 4 members.

Eichi: (arranges the chess anew) Ah.. The Suou household’s family heir, Tsukasa-kun, has just newly joined, huh?

…But, if my memory is correct… Knights consists of 5 members, right?

(puts his fingers on his chin) Tsukinaga-kun too… he still hasn't quitted school yet, correct?

Izumi: …That guy…(looks away) he can’t fight anymore.

Eichi: Hmm. So even now, it’s still like that, huh...

Previously, I also visited him once. (puts his hands on his chin) 

Really, unexpectedly geniuses are so frail. That was not the Tsukinaga-kun that I liked…

Izumi: (grits his teeth)

Eichi: Hey, Sena-kun… I really can not comprehend it. Everyone says that it’s all my fault, and I do believe that is one side of the truth... But I honestly did not have such intentions. 

I liked Tsukinaga-kun. It was fun when I played with him, and I was happy. That’s all there is to it…

Hey, Sena-kun. What is the reason that Tsukinaga-kun breaks? (looks at the Sakura tree on his left)

…Just who was it that killed the Cock Robin? [1]

***

—One year ago—

Izumi: (in the middle of calling Leo’s phone)…Geez, what is he doing!? …I can’t even get in contact with him.

Leo: (pushes the door open) Sorry…! I made you wait, Sena…!

Izumi: (raises his voice) You’re late! What are you…–

Huh!? Leo-kun, what the hell is with your condition!? (helps Leo that nearly collapses)

Leo: (collapses) Ow, it hurts…

–Izumi takes Leo to hospital–

Izumi: You… are you an idiot? The body is an idol’s foundation. Have a bit of awareness, okay!?

Leo: Aahh.. you’re so noisy! This is just a bit of a scratch because I fell over. Once I lick it with spit, it will recover immediately!

Tsumugi: (about to exit the hospital) …Huh? Just as I thought I heard some noises, it turns out to be Sena-kun? (walks outside) Hello. We meet here in such an unusual place!

Izumi: Oh…

Leo: (raised his eyebrows) Who are you?

Izumi: Oh, Leo-kun doesn’t know, huh? This is my classmate, Aoba.

What about you? What are you doing in a hospital?

Tsumugi: I am visiting a person– Eichi-kun.

Izumi: Eichi…? Oh, the rumoured conglomerate heir. I heard he collapsed in the nearby underground live house, and now he’s being treated in a hospital?

Tsumugi: Yes. I was asked by others to give him some prints. What about Sena-kun?

Izumi: Uh… I am just an aide. He doesn’t speak about the details at all… but he got injured and his arm’s bone was broken.

Tsumugi: Eh!?

Izumi: So, that is how I brought him to the hospital like this.

Leo: (pouts) I don’t like hospitals…! It smells strongly of medicine, boring, and I’m bad with it! There are people bringing needles with them to forcely pour strange substances in!

Eichi: (reading a book) Hmm? What is it, it seems noisy outside?

Eichi: (walks and looks down the window)

Tsumugi: Um… who is this? I don’t really remember…

Leo: Ahaha, right, right? I’m the genius who doesn’t really go to school often…–

Eichi (OS): Tsumugi and… Sena-kun from the same class? There’s another person there…

…Who is that little one?

***

–Inside the hospital’s lift–

Leo: Evil being! Demon!! Why am I being admitted to hospital!?

Izumi: You know what… it looks like you also hit your head too, so you need to be examined properly, for safety!

Tsumugi: You should also call your home and contact them with this.

Leo: Hmppphh.! (pouts)

(searching his belongings) …Huh? Hey, Sena… do you know where my smartphone is?

Izumi: Ergh… you must have dropped it again somewhere, right!? You should contact the smartphone company office…

Leo: Hmm..? (confused) I don’t really get it! (chuckles) Sena, can you do it for me? (puts his hand on Sena’s shoulder)

Tsumugi: Uhh.. (chuckles)

Izumi: (sighs burdenedly) I am… not your servant, you know…!?

Leo: Isn’t it okay? You like taking care of people, right? You can do things 100 times better than me. I can have a peaceful mind if I leave it to you! (raises his thumb)

Izumi: Honestly, it’s such~ a burden!

Leo: Don’t say it like that! I’m counting on you! (Shakes his head) No, I am owed to you!

If Sena is not there, I would have welled up quickly and quit being an idol.

Tsumugi: Hey, you two… (the lift opens) 

Oh, we have arrived… look, Tsukinaga-kun. 

Leo: Hmph… (pouts, walks out the lift)

Tsumugi: (walks out the lift, following Leo)

Izumi: Hey, Aoba… I’m sorry, but can I leave it to you? I have another matter to take care of… 

Tsumugi, Leo: Eh?

Izumi: (closes the lift and waves his hand)

Leo: …!? (puts a surprised look)

(throw his belongings away, Tsumugi catches it. Leo walks to the closed lift) Senaaa~!! You heartless being!!! (bangs on the lift)

Tsumugi: Eh? Eeehh~!?

***

–Leo opens the hospital’s room. Eichi observes him–

Eichi (OS): It’s the boy… from earlier, right?

(Leo immediately enters the room and looks out the window)

Leo: Sena~!! Don’t abandon me! Even though you can hear it… You bully!!!

Tsumugi: I-I’m sorry, Eichi-kun!

Eichi: Tsumugi…

Tsumugi: Um… where should I begin to explain?

Leo: (picks up a fruit)

Leo: (screaming) Idiot, Sena you idiot~!! (picks up another fruit)

Stuuupid, stuupid! Just die!! (picks another fruit)

Eichi: Hey, you… (walks to Leo)

Leo: Uh…

EIchi: You can’t just play with food. Don’t you feel bad for the farmers?

Leo: I… I feel bad! 

What a hideous thing I’ve done! (bows)

I’m sorry, farmers! (puts back the fruit)

But… but… what should I do with this sadness that Sena has carved in me? (points at his broken arm) My arm is broken… And there is no instrument, so I can’t do a performance too!

(looks at the bed and climbs up) I don’t have any other choice but to sing!

Eichi: Huh?

Leo: Listen to my song! This is the song of “I hope that the mean Sena will die, suffering from mould on his front legs!” 

Leo: Composer and lyricist, Tsukinaga Leo! (begins to sing) I hope that the mean Sena will die, suffering from mold on his front legs~!

Eichi (OS): (smiles) Tsukinaga Leo…hmm. So that is his name. What is it with him? He’s so unique.

***

–In Yumenosaki Academy–

Madara: (attempting to catch a cat stuck on a tree branch) Look, there is nothing to be afraid of~ Come, come~

Izumi: (walks on another side of the road) Aah~ It makes me so mad! 

Izumi (OS): But, why is it–That I can’t leave his side?

Izumi (OS): If it’s the usual, I would have long lost my patience and part away…

–Izumi sees another person peeking at the school gate–

Izumi: Hey, you damned glasses over there!

Arashi: (Startled) Hey, what is with that “damned glasses”? I am hurt, you know~?

Izumi: I told you to stop with that way of talking! 

Why should you enter the same school, anyway~? And without even me knowing it, you had a change of character in a disgusting way!

Arashi: (smiles) Hmm… (shakes his head) Do not worry~! I do not have any interest in you at all, Izumi-chan~

Izumi: Not Izumi-chan, but Izumi-senpai, right! I have told you since our first meeting to use formal language with your elder, correct?

(sighs) Haa~... Well, the timing is perfect. I am now going to practise our new song, if you’re free, then tag along… as a fellow member of the unit, okay~.

Arashi: No, no, no~ (raises his hand) I’m not particularly free, okay? And honestly I’m only filling a seat, and I don’t really have any interest in the unit activities, okay?

I don’t even clearly remember the unit’s name, you know~? Othello, is it?

Izumi: …Until last year, yeah. Since we changed leaders this year, it’s changed to the name Backgammon.

Arashi: It keeps changing indefinitely from time to time, huh? If I remember correctly, the first name was, Chess… is that right?

Izumi: Right, right. In this rotten Yumenosaki Academy, we have become the second-oldest unit now.

