#especially the second to last question i wrote that one at 1 am because i couldn't think of a good answer for it ;-;;

[project-sekai-news]

The Pegasus - An Interview

Welcome back to PJSK News! I'm your host, Tenma Saki, and because Hoshino couldn't be here today, I have brought a special guest! Special guest, how about you introduce yourself?

Good evening, everyone! I am Tenma Tsukasa, a world star! Many of you know me by my stage name, the Pegasus!!! Saki here is actually my little sister!

Hehe, Onii-chan, no headpats on camera! Anyway.. I have all the interview questions right here! Are you ready?

More than ready! Shoot!

Okay! First question: Tumblr user @sillystringstar asked: "Dear, Pegasus, why the horse name?"

That's an easy one! My surname, Tenma, means 'pegasus!' Therefore, I thought it only fitting to use that as my stage name!

I knew that one! Hehe, then I could use that as my pen name whenever I write articles! ..On second thought, that might be a little confusing.

Let's see, the next question is.. by @ithappenedonroute66 !! "If you are a star, then are you the sun and going to explode in the far future?"

E-er, you see, I'm not that kind of star! I'm a great and talented performer kind of star! BUT! I will explode in a blaze of glory in the future! You'll see, Saki, and uh.. it-happens-route-6!

I'll be waiting! ... user @agoist asked, "Why did you make that young girl cry by yelling “Dance and Sing” at her?"

Wh-where'd you here that from?! Ahem, I mean, the problem is solved! The girl was looking for her mom, is all! With Rui's help, the girl found her mom safe and sound, so you needn't worry about anything!

We're just going to ignore the fact that I blabbed.. next question, by @crime-soncloud! "Pegasus, what are your thoughts on the work of this news network, and what do you feel should be reported on more?"

This is a brilliant news network, run by my dear sister Saki and her friends! I try my best to listen to every single one of their reports! ..Though I haven't listened to the one about Akito yet! I've been a bit busy lately...

As for what should be reported on! I believe everything Saki and her friends report on needs their full attention! That being said, I recommend other Sekai's! So far, PJSK News has only reported on evnets happening around Shibuya Sekai, so if they could branch off to other Sekai's, I think that would be very cool!

Ooh, good idea! I'll talk to Ichi about that! Uh - also, the Akito going to jail one isn't that big of an event, haha..! There's no need for you to watch it!

Oh, really? Well, whatever you say, Saki!

Hehe, great! This next one is by.. @ova-kakyoin !! "what is your favorite part of performing? other than people smiling and having fun watching of course."

Hmm.. I'd say getting to know my fellow actors better! You mustn't only care for your audience! The wellbeing of the people you're performing with is also very important!

Well said! Okay.. user @sanri0add1ct asked, "dear Pegasus, why do you call your lunch a luncheon?"

Ah! 'Tis a name only fit for the glorious lunch eaten by the Pegasus!

You always put so much care into the lunches you make for yourself and me! Thank you, Onii-chan!

Anything for you, Saki! What's the next question?

Mm.. @25jpeg is wondering, "dear Pegasus what's your deal with Kamishiro?"

Ah, Rui! Hmm.. I'm not too sure what you mean by that!

Of course you know what they mean! Hm, like.. how he's always teasing you! Or.. oh! I heard from Toya that he sometimes sees the teachers chasing you two around the school~! Ooh, or maybe when you were rehearsing Ro -

Wait a minute! Where did you hear this?!

Well, I picked up the teasing one by myself, and like I said, Toya told me about how the teachers chase you two...

Ugh.. to think my wonderful fans would take our relationship like this..

Time for me to clear things up! ..Everyone, Rui is not bullying me!

...Huh..?

There! Now people won't think Rui is being mean! Rui is my great friend!

Onii-chan... hm. Don't worry everyone, he'll realize his feelings soon enough!

..My feelings..?

Anyway, next question~! @calleigator asked, "Mr. Pegasus Tenma, what are your thoughts on the ongoing apple pie thefts and what are you going to do about it?"

The apple pie thefts? Ah, I remember you and Hoshino reporting on this! I hope the thief will stop stealing apple pies and instead be a good citizen and pay for everything that they stole!

That's a lot of money to pay considering how many pies they stole...

But stealing is no good! As the Pegasus and a world star, I should be setting a good example for all the young children out there! Everyone, if you're listening, don't steal!

Aw, you're such a good influence! That's my brother for you!

Haha! You're a great sister too, Saki!

Ahem.. "Dearest Pegasus, your light shines brighter than any other. What do you plan to do about those who melt in your presence?" - asked by @monkie-see-monkie-do!

Melt in my presence..? Ah, I see, they melt because of my greatness! Well, my marvelous fan, if you melt in my presence, no need to panic! My light revives as well as melts!

Ooh, great answer! This next question is the last one, by @closegamecamo !! "Pegasus, what are your thoughts on those fake insects at stores?"

Fake insects..? Ugh, why would you ask me that.. er, I don't even remember what they look like!

That's fine! I brought one here with me just in case!

You wha - aaAAAAAAGGH!!

Haha, Onii-chan! It's just a caterpi - ahh, he fell down!

Eek! T-Tenma-senpai..? Is he okay?

Don't worry about it, Kohane! He'll be fine.. probably..

ONII-CHAN! The interview's still going!

..urk...

Ah, maybe it's a good time to stop..

Bye everyone! I hope your questions were answered by the great and glorious star, Tenma Tsukasa, the Pegasus! Let's keep this little incident between us, 'kay? Bye bye~!

..ugh.. aah, wait! Farewell, my wonderful fa - !

[xephyras]

' A Second Reflection '

MDNI. 18+ ONLY.

a/n: i fear i possibly cooked with this? idk, i wrote it in like 2 hours. first cillian murphy centric smut kinda goes hard.

btw: that new M. Night Shyalaman movie ‘Trap’ sucks. It's basically slutty Josh Hartnett being a dad with mommy issues and everyone not doing their job.

Second, yes, this is fucking diabolical and will in fact be better because I am amazing at writing darker shit.

Third, yes, this is because I watched Red Eye again on my Roku at 1 a.m in my duplex. (Sorry to my upstairs neighbor if you heard my tv.)

warnings: DUB/NONCON. dead dove do NOT eat, 18+, evil!dom!stalker! jackson rippner and sub! reader. jackson rippner is an actual villain, not bastardized, rough sex, unprotected p in v, breeding kink from rippner, dumbification (once again my weakness), heavy degregation, spit kink, biting kink, just overall really mouthy rippner, major power play kink, size difference if you squint, bruising, hickeys, break in, choking, hair pulling, slapping, mirror kink, blood kink, also, jackson rippner is like lowk pathetic bcz, yk... men whining.

word count: 4.18k

NOT proofread, I apologize in advance for any errors or mistakes!

"Keep your eyes on me, slut. I want to see your face while I fuck you.” He barked out, straining on your hair again as he pulled you up.

Darkness filled the room you sat in comfortably, your dust-covered mirror shimmering softly in the cinnamon candles you had lit a few minutes before. Duvet covered pulled up to your chest, and legs shuffling under with a comfort that always seemed to await you, you felt entirely serene.

The day was as usual boring, mostly spent inside working from home, taking a few calls, and mellowing around in your pajamas. These days seem to muddle together into one big mix, but it was nothing you fret over. It was rather comforting compared to the busy streets which bustled from the early hours of dawn to the peak of the night.

Only thing you would say that pinched wildly at your relaxation like a child on St. Patrick's day seeing a person not wearing green, was the overwhelming feeling of a set of prying eyes on you. However, this had become realtively common since you played that damned mirror in front of your bed.

You commonly had liked to rearrange your room; especially on the late nights where your shitty sleep schedule caught up, giving bursts of energy late at night. Hence, you assumed it was your paranoia playing a hopscotch game with you.

Nevertheless, you found the serenity of your window open, blowing a soft wind in, rather comforting. Leaving the blinds open often to let the orange sunset light in, you simply would stare until it went dark at times. Being on the first floor of your home, too, passerby's were actually much more fun to look at than you realized. ‘People-watching’, as some would call it.

However, in this night specifically, the warm breeze flushing onto your shoulders felt rather omniscient of some warning it communicated. You didn't get it, but something irked you. To deprive yourself of your own time, you simply read a book, traveling your mind into the world of your favorite reads.

Conversely, your brain pried at you. Thinking it was simply a lack of sleep, especially because it was now around a quarter after midnight, you set the hard book down. It was a hot night, you might as well have left your window open. After all, it was a safer neighborhood.

After blowing out the residue of your melted candles, you covered the rest of your body with the duvet. Serenity at last, you thought. Gently shutting your eyes, you simply wandered off mentally.

Despite being a rather heavy sleeper, you woke within a few hours to a sense of hefty paranoia. Your eyes couldn't even adjust at first to the darkness and the heaviness of them. Wiping your tiredness away, you peered into your mirror questionably.

The window you leave open, which usually shines in the dim moonlight, was almost blocked? Almost like a shadow. Slowly turning your head to your window to assume it was just your brain, you suddenly saw.

With your heart and sleepiness practically leaping out of your throat in a stiffled yell, shoved the covers off you, preparing to defend your every move. It wasn't just a fucking dark shadow, an entire, short, but rather wide looking silhouette of a man stood quietly, almost mannequin like, against your window sill.

“What the— What the fuck. What the fuck?!” You suddenly screeched out as loud as your throat could allow, the burning of your vocal chords was anything but sensational.

A deep chuckled emerged from the silhouette, shoulders bouncing somehow in a threatening manner. He held something in a pocket of a sweater, of course.

“You need to calm down before I slit your goddamn throat right here.” He suddenly sneered.

You were absolutely frozen, eyes wide with tears you didn't feel even forming. Hands bundled into fists in front of you futily, shaking like you were about to have a seizure.

He stood entirely still once more, practically observing you like some doctor. You decided haphazardly to stand onto your mattress, trying to get a better advantage of higher ground, more area to attack if he did decide to run at you.

“You— need to get the fuck out! Now!” You screamed at the end, trying to not simply break down sobbing. With purpose, your eyes scanned across your room for some weapon.

“I said calm down!” He suddenly grunted out, stomping with one long stride towards you. His palm latched itself to your ankle, dragging you from your sudden position, your head hitting the wall as you fell onto your spine.

A burning familiar to that of a minor concussion filled your senses, a stiffled sob leaving your throat as your vision filled with a dark white, if even possible. Ringing filled your ears as you felt yourself get dragged practically to lay on your stomach, facing your mirror.

He suddenly muttered almost to no one but himself, “You know, you're fucking pathetic. Can't even hold a good fight. All you do is sit—”

A grunt left his throat as he forced his sweater off, tosing it to the side. “And do absolutely nothing. You're a lazy bitch, you should be grateful I’m doing this.” He whispered into your ear, his stubble tickling along your jaw.

Desperately despite your mingling pain in your brain which seemed to radiate to your neck, you flipped yourself to your side, hands raising to try and fling themselves at him. You simply found his hand, calloused and rough, gripping a lump full of your hair, tangling it into his hand. He shoved your head into the mattress, unable to move.

“Stop fighting me, it's useless, whore.” He cursed out to you, a hint of lingering amusement in his poisoned words.

He certainly was talkative. “God, finally able to touch you after so long. You know, I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to do this.” He chuckled out, his voice was unforgivingly soothing while his hands gripped your head like a vice, and forcing the other to grope, pinch, and slap at your back and ass.

Wanting to have his fun, of course. “You need to do more. You're too… lazy. Maybe I’ll fuck a good baby into you, make you mine.” Sneering his voice next to your jaw, licking suddenly. The mixed smell of his aftershave and mahogany-esque cologne was all you tried to focus on.

Your head was utterly pounding, a slight ring in your eardrums forcuing yourself to feel even more of a head ache. Along with his snagging hand forcing you to the bed, and other groping you grotesquely, all you felt was utter pain and despair.

