#gosh i just can't imagine who he would be rescuing...

[hippolotamus]

Sevenish Sentence Sunday 🧜‍♂️

Tagged for SSS by @filet-o-feelings and @rewritetheending, and @thekristen999 and @tizniz for Inspiration Saturday (tagging you back for SSS). Thanks lovelies 💖

Don't want to spoil too much so have the tiniest snip of mer!Buck (for reference he's 10 here)

He shouldn’t. That’s what every member of the merfolk have said since the beginning. It’s one of the first things a merperson is taught. No matter the circumstances one must never interact with a human. Not even to save one. Evan’s hands twitch by his sides. This isn’t just any human though. It’s a child. Surely there must be an exception for them?

np tagging @actuallyitsellie @epicbuddieficrecs @loveyouanyway @a-noble-dragon @diazheartsbuckley

@weewootruck @saybiwithme @bidisasterevankinard @spotsandsocks @dangerpronebuddie

@theotherbuckley @stereopticons @kitteneddiediaz @daffi-990 @diazsdimples

@your-catfish-friend @wikiangela @lizzie-bennetdarcy @rainbow-nerdss @steadfastsaturnsrings

@inell @jesuisici33 @rmd-writes @dr-shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz

@dorkydiaz @bi-buckrights @elvensorceress @bucksbiawakening @giddyupbuck

@beyourownanchor6 @indestructibleheart @ladydorian05 @lemonzestywrites @monsterrae1

@statueinthestone @slightlyobsessedwitheverything @thelikesofus @welcometololaland @wildlife4life

@eowon @bucksbignaturals and anyone else who wants to 😘

[ilions-end]

i finished statius' ACHILLEID. thoughts thoughts thoughts:

i knew going in it was a VERY short unfinished epic, but i didn't know it would be FUN?? if i ever get that time machine, FIRST THING i go back and find one publius papinius statius, i lock him in a room, and i'm NOT letting him out until he's finished the achilleid!

achilles is statius' BLORBO in a way neither homer, quintus nor virgil have blorbos. statius likes achilles to be strong and pretty and graceful, but most of all ENDEARING even when he fails. and he fails a lot, because this is him still figuring out how to be an adult, not to mention a prophesied legend literally everyone is waiting for to step up

the one thing that gets tiring is just how many prophecies permeate the achilleid. nothing's left to chance, there are so few unknowns. even ODYSSEUS was aware that from peleus' wedding there would come a child destined to be a central warrior in an upcoming gigantic war.

as it stands, the achilleid is more of a... thetisiad? she is very centered in the narrative (we spend more time looking at things from her point of view than achilles') and there is SO MUCH SYMPATHY for her, oh my gosh!! she loves ONE person, her son, the only worthwhile thing she got out of a traumatizing marriage, and she despairs that he's fated to die young in a silly human war.

also i'm a deidamia defender forever now. so three-dimensional, so clever!

aughhh i love how much characterization statius puts in, even in the small scenes! my favourite example is odysseus and diomedes as they walk up to lycomedes' place (literally just moving characters from A to B). diomedes teases odysseus, and odysseus is delighted to be teased. that night we're told odysseus CAN'T SLEEP because he's too excited about showing off his plan the next morning!

the unveiling of achilles is completely different from the chagrined defeat/"achilles is a fucking idiot" ways i've heard it retold! i love that it's collaborative, it's a mutual triumph. it's just as much achilles (who's been suffering in gender dysphoria hell for a year) longing to be exposed as it is odysseus LIVING for showing everyone (especially diomedes?) how clever he is. it's not just the shield and the spear and the bugle, it's odysseus playing the part of the siren, whispering in achilles' ear that he knows who he is and describing how glorious he will be on the trojan battlefield. it's achilles' grateful relief at being ALLOWED not to pretend anymore as he rips off his own dress even before the bugle calls

also it's very important to me that the moment he's no longer hunching over trying to make himself look small and inoffensive, we're told achilles is taller than both odysseus and diomedes

i KEEP IMAGINING how good statius would have made the rest!! especially because as book ii ends, achilles regards odysseus as a cool uncle; he's the guy who rescued him! i want to think statius would have put in the big mystery quarrel achilles and odysseus are said to have had early in the war, something to drastically change that affection. i want to know how statius would have handled troilus, and the gods. augh statius you roman BLUEBALLER

an assortment of story beats still revolving in my head:

chiron is such a sweetheart!! he's SO gallant with thetis, he's so affectionate with achilles. he HIDES HIS TEARS when achilles leaves, awww

statius writes out phoinix completely. as a phoinix stan i object. sure chiron can raise young achilles, but i NEED phoinix to tend to him as a baby

i enjoy how achilles EXPLODES into a mess of teenagerly hormones when he first sees deidaima. it's so funny that thetis is looking on (and we get my favourite simile of the achilleid, of a herdsman delighting in a young bull snorting and foaming at a beautiful heifer) like "aaaaand there's my son's sexual awakening. i see! well, we can use that" and THAT explains why achilles is so willing to commit to the female disguise

(listen. listen. few things mean more to me than the love between achilles and patroclus. but achilles is a teenage boy at the age when a fucking breeze will give him a boner, and deidamia is the most beautiful and the cleverest of her sisters. i really enjoy a story where achilles and deidamia are neither "fated eternal true love" or one's a sneaky opportunist. it's much more compelling that they're both knots of budding emotions and bodily feedback)

i notice that statius never uses the name pyrrha, he doesn't seem to have a fake name at all, just "achilles' sister"

lycomedes is SO honoured and proud that thetis is entrusting her daughter to him. i feel sorry for lycomedes, he seems so earnest and hasn't done anything to get tricked

the one thing i can't forgive statius for is that after spending SO much time establishing that achilles and deidamia (who knows he's a guy) are genuinely into each other, it feels like statius goes OUT OF HIS WAY assuring us that their first sexual encounter is rape. sure they talk right after, deidamia forgives him, AND i understand there are social rules that makes deidamia more "honourable" and "worthy" when she resists, but like. sigh.

aLONG with the previously mentioned interplay between odysseus and diomedes as they walk up to lycomedes' court, there's a simile where they're both starving wolves on the hunt. so sexy it's almost illegal

the feast scene is SO FUNNY omg. all of achilles' careful feminine training dissolving because odysseus and diomedes are there with their boundless masculinity for him to feed off of. deidamia practically WRESTLING achilles back down on the couch every time he forgets himself and behaves too much like a man. odysseus chatting with lycomedes SPECIFICALLY trying to rile up achilles, and then after the women have left (achilles dragging his feet and looking back, YEARNING for their male company) odysseus specifically praises the maiden's "almost masculine" beauty (because ohh he suspects. he just needs to prove it in the morning. he can't SLEEP for it)

when they depart, achilles earnestly swears to deidamia that no other women shall ever bear his children. i find it interesting as a reminder of the social rules of its era. neither of them expect achilles to be sexually exclusive, just not fathering potential heirs. which again makes me wonder about the contraceptives in ancient greece

on the ship towards aulis, diomedes begs achilles to tell them all about his feats and training with chiron, and achilles is so shy about it! who can blame him! diomedes has a WAY more impressive track record

odysseus is SO good at firing up achilles' outrage at paris even as he's just catching him up on what the war's about. and he's so pleased at how easily achilles' outrage can be directed! you KNOW that would have developed in such an interesting way AUGH THE REST WOULD HAVE BEEN SO GOOD.

[moonsaver]

It’s me @pix3lplays back at it again, not a request, but you mentioned a SLEEPOVER with the Stellaron hunters and it isn’t leaving my head so please have some thoughts…

First of all oh my gosh just IMAGINE their pajamas I’m crying that’s so funny…Silver Wolf’s is just straight up a Pokémon onesie or something-

Kafka has some very pretty, tasteful silk pajamas with lace…

Blade. Idk I imagine he probably sleeps shirtless or something (I’m normal about his scars I swear) but if he knows they’re having a guest he wears some random t-shirt alongside his sweatpants. Like. He doesn’t care what he wears at night…it’s a t-shirt with a really bizarre Picture or incomprehensible writing on it and you’re just like ??? Okay….

The human cast? Each of them have long enough hair…for a braid train…Kafka doing something really nice with Silver Wolf’s hair…while Blade just does something basic for Kafka, and then y/n gets to experiment with Blade’s hair…if he’ll let you. Important stuff I’m telling you.

Trying to play a board game with them that results in Kafka having to use her Spirit Whisper at LEAST once to get you all to calm down. Do NOT play Uno. Blade got +four carded like five times in a row, you felt so bad for him…

PILLOW FIGHT GONE WRONG!!! SO MANY INJURIES!!! Sam and Blade took it WAY too seriously.

At least one incident of Blade asking you to smother him with a pillow.

Silver Wolf who stays up LATE. So late. You’re all watching her play a video game, and the girl just doesn’t STOP, haha. Eventually you all would like to go to sleep…not her. You try so hard to stay awake to watch her but you end up falling asleep on the shoulder of another Stellaron Hunter.

Kafka eventually makes Silver Wolf go to sleep, but Silver Wolf does that thing I used to do as a kid where I’d just. Hide under the blanket while playing my DS. That’s Silver Wolf.

Blade getting a mara flare up in the middle of the night kinda killing the mood. Sam holding him like he’s a feral animal while you and Kafka calm him down.

Sam who I’m assuming doesn’t have to really sleep? Combined with Blade waking up really early results in them waking up the rest of you by accident in the morning haha.

Cooking breakfast for the Stellaron Hunter humans…please I NEED- (don’t mind me not really knowing how to cook but I CAN make pancakes and scrambled eggs lol)

I just…need a Stellaron Sleepover. Elio needs to put it in the script, I’m BEGGING.

Hello, Pixel! Glad to see you in my inbox, hehe.

The sleepover is a very fun concept!

I think your descriptions of their sleepwear is quite spot on. As for Blade.. does.. does he sleep? I feel like.. he just only takes off his normal clothes for wash day. Otherwise he probably just has.. some ripped up, old clothing that's begging to be put out of it's misery. Kafka has to come to the rescue once again and fish out some more appropriate wear for the sleepover and force him to change into them.

