#glad I'm doing that now so I can have some actual concrete sense of progress rather than a vague thing from the geographical files

[aquilamage]

I know I’ve still got a lot of game to go through but it feels good looking at all the quests I’ve gotten all done and uploaded so far

[alexiethymia]

on that confession

first, to get everything out of the way. I AM SO GLAD TO BE PROVEN WRONG. young-woo really does want to be in a relationship with him, because whose example does she follow to get him to fall in love with her (not without a lot of help from Hairy aka ra-mi's boss aka I can't believe I still don't know his name)? she copies the same actions of jun-ho that made her fall in love with him in the first place, and I just find that so sweet.

second, on min-woo. he's still on thin ice, but I love the hint of having a mentor like atty. jung can help steer people to the right path and be better than they were (although it still would have to be min-woo's choice). atty. jung makes a great point about how he didn't penalize min-woo for his actions either, which really proves that he's not giving special treatment to young-woo, but merely following his mentoring philosophy. we had so little of su-yeon, but what little we had was glorious! eat your heart out min-woo! I actually do not mind the su-yeon x hairy agenda, but the implication that young-woo may intentionally have been trying to dash min-woo's chances before he even starts is hilarious to me because it makes absolute sense. from her perspective, no way would she give up her spring sunshine to a jerk like min-woo. so again I reiterate, he better shape up soon (meanwhile it's min-woo who finally gives jun-ho the push he needed. haha irony).

third, on jun-ho. THE THIRST REMAINS REAL. you think you're so slick. he could have totally gotten that eyelash on the first try, but he just kept making an excuse to see how near he could get again. it wasn't that clear on that first watch, but I think his hands were hovering on her waist again? The thirst remains real, for jun-ho, and for me. this better not be one of those dramas where there isn't even a kiss (seriously I blame Law School and Secret Forest)! and I really love these subtle progressions in their relationship, like how jun-ho starts getting closer, and how young-woo has started letting him.

fourth, on acts of service. his confusion was adorable. his jealousy was adorable. as expected it flew over young-woo's head, but I really love how it wasn't this toxic thing. it was more like he was playacting, but ultimately he couldn't help his smile seeing her so happy. the acts of service from young-woo's end were such a big deal to me, because they show her interest. her talking about different things during lunch aside from whales, and asking about whether he likes pickled radishes show to me a willingness to want to change, to meet him in the middle so to speak. so really, the hesitation mostly came from jun-ho's side (although by the look of the next episode, young-woo might face difficulties again. I'm sure they will, but they can always handle it together).

I love the slight subversion of gender roles. From su-yeon aggressively pursuing love, to young-woo pulling out jun-ho's chair and opening doors for him. and I love that the reason jun-ho gives for wanting to be on the outside is not some rubbish excuse like 'you're a girl', but practical ones, and that when he rants, it's not because he feels emasculated or anything, but that he's just adorably confused, because he seems to me like someone who relies on acts of service, like he really wants to be doing things for the people he loves. those little actions are concrete things that he can do for her. add in that of course anyone would feel embarrassed by having the object of their affection do things for them, and I was just cheering young-woo, because you go girl! give him a taste of his adorable and confusing medicine. at least jun-ho had the benefit of knowing young-woo liked him (which she reaffirms! gosh I love our straightforward girl), while young-woo was right to be perplexed at not hearing an answer but still continuing to be treated that way by jun-ho.

and now to the confession itself. I AM DECEASED. ep 7 gave us flirty jun-ho, while ep 9 gave use Jane Austen desperately confessing jun-ho and I am all for it (he had no right to don that absolutely relieved puppy face). in ep. 7, it was night time and they were wearing opposite colored shirts (blue and red), while in ep. 9 it's daylight and they're both wearing green which shows that they're finally on the same page. I love that he confessed where they met, and after she was remembering him too ('1-2-3'). and honestly, it's no wonder that he loves her as much as he does because she is amazingly brave - from the little things to attempting the revolving door without him and going out of her comfort zone to big things like her finally doing what the letter reminded her to do, 'to be more than a competent attorney who only wins in court'.

