#have mercy on my poor soul it’s 1 am

[a-person-once-said]

The bashing fic did not have bashing tags.

I am now sad.

[cursedcola]

Prompt: "Will You Marry Me?" - Proposal Headcannons Characters: Everyone :) Part(s): Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle (Here!), Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia(Pt.1)(Pt.2) Fandom: Twisted Wonderland Warning(s): None. I mean, unless you don't want to marry any of them. Just don't read if that's the case. Note: These are all if he is the one proposing btw. I've been thinking about maybe programming a small fan-made mini-otome using these ideas. Just for some practice for school while also being self indulgent hehe

Azul Ashengrotto

Fortune. Azul is one fortunate soul. At least, not he thinks himself to be.

and to think that it's because of sheer luck. He did not work for you. He did not climb or claw or plan for you. He did nothing.

No, you chose him. You saw him at his lowest and decided that he was worth becoming friends with. You actively sought him out...just to spend time at his side. Regularly. You enjoyed Azul's company

and over time, he grew to enjoy yours. Immensely. Like a giddy school-girl, his heart fluttered at the thought of you and all his notebooks were covered in doodle hearts.

This was it for him. Azul is a one and done kind of man. It’s you or it’s no one. Which means that it obviously is going to be you because hello??? Azul is not a quitter.

During your younger years as students….he may have been a bit too ambitious. In other words, Azul has proposed many times

And in turn has been rejected. Many. Times.

It began passively. He’d mention here and there his future plans for after schooling. Try to talk himself up, yeah? He’s going to be a big business man, isn’t that just perfect husband material? He can take care of you easily so there’s no need to stress.

Naturally you pushed off these moments as daydreaming and casual joking. Nothing serious. So he ups his game. It just so happens that he mistakenly got a bridal magazine in the mail…oh, look at these dresses and suits! So fancy. So beautiful…oh, you would look absolutely darling in one.

….oh sweet merciful seven please take the HINT. He is LITERALLY throwing himself at you

He ups his game. Again. A romantic candle lit dinner for two. The works. Jazz music, slow dancing, good company, and the casual proposal y’know just your average date.

You have to be doing it on purpose

In your defense. He did not flat out say “will you marry me,” because he chickened out. Instead he asked if you’d like to live with him after graduation as…roommates.

The world is out to get this poor man. It is. It truly just wants him to crash and burn in embarrassment. The way you laughed and went “I think we’re a bit more than that, don’t you think?” HAUNTS him

He screamed into his pillow that night. For hours. Floyd still gives him shit for it

Life continues this way. For reasons unknown…he just couldn’t bring himself to be direct. Which is so unlike Azul considering he spent years toughening himself up.

Maybe deep down he did fear that things wouldn’t work out. A merman and a human…what if you did not want to lige in the sea? What if his body could not sustain human form for long term? Maybe he wanted you to take initiative and prove him wrong. Eventually he did give up.

At least until you both aged into the “roommates”he dreamed about. There were trials and compromise. He never thought to have two homes, one by the ocean and one literally inside of it. Life was perfect….just without the title. And on one random night, Azul thinks “One more time,”. No elaborate ruse. No trickery to get you to ask him. Just….

“Will you marry me?,” Azul whispered into your shoulder. You both lay together in your shared bedroom with nothing but the sound of crashing waves coming in from the outside. Your steady breathing halts, proving that you heard him. With a sigh, he reaches to massage your scalp, “I do not know if you have realized by now…no, I am sure of it. No one is that dense. I won’t pry for why you have ignored my past attempts…all I ask is that you answer this. Will you marry me, (Y/N)? Having you at my side has truly made me the most fortunate man alive,”

{ A black pearl over a gold band. One of the most ultimate displays of wealth. Azul is well aware that this is not the traditional pathway. He could have easily acquired a ‘genuine’ Pearl, perhaps a diamond - but no. You are a rarity. A true jewel. Only a ring worthy to reflect that is worth buying. You were the most unexpected thing and are now the most cherished. This ring represents that,}

Jade Leech

The want caught him by surprise one day, which is rare. Jade is never thrown off guard. At least, not easily.

Then again, you have always been the most difficult person for him to predict. Something he finds very charming since there is always an upbeat atmosphere wherever you go. If his days were a dimming flame, you would be just the right amount of Co2 to spark some fun - not that he would easily admit to it.

Albeit so, Jade is not blind to his emotions. He hides them well underneath a polite smile - but they are there. He is aware of them.

Which is why he snatched you up early on. A relationship was the last thing he thought to find on the surface (or in general, honestly), but Jade knows what he wants when he sees it.

He merely asks you on a date with confidence. You accept, and the process repeats until an unspoken bond formed between the two of you. Not a soul in the nearby vicinity would dare make a move on you with his lingering presence. Jade was pacified, entertained, and happily content with your circumstance.

A circumstance that Jade gets maybe a bit too comfortable with. Just like surprise, it takes a lot for Jade for feel secure. The only person he has truly felt that with is his brother. This lack of overbearing responsibility, where something is being unspoken. No ulterior motive or underlying tone in your actions that make him have to over-analyze.

In the beginning he thought of your bluntness as an extra entertainment factor. Something that he could count on to make those brief unpredictable situations amusing. Yet, as time passed he notices that it's comforting. When he's with you, Jade turns his brain off. Not entirely, of course. He still needs to throw in witty quips and fluster you at LEAST twice per day.

but it's different. It's a different comfort than what he feels with his sibling or with his friend. It's new, and strangely similar to how he feels when he forages while hiking. Perhaps finding peace in another person...maybe there is merit. Hah. Yet another surprise.

On an evening long past curfew, Jade was tending to his botany collection and miniature greenhouse. You sat on his bed, watching videos on your phone. It was almost like you weren't there with him, yet not since he felt your presence. However, there was no pressure to talk or be attentive. He found himself enjoying your presence alone, and it slipped.

"If this is how our days will be when we live together, then perhaps sharing one life is not as inconceivable as I once thought," he said amidst trimming one of his herb plants. Jade turns curiously when he hears a thump from behind, and sees you gawking at him. You had lost your grip on the cell phone, and it fell to the ground.

He eyes you suspiciously. What's startled you? He doubts that any video could render you speechless.

....he spoke aloud, yes? Not in his head. Now it's Jade's turn to lose his composure.

Another surprise, but this is his own doing. Jade has not had a slip of the tongue since his childhood. Even then it was rare. He's never experienced this kind of mess-up...yet, you don't appear appalled.

Jade places the clippers down, and coughs into his gloved hand, "well, it appears I have gotten a loose tongue. It must be from your influence, no doubt". He stands, and moves to sit next to you on his bed, "I've never spoken out of place before, you know. Do you know what this means? I've become weak...and perhaps it it is time you take responsibility for these newfound emotions. I fully intend for many moments like these to happen, and for you to not leave my side. When it is time to leave this place, I believe you will join me. No, I am certain of it"

{An eye of lapis. A reminder that he is always watching - waiting, to see you again. The gem is not see-through. It’s a tough stone. Yet it is beautiful and is appreciated nonetheless. Enough said}

Floyd leech

At first, you believed him to have an obsession. Many did, actually.

The judgement isn't uncalled for either. Floyd's emotions towards you are very strong. With the way he loves to tease and follow you around - he's got a deep attachment. He's always demanding your attention, pulling you from your duties, starting trouble, and nosy. Floyd is oh so nosy and into everything in your life.

You're a toy. His little Shrimpy. The plaything that he absolutely adores and loves to watch. You're the Friday night sitcom to his late-90s grandma.

That's how you see it because that's how he portrays it. With others in agreeance, it is easy to overlook the small undertones in his actions. Especially since he's a touchy and emotional person normally.

Somehow, Floyd had himself tricked as well. He didn't akin his emotions to obsession, but he did think that you were a toy that he would

eventually out-grow. At the start, it really was just a game for him. He liked your reactions and therefore decided to keep you around.

Yet, he never got bored. Eventually the fun events around you stopped being what he found interesting, and instead he liked you alone. Floyd being Floyd instantly tried to confess this, not wanting to waste another minute. Yet you never believed him.

He brushed it off. You'd come around. Not a day went by without him by your side. To the average onlooker (and you, to Floyd's dismay) this still appeared normal. Weeks past by like nothing.

Only the people closest to Floyd see the small giveaways. Like how he glares holes into the mirror portal every morning, or gets snappy with customers if you take too long to visit the Monstro Lounge at night. There's a booth saved, every evening with no student brave enough to go near it unless they want their head chopped off.

When he gives you a 'squeeze,' he never wraps his arms around your stomach. He instead smothers your head and goes tightly around the shoulders. Your squeezes are special. He loves them.

or the name 'Shrimpy'. How he says it to you in public, but in private he occasionally lets your real name slip out. This normally happens during moments when he feels "bored,"(i.e has nothing to talk about) or lighthearted (the rare moments when you get him to relax). Floyd has never said that name with anything other than a positive emotion, despite his mood swings. Shrimpy is his calling card for you, and only his. Yet your name is different. He feels a tummy-twisting kind of weird when he says it.

but the biggest change is Floyd's attitude towards danger when it comes to you. Before, he thrived on it. He liked to hear your stories and be part of the fun. He took joy from the scary adventures you got wrapped into; heck, he was one of them.

Now he gets morbid. Not like how he was before, with eerie threats and a suspenseful aura. He never actually acted unless told to do so, since the over-blots and delinquent students were your problem, not his.

One afternoon, you didn't show up to have lunch with him. That already made him irritable since you know better than to no-show. Did you want a squeeze? Huh, Shrimpy? He'll give you one later.

Then two students come in, all snickering and acting suspicious. Strike two. Now Floyd is upset AND annoyed. Others in the area can feel the animosity in the air.

"Did you see their face? Psh. That'll teach some snot-nosed no-mag to act all mighty. If they know what's good for them, they'll go back to whatever sh*t-hole they came from alrea-" The no-face couldn't finish his sentence. Not with one of the infamous Leech twins gripping his arm tight enough to snap bone.

Floyd smiled, "oh~ So you're the reason my little shrimp isn't eating lunch with me, aren't ya? So. What'd ya do? C'mon guys, I want to know what 'lesson' ya taught, " as Floyd spoke, his grip gradually tightened and he stared straight into the other student's eyes. Each word came out harsher than the last.

