#haha yeah the entire last battle I was like

[bugoutreviewgirlie]

Rejoice, ML fanfic writers! Now Ladybug and Chat Noir's suits are canonically removable! (kinda)

[mozart-the-meerkitten]

My parents and I watched the season 3 finale of Star Wars: Rebels tonight and I can't believe my mom was the one who was like "WHY ARE THEY* ALL DYING?!" and I was the one being all, "don't worry I'm sure it will be fine." this is the most role reversal we have ever done.

(*to clarify I mean the rebels in general, the main cast was fine)

[afanofmanyships]

My Take On Danny Being The Gatekeeper au:

For the longest time, Danny thought that he didn't have a grave, that he was graveless. Then one day he met a graveless ghost and it felt wrong - they felt wrong - like they weren't truly there but that was impossible because they were in front of him. They were translucent, but not like a ghost. They were translucent in the way that their outline was disappearing. Their color is translating into black and their feet are becoming invisible.

As Danny reached out his hand to the graveless, they latched onto him. Because of that simple touch, Danny felt this graveless ghost drain his entire soul. All he had to do was pull away, pull away and leave. But he couldn't.

Danny: Let go of me.

Graveless Ghost: ......

Danny holds his arm with his other hand: Let go of me.

An outline of a smile appears on the thing's face: *A soundless laugh comes out of that thing's mouth*

Danny tilts his head down as green tears start appearing at the ends of his eyes: Please

A mask starts appearing in place of the thing's face: ha ha

Phantom looks the thing straight in the eye as green tears begin to fall from his face: LET GO OF ME!!

The thing's figure begins to become round as its hand becomes more solidified, a mouth starts appearing underneath the mask, and then the being grabs Danny's forearm with its other hand: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AH HA H A HAHA HA HA AHAH AHAA HA AH ITS MINE NOWHAHAHAH AHA!

Phantom doesn't know what that thing is saying as he starts pulling his arm away from that thing: ARG, Let me go!!

The thing laughs at Phantom as it drags him closer to itself: HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHHAHAHAAH.

Phantom: LET. ME. GO.

Danny was able to toss the thing away from himself. As he watched the thing get up and walk away, Danny looked down at his arm and saw that it was bleeding but most of all, disappearing.

Danny Phantom began to pant as if he just fought the greatest battle in his entire half-life, holding his right arm: What the hell was that?

______________________________________________________________

Ghost Writer: What you just described was a No Face.

Phantom: A No Face?

Ghost Writer: Yeah, and by the looks of it.

Ghost Writer jester to the bandaged stub where Phantom's right arm should be: You just gave them their last piece to become a full-fledged one.

Phantom grasps his bandage unconsciously: What does that mean?

Ghost Writer sighs into his hands: Sometimes I forget that you've only been dead for 2 years until you say basic ghost 101 shit like that.

Phantom, stares at him unimpressed: Uh huh.

Ghost Writer sighed again and reached his hand as a book flew at him: A Ghost without a grave becomes a wisp within a year. That is the first step to becoming a No Face. The only way for a No Face to become a normal Ghost once again is for their loved ones to acknowledge that they are dead.

Ghost Writer flips open the book as he snaps his fingers making a pair of glasses appear on his face: Let's see *scams his finger across the pages* here it is *his finger taps the page*. If a grave/shrine is made the Ghost is to find and acknowledge them to solidify their standing in the afterlife.

Ghost Write looks Phantom straight in the eyes: If the ghost cannot locate their grave or shrine. Then that means they are considered a missing person or that no one cares about them enough to actually give a damn about giving them a proper grave. Making them unable to go back to their afterlife causing them to walk the Earth again as a wisp. To find a portal back to the afterlife.

Phantom tilts his head in confusion: ......

Ghost Writer rubs his eyes: Before you ask, no, the natural portals don't work on them. They'll just go through it as if it was never there. They'll have to find a permanent one like the one in Wisconsin and yours.

Phantom feels uncomfortable: What happens when they turn into that shadowy figure I saw?

Ghost Writer: This means that their entire bloodline has expired and that those who remember them are forgetting their existence entirely.

(Danny: Does that mean I'll become a No Face?)

Phantom: How do I get my arm back?

Ghost Writer: You must recognize your grave to unlock your full strength. Find the No Face, and from there it's up to you to make a choice.

Ghost Writer sits up and holds one hand: You kill and devour them, or *raises up his other hand* become allies and form into one being.

Phantom: I have a grave?

Ghost Writer: If you didn’t have one you would have become a wisp already.

(Danny: We need to go.)

Phantom gets up to leave: I need to go.

Ghost Writer calls out: Phantom.

Phantom stops at the door: ......

Ghost Writer: If you need a clue, go to Clockwork. Only if you're desperate.

Ghost Writer mutters to himself: Only desperate Ghosts have the possibility of finding him.

Phantom gave hum of acknowledgement, before leaving: I'll think about it.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom floats around lazily: -and that's all he told me.

Clockwork works on something out of Phantom's sight: Is that so.

Phantom faces himself towards Clockwork: Yeah, then I came all the way over here. To ask for a clue.

Clockwork hides his work in the shadows before facing Danny: Why did you come to me? You already know I have no concept of your timeline, only those around you.

Phantom takes a deep breath: I know that *avoids eye contact*, I just wanted to see if you knew.

Clockwork chuckles: Where your friends or family mourn the most is the place you seek.

Danny is unsettled by Clockwork's laugh: Thanks Clockwork. *Phantom leaves*

When he left, neither Clockwork nor Phantom noticed that his bandages turned white to black.

Clockwork turns to the shadows where a figure is tied to a chair: *Smiles creepily* Now *leans down onto the chair* where were we?

The figure mysterious: Huuuuu...kakkakkakkkakakakkakakukuuuu.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom went on the search to find his grave. It was a difficult task even with the help of Jazz, Sam, Tucker, and Valerie. They searched high and low trying to his grave. But none of them found it.

Sam: What are we even trying to find?

Phantom: A gravestone that says something along the lines of "Here Lays Daniel Fenton A Brother, Son, and Friend. Often Known As Danny Fenton." Or something like that.

Sam: What kind of name is "Danny"?

Valerie: I think I dated someone named "Danny" a few months ago.

Tucker had a gut feeling that he knew who "Danny" was: ...Let's keep searching.

Jazz knew who that person was but couldn't put her finger on it: ...(I know this person I know this person but who are they) *A few tears trail down her face but she quickly wiped them away*

It was at that moment Phantom realized that everyone was forgetting Danny.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom asked around Amity if anyone remembered a person named 'Danny Fenton', but no one recognized that name. He asked teachers, students, store clerks; any person that knew him closely.

Even Wes was beginning to forget who he was.

______________________________________________________________

Ghost Writer is shown writing in a book: *Sigh* I hope I don't have to shelf this one.

To the left of him was an empty bookshelf that wasn't there before. Ghost Writer knew that it would've been one thing if a book/bookshelf appeared separately, but it would be a whole other thing if they both appeared together because that means an important person is about to be forgotten and he'll be the only one left to remember them.

If he could change the course he would but he can't. He is unable to tell and no one else can see these books or shelfs. The only way for someone to become one is for someone other than him to remember them. After all, he is just the librarian.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom ends up in front of the Fenton House: ...Why am I here?

There is a pull from his chest that tells him to go inside, so he does. Only to instantly dodge an attack with the fluidity of a person who knew it was coming.

Phantom: ...How did I do that?

He continued dodging until he was near the basement door.

Phantom puts his left hand on his chest: ...That pull again.

He goes down to the basement until he is in front of the Ghost Portal.

A gleam crosses Phantom's eyes as he looks at the Portal.

Phantom: Are you...*reaches his left hand to the Portal*...My Grave?

The Portal gleamed as if responding to Phantom's left hand.

Phantom touched the Portal to recognize it as his grave only to be hit with extreme amounts of pain and visions. Visions that were and weren't of his dimensions.

Phantom falls to his knees with his hand still in the Portal: Agh ugh ug *closes his eyes in pain*

Phantom floats in front of the Portal (with his hand still inside), and his eyes begin to glow white: I see past and future running free (An image of Earth flashes through his eyes. The pictures of streets and roads flash through his mind as if he were traveling through the streets at the speed of sound. Houses, apartments, and warehouses flash through his mind one after the other. The front door's open and as if being, forcibly, sucked in, the door closes behind him. He's in a hallway but every turn a different one shows up until the image of a portal is in front of him. Images of figures of various shapes and sizes walk into the portal, all making the same mistake. The figures are all seen floating peacefully in a pool of green until they open their eyes and the real pain starts. Every single one of them clenched their heads in pain as their bodies underwent changes to their DNA.)

But that's not a world I know (Adventures play out with a confident, but sassy, figure in every one of them plays throughout in his mind. Eyes of different shapes and colors play throughout his mind. Zooming out it shows that the figures are turning their heads to look up to the sky, as if their looking right at him. As the images are zoomed out, it shows different cities and places. Some familiar and some different. Until the Earth is shown, something that was the same image is now something of its own.)

I see a song of past romance (A picture of Phantom is shown then a picture of Danny is shown. An image of them sitting across from each other during a festival in Ancient Egypt is shown.)

I see the sacrifice of man (Danny Phantom is fighting against an enemy and in the middle of the fight the enemy throws an attack that he can not dodge. Danny himself decided to forcibly separate from Phantom because he knew that if it hits then they'll be erased and so he decided to take that chance because this world needs Phantom. Phantom watched as Danny disintegrated right in front of him. And the being that is known as "Danny Phantom" just became "Phantom".)

I see portrayals of betrayal (Phantom sees Danny on the enemy's side pointing at him.)

And a brother's final stand (Danny and Phantom were on opposite sides fighting each other until they smirk at one another and turn around.)

I see you on the brink of death (Danny is shown in the middle of a battlefield with a variety of serious injuries trying to catch his breath and unable to turn into Phantom.)

I see you draw your final breath (Danny drops to the ground drawing his last breath. Phantom carries Danny's corps across the sea and back to Amity Park. Behind him are two duplicates; one carrying a canister that says Sam and one carrying a canister that says, Tucker.)

I see a man who gets to make it home alive (There is a trial.)But it's no longer you (Danny wakes up in the middle of a forest with no memories.)

I see your palace covered in red (The image of Danny and Phantom in the festival of Ancient Egypt is now splattered in blood.)

Faces of men who had long believed you're dead (Sam sits in the heiress seat looking over the sea of suitors where she spots Phantom in the crowd. She wants to cry but she can't not when the situation is extremely delicate for her; she cannot show any weakness. Tucker is also in the sea of suitors waiting for Sam's signal.)

I see your wife with a man who is haunting (In the POV of Danny there is a figure sitting in front of a mirror who turns around.)

A man with a trail of bodies (Phantom buries Danny in a place that will one day become Amity Park, covered in dried blood.)

I see a song of past romance (Danny in a ruined wedding dress with guns in hand in the city of Gotham.)

I see the sacrifice of man (Danny pushes someone out of the way and gets impaled through the heart remembering that he is no longer Phantom.)

I see portrayals of betrayal (A monster that he seems to know personally attacks him without hesitating.)

And a brother's final stand (Danny turns around and swings his sword to lop off the head of the person behind him.)

I see you on the brink of death (Danny lying on the ground desperately holding a sword away from himself as the other person tries to stab it through his core.)

I see you draw your final breath (...It goes through.)

(As the visions died down, images of Clockwork started to appear and they all said one thing looking right at him:

There Is No Clockwork In Your World.)

______________________________________________________________

Phantom drops to the ground: Huff huff *looks at the Portal* what did you mean that there is no Clockwork?

Phantom gets up on his knees and holds his head with his left hand: If there is no Clockwork then *a horrified expression dons his face* WHO THE HELL HAVE I'VE BEEN TALKING TO?!?!

To Be Continued...

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

FANFIC POLL TIME!

Descriptions (because i NEED to explain things haha-):

CHOOSE WISELY

Of Bridges Built & Burned: Based off this clowning between me and @moodyseal

BUCKLE UP THIS GETS WILD READ THE LINK ABOVE FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION

TD;LR- Commodus and Apollo get to both scream about their relationship (because it's usually only Commodus who does that), Commodus goes off to sulk/stew over it while Apollo completes his trials, then post-ToA they meet again and have a Much Needed Talk

...and *sobs* go separate ways... *ugly sobbing* DON'T MIND ME-

you know you love the ship when you write them breaking up in the most heart-wrenching scenario possible.

but shh...i have another idea to do with this but that's for another time😈

The Art of War: I've been DYING to do SOMETHING with Apollo (Favorite Son™) and Ares (Failure Son™) and I have 3 whole scenes in different points of time now!!!

First is when Apollo's young and new on Olympus. He's been shoved onto Ares for the time being because in Ancient Greece, boys were raised by their fathers and girls by their mothers, and when the father was unavailable, it was the eldest brother's job to watch his younger brothers.

Second scene is during/post Ares's kidnapping by the giants! Some Apollo angst, Zeus being the best dad ever (not), and Ares not having a good time.

Third and finally, is a little conversation post-ToA between them :3

The Sun's Rise: At last! Out of the vault! The moment we've been waiting for! Starring our boy Apollo, Prometheus being Prometheus, and a guest star you all should know by now :3

Hyapollo Multific: YEAH YOU HEARD IT. FIVE CHAPTERS OF HYAPOLLO, WITH SIDE DISHES OF APRICITY, HYARICITY, AND ONE-SIDED ZEPHYRUS PINNING FOR HYAPOLLO. COME GET UR FLUFF-DRAMA-ANGST FEST

@hyac1nthus i know you'd want to see this >:3

Koios ToA: What the hell was Koios doing during ToA? This fic will play like a snapshot of what our favorite titan was up too. Questions will be asked, answers will be found, and oh boy Phoebe and Koios are gonna have a bit o' long-overdue marital strife.

Drunk Twins: literally what is says on the label. the twins get drunk and the Hunt has to call in the mama wolf for backup lmao

The Conspiracy of Rachel Elizabeth Dare: based on this post by @hogoflight and expanded upon here by me! Rachel Dare is a conundrum to her friends, and they put their detective hats on to solve the case!

ToA BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Queer Capers of Lester Papadopoulos and Meg McCaffrey: BUZZFEED TIME! We need ToA buzzfeed fics so here I am making one :3

Apollo V Orion fight (with a side-dish of Jupiter & Commodus): Exactly what it says on the label lmao I had three oneshot ideas and then I went "COMBINE THEM!!" so here is a oneshot with three different things in it making a cohesive story :3

A Radiant Light: Did I make up an entire backstory for one background character? Yes. Is that character Phoebe the Hunter? Also yes.

how to get your daughter to divorce your brother and marry your nephew: a guide by demeter: funny fic about Demeter trying to get Meg, Nico, and Will to help her convince Persephone to divorce Hades and marry Apollo. Based off one of my headcanons haha

👀 lookin' forward to a lot of these, hehe!

Tag list: @txny-dragon @solahflare @fuzzystudios @apollosothertwin @peishathebookity @reuben-7991 @allylyrac @the-summersun

[innorogers]

Lucid

Steve Rogers x Dark Past Reader (You)

Summary: Steve finds out about your past. You're nothing as he thought you were. You are better.

Warning: Steve struggling / Past revelations / You don't have to read this: Chapter 1 - Insomnia, but it would enhance the experience if you did.