the lead-up to the confession was also perfect. as expected, he really was thinking deeply about it. his line of 'she's not someone he can start things with the mindset that it won't last ' had two implications. one, of course, was that he was still contemplating what su-yeon said, but the other might be that his feelings had already become that serious. min-woo jokes about marriage, but notice that jun-ho didn't exactly say no or scoff at it.

besides being a bit of a romantic, I think jun-ho is the wrong genre-savvy. he's been approaching this like a kdrama (ha!) and looking for romantic cues. he keeps waiting for a grand moment. as he said, he keeps feeling he has to have some great determination, maybe because he thinks that's what young-woo deserves. but he shouldn't underestimate those small and ordinary moments either, like young-woo doing those things for him just because she likes him.

he keeps getting thrown in over his head. because young-woo keeps on reaffirming that she likes him, and keeps on being nice to him and wanting to spend time with him because she likes him. the same that he'd be doing so far when it comes to her. but it's not as if she's demanding an answer. and knowing young-woo, even if by chance her feelings happened not to have been requited, I don't think she would treat jun-ho drastically different.

so ultimately, it's about jun-ho. what he wants. and just as with su-yeon, despite all of the concerns he's thinking about, he exclaims passionately that his feelings aren't temporary, that he wants this to last.

and in the quiet, he has his answer. no matter what happens in the future, he knows that in the now, he just wants to be with her. with no grand gestures, he just runs to her in home clothes, just wanting to bare out his soul to her immediately, and he looks so, so relieved when he finally does.

(and despite him being on thin ice, I love that it was min-woo who simplified things for him. to add, I know it was the production team who decided it, and it's supposed to be his hair was windswept after running all the way there, but it's also mildly funny for me thinking that despite his rush, he had enough time to fix his hair before he met to confess to his crush haha)

[emmy-the-dragoness]

Mutated AU: Prologue/Origins (short STORY)

Writer's Note: That's right I'm doing this little written story here to give you its... not-so-humble beginnings in a way to let you expect the goings on for the AU sooooo....

Here goes!

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"POWEEERR FIIIIIIISSSST!!" A youthful's voice rang out, thrusting out an arm with a bright blue, flaming fist that shot out of it at full speed. The incoming attack was making its way towards a large serpentine creature, complete with blondish white messy hair and yellow green eyes. With a smirk on its face, the cretin had its paws spread out wide and caught the attack in the nick of time, with a little bit of force as its feet were firmly planted on the ground. Tamaris, who the female monstrous mutant was properly known as, performed a counter clockwise twirl and lept at the boy with a fierce roar. KO shielded his face for the impact, but instead found himself pinned, before grabbing a peak at her unbelievably close face with one eye.

They spent the next 10 seconds gazing at each other, and the next thing they knew, the human and the beast started to laugh, having the time of their lives.

"Hahahahahaha, that was an amazing sparring session, Tamaris!" the child laughs, folding his arms behind his back.

His chimeric creature of a comrade couldn't agree more, with a nod and affirmative grunt. It was quite a good learning experience for the two in order to put their abilities to the test. Needless to say, she was impressed how far the hero in training had come with his innate powers had come, glad he has pals to help him out every step of the way.

With that said and done, it was high time for something to munch on as a reward, and since there was no Beardo in sight, who's humble abode was back at Lakewood, they settled for the next best thing they could find, and that was Weirdo's at the Danger Zone. Sure, the food he had was for a lack of better term, questionable. But Tamaris especially was hungry, so she was in a mood for a burrito. It resembled one of your run-of-the-mill wraps the original made, but it wasn't really any concern for her, being part monster. Ah, how she enjoyed the taste. Not only was it a favorite food for her, but it was also one of the only things to return in a more humanoid state she prefered. So as she took that bite of her meal, she diminishes a little in size, reverting into said form.

