#do you accept that your hero has killed before and could again? do you trust they had a good reason? do you excuse it even if not?

[villainsidestep]

wait tho…. the public needs to know how jay feels abt maelstrom’s murder(s?)…..

[izvmimi]

“Thank you for always being so understanding about all of this,” Izuku says between spoonfuls of soup. You look up from your own bowl, then around; Inko has stepped out of the room to use the restroom, and the two of you remain facing each other at dinner.

Tenko hasn’t joined the three of you tonight, citing “other plans”, but you have the impression that nerves have gotten to him finally and Izuku agrees with your assessment. The thought of Tenko, once Shigaraki, being nervous about how the general public will receive him feels somewhat ridiculous, but it is a very fair thing to be worried about given the circumstances.

After all, it’s only been 5 years since the meta war, and even if he’s proven himself to Midoriya and the Hero Commission, he has no guarantee going public in this matter will be well received, even if Deku will be by his side, promising emphatically and empathetically in his own very Deku way to stop him again if things get awry, and the people believe in their Symbol of Hope.

Yet, what Izuku is referencing is something unrelated completely. His hand reaches over the table to cover yours gently, and he smiles warmly at you, and in that look, you remember how happy he was to see you from his hospital bed, adjusting a few flowers and cards on the counters before being startled by the sound of his voice. He was happy to see you intact, safe, despite having gotten precariously close to the main fight. 

Izuku remembers your body moments away from disintegration every so often, the expected turn in his stomach not lessening over the years, and often wonders why you’ve managed to forgive Tenko the way you have, allowing him to crash on your apartment sofa and eat up all your snacks, and to permeate daily conversations between the two of you.

But you, like the people will during the press conference tomorrow, believe in his ability to be good.

Your lips part slightly with the touch as though you were to say something in surprise, but you choose not to, smiling instead, using your other hand to finish your soup. 

The words I trust you and I have hope, are left unsaid.

—

The cameras don’t stop flashing but Deku and Entropy continue to face the cameras politely, smiles matching, Entropy’s not as wide but still warm. The dreaded tomato isn’t tossed at his face and while there are a few insults hurled from the back of the crowd, understandably, they’re easily drowned out by the cheers of support.

The two young men both pledge to keep the city safe.

The trial period of their partnership will be for about a year before they’ll eventually act independently, and while it seems like a sensible idea upfront, you and Izuku find out that the netizens have quite a lot to say about it.

Parole officer Deku…

They’re really running out of new concepts, aren’t they?

Do you think I could turn him back? He might have been sexier before…

That last comment has 200+ replies and you pore through them on your phone while Tenko returns with four iced beverages, three of them coffee and the fourth a lemonade with an alarming amount of caffeine in them. Sparkles eyes his drink, while accepting her latte from him, then shakes her head.

“You know those kill people, right?”

Tenko blinks for a moment, then shrugs before putting the straw in his mouth. 

“I mean…” you pipe up and Izuku gives you a look to warn you not to make the joke you want so desperately to make, and you press a finger to your own mouth coyly.

Sparkles figures out where you were about to go in that sentence and kicks your leg under the table. Tenko sips on his drink and says nothing.

“You guys looked great out there,” you say, instead. “I would definitely trust my life to you both,” you add and Sparkles nods enthusiastically. You watch her pat his shoulder gently, then catch herself, pretending she was wiping off a bit of lint.

You’ll send her a text reminding her she doesn’t need to pretend that he wasn’t with her last night in a couple minutes, but for now you let the two newly partnered pros give their own press conference perspective.

There are many new books to be written and you wonder which page you’ll turn first.

[weskie]

hello weskie, you are so cool! here is something i can't stop thinking about! i hope you enjoy!

stars wesker saves someone and they look at him with big round innocent eyes and thank him profusely and he has no idea how to respond because it's giving him a crisis. he backs off really really awkwardly and nods them off and feels... bad for it. bad. he feels... bad.

what? is he going soft? no, of course not, so he shoves it down and continues like he's supposed to. easy. it's nearly automatic, anyways. slap on a smile.

but what was that, anyway?

he goes back to his office later, when the adrenaline has run off, and he is left with a strange empty feeling when he thinks about returning to the lab again under Umbrella and Spencer and Markus' direction. instead of the consuming pleasant numbness, there is a... some deep lack he hasn't felt in so long, since who knows when.

thinking about the last time he felt it makes his brain feel like it's buzzing, so he doesn't scoop it out from the repressed cage it's in.

not yet, anyway. not that there is ever a good time.

the more he thinks about the nice things civilians say to him, the way they look at him, the way they thank him... the feeling of pride he gets when he completes a mission and no life is lost. being thanked and praised and being someone's savior... it makes him feel warm. it makes him feel like he'd got an A on a test, when he'd microinject a cell and the new gene would be accepted...

it's warm, and it glows tiny and steady, and he feels like he's felt this before but he can't place it and he can't trust anyone with it and he must foster it lest it die and leave him feeling that strange emptiness again.

he is being weak, and yet in this weakness he feels like he finally gels and flows like salmon up a river with team alpha, even mingling properly with team bravo. it's beneficial, right?

but he submits some paperwork for umbrella and the crushing weight around him is suffocating, exhausting the flame. unity is strength. never question your authority. compassion is weakness...

compassion is weakness, right?

and then he saves a child.

and the child looks up at him in a defining moment that will never be erased from their psyche as long as they live, the image of the man who saved them a hero they will think of ten years later and wonder how he's doing.

and wesker is struck again with this feeling, but this time it's not just adrenaline pulling his strings loose.

he embraces it. the kid gives him a hug for saving them.

he returns to his office later and sits in his chair and takes his badge out. he stares at it, the expression behind his shades perplexed and confused... and let down... and ashamed, and immiserated by a sudden and intense feeling of emptiness and lack, like a teddy bear missing an eye; incomplete, the tiniest match of the flame of empathy flickering steadily in him because it crossed paths with the desire to succeed and a savior complex.

artificial.

it cannot last, it won't last. wesker has more important things to do; he is temporary. he should get up and cease this pointless–

but wesker sits there and he looks at the cold reflection in that badge. he looks at the lie of a man whose sole seed of truth is planted in the lifesaving actions he takes for others that umbrella would have no qualms killing for their goals.

umbrella would have no qualms killing him for their goals, either.

chris is thrumming on his guitar; wesker can hear the gentle pluck of chords, clumsy and fumbling, self-taught and learning on their own accord, not forced or coerced.

and for what feels like the very first time the thought has a genuine and concerning amount of feeling to it, wesker wonders what it would be like if he could run away from umbrella... if he could leave... what it would be like to learn what you want when you want to, eat what you want when you want to eat it, dream and fulfill yourself.

have a sense of self instead of a sense of cohesion within a hive that will die to serve.

ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

This is so tender and devastating all at once. The idea of Wesker slowly but surely falling into the realization that his life could be more, that there is more than what he was raised into at all of those boarding schools, that his immense talent can be used for good… but knowing defecting could and likely would cost him his livelihood if not his life altogether.  I wonder if he ever thought about it. I imagine he would’ve at some point.  Defection was already an idea in his head, clearly, when Umbrella operations started going tits up.  But to do so to pursue a life in which he is a hero– a real hero, not just for subterfuge– is just *chef’s kiss*. I LOVE the idea of an AU where s.t.a.r.s. wesker was truly good, which might be heavy influence from that good wesker au fic i shared a while back, but i do think it would be so interesting to see. especially considering how it would change his relationships with the series' protagonists

[goodnightmemes]

GLADIATOR (2000) SENTENCE STARTERS

❛ At my signal, unleash hell. ❜

❛ What we do in life echoes in eternity. ❜

❛ After two weeks on the road your incessant scheming is hurting my head. ❜  

❛ There is always someone left to fight. ❜

❛ The gods must have a sense of humor. ❜  

❛ A soldier has the advantage of being able to look his enemy in the eye. ❜

❛ Don't get too comfortable. I may call on you before long. ❜

❛ If only you had been born a man. What a Caesar you would have made. ❜  

❛ Let us pretend that you are a loving daughter and I, a good father. ❜  

❛ This is a pleasant fiction, isn’t it? ❜  

❛ I will not believe that they fought and died for nothing. ❜

❛ Will you accept this great honor that I have offered you? ❜

❛ With all my heart, no. ❜  

❛ You are the son that I should have had. ❜

❛ You are lying. I could always tell when you were lying because you were never good at it. ❜  

❛ Is it really so terrible seeing me again? ❜

❛ Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time I do what I have to. ❜

❛ I searched the faces of the gods for ways to please you, to make you proud. ❜  

❛ What is it in me you hate so much? ❜

❛ Your fault as a son is my failure as a father. ❜

❛ I would have butchered the whole world if you would have only loved me! ❜  

❛ Take my hand. I only offer it once. ❜

❛ At least give me a clean death - a soldier’s death. ❜  

❛ As your mother was there at your beginning, so I shall be there at your end. ❜

❛ Ultimately, we’re all dead men. ❜  

❛ As always, your lightest touch commands obedience. ❜

❛ Who are they to lecture me?  ❜

❛ It’s an idea, greatness. Greatness is a vision. ❜  

❛ I will give the people a vision and they will love me for it. ❜  

❛ Fear and wonder - a powerful combination. ❜

❛ He will give them death, and they will love him for it. ❜  

❛ ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! ❜  

❛ I am required to kill, so I kill. That is enough. ❜  

❛ I wasn’t the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. ❜  

❛ Win the crowd, win your freedom. ❜   

❛ Do you believe you'll see them again when you die? ❜

❛ You will meet them again. But not yet. Not yet. ❜  

❛ I didn't know men could build such things. ❜

❛ All my desires are splitting my head to pieces. ❜

❛ They said you were a giant. They said you can crush a man’s skull with one hand. ❜  