Izumi: Leo-kun in particular, has some kind of attachment to the Chess name, you see?. When the name was going to be changed, only he had a big objection to it.

***

————————————————

Translator’s Note:

[1]: “Who killed the Cock Robin?” Is a dark English Nursery rhyme, about the bird Cock Robin which was killed. In this Checkmate story, the poor bird who was killed refers to Leo.

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!Warning! Please refrain from reposting the translation to other platforms; abide to link back to this post for reference. Thank you.

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Navigation:

Memories Selection: Checkmate Directory Chapters Episode 1 - The Broken Branch Tip (You are here now) Episode 4 - Rusting Heart Episode 5 - The Lonely Throne Episode 6 - The Shine of the Crown

End notes:

✤ Read my other posts here! (●'◡'●) ✤ For other translations, here. ✤ More information (commission, messages, requests): Carrd ✤ Thank you for reading, the likes and reblogs. If you want please voluntarily consider giving me a tip through Ko-fi! 😊

[a-shrieking-cloud-of-bats]

DF Posting: KingChannels - Year 2

Here we are again.

The Bedroom Floor, which as of the end of year 2 was housing every single one of our dwarves. There's three more wings like this, along with some larger bedrooms up top for our more distinguished (read: cranky) fortress members. I'd say we're using... maybe a third of them?

Looking forward I think I took too many pictures of dwarf stats and likes and such, but here we are again regardless. We left KingChannels last year with planning out our barracks/trade depot combo, and the future trap tunnel I will be using to bolster our defenses. We began year two with adding two new members to our Militia, Sigun Libadkivish and Kogan Rithas. Both mostly unskilled, but you need bodies sooner rather then later so they can get trained up when that barracks gets built.

the two new happy members of our militia

Shortly after this addition I had a realization that creatures can Climb, now. As a result I reexamined the wall around our fort and had the realization that enemies can probably just climb over it, so we're going to have to add a plan to build an overhang on the top of it, to prevent goblins from just scrambling up the walls and rushing into our main fortress. The trade depot/barracks/kill tunnel doesn't really Work if they... you know, don't go through it. Other then that realization not much happened early in the year as we were honestly just waiting for more dwarves. We finished putting some statues up in the temple, along with starting smoothing it out, but we need more haulers, more masons, more everything. The first year being as dry as it was on migrants was quite bad for our momentum, especially given the number of large scale constructions I'll be doing in this fort, but thankfully with Aban on ring making duty we should be sending out quite the impressive signal to the mountainhome soon enough.

Despite our cool new temple some dwarves are still unhappy; namely Sigun himself. He did get caught out in a snowstorm to be fair; dwarves Hate being outside in bad weather, to the point that it can lead to traumatic memories. He later learned something from it (the importance of self sacrifice, foreshadowing as a military dwarf?), but it's still dragging his mood down I believe despite it being "good" for him.

Unfortunately migrants are determined by how much stuff you ship out on the dwarven trade caravan and the first two migrant waves this year were completely dry. Expected, but unfortunate. While waiting for the trade caravan to arrive we carved out the living room floor (pictured at the top of this post), and doubly used this as an excuse to explore a new layer, as it was made partially of chert. A new layer of stone means new potential for ores, which means maybe we can get the militia armed sooner rather then later.

Regardless the liason Eventually arrived while we plunked away at the trade depot. It didn't get to experience the luxary of trading in an Actual Room, with an Actual Roof, but there's always next year. The outpost liason told us next year they want Sheets (whcih is to say, paper or parchment sheets), and Anvils. Not a great thing for us given we're building a library. We'll probably just go double time on the stonecrafts this coming year, but maybe I will sell some paper; the library is a ways off yet after all.

Meanwhile we requested, Steel, Iron, Bronze and Silver bars. Steel, Bronze, and Iron are obvious, we need to get our militia armored sooner rather then later, and I have no guarantee of there being a significant amount of military grade metal on site, but the silver is something special. As I've said we're building a library, but it Is the focus of our fort, so I wanted it to be a little bit more then stacking rocks. We are making the library mostly out of sterling silver, an alloy of copper and silver, with other ornamental metals to accentuate things a bit. Gem windows also.

Anyway we bought some random gear they brought, a few iron and bronze bars, as well as a single silver bar, and a bunch of cheese wheels for the dwarves. I always like buying random food when the caravan comes, dwarves like the variety and it's often quite cheap. Higher value food makes dwarves happier too, and cheese is rather high value for an uncooked food. We also bought our first book.

A scroll concerning the moon and how it moves around in the sky. It'll go in the library eventually, obviously. Note the value too, very expensive. We're going to need a more robust economy if we're gonna get more non fortress written books.

Literally two days after the caravan left we got a migrant wave and it was a Big one. News travels fast. The migrant wave was, even better, mostly military dwarves, two melee and two ranged. I went ahead and augmented our belowground trade depot pillboxes with a link up to another barracks for the ranged dwarves. They need a bit more space to do their training, so underground suits them fine as well as being easier to expand outwards.

Our four new militiadwarves. The melee squad is now up to 6 strong, and these two are skilled! Good tidings indeed. For those curious, Udin and Eral are marksdwarves, Doren and Ber are meleedwarves, Sword and Axe specialists respectively. They'll be a big help.

On top of these four, we got another 7 dwarves, totaling up to 11 dwarves. Basically everything I could've asked for. The construction effort on the trade depot speeds up near instantly and we get it structurally complete before the end of the season. Just need the floors and roofs now.

In the process of waiting for the depot to finish, I realized we had no water within the walls of the fort. I set about planning a cistern for the nearest murky pool so we can get some renewable water going, hopefully, if we get enough rain to refill the pool. If not we'll still have Some water, we hopefully wont' need much before we hit the caverns and hopefully find a much larger source of water.

At any rate after the sorting out of the migrant wave was over I set to making a weapon out of the iron we bought. The next long term goal for the miners, now that all of our basic needs are being met, is to find the metal on site so we can get our militia into metal armor. Exploratory mining will begin soon, but I also dug out some extra room on our workshop floor for our fledgling metal industry.

Small beginnings. We might eventually upgrade to a magma furnace, but honestly I find setting up a little forge hovel near the core of the earth a pain in the butt, as much as I like it aesthetically. Maybe we'll pump magma up, though that presents its own risks. Maybe if the cavern water pumping goes well.

The new forge was put to work immediately making an axe for one of the recruits. The other recruits claimed the purchased gear, and we are that much better armed for any aggression.

Shortly after our military got armed, we had our first strange mood! A posession, unfortunately, but we'll take what we can get. Ingish grabbed some Chert and Rough Bloodstones, and made a scepter.

I'll probably give it to a noble as a ceremonial piece or somethin. Or maybe just put it in a display case in the library somewhere. It does refer to a historical event from our civilization, The Rag of Palms so that's pretty nice.

Around this time winter hit and the murky pools froze so I set out to make that cistern. It's a small one, mostly to get the water out of the pool and under a roof, so the pool can refill. Honestly also did it just because I like messing with fluids in dwarf fortress. Honestly no idea how I haven't made a pumpstack yet.

The intermediate form of the cistern. I want to add some stone block walls and floors eventually. The blue on the right is obviously the frozen murky pool, the lever controls the floodgate, and the stairs go down into the cistern for when we need to hook it up to another cistern to bring it to the fort proper. This is mostly just to allow this particular murky pool to refill, giving us more water in total, over time. This Does present a potential hole in our security, but as long as we don't leave the floodgate open it should be fine. Should

This occured pretty much simultaneously with the smoothing of the temple being finished, creating a nice meeting place for the dwarves, which should hopefully help lighten the mood. We've gotten a number of mildly unhappy dwarves, and sure enough, after this all got smoothed out that number slowly dropped. And then immediately rose because everyone ran out in the snow and got pissed off about it, as dwarves do.

Luxary. We'll probably add some tables and chairs and such in here at some point too. Floor's a little barren. Also yes that is a llama statue. The cube statue is of a bogeyman, I dunno why it's shaped like a cube. Tileset restrictions on largely procedural creatures I'd imagine.

