#glad black cat was an option as well

[mirrankei]

I don't like taggin' people but do it if ya wanna do it

i found a cool tag game on twitter and i really wanna import it (o^ ^o)

this picrew + the last song you listened to :]

no pressure tags: @blood-loving-leech @overtaken-boredom @lesbianthatyaps @kameonerd566 @hexedvampire @laczki @anonymous-shxtposter @fleurafae @flovqy + anyone who wants to do it <3

[lani-heart]

|| series masterlist || next // previously ||

genre(s) -> angst, fluff, smut, non-idol, hybrid au, poly au paring(s) -> ( eventually ) ATEEZ x reader warning(s) -> mentions of violence, mention of putting down / death, etc. words -> 2.8K

abstract -> finally we have a home...

y/n's perspective

My hands have been tied with helping San. His memories are still scrambled but better… he’s starting to remember his past, which upsets him. He still hasn’t tried to get to know Wooyoung or Yeosang. Hongjoong and Seonghwa tried not to confuse him by getting too close yet. 

However, another problem is the rivalry that Seonghwa and Yeosang found themselves in. 

“Yeosang, please just learn to get along with him?” I begged as he helped me with my hair. Today Wonyoung was forcing me out to a business party. So I had to leave… I didn’t want to but I did. And now all of my hybrids have forced me to take one of them to protect me. 

As much as I wanted to spend more time with San, he couldn’t come, and neither could Wooyoung, and Hongjoong either. My only option was Seonghwa or Yeosang. I also couldn’t leave San alone… so I chose Seonghwa. Besides, the tiger hybrid looked happy and excited. 

“Why him?” he asked, clearly annoyed and I sighed. “I need you to take care of San, please,” I asked his eyes softened, and he nodded. 

“I just want you to be okay,” he confessed and I smiled. “I will, but I'm worried about leaving you all alone,” I said and he shook his head. “I’ll take care of the overgrown cat” he confirmed and I was happy he agreed. 

“And if anything goes wrong–” “It won't stop worrying, he’s been getting better. He’s starting to remember Wooyoung. He also follows his instinct, he’ll get his memories back,” he said and I smiled. “Hey, don’t cry now. Wonyoung will get mad if you fix your makeup and make her wait even more” he said and I nodded. 

“Yeosang?” I said and he looked at me through the mirror. He was currently doing finishing touch-ups on my hair. “I love you all so much,” I said and he smiled softly. 

“I love you more than you’ll ever believe, angel,” he said and offered his hand as he led me outside my room. “That tiger better have done what I told him” Yeosang muttered and I chuckled. “Give him a break, he seems to like the life of socialites,” I said and he rolled his eyes. “What’s there to like? The alcohol, drugs, views, likes?” He listened and I smiled. 

“The glamor” I answered and he chuckled. “It's not worth it,” he said and I nodded. “But let his obliviousness enjoy it. He didn’t live through it, so let him be happy” I said and he sighed but understood. For some reason the two have stated their rivalry… but I thought it was sweet – well sometimes. 

“I’m ready!” I heard as I saw Seonghwa. He was in the suit that I got him, his hair gelled up and… oh? I didn’t notice it at first. I never got him a collar? I swear that I…

I did buy them… but I was too scared to give it to them. 

“Angel? Are you okay?” Yeosang asked and I nodded. “Can you do me a favor? There's a box under my bed, grab the black velveted one” I said and he nodded as he went to my room. 

“Is there something wrong?” Seonghwa asked and I shook my head. “When hybrids go out they need collars, it's… the rules” I said and his eyes showed disappointment. “Oh… so–” “I actually bought your collars a while ago. When… you guys ended up accepting me as your owner, I knew I needed to get you two one but I didn’t know if it would make you guys feel angry– but you don't have to wear a collar here if you don’t want to its just so they don't–” “You’re rambling” Seonghwa said softly and with a smile and I chuckled. 

“Oh” I let out and he laughed. “I always wanted a collar…” he confessed and I felt my eyes widen. I smiled, “I’m glad then,” I said and I soon saw Yeosnag again. He handed the box to Seonghwa, already knowing what it was. It was the same brand as his and San and Wooyoung. I would have to give Hongjoong’s collar soon.

The rules mandate that if they found a hybrid without a collar they’d take them to an adoption center immediately. Some areas allow non-collared hybrids just because of how expensive hybrid collars are. Luckily the hospital was one so I didn’t get Hongjoong in trouble and besides Jeno or Johnny would’ve stepped in. However, this was different… This was a socialite party. 

San’s collar was a pretty black jeweled one, whilst Wooyoung was beige, and Yeosang’s white. All of them are jeweled, all the same from the same designer. 

He opened it to reveal his… it was a silver chrome color and his smile seemed uncontrollable and it looked like he wanted a hug. I opened my arms and he lifted me up slightly by my waist. “Hey! You’re gonna wrinkle her dress and ruin her hair!” Yeosang scolded us and made us laugh. 

“How long did it take for you to get a collar?” Seonghwa asked Yeosnag and he shrugged. “I ordered one for him the day I got him officially. I knew he envied San’s and Wooyoung’s since he also held meaning for collars. Though you don’t need to have it on the entire time, you can take it off anytime at home just while we’re there you need to keep–" "You're rambling again” he said and I chuckled. 

“I wanna keep it on, but if it gets overwhelming i'll take it off” he said the same thing as San and Wooyoung. They never take it off, neither does Yeosang. However, he had a different meaning to always keep it on, sure he feels comfort on having it but the scar of his last collar showed if he didn’t keep it on. 

“Don’t get lost in your thoughts now” Yeosang said and I chuckled. 

“Yeah, we have a party to go to…” 

seonghwa’s perspective

I didn’t expect to see so many people laughing and drinking in fancy clothes and jewelry. It was nothing like that run-down and dirty circus… it was the socialites. The consumers who bought the expensive tickets to have us do special tricks for them.

Even y/n seemed like a different person here… she socialized and looked like a natural while I stood beside her clearly overwhelmed. With hybrids looking at me in pity… like I was new, and I was. They, however, looked miserable.

“I would’ve thought you’d bring Yeosang” I heard and I saw a woman dressed in a black dress with jewelry. She glared at y/n… who was she? How’d she know the Doberman?

y/n didn’t respond to her instead drank her cocktail and the woman scoffed. “You have so many pretty hybrids, making a collection are we?” she said and I felt uncomfortable. Hongjoong was right, they do look at us like objects…

“I did my research, you know. You were right about your little panther, he was an illegal hybrid ring fighter. That’s quite dangerous for someone like you, aren’t you scared he’d hurt you” she taunted, making my jaw tighten… I wanted to tell her off but for y/n’s sake I couldn't. I may not get along the best with them but for her to talk about them like that pissed me off… She knew nothing about us. 

“And where’d you find this pretty tiger?” she said and y/n scoffed while glaring at the girl. “You never give up do you?” she said and she giggled. “I can say the same thing about you, and how you took Sangie away from me” she pouted… Sangie? Was she talking about Yeosang? 

“You’re lucky I didn’t get you in jail” y/n said and she giggled while glaring. “Well lovely journalist, we did negotiate. You can have the doberman, I don’t care. In fact I'm thinking of adopting another hybrid” she pondered and I didn’t want to make my stance known. 

I was a hybrid… I was y/n’s accessory tonight. I couldn’t cause any trouble. 

“Ooh, by the way that lawyer of yours was cute! Hendery–” y/n son grabbed my wrist and dragged me away. I could hear her laughing from behind me as I was dragged off. 

She looked annoyed and… hurt? “I understand why Yeosang wanted to join you now,” I said and she shook her head. “Sorry, is your wrist–” “I'm okay. It didn’t hurt, are you okay?” I asked and she smiled a tired smile. 

“Please don’t tell Yeosang about her” she pleaded and I was confused. “She’s his old owner right? The one who… sold him?” I asked and she nodded. 

“Never mention her in front of him,” she warned and I nodded. She didn’t seem like it… but she was a witch in disguise. “This is annoying isn’t it?” she said and she laughed it off but before I could respond. 

“Don’t tell me you were going to run off without saying hello now?” I heard and I saw a man. “Jungwoo!” she said as she hugged him. He looked like a model from Yeosang’s weekly magazines. 

“It’s been a while. I also heard you’ve been busy this year” Jungwoo said and she chuckled… 

“Getting three aggressive hybrids, a popular mistreated hybrid, and Wooyoung. Not to mention created a mortal enemy, been undercover twice, and started a book?” he said and I felt my ears flatten a bit. All of the hybrids have decided to stray away from the topic of writing… she was clearly upset with her draft being ripped by Hongjoong…

“Ah yeah…” she said sadly and his eyebrows furrowed now looking worried. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked and she nodded. “I need to rewrite a whole new book, Jungwoo,” she pouted and he sighed. “If anyone can do it, it's you. You’re the best writer I know” he said and she smiled. “I’m the only writer you know” I said and he laughed it off and shrugged. He soon looked at me curiously… What did he want?

“Are you not gonna introduce me to you hybrid?” he asked and I straightened my posture now that the attention was on me… “Ah! This is Seonghwa, he was a part of the Kim Family Circus. Seonghwa, this is Jungwoo, an old friend.” she said in which he offered his hand, and shook each other's hands. “Are you gonna leave so soon?” he asked and I looked at her as she smiled softly at the man and nodded. “As long as you want to go to Seonghwa?” she asked and I smiled. 

I was here because I wanted to… I regret it already but I need to protect her.

By the end of the party, y/n chatted with many people besides the model. She really was a socialite… a completely different person than the hermit writer from the apartment.

“Let's go home, Seonghwa,” she said with a drunk smile. I hated this party. Everyone kept staring at her… men looking her up and down hybrid owners looking at me as if I’d join their collection… hybrids looking at me with pity.

“Seonghwa?” she said and I looked at her waiting for her to continue speaking. Instead, she smiled and hugged me. I could tell she was a little drunk a few cocktails ago but she was fine, and I was by her side protecting her. 

I took off my trench coat and put it around her. I also started carrying on my back on our way back home… home. I smiled thinking about it. I finally had a place like that. 

“I never want any of you to hate me,” she muttered and I froze for a minute… What was she saying?

“Hongjoong… he scares me sometimes, but he’s trying to be around humans for the first time. You keep on treating me like fragile glass… like I’ll explode and throw you out” she said and I sighed… maybe she was right.

“You keep competing for my attention… Yeosang is the same way. I don’t want you guys to fight each other… get along please?” she begged as she gripped my shoulders hugging me tight as I walked… Her words made me feel guilty. 

“I won’t get rid of you… you’re not trash,” she said and I felt tears from my eyes…

“I’m rewriting my book, you know?” she said and I wasn’t shocked at it. Wooyoung said that she might start writing soon with how much she’s been daydreaming. “You and Hongjoong are in it,” she said and I was shocked she’d put us in the book. “Seonghwa?” she said as I stopped to look over my shoulder at her, she smiled prettily at me with her eyes filled with wonder and life almost like stars. 

“You’re more valuable to me than anything I own… the others are just as important. None of you are a collection, you’re my family” she said and I smiled softly at her soft features. 

“Just promise to never leave me,” she said as she started closing her eyes tiredly. 

“I’d never think of it, princess” 

“Why are you two home so late?!” Yeosang yelled only to be smacked by Wooyoung once they saw her on my back their eyes widened. “Is she okay?” Wooyoung asked and I nodded. 

I noticed San behind the two looking at her just as worried… he’ll be back to normal soon. I'll make sure he does... while even Hongjoong was looking from afar, also worried. I sighed before I decided to speak up. 

“Let’s not fight, '' I said and the three hybrids before me and Hongjoong looked at me confused. “She doesn’t like us fighting… we’re a family to her. The least we can do is try to be one” I said and they all nodded. “Yeosang?” I said and he looked at me with an expression I couldn’t understand. 

“I don’t want to fight you anymore. I owe y/n a lot… but I won’t fight you for stupid nonsense anymore” I said and he nodded. “I won’t either… I guess I should try to respect you a bit more. You are very old.” he said and I scoffed. He doesn’t change… I kinda prefer it this way. Our useless teasing…

“You’re right… you’ve been with us for almost a month now. For y/n we should try to get along” Wooyoung said and San stayed silent next to him as we now looked at the tiny tiger. “I agree… we all owe in our different ways. We all want to protect her, and we will for others. It’s useless arguing with each other” Hongjoong said and I agreed. 

“Put her to bed. We should all go to sleep soon now that she’s back” Hongjoong said and everyone listened. I went to her room where I softly put her down… I suddenly hear the door open to see Yeosang. “I’ll undress her,” he said and I agreed.

“What’d she say to make you say that, by the way?” he asked and I smiled. “We’re her family, she said we were her most valuable treasure” I said and his eyes widened. “Her friends said she was lonely… until she adopted San and then it's been busier than ever.” he confessed as he took off her heels while she succumbed to her soft mattress and fluffy pillows. 

“We’re too alike… I come from a world where I was drowning in expensive and luxurious lifestyles… but none of it was worth it until meeting her. You tigers are the same way.” he said and I chuckled. 

“I wished for an owner to pamper me… I saw so many hybrids in shows, lots of them younger ones with their owners. They looked at me like they didn’t know what abuse was. I envied them…” I confessed and the doberman sighed.

“y/n gives us everything… Sometimes I think she’ll get rid of me.” I said and the Doberman sighed. “She wouldn’t ever… I thought the same way. She, however, would never, if she were to get another hybrid I’d feel threatened but I knew she wouldn’t ever replace nor abandon me” he confessed and I nodded. 

“Go so I can put her in something comfortable,” Yeosang said and I nodded. 

“Now get out” he said and I laughed as I walked out to my room I shared with Hongjoong with a smile and for once genuinely of pure happiness…

“You look like a maniac” I heard as I saw Hongjoong… my longest and only companion for a while. I hugged him who hugged me back questioningly… “Are you okay?” he asked and I felt my tail wag uncontrollably.

“We have a family Hongjoong… somewhere we belong” 

@wonuangel @danirael @angelsaway @krissroo @minkysmilk @mayonnaise-on-toast @robertsbbygirl @superbbananananana @hyukssunflower @kitty4hwa @justconniez @senpai-of-doom @kibs-and-bits @caityelise99 @ilovekinny @ateezennie23 @wooahaelemons @purplelady85 @watamotee33@chidess97 @littlelostdemonofthelight @maliamaiden @burntarm1n @spooo00oky @eastleighsblog @momo-peachy @kitstar1117 @quartzpirate @sunnyhokyu @iwishiwasrichasfuck @theginger543210 @pandolinka @ddaeing @kpopnightingale @slid3er @kekdo-520 @puppyminnnie @sparklinghwa222 @calicanbeevil @itsvxlentine @atinism @loumin908 @smally97 @rxnexxi @acetruepunk @majesticbeluga @namjooncrabs @tashizxy @itstheghostofmypast @smilefordongil @teeziny @totallynotlyntv @kyeos4ng @prodsh00ky @acescavern

please don't be a silent reader !! reblog, comment, and like <3

[itadores]

note: sakura's so cute ^-^

pairing: sakura haruka x gender neutral reader

tags: gender neutral reader, silliness, fluff

staring at the wall ahead of you, you're faced with an impossible decision.

which stuffed animal should you buy?

you suddenly cry out, startling sakura who’s standing beside you, and grip your head in despair. "they're all so cute, i can't choose," you exclaim. making decisions has never been your strong suit, and when faced with so many options, you're at a complete and utter loss of what to do.

sakura looks at you a little strangely.

"aren't they all basically the same? it's a stuffed animal," sakura remarks.

you tear your eyes away from the wall of stuffed animals to turn your attention towards sakura. “they are not ‘all basically the same,’” you parrot back to sakura. you motion towards the stack of plushes that nearly stretches across the entire wall of the store, waving your hand wildly. “they’re all different!”

you grab two stuffed animal at random to use as your example. “see this,” you raise the stuffed animal in your right hand, “this is obviously a bunny,” you say before raising the stuffed animal in your left hand, “while this is a dinosaur. not only are they two completely different creatures, but the colors are different as well as the material.”

“i don't get it," sakura bluntly says.

you droop, the stuffed animals in your hands falling to your side. honestly, you didn't really expect sakura to understand your interest in stuffed animals since he doesn’t share the same passion for it as you do, but you're glad he still chose to accompany you regardless.

