#even if these people don't turn out to actually be brawlers i still liked them

[riiye02]

WKBRL Transcript Part 4

As seen in this video This post will cover the 10th hour to the 12th, ending the first part!

10:03:39 (Music gets reversed) -[Smile Person, reversed. I think it says]: "Isn't happiness easy?"

10:06:24 -[Smile Person, reversed]: "What you are hearing is how it feels when you feel happy."

10:07:21 (Music stops) -[Introducer Person]: "Start tomorrow tomorrow. Start your day right now with me, a real live person who plays popular radio music, on the WKBRL." (Celebratory music plays, not reversed anymore)

10:20:08 (Music stops, news and weather intro plays:) -[News and Weather]: "News! Weather. News! Weather. News! Can you believe this weather? Weather. News! Weather. News. Have you heard the news? WKBRL news, and weather." (Jingle plays) "Live from Starr Park! This is the news and weather report from a news and weather person." -[News and Weather Person]: "Hello, and good day. I'm anchor name here. Or am I? The last thing I remember is news-" (News and weather outro plays while News and Weather Person is talking) "- outro cuts him o- Hmm? Oh. Yes, ha, I see what you did." (News and Weather outro stops) "Oh, thank you. I am a puppet." (Celebratory music plays)

10:32:10 (Music stops, KairosTim theme plays) -[KairosTim Person]: "Hello, fellow Brawlers! KairosTim would like to remind you that there is no better, safer way of wearing your Starr Hat than wearing it all the time. Even when you sleep. Even when you shower. Even when you try on another hat. This is Kairos!" (Celebratory music plays)

10:40:20 (Music stops) -[Introducer Person]: "You are tuned to WKBRL and because of that, you've won! And now, we must sing! We must sing! We must sing directly into the microphone or they won't know that we are singing because you won and therefore are happy." (Celebratory music plays)

10:43:09 (Music stops, jingle plays) -[Smile Person]: "This is your reminder to smile!" (Jingle plays, celebratory music starts)

10:53:39 (Music stops) -[Intermission Person]: "That was an hour of uninterrupted victory. I hope you feel it in whatever skin you're wearing. I hope your feet are marching in the correct direction. I hope you keep it tuned right here to WKBRL. And don't make the mistake of leaving!" -[People]: "WKBRL! The voice that hears you." (Echoes) -[Introducer Person]: "Up next, we will find happiness in the limitlessness of space. Our origin. Let's go back there, together." (Space music plays)

11:00:56 (Music stops and jingle plays) -[Smile Person]: "This is your smile reminder! Smile. Smile! Smile! Smile. Smile. Smile. Smile. Smile! SMILE. SMILE! SMILE! SMILE. There. That's better." (Jingle plays and space music resumes)

11:13:30 (Music stops) -[Intermission Person]: "Project yourself onto the outer reaches of the infinite galaxy. With laser focus, you can find yourself shining brighter than any star there never was. Because you're tuned in to WKBRL. And you, are drifting… through…" -[Distorted]: "space…" (Space music plays)

11:19:55 -[Smile Person]: "Technology has been domesticated to meet your insatiable appetite for fun."

11:40:07 (Music stops, news and weather intro plays:) -[News and Weather]: "News! Weather. News! Weather. News! Can you believe this weather? Weather. News! Weather. News. Have you heard the news? WKBRL news, and weather." (Jingle plays) "Live from Starr Park! This is the news and weather report from a news and weather person." -[News and Weather Person]: "Hello, and good day. I'm definitely anchor name here, and this is the news. This just in, everything is perfect! Ha haha, soo perfect. Too perfect, pfft- if you really think about it, hahah… Where the weather at?!" (News and Weather outro plays:) -[News and Weather]: "News! Weather. News! Weather. That was news, and weather." -[Introducer Person]: "This commercial free hour of space jams is made possible by the Ogawa Roofing company. Ogawa Roofing has not been fixing roofs for decades. Because there's been zero roof trouble to speak of whatsoever. No fiery objects have landed in the middle of any roofs that Ogawa knows of, but their roofers are always at the ready and happy to help if and when your roof collapses under the weight of a gigantic robotic foot, which it won't! But if it does, call Ogawa today." (Space music plays)

11:53:43 (Music stops and KairosTim theme plays) -[KairosTim Person]: "KairosTim here, and I have a riddle for you! What's fake, and not real, but says that he is real, but is fake? That's right, fake Kairos! Click, like and subscribe to the REAL Kairos. KairosTim." (Space music plays)

[fruitgumy]

Do you have any head canons for the shigaraki twins???

the ones i have are mostly silly and unserious fhsjskak but yes!!

1. i like to pretend that the captain hero comics are actually captain america, and the "demon king" is red skull. that's just cause i personally love captain america lol but considering all might is a mix of superman and captain america it is kind of thematically relevant. i like to imagine afo was a little bit thrilled at the idea of having the chance to defeat a hero like him.

2. a little while after afo killed the luminescent baby, yoichi was briefly successful in attempting to get afo to live a semi normal life. afo tried to stop committing crimes for yoichi's sake, but ended up just doing it behind his back instead because he didn't think it was that big of a deal. yoichi finds out and the betrayal is one of the major turning points in their relationship

3. yoichi likes kpop. like, he's a full on kpop stan. but he also likes music in general, and loved to go to shows. afo hated it, and stood on the sidelines looking awkward and terrifying and generally killing the vibe.

4. in another world where quirks don't exist, they both are just really into larping and roleplaying games. yoichi always plays a physically imposing fighter/brawler, and afo plays a wizard or warlock. they are both very chaotic in their roles.

5. yoichi is an artist, and he's really good at it too. his favorite subjects are the abandoned buildings he grew up in. he likes how nature is reclaiming the dilapidated structures. it reminds him that there's still hope even in their bleak little world.

6. afo robs people for presents to bring back to yoichi. at first, he says that he found them, but as they get older yoichi stops buying this excuse and starts refusing the gifts.

7. they both like sanrio even though they'd never admit it to anyone, or even each other.

8. the first time they get their own place to stay, they still sleep on the floor right next to each other because it's all they know. they don't start sleeping in beds until much later, and separate rooms come well even after that. when one of them is having a bad night, they will still go to the other's room and climb in bed together, although yoichi's visits to afo's room gradually decrease. eventually yoichi can't stand the idea of it, but afo keeps coming and yoichi feels too guilty to turn him away.

9. on the topic of unhealthy codependence, afo talks to yoichi's hand as if yoichi can hear him. he will even sleep with it, trying to recreate the many years they slept hand in hand as children.

10. if afo had been successful in stealing ofa, kudo would've beamed images of him and yoichi making out into afo's head to deal psychic damage to him. that or the brother eughh meme on repeat

11. yoichi made friends easily, and afo was always jealous of it. people were always drawn to yoichi, but afo felt that the only way for people to like him was through displays of power.

12. they both have older sibling syndrome. yoichi feels responsible for leading afo down the right path despite his quirk, and he feels that he failed miserably. afo felt responsible for keeping yoichi safe, and he failed as well.

the brothers of all time 🥳

[last-knight-who-was]

I found this in my notes app and realized I never reposted this on my current blog! I wrote this while RWBY V9 was airing, between episode 7 and 8 in response to this post by @actualbampot. I like it, so I figured I'd go ahead an post it again!

_____

It was strange being back at Beacon after three years. Even stranger to think about how, if the Fall had never happened, they'd be ending their final year of school within the next month or so. It'd been some time since Weiss had imagined that particular scenario though. And yet here they were; the four of them, back in their old dorm room.

It was exactly as they'd left it that last morning, before the final match of the Vytal Tournament. Before they'd lost Penny and Pyrrha. Before the First Battle of Beacon. Before everything went wrong.

Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. All of their old things exactly where they'd been; Blake's books still on the shelf, Yang's posters plastered across the walls, Ruby's game controllers discarded on the floor, several of Weiss' text books laid out on the desk.

Weiss glanced over at Blake and Yang, sitting together on the faunus' old bed. Ruby had opened the window, sitting down on the sill, one leg lifted up with her arm propped on her knee, the other leg dangling outside as she stared off at Vale in the distance. The fires had been put out days ago, and already people were coming together to rebuild the kingdom.

With Salem put to rest at last, the Creatures of Grimm eradicated, and the Gods of Light and Darkness gone for good, there was finally hope for a future. Humans and Faunus were moving forward together, rebuilding everything that had been lost. And beyond that, with no Grimm, new settlements could be established. No more hiding behind walls. Unfortunately for Team RWBY, today was also the last time they'd all be together for quite some time.

With reconstruction underway, all of the Heroes of Remnant (as they were apparently being called now) would be going to different parts of the world to offer aid. Ren, Nora, and Oscar had left earlier in the week, headed east to Anima. They'd taken Jaune's armor and weapon with them, to return to his family. Emerald and Neo had elected to stay in Vale and help out there, while Yang and Blake were leaving later that evening to go to Menagerie. Meanwhile, Weiss would be going to Vacuo to reunite with her family and help establish an actual settlement for the refugees from Atlas and Mantle.

Ruby hadn't told them where she was going yet; Weiss suspected she wasn't sure what she wanted to do yet. Which was fine, honestly the younger girl deserved to have a break. Maybe she'd stay on Patch with her father for awhile. It would be good for her.

A beep from Yang's scroll roused Weiss from her musing. Glancing at the blonde brawler, she found her reading a text, Blake leaning against her side. "Dad's waiting down at the docks to see us off," Yang announced. As the BY duo stood up, Weiss noticed from the corner of her eye how Ruby ducked her head.

She didn't have much time to think on it as she found herself pulled between the newly married couple, into a tight hug. Weiss wrapped her arms around both of them, burying her head into their shoulders. "I'm gonna miss you guys," she murmured.

"Don't worry, it'll only be a few months before we're together again," Blake replied, giving the former heiress a squeeze as she butted their heads together affectionately.

"Yeah, cheer up Weisscream! You'll see us again before you have time to miss us," Yang added, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"I doubt that," Weiss said, giving them a watery smile as the three of them separated.

Yang turned as Ruby approached, pulling her little sister into a crushing hug that Ruby returned just as tight. "I'll miss you little sis," Yang whispered, kissing the side of Ruby's head.

"I love you Yang," Ruby replied, voice muffled against her sister's shoulder.

"I love you too." Pulling away, Yang cupped Ruby's cheek briefly before she moved over for Blake, who immediately pulled Ruby into another hug.

Ruby laughed softly, curling her arms around the older girl's waist. "Look after Yang for me, will you? We both know what a disaster she is," the leader joked, shooting her sister a teasing look over Blake's shoulder.

Yang very maturely poked her tongue out at her as the other three giggled. "Of course I will," Blake replied, leaning away.

"Good," Ruby said, looking away briefly before meeting Blake's eyes. "I love you Blake. I'm happy to call you my sister."

Blake's lip wobbled, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "I love you too sis."

Yang smiled, taking Blake's hand in her own and tugging her toward the door. "C'mon ya softie," she teased, stopping briefly to shoot a look back at the other two. "Bye guys, we'll see ya later." For a moment, her eyes locked with silver, a sadness that Weiss didn't understand appearing in those lilac eyes.

As the Bumbleby duo left, Weiss turned to her partner. "I know it'll only be a few months, but... a part of me can't help thinking of the last time we were separated at this school. About how I thought I'd never see you three again."

A frown tugged at Ruby's lips as she crossed her arms, turning to Weiss. "You'll see them again Weiss," she said with conviction, absolutely certain of that fact.

The ex-heiress looked up into those silver eyes, still not used to how much taller than her the younger girl was now. "I know."

Ducking her head, Ruby's tongue darted out to wet her lips. Almost as if she were steeling herself to say something important. After a moment, a soft sigh escaped her. "But you won't be seeing me again."

Weiss stiffened, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? Where are you going?" As she took a step closer, Ruby took one back.

"I don't know. I just know that... I'm done here." Finally, she raised her head, meeting Weiss' gaze with a small, content smile. "I've fulfilled my purpose, finished my journey." Her smile widened, eyes glossy with unshed tears. "And it feels good!"

Weiss stared back at her, mind running a thousand miles a second as realization settled in. After Ruby had run away in the Ever After she had been gone for days. Days that WBY and Jaune had spent looking for her everywhere. Until finally she came back, Neo with her, no longer trying to kill them.

There had been something different about Ruby after that. A sort of calm focus, as if she was certain of who she was and what she was meant to do for the first time since Beacon fell. Weiss should have realized that Ruby had experienced the same sort of Rebirth that the Afterans did, but she'd just been so happy to have her best friend back that she'd ignored the signs.

But now she understood. Ruby Rose had died and been reborn in the Ever After. Reborn with the purpose of saving Remnant. A purpose that she'd finally fulfilled.

Inhaling shakily, Weiss gave her partner a teary smile before pulling her into a hug. "I'm... I'm happy for you," she whispered, taking comfort in the warm embrace of her first friend, her best friend, for what she knew would be the final time.