Once that got done I set the smoothers on the dining room, for similar reasons as to the temple. Areas dwarves frequent are important to make look nice, for happiness reasons. They never got around to even a single tile before the end of the year because they were too busy making stone blocks. A mostly good thing. The temple is probably enough for now.

As the year plodded on towards its conclusion the barracks part of the trade depot was finished, and our dwarves began to train. Shortly after the recruits graduated to novices of their given weapon types, and earned a Sword and Speardwarf title. The beginning of a hopefully long road.

They're not training in here as of this screenshot, but they're headed there!

We hit another bit of a lull as winter ran on, started making a floor for the main room of the depot and got that much closer to actually moving the depot inside it for once. The roof is still needed but we have an honestly absurd amount of blocks so it'll be done soon I imagine. The extra labor really helped. At some point while closing up the year a militiadwarf got trapped outside the walls at some point. I did have the drawbridge down at one point so haulers could bring some wood from outside the walls in, but I don't know why he would have left. Will have to keep my eyes open for further excursions. If there's some gap in the defenses that the dwarves are wandering through, we can expect any enemies to wander through it too. And dwarves won't climb to my knowledge, even if they know how, so that couldn't have been what happened either.

At the end of the year, the fort had its first child birth, Lolor Rimtarilir. Child of Kogan Rithas and Sigun Libadkivish who may sound familiar. The two dwarves we put in the military at the start of the year. We've come full circle. Unfortunately last time I played mother dwarves carrying their children had a nasty tendency to use them as shields, so Lolor may not be long for this world. Then again, he only needs a year to start walking, so maybe he'll be fine.

We can only hope. Also yes, dwarves are born with a full set of values, preferences, and life goals. Minute One this baby knows Exactly what it is doing with its life. Must be nice.

And from that point the year drove to a close uneventfully. The trade depot will be finished next year, and we can begin on another project, expand the cistern network, hopefully get some equipment forged, and maybe start to look at building that library. If not, I'll look into a non library secure storage place for books somewhere, to keep them out of the hands of thieves, as they don't go into any stockpile inparticular, so that scroll's just kinda... hangin out in the trade depot undefended. Costing 1000+ dollars and all. Need to get that taken care of. Probably should've done it this year. Oh well!

Until next year. Our fortunes rise and fall together.

[lillifaba]

Here's why I'm still unimpressed with the Wicked movie trailer

A while ago I made a post explaining my thoughts on the Wicked teaser trailer. A lot of it was mostly negative due to the poor CGI, acting, lines etc... Well the official trailer dropped and I've got some new thoughts both good and bad. This is going to be way longer than my last post because I'm going to go into detail about why I think this movie won't live up to the musical by comparing it to other movies and musicals. I'll also be talking about some scenes from the featurette.

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION SO FAR ON WHAT WE SEE IF YOU LIKE THE TRAILER OR LIKE ANY OF THE ACTORS THEN DON'T GET YOUR PANTIES IN A TWIST MY WORD ISN'T GOSPEL NOR IS IT MY FINAL OPINION ON THE MOVIE.

Starting off with things I liked:

I'm actually starting to warm up to Cynthia as Elphaba. In my last post I argued I didn't entirely see her as Elphaba mainly because it was obvious she's a thirty seven year old playing an eighteen year old. While I still believe she doesn't pass for younger Elphie and her simple "I am" comeback is weak, hearing more of her lines and performance is actually on point with Elphaba's character. I wouldn't be against her revisiting Elphaba on stage after the movie. Bottom line: I think she's a great singer and am happy a fellow WOC is playing Elphie.

Holy shit that witch cackle gave me goosebumps. It might be the editing and sound in the trailer that makes me feel that way so we'll have to see when it happens in the movie.

Michelle Yeoh???? Like hello? Although she seems more toned down compared to the campy personality MM has on stage, she plays the role of the evil villain quite well. (I'm sad she had to stop using her beautiful Malaysian accent ;_; I hope it was by her choice and not by the choice of the executives.)

Some set designs look quite nice. I'm particularly curious about the scene where The Wizard is dancing around a full size diorama of Oz.

The effects of the grimmerie are quite neat. I despise the new shape of the book, but I think it's cool how instead of going for some floating colorful lights to pass as "look magic oooo", they're going for the spells to be coming out of the pages. Very unique.

And now, on to the negative. This is where I'll be comparing some of the shots and scenes of the trailer to other movies and parts of the musical.

I hate hate hate the CGI. You don't understand I absoultely for forever deeply truly LOATHE the CGI. It cheapens the movie and all that talk and show about how they built up the sets and rainbows showing over their productions goes all out the window when I see those flying monkeys.

Let's talk good CGI vs rushed CGI.

First off I do not blame the VFX artists for this movie looking the way it does so far. VFX artists are one of the most overworked and underpaid workers in the film industry who have to pump out content in a short amount of time. It is also not their fault that audiences are tired of seeing overdone CGI movies every month. It's part of the reason why the Wicked teaser trailer got so much hate when it came out (on top of Ari/🧽, reactionary bros, etc...)

The CGI (mostly in the Emerald City) looks AI generated. Most of my issues with it come from the effects looking poorly rendered. Elphaba flying looks obviously fake. I know they recently touched up some of these scenes but honestly it doesn't make a difference to me at all in quality.

If John Chu and the team behind this movie really cared about this like they insist they do, it wouldn't hurt to take time with the effects. When you do so, you get mind blowing results like this:

Onto other effects: The flying monkeys don't look great. They look poorly rendered along with the rest of the effects. For that I wish they would've stuck to practical effects like Pan's Labyrinth did or literally any character Doug Jones plays like down below.

Heck, even the musical does a better job:

I seriously encourage you to watch B T S footage of Wicked to see how insane and amazing this effect is. Once you see it, you'll realize just how bad the movie fucked up on this.

Bottom line: movies that take their time with CGI effects and utilize other methods like practical effects before leaving everything up to post have better results than your run of the mill CGI Marvel or DC blockbuster.

I'm still not feeling Arianna as Glinda. Before you fans eat me up alive I need to say again I don't hate her and even like some of the stuff she puts out there. This critique is not a reflection on who she is as a person because I don't know her personally. With that out of the way I still cannot stand her Glinda impression. "But Lilli!" You say. "You said you didn't like Ari as Glinda because she's not giving Glinda but she's doing Glinda's voice!" And I stand by that. She's not giving Glinda. She's giving Kristen Chenoweth. You might think that's the whole point of playing Glinda but let me ask you; When you watch Megan Hilty as Glinda, did you think she was imitating KC to the bone? What about Kendra Kassebaum? Ginna Claire Mason or McKenzie Kurtz? Did you think KC was imitating Billie Burke? Or were all of them doing their own interpretations of Glinda that made the character unique to themselves and not a copycat version of the original? Because I argue that's what makes every Glinda special and unique from the previous actress who played her. Doing a copycat rendition of KC makes me believe you have no faith in yourself as an actor and you are incapable of playing character that's been done before without having to copy the source material beat for beat. Because of this, I still cannot seperate Ari the pop star from Glinda The Good.

This point has less to do with Ari as Glinda in the movie and more as what she's doing to promote the movie. I have no idea where else to rant about it but here. I hate hate HATE how Arianna is making this movie and Glinda her ENTIRE personality. She acts like she's part of this fandom yet never interacts with anyone in it (unless its directly involves her) and it all feels so... artificial and money grabbing. Someone please tell me I'm not alone. Like girl please call me when you read and write fanfic on AO3 and get three kudos on your multichap fic lol.

DTL: Again I ask, WHY IS THIS MOVIE SO DARK? DTL is meant to be in a ballroom with tons of bright lights and projections. This ballroom looks so dark and depressing. I'm not thinking "let's dance because dust is what we come to" I'm thinking "turn me into dust already." When I saw Elphaba putting that hat on in the teaser trailer, I thought that was a scene in defying gravity. John Chu failed this scene which makes me angry because I this is my favorite scene in the musical.

