#he has inherited the strong sense of life and justice from his (human) father.

[zoneofsmites]

Withers: Now I have a question for thee: what is the worth of a single mortal's life? Lucien: A peaceful undead. Interesting. Why aren't you attacking me? Withers: Because that would be senseless. Wilt thou answer my question? Lucien: Yes. Ask away.

An peaceful undead that can speak? And it's asking him philosophical questions about souls? This is the height of Lucien's academic career. His thesis is going to be so good.

Withers: So I ask again: what is the worth of a single mortal life? Lucien: Each life is of infinite value and merits sacrificing everything for. Withers: And thus balance is achieved. If all are at war, none can win. Very well. I am satisfied.

Lucien is a necromancer who values life very highly but has a casual relationship with death and the concept of it. Life means everything but death is inevitable.

He treats the bodies he raises with utmost respect as well - and lays them to proper rest afterwards.

[chaotic-french-fries]

What I have so far is:

Eggman (or another mad scientist of the Robotnik family laying around idk) starts experimenting with biology again.

But, of course, he isn't about to make the mistake of attempting a new Ultimate Lifeform, they have all already seen what could go wrong, plus Shadow seems to have a very nice free will. Instead – not very smartly, because it's practically the same – he starts to experiment on gene combinations, to create life without the need of a mother and all that, just to pairs of dna to combine and he'd be all good to go.

The difference with this method is that he can make them any age, using some of the notes Gerald left behind and combining them with this new strategy, he could develop the new enhanced tiny human into a baby within a month, and with a few adjustments he could have a fully functional 10 years old by the third month.

He can spare himself the trouble of taking care of a baby and waiting 10+ years until they have the age to be trained, while still being young enough for him to raise with his own ideals.

He experiments with a couple of gene pairs before going for the final goal, first he choses two girls, Blaze and Amy, since he considers their personalities and strengths would make for a nicely talented child, whilst keeping them not much of a threat if it doesn't go as planned.

Then he goes for Rouge and Knuckles, wanting to see how much he can keep of the personalities of each recipient, if it even is possible, since he's met rouge and she has a pretty strong sense of self, so far as he can tell. Plus Knuckles sense of loyalty and duty, and his strenght.

Lastly, the one he was going on to begin with, the actual Ultimate Lifeform and the most powerful being on Earth, Shadow and Sonic. He is kind of scared of this kid, as both Sonic and Shadow have a marked sense of justice and independence, and have both been capable of easily taking him in a fight single handedly before.

His suspicions would prove right as this last kid, just three months younger than the other two "successful" experiments, had caused major problems to him (sonadow's kid would end up more rebellious than the other two, who had until then listened to Eggman without much as a complaint and the occasional foul language from rougeknux's kid). They would break into their “father”'s office, find the documents, early projects on non-humaniod birds and lizards, and basically deaf the other two into a mini-revolution.

They blow everything up and run away, sonadow's kid finds out they are way faster and stronger then anyone should be, specially not someone of their build (a bit short, average weight, but zero muscle). They eventually bump into Tails and he can tell right away this kids are not normal, sonadow's kid recognizes him from one of the discarded gene ideas, and Tails takes them to his lab to make tests, and present them to Sonic & Co.

Turns out, biologically, this kids are quite literally every couples children, they just, didn't spawn naturally. Sonic makes a comment like "creepy" cause honestly it is, before asking who is parents of whom, because they can definitely not abandon a bunch of confused 10 y.o's.

Tails tells them, Blazeamy, already dating, takes their kid without a single complaint. Rougeknux is reluctant, at first, but the kid is so much like them, they just both end up loving them and take turns caring for them, with a fluffy half-slowburn friends-to-lovers in between.

Sonadow is absolutely dumbfounded, because it makes sense, but of all people it had to be their rival? Unacceptable.

Sonic likes the kid's sense of morality, humor and bravery, and decides he should take care of them, it was technically his child afterall, and they need a parental figure, specially being they inherited his and Shadow's very enhanced everything.

Shadow does kind of like them too, they're bold and clever, they led the whole escape plan. They also kind of remind him of Maria, with their love for the world, the courage to sacrifice themselves for a bigger cause; it evokes a weird protective feeling. And they also remind him of Sonic, of course they do, and he hates how that makes him feel, because they're bringing to light feelings he had buried long ago (in fear of getting attached to somebody again, and of rejection, but he won't admit that), and he find himself wanting to hug him on sight, to spend his days with him, and he can't take his eyes off that smile, no matter how odd it makes him feel, and seeing Sonic hanging out with his kid– their kid– wanting nothing more than to hold then both tight and never let go; and he won't admit this, but he's head over heels for him, and he has no idea how to navigate a crush other than gay panic™.

Then you have all the Shadow easing in on both of them, some rougeknux and blazeamy, found family, triple dates, awkward gay people, Shadow ranting to Rouge at 3am because he's in love and that's pathetic. Sonic rambling to 15/16 yo Uncle Tails at 3am because he's also in love and he's just hella dense. And all the: rivals-to-oh...-to-OHNOWTFOMFGNOTHIMOFALLPPL-to-whydidIthinktalkingtohimwasagoodidea-to-friends-to-mentalbreakdown-to-lovers. That I am too lazy to write, plus every time I try writing anything it ends up too cheesy and the slowburn turns into an oven at maximum heat and they get married on the second chapter.

(Also I fucked up their ages bc idk I just can, Tails is 15/16, Sonic & Co. are around the age of 25 give or take 3-4 years. It still makes sense, Tails is old enough to watch after himself, and I could get most of them drunk if I wanted to)

Fin.

(I got my phone back finally!)

THAT IS SO COOL UMMMMMM I THINK I NEED THIS.

dude. This sounds like so much fun!

I'm gonna be honest most sonadow fan kid ideas I don't really like, mostly bc it just ends up sounding like a copy of shadows back story with sonics personality, but I think adding all the other kids is such a fun idea! And then all of them get to hang out and be new parents and talk like old people, omg. Love.

If we ever do write anything together I would be so down to help with this 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

I too suck at slow burns, but mostly bc I literally never finish them bc my attention span is like... a couple months for writing and thats not gonna cut it xD

if anything i take forever to write scenes and then i get lost in the dialogue. 😭😭😭

so do the kids age naturally after ten year old mark or do they zoom into their teens and twenties?

[anestofocs]

Muse Profile: Hayato Kiyori

Eden’s wrath

Basic Details:

Name: Kiyori Hayato

Age: 70

Title: Undying wrath/Eden

Fighting Style: Shitō-ryū style Karate

Gender: Male

Occupation: CEO of Kiyori Pharmaceuticals (Formerly), drifter (current)

Faith: Shinto

Birthday: 26th December

Likes: Safiya,his children, mountain hiking, mediation, 

Dislikes: Heihachi and the Mishima Zaibatsu, being apart from his family,

Appearance Details:

Hair colour: Dark Gray

Eye colour: Brown

Skintone: Pale 

Height: 6ft

Weight: 70 kg

Country of Origin: Japan

Ethnicity: Japanese

Deeper Details:

Personality:

Once a calm, peaceful man. Hayato cared deeply for those in need and happily dedicated himself to bettering the world through his family’s company. With a strong sense of justice and his faith guiding his every action.

Now however that kind heart has been burnt to cinders. Hayato of the present is cynical man who refuses to get close to anyone. The world he once loved is nothing more than a dark, evil place with only small pockets of good left. His faith is shattered by the cruel fate he must suffer.

Withdrawn,seemingly cold and without mercy. Hayato will do whatever it takes to bring down those that threaten his family and who did this to him.

Bio:

Hayato Kiyori had it all, the joint eldest son alongside his twin brother Kaito and with three other siblings. He inherited his Mother’s karate and his father’s company. Giving him seemingly everything he could have wanted out of life. Yet he was not satisfied.  After leaving school,  Hayato went out into the world, both to find himself spiritually and to improve upon what his mother taught him. On this journey he both found himself training  in a shinto temple and at the losing end of the fists of the most gorgeous woman he had ever met.

Safiya Olayinka. He fell instantly and knew that she would be the only woman for him. Thankfully for Hayato, Safiya thought  him to be the only one she’d want to marry. Creating a marriage that would last for quite some time. Not long after, they were approached by the VSSE. Seeing in them the makings of two, great and noble heroes. They accepted and served as frontline agents until, at the age of 26. They had their eldest daughter. Ayame. Though at the time they thought they had a sweet baby boy. But she corrected them in the end. Wanting to care for her and his company full time. Hayato took on a more background role in the agency. Though he did go on field missions if it was particularly important.

But this peaceful life was not to last. After years of being unable to conceive a second child together. The couple had turned to IVF, only to find their samples had been stolen in a shock raid on the facility of the service they had used. Wanting answers, The then 50 year Hayato began to investigate the theft and noticed a pattern. From boxers like Safiya, to karateka like himself. Any particularly famous fighter that donated reproductive material would find it either in high demand or mysteriously being misplaced. Finding clues and following the trail of intelligence. Hayato discovered something that disturbed him to the very core.

The Mishima Zaibatsu was conducting human experimentation on children convinced through the stolen or donated material. Yet his findings grew more twisted. Discovering the existence of the devil gene and  Heihachi Mishima’s  true machinations. Hayato rushed to inform the VSSE to mount a rescue, he instead was ambushed by the Tekken force and taken to a deep secluded location. For twenty years, Hayato was experimented on and tortured. Until the most ironic of moments occured..

..His greatest enemy,  Wild Dog raided the place he had been held in. It should have been his foes’ greatest moment. To witness Hayato in his worst condition. Yet instead, The Mercenary showed a rare moment of mercy. For he too held a deep seated hatred of the Mishima Zaibatsu. Having rescued his apprentice from one such lab only 15 years ago. He and his organization freed Hayato and let him hide until he could find his family. To his own heartache. Hayato had found out he had a son from the experiments. A young boy called Aayato,  while his daughter served in the Tekken Force, unaware of her employer's hand in his disappearance. Or his plans for her life.

Planning with the Wild Dogs, Hayato prepared to save his daughter from Heihachi’s whims. He first contacted Ayato. Warning him of the danger. The two, together with a young, russian soldier. Managed to reach Ayame in time. However once again there was the Tekken force

To save his children. Hayato sacrificed his life. Luring the Tekken force into chasing him to where the Wilds laid hidden explosives. With a smile and the understanding that he’d die. Hayato triggered the explosives. Bringing down parts of the ruins around the temple. It killed every Tekken soldier that hounded his family and seemingly, Hayato himself.

Yet he awoke, hours later. With no memory of what happened. Not even his name could be recalled. For two years, he wandered around Mexico. Just another lost soul. He did odd jobs while unable to communicate  in Spanish or English. It was during one of these  odd jobs that he had another near death experience. Falling from a ladder the impact  should have caused him great injury. But instead awoke his lost memories. It was reliving these memories that made him realize why he had not died or got hurt. He was barely human anymore. Most of him had  been replaced with machine parts.

Wth his family thinking him dead and dealing with his truama. Hayato is trying to get home, a large task with no id and little money.

[boombox-fuckboy]

Hiyaaa

I'm thinking of listening to radio outcast and night shift..... Have u listened to them?? If u have could u tell me about the basic vibe of the story, the characters, etc

Thank you<3333

Both underrated and very well made productions. They feature very good soundwork, both in quality and design, a solid cast of VAs, and excellent cover art. The writing isn't life-changing but is good, just more in the entertaining sense. Both also have official art of all major characters if that's something you're interested in.

RADIO: Outcast has a sillier vibe (expected with comedy as a second genre) but intentionally so. The characters are wacky and memorable, though with a major cast of about four, you're unlikely to get mixed up anyway.