What do you do the night you meet the love of your life? You spend it with to him—talking, hugging, kissing, teetering on the edge of going further... but it doesn’t matter, because one day, you won’t recall the specifics. Years from now, future you will think back to this night and remember only the magic you felt, the moments your heart skipped a beat, and the wonder of it all.

In the present, as the first rays of sunlight rise from the east and touch your face, you can barely keep your eyes open, almost drifting off against Steve’s shoulder. Once he finds out you’ve just come off a 13-hour shift, he insists on walking you to your dorm. And though it seems to take every ounce of his willpower, he refuses your unspoken invitation to stay. Ever the gentleman.

After a shift that handed you five hours of overtime, you managed to get immediate compensation—and even figured out how to maximize your sleep: you'll shower later.

So, after Steve kisses you goodbye for the sixth time, you finally close the door and collapse into your pillow. Though, to be honest, you’d rather be falling asleep on his chest.

Captain America, on the other hand, was more awake than ever. The last time he felt this energized was when they thawed him from his popsicle state. It was like walking in sunlight, and he half-expected some cheesy background music to play as he moved through the halls.

But, as always, fate was waiting in the corner to throw a punch and kick his perfectly peach shaped ass.

You were still on his mind when he stepped into the Level 0 – Avengers Only common room. You hadn’t left his thoughts since he said goodbye to you... thirty minutes ago.

To his surprise, Natasha was already there – she was never up before 11 – typing something into a computer - she was also never on top of her paperwork -.

“Oh wow, this is rare.” Steve was in a mood—no, actually, "mood" wasn’t the right word. He was still wonderstruck, wrapped up in his own bubble of happiness because of meeting you. 

“Haha, hilarious,” Natasha deadpanned without even glancing up. “Go ahead and laugh now, Rogers. One day, that ‘I’m from the 40s, I don’t know this shit’ lame excuse is not gonna to fly anymore, and you’ll actually have to do some of this.”

“Well... by then, hopefully our genius philanthropist will have invented something to take this torture off our hands,” Steve replied, handing her a cup of coffee.

Now he had her attention.

“Someone’s in a good mood…” She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Alright, spill.”

“Oh no, not a chance,” Steve shook his head, grinning. “Not happening.”

But after a pause, he added, “Hey, we have full access to everyone’s records here, right?”

“Yeah, Level 0 clearance,” Natasha replied, still focused on her typing. “You’ve got everything on your phone. Why?”

Steve glanced at your name in his phone and tried to sound casual. “What do you know about an engineer?” He wasn’t entirely sure if that was your title—you had mentioned it, but he had only been paying attention to the important stuff (like your favorite ice cream, song, hobbies, and what you wanted to do this Saturday night…).

“You’ll need to be more specific. I need an ID or at least a last name.”

“Illithya Lancaster,” he said softly, almost smiling as your name left his lips.

“Oh yeah,” Natasha responded immediately, “the one that goes by ‘Twelve,’ right?”

That got Steve’s full attention. He sat up straight, frowning. “‘Twelve’? Is that a nickname?”

“Code Name 12. Subject ID HE0012.” Natasha continued typing as though she were battling something. “You know what that means.”

“No.” Steve’s voice turned rigid. “I don’t.”

The typing finally stopped, and Natasha swiveled around in her chair to face him. “H for Hydra, E for experiment, number 12. She was one of Hydra’s experiments, Steve.”

That was a bucket of ice water he hadn’t expected. Right to the spine. Steve took a few seconds to find his voice.

“What?”

“There.” Natasha handed him an iPad with all the information: “See, here she is. Um… mission rescue R804, Siberia… Sokovia… yeah, she’s on Hydra's top confidential list, one of the few we’ve got. Stark moved mountains to save her from rotting in a federal prison for eternity.” She spoke quickly as she read, her voice unusually soft, full of compassion.

Steve paused for a moment, trying to recall if you’d mentioned anything about a nickname last night, but he didn’t think you had.

He could barely think. His voice, distant and faint, whispered: “‘Twelve’? What… happened to the other eleven?”

Swiping the iPad, Natasha didn’t even look up, just shrugged: “What do you think?” She didn’t notice Steve’s face go pale instantly. 

“Illithya was the only survivor, barely. Used and discarded as anything Hydra could imagine… like something disposable.” 

She sighed. “I’ve seen awful things, but this is one of the files I try to forget.”

Steve’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t think, and the pain in his chest seemed to crush every fiber of his being.

He couldn’t believe it. You, his treasured little secret, his enchanted, magical midsummer night, this beautiful, pure soulmate he’d fallen with—the one who told him a fairy would bring him all the stars—had been used, abused, treated like a guinea pig, nothing more than a lab rat?

He was beginning to understand the emotions rising within every cell of his body: a mix of uncontrollable anger, sadness, and fear.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, his voice wavered slightly: “...How… how long was she experimented on?”

Natasha set the file aside and looked him straight in the eye. There was empathy there. She knew Steve was shaken, so she softened her voice as much as she could, though her words remained honest.

“‘Till we got her? A lifetime. She was born and raised in captivity. Her entire existence was based on an experiment.”

Steve closed his eyes. It was more than he could bear. The pain he felt intensified with every word Nat spoke. 

He clenched his fists, veins bulging with rage. How could they. 

“How did you rescue her?” He found himself asking in a calm voice, as if inquiring about any other case.

“We didn’t. She escaped, and we found her. After you and Tony split in Siberia.” Nat pulled up the file again on the tablet and handed it to him, but Steve didn’t look. He wasn’t ready.

“So, until she got away…” Steve heard his voice, sounding unnervingly emotionless, and he hated it. “Was she under Hydra’s control her entire life?”

Black Widow didn’t respond at first. She nodded, just barely, while watching him. She was using the spy stare, reading everything beneath the surface, interpreting every unspoken word, every pause, every silence was a puzzle piece for her to figure out the entire picture.

“A lifetime under Hydra…” Steve whispered.

And he felt awful for saying it.

But there it was, a poisoned seed growing in the shadows of his mind. Steve wanted to bury it deep, but he couldn’t stop. 

The doubt crept in, spreading like a toxin—the thought that everything you’d been through had changed you.

How could you ever purge Hydra’s venom from your veins? Was it still there, lurking in every dormant cell, slowly expanding like a plague, consuming all the good, the magic, the purity in you? Corrupting you?

“Stop,” Natasha suddenly said.

She gave him a look Steve recognized—she was about to ask something that would make him think, really think.

After a deep breath, she spoke: “If you’re asking about her, it’s because you’ve met her, right? So, what do you think? Did she seem like a…villain? Or was she different? Special, maybe?”

Steve leaned back into the chair at her words, the memory of you filling his mind again, your innocence, your weird yet adorable responses, your naivety, your smile…You.

The touch of your hand, the softness of your voice, the pureness of your soul. The way you’d clung to him, spoke to him, trusted him, kissed him. He exhaled slowly, a ghost smile on his face. 

“No. I never thought of her as a villain. Or as any…negative. She was different, more than different. She was…she is…incredible…she’s wonderful…she’s…” Perfect.

Natasha remained in silence. Staring at him. Then she leaned up, her words like splashed ripples on the spring's surface. “Why do you trust Barnes, Steve?”

Her tone was calm and serene, yet it made Steve clench his fists. The question was unexpected, but not unanticipated—he knew she’d ask; she always pushed when she had that look.

“He was, or is, more Hydra than anyone we’ve ever rescued from those hellholes, yet you risked everything to save him.”

“That’s different. I know Bucky, he’s all I have left of my past. And he was brainwashed.” You weren’t. You acted, and you act by choice… don’t you? Steve panicked at the thought. Everything you did, you did with your heart… right? Everything that happened last night, was true…Right?

“So if she wasn’t brainwashed, she’s guilty?” A slight ironic smile tugged at Nat’s lips. “Even though she never asked to be born into a Hydra experiment, or to live in captivity. Is she at fault, Steve? For not trying hard enough to escape?”

Steve froze at her words, realizing what she was getting at. You weren’t brainwashed, no, much worse, you’d grown up knowing nothing of life outside Hydra. You weren’t just a victim. No. He thought of you. You were a survivor. A fighter.

“That sounded a bit protective.” Steve looked at his fellow Avenger, studying her expression. “Was it just a rescue mission, Nat? You don’t usually…attach to people.”

Letting out a laugh, Natasha returned to her usual mysterious, lazy smile. “I’ll let you find out for yourself.” 

She hesitated but finally spoke under Steve’s gaze: “She’s… different, Steve.”

A slight, warm smile crossed Black Widow’s face. 

“She’s kind…and good. I don’t know how to explain it, but she’s innocent. Her heart… it’s pure.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at Nat’s words. He could hear the awe in her voice, and it made him think of you: The way you’d looked at him, the sparkle in your eyes. Tiny butterflies fluttered in his stomach as he remembered the way you’d laughed and how they took flight when he kissed you.

Without even realizing it, his voice became as tender as it could be: “Yes. She is all those things.”

“Like I said.” Natasha leaned back in her chair, her fingers returning to the keyboard. “I’ll let you find out for yourself.”

LAB 278—it had taken some time to find.

Steve silently thanked Jarvis for lighting the way as he stepped into your lab—your private, secluded lab, hidden almost a 20-minute walk from the central facilities. Steve hadn’t even known this place existed on campus.

He pushed open the door and saw you through the thick glass. He couldn’t help but marvel as he took in the entire space. Your lab looked like a greenhouse, with plants everywhere—on the desk, under the tables, on the floor, shelves, and windows. Long curtains of leaves hung down from the ceiling like rain falling through broken glass. 

Large screens dominated the room, and then Steve’s eyes widened at what he saw next. 

An armory. Their. Armory. 

A bow being analyzed by lasers, prototypes of metal gauntlets, shattered helmets, and torn suits.

And then, he saw you.

You were cleaning his shield.

Everything fell into silence when his gaze rested on you. The whole place became a quiet green ocean, so still that Steve could almost hear the plants breathing. And his own heartbeat. That stopped when you lifted the shield and gently kissed it.

“Do a good job,” he heard you whisper to it. “Protect him. Keep him safe.”

Steve snapped out of it as those words echoed in his mind. He had a hundred questions, but they vanished in that instant. He wasn’t even thinking—he was reacting—as he stepped forward and opened the door.

The look on your face when you heard the noise and turned around was indescribable. All the tension in your expression softened, and the light in your eyes brightened. 

Steve wondered, how he’d been so blind, so stupid, to believe some reports instead of trusting…you.

“Oh. Hi…” You smiled, joy sparkling in every corner of the room.

God, that smile. The happiness in your eyes at seeing him weakened his knees. He spoke, his voice softer than he’d expected. 

“Hey...”

You almost run to him under instinc. Wanting to move closer, to take his hands, but…you weren’t sure. Was it too much? Too fast? What are you (or this) supposed to be? Are you even dating? Will he hate it? So, you blushed and stood still. “I…I um… I’m so glad you’re here.”

Steve noticed the way you flinched, the way you wanted to reach out but held yourself back. It made him feel…sad, like something was cracking in his chest. He wanted to reach out and take your hand. But he didn’t—not yet. 

Instead, he stepped closer, his voice gentle as he smiled. “…And I’m very glad to be here.”

“Oh.” You weren’t sure if it was the lack of sleep or if you were just lost in his eyes, but your mind was racing, and you couldn’t stop yourself from blurting out something dumb, like really dumb.

“I missed you.”

Oh, what the hell. You wanted to bite your tongue. Especially when you saw Steve freeze. Okay, that was stupid as fuck, you thought, looking down, unsure of what to say next.

“I’ll take it back, I’m sorry, that was stu—” But before you could finish, you were pulled into a tight embrace.

Steve pulled you towards him, wrapping his arms around you in a tight, protective hold. As if he wanted you to melt within him.

He realized how absurd he had been for holding this back, how deeply he craved you. Like a primal longing, like a dying plant thirsting for a drop of dew, or desperate for air.

“Please…don’t be.” He whispered, pressing your head to his shoulder, inhaling the scent of your hair, his eyes closed as he sighed. “I missed you too.”

“Oh.” You awkwardly ran your hands along his back, fumbling at first, before simply giving in and hugging him tighter. You caressed his neck until he rested his forehead against yours, exhaling deeply.

And you smiled. 

“So…you did find out, huh?”

He stood silently, with his chin in your shoulder. And after a while he said in a bitter tone: “How’d you know?”

“‘Cause you look exactly like Tony and Natasha did when they found out. And… because you’re in my lab. I mean, I don’t think this place is a hot spot, huh?” You laughed and broke the hug slightly, but he tightened his grip on your waist, unwilling to let you pull away. 

You caressed his face, inhaling the warmth of his breath, and looked into his eyes. 

"Steve, what happened to me isn’t a burden for you to carry, you know that, right?”

Steve froze. 

Isn’t it? 

Wasn’t it because he hadn’t destroyed Hydra when he had the chance?

Because they didn’t find out sooner?

Because… he wasn’t there?

You struggled to read people, especially someone you cared about, so when you saw the pale, stiff look on his face, you paralyzed.

Was that why he came? To tell you it was over? Well…to be honest, you wouldn’t blame him. After all… you were you, and he was… Steve Rogers. And you were…Hydra’s Frankenstein.

That thought must have shown on your face, because Steve noticed the change in your expression—fear and shame, like you were some kind of Quasimodo who had his mask ripped off.

The mere thought made Steve’s blood boil—the idea that he might reject you because of your past, as if you were to blame for things you couldn’t control. As you were…sinful and…bad.

He suddenly cupped your face and spoke firmly, the words echoing from his heart, the same words he should have said the moment Natasha told him the truth.

“Hey, hey… look at me. Look at me.” He stared straight into your eyes. "Don’t doubt me. Don’t doubt… us.” His voice was filled with protectiveness and anger. “I’m here, and I…” I’m falling for you.

“Do you regret it?” Your voice trembled. “Last night… do you regret… meeting me?”

“No.” His voice was steady and resilient, unwavering and unshakable: “Not in a million lifetimes.”

You held your breath for a moment, trying not to cry. Then spoke as you were telling a secret. 

“I always wondered…What would I have been like if I were… normal? If I had normal parents—a father working in a bank, a mom as a teacher. I’d go to school, go to prom, fall in love… have friends… but…” 

You pressed your fingers into his hand and smiled softly.

“… I wouldn’t change anything about my past, if that was the road I had to take, that leaded me…to finally meet you.”

Steve felt like he could’ve started crying at any moment. 

Your past had left a crack in his heart, something he could never fix, something that would always hurt. And yet, you said it was all worth it? All the suffering, all the pain… just to meet him? How could he… how could he deserve you? He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe.

“God…” he murmured, his voice filled with pain. “How can you say that… how can you still be so…” 

Kind. Good. Pure.

Natasha was damn right. You were everything she said, and more.

“Hmmm… Maybe…” You thought out loud. "Maybe I always knew I’d meet you someday, and I had to be good enough… to be… worthy.”

Steve exhaled, trying to calm the storm in his heart and mind. 

The weight of your words hit him hard. He paused for a moment before he pulled you against him, his arms wrapping around you tightly, as if that could protect you from all the misfortune or pain that might come in the years ahead.

“Damn it…”

His voice broke as he whispered.

“I can’t believe I found you…”

“Well then,” you whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. 

“Thank you for finding me.”

Time stilled for a moment, but before he could think, Steve’s body had already reacted, he pinned you against the workbench as his hand weaved through your hair, and his lips pressed yours in a deep kiss. 

He couldn’t hold back anymore, he needed you, wanted you, to hold you as close as possible, without letting you go ever again.