With as much energy as you could have put, you screamed out. Surely someone in this blasted neighborhood would hear. Screaming your pleas of help, Jackson tugged on your hair tight, snapping your neck back and cutting those yells off with a simple yelp into the air like an injured dog.

He dragged his hand from your lower back to your neck, shaking and wet from your tears which stained where he previously pushed you down. With force, he grabbed your neck tight, cutting your blood, but not air off.

“For someone so fucking lazy, only thing you can do right now is put your vocals to use? I will stab you right here and make it look like a suicide. Do yourself a favor and stop gambling with your life.” He enunciated, using his lips to drag themselves along the surrounding area of your ear.

A choke left your throat as the blood rushed back to your brain, the dazy and numb feeling leaving your pained head. You simply felt yourself get flipped to your back, finally being able to see some of the man's face.

He was unfortunately one of the most handsome men you had seen. A sharp jaw, stubbled beard he kept recently, piercing blue eyes. God, why did he have to be doing this?

“Stop it! I'll give you money! Please just stop!” You rasped out with desperate sobs, feeling yourself tears reach to your collarbones. Your nose was running heavy, and lips soaked with your own drool . You didn't care. You were focused enough the fact this man was in your home, hurting you.

His demeanor seemed suddenly much more gentle, but falsely. Like a lion acting gentle as it slowly prides itself up to its prey. His knees trapped around one of yours, holding you tight. With one of his hands, he held your chin now.

Leaning into your wet and puffy face as he smirked, he finally tantalizingly reached his lips to your jaw. “The more you plead, the harder I’m gonna get, and the longer I’ll use you.”

Finally leaning back, he raised his hand to your cheek and slammed it down, hard. A sound only described as a clap released itself along your bedroom walls, swinging your head to the side. Pain radiated harshly though your cheek, hot and burning.

He chuckled at this and leaned down his lips to your heaving neck, using his hands to stabilize himself on either side of your head. Wanting to have a bit of fun with his food so to speak, he licked. Starting at your collarbone, leading itself up to your jugular with silent breaths.

When he did reach, he bit down harshly, hard enough to draw blood, but not hard enough to severely hurt you. A loud shriek left your throat like some horror movie character, your hands flinging up to pull his hair away and desperately claw.

A pained groan left his throat, but he smiled. Finally getting a better view at his face, teeth slightly pink from your neck and his silky hair feeling like knives in your hands suddenly, you realized couldn't even fight him.

Pausing his actions, he developed a nasty sneer of his face, suddenly spitting a glob at your cheek, grabbing your wrists tight enough you knew it'd bruise. Crashing them down into the bed beside you, he dipped his head down once more to your bleeding neck.

Teeth sank into your skin like marshmallows in an out, ranks of pain radiating from your tailbone all the way to the top of your head like you were in a house fire. All you could hear was the ringing of your blasted ears, his heavy breathing and whines, and the shuffle of the duvet.

“God, you taste so fucking good.” He hummed out, licking up the residues and admiring your skin like some sort of art project he made, one he'd surely put on the fridge.

“You know…” he finally leaned back, resting on his knees which trapped you into his touch.

“I've been watching you for a while—before tonight.” Jackson hummed contently, his raspy whisper leaking itself into your ears like honey.

“Especially because… you don't know when—” he spoke, getting up to close the open window. You knew you should've taken it as a chance, but you were frozen. He adjusted your whimsy curtains above it.

“—when to close your goddamn window. It's been such a joy to watch you, you know that? Every morning, you laying in your bed practically refusing to get up… all the way to laying yourself down, leaving it open to feel the breeze.” He chuckled finally at his last words, almost as if to nonverbally stupidly you.

Your head was pounding, the previously persistent ringing now dying down to a simple static noise, deep in your brain. Choked sobs left your throat, your chest heaving with every breath. Barely even being able to see due to the cloudiness of your wet tears, you blinked frantically.

“My boyfriend will be home so—” you attempted to sneer out, getting cut off with a vocal scoff.

“You need to learn how to stop lying, baby.”

Almost as if tantalizing your stupid word choice, he grazed his fingertips up and down your torso, riding your tank top up slightly with every stroke. His breath—you noticed—was heavier, his chest rising and falling every movement.

With a solid hiss, he forced your tank top off you, to which of course to his not-so-very-big-suprise, revealing your bare chest. After watching you for a while, he noticed you would most of the time wear either nothing, or a tank top, maybe paired with some underwear, usually black or navy. Rare occasions, maroon.

A deep chuckle poured out his throat as his rough hands went to your breasts, cupping and kneading them like dough. It hurt, clearly because he had no intent of making you even feel anything. He just craved you like a wolf craved a little sheep. Cries of pain left your throat, trying to claw your hands at his to no avail.

Your hips and legs wouldn't budge as he sat right on them, your head hurt too much to move, your arms like noodles from the sheer anxiety and shock you felt. To this, he laughed in a false-lit pity. Pinching at your nipples, he made sure to leave you as sensitive as possible, with intent to make you cry even more.

Exult filled his icy eyes as his hands dragged themselves down your belly, massaging your sides and hips like fresh bread. It tickled, somehow—the way he moved his hands now around the waistband of your underwear.

They were a deep navy blue, however looked black in this dark room. Shakily exhaling, Jackson dipped his fingers across the line of your clothing, before quickly pulling them clean off, the fabric resting on your shaking legs.

Another shrill howl left your raspy throat, trying to wriggle your hips out of his body weight. He bellowed back quietly in mock, anger mustering his tone. Another hard, cranial slap landed on the side of your head.

“Shut the fuck up.” He berated now; amusement present.

“I’ve always dreamed of this… even nights I didn't sleep.” he cooed out, coaxing one of your hands to his crotch.

You sneered out a messy cry as he pressed your hand to his tented pants, feeling his cock practically throbbing. His breath left his lips shakily as he forced your hand to feel him. Conversely, he kept his hand tight on your hips, not covered finally.

Finally smacking your hand back, he shimmied off the pants he had on after unbuttoning them. He didn't care to pull them all the way down, why not make it a quickie—you know?

“You look like such a whore right now…” he cooed out almost an octave higher, those threatening eyes gazing daggers at you.

An idea suddenly formed in his head as he looked up to himself in the mirror across from your bed. A toothy smile like a sharks spread across his jaw. Piercing his eyes back down, he grunted, flipping you into your stomach once more.

“I want you to see your stupid fucking face while I use you.” he blazed out, sharply snapping your head up by a chunk of your hair.

Your face was a mess. Puffy red eyes, red nose and cheeeks. Entirely wet with tears and snot. Not to mention, you looked absolutely devastated, which was expected, but not this bad.

A choked wail left your throat as you heard his pants shimmy down slightly, and felt his boxers, and clothed cock resting against your pussy. In response, he cooed under his breath. His hand pressed harshly into your lower back.

“It's a shame I haven't done this sooner, you cry like a fucking animal… it's so beautiful.” He mewled out to your face in the mirror rather than looking down at you.

Tearing down his boxers finally, you could hear his cock spring free and tap lightly on his stomach. He was of course hard, more than he had ever felt in a while. hence the fact he'd get off almost nightly thinking of you. Fucking into his fist with throaty groans, imagining it was your cunt instead.

A hearty sigh left his chest as he stroked himself a few times, the precum on his tip shining in the dim moonlight which simmered through the window. He made sure he was slow with his movements, not wanting to end this too fast.

“Keep your eyes on me, slut. I want to see your face while I fuck you.” He barked out once more, straining on your hair again as he pulled you up.

You let out a few whiny sobs, knowing you couldn't get out of this situation. Your scalp burnt. Gazing your eyes up to his face, you saw nothing but lust, and focus. The worst part was you knew he could get away with it.

“Please no— no, no, no, no!” You babbled out with purpose.l

"No, no, no, don't do this!” he mocked an octave higher, looking down to his leaking cock.

“Just sit still, you'll be fine, bitch.” He scoffed.

Lining himself up to you, he spat down on his cock, stroking himself a few more times to give less friction while he fucked you. Emitting a slight grunt, he finally leaned himself into your pussy, feeling your walls and savoring every inch he dove in.

A loud wail left your mouth, you felt like you were practically being split into 2 as he finally bottomed out. His cock was big enough to press hard against your cervix, the feeling was uncomfortable. Desperately, you tried to wriggle your hips off; nevertheless, he held your hips tight.

“I said be still, dumbass.” He hissed out, landing a loud spank on your ass, surely leaving it red.

“God, you feel so—” he enunciated his words, thrusting sharply into you. “So… fucking tight.” He finished his words, chuckling in the air at the end.

Placing his other hand on your hip and holding you steady, he started a rhythmic pace, slow and drawn out. Despite the slowness, he practically pounded into you as hard as he could, savoring your small cries with each stroke.

Craning his neck back to the ceiling, he gently shut his eyes and let his jaw fall open, babbling on in pleasure. A small curse left his lips, his eyes dipping back down to your ass which shook slightly with each thrust.

“Fuck… oh my God, you feel so good. You feel—” he enunciated his words more, sharply picking up the pace, the feeling of the tip of his cock hitting the bump of your cervix was intoxicating to him.

The pain was slightly settling down as he kept thrusting into you, your body naturally making yourself wet to lessen the friction. Almost shamefully, you couldn't lie and say it didn't feel good.

If anything, it felt phenomenal. After that pain settled, the feeling of his cock driving into you so deep—deeper than you'd ever felt—was shamefully pleasureful. Despite head still throbbing with his hand tight in it, and the fact you're still a sobbing mess, you couldn't help but whine out in this twisted pleasure.

You were ashamed, but it was better than feeling any sort of pain. To the sounds of your little cries turning into whimpers of pleasure, he laughed heartily, spanking your ass once more just to watch it shake.

“See? Now that you're being obedient, I don't have to hurt you anymore, bitch.” He leaned down, tantalizingly whispering.

As he kept his head next to yours, you couldn't help hear his heavy breath and the slight mewls leaving his throat, deep and pathetic, almost. From your hips, he ran his hands down to the small of your back, pressing your arch further down .

Darting out his tongue, he licked your jaw slightly, reminicsing his gaze over your bruised bite marks that finally stopped bleeding. Landing his tongue on your jugular once more, he planted rather soft kisses. Much better than biting, anyways.

He continued to kiss around the back of your neck and the sides, the stubble tickling you. The mix of this ticklish feeling and his hips pistoning into yours finally started to postpone your crying, leaving you in a whiny state.

“God, you really are a whore, huh? Getting fucking used and you're over here whining like a little puppy.” He slammed his hand down once more, making you yell loudly.

Grazing your eyes to the mirror, the sight you saw was definitely one you'll remember, both for the horrifying reason and one of the fact this man looked utterly pathetic for you. Higher sounding breaths, head dipped to the back of your neck with kisses, and hands kneading our ass.

His eyes pierced up to the mirror, making eye contact with your still wet and puffy eyes. Smirking softly at you, he turned his head from the mirror to the side of your face. Linking his lips with your earlobe, he started speaking.

“See how slutty you look right now? You love this…” he spoke in such a tantalizing way it made you shudder.

You could barely even keep your head up, resting it on the plush mattress as you kept letting you your small moans. Each thrust was pure and plain pleasure. Shockwaves sent up your spine and fogging up your brain.

It could've been the mix of anxiety and your head hitting the wall earlier, but you could barely do anything but moan out in bliss mixed with agony. He leaned back up, flicking his hair back with a jerk of his neck.

The idea popped in his head to reach his hand down finally under your hips, keeping one on your ass to hold you steady. Delicately, he rubbed slow, intricate circles with his index on your clit. Back arching further down with pleasure, you let out an almost pornographic moan.

