#even for side characters like mt lady

[epickiya722]

It is so "amusing" that on the TvTropes site on BNHA characters and you go to Miruko's section, she has ship tease as a trope and this highlighted part "counts" as ship tease.

Mind you, Aizawa also lost a leg and an eye, so why this included as "ship tease" is... I don't even know.

On top of that, how come Miruko has the Ship Tease trope for Hawks but Hawks doesn't have it listed??? Bullshit.

[zombiee-reviews]

The one character in Home that deserved the spotlight.

Ladies and gentlemen.. Akleja

Not many really touch on Akleja, but thinking about it now, Kique should have given her the spotlight and given us more with her.

Think about it, she is the first female of the Meteor Tribe era that is born, literally free.

Akleja is the result of a new era of the ( at the time ) Meteor Tribe. She doesn’t have to live the horrid experience her mother and other female tribe mates had to endure. A good writer would have taken this opportunity for us to follow her along, on her journey.

Hell, Kique could have written some female tribe mates to even be jealous of Akleja, because of her born freedom. But sadly, we do not get much about her. Kique literally does not give a single damn so much so of Akleja, that she is pretty much an adult by the time you really get to see her. Bit upsetting right?

Kique could have really made a nice, flowing side plot line following Akleja, instead of a fat majority of the characters we’re forced to follow now.

—

Akleja could have been shown struggling in the tribe, over the jealous females; or even males! Or, if you’d like to follow a more positive side, you could have her living a fruitful life with the females and have some underlying hatred for the males.

Unfortunately though, Akleja is victim of Kiques one personality fits all characters. Aside from this, Kique missed a huge opportunity with her. It’s quite sad to see her brushed under the rug, even though she is a first generation FREED MT female.

[my-rewrite-academia]

You know what’s funny? I honestly think Mt Lady could probably make for a good tutor if it wasn’t for her intern student being Mineta. After all, she’s kinda the main hero you think of when you think of Pro Heroism as a job (minus Uwabami cause she didn’t do much) so if she had a student with more brain cells, she probably could have been a neat way to show off how Pro Heroes could make income through their likenesses being used for shampoos, toys, and such or royalties made from interviews.

Hello!

-

Honestly? I agree with you.

However, her protrayal with Minoru's internship is not something I fault him for. I may not like canon Minoru, (mostly due to perversion being his only character trait, and because he's Horikoshi's self-insert which makes everything he does automatically disgusting), but I don't blame him for that.

Rather, I see it as a fault with Horikoshi's inability to write female characters.

Mt Lady is one of the few heroes you think of when you look at it as a job, a source of income, rather than a passion. She utilises the male gaze to help her popularity, which directly affects her income, and is a pretty effective hero.

She's a bit more competent in this rewrite already, as seen by the first post where she collaborates with Izuku, Death Arms, Kamui Woods, and Backdraft to defeat the Sludge Villain, via actually fighting. Instead of relying on her quirk, she's capable in combat as her normal height, making her far more equipped for heroics already.

I do have plans for her in this rewrite, mostly because of what you've already laid out. She's a competent hero, but she views heroics as a job more than a passion, like Izuku and All Might do.

She is going to interact with the students, though I won't spoil much in that regard.

Mt Lady and Uwabami could have done a lot to show how heroes care a lot about their fame and how the public views them, but they're used for gags rather than anything actually useful.

Mt Lady being lazy and doing nothing, yet being very active early in her career could have been used to show how tiring the hero life is, even to a newbie, but nope! It's just a gag about how Minoru 'suffered' by doing her chores. In fact, him doing chores could have been a secret way to train him, akin to the 'jacket off, jacket on' scene in Karate Kid.

Uwabami promoting her products and being more concerned about her fame and appearance rather than heroics could have been used to show the side of heroics Stain was so horribly against. It could have been a point of conflict for Momo and Itsuka, realising that ranking may have nothing to do with heroics and everything to do with apperance.

Heck, there could have easily been a revelation that women in the industry have to be 'pretty' in order to succeed, and that could have led to a theme of the female characters striving to have their potential seen first before their looks.

In short, there's a lot that Horikoshi missed out on because he doesn't know how to write female characters, and I will absolutely be making sure the women aren't just used for gags or love interests.

-

Thanks for the ask!

[the-writer1988]

Happy Anniversary To The Greatest AU Ever!

Two years ago today was the beginning of a series that I never thought that I would become obsessed about.

I am, of course, talking about TWO TANGLED SISTERS series written by the amazingly, talented (and rather aptly named) @twotangledsisters

Cassandra had never really been a favourite character of mine but over the years she has blossomed to become one of mt favourite Tangled characters outside Eugene and Rapunzel. I adore New Dream.

But what made me like this series in the first place?

the characters

the plot

These two things were fundamental in my enjoyment of the series. What if Mother Gothel had never abandoned Cassandra and she grew up with Rapunzel in the Tower? There are so many unique ways this idea could go but makes this AU rewrite so great is how original it is in Cassandra's origins.

Why was Gothel, arguably an old woman, willing to carry a child? What was the reason for it? This is never really adequately explained in the tv series, but this AU makes it even better!

Cassandra has a purpose. A purpose that is fleshed out and explored in this fic series.

The pairing of Cassandra and Lady Caine - quite a late addition in the planning of the story - was a STROKE OF GENIUS! Lady Caine's introduction came in the third main fic of the series titled: THE CORONATION.

Seeing how Caine goes from hating the royals to gaining a bit of respect for them and witnessing the love between Cassandra and Caine grow is beautifully written!

To be able to pull off such a rare pairing takes talent and @twotangledsisters has loads of it!

This fic series has everything you could want in it from an AU rewrite!

Rapunzel fans will be happy!

Eugene fans will be happy!

Lance fans will be happy!

Varian fans will be happy!

Friendship, family, adventure, angst, horror, hurt, comfort, romance and so much more!!!

Each story in the series is crafted into arcs, and this pattern has continued throughout the series.

I have been traumatised by a certain chapter in the S1 finale fic THE PRINCESS, THE PIRATE, AND THE PROSECUTOR. You very well know what chapter that is!

I wouldn't have missed this series for the world.

I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a good AU rewrite, who loves all the characters, loves the idea of trying something new that is out of their comfort zone, and wants to be dragged into a well crafted story from which there is no escape!

This series is my obsession. Every chapter gives me life.

Please, even if you are dubious, give the Two Tangled Sisters series a try!

Even if you do give it a go, you don't need to read all the side-stories! You can just stick with the main fics!

Here is a list of all the fics and the order you should read them in:

Two Tangled Sisters

Two Princesses (up to end of chapter 10)

What About Food? (first 2 chapters)

Surprise Birthday

Two Princesses (chapters 11-18)

Dot-Pox

Pear, Apple and Eugene

Two Princesses (chapters 19-22)

The Coronation

Within The Walls of Corona

Marmalade Moon Night

The Day of Hearts and Avoidance

A Birthday Is Supposed To Celebrate A Person

The Frostwork Festival

To Rule A Kingdom

The Alchemists Seach

The Princess, The Pirate and the Prosecutor

Vardaros and the Tower

What about Food? (final chapter)

Magic and Artefacts

High Tide Dream

Marmalade Moon: Couple Costumes

The Great Tree

The Past We Try To Forget

Shimmering Stones and Uncertain Destinies

Return to Corona

A Single Princess

The Path Mother Set Out For Me

Duty and Family

The Search For The Celestials

The Search For The Celestials is currently posting. The series is now in its S3 era and has deviated a lot from canon. Do not give this series a miss. Give it a go! It is honestly worth it!

[justanotherdumbteenboy]

A little rant over the why I consider that Todoroki Shouto is autistic

Disclaimer: As always, this is just one of my many theories. Please don’t attack me for this, if you don’t like it, scroll and continue with your life. 

This is the third mha character that I have analysed, and I also think he is the least likely to be autistic (strangely enough because he is also the one more often read as autistic). This is because a lot of his actions can also be read  as trauma responses rather than autistic traits, however, this is your friendly reminder that autistic people can (and are actually statistically more likely) to have PTSD. For Shouto, I think it is both autism and C-PTSD.

This post HAS manga spoilers!

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Insistence on sameness, and difficulty dealing with change

Even though this is not explicitly said anywhere (as far as I know), it’s something that you can definitely notice if you look very closely.

Todoroki remodelled his entire dorm in a day for it to be the same as it was in his home for comfort. He even went to the extent of changing the floors. That shows that he has difficulty dealing with transitions (moving from home, to the dorms).

He is also a very stubborn person, shown in his insistence to only use his ice side for so long. And even though we know this is connected to his trauma towards fire, even after he starts overcoming that, he still heavily relies on his ice, and has a tendency (almost a routine) to always using it first. 

Strong sense of justice

Todoroki has an incredible sense of justice, and not in the ´follow every rule’ way like Iida. Todoroki has never hesitated to break the rules to stand up for what he thinks is right. He literally considered torture in USJ arc, if it meant gaining information that could potentially safe lives. In the Kamino Ward arc, he decided to break the rules and go and save Bakugou because he knew that’s what was right (even if it was illegal). He followed Bakugou and Izuku even though it was dangerous and he technically shouldn’t have, but he still went and fought alongside them. In the ‘World Heroes’ Mission’ movie he didn’t hesitate to help Izuku and tell him how to escape even though he was literally accused of mass murder. I think there are many examples of this in general.

It also shows that he is a very loyal person, which isn’t an autistic trait (I think), just a very cool thing about him.

Recognizes patterns easier than his peers

I have two specific examples for this. 

Calling himself a hand crusher. He definitely recognized a pattern there. He fought with Midoriya -> He injured his hand. He fought with Iida -> Iida injured his hand. Therefore Hand injuries are caused by him (under this logic).

He was quick to figure out why the villains were at the USJ, and that they definitely had a solid plan. (In a similar way, Tsuyu did the same, who I also headcanon as autistic, but that’s off topic).

Speaking differences/struggles

Todoroki has what can be described as a ‘flat tone’. There are only some very specific scenes where he raises his voice, but in general, his voice tone never really changes. Even when delivering jokes, or sarcastic comments, his tone is always the same. 

Struggles with social cues and reading other people tones

I believe this is one of his most recognized traits. He has a lot of difficulty understanding sarcasm and exaggeration when it comes from others, even being told by others that he is ‘too clueless’ (Mount Lady, and Min*ta). He takes things very literally, a good example of this being when Mt Lady told him that girls would die for his smile, and he took it very seriously, to the point where not even under Mr. Smileys quirk he didn't actually smile. 