As they pulled apart, Weiss subtly wiped a tear from her face, clearing her throat. Ruby laughed softly, shaking her head. "So what will you do next? Today's the first day of the rest of your life Weiss."

Weiss took a step back, fidgeting with her hands as she took a moment to think it over. "Well, you know I always imagined that I'd one day take over the Schnee Dust Company, turn it back into the company my grandfather wanted it to be." She paused, considering that old dream, knowing that wasn't the future she wanted anymore.

Ruby seemed to understand, her head tilting curiously, a knowing smile on her face. "And now?"

A smile slowly curled Weiss' lips as she bounced on her heels. "Now... I think I wanna keep moving. Go anywhere, everywhere!" There was an excitement to her voice as she began to pace back and forth under Ruby's watchful gaze. "There's so many people who need help and I want to help as many as I can!" She let out a laugh, running a hand through her freshly cut hair. "Brothers, I can't believe I'm saying this! It sounds so exhausting but-" Turning back to face Ruby, she froze, the smile dropping from her face.

Her partner was gone. As if she'd never been there at all.

Weiss looked around, whirling in place to look at every corner of the room. There was no sign of her.

Slowly, Weiss' shoulders slumped. With a sigh, she moved to leave, pausing in the doorway. Giving one last glance over her shoulder, she took in their old dorm room for the last time, her eyes landing on Ruby's dangling bed last.

"Goodbye Ruby," she murmured softly, reaching over to flick off the light switch. "You won't be forgotten." Gently, Weiss Schnee closed the door and walked away.

[aracariwren]

when you becomes obsessed with miis??? Mine is 12/13 years ago for me because I already like playing Wii sports and Wii sports resort :)

oh wow, I've never played Wii Sports but it sure looks like a lot of fun! I'm curious, did you have a favorite Mii back then? Or what kind of Miis did you make? In my family, we only ever made Miis of people we knew in real life, and we never really used them because we were interested in other games.

My Mii obsession started just last year actually, I think around March? But it was when I was playing Smash Ultimate and went to make my OCs into Mii fighters. This next part is gonna sound silly, but in the Mii fighter creation screen, I saw him:

Default Mii Swordfighter in a pirate outfit with a magic hat.

It turns out that my brother customized him a bit and even gave him a voice and a name, and I never realized because I never played any of the Mii fighters until then. I was also kinda dumb back then, too, because even though I knew Brawler and Gunner were defaults, it never registered in my head that this dressed-up guy was the swordfighter default. At all. Until I went online, looked up stuff on the Mii fighters, and found out that if I had just taken off his hat, I would have known from the start.

And while online, I saw so many cool artworks of the default Mii fighters. Artists were drawing them as friends, as heroes of the Smash Universe, and people were putting them in other games that at the time I didn't know existed, like Tomodachi Life and Miitopia. Eventually, I grew attached to these guys too, and learned about other Miis that people loved, like the guest Miis, the CPU Miis, the Miitopia promo Miis and it was pretty much "Wow, what have I been missing out on?"

So really, if it hadn't been for my brother giving Swordfighter an outfit, then I don't know if I I'd still be obsessed with Miis today.

[shurisu]

Idk if you had already talk about this but i read your recent ask about the ship shurisu and I'm truly interested to read about the potential Shun and Alice had, individually and together, but with your POV

I've got so much to say about this topic that I don't know where to start.

To be honest, I  liked them both  the moment i first saw them but getting to know these characters what solidified my love .

For example Shun may seem like the classic silent guy at first glance but when you get to know him you will see that he's actually a heavily traumatized boy.Before his mother's death he still seemed to be a  "demure"  type, but you can also see  he was happy for doing what he likes with his friends.After his mother passed away, he holds onto the only thing his mother left for him, Skyress, because he doesn't know how to deal with it.And because of how broken he is, he  avoids bonding with people, which i belive, stems from his fear of losing them and going through the same feelings again.That's why he refused to be part of the team and even considered leaving almost half the season.S1 had done a  fairly good job with his characterization, you could see that he was trying his best to be as stoic as possible but people who knows him(Dan,Skyress,his mother) or someone who can observe people really well(Alice) could see through him  easily, afterall he was just a little boy.

If bakugan was targeted to an older audience and they gave importance to the plot , I believe we wouldn't get the Shun we had in NV and onwards. I get their biggest concern was to introduce more bakugans (=sell more toys) and to do that, they also had to introduce newer characters.Of course there's no problem with new characters but they just couldn't give them spotlight without butchering the older ones.Since the target audience is little boys,the girls got written off and Shun got to stay.But  because of the reasons i said above, it  costed him to his characterization being butchered, and he actually turned into  the silent guy arche type.He used to be the best brawler in the world , and the moment he gets dethroned by Masquerade it was easily acceptable, because he is also one of the best (well,imo the best)  brawlers ever existed. Of course, it would be no fun if he were to win all the time, and new characters need to shine as well, but BB Shun and NV onwards Shun  are like different brawlers. BB Bakugan was more of battle of wits; through Shun and Masquerade, Dan learned that power alone wasn't enough and he needed to know how to yield it.It was also no surprise that the best brawlers were also the best strategists. But after 1st season, gimmicks like Bakugan traps were a huge cross out on everything S1 standed for.So looking back at Shun,what happens to a character if you took away the area he shines the most?If we got to see his evolution both as a brawler&as a character,I believe he would contribute greatly to the show,even more than he did.

Ooh boy  it already got this long, and I didn't even get to mention Alice.I believe   just like Shun, Alice is also a MC worthy character. Of course whole "Masquerade" situation gives her some extra points.I am not a writer but i can only think of countless scenarios a writer could benefit from  a character with split personality; the deeds she's done unwillingly haunting her,and eventually facing herself and healing period.But if I had to talk about Bakugan only, my thoughts on her and Shun are similar since both of them were quite alike as brawlers.Alice got to short end of the stick in two matters though, for reasons:

1) She's a girl in a shounen anime (a genre which is very  rare for a woman to get to shine, or even be useful)

2)She would be  OP as a brawler, so including her would require more complex writing:

Their decision was to  conclude her character arc after  she became one with Masquerade.We know that she was already brilliant as a strategist  and now we see that she's far more confident as a brawler, so that would be basically Masquerade being back in  his original appearance and i don't think there's anything should be holding back her at that state.Even today most of people rightfully don't accept how she's lost in her NV battle, because of how great brawler Alice/Masquerade is and how it didn't make any sense plot wise.She's  imo even more MC worthy character now and still could grow as a character but as i said before,the creators were focused more on commercial success instead.

So long story short, Shun and Alice could've been doing much better if Bakugan didn't change so drastically (as in game logic) , because they would be needed more.And them being active would probably helped a lot to their team mates as well since they are both  supposedly the "demure" and "observant" members of the team which really helped in group dynamics, understanding what kind of rival they're against and how should they approach them.

If we were lucky enough and actually got to see them end up together, i  believe they would have a solid relationship. Their personalities are  compatible so they could  evolve into a really beautiful couple.Since we know Shun is a man of few words and bottles up his emotions most of the time, Alice would quickly become "that" person for him, the one  who  truly understands him the most. It's not even my hc, we already saw how she can see through him, but with them becoming a couple she would probably take that to another level and of course become the dearest person for him ever.Alice is also is healing from her past traumas, and being a loner just like Shun would make her understand him a lot more.But the difference is unlike Shun, she wants to bond with people more so being with her would change Shun on that matter .I can definitely see  him being a lot more comfortable with expressing himself.Since he's also an observant person, he also would be the same with Alice as she's with him,so he would try his best at supporting her at anything.

To sum it up, they are striking me as a kind of couple  who would be each other's rock and kind of couple who would bring the best in each other. Maybe that's why i always dreamed of them being MCs of their own show with a story about them.And I know that would be fire since they have some of the best fics of their own out there.

[friedfriedchicken]

Fried live reaction to rewatching Akudama Drive ep 1 GO

YOU

His eyes are so big- even for the Rui Komatsuzaki artstyle that man's eyes are WIDE

She is so cute

3D MODEL COURIER

Gotta love Ordinary Person being so nice and throwing out Courier's garbage because she's so cool like that fr

Also there's like a convenience store opposite the Takoyaki stand- It would've been so simple for Ordinary Person to waddle in and find an ATM or a cashier willing to give her change but noooo get arrested girlie

:( She's just sitting in the car that's so sad

Man- I love the background characters in this scene. There's really nice continuity between different scenes showing the same crowd-fillers but also they're all just sitting around abnormally

Girlie :( also SNIPER SPOTTED YIPPEEE

CGI Courier spotted again

OMG THIS IS ACTUALLY THE UNCENSORED VERSION YIPPEEEEE

That guy's head wasn't as gorey as I thought it'd be- Made in Abyss did worse but I understand the precaution AD has. Maybe I'm used to it but at least I don't have the black blurs hehe

Courier's phone looks like an IPod

I love how Black Cat's messages for everyone seem specifically written for them. That's really cute in a horrific way 🥺

Doctor just sitting in the air bus like a normal person is funny to me. She seemed very nice and polite and somehow no one went "huhhhh didn't I see her on a wanted poster today?"

Man- Kansai really did just make every single screen ever tell people about Cutthroat's execution. Imagine watching Elmo then the screen turns black and red and it's telling you someone is going to die. F

Everyone standing against a dark sky with the red tower in the background looks so nice woaaa

"I'm not a Swindler!" Now you are bestie

Brawler literally moves so fast he's like a fly or something 🛐

All the people in the police station were just staring out the window to watch wwwwwwww

BLACK CAT!!!

Hacker's little drones open their mouths like :D as they turn into hover platforms 🥺

How did Doctor get in unnoticed? She's bright pink whuh??

Akira reference heehoo

Somehow I never noticed this ref before

Not Brawler hearing Courier whisper from 50 yards away 😭

Hacker :)

I'm really amazed that Courier somehow manages to drive his thick motorcycle through the police building easily. It's his thing but the doors- dude how are you getting through the doors

Courier with pink eyes

Genuinely so hard to watch this and NOT hear Leona Kingscholar's voice whenever Courier speaks- this is so sad 😔

Somehow Doctor works as a projectile to destroy a whole floor and doesn't break her back oml

Hacker is actually just a rat that they discovered hiding in the walls during demolition

"You're not dead?!" I FORGOT THAT SHE COULD DO THAT- still no idea how she could even reach her back but she's silly like that. Horrible painful foreshadowing mayhaps. Gotta love how she's just like "I wanna join hehe" while everyone is pointing weapons at each other

Everyone is out for MURDER until Swindler comes in with Black Cat wwwwwww

[chaosmarshmallow]

HIII!!

I hope you wouldn’t care if i send in a request to you, but i hope your days going fantastic as usual:) here i go!!

Can you do Eddie Munson with a S/O who has a Brawler Personality From Akudama Drive??

Stay healthy & safe my friend!!

A/N: Hey heyyy!! Ofc I don't mind! i'm doing great, I hope your day is going great too :D

Lmao, I finished this a bit earlier than I expected, but oh well!

I tried my best, I hope you enjoy :D

Tw: Violence, swearing,

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

Eddie had seen you around school sometimes before. 

It was kinda hard to miss you actually, with your punk like clothing and with you loudly challenging everyone that you thought was strong.

It happened more than once that in the middle of the hallway, during the breaks, you walked up to some poor schoolmate and asked them to fight you.

They of course had no other choice than agreeing.

After all, nobody wanted to anger you.

And they, of course, never won.

Just like everyone at school, he had a healthy amount of fear towards you, trying his best to stay away from you as much as possible even though he was a bit intrigued by you. 

He loved your style and suspected that maybe you liked metal too? 

Luckily for him, you didn’t think of him as a possible match. 

Though he didn't really know how to feel about the fact that you thought he was weak.

His first time really speaking with you was… slightly embarrassing? Some basketball players had pushed him on the floor and thought it was funny to kick and throw dirt at him, calling him a freak and other things, the usual stuff.

Only this time, you were there. Suddenly, like some vengeful spirit you appeared behind one of the bullies and grabbed him by the neck so tight it made him yelp like some little girl. 

“Say, what do we have here?” You drawled, a large grin on your face. For a fleeting moment he feared that you would join in and maybe even challenge him to a fight. “Trying to show who’s the strongest, ey? Say why don’t y’all fight me, so we”ll truly see who’s stronger!” 

Of course, everyone of the group that even had a single brain cell ran away like the devil was hot on their heels.

And of course there were also some dumbasses who thought they could handle you…

They couldn’t.

After that accident, you sometimes hang out with him, mostly staying by his side like some guardian angel, protecting him from bullies.

And after a couple of talks, it turned out that his suspicions were correct! You did like metal, so you bonded over a mutual love for Iron Maiden

He really enjoyed your company, but his shoulder and wrist began to ache from all the fist bumps you gave.

Eddie always thought you were some aggressive buffoon that bullied people like him and loved making people feel weak and unimportant.