❛ Go, and die with honor. ❜  

❛ We who are about to die, salute you. ❜  

❛ If we stay together, we survive. ❜

❛ Why doesn’t the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do have a name? ❜  

❛ I will have my vengeance in this life or the next. ❜  

❛ He shouldn’t be alive. This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. ❜  

❛ If they lie to me, they don't respect me. If they don't respect me, how can they ever love me? ❜

❛ I wouldn’t want to be your enemy. ❜  

❛ I knew your brother would send assassins. I didn’t know he would send his best. ❜  

❛ I have been living in a prison of fear since that day. ❜  

❛ The gods have spared you. Don't you understand? ❜

❛ Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome. ❜  

❛ They oppose him, yet they do nothing. ❜  

❛ Forget you ever knew me. Never come here again. ❜  

❛ You have a great name. He must kill your name before he kills you. ❜  

❛ We mortals are but shadows and dust. ❜

❛ What am I going to do with you, you simply won’t die. ❜  

❛ Are we so different, you and I? You take life when you have to, as do I. ❜  

❛ I only have one life left to take and then it is done. ❜  

❛ The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end. ❜

❛ I will not make a martyr of him. ❜  

❛ I hope my coming here today is enough evidence that you can trust me. ❜  

❛ Let my men see me alive and you shall see where their loyalties lie. ❜

❛ I will not trade one dictatorship for another! ❜

❛ Because that was the last wish of a dying man. ❜  

❛ Do you remember what it was to have trust? ❜

❛ It’s a dream, a frightful dream… life is. ❜  

❛ You risk too much. ❜  

❛ I have much to pay for. ❜  

❛ I am tired of being strong. ❜

❛ Was I very different then? ❜  

❛ I have felt alone all my life, except with you. ❜  

❛ Sometimes royal ladies behave very strangely and do very odd things in the name of love. ❜  

❛ He was betrayed, by those closest to him… by his own blood … they whispered in dark corners and went out late at night and conspired and conspired… ❜  

❛ Tell me what you have been doing, or I shall strike down those dearest to you. You shall watch as I bathe in their blood. ❜   

❛ Are you in danger of becoming a good man? ❜

❛ As for you, you will love me, as I have loved you. ❜  

❛ Am I not merciful? AM I NOT MERCIFUL? ❜  

❛ A striking story. Now the people want to know how the story ends. Only a famous death will do. ❜  

❛ I think you have been afraid all your life. ❜  

❛ Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back. ❜  

❛ That makes us brothers, doesn’t it? Smile for me now brother. ❜  

❛ There was once a dream that was Rome, it shall be realized. ❜  

❛ Is Rome worth one good man’s life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again. ❜  

❛ I will see you again. But not yet, not yet… ❜

[trealtox]

I hate season 7 of "Buffy the vampire slayer"

Let's get this straight, I like these series. They are fun and entertaining (and I only started watching it because of Spuffy). But I HATE season 7.

First of all, what is the deal with those guys? Out of the blue all characters (Spike excluded. Love him❤️) start doubting Buffy and her leadership. This girl saved all of you hundreds of times, and when the world is on the edge of collapsing, you turn your backs on her?! If she's such a bad leader, then why did you put all the responsibility on her shoulders? Why did you bring her back from heaven? To tell her, that she's not better than you? I'm sorry guys, but your crew is: a whining bitch-boy, magic (read as 'drug') addicted witch, a blorb of energy, a former vengeance demon and a killer watcher. With your list of deeds, I have bad news for you: none of you goes to heaven. NONE. She IS better than you.

Second of all, what is their sudden problem with Spike? In the last season all Scoobies want to kill Spike and say that it's because he's dangerous. Well, he is. Just like all of you. Your killer count talks louder than you (he killed because he was souless and he feeds on blood. You killed because you could. There is difference). They keep saying that he should be taken out because he is dangerous, and yet remind me, who held him by their side while he was useful? And did Scoobies thank him even once? (I actually don't remember. Tell me, if they did) Buffy is the only person who actually tries to be reasonable and accept that Spike has changed. In return she gets a potential slayer,a school headmaster and her own father figure being all mad at her, saying that she is the problem. If you want to kill him so badly, just do it already and stop making Buffy responsible for your own wishes (not like I would forgive them if they did)

Point number 3. Again with the hypocrisy of Scoobies. Faith comes back, sees that girls can't stop complaining and decides to take them out clubbing. Buffy sees that and gets mad (logically). Later on everyone decides that Faith should be the new leader. Why? Why would a former killer and a traitor be a good leader? Because she took a bunch of teens drinking, when you should all be ready to fight? If I recall, it was almost considered a crime for Buffy to rest, when there were better times. Now, when Buffy is tired and stressed from constant responsibility, all the potential slayers say that she's "not cool". Scoobies just can't be more hypocritical. Faith killed people out if her own free will. She teamed up with a villain, and she enjoyed it. Buffy made one mistake of attacking one villain. What do Scoobies get out of that? "Buffy is not better than us. Faith is. 🎶Let's put this guy infront of the crowd🎶". And let's be honest with that: Giles acts petty in here. The only reason he stands against Buffy, is because she got sick of him lying to her and telling her to kill Spike, so she honestly told him that she can't trust any of them. He got offended by her disobedience so much, that he decided to get rid of her. That's not a nice thing to do to a girl who is like a daughter to you.

Btw, Faith deserves a second chance and Spike doesn't? Spike was SOULESS. He wasn't supposed to be good and yet he almost died just to be the better version of himself. At the same time Faith was supposed to be the protector of people, yet she decided to join the homicide. She was creepy enough to SMELL THE KNIFE. And yet we get a whole storyline about "bad Buffy still thinking of her as a killer." The hero we deserve, I suppose? Btw, Faith IS a killer. She enjoyed it. I don't know why Scoobies want to forgive her so badly and give her a bunch of teens, taken away from Buffy, but they don't trust Spike.

And my favourite. The cherry on top. THEY KICKED HER OUT OF HER OWN HOUSE. Giles had his own place. Xander has his own place. Willow wasn't homeless before she moved into the Summers's house. And yet, when they needed a place to put all the potential slayers, they took them into Buffy's house. And then they kick her out. The "good guys".

Buffy needs no enemies with friends like that.

[lutawolf]

My Dear Gangster Oppa Commentary Ep 4

If you haven't seen my other commentary, you can find it here.

This makes me sad because what was special for Tew was the fact that Guy wasn't afraid of him. But here he is, afraid. Which clearly is upsetting to Tew.

As soon as Guy opens his eyes, they are drawn to the gun wound scar. The face that Tew gives him then...

And Guy's concern, then confusion. So much emotion in one frame.

Now they are sitting and communicating. Tew tells Guy that he didn't tell him that he was scared that it would put Guy in danger. Which confuses me because not knowing, knowing, is there really a difference in danger level?

Tew starts to explain his past and his joy of playing video game. Then his home life. While not rich, he had a loving father. Who clearly raised him right because he is so well-mannered. Oh no! Cough with blood.  

Damn... I was really hoping he would kick their asses, and get home to his dad.

I mean, we knew it was coming, but the fact that he didn't get to say goodbye. Oh damn, that really explains the previous episode where he came to meet Guy to say goodbye before his trip.

Ohhhh, Tew looks scary now.

OH! Who called it?!?!

And then he is shot!!! What!?!? I was not expecting that. Nor was I expecting the next part. I was kind of expecting him to have been forced into killing. Interesting. I wonder if Wish John Lennon was one of these kids???

So while bad boy is a rebel with a cause, he still a rebel. Then he just lays down to die.

I think it's safe to say that home dude was not thinking that day.

I think Guy gets it, but it will be interesting to see if he accepts it. He at least isn't scared of Tew anymore. Butt he more Tew explains, the more clearly you can see he is an anti-hero. Won't go so far as to call him a villain butttttt. He is no hero. Yay!!! This is my favorite type of character!

I am not sure what to think of the mob boss. He is putting a lot of trust into a kid, but he also appears to be giving him the keys to revenge. He is an interesting character to say the least.

The rules seem simple enough. No lying and no betrayal.

"Once you touch a gun. There is no going back to a normal life"

Then, Tew gives a little smirk and says that he doesn't plan on going back to a normal life anyway.

And Guy is seeing this. I think it's interesting because for some reason Tew really expected that Guy would absolutely understand. He is pretty spot on because Guy does understand.

Really Guy... You are going to be butt hurt over the restaurant lie??? I mean, I actually get where Guy is coming from. I'm just thinking it's funny to pick that after hearing Tew's story.

It apparently was not what Tew was expecting Guy to be upset about either. His face says he is completely dumbfounded. Honestly, in my opinion, Guy is latching onto something to use so he can run scared. I don't think he is scared of Tew, but of his own feelings that are happening too fast. I could be completely off base, but that's what I see from how he is acting and reacting.

Boy up in his feels getting sloppy drunk. Other boy is being emo in his bed. What a pair.

Oh, no! Boss man is not okay with the fake restaurant.

Home dude is not right in the head, is he?

I'll say it again. Mob boss daddy is interesting. He cares about Tew, but he isn't a push over.

I'm suspicious... How is a regular dude off the street not scared when goons show up???

Again, not a push over.

Now back to emo boy with his bed and his fish. Damn it Guy! That was a shit move to do to your guild!!! And his first thoughts when there is a knock at the door is Tew. That should tell you something, Guy! You're running from your feelings. Coward!

Nope. It's jackass Wahl, who I just know has something to do with stirring up shit. I know. He seems sweet, but how can he not tell that his bestie is upset??? Wahl is just too selfish for me to like him. I tried to like him, I really did, but I don't like selfish besties.