“it’s fine, i didn’t expect you to understand,” you say, although not unkindly as you place the stuffed animals you grabbed at random back in their respective spots. “i know i can get rather excited when it comes to plushies and other cute things.”

that may be an understatement given the number of stuffed animals and other cute collectibles you already have in your possession, but you don’t need the whole store knowing that.

“i’m just happy you’re here.”

you look over your shoulder, smiling at sakura. he ducks his head, his bangs barely concealing the flush on his cheeks.

“i don’t understand why you like all of this so much,” sakura admits, “but you like it so…”

he trails off at the end, but you understand what he’s trying to convey. it makes you smile once more. sakura is so unaware of how sweet and endearing he can be. it makes you want to lavish him in praise and compliments, but you hold back. you don’t want to embarrass him when he’s in the middle of opening up to you a little bit more.

“thanks, sakura,” you settle on saying. hopefully in the future, you’ll be able to tell sakura everything you want to tell him, but for right now, you’re content taking things at whatever pace works best for him.

“now help me choose!” you exclaim, moving closer to sakura and looping your arms together. he stumbles, knocking his shoulders against yours before quickly stabilizing himself.

“don’t just randomly grab me,” sakura grumbles, shifting in place but making no move to disentangle himself from you.

“sorry,” you reply, utterly unrepentant. "now let's focus on the mission at hand!"

you point out a bunch of different plushes you find cute to sakura, who's unable to offer much help in your decision-making process. it's fine though because the decision becomes crystal clear for you when your gaze lands on a black and white cat plushie that's nestled on one of the lower levels of the shelving unit. it's perfect. all of the stuffed animals you were looking at were cute, but none as cute as the cat plush you now have in hand. you're quick to buy it, leaving the store pleased as can be with your purchase.

as you leave the shop, sakura asks what made you want that stuffed animal out of all the ones you looked at. after all, you had such a hard time choosing which one to buy just to make a decision as soon as you laid eyes on the cat plush. you just shrug and tell him that it's cute, and you liked it the most out of all of them.

what you don't tell sakura is that the black and white cat reminds you of a certain someone. you don't think his poor heart could take it, so you keep it to yourself for now.

maybe, sakura will figure it out for himself in the future.

[felinefractious]

hey, so my brother sent me this person's cat online and was wondering why it was cross-eyed. i've learned a lot of info from you so i tried my hand at guessing, but i don't want to believe what i said just because i think it's right.

i told my brother the cat in question looks to me like a tabby x ragdoll mix. i know ragdolls are commonly seen with higher chances of cross-eyes, and when i tried to search 'ragdoll tabby' i only got them mixed, not the pattern itself.

i brought up how the weird white patch on the cat's muzzle could be coming from the ragdoll's side, and the pointed out that the [from what it looks to me] shorter fur and less puffy build could be the tabby.

here's some more pictures of the cat [again this cat isn't either of ours so i can only send what i can find. however the cat owner is softwilly on social media]

regardless if you end up helping me with this i do appreciate what you do as i've learned SO much about cat genetics through your page and being a cat lover it's like a treasure trove of cat education! have a good day/night :]

Hey, I’m glad you enjoy the blog! I like your icon, hyenas are awesome.

So “tabby” is not a breed, it’s a pattern. That feels like a good place to start!

Our adorable little house cats were once upon a time descended from the African Wildcat, so the default/wild-type appearance before all of the mutations and breeds and such came into play would resemble this ancestor.

Talk about family resemblance!

The Domestic Cat on the top [source] is a shorthair black tabby, closely resembling the phenotype of the African Wildcat on the bottom [source].

A mutation on the agouti (tabby) gene causing an increase in the production of black pigment is where out solid colored cats come from.

UC Davis page on Agouti

Due to other genes which determine and influence the presentation of the tabby pattern we have quite a few tabby options now. To keep it simple these are primarily mackerel, spotted, classic and ticked but can be modified even further the more genes we add in (bengal modifier, wide band, etc).

Since tabby is the original flavor cat the majority of stray/feral cats you encounter will be sole flavor of tabby but various types of tabby patterns are permitted in many, many, many different breeds.

The white smudge on the face as well as the bib and mittens are due to one of several mutations on the KIT gene. These mutations are very common in domestic animals which is why piebald patterning is so widespread in domestic varieties but rare uncommon in wild specimens.

UC Davis page of Dominant White & White Spotting

So although this is a mutation and not part of default settings it, like solid cats, is incredibly common to find cats with white markings in the wider stray/feral population as well as in a huge variety of cat breeds.

Here is a black tabby point Ragdoll with white mittens [source].

The distinctive masked pattern is caused by mutation which effects pigmentation, ranging from being fully normally colored (wild type) to albinism. In between this range we have colorpoint, mink, sepia and most recently mocha… but I’m only going to discuss colorpoint right now.

The colorpoint pattern is a form of albinism influenced by body temperature, turning the cat into a living heat map. Pigment is turned off in warm areas and is produced normally in cool areas, such as the extremities. So if you peeled the colorpoint off of this Ragdoll they’d look a lot more similar to the cat you’re sharing!

UC Davis page on Colorpoint Restriction

This is another mutation notably absent from our default wild-type and is a little less common than solid or white-spotted but still pretty well distributed throughout the stray/feral population as well as being accepted in many breeds.

Unfortunately there seems to be a higher incidence of strabismus (cross-eyed) in pointed cats than those with full color expression, not just Ragdolls. Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) is also unfortunately common, which @the-adventures-of-dave’s Kepler (Bengal) has.

But pointed cats don’t have a monopoly on these problems! There are plenty of pointed cats without eye problems and there are plenty of full expression cats with eye problems. Sometimes cats are just cross-eyed, just like how sometimes people are just cross-eyed.

The truth is most cats aren’t any breed or a mix of any breeds, they’re just… cats!

Cats and cat breeds aren’t all that similar to dogs and dog breeds. Cat breeds are a relatively new occurrence, often have allowable outcross with other breeds, and comprise a miniscule portion of the overall feline population.

Pedigree, Purebred, Mixed Breed, Random-bred - What’s the Difference?

What’s the Breed of Your Cat?

So this is all a very long way to say that the very dashing cat you shared is most likely a black tabby Domestic Longhair with white spotting and the strabismus is likely unrelated.

[luciferlightbringer]

Talk to Me

Chapter 2

Lucifer x Fem Fallen Angel Reader

Word Count: 4.4k

CW: Angst, pain, swearing, slow burn, enemies to lovers(ish?), mistrust, lies

Chapter 1|Chapter 2|Chapter 3 (Updated through Chapter 5)

Eventually, you flutter back into consciousness, but it was not peaceful. You feel the earth tremble accompanied by the sound of distant booms. You startle sitting up, and quickly remember that you have broken bones. You gasp at the pain before trying to turn your attention back to the rumbling. It sounded far off, so you were probably ok for now? But you didn’t trust that there wouldn’t be a battle here soon. You needed to find somewhere else to go.

You tried to stand up, and you manage, but with a broken leg it really hurt. You were just glad no one had found you. You had no idea how long you had been out, but you figured it was at least a day. Then the absolute weakness and hunger in your body kicked in. Ok maybe it had been more than just a day. What were you going to do? Where was there for you to go?

And then it hit you. You groaned at the thought, but there was literally only one actual place you knew of in hell. And that was the Princess’ Hotel. Would you actually be safe there, especially with the extermination coming and fully likely to be aiming at their doors? You racked your head for other options, but with all of the horrible “firsts” you were feeling, you were not coming up with many other options.

You sighed, oh well. It wasn’t like the angels could kill you even when they did come. The hotel it was, and you had sometime still to figure it all out. Before you headed out, you took one last look at your heavenly robe and sighed before ripping it into pieces to use as both rags to wipe off any golden blood, and to use to wrap your arm and your leg.

You could tell your new form was still the demonic shape you had landed in. That made sense. The stories say that Lucifer’s form was also forever changed into a hideous beast when he fell, so too have you, you guessed, feeling your long horns and tail with your new black claws. You wanted to cry, but you swallowed it down. Better you than Emily, that’s what you needed to focus on. You swallowed your pride and headed down into the city.

As you stumbled through the city, you were met with even more horrors told in the stories of Heaven, sinners. There was a dark sinister feeling that wafted through the air, every street there was something so revealing it was almost hard not to stare. Trash fires, people stabbing each other, people drunk on the street, getting cat called… what was that guy doing with barbed wire? Nevermind, you did not want to see more than you had to. Ugh and the smell of it all! What a revolting realm this was. It already felt like quite a shitty first day in Hell, and you had hardly made your way through the city.

The upside was, other than a few catcalls and one guy yelling “Hey! You look like shit!” Most left you alone. Maybe you looked pathetic and beaten up enough that maybe they took pity on you? Oh that made you feel great… the idea of getting pity from the scum of Hell… These were the people the Princess was trying to get into Heaven? Ya right…

You realized you had no idea where you were going or where the hotel was. You tried asking a person or too, most shrugged you off or swore at you. One roughly gestured in a direction, at least that was a start. You started wandering in that direction, when you came across the sight of a tall building that looked like it had very Heavenly architecture. It peaked your curiosity, so you went towards it.

You went inside and it was silent lobby, filled with waiting empty couches and chairs. You were relieved, it almost felt like home. You realized this must have been the Heaven Embassy, you had heard Emily and Sera mention it before. Something about Adam meeting someone here recently. Probably Lucifer. That thought made a tingle of fear run up your spine, were you in same building that he had been in recently?

You went to sit on one of the couches, and you sighed. The first bit of comfort you had felt in a while. Not as good as the couches at home, but it was close. In the safety of the embassy, you found yourself start to tear up, and then the flood came. The tears of fear, sadness, pain, anger, all pouring out as you sat alone in the wide lobby of the Heaven Embassy. You cried loudly and heavily for the first time in your life, until you ran out of energy and slipped back into unconsciousness.

Some while later, you woke up to a light tapping on the bottom of your shoe, accompanied by a soft “I’m sorry dear, but I can’t have sinners sleeping in here.” Your eyes popped open and you moved away from the tapping before remembering the pain in your body again. You looked in the direction of the sound and tapping to see a little… creature with red skin and horns, holding a broom.

“Ahh! I’m sorry I’m not… uhh… not used to being here yet. I can go…” you start to get up.

“It’s ok,” the soft voice said again, a feminine voice, “You’re not in trouble, Heaven just doesn’t want anyone causing trouble in here. Why they would think sinners sleeping in here is trouble? I have no idea. But you are welcome to be in here for a little bit.”

You looked the creature up and down, they must be a hellborn… but why were they so… nice? “Uhh… thank you… uhh…”

“Clarisee, but you can just call me Claire,” she smiled, “I’m the janitor and facility manager of this building.”

“Oh! Well I’m…” you paused, you didn’t want to give your real name, it may sound too “Heavenly” or whatever. “I’m (your fake name(y/fn)),” you said with a weak smile.

“Pleased to meet you, are you new to Hell?” Claire asked.

“Uh… ya… it’s a lot to take in… never thought I would end up down here…” you thought back to the trial.

“It’s not an uncommon feeling, you’ll settle in soon enough” she looked you over “Looks like you already had a nice run in with the locals.”

You were confused but you looked yourself over, she thinks you got in a fight, that was a good cover. “Oh! Ya… I… bumped into someone and… they did not like that… so they just started…” you threw a punch at the arm with your not broken arm, “but like… a lot… and it hurt.”

Claire shook her head, “Oh sinners…”

You looked at her again, “You say that like you are not a sinner.”

Claire chuckled, “Oh because I’m not! I’m an Imp, a hellborn. I was born and raised in Hell, right here in the Pride ring.” She flashed a prideful smile.

“Oh! I see… are all Imps nice?” You asked.

Claire laughed, “Oh hell no! But we aren’t all mean either, same goes with sinners though, you just have to find the right ones.”

You held back making a face, you couldn’t imagine a nice sinner. “I see… well… I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I should be continuing on my journey.” You said getting up from the couch.

“Journey? Haha, where are you off to?” Claire asked with a cocked eyebrow with a michevious smile.

“Oh! Uhh… I’m trying to find a hotel, one that um… the Princess is running?” You asked shyly.

“Oh! That Hazbin Hotel? Ya, ya, I know it. Right on the Eastern edge of the ring,” she said pointing out the window. You look out in the distance and you see a small hill with a weird looking building, topped with a glowing “Hazbin Hotel” sign on the top.

You lit up, “Yes! That’s it! I need to get there.” Heavens, you wished you could just fly over there instead of walking.

Claire smiled and tapped a finger to her chin, looking at how you struggled to stand. “Are you comfortable waiting an hour?”

You looked back at her, “Uhh… why?”

Claire smiled and shrugged “You look like you’re having a hard day and I thought maybe I could just drive you over there instead of you hobbling for hours through the masses.”

You smiled “Really? Oh, I would really appreciate that, if you don’t mind.”

“Give me one hour and then I’ll take you over.”

You sat and waiting an hour for Claire to finish up sweeping and dusting the lobby before you guys walked to her car out back. You had heard of humans having cars but you had never seen one. You got in a you drove through the city on your way to the hotel, nervousness growing in your stomach along with your hunger that was already hurting your insides.

Claire weaved the car down the streets of the city, well… the streets were straight but she had to maneuver around all of the people that were in the streets. You felt better getting the chance to watch the sinners of hell as you passed them by in the safety of the car. It was more like watching animals in a zoo that were trying to attack each other. It wasn’t that way throughout the entire city, but of course violence was all you could focus on. It made you feel so sick and sad.

Before long, you pulled up to the front of the hotel. You thanked Claire before getting out.

“Good luck! And don’t be a stranger ok? You are always welcome as long as you don’t bring any firearms, weapons, drugs, or sex parties, ok?”

You blinked. “Uh, ya! Ok! Sounds good, thanks again,” you closed the door and Claire drove off.

You turned around to see the front of the hotel. Even at the front door you could see the markings of apples and snakes, the symbols of the Morningstar family, symbols of Lucifer. You didn’t consider until now that he might be at the hotel. Oh shit… maybe this was a mistake, but where else could you go?

While you were distracted by your thoughts, inside the hotel lobby, a certain radio demon perked up his ears at the sound of a car outside. His big smile grew a little, before turning to Charlie who was pouring over her new battle plans for Adam’s return in a couple of days, and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Charlie my dear, I hate to interrupt you in the middle of your strategizing, but I believe I just heard a car stop outside the front door and someone get out,” Alastor said his voice crackling through his normal radio filter. Charlie stopped her thought and looked up at him.

“Someone’s outside?” She asked and looked to the door. More people had been coming in and out related to the extermination defense preparations, but she didn’t think Alastor would be reacting like this if it was one of them. Charlie stood up and walked over the door and opened it, looking out and seeing you lost in a panicked thought out on the entryway to the hotel.

“Oh! Hi there.” Charlie said softly, not wanting to startle you.

You still jumped a little as you were pulled back in to present and realized the Princess had just opened the door and addressed you.

“Oh uhh…” you bowed, “H-Hello y-your highness.”

Charlie blinked and then chuckled as she open the door further and took a step towards you, “Oh please, just call me Charlie. And you are?”

You straightened up, half surprised to feel a familiar sense of comfort from her, you looked at her face. Her expression was warm and soft, with a touch of concern, and most importantly of all, no recognition of you. “Oh uhh… (y/fn)… my name is (y/fn).”

“Pleased to meet you, (y/fn). What can I do for you? Are you… interested in the hotel?” Charlie’s eyes lit up a little.

“Uhh… yes! I am. I uhh… I’ve only been here for a short while… in Hell and uhh…” you looked down are your broken limbs. “I-I was attacked… haven’t had much to eat or a place to stay. I uhh… heard something about this hotel and I thought I would come check it out. I heard you uhh… rehabilitate sinners?”

Charlie started to bounce in place “Yes!! Oh yes! Welcomeeeee to the Hazbin Hotel!” Charlie stopped again ones she looked at your hurt and malnourished form. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry about your wounds. Would you like some help in?”

“Uhh.. ya that would be grea-“ before you could finish, Charlie scoops you up and carries you inside. You expected he to aid you not just full on pick you up! She just picked you up like you were a small child! She was gentle though, and you were happy to not be on your leg anymore. She hip bumped the door open and carried you over to the couch before gently setting you down.

“Vaggie! Can you grab the med kit? Also some water and any food we might have?” Charlie called out. A shadowy figure emerged from the shadows with a cup in hand, “I’ve got the water, my dear, and I’d be happy to grab some leftover jambalaya from last night if you’d like.” He handed to cup to Charlie and then she turned to had it to you, who was staring in fear at this new figure. If him emerging from the shadows wasn’t already creepy, his appearance and energy was terrifying… This couldn’t be him, could it?

