#everything leads back to sailor moon

[ace-detective-inc]

funny how that happens

[yourfavoritehouseplant]

I watched James Somerton's final video, and all I got was this 6 page document

As soon as I learned his final unreleased video was on Revolutionary Girl Utena, I knew I had to hate watch it. I didn't know that I'd spend the following 4 hours making a comprehensive doc on everything I hated about it. But here we are.

The TLDR (is this too long to be a TLDR?)

The intro section, as well as Part 2, are directly plagiarized from wikipedia. The rest is unclear.

He makes a “haha this show is so weird right guys” joke 10 different times

He reads Anthy as so emotionally stunted she literally has to be taught how to think for herself, and believes that being the rose bride makes her feel good

He says that his reading is ‘vastly different” from the rest of the community, before boldly stating that this is because he sees it as a “deeply allegorical and symbolic story”

He sees the sexual abuse as “not to be taken literally”

Insists that the show be separated into parts that are strictly literal and strictly allegorical for the entirety of parts 3 and 4, before making the contradictory move of analyzing characters as allegories during part 5

The only characters that get dedicated sections are Akio and Dios, who he doesn’t believe are the same person. 

He says Dios gets his powers by “deflowering women”

He calls Akio, known child predator, a chaotic bisexual

Uses 14 year old SA survivor Anthy’s passive personality to make a joke about her being a bottom

His final point is that Utena was the real prince all along

There are no citations

Anyway, full version for people who hate themselves under the cut. With time codes, because I cite my sources.

Part 1: Intro

This entire section is almost exclusively quoted from the Wikipedia article for Revolutionary Girl Utena. Words have been changed, but the order at which certain topics come up is not. Highlights include:

0:56 In his introduction of Be-Papas, lists the founding members in literally the exact same order as Wikipedia.

1:40-2:00 His list of Be-Papas previous works is lifted entirely from wikipedia, only with the words changed. This leads to a strange moment at 1:52 where he claims Be-papas ‘lent their talents to’ Neon Genesis Evangelion, a show which started production at least a year before Be-papas was founded. On the wikipedia article for Utena, this is instead referring to the previous work of Shinya Hasegawa and Yōji Enokido

4:23 he uses a quote by Yūichirō Oguro describing the production as a “tug of war”. He seems to have lifted this in its entirety from Wikipedia, as he does not cite the actual source it is from (the box set companion book, btw)

As for James Somerton originals, at 0:44 he claims that out of all magical girl series,”none to my knowledge have been more discussed and dissected than the 1997 series Revolutionary Girl Utena” He will go back on this at 5:05, where he states that “Sailor Moon takes the lion’s share of discussion” in regard to influential magical girl anime

Part 2: Part 1

(At least I know I’m not funny, unlike James Somerton)

Speaking of which. Here is every single time he makes a “wow this show is sooooo weird you guys” joke: 6:00, 8:50, 10:40, 10:58, 13:46, 17:07, 24:16, 30:34, 41:19, 48:01

Here’s every time the punchline to the joke is the existence of Nanami, a character who he otherwise completely disregards: 10:56, 12:05, 16:22, 42:40

6:16 Claims that the “Apocalypse saga” and “Akio Ohtori saga’ are two names for the same several episodes, depending on the release. This is untrue. Instead, different releases either only have the Apocalypse saga, or split the episodes into an Akio Ohtori saga and then the Apocalypse saga. 

7:58 Claims Utena intervening on Anthy’s behalf begins the first duel. While this happens in the movie, Touga intervenes in the scene he uses clips from (like literally right after the shot he uses in the video). Utena only gets drawn into the duels when Wakaba’s love note to Saionji is posted. Youtuber Noralities’ Utena video also gets this wrong, which makes me wonder if this was copied.

9:09 Claims Akio’s “End of the World” moniker is actually more closely translated to “Apocalypse”. In reality, the translation moves away from a more apocalyptic reading, with 世界の果て (Sekai no hate) apparently translating closer to “the furthest reach of a known world” or “edge of the world”. (Love the implications of this translation, but I digress)

9:10 As can be assumed from the previous point, this means I can’t find any sources that point to them not using the title “apocalypse” for religious reasons

10:10 Uses Anthy’s extreme passivity under her Rose bride persona to make a top/bottom joke. I’m gonna repeat this in case you’re just skimming. He uses a trait that likely stems from years of abuse, (possibly exaggerated by the persona Anthy uses to manipulate people), and uses it to call her a bottom. 

He also just doesn’t seem to understand how the whole point of Utena constantly telling Anthy that she's just a normal girl who should make more friends is framed as Utena imposing her will on Anthy, just as much as the previous Engaged have done. 

11:54 Apologies in advance for my most “um, actually!” point yet, but technically his statement that Anthy stops being host to the Sword of Dios is wrong. Akio literally pulls a sword out of her chest in the final duel. It's a more evil-looking sword of Dios, granted.

13:02 !!! CANTARELLA SCENE ALERT !!! He interprets it as them fighting over Akio?? Which like. I will allow people to have their own interpretations of vague and symbolic scenes. I will. I swear. This is not technically incorrect. It just makes me want to eat my own intestines.

14:44 Bad Anthy take #1: He states Anthy “is emotionally stunted to the point where she needs people to make decisions for her because she does not know how to think for herself” This ignores several moments of Anthy clearly making her own choices throughout the show, including the suicide attempt Somerton mentions about a minute prior. This also strips Anthy of what little agency she has throughout the story, usually exerted through messing with Utena or Nanami. (The fact that she repeatedly makes choices that contribute to her own abuse is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting parts of her character, and it's a shame that Summerton’s ‘reading’ of the story completely disregards that)

Additionally, he once again reads Utena ‘urging Anthy to think for herself” in the first arc as an unambiguously good move, and not as something critiqued in the show.

14:52 Summerton reads the Swords of hatred as symbolizing men’s hatred specifically. Again, I’m trying not to completely disregard differing interpretations to a show like Utena, but this feels very simplistic, especially considering the harm we see aimed towards Anthy by other women

16:42 Here he claims that his reading of the story seems to be “vastly different” from the bulk of Utena discourse. What is this reading? That the show shouldn’t be read literally. Or, in his words, “[we can interpret] Revolutionary Girl Utena as a deeply allegorical and symbolic story about the struggles of coming of age amidst widespread institutional corruption in a high school and which describes a passive culture of inaction in regard to brazen instances of domestic exploitation in which there is not only a question about the caporeality of the events transpiring but also which events can be taken for granted and which events are meant to signify abstract sociological institutions.” The idea that he believes this is in any way a new reading of the material honestly baffles me.

Part 3: Part 2

17:48 through 18:50 differently quotes the Wikipedia article for postmodernism. He even makes a joke at 17:55 about Wikipedia. Please kill me. 

The first three themes he lists at 19:11 are just the three main themes listed on the Revolutionary Girl Utena Wikipedia page. What was that about a “vastly different” reading, James?

You’re gonna have to take my word for it, but this section is so short because it's just him talking about the various ways the story can’t be taken literally. He does, ironically, call this a hot take.

Part 4: Part 3

Here’s where the reading falls apart folks

At 23:15, he states that some things in Utena are allegorically coded, while others are to be taken literally. This is true. However, he seems to take this to mean that some parts of the show are Strictly Literal, while others are Strictly Allegorical for things going on in the Literal World. 

This is apparently why he prefers the Anime to the Movie, where there basically is no separation between the Literal and Allegorical

This take is bizarre to me for several reasons, but here is my favorite. At several points, he mentions how Revolutionary Girl Utena is a work of Magical Realism. Magical Realism is literally defined by its blending of the “literal” and “allegorical”, the mix of fantastical elements in a mundane, realistic setting. This idea of the impossibility of a blurred line, that Utena must either have lore where the magic is all real and means nothing, or dedicated allegory segments quarantined from the rest of the story, is contrary to the very idea of Magical Realism.

I can’t help but wonder if Somerton took his mentions of Magical realism from a previous work, due to how little it is consistent with his final argument. Either way, this section suggests a great lack of creativity in his analysis, a shame for such a creative work.

24:36: Shiori slander, for those who care

After this he gets really worked up about people assuming symbolism in everything, even when the author ‘doesn’t make it clear something is symbolic’. He shuts down a reading of a shot in the Lord of the Rings. Miley Cyrus is there? Very The Curtains Were Blue of him. 

28:22 Claims that Wakaba is the key to telling where the Strictly Literal segments end and the Strictly Allegorical segments begin. He states that, under this lens, deeply personal moments of character suffering such as all of the sexual abuse and Anthy’s suicide attempt (which he literally cites) should be read as symbolic and be “approached with uncertainty rather than confusion”. (28:24-29:13)

This also somewhat falls apart when you consider Wakaba is the jeep in the movie's car chase

And then he rants about people not liking his Attack on Titan video for a bit. Since its potential symbolism also doesn't follow hard enough rules to be symbolism. Once again, the separation of “fact vs allegory” I haven’t watched AOT, so that's all I’ll say.

Part 5: Part 4

Thank god this part is short. Much like Dios’ on-screen presence.

32:55 Makes the extremely bold claim that Dios is not Akio. As in, never even became Akio. because Dios is Strictly Allegorical.

Just to be a pedant, this is pretty explicitly disproven in the show

Confusingly, both earlier and later he will address these two as the same character. 

33:04 he also explains the root of Akio’s name in a tone that suggests this is supplemental information and not like. Literally something he explains out loud in the show?

Part 6: Part 5

This section is nearly entirely about Akio Ohtori. I would like to note that him and Dios are the only characters with dedicated segments.

38:30 The part where he states that Dios gets his powers from deflowering women.

38:46 Claims, once again, that Akio’s abuse of Anthy “may not be literal”. 

38:59 “the instance of exploitation here is used because assault has deep roots as indicating that akio's gender is the source of his imbalance”  THE ASSAULT IS ABOUT AKIO NOW???

39:45 Bad Anthy take #2: “Anthy’s conformity to the Rose bride is based around the fact that she feels good being subservient because this is the only thing in her life that has ever brought her any kind of positive reward”. This is a direct quote. Anyway, I can’t think of any instances in the show where Anthy’s subservience gives her a positive reward, except maybe when she’s intentionally using it to manipulate others. As for her feeling good being the rose bride. She tries to commit suicide. Dude.

Side tangent, but isn’t this exactly what Akio says during the final 2 episodes? That Anthy enjoys being a witch? Is the main villain, who consistently says things during that very episode that are blatantly false, our source of information for this take? I guess so, since this is the dedicated Akio section.

At 40:20 he decides to introduce the concept of Anthy, Akio, and Utena as stand-ins for wider concepts, which is antithetical to his approach in analysis beforehand

Part 7: Part 6

42:40 he finally acknowledges that he’s been spending too much time talking about Akio, and literally no time on characters like Nanami

46:10 states that Utena’s exclusive motivation “is to protect Anthy from the predatorial intentions of the other dualists”, which disregards the fact, which she states herself, that she was largely participating in the duels and protecting Anthy to feel like a prince

48:04 The part where he says that Akio has ‘chaotic Bi vibes’ in regards to him sleeping with Touga, who is 17 and implied to be a long-term victim

Part 8: Part 7

54:01: His concluding point is that Utena was the real prince all along. 

In true Somerton fashion, the video then ends over a scrolling wall of patrons, with not a single citation in sight.

[severelystrangewriter]

Text Messages (Flufftober 2023 Day 9)

Pairing: kenma kozume x female reader

WC: 909

Warnings: a little cursing

Summary: a wrong number situation leads you to become friends with kenma

Note: i literally had NO clue what to do for this one, but i think i'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out

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

It was late at night and Kenma was in the middle of a somewhat boring video game when his phone dinged, alerting him of a message. He paused to check, figuring it was Kuroo, but furrowed his brows at the unknown number. He read the message curiously and there was a picture attached.

Unknown: I completed the cosplay! How do I look? :)

Kenma blinked in surprise at the picture you sent. You looked good, really good. You were dressed in a sailor moon cosplay. Your makeup was perfect and your outfit looked like it was taken straight from the anime.

There was only one teensy problem.

He had no clue who the hell you were.

Kenma: the cosplay looks great, but um… do i know u?

Unknown: It’s (Y/n)? Who is this?

Kenma: my name is kenma 

He sent a selfie as proof. 

(Y/n): …

(Y/n): Well that’s embarrassing. I guess I put in the wrong number

Kenma: sorry

He expected the conversation to be over with. But you surprised him when you sent another message.

(Y/n): Weird question, wanna still chat? I’m bored >~<

He blinked twice, then hummed in thought before typing out his reply.

Kenma: i don’t see why not

Over time, texting you became a daily occurrence. You both talked about anything and everything- your lives, your dreams, games, all of it. You sent each other memes and pictures of cats and he found himself looking forward to your messages.

He found out you were a second-year like him, and you went to Karasuno. In fact, you were involved as a manager of the boys’ volleyball team. He told you he was a setter for Nekoma and you thought that was pretty cool, even joking that maybe one day your teams will play against each other.

“Hey, can I borrow your phone? Mine’s dead,” Kuroo said one day before practice.

“Yeah sure,” Kenma handed over his phone and continued playing his nintendo.

Kuroo thanked him and it fell silent as he sent the text to his mom telling him to use Kenma’s phone to get ahold of him. As he waited for a response, Kenma’s phone dinged and a notification popped up that caused Kuroo to furrow his brows.

“Who’s (Y/n)?”

Kenma nearly dropped his nintendo upon hearing your name. With eyes wide, he reached over to snatch the phone back, but Kuroo was too quick and moved away from his friend. He hadn’t told Kuroo about you for the very specific reason of not wanting to be teased.

“Hey she’s pretty cute,” He commented, clicking the picture you sent.

“Give that back!” Kenma shouted.

Not expecting such a visceral reaction out of his friend, Kuroo connected the dots rather quickly, “Oh my god, do you have a secret girlfriend?”

This caught the rest of the team’s attention rather quickly. And they watched as Kenma struggled with Kuroo over the cell. Kenma’s face grew hot at the accusation.

“N-no! It’s not like that!” He vehemently denied.

“Why are you getting so defensive then?” Kuroo asked with a teasing smirk, “You like her~!”

“I never thought I’d see the day when Kenma Kozume has a crush!” Yaku called out.

“Shut up!” Kenma hissed, finally succeeding in taking the phone back.

His cheeks continued to burn when he saw the picture: it was just you showing off your makeup but you looked so cute as always that it made his heart skip a beat.

“Woah dude, your girlfriend’s hot,” Yamamoto commented, looking over his short friend’s shoulder.

“It’s not like that!” Kenma repeated, clutching the phone to his chest to hide it.

“You mean she’s single?” Yamamoto asked with a hopeful tone.

Kenma glared at his teammate, who shrunk away from the harsh look.

“Nevermind.”