As for the braid train, I love it! They're all chattering and snickering, and y/n gets to experiment with Blade's hair. I imagine they temporarily dismantle the train to look at y/n's progress on his hair, and go back into their positions after. I think Blade's hair would actually be kind of silky near the roots, and in the middle. Most likely because he uses either Kafka's, or Silverwolf's bare minimum shampoo products which is miraculous for his hair. The ends are.. crusty, to say the least. But hey! It's not everyday you get to braid and shape his hair all silly. Make most of it!

The card game.. aww. Uno is probably the only thing all of you can really play, monopoly's not interesting enough for Blade to keep his attention, and other board games like Ludo makes Silverwolf too competitive, and Kafka's tried one too many times to cheat the dice. So.. Uno's the only simple option, not like they can't cheat, but.. it's a small card game, so.. whatever. They just stay dormant. Until all of you simultaneously pulled out a +4 and Blade had to pick up almost half of the card stack.. yikes.

Pillow fighting is probably the only activity that gets Blade actively engaged,but it's not long before the threads all snap except a few and the pillow is begging for mercy, Blade swinging it with such force to the point there's only a small bunch of cotton and fabric left.. injuries are even worse than that. Sam is a hair's breadth away from shooting someone through the pillow itself. So pillow fighting is banned until both Blade and Sam learn how to take it easier.

Silver wolf staying up to play extremely late.. makes sense. She would. Forms a small tent with an ominous glow from the inside, and it's just her console. At least, she doesn't quite disturb you as much as the others.

Blade.. poor thing. He himself probably doesn't want the mara flare up. After a while of calming him down everyone's just docile and kind of concerned about his shuddering state. Except Sam, of course. Deathly iron grip. Asks if he's done and if he can go. Dude, read the room!

Breakfast! Silverwolf's definitely not awake by then. Kafka's up and ready, miraculously. She offers you.. questionable substances, if you can even call it edible. But don't worry! Just close your eyes, take a mouthful, and leave it to Kafka if your stomach feels weird. Blade.. isn't someone that's partial to cooking, but all the Stellaron Hunters quietly watch him cook from the side.. watching him struggle a bit, but manage to cook an average breakfast with a few burnt sides. And of course, y/n gets first dibs.

[oonajaeadira]

For the Love of Fic: January 2

I've been doing my best to get caught up on a verrrrrrry long reading list. I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm a super slow reader (both in having the time to read and actual reading speed), and many of my favorite writers are bananas prolific, so it's easy for me to fall behind. My lists for the immediate future will probably be in character groupings, since that helps me organize and sift.

Today you're getting these lovelies in some fic I've been loving!

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EZRA

Cross My Heart by @brandyllyn This wins for my favorite of the week. How can it not, when it is from my Secret Santa???? Brandy softens our scoundrel but keeps his dangerous edge which I really love and appreciate. This could have been your regular Gift of the Magi fic, but it goes above and beyond. Not only do these lovers do what they can to give each other the world, they get to keep their spoils too. My heart would follow his anywhere. <3

untitled by @brandyllyn So after reading Cross My Heart, I decided to catch up on the remaining Ezra fic of Brandy's I haven't read yet and I was not disappointed, not at all. If Ezra came to me for advice on how to touch a lady, I don't think I'd be able to hold myself together this well...

When They Disentwine by @brandyllyn Holy BALLS this is hot like fire. A little misunderstanding leads to some really delicious punishment--read the warnings. Do I like a little danger in my Ez? Fk yeah I do. Soft and dangerous. This serves.

Hold Fast to Dreams by @brandyllyn Here it is, friends. One of the most beautifully written, soft, wonderful Ezra stories full of books and hope and healing and it's rendered me nearly speechless. I don't know what else to say except DANG.

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MAX PHILLIPS

Bangathon: Position: Reverse Cowgirl by @prolix-yuy Oh. My gods. I did not expect the soft. And yet. Here it is. And I am clawing for it. The moment he realizes he's actually into her kind of destroyed me. And I love that they're both in the same place...fkn hells. I swoon. This's the good stuff.

Negotiations by @prolix-yuy Another treat from LJ with a softer, yearning Max. Yes, he's got more ego than he should have, but it gets a swift, satisfying kick in the ass when he comes up against you. And do you ever give him a run for his money. A lovely little twist and sweet surprise.

A Rough (Pumpkin) Patch by @blueeyesatnight Can we all acknowledge how satisfying it is to witness Max get pouty when he doesn't get his way? And then twist things around to make his own fun? He may hate hay rides and pumpkin picking, but if you're the only two in the field, there may be more fun to be had....

I Wanna Do Bad Things With You by @chronically-ghosted I too would be tempted to tell Max to feed from me while we did the do. But you know what I am? A soft girl with a weakness for a build up. So imagine my joy when I found out this was a series in progress...one bite/drink/base at a time! And there are feelings? What! This is all my monsterfkr dreams with Max come true.

Polynesian Kiss by @morallyinept Listen. He's Max. He's your boss, and he's a vampire, and you're his PA. And blood donor. And bang buddy. And you just can't make it into work because your cramps are murder. Lucky you, you've just become a dispenser for Max's favorite treat, and he is here to FEAST. I love a man who loves his meal, and goodness does he ever enjoy you. TASTY.

Blood & Tinsel by @morallyinept Read the warnings on this one, because Max has his influence on and you're not submitting to his office booty call of your own free will. But you would if he'd let you. He doesn't know that. Yet. I love how Jett writes his reaction to that little tidbit....she's got this power-hungry jackass down.

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EDDIE THE VAMPIRE

An Act of Kindness pt. 2 by @missredherring Oh my gosh, Eddie's become a rescue pup! He has nowhere to go and nobody to look after him and he was so young when he turned...he's so confused. I just wanna comfort the boy. It's a good thing Bella's here to look after the little darling. (Guest appearance by one Jack Daniels with mentions of Max Phillips and a Liam easter egg.)

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WING PIT GUY

2023 Summer Kiss Prompt #3: Daniel (Wing Pit) - Distracting Kiss by @something-tofightfor Rachael's Wing Pit Guy is named Daniel and there's just something about him that's comfortable and goofy and total boyfriend material. (And he can clean a chicken wing bone in one smooth go.) You know that kissing him is gonna taste like sauce, and since he really loves his wings, you know that sauce is gonna be good. And real. And sweet. Just like this fic.

2023 Summer Kiss Prompt #11: Daniel Harper (Wing Pit) - A Kiss After Pain by @something-tofightfor It's finally time for a real first date, but before that, time to meet Daniel's dog. Raider is just a dog, doing dog things and doesn't mean to slip up. But istg if anyone here hurts Raider I will burn this site to the ground. There's a really sweet kiss in here and I am all for it. But I am having trouble deciding if I love Raider or Daniel more right now...

Smutsgiving 2023: Sweet Potato Casserole / Daniel Harper (Wing Pit Pedro) by @something-tofightfor First of all, marshmallow fluff is genius. Second of all, I don't care how sticky it is. I hate sticky and I would still allow supreme level boyfriend coded Daniel to cover me in it.

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TIM ROCKFORD

Rockford & Roan Pt. 5 by @littlemisspascal There's a number of reasons why I'm freaking out about this chapter. It's dark. There's a body. Tim is mystereously cold and Roan is being warned not to be taken advantage by his less than perfect tendancies. Doubt is strewn. Our Very Good Boy Banjo is a little doggie king. And then there's the special guest star, complete with cliffhanger...and I'm in LOVE.

Morning, His Place by @words-are-fireproof A slice of life, an early morning in the kitchen with Tim before he has to leave for work. And yet, in just a short piece, there's so much detail and background given between the characters, just in the little things they say and do, the pictures on the wall, the things Tim forgets. Simple and lovely.

2023 Summer Kiss Prompt #5: Tim Rockford - Jealous Kiss by @something-tofightfor Black Days Tim has a hold on me, and Rachael's given him a lot of groundedness and depth. He's not surprised by much, except when he surprises himself.

Smutsgiving 2023: Apple Pie / Tim Rockford by @something-tofightfor Another Black Days Tim, and this one has him apologizing to his lady for not being home for Thanksgiving by utilizing his desk when she comes to visit him. Yes plz.

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DIETER BRAVO

Star Boy by @ezrasbirdie I'm in love with the Star Boy and his Cool Girl so so much and this installment in the Starstruck Series was no exception. They have so much to navigate together and it can't be the easiest thing to date a movie star. But I'm willing to take the chance if he love love loved me this very much.

Misfire by @qveerthe0ry If it's something I'm fascinated and enamored of, it's a boy that comes untouched. Dunno why that's a kink of mine, maybe I just find it endearing when someone loses control. This one has no romantic or sexual connection to it though, and it's Dieter actually being embarrassed. I am not above smiling while watching that man be flustered and suffer a little.

Bravo, Dieter. by @juletheghoul If you haven't had a taste of Jules' writing (first of all, where have you been), then this is as good a place as any to start. Pretty writing, smooth Dieter, make up sex ahoy, and all the neck nibbles you can't keep your cool over....

Paint Me Like One of Your French Girls by @missredherring While there's some verbal teasing, this is a working relationship, but a good one. I mean, I don't know if I'm in the right crotchspace to let Dieter paint my naked body and be cool about it, but if I was, I would hope it would be as endearing as this.

Dress Me Up and Call Me Pretty by @morallyinept This is one of the hottest things I have ever read. Dieter is an absolute mess, his own worst enemy, and reader is an angel who gives him everything he needs--and discovers she likes it too. The LOVE. The kink. The marathon. The care. Just go. Go now and get your strap on.

Run Over By A Reindeer... by @blueeyesatnight Blue has such a good grip on Dieter and I love his perfect balance of shithead horny actor and genuinely nice horny guy. I laughed out loud at this multiple times too, because Blue's also good at Dieter's dipshit humor. This is definitely one of my favorites this season.

Smutsgiving 2023: Stuffing / Dieter Bravo by @something-tofightfor This is Dieter from Rachael's Locked Down series and I have a real soft spot for these two...and for this particular take on Dieter. He's someone who surprises you constantly, showing a disaster to the world while being actually put together underneath. Stuffing shows up in more ways than one here. As does mention of a raccoon....

2023 Summer Kiss Prompt #10: Dieter Bravo - A Kiss While Baking by @something-tofightfor This one is sweet in every sense of the word. Brownies, kisses, heartfelt feelings, a peek at a possible future... I love Locked Down Dieter so much and it's nice to see him domestic and happy.

