#does this count as royal trio ...

[axoqiii]

🐾🐦‍⬛ shuake week day 2 ^_^

[raven-dor]

you are my moonlight

In which gwayne hightower meets his future wife, and his timing is most unfortunate

PAIRING: gwayne hightower x reader, alicent hightower x PLATONIC!reader, rhaenyra targaryen x PLATONIC!reader

WARNINGS: fluff, young love, friends fighting, creepy viserys, horrible timing

WORD COUNT: 3.5k

🎶 : moonlight - ariana grande

AN: 🩵 - this could be read as a prequel to come back to me, but does NOT have to be read to understand any context!!

The tourney was in full swing, Y/N sitting eagerly on Rhaenyra’s left. The first two matches had finished rather similarly, with Sir Criston Cole being the winner. What the trio was actually waiting for was Prince Daemon’s match. It was all Rhaenyra had talked about for days and the fact that he’d gifted her a necklace of Valyrian steel, a rare and precious token that many in the realm could not afford. Of course, Rhaenyra and her family were the exception, as they were one of two of the only remaining High Valyrian houses left.  

The knights of the realm lined up before the Prince, the Master of Revels, announced the man himself. “Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent.” The prince rode down the line, inspecting each knight briefly. He quickly settled on Alicent’s brother, Ser Gwayne. “For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, eldest son of the Hand of the King.” 

Alicent grew restless, picking at the skin surrounding her fingers. Y/N wished she could comfort the auburn haired girl herself, but Rhaenyra grabbed her friend's hand quickly, stopping her from further injury. The two men lined up on their respective sides, racing towards each other. 

Ser Gwayne released the first blow to the shock of the stands. Y/N beamed, though she did not know why. She hardly knew the knight, only hearing of him through Alicent when she recalled her childhood. The second round was quick, and at the last second, Prince Daemon lowered his joust in front of the horse's legs, causing it to topple over, taking Ser Gwayne with it. She gasped, a hand covering her mouth. She mumbled, knowing Rhaenyra would not stand for any untoward talk of her uncle. “By the seven.”

Ser Gwayne did not move, and Alicent grew more anxious by the second. Y/N reached her hand out, grasping Alicent's briefly. “He will be alright, Alicent, I know it.” The squires lifted him from the ground, walking him over to the medicine tent. He would be transported later to the sept, Y/N assumed. She would have to visit him and keep him company while he recovered. 

Prince Daemon approached the Royal apartment, and Rhaenyra instantly approached her uncle. “Nicely done, Uncle.” Alicent and Y/N followed suit, still squeamish from the clearly immoral act.

“Thank you, Princess.” Daemon nodded his head. “Lady Y/N.” 

“My Prince.” 

He turned to Alicent. “Now, I’m fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favor would all but assure it.” Alicent walked away, and Daemon smiled once more at the ward of the crown. “Next tourney, my lady, I shall ask you.” 

Y/N laughed. “I look forward to that day, my Prince.” 

Alicent returned swiftly, placing her favor on the Prince’s joust. “Good luck, my Prince.” The three girls sat down, waving at the crowd. The tourney had turned sour near after, with three fights breaking out, all ending in death. The knights, who had never seen battle, were bloodthirsty from what she could tell.

Y/N grew nauseous quickly, begging Rhaenyra for pardon so that she did not grow sick. Rushing out of the royal apartment, she decided to visit Ser Gwayne while she still had the nerve. The tent was quiet, with the exception of a few masters concocting ointments. Y/N peaked around the corner, coming face to face with Alicent’s brother. She curtsied, bowing her head. “My lord.” He tried to sit up, but she quickly stopped him. “Please, there is no need to further harm yourself.” 

He smiled gratefully. “I must ask for your forgiveness, my lady; I do not remember meeting you.” 

“I am Y/N of House Hawthorne. A ward of the crown and a friend of your sister’s.” 

“A pleasure, my lady.” He tilted his head. “Has she sent you here then?” 

“Alicent remains at the tourney. I-” She blushed, realizing how foolish it sounded. “I saw your joust, and I wanted to see that you were well. For Alicent’s sake.” 

He nodded, a smirk growing on his lips. “For Alicent, of course. I must say, I have not heard of House Hawthorne.” She smiled, sitting beside him.

“We are located in the Westerlands, my lord, and are sworn to House Lannister.” She looked closer at his wound, wincing. “Your wound looks rather agitated still. Would you mind if I-” 

He shook his head quickly. “Please. I would be most appreciative.” 

She stood, sneaking a cloth and an herb she knew caused numbing. Wrapping it carefully, she dipped the cloth in water, tapping it lightly on his skin. “This should numb the pain, for now, my lord. I’ve known this herb to speed the healing process along quite nicely.” 

He hummed, closing his eyes. “How did you become so well acquainted with such knowledge?” 

“My mother was a trained healer, my lord.” 

“Please call me Gwayne.” He peeked through his eyelids, giving her a kind smile. “You’ve all but earned it.” 

“Very well, my lo- Gwayne.” She nodded. “If I can call you by your name, it is only fair that you call me by mine.” 

He scoffed. “Hardly. That would be highly improper.” 

She raised an eyebrow, still delicately tapping the cloth. “Opposed to what you have asked of me?” 

He nodded, steadfast. “You are a lady. You should be addressed as such.” 

Dipping the cloth back in the water, she laughed. “Hardly.” 

“Using my own words against me.” He laughed back. “My, you are a wonder.” 

“Y/N?” 

She froze, turning around quickly. For some reason Y/N felt guilty, caught even. But seeing Alicent stand at the end of her brother’s bed, her face as pale as the winter snow, made the girl forget her worries. Y/N dropped the cloth in the bowl, rushing to Alicent’s side. “What is it? What’s happened?” 

“The Queen. She’s-” Alicent leaned closer, whispering in her friend's ear. “She’s dead.” Y/N gasped.

“I-” Y/N turned back to Gwayne, waving quickly. “It was wonderful to make your acquaintance, my lord.” The two girls rushed off, leaving the knight thoroughly confused. 

“Call me-” The girl was out of the tent before he could finish his sentence.

The funeral was a somber affair, as to be expected. Alicent and Y/N stood close by to Rhaenyra, staring at the covered bodies. Syrax, the Princess’s dragon, stood at the top of the hill, waiting for its orders. They stood in silence for the better part of an hour before Prince Daemon whispered in Rhaenyra’s ear, no doubt telling her that she would have to be the one to give the order. 

A shiver ran down Y/N’s spine as her friend stepped forward, catching a sob. “D-” Rhaenyra took a deep breath, commanding her dragon. “Dracarys.” 

The yellow fury let out a great blast, effectively burning her mother and brother’s corpses. Rhaenyra turned away, unable to look at her deceased loved ones. Soon after, the crowd dissipated, leaving Rhaenyra, Y/N, and Alicent still standing by the sight. Y/N stayed back as Alicent approached their grieving friend.

“My lady.” 

Y/N turned, smiling lightly at the Hightower. “My lord.” 

“I believe last we met, I asked you to call me by my name.” He smirked. “Or am I mistaken?” 

She laughed quietly. “I believe the herb I applied made you hallucinate, my lord. You never said anything of the sort.” 

He laughed. “I’m sure you would never lie to me, so I shall take your word for it.” 

Y/N looked back at her friends, her heart aching. 

“She is an unlucky Princess,” Gwayne muttered. 

“Yes, indeed. Losing a parent is never easy.” 

“I am sorry.” Y/N turned back to the young knight, confusion etched on her face. “It is just- I assumed that with you being a ward of the crown-” 

“You would be correct. But it has been so long, I hardly remember what it was like to have parents.” 

He frowned. “That is horrible. I lost my own mother just a year ago.” He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she tried to ignore the shock that rang through her body. “It is never easy.” 

She shook her head, placing a hand delicately over his. “You are, unfortunately, correct.” 

A cough broke the pair apart, Y/N practically jumping at the interruption. “I could use some company on Dragonback.” Rhaenyra practically whispered. “Would you join me?” 

“Of course.” She turned back to Gwayne, curtsying quickly. “My lord.” 

The two girls walked up the hill, arm in arm. Alicent looked curiously at her brother. “What are you doing?” 

He whipped around, laughing at his sister. “Whatever do you mean?” 

“I only meant to say, you’ve taken a recent fascination in Y/N.” 

“Yes.” He nodded. “And your point?” 

Alicent smiled, shaking her head. “Merely a statement, brother.”

The palace gardens were in full bloom this time of year, and Y/N always found comfort in the little corner with a quaint fountain and an outlook of the ocean. Rhaenyra and she frequented this spot often in their youth, and Y/N needed respite from the high tensions at court. She’d been stuck on the same page for what seemed like hours when a voice broke through her focus. “We meet again.” Gwayne bowed his head, grinning much too widely. “My lady.” 

Y/N made no effort to stand, raising her eyebrows. “I am beginning to think, my lord, that you have been following me.” 

“Not that I am…” He started, sitting at the end of the cushioned chair that she occupied. “But if I was, it might have something to do with the fact that you are still not calling me by my name.” 

She laughed. “Is it that simple?” 

He nodded. “Quite. But do not worry yourself, I’ll wait.” His eyes sparkled. “My lady.” 

Y/N welcomed the challenge; she could sit there for hours, reading and ignoring the handsome knight. She glanced down at her book, ignoring his devilishly handsome smile. “You’ve read that page three times already.” She glared over the top, and he held his hands up in surrender, laughing. “Sorry.” 

She looked back down, flipping the page to prove a point. He sighed, standing and walking over to the daisies that bordered the fountain. Picking the fullest one he could find, he stopped in front of the girl, holding it out. “May I?” 

“I will not wilt at the sight of you because you are a lord.” She stood, closing her book. “I am not a flower like the thing you hold in your hand.” 

He nodded. “You are not.” He raised the daisy, tucking it behind her ear. “You are however, as pretty as one.” 

Her cheeks turned pink, and she murmured. “You flatter me, my lord.” 

“And why shouldn’t I? One should always flatter a beautiful woman when given the chance.” He smiled. “I believe calling me by my name shall suffice as thanks.” 

She scoffed, smacking his chest lightly. “You are quite confident, Gwayne.” 

“You’ll find-” He stopped, his smile brightening ten fold. “You said my name.” 

Y/N nodded, walking away. “I did.” 

He followed after, like a lost puppy. “What shall you do with the rest of your day, I wonder?” 

She shrugged. “I do not know, but it will most certainly be out of your presence.” 