The main characters are Charles, a sharply dressed, self-impressed master conman who seems to be able to get himself into, and occasionally out of, any sort of trouble imaginable. Helix, former messenger goddess of sound who's spent the last few decades partying, but after being cast out by her abusive ex-girlfriend is now stuck in the 1880s instead of the 1980s. And Jesse, a young cowboy with a perfect shot, strong sense of duty and general dislike of social situations, seeking to avenge his father (and is unfortunately now stuck with these two).

They're also crowdfunding for season 2 for another week

Night Shift fills a very specific personal need: fictional investigation/indie docudrama podcast (big fan), but, in an urban fantasy setting. This flavour of urban fantasy is humans only, just with magic. In the setting, major magics have been gone some time, but elements of it are everywhere including:

Small inherited magic such as perfectly recalling a memory from a photo you took or luminescent threads in your hair

Magi-biotech which is grueling to induce, tightly controlled, and mimics superpowers

The ability for remaining ambient magic to warp people to various degrees, body and mind, into Shades, who are poorly understood and potentially powerful, but rarely ever the threat most people think they are

Rare, small phemomena also caused by ambient magic which may include holes in reality

More of a serious tone, but it doesn't take itself uncomfortably seriously either.

There's a lot of characters, but Sebastian, the lead, is a good presenter and will introduce them all, sometimes more than once. A decent number of characters have very distinct voices, and there's always transcripts. They're a decent crowd, some stand out more than others. Sebastian himself is a good balance of sharp and clever and an absolute dumbass. He has a strong sense of justice but open willingness to change his opinions on new information, which I think is a good combination for a reporter, but his drive and impulse might not be such a good fit as a barista.

Majority queer characters as is common for pods, though being early days a lot is still word of god (processing how surreal that would've been a decade ago. "Majority queer characters as is standard.").

Profiles under the cut.

RADIO: Outcast

Synopsis, via the official website [accessed 2022-06-17]:

"When Helix, the Messenger God of Sound, gets yanked from the 1980s and sent to the 1880s by her abusive ex-lover, the God of Time, she must forge unlikely alliances with two humans: Jesse, a cowboy out for revenge, and Charles,  a conman running from his past. The three of them embark on a journey across the American West, each with their own goals and secrets waiting to be revealed.

Throughout the season, the characters' travels take them to dangerous wastelands, the lawless town of Deadwood, roller rinks in the middle of nowhere, a magical showboat on the Missouri River, and many more unexpected places. Magic and the American West collide in this kooky western about three strangers struggling to work together"

Genres: Western, fantasy, comedy, with sci-fi elements.

Available on: All major podcasting apps, Spotify.

Transcripts: Available on the website in pdf format [link]

Content Warnings: Spoken at the start of each episode (included in the transcript)

On Tumblr [here]

Night Shift: An Urban Fantasy Audio Drama

Synopsis, via the podcast feed [accessed 2022-06-17]:

"Sebastian Fen finds himself entangled in a series of unexplainable events in Echor City, from the conspiracies surrounding the biotechnology giant Augur Corp to the secrets of the magical anomalies that transform those who encounter them into the stuff of nightmares...

Night Shift is a queer-led, serialized docudrama. Elements of magic, science fiction, mystery, and mild horror throughout."

Genres: Urban fantasy, investigation, "true" crime.

Available on: All major podcasting apps, Spotify.

Transcripts: Linked in the description of each episode as a google-drive hosted pdf.

Content Warnings: Written out in the description of each episode

On Tumblr [here]

[smxmuffinpeddling]

The first time Benja officially met the infamous Princess Namaari (infamous through his daughter’s repeated grumblings about said princess of Fang), she placed a blade in front of him with her head bowed. Her face is somber and her strong shoulders weighed down by an invisible force.

Chief Benja had sensed this sort of presence before from old warriors or generals that have overseen countless battles. More recently he has caught this presence on his daughter in moments where she thinks he isn’t observing the woman she has become. It made him sad to see these haunting expressions on people so young. The princess of Fang appeared to be burdening herself with more ghosts than most.

“And what would you have me do with this, Princess Namaari,” Benja asked in his most patient tone as he eyed the blade placed on the ground before him. He had a sneaking suspicion based on rumors and Raya’s own stilted recaps of what transpired before and after he was turned to stone. There was a lot to process, but Benja could only make judgments based on what he could see before him.

“As the Chief of Heart, you have the power to punish war criminals,” Namaari responded, eyes still on the ground. Chief Benja sighed from deep within his bones and set aside the tea he brought to share when the princess requested a private meeting with him. She continued, “The talks of peace would go much smoother if the people of Heart received justice for the wrongdoings committed against them by Fang. It would mean the most coming from you.”

“And you think the best way to do this is to offer yourself up for persecution?”

“Healing can't begin if the other tribes feel Fang hasn't paid the price," Namaari reasoned, almost casually. As if she wasn’t offering her young life to him on a platter. "If it helps the people of Fang… of Kumandra,” Namaari corrected herself, resigned to the fate she envisioned for herself. “Then yes.”

“Does Raya know you are here?” Benja inquired out of curiosity. Namaari’s gaze snapped to his for the first time. They held gazes for a moment, guilt creeping up in Namaari’s expression as she looked away.

“No, she doesn’t.”

Chief Benja hummed to himself, stroking his beard in thought. "What you say is not without merit." He busied his hands by setting out the cups for tea. It would be a waste to let it grow cold after all. "I admit, I have been approached by some of my people regarding this very topic.”

Namaari nodded, unsurprised. “Would you prefer to do it publicly then?” Her shoulders seemed to slump even more at the thought.

Benja couldn’t help chuckling morbidly as he poured tea into two cups. “Now you’re just laying it on thick.”

Her brows knit together and her mouth twisted, ignoring the cup he offered her. “I’m serious about this, Chief Benja.”

He responded with a look conveying that he was taking her gravely seriously. “Drink. I made it myself.”

The princess seemed to notice the offering for the first time and accepted it hesitantly. He politely took a sip first and she followed. He allowed his Fang guest to breathe for a moment. “What do you think?”

“I think I should pay for the hurt I’ve caused,” Namaari was quick to answer.

“About the tea, Princess Namaari,” he corrected with a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Oh.” If the princess deflated anymore in front of him, she’ll blow off on the breeze before their meeting concluded. “It’s excellent.”

The smile on his face grew warmer. “Glad to hear it.” They continued to sip until he poured them a second cup.

“Raya told me that you came together to save Kumandra.”

“I did not make it easy for her,” Namaari said, the tea turning bitter on her tongue.

"You were only a child."

"Not the second time," Namaari confessed with a pained expression. The tightness of her knuckles threatened to shatter the cup in her grasp.

He reached for the sword and she straightened at the gesture. The sword matched the one on her other hip. Beautifully balanced, and a lot lighter than what he was accustomed to, he held it respectfully in both of his palms.

“To hate and blame is the easy path. The hardest thing is change and forgiveness.” Namaari’s eyes widened in surprise when he handed the sword back to her. She took it instinctively, a frown pulling the corners of her mouth down.

“Princess Namaari, the punishment you seek will not be carried out by me.”

“I don’t understand,” Namaari protested.

“You know what I see when I look at you?” Benja’s gentle expression crinkled his eyes. The look on her face made it clear she expected insults and then some. “Someone who understands better than most the consequences of their actions. Of how important it is to our people that we come together or we’d fall apart. When I look at you I see hope.”

“Hope?” Namaari tilted her head as if the concept eluded her.

“Hope that the future of Kumandra will be safe in the hands of someone who changed, and grew. Kumandra was a dream of mine, one I realized might have been a naive one that night,” he admitted. “The real work comes now, and we need examples like you to inspire hope in others and lead.”

Namaari opened her mouth to say something but she merely looked down into her reflection on the sword instead, eyes growing wetter. He could see her cheek jump from her gritting teeth and he reached out to lightly grasp her shoulder.

“That is what dragons do,” he made sure to look into her eyes reassuringly. “They inspire light in humans to be better, and in turn, that light spreads to others. I will not extinguish the light growing in you, Princess.”

At that moment, the Fang warrior simply looked like a little girl again, barely holding in her overwhelming emotions. “But how will I atone for my mistakes?” Namaari whispered, lost.

Benja squeezed her burdened shoulder before leaning back, finding his tea grew cold. “My daughter has already passed judgment on you, and I trust her.” His pleasant smile turned into a sly grin. “And something tells me she would not be too happy if she found out you came to me for your punishment.”

At that, Princess Namaari finally made a sound of amusement and her gaze grew a little warmer at the thought. “I suspect not.” The sword was fastened back to her hip and her shoulders did not look as heavy as they did when she approached him. Hands forming a circle, she bowed towards the Chief of Heart and muttered a shy thanks.

The second time Chief Benja met Princess Namaari, her hand rested on her blade’s hilt as they stared each other down.

“I think you have some explaining to do, Princess Namaari.” His grin was sharp, particularly enjoying this. She did not look as amused as he did.

“I’m sorry, Chief Benja,” Namaari’s grip grew white-knuckled but her resolve flashed in her eyes. “But... I’m in love with your daughter,” she said it like it was her greatest sin to date. A sin she looked ready to die for.

Earlier that day as Benja was taking a stroll through Heart’s gardens in a rare moment to himself, he stumbled across quite the sight. He spotted his daughter in an intimate embrace with the princess of Fang. He was surprised but managed to not make a noise, slowly backing up to allow them privacy. However, before he could slip away, he locked eyes with Namaari over Raya’s shoulder. He might’ve laughed at the size her eyes grew in panic, but he was already gone. He felt glad that his daughter was letting others into her heart, even as he tried to push the image from his mind.

The princess evidently did not forget, charging up towards his sanctum with determined steps.

“I know you’ll want my head for daring to overstep my welcome in your home. But I’m serious about her and I don’t care if you doubt my intentions. I won’t ever back down again when it comes to her!” she declared fiercely.

Benja finally broke character when a laugh escaped him and he gave into it. Namaari was visibly confused that Raya’s father wasn’t trying to strangle her right now as he doubled over laughing. It took a few seconds for him to calm down, facing the young woman while wiping a tear from his eye.

“Have you told Raya that you love her?” he asked with genuine curiosity. Namaari’s demeanor quickly changed, from ready for a fight, to flushed and stammering.

“I- no. Not yet.”

A few stray chuckles were still escaping him as he moved towards his weapons chest. “You should. And all that other stuff you just said.”

“You’re… not angry with me?” the other woman sounded surprised. He perused through his collection in an unhurried fashion.

“I’ve told you before that I trust my daughter’s judgment.” He selected one of his new swords made for him after his daughter inherited his last one. “Though there was always one thing that bothered me.”

Namaari brought her guard up again at those words, taking a fighting stance once Benja made a few test swings with his new sword. “What would that be?”

“Raya once told me you were the most skilled fighter she’s ever faced.” His shoulders popped as he rolled them, loosening his muscles. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper challenge besides my daughter, and I’d like to remind her who the fiercest warrior in her life is,” he said with a confident grin.

Namaari visibly gulped but she squared up, drawing her dual-wielded swords to face him. And he felt proud of the fire he saw in her, glad that his daughter chose someone who was not only willing to die for her but to live for her.

The next time Chief Benja and Princess Namaari met in secret, thankfully there were no blades involved. They were sipping tea together in companionable silence, though the Heart Chief could tell the woman was nervous about something.