Discount Lennon out here trying to drown people.

See, I told you that Wahl was where this bullshit all started. He is being so condescending. Saying he is the most important person to him but then ditching him all the time. I really hope, at some point, Tew beats him up.

Did he drown him???

We're back to the guessing game of: Dead or Passed Out??? (If you said that in a game host voice, give yourself ten points.)

Oh! Not dead! Ohhhhh, another pissing contest in the wild!

I refuse to believe that Tew is that stupid... I hate Wahl because I feel like he is going to get a call from his gf and just leave Guy like he always does.

Ahhh... Nice. Tew planned ahead. Never mind, I take it back. Tew is stupid. Don't lie to the boss, especially not for Wish Lennon.

I don't like the fall troupe when it's Guy and Wahl.... Just saying.

Please, please, let Tew beat him up.

Yes, I agree. You need to put an end to your feelings. Oh, wow! Wahl didn't ditch Guy, but Guy ditched Wahl!!!

Sadly, though, Guy isn't answering Tew's phone calls either.

I really think that Tew should take this opportunity given to him and beat up Wahl.

The wrong person got punched! That did not go the way that I wanted.

Guy ran home. I can respect that. Except the fact that he is acting like a two-year-old. Awww, bless him. Well, at least now he is realizing that he is running away from everything.

Finally!!!

What does it say that Tew didn't stop till he found you Guy? LOVE, the communication going on. I love that Tew is calling out Guy, telling him that he feels this way and ran because he cares about him.

He called him little boy! And then gave him a real hug!!!

Ahhh, Tew confessing. Hot damn! They are making up for that shitty ending last episode!

OH SHIT.... He is going to quit the gangster life... I'm scared.

Never mind, we'll just shelve that concern for another day. Carry On. 💜💜💜

[bagely]

Q!MISSA VS STEVEN UNIVERSE: love when you don't love you

(essay on a beloved wet cat)

WARNING: These are my opinions, none of this is strictly canon, and it took a lot from Missa's pov and nothing more. ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE. As you can see in the title I'm all related to Steven Universe songs lol

AO3 LINKKK

Welcome to the firts song, Love Like You;

Minecraft Extreme is the key to understand the actions and decisions of Missa cube. In extremo he was alone in that cold and hostile world until the team vacío legal took him in. They taught him what it was like to have a family, they protected him and teached him to defend himself, but since good things don't last missa left first. But across dimensions, time and space, the connections he had, the warmth and the feeling of family never went away. It changed the perspective of family forever. In missa's own words about them: 

Missa Cubito has never felt enough for the people he loves.

If I could begin to be

Half of what you think of me

I could do about anything

I could even learn how to love..

Missa: I was in a team of very talented and wonderful people, they taught me how to play.... I didn't learn much but that team was called the " Vacío legal" Team, they were the best, they formed what I am now.... A disaster.

Missa learned, he grew up and there was a development in his abilities but he does not feel like that, he does not stop feeling like the person he was before them. He doesn't stop seeing himself as the weak one, the one who is protected, the one who didn't know how to survive until the end. 

Another reason why extremo is important to understand q!missa is because some people from extremo went along with missa to quesadilla island, and one such relationship was maintained.

Spreen and Missa are brothers. There is much to say about the two of them, and it is impossible for me to summarize, but for Spreen, Missa was everything, and for Missa, Spreen was MORE than everything. 

Before the eggs in the early days when they met again they did not change this relationship, and roier was also there, became his friend and helped him with his taqueria. Then the betrayal of the tacos happened.

Missa came back one day, and the world was upside down. Spreen killed his cat? no, it's not impossible, Roier is lying. His brother would never do that, he wouldn't be able to do that just for power and money, wouldn't he? He had to have a reason, he would never do that to missa, they're not like that. he's not like that. Missa even mentioned that maybe he wasn't Spreen that maybe he was like Quackity and "ElQuackity" because Spreen is his brother who protected him from everything, a person like that wouldn't hurt him, right?

When I see the way you act

Wondering when I'm coming back

I could do about anything

..I could even learn how to love like you

Even when Missa accepted that it happened, he blamed Roier. He knew it was a bad idea, he didn't have to trust Roier, all of this is because of his ambition. It is obvious that he would not beat Spreen, nobody beats Spreen. Roier is a fool and it's all his fault, not spreen's. And Roier made Spreen angry at him too, there is not other explanation, is Roier's fault.

Missa : [...] Throw everything away. Get rid of absolutely all the tacos you have and burn it. Get rid of- 

Roier : You don't understand, Missa .

Missa : [...] I'm leavin   

Roier : Are you leaving Missa? Are you going to leave me alone

Missa: You are not alone, you are with your pinches tacos, family ruiner.

Missa always idolizes his brother. Spreen is; brave, strong, and cool. this bunch of things that Missa felt he isn't. Spreen is and was Missa's hero.

But he betrayed him. Missa erased that from his memory in denial, and when he saw him again he pretended nothing had happened. He didn't expect an apology, it didn't matter anyway… it was just a cat, his brother is more important. Missa has never been against spreen, he can't be after all they have been through as siblings... Still, why did he kill his cat, why didn't he apologize? Why would he- ... After the egg event, he never saw his brother again. 

It's strange when people leave, because you can't ask them for explanations anymore, you can't tell them how bad their actions made you feel, you can't complain. Spreen left, and Missa couldn't do anything to stop it.

Now, Missa is alone and meets someone, and becomes a father. Things move fast, on the island. He is with two people who think he is amazing, who praise his attributes, who show him constant admiration, love... Something he hasn't felt since the team vacío legal, family.

I always thought I might be bad

Now I'm sure that it's true

'Cause I think you're so good

And I'm nothing like you..

Missa had never really been in the position of protector until chayanne came along, after the betrayal of the tacos, missa had been alone and out of nowhere he was given this little egg to protect and he couldn't get happier. Missa becomes someone's hero, someone's protector.

Missa loves Chayanne, that is something without a doubt. He is their little warrior. Missa doesn't want Chay to end up like him, he wants to make him strong because he is afraid that Chay will feel what he feels all the time. Missa supports Chayanne in everything, and even he doesn't limit Chay from just being strong and treats him like the child he is.

Missa: I wanted to see you, I missed you a lot. [...] I was afraid to return, because I was a bad father and I said: My son will not love me anymore, never again [...]

Missa thinks he's a bad father, he says it so much that it comes out easily. Although his son and husband deny it. When he sees his son's joy at seeing him, he thinks of his sadness when he goes away. He started to see himself as a shadow for the death family. 

Look at you go, I just adore you

I wish that I knew

What makes you think I'm so special..

He tries to emphasize his presence, to make gifts like drawings that will cheer them up when he's not there. He feels weaker and weaker as the world gets harder and harder, and he doesn't see himself going up steps but trapped on an electric ladder going down.

Missa: Omg, I'm making you work just for me, thank you so much for.... Sorry, sorry...

Philza: Don't worry, I got you.

Missa: I don't deserve you philza, I'm going to talk like this weird so the translator won't work, so it won't understand that I'm telling you that I love you.

Missa begins to believe that he is a burden to these wonderful people, especially Philza. They were named as a partner, and now they are in this together... but Missa every time he comes back he feels he contributes less and less. And Philza gives him so much, Missa thinks Philza should give it to someone else and that he doesn't deserve it.

Missa can't see someone else as the father of their child, and for some reason that Missa doesn't understand Philza can't see someone else in Missa's place either, and it's all wonderful... but is it? Isn't he putting too much pressure on Philza with Chayanne?

If I could begin to do

Something that does right by you

I would do about anything

I would even learn how to love..

And Philza is so good, someone was going to notice, see it, and take it away from him. Missa doesn't blame them, but it bothers him, and he wants to fight but not because of Philza, but because Phil's rights to decide need to be respected, even though he doesn't believe he will be chosen. 

Missa feels that he can't support him anymore, that the level of support he can give is not enough. That he is not enough. Philza tries to calm him down, to tell him that he's fine taking care of Chay alone, but out of nowhere it's two kids... When? How much has he missed? 

When I see the way you look

Shaken by how long it took

I could do about anything

I could even learn how to love like you

Love like you

Love me like you.

THANKS FOR READING THE FIRST PART!!

MORE COMING NEXT WEEKS

[seraphimart]

Reprogrammed

((Rose spirals after what Akumu has done to her))

You're my greatest creation, yet time after time, you make me look like a fool!

You smother my name with your defiance! And for what? To play hero to peasants who fear who you are?

You're a monster to them. They shower you with empty praise because they fear your wrath.

Do you honestly believe an assassin can hold sentimental bonds.

"I never wanted to be an assassin! But no matter how hard I try to get away from you, you always find a way to drag me back to this goddamn hellhole!"

Such an ungrateful and naive child... after everything I have done for you. Fine, if you truly want to leave, then so be it.

"I...what? You aren't going to order your asshole guards to drag me back?"

Im tired of constantly playing this pathetic little game with you, Scarlette. You are free to leave. But know this you will find out the truth, and you will willingly crawl back to me. I expect you to redeem yourself for such insubordination and disloyalty when you do.

-------------‐---

Rose had left, not bothering to take anything with her, not that she had anything worth taking. Everything she had was because of Akumu. Even as petty as it sounds, she would rather gain her own things than rely on him anymore.

She gathered with the Rebellion that Akumu called 'peasants.' They had welcomed her into the group and headquarters. They had a feast in her honor and a place for her to stay. Rose felt accepted for the first time.

"Happy to be part of the team! I'll help in any way I can!" Rose reached out for a hand shake, not expecting the person to pull back with a flinch.

That illusion of acceptance shattered.