And to a certain extent that impression was correct, you were aggressive, but you were no bully and didn’t stand for making people feel unimportant, the weak part was correct however. 

It didn’t take long for him to notice how much value you put in strength and in being the strongest.

He wondered where that came from, but he wasn’t going to ask, still kinda afraid of you.

You were… special. Nothing like he expected at all.

But when you came to his hiding spot at Reefer Rick's, together with Dustin and his friends after the Chrissy incident, well… to say he was surprised would be an understatement. For a second he thought he was just imagining things, but no there you were, standing with your arms crossed at the back of the group.

Apparently you also helped them fight some monster called the mind flayer and Russians, which… was a bit strange but after what he’d seen, he believed every word they said. 

When he asked you why you helped him, you just answered “You’re not strong enough to do something like that.” with a shrug.

Not… not the answer he expected but okay.

You were, somehow, also friends with Robin and apparently she has asked you to help them in finding and helping/protecting him.

Apparently you had punched Jason so hard in the face that he lost consciousness when he was spouting some nonsense about  Eddie being a satanist or some shit. 

You bought him a new cassette player and tapes of bands he liked to keep him occupied while he was hiding, which was surprisingly sweet of you.

You were a bit of a meathead or simpleminded, act first (mostly with your fists), think later kinda person, but you were loyal. 

Which was really proven at Watergate, with you jumping after Robin without a second thought.

With everyone gone, it seemed like he had no other choice but to follow, even though he really didn’t wanna.

When he got through the gate, the first thing he saw was you, letting loose on some poor bat that had the misfortune of being your chosen victim. 

You were, softly put, absolutely impressive and looked crazy as hell, with an imensive grin on your face. Laughing like some maniac as you threw it on the ground and shifted your attention to your next prey, screaming something along the lines of “Hah! These are some of the easiest opponents I’ve ever fought!” or “Come here ya small fry, let me show you real power!”.

Too shocked by your actions he didn’t notice the bats coming towards him, until he saw you running towards him and plucking one from right beside his head and smashing it on the ground, giving it a last stomp for good measure.

“Watch out, metal man!” You said while patting him on the shoulder (though it was more of a punch than a pat, making him almost fall over). “Ah-Yeah yeah, right.” He answered gulping, holding the pedal he took with him ready. You let out a buldering laugh and shook your head. “Fine, I’ll protect you! That’s what strong people are supposed to do anyway!” 

And you did exactly as you promised. Beating all the bats that got close to him to the ground with your bare fists, like some barbarian, b̶u̶t̶ a̶ v̶e̶r̶y̶ h̶o̶t̶ b̶a̶r̶b̶a̶r̶i̶a̶n̶ i̶f̶ h̶e̶ s̶a̶i̶d̶ s̶o̶ h̶i̶m̶s̶e̶l̶f̶.

With your help, it barely took any time to take care of all the bats.

“HAHAH! You weaklings, this was too easy!” You cackled like some madman and posed with your hands on your hips. After your boasting you turned to him and put your hand on his shoulder, surprisingly gentle. “Are ya okay?” He blinked a couple of times with his eyes, too surprised to answer, but eventually nodded. 

Immediately after that you turned to the others and asked screaming if Robin was okay, which she was.

“Well, let’s go forth then! We can’t stay here and wait for new bats to come.” You said, while the others nodded in agreement. 

Eddie was still a bit shocked by your display of power though, he knew you were strong, but seeing it like this was something completely different from how he saw it before.

Eddie rn: Well, mark me down as horny and scared!

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

DnD has a new playtest idea out and i must ponder, please excuse.

I do like One Dnd's idea of linking your Ability Score increases to your Background, rather than your Race. That's cool. That makes sense, like you've been levelling up pre-game and this is what you've been putting your training into.

Not a fan of how the Linage thing is being used solely for magic. Subrace features that used to be just a mundane skill are now either magical or just, gone. Why? Why do Rock Nomes have to use a cantrip to make something now? Why can't the Wood Elves be stealthy without waiting for a higher level spell??

Half Elves and Orcs are gone.

There's no mechanic for making a mixed heritage character, outside of just saying they look like it.

I.... can't see my players being happy with that.

But I already use a homebrew rule of Cultural traits vs Heritage (learnable vs physical) for characters of mixed origins, so that's an easy fix.

Giving the Dwarves Tremorsense while touching stone is epic.

The Ardlings are literally just divine furries and I LOVE THEM.

Linking how many times you can uses your Race features per long rest to your Proficiency Bonus (starts as 2) is VERY NIFTY. This could be really helpful to new players or players trying out a new races for the first time. You'll always be able to test out your ability and still have another use for later. That's nice.

THREE LAGUAGES BY DEFAULT is too much. Too. Much. Let different PCs take turns being the one who can talk to X stranger who doesn't know common. That's a fun thing. Also helps the PCs who have extra languages actually feel learned/well traveled/culturally experienced. Not to mention if the Rangers still get a language of their favored enemy... 5e is supposed to be simple. This is... a lot.

Same with the Tool Proficiencies. Every background gets one? Ehhh..... And every background gets a language? Why do soldiers speak Goblin? I know the templates are meant to be tweeked, but still, ALWAYS a tool and a language?

AND THE BACKGROUND FEATURES ARE GONE.

Instead you pick a feat.

So instead of a soldier having a rank that ties them to their past army group and provides fodder for interactions when meeting them again, now they just... are savage attackers.

No more By Popular Demand. No more Shelter for the Faithful.

I get that combat and cool abilities are super fun for people and sometimes even the main reason they play, but.... you already get that from the Race traits. From the Class traits. Background is about your character. Background is the meat of where the DM gets fodder for how to actually, you know, fit PCs into the world we're making.

And it's a super useful shortcut for helping players understand and remember how their character relates to the world their in.

You're a sailor? Well you know how to sail and can get a ride on a ship for you and your friends, so long as you lend a hand along the voyage! Other sailors trust you to know your stuff, they feel a connection to you!

But now instead you.... are a tavern brawler. Like, I get the appeal mechanic wise, flavor wise. But I don't think that's a replacement for being able to secure passage on a ship and for getting that sense that, oh yeah, I am a person who knows ships, and people on ships will recognize that in me.

Splitting all the spells into three lists instead of by Class sounds like it could be a gods' send.

But.

I'm .... not sure I quite feel it yet, in how the spells are actually divided. Primal. Divine. Arcane. Both Divine and Primal lists the Guidance cantrip. If you're going to split things up, but can't actually split things up into solidly distinct themes, I'm not so sure how much help that'll be.

I have hope though. I like the idea of three basic forms of where magic is drawn from/expressed, instead of the super specific, sometime a bit arbitrary feeling class lists.

Overall, the cool things don't out way the things that I'd have to patch over. The cool things are, however, pretty effing cool. Dwarves with tremorsense.... i love it....

[starrysupercell]

Have you ever thought about Shelly & piper? They have a good dynamic, I think - loneliness is a good prompt word. I’m curious what you think. 👁

This is the oldest ask I have. 😔😪 I'm so sorry.

It's not a drabble, more like headcanons. But I think they are very, VERY interesting. Even down to their attacks, they're polar opposites!

Piper attacks better from a distance and Shelly thrives up close and personal.

They might not get along at first because of who they are: Piper is a social butterfly (pun intended), though her playful words have so many layers to them, it's hard to know what she's really saying.

Shelly is more honest with everyone, and more down to earth in general but when she's mean, she's mean. Basically, a blunt hothead.

That said, Shelly was in no mood to play the guessing game when Piper talked to her for the first time.

"Either talk to me like a person, or don't talk to me at all." Shelly said, after Piper introduced herself formally, then joked, prodded and pretend(?)-flirted throughout their "friendship."

She had heard of people like her. Socializing was all for kicks, and they absorbed information more than they gave. Shelly didn't particularly want to be a plaything.

Piper contemplated the enjoyment she got out of messing with Shelly, vs the genuine enjoyment of her company and promptly agreed.

They didn't talk for quite a long while. Shelly was far from the friendliest Brawler too.

However, one day, Shelly sat at the bar in a booth. She was pissed off because she and Colt had gotten into a real heated argument.

Piper joined her, all of a sudden. She sat in the seat across from her.

"What do you want?" Shelly asked.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you care? Gonna spread it 'round the Park?" She snapped. "Leave me the hell alone."

"Sugar, if you wanted to be left alone, you wouldn't have come to the most social place in the Park."

She couldn't argue with that, but she could still ignore her.

"...If that's the way you want it, fine. Clearly, 'talking to you like a person' doesn't actually work for getting to know you." Piper said, and made to leave.

Shelly was surprised she actually remembered that. If Piper was being genuine... well, then it was worth a shot, wasn't it?

So fine. She agrees to a meet up at her house, for pastries and tea over the talk.

With her, Shelly vents and rants.

Since she's so used to acting out her feelings in fits of rage, by Brawling and all, talking it out is actually a really nice change for her.

From there, it's an actual, fruitful and healthy friendship and they help each other out with fighting tricks.

Like Piper's Auto Aimer Gadget. Who do you think gave her a gun and taught her to shoot and slow folks down? Shelly! (Based off her Super and her Shellshock Star Power!)

And Shelly's Clay Pigeon Gadget. Her aim IS her own, but fun how she's able to turn into a Sniper for a little bit, right? Piper showed her the ropes.

So they're unlikely friends, but probably each other's bestie, outside of their Trio and main friend group.

[lilmissbacon]

Adding Characters to the Big Four (RotBTD)

I've already made a post about just "How the Big Four Work so well (discussion)" which talks about their personalities are and what their stories have in common, as well as what criteria they follow.

So if you want to understand exactly what I'm talking about I'd recommend you read this first:

Now I'm gonna go into what characters would fit and why. So if you want to add other movies to this world, I would recommend Moana, Epic, The Croods or maybe even Hotel Transylvania and here's why:

Moana – Begins with narration but ends with a song. Although it's a song that sums up what Moana had learned and what her people have now become. So it is, its own form of narration. She also goes through the journey of finding herself by becoming a wayfinder like her ancestors.

Moana definitely adds to the groups resources with being friends with the ocean, knowing about the realm of monsters and being friends with Maui & Te Fiti. She would definitely get along great with the big four friend dynamic in many ways.

Hiccup: through their ability to lead and quick thinking. They also both understand what it's like to grow up on an island with their fathers being the leader who expects certain things from them.

Rapunzel: because they understand going against a parent's wishes and working to make their dreams/wishes come true. They also have the same type of bubbly personality and would converse well.

Jack: they both understand what if feels like to be chosen for something they feel they're not ready for and what it feels like to be an outsider from the people around them.

Merida: their tough and somewhat playful nature as well as their diplomacy skills match each other so well. They'd definitely be the closest of the group because of their strong personalities.

Out of a friend group consisting of: the girly-girl, a troublemaker a nerd and a tomboy, she fits into the literary dynamic through being the 'athlete.' In battle, consisting of: a leader/strategist, a healer, a sniper(bow and arrow) and a speed fighter, Moana fits in as the 'close combatant' in battle.

The magic also can still follow the guidelines of rotg. They speak about Gods but what if there really aren't any? The only 'God' we see is Te Fiti, who is the bringer of life. Or in other words; Mother Nature. The God that had raised Maui could've actually been the man in the moon and that would be how Maui was given magic and doesn't age. He goes around, calling himself a demigod but in reality, he's a spirit. And of course he's able to be seen since everyone on Motunui believes in the demi/gods.

Seasonally, Moana would most obviously be put in summer. But there are a lot of people who feel that adding more characters to the big four kind of breaks the seasonal aspect and that's fine.

But here me out.

The seasons effect the land on earth but if Moana is a spirit of the ocean, then she's effecting the rest of the earth's surface. The ocean doesn't necessarily have seasons so you don't need to apply one to her in order for her to add to the group. BOOM! Loophole!

I believe she's the BEST additional choice out of them all. Plus she'd definitely be chosen to become a guardian because *cough cough* SHE SAVED THE WORLD FROM DECAY.

Eep – A lot of applications for Moana fit for Eep too. She has narration at the beginning and end of her film. She'd fit in literarily as the 'athlete' and battle-wise as 'close constant/brawler.'

She also kind of has an arc of finding herself by leaving her cave days behind and following the light with her family. And being that she's from the caveman days –a time even before Moana– she could definitely add to the group with her survival skills.

Eep's dynamic with the others would be:

Hiccup: he understands overly strong women and would be able to keep up with her. She also has an innocent side to her and would be enthralled with his inventions. She'd just sit there and watch him work 😆

Rapunzel: being that Eep is getting a new friend in Dawn (who reminds me of Rapunzel) in "The Croods 2," I would imagine Rapunzel would also be intrigued with Eep's scars/adventures and Eep would be more than happy to boast.

Merida: their roughness and competitive nature would make them the best frienemies. They'd be closer than ever but do nothing but wrestle and compete.

Jack: like how Eep would boast with Rapunzel, Jack would boast with Eep. She would be in love with Jack's magic and he'd be more than happy to show off.