It wasn’t often she was nervous anymore. Over the years she’s grown to be a capable and charismatic leader, accepting the love that was given to her and giving love in return. Intricate Visayan tattoos spread over her arms and shoulders highlighting the assured way she carried her burdens. Her hair, once asymmetrical, was evenly shorn on both sides of her head, with the hair on top braided down the center. (Raya had told him in her smuggest tone that Namaari mimicked women she admired, even while Raya stared at her beloved from across the room with her dopiest grin. They were so in love Benja had to laugh at their expense.)

“Jade for your thoughts,” he nudged before she lost herself in her thoughts.

She put her cup down and cleared her throat. “Chief Benja,” she started before he waved at her formalness.

“That's Benja to you,” he reminded her not for the first time.

“Chief Benja,” she stubbornly asserted with a smirk. He smirked back. “You’ve always been kind to me. More than I deserved at times, and I have nothing but respect for you.” She took a deep breath, maintaining eye contact with him. “It would be the greatest honor of my life if you extended another kindness and allowed me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Benja regarded her, feeling misty-eyed and bursting with sentiments. His little girls have grown up so fast.

Namaari continued, growing nervous at his silence once more. “In return, I can offer fifty serlot kittens, copies of Fang’s most sacred dragon scrolls, and as much gold and metal every cart in Fang can hold, as well as-” Benja cut her off with a deep laugh and a hand on her shoulder.

“Does Raya know you’re here?” he inquired with a raised brow. This time, she matched his smile.

“She does, actually,” Namaari tilted her head knowingly towards the door, where they promptly heard a muted curse and feet hurriedly walking away at being caught. They shared a chuckle at Raya’s antics.

“Namaari,” Benja’s voice dripped with pride. “There is no one else in Kumandra I trust more with my daughter’s heart.” Namaari’s eyes widened at his words. Even after all these years of fighting for approval, she was still surprised when it was imparted to her. “You have my blessing.” He raised his glass in a toast to them. “I’m only surprised it took you so long to ask!”

Namaari was as relieved and light as he’s ever seen her, glowing from the inside out. “For a long time, I didn’t feel worthy of her. I still don’t sometimes, but…” She placed a hand over her heart. “She still wants me, and I think that’s finally enough.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Benja approved warmly. He rubbed his beard suddenly as a thought occurred to him. “Oh, because I suspect you’ve been dying to hear me say this,” Benja’s expression went from overjoyed to deadly serious in the span of a breath. “If you hurt my daughter I’ll kill you.”

Namaari was surprised for a moment before she smiled gratefully. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” They clinked their cups together in agreement.

[ayuuria]

Yashahime Translation: Animage Magazine December 2021 Issue, Part 2

Please do not repost this translation without my consent! This includes screenshots of any type and amount. If you wish to share this translation, simply link to this post.

For more information regarding the use of my translations, click here.

¡Por favor, no repostees esta traducción sin mi consentimiento! Esto incluye capturas de pantalla de cualquier tipo y cantidad. Si deseas compartir esta traducción, usa simplemente el enlace a este post.

Para más información sobre el uso de mis traducciones, haz click aquí.

This is the second of what could potentially be a 4 part translation of the December 2021 Issue of Animage magazine. The translations are broken down as follows and links will updated once translations are posted

Part 1: Interview 1 of 2 with Director Hishida

Part 2: Interview 2 of 2 with Director Hishida

Part 3: Interview with MAYU of Little Glee Monsters

Part 4: Interview with Koyama Keiichiro of NEWS (someday... maybe)

The Parent-Child Dogs Who Are the Same

“Hanyō no Yashahime”, which depicts the descendants of the Dog General who once ruled over the Western Lands, is packed with dog type characters. Among them, is Inuyasha not the first one who comes to mind when someone says “dog boy”?

Foul mouthed and belligerent, he’ll snap at someone upon meeting for the first time, but on the flip side, he’s got a strong sense of justice and he’ll protect those he trusts with all his might. He gets angry when he’s treated like a dog, but his personality is undoubtedly that of a dog!

That part of Inuyasha’s disposition has also been passed onto Moroha, his daughter. Moroha was separated from her parents shortly after her birth, but there has always been a familial bond between the two of them (Inuyasha and Moroha) probably. In episode 28, when Moroha passed through “the border between this world and the next”, Inuyasha was able to deduce that she was his daughter just from seeing her face for an instant. Having a strong love for family might be a canine characteristic. In the truest meaning, we want to hurry and see the day when these two alike parent-child dog demons reunite!

Character Bios

Moroha Inuyasha and Kagome’s daughter. She thought her parents were dead but when she passed through the border between this world and the next, she saw her parents calling out to her from afar.

Inuyasha A half-demon who’s the son of the Dog General and Izayoi, a human. Having been sealed within the black pearl by his half-brother, Sesshōmaru, he is at the border between this world and the next with his wife, Kagome.

Immediately trying to compromise with Towa and Setsuna whom she had just met, Moroha is friendly and her sense of fellowship is strong. She has lived strongly by herself, but she can get lonely easily.

Thinking of Comrades! When Setsuna lost her life in episode 24 of “The First Chapter”, for the sake of her precious friend, Moroha faced off against Kirinmaru with power she normally doesn’t show.  That strong sense of fellowship is just like a canine!

Full of Curiosity When she time traveled to the modern era, she was very curious about the various items of that era. Even with the Kappa’s foot that she got from Grandpa Higurashi, she was deeply moved like a dog that was happy to get a new toy.

Sit The “sit” position that Moroha does sometimes is the same pose that Inuyasha does. Is the blood of the Dog General, a dog demon, compelling them to do this pose?

He does get lonely easily but he’s not honest. While that is his charm, if his speech and conduct are constantly twisted, Kagome’s “Sit!” might burst out!?

When Compared to an Actual Dog? Stubborn, brave, and though very wary, Inuyasha has charm. According to Director Hishida Masakazu, those characteristics are representative of the Japanese dog breed, the Shiba Inu! Then does that make Moroha, a “mini Inuyasha” who inherited her father’s disposition, a mini Shiba?

Relation With Humans Saving people one way or another, having feelings for Kagome and Kikyō who are humans, and being close to humans might be Inuyasha’s dog like traits. However, he is belligerent so when humans approach him, beware of dog!?

Reliability While normally childish, the gallant figure of him shouldering the large Tessaiga truly is reliable. The leadership of repelling enemies while protecting his comrades is just like a watchdog!

Using An Extendable Leash for Walks! Director Hishida Masakazu

— Inuyasha, Sesshōmaru, the Dog General, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha; quite a few characters with dog demon blood make an appearance throughout the story.

Hishida: Among the demons that interact with humans, many of them are dog type (demons). Inuyasha, Sesshōmaru, and the Dog General. I think that “disposition of being able to get along with humans” is their dog like characteristic.

— What dog breed would you compare each character to?

Hishida: I think Inuyasha is like a Shiba Inu. Sesshōmaru doesn’t show affection that much so perhaps a sharp Akita. For the Dog General, a Golden Retriever, I think.

— Isn’t a Golden Retriever too cutesy? (laughs)

Hishida: When I think about it like “Well, the father was liked by everyone quite a bit, and yet there are people whose lives have been turned upside down because of him!”, I think of a very amiable dog (laughs). The three princesses would be small, adorable dogs, I think. Moroha would be a mini Shiba Inu and something like a small Akita would fit Towa and Setsuna nicely. However, Towa and Setsuna also have Rin’s blood, so thinking about it that way, maybe a Miniature Dachshund and Akita mix. I’ve never seen such a dog before though (laughs).

— If the three princesses were to turn into dogs, what do you think would happen?

Hishida: Dog Towa seems like she would become extremely attached. Dog Setsuna would be standoffish, but I feel as though she would follow you from a set distance. I feel like Dog Moroha would be jumping up and down around you…… When I think about it, other than human speech, it’s no different to how they are now (laughs).

— By the way, do you own a dog Director Hishida?

Hishida: I had one at my parent’s house a long time ago but now I own 2 cats. It’s a lot of work taking a dog for a walk, but not taking them would be pitiable. You don’t really have to worry about that with cats. When I think they’ve come up to me for dinner, they just casually go off somewhere after they’re done eating.

— Hearing that, I’m starting to feel that if looking just at his actions, Sesshōmaru is also like a cat.

Hishida: However, in Sesshōmaru’s case, doesn’t it feel like he’s going around the same places? I don’t know if it’s a territory thing, but it seems like he’s going around in circles for a month. It’s as if he’s patrolling. He’s the *dog policeman.

(*Translator’s note: he’s referring to the dog who’s the policeman in the children’s song, “Inu no Omawari-san”)

— I see (laughs). Well then, for Inuyasha and Moroha, what sort of dog like traits do father and daughter have in common?

Hishida: I think the part where they immediately pick and take on fights is like parent and child. Also, how they act before they think and how they can be idiots, perhaps (laughs). However, Moroha can actually read letters with ease and this will be shown a little bit in a future episode. Thus, she’s not incapable of studying by any means!

— If father and daughter were to become dogs, please tells us some points to be aware of when owning them.

Hishida: It would be safer to put an extendable leash on them when going for a walk. They would probably run at full speed all of a sudden. Also, I bet they’re the type that would immediately fight a dog they don’t know and then become friendly with them soon after (laughs). Though it’s probably the same for both of them, Moroha was raised by the wolf demon tribe, so her sense of fellowship would probably be stronger than her father’s. And then on the “night of the new moon”, I think Dog Inuyasha would get lonely easily. He will become despondent like a dog that’s been startled by an earthquake or lightening, so on the first (lunar) day of the month, absolutely let him sleep on the bed with you please.

[princeescaluswords]

Just out of curiosity, aside from a vegetarian, what other career choices would you have seen for Scott?

I want to thank you for what I assume was that typo, because it gave me hours of pleasure imagining Scott having inherited Deaton’s recurring joke/non-joke.  Scott rescues a human from the hands of a dangerous supernatural creature, but he’s in alpha form and they go “What are you?”  And he replies, “I’m a veterinarian.”

But seriously, I think that Scott’s pretty determined on becoming one and it’s not just because of the potential humor.  Primarily, the male figure he admires most on the show is Deaton, not just because Deaton cares without demanding anything in return and not because he’s the closest thing that Scott has to a father, but because Deaton has set very firm boundaries between his life and the supernatural world.  Since Scott struggled to come to terms with being a werewolf, I think he would want boundaries like that, so he’s going to model his life after the person who he’s seen who has successfully balanced those parts of his life.

But also, I think being a veterinarian, being a healer, obviously appeals to Scott, though I also think it goes deeper than that.  He will get to care for those who too often are treated as possessions, objects, or tools by those with more power than they have, denying them basic dignity.  Scott knows what this feels like, he experienced that at the hands of Peter, Derek, Gerard, Deucalion, and Theo.

But your question was what other occupations could he possibly pursue.  I have a few ideas, which I will list them here in no particular order, with an explanation of why and a few citations of canon behavior that supports my proposal.

Athletics Coach: “We've done this before, guys. A couple of weeks ago we were standing around just like this and we saved Malia, remember?”  People have described Scott as a co-dependent, but he’s not, though he’s certainly not a loner.  While he has a strong sense of self, he prefers to work in a team, especially with Stiles, who is canonically not easy to work with.  When did Scott ever attempt to achieve a victory without people backing him up?  He’s the one who tries to reach out to Derek multiple times in the first three seasons, he’s the one willing to reach out to Deucalion for the training he needs, and he’s the one willing to see the potential in Peter.  He has a good grasp on group dynamics and the advantages of TEAMWORK.  Enemies like Peter and Theo identify that isolating him makes him vulnerable. 