"Oh, sorry, I'm just not used to having a humanoid around that isn't trying to murder all of us, haha!" Rose blinked at that back handed comment. She gave an empty laugh, denying how much it bothered her. Maybe they really weren't used to having her around. Maybe...

Rose moved her hand back towards her chest near her beating heart. She wasn't like those other humanoids. She had a heart. Maybe they didn't know that..

"Heh... yeah. Understandable."

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

One of the nights there, Rose heard a noise outside of her room. She listened intently, counting the shuffling feet, but found out there were too many to distinguish. They tried to be quiet but had no experience stealth. She waited until it was quiet again before getting up and checking.

She peaked out and looked one way than the other. The corridors were empty, but she heard hushed voices nearby.

She carefully made her way towards the sound, leaning heavily against the wall to stay out of view and to keep the creaking of the floor at a minimum.

She saw them. Most of the Rebellion's Leaders gathered in the meeting room around a table. it was almost two o'clock in the morning. What could they be up to?

"We need it in our side! It can be useful to us maybe even give us an advantage against The Dark Ruler!"

"Can we trust it? I mean, it is a Humanoid, those things can be unpredictable..."

"I agree it's very risky even accepting it into our hideout. What if it's just a spy?"

"Commander, I have kids, I can't have that thing loose and freely walking around. What if it tries to kill us? How can we defend ourselves then?"

After hearing that, Rose wished she had stayed in bed. Maybe then it would hurt less if she was ignorant of it.

Akumu's degrading comments rang in her head to taunt her.

/"You're a monster to them, they shower you with empty praise because they fear your wrath."/

Rose slides down the wall, gripping her hair until her knuckles turn white.

//"Do you honestly believe an assassin can hold sentimental bonds."//

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

After hearing that, she tried her best to redeem herself to them, but she was an outcast no matter how much she tried to help. No matter how hard she hurt herself, protecting them, fighting for them, bleeding for them. They only saw her as the Overlords' pet assassin and nothing more.

Always thinking she's up to something. Always looking over her shoulder, keeping her in place. Always wondering when she'll kill them all. How was this any different?

Rose had returned, admitting what she heard and how they had treated her. It was humiliating to admit defeat to the one person she hated the most, but this was her home, wasn't it?

Akumu was very pleased to have her return home. He voiced how he knew she would return, how she couldn't stay away from her purpose and destiny. He had patted her hair back trying to be comforting, but it just made her stomach twist. Rose wasn't stupid. She would be punished for her insubordination and disloyalty. This right here was an act. Gentleness wasn't something Akumu was known for.

That's when two Orcs entered Akumu's office, dressed unnaturally professional, and stood at least seven to eight feet tall. Rose was suddenly shoved back onto them, losing her footing and smacking her back against their abdomen with the force. They gripped her arms in a bruising grip and lifted her with ease, causing her feet to tangle. Rose let them, feeling hurt, humiliated, defeated.

"I don't want to see that thing until its loyalty and obedience are restored." Akumu demanded, waving them away all gentleness and empty praises gone. He didn't even look at her once since she returned.

Rose inwardly winced, unable to hide the pain that statement caused. She was only treated as an object when she messed up, and this was one of those times.

The Orcs dragged her off to the same place they always took her, the laboratory, the doors closing shut behind them.

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

Miyuki stood in front of Akumu's desk as he finished a few more documents. Miyuki felt slightly awkward to not be acknowledged when she was the one called in.

"You summoned me, sir."

Akumu waved his hand in dismissal, not breaking his stride of reading and signing documents.

"Yes, yes. Your colleague has finished its reprogramming. Take it back to the dorms."

Miyuki made a face at that, confused about what he meant. "'Its reprogramming?'" She repeated.

Two scientists entered, causing Miyuki to turn her head and look.

They looked different than the others, must be because they are personally Akumu's hand picked. The lab coats they wore had different markings on them that weren't the company's trademark. They seemed highly intelligent but out of touch with their emotions, stone faced and neutral, but what Miyuki couldn't stop staring at was Rose as they pushed her inside the room in a wheelchair.

There's bandages around her head, and her neck, she wore a hospital gown that was way too small for her, showing a couple of bruises wherever the gown didn't cover. Rose kept muttering under her breath, unaware of where she was. Unaware of anything.

Miyuki looked away when she realized how lifeless Rose's eyes were. There was no spark in them, just dull emptiness.

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

Miyuki decided to take Rose back to her condo. Maybe it'll be easier to snap her out of it if Rose knew where she was. After Miyuki settled in and helped Rose get dressed for bed, she led her to the bedroom.

Miyuki pulled up the covers, making sure Rose was bundled up, and the pillows were okay. Rose let herself be moved about, no resistance in those limbs. Almost like a lifeless doll. It sickened her to see what Rose was reduced, too.

Miyuki still couldn't look Rose in the eye, afraid to see nothing there. The blue haired lycan sat down on the edge of the bed, head hanging low, forearms resting on her knees. There was a grimace decorating her features, as her clawed hands gripped the material of her pants, not caring if they tore.

The condo was dark and seemed way too large for just one person. The only light was from a lamp near the nightstand. There were muted sounds of the city below.

Miyuki wondered if Rose ever got lonely living in a place like this.

Rose hasn't stopped muttering since she was brought back. Miyuki couldn't make out the words, and she grew frustrated trying to find out what they were.

"What the hell did they do to you...?"

--------

It was another mission. It was going like it usually did. Disarm the guards, steal whatever object they are after, kill the target and leave.

They were heading out from the back doors towards their vehicle when a pedestrian was standing there at the wrong place at the wrong time.

They saw too much. They know to much.

It was as if time slowed down. Miyuki watches as Rose aimed her pistol at the pedestrian, point blank.

"Please don't kill me, I was only walking by! I didn't see anything! Please, I won't tell anyone, I swear, please -"

"Reever, maybe we should -" Miyuki started.

Bang!

Miyuki winced from the act itself. This wasn't the usual since Rose had more mercy than that. She stood over the body, a sadden look on her face.

"Usually you'd bargain with bystanders..."

Rose didn't bother to stay there any longer than is necessary, her expression unreadable, at least to Miyuki.

"My purpose is to exterminate anyone that can jeopardize Kurokami's plans for the Empire."

Rose pushed past the lycan, heading towards their vehicle.

"Bargaining would be a waste of time."

Miyuki watched her leave, a concered look gracing her features.

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

Rose sat stiffly on one of the charging ports, wires sticking out of her arms and her chest. There would be an occasional light running down the markings on her face as she charges.

Miyuki glanced over from the other side of the cafeteria for the third time.

"Okay, whats bothering you? You haven't went two seconds without looking at her.."

Spades leaned forward on his elbow, a frown stretching his lips as he sipped his can of soda.

Miyuki sighed, focusing on her food that went cold a while ago. She picks at the meat her appetite gone, replaced with worry.

" ... She's been different since she came back.." She clenched her fist, the fork in her hand bending from the pressure.

"It's never been this bad, Spades."

Spades looked at Rose, her expression was emotionless. Nothing recognizable was there. No spark of life. It was unnerving.

He leaned closer to Miyuki, hand cupped the side of his mouth. He wanted to keep it as private as possible. After all, they were around an area with other assassins that would do anything to sabotage their team in any way.

"You haven't exactly told me what they did to her..."

Miyuki stared up at him. An unreadable expression on her face.

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

"If there's any hostages we need to evacuate them immediately -"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"What the hell was that, Reever?"

"No more hostages, we can now retrieve the cargo with no added complications."

Miyuki and Spades stare at each other. Miyuki was concerned, but Spades was pissed off from that cold act. He didn't sign up to kill innocent people.

"What the hell, Reever! They were innocent and didn't deserve to die!" Spades shoves her.

"Wait, guys, please stop!" Miyuki tried to say, but they ignored her.

Rose retaliated by shoving Spades back.

"They made things complicated. Or maybe you forgot who you're working for?" Rose glared, voice leveled, cold.

"Common, we can work this out! Please!" Miyuki tried again, but Spades shoved her out of the way so he could get in Rose's face.

"Fuck you! I don't work for Akumu, I only take the gig for money. His idealogy, his fucken rules, he can kiss my ass with those." Spades snarled, spitting at Rose's boot.

Rose stared at the spit at the tip of her boot. A strange ringing overcame her thoughts, and before she knew it, her markings started to glow. She has raised her fist in the air, ready to strike, and felt her knuckles collide against something solid. There was blood, there was a feeling of bones breaking beneath her fist, and then two bodies hitting the ground.

Silence before Rose's mind caught up to her. She punched Miyuki when the lycan had tried to stop them from fighting. She knew she broke a few bones. She felt them give so easily.

The force had hurled Miyuki back onto Spades, who had stood behind her at the time, causing them both to be thrown back with the momentum. They had landed in a pile of tangled limbs, one wheezing the other groaning.

Rose knew immediately from that sound that it was Miyuki's ribs that she had broken.

Her heart raced with shock. The ringing was back, blocking every single self-loathing, guilt ridden thought.

She glared at them when they started to sit up. Spades had to help Miyuki. Her uneven breathing sounded painful and pitiful.

What hurt the most was the look of utter betrayal. That's what this was, isn't it? She hurt her family for the Empire. She betrayed them. She felt the shift. The way her heart started to harden.

"If either of you get in my way again, I won't hesitate to kill you." Those words left her mouth before she could process them fully.

No! She cares! She didn't want to hurt them! She never wanted to hurt them! She's so sorry! But no matter how much she tried, her body moved on its own.

Rose left Spades and Miyuki to deal with the aftermath.

----------

"Sinclaire, what the fuck is going on with you?"

Rose keeps walking, not breaking stride as Tara follows close behind. Tara's glare was as sharp as her daggers.

"That shit you pulled last mission, almost getting Sheika killed!"