KO however, couldn't help but take in the scent, he was pretty parched after the workout. Then without warning, he hopped up momentarily and bit Tamaris' food, gulping it down. Her face paled at this, and instinctively pulled a little further away. "KO!" she exclaims, trying to hide her frightened expression to the best of her ability. "Oops." He said, rubbing at his head sheepishly. "The burrito smelled too good to pass up. Sorry!"

"It..." She wanted so bad to give him a bit of a scolding, but taking her glance upon her mutant saliva covered burrito bite, Tamaris had no other option to set that aside for a later time, after all. She gives a smile that didn't reach her cheeks all the way. "You know what, it's totally fine. Maaaaybe I forgot to pack you a snack beforehand."

"No worries! I'm having some spaghetti when we get back!" KO chimed in, with a smile of his own that was more playful and genuine. Tamaris gives a sigh from her nostrils. Hopefully things won't turn upside down at least. The two start their walk back to Lakewood Plaza, not taking into account that KO seemed to scratch at his head.

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Several minutes later, the duo arrives back to their destination, just a couple footsteps into the bodegas' parking lot. Tamaris had finished her meal while KO on the other hand... still kept at his incessant scratching from earlier. Did he have lice or something? He had no clue.

"You know you've been going at the itching on the way home, how about a break so it doesn't get all red?" his silver blonde haired pal asked him. "I have?" He took a minute to finally slow it down, moving his hands away from his hair. Two or three of his strands rested on his fingers, and he waves them off.

"So correct me if I'm wrong, but is this usually the part of your day where something drops down from thin air for a battle?" Tamaris asked, using a sleeve to wipe her mouth.

KO was about to answer her question, but he was interrupted when the signature Voxmore box had manifested from the sky, then plummeting downwards the concrete. Once making impact, it opens up all four sides, revealing Darrell and Shannon, with mischievous grins on their faces and combat ready poses.

"Ding-dong, mop face, it's us!" The orange, shape-shifting bot, Shannon cackled, her saw blades out and Darrell's arm cannon was at the ready.

That's when Tamaris decides to take a glance at the two fighting machines. They must be one of the kid's opponents he clashes with almost daily. "I take it these are the bucket of bolts you fight from that building over there?" She inquires, pointing at the Voxmore factory building, which just happened to be across the street from where they were.

"Sure is!" was the child hero's reply, already assuming a battle stance at his advasaries.

"Hey, at least Shannon's head here isn't even an actual bucket, thank you very much!" Darrell seemed a bit miffed by the comment while her sister exchanged a look of annoyance. "Do you seriously have to go there?"

It got a silent giggle from the mutant-shifting woman, before her too, takes a combat ready pose just as the level 3 hero did. "Why don't you go on ahead and be the first to start the battle? I wanna see what we're dealing with."

KO got pretty stoked, starting to hop in excitement. "Really? OKAY!"

He starts out by running towards Darrell, reeling back his right arm, a bright neon blue glow manifesting in a flame. "You hungry? Cause I've packed a POWER FIST SANDWICH JUST FOR YOU!" he calls out, thrusting the arm at the one eyed robot, launching the signature attack. Darrell, was, as always, prepared to counter whatever his opponent could dish out, so with a single shot from his cannon, blasts it away at the last second. He gives a snicker at this, while KO growls irritated, shaking the arm he just used. Dangit, that was no good. Gotta give it another try. Attempt number two, he brings out the left arm now, about to unleash the same attack again. This, however, made him stop a moment when he started to feel a strange tingling sensation in said arm. KO glanced at it, wincing a little, inhaling air slightly from his teeth.

This didn't take long for Tamaris to notice from a few feet, as she watches with uneasiness bubbling up in her being. KO stands there, seeing his forearm become an acidic green color, small, pointed claws sprouting from each fingertip. Four spike-like growths were digging out, one by one. He showed a sign of discomfort, giving a suprised yelp at the sight.