Union/Community Organizer: “They’re not the bad guys.  They’re the victims.”  Scott values JUSTICE.  One could argue that the vast majority of his decisions come from a refusal to allow people to bully and control those weaker than themselves, which often included him.  He defends the weak and the oppressed, but not only through violence.  He doesn’t have much use for retributive justice, however.  He’s not interested in fixing the past which can’t be changed, which is why I don’t see him involved in law enforcement at all.  He’s interested in building a better future being for everyone.  

Politician: “Just tell me that we don't have to kill each other. That we can find a way to make peace.”  While he has a strong sense of what is right and wrong, he demonstrates, repeatedly, that he is more than willing to COMPROMISE on his actions in order to get the best result.  He’s willing to work with those like Derek and Theo who have different goals and philosophies than he does, and he’s willing to accept that he won’t get everything to go the way he wants it to.  He’s also willing to reach out to enemies like Monroe and Deucalion in order to find a way forward that keeps people alive.   One of the reasons he had so much trouble with the Doctors was their inscrutability.   They didn’t communicate with their own minions very well let alone their enemies.

Member of the Clergy: “We can try.  We can always try.” I know this is going to be controversial, but I don’t have the slightest bit of problem seeing Scott becoming a member of the clergy, even a priest.  (Contrary to anti-Scott extremists, he can give things up for the greater good).  Scott does let the practical guide his decision making process, but he believes that there are things more important than what’s right in front of his face, and he’s willing to help guide people to see that as well.  The most necessary component for this job would be something he has in abundance: FAITH.  He believes in himself, he believes in his friends, he believes in the ability of people to change and overcome obstacles in their path, and he uses that belief to influence the world around him.  I don’t think it that big of a leap for him to become a religious leader.  

I hope this answers your question.

[kireii-writes]

pairing: reader x chisaki kai (overhaul)

fandom: BNHA 

<read part 1 here >

-

warning(s): swearing, mentions of kidnapping and drugs, reader is a badass yakuza leader

summary: in which y/n is a young yakuza leader who one day caught the interest of the leader of their rival gang, chisaki kai

-

A near empty glass of red wine sat on the glass table in front of you as you sank back into the plush sofa you were on, a cigarette between hung between your lips. With a long exhale, a new wave of smoke replaced the previous one that was slowly dissipating in the air conditioned room.

“Are you done?” The voice in front of you across the table made you tilt your head towards its direction. 

“Chisaki, did you not teach your men to be respectful to visitors?” You asked the man in front of you lazily as Chisaki’s unreadable eyes never left yours. No doubt, that the intensity of his stare made you uncomfortable. It was like he was undressing you with those calculative eyes of his.

“Nemoto, where are your manners? Y/n’s a guest and a fellow yakuza leader, there’s no need to be rude.” Chisaki ordered the man who had rudely interrupted your peace earlier on, his eyes never leaving you. 

“Whatever,” you waved your hand dismissively. “I’m here on business with you, Chisaki.” Taking one last puff of your almost finished cigarette, you lazily threw the bud on the clean and pristine floor and extinguished it with the heel of your shoe. much to Chisaki’s annoyance. You knew how much Chisaki hated it when someone smokes and dirties the environment he’s in, and the subtle scrunch of his eyebrows indicating his unhappiness made you smirk internally. 

“Why did you order your men to attack mine? I’m sure you’re aware, I already have 3 causalities just this week. Are you that bad at controlling your men that they end up running around like rabid dogs? Hell, even dogs are smarter than them.”  At your remark, both Chisaki and his most loyal follower, Nemoto visibly tensed up. Silently, Chisaki loosened his tie and leaned forward, his steady eyes locking with your disinterested ones. 

“I told them to do whatever they deem fit if anyone comes into my territory. It’s the fault of your own men not knowing their place.” The young yakuza leader replied. “That was my order to them, if you’re not happy there’s nothing I can do. After all, your men are already dead. Maybe it’s the result of having such an incapable and spoilt brat who lacks the guts and experience as the yakuza leader.” He scoffed. 

As much as you hated it, there was some truth to his words. Out of all the yakuza leaders, you lack the experience that most of them have. Instead of working your way up to the top, you had it easy, with the position given to you, all just because you’re the child of the previous yakuza leader. Hell, there were even times when you weren’t sure you would be able to manage a whole organization of men who would kill on a whim. But still, you had successfully managed to prevent the yakuza from falling apart as soon as you inherited the ‘throne’. 

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? I hit the jackpot, didn’t I?” Chisaki took your silence as a form of cowardice. “You shouldn’t talk so much when you’re still learning about the ways of the yakuza, my dear y/n.” The black face mask covered the lower half of his face, but you’re positively sure that underneath the damn mask was a smirk. 

Motioning for the lackey that had accompanied you, he handed you a lighted cigarette which you sucked harshly on, your feet taping the carpet impatiently. “I don’t want to hear that kind of crap for someone who has to wear a face mask and gloves all the damn time. Maybe you should retire and spend the rest of your life in solitary confinement. You act too much like an old man.” You retorted smugly, your eyes daring him to say something else. “I may not be as great of a leader as my father,” you exhaled, smoke acting as a temporary curtain between you and Chisaki. “But I know better than to take part in illegal drug dealings despite being banned from it.” You scoffed. “Oh, and the illegal developing of dangerous drugs without a legal license.”

At your words, Chiskai gave a humorless low chuckle, the deep baritone of his voice slicing through the dangerously silent room. “You can’t accuse someone of doing something without concrete proof, y/n. What makes you think that we’re dealing with illegal drugs? If you have the proof, show it to me.” 

“There’s no need for any proof and you know it. Once I tip the police off, it’s over for your poor little pathetic life.” You replied with obvious disinterest as you looked back at Chisaki who had gone silent, an unreadable look on his face yet again. 

“Well,” You sighed as you got up from the sofa and stretched your limbs. “Now that the cat’s out of the bag, I don’t see a point in staying here any longer.” Taking a puff from your cigarette, you turned to leave without bidding Chisaki goodbye. 

“Oh and, the girl’s name is Eri, isn’t it?” You paused in front of the door and tilted your head to look at Chisaki. But the man hadn’t move one bit, and his body showed no signs of tension. “How terrible you are, Chisaki. Never would I dream of kidnapping a young girl to experiment drugs on. Only a degenerate like you could do it.” You scoffed.

Still no reaction from the man on the sofa.

“If you want me to keep your little secret, you ought to compensate for the lives of my men you’ve taken. It’s the least you can do.” You said after awhile. “Human lives are not so cheap that you can go ahead and take them without any regard. Atleast the lives of my men aren’t.”