They broke quick, as he suspected. With a rough shove Floyd pushed them aside to find you. He had their faces memorized. Let them live in fear for a bit until he collects due payment. For now?

Floyd finds you at your home. He doesn't bother to knock and bursts through the front door, only to see you nursing a black eye on the couch with some ice. He wastes no time in taking it and kneeling in front of you.

Floyd holds the ice to your eye - a bit too harsh- and clenches his jaw when you wince. You won't meet his eyes and it only pisses him off more, "Oi. Look at me," and you do with your one eye. "Why didn't you call me. Why'd you not show up," You sigh and reach a hand to cover his, "because I knew you'd be pissed... I handled it, okay? No need to fake the whole 'I will protect you, my little Shrimpy' scenario. We both know that's not your thing, "

You're wrong. It's not a scenario. You can dismiss his flirting all you want, but even Floyd has a limit. Do you not see how absolutely wreaked overhearing those airheads made him? He's going to do worse than you can think. He won't kill them. No, he'll make sure that no one messes with you anymore. You can't see it, but on the inside he is over it. Done. Finished. Officially has 0% patience.

"Did you know that every time you spout crap like that, it pisses me off? I don't 'act,' because that's boring. I'm not lyin' when I say I like you, and you better start believin' it because I'm over the niceties. If someone messes with you, they mess with me. You're in deep (Y/N) and I'm not letting go, so wait here while I handle some little pests. I love ya. I act this way BECAUSE I love ya. Quit denying me already,"

No one will ever mess with you again. Not with the sparkly little gem on your ring finger, tying you to one of the largest and most threatening groups in the undersea world to date.

{ An aquamarine tear. In all honesty, Floyd did not put much thought into his gem. It sparkled. It is the color of his hair streak (or close to it). He imagined it on your finger and thought that it would stand out - ensuring that anyone and everyone could see it. He thought of your possible expression upon seeing it, and was sold}

[ashensgrotto]

Never Had a Friend (like Me) - Part 1

Original art piece by pfbatakopd on twitter (Used only for Header. Do NOT REPOST ORIGINAL ART)

Part 1 (You Are Here) Part 2 Part 3

YandereSoulmate! AU:

Part 1 (Am I Feeling Love?)

Part 2 (Protective)

Part 3A & Part 3B (Poor Unfortunate Souls)

Characters: Azul Ashengrotto X F!Reader

Word Count: 9,105

Synopsis: A chance for redemption comes in the form of a wish…

Author’s Notes: Ok, here we go. I received an anonymous message in my inbox for the next part of the Yandere!Soulmate series and I was actually going to work on it - but with the arrival of GloMas, working on the next part of ‘Raison D’être,’ wanting to finish “Weren’t You Aware, Angelfish?”, AND the holidays, time got away from me and I forgot about Scarabia’s segment for a short while. 

However, because you all seem to enjoy this and want to know if the tako has redeemed himself - I figured I would work to get this part done. Now, warning - Pompefiore’s part is going to take a bit of time to complete because I will have to wiggle my way through my memory bank and replay a few parts of it (which is approx 76 chapters in length for those players who haven’t made it that far into the game yet) since I’m working so deep into Ignihyde’s chapter right now (which is a doozy - I’m still in chapter 67-tower 1, oof help).

This one is also going to be split into three parts - I promise it will not be a long wait for the second & third parts as this is my Christmas gift to all of my readers <3

Thank you all for your continued support!

Warnings are as follows: yandere behaviors, manipulation, imprisonment, & hypnosis

***

I’m in the mood, to help you dude

You ain’t never had a friend like me.

***

It had been weeks since the last overblot incident… and just as long since Azul last saw you.

He sat in his office, looking over paperwork for the last quarter and rubbing his brow with worry.

The profits had started to steadily decrease following his overblot, causing the Monstro Lounge to slowly suffer the loss, like an infection slowly eating away a mer’s life. He had no one really to blame but himself for that… Azul had lost control, let his obsession get out of hand and had hurt the people closest to him.

Jade… Floyd… you.

Azul let out another large sigh and set the report down, taking his glasses off and rubbing his face. He had considered going back to the Coral Sea for holiday, but was unable to due to two reasons; one, the ice floes would’ve made the journey too dangerous to travel alone - especially since Jade and Floyd had already prepared to stay at NRC for the holidays, and two… you were still here.

Not in Octavinelle where Azul had wanted you to be, but in a rundown shack on the school property.

The building had been a dorm, once upon a time, but ghosts had moved in and scared the students to the point that the building was deemed ‘unsafe.’ However, with your charms and personality, the ghosts were easily persuaded and welcomed you in with open arms - though Azul had a sneaky suspicion that both the headwardens of Savanaclaw and Heartslabyul had likely persuaded the otherworldly spirits in exchange for access to both of their dorms. Regardless, with you no longer in Octavinelle and now at the mercy of the headmage’s “generous” nature, Azul could only watch from the shadows as you now tended to the school property in a janitorial role.

Azul leaned back in his chair, his thoughts plagued by you before an obnoxious ringing noise filled the office.

He grumbled, picking the phone up, “Monstor Lounge, this is Azul speaking.”

“Hello baby, how are you?” the familiar voice of his mother on the other end made Azul jump in surprise.

“Mother,” Azul coughed, “Hello - I apologize I hadn’t had a chance to call you. We’ve been busy lately.”

“Oh, I know, sweetheart,” his mother answered, “It’s been busy here too… but everything’s been calming down since the ice floes came - though I was surprised to see your letter that you were considering coming home for the holidays.”

‘Shit…’ Azul had completely forgotten about that - when (Y/N) had lived in the Octavinelle at the beginning of the year, Azul had entertained the idea of potentially inviting her to his home for the holiday, slowly and suringly getting her accustomed to the idea of staying with him - although it would prove to be a difficult task, especially now.

“However, I’m assuming that you changed plans at the last minute,” his mother continued.

“Y-yes, I was indeed planning on coming… however, Jade and Floyd both decided to stay behind so I chose to stay as well,” Azul answered, the lie slipping easily off his silver tongue, “Someone has to keep those two in line, after all.”

His mother snickered, “Don’t be saying that in front of their father though. Sevens knows what the moray will do if you say anything like that.”

Azul nodded, clearing his throat, “Um, well… What's going on with you, then? The restaurant still alright? How’s Finn?”

“Finn’s well - busy as always,” his mother answered, “Business has been getting better - hired several new staff members as well… a few sweet mers around your age, Zully.”

Azul rolled his eyes, “Mother… we’ve had this talk. I’m… not interested.”

“You might not be, but it will happen one day,” his mother’s voice was calm and soothing before she sighed on the end of the phone, “However… I have a sneaky feeling that you’re still upset about what I told you all those years ago.”

Azul bit his lip, answering, “Of course not… Soulmates? That’s ridiculous.”

“Azul…” his mother’s voice turned into a scolding tone, “There are plenty of fish out there - I know you’re still pretty young to be thinking about it, considering a mer’s life is longer than most, but shorter than a fae’s… but I only want you to be happy.”

“I am, mother,” Azul tried to smile, “I’m content where I am - I’ve gotten stronger, my business is growing, and… I’ve learned so much.”

“Perhaps, but allow me to give you a little insight - it’s something I learned long ago,” his mother prompted, “Happiness, though may be defined as ‘the state of joy or contentment,’ is typically filled by three main parts of life; success, dedication, and personal. Dedication and success go hand in hand with each other - if you work hard and are dedicated, you achieve success - even if the tasks prove to be difficult to the point that you might fail over and over again. Personal can mean time for yourself - spending time with your hobbies or doing what you love… spending time with those you care about even.”

Azul listened to his mother’s words, thinking.

“I know that you are successful and you’re dedicated,” his mother continued, “But you won’t achieve happiness if you just focus on those two things - take time for yourself now and again, look for stronger connections within your friendships… and look for someone that will want to support you and you support them.”

“I… I think I understand…” Azul answered, “I’ll… take your words into consideration.”

“I hope so - your grandmother taught me that when I was still a little octo fry many years ago,” his mother answered, a teasing tone caught in her voice.

Azul couldn’t help but smile, “Yes… Nanna always did know what was best.”

“Yes, she did, still does even… Well, I should probably let you go, then - you have a lot of stuff going on there,” his mother let out a sigh, “Just remember… I love you, baby. Merry Christmas.”

“I love you too… momma. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you at the end of the year.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Zully. Stay safe.”

Azul smiled and hung the phone up, sitting back in his chair and looking up at the ceiling. 

“Finding that so-called ‘other half’ is like - well - like the story of the mermaid princess and her longing to be with a human. It’s a rare occurrence that only happens once in a millennium if not longer. Anyone can be happy with or without their soulmate, Azul. There’s no reason you should go to such lengths to be with someone who may not even exist…”

Azul shook his head at the memory of that day years ago - he wanted to forget… but sevens knows he couldn’t forget you.

A sudden loud crash had Azul bolting upright, his features twisting in annoyance. As far as he knew, the only ones in the lounge were Jade and Floyd… which could only mean one thing. 

Trouble.

“Those two morons…” Azul gritted his teeth, standing from his chair, “If I catch the lounge in a disarray again…”

He grabbed his jacket, tossing it over his shoulders, before placing his hat upon his head, the magestone pen morphing into the headwarden’s silver octopus topped cane. He hurried from his office and headed into the lounge.

Entering the lounge, Azul’s eyes widened at the sight.

The lounge was damaged - several tables and chairs were overturned, marred by huge cracks and scratches while lamps lay in pieces on the floor, the glass orbs scattered into a thousand fragments on the carpeted flooring and the magestones cracked and shattered as well. Azul’s eyes narrowed on Jade and Floyd’s figures, but realized they weren’t alone after all. Several students from the Scarabia dorm were there as well, their wands out and at the ready - pointing them at Jade and Floyd, who seemed to be guarding something on the floor.

Azul’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing Kalim’s magic carpet as well as Grim hiding behind the remaining two members of Octavinelle - and they weren’t alone.

You were there as well, cowering behind Jade and Floyd’s intimidating heights as the Scarabia students glared daggers at you.

“There’s no escape for you now, thieves!” 

“Surrender quietly!”

“Mrow?!” Grim held his paws up, “You chased us all the way here?! You guys are seriously stubborn, you know that?”

Azul remained quiet for a moment, his eyes shifting to look you over - noticing how you had one arm close to your body. Were you hurt?