He also struggles ‘reading the room’ and social cues, having in mind the way that he is convinced that he is friends with Bakugou. (He is. Bakugou is just in denial/hj. They definitely care for each other, and they ARE friends. But Todoroki considered him a friend way before Bakugou even considered it).

Says things directly

Todoroki says things with 0 to no hesitation. He is not afraid at all to call people out. He says things like they are, he doesn't sugar code anything. There are many examples of this, like him fighting with the chief of the police, every possible interaction he has had with Endeavor, him saying that he didn’t even notice Hagakure was with him in the USJ, him telling Midoriya that he is objectively better than him and others. Trauma dumping on Midoriya during the sports festival. This might come out as rude sometimes, but he definitely (mostly) doesn't do it with bad intentions. 

‘Flat’ facial expressions

Same as his voice, his facial expressions don’t really change, and it could be argued that they don't match his emotions. For example when he froze Sero during their fight in the sports festival, and even though he didn’t really looked angry, he apologises and tells him that he was angry. 

Comfort food and being a ‘picky’ eater (term that I don’t personally like, but I’m using to make a point)

Shouto really likes Soba. Especially cold soba. He is seen eating it in the anime, and it is stated in the character profile of the manga’s second volume. He even offers it to Midoriya when he is sad (that was really cute by the way, I do that too. You’re sad? Let me get some chocolate for you!)

It being cold can be because of two things. 

Sensory issues about food temperature.

Him not liking boiling water because of what happened with his mother.

Either way, it is canon that he loves cold soba.

Genetic factor

I am not here to do an Endeavor analysis, but ASD is considered to have a genetic factor and Endeavor has some autistic traits as well, including fixated interests, saying things directly, difficulty with volume control, and others.

This is also your friendly reminder that autistic people are NOT saints and can commit crimes, mistakes, abuse etc. 

Moving on because I don’t enjoy talking about Endeavor /hj

Low empathy and difficulty reading other people emotions

Just like Bakugou, he struggles identifying and expressing his own emotions, and has difficulty relating to other people's feelings. I think a perfect example of that is his interaction with Iida during the Hero Killer arc. He also stuggled with this a lot after Dabi revealed he was his brother, and he definetly had problems grieving him.

He also doesn't really know how to show empathy, I think that’s why he offered soba to Deku. He didn’t know what else he could do to help and show that he cared. And he is usually looking for solutions rather than offering support. 

(not related picture, I just thought his face was really funny here).

Stimming

Admittedly, I couldn’t find many examples of stimming in him. But I noticed that he has a tendency to rub his finger when he is thinking.

Special interest

Becoming a hero, and in a way, All Might. I don’t have much proof of this rather than a vibe, but he doesn’t have any other interests or hobbies apart from this (apart from reading manga), which leads me to believe it’s his special interest. 

Other details that I want to mention (aka, the headcanon zone)

He is often seen wearing sweaters, which I believe can be a consequence of sensory issues, and he has a very high pain tolerance. He is very observant as well.

I don’t have proof of this, but I headcanon that he is like me, and doesn’t notice that there is something wrong with him unless it’s extreme. I rarely notice that I need to go to the bathroom until I’m about to pee myself. I live constantly dehydrated because I forget to drink water and I don't really get thirsty. And I don’t notice I’m in  pain unless it’s pretty extreme. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

That’s it, thank you for reading! I love Todoroki. When I started the series he very quickly became one of my favourite characters. 

Next up in my list, Shigaraki!

[ge]

can I hear more abt your trans chung myung thoughts please

.

HEHE ANYTHING FOR YOU MY ANGELS... trans chung myung is like my number one, most well loved & personal, firmest hc evur.. no matter what he is always trans to me idk..he is like the most trans character ive ever seen its sooo real to me.. ive said it once ill say it again, chung myungs lore is literally impact by his transsexualism and im the only one who sees it.. if u get it u get it... a little cw for minor transphobia out of ignorance, not prejudice..⬇️

i always imagined that chung myung knew he was trans since he was very young, like 'beginning to comprehend words and what they mean' young.. he always got angry and aggressive when his sect siblings called him young lady or samae, sajeo, etc, lashing out even at elders to the point hed get in trouble over it... i think pretty quickly everyone figured out if they just 'humoured' him, he'd get over whatever phase he was in and stop being so troublesome, so they did.. at first they began using more masculine terms and honourifics in a 'wink wink nudge' indulgent kind of way but they noticed as he got older, he started inserting himself into more male dominated spaces, even going so far as to bathe and groom himself w the other male disciples

at first it kind of set off red flags for everyone who were still under the impression chung myung was still just going through his little 'phase' but i think chung mun was the first who stepped up and actually ASKED chung myung about it.. he pulls chung myung to the side one day and asks WHY chung myung keeps doing the things he does and chung myung frowns and says because im a boy sahyung..DUH.. chung myung explains the best he can but bc he doesnt really know how to articulate himself on these matters (doesnt know any other trans people or experiences outside of his own and cant put it into words properly) and bc chung mun is cis, chung mun is still a little confused but now he understands chung myung isnt like..joking about this, or going through some sort of phase.. he seemed genuinely put out and upset when implied chung mun didnt understand him so from that day forward chung mun very firmly introduces chung myung to everyone in the sect as their littlest brother and that was pretty much that..

it probably took some people a while to wrap their head around, but because i dont want anyone in mt hua to be transphobic LOL they all understand and accept chung myung as their new baby brother pretty quickly and soon they dont even bat an eye seeing him train topless or bathe w the rest of the guys, doing other guy dominated activities, etc.. when he got older it was just normalized that one of their brothers had boobs..literally nobody gaf theyre REAL trans allies.. mount hua most PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS SECT

also majorly hc chung myung does not have any bodily dysphoria/morphia and is perfectly fine w the way he looks, especially after he gets older and starts building lots of muscle, so he never undergoes any gender affirming surgeries but he does take wuxia testosterone pills.. cuz i think the idea of wuxia magic hormone pills is hilarious and awesome

ive also put some thought into whether cho sams body would be trans or cis, because either could be interesting.. i feel like if cho sam were cis it would actually invoke body image issues and dysphoria in chung myung, having been thrust into a body so unfamiliar & alien to him than the one he spent the most time living in and caring for.. i dont really think too much in depth about this tho so my thoughts on it are pretty vague.. is cho sam cis or trans? (shrugs) up to you!

ummm *scratches ass* i cant think of anything else to say.. trans chung myung is so awesomesauce and i love projecting my own transmasc wants and desires onto him and into a world that accepts and loves him for who he is.. i have more thoughts about his relationship w tang bo and the world around them and how they view him but those are a little more personal and nuanced so i wont get into all dat.... when rotmhs gets more popular i hope trans chung myung hc blows up cuz its sooo real... something something chung myungs reincarnation into cho sam is a trans allegory

[lildrabbles]

"I need you here with me..."

Dabi x GN! Reader

Summary: Dabi is depressed after witnessing the death of his significant other.

Warnings: ANGST LOTS OF ANGST, swearing, character death (reader dies), reader sometimes refers to Dabi as Touya, let me know if I missed anything!

Author's Note: I was feelin a lil angsty! Also the “~~~” lines are flashbacks if you couldn't guess.

Dabi walked into his small, old, abandoned apartment. His breathing was heavy as he slid his coat off and threw it on the floor, then he pressed his back against the door and slid down, on the ground with his back resting on the wood. 

He had so many emotions flowing through him; Anxiety. Anger. Sadness..

He choked out a sob but no tears came. The scars under his eyes started to drip blood though. He let out another shaky breath as he went up to wipe the blood away onto his white tank top, the tank top that was already scorched with burn marks and dust.

The memories came washing back to him as he remembered the scenario that had just happened not even an hour ago. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You had decided to take a little stroll downtown, not expecting anything major to happen. You were excited for tonight because you were supposed to meet up with your boyfriend for a movie night! 

You were walking down the street when a loud crash was heard behind you, rubble flying everywhere as screams of citizens erupted. You flung around to see the LOV and some pro hero's having a big battle. You recognized Toga and Mt. Lady fighting while Spinner and Shigaraki ganged up on Best Jeanist. You scanned around the now clearing smoke until your eyes landed on him, your boyfriend: Touya, or Dabi, as he liked his “friends” to call him, could be seen fighting with Eraser Head.

Your eyes widened as you could see Touya being flung into the air as he crashed into a window, glass shattering around him. You gasped and without thinking, rushed over to him.

“To-- D-Dabi! Are you okay?” You asked in a panicked voice as you maneuvered yourself around the glass.

He grunted and looked up at you. “Y/n, what the fck are you doing?! Get away before the hero’s see you with me,or even worse get hurt!” He hissed at you as he stood up, holding his side as he tried to nudge you away.

“B-but you're hurt!” You say, trying to move closer to him.

Dabi grunted again and glanced over to you. “Seriously, get away,” He said in a serious tone as he used his flames to propel himself up into the air back to where Aizawa was. You huffed out, looking around desperately to see a way to help him. 

But you stood in that spot for 3 seconds too long.

A huge piece of rubble was flying towards you, and before you could react you got hit by it, getting pushed into the building. The impact of the rubble itself wasn't enough to hurt you to the point beyond repair, but enough to crush your leg and not allow you to move.

You cry out in pain as you feel the bone in your leg break, attempting to shove it off your leg but to no success. Only a minute had passed before you felt the ground start to shake, a loud rumbling sound could be heard from above. You look up at the ceiling, only to see it shaking and starting to crack. You cry out again in panic, trying to shove the rubble off again.

You managed to push it off and you grunted, standing on your wobbly legs as you tried to run out of the building. You heard Dabi scream out. “Y/N!!!!” You could see the fear in his eyes as he tried to propel himself towards you, but it was too late.

You hadn't reached the exit in time, nor did Dabi reach you in time. Before the whole building collapsed on you, you managed to cry out, “T-Touya..” before you got crushed by everything.

Dabi cried out, coughing as his heart was hammering in his chest and rubble surrounded the area temporarily. Once the dust and smoke had cleared, he could only see a large pile of cement and other building components. 

“No no no no no no god please no.” He cried out before rushing over, moving all the rubble to try to find you.

“God dammit you can’t do this to me! P-please..” He yelled, and after what seemed like forever of digging, he gave up. He collapsed to his knees, taking shaky breaths in and out, as he looked at his scar and grime covered hands.