Adding on to DTL, we have to talk about the scene where Elphaba and Glinda establish their friendship. If you know this scene in the musical (which duh) you'll know that this is where Glinda realizes that she did a horrible thing to Elphie and wants to make things right, even if it means putting her reputation in the gutter in front of her friends. I know this is an edited trailer so we won't know for sure how the full scene plays out in the final movie, but Glinda immediately going for a hug before they start dancing threw me off guard. At this point, they still aren't best friends because Elphaba doesn't realize that Glinda is sorry for what she did, their relationship is only now starting to build up. Let me ask you, what do you think makes a scene more impactful? Glinda hesitantly and nervously walking up to interupt Elphaba doing a solo dance and then cutting in to make her feel less alone, which eventually leads to all while making them ease up around each other as the song and dance progresses OR Glinda rushing into a bear hug with Elphaba before they even establish them making amends on the dance floor? One seems like a slow burn that tugs at your heartstrings while the other feels like a cheap attempt to get some kind of emotional response from the audience? (Then again not sure how this scene will play in movie but it's not looking good right now)

Final point, why is Elphaba crying during this scene? I get she's just been put through public humiliation and is just now getting an act of kindness from someone but don't you think it's too soon to show her in such a vulnerable position? One of the things about Elphaba in both the musical and books is that she's built a wall of apathy around her because she's been judged her whole life and doesn't care how other people percive her. We don't see her breakdown in the musical until Nessa's death because she's been forced to stay strong her entire life. Maybe at the earliest, we'll see her tear up during defying gravity but I'd argue that's a part of the actress playing her and not the character herself.

I hate how this trailer has been edited to make Arianna look like the protagonist. I get she's bringing in a large audience, but she's playing the secondary character, not the main one. It just pisses me that the protagonist (who is a WOC) has to be in the shadow of the white woman. It almost makes me believe they're doing it because they're more worried people would be offended at the prospect of a POC being a leading role.

The main actors still look way too mature to be playing their characters. I spoke about this already. I don't buy any of these adults (with the exception of Marissa Bode) as college freshmen.

Still hate that riff at the end of defying gravity and that after all the backlash, they're still going with it. I also can't believe some of you are defending it to the death and acting like Cynthia Fucking Erivo can't do a better take than what she gave. (Yes, I know every Elphaba does a different take on the riff and we all have our favorite ones but I'm going to say something that is controversial yet brave: Not every riff that every Elphaba does is great. Some of them are range from underwhelming to straight up bad) Here's a reddit post I found that better explains my gripe with the riff since I'm bad at explaining musical terms:

Costume and makeup design is still atrocious. I'm sorry, but the low effort looking costumes cannot hold up to the extravagance and camp the stage has. They should've brought Susan Hilferty back. Look at Elphaba's act 2 dress and the dress movie Elphaba wears and tell me you're not disappointed.

Adding on, why does everything look modern, including the makeup? Arianna using her brand of makeup in the movie doesn't impress me when she's using a modern day mascara wand over her wispy falsies in a 1900's inspired society when she should be using one of these:

Like... come on? Can you imagine a scene of Glinda doing her makeup while she's ranting to Elphaba about how men (except for darling Fifi of course <3) are so entitled and disrespectful and in the middle of her sentence, she just SPITS on her mascara cake, scrubs the brush like she's scrubbing the floor and does her lashes? Iconic honestly.

Adding on to the makeup looking modernized, I'm not a fan of Elphaba's modernized makeup either. It could be the deaging filter they added on everyone older than thirty but one thing that stood out to me is they used 90's era lip liner on her. I'm much aware if you're darker skinned, you will often times need to use a liner in order to blend in parts around your mouth that are darker in comparison to your lips. Counterpoint however:

They could've easily used a dark lipstick post-Popular like they already do. The 1900's era mostly used a single shade of lip color anyways. And no, I don't want to hear from any of you how none of this matters because Oz is an advanced society or some half assed excuse why it's totally okay they didn't care about the miniscule details while they cared about the number of tulips used in Munchkinland for NMTW. (also note: Oz was considered an advanced society FOR THE TIME IT WAS CREATED. Meaning they weren't envisioning the future items we have now like a mascara wand) If they allowed Arianna to use her own brand of makeup for the movie, they could've allowed an expert on BW's makeup history on set for their main protagonist.

Set design. I've got to say, while some of the sets are impressive, they really don't fit into Wicked or Oz. I mostly blame CGI and lighting, but even then, it can't hold up to the simple, yet brightly colored sets we see on stage. Shiz looks like something out of Hogwarts, which nearly every fantasy academia story looks like these days. Can we please have something original for once?

What I would've enjoyed seeing the movie do is something similar to Melanine Martinez's K-12. They were working on one location on a smaller budget, yet it looks better than the dimly lit and CGI sets we're seeing.

Obviously I'm not saying Wicked should look EXACTLY like K-12 because they have completely different themes and genres, but my point is good lighting, original set designs and color correcting can take you a long way. Wicked is deserving of having the same whimsy look that the WOZ movie had, while still having dark parts where needed.

Some more examples of good use of lighting during dark scenes in movies:

Continuing from not being a fan of the sets, I'm FUMING at the location of Fiyero and Elphaba freeing the lion cub. Why is it in a dark dreary forest?????? Did John Chu mix up the locations between INTG and ALAYM???? The lion cub scene takes place in the poppy field, with a soft orange pinkish lighting that creates a romantic atmosphere and establishes the growing romance between Fiyero and Elphaba (<3) This forest looks too erie and mystical, which should've been used for act 2.

Another hot take: I think the tulip field in Munchkinland looks completely unnecessary. I literally do not care if they planted thousands of rows of them. They look CGI'd because nearly everything in this movie is CGI.

Now onto some things I'm confused about.

God I was so looking forward to Peter Dinklage as the voice for Dr. Dillamond,but from what I heard of his voice acting so far, it just sounds... underwhelming. But I can't complain too much because at least it's not James Corden. I still believe in Peter and hope he will pull through.

Why did they feel the need to change the shape of the grimmerie? It was fine the way it was!

Adding to Dr. D, I'm not sure if I like his new design. I'm guessing they're taking inspiration from the book but if we're discussing live action, I really prefer makeup effects over CGI. One of the things I liked about the Animals in Wicked and in Cats the Musical is they find a perfect balance between blending human features and animal species without it going into the uncanny valley.

I feel underwhelmed by Jeff Goldbulm's acting as The Wizard :( I can't complain too much because he kinda-

On a final note: I think this movie just cannot and will not match up to the excellence of the musical. Will it be a good movie? I don't know yet. I'll still see it in theaters and will give my thoughts.

While brainstorming my thoughts for this trailer, I've really been thinking about why I hate what I'm seeing so far while I enjoy other interpretations of Wicked, especially when it comes to costumes. Then I realized something.

I love non-replica productions of Wicked... So why don't I like the design of this movie?

Part two of my take COMING THANKSGIVING 2025

Not really, give me like a week or two.

[ecargmura]

My New Boss Is Goofy Episode 11 Review - Good Things For Momose!

We’re at the penultimate episode. Next week is the finale. It’s crazy how time flew by so fast. Anyways, this was a cute episode like always, but it does feel it’s hinting towards an ending with the way Momose is looking for an apartment and such. The only bad aspect of this episode is that Kinjou and Aoyama don’t get much focus.

Good things are happening to Momose! His aquarium ad is being featured, which means he got a bonus. This gets him exploring new apartments, which he takes his weekend on. He goes exploring new apartments with Shirosaki. Unfortunately, they were all a bust. I think Shirosaki’s words about not needing to rush on finding one is wise. Momose can take his time all he wants. I did like how Shirosaki did express that he and Hakutou would be upset if he were to leave. Momose, he’s hinting that he wants you to stay! Please stay! Also, the part where they were sleeping on the train together was so cute! They’re very chummy indeed.