He gasped, holding his chest. “You hurt my heart when you say such things.” 

She laughed, stopping and pretending to check him over. “However will you survive?” 

“I think it is terminal my lady.” 

“And what affliction have you caught, Ser Gwayne?” Y/N forced a giggle back, trying her hardest to behave seriously. 

“Lovesickness.” He sighed. “I’m afraid there is no cure.” 

She stepped closer, a pink dusting her cheeks. “I shall mourn you then.” 

“Well, I’m sure we could-” 

“Y/N!” 

Gwayne had never hated the Princess Rhaenyra more in his life than that moment. She was a generally tolerable girl, and a good friend to his sister, but in that moment she stood between him and you, and he wanted nothing more than to tell her to leave. He stepped away from you hesitantly, bowing quickly. “Princess.” 

The Targaryen made no effort to hide her humor at the situation. “I apoligize for the intrusion. Alicent and I were about to go to the Sept, and I did not want you to think we left you behind.” 

Y/N smiled brightly, waving disapointedly to the knight. “Feel better, my lord.”

Alicent tilted her head, yelling back at her brother. “Better? Are you quite well brother?”

Y/N yet again found herself in the gardens, but this time she was here for the soul purpose of seeing Gwayne. She wore her best dress, had her maid’s put her hair up intricately, and even applied some rouge. Not too much, she wouldn’t want people to think the wrong thing. She was a lady, as Gwayne never ceased to remind her. Sitting carefully on the cushioned chair, she positioned herself towards the entrance, waiting for the familiar mop of auburn hair to peek through. She’d begun to think he wouldn’t show when his familiar tenor broke through the tranquil silence. 

“My lady, I thought I would find you here.” She lowered the book, her stomach fluttering when his eyes widened slightly. “You look-” 

“Gwayne, I-” They both stopped, laughing at their ill timed words. “It seems that we cannot find a moment of peace.” 

He nodded, breaking the distance between them. “I have wanted to tell you something for quite some time now. I cannot seem to summon the words to leave me.” He laughed, but his nerves were evident. “It is just…” 

“Yes?” Y/N smiled, hating how nauseous she felt. 

“I wanted to say that-” 

A loud sob rang through the garden, pulling them out of their haze. Gwayne drew his sword, in case the sob resulted in any trouble. Y/N tried to round the corner before him, but he shook his head, leading her carefully through the hedges. 

“Rhaenyra?” Y/N quickly left her place behind Gwayne, rushing to her friends side. “Are you alright?” 

“She’s betrayed me. I cannot- I can’t-” The princess looked up, glaring at the knight. “Can we go some place else?” 

Y/N nodded, her face visibly disappointed. She walked Rhaenyra out of the gardens, sparing Gwayne one last look, mouthing the words ‘I’m sorry.’

The castle had been throw off it’s axis by the sudden shift within it’s walls. Rhaenyra was no longer speaking to Alicent, which meant Y/N was no longer speaking to Alicent, which meant that the once close knit group of friends were no longer a trio. 

It had been that way since they were children, almost ten years ago. Y/N not speaking to Alicent meant she could not speak to Gwayne, or so she assumed. She and Rhaenyra had not talked about it much since the day it was announced, always leaving a sour taste in the Princess’s mouth. 

Y/N just wished Rhaenyra could forgive her friend for something she had no control over. The Royal Wedding was tonight, and Rhaenyra had insisted that Y/N walk in with the princess, even though she wasn’t family. When Y/N brought this up, her friend scolded her, saying that ‘My father has insisted, I’m afraid. You are his ward, and he has grown to think of you as his own.’ 

Now, she sat beside Rhaenyra while the ceremony took place, sneaking glances at the brides brother. Rhaenyra had picked out Y/N's dress herself, saying that she needed something worthy of a princess. She was not one to argue and let the Princess do whatever she wanted as long as she was distracted from the day at hand.

Arm in arm with the Princess, she dreaded when they finally reached the hall and had to congratulate the ‘happy’ couple. Poor Alicent, married at fifteen, was not something she wished on her worst enemy. Especially to a man twenty years your senior. The doors opened wide, the crowd quieting at the sight of the princess and her companion. Among that crowd was Gwayne, staring at her with desperate eyes. 

Her cheeks turned pink, quickly breaking the contact. Chatter quickly filled the hall once more as Rhaenyra reached the top of the steps, curtsying quickly. “Congratulations, step-mother. Father.” 

Y/N shivered. Rhaenyra's tone was as cold as the Wall. She wanted to curse her friend for making her go after that display. She sunk to the floor, bowing her head. “Many happy returns, My Queen, My King.” 

Viserys smiled gratefully. “Thank you Y/N. You have been a loyal friend to my daughter and wife. I shall not forget it.” 

The young girl nodded, equally disgusted and horrified at what the king had just said. Surely he realized how immoral it was. “Of course Your Grace. I live to serve and provide assistance to my Princess.” 

She released a breath she hadn’t known she was holding, sitting down beside Rhaenyra. “Could you at least have tried to be nice?” 

“I was.” The princess raised an eyebrow, and Y/N almost laughed, realizing her friend was being serious. 

“Of course. A jest, my lady.” 

Rhaenyra laughed. “So formal.” 

“We are at a wedding, Rhaenyra. It would be inappropriate for me to call you anything other than my lady, by the court's standards.” 

“Well I am the princess, and I say you call me Rhaenyra.” 

“Very well.” Y/N smiled, taking a large sip of her wine. “This will be an entertaining night.” 

Besides the occasional snide comment thrown at the obviously overwhelmed bride, the night had been otherwise peaceful. Y/N tried her best to sway Rhaenyra from attacking the queen outright, and she’d been successful. So far. She’d been in the middle of listening to Rhaenyra’s adventure of gathering the stolen dragon egg from her uncle when a cough interrupted. 

“Excuse me, Princess.” The pair turned around to see Gwayne staring at Y/N not Rhaenyra. Odd. He had addressed Rhaenyra, not her. “May I ask the Lady for a dance?” 

Y/N widened her eyes, looking in between the two. She was sure Rhaenyra would say no or burst out in flames from having to talk to Alicent’s brother, but she simply nodded her head, going back to her meal. Gwayne extended his hand, leading her to the dancefloor. He whispered as they moved, keeping in mind the intruding ears that surrounded them. “I have missed your company, my lady.” 

“I have missed yours as well.” 

“I know much has happened since we last spoke, but it has not deterred me. If anything, it has made me realize that I cannot stand to be apart from you.” Her cheeks turned pink for the second time that night. 

“You are very kind, Gwayne.” 

“Yes, well, it is not hard when you are the one I compliment.” He shook his head. “I am returning to Old Town soon. In two weeks time, after my sister settles into her new life.”

Her heart fell, eyes watering. “I hope your journey is swift.” She gulped, mumbling. “I shall miss you in truth.” 

He tilted his head, smiling. If she were not in a public place, she would admonish him for smiling at her pain. “What I mean to say is, I am infatuated with you. And I would like to seek your hand in marriage. From the king of course.” 

She gasped, her eyes widening. “I beg your pardon?” 

“I would like to marry you.” He spoke softly, now fully grinning. “If you would have me. You do not have to say yes, but I assure you, your affection for me will grow with time.”

“With time? Gwayne, I-” Y/N whispered so quietly she wasn’t even sure she’d spoken. “I have already grown to admire you. Much more than a friend should. That is no concern of mine.” 

“Ah.” The knight nodded. “Well, that settles it then.” 

“Settles what?” 

“We are to be married.” 

“Yes, well…” She sighed. “You cannot propose to me at your sister’s wedding. It would be improper.” 

“Damn impropriety.” He hissed, twirling you as the dance required. “Praytell, when would be a proper time then?” 

“Any other day, my love.” 

He stopped in the middle of the dance floor, her face growing red. “Gwayne people are looking.” 

He seemingly did not hear her. “My love.” 

“If you are going to tease me-” 

“You called me, my love.” 

“Gwayne…” She whined, gesturing to the prying eyes. “Can we please leave the floor? People will start to wonder…” 

“I desperately want to kiss you.” 

Thank the Seven the dance ended then. She bowed quickly. “Thank you for the dance, my lord.” Rushing back to her seat, she stared at the table, shock running through her veins. 

“Did he propose then?” 

Y/N whipped her head over, glaring at her friend. “You knew?” 

“Of course I knew. Y/N, I’ve known he was going to propose since I saw him approach you at my mother’s funeral.” 

“Rhaenyra, I’m so sorry.” 

“Whatever for?” 

“I don’t want you to feel betrayed. I had no intention of-” 

“Do not apoligize to me.” She placed her hand in Y/N's. “You are my friend. I am happy for you, truly. He is a good man, he will treat you well. I know it.”

“I haven’t said yes, Rhaenyra.” 

“Yet.” Her friend laughed. “You haven’t said yes, yet.”  

taglist: @beebeechaos @i-padfootblack-things @milesdrift @maryjaneeeee

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO JOIN!

[euphoria-looney]

Who Said Money Can't Buy You Happiness?

Yan! Batfam x Princess!Reader

Special

"Mother said be good, father said be nice. That was always their advice. So be nice, [name], good, [name]. Nice, good, good nice (tighter!). What's the good of being good if everyone is blind. Always leaving you behind." Prologue: Into the Woods.

(I needed the full thing in it)

Divider Creds: @selysie and @anitalenia

This plot was inspired by @niwaart, @mimiiiiiiiiisstuff, and esp @coldilikeit

Life is not fair, and while the rich eat like pigs the poor people eat scraps and still are charged no matter if they can afford it or not.

As a princess, I understood that.

I am labeled as the defective princess, the Imperial Princess of Gotham, [name] Wayne.

While all my siblings were intelligent and had strength, talent, and power that upstaged most people, I had none of that, I wasn't smart, actually, I was a complete dunce. I had no strength to my name and was disgracefully unable to use my magic, but I knew I had some...

I had to. Right?

My talent, probably being an embarrassment to my family name.

My mother, she also glanced at me with disgust, she made sure if I wasn't able to do anything useful I'll at least have etiquette while being useless.

I admired my mother, she was beautiful, graceful, sharp, and always upheld her image.

She sneers at me when I mess up, which is all the time, but we don't talk about that.

Oh gosh, and my siblings they were all so amazing.

Barbara held the same personality as our mother, she rose the social class fast. Too bad she doesn't talk to me, I think she would be a great person to take an example from!