Dabi could hear sirens getting near and more yelling, so he shakily stood up, then just started to scream bloody mary. He didn't think that he was saying anything in particular, but other people could tell he was: “THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! WHY THEM? WHY NOT ME?! AREN'T I THE ONE YOU WANT?! WHY DID THEY HAVE TO GET BROUGHT INTO THIS DAMMIT!” He screamed, before blue flames erupted from him, and he propelled himself through the air again off into the distance, no trace left of him besides the blue flames.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had all happened so fast too. He's hoping you didn't feel that much pain while it happened…

Dabi took another shaky breath as he stood up, walking over to his bedside table and opening the drawer, and wiped the soot on his pants before picking up the selfie you took of yourself while he had photo-bombed the background. He let out another dry, choked sob as he sat on the bed, laying down on his side while he held the picture close to his chest.

“I-I need you here with me… Y/n…”

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

First time writing angst! I wrote all of this in like under an hour cuz my brain was surging with ideas. If you have any suggestions or requests pls let me know! <3

[sketching-shark]

You used to like Bull Demon x Sun Wukong right? Could you do 76 + 85? Could also include Iron Fan or be one-sided if that's more your style

SDFAEGRTHSGRFES I literally got this ask three times so dang anon it seems you really like your Demon Bull King x Great Sage ship! Though I will say from my own end that while I personally see Sun Wukong as aroace, of all the people I have seen Sun Wukong shipped with I think pairing him with his og classic bestie made the most sense (like wow Wu Cheng'en even composed this whole poem about their ferocious fight and how tragic it was that their incredibly close friendship ended in bitterness). ANYWAY, here's an attempt at a Demon Bull King x Sun Wukong story with lots of Princess Iron Fan & the prompts of "Did They Or Didn't They" + "Innocent Physical Contact"

-----

Humans could become gods, gods could become yao, but it was vanishingly rare for a yaoguai to declare themselves equal to heaven. Learning that there was another who would so audaciously dare to rebel against the deities was what had initially attracted the self-styled goddess Princess Iron Fan to the far-away Mt. Huaguoshan. She was a xian who knew herself to be accomplished in both the martial, spiritual, and magical arts, but even with an entire mountain cave court of her own to run she felt that the existence of another who called themself a deity on Earth was well worth her personal attention. There was always the chance, after all, that a Earthly god would sooner or later make an attempt at her home and her life. Such a being, as she knew from her own character, would not be restrained by the same rules that governed the Heavenly entities.

For an immortal of her caliber it was but a short trip to Mt. Huaguoshan. It was as filled with fruits and flowers as its name suggested. It was also a scene or unbridled, yet still strangely ordered, chaos. Thousands upon thousands of yaoguai--a good half of them monkey yao--were everywhere playing, eating, fighting, lovemaking, drinking, and even studying scrolls on a multitude of different subjects under the eyes of attentive teachers, all while others practiced military drills in tight formations. Five of the monkey yaoguai who were clearly working as guards had watched Princess Iron Fan float in. One of them had dashed off as soon as she was spotted--likely to announce her presence to this so-called Great Sage Equal to Heaven--while the other four waited for her to land with polite, if cautious, deference. They greeted her as Lady Immortal, and requested that she wait for their king to come welcome her himself. Princess Iron Fan decided to play along for now. Based on what she had seen of the activity on Mt. Huaguoshan, this Great Sage would at the very least have to be quite the administrator to organize everything from food production to education for all the yaoguai who called this mountain home.

When the Great Sage arrived not long after Princess Iron Fan had made herself comfortable on a stone chair covered with high quality silk and was wondering whether she should attempt the plum wine or assorted delicacies that had been brought out for her enjoyment, he did not come alone. The self-declared goddess found herself grudgingly grateful for the impeccable manners she had been instilled with when she still resided in heaven, as she had almost snorted with surprise and mirth when she first saw the vast differences between the Great Sage and his companion. Princess Iron Fan had known before coming that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven was a monkey yaoguai, but she hadn't expected him to be so...short. His stature and slender frame made the towering, well-muscled bulk of his bull yaoguai associate seem all the more formidable.

It was something that Princess Iron Fan, carefully keeping her face pleasantly neutral though she did, couldn't help but appreciate.

The two yaoguai both greeted her with a level of enthusiasm that shocked the self-declared goddess before they flopped carelessly onto the stone seat across from her, the bull yaoguai settling back with a snort of contentment, the monkey yaoguai using his horns to swing around and seat himself on the bull yaoguai's shoulders. The monkey yaoguai--the Great Sage--stared at Princess Iron Fan for a few seconds from his perch before he gave a short chatter of knowing laughter.

"Let's have a cup of wine each, brother bull! It's best if we start this party of three by assuring our guest that nothing's been poisoned."

Princess Iron Fan felt her face heating in embarrassment from being read so easily. Still, she was a stranger in a strange land, and the easygoing hospitality of the yaoguai across from her signaled that they didn't find anything insulting about her suspicion. Rather, they both leaned forward almost eagerly, and asked her if she had come to be part of the alliance of seventy-two mountains.

She had arrived knowing that the self-proclaimed Great Sage was a monkey yaoguai. She had also gathered tales of the many friends that he made everywhere he had traveled. And if she was being honest with herself, Princess Iron Fan had come not just to potentially scope out a future enemy, but with the hope that she might be able to make a new friend.

Deciding in a flash that honesty was the best policy when it came to forging new and hopefully friendly relations, Princess Iron Fan congratulated the Great Sage for his audacity, and admitted that it was precisely that which had first prompted her, as another self-stylized Earthly deity, to make the trip to his mountain home. The bull yaoguai--who, she learned, went by Niú Mówáng-- had roared in laughter at that, and informed her with a cheeky wink that his sworn brother might be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but that he was the Great Sage who pacified it. From there the conversation and wine had flowed quickly and pleasantly. Princess Iron Fan learned many details about the alliance between seventy-two yaoguai rulers and their seventy-two mountains that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, religious name Sun Wukong, had created. She heard story after story of the exploits of Sun Wukong, Níu Mówáng, and the other five members of the sworn brotherhood, and offered a few of her own. Hours flew past in laughter, and while Princess Iron Fan had ended the party by telling a pouting Sun Wukong that she needed to consider matters further before she agreed to be part of his alliance, she could confidently say that their meeting seemed to be the beginning of a delightful relationship. That cheered the monkey right up, his good humor only getting larger when the three immortals were accosted by a pack of young monkey yao that Sun Wukong greeted enthusiastically as his grandchildren. He gave Princess Iron Fan one last wave before he let the horde tug him away, and proceeded to pull one sweet after another out of seams in his armor, the clamor of his grandchildren getting louder and louder as they all begged "Yeye Sun" for some of the treats.

Níu Mówáng watched the monkey and his young entourage leave with clear fondness before he turned back to the self-styled goddess.

"Well my Lady Immortal, what now? Are you planning to return to your own court, or shall we explore those amorous looks you have been throwing my way all evening a little further?"

Princess Iron Fan felt shocked by the bull yaoguai's bluntness into silence, long enough for Níu Mówáng's eyes to grow comically large as he fumbled through an apology for his forwardness, saying sorry that he had so terribly misread her gaze, sorry that he had assumed, sorry that he had-

"Please, you can call me Raksasi. And I think that could be a lovely way to end a delightful day."

The Demon Bull King looked so happy and grateful for her consent that Princess Iron Fan nearly laughed. She couldn't, however, help a squeal of joy and amusement when he picked her up easily and settled her on his shoulders, whispering almost conspiratorially that there was more than one way to ride a bull before setting off at an eager jog for his bedchambers.

Princess Iron Fan had been an Earthly immortal for centuries, and over that time had enjoyed a number of lovers. Yet if she was being honest with herself once again, Princess Iron Fan was coming to prefer the blunt honesty among many of the friendly more "animal" yaoguai over the strange, upsetting mind games that so frequently haunted even the closest of human and godly relations. At the very least, their willingness to express their true desires helped assure that the pain which came with misunderstanding was kept to a few embers, rather than turning into an inferno of raging and confused feelings.

---

It wasn't often that a relationship which had begin for mainly physical reasons blossomed into deep love, but it was a position that Princess Iron Fan found herself in when, years later, the Demon Bull King had greeted her marriage proposal with joyful tears and a bellowed "YES!!!!!" The bull yaoguai had been loud enough that a worried Sun Wukong, his as-you-will cudgel at the ready, had flown into the orchard Raksasi and Níu Mówáng were meeting at with his fangs bared, declaring he could turn their foe into a meat patty. All that fury quickly morphed into joy when he heard what his sworn brother had agreed to, and for all his small stature Sun Wukong was easily able to get the Demon Bull King in a headlock so that he could alternate between nuzzling his sworn brother and tousling his fur with monkey shrieks of delight. Sun Wukong even insisted that they hold at least the wedding feast at Mt. Huaguoshan, even going so far as to bring Princess Iron Fan into that sanctum sanctorum--his personal wine cellar--to convince her of the obvious benefits to choosing his mountain home over her own cave court. Eventually they compromised through the realization that there was no need to have one wedding feast when they could have several. It was a recognition that got that particular monkey off of Raksasi's back as he went to go plan at least five nights of what would be, in the Monkey King's own words "parties that will blow our collective tits clean off."

Raksasi had been happy with her life beforehand, but her upcoming marriage and all the years of friendship and love she had received made everything all the sweeter. She was a powerful xian, loved, respected (and a little feared) at her own court, a firm member of the alliance of now five hundred caves, the friend of some of the most amazing yaoguai she had ever met, and now soon to be married to the great love of her life.

And yet...and yet.

The relationship between Princess Iron Fan and the Demon Bull King had gone through many shifts, yet his relationship to the Monkey King was as strong now as it had been when she first met them. And it was clear to anyone with eyes that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven had a very close relationship, defined by constant tussling and hugging, loud parties, confidential whispers, and even bouts of them going off on adventures for two that sometimes lasted months, Sun Wukong perched confidently on Niú Mówáng's shoulder as they left the Mt. Huaguoshan cave, waving back at the cheering assembled yaoguai until they had disappeared from sight.