Touch Me Touch Me Touch Me by @missredherring It's subby D time! This time with a free use kink and some audio erotica built in! At first I was a little sorry for our needy boy, but man, does he get it in the end....and how.

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[j-nope-not-today]

Hi! May i request some hcs of the tmnt boys reacting to their pregnant s/o getting kidnapped by the foot (and maybe going into labour), because they intend to take the baby/raise them to be a weapon? Please and thank you!

TMNT reaction to pregnant s/o being kidnapped

A/n: Thanks so much for requesting! I hope you like it!

Raphael

He was beyond mad that you had been taken by the foot.

I mean how could he let something like this happen?

He definitely takes all the blame for it happening

But he most definitely gets you back

Ain't no way the foot is getting away with something like this.

And as soon as he gets you back you are not leaving his sight.

Not you or the baby.

Your gonna have to give him a few weeks to realize that it's not his fault

He's just so scared of losing you both

So he's gonna be wayy more protective than before.

Any foot member that helped take you is no longer breathing

He's so upset he missed the birth 🤧

He was looking forward to it and he missed it bc of those jerks

So he's definitely gonna be all over your baby bc their just so precious!

He's gonna be so excited to hold them and hold you and gosh does he love you both!

Rest assured nothing like this will ever happen again.

Leonardo

He is absolutely distraught

Nothing could be more devastating than having come back to find you had been taken

He is on his way to rescue you and his baby the moment he finds you gone

And the people who helped take you both? Goners.

He was never gonna let something like this happen ever again

And he's so all over the both of you when your in his arms again

Console the poor boy.. he's gonna be so upset he missed the birth

He's gonna be so very protective of the baby and you once your back in the lair.

Although he may lessen up over time.

He's never gonna stop being protective..he can't have anything else happening to either of you.

Your both his entire world and after what happened there's no way he's gonna let up.

Donatello

He's never been angrier in his life

You and your baby are his everything

And imagine his absolute shock and surprise when he came home and neither of you were there.

Not you or his baby

And he was going to get you back at any cost.

And he did get you back and left a large message for any foot members left of what would happen if they so much as thought of touching his family again

He was pissed he missed the birth, but you both were okay and at the end of the day that's all that mattered

You both were okay and back with him and he was so grateful that neither of you were hurt

Maybe just a tad more protective, but he didn't push it

He knew you both would be okay bc he was gonna be there to protect you and rescue you always.

He's so fond of his new baby and he doesn't want to set them down and you can bet the first night with you both is spent with the sweet baby right in his arms.

Even with all your convincing to set the baby in the crib he has to hold them.

Michelangelo

Relatively calm up until he's got a foot member in front of him

Then he snaps bc you and his baby are his world

And they took you both and he wasn't gonna let that just slide.

The foot learn not to mess with either of you ever again

And he was so happy to have you back and so upset he missed the birth

He wanted to be there and your gonna have to give him a hug and reassure him it's okay that he missed the birth

He's got plenty of other first's he'll be there for and guaranteed he doesn't miss any of them

He gives you the tightest hug when he gets you back and refuses to set the baby down for even a minute

Their just so cute! So precious and he loves them so much!!

Of course at some point you do convince him to set down the baby so you two can spend some time holding one another and he's all for it

But he's never letting his baby out of his sight he's gonna be soo protective

Your gonna have to tell him to chill at some point. You both have him to save you if need be.

[winter-spark]

I know that after those 2 small Madoka thoughts I had I said I'd stay in my lane but my film/media brain is like "hey hey hey remember that "cool" thought you had?" So. Even though Chikage is still not my lane, my film brain wants to discuss the neatness/niftyness/cleverness (idk which word I'm looking for) of Act 8 & the slight step further it could've been pushed, in reference to Act 5 of course. Besides if the Zafran princes are my lane(I'm kinda forcing myself on them actually, I'm probably not the best person to claim them but here we are), and Citron is both a Zafran Prince & in Spring Troupe and Chikage is in Spring Troupe, Chikage is my lane adjacent. Still though if I say something that makes you go "well actually" please ignore me. Let me have 0 notes due to being wrong about something, it's okay. Really.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Act 5 (Chikage's storyline) recap - Paragraph 1 Act 8 (Zafra storyline) "mini" recap -Paragraph 2 Cleverness - Paragraph 4 The Potential Push - Paragraphs 5-8 Conclusion - Paragraph 9 Too long, didn't read: I like the parallel between Chikage's abducting to destroy in Act 5, & rescuing to protect in Act 8. As a film major I feel the rescue coulda been used to move his relationships forward in a way had there been any (realistic) animosity/hesitance lingering.

So as we all may or may not (idk) know, in Act 5 Chikage infiltrates Mankai by being let in through the front door(he's undercover shush!) and sees how Mankai is one big happy family. Feeling betrayed by Hisoka/having some misinformation he decides to get his revenge: Hisoka entered then ruined his happy family (and abandoned him), so he would do the same to Hisoka. In this he comes up with a simple Preminger plan: Izumi, the center of Mankai, goes missing, Mankai disbands. (This plan would've worked best if he snatched up Sakuya alongwith Sakyo &/or Isuke too, just saying. Those four are the reason Mankai stands today. Fact. But also imagine them having to navigate the coleads, director, financer and manager mia, woulda been harder to pull off and come back from but Mankai woulda been a mess) So he kidnaps Izumi, Hisoka comes to save & reconcile, they all go home. Izumi lies for Chikage, Chikage later shares that he actually did abducted her(without reasoning as to why ehich leaves open a bit of skepticism but yada yada we get the point).

In Act 8, (let's see how quick I can give the setup), Guy comes and reveals Citron is next in line for the throne and that there are some others who support his brothers being next in line and of them there are extremists(every cause has some extremists am I right or am I right?), Citron knowing Chikage got the capabilities to make people disappear w/out a trace asks Chikage to help him dip for Zafra early w/out Guy (also remind me to write about Citron's "selfishness"(there's a different word I'm thinking of but this'll have to do) pls I have thoughts); Mankai first begrudgingly accepts this but then they're like "No! Who broke it?" and head down to Zafra to get an explanation from Citron 'cause "dude what the heck?" They make it just in time to find out about a plot to keep him from ascending to the throne and that he's been kidnapped. Here Chikage steps up to the plate to find and save Citron from being kidnapped.(Itaru goes too but we're not here to talk about how he was prepped to die to save his wife<3, gosh I love love). (Kinda lengthy but I can't help making side notes & jokes lol)

So now that I've said a whole lot of nothimg, let's discuss the cleverness and how it could've been pushed.

Of course you've probably caught onto the cleverness yourself, a person who once abducted someone before a big event now is rescuing someone kidnapped before a big event. He is actively working in another person's best interest and to help sustain a family rather than aim to cause one to crumble out of his own desires of revenge. Of course, he vowed to protect the Mankai family at the end of Act 5, the parallel itself is still neat. And there's double the families he's sustaining in saving Citron here because not only is he saving a member Mankai/Spring Troupe's family but also of the Zafran royal family (why don't they have a last name >~<; that's so long winded), which allows a place for there to be a return after their punishment for suresies because if it had gone worse...

So now that that's been addressed how can this have been pushed further. Well. It could've been Chikage proving how much he's grown to care for and how much he means it when he says that he is devoted to protecting Mankai, which it kinda was in a bit of a less stated way. But also! While A3! is a clever series with compelling characters and storylines, there are some aspects that fall a little flat in the realism department at times, if they commited to being a bit more realistic w/ certain forgiveness storylines, this would've been a great moment for someone to feel more open to trusting Chikage. Like especially w/ him already being concerned about Mankai being upset with him for agreeing to & succeding to send off Citron. If it was like "man I'm still walking on eggshells a bit because even though people are nice to me and accept me they still don't fully trust/like me, I'm so not going to be increasing my score w/ any of them this way" and then him actively going to save and succeding in saving a cherished member of Mankai, with complete resolve and trying to keep everyone safe. That's something that could've really been something. Like not to say it wasn't anything or anything, just like it could have been a shift in the story. Like they love Chikage but do they trust him? They don't have much of choice. Obviously this can only be properly done with characters who would have animosity, coulda been there, and if it was something mentioned between the two points but yea.

(Reminder: my "lane" is the Zafran Princes so if I say anything inaccurate to any other character they're not my lane. (my current tag for them (tho I am considering changing it) is "Citron & his brothers" if you want to see anything I've said about them. (here's a good place to start, me thinks)(yea pretty shameless self promo but eh) I'm kinda dumb and know nothing tho so idk if any of it's at all good or something you'd agree w/ but I feel alright about the stuff I've said lol). I'm not a great writer or anything but I think if they had decided to take that route the best Spring Troupe options for that kinda dynamic woulda been Masumi or maybe Tsuzuru. (Had to choose Spring Troupe to go along with the setup that's already there, any other troupe and I might have to change big story details & that's not the goal here, the goal is elevating what's already there) Why these two? Well I'm less sold on Tsuzuru but I feel like he has more realistic and negative-leaning views sometimes, like he feels like a person who feels like he might stay cautious about a person who's done some shady things. Masumi other the hand is already a bit less of a people person, has he grown alot already yes, however, he is still someone who very much (haha kinda like Chikage) has a strong desire to protect those important to him and Chikage litterally abducted Izumi who was dire in Masumi being able to connect with more people and have those he wants to protect and do things for and she's at the top of that list of people. Sure she doesn't hold anything against Chikage but she's Izumi. She's a very caring and forgiving person. I could see someone like Masumi being a bit on gaurd and skeptical partly on her behalf.