All the composure he had been trying to maintain disappeared the moment he felt you. 

Your lips, your tongue, your scent… Any sense of reason was hanging by a thread. 

He lifted you onto the desk, sending pens and books scattering to the floor, but he didn’t give a damn. Not when your legs wrapped around his hips and you moaned his name as his hand tightened around your waist.

“Jesus…”

The way your voice sounded, the way you were looking at him, the way you were sitting with your legs around him, everything was driving him desperately crazy, struggling to keep control to not to tear your clothes off and make you his right there. 

He broke the kiss before doing something reckless, but his body was tense, and his breathing panting. 

“You’re driving me crazy…” He breathes heavily, leaving a deep kiss in your forehead.

“What?” Your mind was still spinning from his kiss, and you replied without thinking: “Well yeah, welcome to the club.” 

Steve left out a laugh, All the intense revelations from earlier had nearly made him forget just how incredible your comebacks were. 

He looks down and kisses you again, this time with more tenderness than passion, and he speaks as he continues. 

“I’ve been thinking about this since I left you this morning…”

“Can you…” You could barely form a word without moaning: “Can you think…of taking this further?”

“…” 

That made him stopped. 

The suggestion sent a shiver down his spine. Oh you and your amazing comebacks. His mind suddenly flashed, imagining all the things he’d wanted to do to you, maybe in his room, in the bed, with you under him, moaning his name as you just did, only louder and louder…

Steve quickly shook the thought from his mind, trying to force himself back to reality. 

“God… please don’t tempt me.” He could feel his body reacting to his own imagination, so he pressed his forehead against yours, clenching his fists, trying to regain some control.

“I…” You wanted to say, "I don’t mind," or even, 'I don’t give a damn if you take me right now...You know what, there’s actually a bed at the back of this lab.' But then his phone rang.

“What the hell…” He glanced at the caller ID and groaned, “For gods sake, what timing…” One hand reached for the phone while the other held you firmly. “I’m sorry, babe, give me a sec.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the sound of him calling you that for the first time, but before you could process it, Tony Stark’s voice echoed through the empty lab.

“I don’t know what you are doing there, Cap…And trust me, I don’t wanna know…but Jarvis just sent me a reminder, to remind you, that there are cameras everywhere in the working campus. Everywhere.” 

You could tell there was a humorous tone in Iron man’s voice.

“Even in remotely located labs for top secret employees.”

End but TBC-

Continue to:

3: Reverie |

4: Nightmare |

5: Awakening |

6: Dusk |

7: Hypnagogia |

8: Lull |

9: Vigil |

10: Eclipse |

Alright, thanks for reading up to here. Hope you enjoyed it!! <3

So when I started writing Part 1, I was like, 'Oh, let's just write cute one-shots and short stuff.' And here I am with a complex OC and a struggling Steve. I'm so sorry for that :3 I just can't help myself!

Part 3 comes with 'the one night I made you mine and made you beg' thing I was hoping I'd finally get to. I promise! (Still have no idea how I'm writing that through my working shifts, tho.)

Okay, have a good one <3 Lmk if you liked it ? Report and everything is highly appreciated <3 :D

Love.,

Moon.

[sapphicseasapphire]

ok, so, this has been bugging me for a bit today, but, what was Sky's reaction to when he first met Warriors? like there's got to be a strong emotion there given that Fi is also a sword spirit.

so yeah, I'm just wondering what you have planed for that.

.

.

.

.

(also great artwork it's absolutely stunning and looks really yummy)

((dont question it))

SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO RESPOND TO THIS, I HAD TO DRAW IT.

(Lore under the cut. Sorry, I have a lot to say about this haha)

Sky’s reaction when he first meets Warriors? Awe.

They find Wars last- or, well, they find his sword. The others are notably confused because they were looking for the hero. The temple that they were led to is completely empty except for a single sword atop a pedestal. Surely their lead was wrong- this can’t be it. Maybe this is the hero’s blade? And he will return to the temple? Or is this just the wrong spot entirely?

While the others are arguing with each other about what to do next, Sky steps up to the blade. It’s… a lot fancier than the ones that the heroes are accustomed to. Gems are inlaid into the guard, fabric is woven around the grip in a familiar pattern. There are diamonds that run down the blade and a piece of blue fabric is tied around the ring of the pommel. This level of decoration is not usually suited for a sword to be wielded in battle. In fact, the only sword that he’s known to be this beautiful and but also effective is currently strapped at his side. As Sky walks closer, he can see the blade glow unnaturally, and his voice echoes through the temple:

“It’s a Sword Spirit,” he’d say, reaching out to the blade but not touching. Not yet.

There’s a mix of emotions when Sky looks upon the blade. He’s relieved, for he had feared that Sword Spirits had been forgotten entirely. His heart aches at the cold weight of Fi at his side, empty and quiet where she used to be full of life. It’s good, he thinks, to see a new sword shine so bright. He’s a little afraid, he’d admit, since he has unsavory memories of a different Sword Spirit. Phantom hands at his shoulders, tongue at his ear, black blades arcing in the air.

Still, Sky can’t repress the way his heart leaps in excitement, a smile at his lips, even as his hand falters in the air. Another Sword Spirit, here, right in front of him. Another opportunity to make things right, to fix things. Oh, how he misses Fi.

“This is the hero we’re looking for.”

And the others would approach, their curiosity piqued by the reverent tone of Sky’s voice. (Note that Sky had just joined them about two-ish days ago? He was the second to last to meet the Chain, the last being Wars).

No one else has met a Sword Spirit before, not even Wild or Time (who, at this point, everyone thinks is a spirit), so they’re all a bit hesitant to accept Sky’s words at face value. Sky explains that he’s met Sword Spirits before, that the Master Sword herself is a spirit. Puzzle pieces click into place but they still need more convincing. They’ll believe that Sky’s correct: that the sword in the pedestal is indeed a Sword Spirit, but they don’t agree that it’s the hero that they’re looking for.

At least, not until the spirit bursts from his sword in a flash of white light, floating in the air as Fi had done so long ago. The eight heroes stand, eyes wide, before the glowing metallic figure. Sky could cry in at the joy he feels as the spirit utters his first words to them:

“Hello, Masters.”

. . .

• Sky inherently trusts everything that Wars says because he trusted Fi. Fi didn’t lie, she was always helpful, and she told him exactly what he needed to hear every single time, even if he didn’t like it. She was calculating and intelligent and Sky (well… Link) could not have survived on the Surface without her. He trusted her with his life. Sky has no reason to think that Wars would ever lie to him, either. Especially in the early days, when he’s more robotic and less human. And so, he trusts Wars to always be honest.

• This will totally definitely 100% not be a problem guys, I promise. Wars would never lie to Sky about something dangerous. And it totally would never result in Sky getting hurt. And it’s definitely not why Wars looks so upset in the sketches I did yesterday. You can trust me. I promise.

• Sky and Wars talk a lot about Fi. Wars is curious about her, since he’s met her before in his own era and doesn’t know what happened to her. So Sky would explain that she went to sleep after his first adventure, and Wars would stare at him blankly.

“Sword Spirits do not necessitate sleep, Master.”

“I-” Sky would look away, something terribly vulnerable in his eyes. His voice would be sad and quiet as he continued: “I know.”

• I know I’ve talked about this before, but Sky is the most knowledgeable about Wars. He understands. And so his interactions with Wars are a lot easier for the Sword Spirit than with the others. The others don’t like being called “Master.” They don’t like the matter-of-fact way he talks, how he calculates every sentence before speaking it, how he uses percentages and simulations to back up his arguments. (How he always wins arguments). And Sky doesn’t necessarily like these things either, but he’s always patient. Always gentle. He allows Wars to call him “Master” because he understands how much Wars needs it. When Wars goes off on tangents and describes every bit of data he can think of, Sky sits and listens and they talk and it’s just so easy. Sky is probably Wars’ favorite, just for that.

• The REASON that Sky is so supportive of Wars goes back to the one thing that drives him through literally everything in his life: guilt. He said goodbye to Fi much too soon. She was just starting to open up, to feel and express her emotions, when their time ran out. He never got to know the person she’d end up to be, and he’s not making that same mistake again with Warriors.

I think I’ve talked about this before? How when Sword Spirits are young, they talk robotically and don’t express themselves, but as they mature and are around more people, they kind of adopt their traits and become a more well rounded person? Fi, for example was only around for what? A few months? Ghirahim had thousands of years to develop. That’s the difference between “According to your social customs, I should provide you with my personal designation. Fi is the name I was given,” and “You may call me Ghirahim. In truth, I very much prefer to be indulged with my full title: Lord Ghirahim. But I'm not fussy."

Sky wants to see Wars grow in the way that he never got to see Fi. He wants to know Wars. Not just as a spirit, but as a friend.

[infamous-if]

.2

I know, I know. It took 2 months to write the second drabble from the poll but...this is not even a drabble anymore. Instead, it's more of a collection of scenes mostly because if I do write how Orion found and began managing the band it would be an entire chapter. I will say that I condensed this due to that, but if I ever do write the whole thing it might look a *little* different. I had to cut corners and shorten scenes for the sake of length. Still, hope you like it! (This is 4, 363 words btw. what is wrong with me) I should probably find a more efficient way to share such long works but whatevs. As always, ignore any mistakes or typos or wordy sentences or sentences that probably make no sense upon reading it a second time. I don't edit drabbles and I always just publish the first drafts. haha.

“…Love me and hate me, I don’t mind as long as you take me—”

A low grumble rises in Orion’s throat when the song pauses, the car falling into an unfamiliar silence just as it slows in front of a red light. His large hands tighten their grip on the wheel, and his eyes glide to his co-worker, Marty, just as he’s pulling his hand away from the PAUSE button on the console. 

“Is there a reason you’re touching my stuff?” Orion asks, his voice carrying its usual calm that holds a level of ice that has even his superiors shuddering when they think he’s not looking. 

Marty licks his lips, his face twisting into its usual expression of guilt. Orion softens his face for his friend’s sake.

Orion Quinn knows the impact he has on people. The rumors that plague him have reached his ears on multiple occasions; he’s a shell of what he once was, never having gotten over the one who got away. He’s detached, the merciless worker that the boss goes to when he’s in need of someone who can do the firing.

 He’s the one people are afraid of crossing or talking casually to in fear of letting something slip. People fear him more than they fear the execs. 

It wasn’t always like this, sure. Once, Orion used to smile freely, used to talk openly and wear vulnerability like a favorite coat. But then the divorce happened and sides were taken. Suddenly, the armor he didn’t know he had was reinforced, dented and bruised from a battle he didn’t expect to fight, but reinforced nonetheless. 

Never date your co-workers. 

“The song is terrible, man.” Marty sighs, running a hand through his oily brown hair when he plops back in the seat. The same seat he pushed back at a 120-degree angle. Admittedly, it makes Orion’s nerves flare up. He says nothing;  he has enough self-awareness to know that complaining about his seat is a bit too much, even for him. “I was doing both our ears a favor.”

The light changes and Orion absently drums his fingers on the wheel as he drives on ahead, eyes gliding outside to soak in the densely populated street underneath the rising sun. “Yeah.” The word comes out in a resigned breath. “I was hoping it’d get better.” 

“We were on the bridge,” Marty throws back. “The only way it could get better is if it ended.” Orion’s lip twitches and of course, Marty can’t let it go. ”Oh! That was an almost-smile.” He leans forward to poke Orion’s rib. 

Orion lets out a laugh before his face quickly drops.

Marty grins, plopping his elbow on the ledge of the car door. “All I’m saying is you’ve been listening to demos nonstop this whole month. Not once have I seen you even mildly excited for any of them.”

Orion grits his teeth. “I haven’t had anything substantial to show the team in ages. Our last artist pulled out on signing with us last minute. Our established artists aren’t selling as well anymore. The industry is getting oversaturated—“

“—and we need to be ahead of the curve. Yadda, yadda.” Marty rolls his eyes. “Do you ever just relax? Damn. That stick up your ass is ten-feet lon—“

Marty chokes on his words when Orion’s eyes cut to his. “Say anything else and I’m kicking you out of my car.” 

Marty pouts but relents anyway, choosing to change the subject. “What about dating?”

Orion keeps his eyes on the road but quirks a brow. “What about it?”

“You know…” Marty starts, gesticulating vaguely as he searches for the right words. “Maybe putting yourself out there could help you relax. Or even inspire you—“ 

“No.”

“What? Okay, but—"

“Not interested.”

“You didn’t even know what I was going to sa—“

“Don’t have to.” 

Marty huffs and says nothing for a long moment. Neither of them rush to fill the silence; normal for Orion but unusual for his infinitely more talkative friend. It’s only when he pulls into Carolina Records’ parking lot that Marty speaks again and Orion realizes his silence was really just contemplation.

“I know the divorce was difficult,” he starts, delicate, “but—“

Orion’s jaw clenches.

“— that doesn’t mean you should give up.”

Orion sits there a moment, fingers clenching into fists. “It’s not giving up if I never tried in the first place.” He swings open the door and steps out, the car door slamming with a hint of finality.

. . .

Carolina Records boasts a twenty-floor skyscraper made up of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sleek, dark marble floor. Orion has been here since he graduated college; going from a measly intern to an A&R representative responsible for finding two of the most promising artists in the company. 

That was a year ago. Since then, the well of new talent has dried up and Orion doesn’t know what to do.

Of course, he was offered higher positions, all of which he quickly denied. Orion always had a knack for numbers and trends, discovering what new genre is going to come to the forefront, seeing what kind of music the general public is listening to. Music: he understands it better than people. His understanding is almost clinical: while people listen to it for enjoyment, Orion seeks the patterns, the feelings that every beat and scale and vocal run they invoke. He takes it apart and puts it together like a surgeon does a patient. It just makes sense to him. 

He could do so much more, he knows that, but none of that interests him.

The music—that’s what he likes. 

Discovering new talent is what excites him. Which is why this odd dry spell has him walking with gritted teeth and tension between his shoulders-blades. He has to do something.

“Mr. Quinn.” 

Orion nods at a woman who passes by the hallway, ignoring the way Marty does a whole spin when he tracks her retreating frame down the hall.

Another one. This time a man from the marketing department. “Good Morning, Mr. Quinn.” 

“Morning.”

Marty scoffs when the man continues walking, not sparing him a glance. 

“Am I chopped liver or something?” Marty complains.

“Mr. Quinn, hey!”

“Hi.” Orion nods his head once and presses the elevator button. When his eyes land on a frowning Marty he says, “You’re just not sociable.”

“Huh?!” Marty then lets out an embarrassingly high-pitched sputter of a laugh. “And you are?”

Orion frowns. “Yes.”

Another laugh. “You’re smart, dude, you know it’s more because of that”— he gestures vaguely at him—“than your social skills.”

The elevator doors open with a cheerful bell and they step inside. “What?”

“You know.” Marty shrugs. “Your face. You look like you should be on a billboard advertising overpriced cologne with your shirt unbuttoned and your hand in your hair talking about your luxurious life or something.”

“That’s…specific.”

Marty shrugs. “I read a lot of GQ.” 

Orion wrinkles his nose when they spin to face the doors. “While it is true I would be considered objectively handsome by societal standards—“

“Oh, fuck off.”

“—I don’t think that’s the case.” This time Orion lets out a small smile. “Or maybe it is?” He quirks a brow at his co-worker. “Should I send a gift basket to my parents? A ‘thank-you-for-the-superior-DNA gift?’”