Azul’s eyes narrowed as he approached, his shoes echoing in the lounge as his stern voice addressed the situation, “What is all the commotion at this late hour?”

The students turned to look at Azul, one of them speaking quietly, “Y-you’re… Azul Ashengrotto, the housewarden of Octavinelle!”

“Would you care to explain what is going on?” Azul asked calmly, moving to stand in front of you with Jade and Floyd behind him.

“It’s none of Octavinelle’s business,” another student tsked, “Just hand over the two of them quietly.”

Azul crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head as he eyed you and Grim out of the corner of his eye, “Now that I’m looking closer at it - it appears to be (Y/N) and Grim sprawled out on our floor, quivering and covered in dust. Heh - I almost thought they were a pair of dust cloths.”

“Azul, please,” Azul met your gaze, “save us with your spirit of benevolence.”

“Hmm…” Azul turned back to the group of Scarabia before him.

“If you refuse to hand them over, you’ll be blamed for their wrongdoings as well,” the student warned.

“Hey - are ya yankin’ my tail here?!” Floyd’s eyes widened dangerously, his teeth peering out from behind his lips, “Who do ya think yer talkin’ to?!”

“No fighting of any kind is permitted in the Monstro Lounge,” Azul kept his arms crossed over his chest, his focus reshifting to address the situation at hand, “This is a place for gentlemen.”

“What was that? Are you interfering?” one of the students asked, “Fine, we’ll just do this the hard way.”

“Hmph, I think it’s time we asked these ill-mannered patrons to leave,” Azul growled, clicking his tongue in annoyance, “Jade. Floyd. Show them the door.”

The eel twins grinned as they moved quickly, going after the Scarabia students like the set of predators that they were. Azul was quick to move and cover (Y/N), his overcoat covering your form to protect you from the fighting, “Don’t look, my dear, I do not wish for you to see such behavior.”

“Azul - I’ve seen worse,” your voice rattled him to the core as he huffed.

“I... don’t need the reminder.”

It didn’t take long for the Scarabia students to fall back, Jade and Floyd repocketing their pens.

“Go on an’ scatter, ya bunch of minnows!” Floyd laughed eagerly.

“We’ll be eagerly awaiting your next visit to our lounge,” Jade smiled.

As the last of the students disappeared, Grim jumped for joy, “Mya-haha! We did it! You see that?! That’s what you get, you bunch of jerks!”

“We, Grim? I think you mean they - Floyd and Jade - did it,” you ask before shaking your head and turning toward the trio, “Thank you, all three of you - I don’t want to think what they would’ve done if you hadn’t stepped in.”

“Thanks are unneeded, my dear,” Azul answered, standing and offering his hand, “However, I’m afraid we’ll have to bill you for repair fees for the tables and chairs - not to mention the lamps and assorted dishwear that was damaged in that fight. Not to mention our own labor rates, since we were dragged into this affair.”

“WHAT?! You’re charging us for that?!” Grim asked, throwing his paws up in the air.

“Surely it’s a small price to pay for us rescuing the both of you from the inky depths of peril? After all, (Y/N) did ask for my spirit of benevolence.”

“Azul, please,” you asked quietly, “There’s a reason that the Scarabia students were after us.”

“I’m assuming it has something to do with Kalim’s magic carpet.”

“... Not really,” you answer, “We were being held hostage.”

Azul frowned, not liking the word one bit, “Explain, (Y/N).”

***

Azul muddled over what you had just told him, Grim piping up every so often to include details about the Scarabia situation to add more information as the cunning octopus thought deeply. As Azul thought, his eyes kept shifting to you, his thoughts going deeper into self-loathing; if you had remained in Octavinelle, none of this would have happened - you would’ve been safe, not having to walk to an oasis down and back again every morning before even eating, or sleeping in a closet under lock and key, or even doing battles with other students of magic when you couldn’t even cast a spell yourself.

His poor little angelfish…

Azul’s eyes widened, an idea appearing in his mind… a chance of a lifetime had just been given to him and he would be damned to let it go to waste.

A knowning smile spread across his features, “...It sounds like we should go to their aid.”

“Myra?! Did you hit your head or something when I wasn’t looking?!” Grim asked.

“Of course not!” Azul feigned harm, lifting his gloved hand to his chest, “I’ll have you know, my dear Grimmy, that the last incident forced me to reflect on my greed. I came out a changed man!”

“Oh, really?” You asked, folding your arms across your chest, “Care to explain?”

“I decided to contribute to the school as a whole, in honor of the Sea Witch’s spirit of benevolence,” Azul explained, his features turning coy, “It’s common knowledge that the housewardens are typically the ones their students go to in times of need or struggle - even the vice wardens are responsible for that as well. However, the power has to be shared equally between both the house and vice wardens - and Scarabia’s all over the place. It’s faced with a crisis now and my own classmate is in need of help - I can hardly ignore them in their time of need.”

You watched Jade and Floyd give each other knowing smiles before the twins looked at Azul, Jade asking, “What is the plan?”

“Here’s my idea,” Azul proposed, “The five of us head to Scarabia tomorrow - we’ll go under the guise that we are returning Kalim’s carpet as well as offering assistance with the dorm’s studies, this will ensure our stay especially since Octavinelle did overwhelmingly well on their finals before break…”

“No thanks to your study guides,” Grim huffed.

“Grim,” You warned.

Azul coughed and continued, “Once we’ve secured our spot within Scarabia, we’ll be able to do a bit of sneaking around to figure out what’s really going on.”

“And I’m assuming you have an idea on how to do so?” Jade asked.

“Let’s get to that point before we make any rash decisions,” Azul answered.

“I think that is a wonderful idea,” you agreed.

“(Y/N)?! Are you crazy?!” Grim asked, “We can’t go back there!”

“Grim, we really have no other options,” you turned to the feline demon, “We’ve tried contacting the Headmage, the other students can’t get into the school because the dark mirror is closed off, we have no way of contacting Riddle or Leona either… Azul’s plan is the best we have right now. Personally, I’d rather not go back, but with the way things are looking for Kalim…”

“You’re afraid there’s going to be another overblot, aren’t you, pearl?” Jade asked.

Azul blinked, the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. Yes, Kalim’s behavior was erratic, but it couldn’t be enough for the headwarden to go into an overblot… would it?

“I’m afraid so,” you admit, looking over at Azul, “I noticed that… when things got a little out of control, someone overblotted. I can’t bare to see another student go through that, much less a housewarden again. I’d like to try and prevent it from happening again, if possible.”

Azul nodded, “No worries, angelfish - I’ll make sure mine was the last one you saw.”

You give the housewarden a small smile of relief - thankful that he seemed to understand.

Azul remembered during his blot how the memories of his childhood came forward; the root cause of his pain and suffering that eventually became his thirst for power that festered and grew until it snapped - and you had seen it all. Whatever this strange magical gift was and how you received it, Azul was certain that it was your own form of unique magic - one that was so powerful that it may even make Malleus Draconia afraid if he knew about it; the power to look into one’s past and see everything that shaped them into who they eventually became was strong powerful magic indeed - but, of course, Azul didn’t want anyone else to know about it, considering he was victim number three to the overblot crisis that appeared to be happening this year.

Azul reaches out, offering his hand to you, “(Y/N), as headwarden of Octavinelle - allow myself and Jade and Floyd to help you and Grim solve the mystery of Kalim’s strange behavior. I’m certain the five of us plus Jamil will be able to ease Kalim’s troubles and bring back the peace Scarabia so desperately needs. Do we have a deal?”

You look at his hand, the memory of the first day you met him and the day you lost your legs both playing in your mind - but what choice did you have? You look at him and take his hand, squeezing it.

“Promise - this will make us even?”

“Indeed. I promise.”

[yourstrulynameless]

Welcome Overseer.

WARNING: File contains topics such as mass murder, delusions and descriptions of gore.

> P r o c e e d .

>LOG_BEGIN

``` ANNOUNCER, 12:53pm: All security clearance level 1 junior researchers, and all University Level Foundation students, please head to conference room J197 for debriefing. Tardiness and absence will be punished and put on record.```

```CAM-28-K-1, 12:55

Researcher ▉︎█︎▆︎: The fuck? Since when were we scheduled for a debrief?

Dr.▉︎▋︎▉︎▆︎: Wait what’s that about? Was there some sorta accident?

Student █︎▇︎: Guys let’s get going— We can’t be late, who knows what the directors will do to us!—”```

```Notes of Dr.[Name Pending], 7:56am

“7 Deaths. 7 in a row. They killed me again and again. They shot me, but didn’t have the kindness to do it in the head. They tore me apart. Again and again I watched my flesh tear and my bones shatter. I felt it 7 times. They waited to make sure I died before transfer. They crouched around my body like children staring at roadkill. I felt my teeth split in my skull. I heard them laugh. I had so much time to think. I had too much.

I’m going to save those poor souls. They can’t ever experience what I did. They can’t know more. This is a mercy. This is help. No one came to save me. I must be their saviour. They must only experience it once. Once. I am God.”```

``` Incident Report: Saint Peter’s Massacre

Date and time: 3/█︎/20█︎

Fatalities: 28

Cause of death: Gross Dismemberment by chainsaw

Anomaly/s Involved: SCP-963

SCP-963 is to be put in high contained and demoted. It is not to be given anything by request. Visitation is strictly prohibited without Level 4 clearance. It is not to be trusted until proven loyal to the Foundation once again. SCP-963’s amulet must always be visible, harsh punishment and force will be used to ensure so.