There really isn't a magical aspect to compare with rotg so the world can still fit into the dynamic here.

Eep is witty, optimistic, energetic, speaks without thinking and fails to plan ahead a lot. Therefore, as a seasonal spirit, Eep would bring spring.

MK – Begins with narration but doesn't really have any at the end. She can add to the groups resources by knowing about the leafmen and the whole mini society, of course.

The magic also stays in line with rotg and it probably helps that the creator of Epic was also the author of the Guardians of Childhood books that inspired rotg. The moon is what blooms the pod, so it's possibly the man in the moon passing his magic into the pod so it gives the next queen her powers.

In the literary dynamic, MK would be the 'city girl' friend-wise and the 'reanforcement' fight-wise. Getting along with the rest would be:

Hiccup: she would be a sense of familiarity with MK's dad being a scientist and Nod's sarcastic nature. Hiccup would also be very intrigued to learn more about the Moonhaven kingdom.

Merida: their stubbornness and being able to understand having a parent that doesn't listen.

Rapunzel: their (new) love for nature and exploring. As well as being able to understand the pain of losing a loved one.

Jack: understanding the feeling of being invisible to the people around you. MK definitely felt this way after her mom died and when her dad wasn't listening. She mentioned how she felt alone to Ronan when he brought up the "many leaves, one tree," line.

I believe she could've been chosen to become a guardian because she did save an entire society and forest. Seasonally, I believe MK would be made into a fall spirit. There are certain places that relate to or even represent the seasons. When you think of Fall, you think of trees. Spring relates to a field/garden, summer relates to a beach and winter relates to just about everything being in snow, but usually frozen bodies of water. She's also very dependable, willing to work, disagreeable and easily irritated. All traits that relate to Autumn.

Mavis – Probably the least workable candidate. There really isn't any narration in this movie and she also doesn't really "find herself" either so her movie criteria don't really work here.

But her character criteria still does. The magic still fits because we know that spirits are created by the man in the moon. If we go by the GoC books, the mim is alien magic. But who's to say that earth didn't have its own magic in the form of monsters (which can also fit for the realm of monsters from Moana.) So the magical dynamic still works.

She could also add to the group by knowing about monsters as well as being a vampire herself. She could turn into a bat or travel as smoke to sneak around places to find information if need be.

She'd fit in literarily as the 'gothic (not so much as personality but by style)' friend-wise and the 'sneak attacker' fight-wise. Getting along with the rest would be:

Jack: there are many takes on the Jack Frost myth and in a few of those takes, he's a monster. The reason for this could be because Jack has come across Hotel Transylvania and the monsters could see him (not being human and all) and he befriended Mavis, knowing she was lonely. They have the same type of fun personality and are both great with balancing tricks. I can imagine Jack getting Mavis into trouble through pranking the hotel guests.

Rapunzel: they'd both be able to understand being locked up in some way by a parent and wanting to travel the world. They both also have naiveties about the real world and would be learning things for the first time together.

Merida: through their daily activities and love for food. I could imagine them trying each other's scream-cheese and haggis😂 I'd also imagine Merida being the one to help Mavis socially catch up.

Hiccup: much like Eep, she'd be incredibly intrigued by Hiccups inventions. I think she'd even try anything to assist him while he's testing certain things. I can imagine him also being the one to help Mavis socially catch up as well.

She's very curious, friendly, energetic and tender-hearted as well as undecided and talkative. So seasonally, she too, would go to spring. She unfortunately can't go into sunlight but there are plants that actually do better in darkness. That would be where she specializes.

I hope you all like this. I hope you find this whole thing very interesting and informational. If you have any other characters you think could add to the big four, I'd love to hear it.

[zarathelonewolf]

Tenko took a seat on a bench close to the green area.

It was his break, and he decided where to spend it. He was tired of the chaos of the dining room, big and noisy, full of other former criminals that just wouldn't stop picking fights over the most fickle things.

He himself was convinced that, if he'd let them get to his head, all the progress made in the Program to control his urges to use Decay maliciously would be lost.

He often found it hard to concentrate and suppress his anger when someone argued with him because he was occupying their seat, since it was an incredibly usual argument that just didn't make sense. No one in that room held any authority over which seat anyone should occupy; the only people that could theoretically be considered the owners of the seats were the government and the Heroes responsible for the Villain's reintroduction in society.

He was also tired of the "you looked at me funny" argument, that had sparked a fight between him and other ex-Villains on more than two times. So what, he looked at everybody "funny"; no one was ever spared from the ever-tired and sick-of-that-crap face and stare that he wore. No one. Did those guys really consider themselves so special?

(Now that he thought of it, he did make an exception for his acquaintances, though he rarely could cover his tiredness)

He didn't really like how he felt when they made him angry, especially if he started reacting violently. He hadn't been keen on those feelings from... quite some time.

Three years before joining the Reintegration Program, he'd told himself that he'd have tried this "getting better" thing; so he used one of the three calls he had been given authorization for back at the Rehab, to see if it really helped him... If it really got him somewhere worth it.

If he could really be a hero, still.

He'd called and he'd made that choice.

So why was it still hard now, three years later?

Many of those responsible of his Reintegration had told him he'd made good progress, much more than what they thought he would have carried. And yet, there were sometimes when he just... snapped.

Whisper Punch, who was his Supervisor, had always told him that while he could have certainly got better in time and through effort, many things would have been extremely hard to heal and change.

-Being hard on yourself again?

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear. Although, to be honest, Tenko didn't really like to think of her as a devil.

Whisper Punch sat close to him on the bench, but she didn't touch him in any way: he was grateful for that; the only one that had ever followed him in the green area (or anywhere, really) had been Whiptail, and she was very touchy, always clinging at his arm (he looked like the brother she had lost, same red eyes, same disheveled hair...).

Whisper Punch, or Whispy as he'd grown used to call her, looked very tired. The scar she had on her left eye looked more prominent because of the pallor of her skin, while the one she had under her ear was covered by her (unfortunately untidy, this time... she must have stopped a dogfight in the dining room) short black hair.

Her eyes stayed locked onto the giant tree at the center of the circular space, surrounded by a small green field just as round.

It was a tree with a Quirk: gigantic, so much that it could almost be seen from outside the gargantuan walls of The Building, it had also been gifted by Nature with glowy purple leaves and flowers. No one had actually thought it would have become so big, or shiny; it had appearantly got in that state in just a year, making the locals and the ones charged with the Program very worried, although in the end everyone had grown affectionate to it.

Tenko saw it differently: he wasn't emotionally attached to it, but hypnotised, instead. He almost felt like a voice could come out of it anytime, and tell him eery but wise words. He got that hunch everytime he looked at the being. Sometimes he stared at his thick, extremely black wood and felt like it could have swallowed the light of the day, just like a black hole in space.

It weirded him out, but it also made him think and feel... something, many thoughts he couldn't describe.

So he never stared at it long. It would have made those sentiments of curiosity and dread much worse.

(Little did Tenko know, the tree truly could talk...)

-Something's troubling you. - said Whispy, still staring at the tree.

Isn't it always, he wanted to tell her, but he nodded and hummed affirmatively instead.

-What is it? Do you want to tell me? Also, break is almost over, did you eat something?

Yes, he had eaten something... Not much, but he could worry about that during dinner break.

He muffled yes, again.

-So yes, you've eaten, and yes, you want to share the issue?

-Y... yeah.

- OK then. Shoot.

-...

After a while, Tenko started explaining, trying to relax his posture and let it all go as he spoke.

-Why are they always so noisy? Don't they want to get out of the Program as soon as possible? Do they actually not care that much?

Understanding who he was talking about, and seemingly thinking about the other former Villains involved in the Reintegration, Whisper Punch answered.

-Some of them don't care, although if you're referring to the former brawlers like Rappa, I'll have to disagree. It's not that they wouldn't want out of these walls: they live to fight and spite people, and even if it really does stop them from getting back in society, they won't renounce dogfighting.

-Then why enroll in the Program at all?!

-Well... Maybe they want to see familiar faces that came here, or some of them actually have positive motivations but keep falling into bad habits.

-Just like I do, sometimes...

-What do you mean, Tenko?

-I... I sometimes feel like I'm acting as Shigaraki. When I react to the provocations, I mean, and threaten to Decay them. Am I not falling into bad habits as well?

-Maybe, but it is also true that you, and some others, try to be better than your past as Villains. The fact you're recognizing that you still make mistakes, is another testament to your progress.

-Huh...

-Anything else?

After that question, she finally turned to him. She made eye contact with her grey eyes: they had a very bright glint of blue in them, and had vertical pupils; the pupil of the left eye, cut by the scar, was white instead of black.

She wasn't giving him the calculating and fierce stare she gave Villains while she fought them in the streets, from behind her visor and mask, or the cold stare she gave to ex-Villains of the building when they jumped at each other.

Her stare had always been somewhat quiet and patient when she spoke to him.

She had made a promise to Midoriya, after all.

-I scratch myself again, at times...-he told Whisper Punch, with a small sigh.

- You do? Have you told the specialists?

He quickly nodded to make the worried lightnings in her eyes calmed down, and kept talking.

-They said to keep the gloves on, so that I don't Decay anyone; I also still need to sleep with the lighter ones, last time I tried not doing it I decayed one of the trinkets Shuichi had attached to the bunk bed and he got mad...

Shuichi and Dabi (the Todoroki elder brother preferred being called his villain name most of the time) had entered the program earlier than him, almost as soon as it had been started. They had hugged him as soon as they'd seen him being assigned to their room, alongside another Villain, Panthera.

She had many feline features, was way older than any of them, and didn't like being talked to. Even though she slept in one of the bunk beds of the same room, above Dabi's, she had never socialized much with them.

Whiptail, who had been member of her same gang AND her girlfriend, had been sent to another room, on another corridor, so Panthera was pissed.

The two had opposite opinions on him: Panthera couldn't stand him, for some unknown reason, but she had explained immediately that Whiptail had lost her brother when she was young and that she was now adoring him because he looked similar.

Also, Rappa slept in the room on the opposite wall, and he snored so loudly that the ones he shared the room with had tremendous insomnia, and Tenko's group did too. Whenever he thought about poor Atsuhiko sharing his room with that erculean brawler, he didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry.

Compress had been the last former member of the LOV to be captured. After the true defeat of All For One, he'd gone gallivanting around for half a year until he had let himself get captured. He had been sent to the same Rehab structure as Tenko and the others.

Atsuhiko had seen Shuichi choose to leave the Rehab to try the Program, while Dabi had been sent in it as a precaution because The Building could fair a lot better with his continuous attempts to burn his way out to freedom. Dabi had begrudgingly decided to enroll the Program too.

Atsuhiko, as Tenko remembered clearly, had been conflicted: he wanted to follow the other two, but he also wished to stay with Tenko. In the beginning, Tenko had been so angry the former Mr Compress had been considering the Program; he knew about the new laws, and that society was really changing for the better, but receiving help from Midoriya and defeating his former Sensei hadn't really been enough to get him out of the feelings of denial, so that he could finally start to hope.

Then he'd seen, heard, watched the new generation of Heroes (hell even the older Pros) hold speeches to embed change in society, and they also inspired the government to finally change things. The new HPSC was born, the laws on Quirks became less strict, counseling got better and there was no precise ranking system for the Pro Heroes anymore.

He had finally started to hope, six years after the defeat of his former Sensei; so he had finally forgiven Atsuhiko, and let him go: the LOV... they didn't have to get dragged down by his uncertainty to move on from his time as Shigaraki, they could change for the better if they wanted to.

And in the end, he had followed them: nine years later AFO's death, but STILL... he had seen them again and walked with them on the path towards betterment.

It had been a total of eleven years, and he now found himself sitting on that bench with an underground Pro Hero, Whisper Punch, as Supervisor, working towards a positive change of character.

Eleven years since he'd last seen Toga.

-How is Toga doing?

The question asked by Tenko made Whisper Punch almost jump. It had been somewhat sudden.

She, nevertheless, answered, after a minute of silence and a light sigh.

-She is very better. The counseling she is receiving is helping her, and she will soon be able to hold 80% control of the attraction towards blood given by her Quirk. She is getting better on a psychological standpoint too. She doesn't have heavy bags under her eyes anymore.

Tenko felt good hearing that...

-She's also receiving visits from Midoriya.

... And he almost choked on his own breath at that revelation.

-What?!

-She is, honest!

He thought...

-I thought he'd be squeamish about it?!

-He does feel embarrassed at times, Toga's still a bit touchy, but not as much as before.

Woah, Midoriya really was a goody two shoes wasn't he?

But Tenko just couldn't bring himself to hate him anymore, not for that.

Not when the boy's spirit had got him out of AFO's control.

So he was really starting to feel better.

... The bell suddenly rang. It was time to return inside.