“Oh! (Y/fn), this is Alastor, or facilities manager. Alastor this is (y/fn),” said Charlie.

“A pleasure to meet you darling, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?” Alastor asked with a pleasant smile, even though it does not seem as pleasant to you. You did feel at least a little bit more calm now that you knew that this was not Lucifer. But he was still an unsettling sight.

“Will… will it hurt me?” You asked.

Alastor laugh swatting a hand, “Heavens no! Although that is a devious thought… no, no, no, no. I would never use my mother’s recipe for murder. It’s just leftovers from dinner I made last night.”

“Oh… uhh… ya, sure. I’ve never had it before,” you said. Alastor’s eyes grin widened.

“Well then you are in for a real treat! I’ll be right back!” and he disappeared back into the shadows of the floor. You looked at Charlie before taking the cup and quickly inhaling the water.

“Don’t mind him, Alastor is… a character. But he has been here helping me build the hotel since day one,” Charlie said, Vaggie entered the room with a box, “Along with my girlfriend, Vaggie here, my literal and figurative angel.” She said looking happily at her girlfriend.

Vaggie chuckled, “Are we just telling everyone now?” She put down the box next to Charlie.

“Oh! Sorry, just still processing it.” Charlie said giving Vaggie a shy smile. Vaggie put a hand on her shoulder, “It’s ok, I understand, I was just teasing.”

Wait… what? Literal and figurative angel? Charlie and Vaggie caught your confused look.

“Oh haha… umm Vaggie here is an angel… well… ex-angel? She used to be an exorcist and now she is not… it’s a whole thing,” Charlie said.

You looked back and forth between Charlie and Vaggie. What? There was another angel down here? An exorcist for that matter?

“An exorcist?” You covered your mouth. You didn’t mean to let that slip out. Crap, did you just blow your cover already?

“Oh right! You said you are new right? You probably don’t even know about the… the exterminations…” Charlie gave Vaggie a look. Oh thank Heavens that is how they took that comment instead of your wondering what an exorcist was doing down here.

“We should probably tell her, it’s only fair,” Vaggie said to Charlie. Charlie sighed. You played dumb and gave them a confused look, even though you knew what was coming next.

“So… every year an army of angels come down and kill a bunch of mortal souls, erasing them completely. They… maybe have not liked the idea of my hotel and might… be focusing their next extermination on us…” Charlie gave a big anxious smile. “It’s totally understandable if you don’t want to stay butttt we do have an attack plan to defend ourselves.”

You blinked, “Oh wow… that’s a lot… how are you gonna defend yourself against angels? Can they be killed?” It was a silly question because you already knew they couldn’t.

“Yes, they can!” Charlie beamed. You froze, trying to not make it obvious that her statement was causing you fear for your own life.

“Oh… wow, how?” You asked as calmly as you could. Vaggie noticed the fear in your voice but just continued to watch as you and Charlie talked.

“With angelic weapons! So we are defending ourselves with this metal that angels had left from previous exterminations. But…” she put a hand on your shoulder, “we understand that you just got here, so if you don’t want to stay or don’t want to fight, you don’t have to.”

You looked off in the distance, glad that your current mental breakdown from your new found sense of mortality was being perceived as panic over the idea of an extermination.

“I… uh… I want to stay… but I don’t want to fight. I honestly don’t know if I could fight. When is it happening?”

“In like… a few days…” Charlie responded.

A few days?! You thought you had at least a week! How long were you out for? A week or two?!

“We can find a place to keep you save… maybe… oh! Maybe my dad could…”

“No!” You shouted louder than you meant to, earning a confused look from Charlie and Vaggie. “Sorry! Uhh, I mean… Noooo need to worry about that, heh, I know someone that I can hide with for a day. They are the reason I’ve made it this long.”

Charlie smiled, “Great!” At that point, Alastor made it back into the lobby with a big bowl of that jambalaya, which you practically inhaled as soon he handed it to you. It was surprisingly good, you told Alastor and he beamed before heading off to other matters. You were going to keep an eye on that one.

Charlie then worked with you to take off the makeshift wraps before replacing them with some nicer wraps for your arm and leg that were more like casts, and giving you some pain meds. You were thankful that there was no golden blood on any of the wraps at this point to give you away. “There we go. Now, would you like us to show you to your room?” Charlie asked. You nodded. Charlie and Vaggie helped you up the stairs and into the first available room.

While chatting with you, Charlie’s phone started to ring and she answered, it was her dad. It was Lucifer. You couldn’t make out what he was staying, but the bits of speech were fast and higher pitched than you expected. Energetic even? Charlie responded back in kind, excitedly tell him about the hotel’s next guest and giving you a wink. You must have had an uncomfortable look on your face, because Charlie quickly added how you had been in pretty bad shape so he probably would not get to meet you today, before adding a quiet “Also I think she is new to hell and might not be ready to meet, ya know… the devil yet.” He seemed to respond with an understanding murmur before Charlie said she would see him later and ended the call.

“Sorry about that, dad is coming over later to go over some things. He’s just nervous about all this,” Charlie said sheepishly. Lucifer is nervous?

“Oh… is he not into like fighting and stuff?” You asked, genuinely curious.

“Oh no! He hates fights! Hates conflict in general. He is powerful, but tries to avoid it unless he has to. Plus he is also worried because he basically can’t even step in unless a hellborn gets hurt, which basically just means me or my guardians. He’s hands are really tied,” Charlie gave a concerned look at the floor, before shaking her head. “But uh, anyways, I know this is a lot to take in so, I won’t have you meeting him any times soon. I know they have a really negative few of him on earth, but he really is a nice guy. Just… a little rough around the edges, heh…. And a little socially awkward at times… But he is getting better!”

You smiled and nodded, “Thanks, ya… maybe once I’ve had some more time to rest.”

You hoped that you would never have to meet Lucifer, but it seems like you might have to meet him at some point. The Princess seemed to have an interesting take on her father. Did she just have a screwed view of how evil he was? The again, just as when you met her in Heaven, she wasn’t mean, she didn’t push, she even… seemed to notice that you didn’t feel comfortable meeting her dad… and she was ok with that? Could her father be similar?

You didn’t even want to get started thinking about Vaggie’s situation. There was another fallen angel besides Lucifer and that wasn’t broadcasted everywhere for her to be made as an example too? More than that… how long ago did she far? And… why didn’t you remember her? You had been around for a while, but you feel like you would have remembered her, even a little.

Vaggie and Charlie got you set up in your new room for the next few days and then let you be, saying they would let you know when dinner was ready. Soon they left and you were alone, still afraid, but at least you had a place to stay with people you had at least met before while you recovered.

You laid out on the bed, it wasn’t the greatest but it worked for what you needed it for. You wanted to stretch out your wings, but the spot where one was missing still burned, and you didn’t trust that they wouldn’t just bust into the room or spy on you or something. No, you couldn’t let your wings out yet.

You stared up at the ceiling, trying to relax, but so many factors were swirling in your head. So many questions about what was real and what wasn’t. The meeting, Emily’s information about the meeting, Adam and his army, the extermination, the court, the fall, your wing, the experience of Hell, the Princess, her Fallen Angel girlfriend, the weapons, the timeframe… Lucifer… you were still afraid of him, very afraid of him. But if Heaven was bending the truth on other things… could they have done that amount him too? Your centuries of devotion made you want to push that thought out of your mind, tell you that you were just being manipulated… but damn… some things were really starting to not make sense anymore.

After a while of laying there, you heard a chatter start to rise door in the lobby. You got up and snuck closer to the door to get a better listen, you were not able to make out much until you heard a loud giggle that sounded like the Princess followed by “Oh my God, Dad!” followed by a loud masculine voice replying with “Haha! See? I told you, Alastor!” that sounded similar to the murmur on the phone.

Your breathing started to pick up pace, was that him? Could the Bringer of Evil, Scorn of Heaven, Original Sin, Fallen Angel, Betrayer Serpent… Lucifer Morningstar… be downstairs? Every cell in you body told you to run, you hide, to damn getting caught and fly as far away as you could… but your curiosity was more powerful, and you cracked open the door the smallest fraction. Your room would not be seen from where they were, but you still worried.

With the door cracked more, you were able to hear slightly more of the conversation, though this distance still made it a little muddled. Overall you were catching to sounds of joking and then what sounded like Lucifer arguing with Alastor, before Charlie and Vaggie told them both to cool it. The conversation flipped through some topics until it landed on you, which startled you.

The voice you believed to be Lucifer asked how “the new guest” was, his daughter responded how you were starving and had broken bones when you arrived and were up resetting. You hear a sigh, and then some soft comment about sinners, you were surprised by how sad the tone sounded. He asked his daughter if you would want him to look at your wounds to heal them, and she turned him down, thanking him but advocating for you needing space to rest. He muttered something in acknowledgment.

At this point you closed the door and went back you your bed, back to staring at the ceiling. Now with even more questions and even more curiosity. The curiosity is what scared you the most. He sounded… well he sounded like an older male Charlie, from the small bit you heard from him. Offering to heal your wounds? If you weren’t so afraid of him, you would have taken him up on that. You were curious about that.

Your head was swimming, and if you weren’t taking pain meds you would have probably had a headache at this point. You were staying to drift, and you faded into unconsciousness. Charlie came by later to offer you food, but that that point you were passed out. She ended up just slipping a note under your door and getting a plate set up for you and put in the fridge for whenever you were ready.

———————————————————————

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[nitrateglow]

Favorite films discovered in 2023

2023 kind of sucked, but it was a fruitful year for me as a movie geek. I finally got around to seeing films that have been on my TBW pile for years now. I also gave myself a challenge that I actually completed: watch at least one film from every year between 1900 and 2023.

Anyway, I'll stop beating around the bush. Here are my top 20 favorite film discoveries in 2023. (The order is very, very loose from 5 on down. I genuinely had a hard time narrowing the list down to 20, let alone ranking everything.)

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (dir. Mikio Naruse, 1960)

This well-regarded drama follows Keiko, a bar hostess who's just turned 30 years old. She has limited options as an unmarried woman in postwar Japan. Considered "old," she has to marry soon or scrape enough money to buy her own bar. With its jazzy score and first-person narration, When a Woman Ascends the Stairs has a noirish vibe but it certainly isn't noir at all. Though the film is tragic, what moved me so much was Keiko's character. She has a tough lot and her story is ultimately tragic, yet she is determined to keep going, even if life won't give her a break.

The Boy and the Heron (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 2023)

Miyazaki's current "last film" is certainly his most abstract and puzzling. I imagine it'll be one of his more divisive titles in the years to come, but count me among its fans. While being "in the know" regarding the current state of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki's 60+ year-long career in animation allows one to better appreciate the many allusions and themes within the film, it stands just fine on its own as a surrealistic adventure about grief and the power of art. Also, damn, I LOVE hand-drawn animation so much.

Black Cat (dir. Kaneto Shindo, 1968)

Kaneto Shindo's Black Cat is yet another confirmation of my feeling that horror pairs best with humor or heartbreak. While there are some morbidly funny moments, Black Cat is largely a devastating supernatural horror story about a young samurai who encounters two mysterious women in the woods, not realizing they are the ghosts of his murdered wife and mother. Even worse, they've sworn to kill any and all samurai they encounter, since their deaths were the result of raping, pillaging samurai-- but they remain human enough to desire an exception. I was creeped out thoroughly by the chilly atmosphere and imagery of this film. I liked it even better than Shindo's Onibaba and that was one of my favorites from 2022!

Malcolm X (dir. Spike Lee, 1992)

I usually dislike big movie biopics for being stuffy and formulaic. Malcolm X avoids both of these issues. Directed to the hilt by Spike Lee, this film is passionate and compelling, about as far from a stuffy Oscarbait biopic as you could imagine. Also, Denzel Washington is AMAZING in the titular role. Like, we're talking one of the best performances I have ever seen because not only is Washington convincing as Malcolm X, he also perfectly portrays his arc from zoot-suited young criminal to uncompromising activist leader. I was absolutely mesmerized the entire time-- it's a long movie that never feels its length and I'll definitely be revisiting it in the future.

The Kiss Before the Mirror (dir. James Whale, 1933)

James Whale’s horror movies are listed among the finest 1930s cinema had to offer, but his other works remain woefully overlooked. The Kiss Before the Mirror is a strange marital drama set in a dreamlike interwar Vienna. A lawyer defending a murderer who shot down his cheating wife comes to discover his own wife in the midst of a casual affair. Will this discovery lead to another killing? Despite the lurid plot elements, Kiss is closer to Kubrick’s introspective Eyes Wide Shut than a typical 1930s melodrama. Both husband and wife are complex characters struggling with destroyed illusions, making the story a hell of a lot more complex than you'd expect.

Five Miles to Midnight (dir. Anatole Litvak, 1962)

I am so glad I ignored the meh reviews on this one because I would have missed out on one of the best thrillers I've seen in years. Sophia Loren is a woman desperate to shake off her narcissistic, abusive husband played by Tony Perkins. When Perkins is wrongly believed dead in a plane crash, he hides out in Loren's apartment so they can collect the life insurance money, split the funds, then part amicably. This being a Hitchcock-style thriller, it doesn't work out that way. What sells the film is the psychological cat-and-mouse game between Loren and Perkins's miserable, mismatched married couple, and a noirish sense of doom lends a great deal of atmosphere.

Shoes (dir. Lois Weber, 1916)

Shoes is the best Lois Weber film I have yet seen and it still packs a wallop a century-plus since its initial release. Mary MacLaren plays a young woman single-handedly supporting her family on a five dollar a week salary. She wears shoes that are falling apart but can never seem to save enough for a new pair-- that is, until an unsavory way of getting the cash presents itself, much to her horror and temptation. This is a heartbreaking little film that showcases a lot of what I love about 1910s American cinema. There's less glamor in the settings and nothing at all genteel or cleaned up about the poverty on display. MacLaren is wonderful in the lead too, her performance a quietly compelling portrait of quiet desperation.

Jeopardy (dir. John Sturges, 1953)

Barbara Stanwyck was in such a wealth of films that I can forgive myself for not realizing this one even existed. After seeing it, it's easily in my top five favorite films of hers. On the surface, the plot sounds like fodder for sleazy sex fantasy: a housewife on vacation is kidnapped by a hot escaped convict. She's racing against time to save her husband from drowning after the tide comes in at the beach where he's trapped; the convict has a very specific price for any aid he's willing to offer. Stanwyck's characterization complicates the situation and the direction amps the tension to a breaking point. Great, great stuff!

Girlfriends (dir. Claudia Weill, 1978)

This film came across my path in a weirdly personal way. One of my sisters got engaged this year. We've been close all of our lives and shared an apartment for years, so this is going to be a big change for both of us. Girlfriends is about a young woman whose best friend is getting married, meaning she'll be on her own for the first time. In addition to making this adjustment, she's a photographer currently hired for weddings and bar mitzvahs, but dreaming of entering the larger world of art galleries. I guess you could say it's a 70s version of a quarter-life crisis film (Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha takes A LOT from it). The performances and direction are exceptional, having that unglamorous, lived-in vibe I love about the films of this period. It also just happened to come into my life at the most resonant time, so there's that.

Ivan the Terrible, Parts One and Two (dir. Sergei Eisenstein, 1945 and 1958)

As a person who hates the idea that realism is the only valid form for cinematic drama, Eisenstein's hyper-stylized Ivan the Terrible movies are a joy. The compositions are like something out of a painting, the acting is operatic, the writing mythic and sweeping. The dance number in Part II is one of my favorite scenes in any movie ever. Best of all, the films rise above their propagandist origins, becoming a fascinating study of institutional power set against individual charisma.

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (dir. Emilio Miraglia, 1972)

I've been getting more into giallo lately and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times is among the more memorable titles. You have the fashion world setting, a disguised murderer running around in a red cloak, over the top kills, a villainous junkie who looks like Bucky Barnes, a spooky castle with death traps, the works. It's a movie where I don't really care too much about the plot. It's the off-kilter, sinister atmosphere that draws me in, as with most giallo movies.

Little Miss Sunshine (dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, 2006)

It took Alan Arkin dying for me to finally get around to seeing this much beloved 2000s gem. I expected to only be interested in Arkin as the drug-addled, foul-mouthed grandpa, but the entire movie is so warm-hearted and hilarious that I fell in love with it whole hog. The characters are all quirky without being Quriky (tm), if you know what I mean. And I love the final message about just living your life and not worrying about whether or not you're "successful" in the eyes of society. An old theme to be sure, but done so, so well here. (Also, the mercilessly satirical jab at child beauty pageants is pure gold.)