Raksasi knew all about this, of course. Conversation between her and her betrothed often turned towards the great deeds him and his sworn brother had accomplished (as well as their mishaps, if the bull yaoguai thought it made for an amusing tale). As it was, Raksasi had come to appreciate this part of her own relation to the Demon Bull King. Being the leader of her own court made for a very busy life, with many aspects that she had constructed according to her preferences over the centuries and which she hadn't wanted another party attempting to abruptly rearrange under the belief that romance with her allowed for anything. Indeed, her and Niú Mówáng had discussed this aspect of their upcoming married life in great detail, and had agreed that Raksasi's cave court and the Demon Bull King's grassland territory should more or less follow the systems that both yaoguai leaders had already established even after they had officially joined forces. Too abrupt a change could result in chaos for their people and for their personal lives. And that was to say nothing of the fact that they were both yaoguai centuries old, and as such as seen a multitude of relationships among their kind falling apart from too many small annoyances piling up as the years went past. The Demon Bull King and the Princess Iron Fan loved each other, but their love would be like the wind caressing the tree; their lives would be connected, but they would still stand as their own beings.

Raksasi was often left giddy in the knowledge that she had found a lover whose own desires wre so suited to her wants. But the closer her marriage to Niú Mówáng got, the more the intimate relation between her betrothed and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven became a topic of court and cave gossip. The whispers and rumors all around her started to become to intense to ignore. The Iron Fan Princess tried...no, she did trust her groom to not be dallying with another yaoguai behind her back, especially not with one with which they were both friends. But as the rumors continued to circulate over the precise nature of the Demon Bull King and Monkey King's apparently too friendly relationship, after she caught a number of her own court regarding her with pity, Raksasi felt justified in seeking reassurance.

When Princess Iron Fan was alone again with the Demon Bull King, she stopped his amorous touches by telling him about the rumors she had heard, how prevalent they had become, how much it was putting doubt on her and her betrothed's relationship. Niú Mówáng grew wide-eyed and gave a snort of surprise upon hearing all of this. It was, however, quickly followed by a thoughtful hum.

Princess Iron Fan braced herself for what might come next.

"I won't lie to you, honey. You are the love of my life...but Sun Wukong is the first one I ever felt such affection for. He...he was my best and most beloved friend for centuries before we even met you. He's been there for me through some of the hardest times in my life. And, well, you've seen him. Whether he's acting as a general or a drinking buddy, he's...he's magnificent."

Princess Iron Fan felt herself bristling a bit at this language in spite of the countless declarations of praise the Demon Bull King routinely gave to her own glory. She almost wanted Niú Mówáng to stop talking. But she wanted the truth of their relationship even more.

"Did you ever...act on your affection for Sun Wukong? Are...are you still acting on it now?"

The Demon Bull King looked absolutely crestfallen at her question, and Princess Iron Fan felt a pang of terror. She had been so worried about the possibility of her betrothed ruining their upcoming marriage with a secret affair that she had completely neglected to consider how her own mistrust might do the same. But Niú Mówáng eventually but smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, as if in silent apology for how his feelings and actions could have sparked her suspicion.

"Truth be told, I don't think he's ever even recognized my affection. And, well, once I realized that he had never shown that kind of interest in anyone, I got scared that me doing so would ruin what we have." Niú Mówáng offered Raksasi another hesitant, melancholy smile. "Truth is I'm still scared to tell anyone."

Raksasi experienced yet again the warm glow that came from understanding how much someone else trusts you to see something they'd rather have hidden. But even so, she had one more concern that, no matter how foolish it might seem she could not ignore.

"If Sun Wukong was receptive to your affections, do you...would you rather be marrying him?"

The Demon Bull King moved towards Princess Iron Fan slowly, as if scared she would fly away. But she let him pull her into a gentle hug and take a few minutes to assemble his thoughts.

"I love my sworn brother. But I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Princess Iron Fan returned her beloved's hug fully.

"Thank you. For your love, for your patience...and for the truth. I know that it can't have been easy to admit your lingering feelings, not right when we're soon to get married. So know that because you told me the truth anyway, I will treasure all the more."

Reaching up, she cupped his face and tried to pour all the love she and understanding could into her gaze. It was also to buy some time to put together one of her own less-than-standard thoughts.

"So thank you for the truth my love. But know that if...if he ever tells you that he may want to take your relationship further...I wouldn't necessarily be averse."

The Demon Bull King's eyes and nostrils grew big with surprise, but then his faced rearranged itself into an expression that was absolutely lascivious.

"Oh? You'd like our dragon and phoenix to be joined by a monkey? I didn't realize I was marrying such a lecher~."

The Iron Fan Princess screamed in mock fury before giving her love a few gentle swats with her folding fan, condemning him for a mind clearly overtaken by the lust he accused her of. The Demon Bull King just responded with a bellowing laugh and sweeping Raksasi up so that he could nuzzle her face and pepper it with kisses, his whispered words going from naughty to sweet and then back to sensual. The Iron Fan Princess was left both heated and warmed from her husband-to-be's attentions and the promises of the treats he had planned for their wedding night. Yet for her the most wonderful part of all was the blooming realization of how honest with each other they could be.

And to be honest with herself once again, she could admit to jealousy. She had never had as deep a relationship with any of her past lovers as she had found with Niú Mówáng, something that left her both joyful that he had it and terrified that he wouldn't want to be in her life forever. Even if she had nothing to worry about in terms of Sun Wukong coming between her and the Demon Bull King, the reassurance that she was the love of his life soothed the spectre of loneliness that often haunted her thoughts. She was, at any rate, very grateful that she didn't have to confront the Great Sage Equal to Heaven for making moves on her man all while pretending to be her friend. Still, Princess Iron Fan could fully admit that while it was not the same kind of adoration that she and the Niú Mówáng shared, neither Raksasi nor anyone else could deny the loyal fierceness with which Sun Wukong loved the Demon Bull King.

It was something that Raksasi could even feel a terrible gratitude for when, centuries later, the Monkey King had prostrated himself before the entirety of a Heaven he had once attempted to overthrow and managed to negotiate, using himself as a bargaining chip, Niú Mówáng's sentence of death for attempting to hinder the journey to the west down to five hundred years imprisonment.

[bagelthatwrites]

Somewhere Sunrise (Begins Another Day)

Chapter 2 - Snowed In in... Not Snowdin.

Fandoms: Undertale, Inside Job

(AO3 Link Coming Soon!)

NOTES: thank you to @maddestmewmew and @hoodie-prince-kid for beta-reading this chapter! hoo boy. this one took some elbow grease... considering i haven't written the undertale characters in a while. they're fun to write, but matching their energy is... hard. nonetheless, hope you enjoy!

~~~

Snowdin didn't have half as bad storms as this one, Papyrus had noted.

The windows had been partially spared from the wrath of the winter wonderland-esque storm, allowing him and Frisk to sit and observe on the cold winter evening, peering curiously through the window.

The snow and hail had made a blindingly white blanket across the front of the house and sprinkled the trees at the edge of the wood, creating a familiar atmosphere much like his underground home.

His brother, sans, was napping (again) so he didn't join the two in the living area, instead bunking away in his small bedroom, which they both had noted resembled the one back in Mt. Ebbot to a tee, even the infamous trash tornado sitting precisely in the exact same corner.

The tall skeleton filled his head with thoughts and monologues about the winterti-

…What's that…? Near the edge of the wood, just a few steps into the yard…?

He squinted… as a form appeared in the wind…, falling over into the snow…

And coloring it red.

He leaned more into the window to try and make out a silhouette, but of course the snowy atmosphere made it difficult to see, but he could make out a few details… checking his mental list…

A human?

"FRISK. IS IT NORMAL FOR HUMANS TO BLEED EXCESSIVELY?"

Frisk tilted their head, raising an eyebrow.

Papyrus pointed out the window to let the small human make their assessment.

•○●~~~●○•

"MOOOOOM, THERE'S A DEAD OLD LADY NEAR OUR FRONT YARD!" 

Frisk took off upstairs in a flash, sliding across the wooden floors like they were roller skating, except in their socks.

They narrowly dodged their dunkle sans down the second floor hallway, lost in the rush of getting to the goat woman!

"MOOOM!" They yelled once again!

…Toriel exited her bedroom and took her reading glasses off, cleaning them on the fabric of her collared shirt. "Frisk, my child, what's- oh!" They slid across the floor and crashed into her, the adrenaline gone now.

The 11 year old plopped down on the floor with an oomph.

"There's someone in the front yard!"

"What!?"

They jumped up and grabbed her paw to drag her downstairs.

"I'm not really sure that they're dead, but they looked pretty dead."

"Oh- oh, I see, I see…" She attempted to catch up to them.

"QUEEN TORIEL-" 

"Just Toriel-" 

"-THERE SEEMS TO BE A SITUATION! IN THE YARD!"

"I heard, Papyrus-"

"Look!" The tiny human pointed out the window.

"Frisk, there's too much snow to see-... OH DEAR ANGEL."

They were right. But…

It would be inhumane to just… leave someone out there like that.

…Hm.

~~~

Toriel closed the door shut with her hind paw. "Frisk, grab the first aid kit."

"Mom, is that-"

"They're not dead, just unconscious." 

In her arms, she held a human woman, who had a very noticeable gash on the side of her head. 

"OH DEAR… I WILL GRAB SOME… BLANKETS FOR OUR GUEST! SURELY WITH MY ASSISTANCE, THEY'LL STAY WARM! …COME ALONG, HUMAN FRISK!" Papyrus scooped up the child and rushed off with a nyeh heh!.

Toriel returned her attention to the unfamiliar person and eyes the gash. "How could someone have…"

…Hm.

How does someone just… appear, in a storm? Did she come from the woods near the mountain?? Do humans even live near the mountain???

...

The scenario brought up too many questions to handle.

Toriel set her down on the couch, causing her to stir just a bit…

"WE RETURN FROM OUR ENDEAVORS!" Papyrus announces, letting the blankets tumble onto the couch with a loud flomp!. "VIOLA."

"Oh! Thank you Papyrus."

Frisk pulled out the first aid kit, letting their mother get to work patching up the gash.

~~~

The house felt uneasy that night.

Toriel shifted on her spot on the couch, looking up from her book at the newest addition to the house.

The human still hadn’t woken up.

"...It's getting quite late, is it not? We should all be getting some rest." 

"But what about-"

"I'll stay here in the living room tonight." She assured Frisk. “Off to bed, my child."

~~~

Let’s hope the blizzard calms down soon for our characters.

What? The new human…? You want to know if the human wakes up NOW?

We’ll see. We’ll see.

After all, if she didn’t…

…we wouldn’t have a story, now would we?