"And now this cold-hearted shit towards your own teammates! How can anyone be such a complete asshole?"

"Goddammit, Sinclaire, are you listening!" Tara reaches out to stop Rose. Tara's hand got close enough to curve around Rose's shoulder before she was shoved against the wall.

Rose pressed her forearm against Tara's neck, almost cutting off her oxygen.

Her eyes were closed with a grimace. Tara had never seen that expression before. It left a strange feeling in her stomach she couldn't describe.

"... Are you okay?" Tara managed to say.

"My purpose is too.... my purpose is too...."

Rose pushed away and held her head in her hands that ringing returning again.

"Aggggh! Stay the hell away from me!"

Rose takes off running, leaving Tara to try and piece together what had transpired between them.

But all Tara can do is watch her go with uncertainty.

"What the hell..?"

‐--------------

"Come on, baby!"

Rose ignored the drunk citizen tailing behind her and continued her walk. They obviously haven't noticed the blood on her clothes. She didn't blame them it was quite late, and the streetlights didn't do justice on lighting up the area. She was returning from one of her assassinations. Her ears were ringing, and her adrenaline was still coursing through her.

She just happened to pass a bar with drunken patrons everywhere and, unfortunately, had one get attached to her. Rose turned into an alleyway, knowing the drunk would follow behind. They always do.

Tonight felt different.

"You've never met someone like me! Common I can give you a good time, sweetheart."

Rose decides they are far enough away from the crowd and, without warning, swings her arm and punches them.

And punches them.

And punches them until the synthetic skin on her knuckles started to peel and bleed.

Until there wasn't a face left to recognize besides mush and broken bone.

Until she had nothing left to destroy. To kill and tear and break -

"Wow, that's a new time low, even for you."

Rose whips her head around and looks over her shoulder.

"So where they on your top list of priorities or?"

Morgan asked with her arms crossed. Rose wasn't sure how she was found, but it seemed like no matter where she went, Morgan always finds her. She always tracks her, down to the shittest of places.

Rose slowly stood up. Morgan watched her, hand resting over the handle of one of her pistols strapped to her belt.

Rose turned around. Morgan tried not to recoil from the image. Rose was covered in blood that must've splattered on her when she beat that drunk into a bloody mess. From her hair, down to her chest, and over her hands.

Morgan frowns, eyes narrowed.

"There's something different about you..."

"What besides being covered in blood?"

"Usually, your eyes shine, but right now, all i see is something.. dark. Sinister.."

"Maybe you're finally seeing the true me." Rose shrugged.

"That's a shit joke, Sinclaire. What hell is going on?"

Morgan leaned in a bit, concerned.

"Does this have anything to do with that bastard Akumu?"

Rose growls. Her ears started to ring again.

"Kurokami has done nothing but shown me great hospitality. Don't soil his name."

Morgan frowned in return.

"Kurokami? When have you ever used that term for Akumu.."

"I have things to do than waste my time here, unless you decide to become a thorn to the Empire, get out of my way."

Morgan slams her hand on the wall, blocking Rose from leaving.

"Nuh uh. You're going to tell me what the fuck is going on."

"If you don't get out of my way-"

"Yeah, yeah. You'll kill me. I've heard that so many times from you, but if you really meant it, you would've done it by now."

Rose glared.

Morgan looked at her with a challenge in her eyes.

Rose then stopped and sighed before smiling. "Have it your way, Jones."

With speed Morgan couldn't detect, Rose punched her in the gut. Air rushed out of the blond's lungs, her legs instantly buckling as she fell to her knees.

Morgan coughed and hacked, but Rose was long gone by the time she got her breathing under control.

Morgan stared at the mush that used to be a human being, scared for once of what Rose had done.

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

Rose reached for the handle of the door, a bullet swished past her, knicking her cheek and penetrating the wall. Static buzzed in her head for a few seconds before connecting to whoever was broadcasting her way.

"That was a warning shot. Next one I won't miss."

"What do you want?"

"To talk."

Rose frowned.

"And if I refuse?"

"Like I said before I won't miss a second time."

Rose dusted off the dirt on her coat as she made her way towards the blue haired Lycan. The view was breathtaking from their height above none other than Kurokami's corporate building.

The city bustled with life, lights flashing almost as brightly as the stars overhead. Any other time, Rose would've enjoyed this peaceful moment, but after everything she's done to Miyuki and Spades. Things between them weren't in the best of terms.

"Sit."

Miyuki motioned to the spot beside her. Rose didn't budge from her spot, unsure of what exactly Miyuki wanted. It made her wary and paranoid.

Miyuki gave the redhead a hard look, eyes narrowing. "What's wrong? You break my ribs, and suddenly, YOU can't trust ME?"

Miyuki was definitely furious, and she had every right to be. Before Rose can spiral into her own self-deprecating thoughts, Miyuki was there. In front of her.

Miyuki's hands felt rough from constant use but warm, grounding. Intimate. Rose flinched away, trying her best to pretend she didn't see the hurt in Miyuki's eyes and took a few steps back, putting space between them.

"After everything we've been through, you're really going to treat me like a stranger?" Silence passed them, and when Miyuki realized Rose wasn't going to answer, she sighed, turning to look onto the busy streets below. The people chattering away, without a single care in the world.

"You can't keep running away from this."

"...Are you going to stop me?"

"If I try too, will you also put up a performance to show me you're this ruthless assassin like you did with Spades?" That struck a nerve. To anyone else, it may not look like it phased Rose, but Miyuki knew what to look for. What to press and prod at.

"Is there a point to this."

"Yes. Is his influence really that strong, or did you give up trying to fight him?"

"The Empire is everything. You should know that after what your family was bought into -" Rose's head snapped to the side. The blow happened so quickly that she didn't have time to react. Rose staggered back, wiping the blood flowing down her nose with the back of her sleeve.

"How fucken dare you! You very well knew that my family was forced into a contract because they were being slaughtered!" Miyuki, for the first time since she's met Rose, bared her fangs at her. Memories of armed forces overpowering her society of Lycans flashed through her mind. Innocents she couldnt save. She could still smell burnt fur meshed with flesh. And the screams of her own family will forever haunt her.

"If you truly believe in the Empire... if there's no way to get you back.. then the next time we meet.."

Miyuki's eyes glinted dangerously in the moon light. She barely contained the beast roaring inside.

"We will be enemies."

----------

It's been three months since Rose went AWOL. She didn't attend any debriefing, nor did she arrive when summoned. Her missions went uncompleted, and most of her tracking devices were removed and left behind, making it impossible to contact her or pinpoint her location.

She took an estimated three pairs of clothes and a few weapons, consisting of a military issued pocket knife, an M60 machine gun, and a Remington Model 700 bolt action rifle. Her house was otherwise untouched.

Miyuki turned in the report of her missing teammate. Her hands trembled. It was conflicting when Miyuki discovered the frame that held their squad picture was missing during her search. Can there still be a chance?

Or maybe she's just being wistful? There was more she found. However, she had her reasons for not wanting Akumu to know, and with a heavy sigh, she made her way back to Spades.

Ready to start their mission.

[blackjackkent]

I have to imagine that going from talking to Minthara to talking to Jaheira is bit of a jarring shift. XD

"Our enemies spread like rub-rot. Treat one patch, and two more bloom in its place. An elder brain, bound by lost Netherese magic, with servants of the Dead Three holding the chain."

"Reminds me of old times."

People keep re-explaining the situation to Rakha and it never makes it feel much better. Once again, though, Jaheira's casual, direct competence has started to have a bit of a comforting effect; it doesn't soothe her like Wyll does, but it does calm a little of the jitters. "You've tangled with the Dead Three before?" she asks.

"Extensively," Jaheira says dryly. "Mind flayers too - but I never dreamed of seeing gods and illithids working in consort. It is most disturbing."

She lifts a hand as if to give Rakha a slap on the shoulder - but seems to think better of it at the last minute and drops her arm back to her side. "But take courage - we have killed a man who could not die, and stripped the Absolute's army of its general. You have a Netherstone and are on the scent of two more."

Her eyes narrow in a faint, savage smile. "These Chosen have reason to fear you. And I would like to be at your side when you confront them."

Rakha blinks at her, then blinks again, utterly thrown by this. "You... want to join me?" she asks - and for once, the low and guarded rasp of her voice is mostly missing. She sounds remarkably tired - and oddly solicitous.

Small wonder, perhaps. The last three days have beaten her almost beyond bearing, shattered apart what little sense of her own worth she had managed to collect. And this woman is a hardened soldier - a hero, to hear Karlach speak of her. Skilled, decisive, and very dangerous. Not one to suffer fools.

But she wants to join the fight - and to fight alongside Rakha, specifically.

For a moment, Rakha feels the same bemusement that she has often felt in Wyll's moments of warmth towards her. What do you see in me that I do not see in myself?

Jaheira smiles. Perhaps she understands something of Rakha's inner turmoil, because the smile is gentle, but it has weight and ferocity behind it. "Of course," she says. "Falling foul of Ketheric convinced me that my grand adventures were behind me - that even if I survived, I should hang up my blades." Again she tilts her head forward, almost conspiratorially. "But you convinced me otherwise. We ventured into darkness together; now we've come out the other side, I'd say I"m feeling a little refreshed."

Her smile fades, and she gives Rakha a slow, deliberate nod, the air of a soldier accepting orders. "When we reach Baldur's Gate, there will be even darker paths to tread. I will follow you wherever they lead."

Rakha is surprised to realize that there is a tight lump in her throat suddenly, making it difficult to speak. She would never be able to explain in words that this is an expression of confidence - from a woman still a near stranger, no less - that she desperately needed to hear, just as Wyll and Lae'zel have offered her their trust in some of her lowest moments.