Just then, Coach Nekomata was calling for their attention, telling them that the practice was starting.

~~~

(Y/n): ARE YOU GONNA BE AT THE CAMP

Kenma: why are you yelling

(Y/n): BECAUSE I’M EXCTIED

(Y/n): *ECXITED

Kenma: you still spelled it wrong

(Y/n): FUCK

You sent several crying emojis and he smiled at your overdramatic response.

Kenma: to answer your previous question, yeah i’ll be there :)

Kenma: we’re on our way now

(Y/n): YAY

Kenma chuckled and continued to text you.

“Let me guess, your precious (Y/n)?” Kuroo’s teasing voice brought Kenma out of his thoughts as he was nudged lightly by his friend.

Kenma rolled his eyes, but he nodded anyway, “Uh-huh.”

“So when are we going to get to meet her?” Kuroo questioned.

“She’s going to be at the practice game,” Kenma explained quietly, “She’s one of their managers.”

“Really?” Kuroo’s eyes lit up, “You must be excited then.”

Kenma bit his lip and looked out the window to avoid his friend’s gaze. He had to admit that he was pretty excited, but he was also getting nervous. It would be the first time he would be seeing you in person, and the thought was nerve-wracking. Would you guys click like you do through a screen? What would happen if you didn’t? Would you stop talking to him?

Kuroo picked up on Kenma’s growing stress.

“Relax, it’ll be fun,” He ruffled Kenma’s hair affectionately, ultimately putting a stop to all the worrying thoughts.

“Yeah,” Kenma agreed in that soft tone of his.

He continued to gaze out the window, wondering about you. And he wondered if you were thinking about him too.

[thequietkid-moonie]

Request: Usagi, Makoto, and Minako with an S/O that is from the world of Madoka Magica, and has become jaded on the idea of Magical Girls ever having a happy ending, saying they've seen to many die to think it's possible. (Reader has no powers. They just worked with a lot of Magical Girls) (Hope this fits what want)

Reader is surprised by the Sailor Scouts

[ CROSSOVER - reader comes from Puella Magi Madoka Magica ]

[ Minako, Makoto ]

[ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon / Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon ]

As much as I totally loved this prompt I have now a writers block and I had to left Usagi, sorry, I hope you like what I wrote

Also, i just rewatched Madoka Magica and I just remembered why I love so much that anime waaaaaahhhh

This wasn't your world, it looked like it but you were sure this wasn't your world, you have wandered the streets of your world thousands of time, following your friend when searching for the witches, just hoping to don't be a burden

Walking around for a bit try to search anything of help, anything that could help you out, your friends, Kubey, even a witch, at least that would explain where you are or what is happening

But no matter what you do you don't find nothing you know, just a calm and peaceful city that you didn't knew if you could trust

Even when you end up involved in an attack and get saved by magical girls, this was far from what you had ever saw before, there was no witch, no labyrinth, even the magical girls were far diferent from the ones you know, their fighting style is something you had never seen before and they were even working together

You didn't know if it was a dream, an hallucination or maybe just another trick of the witches or even Kubey, wanting to trick you into become a magical girl again, whatever it was it is strange, but also fascinsting

Minako Aino

Minako is really focused on the fighting and her surroundings when she is on duty as the leader of the Sailor Scouts, so when she noticed that you were being the victim of one of the enemies she tries to be quick while trying to avoid putting you in more danger that you already were, once the threaten is over she imediatly came to your side to make sure you were alright

Minako imediatly notice how shocked you seem, but asume that is just because of what happened, trying to come up with an excuse to don't involve a civil on her problems as a magical girl, although she doesn't come with a too good excuse (specially if you seem anxious or even scare)

Minako may have a weird feeling about you but for your shocked state decide to ignore it and try to just help you. Honestly, Minako wanted to just make sure you are alright and go away as far as posible, not wanting to put you at any other risk but is more likely that you are the one asking her what were happening, even if she was far diferent from the ones you know she still was a magical girl, she may be able to help

At the end she probably just take you with the other Sailor Scouts in hopes to find out what were happening to you, but even with the others she feels more responsible of you, not only she was the one who found you but also she is the leader of the sailor scouts, she should be capable to handle the problems (and if you decide to stay close to her that will just make her feel closer to you and lead her to actually take care of you)

It won't be too dificult to get to know you are from another world, what make Minako just feel even more responsible of you, so from that moment until all of you are able to find a way to send you back she will be the one to take care of you, and honestly she will grow to care for you and start to treat you as an little sibling (but will wait until you feel more comfortable)

Minako tries to ask you about your world since the start in hopes that would help you feel more comfortable or let you cope with everything that is happening, but if you prefer to don't say anything then is alright too, she will undestand by your expression that you aren't comfortable with it, so instead she start to talk about you and treat you as a friend

Knowing that there are magical girls in your world too would be surprising for her, the sailor scouts are warriors that fight for her princess and own planets, so at first she will assumed you are talking about the magical girls that fight as representatives and warriors of your planet, but the moment you feel comfortable to open up to her about the whole problem with the magical girls and witches of your planet she is shocked and devastated, the magic of your planet isn't used to protect for love but to manipulate, this isn't something she want at all (and is actually what she is fighting, most of her enemies uses magic to manipulate others, but is definetly not the same)

Minako feel like she should say something to try to comfort you, but she can't thing in anything, she just doesn't know how to react, so she will just let you continue talking as much as you need, assuring you that now you have her and the rest of the sailor scouts by your side, even if you come back to your world they will be always cheering for your happiness and safety

The Sailor Scouts fight together, they fight for love and not for survival as you were used to, it would be normal for you to see it as strange, and for that Minako will open up too and say that not everything is fun as it seems, maybe you think is easy for what you had been throught but the reality is that they had fight with their lifes, have lost a lot in the past and now are fighting to don't lose it again, maybe your stories have diferent developments but she does understand you, and she makes sure to let you know that you aren't alone, as well as how brave you are for enduring all of that

When getting to know Kubey's trick and how you still haven't get a contracts with him Minako will actually feel relieved that you don't have to deal with it, at least for a while, and she makes sure you know you don't have the pressure of having to be stronge or become a magical girl, while you are here they will be the ones protecting you

Makoto Kino

Makoto has always been a protective person, if you get involved in the battlefield there is no doubt that she will imediatly get to you side and try to protect you, even may even shield you before taking care of the enermy, claiming that there is no need to involve civilians or how unfair it is to bring troubles to innocent people

Makoto wants to make sure you are alright once the fight is over but seeing you shocked or even scare will make her even more worried, she tries to help you calm down and concentrate (in hopes to make her focus too) before even trying to explain what have just happened, she doesn't has much troubles with explaining that she is a sailor scout but only if it would be helpful, and will try to don't give more details of the necesary, not wanting to bring you any kind of troubles

Is probably that her own honesty is what lead you to say that you know some magical girls too, but ones that are far different from her or her friends, explaining the whole thing with the magical girls of your world and kubey is your choise, in any case Makoto won't be pushy with you telling her all the details imediatly, even when she think it would be the best she won't force you when she can tell for your expression that this isn't easy for you

Makoto will decide to trust you and take you with the other sailor scouts to search for a way to try and help you find a way back to your world, or at least undestand their world since it seems that you aren't used to their world. If you want (or even prefer it) she can stay by your side at all the times, being the one taking care of you, in that case she will end up taking it rather seriously, giving you a room on her house and taking care of you as well as making sure you adapt to all of this and always asking you if you have any question or need another explanation to the things that are new for you

Makoto is really caring towards you but tries to don't treat you like a kid, she treats you more like a friend (but actually waits until you feel comfortable and trust her before getting closer)

The moment you finally open up to her and start to tell her about your world and the trick that being a magical girl is for you, it doesn't matter if you decide to tell only her or to all the sailor scouts, doesn't even matter if you decided to tell her everything at once or go slowly, she will respect your rythm, still she will feel totally heart broken for what you tell her, she and her friends fight for love and see each other as family, Makoto felt lost for so long until she found her friends, so the idea of the magical girls having to fight no just with witches but also against each other in order to survive makes her mad (not at the magical girls but to the one who is the culprit)

Makoto won't be able to hold back her tears and express how horrible this situation this is, but, also, it won't take her much time before she tries to comfort you, assuring you that this situation is completely unfair and that the fact that you had to go throught all of that doesn't mean you don't deserve some peace, your friends had been tricked by someone evil and egoist, all of you deserve a better treatment and a happy ending, and she say it with so much confidence and determinantion that is almost flatering

From that day Makoto doesn't treat you too diferent but is obvious how much she want to include you in simple things, her friends doesn't have it easier but at least have some times to just be teenagers, and Makoto is always inviting you over in those times

[bbyquokka]

siren

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 | lee minho x gender neutral reader

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄 | mythical au, angst – 18+ is strongly advised!

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 | rumours circulating around the sirens being malicious creatures, you meet a friendly siren and discover the real truth about them.

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 | siren ! minho, human ! reader, mythical creatures, platonic relationship, mentions of parental death, siren death, blood, hunting of sirens, hunting weapons mentioned (spears, machete), angst, alcohol addiction, small mention of minsung, estranged father, murder, jealousy, mature themes and language, violence ( if i missed any, pls lmk! )

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 | 11k ~ (11,541)

m.list — you can also read it on my ao3

dont repost. dont translate. minors, ageless & default blogs; dni! feedback and reblogs are highly advised and appreciated!

rumour has it that as soon as the moon is full and at its highest in the sky, the sirens come out to play. you live by the sea, a measly thousand of you live in a small, yet communal village. the houses are thatched with stone walls and straw roofs. plantation, such as vines slowly growing on the walls, making its way to the highest points of the homes.

every morning, when you awake, you're greeted by the buzzing sounds of the sales people in the marketplace trying to bargain a deal and get people to come to their stall. people want money more than they need it, so they're willing to ‘steal’ some customers from others, whether they're friends or not with the competition. the first thing you smell is the salt from the sea but also from the fish the fishmongers are gutting and selling.

you used to hate it, but now you've grown immune to it. not a single day goes by that you don't hear of these “sirens”. tales far and wide about how they seduce sailors with their sickly sweet tunes before wrapping their arms around their necks and dragging them deep into the sea–holding them close until they drown.

you don't believe it, you refuse to believe that such a beautiful creature could be so malicious. however, your father is a sailor. a captain to be precise. despite the tales of these horrific murders, the sailors of the town actively hunt for them, killing them for their shimmering scales to be used for jewellery and their blood to be used as an anti-aging agent.

trophy awards. 

your father leads the best crew in the village. how are they the best? because not one of them has died nor have they come back empty handed. your father tries to play it off, but he's a proud man. you can see that by the way he gloats in the cheers, the clapping, the females kissing his cheek and clinging to his arm.

you've always wanted to go on these adventures, but your father always said no. claims it’s far too dangerous for someone like you. it's true you have very little knowledge about boats and the sea but you're the child of a captain, you have your wits about you.

you've never seen nor heard of someone in your town passing due to the sirens, which is odd considering how close of a community everyone is. everyone knows everything about everyone in the village, nothing is secret. so why is it that it's only the sirens you see? being lifted up in a fishnet that's so small, they're curled up, thrashing around, snarling and hissing. desperation kicking in as they try and rip the net to break free.

you've seen it. you've seen it all. it's hard not to be subjected to it when your father is proud of what he does. every time you come face to face with the captured creature, you see tears in their eyes. the tears glistening in the moonlight, their eyes begging you to help them. they're weak. they're scared and they're fragile.

they're not the murderous monsters they're made out to be and you feel just as trapped as they do; the only difference is, you're alive.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

“oh please father! please take me with you on your expedition!” you beg as you watch your father gather up a map and a compass. it's the last day of the month, meaning it's time for the monthly hunt. the moon is high in the sky, full and shining on the water making it shimmer and look magical.

you hate this. you hate when this day approaches because the crew never comes back empty handed. you've lost count of how many sorrowful and pleading eyes you've made contact with. how many blood curdling screeches you've heard. you've only ever seen the creatures alive and judging by their desperate wails, that's the only time you wish to see them.

“no, my dear! i can't risk you going on that ship with me and my men. it's dangerous out there.”

“but father, i promise i’ll be safe. i’ll follow the rules and won't dare make eye contact with the sirens.” that's a lie. if anything, you're dying to meet them. you want to see first hand if they really are as dangerous as the rumours say they are. you refuse to believe such a telltale without seeing it for yourself.

your father heaves a heavy sigh, hand gathering and stroking his long beard as he looks at you. you pout a little, using puppy eyes on him to which he tuts at. he turns on his heels, beckoning you to follow with a simple nod of his head.

you silently cheer before quickly following your father. as expected, the village folk are surrounding your home plus the ship. they cheer for him, wishing him and his crew a safe trip. your father soaks it all up, basking in the attention that he loves and adores so much even though he denies loving it.

you walk onto the ship, watching as the crew scramble and await their captain's orders. you stand next to your father, watching and listening to how he and the crew operate.

“listen here men.” your father starts, his voice bold and bellowing in the harsh cold night, echoing far far away. “tonight is a full moon. we all know what that means! standard protocol, do not make contact with the sirens, do not speak with them, don't even think about looking at them. we hunt, that is all!”

“yes captain!” the men shout together before scrambling to do the duties they've been assigned to. your father turns to you, smiling at you.

“that also applies to you too yn. these sirens can kill. they're dangerous, vile monsters that show no mercy.”

“i know father. i promise i will be safe.” your father hums before going below deck. you roll your eyes at him, watching the crew do their jobs as the ship takes off.

it sails east, towards rocks and plants. east is where the sirens live, it's their home. the air is chilly, wind in the sails as they flutter. the waves crash against the boat with the salty, fish smell of the sea hitting and tickling your nostrils. the moonlight hitting the clear water, making it shimmer and glitter. the sky is clear but it's an eerie black. could this be a sign of things to go wrong?

you'd be lying to yourself if you said you weren't nervous about meeting the sirens. all you've ever heard about is bad things, how they kill quickly and are not afraid to hunt. once they have a target, they hunt and don't rest until the target is eliminated. that alone should be enough to put you off and make you feel terrified of them–but it doesn't.

all you can think about is how pitiful and helpless they look when captured. how all you can see in their eyes is them begging for help. tears that shimmer in the moonlight slowly trickle down their cheeks. they know, they always know. maybe that's why they never put up a fight.

the ship halts abruptly causing you to quickly grab onto the side to stop yourself from going overboard. your father returns to the top deck, his brows furrowed and confusion lacing his features.

“why have we stopped?!”

“i don't know sir. we just suddenly halted.” an uneasy atmosphere fills the air. fear sinks into your stomach as it grows eerily quiet. you slowly look around as the men plus your father stand frozen in time, eyes darting from left to right to track any signs of danger.

and that's when you hear it–the song of the sirens.

an eerily, yet sweet and melodic tune. a soft hum, if you will. a tune that's designed to distract the hunters. your heart thumps against your chest rapidly, short puffs of air escape your nostrils. the tune increases in volume, getting louder and louder signalling that they're close.

the men scurry, grabbing their tools and nets. they shout out orders to each other, telling everyone to get ready and to prepare themself. 

the ship rocks. once. twice. three times. the once calm water now splashing and foaming at the surface. you slowly turn and look down in the water, overcoming that fear that is currently shackling you. you swallow thickly, your throat and lips dry with fear. 

and that's when you see it. the silhouettes of a group of sirens swimming under the ship, surrounding it. they slowly rise to the surface, the eerie tune still playing and enchanting you.

the surface of the water bubbles and ripples. the top of a head appears first before its face. you gasp as you come face to face with a siren.

his skin greyish blue with hints of purple. eyes black and wide. his hair slicked back and gills on the side of his neck. lips plump and round, teeth pointy and sharp. shimmering, iridescent scales travel up from his neck to his cheeks. 

you make the mistake of making eye contact with it. you tilt your head as you stare at the beautiful creature. he blinks at you, tilting his head also before reaching up. his nails are pointy and sharp but his hands look so soft and welcoming.

you're entranced, caught in a spell. the chaos behind you has long gone, a distant buzz in the background as you fall in love with the siren whose name you have yet to learn.

you reach down to touch his skin, leaning over the side of the ship. your feet lifting up off the floor and dangerously dangling as you reach further and further until your fingertips touch briefly. his skin isn't what you thought it would’ve felt like. from that brief touch, he feels soft and tender. you wanted more, to touch him some more, to learn about him and his kind but you're suddenly brought back down to reality from your father suddenly yanking you back. 

“get back you foul, disgusting creature!” the siren hisses, baring its sharp teeth at him before his eyes flicker to you. you bite your lip, the siren staring at you as if it's trying to figure you out. maybe it knows that you're different from the rest.

“i said–” your father grabs a spear, aiming it at the siren and throwing it. “get back!” the spear hits, causing the siren to let out a pained wail.

“no!” you blurt out, rushing to the side of the ship, knocking your father to the side. your eyes fill with tears as you watch blood pool around the siren tainting the water black. the siren gives you a sad look before diving underwater and swimming away.

“don't go..” you whisper, wanting to help the poor, defenceless creature. anger bubbles to the surface but you bite your tongue and bear it.

“what did i tell you, you stupid child!” your father grabs you by the shoulders as he shouts in your face. his face beet red with anger, spit flying from his dry lips. you clench your jaw and bite your tongue as you endure the lecture.

your gut feeling was correct this whole time. sirens are not murderous but in fact, just poor defenceless creatures who are simply fighting back.

you'll never forget the way the siren smiled so warmly, so lovingly at you. a creature that shows such emotions could never be so malicious.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

you haven't been back at sea since that night. your father refuses to have you on the ship and to make matters even worse, a new rumour has circled the village. as soon as your feet hit the dry land that night, your father was quick to bellow out and spread malicious information about how a male siren tried to seduce you in hopes of killing you. you tried so hard to defend yourself, to defend the creatures but your father is loud. he has power and you're just his child, nothing more.

you can’t get the siren out of your head. every time you close your eyes, you're back with him again. how beautiful he looked. the curiosity in his eyes as you stared at each other, the small tilt of his head. the way his greyish-blue skin would glimmer under the full moon and the way he was quick to retract his hand in fear when your fingertips touched for a brief second.

your dreams started off small. you were always back on the boat, gazing into the siren's black eyes before being abruptly awake from your father pulling you away. until one night, your dream escalated. a whole new scenario started to play.

you're sitting on a rock by the siren's home. the waves crashing around you and that salty sea air tickling your nostrils. the siren swims up to you and touches you ever so gently. he would stare at you as he places his hand on your cheek gently and watch as you lean in. you feel alive and wanted. your worries wash away from a simple touch by him. you forget about your life as a human, forget about your father and the way he treats you; it's just you and the siren in that moment under a full moon. 