I'm sure it'd be a little harder to pull off with what the situation was but I do think it's plausible & do-able. I mean, if I recall correctly, at this point most of Mankai are unaware why Chikage kidnapped Izumi in the first place(I think Hisoka, Izumi, and sorta the rest of Winter Troupe and Sakuya knew around the time it happened) so if one of them(not the ones I just specified) were somewhat weary of him it could make sense, I think reasoning is something that I can see being important to Masumi and Tsuzuru and that's something Chikage didn't divulge, so it feels like Chikage did it for "no reason". Though I do want to say I think if we took one if these routes reasoning would be important to them in different ways. Tsuzuru would be more mentally like but what was the reason tho, while Masumi would think less about that he didn't give his reasoning and compartmentalize it as no good reason as he had his chance to explain but didn't, which I wanted to bring up because because imagine with me if you please, Masumi accepting Chikage being around but lowkey not fully trusting him bcause he clearly had no good reason for abducting Izumi. Chikage plays vital role in rescuing Citron maybe he is okay to trust a bit more and maybe (flashfoward to Magician's Pure Love) Masumi can hear out what reason Chikage had for his actions, because maybe even if it was wrong and something he shouldn't have done, maybe he does have a reason. (See I'm tying things together)

My only hesitance really being the comparison of how important Izumi and Citron are to this character (because they're the ones in the situation not the weary character) but it simultaneously makes me want to hit floor it because they're equally important. Or something. Idk honestly. Just, i it was Masumi for this route I could see that being a nice reminder he cherishes his whole family. (I know Act 5 kinda already is that but I'm just throwing paint at the wall okay? This is only my lane adjacent.) I guess while I'm here let's discuss why not Izumi or Citron being the person for this to drive the relationship forward. Well. I think even if Izumi reasonably had a small fear of or discomfort with Chikage after Act 5 she would actively be workimg herself to getting over it. For it to be something to drive their relationship it would definitely have to be a thing between the two of them. Meanwhile, Citron literally trusted Chikage to keep his secret that he was leaving early and help him do so. I think they're in an okay place.

So yea, maybe this whole idea is dumb or too movie or something, Idk I have film major brain, but it's something I think about sometimes(not as much as I laid out here but the concept). Like obviously in part the rescue's probably partially there with something similar to that in mind but like instead it's to prove Chikage to the viewers rather than to Mankai, however I also think that it's okay in media to make characters have to work for people(read: other characters) to forgive and/or be comfortable around them. Like sure sure some people will forgive you pretty early on and water under the bridge and all that stuff. And some people won't mind being around you. But some people might be completely unaware as to how much they subconciously don't trust you. Some might be like okay we're cool but we're not cool. For some people all this depends on how well they feel they know/understand you and which actions they've seen to help determine your character to them, you know? And I like complicated/layered/complex dynamics and relationships, so I personally woulda found it neat to have something like that within the story. But who am I lol

[atwas-meme-ing]

Forgive and Forget

I still haven't tried for a full character analysis, but I was thinking all day about Espio, and I realized... he HAD to save the flicky.

So, Espio honestly thought he was supposed to shoot Sonic with a blowdart, right? He's a ninja and a detective. He knows how blowdarts work. Heck, he may have even used one before. Even if he hasn't, they're not hard to use. You just have to be able to hit a target. Being a ninja, Espio probably has good aim (ninjas use shuriken, for example).

So, anyway, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Espio doesn't seem very social. He's highly intellectual, but a person can't fully understand how something works if he's never experienced it. He's probably not terribly familiar with party games. So when he received instructions saying to hit Sonic with a nonlethal blowdart, he thought he was supposed to follow thru. Oh, it's a nonlethal paralytic. He'll be fine, no big deal.

And then he proceeded to use his remarkable intellect to cover his tracks. And he did a really good job- except that Tails was too clever and figured him out.

I think we can all agree that Espio took his role a bit too seriously. Even going so far as to recite [really bad] poetry at the drop of a hat. (BTW, I want to add that Espio is not the only person at the party who was guilty of taking his role too far- I will have to cover Blaze's involvement in Rouge's heist in another post.)

Judging by Espio's expression, it seems that Amy's reaction is enough to make him begin to realize that maybe he took things a little too far, although he doesn't yet understand why, he thinks it was all just a game. After all, he only shot him with a sleep-inducing paralytic, he knew Sonic would be all right.

He didn't realize what was really going on, or that no one was supposed to get hurt, until after Sonic told everyone that the train was a badnik. Espio knows nothing about party games, he was just following instructions.

Can you imagine what was running through Espio's mind at this moment? Look at his face.

It wasn't supposed to go like this. I was only supposed to pretend, I wasn't supposed to hit him. Oh, my gosh... what if that thing had lied to me? What if that hadn't been just a paralytic?

He feels so bad. He's a ninja, he a criminal detective, he was a high-ranking Resistance leader in the war against Eggman, he's disciplined and well-trained and very intelligent, he's SUPPOSED to be one of the guys that STOPS evil. And yet he was conned by one of Eggman's robots, nearly killed one of his best friends, and nearly got them all killed or at least delivered to Eggman. He feels like he's become one of the criminals that he's supposed to bring to justice.

That's probably why he's so surprised when Sonic rescues him.

Now let's look at the final boss and the rescue of the flicky.

I couldn't figure out why they kept coming back to Tails' lore card and his character's ex-partner, the flicky.

It's because- are you ready for this?-

FROM A STORY PERSPECTIVE, THE FLICKY STORY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH EITHER TAILS OR THE MYSTERY GAME. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT ESPIO!

(Also, notice who's standing next to Tails in that picture, looking rather angry? It's Espio's detective partner and best friend, Vector.)

So when they saw the flicky powering the train:

Espio is the one who steps up and saves him.

Espio felt so bad about becoming Eggman's pawn that he felt like, maybe Sonic wouldn't want to save him. He felt like he'd betrayed everyone and he was the reason they almost all got killed. Saving this little bird was his redemption arc. He HAD to be the one to rescue the flicky, after all the trouble he'd caused.

At the end, Tails, Espio's accuser, is the one who congratulates Espio for rescuing the flicky. Amy has cooled off now that they've arrived safely and she acknowledges that Espio was just following what he thought were legitimate instructions. Sonic can't help ribbing Espio a little bit:

While Espio is able to joke a little, he still feels a little bad, even after having redeemed himself, and continues apologizing. Knowing Sonic, he probably started feeling a little uncomfortable with the continued apologies and decided it was time to let it go. "We're cool, and now that we're all safe, it was fun!" Espio is forgiven.

[mythical-illustrator]

Okay but, hear me out.... Helena and Thorn 👀 I would very much like to see some thoughts (or thots!) On that!

Hello friend I promise I didn't forget this I just had to do Thorn research

But here we go. 😁

Thots and thoughts a head.

So I like to imagine that as a soon as Thorn learns who and what a Spider- woman is. He's her biggest damn fan. He thinks this is the greatest thing - even if Fox is being a grumpy gus about it.

He reading up about her exploits on the holonet. He's telling the men to let her help them if they spot her around. Waving like a loon when he sees her himself.

He takes selfies next to her stung up bad guys when she leaves them nice presents.

Fox is exasperated with his brother- Thorn thinks this is an underated tool they should use to their advantage. Gosh fox- we are over worked and this super hero likes and wants to help us.

He ends up figuring out she is listening to their police radio and starts setting up a system and basically becomes her inside man.

Calls her if they need back up, gives her cool code names over the radio.

Takes the opportunity to flirt when being rescued.

She rescued him a few times when he got so caught up in savings his brothers that he missed almost getting killed a few times.

He takes the opportunity to flirt.

Finger guns, they have pun battles

All the other guards are groaning because she's encouraging his bad jokes and even playing along.

(Dialogue courtesy of @sev-on-kamino

"oh you saved me how ever can I repay you? And yes what your thinking is definitely on the table. I am also willing to be on a table if that's your preference "😉

He will play up the whole damselin distress situations

"I love a woman who could snap me in half!" "Do you know many of those?" "No so you have no competition Cyar'ika."

Fox is getting second hand embarrassment.

Now this is where the trouble is

Helena has had a massive crush on Thorn since she met him

Helena works for a military consultant who makes weapons and ships and others. She's an engineer. She is around the guard constantly. She thinks Thorn is funny and kind and cares for his brother and takes his job seriously.

She keeps getting flustered around him because of his general unique ness, competency and his puns. But also him being her alter egos big fan

She keeps blushing when he talks to her- just talks. Her voice gets high, shes dropping things and running away as fast as she can.

She's looking at herself in the mirror embarrassed like "you are spider- woman, you are strong. What are you doing, get a grip.

She's normally very confident but around Thorn- out the window.

Thorn is perspective though and notices her nervous nature and is trying to make her feel relaxed but talking to her more

Like out of his way talking to her.

"how was your weekend Cyar'ika ? Did you do anything fun? Ever been to 79? Do you want to go? Save a dance for me okay?

She is okay punnist and flirting with him in the suite but not as herself and he's constantly talking to her as both and she's dying Inside.

Fox is also dying inside- please just ask her out and put me out of my misery.

Bad thing is- Thorn is perspective. And the more he hangs around Helena the more he notices things.

She's strong, she seems to know something is going to happen before it does. When she thinks no one is watching, she's got a grace about her most nat borns don't have. Her humor is familiar. Her mannerisms are familiar.

So he starts a little experiment.

He witnessed her catch something heavy that fell, then fake fumble it and drop it like "oh no how heavy"

Him: yes...how heavy

Insert B99 shenanigans.

Thorn is throwing things at her now, sometimes himself. And if she's paying attention - she falls over or drops it

The first time she catches him then dropped him. Fox is alarmed, Stone is confused and Thire thinks this is the funniest thing and he can't wait.

So he starts doing it when she's distracted or busy. She caught stuff without looking, she caught him then blinked before dropping him once she remembered he's supposed to be heavy.

He once handed her his Z6 when she was in the middle of presenting information to Fox. Arms full and one hand free. "Just hold this" and handed it over. She held it one handed for a few minutes before she realized what it was.

He's got all his brothers doing it though they don't know why. Just "throw things as her and tell me what she does"

Fox is alarmed and too tired for this shit.

Tries to pull the "stop fucking around with the civilian."

"I'm doing science"

"science is writing it down, you're just fucking around!"

*I'm writing it down mentally brother."

Now Helena is paranoid because what is the clone doing. Why is he constantly hanging out in her office? Why are the clones throwing things at me?.

Thorn is throwing her off by talking to her more. Hanging out in her lab, smiling and flirting and asking her to come with them to 79 please. You work just hard as Fox and sleep just as little. Please Cyrika 🥺

He really makes a decision when after a fight with spider woman- he just looks at her mask and says "see you at work tomorrow Helena"

Her not paying attention and tired " yeah see you tomorrow Thorn."