“Oh, you like that…” he cooed rhetorically, cocking his head to the side as he observed your reaction almost clinically.

His hands moved almost masterfully on your clit, the nerves sending an overwhelming pleasure over your entire body. Your legs shook diabolically, toes curling. Trying your best to stifle how good it felt, you bit down harshly on your lip, feeling your lower stomach arise with a familiar feeling of pleasure.

A sudden, quiet moan left the bottom of his throat, an octave higher than any of the words he'd spoken to you. He even sounded hot, and it tormented you. You could tell he was close to cumming by the way his hips stuttered slightly, how vocal he was getting.

“Fuck… I didn't expect you to feel so— so good." he whined out, dipping down his head, holding your ass tight as he probably could've. It hurt, but not as bad as being bitten or slapped.

He quickly leaned his head back to the ceiling, mouth agape with small whines leaving his throat. With his hand still on your clit, you could actually feel yourself getting closer. The way he looked in the dark in that mirror was somewhat driving you crazy. Yet, you dared not look at yourself, feeling a shame that you think will never be cured.

“Oh— God… fuck, fuck, fuck,” he babbled out incoherently, suddenly burying his hips into you as deep as he could've gotten, dipping his torso down to bite harshly on your shoulder.

Somehow that was the tipping point for you, feeling that bite and his warm spurts of cum burst into you, foreign and good. Feeling your brain go numb and your mouth agape, your legs trembled heavily.

With that, a loud and drawn out whine left your puffy lips, your hands gripping the duvet sheets as tight as they could. He stood still besides the feeling of his cock still twitching inside of you.

His chest heaved heavily, pressing against your back tight as he popped his hips into you a few more times, just to fuck his cum into you. Leaning back up with a shaky groan, he examined the damage he did to you.

Bruised ass and hips, bites all over your shoulder and neck, slight blood, your crying face in the mirror, and despite all that: he made you cum. He was actually rather proud of himself for that, even though he swore he would just kill you after.

Biting his lip and pulling his cock out of you, stuffing himself inside his boxers once more, he began to speak.

“You're pathetic.” He hissed.

Buttoning his pants back up, he tore himself off that bed, leaving you alone in it. Picking up that sweater from off the floor and the knife he had stuffed in it, he examined you once more. He darted his eyes from the shiny knife to your body, shaky and limp, yet still crying.

“Can't even move now, huh? I dumbed you down real good…” he stepped over you, dragging the knife up and down your spine, watching the goosebumps it gave you.

“Too bad I can't kill you. Your cunt feels to good.” He whispered to your ear.

With that, he stuffed the knife back in his pocket and swung your bedroom door open. He would of course rather just leave through the front door. Turning back to your body, he chuckled.

“I’d prefer you leave your front door unlocked rather than your window.”

another a/n: i deeply apologize for how nasty this is! enjoy and take dark smut crumbs, my fellow jackson rippner lovers.

[nigelights]

The History of Nigel

don't know who that voice is on that one voicemail? or who did the 'how many days' intro? i'm here to help! this is a chronological order of appearances made by nigel, links to performances, and things said by tyler about nigel.

Nigel, better known as the 'Skeleton Bones Remain' voice, has been with the band for nearly 14 years now, minus his sudden disappearance after 2020/2021. His first officially documented appearance is in the Regional At Best web series, episode 5. Since then, he's been a large and integral part of the band's live performances, especially during the 'Quiet Is Violent' tour, where we were given more of a backstory to him as a character. physically, nigel is a light that blinks behind tyler during this set, blinking as he speaks.

this next part is talking about a concert where tyler introduces nigel, but we are also given backstory into nigel as a character.

tyler introduces him as 'nigel', saying that in the beginning of the set, they were introduced to the bands host, saying that he lives in a lightbulb. the timeline of nigel as a character during this is quite interesting, its stated that he has been married for 437/133 years, but nigel himself tells us that the music "isnt entirely the music i grew up with back in the day" he then goes on to say that what he grew up with, was anything by DJ Khalid. which is interesting but moving on, tyler uses nigels responses to play bits and pieces of songs, like bugatti, all i do is win. nigel requests tyler to play a song, and tyler says he wrote it for nigel, its the song he said he danced to with his wife at their wedding. the song played was "drunk in love" by beyonce and jay z, transitioning into "cant help falling in love", then into house of gold. this bit was played throughout the tour, the only changing fact being the city name.

i mention this fact because out of all of the lore characters in all of twenty one pilots, minus clancy/blurryface, torchbearer/spookyjim, this is the only character that has a fleshed out backstory thats mentioned, and the only character that makes consistant appearances over four eras. we know more about nigel than we do about the neds.

After the 'Quiet Is Violent' tour, moving into 'Tour De Columbus' and 'Emotional Road Show', is really where his appearances start becoming incredibly consistent. he begins to introduce josh, "hello and welcome to the show", became his signature line. we see this all the way up to bandito tour. where he makes a similar intro but changes it up a bit, "look out baby, its joshua dun!"

halfway through the trench era, a pop-up shop was created for Ned's Bayou, and with it came a phone number, (614)-389-9196, where nigel gives information about the shop in the voicemail, no lore or significance there.

but its the second phone number that popped up in the level of concern ARG, 1-(877)-LVL-CNRN, where we find lore and meaning into his message. "Hello, if you are receiving this message, you are most likely are currently experiencing Levels of Concern. We thank you for your participation and interest. We have hidden codes all around the internet for you to unlock new levels. Each level contain elements that could possess a clue to proceed to the next level. That is, only if you are savvy enough. We guarantee that this game is certainly madness, happiness, paranoia and fun. Good luck. That concludes our session. Thank you, have a pleasant day. ---------- it's hidden in the static."

he is also in the stream that came with the ARG, saying things like "we can help you." and "anxiety, confusion, excitement." "wonderful to see, mesmerizing, there is light if you look caref---" and he speaks out the lyrics to level of concern.

this can be counted as the last official lore-related appearance of nigel, as his only other appearance is in the promo ad for the twenty one pilots burrito. but, many of us hope for his return!

i am more than happy to answer any questions, comments, or concerns with this!! nigel is by far my fav character throughout all of the lore. i hope you enjoyed :)

[silenzahra]

Okay, my friend. Since you said it would be okay to send you more asks, here I am!😁

I'd like to know your answers to 5 and 15.

And... this one may be a bit too much to ask and it's totally okay if you say no (with your 23 WIPs I can't blame ya for preferring to just focus on them instead lol), but in case you'd like to treat this as a fun quick challenge, can I add 1 and ask for Mario's POV for part of your fic An electrical aura?🥺🙏 Like, the beginning when he and Luigi are separated, before he gets knocked out.

No problem if you choose to only answer the first two. And let me add another reminder that it's always okay to take as much time as you need, and it's especially understandable if you take a bit longer in case you accept that last request as well❤️

Based on this fanfic ask game ✨

Yayyyy I'm so glad that you sent a second ask for this game, my beloved @megamagimugi! 😄💖

First of all, I'm sorry that this ask has been sitting in my drafts for about three weeks, but since you made such a special request, I thought it'd be worth it to take my time to respond to it 🤭 But first, lemme answer your questions!

5. What's something you learned while researching a fic?

A person can take less than an hour to be frozen to death when conditions are dangerous enough. You can easily guess what fic I was researching... and also that I obviously didn't apply this to it or else I'm afraid poor Mario would be an only child 😅

(Even though I didn't add any of this to the fic itself, I simply thought it'd make sense that things worked differently since Pi'illo Island is a fictional place that exists supposedly in another universe. So some things can work like they do on Earth while others don't.)

15. Does anyone you know in real life know you write fanfiction?

Only a couple of my friends, and in all honesty... it's not a subject I talk about with them that much 😅 As for my family, they have no idea, and I'd prefer it to stay this way lol (they already think I'm weird enough 💀).

1 - Write a scene from An electrical aura in Mario's POV.

Okay, Mugi. THIS is what has taken me longer. Not only because I've been busy, but also because I wanted to do this fic and our dear Mario justice, and write his perspective in a way that would be interesting.

And, taking into account what day is today (at least at our end hehe), I thought this would be the perfect chance to celebrate Mar10 Day and also...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR MUGI 🎂🎉🎊🥳🎁

I sincerely hope you'll enjoy this story! Thank you so much for sending this question, my beloved lost twin, as I've had SO MUCH FUN writing this 🤩❤️

@bberetd (if/when you can/want, my beloved bestie 🫂💖), @vulpixfairy1985 @pepperycar @smokszyvverstar @dragon-fly34 @luigixfanxayjay @eleventhhourfactor Tagging you in case you'd like to read this new perspective I wrote for one of my fics! 💖 (The original, full fic is right here, btw).

⚡ An electrical aura (Mario) ❤️

Mario doesn't like being separated from his brother.

It was hard enough having to watch that mechanical arm taking away the barrel Luigi had gotten into to try to help him unblock the door that would open up a new access for them in the mysterious Woohoo Hooniversity. Mario swallows hard as he remembers how his heart threatened to leap out of his body when his twin was snatched from his side and how his soul shrank at the shriek of alarm that Luigi emitted from inside the barrel.

This time, however, at least Mario has the comfort and relief of knowing that his little brother has freedom of movement, even if it has to be inside a building that has forced them to be separated.

The moment they came across that first barred door, Mario immediately understood, his heart heavy in his chest, that he was going to have to stay on this side while his sibling crossed it without him being able to follow. With his eyes shining with consternation at their imminent separation, Mario turned to Luigi. Coming face to face with his brother's glance, filled with the same feeling, Mario hastened to put on one of his many masks and composed a reassuring smile, berating himself for having shown, even if only for a second, discouragement in front of his twin.

It's not that he doesn't trust him. Of course he trusts Luigi's abilities. His younger sibling is agile, fast, intelligent and much braver than he himself believes. Mario has no doubt that he’ll be able to overcome any challenge, with or without his help.

He simply hates the idea of losing sight of Luigi for more than a few minutes, especially when they are in a hostile environment.

Sighing, the plumber puts a hand to his chest, which feels warm, serene and at peace at having recalled his brother in his mind. Luigi always has this effect on him, and at times like this, when everything around him is ice, Mario appreciates it more than ever.

Joke’s End really is a graveyard, inhospitable, cold and inhabited only by vermin. And by that strange blue girl who carries a scepter, although they haven't had much chance to interact with her. In all the time they’ve been traveling through the Beanbean Kingdom, neither of the brothers had heard of that girl who apparently lives alone in the most deserted and unpleasant place in the country. Why would she choose a place like this when the nation has beautiful, captivating areas like, for example, Chucklehuck Woods, Little Fungitown or Gwarhar Lagoon? Mario can't make sense of it. What he most wants right now is to leave this place, his hand holding his twin’s tightly, and never return.

But, at the moment, Mario remembers as he hugs himself, they have a mission to accomplish. He can’t worry about how tremendously alone he feels right now. Even though the sensation of loneliness is greater and more overwhelming than on all the previous occasions he’s experienced it in his life.

He just hopes he's nearing the end. He’s followed every rule and met every challenge as he came across them. He hasn’t tried to stray from the path that the place itself was indicating to him, despite having been tempted to try quite often. Also, after so long, he has once again fought his enemies alone, which felt strangely... alien. He doesn’t understand, as he’s used to doing so given the numerous adventures he’s undertaken alone.

But of course, this time, everything is different.

This time, since they arrived in the Beanbean Kingdom, Luigi has been by his side. They’ve battled together, joining their strengths, performing their combined attacks and watching each other's backs. More than once, Luigi has saved his life, and it’s thanks to him that he’s still breathing... and that he’s still human. If it weren't for his sibling, Mario might have already turned into a bean because of that mushroom he won in one of Little Fungitown’s games.

So, for him, having to fight alone again after having gotten used to always having his little brother with him...