This should never happen again. Those poor newbies. They didn’t know what they had coming.```

```Addendum-963-a, 28/█︎/19█︎: SCP-963 is always to be given a 1 week recovery period between deaths. The mental strain may cause symptoms of Schizophrenia, Depression, PTSD and BPD. No contact must be maintained throughout the 1 week period. Only people requested by Dr.[Name Pending] itself may vist.```

>END_LOG

[baeshijima]

— in these quiet nights

whenever you're stuck in solitude, ayato somehow manages to find a way to be by your side without fail.

CONTAINS : gn!reader, 900+ wc, fluff, established relationship

A/N : its 1 am, currently using this as an escape from my project, and writing a very late ayato piece for his bday ;w; life stop making me have no time for my fictional men pls and ty <//3

There’s a solemn chill hanging overhead. The air stills, the stars dull, and the moonlight glimmers.

It’s not often you find a moment of peace, what with your busy schedule interfering time and time again, though you could argue it’s more solitary than it is tranquil. Perhaps this escapade would have been better suited in the early hours of dawn as opposed to the steadily approaching midnight you’re currently stuck in.

A whisper of a sigh slips through your lips. Pulling the thin blanket closer around your shoulders, you lift your gaze upwards, paying half a mind to the feather-light footsteps approaching from behind. You have no reason to turn to be able to identify the new presence, for who else would be mad enough to be up this late after the busy day which transpired?

“A fine evening, is it not?” comes that oh-so familiar intonation, the footsteps coming to a halt behind your seated form. Strands of baby blue obstruct your view of the bleak stars, a pair of lavender eyes twinkling with fond mischief follow in pursuit. Despite his towering form shielding you from the pale lighting, his face glows all the same — a testament to the sheer elegance instilled within. His gaze drifts down your shadowed form, a light hum trailing close behind. “Are you cold?”

You blink at his question. It takes a few seconds for you to realise the main focus of his concern; the blanket tugged over your shoulders. “How can I be when there’s no wind?”

As soon as the question is uttered, you immediately sense a foreboding shiver trickle down your spine. Maybe it’s the hairs along the back of your neck rising, or it could be the puffs of air Ayato is relentlessly blowing towards your dumbfounded figure.

“Do you feel the wind now?” he has the gall to ask. Unsurprisingly, the impish grin splayed across his lips becomes increasingly more tempting to slap off the longer he persists. Unfortunately, your hands are occupied, making it near impossible to move them. 

(Archons forbid you actually exert unneeded energy when you’re already spent.)

“Yes,” you deadpan, “I’m so cold my teeth are chattering. Can you hear it?”

He hums in faux contemplation, a gloved hand raised to rest under his chin in an attempt to further support his charade. “Not quite. Perhaps I ought to bring out the fan.”

“Please don’t. My teeth will really chatter then.”

Your shoulders relax upon hearing his gleeful laugh. In a fluid motion he steps away from you, exposing you to the stark moonlight, before plopping himself on the veranda beside you. Before you have the time to process the string of movements, your left arm is promptly lifted up (with the blanket following suit) as a bundle of warmth dives into the newly opened space, your arm tugged down and around the intruder of your personal space.

Well, at least he’s warm.

“If you’re tired then go to bed.” As soon as the words are uttered, a displeased whine escapes him. Much to your bemusement, a ticklish sensation occurs at the crook of your neck, and you belatedly realise the act akin to nuzzling currently being performed by the bane of your existence, his arms wrapping around your torso in protest. Like a child.

“Why should I?” he mutters into your skin, tone bitter and laced with indignance someone of his standing should most definitely not have. Well, you can’t say you’re not used to it.

“Because you need proper sleep.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get sick again if you keep this up.”

“...”

“...”

“But why?”

Archons have mercy on your poor soul.

“I’d rather not be known as your personal pillow,” you state monotonously, positively done with his antics. “I have some dignity left in me.”

“And if I were to say you’re warmer than my bed and comfier than my pillow?”

(You’re not. You can attest to that fact as someone who has actually slept in his bed — which is unfairly warm and comfortable, if you may add.)

Gaze narrowing at the smug expression beaming up at you, you merely retort, “Do you want me to drag you to bed myself?”

“If it’s you then I would happily obli— mmrph.” Swiftly, your palms smother his words before he has the chance to finish. And no, you will not be swayed by the doe eyes batting up at you, nor by the fluttering of his long eyelashes brushing along the apples of his cheeks.

What an unfairly pretty lover you have in your palms. Literally.

Seeing how he’s more than happy with the skin contact being made, you take it upon yourself to swiftly remove your hands and return your gaze to the night’s canvas, his theatrical bemoans of your “cold shoulder” and “[Name] doesn’t love me anymore” going ignored.

It stays quiet between you for a while, the only sounds being the faint breaths and rhythmic heartbeats steadily falling in sync. Oddly enough, you find yourself forgetting the previous solitude you were trapped in only moments prior, focusing instead on Ayato’s fingers entwined with yours and basking in his familiarity.

Your shoulder dips slightly when a weight drops atop it. When you glance down to identify the source of permeating warmth, you can’t help the smile alighting your features.

“Thank you for loving me as much as I love you, Ayato,” you murmur against the crown of his head as you place a chaste kiss, before pulling the thin blanket around the two of you in an effort to cage your shared warmth.

(How strange, you silently muse to yourself, suddenly finding yourself overcome with drowsiness. The air feels warmer now.)

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[darkcelibi802]

Signature Spell (Unique Magic) Names and Incantations

These are the Signature Spells revealed thus far in-game. This is a work in progress, and will be updated as we progress through the story. Some incantations have not been revealed, and others have been revealed in other media. Those will be noted.

Last Updated: Stage in Playful Land Event End

HEARTSLABYUL

Riddle - OFF WITH YOUR HEAD (Lit. Behead Them)

ABILITY: Summons a collar around the target’s neck and seals their magic.

INCANTATION: “I’ll hand down my sentence. The verdict comes afterwards. Are you ready? Off With Your Head!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Prologue 3

Incantation: Twisted-Wonderland Manga Episode of Heartslabyul: Volume 1 (p.50)

Ace - (Not Revealed)

Deuce - BET THE LIMIT (Lit. Tit for Tat)

ABILITY: Builds up damage taken by attacks and returns it all at once twofold.

INCANTATION: “I’ll make you pay for that! Brace yourself! Bet the Limit!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 5-64

Cater - SPLIT CARD (Lit. Scattered Hand of Cards)

ABILITY:Creates clones of himself.

INCANTATION: “I am him, and he is another. Split Card!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 1-15 / P.E. Cater Vignette

Incantation: P.E. Cater Vignette

Trey - DOODLE SUIT (Lit. Paint The Roses)

ABILITY: Temporarily overwrites a specific component of the target item.

INCANTATION: “White to red, and red to white. Doodle Suit!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 1-14

Incantation: Twisted-Wonderland The Novel Episode 1: The Red-Rose Tyrant (p.249)

SAVANACLAW

Leona - KING’S ROAR (Lit. Roar of the King)

ABILITY: Touches anything he touches into sand.

INCANTATION: “I am hunger. I am thirst. I am what robs you of tomorrow. Kneel before me. King’s Roar!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-25 / Dorm Leona Vignette

Incantation: Dorm Leona Vignette

Jack - UNLEASH THE BEAST (Lit. Shattering Howl on a Moonlit Night)

ABILITY: Allows Jack to transform into a large white wolf.

INCANTATION: Not revealed/unknown if needed.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-26

Ruggie - LAUGH WITH ME (Lit. Fool’s Parade)

ABILITY: Controls others to mimic his movements.

INCANTATION: Not revealed/unknown if needed.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-2 (first seen), 2-23 (name spoken)

OCTAVINELLE

Azul – IT’S A DEAL (Lit. Golden Contract)

ABILITY: Lets Azul take any power from the target once they sign a contract.

INCANTATION: “The song ends, the sun sets. Extend mercy upon these poor souls. Now, the deal is struck! It’s a Deal!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

Incantation: Glorious Masquerade (Event) Episode 5-5

Jade – SHOCK THE HEART (Lit. Gnawing Teeth)

ABILITY: Compels the target to speak the truth. Can only be used once per person.

INCANTATION: “No need to fear, I only wish to help you. Shock the Heart.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

Incantation: Episode 4

Floyd – BIND THE HEART (Lit. Coiling Tail)

ABILITY: Blocks and diverts an opponent’s magic.

INCANTATION: Not revealed/unknown if needed.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

SCARABIA

Kalim – OASIS MAKER (Lit. Everlasting Grace)

ABILITY: Summons a large amount of water (usually in the form of rain).

INCANTATION: “Respite in the scalding sands, a never-ending party. Dance! Sing! Oasis Maker!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 4

Jamil – SNAKE WHISPER (Lit. Snake Charmer)

ABILITY: Hypnotizes a target. They must look into his eyes for it to take effect.

INCANTATION: “The one you see reflected in your eyes is your master. Answer when I ask. Bow when I command. Snake Whisper.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 4

POMEFIORE

Vil – FAIREST ONE OF ALL (Lit. Poison From a Beautiful Flower)

ABILITY: Places a curse with a touch by specifying the conditions.

INCANTATION: “Nothing to lose, nothing to fear. The shining crown is meant for me. Fairest One Of All.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 5

Incantation: Episode 6

Epel – SLEEP KISS (Lit. Crimson Fruit)

ABILITY: Places target in glass coffin and puts them to sleep.

INCANTATION: “Close your eyes, still your breath. Sleep Kiss.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

Rook – I SEE YOU (Lit. Arrow that Flies to the Furthest Reaches)

ABILITY: Once cast on a target, he can pinpoint its exact location.

INCANTATION: “Come, let’s see you try to outrun me. I See You.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

IGNIHYDE

Idia – GATE TO UNDERWORLD (Lit. Opened Gateway to the Underworld)

ABILITY: Opens and closes the door to the “Underworld” in STYX HQ.

INCANTATION: “Game, Set, Match. Gate to Underworld.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

DIASOMNIA

Malleus – FAE OF MALEFICENCE (Lit. Blessing)

ABILITY: Casts a web of thorns and places everyone within to sleep.

INCANTATION: “Spinning wheel of fate, keep pulling the thread of disaster. As King of the Abyss, I shall bestow this upon you. Fae of Maleficence.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Silver – MEET IN A DREAM (Lit. Let’s Share the Same Dream)

ABILITY: Allows the caster to jump into other people’s dreams. Only can be used while asleep. Cannot choose the dream that is jumped to. The dreamer is indicated by a white bird-like wisp.

INCANTATION: “To the one I’ve met before, to the one I’ve yet to meet. Meet in a Dream.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Sebek – LIVING BOLT (Lit. Flash of Lightning)

ABILITY: His body becomes electricity, like a lightning bolt.

INCANTATION: “Strike through the stormy heavens, O lightning! Living Bolt!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Lilia – FAR CRY CRADLE (Lit. To the Furthest Cradle)

ABILITY: Allows the caster to play back the memory of an “object” for a short time.

INCANTATION: “All is as if it were days long past. No matter where it takes us, it will all be over in the blink of an eye. Far Cry Cradle.”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

OTHERS

Rollo Flamme – DARK FIRE (Lit. Burning Desire)

ABILITY: His body is wrapped in flames that he can manipulate at will. The more his foes are afraid, confused, or frustrated, the stronger his flames.

INCANTATION: “O crimson flower, scorch my soul and guide me. Dark Fire!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Glorious Masquerade (Event) Episode 5-5

Fellow Honest – LIFE IS FUN (Lit. Rose-Tinted Dream)

ABILITY: Those afflicted feel more easy-going and optimistic and are more inclined to do things they wouldn’t normally do.