And he grins and walks away and she stands there for a second before "!"

She goes to find him later, shoving him into a closet. All -you cant tell anyone!

Oh Cyar'ika if you wanted me alone you could have just asked. 😁

Helena is upset and paranoid and confused and he just takes her face in his hands.

Mesh'la, I've known for a while, it's okay. Yeah I flirt with both, but that's because I think you're one of the strongest most amazing nat-borns I have ever met and I want you to be safe and happy and sleep. Please take a nap. Mesh'la! I sedate Fox, I'll sedate you too! And maybe dinner with me, and I definitely want to try kissing you upside because I saw it in a film. And you're cute and funny and please go out with me?"

Helena just stunned and standing there with a blue screening.

But you- you flirt with everyone?

Not since meeting you. Mesh'la if I had a Star Everytime you brightened my day in and out of that suite. I'd own the whole galaxy by now.

You'd be a better owner than the Chancellor.

"I would wouldn't I? What ya say Mesh'la, we're already in the closet, we might as well get dinner to?

...is that professional?

Kiss her cheek then closer to her mouth. Just the barest brush of a kiss. Pulls her closer, with one arm, cradling her head with the other.

I can bribe you with kisses, does that help

More blue screening for Helena.

Come one mesh'la, you rock my world, let me rock yours? I'll wine and dine you and even promise to stop throwing myself in danger.

Liar

Ah you got me, but still, just one date? I know you like me, the way your face goes all red and your voice gets high. I like it, that's why I wanted to talk to you all the time. It's adorable

I can break you with a single hand.

"promise? Mans handle me mesh'la- I promise to be a good boy?

Eventually they do come out of that closet 😉 but Thorn promised to be a good boy and Helena took him up on that offer

They'll have dinner later.

Thorn kicks in the door to the officers room, and announces he's got a date! He definitely also looks freshly fucked too. Thire high fives him, Stone and Hound just, roll their eyes and congratulate him.

Fox is just tired and mutters something about please stop fucking in closets.

Thorn still flirts with Spider-woman on missions now, but he talks about Helena so much more now around his brothers

(they will all eventually figure it out. ) and Thorn will be smug about his engineer super hero who can lift him one handed while he's carrying his Z6.

They definitely do the Spiderman kiss. Thorn is delighted.

Palpatine sets of all of Helena's spider senses and she starts investigating that.

Fix it- she saves Fives during the whole hunt him down on Coursant and he explains the chips to her and she's able to kidnap Rex and the three together save the clones. .

Thank you for the ask

I love Thorn now. And thank you to all the people who helped figure him out.

Tag List

@dangraccoon @secondaryrealm @anxiouspineapple99 @clonemedickix @dystopicjumpsuit @523rdrebel @sev-on-kamino @multi-fan-dom-madness @wizardofrozz @starrylothcat

[ohheyitsokay]

ELLE PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WE NEED TO KNOW 🥺

silly that you're asking because I want your thoughts on this too but here are some of mine!

the way I see it, this can go 2 ways.

first.... is slow. Paz opening the door to see you, lashes clinging together, drops of water still rolling down your skin, cloth clinging to your form. swallowing hard. maybe... "Paz, I'm so sorry to bother you," "I was nearby at a café and this man was watering flowers - Paz it was an accident -" "I knew you were nearby, and it's so fucking cold, so I just thought maybe -"

maker he wants to swallow you whole.

think of the possibilities.

you ask if you could just shower - he grabs your stuff to put in the dryer and oh. your underthungs are in his hands and gosh that means you're a curtain away and he forces himself to leave, but can't help himself but come back. Paz sitting on the other side of the door, thankful for it because he's hard as a rock because he's imagine how you look on the other side.

or Paz pulling you inside, guiding you upstairs to his room half in a trance but also stumbling over his steps and his words, absolutely hot to his core. it's cold outside, he's got to - got to - help. words trail of and he's realizing you're peeling off those layers in his bedroom and he's still there and what if he reached over - gently, slowly, what if he helped you so it doesn't stick? and then you're undressing and getting closer and closer and he's looking at your lips and he forgot to get a towel but maker be damned if he's leaving you for even a second so his blanket will have to do. but it's behind you and - and what if while he was reaching for it he presses a little too close and then you're on his bed. and he's over you because you pulled him down too. and there's a joke here, maybe, about needing to warm you up, but the prolonged eye contact is far too revealing, and it doesn't matter, because now your in his bed, practically naked, and he's not denying that this is what he's been dreaming about.

the second is fast - rescuing you from an unforgiving sea pirate!Paz? or something well and truly dramatic

it's cold - "don't you dare kriffing die on me" - fuck fuck fuck no one else can see you so beautiful and vulnerable - the cold is seeping into you're bones. your clothes are off before he can even savor the moment. he's swathing you in his blankets and you look so small in his bed and maker you're gorgeous and it's not enough. what else can he do? Paz would stop storms for you if he could. so at first it's not even sexual he's offering himself up to you because that's who he is, wrapping himself around you before - oh. you're thawing in his arms, as he's whispering for you not to fall asleep until he knows you'll wake up, and oh are you molding into him like you belong there. oh.

or maybe it's not so dire, you're just standing there literally dripping and he rushes forward, his hands on your cool skin before he can think. your skin warming under his palm, him gently kneading it in near awe. maybe your fingers are grasping the front of his shirt, just wide eyed as you watch him. and he's hungry for you, for it, so he keeps drying you off or whatever wherever seems safe and then his hands are wandering up your thigh or under your shirt and you're both standing in his kitchen and he's realizing you're giving him all the okays and

[borathae]

I held off a review for the last chapter (which was hot af) because I couldn't get comfortable with it because I KNEW SHIT 👏 WOULD👏 HIT 👏THE 👏 FAN👏

This chapter.... This motherfucking chapter...

I tell you, I was on the edge from the start before reading anything. I have to say I kinda knew Alpha was involved w "The Incident" but when I read "Little One" I gasped, dropped my phone, my mumma looked at me all kinds of weird 😅

Everything escalated so quickly istg. And I take back what I said about Jimin. He's a sadistic little psycho, like a cat that plays with its food. I wanna know what bizzare power he holds over Taehyung and is this what they were thinking of for JK?

Min Yoongi. Min Yoongi has some 'splaining to do. He seems so world weary and I am still left wanting to know more about him. I want to ask when's the explanation coming queen, but I don't makes demands of or rush an artist... So consider this a polite request? Maybe? Or ignore it completely, that's fine too 🤣

Ok but let's get to the real tea hunty.

This whole ending was so intense, my mind is racing. So many questions I know you can't answer but imma voice anyways:

• How is Taehyung controlled?

• What does all this mean for JK now that the culprits of "The Incident" have been revealed?

• WHO RETURNED JK AND OC?? WAS IS TAE OR YOONGLES? IS THERE SOMEONE ELSE? (In the unlikely event I ever meet Min Yoongi, I will for sure accidentally call him Yoongles and make a tit of myself 🥲🙃)

• Who has come to OCs rescue?

• Is it a rescue?

• If its the Sanguis lads with a healed JK is JK walking into a trap?

• Why did Tae eat in front of OC knowing it would make her uncomfortable?

• How long is OC gonna last as a fragile human?

I've totally not got a countdown for Wednesday set up on my phone because I'm obsessed with this work. 👀

-🌸

Okay so first of all thank you so much for this lovely review hehe 🥺💜

And second of all, Jimin really do be a lil cray cray in this story. like okay my good sir, please stop 🥴

As far your request for Yoongi's backstory is concerned. I can just tell you that the way I reveal more and more about him was one of the most satisfying things I have ever written. Literally, building his character was so much fun omgmg

Now to your questions:

How is Taehyung controlled?

mhmhmh or is he?

What does all this mean for JK now that the culprits of "The Incident" have been revealed?

gosh, poor Kook. Imagine his reaction once he finds out :(

WHO RETURNED JK AND OC?? WAS IS TAE OR YOONGLES? IS THERE SOMEONE ELSE? (In the unlikely event I ever meet Min Yoongi, I will for sure accidentally call him Yoongles and make a tit of myself 🥲🙃)

TRULY WHO DID THAT and also lmaoa big mood

Who has come to OCs rescue?

Indeed who did?

Is it a rescue?

:o

If its the Sanguis lads with a healed JK is JK walking into a trap?

:O

Why did Tae eat in front of OC knowing it would make her uncomfortable?

Okay I can answer that hahahah. It was as to not draw suspicion on him. Namjoon would have probably looked at him weird if he refused because as of now, Taehyung never really refused one of Namjoon's offers

How long is OC gonna last as a fragile human?

truly that woman has some strength inside of her, hasn't she?

jafjdsfj I know that my answers were not helpful at all, but ajfdsj I can't say mORE jfajds 😩😩💜

[luthorao3]

I forgot I sent in the Selkie!MC thought! But thank you for reminding me and also thanks for the Nadia thought because now all that's in my head is this following idea of how she finds out about MC (if you have your own idea please share, I'm just chucking mine out because I'm a mess for these characters and the myth and folklore genres).

Also forgive the length of it, I started typing and the idea grew much, much further than intended. I should not be as invested in mythical and folklore creatures as I am, but once I start thinking it does. not. stop.

Anyway, here's the initial idea I had:

Nadia's not a fan of hypocritical behaviour because, fine, some people have moral codes but at least have the strength of character to stick to them. So she's annoyed about the Poppy having a pet seal, so maybe she decides to be petty about it and give them the metaphorical finger.

How does she decide to do this?

By kidnapping the seal and releasing it back into the wild of course!

She figures out quite quickly that the seal in question isn't always in the pool, but for the life of her she can't find out where they keep it indoors. Is there a hidden water tank inside she doesn't know about? If there is she can't find it, which leaves the pool as the only viable option to take the "poor, trapped animal" from.

And sure, MC loves being (as you perfectly put it) a menace in the pool when others are around, but sometimes she just likes to swim yk? So she goes swimming on her own sometimes.

And during one of Nadia's checkups on the spot, she sees the seal splashing around unsupervised and sees her chance.

MC does not expect the net.

She thrashes, of course, but at first thinks it's an ill-advissd, not very sensitive prank and is just like "I'm gonna kill them" until she realises exactly who has just pulled her out of the water.