[haleigh-sloth]

Back in the days we were really desperate for hrks to save us from insane social issues with his funny characters from his comic book huh hdhsgdjsajsgsh

It's been a while since I've been in that space but I do remember my own thinking back then, so I can say a potential reason I think for why, back then. Currently...well, idk.

Back then for me, and for a few others, it was less about the actual social issues part and more about the anxiety that the villains wouldn't be saved.

I think back then during 2020-era the endgame for the League wasn't SO solid and a lot of us were operating under this mindset that the League HAD to be a positive force in the story in order to be saved. It was anxiety for their endings. However in retrospect, it doesn't actually make sense for them to need to be "saved" if the story was going to uphold them as "right" or "correct". That wouldn't work, actually. The reason they need to be saved is because even if they have valid complaints about their surroundings, the only thing they're productive in doing is killing everyone else and slowly killing themselves. They aren't accomplishing ANYTHING.

For me, and the few people I talk to who also transitioned out of the fandom space, it took quite a bit of hammering in on the villains obviously being saved, and the story obviously refusing to validate their actions. I feel like at a certain point, chapter 342 for example, it became very very clear that their hearts would be saved while their actions were condemned.

Part of this comes with hero-hate too. And again, back then it was easy to just spout that hero society is corrupt (I mean it is) and that all the heroes are responsible for it (which they are not). There are still points to be made when people (me) compare the heroes to cops. Hawks's actions and role in the story weren't an accident lol. Gran Torino is not an accidental contradictory to the themes. The heroes' role being extensions of law enforcement and the notion that some of them go into the profession for god awful reasons wasn't an accident. But I think what got lost in time was the fact that the story was showing that the profession itself within the story WAS BEING REDEFINED. Hence a coming of age story focusing on kids doing better, and adults openly changing their minds (Aizawa and Tsukauchi anyone??, and even side characters like Mt. Lady who was introduced in CHAPTER ONE). So yeah, criticisms of the hero side weren't like, completely off the mark per say, because the story put them there literally in chapter ONE.

BUT it got taken WAYYYY too far to a place that just didn't belong in this manga. And then people started getting MAD.

Did I want the "LOV fighting for change" scenario at one point? Yes. But what were my reasons? I wanted them saved. AND, if people backread my blog, they'll find some pretty rancid takes. BUT one thing that has remained consistent with me is that I have always always always wanted Izuku, Ochacko, and Shouto to be the saviors of Tomura, Toga, and Touya. Even in my most raw villain stanning days, that never changed.

It just took a while for me to realize that those two ideas are pretty exclusive. The villains can't be "right" if the story is about the kids saving the villains' HEARTS. Their hearts are hurting and broken and tainted, they need to be saved. If they were ever so in their right minds to be cognizant enough to actually formulate a real plan for change, it wouldn't make sense for them to NEED SAVING. And there was only one certainty within the story immediately following the PLF war chapters: Izuku saw someone who needed saving. The story wasn't about to be like "yeah psych" and make Tomura this badass revolutionist.

I understand why these takes existed at one point. What I don't understand is how they.....still exist. When people find themselves saying "the villains are just in the wrong manga" then maybe it's less about the villains and the author and more about the reader reading the wrong manga. Stop blaming the author, like I was doing, and focus more on why you're mad and not enjoying the manga ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ best lesson I learned following this series.

Needless to say...my anxiety about the villains getting a happy ending is long gone. I'm really, really confident in how the chapters are progressing. Every chapter just feels more and more like it's hammering in the idea of the LOV getting what they want, and the heroes also getting what they want. It seems almost certain that everyone in this story will get what they want, save for the obvious antagonists who are not written to be thematically relevant, or of course the big bad AFO.

[saratogaroadwrites]

Toxic (1/3)

Toxic | saratogaroad rating: G+ wordcount: 2366 characters: Noctis Lucis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, Prompto Argentum relationships: background Promptis other tags: background relationships, Canon-Typical Violence warnings: Canon Typical Violence chapter: 1/3

-

Already hurting, Noctis takes Gladio's words to heart and makes a reckless decision, learning something of the nature of grief along the way. Gladio learns that his words can be just as deadly, if not more so, than the sword he carries.

"I was doing my job," Noctis says coolly. Prompto can feel the tension in his back, the fine tremors wracking his thin form, "isn't that what you wanted?"

Gladio pales, like someone pulled all the color clean out of him, leaving nothing but dark leather on white skin.

-

Prompt; background (one-sided? :3) Promptis included because it wrote itself in. Prom, you're hopeless.

=

"Have either of you seen or heard from Noct recently?" Ignis asks, breaking the relative silence of the Cartanica platform. Sitting beside him on a bench, the setting sun turning everything molten gold, Prompto looks up from his phone. The sounds of Kings Knight jingle from the speaker.

"Not since we got here. He said he was going back for something in the sleeping car."

"That was two hours ago," Ignis sighs in exasperation, "and neither of you has gone to check on him?"

"His Royal Highness probably fell asleep," Gladio growls as he pushes himself to stand properly instead of leaning against a light pole. "Royal pain in my ass, more like."

Ignis' shoulders go tense. Gladio is gone before he can do more than open his mouth and then he sighs, hands tightening around the head of his cane. Prompto looks back to his phone, but Kings Knight blurs as his eyes water. He swipes at them, feeling like the worlds worst best friend. Gladio and Noct have been fighting since the train left Altissia, and the atmosphere is so thick he can't stand it anymore. He's tried to step up, tried to step in, but neither has listened. He sniffles.

"Iggy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think..." he swallows around the lump in his throat, "do you think the four of us will still be friends when all of this is over?"

Ignis is silent for far too long, and when he does speak, his voice is too soft, too tired.

"I truly don't know, Prompto. I truly don't know."

A couple of tears roll down Promptos cheeks. He swipes angrily at them, leaving streaks of heat across his face. This whole trip has been a shitshow. First Insomnia, then Jared, then Lady Lunafreya, and now the bond between the four of them? What else do they have to lose before this is over?

"Noct's not on the train."

Six, no!

Prompto whirls around to sit on his knees, to see Gladio storming back from the train with storm clouds in his eyes and fists clenched tight. Beside him, Ignis has gone tense.

"Gladio?"

"I checked our bunk, the dining car, the Regalia--he's not on the train. Nobody's seen a scrawny kid on black since we got here, either."

The rest of his words turn to static in Prompto's ears as he looks out over the platform. There are no obvious Imperials here, no MTs just waiting to shock-and-snatch at their unwary prince, and the platform is full. Many of their fellow passengers have disembarked here to stretch out their legs or get some fresh air, but even among all those heads he can't see Noctis' familiar spikes anywhere. He stands, spins in a circle to look at the entire platform, only to stop and stare as his eyes turn to the lift down to the mine. The gates are closed, waiting for someone to call it up. In the rapidly darkening light, it looks almost haunted.

"You don't think he..." he can hear the others look at him, "went down to the Mine by himself, do you?"

"If he did," Gladio snarls, "I'll kick his ass."

He moves to storm past the bench, but Ignis snaps out an arm and catches him at the middle. It doesn't even knock the wind out of him.

"You'll do no such thing. We will discuss this rationally and calmly, make a plan of action, and then decide what to do."

"Iggy," Prompto wavers, "What if he is down there, though?"

"Then we will follow at first light, and no sooner." He sighs heavily when Prompto whines in the back of his throat, "The mines are twisted into a local swamp, Prompto. I am as concerned as you are, but we can't help Noct if we pursue him straight into danger."

"Not to mention he's put you into enough danger already," Gladio says. Then he chokes and steps back as, blind or not, Ignis levels him with a look cold enough to freeze fire. It is a softer look that he turns back to Prompto a moment later.

"Try to call him," he says, "though there may not be any signal down below."

Prompto exits so fast out of Kings Knight that he doesn't bother to save his progress. He hits speed-dial one, calls Noctis, but it immediately goes to voicemail. He tries again, face falling and stomach cramping, only to get the same result. The third time is not the charm and he looks up at them, at Gladio ready to kill someone and Ignis ready to snap.

"He--" Prompto can't speak around the lump in his throat. He clears it, tries again, manages to whisper, "He's not answering. I'm just getting voicemail."

Gladio snarls, "He turned it off."

"Or it is broken," Ignis counters, but his voice is no longer quite so calm. "Prompto, send him a text. See if he answers that."

"Y-yeah."

He sends something off quickly, something like 'where are you? Call me!' But with a lot of spelling errors because his fingers won't stop shaking. It sends with a ping, interrupting their last conversation about if Noctis wanted anything from some caravanside diner to go with his painkillers--Six, that was before Altissia--but there is no read receipt.

There is none, even as the minutes begin to drag. Prompto's knee bounces up and down in a stacatto rhythmn, bouncing his elbow and thus his phone held so tight in both hands the case creaks. Gladio begins to pace in front of the bench, military straight marching five steps one way, turn, five steps the other way. Ignis sits still as a statue, hands on the head of his cane and back on the bench, posture rigid. Prompto worries the inside of his lip until it burns, stomach churning.

Where is he?

Five minutes. No reply. No receipt.

Did the Empire come in plainsclothes? Do they have him? Is he waiting for a rescue they don't think he needs?

Ten minutes. Prompto looks up. Gladio is still pacing. Ignis hasn't twitched. He looks back at his phone, the text boxes blurring as his eyes keep watering.

Thirty minutes.

An hour. Gladio has stopped pacing. He stands there, unmoving as a lamp post. Prompto's phone chimes low battery at him, the screen dimming automatically to conserve itself. He shuts off all his background apps to buy every second rather than leave to get his chargepack. Ignis is so still someone might mistake him for a statue.

An hour and a half. Prompto's going to be sick. Bile, acrid and sharp, burns at the back of his throat. He starts praying to the Six, to Shiva, to Bahamut, to any one who'll listen. He begs the spirits of King Regis and Lady Lunafreya to bring Noctis back to them, to not take him just yet because Prompto still needs him, isn't ready to lose him yet and probably never will be.

Two hours. His phone shuts off with a buzz and sad little noise. He chokes on a sob and bends over the dead little device like that'll give it life again. Two strides away Gladio shifts stiffly.

"I'm going after him. If I have to drag his scrawny ass back here--"

"Enough, Gladio." Ignis says. His voice rasps from disuse. About to cry, Prompto looks at them. "This fighting has to stop."

"Who's fighting?" Gladio snorts, crossing his arms over his chest. There's something in his eyes, something Prompto isn't sure how to name. He isn't sure he wants to as Gladio continues, "He's done something else stupid and now we have to go save his scrawny ass. Like always."