Stephanie and Cassandra tagged behind Barbara. They were like those cool trios in the books.

Yes, I read books, but they don't count since they are all novels.

Damian berates me on the fact that I'm nothing like them, but it just shows he cares, doesn't it?

Dick will he coaches Damian he's the #1 Knight of our kingdom and woman all over swoon over him, he talks to me... sometimes.

Duke, well he's a gentleman we don't talk but he's nice enough to greet me.

Jason, well like those novels he'd be titled the 'bad boy' and it does in fact charm lots and lots of ladies.

Tim, it impresses me every time at how smart he is. Maybe that's why we don't have many conversations because I'm not on his level.

And my father, well, it's okay. He's the emperor of course he's busy, I can't ask for attention that would be so childish!

It's of course upsetting when they all hang out without me, but they're just letting me have more time to myself to read! If you think about it they just care about me.

I remember we went to an event, and I was alone and no one talked to me, but it's fine, that's when I met the love of my life, he was like a prince charming, I bumped into him and he caught me before I hit the floor, I swear I fell right then.

Connor Kent.

Then I found out he was in fact a prince! And I got lucky and arranged a marriage with him, he didn't seem as static, but it's okay, arranged marriages usually don't last anyway...

I don't know what took over me, but when they found this orphaned girl one day, out of nowhere, they adopted her, and that's when my life changed.

Serena.

It wasn't fair how she was the apple of everyone's eyes.

She was also clumsy and dumb, she didn't know how to use magic, just like me, but there was a fine line between us. For one I know etiquette and for two, I'm of royal blood.

But instead of also disliking her they doted on her. I let it go until Connor also started being attracted to her. I was enraged.

But kept to myself. I started writing things I felt like doing those things to her. Then slowly I started doing said things. But they were harmless! Mostly...

I always ended up getting caught every single time though.

I still did them though, I don't know I just felt like it, and then I started having dreams of this weird world, about a girl.

Her name, was just like mine, [name] [last name], and she's so cool!

It started off showing what kind of woman she was, a CEO, doctor, lawyer, but mainly an entrepreneur, I didn't know a woman could be in those fields. Also, what are some of those things?

Then those dreams.

"What a bast-, I can't with this main character! Oh and don't even get me started on the family, who wrote this?! And a poly relationship for what? Just for her to focus on one guy? That's it I'm balding. The only character I like is [name] but sometimes I wish she would just stand up for herself!"

Yes, for I found out she was just like me she also liked reading novels.

Her reactions to them were also quite funny, then one day I don't know why but I prayed to the Gods that I wanted to be just like her.

"Go hang yourself! Shitty ahh characters. Go suck a titty."

Okay, not exactly like her.

Then it was the next morning and the maids took a while to finally get me ready, I couldn't stand their murmuring about how terrible I was compared to Serena.

I wanted to rip my hair out when I heard her name.

Then I made an idiotic choice again, I shoved her while on the staircase.

Then my world went black before I woke up startled with NEW MEMORIES.

I had become [name] [last name].

But for some reason, I was smart, I knew how to manage her jobs…

5 years later

It's been, what, 5 years?

[name] was right to be cocky she had every right to be, I feel bad now that I stole her life.

[name] wherever you are I wish you the best.

I wanted to write this to show that both girls will get happy endings, and I rushed this because idk.

Anyway, thanks cuties for the interaction with my last post!

And again with the last post please give me constructive criticism!

Taglist -

@kittzu @charlenexoxo1 @bat1212 @silverklaus @sillysealsies

[4rticbolt]

Card DECLINED |Master-List|

Monster Trio+Law x Reader, crack, fluff, modern-au, everyone’s poor.

!Established-Relationship!

Summary: They take you on a date, and their card declines. Head-cannons/Drabble. A/N: Rewritten version! I may or may not have been satisfied with the original—so here you go >:). Word Count: 1,465 words - 364 each

•-•-•-•-••-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-••-•-•-•-•

Luffy

* All of his money? 100% spent on fast-food. He holds a Guinness World Record for the most food eaten—period.

* You’re date’s most likely in a thrift store, having a competition to see who could find the coolest thing. Naturally, Luffy found an item that wasn’t even for sale… and you found something weirdly cheap.

* So, as you placed your trinket of the counter—he offered to pay. Which of course backfired.

“Oh, here—wait! I’ll get that for you.”

“Are you sure? It’s only a few bucks Luffy, I don’t mind.”

“Nope! I pay. My treat.”

* As soon as he checked the card—it didn’t go through. He was incredibly confused, jamming it back in atleast another 20 times.

* “Hey, why’s it not working?! Mr—I think your machines broken!”

* “No… sir, that’s your card. It says insufficient funds...”

* “Huh?”

* It’ll take a moment. Let him process.

* But as soon as it does, he’d apologize and laugh it off. A tad embarrassed, a little pink—but more blaming his card than anything.

* He’d judge it to bits, laughing casually as he slammed it back in his shabby wallet.

* “…Thanks a lot, I was supposed to make a good impression!”

* (As if it was the cards fault. Much less a 10 dollar ring.)

* You’d pay, and he’d go about your date like nothing happened. Which consisted of walking around town, meeting up with friends—getting into trouble, yk— the normal.

* But when you’re distracted—walking up ahead, he’d hit Nami up for a quick Venmo. Which she’d automatically decline.

* So, finding a few crumpled bucks on the ground, he substituted it for something very… Luffy.

* He dragged you into another random store, sneaking off to find something while you were left to your devices.

* Luff ended up getting a cute little hot wheels for free, of course out of pity from the cashier. (Which he was oblivious to.)

* “Is this for your girl?”

* “Shishi, yep! She’s awesome, I just wanted to get her something.”

* (Initiate awkward pause.)

* “Uh-huh.” the cashier slides it back, plopping it in his hand. “For free.”

* “Wait—really?? You’re awesome—thanks, I owe you!”

* “Oh, it’s fine. Just a few bucks.”

* (Money doesn’t have meaning to Luffy. Only actions, kindness, and food.)

* Later, walking you home, he giddily hugged from behind, kissing your cheek with glowing excitement.

* "Here, look at what I got it! Awesome right?”

* “Aww… wait, it’s actually kinda cute.”

* You ended up putting it on your shelf to cherish it.

Zoro:

* Sake and horrible money management was his downfall. He’s minimalistic, but his alcohol sure wasn’t.

* Regardless, you’d think Zoro’s love for booze was a turn off, but he was a responsible drinker and never put you in danger.

* Besides, he didn’t get drunk easy. And on rare occasions he’d ease up into your arms.

* On his date, he’d had taken you out for drinks, and for the first time in awhile he actually paid… though it didn’t go through.

* Much like Luffy—he’d try again, not confused, but out of sheer will it’d work. When the bartender told him there were “insufficient funds,” he’d be in denial, blushing beet red.

* “I don't know what you're talking about, it's gotta be your damn machine..."

* Nope. Not slick. Not at all.

* Royally, he knew he’d fucked up. Because what kinda guy doesn’t pay for the drinks on a date—HE invited them too?!’

* With a casual shrug, you passed the money over—dousing his worries.

* “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

* Yeah. Zoro knew why he liked you. He was relieved, and ever so grateful—he just didn’t know how to show it.

* “Oi, You didn't have to do that..."

* “I really did, what else were you gonna pay with?”

* An hour or so later, he’d drove you safely home, and the whole thing had been forgotten about. Which was much preferred.

* Zoro wouldn’t pay you back immediately, but when he did… It was in his own sweet chaotic way.

* After work, he’d stopped by your house with dinner. However, you’d just gotten out of the shower in a towel—making him even more flustered.

* (Zoro never did well with thanks.)

* “Hey uh, hi…” his stifled a cough, eyes trailing.

* “Zoro—woah! Hello! What are you doing here?”

* “Yeah—sorry. I know. I didn’t call. I just thought I’d just drop by with dinner, Sanji made extra. And I know you like his cooking.”

* “Oh—that’s… really sweet. Actually, thank you. Would you like to come in? Here, let me just go get dressed—“

* (For the rest of that night, Zoro couldn’t get that image of you out of his mind. Under his calm demeanor, he was worked up more than he’d admit.)

Sanji:

* I physically cannot see this man's card declining, so he’d probably used the wrong one...

* Anyway—for the sake of this head-cannon: he’d taken you out to dinner, enjoying a romantic ocean view… and when it happened. Oh. It happened.

* His freak out would be subtle, but there would be signs. He’d be subconsciously tapping his arm, mind blank with anxiety as the waiter told him it wouldn’t go through.

* “I’m sorry, what?” (He’d be in definite denial.)

* However, as soon as you offered to pay—he’d shut it down. Sanji wouldn’t dare let you pay for this, let alone a dinner he’d taken you too. He spoiled you like no other—so forget asking.

* “No—no, it’s alright sweetheart. I have everything handled.”

* (He didn’t, but he’ll act like he does.)

* Sanji believes in women putting their feet up, so he’d rather search the floors for pennies.

* However, after some reassurance and his inability to pay, he’d give in.

* “Sanji, it’s okay. If it means that much to you, you can just pay me back. Don’t worry.”

* He would worry, and he’d pay you back extra. From bouquets, to chocolates, and a home-made fancy dinner—hed go overboard.

* (But when does he not?)

* You’d would think it was overkill—as it was. But to him, that kinda thing is something he’d do on a daily basis. Any sliver of kindness given, he’d soak up like a sponge and reciprocat it tenfold.

* He was a believer of princess treatment.

* “Mon Amour, thank you for the other night. And thank you for joining me for dinner, it meant the world.“

* “I am so very lucky to have you, Mon chéri—here, I got you these…”

* (Cue the nosy neighbor watching him kneel in-front of you like he’s proposing.)

* Newsflash, he’s not. He just has a big heart.

* “Oh—Sanji, thank you… this is uh—a lot. Not complaining, I love it, I just—I wasn’t expecting you tonight—“

* (You’d be momentarily stunned, because what kinda guy does this? You’re not complaining, but you’re definitely cautious.)

Law:

* Law’s a somewhat responsible colledge student who’s learning to be a surgeon, so this? Would be detrimental to his ego and dignity.

* This happened once, and only once. NEVER again.

* He’s a total fanboy, and is a sucker for action figures + comics and mangas—which isn’t cheap. So… you can assume where this is going.

* It was the end of semester, and he took you out to lunch unaware of the tuition fees that clashed with a figurine he bought.