you have to go see him again..

you grab your coat and boots, lacing them up before quietly walking out of your bedroom. you tiptoe, avoiding every squeaky floorboard you know the old house has. you hold your breath, your ears perking up at any small noises. 

you quietly tiptoe your way down the stairs, looking around to notice your father is still up–which isn't too uncommon. your father likes to stay up late after a hunt to admire his treasures whilst sipping on the most expensive brand of whisky. old folk songs play on a record player as he slurs along to the lyrics, waving his glass in one hand and his machete that's coated in thick black siren blood in the other.

your blood boils as you see the blood. your mind rushing and instincts kicking in, telling you to take that machete and slice him, but you maintain yourself. you can't go to prison without seeing that siren again, can you?

as you sneak past his office, the stench of alcohol and old tobacco fills your nostrils making you retch. you ever so slowly slide the metal bolt, holding your breath as you turn the old brass knob. 

only when you feel the harsh night air hitting your face do you breathe. you rush to the dock, your legs going at max speed as your muscles tense to help you move faster. it wasn't until you reached the dock and looked out at all the ships and fishing boats did you realise that you don't know how to navigate one. 

“oh no..” you mumble to yourself, chewing your bottom lip. you can't turn back now, you've made it this far plus, having to sneak past your drunk father is something you'd rather not do again. you desperately chew your bottom lip as you struggle to think, the pressure of knowing that time is of the essence getting to you slowly but surely. 

panic starts to settle in, your heart thumping against your chest erratically. you know it’s only a matter of time before one of the towns folks sees you out past midnight and returns you back home. as your eyes desperately scan and dart left to right, your prayers have been answered as you see a small rowing boat tied to the docks by worn out rope. 

you cheer to yourself as you run over to the boat. you struggle to untie the rope due to your fingers being ice cold and red but with much perseverance, you managed; now you just pray there are still oras in the boat.

as you clamber onto the boat, careful not to go overboard due to the consistent rocking motion, you settle down and grab the stranded oras before setting off to your destination–wherever that may be. 

you put all your might into rowing the boat, using your arms and whole body. the harsh wind continually blows through your hair and hits your face, causing the tip of your nose and cheeks to turn red. the wind also causes your eyes to dry up which is a hassle considering everything slowly becomes blurry with the constant tears filling them up and rolling down your cheeks. 

the night is harsh but the waters are ever harsher. the boat rocks from side to side, water splashing along the side and inside, getting your boots and clothing soaked. the smell of salt and sea life fills your nostrils, a smell you're so used to but at this current moment in time, it's slowly making you feel nauseous.

could it be the nerves? could it be because ever since you met that siren, it’s all you’ve been thinking about? or is it the fact that you can't get out of your head the way the water slowly turned black as your father injured the poor creature and the look of desperation on the siren's face, one you have seen countless of times.

you stop the boat to look around. nothing but darkness and unusual calm waters is all you see. you chew your bottom lip as you wait. and wait. and wait.

the need to see that siren is so great, you'd do anything and everything. so close to tears as you sit and wonder if you will never see it again, you let out a shaky breath and pick up the oars to row back to shore.

as the wooden oars splash in the water, an eerie feeling fills the air, sucking the air out of your lungs drastically. you look down in the water, the feeling all too familiar. unfortunately, the water is calm, not a wave in sight as you bore holes into the water, eyes scanning left and right as you search for it.

and then you find it.

those shimmering scales you have longed to see coming into view before disappearing under the boat. you quickly look to the other side to see the siren swimming before diving deeper until it's out of view.

“don't go..” you whisper meekly. “i want to see you again.”

feeling a sudden wave of disappointment, that this whole thing was a waste, the water bubbles as small rings of water increase in size as that all too familiar face slowly unveils itself from the blanket of sea water.

you let out a small gasp as the siren rises up to you. you didn't realise it until your faces become mere inches from each other that you're dangling off the side of the boat once again.

“you..” he cautiously says. “you're that human from the other night.” his voice is so calming, so soft that it shocks you a little. his head tilting to the side as his black pupils scan along your face to take in every detail and feature.

“you talk.” you whisper. you take in every detail of the siren. from the colour of his skin, the way his scales shimmer in the moonlight, his pouty lips and noticeable bunny teeth.

“of course i talk. do you think we sirens just sit in silence when communicating with others?”

“ah!” your face flushes red as a wave of embarrassment washes over you. “no! that's not what i meant. i just thought–”

“why are you here?” the siren interrupts. he swims back a little, his eyes piercing into your soul.

“i wanted to see you.” 

“see me? why would a mere human want to see someone like me?”

“i wanted to find out, to see for myself if what everyone says about your kind is true.” the siren scoffs.

“pathetic.”

“excuse me?” your brows furrow at the statement. it's understandable that the siren has his guard up, but your pride can't help but feel a little hurt.

“you humans are so pathetic, it makes me sick.” you watch the siren swim around your boat. “you kill our kind. you destroy our homes. you rip apart families and for what?! for some trophy awards?”

“no! that's not me. i–”

“if anything, you humans are monsters, not us!” he hisses.

“i know! i know! i agree, believe me. i don't know what to say to make you trust me, your anger and distrust is valid. i just wanted to see if you were ok.”

“what?” the siren's brows furrow together.

“the human that hit you with a spear is my father. i wanted to see if you was ok because you're all i've been thinking about! i just wanted to know if you were alive and well again. i mean no harm, i promise you!”

“how can i trust you, human.”

“i give you my life.” you boldly state. “if you feel threatened by me, i willinging give you my body and soul.” 

“you're interesting.” the siren whispers as it swims to the side of the boat. it holds onto the wood, his sharp nails making indentations. 

“see that rock over there?” he points to which you look in that direction before nodding. “meet me. we can talk more there.”

before you get a chance to respond, the siren, whose name you've yet to learn, dives underwater and swims to the rock. you follow suit by rowing the boat as fast as you can, ignoring the growing burn of your muscles.

to no surprise, the siren is already at the rock. sitting on the side, its shimmering tail dipped in the water as it moves the fins up and down impatiently, watching the water splash and ripple around it.

“you're slow.” he says with a smirk. you roll your eyes as you cautiously step out of the boat. only when your foot is on solid ground do you let out a breath. you sit on the rock beside the siren.

“no. you're just fast.” you say with a mumble. the siren laughs softly, the corner of his eyes crinkling as his fangs show.

you take a brief second to really take in the sirens features. it's a creature but it's nothing you've ever seen before. would it be wrong of you to say that you find the siren handsome?

“why are you here? truthfully.” the siren looks at you, your breath being taken away as the moonlight from behind shines on him. he pushes his hair back, slicking it and keeping it away from his eyes as his brows furrowed together.

“i wanted to see you.”

“why?”

“i've already told you why.” you sigh.

“sorry. i've only ever known one human to be truly interested in our kind. that's what makes you interesting to me.”

“i'm just an ordinary human. i get curious.” you say with a shrug.

“are all humans like you?”

“what do you mean by that?”

“curious. are all humans curious.”

“we're curious species.” you say with a shrug. “we wonder and ask questions about things that capture our interests. we indulge in said interests too.”

“why?”

“because it can make us happy and feel something.” the siren hums and looks back at the water.

“you're very kind.” he says suddenly. “and warm.”

“i am?” you whisper, shuffling a little closer to the siren. you watch his tail play in the water, the way the water ripples and splashes around it so perfectly.

“mhm. most humans i encounter are cold and vicious. also selfish, like they have a black aura around them. we get chills every time we hear the sails of the ships and the bells ringing.”

“then why do you fight?” you ask. the siren looks at you, his eyes suddenly soft and slowly filling with tears.

“because you killed us.” you chew your bottom lip, the bitter air hitting your face as you cautiously reach up and wipe away a stray tear that's rolling down the siren's cheeks. 

you take a brief note about how soft his skin is. you expected him to feel slimy and disgusting, but his skin is silky smooth and soft. he leans into your touch, the warmth from your hand feeling so blissful to him. he feels safe. for the first time in however many years, he feels safe with a human.

his eyes flutter shut as he softly nuzzles into your palm. you watch him feeling a sense of nurture towards the creature.

“i won't hurt you or your family.” you whisper as the siren's eyes flutter open to look at you. “i'm not like them. i'm different.”

“i know.” the siren says as it lifts its head up from your palm. “i can sense it, don't worry. you feel warm, like a warm hug on a winter's day. you pose no threat to me.”

you give the siren a soft smile as the moon slowly starts to fade away into the horizon, preparing for the morning sunrise. your eyes widen a little as you rush to the boat, the siren looking at you all confused.

“i have to leave! i have to get back before my father wakes up and realises i'm not there.”

“your father keeps a tracker on you or something?” the siren scoffs, amused by your panicked state.

“no.. well.. not exactly. he's protective. has been ever since i lost my mother.”

“oh..” the siren mumbles, taken aback by your statement. “how did she pass if i may ask.”

you sit in the boat and grab the ores as you look at the siren. you press your lips together in a thin line before ushering the words to it.

“my father told me that the sirens killed her..”

“what?!” the sirens brows furrow, the colour red in his peripheral vision. it dives under the water before resurfacing at the side of the boat.

“that's bullshit!” 

“are you calling my father a liar?” you scoff.

“yes! yes i am! we sirens would never, ever hurt humans! we only do because you started this war! humans and sirens used to live together so peacefully, we were a unit, helping one another! we were a community! we sirens valued and treasured the humans and vowed to give our lives to them. i guess we kept that vow, even to this day.”

the siren mutters the last sentence in bitterness. he seems genuine and that's what is worrying you. a time where sirens and humans were one seems absurd; but not impossible. you recall back to the times where you have tried to question your father about your mother's death only to be shut down in an instant.

and then it clicks. the war between humans and sirens only happened once the rumours started to unfold–right after your mother's death.

“fuck.. i have to go!” the siren nods his head, understanding of the situation.

“will i see you again?” he asks, head tilting to the side. you smile warmly and nod.

“yes. yes you will.” the siren grins and watches you row away. only then did you realise you didn't know his name.

“hey!” you shout “i don't know your name!”

“minho! my name is minho!”

“cute name, i'm yn!”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

“we sirens would never, ever hurt humans!” 

those same words repeating over and over again in your mind. it has been a week since you last saw minho, purely because you got caught last time. some arrogant woman saw you getting out off the row boat and sneaking back to your house. she decided to make it her mission to let it be known to your father, which you highly disliked.

your father wasn't very happy with you, practically grounded you and kept you house bound. he went as far as to lock up the house and take the keys with him, leaving you trapped inside the same four walls.

the more you learnt about the sirens, the more you started to see your father's true colours. something was off about him and it has been noticeable for a while. it's your mother's death anniversary coming up and you put it down to that however, his aura and mannerisms towards you feel so different. you can't quite put your finger on it but you have a gut feeling that a storm is coming.

you tap your pen impatiently against your notebook, words scribbled on the page that reflects your thoughts. a candle burning to the side in a candle holder, the yellow and orange flame flickering and dancing around as wax drips down the sides. your father has gone out on his usual expedition, it was only a matter of time until he returns with another helpless siren.

you look to the side, a picture of you and your mother together in a brown wooden photo frame. you smile softly to yourself, reaching out and placing your finger on the glass where your mother's cheek is on the photo.

“i miss you mother. god, i miss you so much.” you whisper, eyes filling with tears suddenly as your body feels heavy with grief. you wipe away a few fallen tears hastily with the back of your hand before letting out a shaky sigh. 

you pick up the frame to take a closer look and to reminisce in the memories. the photo was taken on a warm summer's day. your mother was dressed in her best summer dress; a yellow, soft fabric with straps and sunflowers decorating it. white sandals on her feet and her hair up in a typical fashioned bun. 

she dressed you to match her, she always has. her smile is so bright in the picture as she holds you proudly. the longer you look at the photo, the sadder you feel; until you notice something you've never seen before.

you squint your eyes as you hold the picture closer to you. there in the background are two, possibly three, sirens photo bombing the picture.

“what the–” and then you see him. minho. you let out audible gasps, more and more questions swimming around your head. how old is minho exactly? how does he know your mother? does he know that you're the child of the women he seems so fond of? everything minho has said has been true, meaning you can no longer trust your own blood that is in the form of your father.

you chew your bottom lip as you place down the picture. you sit back in your seat, needing some time to process the whole situation. this whole time you and many others were led to believe that sirens were dangerous when all this time, they're nothing but harmless creatures.

all the jumbled up puzzle pieces, all the unanswered questions slowly forming together and creating a much bigger, and possibly dangerous, picture.

you pick the frame up again to stare at minho. you shake it a few times hoping it's just your eyes playing tricks on you but nothing. it's real and it's true.

however, there's still one more question you have left that's been unanswered for years–how did your mother die exactly?

you've tried to ask your father multiple times only to be shut down with a lame excuse or the same story of “the sirens killed her” you did believe it, when you were younger, but now you're old and much more mature. you're seeing things in a new light and noticing the lies and fake lives everyone around you is playing. it's fair to say that it makes you sick to your stomach.

you remember seeing a safe tucked away under your father's bed, maybe there you will find what you've been searching for! 

you stand from your seat, walking to his bedroom. you don't have to worry about being caught because you know he will be gone for some time. you open the wooden door, the hinges screeching at you as you walk inside. the stench of booze and cigarette smoke lingers in the air like a thick cloud that tickles and hugs your nostrils.

you grimace as you kneel on the cold wood flooring beside the double bed that's decorated in blue and white sheets. you look under as your heart pounds against your chest. there's a good chance of the safe not being there but when your eyes rest upon it, you breathe a shaky sigh of relief. 

you reach under, your fingertips touching the cold metal of the safe. you pull it out towards you, chewing your lip when you come to yet another problem; the code.

you punch in the numbers of your birthday, wiggling the door and letting out a frustrated groan. you try different number combinations, birthdays, special dates, even attempting the typical ‘1234’ code but nothing. 

“bastard!” you shout as you slam your hand down on top of the safe, a hefty sigh of annoyance leaving your chest. you look around the room for any clues, your impatience growing and growing until you notice a certain picture of your father on his bedside table. 

standing by the boat, a big proud grin on his face as he's holding a deceased siren by the tail, his fat finger pointing at it like some sort of trophy award. 

‘my first catch!’ plus a date labelled on it. you punch the numbers into the safe, cheering as the door clicks and opens. you close your eyes and take a shaky breath in.

“well, here goes nothing.” you mumble as you open the door whilst opening your eyes at the same time. the door opens wide revealing its contents to you. with shaky hands, you pick up the stacks of papers and photos that's been collecting dust for god knows how long.

nothing too important unfortunately. just documentation, photos, a few trinkets and dead flowers. the more notes and documentation you come across, the more defeated you slowly start to feel. the pile inside the safe shrinks as a pile beside you stacks up until you reach the very last stack of papers.

picking them up, your heart stops beating for a mere second. a photo of your mother and father together, looking happy and in love. you smile softly recalling that since the death of your mother, you haven't seen your father look genuinely happy. 

you flick through the photos. old photos of your mother and father being together, being at fairs and picnics. holding you as a small baby, your first smile, your first tooth, your first everything. photos and photos of your father being completely smitten for you and your mother.

he once was a happy man. a man that felt on top of the world and had everything he could ever want and more; a family. but all that changed and now, you and your father's relationship is little to none.

“such a shame. how did we become like this.” you sigh, heart feeling heavy. some days you wish you and your father could be how you used to be but you know that that's not going to happen any time soon.

“what the…” you trail off as you come across a photo of your mother and minho, smiling and looking happy. minho is handing her a basket full of fish. your mother smiling brightly as she is happily taking the basket.

you flick through the pictures, your mouth dry and heart thumping harder and harder. nausea slowly settles into the pit of your stomach creating a thick blanket. pictures and pictures of your mother and minho along with other sirens and members of the village looking happy and unified.

events, festivals, handing over fish, pearls and scales. seaweed and algae. nothing screams dangerous to you. a box rests at the bottom of the safe along with an envelope that's sealed tight with a red wax seal. 

you open up the black box to be greeted with a pearl necklace. you let out an audible gasp, the pearls an iridescent white and pink that shimmers in the light. your mouth is now dry as ever as that sick feeling has risen to your throat. your stomach holding a dead weight, dragging you down.

with shaky hands, you reach for the envelope. in cursive writing, which you assume is your mother's, is your name. you open it up, the musk smell of paper, ink and perfume tickles your nose hairs.

‘to my darling child. it is time. this letter holds all the answers to your questions. i know you have been searching and going around and around in circles. i know you have asked your father, the man whom i once loved, for answers only to be met with a brick wall. my darling child, he has lied to you.

everything that you have been told up to this point has been a lie. humans and sirens were once united. the sirens would hunt for us, provide us with fresh fish to gut and beautiful pearls to sell. seaweed would be gathered and used as herbs, algae as an alternative for face masks. the sirens adored us and we adored them. sirens are committed and senseless creatures, they are harmless and only fight when threatened.

i started to grow very close to a certain siren. his name is lee minho. a beautiful creature with a heart full of gold. he was adored by many. i loved him as much as he loved me. we grew fond of each other but we were nothing but friends, that it all! the human world should never mix in with a sirens world in that sense and vice versa. 

however, your father grew jealous and jealousy can turn a man bitter and cold.

as soon as you turned two years old, your father started to act strange around me. he became addicted to drink, he would scream and shout at me almost every night, accusing me of doing such preposterous things with a creature. i loved lee minho, yes but i loved your father much more! we created a life together and built what we had together but still, that wasn't enough for him.

i fear for my life. the darkness i see in your father's eyes is suffocating and it fills my body up with fear. i fear for your life, i pray to God every night that he keeps you safe and that your father doesn't lay a single finger on you. i'm scared of the man i used to love. he is filled up with jealousy and hatred so much so, that i don't even recognise him anymore.

my child, know this. if i am not alive anymore, know that your father murdered me in cold blood. he has reached the darkest pits of despair, jealousy consuming his whole body. i love you my child and i know that you will do the right thing.’

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

“minho!!” you call out. your voice shaky, cheeks wet with tears. you park the boat at the rock where you two first spoke, sitting on the cold and wet surface as you clutch the letter you've just read. 

“minho, where are you?!” your broken sobs echoing in the night. the night is silent, not even a whisper of the wind ruffles the leaves of the trees.

“i need you..” your voice trails off as you break down in broken sobs. you've read the letter over and over again at least ten times by now, the words refusing to sink into your brain. you have all the answers, the jigsaw pieces put into place, yet nothing makes sense!

“fuck fuck fuck fuck!” you repeat through your broken sobs and hiccups. breath catching in your throat making it difficult to breath, heart heavy and mind nothing but a puddle of a jumbled mess.

“hey!” a familiar voice brings you out of your broken trance. you heave a sigh of relief as you come face to face with a familiar face. his eyebrows furrowed together as he swims to the rock.

“minho! you're here.” you hiccup.

“of course i am silly. it's hard not to hear you when you're screaming my name.” he laughs, head tilting once he notices the letter. “what's that?” 

he points at it to which you hand it to him. his eyes widen as he scan reads everything, mouth agape.

“my god..”

“yeah.. you were right and i think my father killed my mother out of jealousy.”