The plan for Nadia had been to use a seal-carrier bag usually used by rescuers after getting the seal out of the net.

The plan absolutely had not included the thrashing seal to almost immediately shift into an infuriated MC because she recognises the bag Nadia's holding and it might not exactly be a cage but it's pretty close and she doesn't know what the hell Nadia wants with a seal so she's at least going to get into a form where she can defend herself.

Nadia's of course frozen in shock and barely avoids getting her nose broken again.

The Poppy hear MC shouting and come running, and Vivienne nearly kills Nadia the moment she sees the net, the bag and MC clinging to her sealskin. The rest of the Poppy are fully ready to throw down but it's Nadia's shock that saves her because she just blurts out "You're a SEAL?" And the Poppy pauses because they're like "...you aren't trying to take her coat?"

"Wtf would I do that? You think I need sealskin?"

And they really don't like this situation, they don’t want to be in a position where they have to trust Nadia because, yk, it's Nadia, but they can't kill her either (Vivienne does ask again if they can reconsider their no killing rule, but this time she's only half joking) so they don't really have a choice. They chuck her out as fast as possible because they are not explaining anything that could give her leverage and also they don't want her around MC, and Nadia's more than happy to book it out of there because she needs more information but her mind is still reeling (MC, seal, MC, seal, MC is the seal, what the-). The Poppy move to another penthouse and are gearing up to dispell any rumours that might "crop up" about MC in the Underworld, practicing scoffing in people's faces like "Selkies? You mean like magic? That doesn't exist!"

But Nadia doesn't spread any rumours, there's just total silence, nothing to indicate that anyone's heard anything about Selkies or seals.

And nobody's going to, because once Nadia's done her research and worked out that, yes, MC is an apparently not-so-mythical Selkie, she knows she isn't going to tell anyone (aside from looking insane if she did so, she also does want to win the Poppy over and stealing a pet seal is one thing but this is on an entirely different level).

Of course her research of Selkies inevitably raises the point of how important MC's sealskin coat actually is, and it clicks in her brain exactly what the Poppy thought she was doing by attempting to kidnap MC, and Nadia's a terrible human being, okay? Absolutely terrible, she would kill a man without hesitation, she would wreck someone's life in all kinds of ways, but she wouldn't do that. She gets the implications of what taking the coat would mean immediately, what it looked like to the Poppy by the pool before they realised she didn't know, hadn't worked it out.

And the Poppy don't hear anything, not for a while, as Nadia tries to work out how to approach the situation, until she gets wind of Vivienne punching a man who hadn't known that MC was a Selkie, but had thought that the sealskin coat looked very nice and tried to steal it.

He ends up dead in a couple days.

please never never apologise holy shit also please tell me you write??? please tell me you have fic somewhere that i can read because oh my gos your mind???? i’m about to go zombie weird on you and your beautiful brain lmaoooo this had me laughing out loud!! nadia ‘releasing the poor, captive seal back into the wild’ ajdjdjfkfkfk.

all i could imagine when i read that, though, was— you know that one scene in the parent trap? where the twins take meredith (??) camping, and as she’s sleeping they drag her blow up mattress out into the middle of the lake? like either THAT or the fucking aristocats, with MC waking up in the middle of the wilds hearing a toad croak directly beside her ear like ‘MAMA? D:’

but oh my GOSH!!!!! at nadia understanding the implications of her rescue attempt looking like she’s trying to steal MC’s coat. oh god. i can’t tell you how much of a sucker i am when it comes to ‘yes, i will do unquestionably evil acts, but i don’t fuck with kids/animals/vulnerable people’ villains. you sexy piece of shit. 😔👌

also can we just for a second appreciate after everything calms down nadia rocking up to mc with like a bucket of fish or smth equally awful because she is still, alas, a rat bastard. <3

[milasartblog]

Demons' fight (part 3)

Echoes of fallen warriors. A lullaby to some people, and a horrific music for others. Endless sounds and screams of those that will not find their peace in Inferno Arena, despite the place being closed centuries ago. And yet, echoes of souls will wake up again as Algaron arrived at this place, bloodlusted demon, who did nothing but being a monster, cruel and horrible. He was carrying a little tied unconscious nephilim to the middle of Arena, where the meeting was supposed to be. When he stopped, he inhaled and exhaled deeply.

Algaron: Home sweet home~ How I missed those times when this place was active~ Of course this Lucifer still tried to keep it only for "so cruel and horrible" demons and souls, but how much blood was here, fights all over the arena, strongest against weakest~ Just thinking about it gives me chills~

He held his cheeks, caressing his hands down in maniac pleasure, then he looked at his victim with smirk.

Algaron: Well, wakey wakey time~

He shook Nazeel's shoulder as little nephilim began to wake up slowly, trying to open his eyes.

Nazeel: Where......am I? What happened?

Algaron: Good morniiiing, sleeping beauty~

A voice astonished Nazeel as he turned around and looked at unfamiliar person to him. Remembering what happened, he felt that he was tied up as tried to escape.

Nazeel: H-Hey!! Let me go!! Mommy!! Somebody!!! HEEEELP!!!

Algaron only smirked evily as kneeled to Nazeel.

Algaron: Shout as much as you like, my little prey~ Nobody will come after you. We're here aaaaallll alone~

Nazeel looked around in horror. Place was so unfamiliar to him, but some sculptures and things helped him guess that it was not human world. It was Hell.

Nazeel: W-What's going on??! Who are you??!

Algaron: Oh, so your precious Lucifer didn't tell you about me?~ How rude of him~

Nazeel: Uncle Lucifer knows you??! Then he will definitely come and save me!!!

Algaron: Hehe, that's what I'm hoping for, little brat~

Suddenly the anxiety crowled on Nazeel's back. He kept trying to escape, but ropes were tight and seemed like a strong magic blocked him to do anything. Tears were coming from his eyes.

Nazeel: What do you want from me??? Why do you need uncle Lucifer??? And where are we???

Algaron: Oh, Lucifer didn't show you this place?~ But of course, he is too soft to do it even to their own demons. Here, my little brat, lies a place, honored by every demon, who enjoys fights and bloodlust, a place, where strongest fight with weakest one, - Infreno Arena~

Nazeel: A-Arena???

He got even more scared. So demons were cruel in the past, he thought to himself. But why didn't Lucifer tell him about it? While Algaron spread his arms wide to show how huge the arena is, he laughed evily.

Algaron: That's right~ Can you hear it? The shouts of the pleased audience, desiring more and more blood shows~ Oh, what a waste of such place~

Nazeel's body shook a lot, like trees under the earthquake. He tried to crowl backwards, doing it with his legs, but it was useless as he fell on the ground.

Algaron: What's wrong, little mouse?~ Too tight to run?~

Nazeel: This is a non-sense!!! Uncle Lucifer would not create such place!!!

But it only made the demon laugh even more wildly, not believing how naive was the boy.

Algaron: You're naive little piece of shit~

Suddenly his expression changed as he grabbed scared Nazeel's face with his one hand strongly, pulling him close to his face.

Algaron: Want to know the truth about your so called Uncle Lucifer? This scars, do you see them? They're all from Lucifer, the King of Hell himself. Wonder why? For being the true self. That's right, a "true" demon, can you imagine it?~ Of course you can't! You were under an illusion all the time! Believeing that demon can be redeemed and be nice. "Oh, LuCIfeR mAkeS HeLL a BeTTer PlAce. HoW it'S so SweeT oF Him!". This is all bullshit!! Demons will never fall under such useless trap!!

Nazeel's eyes cried even more, no words were coming from his mouth. His soul only cried for help, screaming with desire to get back home, to Anoli and Liya. Algaron let go of his face.

Algaron: You wonder why I'm telling you this, even tho I'm not supposed to~ Well, I don't care what consequences of it will be. My only desire is to let every creature know that we will never fall under angels or humans influence. I want Lucifer to show his "true" self~

Nazeel: T...True self??

Algaron: That's right~ The true King of Demons, the one, who would never indulge God, His angels and humans~ Ah, how long since I last seen his form~ Thinking about it drives me mad~

He put his hands around his arms, caressing them. Nazeel couldn't believe his ears. Lucifer had true form? What did this guy mean under it? What was Lucifer hiding all this time? So many questions ran inside him, trying to convince himself otherwise at the same time. Algaron looked up at the bloody sky, smirking.

Algaron: Well, seems like he is not going to come for the rescue~ Oh well, better for me~ Seems like we're here on our own, little brat~

He grabbed Nazeel by the hood as lifted him. Nazeel waved his legs, punching Algaron's stomach as strong as he could, but it was nothing to him. Meantime, Algaron's free hand shaped into claws that was ready to strike.

Algaron: It's been a long time since I played with innocent and pure soul~

Nazeel: MOMMYYY!! LUCIFER!!! HEEEELP!!!

He shouted so loud as echoes spreaded around the arena and tears ran from his eyes. Suddenly a big spear came out of the ground and stroke Algaron's arm that held Nazeel's hood, making him let Nazeel go and shout from pain.

???: Don't you dare to touch him.

Both Algaron and Nazeel turned around and looked at familiar figure, standing in front of them. Algaron gritted his teeth from pain, but still smirked.

Algaron: Look who finally came for the rescuse~ Lucifer Morningstar~ Or should I say.....Samael Morningstar~

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

And that's the next part for the story^^ Gosh, that was hard to write c': I want to punch Algaron's face now c': But what will Lucifer do? What is his next step?

Lucifer and Algaron belong to @wildstarfan and @milasartblog (both me)

Nazeel belongs to @captainthane

Okaria et Feria belongs to @wildstarfan and @captainthane

[tuliharja]

BLEACH: Thousand-year Blood War ep 4 review

RIP Hidetomo Kajomaru. As a manga reader, I already knew you would die after your explanation. You served your purpose and you did it well.

Oh gosh. Jugram's voice is so hot. He is otherwise hot. Excuse me for fangirling, but when I first time saw him...I right to way wished he and Byakuya would have ikeman showdown! Like yes, even if it would only be a comical encounter, so what? I think it would have been funny...too bad this Bleach version doesn't have "Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book" at the end of it, but I get it. This is supposed to be as serious as anime can be because it's about war and things are super-duper serious. But still...imagine Byakuya and Jugram having intense ikeman showdown where sparkles multiply as they flip their hair like some sort of models, fangirls screaming and fainting left and right, and just when they're about to rip their uniforms show some eye candy, a wild Kenpachi crashed and steals the victory because he flashes that predator smile while mega-sparkles fly! Oh yeah. Don't try to deny it. You would have loved that kind of showdown.