* He took you out for lunch, finally having some free time, but realizing too late what had happened.

* The waiter had handed him back his card and he stilled, before telling them to try it again. It didn’t make a difference, and the chick told him flat out he needed a different form of payment…

* Law would loathe the moment, feeling second-hand embarrassment for miles.

* However, as you overheard and offered to pay—just happy to be there with him… his expression darkened. Broodingly.

“It’s alright. I have cash.” Law’s voice was strained, grumbling. Wishing it happened any other time than this.

* He would pay, and you would would up going to his house to hang out; binge watching horror movies… which he was strangely interested in.

* Yet you were absolutely terrified of, much to his amusement. He cracked a smile watching you hide in his shoulder as the movie progressed, too afraid of the rising tension.

* (You ended up watching some stupid cartoon to the brighten the night)

* Ultimately, Law would forever remember that date, watching his guilty spending habits with a sour expression.

* The possibility of that happening again kept him up at night.

* It would stick with him, but what lingered more was your unhesitant reaction. He hadn’t seen you that happy in awhile, even something as simple at lunch.

* As you lay in his arms, his mind would travel over these things—tenderly brushing your hair back.

* Yes, he was a busy person, but he could always make time. Every minute with you mattered, and he missed you just as much in moments like these.

[sillydummydum]

Hello Everybody!!!

My name's Luna, I'm an autistic 16y old demiaroace bissexual girl who really enjoys playing games, drawing and self shipping!! I've been doing it without knowing since I was like 8 so yeah -v-" I'm a little bit shy and definitely don't know how to make pretty aah tumblr posts but I try to have fun! Never interacted with much people from the self shipping community due to shyness-- but I'm happy to make new self shipper friends!! I tend to talk allot so sorry if I yap! I got the silly--

☆ She/her ☆

I really like:

- Persona (main special interest)

- Pokemon (very strong special interest!!)

- Sonic

- Undertale

- Touhou

- Rpg

- Honestly videogame and uh-- hell! even anime in general!! sign me in! I really like to learn abt other people's passions so plz show me lots of cool media!! I'll love it!

- Does my boyfriend counts?... cuz I do like him allot

- Making friends!!

I don't really enjoy:

- fighting on the Internet (I swear don't fight me I'll cry) /j

- Basic dni stuff yk just bad people in general

- Anti self shippers duhh

- People who don't like my boyfriend

- People who DO like my boyfriend/j

Romantic F/O's:

- Goro Akechi ♡ (my main f/o!! My boyfriend! My silly!~ Will mostly if not a 100% of the time talk about him!! And I'm usually mocking him lol he's stupid, miserable and fun to laugh at/pos Not really comfy with sharing! Aaah sorry i mean i don't mind if you interact but you knoooow... ><")

- Naoto Shirogane (kinda jealous so nu-uh)

- X!tale Chara (don't mind!)

- Satori Komeiji (don't mind~)

Short list lol the only ones I am very invested in are Goro and Naoto, i'm a detective kisser ig 😭

- Shuichi Saihara (don't mind!!)

- Shadow the hedgehog (It's a little funny to think abt that one I mean I freaking love yall Shadow selfshippers plz do interact)

Platonic F/O's:

- Honestly all the persona 3/4/5 main cast are my best friends in my respective persona alternate universes, change my mind. BESTIES BESTIES BESTIES!!! I LOVE MAKING FRIENDS AND BEING SILLY WITH THEM!!!

- Akiren and Futaba specially tho, Leblanc familly makes me happy happy happy hi Sojiro plz adopt me :3

- Sumire too, THAT'S MY BESTIE RIGHT HERE EVERYONE!!!! (Can my royal trio favoritism be noticed throughout this post? Impossible challenge.)

- Nanako as well!~ my cute little consideration sis <3

- Sumireko is my absolute Touhou bestie!!!

- Flandres is my sis <3 (Remi too naturally cof cof)

- Cream the rabbit as my little sister? HELL YEAH, CLAIMED!! (I really enjoy having siblings leave me alone 😭)

- If a character exists in a media I self insert into, i'll probably be their friend or steal their blood/hj

Okay let me stop myself before i start becoming a friends/sister with the whole fictional universe...

So that's it! I'm not really good at using tumblr or... talking to people-- so yeah lol sorry!! I just really really like my boyfriend and wanted to share that! he makes me happy and joyful and makes me forget about my problems to worry about his ♡ And i wish that everyone could be able to experience that hapinnes without judgements! happy self shipping for everyone!!! And remember...

Your F/O loves you ♡

|....☆.....☆......☆......☆.....☆.....☆......☆......☆.....☆....|

[vashtijoy]

whose phone is that, anyway? character signature colours and yoshizawa's phone

There is a perennial debate over what's going on with Yoshizawa's phone. Isn't it Kasumi's phone that she's dragging around for reasons? What's even wrong with it, and why?

I have no opinion on the last two questions (other than that her difficulty communicating likely symbolises the things she's hiding from herself and others.) But I do think we can put that first question, of ownership, to bed.

First let's take a quick look at...

character colour coding

Most playable characters in P5 are assigned a colour, which is used more-or-less consistently for various things. For instance, their chat icons use them:

Their gloves use them. Makoto is the exception here with white gloves (perhaps because she uses fist weapons, so her gloves are always hidden?):

More to the point? Their phones are all colour coded:

Clockwise from the top: Ryuji (gold), Ann (hot pink), Yusuke (pale blue), Haru (purple), Futaba (green) and Makoto (dark blue).

royal trio: joker

The Royal Trio throw this nice little arrangement for an absolute loop.

First off, let's take a look at Joker. Silver phone (you may have observed it). No chat icon that we ever see to my knowledge, though it seems highly unlikely that he wouldn't have a red one. And indeed, his gloves are red. (as you may also have observed)

royal trio: akechi

Our resident Gemini, of course, stomps in with his steel-capped kicker boots and does everything twice. He's got two pairs of gloves, which match his apparent alignment (white or black, with his "day gloves" being black):

And his phone? Well, it's red (though the anime has it as dark grey, because, again, never not extra). Because, to this day, he's still playing hero—with the emphasis by now very much on "playing"—and part of him still wants to be the hero....

So Joker and Akechi have a reverse colour scheme going on with their phones: Joker has the silver/white/colourless phone that you might expect Akechi to have, and Akechi has the red one you'd expect Joker to have. Or rather, Joker has the "bad guy" phone while Akechi has the "good guy" phone, because he's a fucking liar and because each of them, to a greater or lesser extent, is walking that line between hero and villain.

As for his chat icon, it was grey in vanilla [source], while in Royal it was changed to brown. So: two sets of gloves, two chat icons, two phones (if we count the anime). Complicated.

what about yoshizawa?

Just like Joker and Akechi, Yoshizawa is too cool to be bound by any stupid dress code... pretty much. Her outfit is essentially girl Joker, and so her gloves are red, like his. Her chat icon is a deep purply-pink—more hot pink than Ann's, in fact, whose colour hot pink is!

It's possible her icon is meant to be red, but it's been shifted to purply-pink because a red icon on a red background would look bad.

But there are a couple of other things we can look at. And they tell us it's incredibly likely that the malfunctioning phone Yoshizawa carries through the game is not Kasumi's, but her own.

Remember that Yoshizawa's codename, Violet, is taken from her true given name Sumire—which means "violet". In Maruki's Palace, there's a cinematic of her with the real Kasumi during their accident, where both girls have umbrellas. Kasumi's is yellow—but Sumire's?

It's violet. And what colour is Yoshizawa's phone, when she pulls it out on 10/3, still believing that she's Kasumi?

It's violet. Violet for her true name, violet for her codename. Violet like the umbrella she carried when Kasumi died. This is clearly Sumire's phone, not Kasumi's.

Why is it broken? Still damaged in the accident, maybe?—Sumire is knocked flying. Unconsciously sabotaged? Space pixies? Who knows.

[simp2537]

SCYLLA

A/n: I’m super excited for this one. I’ve gotten really into dead boy detectives lately. I’ve also just fallen in the love with Monty and found there aren’t enough fics of him. Now this does have some sensitive topic that are in the show. Along with a few added ones. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Other then that please enjoy.

Word Count: 1.776k

Trigger Warning: Religious themes, gore, murder, violence, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, demons, blood,  self hatred, cannibal tendencies in flashbacks, child neglect, ptsd, self neglect, imprisonment, torture, consumption of other demons,  more warnings to follow

CHAPTER ONE

It was loud in Hell. Louder than she thought it would be. After being dragged down however many years ago she’d lost all hope of ever leaving. Her father was not much help, some high lord demon he was. Couldn’t even free his own daughter for the prison of his own making. 

She could never quite drown out all the screaming. Her ears were better than that of normal humans, she could hear everything. Every soul being tormented. Every demon who laughed. There was not one thing in hell that happened that she couldn’t hear.

However as the door to her torture chamber opened slowly she did not recognize the footsteps of the ghost who quickly hid. Her eyes slowly lifted upwards, her face red and puffy of tears.

There on the ground next to her was a boy her age. With pale skin, blood dripping from his forehead, almost black hair and the most intense emerald eyes she’d ever seen. His face was covered in terror as he looked around the room.

Bodies covered every inch. Bloody mutilated bodies. Limps and guts were torn out and scattered about. The faces of horror forever laced in the corpses.

“Who are you?” Her voice came out hoarse, her last screaming fit having only been a few minutes ago.

“….Edwin Payne.” His voice was soft, maybe a bit fearful. 

She chuckled softly, pain? His last name was Payne and he was in hell. 

“I think you’re in the wrong room.” She whispered softly, leaning closer to him. He shook his head furiously, the blood in his face crippled down.

“No! I shouldn’t be here at all!” He whisper yells. The girl nodded softly as some demon crawled in front of her door. Edwin froze up, his eyes locking upon the entrance.

“Don’t worry sacrifice, most of the demons avoid this room.” She mumbled laying her head back down in her knees. He slowly turned to her, he studied her frame quickly.

“Come with me.” He whispered. She snapped her head up staring into his soul. 

“Excuse me?”

“Come with me, I’m escaping. If these demons are so afraid of you then maybe it will be better for the both of us.” She didn’t answer. 

Her gaze traveled around the carnage covered room. Her father wasn’t evening much help getting her out of here. Her own mother laid with the corpses. Maybe that wasn’t really her, maybe her soul was somewhere else.

“That doesn’t frighten you? That demons are afraid of me?” He shock his head. 