Mario didn't like doing it. He didn't feel like himself. He didn't feel as... strong.

He longs to be reunited with Luigi more than ever. His twin gives him the strength he didn't know he needed. Together, they form an insuperable team. They are unstoppable. They are unbeatable.

Besides, he's had enough of seeing Luigi through a barred door or sensing his presence on the other side of a thick wall of ice and not being able to do anything to be reunited with him again. All those times when only iron separated them, Mario had to be content with placing his hands on those of Luigi, who clung tightly to the bars and gave him puppy eyes while pouting, breaking his heart and forcing him to make a harder effort to keep a serene smile on his lips.

“Soon we’ll be together, Lu,” he assured him, imbuing his voice with all the calm he was capable of and all the affection he felt for him. “We'll soon find a way, you'll see.”

His only intention was to soothe his sibling, as he cannot bear to see sadness and despair taking over those blue eyes that are a reflection of his own. Even so, of course, Mario firmly believes in the words he’s spoken to him every time they’ve crossed paths and hopes that their efforts will not be in vain and that they won’t take too long to find each other again.

Mario has always admired Luigi. His strength, his courage, his intelligence, the way he overcomes his fears despite his anxiety and his many insecurities. His younger twin is so much more capable than he himself realizes, and Mario only wishes that he could finally see it and be able to love himself as he deserves.

His reaction to his older brother's encouraging words, the way he pursed his lips to form a weak but genuine smile, how he swallowed before nodding, fully trusting him and ready to move forward... All this only causes the fervent admiration that Mario feels for Luigi to skyrocket, strong and intense like the most powerful and devastating wave. Bright and radiant like the sun that bathes the moon with its light and makes it sparkle and stand out in the sky.

Steadfast, resplendent and imperishable, like his love for his sibling.

This is what drives Mario forward: the longing to be reunited with his adored little brother, to hold him in his arms again, to feel his warmth enveloping him once more. The desire to keep the promise he’s made to him and to end this adventure as they began it: together.

On his journey along the only possible path, Mario has reached a small, narrow room in which, in front of him, there’s but a barred door and, on the other side of it, a wall of ice. All he finds in it is a block, the umpteenth one, he supposes, as he’s not keeping count, although in the room before that one he’s just hit another one exactly the same. A little fed up with this strange game, Mario jumps out with his arm outstretched and his fist hits the new block.

He doesn't see anything happening around him, but he does hear a noise coming from the other side of the ice wall on his left. He assumes that Luigi must be there. He’s seen him just a few minutes ago, crossing parallel walkways that converged at two different doors. So close and yet so far away at the same time... Mario’s been very tempted to cover the distance between them with a jump, but he restrained himself, assuming that if Joke’s End insisted that they continue to work separately, it must be for a greater cause.

After all, the brothers are still working together even though they aren’t physically present next to each other. Like a team. So Mario has no choice but to be content, at least for now, with having verified first-hand that his twin is fine.

With nothing more to do in this room, Mario, also for the umpteenth time since they arrived at this place, retraces his steps. He quickly crosses the room where only the block he activated before remains and turns left. This room is larger, with iron fences that he assumes serve as a decorative element, since they don’t act as a separation between two elements, and a large step that he must climb to reach the area where there are, arranged on either side, pairs of ice stairways leading to the upper part of the room.

The problem is that there are monsters everywhere.

Earlier, in order to access the rooms with the blocks he’s just hit, Mario limited himself to dodging them and stealthily passing by their side. He’s not proud of this, but over the years he’s learned to work out when he has a chance of success in battle and when, for reasons such as being outnumbered or having been previously injured, it’s better to avoid the enemies. When he came across that room filled to the brim with vermin and remembered that he didn't have Luigi by his side to carry out their combo attacks, Mario thought that the most sensible thing to do, what his younger sibling would do in such a situation, was to keep away from them.

Of course, he doesn't intend to leave it at that. As soon as he’s rejoined Luigi, they’ll return.

And then the monsters will suffer the wrath of the Mario Brothers.

But, for now, in order to return to Luigi, he’d better be cautious again. As much as he wants to finish them all off, which would undoubtedly help him release some of the tension that has taken hold of his soul since he separated from his twin, he must restrain himself. The time will come to fight these monsters as he wishes to do.

Right now, his main goal is to finish his mission and hold Luigi in his arms as soon as possible.

So Mario passes slowly by the iron bars, dodging a Glurp moving at full speed along the floor. He can’t help the memory that comes to mind of the pain and discomfort he felt when he was poisoned by one of its toxic clouds, which was followed by a feeling of immense gratitude for his little brother's eagerness to carry extra Refreshing Herbs in their luggage. He felt especially relieved to have them when Luigi was the one to be affected by the monster's attacks.

On climbing the first step, Mario doubles his stealth when he spots an Ice Snifit wandering around this area of the room. Instinctively, he massages his left arm, as he clearly recalls the freezing sensation that spread through it when one of them, shortly after arriving at Joke’s End, hit him squarely with those spiky chunks of ice that they expel from their mouths. He’s extremely grateful to have acquired the Firebrand on that little island in the middle of Oho Ocean, although not so much for himself as for Luigi. His poor little sibling has suffered the effects of frostbite on too many occasions.

Mario, of course, made sure that each and every one of the culprits paid for hurting his twin.

He tiptoes. He knows he can do it. He knows he can dodge the Ice Snifit just like he did with the Glurp. He just has to move very slowly behind it to reach the steps on the right-hand side of the room, which will lead him quickly to the exit. Bit by bit, Mario moves forward, sure that he will succeed, his eyes fixed on the monster, ready to run away if necessary. He’s so close now, he’s almost there...

Suddenly, his foot hits a piece of ice protruding from the floor. Mario screams and falls, his knee colliding against the icy ground, scratching fabric and flesh and making him wince. At the same time, his neck hits the edge of the step he intended to climb, which makes him realize that he’s actually come nearer than he thought and was so close to succeeding.

Mario groans and massages his neck while he tries to lift his leg so as to keep it away from the floor. He clings to the step in an attempt to get up, as he’s sure he’s going to have to run despite his hurt knee. At this point, he has no doubt all monsters in the room must have turned to him.

He won’t let it stop him.

With an enormous effort, Mario manages to get back on his feet, but he can’t put any weight on his injured leg. As he suspected, when he looks around, he realizes that the attention of the Glurp and the Ice Snifit is focused on him, and he’s sure that the rest of the vermin that he hasn’t seen yet must also be staring at him.

Whether he likes it or not, he has to flee. He can’t fight with a wounded knee.

Immediately, the plumber turns towards the step he had just reached, determined to climb it and escape no matter what.

He jolts as he realizes that there’s already something, or someone, on said step.

A Clumph, with its green skin that makes him think of a nurse’s uniform and its purple hair that reminds him of a bunch of grapes.

With eyes wide open, Mario takes a step back as he notices the heavy club that it carries everywhere... and that it’s lifting at full speed.

The impact against his forehead takes him so by surprise that he lets out a high-pitched scream, which is abruptly cut off when the implacable darkness takes hold of him.

Mario sees nothing. He hears nothing. He’s completely lost control over his body, which feels far away and out of reach. Does he even still have a body? He doesn't understand what’s happening to him, nor is he sure he wants to find out.

As, despite everything, despite his daze and his dulled senses, Mario experiences a soothing feeling of... placidity. Comfort. Darkness envelops his soul like a warm blanket protecting him from all the evils that could ravage his body. Why not stay here, curled up and cozy, while he rests after his arduous adventure?

Still, even though at first he tries to ignore it, Mario perceives there’s something deep in his heart, pulling at him.

It's like a thread, thin but solid, that somehow connects him to something… or maybe someone? Mario doesn't know, and at the moment he doesn't want to think about it. He feels so comfortable in the arms of darkness, with no trace of pain, discomfort or pressure...

He'll only stay a little while, he promises the thread that pulls at his heart. Just a few minutes...

Mario is unaware of how much time has passed when, to his surprise, he realizes that he’s sensing something. Something physical. Are those... an arm and a hand? Real, human ones? Does he have a body again? How else could he perceive the hand that lovingly and carefully cradles his head, and the arm, slender but strong, that envelopes and embraces him as if trying to protect him from any harm?

Then he discerns something else. Something... electric, as if he were surrounded by an electrical aura that, nevertheless, makes him feel at peace. Safe. Secure.

Somehow, Mario knows that this electricity doesn’t pose a danger to him.

In a way, there’s a hint of familiarity in both things, but the darkness is still too tempting, too alluring. Mario is about to ignore the touch and that electrical aura to return to his refuge when, suddenly, he stops perceiving them.

And he feels empty.

Something is missing. That hand, that arm... He needs them to touch him again. He needs to revel in the warmth and peace they arise in him, so different from the sensations he experiences when blackness embraces him.

He doesn't want to return to it.

He realizes at this very moment that the grip of darkness cannot provide him with everything that this human touch, in just a few seconds, has given him. Warmth? How could he have sensed warmth when the darkness is cold as ice? Nothing can compare with human warmth, the kind he felt when those arms held him tightly, protectively…

… affectionately.

Mario takes a deep breath, which suddenly reminds him that he has lungs. He has hands and feet. He has a heart that continues to beat in his chest, keeping him clinging to life. He has a body that still belongs to him and that someone, and he’s convinced that he’s right in his assumption, cradled and embraced with love just a few moments ago.

Unfortunately, with this revelation comes pain.

It hits him unexpectedly, drilling into his skull and making him squeeze his eyes, which he doesn't remember shutting. He feels like a pressure cooker is going to explode inside his head, and it’s as if his neck and knee were being torn from the inside. He tries not to move, to give himself a few seconds to get his bearings, to take slow breaths, but the pain won't go away. Mario curses himself for his weakness. How could he have been so clumsy as to let himself be defeated so easily?

At least, he thinks as he attempts to focus on the other things he can perceive, he feels something soft and fluffy under his head. He imagines it must be his hat, as he notices that his hair is not covered, and he promptly deduces who must have placed the garment there to try to provide him with some comfort in the midst of his pain.

Suddenly, his ears, which are becoming less and less deaf, catch something that makes him open his eyes a crack: thunder.

Thunder? Is a storm brewing overhead?

He’s met by the blinding glare of ice, which forces him to squeeze his eyelids tightly shut before daring to open them again. His glassy gaze gradually comes into focus, and then he spots the glints of blue and green energy dancing in front of his field of vision.

Confused, Mario opens his eyes fully, believing that perhaps the blow to the head that has robbed him of his consciousness is causing him to hallucinate. But no matter how much he blinks, squeezes his eyes shut and opens them again, the electric flashes are still there.

Until, before his astonished glance, they begin to turn into powerful, sparkling lightning accompanied by... a scream.

It’s a loud, earthshaking, heart-rending scream, full of rage and fear that Mario believes that, if he tried, he could touch them with his hands. It’s so sudden and unexpected that it brings him entirely back to reality. It’s so rampant, intense and thunderous that it penetrates to the very depths of his soul and clings to it with desperation.

Bewildered, Mario tries to move. He wants to understand what’s going on, to remember exactly where he is and what he was doing, to find out if the person who’s shouting is the same one who, minutes ago, was holding him in their arms with infinite love and tenderness.

His body, however, protests. Mario lets out a soft groan as he realizes that he’s going to need help to get up. Still, he’s never been one to give up easily, so, stubbornly, he squeezes his eyelids again and begins to turn his head. He ignores the stabbing pain in his neck and the strong dizziness that overwhelms him with the movement and, obstinately, opens his eyes slowly. It takes him a couple of blinks to focus his gaze again, but as soon as he does, he forgets the pain.

Just as he suspected, there he is.

The person who was hugging him a moment ago. Who made him feel a sensation of warmth thanks to the electricity that emanated from him. Who placed his hat under his head to try to save him from some discomfort, always taking care of him, always watching over him. Who has woken him up completely with his outraging scream... and with the incredible electrical storm that springs from his outstretched hands.