“jealousy??”

“i think he got jealous of how close you and my mother were so he killed her and blamed it on you, creating this horrid rumour about you all.”

“shit.” he mumbles, handing you back the letter as you wipe your cheeks hastily. “so, what are you going to do about it?”

“nothing.”

“what?” he asks in disbelief, his face slowly scrunching up with anger.

“there's nothing i can do. i'm the child of a famous sailor. it's my word against his!”

“are you fucking serious?! please tell me you're joking around right now.” his tone of voice is harsh and bitter which throws you off guard.

“minho, i can't do–”

“so let me get this straight. you're telling me that you know everything is a lie yet your going to do fuck all about it? do you know the damage that you humans have caused?! the lives you've ruined?!”

“min, i–”

“yes. there was a time where we could happily swim up shore and not have to worry about being shot.” he interrupts. “events, festivals, special occasions you name it, we were there! we gathered and collected things so that you humans could have nice things!”

“please, just let me speak!” you desperately say, hands clammy.

“no! you will sit there and you will listen to me, yn! you will listen to my side of the story and you will understand how hard it has been to stay alive!”

you nod as you chew your lip, looking at your feet. minho does a few laps around the rock in an attempt to calm down. once calm, does he return to you. he takes a deep breath in before letting it out slowly to talk.

“it's true that i did love your mother at some point. i didn't know that you were her child until the night we first met. you have her nose and her smile, which is probably why i feel bonded to you. however, we are sirens. we are creatures and we are programmed to mate for life; it's in our dna, like swans in a sense. we do not mate with humans, it's immoral to us.”

“have you found your mate?” you ask softly. minho looks down, his eyes glistening with tears as he nods his head yes.

“i did. the thing with us sirens is that we don't care about gender or anything like that. we love who we want to love and boy, did i love him.”

“him?”

“jisung. his name was jisung. god.. he was the love of my life. he was so fucking adorable. cheeky too.” minho laughs softly as he reminisces. “his eyes were so wide and bright, his nose so small like a button. his bottom lip so plump and every time he laughed, his top lip would disappear and show off that gummy smile of his. my favourite thing of all, was his cheeks. i loved watching him eat because his cheeks would be filled to capacity and look so round.”

you sit and listen, nodding when the time feels right. you listened to minho describe jisung, how his skin was a purple colour, hair black and his scales were deep purple and would decorate his abs and sides. 

“he was the love of my life. we were married and planned on having a family.”

“were?” you swallow as you cautiously ask “what happened?” minho shoots you a look, his sudden heartbreak disappearing as rage over shadows him.

“you happened is this. you humans took the love of my life away from me.”

“what..?” you shakily breath out.

“me and ji were swimming and making our way to your mother. i wanted to introduce them both but what we didn't expect was that.”

“what? please tell me minho. i need to know everything.”

with a heavy sigh, minho speaks once again. “we arrived and saw your father on his knees, sobbing with your mother in his arms. she was gone, yn. your mother was lifeless in your father's arms. fuck..” minho pushes his hair back as he chews his lips. tears fall down your cheeks as you encourage him to carry on.

“there was a lot of blood yn. too much blood for it to be a sirens work. your father saw us and instantly accused us of murder. so him and his crew set sail to kill us both, except one of us is alive and the other isn't.”

“minho, i'm so sorry..”

“still not going to do anything about it?”

“i don't.. i don't know..”

“you're unbelievable. you humans took something precious away from me! your father killed your mother and you dare say and believe those lies that we are the dangerous ones?! you're unbelievable yn.”

“why are you so pissed at me?! you don't understand my situation! i told you, it's my word against his and the whole village will believe him and then what?! i'm casted out by not just him, but the whole village too!”

“good! i'd rather be casted from everyone than live a life that’s based on lies and deceit! you humans have destroyed lives, broken up families! we've had to rebuild everything from scratch! tell me yn, when was the last time you lived in fear for your life? not knowing whether today or tomorrow will be your last moments on earth?! because that's what it's like for me and many others! you took something precious from me, so excuse me for not agreeing with your decision, yn.” 

as you open your mouth to speak, minho dives underwater and swims away, leaving you with your thoughts in the cold, bitter night.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

once again, you're left thinking about him and everything that has happened. it's all so much in such a short amount of time that you feel overwhelmed. you're surprised you haven't fallen ill with the amount of stress you've been under.

however, you can't hold your tongue any longer. every time you look at your father, you are reminded of what he has done. you tried to understand it all and make excuses for him but you can't no longer. 

no one should kill out of jealousy and whilst you too, may have felt a little something for minho at the beginning, you know it's futile. as minho said “humans and sirens should never be intimate with each other.” 

you understand now that the love minho and your mother had was purely platonic. you realise now that upon your first meeting with minho that you were seduced by the song of the sirens, the same song that still haunts you to this day. 

but now you understand why they do what they do. they're protecting their homes and families. it's natural for them to fight back in a war that was started by the humans–by your father.

one thing that you're struggling to forget, however, is minho's lover. every time you close your eyes at night, the soft yet sorrow look on minho's face flashes in front of you. the tears slowly rolling down his cheeks, the pain in his voice as he recalls the love he once had.

not only has your father taken something away from you, but to someone else. wrong place, wrong time–all because of jealousy, rage and greed.

you've spent days pondering on what to do, going back and forth in your mind. you're a child of a well loved, well known captain. it's your word against his and you know it's a fight that won't end very well. you will either be casted out or worse. however, you understand minho's frustration and heartbreak. in one night, he lost the two people he treasured and loved so dearly; it's bound to mess someone up mentally and emotionally.

the more you think, however, the more you slowly understand minho and side with him. since the death of your mother you've had to watch a countless number of sirens be whisked away and killed. the amount of times you have looked into the sorrowful eyes of the sirens who beg you to be set free, do you wish you could save them. regret sinking deep in the pit of your stomach and a heavy weight called guilt and self hate sitting on your shoulders for the remainder of the day.

now you're much wiser but still shackled with fear. 

���i'd rather be casted from everyone than live a life that’s based on lies and deceit!” it rings in your head over and over and over again. a never ending carousel of emotions. you know he is right and you know that staying silent will make things worse–but for how much longer can you keep biting down on your tongue?

the all too familiar sounds of bells and village folk cheering bring you out off your haze. you rush to the window and notice your father and his crew stepping off the boat with none other than another siren; only this time, it's much worse.

dark clouds fill the once clear sky. an eerie atmosphere fills the air, the stench of what's about to come hitting your nostrils and filling you up with nausea.

a storm is brewing.

you watch your father get off the boat, carrying his usual tools that's coated in new and old siren blood. he raises his arms, basking in the glory and screams of the women that scramble to his feet. and then, you see red.

your mind hazy, pent up anger that's been building and building rising to the surface. you see red, steam coming out of your ears as you clench your fists and jaw. 

a siren caught in a net, dangling over the shoulder of a crew member. nothing out of the ordinary expect this siren is weak. it's body battered and bruised, black blood seeping from the various cuts and wounds. his hands bound by the wrists with thick, scratchy rope. 

the siren can barely keep its eyes open due to how weak and tired it feels. deep cuts and wounds situated on its face, scales missing from its body indicating your father and it's crew once again took what doesn't belong to them.

you notice a few cuts on the crew members indicating that the siren put up a fight. a fight for its life. you know how this will go; you've always known but ignored it due to the fear and gaslighting your father has done. but now you have a voice and you're going to use it.

you lose all rationality. the many scenarios you made up in your head on how to approach this, gone. your legs move on their own. heavy puffs of air escape your nostrils like a bull that's being taunted. 

you stomp down the stairs, heels of your boots making loud and painful sounds on the wood. you open the front door with such force, you thought you was going to pop your shoulder out off place.

you storm to the commotion. to the crowds of people, the crew and your father. your heart in your throat, a cold sweat coating your skin. your father looks at you and smiles, pointing to the siren with his knife.

“ah! my child, look what i have done! this has to be my finest catch to date!” he laughs. the sirens eyes flutter open slowly, desperation evident. 

“how could you!” you spit. the noise of the crowd slowly dies down to nothing, all eyes on you and your father.

“excuse me?” your father questions, his brows raised.

“is this what you call fun? killing innocent creatures for your own gain? it's sick!” he slowly walks towards you, the stench of alcohol and the sea ticking your nostrils and making you retch.

“innocent? you think these vile creatures are innocent?”

“i know they're innocent. the only vile creature i see is the one that's stood right in front of me.” you spit, your father's face close to yours. your heart is hammering in your chest, adrenaline sky rocketing to the point you're shaking.

“you better watch your tone with me, child.” his hot breath fans against your face.

“or what? going to kill me like you killed my mother? going to blame it on the sirens? mhm?” everyone audible gasps, the captured sirens mouth now agape in shock.

“that's preposterous!” you father stammers.

“oh is it? i found a letter father. a letter addressed to me from mother. she explained everything, told me about minho so i went out to find him again and ask if it was all true.”

“you went out to see that disgusting creature?!”

“yes. and he told me everything. how you killed mother out of spite. how you killed his lover! how the rumours of sirens being murderous are lies. everything you have spouted and screamed at has all been lies!” 

the village folk start talking amongst themselves, the buzzing of whispers and stares filling the murky atmosphere as fat raindrops hit the concrete. your father stares at you, red in the face. the amount of anger you see frightens you but you stand your ground.

“everything you and everyone else has done and indulged in is all based on lies. sirens treasured the humans once upon a time, they collected and hunted for us. we were united until you grew cold with jealousy and greed.”

the village folk await for your father to speak, the cogs working in his head.

and then he laughs. a full on belly laugh that erupts from his chest. your brows furrow together, his actions taking you by surprise. the buzzing of the townsfolk dies down, they too are confused by your father's actions. 

“what are you trying to say, my child? that i killed your mother out of jealousy?”

“that's exactly that.” you reply bluntly.

“oh child.” his voice sickening sweet and soft, almost mocking you and the whole situation. your fight or flight mode activates as he places his hand on your shoulder.

“i know it's rough for you right now. it's coming up to your mother's death anniversary but do we really have to start such ridiculous lies?” 

“are you being serious? i haven't made it up! you killed mother and blamed it on the sirens hence this whole rumour! everything you've built is based on lies!” you turn to the village folk, desperation setting in as they look at you with disgust.

“you have to believe me! why would i make something like this up?!”

“what has gotten into them?” , “poor child. you can't blame them, they don't have a mother.” , “he is right though, the death anniversary is coming up but it's still crazy to say something like that!” , “maybe they're unwell. losing their mother at such a young age is bound to mess with the mind.” 

you freeze as you watch and listen to every word that's dripping in venom. their words stab you in the heart, realising that you truly have no power hitting you like a truck. so you try one more desperate attempt at making them believe you.

“i met with a siren.” audible gasps fill the air, your fathers veins bursting at the side of his head. “i met a siren and he's so lovely and kind! he told me everything! he told me about how him and mother were close! how my father took away the one thing he loved. sirens are innocent!”

“there is no such thing as an innocent siren! i was there, holding your mother in my arms. her blood soaking my clothing and skin. it's so upsetting.” your father sniffs, wiping away a few crocodile tears to which you scoff at. 

“the sirens murdered your mother in cold blood and i watched her fall and become lifeless in these very arms. i know it's coming up to her death anniversary, but my child, this is ridiculous. why would you ever accuse me of doing such a thing to the women i loved!”

as you open your mouth to speak, a voice brings you and everyone else to its attention. by now, the rain has soaked through your clothing and is dripping from the ends of your hair. the clouds are grey and bursting making the sky dark and gloomy.

you smile in relief as that all too familiar face rises to the surface of the water. the trapped siren also breathes a sigh of relief, tears rolling down its cheeks.

“its true. what yn is saying is true.” 

“you..” your father breathes out in rage and disgust. “i thought i got rid of you!”

“you didn't.” minho states as he swims closer, “you just killed my lover instead, took something precious for me whilst claiming we killed your wife.”

“i can't believe you're still around! i tried to kill you off, you were being too close to my wife! i hated that and i hate you!”

“is that why you killed her and then tried to blame it on us? because you were jealous, filled with greed and hatred. did me being so close to your wife anger you?” a smirk laced on minho's features as he taunts your father. his eyes menacing and the stare shackling your father in his place with fear. the colour drains from his face, words lodged in his throat.

“just admit it father. just admit everything. the truth is out now and it's what mother would have wanted.”

“i will never admit to it. your mother loved that siren and i planned on doing something about it. it's just unlucky that you were there.” you father glares at minho “but you fell right into the palm of my hands. i saw an opportunity and i snatched it. am i sorry that lives have been lost and destroyed because of me? no, not really. in fact, im proud! look at all this attention i'm getting, what more could a man like me want!”

your father laughs. an evil, menacing laugh whilst the village folk gasp in disbelief and shock. you look at minho who's currently staring at your father with menacing eyes, rage building up in how body.

and then you hear it once more. the song of the sirens. that sickly sweet melody that seduces its victims and makes them a slave. your eyes widen as you notice it's minho singing the tune to your father, the laughing from him has now stopped as he walks towards the sea. his body on autopilot, limbs floppy as he's in a daze. his feet dragging across the floor as he gets closer and closer to the edge.

and you say nothing.

behind you, the many screams and panicked cries of the people beg minho to stop. it's like the world around you has go into slow motion, the only people that are moving in real time being minho and your father.

you open your mouth to speak but close it again. tears fill your eyes as you watch minho grab your father and disappear below sea level; leaving you to feel a strange feeling of relief.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

it has been a few months since that incident. you never saw your father and although it pained you on some days, most days you recall back on how he treated you and everyone else and you don't feel as bad anymore.

that day, you watched minho drag your father down below sea level. you waited and waited and waited for someone to come back up. you didn't do anything, just watched.

all the pent up rage, upset and misinformation morphed into one causing you to feel numb at the time. your feet were firmly planted on the concrete, words stuck in your throat.

whilst everyone else around you rushed to help your father, it all just became a distant sound to you. whilst you were moving and breathing in real time, everyone else was in slow motion. 

you often questioned why you didn't do or feel anything but after the truth was uncovered and you learnt the lives your father ruined it was understandable.

you burnt holes into the water, silently praying that it would be minho being the one that would rise to the surface unharmed – and he did.

you watched the water bubble and ripple. that familiar colour of skin appearing. you breathed a sigh of relief as you rushed to minho, kneeling down and hugging him tightly which shocked you both.

you started to cry. whether it was grief of loosing another parent or relief from seeing minho alive, either way it was a day you'd never be able to forget.

“don't feel bad. that bastard deserved to drown.” 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･ ────── ･ ｡ﾟ⟡ 🧜🏻 ⟡ ˚｡ ･

“i can't believe it's that time of year again!” you cheer as you grab a basket of fish from minho. he laughs at you as you hand it to the local fishmonger to gut and sell.

“me neither yn. time flies huh?”

“it really does.” you laugh softly.

everything went back to normal. the sirens and humans were once again reunited, living comfortably within each other's presence. it took some convincing from you to the village folk who were still stuck in their ways and refusing to believe everything, but once you showed them the letters and pictures your mother left behind did they slowly open their eyes to the truth.

a few laws were put into place, sirens now being a protected creature by law. no one is allowed to hurt or kill them no more. the only thing humans can take from them is things they hunt and willingly give such as scales, pearls and even seaweed.

no one knows what happened to your father apart from you. many speculated that he is still alive and on a deserted island, others are convinced he is long gone giving their condolences to you and paying their respects in the form of flowers and wishes.

minho opened up to you a bit more. he openly spoke about jisung and even introduced you to his family. they were ecstatic to learn that you're the child of a women whom was dearly loved and treated you as their own. they would talk about your mother openly, speaking of the memories they have of her and how she was as a person.

“do you miss her?” minho asks. today is your mother's favourite day of the year; summer fest.

everyone comes together to drink alcohol, eat fish and celebrate in the form of games such as water balloon fights and carnival themed games. when the sun sets, everyone then rushes to the shore to watch the fireflies and the sky turn from bright blue to pink, purple and orange. 

you smooth down your clothing as you look down at the siren whom you've become so close with and nod.

“yeah. days like today i truly miss her.”

“she'd be proud of you, y'know.”

“yeah?” you whisper, a burning lump forming in your throat as minho nods and gives you a gentle smile.

“yeah. you're all she spoke about. she would tell me what clothing she would buy for you, the names she had planned. she often wondered how you would turn out. what your personality, thoughts and goals would be. she adored you, yn. every time she spoke about you, her eyes would light up and fill with so much love.”

tears stream down your cheeks as you smile. you wipe them away slowly with your hand as you sniffle, minho giving you a sympathetic smile.

“oh! i found something and i think it belongs to you.” you quickly rush inside your home leaving minho confused and to watch the village folk laughing and chattering amongst themselves.

his heart feeling heavy all of a sudden as he recalls the last time he was at summer fest. during that time, he had everything and was surrounded by the people he loved and people that loved him. he was happy during that time, on top of the world he would dare say.

that's not to say he isn't happy now but compared to then, it's different. he is thankful he has met you and that you both managed to stop this terrible hunting of his kind but even so, he wishes it never came to that. he wishes his lover was still here to laugh and joke around with, to go home to and feel his skin against his own. he wishes that more than anything else; to have his sungie by his side again.

“found it!” your voice bellowing out to him causes minho to snap back to reality. he clears his throat and blinks back tears as you rush to him, holding a photo.

“i was going through my mother's things and sorting everything out when i came across this.”

you hand minho a black and white photo of him and jisung. minho takes the photo and stares at it in disbelief. it's just them two in the water, holding and kissing one another, looking so happy and so in love. 

“i think my mother sneakily took the photo.” you say with a giggle, “she seemed to do that a lot. i think she saw you and jisung looking so happy and in love that she had to capture the moment.”

“wow.. i–i don't know what to say..” minho's voice is failing to stay steady as tears slowly fall down his cheeks. “thank you.” 

“there's something on the back as well that my mother wrote.” minho flips the photo over and in cursive writing is a date and “the two lovebirds; may you be happy, healthy and in love for eternity.” 

“jesus.. i– thank you yn. truly. i have no words but just know i am grateful for this.” you give minho a warm smile.

“i should be the one thanking you.” 

“excuse me?”

“if it wasn't for you well things would still be how there used to be expect worse.”

“do you not hate me for what i did to your father?” you let out a soft sigh before shaking your head no. 

“i've thought about it. relived the events via visions and dreams and i don't hate you for what you did. i had years of built up anger and upset that when i saw what you did and knew what you were doing i just went numb. i should be angry and in a way, i guess i am but not at you.”

“no?” you hum softly “then who?”

“my father. even though he's not here anymore, i'm still pissed at him. sure, his old crew are still together but are hunting fish instead, it still shouldn't have come to this. he was a horrid man fuelled by hatred and jealousy. he took something precious from us both and that's something i refuse to understand. but i'm also thankful.”

“thankful? why?” minho tilts his head to the side.

“because i met you and learned so much more about you and your kind. i learnt about jisung and met your family. i'm still trying to figure you out though.” you giggle as minho cocks his eyebrow up. “you're full of surprises. when i think i've figured you out, you do or say something that brings me back to square one.”