INCANTATION: “Come on to the theater! Life is Fun!”

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Stage in Playful Land (Event) Episode 5-6

[viperwhispered]

*barges in like a maniac* THE DAY that school let's out and I am greeted with this! And now I'm THINKING!

So we've discussed before Jamil letting it all out and storming out but all the endings are super angsty cause Scarabia angst is the best angst in all of Twisted Wonderland. I have come suggesting an alternate ending since Jamil deserves to be happy:

After the break ends, Jamil finally picks up Najma's calls and she puts it on speaker. Jamil proceeds like this: he's sorry for yelling and storming out but not for what he said. As soon as he graduates he is flying off the see the world like he's always wanted and there's nothing they can do to stop him. Eventually he'll get a permanent job and settle somewhere nice where he isn't stuck at the mercy of the local tyrants. There is no working for the Asims and no servitude. This is happening whether they like it or not and the Vipers can just accept it and move on or he will never speak to his parents ever again and only Najma gets to meet any of his future children. Then he hangs up.

You'd think Jamil would be nervous while this is happening, but no. Why? Cause he just spent the best vacation of his life living in domestic bliss with his lover and now he's determined to make it last the rest of his life. It also come with the extra promise of "my children will not be slaves".

Another reason he's so confident is because he's eavesdropped on Kalim's secret meetings with Riddle where they study the laws of the Scalding Sands for legal support for Jamil's freedom.

I'd imagine Jamil's parents would be quite conflicted. However, the second they start leaning towards disowning him Najma flips out asking wtf is wrong with them and that if they disown Jamil for daring to have boundaries/a life outside of Kalim then they might as well disown her too.

So now the Vipers are really screwed cause there's no point in enforcing the time honored tradition on endentured servitude when you have no kids to sell into slavery. So the parents are quiet for now.

Also doesn't help that, when this whole fiasco started, Kalim loudly declared that Jamil was getting the whole vacation off and dared anyone to argue with him. Fortunately, Malleus had taught Kalim how to perfect a poison detection spell, so there weren't any worries about the food.

Najma had gotten really curious over Jamil's secret lover and, when a school event happened, she pounced. Honestly, it was pretty easy finding her in-law since they were wearing Jamil's hair tie. Of course, great minds think alike and fools rarely differ so now Najma is also platonically head over heels with Jamil's s/o. So now the poor reader is stuck in a tug of war between siblings.

So now the Vipers are stuck with their daughter going on and on about how the person they blame for "corrupting" Jamil is the most wonderful being who ever graced Twisted Wonderland. The awkwardness gets even worse when Najma starts nagging Jamil to just bring them over for the next fireworks festival.

So the Vipers agree to at least meet the famed charmer and Jamil responds by laying down the law: 1.There is to be no insulting or passive aggressiveness, be it directly or behind their back, towards my beloved. 2.There is to be no hostility whatsoever towards my dearest. 3.My future spouse shall be sleeping in my room. 4.My heart and soul will be treated just as well as any other guest. 5.If any of these rules are violated, don't expect me to talk to you until after I graduate.

So d-day roles around and the Vipers are forced to welcome the "homewrecker" into their home. Najma just tackles the reader the second they open the door and starts the tug of war with Jamil. With this visit, the Vipers are now cursing under their breaths because 1.Jamil and the reader might as well already be married 2.Najma adores the reader 3.They're a damn good in-law to have (*insert good personality trait here*, does chores, is supportive, etc). They're are now fully aware that no way in hell they were winning this and either have no legacy to speak of or they admit defeat.

They admit defeat.

What's Kalim doing while this goes down? He's given Jamil official orders to "be a good host" and invited friends over to have a week long slumber party. While Jamil battles his parents, Kalim is living it up with Malleus, Lilia, Trey, and Cater and everyone is just having a blast. Best part is that Malleus makes for an excellent assassin deterrent and anyone caught trying gets struck by lightning.

Nikki bonus: The thing about "x reader" fics is that we never get any in-law drama and it's arguably some of funniest shit ever. So let me ramble on about Jamil's encounters with the Deshna Bhavsar.

So some backstory: Nikki's grandparents has trouble conceiving, so they raised Deshna to possibly inherit their taleem (mud wrestling school). Even after Nikki's uncle was born, Deshna still kept on wrestling and could take down fully grown men twice her weight at 18. So Deshna goes to nursing school, but instead of going straight to work she decides to accept an arranged marriage proposal from Nikki's father who was the son of an old acquaintance of her grandfather who had gotten very rich. Now Nikki's bio dad was fine, but he was also a complete wimp who did nothing against his brother who was an abusive ass. Deshna took none of it but none of her in-laws ever supported her. When she realized she was pregnant, she had a major moment of clarity and she divorced her spineless husband. This caused everyone but her immediate family to disown her and she immigrated to Canada. Deshna started off working as the caretaker for an elderly man named Nicholas, who would go on to give some massive support and be the person Nikki was named after. Deshna got her nursing license and proceeded to devote everything into raising Nikki. When Nikki started experiencing their genders during puberty, this woman put herself in therapy and educated herself so her child would never fell abandoned. Deshna does resent the gods the gods she spent her whole life devoted to for putting her child through living hell at least one a week, but she knows Nikki is very stubborn and does her best to support them.

So Jamil is essentially facing off someone who's won the "Mom of the century" award 12 consecutive times and could fold him like a lawn chair if her ever so much as thought about disrespecting her child.

Deshna is a woman who is far too intelligent and observant for her own good and has neither the patient nor the tolerance for anyone's bullshit. So Jamil's flattery and masking will not fly with her. If you want a reference for what Deshna's attitude is like check out Sindhu Vee, this is woman I modeled Deshna after.

Nikki has been upfront about their relationship with Jamil since the beginning, so Deshna has heard everything from the overblot to the arguments over Kalim to "he's a hot asshole and I want to kiss his smug face". Like any good parent, Deshna has already come up with 101 reasons why Jamil is not good enough and is also dreading a repeat of Nikki's previous relationships.

So Nikki and Jamil get together and Deshna is shocked they lasted more than a week and have had almost no issues. Cut to one month later and they're still together and Deshna's like "ok bring him over I gotta see what's so special".

Nikki warns him that no masking will work with their mother but habits are hard to break. Long story short, Deshna baits him into an hour long debate which Jamil loses spectacularly (makes sense since he's never won a debate against Nikki either).

Deshna's conclusion: He's entertaining enough to argue with, lets see how this goes.

Jamil's conclusion: Mother in law or not, I will find a way to destroy this woman.

Nikki’s conclusion: This went much better than expected.

So now Nikki's kidnapping Jamil to hang out every weekend and Deshna has gotten to now Jamil so much better. Point is, Deshna is now bragging whenever possible about the absolute gold mine she has for a son in law. How could she not? He's smart, resourceful, got top grades at a top school, he cooks well, he cleans well, he loves her child, he knows how condoms work, he respects her child, ambitious, has powerful connections, etc.

Eventually, Jamil opens up about his home life and Deshna's response is to assure him that his parents suck anyways and that "Jamil Bhavsar" sounds so much better than Jamil Viper. Ngl tho no way in hell is Deshna letting this good of a catch slip through her fingers nor is she letting her child be turned into a slave.

Fun fact: in Bengali families, it is very common for family members to call you anything but your name. These nicknames are called Dhak names.

So, Deshna tends to call Nikki "Noni" and playfully refers to Jamil as "Daini" (which I've been told is the Bangla word for witch).

It certainly is not easy, putting up such boundaries with one’s parents, but I certainly would love for Jamil to be in such a position to do it with confidence, if it is something that needs to be done.

Hasdfs Najma spotting reader from the hair tie, tho. (Maybe I should’ve indeed sat down with this ask before doing the anything goes story prompt, since I didn’t even see this part but I love the idea. I mean, it’s not exactly inconspicuous, now is it?)

It is so sweet to think of Najma getting along with Jamil’s s/o, too. Plus, then there’s the potential of teaming up with Najma to tease Jamil, which, of course you gotta (I may or may not be the target of this with my partner and sibling irl, so, you know, definitely can see it happening).

Plus I’m sure Najma would also very purposefully be talking reader up to her parents, to try to convince them that they should just let it happen.

I do wonder, though… Surely Jamil should be laying down some rules regarding the treatment towards himself, too, not just s/o? (Basically, silly snek man, don’t just be protective of reader, consider yourself too, if you need to.) But perhaps that’s a matter for another time, once he himself gets a clearer idea of how he does (or doesn’t) want to proceed with his parents in general.

Oh boy though if it wouldn’t be nerve-wrecking to enter the Viper household in these circumstances (I’d be so ready to fight and throw punches for Jamil, ngl). Though now I’m also thinking of reader being extra sugary sweet, like southern US backhanded compliment style… Or just kill them with kindness in general, even while gritting one’s teeth.

Hasdfs I love Kalim’s slumber party tho. I can definitely imagine all sorts of hijinks, I mean with Lilia there too, of more or less “accidentally” dispatching any problems.

Deshna sure is an absolute badass and I want only the best for her.

Also those conclusions after the first meeting hasdfsdf I love these. What a dynamic.

(Also re: in-law drama, I have made up parents for the reader before so you know, can happen, but yeah, only something I’ve done in a longfic and not something you see that often.)

[theprayerfulword]

October 22

Exodus 5:2 NKJV And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”

Matthew 6:33 KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalm 116:8-9 NIV For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Proverbs 2:10 NIV For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

May you see, in the capturing of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, how the proud and arrogant, those who rejected God's word and resisted His ways, lost all the power and riches they trusted in, but the poor in the land, who were disregarded by those in power because they owned nothing, were given the vineyards and fields, inheriting what they could never afford. Jeremiah 39

May you know that, as you trust God's word and walk in His ways, though you see His promises fulfilled through disaster and not prosperity before your eyes, He will rescue you on that day and you will not be handed over to those you fear, for He will save you from the sword and you will escape with your life because you trust in, and turn to, God the Lord. Jeremiah 39

May you trust God to bring you to the harvest you did not plant so that you may reap that which you did not sow, gathering in the wine, the summer fruit and oil, when those previously appointed for the job cannot meet the responsibility. Jeremiah 40

May you know that God's judgment will be complete, thorough, and inescapable, for even as the bands of guerilla fighters wreaked havoc on the people who remained in Israel, and returning refugees chased off the Ammonites but fled to Egypt where they found their own destruction, so the only deliverance is obedience, whither so ever God leads. Jeremiah 41

May you serve God with a clear conscience, praying constantly, night and day, giving thanks for the grace, mercy and peace which is yours from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Timothy 1