"Not like always!" Prompto's chest heats up; Noctis isn't defenseless. Sure the Nifs had targetted him above the others but--he draws back as Gladio turns an unimpressed look on him, hands clenching tight around his phone.

"Yeah, like always," He repeats. He snorts hard and harsh. "We're trying to keep him safe and all he does is charge ahead--"

"Do you really think Noctis would have gone off on his own if he felt safe with you still?" Ignis looks up at Gladio, who looks suddenly as if someone's stuffed a monochrome filter over him, pale skin and dark leather. Prompto clutches his dead phone to his chest and looks between them as Ignis continues, "He is many things, Gladiolus, but stupid is not one of them. He knows very well where and when he is not wanted."

"And maybe that's for good reason!" Gladio explodes. Prompto jumps, plasters himself to the back of the bench. Ignis startles against his arm as Gladio continues, "Your uncle is dead! Prompto's parents are dead! My dad--" Gladio clenches his fists tight. Prompto's heart flips in his chest.

"That's not Noct's fault--" Prompto says, only to flinch back and hunch his shoulders as Gladio turns that look on him; it's not hared, Prompto doesn't think, but anger. Hurt. They're all hurting. Gladio's just broken first. Prompto trembles as he shakes his head, "It's not...Gladio it's not..."

"He hasn't done a damn thing to fix it, either--"

"That's quite enough!" Ignis turns his gaze to Gladio, narrowing his sightless eyes. "Arguing about this isn't going to solve or help anyone."

"But he--"

"Noctis has lost his father, his kingdom, and now a dear friend in the span of less than a month." He stands stiffly, then begins to walk forward to where Gladio stands. "He needs time, and when he is ready he will move forward."

"We can't wait for him to be ready!" Gladio counters, "We waited around for him and look what happened! Lady Lunafreya's dead, you're blind, and he still--"

"He is still our King!" Ignis shouts, taking a step towards Gladio. Prompto makes a noise behind them, unused to Ignis yelling when they're out of battle, but Ignis presses forward. "And before that he has been our friend." He reaches out, grabs a handful of leather, and pulls himself up until he probably can feel Gladio's breath across his face, standing as close as he dares. "We have all lost, Gladio. Your mourning for your father is no less important than Noctis mourning for his, or for Lady Lunafreya. This fighting must end."

Gladio is silent. Prompto is silent. Heart pounding he counts the seconds, fifteen, twenty, thirty...then Ignis sighs and lets go.

"I do not blame Noctis for my injury," he says quietly, "and I will survive losing my sight. But losing any of you..." He sighs, and Prompto gathers enough courage to walk over and rest a hand on Ignis' shoulder. "Do not ask this of me, Gladio. Please."

"Ig, I..."

"What's everyone yelling about?"

Ignis goes stiff beneath Prompto's hands. Gladio looks up and stares with wide eyes. Prompto turns around, tears already blurring his vision.

"Noct!"

Noctis looks terrible. His jacket is missing, his shirt and pants are torn and covered in equal measure mud and monster guts, his hair is mussed beyond what even sleep could do, and his face is covered in a mix of sweat, mud, and blood from a cut just above his eyes. Even at this distance, Prompto can tell he doesn't smell very good.

He doesn't care. Staring at Noctis in the golden light of a lamp, he's never seen a sight as beautiful as this.

"Noct!" He shouts again, throwing himself at his best friend with arms outstretched. Noctis jumps but catches Prompto anyway--he really does stink--and they both laugh as the momentum spins them around. Noctis' back bends and Prompto leans back, takes his friend's weight, and revels in the fact that he is breathing, even if he's stinky and fever warm beneath his fingers. "You're okay!"

"Of course I am," Noctis smiles, and Prompto's stomach does a flip for a whole other reason. "What, were you worried?"

Prompto chokes, gets out a breathless dude, but then Ignis speaks over him.

"Are you unharmed?" Ignis asks. Noctis grimaces, turns his head and spits. In the dim light Prompto can't tell if that was blood or something else, but when he turns back Noctis' teeth are stained both red and black.

"...I wouldn't turn down a potion." His back tenses. Prompto's stomach roils in sympathy because that's the same way his back does when his guts are trying to eat him alive. "Or an antidote. Malboros suck." Gladio and Ignis both choke. Prompto stares.

"You--" he looks up and down his best friend, and when he takes more of Noctis' weight the prince does not hesitate to lean on him. "You took on a Malboro? By yourself?!"

"It was blocking the way into the tomb." Noctis shrugs like he's talking about watering a houseplant, "and it had nothing on Ardyn."

Gladio stumbles back, nearly crashes into the bench. He's pale when Prompto turns to give him a wide-eyed look of alarm. Ardyn was here and they didn't--he could have killed Noct and they wouldn't have--the thoughts seem to strike something in Gladio because he reaches back to grasp the bench, suddenly unsteady.

"You took on Ardyn by yourself?" He asks in an uncharacteristically small voice, "What were you thinking?"

"I was doing my job," Noctis says coolly, with none of that warmth he just gave to Prompto, and somehow that's worse than if he yelled. Prompto can feel the tension in his back, the fine tremors wracking Noctis' thin frame, see the ashen edge sinking in to his complexion. He's already digging into his pockets for a potion as Noctis finishes, "that's what you wanted, isn't it?"

Gladio rears back as if struck, all the color leeched out of his skin. Noctis breathes in deep, nostrils flaring, and then looks at Ignis.

"When does the train leave?"

"At dawn," He says quietly, almost lost in thought, as he stands. "We had best get aboard. Our supplies are still with our things, and you could doubtlessly benefit from rest."

Prompto helps Noctis hobble towards the train, looking back at Gladio following in their footsteps, pale as a ghost. Now his stomach really roils; the yelling may have stopped, but this is just so much worse.

[zombiee-reviews]

Rogio X Ranach Discussion.

Welcome to the clown show ladies and gents! I wanted to begin my thread on my opinion(s) of Rogio and Ranach, tapping into why Rogio playing victim makes no sense in the story.

Side note: I’m currently on Tumblr Mobile and it limits my picture usage on threads, so I will only be posting pictures I feel are relevant and link page numbers to other ones.

To start, here we have Rogio and Kargo in a huge disagreement. Rogio claims that the relationship between him and Ranach was pure abuse and that he was under Ranach’s control. Let me show you why I feel this is false.

Here, Ranach asks Rogio something, which ends up being Rogio poisoning the Jarls meal. ( Can be seen on page 101 ) Thing that bothers me most here is how hugged up Rogio is on Ranach. You would think that if Ranach is giving Rogio an order, ( on the subject of Rogio claiming he was under Ranach’s control ) why is Rogio willingly saying “Anything” in response and not showing any fear? If Ranach is the big, bad abuser that Rogio claims late comic, I would think that Rogio here, in this page, would show lots and lots of fear.

Later in the comic, after Ranach leaves Rogio for dead, was the turning point for Rogio to become a “victim”. The hilarious thing here is, Rogio has overpowered Ranach numerous times. Evidence of this can be found on pages 100, 101, 135. So why on page 416 is Rogio acting like seeing Ranach is going to be the end of his world? And to top this off, there is literal zero evidence of Ranach ever “abusing” Rogio. That’s right, zero.

Another interesting thing that caught my attention, was Kargo’s interactions with Rogio in the beginning.

This got me thinking, who knows Rogio best out of all the current characters? Kargo. Kargo grew up in MT, same time Rogio was rescued and stayed willingly in MT. If Rogio claims that Ranach was so abusive and not a good fit, why would Kargo say these things about Rogio and Ranach? Especially on the topic of Rogio becoming Ranach’s Baron, it’s obvious Rogio has talked highly about becoming Ranach’s Baron, otherwise why would Kargo say “Seems you always got what you yearned for.” Anyone who is in an abusive relationship, especially when they can very easily leave, would not want to become their “abusers” second hand in a Tribe.

Then, on page 370 ( this whole page itself is a meme ) Kargo admits to Roamer that Rogio only returned to MT to be with Ranach once more. Further showing that Rogio and Ranach have shown Kargo their love for each other, otherwise why would he say things like this?

Then of course came the time when Ronja came in.

Is that jealousy I see from Rogio? Hmmmm.

Even right after Ranach announces Rogio becoming the Baron, look at that shit eating grin he has! And then when he slaps him with Ronja becoming a Viscountess, look at the instant mood change. Here, he shows more jealously.

Here on this page, we have quite the interesting interaction between Rogio and Ranach. To start, the first thing Rogio is upset about is the fact he’s serving underneath Ronja. He’s not upset about nothing else except that, which gives me more evidence towards the jealousy he has towards Ronja. Then he states that “You made me believe it was gonna be you and me.” Again, this statement leads me to believe that they have talked about a potential future together. They obviously planned on running the tribe together and this could have been Rogio’s driving point to kill Ranach’s father, under Ranach’s command. Anyway, while this might be little evidence of Ranach being a terrible partner with lying, it in no way should affect Rogio in making him sit out while the whole Avanti and Ranach situation was going on. Plus, Rogio was a Baron once more, but a rather useless one.

Then the conversation carries out to Rogio explaining in a rather intimate manner of Ranach and how Rogio views him. We also have another page of Rogio giving the same speech here.

When reading this the first time, you could really feel the passion and love that Rogio has for Ranach, he doesn’t want things to end. It could also be argued that he was trying to save his own tail in this situation, spoon feeding Ranach a bunch of bull so he can live. Wouldn’t that be a little manipulative of him?? Hm.

Again though, this isn’t the first time Rogio has explained how he views Ranach in intimate depth, I mean it really tells me that Rogio loves Ranach deeply and would love for the relationship to continue. But, when Ranach sacrifices him to Vjall(?) it’s almost like Kique uses this as a driving point for Rogio to cry abuser at Ranach. And yet, their whole relationship seems rather willing and consensual, I damn well might say even loving?

So why is Rogio acting like his relationship with Ranach was the worse thing ever? If anything, Rogio had the red carpet pushed out for him by Ranach. Kique just needed something to give Rogio a reason to not see Ranach and further drag out the comic so he could steal more of his patrons money.

Rogio was never seen to be abused or controlled in his relationship with Ranach. If anything, Rogio is a giant pile of you know what for betraying Kargo in the first rebellion and not assisting with slaves getting away. Rogio was perfectly content being at Ranach’s side, if he was so abused like he claims then why didn’t he run off during this first rebellion? Anyone who undergoes true relationship abuse would jump on the first train out of there. And yet, Rogio didn’t do squat.