minho laughs softly, the corner is his eyes crinkling as his fangs show. 

“never really thought about myself like that but i guess it's true. jisung said the same.”

“i'm sorry for everything, min. i'm sorry for the trauma my father caused you and your kind.”

“hey. we've been through this, it's not your place to apologise! you've done nothing wrong.” you look at your feet as you blink back tears whilst nodding. “keep moving forward yn and never look back.”

“i know, i know. you're right, you're always right.”

“oh, i know.” minho says with a hint of cockiness lacing his words as he smirks. you roll your eyes at him before laughing softly.

“you should get back yn, enjoy the rest of the day.”

“will i see you later?”

“same time and place?”

“12 am at the rock.” you grin.

“then of course you will. i look forward to seeing you; i always do yn.” you smile widely before rushing off to join the village folk. minho watches you, his bottom lip caught between his teeth as he makes a mental note of how similar you and your mother are. he looks up at the sky, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“if only you could both see this. it's everything we've ever dreamed of and more.”

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 | [repost for the third time because it wont show on my dash and in tags. if this doesnt work then idk what else to do. sorry to the people on my tag list for being tagged a million times]

this has been in my drafts since june, ops. but !! my first long fic, eep! im nervous about this one because its also my first time doing a mythical au! there will be some inaccuracy!! this took some time to do so please let me know how it went! i would greatly appreciate it! don’t forget to leave feedback, reblog and tell me what you think here. curious as to what is next? here is my wips list! i hope you all enjoy! ‹3

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒 | @rebloggingfun ; @fairylouist ; @poody1608 ; @maximumkillshot ; @bintific ; @fun-fanfics ; @septicrebel ; @myprwttyhan ; @goblinracha

[mewkwota]

Hewwwoo!! I hope ya don’t mind me asking ya in the character ask thang!

Megaman Volnutt!

Oh hello--!! Oh no. Why would you do this to me?

Send Me a Character

And I will tell you my:

First impression Oh neat, another Mega Man. He very much reminds me of LEGOs. Personally I never understood the appeal of Legends but I knew people liked it a lot. The first time I checked out some playthroughs I was falling asleep so the little details became a blur to me, but I think that's because watching a game that big of a scale rather than engaging directly will make it feel more long-winded.

But I recognize Volnutt from various crossovers.

Additionally, I was confused as to what his name was. His name is Volnutt? Oh then where does Trigger come from? Is that a localization thing? What are all these other titles?

*This one did not pay attention*

Volnutt looks very sweet and charming, and I can see him being a little cheeky. But I didn't know much of him beyond that.

However I think his voice in Legends 2 is cute and nostalgic. I like Sailor Moon.

Impression now "I don't know what you are (and I think that's fascinating)." But the answer is right ther-- No it isn't. That's not a Carbon.

One day I decided to look back at Volnutt's story because I remained confused up to this day. I now understand the appeal of his series' atmosphere and story to others, it's just hard to put to words.

That said, what I was mostly trying to understand was the presence of these two names, Volnutt and Trigger. It went WAY over my head that the latter was a name he used to go by. I had an inkling of understanding as to the setting and what Elysium was, but the details of everything structured around it weren't quite clear yet.

So once I reviewed everything again, the little hunch in my mind started to grow. Did I read all that right? Am I seeing this correctly? You're just like those other guys that can do this or that?

It was a joke at first, but then it got worse. Wonderfully worse.

I've found myself very immersed in my exploration of Volnutt's identiti(es). Just how organic, or non-organic are you? I don't know. What were you really like back then? I don't know. Can we see it? No. Though I appear to cry over his lack of concrete definition, I actually welcome it wholeheartedly. Sometimes things just can't be entirely understood, that doesn't mean there's something wrong with it.

And you got all this from a silly 3D-game about exploring? I guess so.

Favorite moment To simply put it, seeing Volnutt in a little apron thing was very cute.

Actually. Do you know what really got me to consider looking more into Volnutt's background? There's this really old sketch from Mr. Ariga where he gave Volnutt this soft look in his eyes. I've always seen Volnutt as being so peppy and adventurous given the genre of his game, so I wondered why that expression?

Idea for a story I'll leave the painful ideas over there. *violently shoves them into Data's noggin*

Anyways, I can't believe I forgot for a moment that Volnutt and Shion Uzuki have met before. They've both been put into positions leading to an uncertain future, with something from "their" pasts acting as a point of conflict. I'm not sure how willing either of them would open up about that, but I thought it'd be interesting brainstorming material.

Unpopular opinion Everything I say about this kid always get me hit with a mallet.

Favorite relationship I don't have a favorite(?), but there's something quite lovely about the relation between Trigger and The Master. We don't see very much of it, but you can tell what was there must've meant a lot.

It makes you wonder. What things did they talk about? Why did Trigger in particular click so well with The Master? Was he just more curious or more open than the others? Again, it's a mystery.

Favorite headcanon Volnutt would take out a body part just to mess with people. No that doesn't mean you can just yank off his leg yourself, I'm sure he has to manually detach it first.

[harrywavycurly]

For trouble next door can we have some convos between Eddie and Reader? Their banter is amazing😍

Hiii babes!! Oh of course you can get some convos between them! They make me laugh because they’ve just known each other so long their conversations are wild sometimes😂 I hope you enjoy💖

-find all things Trouble Next Door here✨

*Eddie just needs some advice and you’re the only one he trusts to be honest with him*

“You can’t be serious…” “why wouldn’t I be serious?” “Eddie you didn’t wake me up at two in the morning just to ask me this…there has to be something else.” “Uhm…I didn’t even realize what time it was…but yeah no there’s nothing else…” “i fucking hate you.” “Yeah yeah same so…yes or no on the mullet?” “It’s your hair do whatever you want to it.” “Uhm no? Remember the buzz cut that changed my life?” “You’re so dramatic…it grew back.” “That’s not the point…just tell me yes or no.” “Why does it matter what I think? It’s your hair.” “I trust you…I know you wouldn’t let me do something that would make me look stupid.” “I mean you can’t really look anymore stupid than you already do…nice sailor moon boxers by the way.” “You have an issue with the moon boxers?…that just shows you have poor taste.” “Yet you’re in my room asking me for advice on what to do with your hair.” “If you don’t want me to get a mullet all you have to do is say no.” “Eddie…i think you’d look fine with a mullet but I think you’d hate it after a week so…no don’t get it.” “Thank you…what about highlights?” “Oh my god go home!”

“What the fuck is this?” “What’s it say it is?” “Vanilla…caramel creamer.” “Look at you reading out loud and everything…proud of you.” “Fuck off…where’s the regular one?” “What regular one?” “The one that’s not���vanilla or caramel.” “Eddie…are you talking about milk?” “That’s not the name of the creamer…” “I’ve always used a vanilla creamer…have you just been grabbing the milk thinking it’s creamer this whole time?” “I don’t fucking know…god now my whole life feels like a lie…all of a sudden I don’t know how to make my coffee.” “Relax…take a deep breath and go sit down and I’ll make you a cup and you can see how you like it.” “What if I don’t like coffee anymore? What will we do then?” “I guess I’ll just have to take you out back and put you out of your misery.” “You’d do that for me?” “In a heartbeat.” “This is why I love you the most.” “I know.”

“So…you ready for this?” “I think so.” “Uh you think so?…you’re getting married don’t you think you should be a little more…sure about it?” “Yes Eddie I’m ready…I love him.” “Yeah he’s cute…great ass.” “Right? You could bounce a quarter off that thing…how about you? You ready for this?” “I’m ready to see you get your happily ever after…you deserve it you know that right?” “Thanks…it’s gonna be weird not living two trailers down from each other anymore.” “Yeah that’s gonna suck ass but…I’ll just claim the guest bedroom and we can have weekly sleepovers.” “Steve works late on Thursdays so figured that would be our designated weeknight to be weirdos together.” “Sounds awesome…you look really beautiful by the way.” “Thank you…you look nice thanks for agreeing to wear the tux.” “You get to see me in it for two hours then I’m changing because I’m not going on stage in this thing.” “Oh come on the lead guitarist of Corroded Coffin can’t jam out in a tux? How lame.” “You’re lame…I still love you though.” “Thank god…I love you too now come on let’s get this show on the road.” “You better not try to trip me walking down the aisle because if you do I’m taking your ass down with me.” “I won’t have time to trip you I’m going to be too focused on not busting my own ass walking down the aisle.” “Don’t worry…I won’t let you fall.”

[stardustizuku]

Part 4: The New Team

The first moment I said “This is bad” at Miraculous Ladybug...the first moment I realized this was going downhill – was when they introduced …Sighs, Rena Rouge.

(To be fair, it started with Lila and her weird necklace but that could have just been fixed easily)

I knew the moment Rena came that this was gonna get bad. I felt it in my bones that THIS was the sign of something insidious and awful boiling in the back of the show. This character marks the beginning of everything downhill in the show - it’s a glaring reminder of how awful the writing in this show is.

Don’t get me wrong I love Alya. I love the character design of Rena and I don’t think that - in a vacuum - her existing is bad. But her appearance signified that something far worse happened behind the scenes.

They were trying to add more heroes.

As I’ve stated in Part 2, where we talk about the Love Square, there is a very delicate balance between Chat and Ladybug’s dynamic. And throughout Season 1, which is meant to be the introduction to the series, we are given no indication that it will focus on anything else. There was more than enough drama with just those two superheroes to last you a very solid arc. But that arc never got developed neither as forefront, nor backstage, as far as seasons 1-3 is concerned.

Again, because the writers are idiots, who believe that developing the story might lead the Love Square to be concluded, which means having the creativity to develop it beyond what the 1 minute trailer told them to do.

So? What do we do? How do we develop this story further, without bringing in the complexities of its own premise?

Easy, you add useless heroes and McGuffins to sell more toys. They add nothing in terms of narrative cohesion, character development, or character relationships.

Like, Season 2 was 25 episodes long. And in those 25 episodes, it introduced a grand total of 3 potential superheroes. Of what are now

11 SUPERHEROES.

By the end of Season 2, a little less than halfway through the currently aired episodes in the USA, we had…3/11 of the entire team.

A team, by the way, that slowly took the emphasis away from what we were even watching this show, to begin with: The Love Square. Ladybug and Chat.

They were the core of the story. And the blatant addition of a new team, proved to me nothing more than a desperate attempt to distance themselves from it. For what reason? Either a lack of confidence in developing their main characters, or plain incompetence to detect what your show even is about.

As I stated in Part 3, in regard of theme, there’s nothing of the sorts connecting ANY of these superheroes together.

The new heroes have different powers – with absurd power balances.

The most powerful superheroes are supposed to be Cht and Laadybug, but I would argue that time travel is a biiiiit more powerful. Like, Garbiel could very easily time travel to save Emily or steal the miraculous before they're given to Chat and Ladybug. But sure. Whatever.

In regards of theme.

Chat and Ladybug have good and bad luck symbols as their animal counterparts. Then there’s Rena, the Fox; Carapace, the turtle; Hawkmoth, the moth; Queen Bee the bee…?? I’m not following that decision at all. If someone does, please do enlighten me.

And then there’s the newest superheroes, introduced in Season 4, and still being currently introduced…

The theme is the Chinese zodiac, but that’s only (checks notes) Excuse me, Paris? Uhm, yeah, Paris. So in Paris they have the Chinese zodiac, but in the USA and Beijin they have completely different powers not tied to the miraculous. And, I get it, you want new merch. Fine, all magical girls are thinly veiled ads for kid’s toys (I will buy the sailor moon blush one day, or so help me god) But, should you at least – try to make it make sense-

New superheroes or new powers should all connect to your theme.

Sailor Moon has planets, so introducing new Sailor Scouts it’s as easy as getting new moons, or suns in the galaxy. Something I find really cute is that Sailor Chibimoon has subordinates CereCere, VesVes, PallaPalla and JunJun. These were the asteroids once thought to be new planets in the Solar System before we knew of the AsteroidBelt and realized they were little rocks.

Mermaid Melody introduced new mermaids through the seven seas. There were only a finite amount of them. But even so, the only way to introduce Seira was through the death of Sara.

And Tokyo Mew Mew’s endangered animals allowed us to have Mew Ringo and (we don’t talk about brunononono, we don’t talk about brunooooo) Mew Berry.

Even Kamichama Karin WHICH I HATE so it goes to show how badly MLB messed it up – has a theme (sort of). It fumbles it extremely badly. Insulting to a degree how bad it does it…BUT IT DOES IT.

It’s greek gods. That’s it. You may have a new power, a new transformation or a new characters but you bet your ass it’ll be a Greek god. It may have no connection to the character’s personality or relationship to each other, but hey. At least it stays consistent on its terrible use of Greek Gods as nothing more than aesthetic.

So, your characters have no narrative weight behind it to justify why they’re here. You have no actual theme to tie all 19 of your superheroes (HOLY FUCK THAT’S A LOT OF THEM) aside from…animals? I guess.

(I swear to god PreCure puts more thought into their themes than this)

But at least, you would guess, your new heroes show interesting dynamics with each other that allow you to understand better either Chat, Ladybug, or each other?

No.

The team is bad.

They ditched the “Magical Girl” formula and decided to go for a bit of a “Super Seitan” feeling. I mean, Power Rangers type of show. More gender neutral, more focused on the villain of the week, and an emphasis on a big team.

Just. A bit of a problem.

But they did this, so into the show that we ALREADY had a sense of their character as a side character, so bringing them to the spotlight was uncomfortable.

Like suddenly making Molly a sailor scout or giving Tomoyo clow cards in the middle of the second season.

That’s not their purpose in the story.

And they’re introduced so haphazardly that there’s hardly any time for them to hang out with each other.

Rena first appears in episode 37, Carapace in episode 44, and Queen Bee in episode 49.

AND NONE OF THESE CHARACTERS INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

Not until Mayura. Which is episode 52, which just akumatizes them or gets them out of the way one way or another. Meaning, they do absolutely nothing for the plot, bring nothing to the table, and makes you wonder why even waste air time bringing on-screen characters that do not matter.  

In any other show, yes. The characters slowly leaving the protagonist alone because they get trapped, killed or maimed is a good way to up the stakes of the finale.

Here’s the thing, though. I care about them. And they care for each other. They know they’re not losing just a teammate, they’re losing a friend.

I cried like a baby when Makoto died and Usagi only recognized her rose earring – because I love Makoto to death. I cried when Rei sacrificed herself to save Usagi, because I knew how much they bickered. I was upset when Mint and Zakuro fought, because I knew how much Mint idolized Zakuro.

Their failure meant something to the each other. Aside simply, “we lost manpower”. Because these people were, before superheroes, before their later egos – they were friends.

HOWEVER. This does not happen in MLB. Since they don’t GET to keep the kwamis, they don’t get to participate in every episode. We never get episodes focused on how they interact with one another. Which means there’s no sense of a “team”. Which makes you wonder why they’re even considered a “team”.

This is such a horrible decision it genuinely makes me wonder if these people KNOW how to create ANY story !!!

I feel like I keep comparing MLB to many decent and genuinely good magical girls animes. Which feels unfair, EVEN THO IT ISNT, because these are iconic anime’s that have left a print in media

So fine, let’s get this show to a level you all can understand how bad it is

DC superhero girls. And it’s GOOD, check it out if you can. It’s something to turn on and enjoy, with little overarching plot.

But get this, the entire focus is to watch the team girls Interact. A lot of the comedy comes from watching these girls having fun and watching them come to terms with their own superpowers. Watching them get in trouble as they hide their identity, and how they bounce from one another. Who helps who, who are besties, who kinda hate each other, who brings them together and who keeps them strong.

I especially love Barbara and Harley's dynamic, as well as Kitana and Wonderwoman's friendship. The episodes that focus on either of them make me really happy. And even if there's little overarching plot, because I know their situation, I wanna see them happy and have fun.

But because they all have to hide in MLB, you don’t see something like this. Which, btw, THIS is the foundation of both Magical girl GROUPS and Seitan. And I would argue you would get more leeway abt secret identities to one another in MagicalGirls that in Seitan. Seitan’s bread and butter IS team dynamics. The fact that we don’t know how two superheroes that ladybug and chat aren’t would behave around each other is an INSULT to the genre.

And to be fair, they could still keep their identities secret. Just. Have them interact every single episodes, without the need of Ladybug or Chat doing a 10 minute break to give them their Kwamis. It would have been fun to see Queen Bee chat with Ladybug, maybe hate Chat and fight with him to get Ladybug’s attention. Maybe, have Viper and Carapace make music references and vibing in the background. Have Ryuko and Queen Bee bicker. Have Rena and Chat make jokes at Queen Bee’s expense.

You could have amazing drama out of the team trying to find each other’s identities, but having Ladybug threaten them to take away their miraculous (MAYBE she’s paranoid about it since the events of Chat Blanc let her traumatized and will take away miraculous from them). Hell, maybe she took away Chloe’s miraculous not because “she’s unfit” but because she spilled the beans. And Chloe’s resentment is not just from losing her great title, but losing the first true friends she had.

And it would make the fact that Marinette is allowed to CHOOSE her teammate…a bit more bearable. Because honestly, THAT’S  a terrible concept.

Most teams DONT get to chose who their partners are, and that’s what makes it amazing.

Because it’s a bunch of people who are forced to be together, slowly learning to open up and depend on one another. Which creates amazing and profound bonds that one originally wasn’t expecting.

Take for example Usagi. She didn’t CHOOSE her team. Instead, she found it. They found her. While Ami and Makoto are kind to her, she’s always butting heads with Rei, and playfully competing with Minako. They don’t all coddle her, or think she’s amazing. They see her as a friend. A crybaby, clumsy but kind-hearted friend who will help them out.

Tokyo Mew Mew has the same. Ichigo isn’t in perfect terms with Mint and they butt heads. Zakuro is a loner that isn’t integrated fully even in later episodes. But they’re a team. They work together.

The fact that Marinette gets to pick, creates issues like…Queen Bee.

Which.

Leads me.

To Chloe.

A God, Chloe.

PREV << MASTERLIST >> NEXT

[themattress]

Sailor Moon (Takeuchi): The Top 20 Villains

Ranked using my core tenets for villains, and done countdown style for dramatic effect.

Honorable Mention: Danburite - He's technically not from Sailor Moon, instead being the main antagonist of the prequel Codename Sailor V. Danburite is the leader of the Dark Agency, a worldwide criminal organization that is secretly a subsidiary of the Dark Kingdom. He's a fairly complex character: hating Sailor Venus for never returning his love yet also still loving her, being upset that she favored Kunzite over him yet still working directly under Kunzite, and manipulating her in a Tuxedo Mask-esque guise just to lower her guard so he can kill her...yet ultimately choosing to die himself and use his last words to encourage her to move past him, something he could never do in regards to her. All in all, a damn solid villain.

20. Pharaoh 90 - The ruler of the Death Busters, Pharaoh 90 is a demonic extraterrestrial being bent on destruction. He's definitely the least engaging of Chaos' incarnations, but I have to give him points for a pretty great final battle and even some pathos in his last moments where he gracefully accepts his death and returns back to the Tau Nebula, saying that he wants to die in his home. That sticks with me even when little else about him does.

19. Queen Metalia - While a step above Pharaoh 90, Metalia still isn't all that interesting. She's a big blob of evil that wants to plunge the world into darkness and corrupt all its inhabitants because she's evil. Also, her design in the Crystal anime is underwhelming. Nevertheless, she gets by on how much destruction she wreaks, being the one to destroy the Moon Kingdom of the Silver Millennium and nearly causing Usagi and Mamoru's deaths.

18. Sailor Lethe and Sailor Mnemosyne - The Sailor Moon manga has straight-up villains, tragic villains, and villains who aren't really villains and are just brainwashed. That's why Lethe and Mnemosyne stand out as true blue Anti-Villains: having joined Shadow Galactica of their own volition and even doing bad things, but having a backstory that justifies it, a deep love for one another, and conflicting feelings about their mission the more destructive it becomes. They would rank way higher if they had more screentime, but alas, they do not.

17. Safir - At the same placement as his Toei counterpart, Safir is the brooding young man in the background who develops the Black Moon Clan's droids and watches helplessly as his older brother Prince Demande descends into madness thanks to Wiseman and the Malefic Black Crystal. There is no redemption to be found here, however, as Safir blames Sailor Moon and her future self Neo-Queen Serenity for everything wrong in his life rather than take any responsibility for himself and his clan, which ultimately leads to him becoming forcibly mind controlled by Wiseman and then killed by his own brother. The lesson: misogyny kills!