Marty shakes his head.  “You know, when you do try to be funny you still sound like an asshole.”

Orion hums, the joke tickling him enough for him to let out his first smile of the day. 

The elevator doors sing their arrival and they bid farewell once they part to go to their respective offices. Orion strides to his corner office where another one of his co-workers, Kass, is standing with a box in her hands.

“This week’s demos.” Orion is just putting his arms out when she plops the boxes on them. “You should really stop requesting unsolicited demos. It’s such an outdated way of doing things.”

Orion ignores her and unlocks his office door, turning the knob and pushing it open with his hip. His office is barren but spacious, with high windows overlooking the city. Marty told him once that people would kill to have his office, but really it’s just like any other space. What’s an office without a productive person to work in it? Orion hasn’t done anything of meaning in weeks.

Sighing, he drops the box on the table unceremoniously, picking up the first CD on the top of the pile. GROUNDED IN REALITY reads the title, and it’s so apt that he almost chucks the CD in the trash on that very fact alone. Still, he’s nothing if not fair. Another sigh escapes him and he gets to listening. 

. . .

Helpless.

That’s how he feels.

After hours of listening, the music has long since blurred together in a portrait of uninspired melodies and generic, radio-friendly lyrics. Nothing stood out, nothing made him want to dig into the song in search for more, nothing made him feel.

Is it me? Am I the problem?

Jaw clenched, Orion fishes out his phone, the usual flinch coming to him when he sees the background. He forgot to change it, and it’s always an (unwanted) surprise whenever he sees a picture of them together. 

One year ago. The beach. Happy.

Shaking his head, he sends a quick text to his mother telling her that he’ll have to raincheck on their dinner. He still has half a box of songs left. Looks like he’ll be staying late.

“Yo, Orion!” A knock. “Let’s go! I want to driiink.”

Or not.

Marty strides in without waiting for an invitation, a grin on his face. “Tab is on me.”

“Do you ever work?” Orion asks, eyes half-lidded in equal parts annoyance and indifference. 

His friend frowns. “This is work.”

“I don’t think getting drunk is in the job description.” Orion looks down, absently clicking on the button of his mouse in an effort to busy his hands. 

“Wah, wah. Don’t be a fucking party pooper.”

 “Too late.”

Marty shoots him a look. “A few artists are playing tonight. Call this recruitment.” He uses spirit fingers. “Maybe you’ll even loosen up for once.” When Orion looks at him, a brow raised, Marty drops his hands. “Yes, I do my job sometimes. Don’t look so surprised.”

“It’s not that,” Orion starts. He doesn’t immediately continue. Instead, they simply stare at each other. Marty wiggles his brows as Orion narrows his gaze. “When you say the tab is on you—“

Marty whips out a black card. “Company card, baby!”

Orion palms his face with a long groan as Marty begins to moonwalk across Orion’s office. “I was perfectly fine staying inside.” Even though he says this, a moment later he stands and grabs his trenchcoat from the back of the chair. “And you’re driving.”

“What!” Marty stomps his foot as he follows him out. “Nooooo.” 

. . .

The bar sits in a livelier part of the city, a part that Orion doesn’t often find himself in. It’s less about the scene and more about the memories associated with every damn corner of this place. Orion can pluck a memory from his mind like a petal from a rose garden: the diner they went to and fought for fifteen minutes over who would get to pay the bill, the park they spent their lunches at.

The shop where he bought the ring.

“This place is golden,” Marty says, breaking Orion out of the string of memories he wishes he could erase forever, “it’s like a real gritty, underground hole-in-the-wall vibe.”

“Sounds like fun,” comes out of Orion in a dour tone that has Marty rolling his eyes. 

They stride through the neon glow of the brick hall until it opens up to a dimly lit bar. The space is humble; the sparse crowd is compensated by the energy of the performers on the stage. 

“Stacy, do you remember when I mowed your lawn…?”

“Is the band really covering Fountains of Wayne?” Orion says through gritted teeth.

Marty bites his lower lip, his obvious attempt to stifle laughter only making Orion’s faux horror flare even more. “Maybe.” Marty spins around, shimmying his shoulder. “You don’t agree that Stacy’s Mom Has Got It Going on?” Marty then realizes something and laughs. “You know, I dated a Stacy once. Weirdly enough, her mom wasn’t that bad looking—“

Orion sighs and quickly moves to the bar. “I need a drink.”

Whatever hope Orion had of finding new talent is gone in the face of the line-up. It quickly becomes obvious that the performers are composed of people who aren’t taking the ‘gig’ seriously or patrons that are half-drunk and stumbling on the small stage.

Worse that the place is pathetically empty; it’s only them two and three other stragglers eating stale fries and bobbing their heads to the music, more out of obligatory politeness than anything else. Orion is suddenly regretting taking Marty up on his offer. 

Orion drinks his lager through periodic gulps, his desire to forget this night growing with every person that performs. The memories of this area coupled with his lack of work lately make him dizzy. He wants to escape. Quit. Scream. All of it.

“Get me another,” Orion says, much to Marty’s delight.

More and more people perform until Orion has lost any focus on the stage. Instead, he entertains himself by watching the game on the TV, having long given up on finding any new promising talent in a place like this. 

“Next up we have”—the bartender stops, her eyes narrowing as she tries to read something off an index card—“er, [band]. Yeah. Give them a round of applause.”

With how few people are in attendance, the applause is less applause and more awkward clapping that quickly dies after two. 

The people on stage are younger. Immediately, Orion notices that they’re equipped with actual instruments instead of relying on the karaoke machine in the corner. A decisive point in their favor, he decides.

“You said this was a gig…” He hears one of them say to what appears to be the lead singer. The boy wears a red hat, as well as an assortment of chains on his neck. Three other band members set up their instruments, trying not to look too disappointed by the turnout. Still, even with the lager creating a slight fog in his head, Orion knows that look. The moment when hope dies, burning like a napkin to a flame.

“No,” the lead singer says pointedly as they adjust their mic, “I said this was a favor.” In that moment, the singer nods their head at the bartender, who shoots them an appreciative thumbs-up. “A paid favor.”

The boy shakes his head but snorts. “I guess.” 

Once they’re set up, the singer looks ahead, gazing at the bar. Their eyes briefly settle on Orion as they gaze at the few faces in the room. “Hey!” they say, chirpy. “We’re [band]. Thanks for coming out!”

A chorus of muttering replies.

Marty taps on the bar. “Wanna head out?”

Orion, unable to look away, shakes his head. “No. I want to see this.”

The next few minutes feel like a dream. Orion is in a daze as the song plays, the beats piercing through him. The voice sends goosebumps up his arms, the instruments weave together in a perfect harmony that has Orion’s heart racing. When the song ends, it’s too soon. He wants it to keep going. He doesn’t want it to end. 

He wants more.

“Thanks!” The singer says to a smattering of slightly enthusiastic applause. This is the most energy everyone has had all night. They turn, grab their things, and disappear through the curtain. Orion bursts up….

…spilling his drink on the table.

“Oh!” the bartender squeaks as Marty hisses.

“Aw, fuck.” Orion curses, and then flinches. “Sorry. Uh….sorry.” He doesn’t know what his apology is for. Dropping the drink, cussing, or speeding away before he could help clean it up in order to catch the band backstage?

“Hey!” Marty calls. “Where are you going?”

Orion ignores him. He has a one-track mind right now, one focused on finding the band that just made him feel like he hit the jackpot. This. This is what he’s been looking for. 

The door swings open, and the band stop mid-conversation to look at Orion, who busted through the door without so much as a plan or script in place. Instead, he simply stands there. 

“Uh.” One girl, flaunting bright blue hair, says. “Yeah?”

Orion reveals his card, feeling a bit like a robot. He moves on automatic, working through the many thoughts in his head to utter the rest of his words. “Do you have a manager?”

. . . 

“You want to manage us?”

The din of the coffee shop sings with the sound of plates and aimless chatter. It’s been two days since he heard them perform back at the bar, and Orion has been running through his pitch the way one does before an interview. He’s never been this…nervous? Uncertain? In his life. 

“Yes,” is Orion’s only response. He sits on one side of the table while the band sits on the other; an invisible wall between them. He can see it, their apprehension. He is not one of them. 

Not yet, at least. 

“Wait.” The boy Orion learned is named Rowan leans forward, fingers on the table. “How do we know this isn’t a scam?”

“I’m not asking for money. All I ask is for you to show up to play for my boss. That’s it.” Auditions are a lost art. Nowadays artists are recruited through viral internet songs and connections. Two things that always exhausted Orion. It hasn’t been just about the music in a long time. 

Their eyes widen. They all exchange looks, equal parts excited and wary. 

“Why?” [MC], who he learned is the sole singer of the band, asks.

Because you made me feel something. Because listening to you is the first time I felt human in a long time.

He imagines himself waving off those words like mist. “Because you’re the first band that has caught my attention. And it’s not easy to catch my attention.”

The band member named Iris snorts. 

“I’m not trying to be arrogant,” he says blandly, leaning back in his chair to fold his arms over his chest. “It’s the truth.”

“Where do you work?” Another member, Devyn, asks. 

“Carolina Records.”

Multiple pairs of eyes widen.

“Holy shit.” Jazzy laughs. “The Carolina Records?”

Orion nods, used to this kind of reaction. Starry-eyed artists are pretty much the same when it comes to Carolina. “Yes.” He leans forward, his heart racing. “Just one audition. That’s all I ask.” 

He watches as they all exchange looks; a silent language only they share. After an agonizing moment, [MC] turns to him and nods. “When?”

. . . . 

Orion has been pacing for the last half hour.

He stands outside Carolina’s humble theater space, chewing on his nails as he waits for his boss, Jacob Hill, and a smattering of other executives and shareholders that will be the final word in whether Orion can work with [band]. He hasn’t asked for something this big in so long that Jacob Hill immediately said yes, more out of excitement and surprise than anything else. Orion did produce two of their most profitable artists in the company. 

The elevator doors open and Orion stops in place, head whipping up to see them walking through the hall in a wave of black suits and greased hair. Orion brushes down his shirt, trying to dampen his nerves. Jesus. Nerves? Get a grip, Orion. 

He doesn’t know how to stand as he waits for them to approach. Hands in pockets? Arms crossed? Orion is so indecisive he just resorts to standing straight, arms at his sides. 

“Mr. Hill.” Orion shakes his hand, clearing his throat. He makes his polite greetings to the rest of the team and says, “Thank you for making time for me.”

“Always, Orion.” Jacob slaps a large hand on his back. “You’re one of my best. You should ask me for favors more.”

Orion lets out a small, slightly nervous laugh. “Ah, you know. I like to—“

“—do things on your own,” Jacob finishes, a soft smile on his face. “I get it.”

He slowly looks up, meeting Jacob’s eyes. In them he can see the familiar pity he’s gotten since the divorce. 

It’s Orion’s fault, really. If he didn’t isolate himself and turn into what he is now, people wouldn’t look at him and assume he’s broken inside.

Would they be wrong in their assumption, though? Am I broken inside?

“Shall we?” another executive says, and Orion bobs his head in a nod, pushing away the image of Jacob’s face.

Inside is a small theater, the stage just big enough for one artist. The seats are plush leather, the lights dim but blue. Jacob always likes the spectacle, and he catered this space to feel like a real performance for possible signees. Orion decides against sitting, too nervous to do anything but stand in the back, giving them the signal he taught them in his pep talk before they came.

[MC] nods. “Um. Hi. We’re [band]. I’m [MC] and this is Iris, Rowan, Devyn, and Jazzy. And um…this is [song].”

Orion flinches at the lackluster introduction. Doesn’t matter, he thinks, unfamiliarly optimistic, the music will do the talking.

And it does.

But not in the way he thought.

All throughout the song, Orion peeks at Jacob and his team. He wants to celebrate when he sees them bobbing their heads, wants to curse when they get on their phones. Orion has never worried this much in his whole career. He’s never wanted something so bad. 

He’s never allowed himself to want. Not after the divorce. 

He didn’t think he was deserving of getting what he wanted. 

The song ends, and Orion lets out a breath. There’s muffled chatter between the men, and on stage the band crowd together, hopping in place as they let out their remaining nerves. 

Jacob stands, the rest following. Orion speeds ahead, wanting to see the thoughts on his face. Instead, Jacob simply regards him with thin lips.

“They were…good,” Jacob whispers, putting a hand on Orion’s shoulder and guiding him out of the room and to the empty hall, “but I think we’re going to go in another direction.”

Orion’s positivity leaks out of him like an open faucet. “What.”

Jacob inhales through his nose. “Look, the singer is talented. They all are. I understand why you like them but…” He shakes his head. “I don’t think the guys see it. And plus,” he shrugs, “they don’t have what we’re looking for.”

Orion’s brows furrow. His stomach drops in itself and his mouth dries. “They have another song. They could play it—“

“Orion.” Jacob gives him that pitying expression again. Fucking hell. He wants to smack that expression off his face. “I know you’ve been…off, since the divorce. You haven’t been on top of your game, and I’ve been giving you your space. It’s not easy, especially since you worked together—“

“I’m fine,” he says tightly.

“—but you can’t…fixate on something to get over it. You need to do it the healthy way. The old Orion would’ve brought me someone with pizzazz. With that unique Orion touch, you know?” Jacob pulls him close. Orion is reduced to a scolded child, unable to do anything but listen. “This isn’t the Orion I know. You usually bring me diamonds.” 

“I—“ Orion swallows. “I’m trying.” And it’s the most honest thing he’s said in ages. He’s trying. And it’s not working. He’s been trying the day he signed that fucking divorce paper and signed the only life he’s known away. 

“I know you are,” Jacob says, squeezing his shoulder. “Sometimes we miss, and that’s alright.”

The rest of the group filter out and both Jacob and Orion step back, trying to hide any sign of their tense conversation. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Orion nods slowly, the lump in his throat growing as he feels multiple eyes on him. His jaw is clenched, his eyes are downturned. He can hardly look at his boss.

He stands there, frozen, forced to listen to their careless chatter as they walk down the hall. The moment they stepped out of those doors, they forgot about the band. The same band that made him feel something, the first time since his divorce. The same band he can’t get out of his head. The same band that proved he is not broken. He can still feel.

And they don’t even fucking care.

“I quit,” Orion says, the words coming out of him before he could even think. Jacob and Co turn around, twin expressions of shock on their faces. Orion looks up, straightening, trying to look even an inch of the Old Him.

“What?” Jacob blurts. 

“I quit.” Orion swallows. “I’ll formally hand in my resignation tomorrow.” He bows, trying to muster up the little respect and professionalism he has in him. “I’m sorry.”

“Orion—“

He spins around, walking back inside. 

The band is still on stage, this time all packed up and ready to go. When the door closes, they all look up, their hopeful and wide eyes on Orion as he walks down to the stage.

He stops in front of it. He puts two palms on the stage, looking at the members of the band he will take to the top. He promised it to himself…two minutes ago.

“I’m going to ask again,” Orion says through his teeth, his heart racing with the adrenaline of his quitting. What the fuck is he doing? And why does it feel so good? “Do you still need a manager?”

When he looks up, the band stares at him in silence.  

He witnesses [MC] look behind him at the door, where Jacob and his team left. As if realizing something, they look back down. “Yeah. You okay with another artist in your roster?”

“Yes.” Orion nods. He’s okay with it. 

Because all he needs is one. 