May you fan into flame the gift of God which is within you, for God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1

May you not be ashamed to testify about the Lord or those who share in His work, but join them in the suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, Who has saved you and called you to a holy life – not because of anything you have done but because of His own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1

May you walk in the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but has now been revealed through the appearing of your Savior, Christ Jesus, Who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, of which you are a minister, and for which you know suffering, yet about which you are not ashamed. 2 Timothy 1

May you know Whom you have believed, and be convinced that He is able to guard what you have entrusted to Him for that day. 2 Timothy 1

May you keep, as the pattern of sound teaching, that truth which you have heard from those who have faithfully walked it out before you with faith and love in Christ Jesus, guarding the good deposit that was entrusted to you with the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in you. 2 Timothy 1

My child, know with reassurance that I am at work in your life. You have sought to become pure before Me so that you may be pleasing in My sight. I know your frame, My dear one, and I am working by My Spirit and through My Word to complete that which I have begun in you. The blacksmith has learned to take the metal and soften it in the fire, shape it on the anvil, and quench it in the water. This does not harm the metal in any way or wear it out, but simply works with the nature of the material. He does not treat copper the same as he does iron, nor does he handle lead the same way he does tin. The woodworker learns to distinguish between the nature of the different trees and select the right one for the purpose at hand. One tree will have open, porous wood that allows water to flow through it, and cannot be used for containers, but has a beauty to the color and a strength to the grain that adapts it for use as furniture and shelving. Another tree will have a closed, intertwined grain that is resistant to splitting and impervious to moisture, making it appropriate for hard use outside. The potter understands the differences in the clays that he works with, and does not select a brick clay to use for porcelain or a filtering clay to use for structural needs. He regulates the temperature and the time of the fire to bring out beauty and the strength of pieces he creates, shaping the design for the function he anticipates. Trust Me, My child, not just as your Creator, but also as your Designer. I do not work according to right or wrong, fair or unfair, but according to what brings life and not death. Submit yourself to My will, My precious one, for I have plans for you, plans that will delight you and bring you hope and joy. But even as the fire, the hammer, and the anvil are required to fashion a strong, durable instrument of war or tool of agriculture, so the circumstances I lead you through and the conditions I call on you to endure are part of the process that will bring forth rejoicing in eternity.

May you find the Lord to be your dwelling place throughout all your years, for from everlasting to everlasting He is God, and can be relied upon. Psalm 90

May you learn to number your days in the fear of the Lord that you may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90

May you sing for joy and be glad all your days as He satisfies you in the morning with His unfailing love, restoring to you the days taken by affliction and the years taken by adversity, while you show His awesome deeds to His servants and His glorious splendor to His children. Psalm 90

May the favor of the Lord your God rest upon you and establish the work of your hands for you. Psalm 90

May you dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty, saying of the Lord that He is your refuge and your fortress, your God, in Whom you trust. Psalm 91

May you find refuge under His wings as He covers you with His feathers, saving you from the fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence, for His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart so that you will not fear the terror of night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the evil that stalks in the darkness nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91

May you know that though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near you, for you will only see the punishment of the wicked with your eyes. Psalm 91

May you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, Who is your refuge – for then no harm will befall you and no disaster will come near you for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, rescuing you because you love Him and protecting you because you acknowledge His name, answering you when you call upon Him, delivering you and honoring you with His presence in your trouble, and satisfying you with long life as He shows you His salvation. Psalm 91

May you rest assured that, like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere and will not rest upon you. Proverbs 26:2

[siremasterlawrence]

The War Of Slaves Part 2

Part 1

Chris Wood calls me early the next morning in my hotel room about six a o’clock I roll on to my back sighing loudly as I pick up my cellphone.

I answer my cellphone to hear him telling me about a special audition that I need to hurry up get dressed and he will be waiting for me downstairs.

I do so seeing him greeting me as I enter the limo, we drive off to Walt Disney Hollywood Studio and we enter the gate with great like desperation.

“Hey Lawrence, there you are “

“I need you to hit the mark”

“Can you hear me?”

“You want your ten percent “

“I know”

“Now wait!”

“Chris please leaves us for a minute “

“I know what you are thinking “

“You have no idea and frankly I don’t care”

“SILENCE! LISTEN TO ME”

“Your eyes are spiraling! Beautiful! What the fuck?”

“Focus on my eyes you can’t escape “

“I am all that you want and need “

“You can’t fight me”

“I am your favorite client”

“I am your best client “

“You care about me, you crave me and want me to succeed.”

“Do you remember?”

“Yes! I am your slave “

“I am at your mercy”

Watching the light in his eyes go completely black they settle in to a dull expression of pure submission the defeat is utterly due to me.

In an apparent statement with his own human action shows John’s lets finally falter with his feet giving out and he drops to his knees in utter failure.

I laugh hardily, loudly and strongly my voice is resonate, bouncing from wall to wall and in to the halls cementing my power over him for life.

“You will fight for me”

“Make sure you negotiate that best deals”

“Put me above everyone else “

“You are my favorite “

“What?”

“The best client”

“Naturally! Call me Master”

“Yes Master!”

“Master Lawrence “

“Yes! Master Lawrence “

“I can’t wait to give you all”

“My money, body, soul and life “

“Who owns your ass?”

“You do”

“Kiss me”

“May I hold you ?”

“Kiss me then”

“Oh My God!”

Part 2

My Manager Hugh Jackman waltzes in to his shock to see Jon on his knees knelt all the way down kissing my shoes as he lifts it up.

The door slips from his hand slamming hard startling us to my dismay he looks horrified as he freaks out and I snap my fingers break him out.

He stops moving forward staring him down at my will he can’t look away peering down at my angry Jon I pat his shoulders and he knows.

“How do you make him do that?”

“Easy! I enslaved him”

“Like I did with you”

“No”

“Initiate “

“Processing “

“Who am I?”

“My manger”

“Yeah that’s right “

“You forgot”

“I did! Correct “

“Foolish”

“I am! Stupid more like it”

“Never forget again”

“I promise “

“I only want to make your proud”

“Get you gigs”

“Make you a legend “

“You are my life”

“My light”

“My God”

“Rise to your feet”

“The two of you”

“Yes King”

“Do a striptease Jon”

“Huff undress me”

“Yyyyeeessss”

“Happy”

“Thrilled “

“Lustful”

“May we worship you “

“Feet up”

“Your body “

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s perfect”

“Don’t lie”

“Don’t doubt yourself “

“We could never”

“Mmmmmm”

“Fuck”

“Aaahaaaahhhhh”

“FUCK!”

“YES! YES!”

“Yyyyyeeeeesss”

“Oh Master!”

“You have no idea”

“About?”

“How much I love you ?”

“I love you more “

“Now! Now! You too”

“But Master”

“Quit it.”

The end

The War Of Slaves Part 3

Part 1

Chris, Jon and Hugh are spectacularly in love with me waiting for me to land this audition on the outside of the door for me.

They decide that we should celebrate me for being their Master by throwing me a big party.

We head home to my surprise to see this man super sexy, well built and older the me sitting on the porch in all of his beauty for me.

“Who are you ?”

“Jon called me over “

“Jon?”

“Did you get my video?”

“Yes! I can landscape”

“Command prompt”

“Deep sleep “

“Mmmmmmm”

“Zzzzzz”

“Ready to be programmed”

“Processing”

“I am your lord and Master”

“Stare in my eyes “

“Yyyeeessss”

“I am your Master”

“Yes”

“Master Lawrence “

“Yes! Master Lawrence “

“I could devour you “

“Excuse me”

“Sorry Master”

“I am turned on”

“Can’t help it “

“I see”

“You are hard “

“SLEEP”

“Poor baby”

Timeless return of power wraps around him, taking over his body entering his nerves up his spine.

“Stop please”

“Why?”

“STOP!”

“Fuck no!”

“Hell yes!”

“Feel yourself “

“Ooooohhhh”

“Aaahhh”

“I’m yours “

Part 2

Chris Wood unhappily obeys me going back inside in to my home on command stomping his feet as he pisses off more and more once again.

Jon Hamm submits as well his hot fiery red eyes grew very annoyed staring down as he follows in suit and he rushes to not look at us.

Hugh Jackman does so as well he swings the door now closing with fury they all watch for me at the window when and Joel’s holds on to his waist.

He holds onto me digging his nose into my closes he inhales my scent unwilling to let go and he falls further onto the ground and he kisses my hand.

He Joel Mageneillo is now my own personal, permanent and fully employed gardener for me and he quickly getting to work on ground he grabs is tools.

“Who is next?”

“Me sir”

“Who are you?”

“I am Ian Bohen”

“You wanted a butler “

“Perfect”

“My eyes”

“I am not playing “

“Who says I am?”

“My eyes “

“So beautiful “

“Golden “

“Call me Master Lawrence “

“Name of love”

“I am content”

“Fulfilled “

“Loving every inch of you “

“Submission is pleasure”

“Submission is pleasure “

“Submission is love”

“It’s love “

“Use me I am took”

“My tool”

“Craft with me”

“Go inside and you will automatically be at home.”

“Yes! Sire”

“Let’s me see”

“Amazing “

“Wow! I have so “

“Much work “

“Yes!”

“My king”

“I’ll start”

“Clean, cook etc”

“Already started dinner”

“Your arrival is a necessity”

“You make this a home”

“Your palace “

“It is my home”

“Can’t have it without you ?”

“Why would?”

“That be impossible “

“Damn right “

“Excuse me sir”

“Good boi”

The end

[pugzman3]

Psalms chapter 109

1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.

19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.

20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.

21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.

22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.

25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:

27 That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.

28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

[kingedmundsroyalmurder]

Addendum to the chapter 1 post that I thought of later:

“Not this afternoon—haven’t got time. I must mosey up to the North End to see a man who has got a lovely throat. Nobody can find out what is the matter. He has puzzled all the doctors. He has puzzled me, but I’ll find out what is wrong with him if he’ll only live long enough.” This is Eric's best friend, a well known doctor, cosplaying as, like, 1900s Dr. House. No concern for the patient's well being, just a Mystery that must be solved. No wonder Eric has such a low opinion of doctors!

(Sidenote: those of you who Anne, what is Gilbert like as a doctor? Because TBC didn't have a great opinion of them, and this book is not shaping up to be too complimentary either. Did LMM just have a fairly poor opinion of doctors in general that colors her work?)

On to chapter two, and we meet an actually sympathetic character! Larry West seems like a lovely young man, and I hope he recovers fully and that he and Agnes Campion are blissfully happy together. Unlike either Eric or David, Larry actually seems to care about the people under his charge, i.e. his students. I already want him to be our protagonist instead.