16. Evil Endymion - Metalia and Beryl long resented that they were unable to corrupt Prince Endymion in the Silver Millennium despite doing so with everyone else on Earth. In the present day, they finally get what they wanted, and the result is a sinister, cold-hearted and unsettling presence. Seeing the heroic, chivalrous young man we've come to know and love become a manipulative, violent sociopath is arguably where the Dark Kingdom arc peaked.

15. Chaos - In terms of personality, there's nothing here. Chaos is the Ultimate Evil and that's all there is to it. But oh, how it coasts by on sheer concept! Turned evil because it is a lifeform that has perpetually failed to get out of the Galaxy Cauldron and become a star, Chaos seethes and longs for universal conquest. This desire is so great that even trapped in the Galaxy Cauldron as a being of pure dark energy, some of that energy is able to leak out, creating all the other major villains that Sailor Moon faces. It's an ingenious way to connect the story arcs, antagonists and series together, tying it all in a satisfying, truly epic bow.

14. Witches 5 - We had evil minions correlating to the Inner Senshi that challenged them and helped their character development before with the Shitennou and the Spectre Sisters, but I think Witches 5 is the peak version of this concept as a purely villainous force. They're all perfect dark foils to their respective heroic counterpart in terms of design, personality and powers, and face off against them not once but twice, the second time after having died!

13. Esmeraude - While the lone female leader of the Black Moon Clan is sadly the least consequential, she makes a stronger impression than Safir by actually fighting the Sailor Senshi on two separate occasions, and both times being a truly formidable adversary who almost kills them all. She also has a strong personality, being a haughty beauty who seeks to win Prince Demande's love and willing to do absolutely anything to achieve that desire.

12. Kaolinite - The Grand Magus of the Death Busters who commands Witches 5, Kaolinite brings a fun DnD aesthetic to the story while also being a fairly fleshed out character, especially in Crystal. Formerly Professor Tomoe's lab partner, Kaolinite now owes her life to the Daimon energy inside her and is obsessed with pleasing Pharaoh 90. Unfortunately, this puts her at odds with his actual number 2, Mistress 9, and seeing Kaolinite struggle even when the odds are against her makes her sympathetic despite being so unabashedly wicked.

11. Black Lady - When Wiseman corrupts Chibiusa, she becomes Black Lady, the self-styled Queen of Nemesis. Black Lady is a lot like Evil Endymion, but more nuanced as she doesn't do a complete personality flip due to the brainwashing. She still has the memories and feelings she held as Chibiusa, it's just that they've been twisted and perverted: her deep insecurities about living up to her mother and frustrations with Usagi manifesting as vindictive hatred of both, and her desire to keep hold of her father's affections turned into incestuous advances toward him. She may have breached the Top 10 had her resolution been stronger.

10. Queen Nehelenia - When part of Chaos leaked from the Galaxy Cauldron and into the dark side of the moon, it created a twisted mirror image of Queen Serenity: Queen Nehelenia. She's a fairy tale baddie based off the Queen from Snow White and the Wicked Fairy from Sleeping Beauty: a vain ruler who loves her beautiful image in the mirror and whose inner self is a hideous old hag, and a practitioner of dark magic who crashes a princess' birthday celebration and invokes a curse. Derivative? Absolutely. Effective at it? Also absolutely!

9. Crimson Rubeus - One of the most loathsome members of the Black Moon Clan, Rubeus operates by sending the Spectre Sisters out to fight and die for him so that he can swoop in and capture the Sailor Senshi they've rendered vulnerable and get all the credit from Prince Demande. He's a selfish creep and also a dirty coward, always feeling at the first sign of things going south for him. Despite that, he is perceptive enough to recognize that Wiseman may not have the clan's best interests at heart, and at least has the nobility to stand up to him over it even if that ends up getting him killed. If nothing else, Rubeus was loyal to the cause.

8. Queen Beryl - The main villain for much of the original Dark Kingdom arc, Beryl is interesting because in the Silver Millennium, she was more of a victim than anything. A jealous young woman who was misled and corrupted by Metalia. However, it’s a different story in the present day. The Silver Crystal granted her reincarnation and with it, a chance for redemption. A chance not to make the same mistake. But not only does she willfully re-release Metalia and then have the Shitennou re-brainwashed, but she takes things further by plotting to betray Metalia by keeping the Silver Crystal for herself and using its power to rule the universe with Endymion at her side. A case study in how corrosive envy and hate are.

7. Kunzite - While Jadeite, Nephrite and Zoisite of the Shitennou were thinly drawn beyond one basic characteristic (loyalty, passion and underhandedness respectively), Kunzite is a richer character. Despite being the leader of the Middle East branch of the Dark Kingdom, Kunzite is powerful enough to control a worldwide subsidiary in the Dark Agency, and reliable enough to be dispatched anywhere if necessary. He is arrogant and cold-hearted, allowing no personal connections in his life and focused solely on his mission. Yet then he becomes unbrainwashed and remembers being quite the opposite: devoted and dutiful, a protector not an offender, someone warm enough for even Sailor Venus to fall in love with. Tragically, when he tries to betray Queen Beryl he gets super-brainwashed and then killed in an epic struggle with the Sailor Senshi, but his cleansed spirit stays with Mamoru and plays a key role in helping to defeat Metalia for good. And through it all, he does it with such impeccable style.

6. Professor Tomoe - This villain is like unpeeling an onion, layer by layer. He seems like a good, caring father who is caught up in the Death Busters' shady business, with signs pointing him to being misled by Kaolinite. Then we learn he's actually Kaolinite's superior and not misled at all, but still trust he has his daughter's interests at heart since he's gone through such lengths for her. And in the end, we see that he is actually a complete psychopath who cares nothing for his daughter and only went so far for her so that he can make her into the thing he wants her to be: the first of a race of superbeings that he can rule over as a god. After he turns himself into a monster, Sailor Moon has to eliminate him, accepting that he is far beyond redemption. All in all, Professor Tomoe is effectively frightening and loathsome.

5. The Amazoness Quartet - I admit that I'm not that big a fan of Takeuchi's Dead Moon Circus, but even I can't deny that the Amazoness Quartet are spectacular villains. Remember how Chibiusa turned into Black Lady and then into Sailor Chibi Moon? The Amazoness Quartet is that without the Chibiusa part. What's more, they are preteens / early teens rather than adults, which means they rely far less on any sort of sex appeal and more on their raw cunning and deviousness. VesuVesu, CeleCele, PallaPalla, and JunJun...I love 'em all!

4. Sailor Galaxia - Usagi's final opponent is her perfect evil foil. Having grown up in a harsh, uncaring environment, Galaxia is as cynical as Usagi is hopeful, and instead of drawing strength from others, she sacrifices others to build up her strength. Chaos is easily able to manipulate her nihilistic psychopathy, but despite all of her attempts to break Usagi, she proves Galaxia wrong by never giving in and even saving her in the end. Before her (temporary) death, Galaxia realizes that someone like Sailor Moon was really what she wanted and needed in her life, and that even now an ideal like her seems so far out of reach.

3. Mistress 9 - If you want an example of pure evil done right, look no further than Mistress 9, the child and herald of Pharaoh 90. Like Pharaoh 90, Mistress 9 desires the destruction of Earth and its people, but she takes particular joy in causing it, relishing all the pain she inflicts on people...including people on her own side like Kaolinite. The way she uses Hotaru once Professor Tomoe sells her out to her control is especially despicable. When she finally turns into a hideous monster, it truly feels like the inside of her is finally showing on the outside.

2. Wiseman / Death Phantom - And if you want another example of pure evil done right, we have the best incarnation of Chaos in the series. Nemesis was an entire planet made up of leaked Chaos energy from the Galaxy Cauldron, awaiting only the proper catalyst to give it consciousness. That catalyst was Death Phantom, a psychopathic criminal sorcerer banished there by Neo-Queen Serenity. Melding his soul with the planet and magically puppeting his corpse under the identity of "Wiseman", Death Phantom will psychologically manipulate anyone to pursue his goal of taking over the universe and reshaping it into a void of nothing.

1. Prince Demande - Death Phantom's primary pawn? This guy. Prince Demande, leader of the Black Moon Clan. He starts out as a young man with a sensible conviction - an unnatural moon being ruling over humanity and forcing them into elongated lives in a utopian society is blasphemous, as she's basically playing God. Unfortunately, his methods go too far into extremism and terrorism, which attracts the attention of Death Phantom who, as Wiseman, lures him and his gang to Nemesis. There, exposure to the Malefic Black Crystal warps Demande....his motive shifts to envy of Neo-Queen Serenity, as now he decides that he deserves to play God and rule over Earth. And once he attacks Earth, the madman's motives shift again...now he wishes to rule with Neo-Queen Serenity at his side, as he has been overtaken with lustful feelings toward her and wants to force her into loving him. Despite being the worst of scum, Demande still has nuance: he cares for his comrades, especially his brother Safir. When forced to kill Safir, learning the truth about Wiseman and how he's been manipulated, and seeing the true power of the Silver Crystal he thought he could defeat, Demande's despair is palpable and pitiable. But then it brings him to trying to destroy the universe, taking everyone down with him just to prove he can be the master of his own fate, unbeholden to anyone or anything. So in the end, Demande epitomizes the tragic villain.

[sailorsplatoon]

here me out, evil shina and marie

YES!!!

Here’s what I’m thinking:

The au is placed during Return of the Mammalians. Marie meets Shina while Neo is still investigating Alterna, trying to find Cuttlefish etc. She doesn’t tell Shina about the mission, not because they’re not close enough for her to trust her, but because she fears that if she tells Shina, she’ll want to help and might get herself hurt. 

However, in keeping this a secret, she actually puts Shina in more danger. Mr. Grizz figured out that the two are in love, and can use that against Marie. It just so happens that Shina works part time for Grizzco. He calls her in for a “promotion”. When she arrives, he has her fuzzed. 

He then uses her cell phone to call Marie, explaining to her that Shina is now fuzzy, and that if she wants her back she needs to come to Grizzco. Alone. When she gets there, she sees fuzzy Shina and nearly breaks down. It takes everything in her to stay strong.

Mr. Grizz then leads her to believe that there is no cure for fuzziness, and that Shina will be like this forever. He tells her his whole villain backstory and lets her know everything involving his plan to make the entire world fuzzy. She’s horrified, but at the same time she’s too heartbroken about what happened to Shina to fight.

Grizz then offers Marie a choice. She now knows too much about his plan for him to let her go. So she could either stay as a prisoner, the same way Cuttlefish is, or she could allow him to make her fuzzy. She is not in a sound sate of mind, and believes that being fuzzy will be the only way to be with the person she loves. So, she agrees to become fuzzy.

I’m thinking of this Sailor Moon quote in particular:

(I’m actually a big Sailor Moon fan, I just don’t post about it often.)

That’s about as far as I’ve gotten for now, but I like the storyline so far!

Thank you for the ask!!! I have to admit, this was not my original idea for an evil Shina and Marie. However what I originally wrote was so immensely sad that I decided not to post it just yet. If you’re interested then I will, but I’ll warn you now that it might be the saddest thing I’ve ever written.

[boxwinebaddie]

Who initiated the kissing in the greenhouse?

ahhhh, the greenhouse kiss.

my magnum opus. ;)

shouldiactuallyfuckingwriteitgotohellunclenina!

smh, Any!Ways! i've been itching to talk about this, but it requires a lot of context, so i'll have to rewind time a lil and provide screenshots.

but before i begin:

again, it's probably my extreme levels of anxiety around being really annoying and irrelevant, however, this was sent to me a while ago and i am not sure how much we still care about lore around my dumb unfinished fanfiction, but i will say that, at the time i received this, i also had TWO Other Separate Anons who asked me questions about the greenhouse sequence and subsequent kiss and because i had only really mentioned it in a Couple...neither here nor there answers?

i was extremely surprised and flattered that it stood out enough to you to be asked about multiple times??? AAA?? again, i have the best readers in the world, thank you so much for caring. my face is red. ;-;

OKAY! FAIR WARNING!!!! THIS IS VERY, VERY, VEEERY LONG! and Lore Intensive. but you asked! so welcome to the shit show, baby!

so, to jog your re(memories), though, i highly doubt you'll need the refresher, you are all sharp as tacks and extremely brilliant, therefore, really just to set the scene for myself, we are in ravenstan's room,

which, because the crimson dawn sicktorian manwhorsion was ofc, once a very grand, luxurious upscale, upstate new york 1800s manor, a lot of the old furnishings stayed, so stan's room is basically this huge gothic vampire boy bedroom with a massive four column upholstery bed and beautiful black lace canopy that drapes down,

there's a huge dark-finish, wooden boudoir and matching vanity that is all hand-carved, very elegant, ancient and intricate...and also sticker-bombed with a million shitty, half-peeled skater-boy stickers...there's a chandelier and one of stan's combat boots is hanging from it and probably underwear, smh. metal posters all over the wall, dirty laundry all over the fancy ornate rug, half empty cheesy poof and taki bags, eye makeup smeared on Everything, especially the nice cool mirror, nasty crumbs in the bed ( stan did wipe those off before kyle sat...true luv ), lots of cringey stanime figurines on the old antique shelves. jers did comment on this like '...sailor moon?' and stan scoffed, a little defensive, and was like 'what's more badass and punk rock then a bunch of girls kicking ass and saving the galaxy?'

Hot Boy Shit.

so yes, we are in ravenstan's gothic victorian, chaotic boy fail disaster room, where stan is stripped ( literally ) of all his sexy lead-singer boy laviciousness, no dramatic eye makeup or perfectly blown out bleach blonde hair, no tiny vegan leather pants...rather, he is fresh from the shower in his big, ratty, holey terrance and phillip shirt, his uber lame skull and cross-bones pajama pants from the junior boys section of target, socks that don't match, his hair is back in the black standana, still damp, face bare, cheeks lightly flushed, where a blue star pimple patch sits on a very angry pimple, the lil stan beauty mark under his right eye is winking, lip ring shining in the romantic sicktorian lowlight of a crimson dawn, where he is nervously fiddling with his chipped black fingernails, sitting cross cross applesauce across from

...jerseykyle, secret love of his life, who looks perfect, even with his nightly skincare routine delayed from tonight's many dramas ( which, is really saying something, because kyle never delays his s.c., ever ) his hair is falling in effortless ginger waves about his sharp shoulders, the sun and moon glasses chain is gold and glorious, his green eyes, usually narrowed, are wide with wonder gazing over at raven of crimson dawn reduced to whoever he really is underneath it all, the fabric of his matching perfectly pressed silk flannel pajama set from marshalls extremely soft, however, his skin is slick with sweat and prickly after raven read his palms and said his love line was...long.

( help, lmao. )

what started out as a very awkward conversation and confrontation about raven of crimson dawn being trans has melted away into silly banter and shit-shooting between our two favorite boys who, though, by kyle's knowledge, have not known each other for more than a month, have extremely good conversational chemistry and are playful and vulnerable with each other in a way that suggests that they have been best friends and known each other all their lives...

...Interesting.

as their conversation moves from light-hearted subject matter and descends further into the darkness that surrounds very heavy shit, kyle, who has gotten pretty comfortable surprisingly, starts to speak in the heavy jersey accent before trying to smooth and iron it out.

this little exchange insues:

kyle says that, it's risky, but worth the reward, because ravenstan after a steep and shaky breath, dives into an abridged, sparknotes version of the pre-crimson dawn days, how it used to be a pipe dream, a little garage band thing the boys did for fun, hungry for fame but eating top ramen and drinking sunny d everyday, unaware that they would ever get recognized...

( my favorite pre-cd headstannon is actually is that on the fateful, fearful, tearful night of the concert they got scouted at, they're trying on their lil emo boy outfits in the bathroom to hype themselves up, stan is nervous to come out bc he thinks he looks stupid...he's wearing some dumb hot topic-y, party city vampire costume thing kenny got him as a joke w/ his eyeliner on...the boys get him to come out and they are all immediately GAGGED because why is our awkward, boy fail king...SEXY??? like stan why are you hOT??? and they start all barking and throwing money at him and trying to have him do a spin which was so nice bc he was so nervous. my boys. </3 )

then they do get recognized, shot into stardom and everything seems golden! but...it's pyrite. because cartman or the evil 'e' basically assigns them these little 'parts' to play in his perfectly placed show, stan says he just wanted to do what kenny did, sing his songs and not talk too much, just share his music...but e has kenny and stan swap personalities essentially and stan becomes raven. which, at first, was worth it because he got to preform, but it just became this thing he dreads, acting all high and mighty when he just feels fucking tiny and horrible, that he isn't allowed to write songs anymore and they all, essentially...Belong To E.

they have no freedom. no autonomy.

Whatsoever. </3

( sa tw :( it's a whole chapter and convo, obviously, stan also talks about working at ruffians, which is a massive gentleman's club but gentle those men were NOT, that his boss thought his name was too boring so they had him go by something ~exotic~ hence cuervo, which the man mistook for being reminiscent of the tequila brand jose cuervo, so those awful men just called him tequila day in and out while he was serving drinks...gazes and hands lingering, stan's boss telling him he could sing on stage on friday if let those rich men have their way...and that, unfortunately, thru those men, cd got signed. )

after that BOMBSHELL of a conversation, it's very sad and heartbreaking, but very eye-opening to kyle, who wrote raven off as this imbecilic, arrogant rockstar celebrity sheep who he's learned via the hate and this exchange, is extremely lovely, was treated horribly at every impasse of his life and remained kind and humble...he is like legitimately stunned by how perfectly imperfect raven of cd is.

speeeeaking of...okay, sorry, all of that was leading to

This.

so, ravenstan's eyes are rimmed red...the way one's would if they had been crying, he's also been periodically sniffling. feeling rarely kind and gentle, jerseykyle very tentatively asks if he's been crying and hope that it's not because kyle saw him in the mirror.

...i've talked about this before, but, bear with me:

stan shakes his head and tells him that it's because he's been reading a lot of insidious internet comments about him. marjorine told him not to, but it's hard not to listen when everyone is talking about you. he goes onto say that for every person that 'loves' him, five other people hate him. that there's always something wrong with him. his eyes are too far apart or close together, his lips are a weird shape, one hip is bigger than the other. there are accounts dedicated just to zooming in on his pants, weird horrible deep fake porn of him, the paps catching him buying tampons, trying to figure out who they're for and if he's secretly seeing someone ( he laughs and smiles, but it doesn't meet his eyes ) and that...he feels hideous. :(

this exchange happens, my favorite exchange in the fic:

( yes, we've all read it...here it is again. )

after that, overcome with emotion, ravenstan pulls jerseykyle in a very tender, loving embrace, holds him, thanks him, kyle is blushing, stan says he really needed to hear that...the deeper meaning of which crimson dawns on kyle when, suicide tw, during that hug, over his shoulder, he notices a VERY LARGE bottle of sleeping pills :( on his nightstand and a handle of vodka. ravenstan also mentioned being very tired of everything and just wanting to...sleep for a long time.

this does...deeply concern kyle. he tries not to dwell on it.

because, he's looking at raven of crimson dawn, in all his awkward, sweet boy, perfect-imperfect glory, who, in that vein, has a little bit of cinnamon flavored toothpaste left on his bottom lip.

yes...jersey was staring at it. intently. that gay ass bitch.

he goes to swipe it off raven's lip, which his thumb gently caresses, running over ravenstan's lovely lip ring, his heart is RACING.

stan puts his hand over kyle's before he can pull it away and feeling particularly brave, is about to ask jersey Something Important!

but gets interrupted.

this part which i didn't get to write is Integral and devastating to me because we watch all of stan's vulnerability IMMEDIATELY VANISH, hes undoing his hair, trying to shake it out, shakily pouring himself a very healthy-unhealthy shot, doing like two of them, is rushing around trying to find his hot boy clothes and starts...

doing the raven voice again.

fUUUUUUUUUUUCk.

raven, basically pretending like none of that happened is like, 'well, that's my cue, new jersey. i've got to get changed, but you're welcome to stick around...i'll give you a free show.' ;) <3 xxx

jerseykyle is...Haunted by this. bc he just watched the boy that he'd been getting to know very intimately and preciously in his bedroom immediately transform into this...Monster they made him into.

kyle declines, makes his leave, confused and dismayed, but while raven's back is turned, he steals the big pill bottle bc he's worried.

and that chapter, my favorite, ends with this.

AAAAAAAAAAAA I KNOW RIGHT!!!

Moving On! to the greenhouse chapter.

here's some more context you don't need:

flash forward. it's the big dramatic punk rock party ( rager, more like ) the label threw at the crimson dawn manwhorsion to celebrate marjorine's sindotrination into the band.

like i mentioned once or twice in another lore ask, j.k. has been drinking aaaaa lot, so he is very white boy SCHWASTED and seeking out a missing raven of crimson dawn who, in his stupefying stupor, is finding he is very attracted to and wants to kiss...very bad, lmao.

but yeah! finds him in his special stan greenhouse for gay boys who are nerdy about plants. jersey kyle is looking fierce as fuck, his hair is curly whirly, his sharp canines are pearly, i think he's wearing a black turtleneck and slacks, he looks chic and sleek, he is, however, slurring and shit-faced, swirling his wine around his crystal skull wine glass whilist RELENTLESSLY flirting with raven of crimson dawn.