[pinyeti]

EPISODE 6: RETURN OF THE JEDI

Is it just me or have they just not explained the Death Star properly?

I cant take Darthy seriously anymore, he’s just a bag of organs 

Whats quirrel doing here

OMG ELEPHANT SNAKE IS BACK

Isnt this that old caterpillar from Alice n wonfderlad

WOW LUKE REALLY SUITED UP FOR HIS MESSAGE- DID HE JUST SELL???? GOLDENFACE AN R2-oh right Hans in the carbon - way to go to the dark side Luke, triangular droid trade YOU ARE YOUR FATHERS SON LUKE 

So much of Star Wars is just running into the problem with a glowstick and hoping it dies

Wow hansolo has been imprisoned, thrown into garbage, tortured, thrown into carbon, imprisoned AGAIN all cuz he has can’t shut my mouth disease

What even is their relationship with Luke btw, are they his adopted fWOAH WOAH WOAH WHEN DID LUKE TURN INTO A MAN??? Last I saw he was a child who couldn’t get a plane out of a lake AND THEY LEFT THE LAST MOVIE WITH ALL OF THTEM BEING TOGETHER wow the text in the beginning is more important than I thought 

No seriously why is Luke dressed like a pastor whats going on

WOAH GOLD BIKINI LIEA - OKAY STORY TIME I USED TO WATCH PRINCESS RAP BATTLES AS A CHILD AND THE ONE I SAW WITH LEIA IN IT SHE SAID “I wore a gold bikini and the whole world lost its shit” ANF NOW I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

Ok yoda we get it you’re 900 no ones talking about your wrinkles anyway with pastor Luke in the room, projecting much?

Is yoda suidicdal???

WDYM LUKE IS REaDY???? HE DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO BE READY EXCEPT FLY FACEFIRST INTO A MILITARY BASE HIS TRAINING ARC IS SO SHIT

 Whos the other Skywalker?? lukes not even a Skywalker isnt his name Luke vader where’s skywalkers real son OH darthy’s deadname is skywalker

BABY WONKENOBIII IS BACKCKCKC-OMGWHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WDYM LEIAS LUKES SISTER WDYM HE SUSPECTED THIS AFTER MAKING OUT WITH HER FIFTY BILLION TIMES??? WHAT THE HELL

??? HELLO>>??? WHAT TH EHELL??? WHAT IN THE GAME OF THRONES IS GOING ON??????? How is Leia a princess then?? HahahahaHAHAHA SO YODA KNEW …… ABOUT THEIR LITTLE TRIANGLE

Nice the gang is back together, waiting for chewbakka to be revealed as darthy’s next offspring

YES YES GOLDENFACE GETTING THE RESPECT HE DESEREVEVVES I LOVE GOLDENFACEEE

I cant believe these are the idiots the emperors trying to kill

"yes I could sense you were my brother when my tongue was down your throat"

Oh yes Luke hands himself over- haha darthy sensitive over dead name 

Luke youre so stupid- but since jedis cant die is he gonna go to wherever yoda and obi wan is 

Lando is growing on me, also squid guy

This movie is gonna end with emperor and Luke dead isnt it

Is the emperor a jedi too how else does he have power or something something Sith

Id make a horrible jedi- im made of hatred

Hansolo my pathetic little idiot

I JUST REALIZED WHO LUKE EP6 REMINDS ME OF - TROY BOLTON

IS HE BEGGING DARTHY TO KILL HIM WTF

You’re telling me this big of an empire cant take down 6 idiots lead by a happy go lucky guy, never heard of this before

OHMYGOSSDDHD. LYKE YOU IDIOT NOW HE KNOWS ABOUT LEIA

Hahahah a hand for a HAND- wait what…. Why does he have a robo hand too whats going on 

Luke stop acting like you didnt hear about jedis 5 secs ago

Aw does darthy have a heart among his organs

OHMYGOD DARTHY IS A GOOD GUY????? ????? What A VILLAIN TTURNS GOOD ITS BEEN AGES SINCE I SAW A VILLAIN COME OVER TO THE GOOD SIDE

OMG DARHTY FACE REVEAL

Oh damn hes not as ugly as I thought he’d be

Kinda cute even - bro how did he even get this weak why’s he dying rn 

He has such kind eyes

Yeah ok I am so lost I NEED DARTH VADER BACKSTORY RIGH FUCKIN NOW

Is the empire this easy to penetrate? No but they did it with the power of lOVE and FRIENDSHIP 

Love lando 

YES HAN THATS THE REACTION I HAD AN HOUR AGO ACTUALLY WTF

Yes Luke its so sad your daddy that blew up an entire planet in ONE second without a single thought died IM NOT FORGIVING HIM THIS EASY

No way thats it??? They took down the empire just like that???? What??

Damn no one in this world can dance

OHMYGOD ANAKIN???? HOW CAN HE SEE THEM NOW??? IS IT CUZ HES BETTER AT WEILDING THE FORCE

ok fine anakin is cute

(3/9)

[the-ninjago-historian]

New Dragons Rising Article!

(EDIT: I blurred out the episode title last minute. I was feeling paranoid about it. Lol. And I made some last minute grammer fixes. Enjoy!)

The episode titles and descriptions for Season 2 Part 2 just dropped today! There's TONS of new info and lore to unpack. So let's get started! *SPOILERS BELOW THE THE CUT!*

1: So first off we have The Shape of Motion. (This title is clearly parodying The Shape of Water. Lol.) It seems they will be picking up a new baby dragon! Riyu is gonna be a big brother! How cute!💖 I hope Arin finds his parents too. Poor guy.😔

2: Now we have Enter the City of Temples. The Ninja must have found out about the tournament and decided to go there. But why? We're not sure yet. I would think they would want to stay away from the tournament, considering what happened in the last one.😅 Also, Kai and Bonzle are attempting to escape. So that's cool! You guys will get to see them too!

3: Next is Gathering for The Feast. Some how I get an ominous feeling about that title for some reason. Lol. Also, looks like the Ninja's earned their invites somehow and are now in the tournament! And it looks this is the episode where we'll see the return of some old Elemental Masters!

4: Now we have Inside the Maze. This episode is VERY interesting. So much to unpack! Because it's the first mention of some new artifacts. The Horns. Specifically, The Dragon Horns. Arin and the others must have heard about them in the last episode. What are these horns exactly? Are they like instrument type horns? Or literal dragon horns? We'll have to wait and see. We also have a new character called Frak! And finally, something ALL you Jaya shippers have been waiting for...

JAYA TOURNAMENT BATTLE WITH AMNESIA JAY!!!⚡🌊⚡🌊⚡🌊⚡🌊⚡🌊⚡🌊

This is gonna break y'all hearts, I know it.🤣

5: Next is United We Fall. Oh boy! It's named after one of my favorite TSFH songs! Haha! Just kidding! Anyways, poor Wyldefyre is pitted against CINDER?!?! The guy who broke her leg?! Yikes! Looks like it didn't go well either. And the Ninja will have to win they way back into the tournament through a race!

6: Now we have Truth and Lies. Finally a Wu mention! But it doesn't look good. I have a feeling Ras is lying though. Or not. And we'll get some racing action from the rest of the ninjas!

7: Next is The Shattering Sword. Sounds like something from Lloyd's vision, huh? And we get to see the new character Roby giving Arin a museum tour and some new info on the source dragons! (It would be hilarious if Roby was working for Ras the entire time.😂) And here's how to pronounce Roby's name, if you're curious.

8: Next is Clues and Suspects! Tons of cool stuff in this episode! Roby has a way bigger role then I thought! There's a new character mentioned named Bleckt? (I wonder if that's a typo?) Also, FINALLY A ZEATRIX MENTION! And they're transferring her powers for some reason? The how and why are unclear. Also, this new character Bleckt is somehow connected to Arin's investigation. And possibly part of The Administration, since they mention he has an office. My guess is that these Dragon Horn thingies were confiscated by the Administration or something.

9: And here we have The Final Game. That doesn't sound good. Arin learns a "Devastating Secret about the Merge" Uh oh. Cole stays behind to protect the Dragon horns! What??? Oh no! Sora faces off against Nokt and Wyldefyre is too late to stop the "Manipulation of the Games!" OH NO. Yeah, this one is gonna be pretty chaotic. Yikes.

10: Finally, we have Elements of Betrayal. THAT'S AN EVEN WORSE TITLE! It's making me more nervous than the last one!

There's a new location called The Monastery of Gates. That I guess these Dragon Horns are at? Arin, Zane, and Cole seems like a fun combination. Should be a cool fight! And it looks like the elemental masters have lost their powers once again are going to be fighting Ras and his wolf warrior army. NoBoDy SaW tHaT cOmInG. Pfft.

Aaaaaaand, that's it for now. Wow! So much stuff! Sounds like it will be a very exciting collection of episodes! Hope you had fun reading this!

Bye for now!

[cosmicstarlatte]

Reality Show: Dateables (Obey Me!)

Diavolo and the others agreed to become a part of a new demon reality show that revolves around their lives.

»Characters: Dateables // ->[Click here for Part 1: Demon Bros]

»Tags: Shitpost/Humor, Bulleted Style, Solomon On His BS LMAO, Slight Mentions of MC

»Notes: Now I do, thanks for asking Anon!♡ // CM= Crew Member

Diavolo:

"Haha! Make sure you get my good side yeah!?"

He was ecstatic, this was the most exciting thing he's done in a while

His camera crew was nervous at first but then relaxed when they saw how easy-going the prince was

Then got nervous again when Barbatos threatened them to remind them who they're in the presence of

Filming him kept them on their toes, it was either going to be an easy normal day or a chaotic one

[Camera zooms in on Dia's photo album and zooms out to an excited Dia]

"Oh, oh! And this is me and Lucifer at the carnival! And this one is me and MC! And here's us all together!"

CM: "My lord may we ask how you feel about MC?"

[Camera pans to Dia reaching for a journal titled MC Fanfiction ]

"I'm glad you asked."

Barbatos shut that down real quick and made them cut that last part that day

[Camera cuts to Dia doing selfie POV and running from Barbatos and the crew] "-AND LUCIFER HAS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS B-"

[Camera cuts momentarily, flashes of Lucifer and Dia struggling]

Naturally, the demons loved the prince even more after filming ended, it was nice to see another side of him

Barbatos:

"Delete that. Understood? 🙂"

Hated the entire show idea and tried to talk Diavolo out of it however he lost that battle

His camera crew was scared the entire time but filming him was easy for the most part

Viewers liked seeing the day to day things the butler did for the prince like preparing meals and organizing events

[Camera shakes as they trail behind Barbatos]

"You can't follow me into my room."

CM: "But the contract states-"

"🙂"

(nervous) CM: "Wow what's that!?" [Shakily zooms in on a clean empty corner]

[Distant camera keeps panning between Barbatos and a rat having a stand off just outside the castle grounds... it runs at him]

"TELL THE YOUNG MASTER IT WAS AN HONOR-"

CM: (Scares the rat in the opposite direction)

[Camera cuts to a disheveled Barb up in a tree]

"...Do you like pastries? Luxurious rare teas? How do you like to be rewarded?"

Simeon:

"Um...hello. I'm Simeon, an exchange student from the Celestial Realm."

Didn't mind being filmed but wasn't sure how to act so:

Main Character energy, he talked like he was on livestream, very show and tell; exactly what the show needed

His crew had a pleasant time with him and viewers loved the angel

[Camera zooms out and pans around his room, focusing on a sheep plushie]

"So this is where I live...and these are my things. I love to write in my spare time!"

[Camera pans to him looking out his window]

"You can see the House of Lamentation from this spot. Always seems to be on fire on Thursdays. Explosions are Saturdays. (BOOM) Ah, right on time. (sips tea)"

[Camera quickly zooms in on his shoulders and hips losing some focus] He's unaware of the fanservice he provides

CM: "Do angels ever get crushes, are they allowed? There's rumors with you and MC-"

"Um, well, you see, oh HEY LUKE! Sorry guys I promised I'd help him with baking!"

[Camera cuts to him pulling an annoyed Luke out the room]

CM to CM: "Can angels ever lie!? Is that allowed!?"

Luke:

"For the last time, I'm not a chihuahua!"

(whispering) CM to CM: "Heh, the rumors are true. He's got a little bark in him!"

Luke was nervous about filming but Simeon helped

His crew had a hard time with him; not that Luke was difficult but more so the crew had to watch what they say or how they act around the young angel

[Camera zooms in through the kitchen door and catches Luke dropping a whole bowl of batter]

They caught him saying his first bad word

Demons liked this 👍 Simeon did not 👎

CM: "That's too high, let me get that for you."

"I can do it myself, thanks!"

[Camera pans to Luke falling, scraping his knee and tearing up]

(sighing) CM: "Come here, I got a band-aid."

Solomon:

"Is this for a cooking show?"

Would not listen and made it a cooking show

His crew rolled with it anyway since it was easy to film him

"Welcome to Solo Cooking!"

Viewers were a little confused but continued watching

[Camera tries to focus on the fresh dish he made]

CM: "Oh that looks good can we try it?"

"By all means!"

His crew had to take a few days off from nearly dying so production moved slowly

One of the CMs ended up quitting and suing but Barb took care of it

[Camera catches Solo calling & inviting MC for dinner]

Out of good faith, one of the crew took his phone and chucked it

"...You could've just said you and the crew wanted an invitation? There's enough-"

His entire crew: (start running)

Viewers were a little disappointed, they thought they'd see more of the sorcerers life

There was one clip though

[Camera catches Solomon and the rarely seen Levi hanging out and laughing]

For some reason that clip became popular and was deemed precious

⬦You might also like: MC's Livestream

[sweetpea-sprite]

(Hi its me again) I don't really understand the deal with nicky. Could you enlighten me. please

oh man i just explained him to someone else on discord a few days ago here let me copy paste

nicky is a little bastard who yeah is oliver's rival in the coliseum. they become rivals because nicky declares himself "the best [familiar keeper] in the last 100 years…" and oliver's like "…? did you have to fight a bunch of geezers and ghosts or something" and nicky goes ……………………………OKAY. FUCK YOU TOO. and oliver goes …wait i didn't mean it as an insult i'm sorry and nicky goes NO NO NO. WE'RE FIGHTING NOW. and then you battle him and afterwards nicky declares oliver his NEMESIS!!! and oliver's like ? okay

he then shows up in every division of the coliseum after that. you don't even battle him until the second last division he just shows up and oliver is like omg hi nicky :] and nicky goes haha… you're doing pretty well… as expected of my NEMESIS!!!!! and oliver goes …thanks…!

at one point he tells oliver the story of the coliseum. for context, oliver has already been told that the prize for winning the coliseum is "pandora's box" by the sponsor of the place, giovanni gappolino, and that it "holds all the hope and hopelessness of the world" (much like the real story of pandora's box). the whole league is i believe actually called the pandora league? fun fact even in wotww's files the solosseum is still referred to as "pandora". anyway at one point nicky comes in and tells oliver about the island they're on and mentions the box and tells oliver "we both have hope and hopelessness waiting for us, don't we? which do you want to hold onto, oliver?" and then WALKS OFF. extremely cryptic and STRANGE. hope that doesn't come back to bite us later

in the ultimate division (which the game pretends is the last division but is actually the second last) nicky is your last opponent. this time he and oliver have an actual not-one-sided argument beforehand where they fight about training techniques (oliver thinks you should be friends with your familiars and you will win :] nicky is horrified by this outlook and snaps at him that you have to research and if a familiar isn't good enough you don't fucking use it. obviously) then they battle and come out of it like okayyyy maybe you have a point. and now they're actual friends :] isn't that nice. and they make a promise to see each other again. wow :]

the game reveals the ACTUAL last division, ultra ultimate, where you fight the sages and solomon and umbopa and then NICKY SHOWS UP!!!! yeah he beat all of those guys too. he says some actually insanely gay shit to oliver ? and they're both hyped for the battle and THEN. when you WIN. he comes out muttering about not being good enough. insists he's fine. and he reveals that his father is actually giovanni gappolino, the sponsor of the coliseum, who oliver is going to fight next. and he says "some days i like to pretend the entire reason the pandora league exists is so my father and i could battle… that's another reason i really wanted to win. but, i guess that's not happening…" then he wishes oliver luck and walks off. this makes me go crazy. turns out all his overconfidence is fake and covering up for his insecurities and he really just wants to impress his father. slams my head into the desk

the end of the ultra ultimate division reveals that the actual reason the pandora league exists is to find and train someone who could defeat the evil wizard king, at the top of moya tower on nazcaa. nicky knew about this - he appears and gives oliver the final prize, pandora's box. upon opening it (😟) out pops a mandragorer :] giovanni says IN FRONT OF HIS LOW SELF ESTEEM SON WHO WAS ALSO COMPETING FOR THIS that he's really glad that OLIVER'S the one who made it here. khulan tells oliver to hold onto hope. nicky wishes oliver luck. :]

you go fight the wizard king. you may know that after you do this it's implied oliver will follow in his footsteps and also be evil. and the world shall kneel before him etc etc. …um. hey guys i don't think he's going to hold onto hope. we both have hope and hopelessness waiting for us, don't we? which do you want to hold onto, oliver? through this it's implied oliver will choose hopelessness and nicky will choose hope. we don't KNOW what happens here because the game doesn't tell us. but do you think nicky tried to stop him. do you think he failed.

anyway to finish here's a selection of real things nicky says to oliver

“oh, oliver… i’m so glad you and i are both alive at the same time!”