Luigi.

Of course it's him.

Mario smiles as his suspicions are confirmed, but, despite the relief that floods him with the realization that his little brother is safe and sound, his attention is immediately drawn to the electricity that Luigi is unleashing. Mario lets out an exhalation of astonishment at the power of the lightning, which comes one after another without ceasing, tearing through the air, and at the ease with which his twin summons it, as if he were its absolute master, as if nature itself were prostrating itself at his feet.

The plumber is left speechless. He’s never doubted Luigi's strength and abilities, and he knew that his sibling’s Thunderhand is as powerful as his own Firebrand.

But to see for himself just how far Luigi’s magic can go, just how incredibly mighty he can be...

It's astonishing.

In a way that he finds beautiful, fascinating and even reassuring.

Mario only needs to observe the storm for a moment, to notice Luigi's tense and rigid posture for a second, to remember the shout full of anger he has just let out, in order to understand that his brother is doing all this… for him. To protect him. To make that Clumph pay for attacking him and knocking him out in one blow.

A deep and immense pride intermingles in his chest with the fierce and unwavering love he holds for his twin.

Luigi is exhausting all his energy, pushing his power to the limit... for him.

Literally.

Mario feels like he could burst into tears.

His heart beats warm and full, as if it didn’t have enough space to contain his deep, older-brother love. He senses the thread connecting him to Luigi more solid and ironclad than ever, feeding on the affection his younger sibling has for him and his eagerness to keep him safe and giving him, in return, all the adoration and devotion that Mario treasures for him and that could cause his chest to burst at any moment. He gasps, moved, and his lips form a new smile, broad, firm and satisfied.

When, seconds later, Mario watches Luigi falling to his knees while panting, he wants to run to his side, to help him, to hug him, to cradle him, to shout how proud he is of him, to praise him tirelessly because what he’s done is amazing, to thank him a thousand times for doing it all for him. His whole being is brimming with love and he believes that, even with all that, it wouldn’t be enough to express to Luigi what he’s experiencing right now, what he makes him feel.

But, since his body still refuses to move, he has to settle for swallowing before opening his lips.

“Lu?”

[historia-jaeger]

The discussion about Jeankasa's canon status

This post is an update from this post here. I also refer to the same article again.

___ Mikasa's children are adopted: There are many fans who obviously don't want to see Jeankasa married and think Mikasa should love Eren until the end of her life. That's why Mikasa's children must also be adopted. The reason given is the bandage around Mikasa's wrist, which is supposedly seen on one of the manga pages.

Yes. It's true that Mikasa's mother gave her this Clan-mark when she was little. With the order to pass it on to her children. - But it wasn't said that she should take off her bandages after she has children. And then there is the question of whether she even wants to pass it on.

And look at the child at the grave and the child in Jean's dream. It's the same child. The man next to Mikasa can't be Jean: 1. The man is to tall for Jean: Apparently the man is too tall to be Jean. This picture is taken as evidence:

Of course, if I run on a sloping, mountainous landscape, then I am automatically taller than the person running one level below me. 2. The man is Armin: Supposedly the man is not Jean, but Armin, Mikasa's grief companion. Such images are used to confirm this thesis.

In the first picture, Armin's hair is being blown back by the wind. That's not a hairstyle. And the second picture shows Mikasa and Armin before the timeskip, where Armin still had this piss-pot cut and therefore significantly longer hair.

If we compare Armin and Jean to the man next to Mikasa... Which is more likely? That Armin stands next to Mikasa, who has a lighter hair color and recently had a short army cut, or Jean, whose hair color and hairstyle completely match his last hairstyle? Especially when you look at the proportions. Armin needs to grow a lot. Which is rather unlikely. The flower theory: 1. Mikasa's grave flowers: There are two different versions of the scene where Mikasa lies in the grave. In the manga, she lies in a bed as lilies. she has her hands folded in front of her chest. In the anime, Mikasa wears a ring on her ring finger and her grave is made of roses. These same roses are also on her chest.

The theory of the Antis states that the lilies in Mikasa's grave would represent her virginity. Qoute: They are chosen for both weddings and funerals and symbolize the renewal of the soul. They can represent purity, commitment and rebirth, so they are often used to express compassion. - Source These lilies could just as easily represent Mikasa's wedding to Jean. But it is more likely that they are grave flowers. The same with the white rose. 2. Flowers for Eren's grave: One theory is that Mikasa placed four roses on Eren's grave, which signify that nothing will come between them (the lovers). And yes. This meaning is also correct. This is supposed to be a sign that Mikasa won't have another man other than Eren. - Aside from the fact that this theory is a bit of an asspull, it's not even true. Those aren't four roses on Eren's grave.

I see a tulip and two sunflowers...

The chasety ring theory: If you look at the picture of Mikasa in her grave, you will notice that in the manga Mikasa doesn't wear a ring and in the anime she does. Is that a wedding ring? Antis think it's a chastity ring. Unfortunately, that can't work, because Attack on Titan obviously takes place in Germany. The last date I could record was the year 850. So the 9th century. Source

The “True Love Waits” movement, which also included the chastity ring, only became active in Germany in the 21st century. So in our current era. Source

The wedding ring already existed in the 9th century. However, it was more commonly worn by nobles. Which is why Mikasa didn't wear a wedding ring in the manga. Source In the AOT-Guidebook it´s stated that Mikasa's martial status is single: I don't have the book, but @mizzraynelly wrote the following: The Final Character Guidebook published on June 9th, 2021. No page mentions about Mikasa’s marital status, even her pages. It’s only birthdate, height, weight, and the Corps she belongs to. Other arguments: Other arguments revolve around theories that have not been proven and/or are difficult to refute. This includes statements like: Jean would never betray Eren by marrying Mikasa. Mikasa still loves Eren, because she still wears his scarf and has love lyrics engraved on his gravestone. Or that she had let burried her next to Eren, because she wants to be by his side forever... Jean may have realized that Mikasa loves Eren and respects that. However, he never made a statement that he would not marry Mikasa after Eren's death. I would like to see the proof.

But he often criticized Eren's behavior towards her. For example, when he tried to kill her as a Titan. So it's pretty unlikely that he wouldn't take his chance.

It is not certain where Mikasa was buried. You can only speculate, that her grave is next to Eren's. Therefore, this should not be presented as fact. She wrote the love lyric on Eren's gravestone in her grief. But that doesn't rule out a new love. And falling in love again doesn't automatically mean no longer loving the person who died. That's why she's welcome to walk around with her scarf. ___ Now that's how many theories I've dispelled? And on one topic. I wonder why people can't accept the obvious. Mikasa married Jean and had children with him. - Complete.

[piracytheorist]

Spy x Family 30 Day Challenge

Day 6: Favourite Soundtrack

This is actually such a freaking hard question for me to answer, exactly because I've spent so much time listening and analyzing the soundtrack that every piece I listen to I go like "Oh this has great instrumentation" or "This ties in to that moment or that other song really well" and combined with the use of themes and leitmotifs in the soundtrack, I'm just... kinda at a loss to pick one? 😅 So I guess I'll settle for three pieces I like, in no particular order!

I think I would be remiss if I didn't mention "子守唄" (Lullaby).

I mean, aside from the whole context that this song was used in...

like excuse me but how dare they

I have a confession to make: although being anime-only and avoiding manga spoilers, I had actually gotten a spoiler about that episode, that Yor would sing a song to Loid because he for some reason was sleeping or unconscious. I had no idea it would be that impactful for him, but at that point I had already listened to the available soundtrack enough times to remember the "As a mother. As a wife" song so, with the idea of a spoiler like that, I was like Damn. If the song Yor sings has this melody. If they do that. IF THEY DO THAT...

And then they did do that. Yor kicked Loid, I burst out in laughter because I hadn't expected that at all, Loid dropped unconscious and I was both shocked and a little excited because yay whump, the screen went black...

AND THEN I RECOGNIZED THE FUCKING NOTES. For half a second I was like, is it now? Is the song coming now? And from the first notes I was like YES THEY DID IT. THEY WROTE YOR'S SONG INTO A LULLABY.

Of course, I didn't have a lot of time to react to that because baby Loid was shown immediately after and I quite lost my cool at that point. Even more so when he said that he recognized the song.

But yeah, this was an absolutely brilliant way to incorporate Endo's idea of the lullaby into the anime, especially if you've paid enough attention to the soundtrack already. They prepare you with the soft tune that plays in some of Yor's moments, and then they just HIT YOU SMACK ON THE FACE with that scene. Absolutely fantastic, 10/10 would lose my entire mind again.

Next, I will have to go with the "main theme", aka STRIX.

I am in love with this piece. It's fast-paced, it's exciting, it's rich, it sets a magnificent theme, it introduces the "spy leitmotif" that we next hear in "serious" mode with Loid and "playful" mode with Anya, the part at 1:30 is just... MY GOD. TERRIFIC. And all just in less than two minutes and thirty seconds. Absolute banger of a main theme.

Last but certainly not least, I'll pick the "little by little" piece.

FAMILY THEME MY BELOVED.

No but for real the fact that the composers created a leitmotif that centers around family, and specifically the Forgers?? My musician heart swells and melts with it. And they made it into a soft theme, because for this family the main theme is that they make each other feel at home, feel safe, feel welcomed and protected, and so the music mirrors that.

Also, important video to watch regarding the soundtrack 👀👀 (so that all that stuff I say about leitmotifs makes sense to y'all)

Finally, I'll add some honourable mentions because they really nailed that jazz (jazz noir sometimes!) feel, and I hope they add more tracks like these as the seasons go on: WISE, Liar, Disguise, Ponder, Berlint, Gorgeous step, Try again, and The Forgers.

[amaliazeichnerin]

Not separating the art from the artist

July 29, 2024

When the news about the allegations against Neil Gaiman broke at the beginning of July, I was shocked. In this text, I’ll write some thoughts about this. I’ll put links down below, in the footnotes.

I listened to the podcast that broke the news (1), all four episodes. I later read a bit about it on Reddit (2) and listened to an extensive video (YouTube channel Council of Geeks, footnote 3).

Then I read that another woman had come forward, talking about her experiences with Gaiman ten years ago, in another podcast (4). I also read about rumours how questionable behaviour of Gaiman towards young female fans has been a thing for decades.

And he has admitted to some of what one of these women, Scarlett, has said – having a consensual relationship with her.

Well, even if the relationship (and other similar ones) has been completely consensual - which I doubt after listening to Scarlett’s experiences and what the other two women said - there still is a strange power dynamic at play: A wealthy, privileged older man and at least three young, inexperienced women, two of them fans who likely were to some extend starstruck by the attention he gave them. And Scarlett was employed as the nanny of his child.

In my eyes, this kind of power dynamic in a relationship is unethical, especially given all the details in those podcast episodes.

Why am I writing about this here? I have a hard time with „separating the art from the artist“. Some time ago, I have written a blog in German why. (5) I used to be a fan of the Sandman series and the Good Omens series. I also like the Dead Boy Detectives series and I watched and read American Gods.

I think the connection between the Dead Boy Detectives Netflix series and Neil Gaiman is not that strong, because while he has written a part of one episode as far as I heard and has created the characters for the Comic books, he wasn’t that much involved in the creation of the Netflix series. They also changed the two main characters quite a bit, as far as I know, for instance making them older.

When it comes to Good Omes, Gaiman was heavily involved in creating the series. I used to love it. I wrote an alternative universe fanfiction about it, I created some fan artworks and two cosplays. I also bought some fan artwork and hung it on my wall. I also love how Michael Sheen and David Tennant portray the main characters. However, after these news about Gaiman, „Good Omens“ feels … tainted to me. I lost my enthusiasm about the show. I have to admit about season three that I was mainly interested in a happy ending for Aziraphale and Crowley, preferably a romantic one. At this point, I do not much care for the rest of the plot. So far, there haven’t been any news that season three gets cancelled because of this controversy. So we’ll have to wait how that goes on.