“Not if it gets us out of this place.” She nodded her head. He slowly stood up, lowering his hand for her to take. 

Then she took it.

…………………………

This was royally stupid. 

Her feet pattered against the ground as she ran away from the ghost the persuaded them. Her thighs ached as she followed after Charles. His bag bounced as Edwin ran next to him. 

This was not how she wanted to spend her Saturday. She had planned on sitting in the couch with a cup of instant ramen and watch Peter Pan. However the boys had other plans. 

And now she was running from some crazed soldier who was screaming his head off. She watched as the boys bickered between each other. Charles threw the bag to the ground going through it. 

The trio stood in a circle, as Charles pulls out an iron knife from his bag. 

“Iron knife! Give him a right smart burn if he tries anything.” Charles snapped as he raised the knife. Y/n rolled her eyes as her hands gently lit up in hues of scarlet. 

“Real smart Charles.” She mocked him as she moved her body slightly in front of Edwin.

Ignoring Y/n, Charles continued, “I say with clip the mask, destroy it, he moves into her afterlife, case closed.” 

“Bait and match gambit?” Y/n asked as her lips curled into a smirk. Charles chuckled softly as he tossed the knife into the air. 

“I’ll need Minor Arcana, volume four. It’s the sort of small, purple one.” Edwin starts. Charles loved to his bag rummaging through it extensively. 

“It contains the fire spell.” Edwin continued. Y/n’s eyes dropped slightly as she watched Charles. 

“You don’t have it in the bag, do you?” She watched as his entire arm sunk Kylo the bag. The way his face dropped as she spoke. 

“Right. Small hiccup there. I left it back at the office.” Edwin whipped around his face full of panic. Y/n glared down at her friend with his arm still in his bag. 

“Charles, you have a backpack that can hold an infinite number of things.” 

“Well I didn’t know we’d need it did I?” 

“This is why you boys let me pack the infinity bag!” The ghost howled above them as he jumped down. The trio stared at the ghost soldier as he held out his own knife. Slowly there gazes turned to Charles knife.

“Go!” With Charles’s warning the group sprinted off again. The ghost continued to chase them through London as they ran. Y/n was seriously annoyed that she hadn’t just stayed home. 

“Y/n! Could you please be helpful and use your magic!” Edwin yelled to her. She stoped her run allowing the boys to pass her. His footsteps falters as he watched his friend lower herself to the ground.

“Y/n!” Charles yelled but was ignored. Slamming her hand against the gravel, debris shot up. With scarlet hues covering the brown pieces they formed a wall, stopping the outraged ghost in his tracks. 

As Y/n turned around Edwin spotted a glass mirror. The boys ran to it as she groan in annoyance. They always forget I cannot mirror travel!

Because they don’t care!

Rolling her eyes once again at her voice she tracked after them. Edwin looked back slightly to see her still running with them. 

“I’ll meet you boys at the office!” She yelled to them. With her words boy boys disappeared through the glass. The two men holding the mirror stared at her as she ran past them. 

She continued to run not minding all the stares she received as she dashed to an alleyway. It wasn’t easy being a dead boy detective when the living can see you. Dead boy detective was still strange to say.

If anything she was just a bodyguard for the two boys when they got into trouble. Leaning down to the ground and pricking her finger she drew a circle in the air. 

Quickly the blood floated in the air swirling as made a portal to the office. The vast book covered shelves and desk being show through. 

The office I pay for.

With my wealth.

She scoffed softly at his voice. She mocked his softly repeating to herself. She quickly jumped through the portal of her own making, landing in the office rather gracefully. 

She panted softly as she brushed off any dish that might have found it way into her clothes. She wore a simple black suit with white collared shirt underneath. Black vest around her waist and her sleeves rolled up. At the back of her suit jacket Charles as sewn on a large drawing of a hydra.

As she looked around she couldn’t find the boys. They’d jumped into the mirror before her, they should’ve already been back. Before she could process another thought, Edwin’s lanky body crash into her.

Her stomach hit the ground with a thud as he lay on top of her for a few moments. He jumped off quickly pulling the crazies girl to her feet. 

Charles body crashed just to the desk, pushing the furniture. Edwin panted softly. 

“Now, before he arrives,” The sounds of Charles changing cuts off his words. Moving forwards out of the mirror the ghost clutched onto Charles throat. The boys body slams on the desk, sliding onto the floor. 

Y/n pushed the emerald eyes boy away as the soldier ghost goes to attack Charles. With a flash of red the knife that had been aimed for Charles head is thrown away.

The soldier ghost rises in the air. His body jerking around as Y/n glares sharply at him. Charles shoot’s up, grasping at his iron knife.

“Sorry, chap. That mask has a hold on you, so I’ll need to take it.” Charles mumbles as he rubs at his neck. The knife slices through the mask effortlessly and is quickly thrown to Edwin.

Blood drips from the ghosts mouth as he screams in disarray. The blood drips down onto the carpets in front of the desk. Y/n’s eyes sharpen as she turn to Edwin.

“EDWIN PAYNE! These are my nice carpets! Hurry the fuck up!” Upon her instruction Edwin beings to chant in Latin. The mask lights on fire, slowly burning. 

The soldier ghosts screams turn into a gentle whimper as his mask turns to ashes. Slowly Y/n lowers him to the ground, her eyes no longer so sharp. 

The ghost curled to the ground and slowly she reach her hand out. It gently rested on his shoulder as he whimpered in anguish.

“It’s alright mate. You win the war. Kids read about it in school boom, yeah? You’ve done brilliantly.” Charles’s words echo through Y/n’s mind.

“You’ve done brilliantly sweetling.” His words as calm as ever. His hand the combed through her bloodied hair cold as always. His eyes…. His eyes that cursed blood color. 

Shivers ran down her spine as she felt Edwin grasp into her arm. She quickly brought them outside. The boys clung to the window as she floated besides Edwin.

“Charles, Y/n that was a job well done.” Edwin told the pair.

“Yeah, pretty chuffed about it myself. Except for the part where he chocked me.”” 

“You’re welcome.” Edwin’s snickers brought a smile to both faces. The room quickly lit up in a bright blue. 

“Death.” Edwin whisper faintly. “She’s here.”

The trio looked through the sides of the window. Death stood before the old ghost speaking to him softly. 

“They will come back, come back again. As long as the red Earth rolls. He never wasted a leaf of a tree. Do you think He would squander souls?” Y/n repeat with Death softly to herself. Edwin looked over at her, his eyes softer. 

“You ever think, what if death did catch us? She’s force us to go to the afterlife and split up.” Her own eyes faltered at the thought. She couldn’t go back. Not to the place. Not to that room. Not to him.

“I will make sure that never happens.” Slowly the blue light faded away. Just as the soldier ghost and death did. 

[hummingbird24220]

Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Extra! Extra! Read All About Your Personal Business!

You were mid-stretch on the Sunny’s main deck when the seagulls came in like a storm—loud, messy, feathered chaos. Robin caught one with a calm hand, plucked the newspaper from its little leg, paid the delivery fee, and offered the paper to Nami without looking up from her book.

That was normal.

What wasn’t normal was Nami immediately snorting halfway through her first sip of juice and coughing so hard she nearly fell off her deck chair.

“Okay, what,” you said, suspicious.

She wordlessly passed the paper to you, her face turning red from the effort of keeping her laughter down.

You took it. Read the headline. Blinked.

"SWORD, SMOKE, AND STARES—WHO HAS THE HEART OF THE STRAW HAT CREW’S TANK?" Subheader: “Polyamorous power trio? Shocking details emerge from seaside scuffle!”

You read it again. Out loud. Slowly.

“...This can’t be real.”

“Oh, it’s real,” Sanji said darkly, leaning over your shoulder. “That’s my good side in that photo.”

You flipped the page to see an actual shot of you stepping out of the crowd post-fight—Zoro just over your shoulder, arms crossed and looking unbothered, and Sanji approaching from the other side with a towel and a plate of skewers. The three of you looked like something out of a movie. A very misleading movie.

“They’re calling me the 'Beloved Blade,’” Zoro muttered, arms crossed as he squinted at the page. “Whatever that means.”

You stared blankly at the quote block pulled in bold print:

“Seen with both the swordsman and the cook, the fierce warrior (Y/N) may have carved a new standard for love on the high seas. Close sources claim she’s ‘magnetic,’ and the two men orbit like moons.”

Luffy leaned over the railing. “Ooooh, you’re in a love shape!”

“What?” you blinked.

“Y’know,” he pointed helpfully, “not a triangle. A… twisty shape. Like a tangled rope. A poly ship.”

Robin smiled into her book. “Technically, they’re not wrong.”

“I AM NOT IN A POLYAMOROUS SITUATIONSHIP,” you shouted at the clouds.

Chopper peeked at the paper. “I mean… it does look like it.”

“I handed her food!” Sanji protested.

“She touched my shoulder once,” Zoro added, voice flat.

“Oh, so now we’re counting touches?” You turned on them. “This crew is a walking scandal.”

“Then you,” Robin said calmly, “must be the headline.”

You stormed into the galley and dramatically flopped onto the table with the paper still in hand.

“This isn’t even news,” you groaned. “What happened to pirate bounties and navy movements and weather reports?!”

Usopp took the paper, reading aloud: “According to anonymous sources, all three crewmates are constantly seen together, creating what some are calling an ‘unofficial throuple of the Grand Line.’”

You bit the table.

Later, you pinned the article to the kitchen wall with a fork.

“Fine,” you muttered. “Let the world speculate.”

Sanji passed by. “You know this means next time we dock, they’re going to ask for a group photo.”

Zoro stopped, glanced at the headline again, and grumbled, “If they ask me to hold hands, I’m throwing someone overboard.”

You shrugged, grinning just a little.

“Better make it look good.”

—-----------

The next island welcomed you with flower petals, dancers, and the kind of energy that always spelled trouble.

“It’s their yearly Harvest Festival,” Robin explained, walking beside you through the bustling market square. “The town celebrates with feasting, dancing, and crowning a ‘Royal Couple’—the pair who ‘embody unity and balance.’”

You nodded. “Cool, cool.”

“And the town votes for them.”

You stopped. “Less cool.”

Sanji, walking behind you with a fresh bouquet he’d somehow acquired from three blushing vendors, chimed in, “Well, clearly it’ll be you and me, my angel.”

Zoro, from the other side, grunted. “No chance I’m getting roped into that kind of crap.”

Usopp skidded up to you, holding a ballot. “Too late! They’re letting tourists vote!”