The little side plot with Hakutou was so cute. He loves Shirosaki a lot and wants to give him something in return for his owner giving him everything from a home to food. I think that there are some similarities with him and Momose in a way that they try hard to appease Shirosaki, but realize that they don’t need to as he loves them unconditionally. Seeing Hakutou tearing up ached my heart. Hakutou, don’t cry! I do wonder if Hakutou will spill out his thoughts about Momose for the finale.

The visit to the aquarium was quite a nice scene. Momose finally sees the results of his hard work. Give Momose all the applause. I love how Shirosaki is as moved as he is. The result of a good ad is people reacting positively to it, which some people did. However, there are instances of Momose remembering his old boss again. I have to say, his old boss, while bad, was a bit weird. I know that his actions was meant to isolate and humiliate Momose, but why would he specifically force block Momose’s contacts? Like what Fujiwara said, Kurono was behaving like a toxic ex-boyfriend or something. It sucks that Momose had to get water spilt on him and got stabbed by a pen. Kurono needs to get jailed. Also, poor Shirosaki for getting cramps. I guess being in his mid-thirties is starting to take a toll on him.

The part where Shirosaki gets all protective of Momose and tries to take him away from the businessman who was following them, mistaking him to be Kurono, but it turns out that he’s Fujiwara, Momose’s colleague from his previous company. Fujiwara seems like a sweet guy. While he does mention Kurono often, he also does mention Kurono’s downfalls like how Kurono got water spilt on him and such. Karma indeed. Fujiwara also liked Momose’s ad. I’m glad that moving away from his toxic workplace has led to good things for Momose like meeting Shirosaki, Aoyama, Kinjou and Hakutou, getting his ad displayed with positive reviews, and rekindling his bond with Fujiwara. I can’t help but to feel so happy for him. This is why you should break away from toxic workplaces.

The post-credit scene has it to where Momose is hinted to move out. Will the final episode be about Momose struggling about whether or not he wants to stay with Shirosaki? I hope he stays. I honestly can’t wait to see how it plays out. But, that means the show will end… I don’t want it to end. It’s too cute! I need more! What are your thoughts on this episode?

[izzydaninja]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Super Sonic Comic Page:

This took me several hours, non-stop for a few days to finish, and there's still points in it that were rushed and sloppy. (Most notable point of slop is the "SNAP" text. LOL) Not the best thing I've made, and certainly not my favorite for a lot of the flaws it has, but I'm fairly happy with the result. Mainly the actual designed style for Sonic, which did surprise me, honestly. XD Thought he'd look way worse, but hey! I'm happy!

Hope you all like it!

Who is he fighting? I have no clue, but they put up quite a fight for the ruined land in the background. There literally is no planned context for this, so you all can imagine whatever. Maybe he's fighting his shadow... NOT SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG, just to clarify! XD Man... The Sonic world is complicated. lol

~In Case It Wasn't Readable~

Sonic: "Well, then..."

*snaps his fingers*

Sonic: "Don't say I didn't warn ya."

*DO NOT STEAL!* Thank you!

[whatacaitastrophe]

Amara x Bloodweave - For Anonymous

Song Inspiration: "Ashes" by Celine Dion

A one-shot I did for someone who asked to remain anonymous, but said I could share it with you all <3 Thanks for requesting this! I had a great time writing it, and thank you for your donation to my Ko-fi!

Would you like me to write a BG3 one shot for you? Check out this post and send me a message <3

TW: depression, intrusive thoughts, mentions of murder, some smut at the end

Amara felt empty. 

There honestly wasn’t a better way of putting it. Ever since she’d renounced Bhaal, despite knowing that it was the right thing to do (what she needed to do), she felt…empty. Not because she missed the intrusive thoughts about murdering others, or even the rush that the kill gave her. No, Amara regretted the things she’d done in Bhaal’s name when she did not have a choice. The emptiness she felt came from the fact that she no longer had the ability to transform into her Slayer form, and the greatness of that loss was not something she’d been prepared for. 

“If you do this, if you kill the moon cleric Isobel, your master will reward you greatly,” Sceleritas Fel had said. “The gift awaiting you will give you the thing you desire most: to be closer to your draconic heritage.”

He’d been right. Amara had lived with the markings of being a draconic sorceress her entire life; endured teasing from other children, wary looks from strangers, the whole nine. Not that she’d ever cared. Amara thought the markings and her heritage were cool, and it frustrated her to no end that no one could really provide her with any further information about the past. Though Amara regretted that Isobel had to die, Isobel’s death just might be the only one Amara did not regret. Being in the gargantuan, terrifying form of the Slayer was the closest Amara had ever felt to the ancestor’s the half-drow knew so little about, and nothing would make her feel guilty for that. 

Especially not when she’d received Astarion’s full support after explaining why. Gods, how grateful she was for Astarion. Meeting the elf was arguably the very best thing that had happened to Amara as a result of being picked up by the nautiloid on that fateful day. Their bond was instant, and Amara knew she’d (at minimum) found a forever friend in him the day that everyone woke up to find the tiefling bard’s brutalized body in their camp. Nobody really believed Amara when she said the damage was done by an animal, but Astarion was the only person who pulled her aside and called her out. Called her out, then told her to just be more careful next time before murdering someone. Amara had liked him ever since. 

The vampire intrinsically understood what Amara was going through, the urges that plagued her and being forced to do the bidding of another without much real consent on her part, better than anybody else in camp. He understood how important the knowledge of one’s self, and who you were outside of what your sadistic master wanted you to be, was the tether that kept a person in a situation like Amara’s (and also Astarion’s) sane. He’d been the first person to understand what Amara gave up by renouncing Bhaal. The rest of their companions were so focused on being proud of Amara for resisting the God of Murder and celebrating the restoration of her humanity that no one had realized that while the relief she felt to still be alive was genuine, the happiness didn’t quite reach her eyes. How could it, when knowing by doing the right thing that she’d given up an important piece of who she was? 

In the days that followed her resurrection by Withers’ hand, Amara was quiet. When they were out and about in the city she only spoke when necessary, and in the evenings at their suite in the Elfsong Tavern, she kept to the bunk she shared with Astarion (it was easier, since they’d spent most nights together since Moonrise Towers, anyway). Mercifully, her companions recognized that she was in a funk and didn’t really want to talk, and they left her alone for the most part. On the evening they returned from dealing with a supernatural presence haunting the home of the artist they’d met while he was held captive by the Zhentarim mercenaries, everyone decided to go out. Well, Karlach decided to go out, and convinced everyone other than Amara, Astarion, and Gale to go with her. Even though she’d rather be alone, there was no way the vampire and the wizard were going to leave her alone when she was like this. No, her lovers weren’t cruel. Or stupid, for that matter. Moreover, they knew Amara, and they knew she was shutting everyone out.

Gale’s presence in Amara’s life as a romantic partner was a much more recent development. Amara had always assumed the wizard was more traditional in his way of thinking when it came to relationships, as all of his initial flirting ceased the moment it was made obvious that Amara was with Astarion. Needless to say, when Gale approached Amara and Astarion one evening, and expressed that he’d developed feelings for them both, and was interested in pursuing them both, it was a surprise. Yet, somehow, it worked. Gale and Astarion were two sides of the same coin that complimented each other in a way most would assume might make them mortal enemies. Most importantly, they both cared very deeply for Amara, and wanted to make her happy. 

Silence was difficult to come by these days, with the additions of Halsin, Minsc, and Jaheira to their camp, and once everyone departed for the tavern below, it was not as welcome as Amara had hoped it would be. When everyone else was around, there was constant idle chatter, and even if she wasn’t paying attention, at least it was there to distract her mind. Silence left her completely alone with her thoughts. That was when the regret crept in. Regret for the people she’d killed, regret that she’d given up the part of herself that made her feel whole, all of it. 

Before everyone else left, Amara had already crawled into the bed she shared with Astarion, her back to the rest of the world. She closed her eyes and tried to focus her mind, to push away all of the intrusive thoughts plaguing her about the decisions she’d made, but the more she tried, the louder the voices in her head became. She was a mistake, she’d made a mistake, she deserved the way she felt. 