But there is more, and here is where it sort of gets a bit more personal. „Good Omens“ inspired an urban fantasy novel I wrote last year and want to publish next year. I even wrote an acknowledgment in the book thanking Neil Gaiman for the inspiration, but I have deleted that now. I have written that acknowledgment also this June in a question to Neil Gaiman here on Tumblr, but I now hope that he never sees or answers it.

As for Sandman, I am not sure anymore if I want to watch the second season which is said to come out some time in 2025.

I have never bought books or comics of Neil Gaiman, except for an e-book of „American Gods“ and a print copy of "Good Omens" which I both bought last year. But I have deleted the e-book some days ago. I used to read some of his books from our local library, back in the early 2000s.

I am going to keep my copy of „Good Omens“, because at least half of it was written by Terry Pratchett. And so far, I haven’t heard about any controversies about that author.

I would like to close this blog with a German article from a SFF website why we shouldn’t put famous popular authors on pedestals: https://www.tor-online.de/magazin/mehr-phantastik/neil-gaiman-und-co-wir-muessen-aufhoeren-menschen-auf-ein-podest-zu-stellen

Addendum August 2, 2024 Two more women have come forward with allegations, in a new podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/master-the-allegations-against-neil-gaiman/id1756088562?i=1000663998586

Btw, if after all you are still a Neil Gaiman fan and enjoy his works – you do you. But please do not reblog this to come to his defense, do not comment, do not message me. Just scroll on. I am not going to discuss this any further.

Footnotes: (1) „Master: The Allegations against Neil Gaiman“ by The Slow Newscast Episode 1 of 4: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NxQdD9F1vb4YxtAPEiI5J

(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/neilgaimanuncovered/

(3) "About those Neil Gaiman allegations (and the outlet that broke the story)" by Council of Geeks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xmeEXDFM8I

(4) Podcast „Am I Broken: Survivor Stories“ by Papillon DeBoer Season 4, Episode 2 https://open.spotify.com/episode/47enk8V96GGkJtXEgwpXbs (5) Blog: „Muss man die Kunstschaffenden von ihrer Kunst trennen?“ https://amalia-zeichnerin.net/muss-man-die-kunstschaffenden-von-ihrer-kunst-trennen/

This is also interesting: „Manufacturing consent“ by Annabel Ross https://politicsdancingxyz.substack.com/p/manufacturing-consent

Rollingstone Article: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/neil-gaiman-denies-sexual-assault-allegations-two-women-1235053131/

A round-up with a time line of everything going on with the allegations, reactions and more: https://muccamukk.dreamwidth.org/1678972.html Transcripts of the Tortoise Media podcast as PDFs for free download (TW: graphic descriptions of SA) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CuFVjs06gtQcPhhUEeR4GMORY37iMfz3

Addendum August 31, 2024 Two more episodes of "Master: The Allegations against Neil Gaiman" have come out, with more women coming foward with allegations.

Vera from "Council of Geeks" has done a second video on the topic.

[prettyboybuckley]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

tagged by @saybiwithme @bi-buckrights @zainclaw

How many works do you have on ao3?

160

What's your total ao3 word count?

1,070,239

What fandoms do you write for?

I've mostly written for 9-1-1, though I started off with Shameless (6 fics) and I have written some for Teen Wolf (5 fics). There's one 9-1-1 crossover with Schitt's Creek.

Top five fics by kudos:

parents always yelling (telling us to get our acts together)

i just want something to hold on to (and a little of that human touch)

I will come to you (even in my sleep)

open up again (i believe in second chances)

exes and the oh's

Do you respond to comments?

Always, even if it takes me months. I actually just caught up again (there's still a bunch to go, but right now the oldest is 17 days ago instead of 250 days...). It's just a rule I have for myself, and even with the backlog I've kept it up so far, so I'm not going to stop doing it now.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I'm not a big fan of angsty endings, I generally try to at least make it a hopeful ending or, in the case of the college au, use an epilogue to fix things.

But I guess sunny skies & summer highs qualifies as an angsty ending simply because of the cliffhanger (and yes, there is still going to be a continuation, I'm working on it 🙈).

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Choosing one out of 160 is really hard, but I think tell me, will you stay or will you run away is definitely one that deserves a mention here, because it already has a happy ending and then the epilogue just makes it even better 🥰

Do you get hate on fics?

Not commented on the fic itself, no. I've had some people talk shit about my fics on twitter, though, and not even vaguely but calling me by (user)name.

Do you write smut?

Is grass green? Yeah, I write smut 🤭 Thanks to two times kinktober, I have 95 explicit fics, by far the most used rating for my fics.

Craziest crossover:

let's have some fun tonight is my 9-1-1/Schitt's Creek crossover fic for 9-1-1 Rarepair Week, and my only crossover fic

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

My head over feet Buddie valentine's two-parter got posted as one chapter in Wattpad work with over 30 fics once. Filed a DMCA and Wattpad took it down within two hours.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Two of my fics have been translated into Russian afaik, one on ao3 and one on Ficbook

Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Nope. It may be a nice challenge for the future? Not sure who I'd do it with.

All time favourite ship?

Gotta go for Buddie on that one, lol. Especially if you look at my writing history. But I often tend to hyperfixate on one ship at a time (current reading obsession is McDanno)

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Buck's POV of if love is art then you might be my masterpiece. I really want to, but at this point it's been two years since the original so I don't know if it'd be worth it either. (I know not everyone was happy about how I ended it, but I doubt any of them are still waiting for more). Writing a different POV of the same fic takes an amount of planning that my brain just really struggles with. And I could pick up where the last chapter (before the epilogue) picks up, but I think that way there would be some crucial information about Buck missing.

What are your writing strengths?

I've been told quite a lot of times that I am good at keeping characters, well, in character, even when putting them in partial or complete AU's. Of course, what is in character or not is subjective, but I do always challenge myself to work as much of the canon backstory and personality into who they are in the AU as possible.

And I like to think I'm pretty good at writing smut.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I'm terrible at pacing, which multiple of my long fics prove. It'll be drawn out first and then suddenly rushing. And being ESL I do struggle with things like sentence structure and grammar pretty regularly still.

Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

As long as there is some kind of translation provided somewhere I like it, but I'm not so quick to use it myself. Not beyond a few Spanish words here and there (generally pet names between Eddie and his family we've seen on the show or the occasional curse word when I feel it fits better than an English one, but I usually need to employ help from Spanish-speaking friends for those).

First fandom you wrote in?

Shameless! I binged that right before I started 9-1-1 and combined with the creative writing minor I was doing, it was actually what got me back into writing in general and what made me write my first ever fic.

Favorite fic you've written?

My in your arms i feel safe-series (which I always lovingly refer to as the ace kink fic) is definitely one of my favorites simply because of how personal it is to me and for the reason behind me writing it in the first place.

Other strong contenders are i would've loved you forever (it's never enough but i wanted it to be) and i'm begging you, come home to me (Teen Wolf, Thiam)

tagging @monsterrae1 @rogerzsteven @loserdiaz @watchyourbuck

[beatrice-otter]

20 Questions for Fic Writers Tag Game

@whetstonefires tagged me! 17 was missing, and I searched for the meme and found one that had a question 17, so it's back!

1. how many works do you have on AO3?

256! But that's going back 18 years, so it's an average of a little over 14 fics per year.

2. what’s your total AO3 word count?

1,245,329. Which works out to an average of 4900 words per fic, or 69k words/year. Respectable, solid, but I know a lot of people who've written more.

Oh! But there are a couple of podfics in there, which probably skews the words-per-work a bit.

3. what fandoms do you write for?

Uh. A quick count gives me 112 fandoms on my AO3 page, so ... a lot. I regularly write for Yuletide, and I'm polyfannish, so. A lot. I used to be big into Stargate SG-1, so I've written a lot of that but not recently. Other top fandoms include Battlestar Galactica, Buffy, various DC fandoms, various Star Trek and Star Wars fandoms, Babylon 5, Terminator (especially the Sarah Connor Chronicles), the Vorkosiverse, the Goblin Emperor, and Rivers of London.

4. what are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Past Lives (a stalled WIP that is a Star Wars time travel fixit starring Finn)

Lieutenant Bennet's Visit (Temeraire/P&P with Bennet as an aviator)

Darcy's Surprise (sequel to the above fic)

Revenge of the Zillo Beast (Star Wars, Anakin-and-Mace-Windu Groundhog Day AU)

Far Above Rubies (P&P AU, Marry Bennet marries Mr. Collins and is quite happy)

5. do you respond to comments?

Yup! Or, at least, the ones that are more than an emoji or "second kudos!" I value those too, it's just ... what would I say?

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't tend to go in for angsty endings. But, as it happens, I did write an ending lately that was fairly dark.

Fertile Ground, Battlestar Galactica, Simon only bothered to continue the fertility experiments because the others demanded it. Things are different on New Caprica. Warnings for canon-typical ... everything

7. what’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

How would one even judge? I have 256 fics, most of which have positive endings of one sort or another.

8. do you get hate on fics?

Not really? Or, at least, it's probably happened sometime in the last 18 years, but I just deleted it and forgot about it. I am very lucky, I know other writers who've gone through hell.

9. do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Nope!

10. do you write crossovers?

I love crossovers! AO3 thinks I have 38, but a few of those aren't really crossovers, just different corners of the same universe, and one of them is the work that combines most of my Twisting the Hellmouth crossover drabbles into one drabble collection. (The ones where I had several drabbles in a sequence to tell a longer story, I separated out to each be their own fic.) Anyway, it averages out to about two a year, although I have not written as many in the last few years as I did earlier in my fic writing career. Most recently, I have:

A Spy on the Golden State Train (Miss Fisher/Agent Carter gen)

Undiscovered Stars (Star Trek/Star Wars, Lando Calrissian/James T. Kirk)

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

Oh, sure, there have been a couple of times people have put some of my fics on those skeevy for-profit websites that pop up every now and again.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! Twice! Both times into Russian. Though oddly enough, none of my Vorkosiverse fics have been translated into Russian. There is a very large and active Russian fandom for the Vorkosigan saga, so if I were going to predict which of my fics would be translated into Russian, it would be those. But no, the two that were translated are a DS9 fic, and a Doctor Who/Mary Poppins crossover.

Тридцать четвертое правило by Lazurit (The 34th Rule, DS9)

Завтра ветер переменится by Kollega (A Change in the Wind, DW/Mary Poppins)

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope!

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will?

That's tough to answer. Does it include the ones that I abandoned, say, 15 years ago and haven't thought of since? I don't tend to post WIPs because I don't like them hanging over me.

Probably Hello, Piccadilly, Hello, Leicester Square, a Wonder Woman post-movie fic about Diana trying to figure out how to live in Man's World. I had a really great hook--they pass Diana off as a war bride--but no real idea where to go from there. Which is why it stalled out after only two chapters.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Worldbuilding, probably.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Endings and action. I am not good at writing either of them. The thing I am most likely to need a beta's help with is whether or not an ending feels like an ending or if I need to wrap things up better, and if so, what do I need to do to wrap things up. And action bores me, and it's really hard to write something that bores you, so I try to avoid needing to write it.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I don't speak any other languages, so I wouldn't do it! Unless maybe I had someone who had already volunteered to translate for me.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Stargate SG-1! It was a spitefic that I wrote because I was so annoyed by all the Broca AUs. "The Broca Divide" was an episode where they all turn into cavepeople, and as part of it Sam Carter kisses her commanding officer, Jack O'Neill, who then takes her to the infirmary before succumbing to the infection himself. There were a ton of fics about that where they have sex instead and she gets pregnant, and afterwards she keeps the baby and they get married and everything is fine and the team stays together and nobody cares about fraternization or anything.