I loved how Rose did all but bleed out his heart to NaNaNa Najahkoop about Izuru and how Izuru was his muse. It was super cute and made me feel sympathy toward him as a fellow artist (not as a music maker as I can't make one even if my life would depend on it) as it just sucks when your muse is gone (in this case quite physical sense), yet he was still quite chill (at least to outside.)

Oooh, Äs Nödt's introduction was very cool! I can't wait to hear how people are going to spell his name when/if they'll...(Because people who don't use 'ä' and 'ö' in their alphabet normally can't spell them correctly.) Also, it made me a bit chuckle how that lone shinigami who tried to keep the morale up survived just in time for Renji to rescue him...yet unlike other one-minute or few more minutes new characters, he didn't get a name or even a rank. You poor thing. At least you survived enough for Renji to rescue you... And good thing Byakuya came to help Renji! (And yes, I fangirled again a bit when he just walked on the scene like he was taking a stroll in the neighborhood...) I loved how chill Byakuya was and having his 'superior' talk to bad guys. Classic Byakuya, I must say.

Bambietta calling Komamura a doggy was funny/cute and brought back that joke of Komamura being a dog, even though he is a wolf... I can't wait to see their proper showdown! That little bit of what we saw already was very cool, but what surprised me a bit was the fact that Bambietta's bombs remained blue-white. Like I understand that because her Quincy powers manifest as bombs, those would be that color, but even so...I don't know. I suppose as long as it's part of Quincy's power, their power will appear in that color. Just like Äs Nödt's spikes.

Seeing bits of other captains fighting their opponents all around Seireitei really made it feel like the war is going on fully on Seireitei. Visually speaking (writing) it was a really good pull as usually in shonen anime fights it can feel like a huge group of people is fighting in a very limited area and while Seireitei is kind of 'small', it isn't exactly that small...it's in fact super big city. So, that spacious feeling and each captain has their individual fights were important as they're fighting separately yet at the same time.

Though, I must admit I liked the fact they gave Byakuya's fight toward Äd Nödt more focus than with other captains' -at least for now. Though...the impact of how Byakuya stated 'they stole Bankai' could have been a bit better. Now it didn't really hit home, but considering how Byakuya is...it's no surprise. Though, I would have wished the animators could have portrayed that feeling of 'I just lost part of me' better, because in the manga as a reader I could feel Byakuya's terror, but now? Not really. Now it was more along the lines of 'okay, this is bad, but I'll manage'. Like how? Because apparently, every captain has forgotten 'oh yeah, we've kido'... But luckily we had Toshiro to deal with the more impactful of 'they stole my Bankai!!' Always trust Toshiro to deliver that panic over losing something precious to himself... I think Soi Fon's reaction was a bit surprising, as while it was in the filler where she claimed she trained other tricks to use just so she doesn't have to rely solely on her Zanpakuto and its skills, I felt like her horror over the matter didn't suit her. And eh, Komamura...goes to show when canines are angry/fearing, they'll show all their teeth.

Also. once again it was proven communication is important but so underappreciated. I mean, Mayuri had a point when he questioned why they couldn't just wait for his analysis to be complete. Why the need to rush? Yes, the situation is dire and serious, but seriously...if it was already before stated their Bankai could be nullified, why still try one's luck? Because 'I won't believe it until I, myself, have tried it!' Such arrogance. Not to mention, there was like zero planning or leading in this. I mean, they had captains' meeting, but apparently planning for the upcoming war they knew that was coming wasn't something they did? It also made me wonder...even if Yamamoto wouldn't have given them any advice on what to do or how to act apart from 'be on alert!' the captains themselves could have like talked with themselves or sort of? Or, at least waited for Mayuri to complete his analysis and not jump the gun, like they did...I'm still baffled there was like zero planning in this. No wonder Quincies had quite an easy time... Like yes, making counter plans toward the unknown is hard, but not impossible. Even when reading the manga I couldn't help but wonder why Kubo rendered the shinigami so...useless. I get that Ichigo is the star of the show, but even so... So yeah, Mayuri's outburst was justified, even though Kyoraku tried to gloss it over. Like, kido, anyone? No one? Okay then.

(Also, Yamamoto mourning over Sasakibe's death isn't any excuse to mop around like a sad blob when the rest of his subordinates and other people are dying left and right. Like yes, Sasakibe's death was a big loss to him, but even so...)

Luckily Akon decided to call for Urahara, even though it was basically 'I'll call for shonen protagonist to rescue our butts'. Though...even so, the fact Urahara had to deal the final blow to Quilge Opie, made me wonder how exactly Ichigo will deal with the bad guys. I understand that for shonen protagonist to keep his 'innocence' he can't kill, but even so...but I guess that's just shonen magic to you! The protagonist will beat up the bad guys and then someone will come and deal the final blow, dirtying their hands because...well, because the plot requires it. Expect in this case, the 'bad guy' won't just die! (At least not yet.) I'm still a bit surprised over the fact Quilge Opie left Urahara basically unscathed, apart from that lone arrow he hit to him, while Orihime and Sado got beaten down badly...but I suppose it's because they fought against him. Though, I think Orihime mostly covered Sado when he fought.

Also, that last quote at the end...was it Sasakibe speaking? The picture, words, and voice suited him, so I suppose it was him at the end speaking. Kinda ties the whole Yamamoto mourning over his death...

[julieofrandomfandoms]

"My pet tarantula/snake (etc) escaped and I forgot to warn the guy below me who is terrified of snakes/spiders" This one made me laugh, but would you be able to write this for Thearoy? I can't imagine Oliver being scared but Roy seems believable :D

Thanks for the prompt @pleasantfanandstudent! Sorry it took me so long to get to it. This was fun! I hope this is what you wanted - it’s kind of Thearoy, kind of Olicity. Enjoy! 

Spidey Senses

“Felicity, it’s Thea, I really need your help.” 

“Thea? Thea Queen?”

“Yeah, I know we’re barely acquaintances, but you are my only option. I don’t want my mom and Ollie to know I have a problem at my new apartment because they both were so skeptical I could live on my own. And you are a single girl with her own place, I figured you could help me out.”

“Oh, uh sure. What do you need? I have a list of repairman if it’s a leaky sink or something...”

“My pet got out.” 

“Aw, poor baby. Do you need me to help make Lost posters, or come search?”

“Um, it’s kind of a dangerous pet.” 

“...how dangerous?”

“My tarantula.” 

“WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A TARANTULA AS A PET?”

“Wow, chill a little. Lots of people have them as pets. Only, I must have left the lid unlocked and he got out.” 

“He?” 

“Peter Parker.” 

“You named your spider Peter Parker? That’s actually really funny and geekier than I would have expected from you. I approve, Thea.” 

“Hey, I have layers.”

“Did you search the apartment?” 

“Would I be calling you if I hadn’t? What do I do now?”

“Well now you have a prime opportunity to get to know your neighbors. You’re going to have to go door to door looking for him.” 

“Ugh, they are all going to hate me.” 

“That’s the price you pay for having a dangerous pet.” 

“If I wanted to talk to my mom, i would have called her. So, please no lectures. Oh gosh, I think I found him.” 

“You see him?” 

“No, I just can hear a girl screaming in a panic.” 

“Follow that sound!” 

“On it, but I’m keeping you on the phone in case this girl is a crazy murderer.” 

“If it’s a crazy murderer, there is not much I can do from the phone.”

“Yeah but you can call the police or something. Oh God, it’s not a girl. It’s a shirtless guy, who is screaming like a girl.” 

“He must be really afraid of spiders or something.” 

“He’s really hot. Damn. He should go without a shirt more often.” 

“Thea, he can probably hear you!”

“Na, he’s still screaming too loud. Peter Parker is on his head.” 

“Well get it off and rescue him!” 

“Okay, I did. He stopped screaming but he’s breathing really heavily.” 

“I’m going to get off the phone now. You calm him down, find a way to make it up to him, and then ask him out.” 

“What? Why would you say that?”

“Look, Thea, I know from experience that when you see a hot shirtless guy, you should act right away or you will end up in the friend zone. FOREVER.” 

“Wait, are you talking about my brother?”

“Uh, nope, nothing. Forget I mentioned it altogether. I gotta go...bye.”

Three hours later

TQ: Thanks for all your help today. BTW I’m texting you after getting home from my date with Roy. 

FS: Roy?

TQ: Yeah, the shirtless guy who screams at spiders. 

FS: Wow, so how was the date?

TQ: Really great, and we have one tomorrow as well. 

FS: That’s awesome! And Peter Parker brought you together. 

TQ: Well Peter Parker has to remain in his enclosure at all times from now on as a condition of our date. Roy even helped me secure it better. 

FS: LOL I guess that worked out.

TQ: Now about you and my brother.

FS: We are not having this conversation. 

TQ: He likes you! My head canon is that he made you his secretary so he could be closer to you. 

FS: Executive assistant, and that wasn’t the reason. 

TQ: Okay, so what were the reasons? 

FS: Uh...

TQ: Exactly. Now I’m going to help you two get together. It’s my life’s mission. 

FS: Thea, please do not do that. 

FS: Thea...what are you planning? 

FS: Thea, why aren’t you texting me back. 

FS: Okay, I’m officially scared. Peter Parker has nothing on you. 