-Well-concluded Whisper Punch, standing up alongside him, - It seems break is over. Today you have no lessons, statements, or psych evaluation seats, do you? Your day is completely free, go rest in your quarters. Oh, and if you meet Whiptail on the way and she's being too insistent, you can signal me. I'll see you soon for the field trip.

At the single thought of the field trip, another bit of his sense of heaviness faded away.

Once every month, the members of the Program would take part in small trips over the mountains or panoramic sights, separated in three main groups. They were all heavily guarded, but the times of Tartarus had passed: the field trips were some of the best parts of the Program, and one of the few instances in which pretty much no one argued over anything.

Before he turned back into the building, Tenko looked at Whisper Punch and asked her about one of his neverending doubts:

-Is it really okay if I keep the coat?

It was draped over his shoulders as he asked, the coat in question: he'd used it as Shigaraki, and it was one of the few things he had insisted to bring with him from the Rehab. Many specialists of the Program had objected, but after being assigned to Whisper Punch, she'd asked them to hold their dread and let him take it and wear it.

The coat had a history, and it was a reminder.

The past never died, so Shigaraki wouldn't have died either: Tenko would change from his Shigaraki persona of course, but he would have still needed to bring it with him, to let it accompany him on his journey.

He didn't want Shigaraki to feel left behind, to not be seen as part of the journey; he was his past self and it was from his past self that he had to heal.

So he'd carry Shigaraki with him, and show him how he changed... and how possible it was to hope in a better future.

Shigaraki needed to see it as much as Tenko needed to feel it.

But reminding himself of why he still carried the coat on his shoulders wasn't enough...

So Tenko waited until Whisper Punch told him that it was a good choice, and only then he said goodbye, only then he returned to his room.

Shuichi still smiled brightly, Dabi was still being a brat and Panthera was still gloomy when he came back, and as they chatted (Panthera kept sulking the whole time), he remembered the question he had actually wanted to ask the whole time, and had forgotten to inquire to his Supervisor:

"Can I go to Toshinori's tomb, when the anniversary comes?"

For his grandma's adoptive son, his adoptive uncle, had died last year.

He reminded himself to ask her, at dinner.

[sushigirlali]

If You Don't Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part I (Reylo Fanfic)

Part I | Part II | Part III | Epilogue 

Summary: Grifter!Rey helps U.S. Senator Leia Organa's son, Ben Solo, out of a jam when a couple of muggers invade her turf. Afterward, she debates robbing the rich American herself, but can she protect her heart while stealing his?

Pairing: Rey + Ben Solo | Finn + Poe Dameron

Rating: E

Continuity: Modern AU

A/N: For the first time ever, I’ve actually written most of the story before I started posting! I think it will be way less stressful since I don’t have to “keep up” with updates. New chapters will be posted each Friday. Enjoy!

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

——————

If You Don't Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part I

By: sushigirlali

——————

Kennington, London

——————

There are moments in life that make you question everything that came before. A look from a stranger, an incident at your job, a terrible movie... things Rey Niima was usually able to push past without pause, but tonight, she was finding it extremely difficult to ignore the feeling that her life was about to change forever.

"Hey, give us your wallet!" A pair of brawlers had cornered a man at the mouth of a nearby alley, drawing Rey's attention as soon as she stepped out the back door of her favorite pub, The Black Prince.

"Excuse me?" the would-be victim responded indignantly. His voice was deep with an American lilt, his stature intimidating.

Did these fools really think they could steal from a man like that? But then, not all criminals were as intelligent as her.

"You heard me! I want your wallet!"

Rey hung back from the potentially violent situation unfolding before her, sizing up the assailants. Their outfits were all black, including the ski masks covering their faces, but she couldn't see any identifying marks or gang affiliations. "Must be lone wolves," she thought.

There was something familiar about the tall one doing the talking, but she couldn't place them. It probably didn't matter, though, because the redwood with the nice accent looked like he could take the both of them with one hand tied behind his broad back.

Still, for some reason, she was finding it hard to walk the other way. Definitely not because the man was the most striking person she had ever seen. No, it had to be due to the fact that these bums were causing a ruckus on her turf. At least, that's what she kept telling herself, frozen to the spot as she was.

"Listen, I just got done volunteering at a shelter all day and just want to get home. Please allow me to leave unmolested."

"Volunteering at a shelter?" she muttered under her breath. "Well, fuck. But it's not your business, don't get involved." Rey was turning around to go back inside the pub when the sound of a gun cocking drew her up short.

"Don't make me repeat myself again, pretty boy."

"Whoa, hey, there's no need for that!"

"Then empty your pockets! Now!"

"No," he said crossly. "Put that thing away before somebody gets hurt."

"Dammit," Rey groaned, retrieving the silver baton clipped to her belt. Sometimes, she really hated having a conscience; in her line of work, it was a real liability.

"Hey, get your hands off me!"

"Oh, for fuck's sake," she growled, resolutely stalking toward the turbulent scene. "Oi! You lot!"

The big guy and his sidekick paused to look in her direction. "What?" the leader said in a surprisingly feminine voice.

"Not a guy," Rey mused. "Based on your absolutely abominable bullying technique, I don't think you're getting that guy's wallet any time this century, so why don't you just leave him alone and move along."

"Excuse me?" the woman said threateningly.

"I'm sorry, did I stutter?"

"You move along, little mouse, this doesn't concern you!" the shorter guy spat.

"You do know who's neighborhood this is, don't you?" Rey said tauntingly.

"Yeah?" the first one said dismissively. "So what."

"So, knock it off! We don't need the fuzz coming down here because some hooligans are roughing up a foreigner."

"Hooligans?! And who the fuck are you?"

"Me?" Rey sneered, flicking the baton out to the side so that it extended into a long poll. "I'm no one."

"Phas," the skinny guy said nervously, obviously recognizing her at last, "we should go."

Rey had never been so proud of her reputation as a grifter who was just as likely to steal an expensive piece of art from the peerage in an elaborate heist as kick a thug's ass in the street.

"But the boss—"

"He'll understand."

"But—"

"Phas!"

"Fine. But don't think this is over!" the woman yelled before running off with her companion.

"Well," the American said slowly, "that was an experience I never wish to repeat again." He smiled at her. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome," Rey replied gruffly, still riding high on adrenaline. "Do you always walk around by yourself at night in a city not your own?"

"Do you always save unsuspecting passersby from thieves?" he retorted.

Her phone went off, but she didn't answer it. Up close, the man was even more attractive than she had initially thought. "Suit looks expensive, too… and is that a Breitling?" Perhaps it was her lucky night after all. "Only if they're handsome," she said smoothly.

"Oh, uh…" he flushed at her compliment.

"Hmm… not the reaction I expected." It was kind of refreshing, though. "Sorry, I—ugh, one sec," she said as her cell went off again. "My brother," she explained, checking the caller ID. "I have to take this or he'll just keep phoning until I pick up."

The man shrugged, "No problem, I'll just wait over here." He stepped up onto the curb and walked a few paces away.

Rey nodded and lifted the phone to her ear. "What?" she said shortly.

"Who's the stiff?" Finn asked without preamble.

"Nobody."

"Right," he huffed. "Are you working him?"

"Undecided, stop pushing."

"Whatever you say, Rey. Just be careful."

"I will. Where are you anyway?" she said, humored by his tough older sibling act.

"Hanging outside the pub, just around the corner. Why? You need me?" Finn teased.

"No, I'll catch you later. Don't wait up." She ended the conversation before he could respond and stuffed the phone into her back pocket. "Sorry about that, uh…?"

"Ben," the stranger supplied, moving closer again. "Ben Solo."

"I'm Rey," she said, holding out a hand.

Ben's lips quirked and he gave her a firm handshake, his huge hand dwarfing hers. Rey felt a shiver run up her spine at the brief contact, but she shook it off.

"So, what's that for?" he indicated the weapon still in her hand. "Joining the circus?"

"No," she grinned, "it's a bo staff. I use it for self defense."

"And the defense of others," he said warmly.

"On occasion." She folded the bo staff back into a baton before reattaching it to her belt.

"Can I get you a drink?" he nodded toward the pub. "To say thank you?"

"I was actually on my way home before I… bumped into you."

"I could… walk you home? If you want." He didn't sound desperate, but it was a near thing.

"I'm not from around here," she said evasively. She couldn't really bring him back to her base of operations, which was only a few blocks down the street, but she didn't want to stop talking to him either. "What a dilemma."

"No? Where are you from then?"

"Nowhere."

"Okay… Well, I promise I'm not a pervert or a serial killer or anything," he said earnestly, "so you can come back to my hotel with me if you want. It's late and I'd hate for anything to happen to you."

She crossed her arms. "Because I'm a woman?"

"Hey, I'm 6'3" and double your weight and I almost got jumped like ten minutes ago," he reminded her. "It can happen to anyone."

"Fair enough," she allowed, lowering her defenses. "Still…"

"I can call my security detail if you want verification that I'm not a psycho," he offered. "I'd just like the opportunity to get to know the woman who saved my hide."

Rey's interest sharpened. "That's sweet, but uh… security detail?"

"Yeah," he said nonchalantly. "My mother is a U.S. Senator. I'm in town on her behalf. She was supposed to come herself, but her re-election campaign is heating up and she couldn't spare the time."

"You disapprove," she said perceptively.

Ben's dark brows shot up. "Yeah, actually. You a mind reader, Rey from nowhere?"

"Something like that," she smirked. "I prefer the term grifter."

"Grifter?" he said curiously. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"Oh, you know," Rey winked for effect, assuming the privileged American was about to run in the opposite direction, "I swindle rich people out of their valuables by preying on their weaknesses. Basically, I'm a professional bad guy."

Ben looked hopelessly confused by her explanation. "But you just helped me."

"Well, sometimes I like to help out the little guy." Rey looked him over. "Little big guys too."

"Like Robin Hood?" he said, disarming her with a crooked smile.

"What? I wouldn't say I'm—I'm a hero or anything," she stuttered.

"Well, you're my hero," he said smoothly, holding out a hand. "That's my driver pulling up over there, in the black Jag. Join me? Please?"

"I… okay," she agreed, placing her hand in his, "but just for a little while." This time, she couldn't ignore the shiver.

——————

Alarm bells should be going off in her head, but Rey felt perfectly comfortable with her new companion. It was odd, considering her trust issues, but Ben didn't seem to be only interested in her looks. And she knew she looked good tonight, her dark leather leggings were basically painted on and her lacy bra was visible through a mostly sheer black tank top. Add on her subtle smoky makeup and half-up hair style that emphasized her cheek bones and...

"Rey?"

She loved the way he said her name, almost like a caress. "Yes?"

"Are you hungry? I haven't had dinner yet."

"Oh, sure," she said, never one to give up a free meal. Though she did kinda wish something else was on the menu… "What is wrong with you? You just met the man! Note to self: masturbate more."

"Chinese okay?"

Her mouth watered. "Perfect."

"What do you like?"

"Besides you?" she said without thinking. "Uh, I mean—anything, really. Noodles, if they have them."

Ben let her comment pass, but he was beaming. "I like noodles too. Maybe some kind of chicken? Orange?"

"Excellent," she seconded.

"You're easy," he said, but then caught himself, looking horrified. "I mean to order food for, not—"

"It's okay," she laughed, patting his thigh. "I know what you meant."

"Sorry, I haven't done this in a long time," he said sheepishly, catching her hand before she could remove it.

"This?"

"Gone on a date."

"Oh." Was this a date? Rey couldn't remember the last time she had been on one. Pretty much anytime she'd been alone with a man not her brother in the past ten years it was because she intended to rob them.

"Not that this has to be a date," he said quickly, releasing her hand. "Sorry, I keep saying stupid things."

Dammit, but he was cute. "You don't have to keep apologizing," she replied lightly. "Let's just have dinner and talk and see where that takes us." Maybe the night would lead to some fun extracurricular activities, maybe not, but at least she'd be able to case his place. Based on what she knew so far, the guy definitely came from old money. "Just keep reminding yourself that he's potentially a mark, not a boyfriend, Rey."

"Sure," he smiled, looking relieved. "Hey, Poe?" he said to the driver. "Can you pick up some food after dropping us at the hotel? We're starving."

——————

Ben fumbled a little opening the door, but quickly recovered and ushered Rey inside with a gallant sweep of his arm. The hotel was nice, but not extravagant, something she found odd for the son of a U.S. Senator. Then again, he had apparently been helping out at a shelter all day, so maybe he really was as down to earth as he seemed.

"The bathroom is through there if you need it," he pointed toward the bedroom.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Okay, I'm just going to grab a quick shower. Poe should be back within the hour, so make yourself at home."

"Can I join you?" she was tempted to say. "Sure, I'll just watch the telly."

Ben nodded and left the room. A few seconds later, Rey heard the water start. Flipping on the TV, she left it on the cartoon channel before having a look around.

There weren't any expensive electronics or pieces of art in plain sight, so Rey could only assume that anything valuable would be in his room. "Oh, well, nothing gained, nothing lost. Better update Finn, though."