"The former looked more like a benevolent old clergyman or philanthropist than the keen, shrewd, somewhat hard, although just and honest, man of business that he really was." Kilmeny of the Orchard, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau! There is absolutely an interesting thread to tease out across LMM's life and work that connects Eric Marshall to Barney Snaith, but I want to read more of this book before I make further commentary on that. But it does appear that Maud's opinions on rags-to-riches businessmen, uh, Evolved over the years.

Actually never mind, I'm gonna girl who's only ever read The Blue Castle this book a tiny bit more. Compare:

"And then those girls were as pretty as pinks, now weren’t they? Agnes was the finest-looking of the lot in my opinion. I hope it’s true that you’re courting her, Eric?”

and

“Prettiest girl in Montreal,” said Dr. Redfern. “Oh, she was a looker, all right. Eh? Gold hair—shiny as silk—great, big, soft, black eyes—skin like milk and roses. Don’t wonder Bernie fell for her. And brains as well. She wasn’t a bit of fluff. B. A. from McGill. A thoroughbred, too. One of the best families."

Women aren't really people, they are trophies and objects to be collected and revered. Barney grows out of this mentality through his travels. Eric... well it remains to be seen about Eric, doesn't it?

"Perhaps I am. When a man has had a mother like mine his standard of womanly sweetness is apt to be pitched pretty high." So we're getting the standards by which Eric judges a future wife and the role she will be expected to play. He wants a society hostess, a woman who can step seamlessly into his mother's shoes. He wants her to be sweet and serene and, presumably, beautiful and delicate like his mother in her portrait. David and Mr. Marshall both basically want him to marry Ethel Taverse -- beautiful, well brought up, good lineage, of the Right Sort. Eric... honestly Eric has such fantasy standards for a woman that in a different book the resolution would be that he realizes that he's gay. He's doing that doesn't-realize-they're-queer-yet thing of, "it's not that I don't like [expected other gender], it's just that I haven't found anyone yet with [vague laundry list of impossible qualities]." I know that doesn't always translate into queerness, but it's an experience that definitely rings true to my baby ace teenage years before I had the words or knowledge to accurately describe my experiences.

"In all likelihood the worst thing that will happen to you over there will be that some misguided woman will put you to sleep in a spare room bed. And if that does happen may the Lord have mercy on your soul!” Go to PEI, but don't consort with the locals! The Wrong Kind of Woman might tempt you! This book is a great primer on how classism and eugenics go hand in hand, isn't it?

So our plot has been set up for us. Eric, a young man in possession of a good fortune, is off to Prince Edward Island, where he will soon find himself in want of a woman to be his wife. She will either be a commoner, whom his family and friends think isn't good enough for him but whom he loves and will stand up for, or she will be a secret aristocrat, whom he will pluck out of her shabby surroundings and return to her birthright in high society. I want this book to go with option a, because it's more interesting, but from what I know of it it veers closer to option b instead.

(What he needs is an Anne Shirley to whack him upside the head with a slate and tell him to stop being such a jerk, but I'm not holding out hope.)

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

21st October >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Ephesians 2:1-10 Sinners are saved in Christ Jesus.

You were dead through the crimes and the sins in which you used to live when you were following the way of this world, obeying the ruler who governs the air, the spirit who is at work in the rebellious. We all were among them too in the past, living sensual lives, ruled entirely by our own physical desires and our own ideas; so that by nature we were as much under God’s anger as the rest of the world. But God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus. This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 99(100)

R/ He made us, we belong to him.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.

R/ He made us, we belong to him.

Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

R/ He made us, we belong to him.

Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

R/ He made us, we belong to him.

Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

R/ He made us, we belong to him.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 24:4,5

Alleluia, alleluia! Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth. Alleluia!

Or: Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 12:13-21 Fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you.

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’ Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[hiswordsarekisses]

Some Scriptures of comfort for those who a feeling the struggle of the warfare against their minds today…

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭2‬‬

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, and you shall be comforted……Isaiah 66:13a

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread…for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬‬

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭3‬‬

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:32-36

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. Psalm 119:51

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭6‬‬

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds, destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬‬

Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬‬

[albertfinch]

PUTTING ON LOVE - PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES

I love You, God, because You first loved me. (1 John 4:19)

You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus, to this earth out of Your love for me and for others.  I have believed on Him and now, I will not perish  -  I have everlasting life.  You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but to save me, and I thank You for that!  (John 3:16,17)

God, if You loved me that much, I should give love to others. (1 John 4:11)

So, I will love others.  It's a sign that I've been born of You, because You are love.  But if I fail to love others, I fail to love You.  Help me to always love!  (1 John 4:7,8)

I put on love each day, as if it's a coat, because I know that You consider it the highest of all virtues  -  Your love binds every other good virtue together  and makes them one.  (Colossians 3:14)

Love is the most important sacrifice to another person that I can make.  I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and all my strength, Lord, and I will love my neghbor as myself. (Mark 12:33)

Help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me.  I do this in obedience to You, my Father in Heaven.  (Matthew 5:44)

I love others because You have loved me, and people will know that I'm a disciple of Yours because of the love that I show.  (John 13:34-35)

Circumcise my heart, God.  Consecrate me and help me to love You with all my heart and soul so that I may truly live well!  (Deuteronomy 30:6) 

Father, help me to remain in Your love just like Jesus.  He always obeyed Your commands and always remained in Your love.  (John 15:10)

Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit!  Through Him, You have poured Your great love into my heart!  (Romans 5:5)

God, I know the Your love matters the most  -  though I speak many words, including the tongues of angels,  if I don't love others, my words are nothing but a lot of noise!  I can prophesy, understand everything there is to know, and have faith enough to move mountains.  I can give everything I have to feed the poor, even if I give my own body as a sacrifice to You, but without love, none of these things do any good at all:  Love matters most!  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Help me to see Your love for what it is  -  patient and kind, never envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered.  You love stops me from keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in what is evil.  Your love helps me to rejoice in truth and always protect, trust, hope, and persevere!  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Whatever I do, Lord, help me to do it in love!  (1 Corinthians 16:14)

The covenant I have with You, God, is not because of something physical, like circumcision.  My covenant was made through Jesus Christ  -  and my faith works by love!  (Galatians 5:6)

The fruit of your Spirit is love.  (Galatians 5:22)

I was called by God to be free!  But, I don't use my freedom as an excuse to live in sin and do only what I want.  Instead, I serve others in the way of love.  (Galatians 5:13)

God, You are rich in mercy and because of Your great love for me,  You have made me alive with Christ!  Even when I was dead in sin, you made a way of grace so that I could be saved!  (Ephesians 2:4-5)

I am being rooted and established in love.  I'm gaining the power to grasp the amazing measurements of Your love.  I realize that it surpasses all knowledge, but in "seeking" to find its measurements, I am being filled with the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:17-19)

I'm a volunteer prisoner of You and I will live a life worthy of Your calling.  In humility, gentleness, and patience, I will bear what others do in love.  I will strive to always keep the unity of Your Spirit and keep the peace.  (Ephesians 4:1-3)

I speak the truth in love and it causes me to grow up in all things  -  I'm a part of the body of Christ and we serve under the Head of the Church,  Jesus Christ!  We work together in love and this unites the whole body of Christ!  (Ephesians 4:15,16)

Like a child imitates those he admires, I imitate You Jesus, and live a life of love!  Because You loved me and gave Yourself for me as a good-smelling offering to God,  I will give myself to others, as an offering to You.  (Ephesians 5:1)

I will speak peace, love, and faith over all my brothers and sisters today!  (Ephesians 6:23)

Thank You for correcting my heart when I do wrong.  I know that You discipline those You love.  (Hebrews 12:6)

I will live in harmony with others and be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble.  (1 Peter 3:8)

Above it all, I will love others deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.  (1 Peter 4:8)

I have known and believed in the love that You have for me.  You are Love and I make my life in You.  Your great love is being perfected in me day-to-day.  I will be able to have boldness in the day of judgment because I have a life of love!  1 John 4:16,17)

I won't fear!  Your love in me casts fear out!  I'm being made perfect in Your love day by day!  (1 John 4:18)

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[pastortomsteers]

The First Sunday after Trinity

June 2, 2024

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

Lutheran Service Book

Divine Service III – Pages 184-202

OPENING HYMN:  655 ”Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ViZi7M5p4    

 

The Introit

Psalm 13:1-4; antiphon, verses 5-6

 

I have trusted in your steadfast love;     my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord,     because he has dealt bountifully with me.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?     How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul     and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;     light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”     lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

And to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

I have trusted in your steadfast love;     my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord,     because he has dealt bountifully with me.

The Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)                                                                                                                                Congregation:                                                                                                    Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.                                                                                                                                  Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Salutation –                                                                                                                               Pastor: The Lord be with you.  

                                                                                                               Congregation: And also with you. 

                                                             

Our Collect Payer:

O God, the strength of all who trust in You, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing, grant us Your grace to keep Your commandments, that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Our Bible Readings:

First Reading Genesis 15:1-6

Psalm 33:12-22

Epistle Reading   1st John 4:16-21

The Verse (Psalm 7:1) 

Alleluia. O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading  Luke 16:19-31

The Apostles’ Creed  Page 192

HYMN OF THE DAY:  545  “Word of God, Come Down on Earth”   

 

THE SERMON –

The last words Martin Luther wrote before he died may well have been inspired by our Gospel account of the rich man and Lazarus.

Luther wrote, "We are all beggars. This is true."

At times, every one of us feels like Lazarus.

Vulnerable, in need, perhaps alone, we can watch a world that parties and feasts, and often ignores those going through hardships.

And though each of us before God is, like Lazarus, poor and helpless, we haven’t had to settle for mere crumbs fallen from God’s table.

Instead, we’ve been invited and seated at the Lord’s feast now in the Church.

One day Christians will finally be carried to Heaven to be with God, the source of all true riches and eternal life.

This is a message from today’s Gospel lesson.

It’s the Good News of Christ.

Yet there’s also a warning from Jesus here.

It’s not the caution a casual reading of Scripture might leave us with, but an important warning none-the-less.

Let’s go back to this account of Lazarus.

And I call it that because Jesus doesn’t use the word parable to describe it, but He does include a name, Lazarus, and that’s unique.

This is only parable where Christ uses a name, so it may have been an actual individual.

The name Lazarus in Hebrew means, “the one whom God helps.”

And that was certainly true for this poor man.

God ultimately helped him, saved him, when no one on earth would.

The rich man in passage is heartless, wicked, and most importantly, faithless.

His money has become an idol, his ‘god.’

He knowingly withholds food and shelter from the poor man outside his door. 

We could take away the lesson that being a child of God is no guarantee of an easy life. 

And that would be true, but it’s not the point of the account. 

Neither is the greed of the rich man the real message. 

It’s only a tool in the story.

How do we know the rich man knowingly ignored Lazarus? 

Because he recognizes him lying comforted at the side of Abraham. 

He’s been aware of Lazarus, and consciously withheld what he needed. 

So, the scene is set:  the good but poverty-stricken, versus the rich and uncaring. 

Where could we find this contrast? 

Sadly, today, in many countries, even in our own.

Should we care about those less fortunate than us? 

Of course. 

Should we respond to them, and take a warning from these words?                                                                               

Yes. 

Is that the key point Jesus is making.  

No. 

We can draw those lessons from the account, but so can the un-believer.

The heart of the message lies deeper.

Lazarus dies, and we’re told he’s carried away by angels to be comforted by Abraham.

Then the Rich Man also dies, and his fate is coldly reported simply as "being buried.”

Immediately, the rich man finds himself in Hell. 

A place of fire that never goes out, and where pain doesn’t cease, as Jesus describes it elsewhere. 

It’s real.

The rich man sees Lazarus at a great distance.                         

He is at peace.

The rich man, however, doesn’t repent, say he’s sorry, or turn to faith. 

He asks Abraham to have Lazarus fetch some water for him.

He’s reminded by Abaham of how, when the situation was reversed during life, Lazarus received no such mercy from Him.

And things are so arranged now that Lazarus can’t provide the requested relief.

Are we supposed to be frightened by the threat of condemnation here? 

Yes, but still, it’s not the account’s purpose.

Everyone hearing these words from Jesus understood the justice of the situation.

They knew evil will suffer in judgment.

They knew God called them to be compassionate.

Then the rich man asks for Lazarus to be sent to his brothers, to warn, and spare them the misery of his condition. 

Abraham says they have Moses and the Prophets.

They have Holy Scripture, the Word of God to warn and instruct them! 

Then the rich man makes his point, that the Scriptures didn't work with him! 

He had ignored the Word of God.

He reasoned that Scripture and the Church might not work, but if someone came calling from the grave, that kind of sign would wake his brothers up! 

Those listening to Jesus might have been in agreement with the rich man on this point.

We might be tempted to agree too. 

The Word of God just doesn’t seem to get through to some people.

They either won’t go to Church to hear it preached, or if they do, they just won’t take it seriously.

The feeling for some appears to be that God’s Word is always there, and it will wait until they’re ready to believe.

This is where the account of Lazarus by Jesus is really going.

Jesus drops the whole message on His listeners then, and now, when He says:

 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.'

Christ is saying that if the powerful Word of Almighty God won’t reach some people, neither will a corpse rising out of the ground persuade them.

Our Saviour is blunt in saying if His Word doesn’t move someone, nothing can, or will. 

Now, I imagine there were a lot of people listening that day who disagreed.

And I’d guess that some of them thought a person rising from the dead would move people to sit up, and believe. 

But that’s a little like the people who say, if Noah's Ark were found, it would prove the Bible is true and bring the world around to the Christian faith. 

Unfortunately seeing Noah's Ark didn’t work that way for people back when it was built.

So why would it work for skeptics today? 

Jesus gave the world the ultimate proof of what He said by dying and then rising from the tomb.

And some of the very people who were listening that day, like the Pharisees Luke tells us were there, may have witnessed His death.

The Pharisees knew from many credible witnesses, even one of their own, Nicodemus, that Christ did rise from the grave, and yet they would not believe in Him. 

In First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Paul gives a list of people who saw the risen Jesus.

These witnesses included the twelve disciples, James the brother of Jesus, and a group of more than 500 people at the same time.

Some of the Pharisees and Scribes even tried to silence witnesses to the resurrection. 

They paid the Roman guards at the empty tomb to lie about it.

Jesus has risen from the grave, but not all people believe. 

Christ has risen, but many sin boldly, or call sin something to be proud of.

They’ve heard about hell and damnation, yet they just shrug it off.

But if the Word of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit, can’t move them to faith at some point in their life, nothing can or will.

Your sins have been forgiven because Jesus died in your place on the cross. 

He rose from the grave to prove sin, death and hell have been conquered, and taken out of your future. 

It was His resurrection that mattered for the whole world.

And as believers you will rise from death one day by the power of Jesus, and live with Him forever. 

Should we live a life of compassion?

Yes. 

We should try, that is the will of God. 

But will that save us?  

No. 

As sinful human beings, we can’t live a perfect life.

Jesus, our Saviour, did that for us, and paid for our sins at Calvary.

Believe it.

Listen to the Word of God about the One who rescued you.

Christians have the comfort that one day, despite the pain and hardships of this life, we will be held by God, and have peace, and all we need from Him.

This account of Jesus is meant to tell us where saving faith comes from.

The Bible makes clear in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

You are born again by a Word that is living, powerful, and imperishable.

It is the Holy Spirit that uses God’s means of grace, His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to work and sustain faith within us.

And so, as believers, whatever your status in the eyes of the world – no matter your outward appearance or success as measured by earthly standards –you will be carried by angels to paradise.

Until that time, Christians will be nurtured by the true Church, where God’s Word is taught correctly, and the Sacraments administered properly.

Where we are given a foretaste of Heaven.

May the peace that passes all understanding comfort you, and keep Your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT    Page 194                                                                                                          (Our Communion Hymn is 641 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”)                                                                                                                                Communion Collect  (Left-hand column)    Page 201

CLOSING HYMN:   504 “Father Most Holy”

[theoverseerau]

Uber's Hard Mode part 1

ok. so I might not be making the Ruins section completely game accurate. but I hope that makes things more interesting.

the scene starts in the ENTRANCE TO THE UNDERGROUND. a scream is heard from above as FRISK falls from the sky and lands on the bed of soft flowers, shaken, but not injured. floating nearby them is CHARA, who looks around the room. before settling on hovering behind Frisk, who stands up and stretches

FRISK: Hmm... something is off here. this reset feels different somehow. CHARA: That's because you somehow triggered Hard Mode Frisk looks at Chara with a very confused expression CHARA: Hard Mode. It's exactly what it sounds like. FRISK: Ok... you're the narrator, so I trust you on this. what kinds of things are changed by this? CHARA: For one, your bandage doesn't let you run anymore. I'm not exactly sure why I know all of this, but ever since I started floating around you, I've known a lot of things that have no reason I can think of to know. FRISK: Good to know... I suppose I should just get going and see what's up next then. Frisk and Chara enter into FLOWEY'S ROOM. in the middle of it is FLOWEY himself with a slightly exasperated look on his face FRISK: Hey. FLOWEY: Don't you have Anything better to do? FRISK: I do not. until I figure out how to make it so Chara can actually interact with more then just me, I'll reset as many times as I need to. Frisk's SOUL appears in front of them as color leeches away from their surroundings. four buttons; labeled FIGHT, ACT, ITEM, and MERCY, appear in front of them as well. CHARA: *Flowey starts a proper FIGHT for once. FLOWEY: then you might be in luck... I can feel that something has changed... heh heh... I don't know what exactly you did, but the underground has done the impossible. it did something new. Frisk presses the button titled ACT, and then presses another button that appears after this called talk. CHARA: *you told Flowey that what was triggered is called Hard Mode. *He seems to chuckle at this. FLOWEY: Interesting name. come to think of it, this encounter is new, isn't it? CHARA: *Flowey cackles to himself. Frisk presses the MERCY button, and selects spare from the other buttons presented. FLOWEY: Who knows. I m i g h t e v e n b e a b l e t o e n d y o u f o r g o o d t h i s t i m e a r o u n d. Flowey creates several circles of bullets and implodes them upon Frisk to deal unavoidable damage, the final circle of bullets is created, and Flowey begins to laugh. FLOWEY: I won't drag it out this time. DIE. Flowey makes this final circle implode at the same speed as the other ones instead of slowly doing it like normal, but a fireball comes in from the side and blows a hole in the circle that's just big enough for Frisk's soul to get out and dodge. Flowey looks confused, before another fireball comes in and knocks him out of the way. TORIEL walks in and stands in front of Frisk. TORIEL: What a terrible creature, torturing such a poor, innocent youth... Ah, do not be afraid my child. I am TORIEL, caretaker of the RUINS. I pass through this place every day to see if anyone has fallen down. You are the first human to come here in a long time. Come! I will guide you through the catacombs. Frisk's soul returns to their body and color returns to the world around them. TORIEL: This way. Toriel turns around and walks through a nearby door CHARA: well then... this is already looking to be an unusual experience. FRISK: Despite how scary that was... I actually feel like this is going to be fun! CHARA: of course you do. this is actually something we haven't seen before. FRISK: Well. there are at least some things that haven't changed. should we accompany mom now? CHARA: yeah. that sounds good. Frisk walks forward until they encounter the door to the Ruins. after gazing at it for a second or two, they enter. fade to white, end scene.

first: you're here!

next: Here!

the comic this blog is actually about: Here!