(There were a LOT of Sam/Jack fics out there where like the President or whoever would call them up and say "oh, you're in love? awesome! we'll just waive all the regulations about having a romantic relationship with someone in your chain of command because you're so extra special and awesome. Which really annoyed me.)

Anyway, I got annoyed enough to write a fic where they sleep together as cavepeople and she gets pregnant and things are not fine, actually, there are consequences to it.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

lol

I can never figure out my favorite anything. If you give me five options, I could maybe narrow it down to the top two. Out of 256? You have got to be kidding me.

Tagging @tielan, @alexseanchai, @mihrsuri, @birdylion, @anghraine

[star--nymph]

@plisuu: Conversations at the Edge of Everything sounds intense 👀

Ohohoho boy, it is! So Conversations at the Edge of Everything is my exploration of death in the FF7 universe and the relationship between Sephiroth and Aerith (because I truly believe it's the biggest dropped ball in the series). I don't know if I ship them romantically, especially in this, I just want to throw them in the same room and see what they do.

I also started writing it because I was genuinely done with how Aerith is depicted in the series after the OG and I want to see this woman snap. I want to see her go ape shit.

I already wrote chapter 1 here (which I love the descriptions in, by the way. I think it's some of my best work) and the WIP is for chapter 2:

Those souls that touched down in her garden after a wary life would be greeted with sunlight and the scent of flowers. Before they would reach the porch, she would fling the doors open and come to them in a flurry of skirts, basket in one hand and a cool drink in the other. She’d sit them down at a table with a full meal and there they would lay out the expense of their life, long or short, contented or sorrowful, and they wouldn’t realize until the end that at some point, Aerith had weaved flowers into their hair. She listened to a lot of stories there, at her mother’s table, with tea in between them that was always steaming warm, even when she told them “Take a breather and have some before it gets cold”. It was her favorite part of this new…life. The world she only caught glimpses of unraveled itself in its people, and once their glassy eyes came into focus and they no longer saw Meteor ripping through a red sky like a knife through soft, bleeding flesh—oh, the things they told her. Of the things they lost, loved, even hated sometimes. School trips, late nights, giving birth, attending a funeral, walking down the beach, scaling mountains, dinner with their lover’s parents, failed tests, animals they found and tended too, steamy honeymoons, getting to work late, fighting one hundred fiends to see the light of day, their first and last snowfall, and every other facade that bounced off the ever turning prism of Gaia. She’d lay her head down her arms and tell them to go on until they emptied themselves of their memories and emotions. Until they were satisfied and realized, on some level, this was it. It was over. The final word on the final page of their book. Sometimes, there were tears when this happened, other times there was rage. Most of the time, Aerith noted, they were just confused. Humans understood the concept of death in a roundabout way, but not really the conclusion part. The idea of their existence just stopping. No tomorrow or next week or next month or next years; there wasn’t even a next second. That hazy cloud would come back over their mind and listlessly they would look around, putting together that nothing here was real, just constructed for their comfort. They turned those eyes, which were twinkling with the Lifestream’s energy, to her and she wondered if they saw her sitting there or something entirely different. Sometimes they reached for her to see if she was tangible; when their hand touched hers, she would hold it gently and smile ruefully. “That’s it?” They’d ask. “It’s over? What am I supposed to do now?” Aerith would tilt her head to the side, never sure the best way to answer just a lofty question, and then would just go with her gut, “Nothing, I guess. There’s nothing else to do but go.” The soul would ripple from one form to another, shifting and spinning between time periods in their lives. When they opened their mouth, they’d asked with a child’s voice and a child’s uncertain eyes, “Go? Go where?” “Back to the Lifestream, where we started. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s where you and I belong. Everyone belongs there, one way or another—and it’s where all stories end. Besides, aren’t you tired now? You talked for a long time. Maybe a hundred years!” “…Will…will I feel anything…or will I…even be anything?” “You will. You’ll be something different, something the Planet only knows. And where you go, whatever you become, everyone will be with you. You won’t be alone.” “And you? Will you be there?” “…in a way, yeah. I’ll be here, I’ll be there, and I’ll never be far.” “…okay.” “Okay?” “It’s like you said…I am tired—and-and maybe I want to be something new.”

[indigowallbreaker]

Finished a book and need to unload thoughts

Just finished a book where I could NOT stand the writing style x_x I thought maybe it's because the book is actually the 4th in a series-- I got it as a gift and didn't realize until I started reading-- but I wasn't lost at all in terms of characters or setting. It's the way the author wrote that made me roll my eyes every other page. Maybe cozy mysteries just aren't for me?

The things I can't stand in fiction are 1) the narration/author feeling the need to hold our hand instead of just letting us figure things out (telling instead of showing, essentially); 2) needless repeation; and 3) all the main characters are perfect people and the author goes out of their way to make SURE you know that. Let me use this book as an example:

1) ["I hope the issues your company faces are resolved to everyone's benefit. And by everyone, I mean your family, the farmers, and the customers," Jane said. This was her way of expressing sympathy for the Sullivans while making it plain that she believed it wrong for consumers to be exposed to harmful chemicals in products claiming to be organic.]

There's a dozen other ways the author could have expressed what Jane was getting at without hitting readers over the head. Maybe pair it with a meaningful look at the Sullivans, or "she stressed the last word and was satisfied when the Sullivans looked appropriately sheepish". This is one of the many instances where I found myself saying "I GET IT" out loud. Tying into point 3 a bit, you don't have to TELL me the main character dislikes chemicals in food since she's been portrayed as a saint this whole time, but thanks so much for the reminder.

2) [Only Eloise remained quiet, staring at Jane with a mixture of surprise and confusion. And why wouldn't she? Jane thought. My sons were just abducted. Here I am, hours later, talking about leaving them.

"Why do you need to go away now? So soon, after everything that's happened?" Eloise asked after the rest of the women had fallen silent.]

The input from Jane, our main character, is totally unnecessary here. "I know she's confused" followed by "I'm confused!" is absolutely annoying. In cartoons or comedies, something like that can be played for humor, sure. "Eloise isn't going to like this!" *smash cut to Eloise's house* "I don't like this!". But in drama it's just irksome. If the author is trying to demonstrate how well Jane knows her friend Eloise, there's other, more compelling ways to do so than just telling us what Eloise is about to say and then having her say it almost virbatum. "Jane had been expecting Eloise's outburst" or "Only Eloise remained quiet, staring at Jane with a mixture of surprise and confusion. Jane knew exactly what was going through her mind and turned to her best friend ready to receive the question she was sure to ask."

If the author was trying to guess what we the readers were thinking and trying to address our own potential confusion, then it was a completely pointless gesture. This scene is at the very end of the book-- you've built a bit of trust with me; I already assume Jane has her reasons.

3) [Anna stared at it for several seconds before saying, "I didn't ring him up. I'd remember his face if I had. He looks like a badger." She quickly glanced at her friends. "That's not a criticism. I like badgers."

"It's okay, Anna, I thought the same thing when I first saw him," Jane said.]

This is (to all but Jane) a random person no one in the room is going to see again! It's not someone's relative or boyfriend or child-- in fact it's someone suspected of murder! There's no reason Anna has to back pedal on her description, especially since she only likened the guy to an animal. It's not like she said "He looks like a horrifying snot monster" or something. But gods forbid the author portray the good guys as people who make passing comments about strangers. Quick, make sure the reader knows Anna wasn't being mean! She likes badgers! It's a compliment! Such scenes make me roll my eyes. Anna calling the suspect a badger just makes it easier for me, the reader, to picture him. No need to attach an apology.

At first I thought the writing rubbed me the wrong way because the vibe is more like a TV show, if that makes sense? Some things the characters do or say would work well in a visual medium but are clunky written out. Like the amount of times Jane says things aloud for dramatic effect that totally could have been thoughts. I thought maybe I was just being judgemental.

But then the above points kept happening over and over AND OVER. It's been a long time since I skim-read a book but I wanted to skip all the fluff and just skip to how the mystery ended.

I'm not saying this is a horrible book or the author is a bad writer. As I said at the top, it's the 4th book in a series. Maybe it's more of a character driven series and I would have enjoyed it more if I knew the characters better. Maybe this is a low point in the series and I just entered at a bad time. This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so it's possible the author was trying something new and this isn't typically how they write.

Mostly I'm picking on it because it's a prime example of the things I dislike reading in fiction. It's a fantastic one-stop-shop for textual examples I can point at to explain my preferences. It also got me fired up about a book (albeit with negative feelings) which hasn't happened in a while, and confirmed that this genre isn't for me. And for that I thank it.

On to the next book in the pile.

[hmslusitania]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged by @littlespoonevan!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

83!

2. What’s your total word count on AO3?

885,673

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently just DC and Star Wars (if you are looking at my ao3 going “i dont see Star Wars??” its wips. Its all wips)

4. Top five fics by kudos

- Leave the Light On

- I Didn’t Know I Was Lonely ‘Til I Saw Your Face

- Close My Eyes and Stumble

- Half Awake in Our Fake Empire

- Don’t Take the Money

5. Do you respond to comments?

I do when it’s a fic I’m still excited about! Especially ones I’m actively posting

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I’m… not sure I ever let anything end on an angsty ending?

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Probably Leave the Light On just by contrast with everything that came before the end

8. Do you get hate on fics?

For about ten.7 seconds I was writing fic for Once Upon a Time and it is the only time I’ve ever gotten hate on fics and i removed said fics from ao3 and don’t write in that fandom anymore

9. Do you write smut?

The answer to this question used to be “no haha well maybe like every once in a while” but like. Considering I posted an E rated chapter this very morning, I cannot equivocate about that anymore

10. Craziest crossover?

That I won’t ever finish? The one time @starry-eyed-guttersnipe and I wrote part of a 9-1-1/Fringe fusion fic. That I’m actively working on? DC/Star Wars and I am having So much fun

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Several times yeah! I think that’s neat

13. Have you ever Co-written a fic?

Working on one right now!

14. All time favourite ship?

It’s physically impossible for me to answer this

15. What’s a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I started a Star Wars alternate timeline fic like two years ago and I think about it a lot because the main point of the plot ended up being, uh, the main point of the plot of Jedi: Survivor so like… it got weird to work on lol

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I’m good with dialogue and character

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Transitions

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

Depends on the language and the context

19. First fandom you wrote in?

H*rry P*tt*r

20. Fave fics you’ve written?

Like Any Unloved Thing

Weakened Like Achilles

Gotham Honest, Anyway (the last chapter of which goes up tomorrow morning)

Tagging anyone who wants to do it and also specifically @rhysiana and @sonseulsoleil

[night-market-if]

Hello this isn’t a question but i just wanna praise you and your work.

First, I love how you wrote each RO with depth & characterization. You make them stick out without leaning too hard on certain tropes or you flip those tropes on their head. Each of them has just their reasons of being selfish.

Second, The MC choices feel very impactful not in actions, but also dialogue. Especially when interacting with the main group. As a player i feel like i have agency in making decisions. That’s not a feat to brush off by the way.

Third, The way you do twists, reveals and feeding the player information throughout the story is brilliant. I don’t see them coming until after it happens. But you do leave out clues & crumbs along the way. Still it’s rewarding experience.

Thank you!

I get so worried about the choices sometimes and I have been criticized for the MC not having enough agency or being able to affect the world. I think those people haven't read through to the end and realize what is going on yet but to each their own.

I do get into my own head about the choices though. Because I don't want it to feel like there is no change in tone or MC doesn't have the ability to be layered. One of the reasons I threw stat based choices out of the way was because I wanted MC to be sad and empathetic sometimes while getting up and arms about other things. I didn't want to lock those emotions off. I mean, I go through a range of emotions daily so I feel like it's weird to lock them off because your last three choices reflected differently.