Yanking her cell out, Rey sent a quick text to her brother with Ben's name, the hotel's address, and a couple sentences about the modest state of his living room. He answered her almost immediately, sounding concerned.

Finn: Are you sure about this bloke? If you're not there to rob him, I assume that means you're interested in something else?

Rey: Yes? Maybe? I don't know. We just met, but…

Finn: At least text me later, okay? So I don't have to worry

Rey: I will. Love you 3

Finn: Love you too, peanut

Finn: ...check the room safe if you get a chance. Those types of hotels always have them and you never know what might be inside ;)

Rolling her eyes, but knowing he was right, Rey listened for a moment. It sounded like Ben was still in the shower, so she took the opportunity to pop into the bedroom and search his closet. A standard issue hotel safe was at the back, surrounded by some very nice black suits.

It wouldn't have been hard to crack the safe if she had her gear, but her heart wouldn't have been in it even if she did. She didn't want to rob Ben Solo, which was a first. Still, she did appreciate a challenge...

"Did you need something?"

Rey whipped around to see her host in nothing but a low slung white towel. "No, I—uh…"

"Would you like something to change into?" he inquired kindly.

Unable to respond with his magnificent chest and long thighs on display, Rey just shook her head in the negative. His brow creased and she felt like a kid who had been caught snooping for Christmas presents. "Shit, shit, shit, I've totally blown it!" Backtracking to the living room, she wasn't surprised when he followed. "What should I do? Oh, god, I don't want him to think…"

"Rey, what you said earlier… about being a… what did you call it? A grifter? Are you—mmph!" he started, unable to complete his thought as Rey impulsively reached up to kiss him.

But instead of pushing her away and demanding an answer, Ben threaded his fingers through her hair and dragged her closer. Taking his response as permission, Rey wrapped her arms around his waist, gripping his bare back as the kiss went on and on.

Somehow, they ended up next to the couch. Rey pushed Ben into a sitting position and climbed onto his lap, rubbing her clothed core against the tent in his towel. "Rey," he whispered, lips trailing down to her neck, "Rey, I want you."

"Yes," she responded as he reached for her waistband. Coming up on her knees, she growled when he yanked her leggings and underwear down her hips with one forceful tug. Things were getting out of control, going too far too fast, but she didn't care; she wanted him too. "Help me," she demanded, legs trapped by the constricting garments.

"I've got you," he huffed, reaching behind her to unzip her black combat boots and pull her pants the rest of the way off.

Meanwhile, Rey tore her top and bralette over her head before going to work on the towel barely covering his lap. "Wow!" she blew out a breath, zeroing in on his ardent erection when it was uncovered. He was big, maybe bigger than anyone she'd ever been with. Would he fit?

"Fuck," Ben sighed, sitting back to stare at her body, "you're beautiful, Rey."

Feeling weirdly shy about the sincerity in his sinful voice, Rey kissed him again in lieu of a response, reaching between them to spread herself for entry.

"Wait," he said, gasping for air, "what about protection?"

"Implant," she mumbled, rubbing her slit against the tip of his penis. "I'm clean, are you?"

"Yeah, I haven't—oh, god—uh, done it in a while."

"Good." She felt strangely possessive of him, this man she had just met. It pleased her that he didn't sleep around. "Fuck me, then. Raw."

Ben slammed his mouth down on hers again, positioning his dick with one hand and gripping her left buttock with the other. But he didn't ram himself home, instead he teased her hole, sliding only a fraction of the way in before retreating. He did it over and over, mimicking the action with his tongue until she was incoherent with desire, squirming, imploring him to fill her…

And then he was, and she found that he fit very well inside her indeed. His thick cock seemed to be made for her, hitting all the right spots and ones she hadn't even known existed until now. "Ben!" she cried, furiously pumping her hips in time with his thrusts. "This is—you're—"

"I feel it too!" he returned, palming her breast and teasing her erect nipple. "From the first moment I saw you, I—"

She licked his mouth, begging for entrance, not wanting to hear his sweet words even as they made her heart soar. He opened for her, but was obviously frustrated that she had cut off his declaration. Before she knew it, the hand squeezing her ass drew back and lightly smacked against her butt-cheek.

"Oh!" Rey jolted at the slight sting, but it wasn't in pain. On the contrary, she requested, "Again! Ben, do that again, please! I'm—"

Knock, knock.

"Oh, shit, Poe's at the—"

"Don't you fucking dare, Ben Solo," she growled, bouncing up and down on him with renewed vigor. But the driver started knocking harder, likely because of the guttural sounds erupting from Ben's throat. "Come on, man, can't you tell we're busy?!"

"But—shit!" Ben hauled her against him, no longer playing, just looking for relief before his friend broke the door down.

Rey found his soft grunts and swears endearing, so she took pity on him and increased her pace even further. "Come for me, Ben," she instructed, grinding down on him with all her might. "Come now and then we can eat. Or you can eat me, whichever you prefer."

The dirty talk seemed to work, because in the next minute, Ben was biting down on her shoulder, shaking with the force of his orgasm. Not far behind, Rey led his hand to her swollen nub, needing just a hair more stimulation to tip over the edge. Almost instantly, his trembling touch sent her into climax. Still vaguely aware of what's-his-name banging on the hotel room door, she pressed her mouth to Ben's pectoral to muffle her cries and came for what felt like ages…

"That—was—amazing," Ben panted, hugging her so tightly she thought she might pop. "The—best—I've—ever—had!"

"Me—too," she couldn't help but admit.

Loosening his hold, Ben cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly. "Thank you."

"Ah—you're welcome," she said, smiling like an idiot. Before she could lean in again, Poe resumed making his presence known.

"Ben? Are you okay? Answer me! Did that woman kill you? Your mother will be so pissed if you're dead." He hit the door again. "Either answer me in the next ten seconds or I'm going to get security!"

"I'm fine, great, alive, whatever!" Ben called back loudly. "And annoyed," he said to Rey. "Go into the bedroom for a minute while I get rid of him."

"Okay," she agreed, gingerly getting up. They both groaned when he slipped out of her, which Rey found gratifying. "Can I use the shower now?"

"Sure, there are towels under the sink. My sleep shirts are in the top drawer of the dresser," he offered.

"He wants me to spend the night?" she mused, feeling giddy and terrified all at once. "Alright," she said aloud, picking up her clothes and disappearing into the bedroom she'd been casing earlier, "call out if you need backup."

"Will do," he chuckled, "will do."

——————

Ten minutes later, Rey emerged from the bathroom feeling fresh and back in control. Picking a long sleeve shirt out of Ben's dresser at random, she pulled it over her naked body before toweling off her wet hair. The black cotton was as soft as it was big, but Rey didn't mind; it smelled like Ben.

Catching her reflection in the floor length mirror by the closet, she was amused to see that the garment fell to her knees like a sack, giving her already slender body exactly zero shape. "Oh, well, it's not like I plan on wearing it lon—"

A disturbance in the living room suddenly diverted her reverie. Sneaking to the door, she carefully cracked it and peaked out.

"You can't just keep her here!" Poe nearly shouted at Ben.

"Keep your fucking voice down," he snarled back. "You're not my boss or my mother and you can't tell me what to do. I'm a grown ass man!"

"Maybe so, but you're acting like a teenager! You can't just sleep with some chick you picked up off the side of the road when Leia is counting on you to—"

"I told you," Ben said through gritted teeth, "she saved my ass and I wanted to get to know her. I didn't hire her for the fucking night!"

"Could have fooled me," Poe scoffed. "For all you know, she could have been in on the attack and—"

"Get out!" Ben ordered, clearly at his wit's end. "I'll call you when you're needed again, if you are."

"Are you firing me?!"

"Not yet," Ben said grimly, marching to the door and flinging it open. "Just go before I forget that you're my best friend and say something I regret."

"Fine," Poe said, storming out of the apartment. "Let me know when you come to your senses!"

Ben slammed the door shut, then turned around and leaned on it. Scurrying back into the bathroom before he caught her eavesdropping, she started combing her hair, attempting to look natural in case he came in after her. When he didn't, she tried not to feel disappointed.

Leaving her damp hair hanging loose around her shoulders, Rey found him sitting at the dining table in his towel with several brown paper bags in front of him. He looked lost in thought and she hoped he hadn't taken Poe's opinion about her motives to heart. "Wotcher, Ben?" she asked hesitantly.

"Hmm?" he said, looking up at her. "Sorry, I was just...uh…" The arrested look on his face made her toes curl. "Wow, you look amazing."

"This old thing?" she joked, sidling up next to him. "I borrowed it from a mate."

"He has good taste," he said, opening his arms.

"I certainly think so," she said coyly, moving to sit sideways on his lap. Rey curled one arm around his neck and placed the other one on his chest. "Are you still hungry?"

"For food?" he choked, holding her so that she wouldn't slide off.

"Food," she nodded, leaning her forehead against his, "and other things."

One of Ben's large hands inserted itself between her thighs. "These kinds of things?" he murmured. "I think we can—fuck!" he bit his lip as he discovered that she wasn't wearing anything underneath his shirt.

"We can certainly fuck," she teased, "but—oh!" Rey gasped as he stood with her in his strong arms. "Ben? What are you…?"

Before she could get the words out, he'd pushed their dinner out of the way and laid her down on the table. Placing the backs of her knees in the crook of each arm, Ben pulled her forward until her butt was on the edge of the table and her pussy was level with his mouth.

"Having dinner," he said in the most ridiculously sexy tone of voice she'd ever heard, flipping his nightshirt up so that she was bare from the waist down.

"Oh, god!" she whimpered as he lowered his head. "Ben, you don't really have to—ah!" Gripping the back of his head as he started to lick her folds, Rey shuddered every time his long nose bumped against her clit.

"Enjoying yourself?" he said a little arrogantly. "Is this why you came home with me? Cause you wanted me to make you feel good?"

Considering how very well he was treating her, and the uncertainty on his face, she decided to play along. "Yes, Ben, I wanted you the second I saw you!"

He smiled slightly, then resumed tasting her. "So, does that mean you want to come?"

"That would be lovely," she sighed, enjoying the pressure of his wide mouth.

His mouth quirked at that. "Never heard sex described that way before."

"Then you're doing it with the wrong people."

"Oh?" his gaze turned hot. "And how many people have you been doing it with?"

"Not many," she said hurriedly, "and not in a long time."

"Good girl," he said silkily. "So, if I were to put my fingers inside you, would your cunt feel… full?"

"Yes!" she panted, so wet she was dripping onto the table now.

"Let's see then."

Arching her back as he slid two fingers inside her body, Rey realized that she had never really known sexual satisfaction until tonight. She was twenty-five and still basically knew nothing about sex and relationships. "Huh."

Ben stopped moving, lifting his dark head to look at her. "Rey? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she said dreamily. "I guess I've just never felt this way before."

He held her eyes for an extended moment, amber striking against hazel. "Yeah, me too." And then he was fingering her again, sucking and teasing her slick opening until she was crying out his name in ecstasy.

Afterward, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them. Needless to say, they skipped dinner that night.

——————

Rey grunted as she felt Ben leave the bed the next morning. He had been her heater since the sheets and pillows were strewn about the room. "Come back," she said hoarsely, throat worn from use. "I'm cold."

"Just a moment," he laughed, opening the bedroom door to fetch something from the living room. "Your cell has been going off for an hour straight."

"My cell?" she yawned. Then, "Oh, no." She sat bolt upright. "Wait! Don't—"

"Rey?" Ben called in disbelief. "Who the fuck is Finn?"

——————

A/N: I love Kingsman and always think about Rey being a punk with a heart of gold like Eggsy. I didn't include the spy angle, but I was able to visit The Black Prince, where scenes were filled for the movie, a couple years ago and have fond memories. Anyway, reviews are appreciated! <3 

[melodiouswhite]

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rewritten - Ch. 34

34. The memorable habits of Miss Donovan (and bar fights)

(A/N: here there be violence and dismemberment)

The physical injuries had healed well.

And now that both Jekyll and Hyde knew, that they had something like a family for the first time in their life, the wounds on their soul were beginning to heal as well.

But Hyde didn't feel strong enough to come out and go around to pursue his hobbies for a while.

Jekyll therefore had the pleasure of staying in control for almost a month, before Hyde got fidgety again.

“Are you sure you want to go back to that?”, he asked one evening, when Hyde demanded to be let out again. “Perhaps that scum will be back-”

“If he knows what's good for him, he won't”, his alter ego snarled in response.

“Hyde, I really don't think this is a good idea.”

“I need this, Jekyll”, the younger pointed out. “And so do you. Do you think I haven't noticed how you've gone back to your old self-repression? You want to be free again. And so do I.”

The Doctor didn't argue anymore.

He did laugh, though. “You're truly incorrigible.”

“Look who's talking!”, Hyde retorted.

Jekyll finished his work for the day and left his office.

Poole frowned, when he told him that he would go out tonight.

“Are you sure, Doctor?”, the elderly servant questioned. “Only a month after you-know-what?”