who, again, is rarely sober, he's wearing a little gardening apron over his party outfit ( aw ), his hair is back in the standana, there's a lil dirt on his cheek, he is stuttering and stammering so much omg.

BUT, OKAY, AS FOR THE KISS! the lead in is this:

sober ravenstan is trying to hydrate very drunk jerseykyle all like "kyle broflovski, when was the last time you drank water?" and kyle being a nasty disgusting floozy is like "can't rememba...buuuut my name sounds good in ya mouth." ;) JAIL! GO TO HELL! but ravenstan, trying to be logical because he knows kyle can't is like "kyle, i need you to be serious. you have your civil procedures class at seven and that advanced legal research at nine and after that you've got--"

and kyle's entire world stops. because raven of crimson dawn, who has the world's worst case of adhd and cannot remember anything...

memorized his school schedule. :')

THIS HAPPENS...

AND BAM!!!! GREENHOUSE KISS. <333

which...Whew. very quickly escalates into a very messy makeout session, the greenhouse windows are fogging up from the HEAT. at one point which i tried to reference in the vampire mv para i'm writing, jersey kyle knocks a bunch of plants in pots sitting up on this shelf to put stan on it. there is a part in six where while jersey is stiring his lasagna sauce in the kitchen, stan sits up on the counter like a nasty slutty skanky indecent boy with no manners, kyle smakcs his tiny ass with the kochlefl and was like "it's rude to sit on counters."

soooo naturally, stan, breathlessly, being a little shit is like "i thought it was rude to sit on counters." and kyle is like "oh, so now you want to be polite?" AND NO HE DOES NOT! ;) because it's getting freak nasty in there, my woooord, ravenstan is trying to get kyle's shirt off my goodness and, jk, you know, not wanting to rush into anything is like "raven, i think--i think we should slow down" and stan, smirking, not listening ( stan special ) and is v liberally kissing down kyle's neck ( which, fun fact, jersey's neck is very sensitive and if you ever want kyle to shut up, that will immediately make him dead quiet ) says...

"you talk too much, mi sabelotodo." ;)

WHIIIIIIIIIICH...was the wrong thing to say, girls, gays and theys...

because jerseykyle immediately pulls back...

IN HORROR.

but that's an ask for another day. :* <3 xxx

-uncle nina, curator of CHAOS

[alex-multiverse]

Dumb concept for a magical girl

So, yesterday i decided to watch "The magical revolution of the reincarnated princess and the genius girl" and after realizing that anis is "a little messed up actually" i wondered, has there been any darkness themed magical girl that wasnt a villain? (Only one i kinda know is sailor saturn but i really dont know any other so please feel free to tell me if theres any non-edgy MG show with darkness as a main power going on)

SO, i decided to try to come up with something: A sailor moon-ish ripoff magical girl concept except the main girl's main powers are darkness and demon themed and shes the hero. Also totally not heavily inspired in persona 5 because i cant help myself

Note: this is all made for fun and kinda sorta goncharoved a whole ass franchise while i was at work today, enjoy

SUMMARY :D

Our protagonist is a 16 year old girl named yosuru yoruhime (because pun names are fun) who one day can turn into a magical girl by quite literally making a deal with a devil to protect her best friend from an angel-like monster. Armed with a trident, and using shadows to bind the creature, she killed the monster and saw it morph back into a girl (she was a bully shown earlier in act 1 of the episode), something something using darkness to purge corrupting light from her heart.

(shittyly made concept art of mc yosuru, drawn in paint)

were this made into a show, it would be a 24 episode season that slowly introduces the side characters, which include the other 4 members of her entourage of magical girls themed around other monsters (ie, a fire girl that is a red oni while theres also an ice girl that is a blue oni) and her bestie who ends up being manipulated into turning an angelic magical girl and ends in a gay magical girl fight a la symphogear. most of the show would be a monster of the week scenario with slow hints of the big bad group themed after the inner circles of angels, the monsters are "angelized" people who get so deluded in their self righteousness they turn into people who think are allowed to smite anyone who disagrees and can turn people into a mob that adore them. Most of the non fight part of the show would feature yosuru doing stuff like, being lazy at school, getting sent to detention, going to her friends important events and being gay with her best friend/future rival Gabrielle

(even more hastily concept art)

around episode 15 there gabrielle should be introduced as a "rival" for our group, and on the course to the end of the series it should have a "best friend girl/crush is betrothed to some anime man who is obviously evil and she has no real choice about it but she doesnt want to be there" plot. which most of the climax before their fight revolves around them in an aquarium school trip that ends with yosuru revealing her identity on accident to her and leads to the fight

something something 3 episodes before finale they fight except not really because yosuru cant harm her bestie, and ends the fight crying over her in a hug, and in the finale they join forces along with the other side girls to kill the giant monster version of the fiancee who was the true mastermind of the whole operation with a light/darkness magic combo. final scene of episode ends with a kiss during tanabata in summer, and a season 2 stinger in the post credits....

THEMING

The overall theming of the whole series is about the repression of the individual for the sake of societal order and the conflict that lies within, with yosuru being a vigilante that constantly fights monsters who want to make the world bend to their wills and how everything should work, and how we should never bow down to anyone else's desires but ours, and live our best lives with the ones we love.

also, like, magical girl yuri guys. its not that complicated

OTHER DETAILS

The gang are the typical 5 men gang, with a fiery bancho girl with a heart of gold, a sarcastic icey bookworm that is tsundere for the bancho, A straightforward thinking gun user (a la mami from madoka) and a hikikomori lightning girl who is both fascinated by the gun girl, and also dumbfounded (basically the dynamic that yusuke and futaba have in p5, but with lesbians) And of course all their names are pun names:

Yosuru yoruhime

Gabrielle hikariyama

Himeko atsui

Honsuki kanrei

Yumi ite

Kairo denki

AND for autenticity's sake, i also made them 4kidz names for funsies:

nancy nightley

gaby highgraces

Hestia Heatmore

Libra colden

Carol electra

(Yumi doesnt get one because im not smart enough to make "bow shoot" into a pun name in america)

I could come up with more stuff but i would have to come up with it first.

Anyway please enjoy the mad ramblings of a man who liked symphogear and has a fondness for the tropes of magical girl stuff

(Special thanks to @lolapinta for also enabling my brainrot a bit)

Thanks for reading

[a-very-fond-farewell]

Shipper Tag Game

the ever so wonderful @wangmiao tagged me in a game! yay :D I spend my days studying as of lately an I needed a little distraction eheh

-

1. what ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don’t care anymore?

aah man, it’s probably ed & winry from FMA if I’m being honest. now I know why, bc my baby gay younger self saw the potential for ftm!Ed and mtf!Winry since day 1 but I didn’t have the words to understand it as such back then. it’s not that I don’t care anymore but that fandom served its purpose and I am thankful for it. learned about my own stance on gender euphoria thanks to it actually even if the story has nothing to do with it in retrospect.

2. which ship would you consider your first one?

ik that, as a wee child, I was obsessed with Haruka from Sailor Moon flirting with Usagi, but I wouldn’t consider that as a proper “ship”. I learned shipping was a thing at, like, 19. but if I look back at my childhood... probably either Syaoran & Sakura (bi nation where u at??) or Touya/Yukito from Card Captor. I clocked the Tomoyo/Sakura waaaay later tho, which is a pity.

3. your first fanfic belonged to which couple?

first fanfic I read was a D. Gray Man one, so it was probably a Kanda/Allen situation yeah. I think I was 20. oh god.

4. do you remember the first couple you saw a fanart over?

hard to say. I think I had just discovered tumblr, so it means I was either 22 or 23... so I was either in the Pandora Hearts fandom or in the Tokyo Ghoul fandom. and I only followed people from those two so... I think it was an Arima/Haise one? hard to say fr.

5. did you ever get into ship discourse?

I tend to stay away from that. I just mute or block people and go back to play with my fictional people. me is petty at times, yes.

6. did you use to have any no-otp or have it currently?

I do have ships I don’t particularly like, but I find it silly to talk about them. I let people enjoy themselves.

7. who were the couples in the last fanfic you read?

Gaon/Yohan from The Devil Judge bc there’s only one fic in the whole fandom I follow and I generally don’t read fanfics that much. (I may or may not have read a fanfic from Evilive in the past month or so, but if I did I was feverish and recall very little of it).

8. currently do you have any OTPs?

man where do I start?

Shang Xirui/Cheng Fengtai from Winter Begonia

Zhou Zishu/Wen Kexing from Word of Honor

Gu Yun/Changgeng from Sha Po Lang

Seo Doyoung/Han Dongsoo from Evilive (current one)

Kim Gaon/Kang Yohan from The Devil Judge

Lee Dongsik/Han Joowon from Beyond Evil

Koo Ryeon/Park Joonggil from Tomorrow

(one sapphic ship I shall not name - for the discourse is rampant about them- but it involves ladies and dragons)

Eve Polastri/Villanelle from Killing Eve (I am waiting for the italian dub to drop season 3 and 4 in dvd, I am too attached to it to budge)

(if that news about Kim Goeun and Jeon Doyeon starring in the same thriller drama is true I will make it my entire personality so be prepared for it)

9. is there any couple that, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together?

is there?.... man I have no clue. they are all true in my heart. I can be anal about it and say that I call bullshit on the main girl in True Beauty kdrama not ending up with the second-male lead if I really have to be mad about something but... meh? that’s probably it? the characters were too young for me to empathize with them but I guess that’s still something I think about from time to time?? I feel so silly saying this ahah

10. is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting?

honestly, ever since kun opened my eyes about soggy older men being bullied by grumpy older men I have changed as a person. I never disliked it per se but now everything has changed. I see the vision now. I see it. thank u kun :)

11. do you have any ship that, in the past, was considered normal but now you would be cancelled over?

listen. I ship changgu. it’s Gu Yun’s fault to be such a cougar, what was a growing kid like Changgeng supposed to do? not fantasize about his godfather? who, I might add, is only, like, 8 or 9 years older than him and didn’t even want to take that role to begin with and they got together when both were above their mid-twenties anyway? try again tag game. these new fandom babies are eating my face like smooth lions as we speak. (I am joking...)

12. what was your favorite crack ship?

before I left the m/dzs fandom... I guess Wen Q/ing & Lan W/angji as a “beard for beard” situation. they are gay and they are not vibing on prom night, having to dance with each other instead of looking for people they actually like. maybe it’s best that I left the fandom ahah

13. who is the couple you read most fanfics of?

I don’t really... read... fanfics... anymore. usually I’m either in a big ship or a niche show/book with no in between. in the second case... it’s bad bc I feel the urge to WRITE for the fandom and ship in question, which means that I don’t want to read fics about it unless I have finished my own fic for it (bc I don’t want to accidentally steal other people’s ideas. my subconscious is an octopus I swear, it latches onto anything that moves in my brain. I cannot do that to someone else’s creation!); in the first case it works only if I’m not active in the fandom:

take Word of Honor: I write for it and for the main ship too, so I don’t read fics about it

take Evilive or Winter Begonia: we have so few fics in there I MUST WRITE for the main ship, so I don’t read fics about it (sometimes I do cave in tho, yes I am human)

take The Devil Judge or Tomorrow: I’m not active on either of those, so I can enjoy reading fics (only two, one for each fandom)

my life is a struggle ik. the most fics I have read for a ship is probably that sapphic ship I shall not name (evil women come at me!!) and bagginshield from The Hobbit (we are talking 10 years ago tho)

14. what most of your ships usually have in common?

across all genders and all gender combos, I have generally 3 vibes going on:

twice divorced, never married

long suffering banter, but fond

not related, not chosen family, but a secret third thing

(additional flavor: either the younger one is the bossy one or they are the same age and they are making it everyone’s problem at that)

15. what you absolutely hate in a ship?

I would say conformity. if I don’t catch any queer vibes from the main source then what’s the point? even in a het ship I must latch onto some gender magic of some kind. some pegging for everyone would be nice too. or no sex at all, for a change, why not?

-

thank u once more kun for tagging me! imma tag anyone insterested in doing this and @amethystina and @danhoemei is they feel like doing it or if they just want to have a look at my replies, no pressure!!

[occasionallyprosie]

Frayed Edges

Alt Ending: Resewn

ORIGINAL FIC: AO3 / Tumblr

OG: The battle’s over. The Shadow is defeated and the Triforce of Power retrieved… so why is the chain still here? Why haven’t they gone home? It’s not like the Shadow has been the one that’s been making the portals the whole time… it’s not like they’re in an unknown Hyrule with no way home.

Alt: But what if Legend didn't choose that path? What if Wind woke up the night he left, forcing Legend to stay just a little longer? What if Sky had a nightmare the next time Legend almost left, also leading Legend to stay just a little longer? What if there were a thousand little longer's?

Febuwhump 2024 | Prompt 22: "You weren't supposed to be there."

Read On AO3 Warnings: Implied/Referenced Suicidal Thoughts ----

Legend sat in the window, thoughts quietly swirling around his head. He wondered if his only option was to pin them all against a cause, become find a power for them to rally against.

The bounties worked, sending the three knights on trips had them closer than usual, but he couldn't risk sending Sky and Wars on them together anymore for how violent they've both become. But he couldn't do the others, they were too risky to send as well. Time and Twilight outright refused while Hyrule, Wind, Wild, and even Four to some extent though he still sent Four to accompany Sky or Warriors, they all were dangers unto themselves. Legend didn't want to take his eyes too far off them.

Legend sat in the window, Wind and Twilight dead asleep inside and the world awake outside. Stars gleaming and the moon shining.

He had a chance here. Something that could work.

He could be the problem, he could focus on his magic, become a proper mage and being the other heroes' (because they were heroes and at the first sign of danger they'd help, even now) opponent. Have them come back together with something to fight, then reveal his true stance at the end, make them realize more clearly that, hey, these are your brothers and half of them are suicidal while the other half borderline or outright suicide-baits them.

"Hnnn... Vet?"

Legend looked over, his face softening as Wind sat up.

"What are you doing up?"

"Just thinkin' sailor," Legend assured him, sliding out of the window and walking over to his bed. "What woke you up? Cause it wasn't me."

Wind huffed, pulling his legs up to his chest and making room for Legend to sit on the end of his bed. In the darkness, Legend could still make out how the younger hero's face contorted thoughtfully.

"You turn sixteen in a couple months, right?" Legend decided to prompt, the past two years and each birthday for all of the younger heroes had been lackluster, he hadn't tried to throw any kind of party but he did go out of his way to make sure they had at least one good present, the dinner they wanted, and cake if not a cupcake.

Wind nodded. "Yeah--Veteran, why does everyone--why do they all hate each other? Why are they constantly fighting?"

Legend laughed, he couldn't stop himself or anything, it just escaped him and a mildly hysterical laugh fell from his lips. "Oh," he chuckled, tilting his head to the ceiling for a brief moment before meeting Wind's eyes, "sailor, I've been asking myself that for over two years now."

He wanted to know what changed. He wanted to know why Time would so horribly tear apart all three both of his successors. He wanted to know why Twilight would snap at Wild and yell at Four. He wanted to know why Sky and Warriors acted more and more like the knights of his first adventure. He wanted to know why Four was just as bad as Sky and Warriors one day, as harsh as Time the next day, but also as despondent as Hyrule the next; of course he knew how, four people processing grief in the same body would result in that, but why did they react like that? He just wanted to know why none of them were themselves.

He wanted to know why he felt like his only option was to go nuclear? Why did he feel like everything around him, this little life he's made out of shear will, was only held together by a single thread and he was that thread, desperately trying to make more?

"Vet," Legend pulled himself from his spiraling thoughts and noticed Twilight had turned over in his bed, brows furrowed and clearly a bit asleep though he was awake, "what's wrong wit' you?"

Legend snorted. "I'm fine, Rancher. Go back to sleep."

Wind frowned.

"You too, sailor," Legend chided. He went and closed the window before he moved to his bed. "It's late and someone needs to be up to take care of the animals in the morning."

Little did any of the three know that the fact that Wind woke up at that particular moment, and that he verbally revealed to Legend that he had noticed the changes in the group since the quest, would have a rather large impact on their veteran's decisions.

At the very least, he didn't leave that night.

Legend inhaled slowly as he heard Warriors screaming at Twilight and the Rancher giving as good as he got.

Just split them up, you've done it a thousand times before. Yeah, a thousand times too many.

"Veteran?" Wind was beside him, having gone with him to town.

"Sorry, take these to the shed, I should go break that up."

Wind frowned but didn't argue as Legend dragged himself into the house. Warriors and Twilight were screaming at each other about something stupid with the barn Legend had asked them to start on, but Hyrule was right there and his eyes were too dead.

Something in him snapped.

"Why?" He asked, forcing his voice not to snap as badly as his temper, forcing his expression to mellow in exasperation and not screw up in fury.

Neither of them blinked, continuing to argue. They hadn't even noticed him speak.

"Just acknowledge the people around you, it's that simple," he muttered. He grabbed a wooden bowl normally filled with fruit --he and Wind had bought some fresh ones to refill it with-- and threw it at them.

The sound of it hitting Warriors' face was so worth it. Maybe Legend needed to go on a bounty mission except no, he couldn't, because he couldn't leave these idiots alone for a day before they were at each other's or their own throats.

"Go," he ordered before either could explode on him. "Just--Get the hell out of the house."

"I am tired of you acting like you’re the boss!" Warriors snarled. "I'm tired of you acting like everything is okay!"

"Yeah well so am I!" Legend retorted, fuse cut short and burnt. "I'm tired of having to break apart another stupid, useless, dumb fight every day!"

"Yea' well, if some people wou'da jus' use the brain they were given," Twilight growled with a sharp glare at Warriors.

"Maybe you should use yours and get out."

"There it is again--"

Legend pushed past them to drop down on his knees in front of Hyrule.

"Rulie, look at me. Stay here, please?"

"Why?" Asked the traveler who hadn't left their little home since the beginning. Warriors scoffed and made to make some comment, but Twilight grabbed his arm and forced him out of the house while Legend responded.

"I know you want to leave, but please, stay with me," Legend encouraged softly.

"They hate each other," Hyrule whined.

"They don’t, they're just hurting. It's going to be okay, I promise. I'll make sure of it."

Hyrule just shook his head, quietly disagreeing.

Not for the first time lately, Legend silently agreed with the younger hero in front of him.

The world outside had always looked enticing. Legend couldn't remember the last time he actually went and explored, it might've been during the quest but he was also supposed to be one of the responsible ones, so he's pretty sure he stuck to paths then. Maybe it had been Lorule... maybe it had been Hyrule between adventures. He couldn't remember and he just wanted to go.

Of course, that wasn't happening. He had a job to do and it was holding this mess of what used to be a family together.

He could just leave, they wouldn't notice at first and he could go take the Triforce of Power. Hyrule would notice that and then he'd burn down a village or create some magic golems and attack one. It would be hard to fabricate the danger, he didn't want to hurt anyone, but he needed to make them think he was a threat.

He was about to put his hat on and climb out the window when he heard someone scream.

He burst into the next room and was beside Sky's bed before Time or Four could get out of their beds. He caught Sky's hands and hummed, gently coaxing him into releasing his grip on his hair and the pressure of his nails digging into his skull.

"Hey, Link, you’re safe," he murmured along with various other platitudes and grounding phrases.

Sky sobbed, curling in on himself, whispering about it being all his fault.

A few heads poked in, but quickly left.

After Sky finally fell asleep, Legend stayed another hour before he went back to bed himself. He was thankful that the group hadn't completely fallen and used their nightmares against each other.

Legend stared at the lightened but not yet dawn-lit sky out their window.

Goddesses, he was tired.

"You know, these cakes are the only thing anyone does for our birthdays," Wild said as Legend tried to ice the cake with a goat butter buttermilk icing. His grandmother taught him to make buttermilk and buttermilk icing, but that had been with cow milk. He figured it was close enough and it seemed to be fine...

"Sorry it's not more," Legend said. "I'd prefer to do more, especially for yours and the Traveler's twentieths, the Smithy's eighteenth, and the Sailor's sixteenth."

"No, it's--it's nice," Wild admitted, he glanced out the window. "It's not like anyone else does anything."

Legend hummed. "Don’t be too harsh on them," he reminded the younger hero. "They're working through things, same as you."

"You’re not."

"Ah," he shot him a smirk, "I'm too busy working through your guys' problems to deal with my own."

Wild snorted. Legend grinned when he heard it, Wild had been getting more expressive in recent days, but that also had him being much more sorrowful, which was why Legend was even more careful with his younger brother. But these moments, when Wild was almost himself, Legend could fall back three years and pretend that he wasn't holding on by a thread.