“i couldn’t care less about the stupid prizes here. the moment we begin our battles is just such a high for me! i can’t get enough!”

“we don’t need to say anything… it’s just us and the battlefield. you know what i’m talking about, right?”

“i hope we meet again, oliver! someday… that’s a promise!”

“it is only by the divine wisdom of the gods that we are even able to exist in the same age of history! don’t you think so?“

“i’m going to wait here for you. i’m going to wait, and dream about a rematch. so come back, okay?”

[nenilein]

Drama CD #1-4: A Little Disaster in a Moonlit Night (ENG)

Summary:

A spell cast in the full moon curses Arle with the gradual loss of her magic, memories and identity. Can her old friends break the curse before it is too late?

Translation of the Audio Track:

[DISCLAIMER: This translation was made by @PinkGeekNeni (Nenilein) on twitter! Feel free to repost parts of it or the entire text wherever you want as long as you credit the translator correctly!]

INTRO

Witch: Howdy!  A very pleasant day to y’all! It is me, Witch. So, anyway, have you ever heard talk about how our moon hanging up in the sky might actually have mystical powers? They say that especially on full moon nights the accumulated influence of the moon can amplify one’s magic prowess… Kinda mysterious to think about, huh~? So, today’s story is about a tiny bout of huge turmoil that happened on a full moon night just like that…

-

STORY

[nighty soundscape, cicadas]

Arle: Ah, nothing better about autumn than some good old moon-viewing. Right, Carby?  

Carbuncle: Gu, gugu~

Arle: The full moon is so beautiful tonight. So mysterious… If you keep looking at it for long enough, it’s kind of enchanting, huh…?

Arle: That reminds me, I’ve heard somewhere that the full moon has special powers. Now I wonder if that’s true.

Carbuncle:  (cheerfully) Gu-gugu! Gu-gugu!

Arle: ARGH! Carby, what gives!? You ate all of our dumplings!!

Carbuncle: (happily) Gugugu-gu!

Arle: Hmpf… Oh well. I guess they DO call autumn the “season of good appetite”, huh?

[Suddenly, there are magical sparkle SFXs. A new voice, with a heavy echo and distortion on it.]

???: Ahahaha! Hahaha! Haha!

Arle: Huh? What was that just now? Sounds like somebody’s laughing over there…

SFX: Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps

Arle: Hmm… I think it was around… here… Ah! There they are!

???: Huh? Hey, big girl! Who’re you?

Arle: The name’s Arle! You were dancing, huh? Looks like you are having a lot of fun!

???: Yeah! Dancing when the moon’s so beautiful is the best. It feels sooooo nice~!

Arle: Hmm… Say, you’re not just some regular kid, are you? So, what’re you called?

Puck: I’m a faerie! The name’s Puck! I’m biiiig cutie who loves to dance and play little pranks~! 

Arle: That last part’s not something you might want to say out loud…

Carbuncle: Gu, gu…

Puck: Hey, big girl, wanna dance with me?

Arle: Huh? Um… Sorry, but this is kinda giving me déjà vu to an old acquaintance who liked forcing me to dance against my will, so… I’m gonna pass!  

Puck:  HUH? You won’t dance? Well, then… you’re in for it now! 

SFX: *magic sounds*

Arle:  U-URGH! What is this!? 

Puck: The spell of forgetfulness! You’re gonna forget every- and any whichever thing~!

SFX: *more magic sounds*

Arle: UWHAAAAAA!!!

Carbuncle: Gugugu!! (<spoken in the cadence of “Arle!!”)

Puck: Ahahaha! Buh-bye~! 

-

Arle: …Huh? What was I… doing just now?

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: I feel like something happened just now… Something I should remember, but… 

Arle: Oh no, I almost forgot! I promised Witch I’d Puyo battle her tonight!

Carbuncle: Gugu!

Arle: I’d better get a move on. You know how Witch gets when something upsets her. Alright, let’s go, Carby!

Carbuncle: (happily) Gu-gugu!

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle running*

-

[Later. Theme of Puyo Puyo is playing. Puyo popping and casting noises.]

Witch: Oh-HOHOHO! I’m getting started, Arle~! METEO!

SFX: *impact*

Arle: You’ll have to try better than that, Witch! Aaaaalright! HAH!

Witch: I know right which spell’s coming up from your end!

 Arle: HA-! …Uh? Huh… HATCHUU!! 

Witch: GAH!

Carbuncle: Gu-gu!

[Arle’s sneeze knocked her off-balance. Her board collapses on top of her and Witch.]

Witch: Hmpf… HEY! What’s the big idea! You completely ruined the moment!

Arle: (awkwardly) Ahahaha… Sorry, sorry~! I kinda forgot the incantation for a second there, I think… 

Witch: It’s not like you to let down your guard in the middle of a battle like that, y’know.

Arle: Yeah… I’ve kinda had brainfog for a while now.

Witch: You sure you haven’t caught a cold or something? Tell ya what, I’ll give you some of my special cold medicine, so go home and catch some rest, ‘kay? 

Arle: Yeah, you’re right. Thanks. But, uh… There’s kinda smoke coming out of that bottle, and it sorta looks like goo, so, no thanks…

Witch: Hmpf! Well, I was just trying to help! 

Arle: A-Anyway, I’m gonna call it a night here. See ya! 

[Music fades out]

Carbuncle: (worried) Gugugu…

Arle: This is weird… How could I just forget the incantation? I’ve been using that spell on the daily for ages…

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: Huh? Carby, what’s up?

Carbuncle: Gugu! Gugugu!

Arle: Are you wondering about something? 

[Suddenly, Schezo.]

Schezo: ARLE!

Arle: Huh!? Wait, huh…

Schezo: What a coincidence to encounter you out here. Once again we meet in the dark of the night, broken by the bloom of the full moon. Tonight shall be the night I…!

Arle: Sheh… Sché…Ah, right! You’re Schezo! 

Schezo: (completely thrown off his game) Wha… What in the world is THAT supposed to mean!? Are you trying to make fun of me, perhaps!? 

Arle: (awkwardly) Hahaha… No, sorry, sorry! I just kinda… couldn’t get your name out for a moment there… Anyway, what’cha need from me?

Schezo: Hmpf! You know very well what I need! YOU! Are all I need!!

Arle: Huh…? (pause) (screaming) WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? 

Schezo Heh?

Arle: Wh… Wha… What the heck is your problem!? CREEPER! Get away from me!! 

Schezo: N-No, wait… I slipped up… I meant to say that I need your “magic power”, but… Really, why are you acting like this is the first time that’s happened!? Screaming like you think this is serious… How am I even supposed to take that…?

Arle: Uh-! R… R-Right… You always slip up like that, right… Hah… What’s going on… with me…? 

[Arle sounds like she’s shaking.]

Schezo: Hey… Are you… sure you are alright…?

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu… Gugu-gugu!

Schezo: What is it, Carbuncle? Are you trying to tell me something? -Wait… Arle… You…? 

Arle: What?

Schezo: This is strange… You are definitely the real Arle… But, your aura… The magic you usually exude… I can’t sense it anymore. 

Arle: Huh? What do you mean? 

Schezo: It seems as if something essential is leaking out of you rapidly…

Arle: Ahahah, stop saying weird stuff like that, that’s creepy… I’m… going home! Carby, let’s go.  

Carbuncle: Gugugu! GU! (-> To me this sounds like “Arle! WAIT!”)

Schezo: Wait!

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps*

Schezo: What is going on… What is this sense of foreboding…? 

-

SFX: *magic sounds*

Puck: Huh? The spell was just supposed to take a few of her memories…  But now I can feel all of her energy flow into me like a current…! That’s… not what I was trying to do…  

-

Arle: Huh? Did you hear a voice just now? 

Carbuncle: GU! Gugu!

Arle: Um… Uh… I probably just imagined it! Let’s hurry on home, Carby. 

Carbuncle: (sadly) Gu…

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps*

-

[Later. Noise of a door being opened quickly]

Rulue: Hmpf! …Arle! Allow me to invite myself in! 

Arle: Um… You’re… Rulue!

Rulue: I heard from Witch. You went and caught a cold, now, did you? 

Arle: Yeah… I mean, my nose isn’t stuffy, but I can’t really focus on anything. Did you come because you were worried about me? 

Rulue: What…! As if I would ever lower myself to worrying about you…! I-I am only here because my Darling said he would pay you a visit! I had to-

[Door opens again]

Satan: AAAARLYYYY~~~ I’ve come for a bedside visit~! 

Arle: WARGH! Who is that!? … Ah… Oh, it’s just Satan~.

Satan: And hello to you too, my Carbunny! You’re as adorable as always today~! 

Carbuncle: (desperately) GUGU, GUGU!!

Satan: Arle, you’ve always been in such good health, I never expected you’d end up catching such a nasty cold. But it’s alright now! C’mon, let your Satan’s burning hot hugs break the fever for you~! 

Arle: Urgh-! You wanna HUG me!? 

Satan: Now, now, you don’t need to hold back. We’re a couple, after all! My fiancée must not be ashamed of public displays of affection~! 

Arle: Fiancée? …Is that so…? The two of us are… engaged? 

Satan: Huh?

Rulue: ARLE! OBVIOUSLY NOT!! What are you saying, are you out of your mind!? 

Satan: I-I mean…  Arle, are you sure you meant to say that just now? Something seems… 

Arle: NONONONONONO! I take it back!! What the heck am I even saying…? It’s just Satan’s usual delusional ramblings! Anyway, stop calling me your fiancée and GET OUT!! I GIVE YOU TWO SECONDS!!

SFX: *magic sounds*

Rulue: Arle, what in the world!! You don’t need to threaten us with magic!

Arle: Um… Uh… (scared) Ah…

Satan: Arle…

Arle: Huh? What spell was I trying to cast just now…? Weird…

Carbuncle: Gugugu…!

-

[Door closes as Satan and Rulue leave the house. They are now outside.]

Schezo: Hey! Satan! Rulue!

Satan: Hmpf. So the Dark Mage has shown himself. 

Rulue: Hey. What in the world is going on here? I’ve never seen Arle… like this.

Schezo: I knew it… So you’ve sensed it too. Something is wrong with Arle. Her memory and energies are slowly but surely draining from her. 

Satan: As long as Carbuncle is by her side I think she is safe physically speaking, but… this is no physical issue, now, is it? This is directly affecting her heart and soul. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an infection that could cause one to lose their memory gradually like this. We have no choice but to try and find the cause. 

Rulue: If that is so, then I will head to Witch’s house. She has a huge collection of old books, and knowing her, she might know a thing or two that does not occur to us. 

Schezo: That is a good idea. But we must make haste. If her energy and memory keep deteriorating at this rate, then there is not much time until she…

Rulue: Until she…?

Satan: We must not let Arle know of this, but there is a possibility she might lose all her memories and magic. Before that happens, we have to…

Arle: …? What does that mean?

Schezo: Arle…! How much have you heard?

Arle: I heard you all whispering in front of the door, so I couldn’t help myself… So, I’m going to forget everything and everyone? 

Satan: Now, now, Arly, it’s alright! We’re all going to save you soon enough.

Arle: But… you said that even you don’t know what caused this, didn’t you, Satan? 

Satan: …!

Arle: (awkwardly) Ahahaha! Oh wow, looks like I’m in trouble~! Ahah, um! …Sorry. Could you leave me and Carby alone for a bit?

Carbuncle: Gugu…? 

Schezo: Arle, wait-! 

[She closes the door in his face.]

-

[Nighttime noises.]

Arle: *sigh*

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: You know Carby… This all somehow doesn’t quite feel real to me. 

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: I’ve always just relied on the idea that everything is just gonna work out somehow… I guess I’m just good at making stuff up as I go or something… but… I don’t think I can just wriggle myself out of this one.

Carbuncle: Gugugu…

Arle: I mean…! I can barely remember any of my spells anymore! It kinda feels like this is it… 

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: And also… If I’m honest, there are already so many things I feel I can’t recall clearly anymore. Like, I still know that Schezo is a creeper and that Rulue has a bad crush on Satan… Or that Satan likes to cause trouble, but… that’s about it. I don’t know the details anymore. Hey, how did you and I meet? And how long ago was that…? Carby… Am I gonna forget about you, too…? 

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu!!

Arle: Huh? You’ll protect me…? Ahahaha! Thank you. That makes me happy. 

Schezo: Arle.

Arle: Ah! Um, you’re… Schezo!

Schezo: Looks like you’re not doing well.

Arle: What, me? No, I’m okay~!

Schezo: …

Arle: So, um… Looks like your days of chasing me around are finally over, huh? 

Schezo: What are you talking about?

Arle: All you wanted from me was my power, right? Now that I’m not going to have any powers, you’re probably not gonna care much about what happens to me, huh?

Schezo: Wha…!?

Arle: I mean, it sucks that I’m not gonna have any magic anymore, but… I guess that’s one load off my back at least! 

Satan: Arle. Don’t say something so foolish. 

Arle: Huh? Oh, right, that Satan! Hey, Satan, looks like you had a lucky draw with this, too, huh? 

Satan: Whatever are you talking about?

Arle: I mean, not only am I about to forget all of your past misdeeds soon, I won’t even have any magic to resist you with… Oh, wait, my magic was why you were attracted to me in the first place, wasn’t it? Guess you’ll lose interest in me too then. Maybe I’m actually pretty lucky, seeing how this all means you two are finally gonna get off my case and all! Heheh! 

Schezo&Satan: Arle!

Arle: Uh…What?