Pom Poko (dir. Isao Takahata, 1994)

I feel like a lot of western anime fans only see Pom Poko as "lol that movie where the tanuki have comically oversized testicles." And yeah, that is indeed something in this movie but there's so much more. It's one of the boldest films I've ever seen, an "animated documentary" (to use Takahata's words) about a village of tanuki waging war against humankind's encroachment upon the natural world. It's such a genre grab-bag, critic Daniel Thomas' description fits it best: "The story weaves through slapstick comedy, social commentary, satire, surrealism, and tragedy. It changes moods much the way the tanuki change form, bending and molding into a new shape, and relentlessly moving forward." I still think Only Yesterday is Takahata's best film, but Pom Poko is strong competition and yet another film I can see myself rewatching many times to come.

Bullet Train (dir. David Leitch, 2022)

I still kick myself for not seeing this in the theater when it came out. Bullet Train is a wonderful lark of an action film. On first watch, I recall thinking it was like a live-action anime shot in a very Tarantino-esque style. I've seen it a few times now and I enjoy the hell out of it every time. And if you don't like it, well, you just might be a Diesel.

That Cold Day in the Park (dir. Robert Altman, 1969)

Another film with a so-so reputation that I really enjoyed. Sandy Dennis (who's gradually becoming one of my favorites with every performance I see from her) plays a virginal rich woman who takes in a handsome young guy one cold day. Her initial kindness quickly curdles into erotic obsession and her house guest has his own secrets. It's an early Robert Altman film and not his most polished work, but that makes it all the more fascinating to me. It's a creepy psychological thriller with a haunting ending, as well as an interesting time capsule of the late 1960s.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (dir. Russ Meyer, 1965)

Where has this movie been all my life?? It's a bizarre campfest about three criminally minded go-go dancers who romp across the California desert, strewing all kinds of havoc in their wake. It's such a strange movie that I don't know how to describe it properly: it's got a New Wave sensibility to it all the while indulging in exploitation B-movie nonsense. Definitely a fun film to watch with a group.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (dir. Chantal Akermann, 1975)

I finally bit the bullet to watch this one after it topped the 2022 Sight & Sound list. Do I think it's the greatest film of all time? No, but I don't like singling out any work of art for such a designation. Putting aside all the drama that ensued when this was granted GOAT status, Jeanne Dielman is a striking film. It's definitely not something you just throw on casually-- you need to set aside the time to watch it and be in the right headspace. My initial mild interest morphed into a sense of anxious dread as the film ground along its three hour runtime, its protagonist struggling to retain her total sense of self-possession and control as she's thrown off her groove by unexpected events.

The Wicked Lady (dir. Leslie Arliss, 1945)

This is not high art by any means. It's melodrama with a capital M, laying the cheese on thick. Margaret Lockwood plays a devious, scheming femme fatale in 18th century England who's a gold-digging noblewoman by day and a highwaywoman cavorting with bad boy James Mason by night. This is easily the most entertaining of the Gainsborough melodramas I've yet seen, dripping with soap opera antics, sumptuous costumes, and camp-a-plenty.

War and Peace (dir. Sergei Bondarchuk, 1966-1967)

There is no substitute for reading Tolstoy's massive novel, but this 1966 Soviet version is definitely a fine work in its own right. Filmed in three parts, it's about nine hours long and it does a good job capturing the interior lives of the characters in the source material. Everything about it is just breathtaking: the costumes, the sets, the massive numbers of extras during those battle scenes. It's the kind of intellectually and emotionally stirring epic that makes all those hours fly by.

The Sweet Smell of Success (dir. Alexander Mackendrick, 1957)

I often chafe when people act as though all 1950s American cinema were Leave it to Beaver wholesomeness and buttoned up repression. Some of the nastiest Hollywood movies I've ever seen came out of the 1950s and The Sweet Smell of Success is prime among them. Among the best of the late classic noir period, it follows Burt Lancaster as a popular but monstrous newspaper columnist who uses his power to control the lives of everyone around him, particularly his sister, to whom he has a borderline perverse attachment. The dialogue is as sharp ("You're dead, son. Get yourself buried." "I'd hate to take a bite out of you. You're a cookie full of arsenic.") and the cynicism as thick as the best of Billy Wilder. If you love noir, you can't miss out on this one.

What were your favorite film discoveries of 2023?

[genderfluid-insomniac]

I hope this request isn't too specific. It's also pretty silly.

Could I request a modern au of Diluc with a reader who used to be his highschool rival? Reader's always up to no good, super lazy, and has weird talents. Yet, somehow, she's still gets above average grades.

Diluc sees her again few years after graduating, working at a new, little bakery that many recommend for him. Poor Diluc felt his heart stop at how gorgeous she looks. As they converse, he realizes just how calm and gentle she's become and accidentally confesses in the middle of their conversation.

“What baking can do” /// Diluc x baker!reader modern AU (post highschool rivals)

Diluc decided to stop at the bakery for lunch during his break and noted a sign above him decorated with cats and paw prints. “Cats Tail, hm?” Briefly remembering the few arguments the owner had had with him about the wine industry he ran and silently hoping the place was quiet (or Diona would at least be gone), immediately being met with the scent of ground coffee and baked goods.

It….was quite pleasant, reminding him of early Sundays with his brother and father— “Hello! Welcome to the Cats Tail! How can I-“ The friendly voice slowly went quiet as he snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see a familiar face, someone he never thought he’d see again but even after all these years she is gorgeous. “Diluc?” “Name?”

The redhead’s heart almost stopped when his ex-rival smiled genuinely and stepped out from the counter, noticeably holding herself back from running across the room. The name looked more gentle and calm much different from the rebellious lazy troublemaker he knew in high school, their hair was pulled back and her name tag was clipped onto the front of her shirt.

“Hi? Sorry, it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.” Another moment of tense silence sat between them both before the young CEO was back in the real world, fighting the blush on his face as a part of him created mental images of you sitting with him in the park hand in hand. “Yes, I haven’t seen you since graduation. I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Name. A…friend…recommended this cafe to me saying it was delicious even if he wasn’t a huge fan of the cats.” Cursing himself for the awkwardness creeping in, another reason why he likes to stay out of the spotlight.

Now seeing small cuddle piles of cats napping in the sun and a pristine black cat sitting next to the register, finding it quite amusing his musical friend managed to step in here and reminded himself to ask for the story later. Name brightened up and nodded, nervously laughing and going back to the counter with him not far behind. “Of course! I was guessing that’s why you came here. Do you still like BLTs with light toasting on whole wheat?”

Diluc was visibly shocked before nodding slowly with a confused expression, “Yes, I do. But how-“ As Name was preparing the sandwich she continued the conversation and grabbed the necessary ingredients. “You passive-aggressively argued with the cafeteria about healthier food options and nearly got in trouble more times than you think. ‘Luc, I teased you for months about how uptight and fancy your meal was remember?” He did. Choosing to ignore how his heart sped up and face warmed at the old nickname you gave him.

“For your information, it wasn’t fancy. I just had better taste in food than you.” Name laughed and rolled her eyes when he started to rant about her terrible diet, how eating only junk food will kill you one day and unconsciously petting the Prince the black cat (who kept the customers company near the cashier). It warmed her heart, stealing glances at him and admiring Diluc’s longer hair in its high ponytail. Just barely catching the last thing he said.

“I mean not like I took your jabs to heart, I couldn’t even bring myself to hate you even if we were rivals. Not when you had my heart in your hands already…” He snapped his mouth shut and in panic looked straight at you, looking as red as his hair and nervous. Name nearly dropped the tray she was holding when she heard him and still had enough mental energy to put it down, walking over to him and smiling warmly at his almost silent muttering of apologies.

“I knew it.” He let the hand on his chin guide his gaze back to her and couldn’t find anything to say. “I-“ Nothing. She whispered, “May I?” and slowly leaned forward to press a quick sweet kiss on his lips once he nodded. “I think I’ll take the food for here.”

[natedogx15]

Miraculous Descendent Chapter 76: Investigation

Previous Chapter

It has been a few days since the meeting with Wang Cheng, and the group has started to take the idea of finding Hawkmoth more seriously. Right now, Marinette is transformed into Ladybug and has a new outfit based on Wang Cheng's suggestion.

The Seamstress outfit in question is far more on the wild side than any of her previous ones. She has a long-sleeved black jacket with red dots running along the sleeves and down the back, replacing her poncho. But that's not the only change. She has a holster on her body with multiple yo-yos attached to it. Her belt pouch is also bigger. On her pants are black claw marks instead of stripes. Her hair isn't short and is similar to her usual length again but tied in a single braid, hidden within her jacket. She'd look like a tracker in the wild if not for the vibrancy of her outfit. Her eyes are even slitted, like a wild animal's.

With this new outfit, Ladybug can track magic signatures from other Miraculous. She's tested it on the other members of Team Miraculous. It let her track their footprints. It's also further enhanced her senses and has given her a few more powers for tracking. However, it's still not providing her with anything to find Hawkmoth. She's gone to the places where they've fought Akumas. However, there's nothing for her to track with.

"It seems like this is a dead end." Ladybug sighs as she looks over the park where Juleka was Akumatized.

Cat Noir is next to her and watches as the girl searches.

"That's too bad." Cat Noir says as he looks disappointed as well.

"I guess it makes sense. It's like how scents disappear after a while." Ladybug states, causing Cat Noir to nod.

"I guess we'll have to wait for the next Akuma and hope we can use this to find out where the butterfly came from." Cat Noir states before an idea pops up in his head.

"What if we let the butterfly 'escape' and it leads us to Hawkmoth?" Cat Noir asks while making air quotes at escape.

Ladybug quickly shakes her head, remembering Tikki's warning about letting the butterflies escape and return to Hawkmoth.

"That's a bad idea. Tikki warned me about what could happen if the butterflies get away." Ladybug tells him, causing Cat Noir to grow curious.

"What did she say?" He asks, causing Ladybug to shrug.

"She didn't say anything. She only warned me not to let them get away." She explains, causing Cat Noir's curiosity to grow along with his worry.

"So, don't let the butterflies go, got it." He nods before the two jump off to explore the city for possible magic signatures.

While doing this, Cat Noir looks at his teammate curiously.

"How do you think the others are doing with their investigations?" He asks, causing Ladybug to shrug.

"I'm not sure. We'll find out later." She tells him before the two return to their investigation.

Meanwhile, Canine is lying on a rooftop a few buildings away from the bakery while using binoculars to observe Chloe. While Ladybug focuses on using her new outfit to find Hawkmoth, she's been testing her theory about Chloe and André. So far, though. She hasn't learned anything remotely incriminating. Which she's both happy and angry about. She's glad to know her ex-friend, or her father, doesn't seem to be working with Hawkmoth and is mad that they still haven't found anything about the villain despite having theories and more options now.

With a heavy sigh, Canine puts the binoculars down before looking below at the bakery entrance. Since André took that picture with Cat Noir, more people have been showing up. She's not exactly sure if that's a good or bad thing.

"Even if he is Hawkmoth, when would he find time to create a villain when he's so busy?" Canine questions as she watches André rapidly move behind the counter to finish all the orders he's getting.

Her mind can't help but reminisce about the times she used to go there as a kid while she and Chloe were still friends.

A younger Sabrina and Chloe are in Chloe's room, giggling as they play with dolls. As they play, André suddenly enters the room with a plate of cookies and a bright smile.

"Here's something for you princesses to enjoy while stuck in your tower," André kindly says as he sets the cookies down for the two young girls.

"Thanks, Daddy." Chloe thanks her father with a bright smile as she takes one and munches on it.

"Thank you, Mr. Bourgeois," Sabrina says in a somewhat shy tone as she takes one of the cookies to enjoy.

"There's no need to be so formal, Sabrina. You're my daughter's friend and part of the family. Please, call me André." André pleads with the girl, causing her to smile at him before nodding.

"Alright." She says brightly.

That memory causes Canine to bite her lip slightly. She then decides it might be best to go with a different approach to her investigation. One that will let her talk to André while getting some of those treats she remembers from childhood.

She quickly jumps off the roof and looks around to see if anyone is watching her. When she realizes no one is around, she changes out of her superhero outfit and gets in line for the bakery.

"I wonder how the others are doing?" She thinks as she patiently waits for her turn to order.

At the Kubdel household, Alix is looking through her dad's home office while he's away. She wants to see if he has anything else involving the Miraculous that he may or may not know about. She's been rummaging through the different journals he keeps and looking through his notes. However, she doesn't see anything related to the Miraculous, making it seem more and more like her father doesn't know the panjas bracelet is one.

"Could he really have not known? But he said it was an heirloom." Alix mutters as she continues to read through one of the journals.

"What are you doing in here, Alix?" Jalil's voice suddenly asks, causing the girl to jump and throw the book up.

She quickly catches the book before placing it behind her back. She then looks toward her skeptical brother, who holds a hand to the doorknob.

"Didn't Dad tell you not to come back to the house early?" Alix asks her brother to try changing the topic.

"I asked you first. Why are you in Dad's office? You know he doesn't like you being in here after you almost destroyed something." He tells the girl, causing her mind to race as she tries to figure out what to say.

"I needed a pen for something and got sidetracked." That is all she can say after a moment of thinking.

Jalil seems to believe that. He knows his sister gets bored easily while doing things, and she'll sometimes look through things she's not supposed to.

"Fine. I won't say anything as long as you don't tell him I was here." Jalil says before closing the door to the office, causing Alix to release a sigh of relief.

"Jeez. Of course, he chooses not to listen to Dad today." She mutters as she takes the book from behind her back and re-opens it.

However, there's nothing helpful to her in it. The girl is growing more frustrated as she searches. Nothing is helping her find out anything about her father's past. Now that she thinks about it. Whenever someone asks her dad about his past, he always says he has trouble remembering. She never put much thought into it until now. The idea that Hawkmoth did something to him to cause this causes her to growl as she clenches the book in her hand harder.

If there's one thing everyone in the class knows about Alix, it's how she's protective of her friends and family. Which is why she's hoping Chloe is working with Hawkmoth. It'll give her a good reason to beat the girl up as payback for everything she's done, especially to Max and Kim. However, she puts those thoughts aside for a moment to keep investigating. Since there's nothing in her father's office, something might be in his room.

His room is relatively simple, but things like carpets from different cultures are attached to the walls. It does show his career as a historian.

Alix walks into the room without care and starts looking for something to shed more light on her father's situation. She looks through some old documents he keeps in desk drawers. Sadly, most of it is about work. She then checks under his bed for anything hidden. However, there's nothing too interesting under there. She then checks his closet. It takes her a while, but she finds an old box in the back left corner.

What she finds in the box are keepsakes her dad kept while growing up. There's even a yearbook from his graduating year of high school. To Alix's surprise, it's not a school in France.

"Dad grew up in England?" Alix questions as she stares at the photo of a younger version of Alim Kubdel.

The photo is in a dark blue book with an English name along with the name of a city in England. Alix snickers slightly as she stares at her father's photo because he looks like Jalil.

"I wonder if he was as obsessed as Jalil?" Alix muses before getting back on track. She looks through the rest of her father's stuff and finds something interesting.

It's a picture frame. Inside is a photo of a younger Alim Kubdel with his friends. However, Alix notices that he's wearing the Tiger Miraculous in the picture. Another thing to note is that they're in the exact poses of the heroes in Gabriel's picture, with other Miraculous wielders. Alim is in the same position as the Tiger wielder.

"Huh, I'll have to ask Dad about that." Alix thinks as she stares at the photo.

Alim looks happy with his friends. Possibly happier than Alix has ever seen him before. She guesses that's what happens when you get older. However, the photo itself is still important to her. It shows her father wearing the Miraculous in his past. He might have used it at some point. It's not the Miracle Box, which was impossible for people before Marinette and Nate to solve. So, she pockets the photo before putting the picture frame back and setting the box back in its place in the closet.

But before she can exit her father's room, though. The front door creaks open. Alix's eyes widen in terror as she quickly jumps behind the bed. Jalil's shoes appear for her to see while peaking toward the door from the under gap. She then hears him release a breath of relief.

"Good, she's not here, either. Looks like she went to see her friends. Now, where are my papyrus?" Jalil asks himself as he snoops around the room, causing Alix to growl.