“It's alright”, Jekyll assured him. “We will be more careful this time. Don't worry, Arthur.”

Poole shook his head. “You're truly incorrigible, Henry.”

The blond chuckled. “I know.”

Only Poole got away with that cheek towards him.

“Mister Hyde! So good to see you again!”, the cash carrier* cried eagerly and approached the small brunette, when he entered the bar.

Hyde hid his scorn behind his creepy smile and told him that tonight he was just here to get drunk.

When he looked around, he recognised some men, he had bested on other occasions.

Some of them saw him and glowered, but Hyde didn't worry about them.

They wouldn't have the guts to do anything, he knew.

He jumped onto the counter and threw a Sovereign onto the table.

“Long time no see! The usual?”, the barkeeper inquired and Hyde nodded affirmatively.

“The usual. And pour it, where I can see it!”, he added scowling, when the barkeeper turned his back on him to pour the drink.

The man gulped. “Alright, alright!”

He stepped to the side, so the smaller man could see everything, poured the ale and handed him his pint.

“Thank you”, Hyde purred with false sweetness and strode over to his accustomed seat in the corner.

To his surprise, someone was already sitting at the table.

And it was none other than-

“No way!”, he exclaimed, “Miss Donovan! Fancy meeting you here!”

She turned her head, recognised him and grinned like a bedlam girl. “Likewise!”, she responded, “Been a while, hasn't it? Come and sit with me, Mr. Hyde!”

He did so.

This time she wasn't cross-dressing. Instead she was sporting a black and red dress. Her flame red curls were in a ponytail and she wore dark red lipstick and rouge.

Probably to lure men in.

Hyde knew a trap, when he saw one.

“How've you been?”, she asked cheerily.

“I'm getting better.”

“I can tell. Up to your debauchery again, eh?”

“Well, what can I say? I am and always will be a depraved man.”

“It's fine. Just don't go forcing yourself on people ever again. Now that you know what that feels like.”

Hyde frowned. “Oh, don't worry. I learned my lesson in that regard.”

She nodded. “Good.”

“Sooo”, Hyde drawled, “What are you doing here in a bar?”

The ginger shrugged. “Eh, ya know. Getting up the pole and looking for girls.”

Oh. So she's a queer too …

“Well, this is a brothel, so-”

“I'm not here to dab it up”, Miss Donovan revealed, “I want to find a lady-friend. Kinda hard for me to keep one.”

He looked at her in confusion.

It was hard for him to imagine.

Alma Donovan was an attractive girl, in almost every way. Even the piercing, feral look in her eyes – so much like his own – could be enticing. He certainly knew that a lot of men had a thing for wild, temperamental beauties.

She explained: “I'm mad. Maybe Luise told you, but I like to stab and mutilate blokes. They just 'ave to look at me funny and then they can say bye-bye to their crown jewels.”

Hyde cringed.

“Do I have to worry about losing mine?”, he queried.

She shook her head. “Unless you ever hurt a woman again, nah. Besides, you already got a taste of your medicine and promised to never do it again. So you're safe.”

Oh thank Heavens …

“And I have quite a few other quirks”, the ginger continued, “So every time I actually manage to get meself a girlfriend, it doesn't last long. I'm looking for a lady, who can put up with me madness.”

Oh.

Well, he knew a few tough girls. Tough enough for him, at least. And he was a madman himself, after all. So in theory, they would be able to handle that madwoman here too. But …

“Just out of curiosity, how do you treat your lady-friends?”

Suddenly, Miss Donovan grinned like a Chesire cat.

“Oh, I spoil them rotten!”, she cried excitedly, “Luise gives me a handsome allowance and I make quite a lot of money by placing bets! I'd give them the best I can afford, take them out for dates, protect them from perverts, teach them how to defend themselves and how to read and write, take care of them, be there when they need me-”

The plural form got his attention. “Them?”

Miss Donovan scratched her head awkwardly. “That's the other problem. Monogamy isn't me thing. That and the fact that I get into trouble so often … well, you get the idea. Have been jailed several times too. Luise cuts me allowance every time she has to bail me out.”

One of these girls, eh?

Hyde laughed: “Miss Donovan, I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”

“Call me Alma”, she requested, “Miss Donovan was me mother.”

The brunette grinned. “Call me Edward then.”

They shook hands and proceeded to chat about this and that.

Unfortunately their conversation was interrupted, when Hyde felt a presence behind himself.

Alma frowned. “Uhh, Edward?”

“I know”, he muttered and turned around to come face to face with a huge bloke, who was glaring down at him. He reminded Hyde of a gorilla Jekyll had once seen at the zoo.

“Can I help you, Sir?”, he asked coolly and with an unaffected expression.

“You sick in the head?”, the taller man snarled.

He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“Ye heard me!”, the gorilla growled.

Hyde looked past him and caught sight of some men he remembered roughing up. They were whispering and staring at the gorilla, like he was off his head. Which he certainly was.

“I have a score to settle with ya!”

“No, you don't”, Hyde responded languidly. “If we'd brawled before, I'd remember you.”

One of the workers in the background stood up and put a hand on the moron's shoulder.

“Are you off your rocker?!”, the man hissed, “That gremlin looks small, but he holds a candle to the devil.”*

A gremlin?!

He heard Jekyll snort in his head and almost laughed too. But Hyde was in a good mood, so the other man was off the hook. Besides, that was one of the more harmless things he'd been called so far.

“Well, you would know, wouldn't you?”, Hyde remarked, smirking.

“See, Sir”, he turned back to the gorilla, “That man would have a score to settle with me. And so do those three gentlemen in the back.”

He pointed at three other men, who were sitting at one of the other tables. The worker returned to his chair at their table.

“They're just wise enough not to”, Hyde continued. “And you should be too. Or you can just tell me what you actually want.”

“Ye must be that Hyde-fella”, the giant growled.

“'Sup?”

“I heard things about ya!”

“Really now?” Hyde's eyes narrowed. He was starting to feel extremely agitated. Why couldn't that twit just leave them alone? Normally he would have punched him in the gut by now, but he didn't feel like getting himself another house ban.

“Ye start brawls and beat people up for kicks”, the bigger man growled.

And you don't? Hypocrite.

“Even if they're over twice yer size-”

And what does that tell you?! Sod off!

“-Almost killed some old geezer for no reason-”

How the hell did that bastard know that?! Sir Danvers Carew hadn't pressed charges or given his name! The only witness had been a maid and Lady Summers had bought her silence. No one knew that it had been him!

Hyde feigned ignorance: “Some old geezer? Rumours! I can't think of one!”

Jekyll snorted: “Fibbing, Hyde? That's not like you.”

Shut up, Jekyll. Besides, it's easy to deny, when he doesn't say who he means.

Well, at least the fib had the desired effect. It threw the other off. Good. So he had only heard rumours about it. He couldn't prove anything. He didn't even know, if it was true.

The brunette scoffed: “Telling stories with no basis on reality? Pathetic! Now, for the last time, who are you and what do you want?”

I swear, if I have to ask one more time-

“I'm Bob Smith”, the gorilla told him.

“And I'm Queen Victoria”, Hyde responded, mimicking a falsetto and batting his eyelashes. “Guess who I am!”

Some people cackled in the background. Alma chortled and even Jekyll laughed in his head.

The gorilla's scowl intensified. “I'm tryin' to talk to ye, little shit!”

“As am I. And I'm currently failing. And I'm sorry for that. But I'm just so irritated! Because a plastered gorilla just strolled up to me and my friend, interrupted our conversation and is trying to intimidate me, like I'm one of the underage attendants!”

Hyde stared him right into the eyes. He could tell that, if he stood up, he still wouldn't even reach up to the giant's chest, so he didn't bother. Also, he'd bested men of that size before, some of them being professional brawlers. And he was in the perfect position to-

Suddenly the gorilla grabbed him by the collar, which made him gasp in surprise.

“Don't give me that sass, ye brat!”, he snarled. “I'll tear ye to pieces an'-”

Before he could continue, Hyde decided that he had enough and kicked him in the nuts with all his strength.

The gorilla let go and wailed like a little girl. Then he dropped onto the floor, clutching his crown jewels and cursed up a storm.

Priceless.

Utterly priceless.

The brunette scoffed: “Look at you! Acting tough, but a simple knock in the nuts is enough to knock you off your feet. Pathetic.”

“Oi!”, Alma suddenly piped up and stood up. She came around the table and grabbed the man by the hair. “I remember you!”

Her ice blue ice narrowed to slits.

“I saw you 'ere a fortnight ago! You're that piece of shit, who walked off with one of the underage attendants! That ten-year-old gal, if I remember correctly.”

So that gorilla is one of those blokes, huh?

“Ew! Gross!”, Jekyll groaned in disgust. “And you call me a dirty old man, Hyde! At least I don't use children to satisfy my carnal desires!”**

Yes, that's one of your redeeming qualities, Hyde thought drily.

Meanwhile Alma was grinning maniacally. “Why, there's only one appropriate way to 'andle blokes like you!”

To the brunette's surprise, she charmed a knife from her glove. “Now”, she purred darkly, “You will find out, why they call me 'Unmanning Alma'!”

Ohhhh, this is going to be good!

“Hyde, no.”

Hyde, yes!

Hyde was quite convinced, that the knife was blunt. Which made this whole thing even better!

But before more could happen, someone new entered the brothel.

He couldn't believe his eyes. “Lucy!”

She turned to face him. “Oh, Mr. Hyde! Good evening!”

He frowned. “What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave this place!”

The black-haired woman smiled. “Don't worry, I'm just here to get my clothes. It took me a while to find a room somewhere, but now I finally have a nice one.”

Hyde composed himself. Finding a nice and affordable place to live was extremely hard here in London, he knew that.

Lucy went up to the pimp and they began a talk, which quickly turned into an argument.

His eyes narrowed.

Oh no, that snake was not going to take Lucy's things for himself!

“Is there a problem?”, he asked the pimp icily.

The snake began to talk some gibberish about Lucy having debts.

“I see”, Hyde replied coolly and turned to Lucy: “When you moved out, how much did he charge you?”

“Sixty Pounds”, Lucy huffed. “And I paid! Now he wants another twenty!”

“Sixty? Her possessions are worth less than forty – which I know, because I calculated it. But since you're so eager to rob an ex-prostitute, let's settle this business once and for all.”

Hyde turned around, rummaged in his bag and then turned to them, his hands behind the back. “Alright”, he began darkly. “In one hand I'm holding my bag, that contains medical equipment, as well as all the money you could ever dream of. In the other, I have a walking cane stable enough to bash someone's skull in. Of course”, he added with a sneer, “The other option would be that you land behind bars for hiring underage prostitutes. Just a brief reminder, the age of consent was raised up to sixteen last summer. But then again, when has that ever stopped people from lusting for little brats, eh?”

The pimp stared at him for a full minute.

“Her debts are more than settled”, he finally uttered weakly. Then he backed off and let Lucy get her last things. When she returned downstairs, the snake was waiting for her and shoved a bag of money into her hands. “Here you have twenty pounds, just keep your mouth shut!”

Hyde snorted. The things people did to avoid getting apprehended!

“Oh shut up!”, Jekyll scoffed in his head, “You turn into me, when you get into trouble with the police!”

You shut up, Jekyll!

“No, you!”

Just for the record, I haven't got into trouble with the police since that Carew affair! Now shut up and let me enjoy the show!

“What show? This one or Miss Donovan castrating that paedophile?”

Oh, right. He had forgot about that bugger.

When he turned to the red-head, she had knocked the gorilla out cold and was staring at Lucy, like she was the most gorgeous thing in the world.

To be fair, the black-haired woman was the most beautiful girl he knew.

An idea popped into Hyde's head.

He took the surprised Lucy by the hand and guided her to his new friend (who quickly hid her knife).

“Let me introduce you to Lucy Harris, a woman who's too good for this sinful world – don't you dare deny it, Lucy”, he added, when she wanted to object. “And this is Alma Donovan, a friend of mine, who is just as mad as I am.”

“Charmed!”, Alma cried enthusiastically and shook the blushing woman's hand. “It's an honour to meet a remarkable lady such as yourself!”

“Uhm … likewise …”, Lucy mumbled shyly, obviously not knowing how to deal with this.

Jekyll laughed in Hyde's head.

“I didn't pin you to be a match-maker!”, he teased. If he had been corporeal, Hyde would've stuck his tongue at him.

Oh shut up, if these two hook up, it might give me an advantage!

“Sure, Hyde. Whatever helps you sleep at night! There is no way you could be doing this, because you want two people who helped you to be happy!”

I would strike you, if I could.

“But you cahaaan't!”, Jekyll taunted him. “Come on, Edward! You know that I'm right!”

The brunette puffed his cheeks in annoyance.

Better half, his arse! Also, how old was that man again? Oh yeah, fifty! He was a dirty, fifty-year-old bastard!

A groan got their attention. Oh, the gorilla was waking up.