[humblereflection]

AND THEN HE SAVES HER FROM GETTING CRUSHED BY A CAVE IN!!!!

he drops her on his opponent of course, can't have her thinking she can depend on him or anything GOSH THAT WOULD SUCK THEY MIGHT GET MARRIED OR SMTH

and he gets fucking beaned by his opponent and she's right there by his side in a moment!!

god he looks so pathetic

Xellos: I never imagined you'd help me, Filia

Filia: This is no time to be discussing that

and she helps him out of the cave, and he actually like, seems to appreciate it?????? has his arm wrapped around her..........

idk what the point of this was?? that I like how Xellos has dark hair, light eyes, Filia has dark eyes, light hair??? that they're full of bullshit and do actually care about each other DESPITE their hatred???

was it bc Xellos becomes so chill after leaving the party in a fit of rage?? and he just, treats the reason he was mad in a weird "picking daisy petals, she likes me, she doesn't," kind of way? tormenting her in their banter way only to flip around and rescue her and be agreeable.

was it bc he wanted to draw a fine, explicit line that said "we shouldn't be friends, I'm a monster and you're a dragon, for thousands of years our races have despised another. don't like me."

and she just. trampled all over the line like "yeah fuck you buddy," and grew attached to him bc she genuinely enjoyed their banter?? how at her core she just wants to help and love regardless of who you are????

idk

reading over my twitter thread from my rewatch of slayers try and I'm at the part where they're all arguing over the results of the marriage temple matchmaking and like

Xellos is kinda really mad ab it??????

Xellos and Filia at the same time: Well this chosen combination is incompatible!

Xellos looks like he's mad, while Filia looks like she's just confused as to why anyone would even say that.

and when they realise they said the same thing, they're surprised. and then they remember they hate each other and look away, sticking their noses up

and Lina is like

"well you look pretty compatible to me"

Filia looks like her entire world is gonna shatter. horrified, shocked, confused!!! why would you even say that!!!! he's a monster!! she's a golden dragon!! the least compatible creatures!!!

while Xellos is actually mad!!! he's usually so cool and composed and he's got the anger vein!!! he never gets one!!!!

and like, idk, the fact he fucks off and she sits out the adventure and shapes a pile of rocks to his likeness just to smack his head off....

the next time they meet we have this

Filia: you're here when we don't need you, and not when we do!!

Xellos: you shouldn't depend on me I'm a monster.

and like??? Lina has them pair up for exploring, and Filia HATES IT!!! but Xellos just??

he just pulls her after him, quietly going "come along" ????? didn't you tell her not to depend on you??? weren't you absolutely pissed bc some random fake marriage temple set you two up??????????

like, totally planned for her to overhear him barter Lina's life for valgaav to join the monster side,

Xellos : I'm a monster Filia

Filia, horrified gasp: Xellos!!!

like??? he reminded you this, like, at the start of the dungeon. he told you not to depend on him. why are you reacting this way??? Filia please you didn't even want to be paired with him. you just tried to trick him into going the opposite way. I can't.

[lokigodofaces]

Good question!

I've done some research, and here's what I've come up with.

The pencil was invented for the purpose you mentioned: a quick and legible way for the military to write short objects of note (thank you France for your blessing to mankind). Soldiers in WWII would use print and pencils as the French intended its use. I'm no Army expert, but I'd imagine that our fellas Steve and Bucky would be writing in print often.

I, having already gone too far into my research and not being able to escape, looked into whether soldiers consistently wrote in cursive, if we have any hard evidence of it. And cursive was used often because, oh my gosh, who in their right mind in the early 1940's would write with a pencil in their diary or letters? So, now, we must ask ourselves whether Steve and Bucky would write letters or journals.

Bucky had three younger siblings. Steve didn't have any remaining family alive, but in a flashback scene in TWS, it is loosely implied that Bucky's family knew Steve fairly well and would take Steve in after his mom died. So, I'm sure Bucky sent home letters to his family. Many journal entries from soldiers speak of how much letters from home were valued. As one explained, mail was only second to food and water in importance. WWII soldiers loved letters; after all, it was a taste of home. I'm sure Bucky would've written his family. Steve might even possibly have sent multiple letters to Bucky's family as well. I would assume he sent at least one after Bucky "died," explaining the circumstances behind his death and giving his condolences.

As for journalling, we can't really definitively say whether or not either kept a journal. We are never told whether Steve has ever journalled. We know Bucky journalled post-TWS, but, circumstances considered, it isn't evidence he kept a diary in the war. I don't have the capabilities to check with this device (so I can't check until tomorrow), but there might be a clue in the Smithsonian scene in TWS. It is a museum, museums often have displays of quotes from journals. Perhaps in the background there is a quote from either of their journals, but who knows? All I can say is that many soldiers did keep diaries, enough so that much of our information on the War comes from them. So one can decide whether they think they kept a journal. Personally, I think they have a few entries. Maybe not a lot. It might just be from very significant times. Like, the first week of combat, Bucky being rescued, and Bucky's death. But outside of that, I have no say, honestly.

So, that can go towards either of our theories. I'm sticking with my Theory #3: It's Complicated. The gist of it really is personal penmanship is weird and makes no sense, uses cursive less than 90%, uses print less than 90%. So there's a spectrum. I apologize for not being clear, but when I said mainly using print/cursive in #1 and #2, I meant 90+% using print/cursive. So, really, honestly, you could be right, I could be right. We have one scene of Steve writing something down and a crap ton of knowledge that I can't tell people normally because no one cares. We really have no idea.

I'd also like to say I probably am unconsciously biased for #3. Y'see, I love fandom because I can relate to characters. And sometimes I relate to characters for very small, irrelevant things. And since people have made fun of me recently for writing in cursive consistently (I'm like 65% cursive, maybe more), I would not be surprised if I'm subconsciously looking for a cursive using character in Marvel, especially characters in my top five (Bucky-#1, Steve-#4). I know, it's weird as heck, but I wouldn't be surprised. And I completely understand weird writing habits, so #3 is a thing. But, hey, headcanons are personal, they can be whatever. If you want our WWII fellas to be #2, go for it!

And, dude, where'd you get a fountain pen? Getting one and learning how to use it is so on my bucket list! I have calligraphy quills, the closet to a fountain pen I have, and I flippin' love them!

Something I just realized

This is all based off the MCU movies, but if you have something to add based off of comics or whatever other media, please show me. I'm a typography nerd and I wanna know.

In 1945, the first commercially produced ballpoint pen began replacing the then common fountain pen.

Steve and Bucky used fountain pens.

This is important because of how fountain pens work.

To keep this short and not get into too much of my nerdy typography knowledge, the way a fountain pen is designed, you would not be able to read something if it was written in print unless you were a skilled calligraphist because every time you put the tip on paper, a bunch of ink goes out. So with print, there would be too many ink blotches. That's why old documents are written in cursive, because all ink using utensils before the ballpoint pen would do this.

Because of this, Steve and Bucky grew up using cursive whenever writing in ink. They would write in print with pencil (which were made in 1795 by a French scientist for the French military under Napolean, fun fact and more evidence I know way too much about typography).

So now I'm wondering how they write in the 21st century. We see Steve's list of things to catch up on in TWS, which is written in print. From the looks of it, Steve is using a ballpoint pen. We never get to see Bucky's handwriting, I don't think so, but we do know that he writes a ton as Sebastian Stan said that he filled journals with anything he could remember. But, considering the nerd I am, I wanna take a guess at their handwriting habits.

There are three options I see: (1) they write in cursive mainly, (2) they write in print mainly, (3) it's a bit more complicated.

I'll mostly talk about Steve's handwriting since we actually see it and have evidence, but I'll put in my headcanon about Bucky's as well.

1:

At least with ink, they write in cursive mainly. They might possibly even write mainly in cursive with pencil. There would be instances when they write in print, but typically it's cursive.

At least with Steve, this is most likely proven inaccurate. With a list like the one he carries, I would assume he would write in cursive if this were the case. It's a list for only him to see, so he doesn't have to worry about people not being able to read cursive, and he would be more comfortable writing in cursive. It wouldn't take as long either. It might be slightly messy cursive since it's quite hard to write in cursive without something hard behind it, but it would be more suitable than print. I also doubt that this would be the case with Bucky (more info on that later).

2:

We all know people that absolutely hate cursive. I know more people that hate cursive than like it. Nowadays, it matters less whether you like cursive or not. It's been about 70 years since it was a necessity. While there still are benefits to writing in cursive (I've already ranted too much about typography, so I won't list the benefits, but you can ask me later and I'll tell you), there are less benefits than 70 years ago, which is why lots of people are speaking against cursive in the millennial and gen z generations.

So, growing up, Steve and Bucky might have hated cursive, but had to use it because it was practical. But now that print has increasing in practicality with the release of the ballpoint pen, they don't need to write in cursive. They could switch to print and literally no one would care.

Or, maybe they didn't care about using cursive growing up because it was practical. But now that there is less reasoning to using cursive in this century, they eventually switched over to print for the sake of practicality. Which is a good explanation for Steve's list in TWS. A short list he'd add to occasionally quickly while typically standing up. Print would work fine.

But I still prefer the final explanation for the two of them.

3:

Okay, penmanship is complicated for modern cursive users like myself. Most of us made a conscious decision to use cursive for whatever reason, whether they want to reap one of the benefits or because they find it aesthetically pleasing. Other than third grade when you're forced to write in cursive, no one cares. So we get into weird writing habits.

Last year, I had a teacher with dyslexia. I almost always wrote in print because I wanted him to be able to easily read my work. This expanded outside of that class on accident. In my math and physics class now, I'll write in modified print. Mostly print, but a few letters like a, x, l, t, etc, are in cursive. This is because when I write algebra I write a in cursive because my a in print is like the a in Times New Roman, which can be confused for a 2, printed x can be confused for ×, the multiply sign, printed l can be confused for 1, and printed t can be confused for + plus sign. I attach some classes with cursive somehow, like my cooking class and seminary class. Some, like APUSH and Spanish, depend on the day. Outside of school, in my fanfic outline notebooks, the first word determines it. If the first word is print, the entire section will be print. Heck, one section is in full caps because of this. But if a page or section has two types of writing, it drives me insane unless there is a purpose behind it (calligraphy artwork). I don't remember the last time I wrote cursive with pencil. I also write in cursive more often with gel pens than ballpoint. Most of us have weird things like that.

I personally think that Steve and Bucky have something similar. They're transitioning from a primarily cursive world to a primarily print one. They don't need to write in cursive anymore, but they might still do it out of habit in some instances.

To make this simple, let's say that roughly half the time they use cursive and the other half print. Some circumstances might be better for print, like Steve's list. He's writing quickly while standing up, print is practical. The two could have any other set of penmanship habits, who knows?

I know this is something literally no one has wondered about, and I know way too much about typography, but this sort of stuff is fascinating to me. I'm the type of person that's overly excited because I got a new pen yesterday. So, yeah, hopefully y'all enjoyed this rant about this very useless topic.