"Of course, he tries to find his stupid papyrus when I'm looking for stuff. Why now?" She mutters to herself in a quiet enough voice that Jalil doesn't hear.

"I'll bet you wish you used the second power I gave you for this," Roaar states in a surprisingly quiet tone as she appears in front of Alix's face.

Alix rolls her eyes at the Kwami's jab before noting that Jalil's feet are getting closer to the bed. Knowing that her brother will look under it for his dumb scrolls, she quickly bolts for the desk across the room before he's looking under. Luckily, Alix manages to move in time. Seeing her brother distracted and that he left the door open, she doesn't waste any time escaping. When she feels she's gotten far enough from her snooping brother, she pumps her fist with a victorious grin.

"Ha, who's not sneaky now, Sabrina?" Alix proudly says.

She then walks out of the apartment to show the other heroes the photo she manages to snag. She's confident she's the first to get any evidence about one of their theories. The others probably haven't found anything interesting yet. Otherwise, she would have gotten a call or something.

Back with Sabrina, she makes it to the front of the line after waiting for a while. When André sees the glasses-wearing girl, he gains a far more real smile, happy to see his daughter's old friend.

"Sabrina, it's amazing to see you again after so long. You've grown so much, as well." André kindly compliments her, causing Sabrina to give him an awkward smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Bourgeois." Sabrina accepts the compliment.

"Please, call me André. So, how have you been?" André asks as he takes a moment to talk to the girl, wanting to catch up with the girl despite the problems she and Chloe have had.

"I've been alright. School is keeping me busy." Sabrina nods to the man with a less awkward smile as she gets used to talking to the man again.

"That's good. I'm glad you're getting a good education. Chloe has been getting perfect grades lately." André reveals with a proud smile, getting another nod from Sabrina.

"I know; she's probably one of the best in our class." Sabrina nods, unsure about whether Chloe or Max are on top.

"I'm so proud of her. She's doing great for herself. I know she'll go far in the future with how hard she works. Since she lost that fashion contest, she's been working harder to improve her skills." André reveals with a proud smile, not surprising Sabrina.

Chloe has always been competitive. So, her working harder to crush Marinette isn't unexpected. She is worried Chloe is neglecting her health because of that, though.

"Is she doing okay?" Sabrina voices her concerns for the girl, causing André to smile.

"Don't worry; I've been checking up on her to make sure she's getting sleep," André promises, causing the girl to sigh in relief.

Despite everything, she's glad her old friend is alright. She then looks back at André and inspects his person for anything that might be a Miraculous. However, she doesn't see any jewelry on him. But André isn't wearing any jewelry right now. Sabrina guesses that's because he's working. If he is Hawkmoth, he might have his Miraculous hidden somewhere.

"Has everything been okay with the bakery?" Sabrina asks as she steps to the side to continue their conversation while letting André continue to serve customers with his various pastries and sweets.

"Stupendous! Ever since Cat Noir came by, business has been booming. I'm thankful for him. Business was getting slow before then." André happily tells Sabrina as he hands another bag over to a customer.

The treats he's been giving people are Cat Noir face-shaped pastries. They're his most popular item now.

"I'm glad to hear that." Sabrina honestly says, despite her uncertainty about how moral what André is doing is.

"Thank you. Is there anything I can get you? Would you like to see Chloe?" André asks while motioning to the stairwell to Chloe's room.

"No, no, no. I was just taking a walk and saw your bakery. I thought I would visit since it's been so long." Sabrina explains while shaking her head, to André's disappointment.

"That's too bad. I would have loved to have you and Chloe talk again. Let me at least get you something to eat on your way out." André states before grabbing a couple of sweets for Sabrina and giving them to her in a bag.

"Thank you." She thinks him with a smile as she takes the bag before preparing to leave.

"No problem. Come back any time." André tells her with a smile as he watches the girl go.

As Sabrina leaves, she thinks about André's attitude. It doesn't seem like he's Hawkmoth. It doesn't look like he has any time to create a supervillain and control them.

Later that day, the heroes meet in a cafe in their civilian identities. They're each enjoying the sweets André gave Sabrina.

"So, you couldn't find anything with the new costume?" Alix asks in disappointment as she rests her head in one of her hands while eating a pastry with the other.

"No. We didn't find anything." Marinette sighs before taking a sip of her drink.

"Did you guys find anything?" Adrien asks as he looks at the other two.

Sabrina shakes her head.

"I went into the bakery to get a better look, but André wasn't wearing any jewelry," Sabrina states, causing Marinette to nod.

"That makes sense. You shouldn't wear jewelry while in the kitchen. It might fall into the food while it's cooking. My mom doesn't wear any when she's working." She explains to Sabrina.

"So, we'll still have to keep an eye on him?" Adrien curiously asks, causing Marinette to nod.

"For now, yeah. At least until I can use the new suit to find something, or you two unlock a new ability." Marinette says while pointing to him and Alix.

"How do we even do that?" Alix questions with a raised eyebrow.

"You have to grow in some way or achieve something incredible," Marinette explains what Tikki told her about getting a new power.

"That doesn't help me much." Alix sighs before taking another bite of her food.

She then sets it down before reaching into her pocket to show the group the picture she found in her father's room.

"I found this in my dad's room. It was in the corner of his closet." Alix says while setting it in the middle of the table so everyone can see it.

"A picture of your dad in high school?" Adrien questions, causing Alix to sigh before pointing at the panjas bracelet.

"No, a picture of my dad in high school wearing the Miraculous," Alix states while tapping the photo.

"Oh, you're right." He says in surprise as he sees the bracelet.

"What does that prove? Roaar could have just not talked to him." Sabrina points out, remembering Wang Cheng's talk about the Miracle Box.

"It shows that he was wearing it for a long time. He might have used the Miraculous at some point. It shows that he might be under a spell that made him forget everything." Alix says while tapping on the photo again to emphasize her point.

Hearing this causes everyone to nod. Marinette mentally lists how their leads are going so far. Searching for Hawkmoth with her new costume and investigating André isn't helping much. But at least Alix's lead seems to be giving them something.

"I guess we'll start with your dad then. It doesn't seem like Hawkmoth will create any Akumas today." Marinette states as the group gets up before Alix stops them.

"Do you think we could do this at night? Dad is always busy during the day. I don't want to disturb his work." Alix tells the group, knowing how hard her father's job is.

Sabrina doesn't look like she likes this since she wants to find Hawkmoth as soon as possible, but Marinette gives Alix an understanding expression.

"I'm alright with it. What about you two?" Marinette asks as she turns to the other Miraculous wielders.

"I'm fine with that. What's a few more hours?" Adrien asks with a smile.

Seeing the other two agree with Alix's request, Sabrina sighs before reluctantly agreeing. She doesn't want to start any more fights within the group and does see Adrien's point about how a few more hours won't hurt them.

"Alright. We can wait a few hours. It's not like we don't stay up at night to have our meetings already." Sabrina sighs.

Hearing this causes Alix to sigh in relief.

Later that day, as the sun sets, Chloe sits in her room while working on one of her designs. Specifically, she's trying to improve the design of her failure bowler hat.

"This will surpass Cheng-Dupain's stupid design by a mile. When Mom sees this, she'll completely forget about that hat when she sees it at the fashion show." Chloe mutters as she works on the sketch for the new hat.

However, she immediately tosses her sketchbook aside when she hears her phone letting her know her mom is texting her. In less than a second, she opens her phone and looks at the messages between her and her mom with bated breath. To her surprise and joy, her mother actually sends a message this time. However, that joy changes into shock as she reads the message.

And you think these are worth notice

That's what the message states. Before Chloe can type anything, her mother is already typing more. Each message is like a gut punch to Chloe.

It doesn't matter if you have good grades! That's not thing exceptional! Anyone without a life can achieve that!

Seeing this causes Chloe to look at all the A+ test papers she keeps in a stack to remind her of her school achievements.

And why do you look so happy holding that pathetic trophy!?

All it shows is that you've done nothing but sit around with nothing better to do!

Hearing that causes Chloe to flinch. She's pretty proud of that achievement, even if she has to share it with Max. However, reading her mother's messages about it causes her to look at her video games uncertainly. Has she really been wasting her time on them? They've been something that's helped keep her going for so long.

And don't get me started on your designs!

You didn't even manage to win Gabriel's contest!

Pathetic, utterly pathetic!

Those last messages especially hit Chloe hard compared to the others. Hearing her mother insult her designs, things she's worked tirelessly on to impress the woman, makes Chloe heartbrokenly collapse to her knees. She has a broken expression as she stares at the ceiling. It's not despair. It's more confusion and tiredness. It's like she doesn't know how to react. She can't bring herself to think of anything.

She stays like this for a while, totally devoid of emotions. It takes a few minutes for her mind to reboot. When it finally does, she immediately feels the impact of her mother's words hit her like a truck. Heartbroken tears build in the corners of her eyes as she lets out a wail that would belong to a child.

Her life has focused on getting her mother to acknowledge her and return to Paris to meet her father again. But all of that seems to have been for nothing. As she cries, she looks at the pictures of Ladybug and other Team Miraculous members she has posted on her wall.

"I-if only I was like them!? Why can't I be exceptional enough to be admired by her?!" She cries as she bangs her fist on the floor.

Feeling these strong negative emotions and the underlying feelings of jealousy toward the heroes within her sadness, Gabriel can't resist escaping his office to Akumatize Chloe.

"A hard worker who's efforts have proven to be for naught. I feel for you, young one. I will give you the power to be like those you admire and to take them down so you're the only one seen as exceptional." Hawkmoth promises as he creates a butterfly and sends it after Chloe.

The butterfly soon arrives as Chloe cries into a ring she wishes is a Miraculous. The girl doesn't notice while in her turmoil. It's not until Hawkmoth's voice hits her.

"Antibug. It's good to hear from you again. I'm here to offer you my power once again. However, you'll be far more exceptional this time. Your previous powers won't hold a candle to what I'm willing to give you now. Prove you're better than your idols by getting me their Miraculous." Hawkmoth orders as his influence corrupts the unstable girl's mind.

"Yes, Hawkmoth." She states in a neutral, zombified tone as the black smoke envelops her.

When the smoke clears, Chloe appears dressed in Ladybug's Reverse Seams costume.

[delicatebluebirdruins]

the creeping shadow reread

30th October

6 I hope Lucy kept the mirror for some reason

11 Poor Ted and Tina, lmao Dave "an angry tree stump"

Thursday 31st October

21 it IS an honest profession Skull

24 "Lucy, Lucy... it nevers end well"

33 "Lucy has been gone ages" bless Dave

37 adults can be helpful not this one

49 interesting word choice bud "why don't you hook-up with Anthony Lockwood again?" and why do we need a rating Harold? why would you need a rating of danger when you're going to destroy the Source????

60 is it Lockwood? Yeah it is "As I met his gaze, he smiled- and that smile was a world away from the 100-gigawatt version you saw in the papers. It was warm but somehow hesitant, as if it hadn't been used recently" it'd be so funny if she just closed the door on him, also the specific type of mess? him holding her laundry? I would rather die

66 I loved the tea making scene in the first read of this book and I love it now

70 just like how I love Lucy wanting Lockwood to beg for her return to the company "on bended knee"

[hey guys I wonder how this scene would play out in the show would we see Lockwood approach her door? or would we see him leave and smile at the baby steps I want option two because Cameron has an adorable smile]

74 Poor Georgie "George was pretty cut up about it"

76 hey more Listeners for my glossary card and the wiki

80 hey a Lockwood smile

85 complimenting Marissa

96 "mad and bad" just the way you lunatics like it right? "Penelope Fittes knew I had a reputation too." hahaha

103 "Studious unconcern" what are you think about bud?

108 black market hunting

111 was Holly going to ask what Lucy found in Jessica's room? (I think I had the same question last time as well)

Friday 1st November 2024

115 so glad we can't see Guppy

126 What's up Skull? "for a moment I thought I felt..."

131 Kipps being punished for being independent

134 big guy indeed

154 lmao Kipps "what do you idiots want now?"

157 happy Lucy "I couldn't help smiling back at him"

160 crowbars whoop!

176 "You waltzed off on a whim and left us to pick up the pieces"

184 I love this description and the emotional lockdown Lucy is on realising her place was broken into and the Skull was gone

191 "what's that rank smell?" Now is not the time + comments that kind of ruin the tension a little bit

195 (chapter 12) such an innocent picture of a guy sitting on bench enjoying the sun

202 chilling moment "its lifeless occupant with the twisted, broken neck"

206 I wonder what would have happened if she used her torch sparingly (and as a weapon? blinding her pursuers?)

218 Lockwood and George going overboard on dressing her wound

222 this hurts very much them keeping her room the same but also storage the idea of Holly staying over and where she would be staying

249 Lockwood not sharing the plan again and lmao Holly "it was like a bomb went off" like she knew Lucy wasn't the tidiest of people at the best of times so she had to realise. Also Lucy avoiding Lockwood's eyes is so funny

253 Poor kitty cats fuck Rotwell

260 folklore is so interesting and I want to know more about their research

264 Did Holly realise Lockwood was why Lucy left and making him look like that is her revenge?

270 what's moving in Flo's bag?

275 Hope the kid is okay?

281 I love you Skull and yes Lockwood and Lucy are dense

2nd Nov 2024

283 "missed you so much Lucy"

289 Ding! Ding dots are connected

291 Leopold recognising Lucy is great

294 Bless Flo

296 "Scariest of the lot" yeah Mrs Winkman is scary in that she doesn't really look it

299 "he pulled me to him" as things exploded

313 compliments "You're an amazing agent, Lucy"

316 "I found Lucy" adorable and I bet you flushed Lucy

321 the secretary is very sweet but alas is a tosser of the Orpheus Society

325 what did happen at the opening of Mrs Barret's coffin?

326 Immortal you say? interesting word choice

328 Jaw dropped competition

342 Fight the kid... do it

348 It is a bit severe execution for selling rotten meat pies

353 "spooning his stew round and round, as if by some alchemy it might become edible" I know that feeling Kipps

357 Electrical interference ding! ding!

363 RIP model ship

378 Lmao Lockwood does have a reputation

380 I love this smile

394 what is Lockwood thinking? "We could always do something much simpler"... when were you guys holding hands?

406 clever boys asking questions of all these coincidences

423 recognition "they stared at the baton, open-mouthed"

425 this is bad "we were loyal enough" and I really can't pinpoint why other than "you have to tell him no"

429 "oh God. Yes" lmao

437 "it was ugly, heavy, brutally functional" and very unwieldy

442 lmao Skull and into the unknown

449 why not name the Fetch instead of saying "a ghost"

450 Locklyle shipping "I'm glad I've got you with me. I think you keep me safe if anything. Right then, the cape wasn't the only thing that kept me warm"

469 Skull helping is great

475 I love George

481 love Lockwood saving Kipps

485 Suck it Steve

496 I love Holly

500 Chips are nice

503 Danny is very cute

510 why not both? Skull enjoys the view and gets to scare the toddlers next door and yes it is awkward

520 fuck off Rupert and always find information

524 Leave Kipps alone

528 dun,dun,dun

[ga-yuu]

WARNING! This story contains mentions of child abuse, gambling addiction and violence.

----Part 1-----

Sueharu: "Yoshino."

His voice which is supposed to be good at hiding his real emotions, was...

It melts in the night wind as if to restrain something.

Sueharu: "You're right."

Sueharu: "When the war between the Shogunate and the Rebels starts, I will be your enemy by default no matter what."

Sueharu: "Even though I don't like that, it's a sentiment that is not appropriate for a black merchant."

(I don't know what Sueharu-san meant......but this much is certain)

Yoshino: "Please don't say that it's not appropriate."

Yoshino: "Whether you're an enemy, a black merchant or anything else..."

Yoshino: "Sueharu-san is Sueharu-san and I want to know how you feel...."

Sueharu: "No."

Sueharu: "I've survived to this day by being something other than me."

His eye glows in the dark of night as a sign of his strength.

But soon, the eyelashes were downcast as if to hide everything...

(Yeah. It means, I can't step in any further)

The sad reality struck me.

Sueharu: "Tomorrow we will deal with the leaders of bandits and trading company we've captured."

Sueharu: "We also have Sadakatsu-sama in custody 'peacefully' and I'm sure his background checks will end without a hitch."

Yoshino: "...Okay."

I nodded my head in agreement with Sueharu-san, who changed the subject without hesitation.

Sueharu: "Once you go back to Kamakura and I go back to Hiraizumi...."