She wished Withers had just let her go. 

“Did you mean to say all of that into my head, darling?” Astarion’s voice made Amara jump. She hadn’t realized he was nearby, and she rolled over on the bed to lay on her side facing the suite rather than the wall. Amara was met with the sight of Astarion and Gale, sitting on Gale’s bed with looks of despair. 

“Mine as well.” Gale confirmed sadly, and Amara silently cursed herself for forgetting about the damn tadpoles for a moment. Their little friends liked to communicate with each other, and when somebody was feeling any sort of heightened emotion, it was easier for the tadpoles to commune telepathically. 

Amara didn’t need to answer them for the answer to be clear: no, she had not intended for her lovers to hear her most intrusive thoughts about the events that occurred in The Temple of Bhaal. “Does it matter?” Amara asked, her voice completely void of emotion. As the words left her mouth, it occurred to Amara that she wasn’t actually talking about the fact that her tadpole shared her thoughts with Gale and Astarion, but about the thoughts she was having overall. 

Astarion moved towards her with an elven quickness, crawling over her to place himself between her and the wall, likely so she couldn’t turn away from Gale without having to look at him instead, and Amara sighed. Astarion slid down the mattress so he laid next to her, and he pulled her in close so Gale could join them. The mattress was barely big enough for just her and Astarion, let alone the three of them, but in this particular scenario, neither Astarion or Gale seemed to mind. Admittedly, Amara didn’t mind either. Having them both close was already making her feel a little bit better. 

“Of course it matters. Of course you matter.” Astarion told her, the pain in his voice when he spoke was evident. “You are the most important person in my life, and if that old windbag of a skeleton hadn’t shown up when he did…I don’t know what I would have done.” He reached forward to cup Amara’s face in his hands, and he stroked her cheek with his thumb. Behind her, Gale kissed the crown of her head as he draped his arm over her next to Astarion’s. 

“I know your Slayer form made you feel more connected to your draconic roots, but think of what it cost you? What keeping it would have cost you?” Gale reasoned softly. “No amount of power is worth giving up your humanity, trust me on that.” 

Amara knew Gale was right. They were both right, and the thought of hurting either of them because she was gone, or she’d lost herself, made Amara sadder than the loss of her Slayer form. It was a testament to the hold the wizard and the vampire had on her heart, that she valued their thoughts and emotions as much as she did. “I just wish I didn’t feel so empty.”

“Perhaps we can help with that.” Astarion kissed her forehead, then tilted Amara’s head upwards to capture her lips with his in a deep kiss. Instantly, a rush of emotion swelled in Amara’s chest and she was transported to another universe where only she, Astarion, and Gale existed. A soft moan escaped her mouth as she parted her lips to let Astarion’s tongue enter it to explore. At the same moment, she felt Gale’s hand running along her sides and up to cup her breasts, kneading each of them gently as his mouth connected with her neck, scattering sweet kisses along her neck and jawline. 

Amara gripped the fabric of Astarion’s shirt as if it were the only tether keeping her to the universe as Gale’s hands slid further down her body, and he raised the hem of her shirt just enough that she could feel the air on her skin as he traced small circles on her abdomen, and Amara whimpered. Gale’s touch was electricity on her skin, and Amara arched her body to press into his touch. With how little space there was on the bed, Amara’s movements caused her to grind against Astarion, which elicited a moan from the vampire as the kiss became more urgent. Amara wasn’t sure if this was exactly what Astarion had in mind when he suggested they could help her feel less empty, but she wasn’t complaining. Based on the way she felt both men stiffening in their pants on either side of her, they weren’t complaining either. 

Astarion and Gale worked seamlessly together, almost to the point that Amara wondered if they were using their tadpole connection to communicate, and Astarion’s hand replaced Gale’s on her abdomen as the wizard reached to turn Amara’s head towards him. They all giggled softly together as Amara did her best to adjust so she was on her back between them– the movements as awkward as to be expected with three grown adults sharing a bed barely large enough for two. Then Gale kissed her feverishly, and any awkwardness Amara might have been feeling dissipated. 

“Let us make you feel good, darling.” Astarion murmured against her ear as his fingers slipped beneath the top of her pants teasingly. Amara raised her hips, urging Astarion to go further, and he chuckled. “Tell me what you want, Amara.” Before Astarion, Amara hadn’t really been the type to take orders in the bedroom, but here she was: whimpering beneath his touch, ready to beg for whatever he was willing to give her. Amara broke out of her kiss with Gale just long enough to turn and look at the vampire to say, “You.” Then Gale was kissing her again as Astarion’s hand slid to where she wanted him to be most, and she sighed with pleasure and all of the negative thoughts that had occupied her mind for the last several days disappeared.

This was all she needed, and as long as she had Astarion and Gale, nothing else would matter. 

[corruptratcat]

Hi heellloo!

It's me Ribzyz from wattpad :)

I've literally read like every chapter from your Headcannons or Oneshots books,and oh GOD DO I LOVE THEM.

Hshwjej Anywaysss-

I'd like to request pretty please!

What about a Es,Mahiru,Amane(platonic for Amane)x GN!Reader?

I was thinking of The scenario where Reader is determined Guilty,and you know,gets beaten up from Kotoko's attack.BUT,They actually die.That's it lol.

Soo Scenario+Angst!

Oh and please do not rush yourself to do this request!Take all the Time you need,and remember to drink,eat,and rest!

Also ignore this if you can't do this!(OR have a similar request!)

Hello! I hope you don't mind if I did headcanons instead cause it's multiple characters, and sorry for not posting for a long (a month ∑(ﾟДﾟ)) time! And thanks so much! This message means a lot to me <33 !!! Anyways here it is <3333333

Es, Mahiru, Amane(p) x gn!reader | headcanons

Angst | Reader that died by being beaten up by Kotoko

They feel, a lot of guilt from hearing this news, they know it's their fault for voting you guilty and voting her innocent, they want to do better cause of this and will 100% vote Kotoko guilty.

They'll cry for days losing someone they're close to, like you, they know that they've already felt guilt when their final verdict for you was guilty but...

Jackalope just watches not caring that much and telling Es that their verdict matters. The result of their verdict could lead to what, moments like these.

Es wants to improve, Es wants to do better, they're quite traumatized, even if they didn't get to see your death, they'll get angry when seeing Kotoko, probably be pissed when seeing her at their next interrogation with her, they know they'll vote her guilty anyways...

Es might overthink about the prisoners next move after this, they'll try to calm down but they can't, they feel as if they've also committed a sin, they indirectly murdered you... They need to do what's right.

She saw it all, honestly really traumatizing, if only she could've saved you in some way! If only it hadn't been this way. The moment when Shidou was unable to save you and she had watched you die, she kept crying, holding your dead corpse in her arms, the crying went on and it felt as if it never stopped

She's honestly more sadder than before, she doesn't know what to do without you, you were the one that genuinely made her a lot more happy in MILGRAM, but look at you now, gone.

She'll convince Es to make Kotoko guilty, even if Es had already been planning that ever since they heard about the beatings.

Honestly, quite sad that she's pretty much hopeless at this point, she's weak and she has lost someone that she loves, she can't even try to even smile no matter how she tries, even if she needs a hug you can't give it to her cause you're dead 😭 (I'm sorry)

Traumatized as well, actually everyone here is traumatized so what's the point of saying that, but aside from that hearing these news she's devastated, if only she prayed enough she could've saved you, but no, you weren't saved

She'll blame it a lot on Shidou and Kotoko, she'll be very aggressive to both, they caused the death of a person who cared for them and treated her like their little sister, she'll avoid them as much as possible.

She'll be, well of course very sad from this, even if the other prisoners tried to comfort her, they couldn't give the same amount of care as you did, you dying is like loosing something important, because you are important to her!

Instead of just convincing Es to make Kotoko guilty, she'll definitely convince Es to vote Shidou guilty as well, because medical treatment is useless to her, you need to pray to keep someone alive and healthy!