You almost make it sound as if this is possible, she thinks, with a flash of muted, bitter humor.

"I'll see you at camp," she says softly.

Jaheira laughs, snapping the brief moment of emotional tension. "How does it compare to a shadow-cursed inn?" she says dryly. "With the Absolute's army gone, the Risen Road should be clear. We can follow it all the way to Baldur's Gate. There's a Harper safehouse in Wyrm's Crossing - Danthelon's Dancing Axe. We'd do well to check in with them before entering the city proper." She rocks back on her heels and chuckles. "Beyond that, our course is yours to set. Find me at your camp; I can remember how to take orders as well as give them."

This is all rather more than Rakha feels capable of processing or discussing at the moment. But she nods, and Jaheira seems satisfied enough with that, for now.

[bestworstcase]

Okay so about halfway down this post https://www.tumblr.com/bestworstcase/732581936677158912/what-do-you-make-of-ozmas-motivations-given-that?source=share I was struck with a sudden realization and I'm curious of your thoughts on it. Jaune as the Rusted Knight is a stand-in for Ozma. Driven by guilt over the people he couldn't save, and determined to save everyone else whether they want it or not. Like, holding the Paper Pleasers hostage is analogous to Ozma's laser focus on preparing humanity for the gods' return, or rather, on preventing humanity from becoming something that doesn't need the gods' return. Like maybe there's nothing here past the surface level? This is one of those things that just hit me and I'm writing it down before it leaves my brain forever yk

no yeah absolutely ->

“they don’t know what they want! […] afterans are all either too clever, too stupid, or too crazy to trust!”

“i feared that making you all aware would only add anxiety and negativity. [not telling them grimm are attracted to the relics] seemed like the safer option.” and “i believed the kingdom of mistral deserved better than the truth.”

and “do you really think leo was the first? […] i’m sorry, but you have to understand that my behaviors are backed by experience. i’m not saying i have reason to think you will betray me; i’m saying that i have reasons for the things i do, the secrets i keep, the reason i…”

so all those times you talked about having faith in humanity, that was just for everyone else?

same behavior. same condescension. same motive—to protect the vulnerable (ignorant, dependent) people of an unfamiliar world from annihilation. and just as ozma repeats the same cycle over and over again across every life, so does jaune do the same things every single day; both of them stagnating in circles of their own making.

two things interest me about this.

the first is that jaune is, prior to V9, salem’s heroic foil—the “lovable idiot stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives,” the girl in the tower watching her father slaughter everyone who tries to help her. both of them defined by grief; cinder is to jaune as the god of light is to salem. what sets jaune apart from salem is that she just wanted to be free—whereas he wanted to be the hero.

so once jaune is forced into a position where he can’t save somebody [mercy-killing penny = killing ozma + the girls dying in the crossfire] that breaks him in the opposite direction it broke salem; she gives up and withdraws to live in isolation among grimm, he rots in this scenario he created where he gets to be the heroic protector. and in doing so he becomes ozma.

the interesting piece here is that the resolution to this arc, his restoration, comes by way of jaune letting go of his paranoid fear of the tree and accepting what the afterans told him: the tree doesn’t kill, it resurrects and rebuilds. it destroys in order to create.

in… other words, jaune-as-ozma doesn’t understand the importance of life and death. jaune-as-ozma cannot break his curse until he learns that the tree’s endless wheel of life-death-rebirth isn’t evil or cruel.

the second is that jaune as the rusted knight acts out of irrational fear: the certain threat of annihilation he imagines isn’t real. ozma, of course, heard “your world will be wiped from existence” directly from the god of light himself, so he has much greater reason to believe in it. but…

where is the god of darkness? if he still exists as he was then, does he know? did he agree to put humanity up to this test? if he ascended and became something new, he cannot return to remnant with his brother at all and his choice to ascend amounts to a permanent decision to leave remnant as it is and let humanity do as it will. is the divine contract even enforceable? can the brothers take back the power they abdicated when they left the planet in flames behind them?

the paper pleasers ascended and returned in a new form that could not be threatened by the force that wiped them out. the brothers revoked their blessings and wiped humankind off the face of the planet; salem remade herself in the pool of grimm, and humanity rose from the ashes.

for it is in passing we achieve immortality: through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory, infinite in distance and unbound by death. i release your soul, and by my shoulder protect thee.

our souls transcend death, says salem, who lived to see the mass grave the brothers left behind heave itself back to life again.

this force of pure destruction could not destroy a being of infinite life, so it created a being of infinite life with a desire for pure destruction. (humans are both destruction and creation, dark and light in one.)

when alyx’s life ended, she chose to leave a part of herself behind: a wish to fix what she had broken…

…as salem fixed the broken moon.

remnant isn’t the brothers’ world; it is the world that became after the old world died. the tree does not kill; it resurrects and rebuilds. what power do the brothers actually have in this world they did not create?

[lunarthefrieschild]

(Sorcerer!Lunar x Canon! Henry)

Fluff/Lunar wanting to save the world and spend her life with someone everyone despise except in her eyes./Lunar not entering high school due to wanting to be a expert sorcerer so she skips it and never met any of her friends except henry, her childhood friend♡

Lunar and her father is extremely close when she was a kid and her father loves spending his free times with her.But sadly her father rarely has a free times due to his high ranks-..Lunar actually have taken and received her father shape shift strong abilities but since she's dumb she just use it for wholesome and cute things only to her liking- Her father is busy but he actually can just come home and greet his lovely family but he decided to not. Because he doesn't want the enemies to involve anything with his loves one and kill them.If lunar use her abilities smartly she probably will become a sorcerer or something to make her dad proud it's not like his dad is not proud of her she just wanted to return his kindness in justice by becoming a hero just like him<33!!she probably will spend a LOTS OF TIMES with her loves one and being 10× nicer to them before her missions because she said she don't know if she can see them again-.. She scared of losing them.She rather lose her life than her love one just like her father!

She's scared if she die she won't be protecting her loves one.She's scared that the love of her life die in front of her eyes in misery..She didn't want the same tragedy to repeats.. Lunar at first though that was UNFAIR she hates talking about her father to people because she's too sad to even listen. . She couldn't accept the world forgetting about her father slowly. But the more and more she aged.. After she hits puberty she realized that she just needs to continue her father generations and make him proud.Lunar believes her father is the sweetest person she ever met.Lunar believes she shall returns all his kindness to the world.She believes the world need to remember the " hero" who sacrifice himself for the society, the city, the world.She decides her fate.

"I've decided to be a sorcerer"

*she decides from her heart with true passions and bravery*

She made that decisions cause of wanting her father generations to continues but specifically..She decides it because she deeply miss her father and want someone to see her soul in the way of "you're kindness really reminds me of your father♡". .

The compliments she always appreciated, the compliments she wanted to hear everyday and be proud, the compliments she will go to heaven and met her father while saying "someone says my kindness reminds me of you!! "

Could anyone or anybody understand how much a compliment means to her?? She continues her fates, she will continues being calm as a waves..She do all this to justify him.No one understands how much she loves him.When she was a child.Where she have nobody..Her mom usually are busy being a professional doctors takes a lot of overtime and causes not to sleep.Lunar is used to not have any one in that age and got manipulated by other villagers saying that her father's generations was evil.SHE DENIES IT.She never really cares about all them.Lunar were never as talkative as how she is with her dad before he pass away.Growing up means she needs to spreads more kindness and spend more times with her loves one.Even though she didn't want to die due to wanting to protect her loves one.. She rather sacrifice herself If that's really the only way.

Henry..

"Henry was someone I could trust and lend on.Someone that understands my passions, decisions and fates.He's my friend.My friend I've known since..The one who already knows it all since we've started friending.The one I adores.. The only friend that meet my father before he passed away."

Henry used to be a childish grumpy guy in lunar eyes but that's what make him different than others too.He have his own way of understatement.But as soon he gets more mature and knowledge about her fate he started to softens his voice and gaze whenever he talk to her. He respects her decisions as a "hero"..He promise he try to be more gentle because he know he didn't have much time with her.His voice is a little hoarse now but it still turns soft when he speaks to you. demeanor more cold now but his eyes still perks up when he sees you. and when you embrace him in your arms, he feels home. not a care in the world. like he is a teenage again, falling in love for the first time.

[the-elder-polls]

on the topic of ved hating the daedra, i wanna talk about rildras (nerevaine) hating the daedra because by god does he hate them.

this is also an invitation for y'all to tell me how your nerevarines feel about the daedra cuz i am Curious

his mother, nedrala, was from the urshilaku tribe. she was set to marry. she was a potter by trade and she loved it. her story is an entire thing, but the tldr of it is that azura told her she could be a hero to her people and play a vital role in the nerevarine prophecy, but she would be an exile for the rest of her life and would not live to see her role be acknowledged. (of course, nedrala accepted. she was a devout woman and an ashlander. of course she accepted. she was exiled, she reached cyrodiil and gave birth, and that's all rildras knows about her. she abandoned him at an orphanage when he was a toddler.)

ril grew up with the good daedra always seeming to be watching him. it scared him when he was young, then it annoyed him as he grew older, then it turned to hate. they were there. they watched their chosen, their nerevarine, their hero starve. they watched him fight tooth and nail on the streets for scraps. they watched him catch sick and nearly die. they watched him turn to thievery because he had no other choice if he wanted to survive. and they did nothing.

he gets deported to morrowind because he got caught robbing someone. great. azura (who, worth remembering, is his other mother) comes to him. tells him of the prophecy. he spits at her. "fuck your prophecy. what have you ever done for me? this isn't my homeland. this isn't my fight. fuck you."

but his role was ordained. and sure enough, the prophecy is fulfilled with the good daedra watching. watching, watching, watching. he does what fate has forced him to do. he tries to fight back in any way he can. he weeps for ayem, he weeps for seht, he weeps in front of vehk. he marries dagoth ur and kills him the same day. he kneels in front of the heart, sobbing, and curses the daedra for all they're worth. their fucking prophecy is fulfilled and his life is ruined. are they happy? is it enough? is this what nerevar would have wanted to have become? is this what anyone would want to become?

he has vedyra. the daedra watch. he stands guard over his daughter like a guard dog. teeth bared, weapons drawn. "i've killed a god before, don't make me do it again. don't think i won't find a way." he raises her as normal as he can and teaches her to never trust the daedra. never rely on the daedra for anything. never turn your back on them. never, never, never. he tells her what they did to him, to his mother, to her other father, to the world.

she grows up. she doesn't trust the daedra. she listens--for a time. but she is a deeply curious child and there are answers she cannot find. she turns to hermaeus mora. she is cautious, she never lets him close, never turns her back on him, but she works with him. a part of rildras breaks. she has a child of her own, teaches him what her father taught her. tells him, "do as i say, not as i do."

and he listens. his family has been defined by the daedra for as long as he can remember. no more. he will break that cycle. he will be his own person. he will be a man of his own making. and he is, for 170 years, until he gets caught at the border, until he's in helgen, until the firstborn of akatosh looks him in the eye and--

[10piecechickenmcnugget]

Howdy! Under my post you offered to talk about Purpled's lore/character and it would be really cool is you did that!