With one last side glance at the other yakuza leader, you left without another word.

~~~

It’s been more than three weeks ever since your little “meeting” with Chisaki, and there was no sign of remorse from him. In fact, he took it upon himself to see that you suffer more losses. From the constant cuts and bruises your men would get after running errands to the drastic decrease of customers that would frequent the gambling dens under your ownership, it was as clear as day that Chisaki was reacting to your words, all the more making it obvious that he was indeed hiding something. 

“... So I want you to stay away from Chisaki for the time being, you got it?” The silvery voice of the young man next to you brought you back to reality. 

“Y/n? Are you even listening to me?” 

Setting down the cool glass of whiskey in front of you, you gave a sigh in response and turned to the man beside you. 

“Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first time, Midoriya.”

Midoriya Izuku- as far as you could remember, your little partnership with him went back a long way. When you had claimed the position of the yakuza leader, the first thing you did was to make sure that you were on good terms with the police. That way, things would be easier. In exchange for more freedom to carry out the organization’s businesses, you had agreed to inform the police of any suspicious activities that were going on in the yakuza world. Midoriya Izuku, although the two years younger than you, had a strong sense of justice like no other. Ever since he had been in the police force three years ago, he’s been working hard like no other officer to bring gather evidence and bring down the Shie Hassaikai. By working with him, the Shie Hassaikai would collapse sooner or later, making you the next most influential yakuza leader once Chisaki was out of the way. 

“I suppose you wouldn’t want any information on whatever Chisaki’s been planning then?” You raised an eyebrow as you scruntised the drink in from of you before downing in all in one gulp.  “I have... some news that might interest you.” You gave a tiny smirk as you placed a lit cigarette between your teeth. 

“And how reliable is your source?” Midoriya raised an eyebrow questioningly. “For all you know it might just be a rumor.”

“Midoriya, Midoriya.” You sighed. Since when did I ever lie to you?” A lighthearted chuckle escaped from you, the smoke from your lips blurring your vision.

“... Two months ago, when you said you’d be free to grab ramen together and you ended up bailing on me last minute.” The green haired man replied quietly, almost seriously. 

Almost immediately, a burst of laughter erupted from within you, your body trembling from the vibrations of your laugh. Since when have you last felt this genuinely happy? 

“I couldn’t help it and you knew it. There was no way I could half ass things and leave to have ramen with you.” You sighed as you wipe the tears forming at the corners of your eyes, now full of life and vibrancy. “But on a serious note,” You continued. “They aren’t just rumors. Pictures don’t lie.” A huge puff of thick, grey smoke hit the back of your lungs as you tossed a manila envelope towards Midoriya, which the latter swiftly caught. Without another word, the green haired male proceeded to look through the contents, his eyebrows scrunching as his eyes landed on each and every photograph contained in the envelope. 

“... What is all this about? Where did you get these photos?” 

“It’s exactly what it looks like.” You propped your elbows on the bar counter top, your gaze swift as you scanned the different bottles of drinks behind the counter. “Illegal drug trafficking on top of the Illegal developing of drugs. Not only that, you see the girl in the picture? She’s a guinea pig to Chisaki, nothing else.” 

You didn’t have to look at Midoriya to know that he was mortified to say the least. Who wouldn’t be, after learning that a yakuza leader has been experimenting drugs on a young girl?

“She’s the one, isn’t it?” You asked. “The girl that had been reported missing. You know, the one that the police has been finding for the past few months.” You stretched your limbs, a contended sigh escaping from your lips as strong yet gentle fingers tapped the cigarette trapped between them.

“Y/n,” Midoriya sighed. “I thought I told you to steer clear of Chisaki and whatever he’s doing.” 

“He killed some of my men, it’s only fitting that I poke my head into his business and cause as much as trouble as I can.” You shrugged. 

At the silence that greeted your last sentence, you turned towards Midoriya, only to find him staring back at you with an unreadable look on his face.

“I’m just kidding.” 

“...”

“Anyway,” Midoriya sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is valuable information. The police will be conducting a more explicit investigation now that we have this.” He waved the manila envelope in his hand. 

“Do whatever you want with it.” You replied, your voice devoid of any emotion at all. “In fact, the sooner you throw him in jail the better.” You inhaled another puff of thick smoke. 

“Y/n.” The seriousness in Midoriya’s voice made you turn towards him, the slight raise of an eyebrow the only thing conveying emotion. 

“Smoking isn’t good for your health.” 

A mirthless laugh from you was the only response Midoriya got from you. 

“Stay away from Chisaki from now on, okay?” 

“...”

Hearing no response from you, Midoriya sighed as he got up from his seat. “Then, I’ll get going now. I’ll contact you soon.” 

With one last pat on your shoulder, you were now left all alone, the sound of his footsteps concealed by the plush carpet that covered every inch of the floor. 

“No promises.” You muttered as the last puff of smoke filled your lungs. 

[kob131]

We got Morgan's Bond profile!

... Untranslated...but we can use google to get a general idea!

Default

The queen who controls Britain, the fairyland. Established an absolute monarchy in the strange zone Britain, She has been oppressing for 2000 years and has afflicted the fairies. She is the highest-ranking fairy, and her end spear, Longominiad A genius magician in the sanctuary learned as magic

Bond 1

Height / weight: 170 cm / 56 kg Source: King Arthur Legend, British Fairy History, and Strange Belt Britain Region: The farthest Orkney Attribute: Order / Evil Gender: Female She was described in old British fairy history as "The Fairy of the Good Lakes", but since the legend of King Arthur was compiled, she has been regarded as a villain against King Arthur. She, on the other hand, gave King Arthur her holy sword and after his death She is equated with the guardian fairy Vivian.

Bond 2

In the history of pan-humanity, Tintagel's daughter, a fairy child in Igraine ... a child of Britain ... She later became a formal sister to Altria (Morgan's mother, Igraine, married to King Uther). After all, Altria was created by human beings. It's just a "king of people". I am the one who inherits the mystery of Britain Morgan, who knew he was the "King of Kings," Eventually his father, Uther, and his sister, Altria, And he hates all humans who do not obey him, It was a major factor in the ruin of Britain. In pan-human history she gave birth to many children, He produced the Knights of the Round Table. Gawain, Gaheris, Gareth, Agravain Children of Morgan and King Oakney, Mordred is a homunculus for defeating Altria, made using the blood and spirit of Altria.

Bond 3

○ Charisma of craving: B After many failures, many disappointments, many despairs, The power of the ruler who chose to rule the people with fear. ○ Lake protection: C Blessing by lake fairies. The wandering time is so long that the rank is down. ○ From the end: A Standing up, dying many times, Reaching the farthest island, The pride of the Queen who returned to Britain. A skill that only Morgan, the King of the Strange Zone, does not have with normal Morgan. A powerful curse vortex that determines the outcome of the battlefield itself.

Bond 4

"Utopia that can't be reached" Rank: EX Type: Anti-castle treasure Range: 10-99 Maximum capture: 100 people Roadless Camelot. Morgan wants to enter the castle over his life, And the unfulfilled chalk castle Camelot. The rules of the world itself ... That is, "humanity" He did not make Morgan the king of Britain. The unfulfilled hope turned into mourning and eventually became hatred. Twisted desire for control and privilege. A fiery nostalgia and anger at humans. And while being the same, on the throne of Camelot The hatred of sitting Altria turned Morgan into a "ruin table ruiner." This is a manifestation of that way as magic. It is Morgan's grace to break through a road that can never be reached in an instant and destroy it. It is not King Arthur that Morgan should defeat. Destined to destroy the fairies of Britain once for humans ... In order to overthrow "Humanity" itself, she returned from the end and became a witch who cursed the world.

Bond 5

A ruthless queen who believes only in her own power. She doesn't believe in others, but she doesn't. She puts "orderly rule of Britain" first. She hates humans, hates fairies, I hate the weak, I hate the ugly, She hates equality, hates peace, From the point of view of the people, she has a character like "the incarnation of evil" itself. But even if she says "I hate", it doesn't mean "unnecessary" No, it's just "incompatible". For Morgan, justice is "the state of domination," and evil is "the state of having someone who disturbs domination." Therefore, Morgan's personal "likes and dislikes" have nothing to do with "good and evil" as a ruler. Fairly admit and tolerate what is necessary for control, even if it is disliked. The extreme and absoluteness of the standard is like a machine without a heart.

Extra

I just don't feel strong anymore. For many years, I have been protecting Britain earnestly, Morgan's heart is cold. The only passion that lit his heart --- A wish that I have been hungry for in the past. Only for the purpose of "dominating Britain" He is still driving her. ...... It's not her childhood human dream, It ’s just something that was born that way, While she was made aware of the fact during her long journey. ◆ ◆ Morgan in the history of pan-humanity was a sample of a villain, lewd, brutal, and selfish, but this Morgan is a talented woman whose elements were overwhelmed during her long journey. It has become. She is a frustrated or remorseful beauty of a country. Enjoyment between men and women The excitement that hurt others Her pleasure through her own self "It's boring. I'm tired of those things." (Talk with Morgan). However, since she is only hiding herself, it is possible that her former brutality and bad taste will recur if her predicament / situation is enough to hunt her down.

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

Again this is google translate so only take the general knowledge into account. But still, it does show quite a bit.

A. The narrative seems to treat her as a tyrant. She's constantly portrayed as dominating the land or being an absolute ruler. So it explains her 'Evil' alignment.

B. Her mother actually IS Igraine. ... Despite how little sense that makes...eh, wouldn't be the first time Fate's version of events has fucked stuff up *cough* Mordred's age *cough*.

C. Morgan is a control freak. No really, even the general feel here shows that she's obsessive over controlling Britian and it's stated to be a trait shared between the two versions of herself.

D. She never had any of her kids in the Lostbelt.

E. Her charisma is explictly done through fear.

F. Her third skill is unique to her.

G. Her Noble Phantasm is basically the embodiment of her desire to rule and dispose Arturia. So...Arturia may have been king here once.

H. Morgan is fundamentally selfish. At least this version is though the original probably is too. Her view of right and wrong is skewed to what benefits her. This also means she's alike to Goddess Rhongyominad.

I. Morgan plays the part of the good king...but it's a lie. She's still the same woman who instilled the idea of 'mothers don't love their kids' into Mordred. She's only good because things go her way. Once it doesn't, LB Morgan will probably act the same as PHH Morgan.

[thescorpioracer]

Sen Çal Kapımı 1 - Episode Recap

To be honest, this series of posts is mostly going to be a fashion roast. But DISCLAIMER! I really do love this show and Turkish TV in general, it’s just my preferred mode of media analysis is to pick things apart. 😂And I need everyone to know that I am very pro-women, and believe people should be able to dress how they want and not be judged for it or be looked down upon for it. But oh my god this wardrobe department/costumer needs to be STOPPED. I also have zero credentials to be talking about fashion, but will that stop me?

I’m going to make these posts assuming you’ve watched the show, and just comment on whatever comes up. There will be spoilers. Let’s go!

We start off with a voiceover from Eda Yıldız, an A+ romcom trope. (It wasn’t until my rewatch that I remembered that Eda used to do VOs at random intervals, and I’m kind of glad she stopped tbh.) She is a strong woman who wants to get her education and become a landscape architect/designer. She was all set to do that until- dun dun dun! - Serkan Bolat destroyed everything. 

Check out that dart board of a man (and this is the only time we see that photo there). And these outfits are probably the most normal and reasonable clothes she wears in the show. She’s a beautiful young woman, who was a college student, and now works outdoors as a florist. 10/10 outfit. 

Of course that transitions us into an epic slomo of Serkan exiting his private jet. He of course begins to berate his assistant on the phone in a way a friend described as reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada.

@teamnick​​‘s commentary back when she first started the show. 

Serkan returns to his office for the first time in 2 months after working on business deals in London. Chaos ensues: Miranda Priestly is baaaaaaack.

See... here we have some good fashion choices! We meet the girls for the first time, while they try to sneak off to their graduation without making Eda feel bad that she won’t be receiving her diploma. Melek “Melo” is dressed in a sweet dress with a bold, romantic color, which captures her personality perfectly. Ceren, the rich daughter from a family of lawyers, looks a bit more high-fashion. The dress is short but it has long sleeves and no cleavage so it works out to be chic and elegant. Fifi is unapologetically herself with her full-black, punk wardrobe. Eda is again dressed in a pretty, but casual outfit. Nicely put together for her lower-middle-class lifestyle and her job as a florist.

Enter: the plot device to get our protagonists together. Serkan’s face says it all.

We are then introduced to the main couple’s respective cars. Serkan has his 2020 BMW (though the show blocks out the copyrighted branding) while Eda’s beat up SUV is clearly unreliable. What’s that? Another plot device being introduced? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Also, I just noticed this, but for someone as uptight as Serkan, I’m surprised at how fun his suit jacket lining is. If I’m not mistaken the pattern is of a bunch of rainbow fish. #Snazzy, but they seem out of character?

Plot highlights:

Eda learns she can come back to school and finish her final year, but she’s lost her scholarship and will have to pay. She can’t.

Serkan gives his talk at the graduation (?)-- Is his talk just for architecture students? If so, why are Ceren, Fifi, and Melo there? We’ll never know. I know, I know... it’s all for the ~plot~