[kingdomoftyto]

More rambling F&C finale thoughts

(warning for a bit of negativity--I loved the show but I have some criticisms I wanna lament about)

I think overall my impression of the finale boils down to... "it felt a little rushed"

And I DO mean it when I say I liked it--even Fionnaworld losing its magic, which was something I said I absolutely didn't want. They successfully softened the blow on that by having Cake stay magical and keeping everyone's memories intact.

But yeah, I dunno, the Shermy and Beth section felt like kind of a long walk for Simon to reach the simple conclusion he did, and it left us without any time for him to explore what "moving forward" and "living life" will actually LOOK like, or even for him to just, like, have a conversation with Marceline!

(I honestly can't believe they didn't give us a scene of Marcy fretting over him, after the misunderstanding in episode 2. I mean, how long was he gone on this multiverse trip?? She didn't MEAN to blow him off, and once she realizes how unwell he was feeling I can only imagine she'd be right there supporting him in his recovery. At the very least I wish we'd seen them hanging out again to show that he DOES still have a major place in her life and that he was just in a bad headspace before. They're family, dammit!! She loves him!!)

I just.... Yeah. I'm rewatching some of the last episode again now, and it just feels kinda? cluttered?? to me. We go straight from Simon's big epiphany of how much he'd enabled Betty's self-sacrificing habit, to like two lines of dialogue later when he's suddenly realizing that he is deserving of life. Like, there are several great ways to connect those two thoughts, but it felt like they skipped over it all and the result feels jarring to my brain. Does that make sense...? Is it just me...?

Sigh. Anyway.

Betty going off to do her own soul-searching is absolutely for the best and is the only satisfactory way things could have gone after all that buildup, but others have stated better than I how this also felt a little... incomplete. I'm happy for her, but I wish it wasn't QUITE so open-ended.

(They did a fantastic job emphasizing that the love was real, though. "We made our choices. We could've made better ones, but I don't have any regrets." Ooughuhg 💘🔪😭✨💖💘 It hurts just right.)

Hhhhhhhhhh so yeah. I suppose it's really no worse than how Adventure Time itself ended--let's be honest, "Come Along with Me" is kind of a mess!--but ouuugh it still leaves me wanting just a LITTLE bit more from them.

Well. *fond but exasperated sigh* I guess that's what fanfiction is for.

[grizzersmamma]

MW3 | Thoughts on the Game | Spoilers!

Alrighty, some thoughts on the game now that I've let everything sit for a while. Spoilers below the cut, obviously.

Okay, so after taking a moment to get over the abrupt ending we got, I find that I really agree with the people online who say the game felt really rushed and unfinished? Like I know it's only the early access so bugs are expected, but that's not what I mean by unfinished. For example, when you compare near enough everything about mw3 to mw2 it's just nowhere near as good? The story was fun, but really short, as were most of the missions, and it feels really strange to build up Soap so much only to kill him off for no real reason other than what feels a lot like shock value? I mean, we didn't even get a cut scene or a moment to appreciate what happened, we were just expected to keep playing like nothing happened.

It honestly didn't take me very long to beat the game and the whole story felt very anticlimactic at the end. I do agree with a lot of people that a large part of the reason we love Ghost so much is because of his interactions with Soap, and I don't just say that from the point of view of someone who ships them, they just have great chemistry together and without Soap, Ghost is just… idk a bit of a boring, brooding character? He needs that bright, fiery personality that his Johnny brings to bounce off of.

The game just doesn't have the same feel to it as the other two games, it almost feels like just a DLC/Spinoff or something, like I'm struggling to consider it canon because it feels so off. That might just be me, but it doesn't quite fit imo.

I could probably accept Soap being killed off if it was done well, but it's just giving me "shock value" death vibes. And it did that, it shocked me with how it happened, but after actually thinking about it I'm more just disappointed then sad or upset? They wasted a lot of potential for his character to grow, especially since Activision said they were looking forward to continuing the task force's stories? If they just told a good story then they wouldn't have had to kill anyone off like that.

Pretty sure Neil wasn't too happy with the end result given I've heard that he's unfollowed the people he was acting with in it. Just feels like a very unsatisfactory ending, not just for Soap, but for the game in general :/

[sculkdin]

negative days nearer death

My @mcytblrholidayexchange gift for @bearandhoney-com! I really went for the "angst (or otherwise darker) content" part of your request here, and I hope it worked out well! Ngl, I actually spilled coffee on my laptop on the 11th, and was completely offline because of it for most of the exchange (i am SO sorry mods), so it was really up in the air if I'd be able to complete this, and I'm so happy that I did! 

Characters: Tubbo, Schlatt, Wilbur, Quackity, Dream

Tags: Character Study, Unreliable Narrator, Canon Compliant, I think, Angst, Dramatic Irony, of a sort, Manipulation, Manberg | Manburg on Dream Team SMP (Video Blogging RPF)

Ao3 Link

Tubbo sometimes finds himself wondering if Schlatt can read minds. 

He knows, logically, that he can't. Tubbo spends most of his time in Manburg after all, at the President's side— there's no way he'd be able to do that if Schlatt really was a mind reader. Still. Sometimes he wonders. Schlatt just seems to know things, seems to have an uncanny sense for detecting when Tubbo's not in Manburg, an uncanny sense for what buttons to press to set Big Q off and reel him back in, an uncanny sense for knowing exactly what to say when Fundy starts looking at the area where the walls used to be.

It's terrifying. More than that though, it's impressive. It's— and he stumbles over the thought even in the safety of his own brain, can't fathom putting it into words, but— quite honestly, it's cool. 

When Schlatt is at his best— and that's getting rarer and rarer these days— but when Schlatt is at his best and he's got a metaphorical good hand of cards, being around him is a rush like one Tubbo has only ever felt around Wilbur. It's much more volatile then Wilbur ever was at his most charismatic, sure, and there's a wave of nausea that often comes with it, but as long as he pushes down his uneasiness, that doesn't detract from the sheer coolness of it all. 

(Wilbur's not like that anymore, hasn't been since the election results. Being around him no longer comes with the rush of standing next to the man with the winning shot in his pocket— rather, standing by Wilbur is quite like standing next to an already ticking bomb.) 

He adored L'Manburg. He's... probably happier in Manburg than he should be. It's not a good place, fuck no, and the absence of Tommy and Wilbur haunts his every step, but... the landmarks are familiar, and he's seen the land a hundred times before, and sometimes he does a damn good job at convincing himself that that's all he needs. 

It's just a place, after all. Sure, his shoulders may instinctively tense up until he leaves the city limits, sure, he can't stand to look at Niki's bakery anymore, but it's just a place. Surely still liking a place isn't that bad. Surely he still likes his home. Surely— 

No, he's thinking himself into corners again. He keeps finding himself doing that when he works on the archive— needs to stop doing that, because every time he's lost in his thoughts and he fails to reply to one of Schlatt's messages, he just looks more and more guilty. 

(Despite his issues with Manburg, despite the way his stomach drops when he sees Schlatt with a bottle, despite the way an insidious, guilty relief crawls into his brain when it's Fundy or Big Q who's work Schaltt takes issue with— despite all that, sometimes Tubbo speaks with Wilbur, speaks with Tommy, speaks with the Blade, and finds himself thankful he wasn't ordered to move to Pogtopia.) 

Sometimes Tubbo wants to pull both Tommy and Wilbur out of that ravine. It's a stupid wish though. Where would he pull them to? They're all stuck at the moment. Manburg wouldn't be helpful, it would be the opposite. 

So everything's not... great, but it is manageable. It is workable. And that's the most he can ask for right now, isn't it? 

-----

Things get— tenser, between the President and his Vice. 

Quackity had been an impressive combination of moralistic and apathetic right after the election was won— confessing that the devil you didn't know sometimes was better than the devil you did when he got blackout drunk that night and Tubbo accidentally eavesdropped on a conversation with Fundy. Quackity was moralistic in that his reasons for running for President hasn't changed, his thoughts on how Wilbur was running the place hadn't changed, and apathetic in his almost-single minded focus on the joy over his victory while Wilbur and Tommy ran for their lives and Tubbo was tasked with hunting them down. 