Schezo: Don’t force yourself to laugh. It doesn’t suit you. 

Arle: Huh…?

Satan: Arle. Do not underestimate my love. Do you really think I would want to take you as my consort after you’ve lost your memory and power and are docile and easy to manipulate? And above all else, regardless of what happens to you, you will always be Arle. 

Arle: That’s…

Schezo: Arle. I wouldn’t be able to rest if I were to leave you behind in this state. Be at ease, I will protect you. I will tell you as many times as you need to hear: I need you.

Arle: Ahah, Schezo! You dropped some words there again! You meant to say “I need your power”, didn’t you?

Schezo: Hmpf. I’ll let you think so, if you want to… Let’s head for Witch’s house. She should be helping Rulue to research the cause of Arle’s memory loss right now. 

Arle: Yeah! Alright… Let’s go to Witch’s- Uh, huh?

Satan: What’s wrong, Arle? 

Arle: Um… Who was that again? 

Schezo: What…!? Arle, don’t tell me you…! 

Arle: And, to start with, who are you people? Huh? Where am I? Why am I here? 

Satan: A-Arle, pull yourself together! You can’t have forgotten me, the great Satan!

Arle: Ahahaha! It’s nice to meet you! Looks like you know me from somewhere? Your name was ‘Greatsatan’, huh? 

Satan: …!! SCHEZO!

Schezo: Yes, we seem to be approaching the event horizon! Let’s go, Satan!

-

Witch: Um.. well…

SFX: *browsing in a book*

Witch: Em… huh…

Rulue: Witch, are you STILL not done with your research?

Witch: Hmm… Please give me a tad. Gradual memory loss is a rather rare symptom, y’know…

Rulue: Well, speed it up somehow! …I hate to admit it, but I don’t have the slightest clue about matters of sorcery, so this is up to you!

Witch: Argh, could you stop putting me under so much pressure!?  

Rulue: …! It is not in my nature to just stand by and watch… Hah, why am I wasting my time here, when right now my Satan is by Arle’s side and watching over her? 

Witch: You say that, Rulue, but I can tell that you’re plenty worried about Arle yourself, aren’cha? 

Rulue: …? Where did that come from?

Witch: Oh, I’ve just never seen you with that distraught look on your face before, is all. 

Rulue: I-I am just distraught that my darling prince is spending time with Arle and not me, that is all- 

Witch: Oh, reeeeally? Is that all? But if Arle lost use of all her spells, defeating and getting her out of your way should be easy for you, shouldn’t it? And then your beloved “darling prince Satan” would be yours once and for all. 

Rulue: (shaken) T-That’s… I…

Witch: What’s wrong? 

Rulue: OH-HOHOHO! Don’t you dare lower my noble, queenly self onto such a disgraceful level! I will defeat Arle in a fair and equal battle and win my darling Satan’s love and attention of my own power! 

Witch: Hm~? Oh well, if that’s how you wanna spin it, then okay. Continuing our research… Ah!

Rulue: Did you find it!? 

Witch: Here! Look at this! This has to be it. P… “Puck”. Um… According to this book, “Puck” is a faerie who loves to dance and play pranks on humans. Its specialty is a spell that inflicts its victims with forgetfulness… 

Rulue: So that is what did it to her…Really now, Arle, how could you let yourself be done in by such a creature? Tch, you are such a handful!

Witch: But this is odd… It says that Puck’s natural magic power isn’t all that strong. All the spell should do is make things slip from one’s mind for a short while… (she turns a page) Hmm… Maybe this has something to do with the fact that we have a full moon today… Moonlight naturally has magic-boosting properties, so maybe it affected that faerie and-

Rulue: I do not care about those details! I will go and finally report what we have learned to Satan now! …Oh, my Satan! Your Rulue… Your Rulue is coming for you~!

[Rulue runs off]

Witch: Hey! I was trying to explain everything you need to know!! Come back here-

[The door closes]

Witch: Waaaaait!!

-

SFX: *magic sounds*

Puck: What do I do? That girl’s power won’t stop flowing into me…! What’s going to happen to me?

SFX: *running footsteps*

Puck: I never meant this to go this far!

Carbuncle: (accusatory) GU! Gugu!!

Puck: Urgh!

Satan: We found you…

Schezo: So you are the one who stole away Arle’s memory. 

Puck: Huh? Why do you know about that? Ah! It’s that big girl!

Arle: Hey! Let go of my hand, stranger! What in the world are you all doing, ganging up on a defenseless child!? 

Rulue: Arle, stand back! We are doing this for your good! …How could it make you forget about your rival, the noble fighting queen, Rulue!? I will never forgive this! 

Arle: Eeek! What is wrong with this lady!? Those arms are way too strong for someone who looks so beautiful!

Rulue: Shuddup!! Looks like even amnesia can’t touch that smart mouth of yours, huh!? 

Arle: Amnesia…?

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu!

Schezo: Hey, Witch! What do we have to do with this thing to get Arle’s memory back? 

Witch: Well… I reckon they’ll just come back by themselves if Puck is knocked out, maybe? But that’s not what’s important, now, listen-

Schezo: I see… *sound of him drawing his sword* 

Satan: I must admit, I do not like the thought of needing to bully a weak creature to resolve this, but… can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. 

Puck: P… Please forgive me! I never meant for any of this! I still don’t even understand it… My powers just seem to be working a whole lot more strongly than usual! 

Witch: Hm, aha. I knew it… Then that would mean…

Carbuncle: (asking) Gugu?

Satan: Hmpf! I will hear no excuses! 

Arle: W-Wait! What are you doing, Mr. Horned, Mean and Green!?

Satan: I am the Dark Prince, Satan!

Arle: And you, you silver-haired excuse to call for an adult!!

Schezo: My name is SCHEZO!

Arle: Can’t you see that that little guy is scared? Why are you being so awful to him!? 

Satan: Well, that…

Schezo: …is quite simple. All that we want…

Satan & Schezo: …is for our old Arle to come back to us!

Arle: Huh…?

Schezo: Let’s go! 

Arle: STOOOOOP!

Schezo: (off balance) Gah…!

Satan: What is it NOW, Arle!?

Arle: Look… I get the gist that you guys are doing this for me. But, please don’t hurt someone for my sake, okay? 

Satan: Do you know what you’re saying? 

Arle: Okay, listen… From what I gather, I’ve lost my memory and forgotten all of you, right? But maybe… and that’s just a “maybe”... that doesn’t mean that my feelings for you all have disappeared!

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: I’ve been watching you all fight for me this whole time, and seeing that, I somehow feel warm, as if I really, really loved you all from the bottom of my heart. So, maybe I can make this work even without a few dumb memories! We can just make new memories together! Right? 

Schezo: Ah…

Satan: Arle…

Carbuncle: Gu! Gugu!

Rulue: How can you say that so easily? …Then again, that way of thinking is so quintessentially you…  

Witch: Um, I’m sorry to bust this very heartwarming moment, but… it seems there’s some clouds coming in. Aaand, there they go covering up the full moon, and-

SFX: *magic sounds*

 Arle: Huh? …Huh! 

Schezo: W… What’s wrong!?

Arle: Whoawhoawhoa… What’s up with my head, I… Uh… Hey, Satan! Schezo! Rulue! Witch! What are we all doing here? 

SFX: *quick Carbuncle footsteps*

Carbuncle: GUGUGUGUGUGU-GUUU!!

Arle: Ahahaha! Carby! Hey, what’re you being so cuddly for all of a sudden? 

Satan: Arle! Do you recognize my magnificent self now!?

Arle: What are you talking about? OBVIOUSLY I recognize you! Not like you’re easy to confuse for anyone else! 

Witch: Hmm, just as I’d thought. The amplification of Puck’s magic only lasts as long as the full moon. As soon as it was covered up, he went back to his usual abilities.

Rulue: Wha- Why didn’t you say so earlier!? 

Witch: I tried! You were the one who ran off before I could finish talking!

Puck: Heeey… I have no idea what’s going on, buuut…  looks like everything’s back to normal now, so… 

Arle: Wait, uh… What is even happening right now? 

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu, gu!

Arle: Let’s see, I ran into a faerie that called itself “Puck”, and then… AHHH!! YOU’RE PUCK!!

Puck: Nonono, I’ll never do it again, never again! Like I’d ever put myself through something so terrifying again! BUH-BYE!!

[He warps out.]

Arle: Whoa-! …And he’s gone.

Satan: Aaaarly~!! I’m so happy! Now, in celebration of the return of your memories of being my loveliest fiancée, how about a passionate baiser from moi to-!

Arle: Who are you calling “fiancée”!?

SFX: *she punches him. Hard*

Satan: URGH-! (under heavy groaning) Yeah… Our old Arle’s back… Charming and strong-headed… as she should be…

Schezo: Hmpf… Arle. So it would appear your powers have returned to you! Thus, let us resume… our endless dance of passions!! 

Arle: Yeah, yeah, I get it already. But could you at least try to reel in the embarrassing misspeaks in public a little? *sighs* You’ll never change, will you, Creeper?

Schezo: Urgh…! 

Rulue: Looks like she’s completely back to normal. So much ado about someone like her… We should’ve just let her be if you ask me!

Arle: Heh? What’s with the attitude! I don’t remember asking for your help! 

Witch: By the by, Arle…

Arle: Yeah?

Witch: Just for the sake of my personal research: Do you recall any part of what happened while you had lost your memory?

Arle: Huh? Uh… Oh, right. I think I can remember, kinda!

Witch: …Including the part where you said that you, and I quote, “really, really love all of us, from the bottom of your heart”? 

Arle: WHA-!? Uh… Um… Eh… That was just… I, uh… I was amnesiac! You can’t take that seriously! 

Witch: But was it not you who said that, even though she’d lost her memory, her feelings have remained the same? Which would make the previous quote a confe-

Arle: WAAAAH, STOP! STOP, STOP! 

Witch: Now, now, Arle, answer the research question: Was that statement, in fact, a confession of your true feelings~? 

Arle: NONONO, SHUT UP! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF THE WORLDS, SHUT UP, WITCH! JUST STOP TAAAALKING!!!

-THE END

[revserrayyu]

Real quick Wardance thoughts [part 1]

**SPOILERS** for the majority of the event up until the winner is decided. That sounds like a whole lot to cover all at once but I’m not gonna delve too deep into anything like I have a habit of doing during main story quests. I thought the event was good and there were many moments I enjoyed, but I’ll admit that I skimmed through the bulk of it, so just take this as a quick speed run of random thoughts I had while finishing the whole thing last week.

So please tell me I’m not the only one who noticed that they finally fixed Oleg’s mouth now when he speaks?? No longer can I tease him about being a telepath. He had actual mouth movement this time!

Geppie is such a good boy. I sorta figured we would be facing a losing battle against him as Luka since he’s the literal definition of a tank, but it was of sweet of him to give us a chance to travel to the Xianzhou regardless of how this fight ended. Yeah it makes sense he can’t really put his Captain duties on hold just to travel to a whole other world, but the nice gesture is still appreciated.

I’m so happy that parts of this mission were voiced as it allows us to hear some of our old Belobogian friends again, such as Natasha, Bronya, Lynx, etc. (It’s just my luck that Serval nor Seele, who are no doubt my two favorites from this place, get not one single line throughout the entire story.. but I digress.)

I gotta survive off crumbs of just mere mentions of these favorites instead. It was fun hearing Bronya trying to intimidate Seele’s speech though.

They teased us with Owlbert appearing in the main 2.5 story by Hoolay suddenly stirring up chaos, but it’s nice to actually hear our reliable host in game, even if only from a puppet. Perhaps we can see the real bird one day. Playable Owlbert when, Hoyo?

Now.. how exactly does our boy Luka know what Cocolia looked like? He’s been in the Underground his whole life and madam had (unfortunately) ceased to exist by the time he had the chance to visit the Overworld. Heck, Luka wasn’t even around during the main Belobog story, since he was doing Wildfire work somewhere else. I can imagine that maybe Seele or others told Luka about her (for whatever reason, I dunno), or perhaps he caught sight of a portrait in the museum, though he’s not too keen on visiting the Overworld in the first place, if his voiceline about the place is anything to go by. Oh well, it was just a real accurate and powerful hallucination anyways.

Poor Owlbert. Can’t even be spared from an angry, defeated Topaz despite her love of animals.

Actually Topaz, the term is “going all in,” as Aventurine likes to say. Haha, I tease, but it makes sense that our gambler went total boss mode in Penacony then.

Luka and Sushang are the same kind of silly and stupid. It’s delightful.

I am holding every tiny fact about Seele carefully in my hands and cherishing it fondly. And if Luka knows this, does that mean was he around when it happened? Surely he had teased her about it. Dude is lucky he’s still alive and well.

First we spoke a *Nameless profanity* in Penacony, and now there’s a *Xianzhou profanity.* I love it. Where’s the one for Belobog? And can we please hear Seele say it? If we could get someone to just say "fuck" once, it better come from her.

Ah.. a lack of censorship would make Boothill more enjoyable for me too, but I understand why we have it. At least the anger towards Owlbert is on brand.

Boothill certainly wasn’t messing around during this match huh. The loss really put Luka’s head in a bad place though. I forget exactly how his arm was repaired, either IPC assistance or something else, but dang, wouldn’t this have been a wonderful opportunity to bring in our lovable mechanic Serval into the story to fix his arm instead? Huh, Hoyo? (shh, I’m just missing her. leave me be.)

There was this on random npc standing on the railing overlooking the arena who had an abundance of confidence that I just found humorous, especially with us mentioning Acheron’s habit of getting lost.

The whole scene with Margie inside Luka’s mind was so rough. His companion quest was sad enough already, did we really need to experience heartbreak again??

Luka, please.. no. Who taught you about rizz?? Was it Argenti? That dude can charm almost everyone, even plants.

Tee-hee, hiiii Yukong~ Wonderful to see you again, madam. I know I’m skipping on so many other things, but this mission was longer than I had expected, so it’s safe to say that I haven’t any clear memories what was happening right now. Something about a disguised borisin with a robot partaking in the tournament. But our favorite pilot is also here now. So that’s all I cared about, clearly.

I know it was sweet of Hook to come along on trip and support her fellow Mole member in the tournament but it is so odd not seeing Clara at Svarog’s side. Surely our friendly robot could’ve watched over two kids as once. (it’s fine though because I did a random ten pull on the standard banner while completing this mission and got myself E1 Clara. so at least she’s safe.)

Rappa mention! I can’t wait til we learn more abut her. (Saw quick leaks of her combat already and it’s quite a sight. They keep upping the ult animations for sure.)

While I was completely fine with the idea of us taking out all of Yanqing’s 99 barriers during the fight, I was surprised to see the cutscene switch up and have the two finalists really partake in hand to hand combat instead.

At first I thought, “yeah, fire. That makes sense for Luka,” until I remembered this dude is a physical character and fire is only part of his design. I assume he can still use flames with his mechanical arm, but he’s just using his regular one at the moment, not the big red one he wields during actual combat. I dunno how this man’s arm works exactly, but it was still a cool shot and an expert dodge by Yanqing.

Speaking of our young man, he did so well during this cutscene! Was not expecting him to be so skilled with throwing hands either, so to be evenly matched with Luka, who mainly uses his fists for fighting, is impressive nonetheless. Yanqing did of course give the victory to Luka though, which is fine.

Aawwhh.. and what if we all cried?