In conclusion, don’t buy anything Rogio says, he willingly stayed with Ranach and showed no intention/ interest in leaving him in the beginning. He wanted to serve the Tribe beside Ranach for christs sake. Anything said about Rogio and Ranach from now on is just fuel for Kique to give reasons for everyone to feel bad for Rogio, but truly none of feel bad at all. He didn’t do anything to save the females in MT, he just wanted Ranach’s dong.

[thequietmanno1]

Thelreads, MHA 271, Replies Part 1

1) “But it seems like we`ll be focused on Tokoyami, if the tittle and this page is anything to go by. Tokoyami, who just managed to break free from Fatgum`s quirk. Damn boy, you really want to stop KFC from happening, do you?”-  Since you missed the rescue page of Tokoyami jumping in at the last moment to save hawks, this was a mini-flashback showing how he got there in time. I appreciate that Fatgum didn’t actually let him charge back into a dangerous battlefield when he was charged with protecting him and the kids, but instead underestimated how strong Tokoyami actually is with Dark Shadow 2) “what you think they are gonna do? sit around and be safe? stay out of trouble? hell fucking no, they are gonna rush straight towards danger, because they want to happen.

by the time you actually reach Tokoyami you`ll look back and see that those three are right behind you.”- It’s actually a good thing they didn’t, or they’ve have been crushed by Mt lady’s flying bulldozer of a derriere. Sometimes, Lacking Izuku’s instinct to throw himself headfirst into danger is a good thing for future heroes to have. 3) “Oh, now we have the cover page…

Well, it is a pretty cool one, not gonna lie. It`s from the ED au where they are fantasy characters, right? I remember the whole Ida as a knight, uraraka as a magician, Shoto as prince stuff. It was awesome, and god I wish we could have that manga as well

hori pls we need it”- Another mangaka called Hiro Mashima has released about 3-4 different series’ worth of characters that are all in some form mainly reskins of his prior characters in the preceding title, so I could actually see Horikoshi doing something similar with this, seeing at it seems to be a fairly popular concept. 4) “And now Dabi is going to try to cause some more emotional damage to me, and destabilize Tokoyami by pointing at the corpse thrown to the side and going “hey look, want to guess which top hero killed this fucker here, i`ll give you three shots.””- It might also be a tactic to try and buy himself more time for a cooldown, but I found it noticeable how Dabi did seem genuinely off put that the heroes were including kids in their battle strategy, and decided to take the time he needed trying to break this kid’s faith in those he looked up to. I got the sense that he’d already recharged enough by the time Tokoyami was trying to cool down Hawks’ back, especially since he was willing to take a little scorching himself to unleash the necessary finishing blow, but he deemed it actually more important to try and break the idea of a hero inside an enemy rather than rushing to finish them off, almost like he wanted to drag Hawks down not just physically or mentally, but also to those who personally knew him.

   (MHC ch 267) 5) “NOW KID, DON`T MIND THE BODY LYING THERE WITH A SWORD HOLE ON HIS BACK, WE CAN EXPLAIN THAT LATER.”- Dabi will be happy to monologue about it for as long as it takes him to recharge for another blast. 6) “oh fuck you dabi, you want to tell him who was the one that pushed Twice into this knowing what was gonna happen? the one that knew was hurt and yet made him go out there and fight?

Hawks pulled the trigger, but I guess you don`t want to tell who aimed the gun, right? And unfortunately, that dirty trick is going to work, because if there was one thing that tokoyami would never expect would for his idol to kill someone, even a villain.”- ‘Heroes don’t kill’ is a concept that is idealism at its finest, and Dabi is happy to exploit any situation he’s in to prove how even those heroes who want to do good and abide by the rules as much as possible are only human, and will break them when it benefits them, uncaring that they’re still worthy of admiration despite that flaw, as it’s only a last resort.

7) “Oh, we`re gonna have an evil breaking speech? Alright, that gives enough time for Fatgum and his troupe to show up, keep it coming Dabi, you`re doing amazing.”- Time enough for Dabi to charge up enough to unleash enough firepower to finish of Tokoyami and anybody else who came to the rescue too. Back in Deika city, Twice vetoed the idea of unleashing a small crowd of Dabis because of how little the original demonstrably cares for collateral damage. If it benefitted him, he’d unleash a hellfire blast that’d incinerate his ‘allies’ in the PLF, just so long as it was guaranteed to catch his targets in it – hell, that’s exactly the tactic he used with Twice and Hawks.

8) “Alright, at least you haven`t lashed out in anger, that`s good.”- And the thing that puts Dabi on the attack and makes him try to kill Tokiyami, and otherwise unrelated hero to him, isn’t just that he’s rescuing hawks, but that he refuses to give up on believing in him even after hearing of the bad things he’s done. To that end, Dabi willingly takes on a little self-burning just for a guaranteed shot at killing a teenagers who still maintains his idealism even in the face of grim reality.

9) “Well, that was expected. It was not like Dabi would pass the chance of killing a kid and claiming the moral high ground.”- He actually might have, if Tokoyami had fallen for his manipulations and had his faith in hawks shattered by it. I got the impression he really was willing to halt the attack, since he’d gotten some kind of achievement from events already, and calls it off once they’re far enough out of rnage, but pressed onwards for the personal satisfaction of killing Tokoyami when he didn’t lose faith in his hero.

10) “What is it Hawks? Extra dip of ketchup? Don`t worry, it shall be done- Ah no, wait, you want Dabi to keep monologuing? Are you hoping for backup?”- I like that Dabi’s chatterbox tendencies aren’t just a means of him trying to break his enemies psychologically, but also a means of him buying time to properly use his self-destructive abilities for an extended period. @thelreads

[bokunoheroanalysisforthefuture]

Part two of the chapter, featuring the OTHER declaration of war, as well as Izuku starting to take this sports festival seriously now that he’s found his motivation to win again.

[No. 23 - Roaring Sports Festival]

Izuku’s narration talks about how everyone was determined to give it their all, so each of them prepared in their own way. The two weeks just flew right by. In order from top right to bottom left, we see Tenya running while listening to music (he’s got the small in-the-ear headphones), Mineta standing in his room holding a fake trophy and waving, Katsuki training his quirk (I think), Kirishima throwing some punches, Kaminari charging himself from a charger, Tsuyu doing some swimming, Jirou whipping her ear jacks around, Momo studying out of a book, and Izuku doing bicep curls. 

We transition back to where we were at the start of the chapter, with the media crowds waiting outside the UA gate. The reporter woman complains about how the security check is taking forever. Her cameraman says there’s no helping it, since UA is on guard after the villain attack, and a lot of people are speaking out against the event this year. The reporter hypes herself up, stating that controversy means higher ratings for them, and at the center - class 1-a!

God, I just feel so bad for the 1-a kids… they didn’t ask for all this attention and drama around them, they just got shoved into the limelight immediately and were never allowed to leave it. They aren’t even a month into heroics, and there’s already controversy around them. Like. The FUCK, people. 

Anyways. There’s fireworks going off over UA as… someone? The narration? Present Mic? Restates that today’s the day of the sports festival. We transition to the crowds heading into the school, with food stalls along the path to entice customers. 

Kamui Woods (I presume?) talks about how the third years usually take center stage, given that they can use their greater experience and strategy to give their all for their last chance, but all eyes are on the first years this year. He then laments not being able to doing some scouting himself. Death Arms says what can they do, they’re on security detail. Mt. Lady, walking in front of them and eating out of a dumpling box, notes that it looks like UA called in pro heroes from all over the country - this year, anyways. 

...also wow I just realized, Kamui Woods mentioning that usually third years get the most attention because they have the most experience and can make the best show for their final attempt. Remember who's in third year? Mirio.

Nighteye, already slighted once because his choice of successor for OFA was shot down by All Might, instead given to some quirkless brat. And then! When Mirio finally has his chance to shine and prove himself better in his final year and perhaps get All Might to change his mind with the showing... there's the attack on 1-a, and everyone is focused on the first years and all but ignoring the third, thus meaning that Mirio's showing is basically all for naught.

And of course, how does Izuku respond to having 'Mirio's spotlight'? Using All Might's quirk so sloppily that he injures himself, and then fails to even win the sports festival despite the fact that he has All Might's quirk and therefore should be capable of winning with that power. He looks at Izuku, whose entire focus in his fight with Shouto is to save him from himself, and dismisses him as not good enough to hold One For All because he didn’t collect a shiny medal at the end.

Wow, this sports festival must have just been another point of resentment for Nighteye, and it never even comes up in canon, but. Yikes.

[Insert long and rambling aside in the discord about BNHA narrative meta.]

Anyways, while they’re busy with all that. Back to the manga. 

We transition to the 1-a prep room. Tenya is being himself as he checks to see if everyone is ready, since the event is about to begin. Mina, sitting at one of the tables, complains about how she wishes she could have worn her costume. Ojiro says costumes aren’t allowed, in the interest of fairness. To the side, we see Izuku standing and trying to keep himself calm, looking hella nervous about what’s coming. Mineta is next to him trying to tell him (or himself) to keep it together.

Shouto approaches him, calling his name to get his attention. Izuku pulls himself together and asks what’s up. Katsuki immediately notices and turns to pay attention as the two talk. Shouto states that, objectively speaking, he’s stronger and more capable than Izuku. Izuku jolts and gives a nervous agreement. Shouto goes on to mention how All Might has his eye on Izuku; Izuku is a bit shook as Shouto says he’s not going to pry into why that is, but he will beat Izuku.

Honestly, the fact that he says he’s not going to pry, and then literally a few hours later (in-universe) he ends up prying, is kind of hilarious. 

Katsuki’s ticked off, while Kaminari comments on Izuku getting a declaration of war from the strongest in the class. Kirishima heads over to Izuku and Shouto, asking why Shouto’s picking a fight right when they’re about to go out. Shouto shrugs off Kirishima’s hand, saying he doesn’t care, he’s not pretending to be anyone’s friend here. 

Izuku says nothing for a moment, looking down, thinking about his reply. When he does speak, he says he isn’t sure why Shouto feels the need to tell him he’ll beat him - Shouto is clearly stronger, and Izuku can’t measure up to most of the others in skill here, objectively speaking, even. Kirishima tries to offer comfort, telling Izuku not to be negative, but Izuku cuts back in as he thinks about Shinsou, and then the beach and his determination to become the strongest hero - everyone, even the kids from the other courses, are aiming for the top. And Izuku is not going to fall behind.