You blinked. “What?!”

Usopp grinned. “You’re on the list! With Sanji, Zoro… actually, with almost everyone. The town's obsessed with you.”

You froze.

Then turned slowly to see the town’s main square. A huge board displayed all the nomination pairs so far, filled in by hand:

(Y/N) + Sanji (Y/N) + Zoro (Y/N) + Luffy (?!?) (Y/N) + Robin (Y/N) + Both Zoro and Sanji (Robin) + Franky (Usopp) + Nami (Chopper) + Adventure (who added that?!)

Your name was everywhere. The votes were stacking in real time. Townsfolk were chatting excitedly about “that fearsome one-eyed beauty with two loyal guards.” You didn’t even have your eye patch on anymore, and somehow it made things worse.

You took a deep breath. And committed to sabotage.

Over the next two hours, you whispered into the ears of enthusiastic locals, helped them write names, and sweet-talked every elderly couple in a ten-mile radius.

“Robin and Franky, right?” you’d say sweetly. “The elegance and the eccentric—what a beautiful balance.”

“They’d look amazing on a festival float.”

“Symbol of innovation and knowledge? It's poetic.”

You personally submitted at least a dozen votes under different handwriting.

When the final tally was announced, the town elder stepped up to the podium, drumroll playing from a group of children on overturned baskets.

“With great excitement, the Royal Couple of this year’s festival is…”

You held your breath. Please not me, please not me—

“ROBIN AND FRANKY!!”

The square erupted into cheers.

Robin, elegant and calm, blinked once, then smiled and gave a graceful little wave. Franky stood up and flexed both arms with a “YEAHHH!!” while a flower crown was forcibly planted on his head.

You were already slipping back into the crowd, grinning smugly.

“You sabotaged the vote,” Zoro said, appearing beside you with narrowed eyes.

“Prove it,” you replied, sipping a coconut drink.

Sanji sighed dreamily. “They missed the real romance...”

“You mean me and my dignity?” you asked sweetly.

“...No.”

Later that evening, as Robin and Franky were paraded around in a floral chariot, you found yourself laughing with the rest of the crew—genuinely enjoying the chaos for once without being in the center of it.

But Zoro still kept glancing at you. And Sanji kept walking just a little too close.

And you? You smiled like you didn’t notice.

But oh, you noticed everything.

[anthonyzoxide]

Rating and Reviewing the Mean Gills team name options

(This is unfinished but it’s been in my drafts for 3 months so I’m just going to impulse-post it now)

-Mean Gills: The best name, naturally, being the one that they went with and all. So much potential for reference humour, rolls off the tongue... If you wanted to analyze it story-wise 'gills' could foreshadow the ocean mutations that both of the gills (Another plus: 'Mean Gills' allowing me to use 'gills' as a replacement for 'girls') start to get throughout the series. And the 'Mean' part could foreshadow all those times they murder people in cold blood on purpose? It does bother me how little they actually reference Mean Girls across Limited Life, if at all, with how much potential there was- But that's a complaint unrelated from the name itself, so I won't count it as effecting the rating. 10/10

-Coral Kids: Sounds cute, and I like (or rather prefer) how it was worked into their area being called the Coral Isles. Though in the lore monologues, this would probably be even harder to take seriously when referenced than 'Mean Gills'. 7/10

-H2-Bros: When pronouncing this name out loud, it either has an awkward pause or is automatically said too quickly to process the joke- And, additionally, in retrospect I quite understand how one of the deciding factors between this and Mean Gills was not perpetuating the same masculine energy of the Bad Boys. Not a fan, but wouldn't have been particularly upset if they went with this. 4/10

-Santa's Little Kelpers: For how summer-coded Limited Life comes across as, this totally feels like the wrong kind of seasonal. In particular, the Mean Gills always felt tropical to me- Would've been a ton of tonal whiplash if they were named this. Also brings to mind a certain song, which I'm not convinced is a positive. Also, introducing Santa's Little Kelpers to the Life Series means adding Santa to the Life Series, and I don't want to know where the pipeline of lore additions would go from there. 2/10

-Sons of Beaches: I feel as though this is either a reference to a band that I haven't heard of, or there for the soundalike to a certain curse word. Assuming that it's the latter, I don't believe that joke would've had much staying power- It's catchy, however. 3/10

-Big Buoys: Had to look up what a buoy was after mispelling it in 3 different ways when making the list of Mean Gills names. I now hold a vendetta against this name. Also sounds quite a lot like the Bad Boys, and I'm not sure I could've taken whatever kind of feud would arise there if the two groups were name-destined rivals. 1/10

-LGB-sea: Not a bad name, but I've got quite extensive nitpicks. The use of an acronym makes you think of BEST and TIES, but neither gill has a name that starts with L, G, or B, so it feels peculiar if you don't recognize the pun at first (Which I did not). Even if you dissasociate it from the prior context of those other acronym team names, it feels as though it would be a trio name so that there can be a person for each letter (and then tying them all together with the shared theme of 'sea'), and out of the Life Series players there aren't any lesbians to be the L, so that'd be tricky to work around. Also, I feel like it should be 'LGB-sea Community' instead of just LGB-sea, but I'm assuming this would be thought of quickly if it was what they went with, so I won't count it as a complaint. With all of that nitpicking out of the way, I do think the pun is quite funny. I dunno. A rather mixed 5/10

-The Shell-dons(?): I'm not even sure I heard this one right despite rewinding it many times. 1/10

-Beauty and the Beach: This name implies that only one of the Mean Gills is 'the beauty', and I do not believe in pitting two beautiful gills against each other in such a manner. I am also definitely not the target audience for Disney references- Though this would have potential as the name of someone's royal AU Mean Gills fanfiction. That'd be pretty cool. Though the writer must specify which one of them is the beauty, to the other's dismay. And where the beach is in relations to their castle or whatever. 2/10

-Damp Dudes: No. No. This is very unpleasant. Reading it feels like stepping in a large puddle and getting water into your sock. I don't wish to dwell on this one. 0/10. Maybe even -1/10 on a bad day.

-Puddle Pals: This, however, is quite cute! The Puddle Pals sound like a group of silly whimsical fellas from a cartoon, and the Mean Gills would work quite well as that kind of dynamic if they were in a series where they did not have to withstand The Horrors (as is the way of the Life Series). While the 'D' illiteration in Damp Dudes made it sound more uncomfortable, the 'P' illiteration makes Puddle Pals sound catchy and rhythmic. I approve. 7/10

-Mean Shells: ...I'm glad, at least, that this got reworked into the final name of Mean Gills. It sounds awkward, and the reference isn't apparent upon reading it.

-Sal-men: I forgot to review the Sal men🙁 Post over. Go home

[whoishotteranimepolls]

Pride month Battle Royals

I've gotten a question about what I will do for pride month next month. Well, I still have a gigantic backlog of requests so probably the only thing I will do is a bunch of themed Six-Way Battle Royale polls. Does that count as an event?

Now because I don't watch near as much anime as I'm pretty sure everyone thinks I do if you have a character or Duo/ship or trio that you think needs to be included in those polls. Please put them in the comments or reblogs of this post. Remember I do need character names and shows so I can look them up later

The characters have to follow the regular rolls and I honestly, I don't care if they're Canon or Fanon or just coded LGBTQ+. Now it would be nice to know the difference between the two so I could make separate polls for actual Canon characters. But that is the only requirement for this event and that includes the duos or trios because I'm assuming that's going to be a lot of ships.

Now, depending on the state of my inbox and how many characters I have for this event. I may actually open up my inbox in 3 weeks specifically for this event. However, I'm trying to keep things organized so I can work through the inbox as quickly as possible

I hope this makes sense. So start thinking of characters that would work for this event and please put them in the comments and reblogs for now

[melishade]

What going on with the what if Optimus prime appears in the 1st episode? And does zeek meet anyone else (Clara, arimin or Mikasa)

Previous Episode of the Episode 1 Timeline

Okay let's see what I can do here.

Marleyans barely win the Middle Eastern War and they see that their power is starting to waiver because of it. Meanwhile, these peace talks they were forced into hasn't gone any where. As a result, Marley is really ready to say: screw the alliance, screw what the Tyburs say, we are just going to invade Paradis in order to get our titan powers. It's only through Zeke's persuasion that they don't do that. Zeke says that he can probably try to get the powers out without alerting the Survey Corps. Marley only gives him a limited amount of time to do this, so he needs to do it fast.

Zeke decides to go off on his own and infiltrate the Survey Corps base just to see how things operate and ultimately runs into Bertholdt and Annie, who are just relieved to see him. Zeke gets a run down from them on what's been happening and is stunned to hear that there is an illegitimate child of the royal family that is still alive, and also in the Survey Corps. (There's been a time skip people, and Historia still has some issues and Ymir decided to follow her to keep her safe.)

So the trio come up with a plan: Zeke is going to find a way to inject the Survey Corps with his spinal fluid so that he can control them, cause chaos, and Bertholdt and Annie can escape while also grabbing Eren and Historia (Who is still going by Krista at this time). They agree and Zeke makes his move to escape...and then he hears crying. He hides inside the room and peers inside to see Carla crying with Optimus Prime comforting her in his human form. She's lamenting the fact that Eren's life had been shorten, how she's so angry with Grisha for putting this responsibility on his shoulders. She's upset at the fact that she has now been counting down the years until he's gone. Optimus continues to do his best to comfort her in her grief and anger.

And in that moment, Zeke can't help but feel both pity and anger. Pity for Carla and anger at Grisha. Zeke was already still harboring hatred for Grisha for putting him through hell. And while it sounds like Grisha didn't tell Carla about who he was, he still indoctrinated Eren and made a mother grieve over his absence/death.

Zeke does manage to escape the compound and runs all this information by Marley, who does agree with this plan. However, when leaving the compound, he is still spotted by Megatron, who later notifies Erwin of the infiltration. Megatron thinks it's probably nothing, but he'd rather be safe than sorry.

Note for this timeline, many of the original cast members like Connie, Sasha, Jean, and Marco are not in the Survey Corps. They were mainly inspired to join by Eren's words and the events that happened in Trost, but neither of them existed. They all go to the MPs. Connie, Jean, and Sasha are completely fine with just lazing around and doing nothing all day; however, Marco is the only one that is genuinely dissatisfied. He originally wanted to serve the king, but then the king turned out to be a sham. He thought maybe he could serve the new regime, but it's still not that fulfilling. Not to mention, humanity is not even extinct. What's he supposed to do with that? He's thinking about switching branches of the military to do something more that would serve a grander purpose.