"K-KO?" Tamaris asked rather quietly. This looked exactly like what was happening. Oh Cob. As much as KO wanted to ignore this and just attack already, he was distracted, witnessing the right arm undergo the exact same changes as before.

"Tamaris? Is it me, or do I feel kinda funny?" He asks with a small frown, moving one arm to rest at his forehead. His fingers nearly felt like they were poked at, so upon feeling around more, KO would discover that longer, pointed spikes grew from his head, about four or five of them. The boxbot siblings didn't dare to move, watching the scene before them. Shannon was perplexed while Darrell did nothing but shake a little. Was he... afraid?

Alright, this was getting concerning to watch for Tamaris. She had a troubled look that was clearly written on her face, should she stop this? She wasn't sure.

"Buddy, uh... are- are you, doing okay, over there?" She hesitated to ask. KO's ears grow into what exactly resembled her mutated form's ears. This cannot be happening...

"Fine, Tam!" he managed a thumbs up with all the changes. "I'm fine, really. I..." His situation said otherwise, the stinging feeling now progressing into bodily aches. From his shoulders, which sprouted blades from them, to his toes growing claws. He got cramps all over his frame, wanting so badly to get right back to attacking, but it just kept at it, it wouldn't stop. Even giving his darndest to make a Power Fist interfered with this. KO couldn't concentrate, this was proving to be too much for him. It was distracting to continue further. Once Darrell made sense of what was going on with KO, he shakes in fear, then letting out a high-pitched, frightened scream, hiding behind his sister. KO however, was getting more fearful than him, stammering, unable to make proper sense what was happening to him. "Aaaa, uh. Uuuhhhhh...." he moaned, looking around his surroundings. "Uuuuuuhhhh, no! Don't look at me!" He shouts, covering his face. The mutating hero couldn't bear to let anyone else witness what came next, he immediately retreats towards the bodega to hide inside, stumbling clumsily along the way.

All Tamaris could do is watch him desperately obscure himself from the public, she knew too well what that felt like. Confusion and worry was brought upon her. After what was a few seconds of the two opposing sides gazing at each other, trying to process everything, she takes it upon herself to use part of her mutant abilities and tear apart Darrell and Shannon on her own. Once she reduced them to scrap after, she runs off to the bodega in search of KO.

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Not too long after heading inside, Tamaris could only search for her child comrade in what was said to be the most mysterious, potentially perilous parts of the bodega, and that was: the back room. She ventured inside on her quest to retrieve him all the while keeping a watchful and cautious eye of potential mimics, creatures that can assume the form of virtually anything AND anyone. Being careful not to make sudden sounds, she scanned the area left and right, and with one of her mutant senses, sniffs for a scent. There has to be a sign from the boy, he could be anywhere, all miserable and in pain, Tam couldn't bear to think of what might've happened. Just by then, she finally picked up what faintly sounded like a quick, pattering noise of feet and hands, starting to follow the source of the sound in pursuit. This had to be him, she could feel it!

With a torch now on one hand, so she would see around a little better in the room and a spray bottle with the other, she ventured in more, striding in her steps where the running and skittering noises increase. Tamaris was prompted to get closer, but two mimics in the form of a levitating book and a baseball bat made sudden impact with her, letting out a grunt. Guess she'd have to ward these pests off along the way. The shapeshifting beasts gave a hiss at her while she made a growl back. It felt like a distraction with those hostile obstacles in the way, but made quick use of disposing them with tearing up the mimics with her sharp, pointed teeth and a fraction of her mutant strength to throw them against a wall as hard as she could. With that, they were out of her sight, yelping away.

Good. That takes care of that. Tamaris takes off once again as she at last reaches a corner area further in the room, and hears a shuffling sound of tail and feet, along with small grunts and yelps, clear indication that she's even closer where the noise had shifted direction, then stopped. Thank Cob, finally, the beast in human form thought to herself. Immediately, she flashed the flames' light at the squirming shape, but it quickly turned away.