Yoshino: "The next time we meet, it will be on the battlefield."

(If there was a way to avoid the Great War......what am I even saying?)

-----Options-----

It doesn't mean that the memories will disappear...

I'll miss you.

I understand.

--------

Yoshino: "But that doesn't erase the memories of the present."

Sueharu: "Memories can be troublesome sometimes, right?"

Sueharu-san spoke quietly and playfully scooped a tuft of my hair.

Sueharu: "Sleep here tonight, Yoshino."

Yoshino: "Eh...?"

Sueharu: "I've saved a room next door for you, but sleeping alone tonight might give me nightmares of you being kidnapped."

Sueharu: "I won't do anything. You can sleep next to me soundly, until next morning."

(....To be honest, I too feel scared of sleeping alone tonight)

Yes, I'm safe right now.

But the violence that happened infront of me, is still fresh in my mind.

Yoshino: "......Are you by any chance worried about me?"

Sueharu: "Come on, I'm not that nice."

After that, we got ready for bed.

Sueharu-san and I lay down on separate futons.

Sueharu: "Goodnight, Yoshino."

Yoshino: ".....Goodnight, Sueharu-san."

In the darkness, with the candles extinguished, we both turn our backs to each other.

After a while, I was a bit curious and looked back....

I saw him sleeping with his body curled up like a stray cat.

(I wonder if he always sleeps like that)

I suddenly thought of Sueharu-san, who said he is 'light sleeper' the night I was abducted in Kamakura...

Next morning-------

Sueharu: "Well, now we have all the right people."

----Part 2----

Sueharu: "Well, now we have all the right people."

The leader of the trading company, the bandits and Sadakatsu-sama.

They were brought before us by Sueharu-san's men.

Sueharu: "Yoshino. If you're scared, you can go over there, okay?"

Yoshino: "No! I want to be present until the end."

Sueharu: "Mm. Okay."

Then-----

Morinaga: "Sorry sorry. I hope you guys weren't waiting too long, right?"

Sueharu: "We were."

Benkei: "Don't be rude, Sueharu."

Sueharu: "Sorry, Benkei."

Morinaga: "What's with this unfair treatment?"

Yoshino: "Morinaga-san, Benkei. Thank you for your hard work!"

I bowed to both of them as they walked in.

Morinaga: "Yoshino, I heard what happened to you last night."

Morinaga: "I'm glad you're safe."

Yoshino: "Morinaga-san.......thank you."

Benkei: "I'm sorry to hear that. If I had known, I would have at least given you a hand."

Yoshino: "It's fine. Sueharu-san came to my rescue."

Morinaga: "!"

Morinaga: "Did something happen? Sueharu. Yoshino?"

Yoshino: "Eh!?"

Sueharu: "Hm?"

Benkei: ".......?"

Morinaga: "No, it's just that...when we walked in, the atmosphere around you guys changed. It's just that... I have this hunch?"

Sueharu: "Don't say it's your hunch. It's annoying..."

(Morinaga-san is very sharp....)

Sadakatsu: "Hey you!!....What are you talking about!? Untie me this instance!"

Sadakatsu: "Do you know who my father is? Did you think he would remain silent after he finds out about this...!?"

Sadakatsu-sama tried to sit up and cried out,

Sueharu: "Speaking of your father."

Sueharu: "The evidence of your involvement with the bandits, albeit indirectly..."

Sueharu: "In addition to that, the gambling records and other illegal records we got our hands on after we seized your residence and other mansions. I have shown him everything."

Sueharu: "He said he would rather disown you forever than paying off your penalty for breaking your contract with me."

Sadakatsu: "Ngh."

(That's so merciless...)

Morinaga: "That's not the investigation I had in mind."

Benkei: "This ain't an investigation anymore. They have already captured everyone involved and seized evidence."

Morinaga: "Sadakatsu-sama, looks like you cannot stand all high and mighty without your family's backing..."

(Morinaga-san and Benkei no longer have to hide...)

Sueharu: "What a pity. As for Sadakatsu-sama, it wasn't supposed to happen this way in the first place."

Sueharu: "It was entirely Sadakatsu-sama's own fault that he had to pay for the breach of contract..."

Sadakatsu: "Tch...."

Leader of bandits: "Shit...why are you doing this to us? We're not just any bandits! Our company is..."

Sueharu: "You all are the same. You all cannot stand on your own without a backing, huh?"

Sueharu-san takes out a letter from his pocket and shows it to the leader.

Leader of bandits: "That is..."

Sueharu: "Letter of excommunication from your company. I received this morning."

-----Part 3-----

Sueharu: "Letter of excommunication from your company. I received this morning."

Sueharu: "They've decided to stop giving you money or connections so you cannot go back to the underworld."

Leader of bandits: "....What the hell!!?"

Sueharu: "If you hadn't made the first move, the company would might have covered for you. It's too late for regrets now."

(The last one is...)

Naturaly, everyone's eyes turned to the head of the trading company.

Leader of trading company: "S-Sorry. I laid my hands on you."

Leader of trading company: "From now on, I won't touch you anymore. So...."

Sueharu: *sighs* "Doing this again, are we?"

Sueharu-san raises one hand lightly to stop him.

Sueharu: "Don't get me wrong. Your apologies and pleas for help won't do me any good."

Sueharu: "It's just, you know, this is the way for people like us."

Sueharu: "That's why I'm going to hunt you down to the ends of the earth and stop you. Even if it's a hassle."

A cold, suffocating spirit fills the room.

Sueharu: "Time is money. If you've got time for idle chatter, why don't try to remember some useful info for me before you die?"

Sueharu: "We do have a general idea of the flow of funds and multiple forms of gambling."

Sueharu-san flips through the ledgers piled up in the room as evidence.

Sueharu: "However...there was one instance that has been completely erased from the records of what the bet was about."

Yoshino: "Erased?"

Benkei: "Did you do anything that was so illegal to be known?"

Morinaga: "Smells fishy."

Sueharu-san crouched down in front of the three silent people.

Sueharu: "You guys. You've got a lot of people holding grudges against you."

Sueharu: "What will happen if I sell you into the dark with my guarantee that I'll destroy any evidence of what you've done?"

Sueharu: "Maybe there will be a rush of buyers."

(Nn....)

Benkei: "Oi."

Sueharu: "Benkei, be quiet. Even you can't interfere in my business."

Morinaga: "............"

(Maybe he's not just threatening them, maybe he really meant it)

Sueharu-san had a pressure that made us think so.

The faces of three people turned pale.

Sueharu: "I'm going to ask you one last time. What are you guys hiding from us about this betting?"

Leader of bandit: ".....C-Cockfighting."

Sueharu: "......................What?"

(Cockfighting is when chickens fight each other and people bet on which one will win, right?)

Morinaga: "I don't see the point in hiding a simple cockfighting..."

Sueharu: "---Where are they?"

(Sueharu-san.......?)

Benkei: "Sueharu!"

Sueharu-san raised his hand.

A small sword was held to the throat of the bandit's leader.

Leader of bandits: "Ngh."

Sueharu: "Show me where you keep the chickens. If you try anything fishy, I'll kill you on the spot."

-----Part 4-----

Sueharu: "Show me where you keep the chickens. If you try anything fishy, I'll kill you on the spot."

Leader of bandits: "T-That's..."

(I wonder what's wrong....Sueharu-san's behaviour is different from usual)

Both Benkei and Morinaga-san were looking at him worriedly.

We decided to follow Sueharu-san, who didn't explain anything further.

....And soon we all witnessed the hell on earth.

(Where are we...?)

The bandits' leader led Sueharu-san to an old mansion deep in the mountains.

Sadakatsu-sama and the leader of trading company also staggered down the corridor with their hands restrained and being watched.

Sueharu: "There doesn't seem to be any residents."

Benkei: "Is there no one here except the guard I just knocked down?"

Leader of bandit: "Yes. Only a few number of people go in and out of here to manage the chickens."

The leader of bandits, replied while looking at Sueharu-san's silent face.

A short time later, we reached a dark corner at the back of the mansion's basement....

Yoshino: "This is-----"

Morinaga and Benkei: ".....!"

Sueharu: "........."

A number of dirty, scarred and young children were locked up inside a prison.

Kid 1: "Who..a-are you...?"

Kid 2: "....please, don't kill us.."

Kid 3: "..........."

(Why are these children here!?)

Sueharu: "The chickens."

Yoshino: "Eh...."

Morinaga-san's face frowned painfully.

Morinaga: ".....So that's what you meant, when you said 'cockfighting'."

Benkei: "You asshole! Explain yourself!"

Benkei grabs the bandit's leader by his sleeve and roars at him.

Leader of bandits: "....We just catch children who are orphans and let them kill each other. That's cockfighting."

My head goes blank, as if I had been hit on the back of my head.

Leader of bandits: "We do it irregularly. Our clients are super strict about it too...."

(Tell me, this is not true.....I didn't know such a terrible thing could happen)

Leader of trading company: "H-Hey, stop..."

Leader of bandits: "Shut up! Don't listen to him, sir! I'll tell you everything you want to hear..."

Sueharu: ".........."

Sueharu-san remained silent, with no emotion on his face.

Yoshino: "Why would you do this?"

Leader of bandits: "Rich people with bad taste go crazy for such entertainment."

Leader of bandits: "Originally, it was ten..no twenty years ago, but whatever. There was a record of cockfighting that took place."

Leader of bandits: "This guy found out about it from somewhere, and that's how it started."

Benkei: "....So you're the root of all evil."

Anger flared in Benkei's eyes.

Sadakatsu: "I just found the record! I simply shared it with them but this guy! He was the one who suggested I try it...."

The leader of trading company jumps up when Sadakatsu-sama accuses him with a glance.

Leader of trading company: "I was just excited when I heard about the huge sums of money on offer, but....wasn't it Sadakatsu-sama who became obsessed?"

(....What about the lives of the children you were betting on?)

I clenched my fists in anger and sadness.

Yoshino: "----Please, give me the keys. I want to let these children out, right now."

Leader of bandits: "Keys....I think the keys are with----"

Sueharu: "Benkei."

Benkei: "Got it."

------Part 5------

Sueharu: "Benkei."

Benkei: "Got it."

Benkei walks up to the prison bars and looks at the children.

Benkei: "Stay back. It's dangerous."

Children: "...Nn.."

The children moved away from the bars as if they were scared of Benkei.

Benkei: "Haah!"

(!?)

Benkei's fist grabs the lock and breaks it making a tremendous noise.

(That's an incredible strength....)

Sueharu-san then unlocked gate.

Yoshino: "Thank you!"

I rushed into the prison and approached the trembling children in the corner.

Yoshino: "Are you all okay...? Don't worry, we're here to get you all out."

Kid 1: "......Are you....are you not here to hurt us?"

Yoshino: "Of course not. I'll never do something like that!"

I hold back my tears and smile, expressing my feelings to the best of my ability.

Yoshino: "I'm a pharmacist. First, let me treat your wounds. Then we'll all have a meal, okay?"

Sueharu: "..................."

Sueharu-san quietly watched us from the distance, as I look after the children.

After examining the children.

Sueharu-san sent his subordinates to pick up the food.

Morinaga: "To do such things to these children....don't you have any shame Sadakatsu-sama?"

Sadakatsu: "The more extreme the bet is, the more fun it is, right?...Once you get used to it, normal betting is not that exciting anymore."

Impaitently, Sadakatsu-sama spoke.

Sadakatsu: "Orphans who are left alone, will die anyways....right?"

Sadakatsu: "Look at Kichiji-san. As a black merchant, he also knows about cockfighting..."

Leader of trading company: "Yes! We can work together and create a bigger gambling house..."

Sueharu: "Shut up!"

Morinaga and Benkei: "....!"

Yoshino: "Sueharu-san....?"

Sueharu: "I didn't realize that this shitty bet had been resurrected."

Sueharu-san's voice, as he held one hand against his eye patch, was a very cold one I have ever heard.

Sueharu: "It's unpleasant. It reminds me of my shitty past."

Morinaga: "Past? .....! Wait, you mean!?"

Sueharu-san, slowly removed his eye patch.

Sueharu: "I'm a survivor of the old cockfighting."

Everyone gasps, unable to utter a word.

(Sueharu-san was in the same situation as these kids...)

Sueharu: "The people involved at the time thought they'd made it all square because they'd gone round and wiped the slate clean."

Sueharu: "But I guess you can't escape fate, huh?"

Sueharu-san puts back his eyepatch.

Benkei: "Sueharu, you..."

Sueharu: "Now."

A small sword gleamed in Sueharu-san's hand.

Sueharu: "Unfortunately for you...this has nothing to do with profit or loss. This is my personal feelings."

Sueharu: "I will crush all those who trample on miserable children with their power of money."

Disturbed Heart - Premium Story

[the-clockwork-three]

My gift for @professional-sand-eater. Hope you enjoy, I tried to work as many of your headcanons in as I could :D Thank you @bees-in-a-davidbowie-shirt for hosting the event.

Summary: When the Rum Tum Tugger sees Mistoffelees slipping through the window of an elegant building, he gets led on an adventure through the stories told in the ballet.

Tumblr version below the cut should you prefer it.

The Magic of the Ballet

The Rum Tum Tugger was not unfamiliar with wandering London at night. There was an allure to the freedom that only the stars granted him. He could chase rats, or meet friends, or cause chaos, or do whatever the hell he wanted. And when he got cold he could always return to one of his many bunkers to receive treats and pets and adoring coos. Overall, nighttime was heaven in his opinion. 

He had left that fashionable Soho flat in a fit of boredom (or had he been kicked out?) and allowed the breeze to pull him where it will. However, three hours later he was cold, damp, and more than a little miserable. Every half-reasonable creature had hidden themself away in their home and he was the only fool still out and about. It was only by the grace of his thick fur that he had not frozen to death.

Returning to Katie’s flat with his tail between his legs was beginning to look like his best option when he saw two familiar figures. Mistoffelees and Victoria sat on a balustrade to a large building, tucked against a pillar to protect themselves from the wind. They were talking far too quietly for Tugger to hear. Victoria peeled herself from her brother’s side after passing along a small package. Only after watching Victoria disappear into the dark did Mistoffelees climb up a drainage pipe and slip through a window that had been left open a crack.

Hmmm, mysterious. Of course it was nothing too out of the ordinary for those reclusive twins. However, when had the Rum Tum Tugger ever not indulged his curiosity? 

Well he had nothing better to do.

He scrambled up the building and hopped through the window to follow Mistoffelees. Tugger found himself in a blank and boring hallway, grey on all sides broken only by the occasional door. The one flash of movement was the tip of Mistoffelees’s tail whipping around a corner. Tugger followed him without a second thought.

He was led through an endless maze of identical hallways. The only sign that they were making any progress was that with every step the halls seemed to get colder. Mistoffelees trotted through an open door, completely unaware that he had been followed for nearly five minutes. Tugger waited a few moments before he ducked through.

A weight landed atop of him. He was pinned to the ground by something far too big and far too heavy. Half a second later, teeth pressed into his neck, the bite against his skin dulled by his fur. He did not risk turning his head, but he could see white paws leading up to black legs in front of him.

Chill, it's just me he said in Cat-Tongue.

Mistoffelees took a moment to recognise him, but he slowly lifted his mouth. Tugger rolled his head, trying to banish the ghost of Mistoffelees’ teeth around his throat. Once again he was glad for the dense fur that kept him safe. The weight above him shuffled enough that he could wiggle his way out.

Tugger sighed as he looked around the dark room. It was filled with shelves and tables, and densely packed with fabric of every colour and texture. He had been pinned by a huge mass of white feathers that probably fell from one of those tables. The only thing out of place was  Mistoffelees glaring at him from a cautious distance away, his eyes glowing gold.

What was that about? Tugger asked.

“I don’t appreciate being followed. Daisy was just helping,” Mistoffelees replied in Human-Tongue.

Tugger scowled. He did not understand Mistoffelees’ complete refusal to use Cat-Tongue. He had never spoken to any of the Jellicles in their most intuitive language, even as a kitten.

Daisy? You mean this pile of feathers?

He batted at the mass to make his point. However, it shifted. His paw hit the floor instead.

Huh.

He tried again, and this time he pinned some of the fabric with his claw. His triumph was short-lived, however, when the monster raised its head. And it pecked him.

Ow! What the hell?!

“You got what you deserved.”