Shouto looks a bit surprised at this turn of confidence, but accepts it. Meanwhile, Katsuki continues to sit there and stew in resentment at I guess everything about the convo. 

Finally, we transition to the kids heading into the arena, Present Mic hyping up his announcement of them coming out onto the field. The crowds are all waiting for them to step out. Inko is at home watching on the TV. Izuku thinks again about Toshinori’s call to arms, to tell the world he is here - and now, he’s planning on fulfilling that call.

What a chapter. Sorry I took so long to get this part done, Real Life happened. But yeah, next time we get into the first event! See y’all then!

[kitorin]

little drabbles based off lantern rite interactions

characters. xiao, ganyu, shenhe x reader (all separate) a/n. these aren't quest based, if you look around Liyue you can see and interact with some playable characters

work under the cut !!

xiao

As Liyue was busily preparing for the upcoming festival, you made your way to pay Pervases a visit, wanting to let the deceased yaksha know Liyue was getting ready for another beautiful, lively festival. On your way there you noticed a familiar figure, squinting, you noticed it was Xiao, you also had a message you wanted to convey to him"

"Xiao ! "

"Y/N"

Cold and collected like always, but a look of worry was on his face.

"Is everything alright?" Concerned, you tried to check up on him.

"The fireworks have warded off demons. Pervases, certainly would've been happy about that,"

Your heart sank, hearing about one of the yakshas, who were all gone except for Xiao himself. Before you could try to comfort him, he spoke again.

"You're here to try to convince me to go to Liyue Harbour, for the fireworks, aren't you?"

"Ahahaha, you got me there..." As if he read your mind, he perfectly predicted your goal, catching you off guard, "You should join us though, Keqing and others worked hard to set everything up,"

Xiao gazed up at the night sky, closing his eyes, exhaling, "I can see them from here, besides, I'm not one to enjoy human crowds. I don't really belong with them either.." The last few words were particularly quiet, as he mumbled them out shyly.

"If that's what you wish for, that's fine, but you're always welcome at Liyue Harbour," You grinned, trying to cheer him up, "You've done so much for Liyue, everyone would adore you, you've done so well,"

Xiao hastily turned away, covering the soft pink that was dusted on his cheeks, you giggled at this reaction, finding how flustered he was so adorable.

"C'mon, we can tell Pervases together, Wang Ping'an built his shrine down other there, he'll have enough incense,"

"Wait-"

You halted, curious about why he stopped you. Your head tilted in confusion.

"If it is with you, I do not mind going to the harbour. I cannot guarantee anything, but I'll do my best, since you asked"

ganyu

Exhausted, and panting, you finally made your way up Mt. Aocang, where Cloud Retainer resided. You had found another gadget that would've fascinated her, and decided to gift it to her for her service to Liyue. Sore and tired, you leaned on the side of the mountain, trying to catch your breath.

"Oh, Y/N, Happy Lantern Rite !! Are you alright?"

You recognised the sweet voice of the half adepti, making you grin, as you returned her wave.

"I hope you're doing alright, don't be like me, always worried... I was going to assist preparation in Yujing Terrace, but Lady Ningguang insisted I go on vacation, as it is a festival to connect with family and friends,"

"Seems great," You were happy Ganyu was finally taking a break, you were always worried about her overworking herself "Are you spending time with Cloud Retainer?"

Ganyu ruffled the hair on the back of her head, "Well, if I spent this vacation with Cloud Retainer, she'd soon ask me things like "How has your career been this year?" or "Any new crushes one should know about?"..."

"Ahhh I see... Anyways got a crush at the moment?"

"Ahh-" Blush bloomed on her face, flustered, she tried to speak, "What- Don't you start as well-!"

You kept playfully teasing her, "Ooh is it the Yuheng? Or maybe even Tianquan? Or-" Before you could list another title, Ganyu tightly wrapped her arms around you. You could feel how hot she was, and how her skin was burning.

"You. I like you..." Your eyes widened, "Besides your teasing... Being with you makes me happy, and how you let me get things off my chest, from the bottom of my heart, thank you"

shenhe

'Woah.." A gasp left your lips as your admired the beauty of the Harbour, all the dazzling decorations and bright lanterns, bringing back memories of the previous year's festival. You spotted Shenhe's tall and slim figure. As you made your way to her, she observed her surroundings.

"Shenheeee !"

"Liyue Harbour is brighter than Mt. Aocang at day..." She whispered under her breath, "I wasn't used to this at first, but I learnt this is how it looks every year. Afterall everyone smiles when Lantern Rite is talked about. Like this," Shenhe's lips curved into a grin, crimson eyeliner defining her eyes, with genuine happiness painted on her face.

Her smile made your heart warm, knowing how she's getting used to human life, "Yes, like that !"

"Will you be staying for good now, Y/N?" She returned to her usual stoic expression.

"Only for the festival, I have a lot of travelling to do," You replied, wishing you could stay with her.

Her smile returned, despite knowing you'd be leaving soon, "It was nice to see you,"

"I'll be back, don't worry," You reassured her, "I just have a lot to do, once that's over I'll be back, okay?"

"I believe you, but if only the Lantern Rite could continue indefinitely,"

[bibibbon]

The exploitation of women and the appeal to make them look sexier is something that brought up a lot in mha but due to the lack of female characters having a prominent role in the series and due to the lack of world building this introduced issue is never really resolved or dealt with accordingly in the series.

Chapter 34.5 shows us an interview between midnight and mt lady specifically how the emergence of midnight the 18+ hero had changed society and heavily infulenced the 18+ fanservice side of hero society specifically for women.

This chapter and many other instances whether that be momo's internship, mineta's degrading comments or the situation surrounding the wild wild pussycats have all shown that in hero society women are treated as almost objects. With female heroes there is a huge focus on what they could physically bring to the table, their beauty seems to be a focus point for them even in horikoshi's annotations of the girls hero costumes like toruu he described it as "fully nude" or momo showing cleavage was "sexy" even though these are minors hero society seems to push them into this role where they need to act a certain way to be at the level of their male counterparts.

Conversations like midnight's age of only 31 being considered old wouldn't happen to a male hero but causes such a chaotic environment when brought up for females. While this is an overall issue that all parts of the world deal with its a shame that horikoshi never fully tackled the issue he introduced and continually underutilised his female cast.

Hi, so about my besties au...thanks to many excellents metas, I will try to change some chapters bc I think the pussycats are problematics or something closer. Pixieboob was weird with Izu, while you could chuckle as "lol she is an old woman who thinks she is still young" is creepy how we do have a second time a female hero is being creepy with a teen

(in besties au she will not be a girl's girls and see Izumi as competition)

But here my question: what the pussycats were meant to teach the students?

I know Mr. Sexyman ruined the program but...what was the program? Bc send kids to the camp was a bad call even if Mr. SEXYMAN didn't want to recruit BK. (Shiga attacked UA and it was thanks to a miracle, Izu and AM that nothing worse happened...I could give credit to Aizawa but he should have died or face worse)

And then we can add further....what the pussycats do as heroes? Someone said unsure if is canon or not ...how they are rescue heroes (the split of heroes makes no sense to me bc heroes would all try to save and rescue others) and what is the difference?

What the pussycats can teach that requires everyone to go to a camp? UA is a big place that has fake cities.

Someone (thr0) gave the idea how the pussycats were being accommodated towards Kota as he is not happy about heroes...if it's true, it's commendable they aren't forcing him to go but ...well, why insist in calling them?

Yes in Japan, idols are a big thing.

MHA is set in japan

But aside that...what are the pussycats?

Also, to finish: remember that line when one of the pussycats said "we have an even number of students, someone will be alone" and Izu, ofc, is alone. (Not blaming them for this that's on A1 being shitty) But ...it strikes as odd as defeats the purpose of teaching and let the kids bond (if that was the idea)

Say in A1 has 41 students (I don't even know how many kids there and I don't care) and the pussycats were expecting just 40. Well, make 2 groups where group A has 20, group B has 21. Everyone is included.

Again, what the fuck they were supposed to learn?

Hi @mikeellee 👋

It's definitely a great idea to play around with your characterisation of the pussycats especially because there is so little to them and they could be used to further improve the world building of mha.

The pussycats being problematic could be a great plot point having them be another example of the deep flaws of hero society. The pussycats are a hero group but they are also entertainers. They are entertainers first and heroes second and in my opinion that's evident in the way they present themselves with costumes that seem to be for show and nor suitable for fighting.

However, that doesn't mean that the pussycats can't fight or don't have valuable quirks like Tomoko's quirk search which was so conventional and valuable that all for one had to get his hands on it. The pussycats must of also been powerful to have held a title and job as heroes for a good number of years but maybe this is might be based on their public relations then their actual hero work.

That's to say the pussycats are problematic whether that be one of the members acting weird towards the boys in 1A but reducing it all to a mere gag.

While I do understand that this just like midnight's behaviour is all apart of their hero image and and act its worse that heroes who are in the 18+ category or well near that category would still do and say things like this to minors.

You also have mandalay and her questionable guardianship of kota. It's nothing like the others but I don't think that mandalay gave kota the support he needed and if that it due to her job ad a hero that further emphasises the point of the tough conditions there is to being a hero and the toxic standards.

Ultimately, making the pussycats have problematic elements that are highlighted within their character is a great idea.

Moving on to your second enquiry the ua training camp arc was supposed to do exactly that train the hero students by having them figure out their own weaknesses and letting them figure out what they want to focus on. While there are skills where everyone can develop like agility and strength which have been tested and were tested the moment they arrived.

The other days were spent on quirk strength and each individual stretching themselves to develop a better stamina.

Now you might say but why were the wild wild pussycats the ones to help them with this? And all I have to say is that I think that they are the ones in charge of the forest and they were probably the most available heroes at the moment to take care of the students.

I still think that It would of been better if each individual student got to try and get work experience in a hero agency through the summer and those that couldn't would be able to attend the summer camp. However, that wouldn't work or help the plot so it's understandable that this route wasn't taken.

1A has 20 students and 1B has around the same number. The mha summer camp could of been great to show the classes bonding and having 1b maybe understand what 1A went through and that they aren't stuck up at all. I think even if izuku was left alone it would of been nice to pair him up with someone from 1B like yangi who thinks he is creepy and cool and we could have them interact or just have izuku bond with 1B. That's not meaning that he isn't bonding with 1A but we need more 1B content in my opinion.