Eda calls Serkan out in front of everyone for taking away the scholarship that she earned from his company, Art Life. He is confused but unrepentant. She refuses to tell him her name.

She tries to deface his car with lipstick after keying the side (we never hear about the damage to his car after that). He catches her and wants to call the police, so she impulsively handcuffs them together with the plot devices from Selin’s wedding invitation sitting on his passenger seat.

They then have to go to Serkan’s urgent business meeting with an out-of-town client. Eda drives while they’re handcuffed together. Bickering ensues.

What is this? Foreshadowing? Symbolism?? Eda’s last name “Yıldız” is the Turkish word for “star” so... file that away for later.

One of my favorite parts about watching Turkish dramas is the experience of trying to decipher the fan translations. Add to the fact that Turkish only has 1 pronoun *chef’s kiss* 

Eda refuses to take the elevator to the 15th floor (we’ll learn about her claustrophobia later). Serkan is equally as stubborn, saying she owes  him for screwing up his day. But he has met his match in Eda with regards to stubbornness. They take the stairs.

More highlights:

First instance of fake dating - they need to hide the handcuffs from his client so Eda pretends she’s his girlfriend and a fellow investor.

The girls track Eda’s phone to the hotel and try to find her by asking around the premises. 

Eda charms the client into selling his land to Serkan.

We learn that Serkan is allergic to strawberries and has a lot of health anxiety. He’s a very tightly wound person.

Serkan says “Mashallah,” translator hears 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Engin brings way too many people to open the handcuffs and chaos ensues.

I feel like nothing can do justice to the comedy of 58:45 to 1:00:00 with Fifi using a bobby pin as a lock pick. The dramatic editing is 👌🏼

Leyla gets fired for somehow causing this drama??? And she is so happy to leave that stressful workplace omg, we don’t deserve her 🥺

Serkan and Eda go their separate ways, Eda prepared to never see her enemy again, but of course her phone and purse are still in his car so she has to go to his office at Art Life and confront him again.

Serkan has found out that Whoops, Art Life did cancel the study abroad scholarships to cut costs, but his CFO did it without telling him. And Serkan is pissed, but I think mainly about the fact that Eda did have some (SOME) grounds for yelling at him in public.

Leyla then explains the nonsensical reasoning behind her being fired-but-not-fired and still working. (Spoiler alert: she never goes anywhere and she is my favorite side character to this day).

Eda: “How can I piss Serkan off?” Leyla: “Find a mistake he’s made and he will fixate on it forever. But you won’t find anything.” Eda: “Hold my beer.”

Eda walks into Serkan’s office and his meeting. She gets her purse back and they fight about him not being willing to apologize for ruining her life and education. He refuses and says she owes him an apology for embarrassing him in public (no, dude).

He wants to give her back the scholarship and make it all go away but she rightly tells him that it won’t fix her broken pride from begging the company and her university for a second chance. But somehow her calling him a heartless “Robot” is what gets to him???? And he short-circuits. Eda walks out triumphant. 

~dRaMa!~

MEANWHILE

Melo, as well as being a perfume sales girl, also works as a flight attendant and wants Eda to cover her shift (we’ll get into how that doesn’t make sense in a minute) 

Eda says no, she’s going to meet her boyfriend, Cenk, who she hasn’t seen in months and has just returned from Italy.

Enter: Selin. Serkan’s ex who he dumped a while ago and is now engaged to the heir of a hotel empire. Serkan doesn’t like this. The two of them grew up together and are set to each inherit 50% of the holding company that Serkan’s father currently runs.

Right away Selin serves us with a gender reveal level color scheme.  Personally not a fan. They confirm that Serkan is coming to her engagement party tomorrow.

Meanwhile Eda  meets up with Cenk. Her outfit is still reasonable and cute for her character. He looks mildly like a hobo and doesn’t seem to have anything going for him (I know he’s a throwaway character but the two of them really don’t have anything in common).

This creeper keeps staring at them, but Cenk tries to explain it away and says he’s busy and can’t meet her again until the day after tomorrow. Eda is disappointed but accepts this. Creeper girl remains and remains a red flag to viewers, but apparently not to Eda.

Cut to later that evening, and of course our broody main man enjoys astronomy in his free time (???) idk what he’s charting and to what purpose but okay? 

Eda finds a mini first aid kit in her purse that Serkan put there before returning it. Queue montage of them treating their respective wrists for handcuff-related injuries. #couplegoals

Of course we also needed a sepia-toned flashback to earlier that day when the handcuffs contrived their faces to get too close together. #romance

Finallyyyyyyy it’s morning again and a new day.

Since Eda can’t see Cenk (good, he’s so boring), she agrees to fill in as a flight attendant for Melo, who’s side job is for a private plane company.

Now. This should not be a thing. Eda was in college to be a landscape architect and now works as a florist for her aunt... Where has she learned any relevant skills to work as a flight attendant?? Presumably nowhere. And I really don’t think a private plane company would be so easygoing about just having a random person fill in to cover for her friend? 

But does this show care about that? What do you think...

Also, instead of the standard white shirt, black skirt uniform requirements, the girls decide that this skimpy dress and heels is fine? Hmmm

Also lol @ Melo for assuming that the client who wants jasmine tea and fruit salad is probably a woman. And her telling Eda that the PRIVATE JET COMPANY would in fact have its own tea was very random and unnecessary. 

Back at the Bolat house compound, we meet the parents: Aydan and Alptekin. We’ll see them again later. Selin’s engagement party is today. 

Meanwhile Eda is just.... being a flight attendant, I guess??? And who could possibly be the passenger she has to take care of? Take a wild guess. Of course it’s Serkan Bolat.

And of course that tiny dress (THAT ALSO HAS A LEG SLIT?? WHY?? I really don’t need to see her vagina) looks very practical and professional... not! (Hande Erçel is a gorgeous human, and the dress looks good on her, don’t get me wrong. BUT THIS IS SITUATIONALLY INCORRECT ATTIRE). Also him just folding his vest and then social distancing from it... K? 😂

Eda panics and doesn’t want Serkan to see her and runs away back to her seat pod thing - Serkan takes issue with his fruit salad for ~plot reasons~ (EDIT: I’ve been informed that it’s because there was a strawberry in his fruit salad and since he’s allergic, of course it needed to be fixed. Why doesn’t the plane have a note of that??) and comes back to find this mystery flight attendant.

Eda is very stressed out about this encounter and is also starting to have a panic attack because, surprise, she’s also claustrophobic. 

After Serkan calms her down, they have a cute/civil conversation for the rest of the flight.

When they land, Eda realizes they’re on an island 2h45min away from Istanbul and she isn’t sure what to do with herself (How did she not already know where they were going, as the FLIGHT ATTENDANT??? So may red flags with this private jet company).

Serkan convinces Eda to come with him and she can hang out at the beach while he’s at Selin’s engagement party.

At the engagement party we finally meet Selin’s fiancé Ferit. He’s sweet and non-threatening and clearly insecure about Serkan being Selin’s ex.

This dress/skirt outfit Selin is wearing isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t scream rich socialite to me. Anything with feathers seems... a bit tacky/too showy? Like someone pretending to be rich? Idk, this outfit isn’t one I’m going to really take a stand on.

Does this engagement party warrant being a 2h45 min flight away? No. They try to explain it away as the couple wanting to have something small and private, even though they also invite the press?? But okay whatever, as long as Serkan and Eda cross paths again, I suppose.

Kaan Karadağ has been mentioned a couple times in passing, but now we finally meet our “villain.” Ferit’s friend, and Serkan & Selin’s childhood acquaintance, who has it out for Serkan bc he somehow bankrupted Kaan’s dad? Idk and I don’t really care but tl;dr they’re enemies. 

Another thing I love about Turkish dramas is the censoring. Like, they’ll allow alcohol to be on screen, but they won’t say the word and they’ll just blur out the bottle and any liquid that we’d assume is alcoholic 😂

In the evening, Serkan is tired and wants to leave and Ferit snidely jokes about how Serkan is too picky to have a fiancé of his own. Serkan flashes back to 1 entire day ago when he and Eda pretended to be dating at his business meeting, and says that actually he is engaged to someone and then peaces out.

Serkan finds Eda on the beach, and they are preparing to leave when a crowd of people (Selin, Ferit, and Kaan mainly), arrive to get a peek at Serkan’s new “fiancé.” Eda very reluctantly plays along (good thing she has that unnecessarily sexy “work” dress to help her look the part) and Serkan notices that for the first time ever, Selin is jealous of another woman. #drama

After they finally escape the crowd, Serkan makes an annoyed Eda an offer: Pretend to be his fiancé for the 2 months leading up to Selin’s wedding so he can get them to break up and prevent Ferit marrying into the company. In return, he will pay all the fees to help her complete her last year of studies in Italy.

Eda refuses, stating that she doesn’t want anything from him, and besides she has a boyfriend (Sure Jan; Cenk is such a joke). They have it out and then fly back to Istanbul. But of course the gossips at the engagement have spread the news of Serkan’s new woman so the paparazzi corner them at the airport when they land. 

So glad that we got to see this random mechanic find out the news (???)

They escape the cameras and Serkan takes her home, saying that Art Life has a press conference tomorrow, and she should come so he can save face and tell everyone that she was his assistant accompanying him for work to the party. Eda agrees. 

It should also be mentioned that Serkan still doesn’t know her name at this point?? She refused to tell him and Engin still hasn’t sent him the names of the scholarship candidates so it’s a bit miraculous that their relationship was at all believable.

The next day, Cenk wants to meet but Eda has to go to the press conference. The girls come too for whatever reason, and Melo is convinced that Cenk wants to propose. Eda just lets that fantasy take hold (why tho?), and Cenk shows up unexpectedly right before the press conference and takes Eda into the nearby hotel’s cafe so they can talk.

Eda seems ready for a proposal (they haven’t seen each other or really communicated in months??) but Cenk wants to break up. Eda is shocked (???) but then Cenk mentions that he has a new girlfriend from Italy that he adores, and oh by the way, it’s the creepy girl from the other night who also happens to be here right now?

Okay fine, I guess??? Cenk: “She’s doesn’t speak Turkish” Girlfriend: *clearly a Turkish actress*

Eda is upset that he brought his jealous girlfriend with him to break up with her and says something about how actually, she’s seeing Serkan Bolat now (maybe it’s just me being someone who doesn’t follow tabloids, but are business people really that popular in every day society where everyone knows who they are?). Cenk laughs at Eda, saying that everyone wants to be with Serkan Bolat, and that she’s bluffing.

Eda makes an impulsive decision, and walks away, over to where Serkan has started the press conference. And seals their fate as fake dating in the public eye.

Queue confetti. No really.

And there we have it. That’s the episode!

In all seriousness, it’s a pretty great pilot, especially for a romcom. It hits all the right beats, includes enough tropes, and tells us a lot about what we should expect in the episodes going forward. And no matter how much I make fun of it, I really do enjoy this show! It’s been such a nice distraction from Current Events. I’ve spent a lot of time watching these episodes just saying “oh my god” out loud to myself as I watch all of the cute/romantic gestures that give me a lot of second hand embarrassment (I forget that PDA makes me kinda uncomfortable 😂).

There wasn’t actually that much terrible fashion in this episode, which I didn’t notice until my rewatch. If I continue with this series of posts, I’m hoping they’ll end up being less plot-centric, and more about the situationally inappropriate outfits and strange subtitling choices. 

See you next time? 

[whateveralice-123]

Deathnote - Mu Chapter One lxlight 18+

L lay on the cold floor.

The room was dark, but you could see dim light around him, it was visible enough for him to make out a person in the darkness. The stranger slouched in his chair and sighed heavily. A glimmer of light shined faintly revealing the man's biker style clothing: red jacket, jeans, and leather boots but his face was shrouded with darkness. L could just about see his mundane expression as he got up from the floor peering closer. The man sat on his chair with his fist brought up to his chin appearing quite tired. He shifted his head lazily to the left surprised as he had not expected someone to be right in front of him especially not L of all people.

Leaning forward he stared at the peculiar man he used to know. The disbelief clouded his judgement and like that his eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He simply could not believe what he was seeing; it had been his belief since day one that he would never see another human again. Yet here was the strange individual that he had not seen for years, 5 years in fact. He knew if it were not for their strong rivalry and his unique looks, L's face would have been forgotten completely.

"L... Are you real? " he stuttered lifting slightly from his seat as if he were seeing a mirage.

"Hello Kira-Kun," L answered avoiding his question whilst smiling. Light was puzzled and this pleased L greatly. He could not remember the last time he saw Light look this way.

"So, this is the place of nothingness," he added, looking around the desolate space. The room seemed to go on and on, clouded in complete blackness. Besides the one chair Light was sitting on as well as the side table with its vintage lamp which gave enough light to see one another it was a wasteland. L thought that though it appeared menacing in the dark with the little setup Light had it would be quite peaceful to relax and perhaps read a book. Or at least as peaceful as it could be here.

"It's pretty bland" Light stated nervously. Taking a deep breath he pointed to a replica of a chair that appeared in front of him.

L looked amazed, how was that possible, he was sure it was not there a second ago. No, he knew it was not there before.

"Please sit," Light said gesturing with his hands for the dark-haired detective to crouch in his seat, in the odd way he was known for doing.