"KO? It's me..." Tamaris softly called out to who was hopefully in front of her, wanting to take a peak at him. The shape barely budged. But it seemed to give it thought. Seconds later, it turned back to face where Tamaris stood. The creature in the shadows was then revealed to be none other than KO himself. But he appeared to look somewhat... different. His full attention was caught, staring at her and his surroundings wide-eyed.

"Oh. My Cob." The original mutant-shifter was, understandably, shocked at the sight. Her newest friend, with the same ailment she had, she was really dumbfounded. Only he still looked human at most, physically. But the mutant attributes were clearly there.

This was insane, she had to get a better view of him from head to toe, so she called the now currently mutated KO to meet ground level and meet up. "Hey bud," Tamaris called out. "You mind if you just come down here quick? I only wanna see how you're doing!"

KO's response was uttering a small growl, holding at his forehead with a green paw. He moved to hop from where he sat, but ended up tripping himself with his own tail. He tumbles and crashes back on solid ground in a rough landing, crying out when he made impact.

Tamaris came to his aid, holding his claw as she helped him back on his feet. "There we go, KO. You alright?" He had regained composure, shaking his head. "I guess so... I feel fine now," was his reply. At least he sounded like himself, no alterations to his voice whatsoever, so that was a good thing. He rubs at his prickly head with the same arm that begun the change, then stopped to take a look at it. "Wha?" he murmured, his clawed feet and tail then coming into view. He grew confused and curious, hoping what he saw was a mere illusion only he could see. Was it...?

"Tamaris... what happened?" Ooohhhh boy, this was a bad time to break the news. She became practically nervous, tapping her index fingers. No pretending that he got sick, took a hallucinating substance or anything. She really had to do this. Tamaris made a hesitant groan, grabbing a nearby large, wheeled, rectangular mirror. It'd be better if he saw for himself.

Well, that answered his questions and interest. In his reflection, he saw traits in himself that clearly resembled Tamaris: prehensile tail, clawed fingers and toes, spikes and blades peaking out of the skin and the like. KO jumped backwards, with a scream in fright and surprise. "I'M -- YOU!! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!" he practically yelled, freaking out now. Tamaris was doing the same as him.

"Aaaaggh, I know! This is a disaster! It's my fault, I made you into what I am, I could've stopped this from happening! I should've warned you about that burrito before and got you a healthy one to have instead!" She was beating herself up so hard right now. Cob, this was awful, just awful.

KO still hollered, running around in a clockwise circle, waving his arms about frantically. After what felt like longer than a minute of being rattled at this turn of events, the mutant child hybrid at last calmed himself and slowed down for a second to meditate, breathing in and out, closing his eyes. Focus, KO. Stop and just focus... Alright, good. He finally regained composure, walking towards where Tamaris still panicked, paying mind to his tail. He rested a hand on her... leg. Not big enough to reach her shoulder, but this'll do. "Hey, hey... Tammie. It's okay... It wasn't entirely your fault."

"No, no! It was, KO. You're this thing I'm stuck with now all because of me!" Tamaris objected at this. How could he possibly have any part of this?

"Well..." KO began, folding his arms behind his back with a sheepish look. "Maybe I might've stopped first to check if the burrito looked okay to eat, then I wouldn't turn into... this."

Tamaris was rather embarrassed, probably as much as he was. "Yeah, hahahah... that had my mutagentic saliva on it. I wanted to tell you, but..."

Wait. That's how he became the scaly thing now. Oopsie whoopsies...

Her and KO both join in after the exchange with awkward laughter at their own expense, then sigh.

Tamaris, exhaled, running her fingers through her messy hair, "Ah, this is gonna suck." She had no idea how he was gonna live through this.

"I dunno," KO chimed in, taking another glance at his new appearance. "I think it won't be as terrible as it may seem. Besides, now that I'm probably gonna stuck like this for who knows how long, that won't probably stop me from what else is coming my way." A pause, blinking twice. "I hope."