You have unlocked an unskippable cutscene I could literally talk about this for days on end

under the read more cause this is gonna be LONG

okay SO the very basics of Purpleds character is just he’s a really skilled fighter, so he became a mercenary to put those skills to use

ccpurpled said himself that cpurpled just wants money and power

but despite this, he’s not a fan of conflict at all, and prefers to avoid fights and wars whenever possible

a favorite quote of mine, “I’m like Switzerland, I don’t really fight, but when I do fight, I win” (not word for word I forgor)

he greatly prefers to keep to himself, and just gather materials and chill with his dog and mind his own business, because he’s seen what happens to everyone else, and doesn’t want any part of it

Early in the server, before he did a lot of serious lore, he had a decent amount of relatively positive relationships with a couple people, and he didn’t necessarily hang out with them or anything but he trusted them

he mostly just sat around and built stuff, the first big thing he was a part of was the Manberg vs Pogtopia war

-karl recruited him against his will

-he ran around for like 30 minutes just rambling about how he had no idea what was going on ever

-he fought for like 3 minutes before switching sides

-*getting killed by fireworks* “IM ON YOUR SIDE” “YOU WERENT BEFORE”

-was dead silent for like 40 minutes as he just ran around fighting people and no one acknowledged him

-schlatt fucking died “did he just have a heart attack?!?” “He just fucking died!!” And then went silent again

-the whole thing were no one wanted to be president

-it ended up being tubbo

-no one could figure out who the traitor was

-watched wilbur die right after lmanberg blew up

-killed one of the withers and was very proud of himself

-Connor joined the game, left the game, joined the game, stole purpleds pants, and left

-purpled went home, reiterated that he had no idea what the fuck just happened, and ended stream

this is so long already but wait, there’s more!!

not a whole lot important happened after that, he was still living in a cabin of the main path, and his UFO was just kinda vibing (that’s a surprise tool that will help us later)

he kinda chilled on his own, and suddenly the Eggpire is a thing! Purpled has no friends, so he doesn’t care!! (There are vines all over his UFO but he doesn’t live there anymore so he doesn’t do anything about it)

suddenly Ponk wants to talk to him, and now uh oh, BadBoyHalo is in some random ass cave trying to hire Purpled to kidnap Puffy

purpled has nothing better to do, so he takes the job

he doesn’t log on for months, so Quackity puts bombs in his house

suddenly purpled logs on and Quackitys like “I understand this looks bad but I want to hire you”

“what’s this another mercenary job?” God forbid someone hire him to do his job

he accepts, and badda bang badda book now he’s working against the Eggpire

Q, purpled, and Techno are going to take down the red banquet, and then Quackity decides to be an asshole (Purpled and Techno want to go in and help, but Quackity makes them wait and foolish dies, then Quackity goes in and plays the hero)

they beat the shit out of the Eggpire (bad is not happy with purpled)

purpled leads everyone out of bads creepy basement “you’re a hero, purpled” “I try my best”

purpled wants his payment for helping the duck man

Duck man pays him, and then breaks the entire fandom and blows up purpleds ufo right in front of him!

purpled wants to kill him, Quackity tries to convince him not to, tells him that he’s basically nothing now, and purples goes home

fucking dumbass blows up his own house after having 37 mental breakdowns

slime is spying on him and purples wants to strangle him

he goes to las Nevadas, “I just want to make it very clear that I don’t think there will ever be a point in time where I respect you as a person,” and joins LN just like Q wanted!! Surely nothing bad will happen!!

~timeskip~

Quackity has an anxiety attack, purpled leads them to the most unnecessary trap ever, he and Q yell at each other, Quackity does a fucky wucky, and now Slimecicle is dead

purpled just fucking walks away like the girlboss he is, and later kidnaps slimes corpse and traps him in a cave

Punz shows up, says some stuff, purples agrees to work for him and dream (this will not go well)

they raid las nevadas!! dream blows some shit up, foolish releases an army of slimes, and purpled yells at Quackity some more

slime reveals he’s not actually a dumbass and shoves purples of off a balcony

and then the server fucking ended so I guess that’s that!

so, long story short, purpled is pretty much just a badass but also cringefail assassin, who does not like people or conflict, and has cared about two things ever (his ufo and his dog, which is thankfully still alive), but is also still just a teenager, and has some shit going on.

he doesn’t care about a lot, but he does have silly little feelings sometimes and the only two times he ever showed that he blew up his own house and the second time he fucking died

[mcheang]

Felix tells Adrien the truth

With everyone but Adrien and Kagami left to accompany Felix in Paris, they demand he return everyone.

Felix: everyone? Even Monarch?

Adrien: you know who he is?

Felix: Obviously. How else would I have found him to make our trade? Dear cousin, have you ever wondered why I would want the peacock miraculous when I had most of Ladybug’s miraculous at my disposal?

Adrien: it’s not like I knew you made a trade. But…for the peacock miraculous to hold such interest to you…

Felix: did you ever wonder how we could look so identical despite being cousins? How our mothers could give birth despite being infertile?

Kagami: are you saying… you are a sentimonster? That you’re both sentimonsters?

Felix: Adrien’s obedience to Gabriel is more than habit, Kagami. It’s because he, and Nathalie now too, who holds your amok, and how they’re controlling you.

Adrien: you’re just lying.

Felix: oh? Want to prove it? I can bring back everyone but your father. Monarch attacks every few days. If there are no attacks, will you believe me then? You can ask Tomoe or Nathalie for the truth if you don’t believe me. But I warn you, Nathalie has your ring Adrien. Whatever she orders you to do, you have no choice but to obey

Adrien’s eyes were tearing up. “No! Bring everyone back!”

Felix: even at the risk of Monarch being free again, and for our uncle to again try to matchmake you two together? I heard about the cataclysm. Your father’s days are numbered. Locked away by red moon, Chat’s cataclysm’s effects will be frozen in time.

Adrien: I need to think

Felix: we literally have no one rushing us

Kagami: bring back Ladybug. I trust her judgement.

Felix sighed. “Fine but if she attacks, I’m snapping my fingers again.”

Needless to say Ladybug is surprised by Felix’s accusation. Also…she felt sorry for Adrien.

Ladybug: do you know where the butterfly miraculous is hiding

Felix: under his tie, duh

Ladybug: bring Gabriel back first and I’ll tie him up with my yo-yo. We can see the truth then.

Ladybug’s plan works and Nooroo is free. The rings are recovered.

Adrien is horrified.

Gabriel: I wanted to bring back your mother

Felix: somehow I doubt my aunt would be pleased to hear you neglecting my cousin, or rejecting her sister.

Argos then brings everyone back, satisfied enough with Gabriel being arrested. He recalls Red Moon, having suspicions about who Ladybug is under the mask.

Argos is both a criminal and a hero to Paris.

Nathalie gives Adrien his ring and admits she is Mayura and dying.

Amelie buried her sister in a small ceremony. She offers to take Adrien in since he is being scrutinised by the public

Marinette is depressed and she thinks she has to save Duusu, though Felix did aid largely in defeating Monarch and saving the other kwami

Adrien is surprised to see Felix at home and how accepting Duusu is of their new holder.

Chat Noir reports this to Ladybug and she accepts that Felix can keep Duusu for helping her defeat Monarch and recover all the miraculous

When Marinette visits them, Felix is understandably wary and more protective of his miraculous. He treats Marinette in a civil manner but as soon as Adrien leaves them alone, he confronts her.

Marinette honestly admits that she will let him keep Duusu, but cannot help wondering why he didn’t just tell her who Monarch was outright.

Felix: you killed my brethren, you don’t deserve my trust.

Marinette immediately understands the sentimonsters she defeated. “I’m sorry, I should have come up with a different plan.”

“Besides destroying their smoke or sending them to the sun,” Felix said harshly. “Yes, you should have. I tolerate you because you’re good to Adrien, but I will never trust you with Duusu.”

Marinette: i know. I don’t trust you either because of what you made me go through when Risk was defeated. But I do owe you.

Adrien came back and they get along as before.

They cannot be called friends, nor enemies. Acquaintances will have to do.

[fearlessdevil17]

Here is a Question for you and it also brings us back to Rayman Raving Rabbids, namely a very cool machine:

Pink!