"Kira-Kun please sit also," Light sat back down returning to his nonchalant behaviour. "Here I thought the justice driven L would end up in heaven but here you are" Light stated with a questioning look.

"Oh, don't act so sad about it am I really that bad?" L asked. "If you must know I wrote my name down before the Shinigami did, this made her efforts to kill me futile... I would also like to tell you that I did not appreciate that creepy smile Kira-Kun gave me," L exclaimed making Light roll his eyes. It had been so long since Light had seen him, yet he appreciated that the detective was still the same.

"You never change, do you? He chuckled lightly but L found it far from funny.

"You know I'm waiting, Kira-Kun," he says tapping his finger on the edge of the armrest. Light looked at him blankly

"For what?" he asked receiving a tired expression. The younger of the two sighed and took a large breath preparing himself to admit his defeat. "You were right as always I was Kira," Light answered.

"And" L moves his wrist for him to continue. Light raises an eyebrow and sighs again.

"You outsmarted me and survived... But then again you also died so we can hardly call that winning, can we? " he finishes, L opens his mouth to speak but Light shuts it as a Deathnote sits in his hand. "Hmm let's see here," Light flicks the pages to get to L's real name but before he could reach the end L grabs it. "How did you get this I destroyed it?" L asked concerned

"Oh, calm down I manifested it and it doesn't even take effect in here," Light explains.

L was well and truly stumped. He had to admit he never thought he would see Light again or anyone. L had felt miserable. The detective had had a shitty day he remembered he was counting the minute, dreading the thought of dying. He had expected that he would be briefly be alive and then dead, he would no longer exist. L believed he had seen everything in life, nothing ever confused him and he found no true excitement, no mystery could not be solved but ever since he met Light this had changed. He knew that from here on out it would only get stranger after all he was no longer in the real world anymore.

"Manifested?" he questioned squinting his eyes at the brunette, Light then placed two cups of hot tea on the table. He adds two sugars for himself and stops before asking

"It was 6 wasn't it?" he asked, L nodded astonished at the sight in front of him.

Light adds the sugar to the tea moving it toward his guest before taking a sip of his own. "I never knew how you could drink that. Isn't it all sludgy?" L became wide-eyed at Light's interest, he had never really commented on his behaviour all that much, it seemed funny that now he would question his actions.

"Would Light-Kun like to try?" Light gave the cup a pondering glance before looking back at L nodding. He takes the cup savouring the warmth with his hands.

"What happened to you calling me Kira-Kun?" Light asked.

"What? Would you prefer me to call you that?"

Light just shrugs the suggestion "Lights fine," he adds taking a sip and cringing at the so-called tea before passing it back to the amused L.

"I also favour Light to Kira, Light... was a friend to me,"

Light's cup slipped slightly from his finger making a loud clank, fortunately, it was not shattered to bits. Light was startled as he tried to steady his cup, he was looking at L as though he was speaking another language. It had been his sneaking suspicious the first time L had said that, that it was a farce, a ploy to intimidate or guilt him.

"You actually... like me? " Light asks sitting far back into his chair surprised.

"Of course, Light-Kun I liked you. Why didn't a tiny bit of you like me?" L asks amused.

"Well yes, Ryu... L... Well, I'll be honest I didn't like you one bit," He said whilst watching L's expression not change. "But thinking back now I have to admit there was something very endearing about you"

Light could remember all the moments where they would purposely annoy the living hell out of each other. It was only natural he thought, they both had such a strong character. He felt a bittersweet feeling in his stomach, he had never had such a strong interaction with anyone in his whole life. This was before he had met the infuriating detective and he remembered how he wished to squish him under his shoe. No one had ever gotten on Light nerves as much as he had. But his distaste toward L was all in the past and he knew that he deserved to be here. He didn't fault his own beliefs of killing those who deserved it but there were ever so many people caught involved that he had murdered in the process. Biting his lip, he continued to lose track of the man in front of him. This realization abruptly occurred in his mind as he awoke from his thoughts embarrassed that he was so caught up in his head. "Um, Ryuzaki... "

L looked at Light concerned before placing his finger under his chin raising his head up to face him. "It's Lawliet," L says smiling gently, knowing there was nothing to fear anymore. Light looked confused before he smiled cheekily

"Well really L? How in the hell would I have guessed that? " Light said chuckling.

"Oh, I'm sorry, would you have liked me to serve it up on a gold platter?" L says giving Light's notebook back. "Well now that you mention it," he says shielding himself before getting a playful hit on the arm. They both exchanged a smile and then L remembered the memento he had obtained.

"Oh here Light-Kun," he says removing the watch from his wrist and placing it in front of Light "Is that my …" Light starts. "Well now L, I never would have taken you as a grave robber," he says grinning.

"It's hardly stealing more like inherited," L stated. "I'm only sorry that I never repaired it," L exclaims feeling a strange sense of guilt, not only did the watch have a crack but it had also stopped ticking, simply frozen in time.

"Are you sure about that? It seems to be working just fine" Light asks. L leaned forward wide-eyed.

"Did you do that?" L asks pointing to Light receiving a cheeky expression. Light redirects his hand to the startled detective. Leaving L confused, he skimmed through the notebook "Ahh here it is L Lawliet. You wrote ... Will die quietly 23 days after Light Yagami's death." Light gave a scrawl towards L before sighing heavily. "It has only been 23 days since I died huh, feels like a billion," he says with a bored expression on his face.

"You know Kira-Kun when I think about it, I'm pretty annoyed at you. You are the reason we are stuck here in the first place. Not only that Watari is dead because of you," L states coldly. It had taken that self-absorbed expression on Light's face to remember this man was not truly his friend. How could you even consider him to be a friend for even a second, he questioned.

Light looked down again for the second time. Swallowing loudly, he scratched the back of his neck giving L an anxious look "I really don't know what to say... I fucked up I don't even know how it even got to this point." He exclaimed refusing to look at L.

"At first, when the Death Note fell to the ground, I used it to kill bad people. It was something that made me feel like I was making a difference. I couldn't stand seeing these people doing such disgusting things and always getting away with it. I remember my father coming home every night looking older and older after witnessing all these horrible cases. I remember the dread on his face sometimes when he had to go in. Although he wouldn't admit it, my father is... my father was proud and wouldn't have let anyone know how he truly felt. I knew exactly what the punishments were going to be. All those cases where they were let off or got it too easy, it was sickening. I had grown tired of seeing good people suffer whilst evil people lived, waiting to be released to only continue to be cruel. It was truly disgusting. The legal system did not make it better, releasing rotten people for good behaviour when those bad people didn't have the balls to behave badly. Then there was those who faked good behaviour to get out sooner. It was truly repulsive to watch!" Kira growled, feeling all of his rage resurface.

He had spent many days trying to get rid of these feelings. God knows he had tried ever since he was little to accept the fact there were bad people. But let's face it even from the beginning before he had tested the notebook's power, he was intrigued at the idea that it could actually work. In fact, he needed it to work.

Light had been damn near perfect at everything, but he had lost his sense of joy for relishing over his own achievements. But being Kira was different. He found that he would gladly kill for himself. This was for him; this was something that meant something to him! Not to his parents or "friends". Not to those girls that would count all his achievements as reasons why Light was the perfect package for them. He had found something that was important, something that made him feel alive, that brought peace of mind. But the last shred of his humanity died when he killed L. Lind Taylor, it was then that he murdered a man he believed to be innocent. He believed it was L and he remembered the anger he felt when the man had called him "evil" the anger was too much for him to bear and that's when he had thrown away his morals completely. He had not only ruined himself, but he was responsible for killing those who didn't deserve it, he had gotten his father killed, his sister kidnapped and sent to a psychiatric hospital and this, of course, hurt his mother, the woman who had only supported him and was proud of him. The guilt that he had swallowed, starting to come up his throat and he felt it choking him.

He breathed in slowly gaining composure "But that is no excuse to harm you or Watari and I know it's not much but I'm truly sorry," Light sorrowfully said feeling his guilt rest in his stomach. L looked at him blankly he could see the emotions registering on Light's face. He practically saw the words and thoughts Light had, he knew that Light was in pain, broken and was swimming in guilt. He always wondered when Light would sink, after all he had done so much wrong. He knew he must have been in a numb state of repression, but he knew Light had never let himself feel. Since he had met him, Light appeared to always be in fight or flight mode. Everything he said and did was done for the purpose of survival, he never slipped up, he never let himself show any emotions. L could not help but relate to Light. L had been solving crimes for years and from working on cases he knew they were far from rejoiceful. It had been sickening at times and he knew that it brought him in terrible states as well as contributed to his insomnia. He could not fault Light's feelings. L felt his anger dissolve and his desire to make Light feel better grew.

"Forget it Light-Kun, it is all in the past, "L says gently. Light raised his head as if to say something but found himself apologetically smiling. "Now Light-Kun I wish to know more about manifesting. Show me how to do it, I wish for something sweet,"

"Okay I'll try and help you," he said sitting up. "Close your eyes. Now think of the thing you want. Now imagine it is with you let your senses become involved, smell it, taste it. Now believe it is here... Did you want a smartie?" L opens his eyes to see a singular sweet.

"Hmm... only one," L scowls. Before picking it up and eating it, tsking. L looked irritated, he had wanted a bowl of them, and here he was with one. It wasn't the fact that L had only managed to get one that was annoying, it was the tired feeling that came with manifesting it. Light couldn't bear seeing L scrawl, it had made him think L was behaving cute, which would certainly not do.

"Dear Lord. Stop pouting. You've made one, didn't you? You'll get better with practice, as well as rest," Light states feeling warmth grow in his cheeks.

"Kira-Kun is very testy right now, is it that he thinks of my unsuccessful attempt as a reminder of his own failure?" L says smiling, to this Light does something L never expected he would do. Light had turned to him and stuck his tongue out

"Isn't that a little immature? " L laughs.

"Perhaps," Light says throwing a smartie at L

"Now Light-Kun no throwing," Light grins evilly

"I thought you wanted smarties," he asks making a bunch rain on top of L before bursting out laughing. L sits there stunned before retrieving the sweets and eating them "That was very naughty Light-Kun," L exclaimed waging his finger in front of Light. Before drenching cold water all over Light grinning at his triumph.

"Ughh, really L really!" he says feeling cold.

"Light-Kun should wear something else before he freezes to death" Light chuckles at him "Sorry L but we're already dead can't get any deader," he says starting to remove his clothes. "Can't Light-Kun make more appear on his body instead of changing?" L asks "Why? Does me undressing make you uncomfortable?" Light asks teasingly.

"No of course not I just wish to know," he answered closing his eyes and turning slightly to the side with a blush on his face. Light smiled "I have to remove my clothes to manifest new ones" he answers.

"You know you don't have to watch me I'm not your Kira suspect anymore," Light says almost singing it. L freezes before looking away realizing what he had been doing. Ha Light thought. "All finished," he adds. Turning to L's flushed face smiling to himself. Why was he so cute when he blushes Light questioned.

"You know L even though you're a stubborn pest, I kind of like you being around," Light said surprising himself. Did I really say that? He asked himself looking back up to L noticing his expression.

The look on L's face showed he was touched. Never had anyone said anything so nice to him. From hearing other people's opinions on him he could say their opinions had been more than unsatisfactory. He recalled Naomi Misora and what she had told him a couple of months before the Kira case. He remembered asking about his double Beyond Birthday, he was only curious. Beyond was a man that looked so incredibly similar to him. His actions, his quirks, and even the way he spoke were close to identical. To this question he had gotten the most critical and heart-wrenching answer that he had ever heard.

"Creepy and pathetic... if we divided everyone in the world into those that would be better off dead and those that wouldn't there's no doubt in my mind that he'd be the former. Such a complete freak that it amazes me he hasn't killed himself," Stated Misora.

It had made L feel inadequate and useless as if he were nothing. But here stood Light gleaming at him and complimenting him. He held his gaze at Light before rising from his seat embracing him. Light was frozen, but he soon regained control of his arms and hugged L back smelling the sweet scent in L's hair. Coconut? What an intoxicating smell he thought. Smelling his hair much deeper this time he found himself wanting to play with it. L's grip slightly tightened he had never really been the hugging type but the way he felt inside he knew he had missed out all those years. All that time staying alone but at this moment he had been struck by Lights words. Why? They weren't particularly sweet words.

"You know L even though you're a stubborn pest, I actually kind of like you being around". It was then he felt Light's fingers moving up towards his neck. "Light..." he started feeling Light's soft lips kiss his forehead. It had happened so fast L had wondered whether he had imagined it. L felt the chair distort and transform into a soft couch under him. Light moved the detective back, tracing his finger softly down his cheek. L felt a shiver along his spine as his head started to cloud over. Looking into Light's eyes he could see that they were clouded with something he had never seen before.