As for peppering in all that information about the twists? Some of it was for sure on purpose but others just kind of happened. There were times when I went back to read where I got excited because I had put something in there that I hadn't realized was foreshadowing. But that kind of writing is also some of my favorite. I don't think we'll have as big of a mystery/reveal for book 2 but I am glad it paid off in book 1.

Thank you for all your support and your kind words!

[word-wytch]

You posted about FOI book & your thoughts on chapters 1-9. I just wondered if you’ve finished it and what you’re thoughts are - did they change or stay the same?

I ask because I finished it last night & I enjoyed it, I couldn’t put it down, but I didn’t like Eddie’s decision with the music & I don’t think that he would do that to his band mates. Also, like you, not sold on Paige - I liked her but just something about her niggled me. The big one being the question she asked him when she found out where he was - what a bitch!!!!

His dad is a prick. So is Higgins.

Ronnie, Gareth & Wayne - lovelies.

I cried at the end.

Hi lovely!! Yes, I did finish FOI and my feelings remained pretty consistent with my thoughts on chapters 1-9, so I didn't feel compelled to write another essay about it lol.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did as well, and also found it un-put-down-able once I reached the heist portion.

While the decision to leave his bandmates behind does seem uncharacteristic of the Eddie we all know and love, I do think that Caitlin did a great job and reinforcing his reasoning behind doing so. We also have to keep in mind that the Eddie we see in this story is *becoming* the Eddie we all know and love. That the events lead him to uncover something about himself. After seeing the way he is treated in Hawkins, it was easy for me to sympathize with why he would take any opportunity to leave (especially with a girl he had feelings for!), even if it meant sacrificing some friendships.

On Paige -- by the end I still didn't dislike her, and I do think it was generous of her to bail him out and shows that she still cared for him. Paige seems to be a very un-emotional character to me. I think that's just a personality trait of hers, like she's not quick to show emotion and isn't super touchy-feely. I also get dom energy from her lmao. I really didn't like that she demanded that Eddie take his pants off?? It just didn't sit right with me. She's just not tender. And I really think Eddie needs someone tender. She's a bit cold and calloused, kind of unapproachable, and I think that's what I dislike about her personality the most tbh.

Is it weird that I want to write the missing smut scenes though? Like, not because I ship him and Paige, but as an exercise in practicing a different writing style that sounds like it picked up where the book left off. I typically write in second/third person past tense and I really just want to take a stab at writing a smut scene from Eddie's first person present in the same style as the book. I just think it would be fun!

I cried many times throughout the book. Like I truly lost track of how many. I had to take many breaks, I went through many tissues. I think overall it was very well-written and truly a gift to us.

I am convinced that Caitlin spent some time reading fanfiction and headcanons and nothing can tell me otherwise. It's too consistent with so much of what we have speculated and have come to general consensuses about as a fandom (more or less). There are also countless common tropes used that are tried and true for this fandom as well. Nothing can convince me otherwise. This is a fanfiction and was inspired by fanfiction. Caitlin may have penned it but we as a fandom wrote FOI.

[orchideae]

salt meme *cracks knuckles*: ☠ What does someone have to do for an instant unfollow from you? ☼ How long do you stay mad? ☢ What fads/trends are you so over (What is a fad)? ♨ Have you ever made a public call out post? ❥ Has someone ever ruined an FC or character for you? ❣ How salty are you feeling right now (Please give a comparison beginning of writing the answer to this and after you wrote it, for science purposes)?

— @delusionaid // Prompt: The salty AF meme

❣ How salty are you feeling right now? (1) I can't believe Youtube is playing a song called 'Do or Die' as I'm typing this up. Youtube wants me to go hard, but I dunno how much I can live up to that. But currently, salt levels are around 7/10.

☠ What does someone have to do for an instant unfollow from you? Show a genuine lack of respect across the board. This plays into numerous elements of social interaction, but more so than anything, it plays into the element of taking away someone's autonomy to how they run their blog. See, this is actually also something that more so makes it that I'll never follow you in the first place, but I guess that'll also work as salt too, right? Right, autonomy, I hate that we live in 2024, and people have been all about "it's your blog, you have the freedom to do what you want!" Yeah, except, ding, ding, 'do what you want' doesn't quite mean what we all think it does. You know, that little thing called its official definition? Yeah, not a thing. Have your liberty, however, you can't write with this person or that muse because they're problematic (correction: this person 'feels' that they're problematic) or have done some questionably morally grey things in their lifetime, you can't write a character with any of these 375 faceclaims that you're supposed to keep track of and agree with, if you write a villain then you should obviously ignore all of these villainous traits that make them villains because why would you ever write a villain who does bad things? (Unless he's hot or said villain is a female character, of course), on that note, please ignore this and this bit of canon because it makes me (personally) very uncomfortable. And to expand on the last two in specific, obviously you can't ever write or acknowledge these (dark) things any way, because if you write a character who even did something less bad, like spoke rudely to anyone, you obviously do the same thing in life outside of Tumblr.com and so I will write a callout about you. But apart from all of that and more things that are coincidentally hidden behind a little 'etc.', you can do whatever you want! Have fun!!

❣ How salty are you feeling right now? (2) About... 9/10.

☼ How long do you stay mad? Unless it's something really trivial, I'll usually sleep and my brain will process it back into non-existence the next day or the one after. But I do however, hold a grudge like none other. Granted, getting to that point is rather difficult to do, but if you do genuinely wrong me in some capacity, then I will remember that. Now, I believe in second chances, but those can't apply everywhere, for I do firmly believe that there are lines that truly shouldn't ever be crossed. Overall however, I'm not an angry person and to anger me in the first place is quite difficult. And you know, you especially do like to say that even when I'm angry, I'm smiling and laughing and 'don't really sound any different', so how mad/angry am I really? I think I really am just the 'No talk me I angy' cat meme in the flesh.

☢ What fads/trends are you so over? I still hate the concept of 'censorship'. I'm sorry, but if I dislike a character, a culture, a character trait, a show, book, an adaptation, I have every right to say so and I can even talk about it on my blog for hours if I so choose to do so, just like others are allowed to do the exact opposite. It is a two-way street. I shouldn't have to adhere to some system of social politics of, well, you're allowed to complain or talk about how this and this is bad, but if you want to touch on that, well no, we can't quite let you do that one! That's not exactly fitting in the current social political climate. Because here's my thing with it in general, if anyone for example told me that they disliked Yelan, I think that it would be a shame, if someone told me that, for example, they disapprove of my take of her sleeping around (again: not done in promiscuity); that's perfectly fine, tell me why and we can have a friendly talk about it. Because last I checked, discussion is incredibly healthy for our mental development. I want to know why people think differently, and I love the challenge of even possibly changing their perspective on the matter. But if everything is censored from the get-go, then there's no discussion, no potential for growth or understanding. I'm sad that this mere concept is still as prevalent in all fandoms as it seems to be.

♨ Have you ever made a public call out post? Can salt posts like this entire ask response be considered as a public call out post of bad behavior across the board? Yes? Okay great, then yes, I absolutely have. I reblog a salt meme like this at least once every 2/3 months when my activity isn't entirely shot into the depths of hell itself

❥ Has someone ever ruined an FC or character for you? Meh, I don't care much about FCs, at least not like I used to when I actively used them, nor did I ever really feel like any FC was ever 'ruined' for me. I just get very tired of people overusing specific characters or roles, but I'm very easily affected by overexposure or over-hype in general, so this isn't surprising.

❣ How salty are you feeling right now? (3). 6/10 or so, I'd say.

[japanifornication]

20 fic questions

i was tagged by @mutxnts thank you ash!!

1. how many works do you have on Ao3?

21, ayyy, one less than ash!!

2. what's your total ao3 word count?

189,718. this does not surprise me.

3. what fandoms do you write for?

ace attorney and very rarely ff7 and the last of us.

4. what are your top five fics by kudos?

late night (257 kudos), tasting (121 kudos), finality (114 kudos), alive (91 kudos), distance (88 kudos) all of these are ace attorney, three of them are part of a series lol.

if we want to include my art that i've posted to ao3, holding would actually be in second place, with 218 kudos.

theoretically another fic should be in the top five instead but i left it out because i just don't like it and don't plan to update it again/will prob remove it at some point (it was my first in the fandom, was trying to do a case fic before realizing i am bad at them).

5. do you respond to comments?

i try to always respond but sometimes i just don't know what to say! that being said i am always open to chatting about my fics. please. please talk to me oh my god i want to talk about ace attorney.

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

oughhhh....... i guess no one told me it would be beautiful? it's one of my shortest fics and part of just a short series of a post-apocalypse au. it's not exactly the angstiest ending, i have another series in mind for that, but the whole fic has an undertone of angst, and series will too. i just write it in spurts when i feel the need to write something that isn't one of my WIPs.

7. what’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

i think most of my fics end on a sort of higher note! my fics have strong undertones of angst but with lighter endings, but i think the winner would go to status :) because it's the happy ending to the long angsty series! and also it just makes me happy, i feel like i really stuck the landing, we get to see the boys laugh over the most absurd situation and it makes me laugh too.

8. do you get hate on fics?

i've never gotten hate on a fic but shortly after i posted fic that met this description in the tags once, someone i follow made a post making fun of the idea that edgeworth would ever be a sexy dom. listen we are all playing in our own sandboxes.

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind?

we all know me, come on now. i write trans phoenix getting railed in all configurations smut. every e-rated fic has at least one creampie. we know this.

10. do you write crossovers? what’s the craziest one you’ve written?

i don't, but i do have one in mind. i've been planning a severance ace attorney fic for a long time.

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

no

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

no

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

kind of? tybalt wrote a fic in the universe of one of my series! which kind of counts? idk! but he didn't feel like posting it so i did lol (he's co-author on it). but i do RP a lot, just none is published yet. maybe some day.

14. what’s your all time favorite ship?

of all time??????? tifa/cloud/aerith probably

15. what’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

ohhh god maybe my vampire fic, wait for the morning. i'm trying. i'm trying for the homosexuals.

16. what are your writing strengths?

i think i'm best at writing dialogue honestly, that is what i love to write the most, especially arguments. otherwise in the Real World i am very good at writing passive-aggressive but still somehow polite and professional emails to get shit done.

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

i have a lot of problems with just repetitive vocab.

18. thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

i have a lot of feelings on this i can't exactly elucidate well. i only speak english fluently. i have a very beginner's knowledge in french. i'm also indigenous, but i don't speak the language of my people, which despite being one of the largest indigenous speech communities in the US, still only has around 2,000 native speakers.

so... i have a lot of feelings about language that take up a lot of space in my chest. but i just am kind of stuck writing in english. if i need to write dialogue in another language, i try to source from friends who speak the language first, then elsewhere on the internet if i don't know anyone directly who speaks it (e.g. asking in a public discord or reddit or somewhere), and use online translation tools as a last resort.

19. first fandom you wrote for?

theoretically it was accidentally tomb raider when i was in 3rd grade but i didn't know that's what i was doing at the time. intentionally, the first fic i ever wrote fanfic for was ff7.

20. favorite fic you’ve written?

i really and truly cannot choose here. it's like picking your favorite child. for the writing skills alone i have to pick wait for the morning (unfinished, i'm sorry). clarity is another one i think shows off some writing skills, idk, i just like it! for the characterization, something about decadence really floats my boat. and for the one that really earns its e-rating, it's tasting (especially chapter 3), my magnum opus of smut.

i am tagging.... who am i tagging. i hate tagging ppl bc i get sooooo anxious that ppl will be annoyed but i am going to tag @sandboxer @m-aximumjoy @samioli if you want to do it, and i have forgotten everyone else's tumblr urls in this exact moment it's like the men in black just memory-wiped me