That’s all for now. There is gonna be a second part only because the Yaoqing trio shows up at the very end and I have many feelings about them but overall, this was some good stuff for Luka. Maybe he’ll show up in the main story one day aside from all this optional stuff.

[afanofmanyships]

My Take On Danny Being The Gatekeeper au:

For the longest time, Danny thought that he didn't have a grave, that he was graveless. Then one day he met a graveless ghost and it felt wrong - they felt wrong - like they weren't truly there but that was impossible because they were in front of him. They were translucent, but not like a ghost. They were translucent in the way that their outline was disappearing. Their color is translating into black and their feet are becoming invisible.

As Danny reached out his hand to the graveless, they latched onto him. Because of that simple touch, Danny felt this graveless ghost drain his entire soul. All he had to do was pull away, pull away and leave. But he couldn't.

Danny: Let go of me.

Graveless Ghost: ......

Danny holds his arm with his other hand: Let go of me.

An outline of a smile appears on the thing's face: *A soundless laugh comes out of that thing's mouth*

Danny tilts his head down as green tears start appearing at the ends of his eyes: Please

A mask starts appearing in place of the thing's face: ha ha

Phantom looks the thing straight in the eye as green tears begin to fall from his face: LET GO OF ME!!

The thing's figure begins to become round as its hand becomes more solidified, a mouth starts appearing underneath the mask, and then the being grabs Danny's forearm with its other hand: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AH HA H A HAHA HA HA AHAH AHAA HA AH ITS MINE NOWHAHAHAH AHA!

Phantom doesn't know what that thing is saying as he starts pulling his arm away from that thing: ARG, Let me go!!

The thing laughs at Phantom as it drags him closer to itself: HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHHAHAHAAH.

Phantom: LET. ME. GO.

Danny was able to toss the thing away from himself. As he watched the thing get up and walk away, Danny looked down at his arm and saw that it was bleeding but most of all, disappearing.

Danny Phantom began to pant as if he just fought the greatest battle in his entire half-life, holding his right arm: What the hell was that?

______________________________________________________________

Ghost Writer: What you just described was a No Face.

Phantom: A No Face?

Ghost Writer: Yeah, and by the looks of it.

Ghost Writer jester to the bandaged stub where Phantom's right arm should be: You just gave them their last piece to become a full-fledged one.

Phantom grasps his bandage unconsciously: What does that mean?

Ghost Writer sighs into his hands: Sometimes I forget that you've only been dead for 2 years until you say basic ghost 101 shit like that.

Phantom, stares at him unimpressed: Uh huh.

Ghost Writer sighed again and reached his hand as a book flew at him: A Ghost without a grave becomes a wisp within a year. That is the first step to becoming a No Face. The only way for a No Face to become a normal Ghost once again is for their loved ones to acknowledge that they are dead.

Ghost Writer flips open the book as he snaps his fingers making a pair of glasses appear on his face: Let's see *scams his finger across the pages* here it is *his finger taps the page*. If a grave/shrine is made the Ghost is to find and acknowledge them to solidify their standing in the afterlife.

Ghost Write looks Phantom straight in the eyes: If the ghost cannot locate their grave or shrine. Then that means they are considered a missing person or that no one cares about them enough to actually give a damn about giving them a proper grave. Making them unable to go back to their afterlife causing them to walk the Earth again as a wisp. To find a portal back to the afterlife.

Phantom tilts his head in confusion: ......

Ghost Writer rubs his eyes: Before you ask, no, the natural portals don't work on them. They'll just go through it as if it was never there. They'll have to find a permanent one like the one in Wisconsin and yours.

Phantom feels uncomfortable: What happens when they turn into that shadowy figure I saw?

Ghost Writer: This means that their entire bloodline has expired and that those who remember them are forgetting their existence entirely.

(Danny: Does that mean I'll become a No Face?)

Phantom: How do I get my arm back?

Ghost Writer: You must recognize your grave to unlock your full strength. Find the No Face, and from there it's up to you to make a choice.

Ghost Writer sits up and holds one hand: You kill and devour them, or *raises up his other hand* become allies and form into one being.

Phantom: I have a grave?

Ghost Writer: If you didn’t have one you would have become a wisp already.

(Danny: We need to go.)

Phantom gets up to leave: I need to go.

Ghost Writer calls out: Phantom.

Phantom stops at the door: ......

Ghost Writer: If you need a clue, go to Clockwork. Only if you're desperate.

Ghost Writer mutters to himself: Only desperate Ghosts have the possibility of finding him.

Phantom gave hum of acknowledgement, before leaving: I'll think about it.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom floats around lazily: -and that's all he told me.

Clockwork works on something out of Phantom's sight: Is that so.

Phantom faces himself towards Clockwork: Yeah, then I came all the way over here. To ask for a clue.

Clockwork hides his work in the shadows before facing Danny: Why did you come to me? You already know I have no concept of your timeline, only those around you.

Phantom takes a deep breath: I know that *avoids eye contact*, I just wanted to see if you knew.

Clockwork chuckles: Where your friends or family mourn the most is the place you seek.

Danny is unsettled by Clockwork's laugh: Thanks Clockwork. *Phantom leaves*

When he left, neither Clockwork nor Phantom noticed that his bandages turned white to black.

Clockwork turns to the shadows where a figure is tied to a chair: *Smiles creepily* Now *leans down onto the chair* where were we?

The figure mysterious: Huuuuu...kakkakkakkkakakakkakakukuuuu.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom went on the search to find his grave. It was a difficult task even with the help of Jazz, Sam, Tucker, and Valerie. They searched high and low trying to his grave. But none of them found it.

Sam: What are we even trying to find?

Phantom: A gravestone that says something along the lines of "Here Lays Daniel Fenton A Brother, Son, and Friend. Often Known As Danny Fenton." Or something like that.

Sam: What kind of name is "Danny"?

Valerie: I think I dated someone named "Danny" a few months ago.

Tucker had a gut feeling that he knew who "Danny" was: ...Let's keep searching.

Jazz knew who that person was but couldn't put her finger on it: ...(I know this person I know this person but who are they) *A few tears trail down her face but she quickly wiped them away*

It was at that moment Phantom realized that everyone was forgetting Danny.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom asked around Amity if anyone remembered a person named 'Danny Fenton', but no one recognized that name. He asked teachers, students, store clerks; any person that knew him closely.

Even Wes was beginning to forget who he was.

______________________________________________________________

Ghost Writer is shown writing in a book: *Sigh* I hope I don't have to shelf this one.

To the left of him was an empty bookshelf that wasn't there before. Ghost Writer knew that it would've been one thing if a book/bookshelf appeared separately, but it would be a whole other thing if they both appeared together because that means an important person is about to be forgotten and he'll be the only one left to remember them.

If he could change the course he would but he can't. He is unable to tell and no one else can see these books or shelfs. The only way for someone to become one is for someone other than him to remember them. After all, he is just the librarian.

______________________________________________________________

Phantom ends up in front of the Fenton House: ...Why am I here?

There is a pull from his chest that tells him to go inside, so he does. Only to instantly dodge an attack with the fluidity of a person who knew it was coming.

Phantom: ...How did I do that?

He continued dodging until he was near the basement door.

Phantom puts his left hand on his chest: ...That pull again.

He goes down to the basement until he is in front of the Ghost Portal.

A gleam crosses Phantom's eyes as he looks at the Portal.

Phantom: Are you...*reaches his left hand to the Portal*...My Grave?

The Portal gleamed as if responding to Phantom's left hand.

Phantom touched the Portal to recognize it as his grave only to be hit with extreme amounts of pain and visions. Visions that were and weren't of his dimensions.

Phantom falls to his knees with his hand still in the Portal: Agh ugh ug *closes his eyes in pain*

This is a teaser, I will delete it after I write the full AU.

[monosanimegenericzone]

Hunter x Hunter: more pt speculation. bcs im ill leave me alone

so you know how they say a person's background influences a) their nen type and then b) their conceived hatsu.

so im going to discuss a few origins that i think are very tasty and interesting. specifically within the troupe (since we get backgrounds and interests for basically EVERY OTHER CHARACTER-)

the enhancers are pretty self explanatory. they chose a limb or an object to enhance and went crazy with it. nobunaga chose a sword, phinks and uvo both chose their right fist. shalnark shizuku franklin and machi are also all fairly straightforward too.

pakunoda - she's an empath. she's one of the more sentimental spiders and on top of everything she can do, her ability is also capable of transferring emotions. i think that's where it started but as she set restrictions, she gained the ability to extract memories and thoughts.

kortopi - he's a counterfeiter. he isn't a fighter per se but he has a hell of a lot of creativity and desire to make new. how do i know that? speculation. and because aura is based off of desire yeah yeah basics of nen i'll shut up now. point is. he has a lot of aura and it has to come from somewhere. I think he started as an imitation artist, making replicas of pretty things he sees out of junk

feitan - i think he's just like that. he is an unhinged little bitch and was simply born with a disposition for pain. so we know that he was on the team responsible for helping chrollo uncover sarasa's killers. so, as many theories go, they had to watch several thousand 'films' that the criminal underground had produced. and he was so scarred that it flipped his entire psyche. thus, he equates pain with forces of natural disasters because it's such a point of turmoil and joy.

i might need a separate post to do a psychoanalysis of this little man

bonolenov - probably a given? he was raised on tribal beliefs of spirits and traditional war attire. his Prologue battle suit is a gift of his people, possibly passed down only through memory and manifested nen that has lasted generations. the planets were his own creation, inspired by a love of music outside of his world. haha puns.

grr i rotate the spoodrs in my brain.

[musings-of-miss-j]

i’m almost afraid to ask if you’d played the new archon quest yet, and if you have, how do you feel about hoyo’s decisions in it? if you haven’t, feel free to ignore this so that you don’t get any spoilers!

heyyy yeah i have lolololol <- (laugh of mild rage)

5.3 AQ SPOILERS AHEAD. i ended up talking a lot so there's your fair warning haha

okay so. i'd already resigned myself to not caring about most of the characters for a while now, because it seemed to me that hoyo was directing the focus more to the storyline. Which, fine, not every arc has to be character-driven, plus the rather extensive list of 'main characters' in natlan made it hard to really connect with any of them. on that note, why did they perma-bench kinich ?? can we not do waifu impact rn. i dont care about male characters but this is too much even for me

i wasn't bothered by the prospect of a plot-driven aq, like at all. i'd say i was even excited, but both 5.1 and 5.2 failed to wow me, so my the time 5.3 rolled around i was kinda dgaf about the whole thing lmaooo and for some reason i was wholly convinced that it wouldn't be the 'finale'???? not sure what gave me that impression but either way i entered with the conviction that there would be a sense of continuity beyond 5.3 and the end felt so abrupt to me.

and now the aq itself. um. first of all i was completely unimpressed with how trivial they made our ancient name seem. like all that fanfare over how difficult it would be and the was completely wasted, there was virtually no bump in the road and not even a cool cutscene of xilonen forging it???? that at least would've made it feel less like 'a wizard did it' if you get my meaning. ALSO. wasn't there a little thing where they said forging an ancient name for an outlander would cost the life of the forger???????? did they forget orrrr?? and the scene with the 'lost souls' lacked any substance in my opinion

okay fine. moving on, we have a farewell-feast kind of situation. i feel like that had the potential to be really emotional, but it felt like a pre-celebration rather than the last goodbye i would've preferred it to be. the whole thing had the atmosphere of a house party to me, no gravity whatsoever, i was expecting to see characters doubting our return and essential bidding us farewell for the last time but the excessive levity just made it all feel too chill for the situation at hand. the entire version i feel like they didn't do a fantastic job of really establishing and proving the high stakes. and the part where we suddenly leave for the dream ritual with ororon was laughable, absolutely goofy. bleh. it would've been cool if it was really somber with people mourning us before we departed, because to me it felt unrealistic that everyone was so optimistic about our chances of defeating something that may as well have been a force of nature to them.

arriving at the night kingdom, i loved seeing the characters we previously helped lend us a hand from beyond the grave. seeing bona specifically made me very excited!! aside from that, i was mostly unmoved. the cutscenes were well animated, but it suffered from the classic 'genshin keeps blurring out shit in the dialogue so i have no idea what any of these lore bombs' significance is and therefore i literally do not give a damn' problem. the part where they revealed what our friends said about us was funny because i was confused about whether they were talking about the traveler or mavuika lmaooo. the fight was cool. didn't like the repetitive 'traveler and mavuika lift the claymore after each speech' thing at all, broke immersion for me. and the fact that the whole thing seemed totally effortless was so disappointing. all that buildup, the prospect of battling an immovable force that plagued the land for centuries should've felt daunting and we should've at least struggled???? im not even bothered by the 'power of friendship' trope, it's more the fact that we didn't even break a sweat at any point???????

the traveler and paimon hug was so nice, as a certified paimon hypeman it made me smile very wide. the celebration seemed to have bothered a lot of people, but i personally thought it had a lot of potential much like the feast. they could've shown us traveler struggling to stay upright from the journey, visibly injured yet willing to play hero for a nation of people who've been resigned to death for so long. like a 'i can barely stay on my feet but nurturing this new-born hope is more important than my exhaustion' type beat, once i tend to enjoy in books. instead it again had high-school dance party energy to me.

then citlali drags us aside and the cheerful atmosphere slips away. i liked the sudden jerk back to reality that the reminder of mavuika's imminent death brought, actually, the sudden mood shift was fitting imo; 'we can hardly believe we survived let alone won so hearing it's not over feels more plausible than the thought that victory could've been ours' is a banger to me. then ronova and mavuika. ronova looked so cool, big fan (columbina it should've been you) and then the captain.

listen. his story was amazing, i can't lie. it was an awesome motivation. my complaint is that it could've been any khanreain (im too lazy to check the proper spelling leave me be) soldier. his motivation was somehow totally unaffected by his status as the first harbinger. his entire connection to the fatui might as well have not existed. and also. i wish they foreshadowed this somehow. i know he was covered in death flags from the start, but i could never have guessed he was trying to exact revenge for a curse in any way. i concede this may be a skill issue on my part, but his story is so compelling i would've much preferred it to be paced throughout rather than crammed into a five minute cutscene. i can imagine capitano mains are totally losing their shit right now and i dont blame them. the whole paradox idea and using the curse against the heavenly principles was very well thought out but how did no one object to him taking mavuika's place? like im just saying we didn't even hear a cursory 'no this isn't your sacrifice to make'. the decisive and rather sudden (imo) end was like a slap to the face lol it felt so abrupt.

so uh yeah. i wasn't impressed overall. how do you go from the peak that is fontaine to whatever this is. fontaine had an incredible plot, compelling characters and an epic twist to boot and this feels like none of that. also can i complain for a sec about whatever the hell they did to citlali. she was my favourite character by a mile in the teaser and i was so hype to pull for her and then they fucking made her whatever she is now????? where are the mystical shaman vibes hoyo. where are the terribly intimidating voicelines. where is it all. she's feared and respected in her tribe why is she hugging a plushie to her chest like that in the splash art what have you done to my girl. i was expecting mona vibes from her animations but noooooo fanservice instead. kiss my ass. AND THEN. MAVUIKA IS THE NTH PYRO ONFIELDER. i've been so mad about this since the beta bro. are you fucking with me. AND PYRO TRAVELER. HAS LIKE. 0.5 SECONDS OF OFF FIELD PYRO. i will implode. i will do something frowned upon in six continents.

i've pulled only for xilonen and nahida since the start of the fifth version and it looks like it'll stay that way unless skirk is really cool. man.