The two mad people excused themselves and dragged the half-conscious man outside and into an alley. Hyde kicked him in the solar plexus for good measure, to render him defenceless.

But when Donovan had her blunt knife out, Hyde laughed and took a scalpel out of his bag. “That knife is too blunt. Use this, that'll be quicker.”

Alma took the medical tool and made short work of the man's nether regions.

She and Hyde cackled maniacally as the child-molesting bastard screamed, then left him to writhe in agony.

“I need to go back”, Hyde told her, “I still have to pay for my drink.”

She grinned. “Maybe Miss Harris hasn't left yet”, she hoped.

I'm sure one of her ex-colleagues is keeping her back for a few minutes to chat, he assumed.

And sure enough, he was right.

Lucy was leaning outside, next to the door and chatting with one of her colleagues, who had crept outside for some fresh air.

Hyde recognised the other woman. That French girl … what was her name … oh right, Marianne.

Alma went up to them and joined in their conversation, while he went back inside to pay.

Everyone was obviously glad, when he paid up and left the place.

Then he had a short talk with the three women (Lucy inquired how he was doing), before turning to go home. “Goodbye, ladies! It was fun to pass time with you!”

“Likewise!”, Alma laughed and waved back.

Then they all went their separate ways.

Hyde was still elated, when he arrived at his flat.

Sure, he hadn't got up the pole tonight, but damn! He had found himself one sister in arms!

“This was the best evening in ages!”, he exclaimed happily.

“I can imagine it was”, Jekyll deadpanned and appeared in the mirror.

“This is my nightmare!”, the blond groaned and shook his head. “You found a partner in crime, who's just as deranged as you are!”

The brunette cackled and revelled in the other's exasperation.

Meanwhile Lady Summers was doing paper work, when her telephone rang and she jumped.

With a frustrated sigh, she took the receiver. “Hello, Lady Summers speaking?”

In the next moment she winced and held the receiver away from her ear.

“You, Luise! I just had the best evening ever!”

Why did Alma have to shout into the phone like that?!

“Let me guess, you castrated someone?”, the Lady sighed in annoyance.

“That too, but I met some really interesting people!”

“Did you now?”

“Yes! First off, I stumbled upon Hyde in a brothel-”

“What were you doing there?!”

“I'm coming to that – and we chatted about this and that, when this huge gorilla of a man interrupted our conversation and started to annoy Edward-”

Oh, so it's first name basis now?

“-and you won't believe this! It was the same guy, who screwed that little girl the other day! The one I didn't get to punish, because I had to leave early!”

“Aha.”

“And just as I wanted to give him, what he deserved, this absolutely gorgeous woman walked in! She was so cute and beautiful, damn! It's true love, I know it! And Edward introduced me to her! Her name is Lucy Harris! She's so adorable! I asked for her address and get this! She just moved into the house where I live! Isn't that amazing?! Maybe I'll finally have a lasting relationship! And I also got to know a Frenchwoman, who is apparently a former colleague of Lucy's. A really bricky**** lady, I tell you!”

The Prussian needed a minute to process all of this.

Then she recovered her spirit.

“That's nice, Alma. But you still haven't told me what you were doing in a run-down brothel bar in Soho.”

“I was looking for a potential girlfriend! You know how hard it is for me to keep one! And every woman in Whitechapel knows me. They don't want anything to do with me. I don't even know why! I'm doing them a favour with what I do! Anyway, I hoped that maybe I'd be luckier in one of the other districts. And I thought prostitutes would be a good thing to start with, because they're tougher than others.”

That's in the eye of the beholder, the Lady thought drily.

“Have you told Mr. Hyde about your favourite pastime?”, she asked curiously.

“Yeah. But he was calm about it, after I told him that he has nothing to fear. He even helped me castrate that child-molesting gorilla! I think I found myself a brother in arms!”

Lady Summers groaned: “This is my nightmare! You found a partner in crime, who's just as deranged as you are!”

---

*cash carrier - Victorian Slang for: a pimp

**Hold a candle to the devil - Victorian Slang for: to be evil

***My version of Jekyll is anti pedo. Anything younger than eighteen is too young for him. Hyde likes them twenty (like himself) and older.

****bricky - Victorian Slang for: brave, fearless

[add-salt-shed-light]

Don't Whine About Wine

For the past 4 or 5 weeks, my professional life has had me spending more time in hotels than at home with my family.  As a consequence, it has been some time since I have had opportunity to put ink to paper…that no longer works does it?  What is the appropriate idiom for today…digitized font to digitized paper?  (It doesn’t matter.  Focus.)  Given that it has been some time since I have written an article, I thought I would make my return with a controversial and perhaps offensive topic.  Why not?

I don’t believe this topic should be either of those two things, but long held traditions have been (for many) solidified into dogmatism.  I wish to address the topic of alcohol and the biblical teaching regarding its consumption.  There are many Christians who enjoy alcoholic beverages without the slightest pang of conscience.  There are others who frown completely upon such behavior and deem it un-Christian and even contrary to scripture.  There are even some that practice teetotalism because of the concern that they may be somehow predisposed to alcoholism.

I am writing this article having just finished cutting my lawn on a very hot day.  For purposes of full disclosure, I should let you know, that on the table to my right is an open can of beer.  Now, it could be because it is great bait for fruit flies, which will buzz around the delicious beer, and not around my face.  The other possible reason is that I find nothing to be more refreshing after hot strenuous work than a cold crisp beer.  I do confess it to be for the second reason.  I am drinking beer and am enjoying it immensely.

Hey, don’t go anywhere!  Please keep reading.  It is not too late for me to rescue this article and steer it back in a direction that will cause those shocked individuals (currently sitting wide-eyed, with hand over mouth) to relax their tense muscles, and allow their blood pressure to return to normal levels.  I am not writing this article to encourage anyone to start or continue drinking alcoholic beverages.  You must follow your own conscience.  I would simply like to turn to scripture, and from its inspired pages determine what God has to say on this topic. 

I know, having grown up within a brethren assembly, that there is a stigma attached to the consumption of alcohol.  From a young age, I assumed it to be a moral sin.  I do not believe that this is simply a brethren ‘thing’.  I grew up with many teetotaler Baptist friends, who held a similar position.  As I matured and began studying the scripture for myself, I soon recognized that alcohol itself was not sinful.  However, there still is a great amount of judgment expressed against those who, with a clear conscience, enjoy alcohol in moderation.  It is also my hope that through this article, I can gently suggest to those who hold others in such judgement to ponder what the scripture says and to be gracious.

I should be very clear from the start: the bible does contain many warnings related to the use of wine and strong drink, and it clearly lists drunkenness as a sin. 

For example:

Proverbs 20:1  “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise (NASB).”

1 Corinthians 6:10  “Nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (NASB).”

There are many other verses I could list that provide the same or similar instruction.  Over indulgence to the point of drunkenness is clearly a sin.  In fact, when it comes to the joys and pleasures of this earthly scene, we should not pursue anything to the point of excess.  The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (NASB)”.  Although we may have freedom to partake of the things that God has provided for us to enjoy, we should not allow ourselves to become enslaved by anything.  I have an insatiable love for ice cream, however, I know that over indulgence is not only unhealthy but the bible warns me to avoid gluttony.

Proverbs 23:2  “And put a knife to your throat, if you are a man of great appetite. (NASB).”

Proverbs 23:20-21  “Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags (NASB).”

Proverbs 28:7  “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father (NASB).”

The Apostle Peter instructs us to apply self-control:

2 Peter 1:5-8  “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (NASB).”

As I read these verses, the word ‘moderation’ comes to mind.  We have seen that alcohol consumed in excess, that is, to the point of drunkenness, is a sin.  Is it a sin to drink alcohol in moderation? 

In this article, I intend to turn to scripture to determine what it teaches regarding the consumption of alcohol in moderation. Next week, I will dive deeper and introduce the Hebrew and Greek words for wine, strong drink, and even grape juice.  (That’s right, ancient Hebrew and Koine Greek allow for a clear distinction between varieties of alcohol drinks and between alcoholic wine and grape juice.)

A brief review of a few New Testament passages will suffice to answer the question before us.  Let’s begin with 1 Timothy 5:

1 Timothy 5:23  “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments (NASB).”

I was in a reading meeting recently where a well-intentioned brother insisted that the Apostle Paul was telling Timothy to drink grape juice.  The brother then spoke of the many health benefits of grape juice.  It was very difficult for me to remain quiet but I managed to resist the temptation to turn his attention to 1 Timothy 3 and ask if over indulgence in grape juice was a real problem in those days.

1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8  “2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money…8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain (NASB).”

Replace the word ‘wine’ in those verses with ‘grape juice’ and you will immediately recognize the complete absurdity of the claim that Paul was advising Timothy to drink a non-alcoholic wine.  Notice that Paul does not say that an overseer or deacon should drink no wine rather he gives instruction that they should not drink much wine.  That is, they should not over-indulge.  (By the way, each usage of the word ‘wine’ in these passages in Timothy is translated from the same original Greek word – ‘oinos’.)

Now let’s turn to Luke 10 and the story of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:33-34  “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him (NASB).”

The same Greek word ‘oinos’ is translated as ‘wine’ in this passage.  I doubt that grape juice would have the same antiseptic properties as an alcoholic wine.  In each case that ‘oinos’ is used in the New Testament, it refers to alcoholic wine.  On what basis do I make that claim?  Because that’s what the word means!!

Oinos:  “A beverage made from fermented juice of the grape, wine” (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd Edition - Danker, Frederick William; Bauer, Walter).

If you are still with me at this point, you may say “all you’ve proven is that wine is good for medicinal purposes.  None of those verses speak to the moral character of alcohol consumption”. 

Fair enough.  Let me address that now.  Please turn with me to John 2, and read of Jesus’ first miracle; the turning of water into wine.  Now ask yourself this: if consuming alcohol is a sin, would Jesus have aided and abetted this behavior by providing the wedding guests with more wine?  Of course not!  Jesus was sinless and He could not have provided anyone with a means to sin nor could He have associated with the appearance of evil.  This is where many people pull out the grape juice argument.  For fun I could ignore the actual definition of the word ‘oinos’ and grant the possibility that it was grape juice…but the Apostle John actually provides the answer for us.  It was indeed alcoholic wine.  Read verses 9 and 10 of John 2.

John 2:9-10 “When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now (NASB).”

How is this proof that the wedding guests were enjoying alcohol?  Notice what the headwaiter says: “Everyman serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunken freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now”.  You see, then, like today, a wedding feast was an expensive affair and cost the host of the party a great deal of money and goods.  A common practice at such a feast was to show off your good wine by serving it first.  Once your guests “had drunken freely” and their taste buds and powers of discernment were affected by the alcohol, the host would switch to the cheap wine.  The guests no doubt knew the custom but were enjoying themselves too much to care. 

Read back through the passage, again replacing each occurrence of ‘wine’ with ‘grape juice’.  If you do so, then you will need to remove verses 9 and 10 from John 2, because these verses make no sense if the wine was non-alcoholic.

To this point, we have seen wine recommended as a stomach remedy, as an antiseptic, and as something that overseers and deacons should not over indulge in.  I’ve also provide a definition of the Greek word ‘oinos’ (there is, by the way, a Greek word that denotes non-alcoholic wine or grape-juice).  We have also read in John 2, that Jesus turned water into wine for the wedding guests, and the Apostle John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit provided confirmation that it was alcoholic.  I will end this article with one final passage of scripture and then take the topic to conclusion in next week’s article.

Turn to Matthew 11 for our next passage of scripture.  In this chapter, our Lord Jesus Christ reveals that He, Himself, did not abstain from alcohol.

Matthew 11:16-19  “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds (NASB).”

If you have read Luke 1, you will remember how the angel appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.  The angel told Zacharias that John would “drink no wine or liquor” (Luke 1:15).  Here in Matthew 11, Jesus points out that “they were like petulant children who would not be persuaded to join in the play. There had been a note of severity in John's ministry, but they showed no sign of lamenting in repentance: Jesus had come full of grace and of the joy of deliverance, yet they manifested no real signs of gladness. Instead they discovered ways of discrediting both (Commentary on Matthew, by F. B. Hole)”.  When they saw John abstaining from alcohol, they said he had a demon and when they saw Jesus drinking wine, they accused Him of being a drunkard. 

While the accusation of Jesus being a drunkard was unfounded (impossible even, given that He was without sin), He clearly highlights the contrast between Himself and John: John abstained from alcohol, and the Son of Man did not.  The Lord Jesus could not be guilty of drunkenness, as it was impossible for Him to sin.  He also would have lived in perfect consistency with the Word of God.  Consider the instruction given in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain from every form of evil”.

Given that the Lord did not abstain from the consumption of alcohol, I can only conclude that it is not sinful.  Over-indulgence resulting in drunkenness is sinful, but it is possible to enjoy alcohol in moderation with freedom of conscience – our Lord and Savior did.

Now please go enjoy a cold refreshing glass of grape juice.