His female, mutant-shifting friend shrugged, although not taking exactly what he stated sincerely.

"Ooorrrr," the hybrid thought aloud. "I'm dreaming all of this up and I'll wake up tommorrow morning less thorny and normal!" Or so he thinks. Unfortunately that wasn't to be the case. Tamaris was living in a worst case scenario she can't escape. This should be a fun experience, yes siree.

~~THE END...?~~

Well now that took longer to complete as expected huehuehuehue. Ehhhh...... 😅 Anyway that's that. I don't do written work often but this is as best as I can do! Hope y'all liked it!

[ihavenonamehalp]

Chapter 5: - You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. John Green, The Fault in Our Stars - - Huey: When Huey got back home that day things were normal, or as normal as you can possibly be in this family. Dewey was like normal Dewey with the volume too high, Della was supposed to bring out the best in him but it turned out to bring out the cocky in him "I couldn't just ignore a dare right? So I do the double flip right into the basketball team, sure I got detention for it but it was still pretty awesome". Della smiled as if she was proud of this for some reason "I'm glad you had a good day Dewey"She said, turning to Louie "How was your day Louie?" "Meh, normal, boring, loud."He said still looking at his phone; He still wasn't really use to this whole "mother" thing just yet but he's at least making some progress. "Well how about you Huey?" He kinda hoped she'd focus on Louie, now he had three choices, he could make up some story about how he had a great day like Dewey, he could act like it was no big deal or he could tell her the truth, "It was ok"He said. "Just ok?"She asked. Now things started to escalate, "Yeah, things were fine, it's just predictable"He said hoping she would buy it. "Well it's only Wednesday "She said, "We can only hope tomorrow is better" She hugged him from behind the chair and kissed his forehead. Wasn't bad advice for someone with no parenting experience, and very few real life experiences. Now he felt worse about not telling her, but then again, how could he possibly tell her that her son is a worthless coward? Huey walked into the kitchen to get something to drink but then thought twice after seeing Webby and Lena. 'Why did she have to live here?' He thought. He didn't hate Lena or anything but she can be...difficult. "Sup red hat"Lena said. "Hi Lena"He said without eye contact. Grabbing a glass of water. "Water, interesting. You know the jr woodchuck guidebook states that you should have at least six ounces of water every day"She said in her best Huey impression. Webby laughed "Science fact!" Huey rolled his eyes trying not to be offended or upset "It's actually eight ounces a day Lena, if you had the common sense that was bestowed on a goat, you'd know that". "That was rude Huey!"Webby said. Huey walked away without another word. He already had enough problems at school, he didn't need them at home too. Not like Webby would ever defend him. Violet: "Your boyfriend can't protect you forever". She was sick of letting those girls get to her! She doesn't want to be hurt anymore, she's done! Nobody personally thinks of her, she's not special and nobody was fooled into thinking she was. Erica really hurt her today, she wrote it down in her journal, it's better to write it down then to waste her time telling someone else who wouldn't care. She looked at the bruise on her arm. Violet was walking home from school when Erica tripped her, she hurt her arm on the concrete, she didn't crypt anything, she wasn't weak. But everyone laughed for some reason. Nobody cared she was hurt, they laughed. Lena and Webby are no better then they are. She promised to study at the mansion and if she said she couldn't make it they'd ask her why. She did want to go but It would be nice to get away from the stress at home so she went anyway. Big mistake. They said there hellos and did their homework as normal but then things started to go very wrong. They started jabbering on, talking about how funny it was when they made fun of Huey earlier, the only guy who dared be nice to her and they make fun of him. She was already annoyed with them without this and now she sorta wanted to kill them. "Can we stop talking about this please?"Violet asked. "Are you ok?"Webby asked. "Yes, I'm fine"She said aggressively. "Violet, don't talk to Webby like that"Lena said, "She was just asking." "Sorry I forgot I'm last on your ranking system"She said. "What?"Webby asked. "I'm not stupid webigail, I know I'm just your backup friend!" "That'