Tugger scoffed. However he did give Daisy space as she stumbled to her feet. She was as tall as a human, but much broader and with huge limbs. Under Tugger’s very eyes she shrank until she was no larger than him. Her body rounded out, leaving him staring at a very normal, if slightly too intelligent, chicken. When she stopped shrinking, she cocked her head towards Mistoffelees.

“It would be my pleasure to lead you back home.”

She gave a deep cluck in response.

Why are you speaking in Human-Tongue? 

“Why are you insisting on speaking in Cat-Tongue?” Mistoffelees sniffed, put out. “It's not like anyone is around to hear us.”

This was a fight Tugger was never going to win. So he switched tactics.

“Where are we?”

“The Royal Opera House,” Mistoffelees puffed up with pride as he picked a direction, seemingly at random, and started walking.

“And you live here?”

“In a way, yes.”

“‘In a way’. Why do you talk like that? Just answer the question,” Tugger followed him, easily keeping pace even as Daisy sprinted after them. 

“Let me ask you a question Mr. Rum Tum Tugger: Where do you live?”

“Here and there. Wherever the will takes me.”

Mistoffelees gave him a look.

“They’re different.”

“Sure. Well I live and work in The Royal Opera House. Sort of.”

“And what would an opera house need for a cat?”

“You are looking at a Royal Ballet Corps de Ballet member. I am an essential part of the team.”

“...”

“If Gus can do it, so can I.” Tugger’s silence had offended him as he whipped his head to look over his shoulder.

“Gus exclusively plays parts written for cats. I’m not sure if they're equivalent.”

“Okay fine, I spend more time haunting the costume storage room than on stage, but I still have a part to play.”

They turned a corner to reveal several other costumes exactly like how Daisy had originally been. She chirped excitedly as she shuffled towards them. With each step she grew and grew until she was as tall as the other white masses.

“Goodnight Daisy. Thank you for coming to help me.”

The chicken-demon clucked before settling with its brethren. Mistoffelees let out a low whistle, and whatever life the chicken had drained from it, leaving it slumped and motionless.

Mistoffelees’ eyes had lost their glow but he still looked over at Daisy and her ilk with unmeasurable fondness. When was the last time anyone had looked at Tugger in that way? Perhaps it was time he found a new family to worm his way into the heart of.

He grimaced and turned away from the scene. A flash of movement caught his eye, and he gasped as he spotted a mirror tucked in a corner. Tugger rushed over to it, preening as he saw that not a single tuft of fur was out of place.

“Oh my one true love, tell me I am beautiful.”

Tugger hid his smile when Mistoffelees huffed from where he had been frozen in thought. He felt Mistoffelees stop behind him, but he did not turn his gaze from his own face.

“Are you coming with me as I check out the rest of the costumes?”

“Mhm, just give me a moment.”

“Tugger I’m too busy to entertain your Hottest Cat in London, Six Years Running schtick.”

Tugger dragged his eyes away from himself, making eye-contact with Mistoffelees through the mirror. “You think I’m hot?”

The reaction was immediate as Mistoffelees’ ears plastered themselves to his head. However he took a deep breath, and settled his shoulders. Those eyes, one gold one blue, glinted with determination.

“You certainly act like I do.”

“Dodging the question.”

“I have eyes don’t I?” he muttered under his breath as he turned around. “You can get lost for all I care.”

“Misty no! I’m sorry! Don’t abandon me in this dark scary costume room,” he teased as he jogged after him.

Without Daisy slowing them down, the two cats wove easily through the tiny spaces between shelves and under tables. Not for the first time Tugger could appreciate how every movement Mistoffelees made could be a dance. He was eternally graceful, but he easily matched Tugger’s natural pace and rhythm. Their winding and running were as natural as breathing for the both of them.

The mindless wandering gave Tugger’s mind space to think. He knew Mistoffelees had magic before this, more so than the other Jellicle cats anyways. There was magic woven into the very existence of music and dance, and all it took was a steady paw and stubborn mind to twist that magic into a more usable form. Tugger had never met a cat more determined towards artistic perfection than Mistoffelees. Neither did it surprise him that some costumes took on personalities of their own. Afterall where is there a higher concentration of music and dance than an opera house?

They stopped in front of a box full of masks. Mistoffelees did not pause before he dived in. After a minute of shuffling, he emerged with a white mask between his teeth. As Tugger examined it he found the mask was plain white with cat ears on the top.

“Is this Victoria?”

“No, Tori is a real cat. Missy, and her husband Boots, were the first spirits I ever animated. The first I animated on purpose at least.”

“Friend or foe?”

“Friend. Although she can be a pain in my side with her tendency towards catty -”

“Heh.”

“- remarks. Shut up.”

“You wound me so.”

Mistoffelees rose until he was standing on his hind legs, and then lifted one leg off the ground. He closed his eyes, and then suddenly slapped his front paw down onto his raised leg. Even through his closed lids, Tugger could see that his eyes were glowing.

“My lovely pest, why have you woken me?” the mask said, voice coming from the space where a human mouth would sit if it was being worn. 

“I have brought a gift from my sister, Missy.”

She hummed, the eyes of the mask blinking slowly. However she quickly changed her tune when Mistoffelees brought out the string of delicate white pearls. 

“Oh will you weave that into my wig for me?”

Mistoffelees grumbled at how quickly she gave him chores.

“Now now magician. If you just thought to wake my entire body I could have done it myself.”

“I cannot do that because your tutu is undergoing repairs. And you know it.”

Tugger could hear the frown in her voice despite her lack of a mouth as she said “Yes, it's rather unpleasant. Not that you would know, you brat.”

I see why you don’t like her Tugger said.

Don’t be rude Missy warned him, switching to Cat-Tongue as easily as he had. I’m a cat like yourself. 

“Missy. Tugger. Don’t fight please,” Mistoffelees sighed. “I’ll find your wig. Don’t expect a work of art.”

“Good lad. Please wake me when the repairs have been completed. And wake Boots, I miss him. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yes Missy. Goodnight.”

Missy closed her eyes as Mistoffelees released the magic he had been holding to animate her. The moment the light faded from his eyes, the holes in the mask returned to their natural open state.

“Why do you humour her?” Tugger asked as Mistoffelees dropped Missy’s mask back into the box.

“She’s as much my family as Jellylorum is. She raised me when… when mum couldn’t. Even if mum is much nicer about it.”

Tugger hummed, and allowed himself to be led again.  He was still lost in thought when they arrived in the wig storage section and Mistoffelees wove pearls through Missy’s hair. They toured the entire costume storage warehouse, stopping occasionally for Mistoffelees to dance and animate a spirit. Sometimes the costumes just wanted a quick chat, but most of them had errands they needed running. 

“Okay, one last one for the night,” Mistoffelees sighed as he rubbed his head from being attacked by the mouse king for the third time in five minutes.

“Where could we possibly go that we have not been already? I swear we’ve been all over this room twice doing your chores.”

Mistoffelees laughed, “This last one is not for a costume piece. It’s for a prop.”

“There’s more? I had just decided that your magic was working by pulling the characters from their ballets.”

Mistoffelees shifted a little under his gaze. “That's about right. Although it is more difficult for props to have enough of a personality in their source ballet to develop a soul, there are some that do.”

“Lead the way, genius magician.”

Mistoffelees did not preen at the compliment like he normally would have. His tail sat low as he slipped out a door to the warehouse. Tugger tried to lift his spirits with jokes and prods, but it took far too long for him to cajole Mistoffelees into taking the bait.

“Okay,” Mistoffelees was a bit breathless from laughing, and Tugger found himself quite the same. “So these are the flamingos.”

“I can see that.” six long pink birds lay beside each other on a shelf.

“Shush. The flamingos like to play football and usually you can just sit back and watch them. However sometimes they get… a little overexcited. And then you have to herd them back to their shelf.”

“Football?”

“It's the closest I can get to the weird game of croquet they play in the ballet.”

“Croquet??”

“Don’t worry about it. You ready?”

Tugger took a moment to admire how excitement brought life to Mistoffelees’ mismatched eyes before he nodded. As he hummed, Mistoffelees raised one of his front paws over his head.

And the flamingos raised their heads, taking in the room around them. They hopped off the shelf onto the floor.They squawked, gently bumping their necks against them both. Mistoffelees released a ball into their midst. The birds immediately turned away from the cats in favour of butting the ball around with their heads.

“And now we wait.”

And indeed this was one of the more boring tasks. All Tugger had to do was bare his teeth at the occasional attempt by one particularly brave bird to escape into the storeroom. However, that gave him far too much time to think. To think about the warmth radiating from his chest. To think about the warm bed he left behind. To think about Katie. 

God he needed to find a new family to join his rotation so he never had to return to her.

However, to Tugger’s horror, Mistoffelees suddenly stiffened at his side. His eyes widened and his fur bristled. He dropped his magic instantly, all the flamingos dropped to the ground like dead weights.

Hide! he hissed in Cat-Tongue.

Tugger did as he was told and dove under a shelf, Mistoffelees joining him in unison. They huddled to the very centre of cover. Tugger strained his ears to catch a hint of what had scared Mistoffelees so much.

Whistling. And human footsteps.

Those footsteps continued easily down the walkway, passing them without a second thought. Then they paused.

“What are you doing down here?”

A hand reached down and caught the lifeless body of one of the flamingos by the head. One by one he returned the props to their place. The whistling picked up again as the footsteps faded into the distance.

Does he work here? Tugger asked when he was fairly certain Cat-Tongue could no longer be heard.

Yes!

Mistoffelees’ mewl was garbled, like a kitten speaking around a full mouth. Mistoffelees glowered at himself, and tried again. And again. And again. None of his attempts were anything but a clumsy attempt at a simple sound.

Is this why you always use Human-Tongue? 

Go Away! He replied. His hiss said he meant something a bit stronger, but there was no heat in it. 

You’re cute

Mistoffelees did not reply, instead just shoving against him as he led the way to the door. They darted from under one shelf to the next as they raced to safety from this person who most certainly would not be pleased to find two cats wandering around.

Hide! Mistoffelees warned again.

Tugger flattened himself against the floor. However instead of joining him, Mistoffelees threw himself out into the aisle. A hollow thunk drew the prop-master to where Mistoffelees now lay.

“Oh there you are. I swear you get lost five times as often as anything else,” the human said as he scooped Mistoffelees up.

Tugger followed close behind. He could not allow those shoes to disappear from his sight for fear of losing them both. 

The man led them to the very corner of the prop storage room. He set the cat down on a desk with another hollow thunk. From his hiding place Tugger could see the desk. Mistoffelees sat stiffly, with his ears perked up and his tail curled elegantly. His two blue eyes stared straight forward. When the human ran his hand over his head he did not move an inch. Even his fur did not shift.

“Okay you troublesome kitty, stay put. I need to do some repairs on you.”

The man walked away, leaving Mistoffelees alone on the desk. Tugger waited until the footsteps disappeared before pulling himself out of his hiding spot. He easily jumped until he was level with his friend.

Come on, let's go, he said.

Mistoffelees did not react.

Tugger batted his paw against Mistoffelees’ side and flinched when what he hit was as hard as stone. He patted him again and it was still like touching one of the lions in Trafalgar Square. He rubbed up against Mistoffelees’ cold hard body that was frozen in time.

But slowly the hardness melted away. It started with his fur. As Tugger brushed against him, it moved minutely, then stiffly, then freely. Warmth slowly spread into his shoulders, being returned with equal fervour as he was giving it. Finally that right eye of his darkened to gold.

Let's leave.

Yes!

Tugger led them both out of the prop storage room. He had spotted an exit not far from them. Not a second after they padded into the hallway did the man’s voice chase after them.

“Where did that cat go?”

Mistoffelees let out a shaky breath as he said “Pick a direction and let’s go. Doesn’t matter which one.”

Tugger nodded and they started running. At every intersection he made a random decision, and Mistoffelees followed him without question.

The breath was torn out of Tugger’s lungs when the next door led them to the wings of the main stage. Mistoffelees looked around for a second before he recognised where he was.

“Wait a second while I get the light.”

Mistoffelees closed his eyes, and began glowing slightly. There was a resounding clunk, and a spotlight flooded the stage. Tugger did not need any encouragement to run to the centre of the light. The stage warmed up quickly, and he felt like basking.

Mistoffelees joined him with easy grace, but he flopped over a few feet away. His gaze had sharpened in the time they had been running and he was no longer so worryingly stiff. He cleared his throat as he thought of something, anything, to talk about that was not the proproom.

“So Tugger. Why are you here?”

“Just wanted to see what you were up to, sneaking into such fancy buildings. Wanted to make sure you haven’t picked up any unsavoury habits from my siblings.”

“Jerrie and Teazer wish they could teach me anything. But why were you out?”

“Oh, you know. A bit of this, a bit of that. Wherever the wind took me.”

Mistoffelees narrowed his eyes. “Dodging the question.”

Damn this tom.

“A trade. I tell you this and you talk about whatever the hell happened back there.”

Those gold and blue eyes were without hesitation, “Sure.”

Tugger could not drag the words out of his throat. Every time he tried his voice failed him. He hated showing weakness, hated how pity clouded Mistoffelees’ face.

“Tugger, you don’t have to tell me anything if you really don’t want to. But if you do, I’ll explain all this to the best of my ability.”

The person I have been staying with quite a bit wanted to get me microchipped. I disagreed, and we fought. So that’s - what - like the fifth bridge I’ve burned completely in the past year. And I know all the other humans I could go to are either getting bored of me, or getting too close to wanting to be the only ones to own me.

Warm fur pressed against his shoulder.

“Oh Tugger, I’m so sorry. I know you treasure your freedom.”

And then in Cat-Tongue he said Sad! Sorry!

Mistoffelees rubbed his head all over Tugger’s body, bringing softness to every inch of him. Only when Tugger was leaning back into him easily and without tension did he stop. Tugger whined from being without something he wanted. Mistoffelees rolled his eyes, but he relented and leaned his shoulder, twining their tails together.

“I am one of the props used in the ballet, although a bit more alive than the other spirits,” Mistoffelees started.

No shit.

“Hush. I first woke up in the workshop for new props a few years ago. I was just a kitten, so I did as kittens do and wandered away looking for my mum. And one found me. And she raised me as her own alongside Tori. Jellylorum had a fright when I first returned to my true form.” He laughed. “And it's really not that bad. Yes, I cannot leave the Opera House for more than a few days, or go too far from it. And I have to be present for performances that call for me. Otherwise I am a normal cat that turns to wood when he sleeps. And can do incredible magic tricks.”

Don’t you hate it? Don’t you resent that you are stuck here and probably will be for the rest of your life?

“Sometimes. But I do really love the spirits that haunt this place. They’re like family,” and he added in a quiet voice, “They’re like the Jellicles. I love the ballet too. I love the music and the dance. I love just sitting on stage beside the dancers or being cradled in their arms as they stand in the back of the stage. I dream of doing so much more, of course. I am not without ambition, unlike those damn hawks, but if I must stay like this forever it would not be the worst fate. And as much as I was hiding today, the people who maintain the costumes and props have been nothing but kind to me and mine.”

Mistoffelees’ words were animated, his voice so different from his usual steady and gentle flow. His eyes were full of life, and his blue eye sparkled just as much as his gold one.

“And why do you never talk with this much passion at the Junkyard?”

“Nobody has given me reason to. Besides, my throat was not made with Cat-Tongue in mind.”

“But they did make it so you could speak Human-Tongue?”

He received a bat on his head for that, but Tugger did not mind. Mistoffelees was resplendent under the stage lights, even without magic lighting up his eyes he seemed to glow.

“I am not sure what made me. Was I made on purpose by another magician like myself? Or did the magic that flows through music and dance just concentrate on a random prop one day and I am lucky to be alive? I may never know.”

Mistoffelees rose to his feet and began to sway, just like he had to summon the spirits. Tugger followed him, straining his ears to hear the music that he knew only haunted Mistoffelees.

“To bring a ballet prop or costume to life I have to be able to do their entire dance, you know? I have to be able to perform the magic that makes up their soul. I wonder if I have a dance, something I, and only I, am meant to perform.”

Mistoffelees moved over the stage, his paws landing lightly and elegantly as he marked a dance he knew well. Tugger shadowed him, chasing the warmth each step left on the stage. He knew well the draw of the limelight, the pride that came from every eye being drawn to you.

He knew too well what Mistoffelees’ gaze meant, drinking in the adoration even from an audience of one. And he knew his expression matched perfectly.

And all too soon their dance came to an end. Not for the first time that evening they were both breathless, but this time something deep in Tugger’s stomach was sated.