(This is all I have...look its hard thinking of a plot for the Episode 1 timeline but we're getting there!).

[eleanorwolfson]

Rosewood Readathon Day 17!!

Chapter 54

- Jamie being completely physically unscathed from the Partizan fight when Saskia was left a bloody mess gives him so much aura omg

- Serious and present danger AMONG US????????

- It’s really dark that Lottie has to consider the option of pretending she was fine on the phone and going through with being kidnapped because she’s “expendable”. Wtf.

Chapter 55

- This chapter is very short but I like it. I like that we get a moment from Ellie where she really genuinely asks Lottie how she feels about everything. As much as this reread has reminded me how selfish Ellie really is, it’s moments like this that also remind me that she does really care about Lottie

Chapter 56

- I love whenever Ellie or Jamie described as a wild animal. Whenever they’re compared to wolves it scratches a certain itch in my brain

- While we’re at it where did Ellie even get a golf club at a royal ball

- Banshee foreshadow?????

- The royal trio bonding makes me emotional :,) they’re just kids

- Jamie is so sweet to Lottie in this final scene I could cry real tears

I finally finished UP!!!! Wow I just love this book. I’ve read it more times than I could ever count. It might be my favorite RWCH book? It’s either this one or PIP. But UP really does have some of the most iconic moments in the entire series and it’s just so magical and special. I’m really happy I was able to read it again :) ONTO THE NEXT ONE!!

[futuresoon]

#that royal trio roleswap fic would've been so good you guys. so good

Not to bring up tags from two days ago, but: is there any place where you summarized like what plot points and themes you wanted to hit? Cause this sounds so good and I would love to see even just the overview of what it would have been! (no worries if not, of course!!)

i never wrote down an outline, but i shall write my scattered thoughts now!

basically, it's wild card sumire, black mask akira, and social link akechi. after akechi killed wakaba, he fucked off into mementos and was never seen again; after akira's arrest, yaldabaoth told shido that akira could be a replacement, and akira became black mask minus the detective part, on a very short leash and very miserable about the whole thing. akechi, meanwhile, has been living in mementos, completely unaware of anything that's been happening in the outside world--until akira shows up there, and he realizes he's been replaced. he bonds with akira, sort of, but he can't really do anything about akira's situation. and also akechi is kind of feral at this point.

sumire awakened to her persona when maruki tried to actualize her. she goes through basically the same Starter Phantom Thieves Experience as akira, but when she goes into mementos, she meets akechi and decides to befriend him. she keeps coming back to mementos to see him and he reluctantly warms up to her.

akechi is caught between akira and sumire: he knows akira is a danger to the thieves, but he feels responsible for akira's situation and correctly assumes that if akira is defeated by the thieves, shido will kill him. eventually akechi does join the team and tells them about akira. this culminates in the engine room, where akira, realizing that his only friend has betrayed him, re-awakens his persona as "dantes", a reference to edmond dantes from the count of monte cristo. because, y'know, betrayal.

and that's all i had! i think it would've been good if i wrote it, but i didn't write it, so this post is all that shall ever exist of it.

[akechi-stole-my-heart]

code violet: an emergency code that can be called by any person who is a witness to a violent incident or a combative individual that poses a threat

The engine room confrontation goes down a little differently when one Yoshizawa Sumire is there, hiding in the shadows.

-

It's been a long and wonderful journey, but now at long last, code violet is complete! Thank you so much to everyone who's joined me while I fell in love with Royal Trio. And if you're new, now is the perfect time to start reading, as it's now all on ao3, ready to be binge read (if you so desire). In this chapter I push the Sumire With Braids agenda. Sumire with braids!!!

unique and elegant hairstyle, perfect for sumire's graceful personality

allows for infinite experimentation, ideal for someone trying to discover herself!

has a ribbon running through the twist, in honor of kasumi, while not being identical to how her sister wore the ribbon

braids are Pretty

seriously it's just perfect for her!! even the half up is derivative. this is something that's all her own. and sumire deserves that!!

excerpt from ch 16 under the cut :)

Akira’s days in juvie slowly pass by. He scrapes by unnoticed by those around him. For once, he hangs his head low and does his best to move through life without causing any incidents. He can't afford to act out when his friends are counting on his innocence to get him out.

There's still plenty to rebel against, of course. Akira's just as aware of the injustice around him as ever. The kid bullied into giving up his meals while the guards look the other way. The young, fragile-looking boy who's obviously going through withdrawals and getting none of the care he needs. The guards who shout at and manhandle inmates when they so much as slow down the food line.

He should speak up. He wants to defend the outcasts and call out the abusers, like he's done before so many times. But without the Metaverse and his friends, Akira is utterly powerless against the forces holding him down. He'd only cause more trouble for himself and anyone associated with him, and make his own release that much more unlikely.

Akira's spent a year fighting injustice wherever it cropped up and looking down on those who turned a blind eye and let the corruption of society fester. And now, put in the place that corruption runs most rampant, he does nothing. Says nothing. Becomes the quiet, meek pushover society wanted him to be when this whole thing got started.

Because more than anything else, Akira's tired. He's so tired. He doesn't want to be the one who causes trouble. Because that's what will happen—he’ll stick his nose where it doesn't belong, and then the fist will come crashing down to force him back into his place. He's sick of it.

His friends would call him a coward. A hypocrite. And they'd be right.

[primamchorus]

Burning Valor

Cor Leonis, youngest person in the history of Insomnia to have become a Crownsguard at the age of thirteen, is now offered a title of nobility for his loyalty to the Crown and her people. His valorous deeds have never gone missed by King Regis. However, the decision to move forward with it weighs heavy...perhaps heavier than any decision Cor has had to make in the past.

Word Count: 2,530

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

<- Previous • Next ->

“Marshal, a moment of your time?” The voice cut through the quiet corridor, firm yet friendly.

The marshal, a man of lean build and serious expression hardened from years of service, stopped and turned toward the voice that called to him. Standing behind him was the king flanked only by one of his closest friends and members of the Lucian Royal Council. Of course, this meant the marshal gave them both his full attention, crossing his right arm over his chest before bowing respectfully to them.

“Majesty…” the man respectfully greeted, his light blue gaze still turned toward the ground. “What can I do for you?”

“If you would, Marshal, I request your presence in a private meeting with Clarus and myself,” the king requested. This caused the man to slowly look up, the barest hint of intrigue evident in the generally steeled expression wrought across his features.

“... No trouble at all,” the marshal replied, straightening back up into standing position. The king then nodded subtly toward Clarus, and the trio set off down the hall toward a meeting room nestled away within the base of the Citadel. Normally, Cor gave no thought to the hall and its features, but this time, he noted the long, dark shadows that were cast onto the walls with each light they passed. A distraction, perhaps.

The marshal’s mind churned and twisted with silent questions. It had been a while since he needed to be debriefed on anything major. Had Niflheim made significant movements that needed opinions or a plan of action on? Was there word back from House Vox and their branch on happenings within Niflheim controlled territories that needed the Glaive? Was that why Clarus was present?

Despite the tempest of thoughts, his expression remained stoic as ever, refusing to show any cracks or signs of distress. He continued his pace behind both individuals until, at last, they reached the door to a room the man was all too familiar with: the war room. He often came here to help plan strategic meetings and plans of action for the Crownsguard and sometimes the Kingsglaive to follow.

So what was it being used for today? And by the king himself no less?

When the door closed behind them, the marshal stood at attention, hands behind his back. He kept his gaze glued upon the king, never even taking a moment to glance in Clarus’ direction. It was the king who summoned him, so it was the king he would make sure had his undivided attention.

“Be at ease, Cor,” the king said, his voice carrying the weight of years spent in leadership as he made his way to the blackwood table. He lowered himself into a chair, a slight slump in his posture — a subtle departure from the regal bearing usually demanded by his station.

Cor finally gave the barest tilt of his head to the circumstance in which he found himself. If this was not some matter of grave import, then why was this meeting arranged? Regardless, he held his posture, only slightly relaxing his shoulders.

“Your Majesty…” Cor started. “Is there ne—”

“Dispense with such formalities, Cor,” the king interjected with a bit of a tiredness to his tone, waving a hand like swatting a fly away. “It does us a disservice behind closed doors to act as if we are merely king and his loyal subject. Please, I would have you speak as you would without titles or duty influencing your every word or thought.”

“... Regis…” Cor slowly started, his posture remaining still somewhat rigid. “I’m curious as to the reason I've been summoned. This doesn’t seem like a typical briefing for a mission or military council.”

“It’s not. Which is why I approach you today with Clarus as friends and former traveling companions. Brothers, if you will,” Regis said in response. He then motioned toward one of the chairs. “If you would, it would perhaps be best if you sit. I wish to discuss this matter with you as it is something that may be seen as a heavy burden.”

Hesitating only a moment, Cor strode to a nearby chair and slowly took a seat. His eyes never left Regis, his mind only hanging onto the question: ‘Whatever could he want to discuss?’

Silence hung heavy for a time before Regis finally sighed and clasped his hands together over the table’s surface. Perhaps whatever he had to say was not an easy thing. Perhaps it was just as heavy as the air felt within that moment.

"I wish to bestow upon you the honor of ennoblement, Cor."

Cor’s lips parted ever so slightly with surprise. Did he hear Regis correctly just then?

“That’s…” Cor began, eyes going to the table and tracing over the wood grain and pattern — as if trying to find words to use in the natural etchings. 

This would have been the first time someone was elevated to nobility in a while. Two or three centuries, if Cor recalled correctly.

“That’s a large responsibility to bestow upon one who merely saw himself as lending his efforts toward the Guard and Glaive," Cor began in response, his brow knitting together more tightly as he considered the offer. "But I suppose you wouldn’t simply do this on a whim and have discussed it at length with the rest of the Royal Council already”

Regis gave a slight nod of confirmation, his attention firm on Cor. “The decision is ultimately yours, my friend. I will harbor no ill-will toward you should you decline. Make no mistake that I understand what kind of burden it is I ask you to bear.”