Immediately after the election, Quackity was apathetic in a way that Tubbo would figure out was actually uncharacteristic of him as he got to know him better. 

It doesn't come out as care, not at first— just a casual disdain for doing something in a way that Big Q thinks is wrong. It elevates to genuine irritation pretty quickly though— when Big Q is all for Schlatt's plans, he's all in, but when he thinks they're dumb, he somehow manages to make them sound like the dumbest thing on the planet. 

(Schlatt doesn’t like that. But Schlatt doesn’t like a lot of things.)

Big Q's care, the actual passion and anger underneath it all, uncurl as months pass, as Schlatt gets more drunk and more stubborn and somehow more rude, as the President starts taking the smallest disagreements as personal attacks, as Tubbo, Fundy, and Quackity somehow find themselves trapped in a weird almost-competition for Schlatt's favor. The care uncurls, and Big Q starts yelling louder, stops portraying his anger as some sort of logical disdain for stupidity, starts putting more time and effort into keeping Schlatt somewhat stable and baiting him into a blind rage— at this point, the two feel like they are practically synonyms. At least when Schlatt’s angry, he’s predictable, and predictable is the closest any of them get to stability these days. 

It’s… nice, almost, how Big Q cares. It’s nice to see that there’s more to him than that glee at Tommy and Wilbur getting kicked out, that he’s truly sticking to his reasons for running for president.

But as the apathy seeps from Big Q, Tubbo finds himself taking more and more of it on. 

Balancing Schlatt and Wilbur is a sport he's gotten quite good at now— he's proud of it, almost, in the detached way anyone can feel pride these days. His concern was overwhelming at first, crushing him during any moment of downtime he had, but now it’s faded. Muted. Background noise, at most.

And that’s not to say that he doesn’t care about anything, because he does! Truly! He cares that Niki is furious, he cares that Schlatt seems to be doing worse. (It’s just that Niki's been furious for a long time now. It’s just that as he spends more time under Schlatt, he finds himself paying the price for caring more and more. It’s just that if he focused on all his emotions, he think he might explode, so instead he’s focusing on the few bright spots he has, and ignoring the rest.)

So maybe that’s why it's funny when Tommy gets stuck in between the pistons. Maybe that’s why it's funny that Wilbur rages after Tubbo gets him a backdoor the White House comms and hears the bullshit Tubbo's been hearing all day long. Wilbur couldn't manage both himself and Schlatt as well as Tubbo is managing them— Wilbur can't stand to hear even a day of it without publicly lashing out. 

Tubbo almost can laugh when he imagines Wilbur in his shoes. 

-----

One day, when Tubbo is leaving Pogtopia, he sees Dream. 

The apathy that has held him suddenly deserts him so quickly it nearly gives him whiplash. It's dread that clutches his heart first, then fear, then apprehension. Dream isn’t exactly an enemy at the moment, technically, probably, but… he’s not a friend either. He’s not someone who should know that Tubbo is playing both sides. 

He finds himself frozen in place as Dream tilts his head to the side, stares at him. The mask is worse when it's at a 90 degree angle, when it's trained solely on you and there's no one around, no one to save you. 

Then, in an instant, his head is back straight up, and his body is slouched, like they're two friends meeting at a bar, like he's not holding Tubbo's life in his hands. 

"Secretary," Dream says, and it's light, breezy. Tubbo swears he can hear his own heartbeat ricocheting in his brain. "You're a long way from Manberg." 

"I mean, it's not that long," Tubbo defends, and the words feel awkward in his mouth, awkward on his tongue. "There's, uh, there's like this tunnel system here? That we go on walks in sometimes?" 

It's a partial lie— Schlatt and Quackity take those walks, not Tubbo. Still, Dream nods along. 

"Sure," he says, crossing one arm over his chest, leaving the other one free to gesture. "Of course. Walks." 

"Yeah," Tubbo says, doubling down on it. "Walks.”

“And you take walks with your paperwork?” Dream asks, sounding amused. 

“I mean, it can get kind of stifling in the white house, you know,” Tubbo replies, “I like to uh, get some air. It makes the signatures go by faster.”

Dream laughs, not quite his signature wheeze, but something a little to the left of it. “Fair!” he says, “that’s– that’s really fair, Mr. Secretary. Let me tell you, I, I do not envy your paperwork.”

Tubbo tries for a smile. He comes up a little short. “What are you doing here, Dream?”

“Oh, a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” Dream says with a lighthearted wave of his hand. “Just getting the lay of the land, you know, seeing what’s up.”

Slowly, Tubbo nods. He starts to inch his way around Dream, and seamlessly, Dream shifts to keep Tubbo straight in front of him. “I heard there was a festival coming up,” Dream says suddenly, and Tubbo stiffens.

“Uh, yeah,” he says after a moment of silence. “Yeah, Schlatt wants to celebrate Manberg. President Schlatt, I mean.”

Dream nods along. “Good to keep up the citizens morale, I’d assume,” he says lightly. “Well, good luck. I hope it goes off with a bang.”

“Yeah,” Tubbo replies, and he’s opening his mouth to say something, anything when suddenly he blinks, and– Dream disappears. “Dream?”

No response. Tubbo looks around, scans the treetops. Nothing. He calls out again, gets no reply. The only evidence he was even here at all are the broken twigs in front of him, right where Dream was standing. 

It’s warm out. Tubbo finds himself shivering anyway.

-----

When Wilbur tells Tubbo that he wants to blow up the festival, Dream’s words finally make sense.

He’s not bitter that Dream knew about this beforehand. Really, he’s not. The thought of it might hurt a bit, but it’s easy enough to bury that hurt in another layer of apathy, to instead focus on the task at hand.

Wilbur wants to blow up the festival, wants to blow up Manberg, but he’s leaving the final choice to Tubbo. Huh. That’s– kind of unexpected. 

He’s flattered, almost. Impressed, maybe. Surprised, definitely.

It all comes together at the festival itself, when Wilbur says that he’s just a yes-man. 

He's not just a yes-man, Tommy yells in response, and Tubbo almost wants to laugh, almost wants to choke. 

Because Prime Tommy, the sentiment is appreciated, but— Wilbur's right, finally, and it makes something in Tubbo's heart settle to know that Wilbur recognizes this, that Wilbur isn't quite so far gone as Schlatt is. The old Wilbur was sharp as an axe, would've noticed and called Tubbo out for managing him the moment Tubbo started doing so months ago. If Wilbur is calling him out now, well... maybe he's not as far gone as Tubbo feared. 

A yes-man for Schlatt, for Wilbur. That's all Tubbo feels he has been since the election went haywire. He’s just been saying yes and then doing otherwise, again and again, trying to keep both sides of this mess from imploding. 

But now it's time to make a choice. Time to stop playing both sides. 

He looks at Wilbur. He looks at Schlatt. 

He thinks of Big Q yelling at Schlatt, telling him not to be a goddamn idiot. He thinks of Tommy yelling at Wilbur, saying the same exact thing. He thinks of a man who fiercely guards his power from even his closest aides, and a man who wanted to know the truth about Manburg despite the fact it might undermine him, a man who then all but literally handed over the button to all those stacks of tnt. Wilbur made this Tubbo's call. He can't remember a time Schlatt made something his call without doubling the pressure and throwing in some horrifying catch-22. 

He thinks of the power that lies in his hands right now. He's the right hand man to the President, and he's looking the President dead in the eye while he stands on a stage in front of an entire nation; while his left hand is holding both the mic and the fate of his country. 

Schlatt can't be a mind reader, because if he was, he'd know how monumental of a moment just passed. Schlatt can't be in his mind, because if he was, he'd know the treason that Tubbo is considering, know that Tubbo is highly considering turning his back on this country forever— literally and metaphorically— when he runs away as it goes up in flames.

So he betrays Manburg. Truly, firmly, in a way he'll never be able to come back from. After all, his cover isn't the only thing in a hundred block radius that's about to be blown to shreds when Wilbur gets to the bomb. 

“Let the festival begin!”