“You can stay here. If you must.” Mistoffelees avoided eye-contact, turning his head away from the intensity that had been shared between them just a moment before.

“Oh Mistyyyyyy, thank you!”

Tugger tackled him, playfully nipping at his ear. He let his weight crush Mistoffelees who yowled and fought below him. If he was taking revenge for the ambush earlier, he would not say a word.

“Come,” Mistoffelees said as he extracted himself from Rum Tum Tugger’s (very warm and soft) trap. “I’ll show you my favourite nap spot.” 

“A bold proposition, but I won’t say no.”

Mistoffelees clicked his tongue in annoyance. Tugger could have sworn a threatening cluck echoed through the halls as he hurried after Mistoffelees.

And if one of the costume staff found two cats, one real and the other carved from wood, curled around each other between the layers of a tutu tree when she arrived at work the next day, she did not say a word.

[lost-technology]

Reward

Tri-Tober Fanfic shorts Prompt 3: Wanted Setting: General Trigun / any universe Summary: The gig is up, they've finally found me... Reward Vash stood staring at the poster on the telegraph pole.  His eyes were narrowed.  Meryl and Milly stood before him, also scrutinizing the poster.  “It’s a crayon-drawing,” Vash observed.  “I don’t know what you were expecting,” Meryl said.  “Well, I think it’s very cute,” Milly opined.   “It says to report to 104 State Street for the reward,” Meryl said matter-of-factly.  “Let’s go.”  “No! Wait!” Vash protested.  “You can’t do this!  Not so soon!”  “I’m afraid the jig is up,” Meryl told him.  “You can’t put this off forever.”  “Meryl is right, Mr. Vash,” Milly said with big eyes and a little pout.  “Nyao!”  said the small squirming black-furred kitten in her arms.  “Can I hold her one more time?” Vash asked.  Milly passed the cat over to him.  “You be good for your people and don’t run away again.  There’s a little kid out there worried about you,” he said to the tiny creature.  The kitten play-batted at the fingers of his artificial hand.  Vash had found the cat outside their hotel looking like it hadn’t eaten in days.  He’d taken it into his room, regardless of the rules and had been feeding and taking care of it.  He knew that keeping a pet wasn’t a realistic option for his lifestyle, but he was growing attached to “Lady Black Cat.”    When the group reached the house that the crayon-drawn “Wanted Poster” indicated, a gap-toothed, pig-tailed ten-year old girl cried in joy and gently cuddled “Blackie.”  She offered Milly the reward of her entire week’s allowance of one double-dollar and fifty c-cents.  Milly refused the reward.  They were all just glad to “capture the fugitive” and return her to the loving custody of one worried child.

[gurokichi]

There is no need to apologize, Bon. That wasn't even a late reply! <3 My day was definitely comfy and cozy. My cats were being extra cuddly, too, so doll had 2 great cuddle buddies!

I haven't fully watched any of those suggestions through yet! Doll hasn't even heard of some of those!! I'll definitely be sure to watch DSD and check out the others, Black Butler has been on my 'list to watch' for quite some time, so hopefully, I'll get around to watching it too! Doll truly appreciates all the suggestions^^

Eep! Thank you so much for the compliments! I am both shocked and so happy to learn you've gone through my entire blog <3 I haven't been writing long, probably about a year or two. I only truly saw it as anything I could share a couple months before making my blog! I hope to keep it more of a hobby and a way to express myself, possibly publish some of my writing in the future, but I don't plan to pursue it professionally by any means!

I have many hobbies and Interests,,, recently though I've specifically into,,, Flower pressing, writing, reading, you, my dip pens and fountain pens, my pets, plants, and beading! What are some of your hobbies?

-Your Dolly 🎀

Aaa, okay, if you say so!! I just hate taking so long when I’m online to reply; I don’t wanna leave my doll waiting… I fear that you’ll become bored of me if I take too long (◞‸◟)

Comfy and cozy days are the best!! ALSO, AW, YOU HAVE CATS?? I’m so jealous… cats are adorable. What’re their names?

I’m glad that I was able to give you some suggestions; I was worried that you’d have already watched through most of them… good to hear that isn’t the case! Please let me know your thoughts on my suggestions if you ever watch any of them (＞＜)

You’re welcome, Dolly! You’re very deserving of them. How could I not go through your blog when you’re such an interesting little thing? Ah, I see… well, your writing is wonderful! I can’t wait to see more of it in the future. It’s good to have hobbies that you enjoy. I wish you luck if you ever want to publish some of your writing!

My doll seems very crafty. What do you like reading? Are there any books you’d recommend? I’ll take any recommendations. I’m trying to get back into reading books… it’s kind of overwhelming to have so many options!! You’re also into plants..? Into them as you enjoy gardening, just learning about them, or both? I like gardening. I also like learning about flower meanings, that’s always fun! Do you have a favorite flower, Doll? I’d say mine would have to be bleeding hearts.

I definitely wanna pick up more creative hobbies like you have… not sure which I’d like to do, though. As for my hobbies and interests, I enjoy space, psychology, nature, video games, collecting things that I find cute/interesting, history, writing, and drawing!

[wearesorcerer]

1979

At first, I saw this and thought "YAY!" because there were some really good and relevant movies that came out that year. Upon closer inspection, though, those were highest grossing films, many of which weren't released in '79. I went digging through the lists of movies released in '79 (in all languages I could find) and picked through those I recognized. Here are the bits.

ALIEN

In space, no one can hear you scream.

[It's been long enough since I've seen the films that I can't filter full-grown xenomorph gifs as belonging to the first film vs. others and decided against gore, melted androids, and faces full of alien wing-wong, so no image for you.]

It's got everything: the woman is right, the plot gets kicked off because people don't listen to standard safety procedures, a fake-out about who the survivor would be (at the time; that's well spoiled now), the cat survives, H.R. Geiger aesthetics, corporate malfeasance, and betrayal, all in the course of reconstructing the haunted house horror movie style. I'm kinda glad that they got rid of the bit where the xenomorph cocoons and melts prey into its eggs to make a complete cycle (even if that makes less sense), since it's a little too gross.

I will say that I can't adequately compare it to the other major '79 horror films (The Amityville Horror and Dracula), as I haven't seen them. And don't care to.

Relevant to Your Blog: Castle of Cagliostro, Don Giovanni, Galaxy Express 999, Moonraker.

I have never read or watched anything involving Arsene Lupin -- and, until this year, thought the character was from some old anime/manga series I hadn't seen or read, given Miyazaki's involvement in this film (which I think is the film for a TV series). It's the one Ghibli-ish film I haven't bothered to try to watch. (I haven't made it through My Neighbors the Yamadas or Pom Poko, but I've otherwise watched them all.)

I only recently found out about this version of Don Giovanni, so it's on my list. I figure it's relevant to your blog because he's a rascal-type rogue, even if he's not a rogue by class.

Galaxy Express 999 has been on my watch list since Daft Punk released Interstella 5555, more or less: I recognized the classic anime character designs (and vaguely '70s get-ups), tracked down the animator, and found this title. The film's plot, surprisingly, deals with street urchins, theft, adventures, class, and paywalled immortality, so seems right up your alley.

...and I'm not big on 007, either. It's not that I don't like spies/rogues, it's that it's too much of a male power fantasy.

You can get back to me on those, I skuppose. ;)

Others: Apocalypse Now!, The Black Stallion, Monty Python's The Life of Brian, The Muppet Movie

I feel like because I never read Heart of Darkness (it was an optional text on some reading list in high school) and am kinda shaky in my knowledge of 'Nam (I have some background on Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam's struggles against its French colonial rulers and their subsequently-involved US allies, but not enough), so while I know this film has garnered lots of praise and was enjoyable, I don't feel comfortable recommending it without more context for analysis.

I have always confused The Black Stallion with Black Beauty, even though the former has always seemed (to me) to have a greater mystique to it. That's it; that's the only reason I note it.

If you haven't seen Life of Brian, do yourself a favor and watch it. If you have, do yourself a favor and watch it. Latin jokes, Christianity/cult/rebellion jokes, and penis jokes abound -- including full frontal nudity with (I'm assuming) a gag dick.

It's Tumblr; I can't not recommend Muppets. I'd be hanged.

[hummingbird-games]

2022 IN REVIEW (VN/INDIE GAMES EDITION)

(Missed last year’s?? Check me out!!)

This year had lots of personal high highs and lower lows, so I’m glad I had games to distract from things 😂Without further ado, here’s my year in review:

DEMOS

Pivot of Heart - I’m unsure of the current status of this one, but I played it earlier this year and fell in love with the MC, the art, and was intrigued by the tarot inspired gameplay!

My Alien Roommate - I will 100% be supporting the Kickstarter the MOMENT it’s live. I was actually upset when I reached the end of the demo knowing good and well it was only a demo so that’s how you know I had a fun time 🤣 also, how can you not wanna romance an alien?? That’s what I thought. 

Our Life Now and Forever - On one hand, if you’re plugged into the VN scene, you’re already aware of this game and there’s no need for me to draw attention to it. On the other hand, to quote Billie Stevenson, “I do what I want.”

Infinite Blue - Oh man did I have fun with this one! To say I’m excited for the full game is an understatement! (review for this one is on the blog too btw)

Error143 - Seeing people simp for Micah Yujin has added 10 years to my life because a dark-skinned love interest getting THIS much attention??? Players be ready to risk it all for him and I love it. Also yeah he has my attention too, I am not immune, TF you thought this was???☠️

Garden of Seif - I’m not much help in selling this game because I just straight up inhaled it?? Everything was on point, from the characters, to the unraveling story, to our LIs and supporting cast, and of course, can’t love a game with loving the MC (at least, that’s how I work)

Fully Released & Played (at least 1 playthrough)

Gilded Shadows - The brain rot for this game is so real??? So. Damn. Real. It got to a point where after I played so many routes and unlocked multiple endings that I had to stop playing so I could work on my game! And there’s still content on the way?????? Oh to live at the same time as GS 🤗

Sifting Thyme - I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t my favorite high school otome game.  And I thought long and hard about the many other games I’ve played. And I have played a lot of high school romance/dating sim games ☠️ But this one takes the cake!!--and because food is involved, pun intended. If I could have played this in one sitting I totally would have.

An Everyday Love - Check the tags on this blog. I never shut up about this game. Seriously. 

Butterfly Soup 2 - Sequel’s only been out for like 2 months and I’m already begging for a third.  

Blanket Cat & Teacup - The first is a cozy visual novel that gives storybook/ younger me watching Reading Rainbow vibes, and the second is a puzzle, point and click narrative about an introverted frog girl who needs to get tea ingredients for her party, and both these games reminded me of the healing power of gaming. 

Still Shinning - Simply and lovely in its execution. I need to check out this dev’s other titles as well!

Portrait of a Texas Family - If you play no other games on this list, play this one. I don’t have any better words other than “I love it” and “this family and their love and their worry stick with you”.

Dusk & Dawn - SFHJSHFJSEJE THIS WAS SO GOOD LIKE WHAAA??? Black female MC, demi rep, superheroes, 2 dating options, multiple endings/dead ends, ughhh this game had it all. The only thing stopping it from being perfect is a sequel. And no, there’s no announced sequel so we can sulk together...

Fully Released (& still on 1st playthrough)

Wylde Flowers - I suck at farming sims in general, but this game has a special place in my heart. It’s the definition of charming + cozy and it was made to be played in bed so shoutout to the Switch port!!

ValiDate: Struggling Singles in your Area - I want to go in depth about this game when I’ve played all or majority of the routes, but for now just know I also believe this game was made for playing in bed LOL.

Gemi’s Gushies

(a list within a list of games that have devs trucking along in the background and I want to spotlight for y’all)

Band Camp Boyfriend

Ise and Kai

The Closet Door

Herotome

College Craze

Trouble Comes Twice

[tobiasdrake]

So Rain Code has DLC to zero in on each of the non-Yuma detectives. Gonna play through these in order of release. Who do we start with? Let's see, that would be....

Goddammit. Desuhiko.

Okay, well. At least we can get him out of the way and then move on to the characters I like. Wonder if these take place before, after, or during the main game?

Well, we're opening at the Scary Zombie Rex Museum so that eliminates "before" as an option. Either the Secret of Kanai Ward investigation is currently ongoing or this is between Makoto's defeat and the Master Detectives leaving town.

Ooh, classic cat burglar mystery going on. So it looks like we'll have to stop this notorious thief from stealing the precious jewels. Okay, we can--

Nope, never mind, we failed. That was a short DLC. Alright, who's next on the list?

Alright, shouldn't be too hard to identify the Nine-Tailed Cat. As we can clearly see from this silhouette, our target is a naked man. Bizarre choice of aesthetic for a cat burglar, but I'm not going to judge.

Go, Nudist Thief, go!

...where do you think he stashed the jewel? Probably best not to think about that.

Again!? How often do naked men steal things on your watch!?

Desuhiko's over here proving my firmly-held belief that the word "again" is the funniest word in the English language.

Will you, though? Your skillset is in intelligence gathering. You're pretty much my last choice in fisticuffs, so I'm pretty sure anyone else on the team is better suited to apprehending our streaker.

Makoto agrees. When he was faking everyone's deaths, he had you die first. He knew there'd be no doubt about that.

I wouldn't call what Desuhiko has charisma. If he were charismatic, people would be willing to buy what he's selling. Instead, his role is one of constantly embarrassing himself for comic relief but with zero self-awareness of how cringe everyone else finds him. His behavior routinely makes him the butt of the joke.

Enthusiasm is how I'd describe Desuhiko. He has enthusiasm. Despite rejection after rejection after rejection, despite constantly failing to convince anyone or even himself that he's cool, Desuhiko never stops putting out a positive façade and trying again.

Oh hey, Yakou's sapient! That places us pretty firmly in the "during" timespan. We're somewhere between Desuhiko's arrival in town and Chapter 4.

The museum must be taking this pretty seriously. Amaterasu's isolation would make it difficult to procure new art pieces for display. Pretty much whatever they already had here plus anything new that the residents create, that's it.

So far as new gems go? Amaterasu doesn't do business within the city; People were talking about that in the epilogue. That's a problem because Amaterasu may have international reach, but they're the only part of Kanai Ward that does.

So good fucking luck getting gemstones here. It's not like Makoto's going to let anyone go out and open a mine somewhere.

That being said, our naked man has to be stealing for his own private collection, right? It's not like he can take the gems to a fence. I can't imagine Kanai Ward has a thriving black market. Why would someone even become a notorious serial burglar in an isolated city-state?

Unless this is a human burglar from outside the rain cage. In which case, WHOA HO HO did he come to the wrong city.

Okay, so their reputation extends to before the Blank Week. That makes a bit more sense. It's possible Kanai Ward had a black market before the isolation. Either way, the possibility of an aristocrat stealing for their own private collection remains as well.

That doesn't sound so bad, honestly. I'm glad Yuma's not on this case. A cat burglar who robs from museums hardly warrants a death feral regeneration sentence.

That's where the nudity comes in. It draws the eye away from the face, and that's if you don't look away immediately out of embarrassment. Brilliant, really.

Sorry, Desuhiko, but I think I'm on Team Kitsune. Robbing a megacorporation barely even constitutes a crime.

I AM 100% ON TEAM KITSUNE. Why would we even want to thwart these robberies? Desuhiko's pride? That and a dozen coins is worth 12 shien.

Oh, it is Desuhiko's pride at stake. I thought I was being dismissive.

Wow, I aggressively do not care about the stakes of this conflict. Let the Nine-Tailed Cat keep pissing in Yomi's corn flakes. It's not like they're hurting anyone.

Oh no, you're mentioned on the seventh paragraph here. "Yellow stranger spotted shaking fist impotently at the burglar."

Hey, I'm all for bagging on Yakou for being a shit detective. But this sounds a hell of a lot like Yomi's problem, not ours.

Yuma does enough of that shit as it is. Do you have any idea how frequently he nearly gets shot? The answer may surprise you.

This was all about impressing a girl. That makes sense. I am now even less invested in the stakes than I was before.

Sound advice, Yakou.

It's amazing how much less irritating his dismissive reluctance to do anything becomes when it's Desuhiko on the receiving end instead of Yuma.

Alas, as with Yuma and Kurumi, Yakou's greatest weakness in reining in his Detectives shows itself once again: His stern disapproval is no match for a brisk jogging pace.

At least we can be sure that didn't change when he turned feral. Yakou's speed has always maxed out at a shamble, so his zombie's barely changed in that regard.