There were, of course, a number of benefits that would have come with going through the rite of ennoblement. Becoming part of the king’s circle of nobles would mean Cor got a greater wealth of magic bestowed to him from the Crystal. He could do his job even better. Maybe it was best while he was still within his thirties…

“I can't lie…the benefits outweigh the negatives…” Cor started in response, closing his eyes as he leaned forward. “However…I fear that moving forward with this and making a House Leonis would be short-lived… I've never had a desire to father a child, let alone find someone to make that possible. You'd be making your noble house simply for it to vanish in — if we're fortunate — another fifty years. Less if I can't live by that damned epithet everyone's given me.”

“I warned Regis this would be your answer,” Clarus said, his first real interaction since they had all come to meet. A look of mild annoyance settled upon Clarus’ face as he folded his arms over his chest. Regis cast a sidelong glance at him; it seemed evident that their lifelong bond perhaps saw them bickering over the decision before they approached Cor at all. Cor, meanwhile, glanced between them, a heavy, silent sigh making his shoulders and chest heave for but a moment.

Returning his attention to Cor, Regis adjusted in his seat, clearing his throat. “It matters not to me if you want the line of nobility to extend past yourself. It has always been your aid, loyalty, and unwavering, valorous spirit that have inspired me to reach out to you to build the foundation for the Valor of the King.”

Valor of the King… There was a slight ring to it. Still, it was a large responsibility to carry. Cor felt like if he was elevated to nobility, there would be some duty to seeing an heir ascend and take over. Much like all the others that came before: Hand, Shield, Arms, Heart, Eyes, and Ears.

The pregnant pause that filled the room went unmissed by all, least of all, Regis.

“But…you should know…the Crystal will recognize not only you as part of a noble family.”

Cor looked up, a flicker of intrigue and confusion making him tilt his head slightly. “What does that mean?”

“It means your younger siblings will also be recognized. Your parents, too, were they still with us,” Regis explained. “The Crystal will touch all who share your bloodline. It holds no prejudice over any one person within a family with the same blood.”

Realization set in before Cor’s expression hardened once more. “Then my sister's child…”

“Would carry on the House Leonis line should you accept and have no intention of producing an heir to the House,” Regis finished. He sighed again, soon bringing a hand to rub at his brow. “I have no doubt that you would require time to speak with Cera to gain her own thoughts and insights. Though the decision rests with you, her feelings and decisions are equally important to me given this impacts the life of her future child.”

“Why didn’t you speak with her?” Cor questioned.

“I felt it wasn’t my place. The Head of the House would be you should you accept, after all.” Regis made his thoughts sound so simple. Then he relaxed, going back into a somewhat slouched position in his chair. “Besides…I believe it best for her to have that discussion with you instead of hearing it from me. Though I am a king of my people and wish for their utmost well being, meddling in family affairs does not befit me, wouldn’t you agree?”

Cor supposed Regis was right in a way. Still…that meant arranging a meeting with her at some point.

With a curt nod and a low, silent sigh through his nostrils, Cor rose from his seat.

“... I'll…speak with her…” Cor slowly said, acknowledging and appreciating Regis' consideration. The weight of the decision still settled heavily on his shoulders now that it was placed there. But…so long as Cera was okay with it, then he supposed he had no qualms. “I do believe having more access to the Crystal will likely be necessary against the Niflheim threat. I'll need time to get used to it if my sister approves of the arrangement.”

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

When Cor met with his sister later that night, he could not help the smile that made the barest tug at the corners of his lips as he regarded her cheery disposition. He noted — with silent relief — that she appeared in good health as she approached. An important observation given her pregnancy…

Stepping aside to pull out a chair for her at the table he had been waiting at, Cor motioned to it. Maybe he had gotten a bit too chivalrous — maybe a little overbearing with how he wanted to ease her burdens. After all, he knew that she must have had a difficult time during her stage in her pregnancy with little to no help back at home. House Viridis must have been ensuring her pregnancy went well; a comfort given all the stress that came with ensuring the protection of the Wall.

“Keeping well?” Cor asked, his voice low so as to not disturb those around them. He took his seat once she was settled.

Cera's brown hair had been neatly pinned back out of her face, the rest of it secured in a loose Altissian braid. Another hint as to how well she had been. All these little details that Cor picked up on in the years that he had looked out for her at least served him well to know how she was at a glance.

“Well enough,” Cera replied. Her eyes darted from his hands, tightly clasped together, back up to his face. A scoff left her. It usually did when she saw Cor's furrowed mien. “And you? I can’t imagine you called me here just for a family reunion. You usually don't look so...troubled when it’s merely a casual outing.”

Of course Cera would see through him immediately. She always this…knack for reading between the lines. Especially when it came to Cor. Especially when it came to the life he led since they were kids. Cor had come to realize that after his first few missions and assignments.

A slow, resigned sigh escaped him as he looked down at his hands.

Was this how Regis felt when he first approached Cor? The thought struck him with an uncomfortable familiarity — sitting here, mirroring Regis's posture, burdened by a choice that seemed to weigh heavier with every breath. Cor might have laughed at the irony if the gravity of the moment was not weighing so heavily on his shoulders.

“King Regis spoke with me…” Cor began, his tongue suddenly feeling like sandpaper as he struggled to broach the subject. Should he just tear the bandage off quickly? There was little point in skirting around what needed to be said.

“And?” Cera prodded, reaching over to take up the menu at the table.

“He…wants to elevate my status to nobility…” Cor finally revealed to her. “Technically, our status. As he tells it, the Crystal doesn’t discriminate between those that share the bloodline. Should I become recognized by the Crystal, so will you. So will…your child.”

Cera’s lips parted as she seemed to struggle with formulating a response. A look of disbelief settled on her features as she processed this news. Closing her eyes and pursing her lips, she then moved the menu aside and folded her arms over the table, leaning forward as she did. Opening her eyes, she peered at Cor critically; “So…what did you tell him?”

“I told him I’d speak with you,” Cor replied. He was practiced at keeping a steady hold of his tone, though he could not help that hint of weariness that seeped into his words. All the stress — all the knowledge he had when it came to Lucis and Niflheim… Cor could feel how it made him mildly impatient. Cera's incredulous and scrutinizing tone did little to help that impatience.

He forced it down — this was still meant to be a cordial conversation, even if Cera’s voice had taken on a bit of a sharper edge.

“He believes your opinion matters just as much as mine since this decision will affect you too,” Cor finally said with a restrained sigh. He leaned back in his seat, slouching somewhat.

“And what do you want?” Cera pressed. Her eyes locked onto his, searching.

“... I want to protect the Crown and its people as best as I can.”

Cera leaned back in her chair, one hand resting on the swell of her belly as she considered his response. The only thing that filled the silence between them was the chattering of other patrons, and the clinking of silverware against ceramic. Finally, she asked, “Will having a title of nobility help with that? We’ve seen the elevated prowess of House Amicitia, House Chorus…all of them, really. Do you want what they have for yourself, Cor?”

“I find no shame in my capabilities if you don’t want it. That said…I see no downside to receiving such a boon,” Cor replied earnestly.

Cera held his gaze for a moment longer, her expression inscrutable. Then, after what felt like moments that stretched on, she finally nodded.

“… Then do it,” Cera said quietly. “Accept his offer of ennoblement.”

[cryptofmadness]

EC Comics' New Horror Hosts Revealed!

By Chet Reams

The new trio of horror hosts for the upcoming EC Comics revival have been revealed! Introducing "The Grave-Digger", "The Grim Inquisitor", & "The Tormentor". These three new characters have been designed by Dustin Weaver, and are planned to be used throughout the upcoming EC Comics horror-themed titles that Oni Press is co-publishing with EC!

In alphabetical order of name/title, here are their character images and descriptions as provided to Crypt of MADness by Oni Press:

The Grave-Digger: IN HIS CEMETERY, EVERY TOMBSTONE TELLS A TALE! As the central host of the upcoming EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS series from EC Comics and Oni Press, The Grave-Digger’s charming visage will soon regale readers far and wide with the tales of murderous intent and ill fortune that earned his cemetery’s denizens their places six feet deep.

The Grim Inquisitor: THE DEACON OF DOOM! THE VICEROY OF THE VICE! THE PRINCIPAL OF PUNISHMENT … OR SO HE’D LIKE YOU TO THINK! A mad monk with a fanatic’s eye for keeping his secret sect’s surprisingly extensive bureaucracy of terror running like clockwork, The Grim Inquisitor fears no man . . . except The Supreme Inquisitor, who demands extremely exacting results from his right-hand man and deputy master of obscure occult rites.

The Tormentor: INTRODUCING HER ROYAL TRAVESTY OF PAIN! A one-eyed butcheress with a penchant for playful flaying and audacious amputation, there is no weapon of opportunity or implement of torture too grisly to escape The Tormentor’s notice. But she still holds a fondness for “the classics” – like her red-hot poker and rusty pruning shears!

(All character art by Dustin Weaver; images copyright William M Gaines Agent, Inc.)

From the official Press Release (provided by Oni Press):

"PORTLAND OR, (June 25, 2024) – JUST AS EVERY COFFIN NEEDS A CORPSE, SO TOO DOES EVERY STORY NEED A STORYTELLER! FORTUNATELY, THIS TERRIFYING TRIO HAS YOU HANDLED ON ALL COUNTS . . . Just one month away from the long-awaited resurrection of the infamous and influential EC Comics in the pages of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1, Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997 – is proud to unveil the first look at EC’s all-new, never-before-seen, dead-and-not-getting-better-anytime-soon trio of horror hosts . . . Meet EC’s all-new masters of menace: The Grave-Digger, The Tormentor, and The Grim Inquisitor! Making their first full appearance on the EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 Horror Host Variant cover by acclaimed artist Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis), Weaver’s work on and character designs for EC’s new torturous trio will be featured throughout the double-sized, 40-page issue arriving in comic shops worldwide on July 24th . . . and continue through multiple new EC horror series yet-to-be-revealed in the future. “Usually a big part of designing characters is costuming, but in looking back at the original Tales From the Crypt comics, it's clear that the most important and defining features of the horror hosts are their ghoulish faces,” said Dustin Weaver. “It's all about the faces, and with these modern host designs I wanted to carry on that tradition. Making sure the faces were suitably fiendish, properly cruel, and the right amount of unseemly was key, but there's also an effort here to go a step further and bring some more thought and characterization to their costuming and physicality as well. Ultimately, it's just such a treat to draw characters so unabashedly wicked.” “Crafted from the dead center of depravity and delight, these new horror hosts are primed and ready to assume their roles as storytellers,” said Corey Mifsud, Executive Director of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. “All three characters honor the creepily comical spirit of EC, but contribute uniquely twisted points of views that will surely keep the reader up at night!”"