To the left: His prototype version for the Rayman 4 early version that would be somewhat used in the GBA version for RRR, but without that spider-machine and his left eye has a eye patch. To the right his Wii version without the Pink fur

He is machine Rabbid you meet in the Rayman Raving Rabbids version for Wii and GBA! Let us start with his first entry:

He appeared in Rayman Raving Rabbids first on GBA, where the sad Origin Story is mentioned. You encouter him on your escape from the Rabbid's hideout, the Dark World, which is unsuprisingly the final world you visit, a dark and gloomy undergroud, serving as their home after they were driven out from the Glade of Dreams due to bullying!

Before you could free Ly the fairie, you meet him as your first boss, he summons a Giant Mecha Anti-Toon (does this sound familiar?) and let it loose on Rayman, who defeats it, afterwards he smashes his control device and Rayman runs away...thus we never see Pink ever again!!!

In Rayman Raving Rabbids you have to fight him some times in the arena in all the Plunger shooter games, where he creates a barrier that makes him immune to Damage, safe for his own rockets he throws at you. You see, he is actually very timid and mute, he can only say "Hey Mate, what's up" by launching heat-seeking missiles at you...which he does constantly, so he always says to you "Hay Mate, What's up" repeatedly...he needs professional help...

What do you think of him? Could he join our crew and help the heroes against any of Cursa's evil? What would Edge think of him, namely that he like Sergeui also worked for the Rabbids Army back then and what would the other Rabbids think of this fellow? Would Beep-0 and Jeanie help him to speak more sentence rather than his uniquely pronounced sentence? Well Kanya would get jelly for obvious reasons and Momma might help him, he is after all a Machine...

So should we accept him or not? Rayman might be on board, given that he loves Rabbids now and can settle old grudges...he after all beat Pink in the arena, so if he went rogue, he knows how to deal with him!

I hope he is a good guy and will help us dealing with evil forces from on now!!!

What do you say? Friend or Foe?

I have heard of this guy before yes. as for being friend or foe. I kinda have some mixed emotions with that.

personally i do see him as a villain since, well he is in the Rayman games. but there could be a silver lining to that.

this could be my lack of knowledge for Rayman talking, but if Pink is meant to be a slightly sentient robot. then it's possible to reprogram him into joining the crew. and since he's able to summon mecha's that are similar to Kanya's mecha's, maybe taking down Cursa would be slightly easier.

i'm pretty sure everyone would be pretty confused at first since they've never really met a robot of their race before, because they were never part of the Rabbid army. even wondering who created this little guy in the first place.

obviously Momma would be the one to tinker with Pink's currents, maybe even giving him some new upgrade's while she's at it.

if Beep-O and Jeanie do teach him to talk, i like to imagine that he would sound like either Kaos from Skylander's or Angel Dust from Hazbin Hotel

and i don't think Kanya would be jealous. considering she failed twice to kill the heroes, she need's more improvement's on her mecha's, and Pink is the perfect being to go to in order from said improvement's to happen. she would defiantly try to take him and have him help her work on her mecha's.

and as for Rayman, that's going to be complicated. Rayman would not trust this guy since there were times were he almost killed him. it's going to be a long process for Rayman to trust Pink. considering that he's actually starting to understand the Rabbids mores when he realized that not all Rabbids were bad.

......but since Pink is a robot.......

i do think Pink could be considered a friend, but you know a lot more about him than i do. so i'll leave that up to you.

this is what i personally think tho :)

[lya-dustin]

Someone will remember us

Chapter 79

Cw: mentions of infidelity(does a kiss count?), targcest, mentions of murder, political upheaval, riots

Gif by @the-dragonqueenblog

Taglist: @stargaryenx @mercedesdecorazon @arrthurpendragon

To think everything was good between them.

“Do you want me to leave?” She asks quietly as they laid in the same bed.

It had been late morning when they had their fight and he had been too angry to accept her apology no matter how much she meant it.

Now, it was late, the moon already high in the night sky and his very repentant wife was not sure if she should sleep in the same bed with them.

She asks a stupid question, neither trusted their guards or servants not to kill them and she knows it.

“No.” He answered refusing to turn and look at her.

Aemma on her side, looking at him, pleading for forgiveness. Aemond on his back facing the canopy of the bed because he knows just seeing her so pathetically sorry will erode his resolve to stay angry at her.

Aemma doesn’t make any attempts to touch him and yet he knows they will wake up entangled in each other like always.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized for the umpteenth time and despite knowing she truly meant it, Aemond refuses to accept it.

He has never been angry at her.

Well, not since they married.

He knows she finds other men handsome and felt some attraction to Stark, but she had never kissed other men.

Never wanted them.

It infuriates him that she would let herself fall into the arms of another man because she felt lonely.

As if he was not enough.

Aemond was prone to jealousy, hated the idea of anyone wanting what was his. If he could freely blind any man that even looked at her, he would.

Still, Addam will die fighting Daeron and never be a problem again.

“Is he a better kisser?” He doesn’t even know why he asks that. Maybe his injured pride needs to think he is the superior man.

How dare Laenor’s by-blow have him feel inadequate by simply existing?

Addam who still had his dragon, had a fleet of ships at his command and worse, was lauded as the brave hero whose loyalty never wavered.

Aemond had accidentally murdered his brother, been allied to the wrong king even when his wife begged him to leave with her and worse, lost his dragon after his opponent died of natural causes mid fight.

“No.” a lie, a lie said because she knows he was hoping for that answer and instead it only irritates him more.

If the bastard of Hull had been a bad kisser, he could forgive her knowing she didn’t enjoy it.

“Liar.” He mutters and she sighs.

Aemond can feel her arm move as she gives into the urge to touch him.

“Fine, he was a better kisser. But he wasn’t you.” She admits, her fingertips barely grazing his arm as she retreats to his disappointment. “It was wrong, I should have never done it, I regret it immensely and I do not know how else to prove it to you.”

“I know a few ways, ābrazȳrys.” The prince said thinking six hours of groveling should be enough.

“Your wish is my command, valzȳrys.”

Orwyle doesn’t know how he manages to do it, but he secures three dragon eggs just hours before the Shepherd and his men unleash their violence onto the living symbols of the power of House Targaryen.

With this he will buy his way back into his office.

“Where are we going, maester?” Gaemon Waters asks as he held onto the mule’s reigns just like he had taught him.

Rhaenyra had called for the boy’s head when Sylvenna Sand and his mother, Essie, mentioned a letter by King Aegon wishing to legitimize the boy.

An obvious trap, but the young women had not known that before the Knights Inquisitor had taken them from their bed the night before the riot.

Heidi, one of the girls at the brothel, had stolen the boy from under the guards’ noses and brought him to Orwyle just as he readied the saddlebags on his mule.

They had died his hair blue to hide his eye color and said his father was a Tyroshi sailor and that Orwyle was taking him to his ship in the Saltpans.

“To your uncle at Harrenhal.” The Grandmaester answers as the city behind them falls into chaos.

Princess Aemma had proven Good King Viserys a fraud.

The people had loved Prince Aemon and his daughter, people had mourned Laenor’s unjust murder and now that the Shepherd knew Rhaenyra and Aegon’s reigns to be illegitimate, there was nothing to hold the starving and angry masses back.

Even the handful of loyalists could not find it in themselves to remain loyal to Rhaenyra.

The Velaryons and their allies had left the moment chains were clasped on the Seasnake’s hands.

Lord Vaemond had taken his household and his ships making things go from bad to worse.

While Princess Aemma and her husband did not stop trade, Prince Daeron under the banner of his brother had stopped anything coming into Kingslanding by land.

The Shepherd cast the blame on House Targaryen and the people ate it up.

They were at fault, but the fault did not lie solely with the kings and queens who had ruled them.

The fault also lay with the Small Council who ruled just as much as they did.

But it was too late now, the disgraced maester tells himself mournfully as the mule trots up the Kingsroad.

No one is sure how the Riots began, some say when the Queen revealed her daughter had murdered Queen Alicent.

Others when she enacted a tax on baseborn children despite her having her bastard son as her heir.

But one thing is clear, the Shepherd had rallied the masses as the gates were left open to the Queen’s enemies and all who offered resistance to him and his followers had been dealt with.

It was two nights after the riots broke out when the Shepherd declared his intent at the foot of the Hill of Rhaenys.

“There the demons dwell, up there. Fire and blood, blood and fire. This is their city. If you would make it yours, first must you destroy them. If you would cleanse yourself of sin, first must you bathe in dragon’s blood. For only blood can quench the fires of hell.”

That night, the Shepherd’s Lambs became the Shepherd’s Dragonslayers.

“What do you mean they were captured?” Rhaenyra grows faint when she hears the report.

Mysaria feigns sorrow as she speaks.

With Daemon dead and Rhaenyra beset by enemies and a city in chaos, it was time for the White Worm to let nature take its course.

“Lyseni pirates wanted revenge for the Battle of the Gullet, they saw the standard of House Targaryen and Prince Aegon’s dragon.

Only Prince Aegon survived and is safe in Dragonstone.”

The pirates were supposed to slay both boys, leave the male line to die just as her son died in her belly.

The princesses would be harder to kill, Baela was guarded day and night in High Tide, Rhaena was in the Vale where even the Red Priests could not harm her and Aemma.

Aemma Velaryon had to live only so she can cast the final blow and complete Mysaria’s revenge.

Then and only then, her dead son could be avenged.

“Your grace, Lady Mysaria!” the Kingsgaurd is as white with horror as his cloak. “Prince Joffrey is missing!”

And just as the man speaks, the Queen’s She-dragon roars as she took flight.

No living person can order another one’s dragon.

Joffrey Velaryon is barely seven name days old when he is eaten by his mother’s own dragon just outside the castle walls.

The White Worm drinks to her victory that night.