"Yeah right," Wild chuckled. "I forgot you’re the new mom in the te--group."

Not much of a team anymore, Legend agreed. "I'm pretty sure that you are the last one who can say anything about mothers."

That got a proper laugh out of the Champion.

"Fair enough. Hey do I need to go get the Sailor?"

"If you want. I can get him myself."

"Eh, I'll see if anyone else wants to sing with us."

Legend smiled as Wild wandered off, setting the finished cake on the table. Past years and attempted events like this have always failed, holidays ignored because of old memories, birthdays ignored because of high tensions between each other, the best one thus far was Hyrule's twentieth two months ago when Legend had mentioned what day it was to Wind who spread it to Wild and Sky, and the four of them had somewhat celebrated with Hyrule, but it was the same as whatever may happen now with Wind.

He finished the cake well enough when Wild came back with Wind, Sky, Hyrule, and most surprisingly Twilight.

Legend placed the last candle in the cake, the sixteenth, and he hesitated.

"Traveler, think you can light these?"

Hyrule startled, then he nodded and a moment later fire magic spilled from his fingers and the candles were lit... and the buttercream was slightly golden but it looked good.

"Nice job!" Wind nudged him.

"It's not that cool," he muttered, tugging on the thick sleeves of the goat wool coat Wind made him.

"Didn't you say that precision with destructive magic like that is actually pretty complex?" Wind challenged. "Pretty cool."

Legend smiled softly.

"Thanks... Happy birthday, Sailor."

Wind looked over at the cake now, something sad in his eyes. "Thank you."

"Make a wish," Legend encouraged. He knew it was childish, they all did, but nobody said anything (Time and Warriors both would've made a scathing comment, Legend was certain of that. Four might've, depending on his mood).

Wind closed his eyes, then he blew the candles out.

I wish we could all go home.

The same wish he made both of his previous birthdays. Childish though it may be, he had to at least try.

Wind cut the cake and managed to get everyone to take a slice. There was just enough for him to divide the remainder into three decent slices and he plated all of them.

"Here," Legend murmured as he appeared beside him, he picked up two of the plates. "Go ahead, I'll carry these behind you."

Wind nodded. He took the third plate and headed toward the forge, knowing Four had gone straight there after a dinner he'd been practically forced to eat.

He kicked lightly on a table, Legend remaining outside and unseen.

Four looked up with a glare. "Go away, Sailor."

"I brought cake," he said softly. "It's just strawberry, the vet still can't find a merchant with vanilla, but it's pretty good this time."

"We don't want it."

Wind inhaled carefully. He was realizing rapidly how awful things here were, how bad of condition everyone was in. A nightmare of them killing each other had hit him a while back and since then he couldn't help but see it slowly becoming reality.

He tried since then. He was trying. Be more patient, be more present, don’t let Legend keep worrying about him and being too close to heights.

"Alright," he conceded but set the cake to the side. "It's right here. I think they added honey to it, it's really sweet..." he hesitated and Four was clearly ignoring him.

His eyes changed colors, always had, but it was obvious especially now.

Wind smiled. "Later then."

He exited and Legend stepped away from a fence he was sitting on while he waited, a distance away and out of earshot.

"Thanks," he chirped as he took one of the plates. "I think the captain's over that way."

The veteran smiled. "Yeah, he mentioned checking the perimeter this morning and knowing him he hasn't come back."

Wind nodded. He gathered his courage once he spotted the gleaming pauldron the war captain wore.

"Wait here?" Legend nodded when he made the request. Wind walked toward Warriors, who saw him approaching and glanced behind him at Legend's fading form.

Wind held out the plate and cake. "I brought you a slice."

Warriors gave him an annoyed look. "Go back inside kid."

Wind clenched his jaw, back teeth grinding. "I'm not a kid."

"Yeah, you--"

"I'm sixteen. You said once I hit majority then I wasn't a kid. Because for some reason maturity and experience meant nothing to you."

He saw Warriors freeze, then he rolled his eyes, that defensive flame burning clearly.

"Fine. Go away, Sailor."

Wind tightened his grip on the plate, the cake shaking slightly from how tight he held it.

"Alright," he agreed, smiling best he could. "I'll put it on the counter for you."

Warriors stared at him for a long moment before he scoffed lowly and marched off.

Wind swallowed the lump in his throat. He still remembered his twelfth birthday, the one he celebrated during the War of Eras... when the Captain had put him on his shoulders and paraded him around their camp, when Mask had played his ocarina during the birthday song, when Ravio gave him a pair of hover boots, when Marin helped the cooks make some proper island food... That had been a great birthday, only could have been better if his grandma and Aryll had been there. But if Wind had told himself, had told Tune, that in four years Mask and the Captain would hate him and tell him he should actually take that too-tempting leap...

Tune would've killed him on the spot for badmouthing his brothers. Wind wished he still held such trust in them, but at this point, it was only faith and hope that had him clinging to the idea that one day Time and Warriors would be themselves again.

He headed back to Legend and went to track down Time.

Their eldest was in Hyrule's fairy and bee garden.

"Hey, old man?" Wind called, Legend hidden a distance back and out of earshot. "We made cake and I brought you some."

The glare shot at him sent a pang through his chest.

"I'm fine."

Wind took a careful breath as he dared draw closer. He had to try. "You sure? It's strawberry and I think they used--"

"I said I'm fine." The snap was sharp enough to cut him. It was harsh and Wind flinched back. "Gods. Why won't you just leave me alone? Leave us all alone? You're so clingy and pushy. I'm tired of it."

Wind swallowed hard. He shakily placed the cake on the fence. "S-Sorry--"

"And you think apologies mean anything. Apologies mean shit if you don't actually do something about it. For once just do us all a favor and go away."

Wind flinched back, Time hadn't even so much as looked back at him. He clenched his jaw tightly, trying to hide how it trembled. He left the plate on the fence post and walked away.

Oceans, the roof was looking tempting again.

Legend was waiting, he raised an eyebrow and Wind just shook his head.

"It's alright, Sailor," he murmured softly. "They'll come back around eventually."

He wanted to cry. He was sixteen now damnit, he wasn't allowed to cry anymore, but goddesses did he want to.

"I know," he whispered, voice strained. "I know."

Legend squeezed his shoulder and walked with him back inside.

Why couldn't they just get along?

Legend needed to calm down. He needed to step away and just... just--

He left the property and just walked until he deemed himself far enough away.

Time had gotten into another argument with Twilight, he'd called the rancher names, Twilight threw a few of his own back, and before Legend could intervene Wind had done it.

Sweet, clinging Wind who was the only one Legend trusted these days with an ounce of his sanity. The child had jumped between them and told them to cut it out--and they both directed their fury onto the teenager.

Wind maintained composure and Legend got there to help finish splitting them up, a screaming match going off. Then Wind muttered an apology to Legend before locking himself in their closet. He promised he would stay, but then wouldn't say another word to the veteran.

Then Legend caught Four reaching his hand into the forge's fire. He had barely ran over to prevent total nerve damage, heal and wrap it, and comfort the promptly sobbing teen who said he just wanted to go home.

Once he took Four to his room to rest and heal, he then found Warriors and Hyrule fighting, which was a new occurrence, and it was bad.

It felt like everything that could go wrong, did go wrong today.

He just needed a minute.

So, in the middle of the woods, far from anyone, Legend looked up at the sky.

"What did I do wrong?" He asked the sky, the goddesses. "Did I miss something? Was there a dungeon we were supposed to do, an item we're meant to find here? I get it, if this is how it is, fine. Okay. But--"

He laughed, it was a bit hysterical, a bit pained, a bit unstable.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING WRONG!" He screamed, voice breaking and he dug his nails into his skull. "I'M TRYING! I AM TRYING SO HARD TO KEEP US TOGETHER AND--"

He just screamed. He screamed his voice hoarse as his legs gave out and he finally felt tears slip down his face.

"I don’t know what I did wrong," he sobbed. "I did the work. I protected your bloodlines, your oracles, your triforce. I saved the world time and time again, I restored light to a darkened realm, I returned displaced people to their own worlds, I calmed the seas when I woke the Wind Fish--I served you. And I did it obediently; happily and willingly and promptly."

He let out a pained laugh, a pained sob.

"So why can't--I've done it right half a dozen times so why can't I FIX THIS ONE?!" He shut his eyes. "WHY--" his voice broke again. "Why," he repeated, voice trembling, "can't I just fix this one? Why can't I help them be happy? Why can't I just--Why am I the only one who actually cares?! Why is this stupid, soft, bleeding heart still caring?! Why can't it just stop. Why can't I just stop and just leave? I can't..."

He choked, hands covering his mouth as he finally broke. That final thread finally snapped.

"I can't... I can't watch them get themselves killed, kill themselves or each other, but I can't stay anymore without killing myself. I can't though. I can't do that because I have to help them. I have to make them see each other again. I have responsibilities and it's killing me."

He dropped his head completely, forehead to the ground in something of a bow as he hugged himself tightly.

"I JUST--" he sobbed. "I just want them to be happy! So why--why..." he trailed out, choking on three years suppressed emotions, "why does it feel like it'll cost me my life?

"V-Vet?"

His blood ran cold.

Legend jerked himself up and around. Sky was standing there with one of his cucoos... one of the ones that run away all the time.

He jerked his sleeve over his face. "Goddess--Sky, I--Sorry--I'm just--You weren't meant to hear that--I mean--"

Sky released the cucoo and dropped in front of him, knees touching his own and hands flying up. "Whoa, hey, breathe."

Legend inhaled sharply, Sky's hands cupping his face and brushing away his tears.

"It's okay," he promised softly. "Oh, goddesses Vet..."

He couldn't stop crying. He couldn't stop crying and sucking in large, shallow breaths only to expel it in an instant. He couldn't breathe.

"How long have you been holding onto this?" Sky whispered, carding a hand through his hair gently while taking his hand and pressing it to his own chest, his eyes filled with surprise, concern, and most of all, realization. "You've been playing peacekeeper forever now... and to no reward or renown or anything. Oh goddess, I am so sorry."

"I'm sorry, I can't--" he sucked in another gasp, trying to mimic Sky's breathing but it wasn't working, "I can't--I just want it--I can't anymore--Sky, please."

"It's okay. It's going to be okay." Sky soothed, pulling him into his chest. "We'll figure it out. You know..." he trailed off a bit, as if coming to another realization, "Wind's been trying to play peacekeeper too, and I--I'll help. I'll try. I know I've been short fused, I know, but I'll do better I swear. We can fix this."

"I can't," Legend all but whimpered those words. "I just--I'm so tired. I can't fix this. I've been trying, I have, I promise I have. I have been trying so hard for so long, I can't do this."

Sky shushed him softly. "I know--You've done so well." He pulled away, cradling Legend's face and he was gentle and warm and kind.

Legend wanted to melt, he wanted to hold onto this feeling forever. Even if his skin felt on fire and his brain was frigid, even if everything was awful and he couldn't breathe, Sky was being Sky. He was being patient, he was being calm and kind, he was being so stupidly kind and gentle and everything he hadn't been for three years.

"You have done amazing," Sky told him so softly. "We haven't made it easy for you and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for that. But I'll do better, I swear. You aren't--You aren't alone."

Tears welled up again and Legend slumped into Sky's chest. He choked out stuttering, shuddering breaths, whispering a quiet, "Please, I can't do it anymore."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," Sky murmured in response, hugging him tightly. "But we'll figure it out. I'm so sorry."

[thequietkid-moonie]

Sailor Moon request: How would Makoto and Minako deal with a friend who is not in tune with emotions, so they don't understand that they have a crush on the sailor scout?

Reader isn't in tone with their emotions

[ HEADCANONS ] [ Makoto, Minako ] [ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon / Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon ]

The request hit me hard! For a long time i just ignored my feelings and I can say that is something horrible to do

Makoto Kino

For Makoto is kinda difficult to approach to people for her intimidating appearance, so if you don't seem intimidated or scare of her is something that already make her excited and she won't lose the opportunity to make a new friends (specially when she just arrived)

Even when Makoto is really excited to have a new friend it doesn't take her long to notice how you seem to be always smiling or serious, or how your reactions seem forced or sometimes you barely react, she is a little worried but still doesn't want to jump into conclutions so she tries to don't say anything

Still, the more time it pass the more she is conviced that something is happening to you but she doesn't want to come across as rude by mentioning it or mention something that will bring you bad memories (specially if you tend to avoid talking about topics that will lead you to talk about emotions)

Is probably that Makoto one day decide to confront you about it, but making sure to let clear that she isn't bothered or mad, she is just worried about you, also saying that she knows that sometimes you have to be stronge and let aside your feelings during rought times (she has been taking care of herself since her parents died after all), but that doesn't mean you have to completely forget about yourself

She want for you to feel comfortable to let your emotions going out and flowing freely with her, and she is making efforts for you to feel safe to be vulnerable without worring about judgement or people saying that is bad, she doesn't really said it out loud but she has not problem with doing so (still she gets a little blushy after saying it)

Even knowing that you aren't in tone with your emotions she still treats you like a friend, she doesn't want to give you a special treatment because for her will be like saying that you need it, so aside from wanting to make you feel comfortable around her she doesn't do anything special

Also, she talks about this with her friends because they are really important to her too (but probably won't say that is you exactly if she feels like that is better), and she will appreciate every advice they give to her (although, maybe some of them isn't really of help)

If she notice that you start to get in more connection with your feelings she will feel really excited, it can be that she just keep it for herself and just motivate you to continue doing it or directly tell you that she feels really proud and happy for you

If one day you ask her about the love or how do you know when you are in love with someone it take her a moment to process what you said, truly trying to answer the question when she realice that if you asking this that mean that you probably has a crush on someone, and, getting carried away for the excitment, she start asking you why do you ask, if there is someone you may be in love and if she knows them, she gets so excited and happy for you that she want to know everything! although, she will be able to calm down and tell you that you don't have to tell her if you don't want (and apologizing for asking so much), and will go back to your question and respond at the best of her habilities (getting a little flustered in the process)

If she has a crush on you too she already realice it, so the idea of you having a crush in someone make her get a little excited thinking that she may be that person, but still tries to remind herself that it could be also someone else and even when it sadden her she will support you even in that case

Minako Aino

Even when Minako is the leader of the Sailor scouts she gets easily distracted by whatever catch her attention, either an activity that she is into or even people she finds attractive

She finds pretty attractive the way you express your lack of connection with your emotions because she is just seeing it from outside, the way you always smile or even for always being so serious is something that atract her a lot to you

If she has the opportunity to become your friend she won't even hesitant and will try to come into your life, and for a while she will be just blinded for the image she has done of you in her heart to see what is really going on with you, it has to be because her friends or even Artemis tell her that something may be wrong with you (or if it pass a lot of time Minako herself will start to suspect)

She will start to notice how you seem to avoid topics that involve talking about deep emotions or that you never seem bothered or mad, is like nothing affected you, and even when it make her remember to Usagi for how she find the strength to continue fighting and is so optimistic even she has moments when she feels terrible down, but no matter how much time pass you don't seem like you will have one

Minako is pretty worried about it but for a while she will try find out the reason of this by herself, but at the end she ask for help to her friends, at least to understand what is happening to you. Thanks to them she understand that you probably aren't in tone with your feelings (and know that that actually can happen), still even when they put it as a posibility Minako take it as the truth almost immediately, and the next time she sees you she tells you that she know what is happening to you, telling you what her friends told her and promising to help you connect with your emotions again

Minako is kinda excited to be able to help you a little too much so she doesn't make a proper plan and just tries whatever come to her mind that she things that could bring emotions to you, but if doesn't seem to help she will just feel really frustrated and apologize for not being of help. Also, she tries to explain to you what she feels, what makes her angry and what makes her happy in hopes that will help you identify your own feelings

She is trying her best, but if doesn't seem to help you she will shyly ask for help to her friends once again, admiting with a little ashame that she doesn't has idea of what else to do to help you

And when you seem to start to be in more connection with your feelings, even a little bit, she will be really happy, winning a lot of motivation and even inviting you to celebrate

Since she is the one insisting in helping you you may want to ask her about the feelings you are feeling or asking her how is like to feel atraction/love, but in the moment you just even mention it she explode in excitment wanting to know everything detail of it (since you two are friends she kinda feels like she can pry), but if you want to keep it as a secret it would take you a while to convince her but you will be able to do it

She has a lot of things to say about love and atraction, and still when she gets more serious with the topic she speaks from her heart with a little blush, and if she had a crush in you too it will be then when she realize it

[direwombat]

Hi! I hope you’re doing good! I got a couple questions for you!

1. What is your favorite part about writing

2. What’s your favorite bit of OC lore

3. Adelaide, Joey, or Butch Jacob, who’s strap game comes out on top?

one of these days i'll be better about responding to asks in a timely manner orz i'm so sorry

hello!!!!! sorry it's taken me so long to respond! I'm doing quite alright, thank you for asking! i hope you're doing well yourself! and oooooooh these are such fun questions!

my favorite part about writing will always and forever be the plotting process. the only thing i love more than thinking about my character's actions is the consequences of those actions. i tend to view anything i write as an elaborate domino design or rube goldberg machine where all it takes is a little push to get things chain reacting. i love figuring out where little details can become incredibly plot relevant later on; for example: in katc, the first time jacob captures syb, he has a tracking chip implanted under her skin (without her knowledge) so he can keep track of her, and later on that tracking chip leads him to her after she gets shot with a bliss arrow but is swept away by the henbane before the chosen can take her in. i love figuring out how each scene builds off the next and figuring out how they fit together like a puzzle. the unfortunate part about this is that i tend to throw myself into outlining so hard that i lose steam to work on a project because...well...i've essentially told the story to myself...sometimes it's hard to actually put it into words in a cohesive way lol

and omg. ok. so. it has absolutely zero bearing on her story whatsoever, but i always imagined that syb would have loved sailor moon. she had a hard time making friends during her school years, and while she would have been 11 when it started airing in the united states. she wouldn't have been allowed to watch it at home, but i feel like she probably had at least one friend who tape the broadcast so they could watch it together. baby syb probably took one look at haruka and was like "i wanna be like her!" without completely understanding why. also i think she fantasized about having superpowers so she could defeat the villain in her life (her father) and craved the strength and connection of having a group of friends (rather than the one or two she had.

and 3 is going under the cut because of nsfw headcanoning :)

hilarious question. i'm obsessed with it. but i'm gonna say, in order of best to worst it's

adelaide. she has decades worth of sex and orgies under her harness. she for sure knows her way around a strap. and knows how to make her partner feel good using one. she's 100% pegging xander so good that the single braincell he has is rendered completely useless.

joey. what she lacks in adelaide's experience she makes up for with technique. she is all about precision and trying to find the spot that makes her partner's eyes roll back into their skull. it's maybe a little awkward to begin with; some trial and error while she's experimenting with different angles and depths, but once she finds the spot that makes her partner's moans go up an octave, she is fucking them so good that their legs start trembling.

(cis) butch jakey. sorry, but i'm a jakey (jackie?) is bad at sex truther. she understands the mechanics of it well enough (the dick goes in a hole) but her technique is. mmm. well...it's befitting. it's either all long, rough, hard strokes with little regard to her partner (because that's how men do it right?) OR she's just laying back and having her partner do everything while she just watches ("c'mon honey, if you want it so bad you're gonna have to work for it"). it's a dominance thing but also. she's a lazy domme. she wields the strap with the finesse of a club :/

sidenote: ngl i love thinking about butch4butch jakesyb because tbh? absolutely nothing about their dynamic and very little about their sex life would change <3 (same applies for t4t jakesyb)