Hope you enjoyed please let me know ❤️

[katierosefun]

andddd july flew by, and i’m here to give everyone an unasked for report of...things...i watched / read / listened to this month because why not

kdramas: 

miss hammurabi

aaaah oh my god the way i told myself that i won’t be watching any more legal kdramas because your honor stressed me out so much--but god. i wound up watching this and fell in love with it so fast? miss hammurabi is about a rookie judge (the gal on the right) disrupting the judicial system with her strong sense of justice. i really wasn’t too sure if i’d like her, but oh god. i fell in love with her so fast, with her desire to make the world a better place and her ability to smile even though she’s had a horrific life of her own.

honestly, i really just loved this show, mostly for how it covers so many issues in the courthouse, from working overtime to the emotional fatigue to the frustrations with those brought to court to the actual cases themselves, which are all civil court things (so we get some stuff about sexual harassment, child custody, medical malpractice, etc). this show really demonstrated that each of these cases were important--and also...really hard-hitting. i think i cried at least once per episode just because...yeah. i’m reminded that no one goes to the courthouse because they’re happy or because they’re having a good time, and it really is the job of judges and lawyers to keep a cool head and execute justice the best they can. 

so basically: i loved this show. i loved it a lot more than i thought i would, and that’s always a good thing. there’s also not a whole ton of romance here either, if you’re looking for a show that’s not really too deep into that. it’s def. more focused on depicting the legal field, as well as all of the complications that come with that. as a result, there’s a lot of heartbreaking moments in the show, but there’s also many, many, many uplifting ones that reminded me a lot of why i personally want to enter the legal field. so if you’re looking for a show that might restore your faith in humanity, then i def. recommend this kdrama!

beyond evil 

so.....it’s no secret that i’ve been mildly obsessed with this show. i binge-watched it in the span of...i think four (4) days, so that’s averaging about four episodes (4 hours) a day. let me just say...i was kind of on the fence about watching this, but now i’m really glad that i did because whooo boy, i was in for a ride. basically, this show is about lee dong sik, who was accused of murdering his sister (amongst others) 20 years ago...and han ju won, the young detective / inspector who’s trying to track down the murderer (who he believes is lee dong sik). 

lots of other things happen, but that’s the least spoiler-y summary i can give of this show because....whooooo boy, there’s just so many twists and turns in this show? as soon as you start thinking you have everything figured out, this show tosses in another thing that reminds you of just how clueless you actually are. that said though, none of the twists felt out of place--they all felt very planned and very smart, so kudos to the writers for that! 

overall, i hella enjoyed this show--the plot, the characters (who all want to do the right thing, but they’re all very jaded in their own ways which makes being a 100% good person basically impossible in this monster of a town), and, of course, the relationship between dong sik and ju won. there was just an absolutely fascinating push and pull between their relationship, lots of distrust and mocking each other in the beginning...only to slowly but steadily grow into trust and respect for each other (and in my head, def. something more....but lol i’ll let you guys decide on that for yourself ;)) 

i.....genuinely loved this show. i found this show just incredibly smartly written, and all the characters were incredibly intriguing? and the relationships were all fascinating to me? just. god. this show ripped me apart so many times, and i loved it all the more for it. like. guys. i wrote or started writing about six fics for this show in the span of 48 hours because i love it that much.

movies:

the handmaiden

ohohoho this movie has been on my to watch list for the LONGEST TIME, and i was glad that i gave myself some time to watch this movie at the start of the month, because...whoooo boy, it was so good. this movie is inspired by the book the fingersmith by sarah waters, only whereas i think the book took place in victorian england, this movie takes place in japan-occupied-korea. sook hee, a pickpocket, is hired by a conman to persuade the secluded lady hideko to marry him. the conman plans to later inherit hideko’s wealth and send hideko off to the madhouse. 

many things happen over the course of this movie, and i’m not going to spoil anything, but oh boy...oh boy. i mean, this movie is pretty well-known for the main relationship between the two protagonists, sook hee and hideko. the romance was such a ride, and i thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. this movie really said “be gay, do crime” in the best way possible. 

as a quick warning though, this movie definitely is erotic. i kinda knew that heading into the movie, and i was still a little caught off-guard. so maybe if you’re a little squicked out by sex/erotica in general, i’d maybe skip over this movie. that said, this movie was beautifully filmed, with beautiful writing, and the cast was just perfect. i don’t think i’ve seen a movie so beautifully or smartly crafted like this before, and i’m very glad i watched this film. 

the meg

let me caveat by saying....i watched this because my brother wanted to watch it, so i sat through this movie and...y’know? it wasn’t awful. kinda predictable as far as shark movies go, but it wasn’t bad! i found myself enjoying it a little more than i thought i would...? but basically, this movie is about, you guessed it, an underwater research facility that was just looking into a deeper part of the ocean and etc. surprise, they found! a megalodon. multiple megalodons! cue the chaos. 

so...there were definitely some more suspenseful moments. i shouted “these people just KEEP FALLING OFF THE BOAT” a few times. there was one character who i was like “oh man he’s gonna be the villain isn’t he :( darn :(” to “oh hey he has a heart” to “oh never mind” to “ooph”. there were some more slightly emotional moments, but?? not particularly thought-provoking or impactful. so like? overall? it was one of those movies where like....it’s not bad, it’s not really good, but! hey, not all movies need to be incredibly deep to be even somewhat enjoyable! (and like, i mostly just enjoyed watching this movie because my brother and i cracked commentary all throughout it, much to my father’s chagrin.) 

music: 

so, apparently my music taste changes when i’m thinking about something that’s not star wars related, and i saw a bit of that when i was making this playlist for lee dong sik and han joo won from beyond evil. as spotify works, it wound up with me adding a few of my songs that i thought fit them, and then i wound up going into the radio part of my playlist and listening to a lot of new songs, and i just have to list some of my new faves here: 

let me follow by son lux: you know when you hear a song that just feels so...strangely cinematic? like, you get all kinds of vivid images in your head and stuff? this was def. one of those songs. it’s quiet, and there’s something weirdly...ephemeral about it? that’s the only way i can describe it. and mildly haunting. and mildly tragic. idk why, but i think big fans of tragedy & the patroclus/achilles kind of feel might like this song. it’s just. god. i spent 2 hours sitting in my bed just listening to this song on loop. 

not in the same way by 5 seconds of summer: this is a public scolding @ 15 year old me who thought it was lame to like 5sos just because they were getting popular. boo, 15 year old caroline and her “i’m a weirdo, i’m not like other girls or other people my age” phase! because 5sos actually slaps, and this was one of my fave songs? idk. another weirdly cinematic song. the refrain is just chef’s kiss, in the kind of rambly way that leads to a shout. i love that kind of stuff. 

start of time by gabrielle aplin. bro...the way gabrielle aplin’s voice brought me straight back to 2014-2016 era caroline...but weirdly, i haven’t heard this song from her before? and bro. bro....i’ve never wanted to run to the top of a hill and watch the sunrise with a loved one so bad in my whole life. god. idk. if you need a song that makes you feel like. things just might get better. this one’s for you. 

sedated by hozier: okay, so i’ve only ever listened to a handful of hozier songs in my whole life (i know, i know, how can i bicon like myself not listen to hozier 24/7? le sigh), but bro.....bro. i get it now. i get why people screech about hozier. i already liked his music before, but...ah. idk. something very powerful about this song. i now understand why people want to lie down in the middle of the woods when they listen to his music. 

[ramon-balaguer]

As reflect on my recent prayer post from a married friend on the download or closeted homosexual or bisexual if you will… praying against his homosexual temptations and thoughts to be a true husband and father to their children…

I believe more needs to be discussed, revealed and taught on sexual sins. Not just for their benefit but for ours, as The Church to extend love, grace and mercy.

And though this is focused on same sex stuff like lesbians and homosexuals, it really can be applied to ANY sexual sin, even in the heterosexual sphere, so let’s dig in and see what God has to say, that unfortunately so many see as Hate talk or speech:

 What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality?

Few subjects are more controversial today in the church than this: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

If one regards the Bible as God-breathed and authoritative, then one must respect whatever the Lord says about every topic.

What we say and think about the LGBT+ (#LHBTTABCDFIGMPPQZ) community should be derived from Scripture, including the ways in which we are to treat one another.

 Bible Verses about Homosexuality

Christians must always start with the Bible in order to hear God’s Word on any subject. His commands are not optional, and he states clearly, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).

Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error (Romans 1:26).

 Some Christians suggest that a progressive God would overturn his own commands in a certain social climate, but God does not progress in his thinking; his thoughts and commandments are always right.

We know that God does not change his mind. That he is always the same; and this is foundational to our hope and our faith in his Kingdom purposes.

God was, is, and always will be against sexual sin in all of its forms, which include lust for a person who is not one’s spouse, sexual affairs, and even emotional affairs.

One must not single out someone who identifies as gay or transgender as a “sinner” but instead look inward. Ignoring one’s own sin by way of deflection does not fool God.

 Modern Arguments about Etymology

There is an argument that Scripture does not contain the word “homosexuality” and that God is not opposed to men or women having sex with consenting members of the same sex. The word “zakar” in Hebrew can refer to any male, including human and animal, but also to boys.

But Strong’s concordance indicates that “zakar,” as used in Leviticus 18:22 above, refers to sodomy, a term not reserved for acts of child sexual abuse or rape but also consensual acts between adults.

“Arsenokoitai” is Greek for “men having sex with other men. And there is no real other interpretation that makes the best sense of the evidence both in the early Christian literature and especially in the Old Testament.”

Kevin DeYoung explains that Paul, a scholar and former Pharisee, coined the term. If Paul had been referring to men forcing boys to have sex, then he could have used the word “biazó” for “violent force” to denote a difference between consensual and non-consensual sex. He did not.

 Positive Commands about Sex

Sex is a gift. “Before the fall — before sin — sex was part of the created order. It was good — VERY GOOD,” wrote Paul Carter. “In fact, contrary to cultural ideas about sex propounded during the first century AD, “Christianity taught that sex within a marriage should be free, generous and reciprocal.”

But God never depicted coital relationships between two men or two women in a positive way. When God made Eve, Adam said “this at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman” (Genesis 23).

Marriage is represented frequently in Scripture. We have the examples of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah, Ruth and Boaz; Mary and Joseph; and several more. None of these couples was perfect, but each is an example of heterosexual marriage.

 Jesus' Relationships

When it comes to how society treats individuals who engage in homosexual relationships, Jesus’ attitude is the benchmark. The gospels illustrate how Jesus wants us to treat a person who has been marginalized by society on the basis of gender by highlighting several encounters Jesus had with women.

He called out their sin but offered something better. He allowed Mary Magdalene to serve him by washing his feet with her hair. The Messiah saved an adulterous woman from stoning. The Samaritan woman depicted in John 4 had been married five times and was with a sixth man.

He sat and talked with her when the rest of her community shunned the woman. Each of these women was guilty, but so were the Pharisees and other members of society who scorned or condemned them, and the men who used them.

Instead of judging these women, Jesus invited them to be part of his mission. The Samaritan woman was one of his first apostles. Mary was among his devoted followers.

Jesus gave these women a new identity so that they could freely choose to follow him, relieved of shame, and make him the focus of their lives. Everyone needs God’s mercy, but 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 is often taken out of context so that the emphasis lands on homosexuality.

This narrow-mindedness overlooks thievery, greed, drunkenness, abuse, and fraud which are also listed. Paul does not exclude anyone, even classifying himself as the chief of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)

 Intimacy, Identity, and Culture

You may have heard of the famous South Carolinian Gospel singer, actor and Minister of the Gospel Donald “Donnie” Andrew McClurkin, Jr. I greatly admire him for his many gifts and talent, but especially his complete uncompromised commitment to our God despite his struggle with his sinful fleshly and worldly desires of homosexuality that started with being sexually abused by two uncles and ended being ostracized and blacklisted by Barack Hussein Obama for his opposing views on Same-Sex Marriage… Likewise Sam Allberry, a same-sex pastor from England, confronts the pain of being alone, even by choice, on the grounds of obedience to God. Celibacy is made more difficult by the elevation of marital intimacy to a lofty position above all other forms, including friendship.

Allberry’s fear is that “if someone’s only choice in life seems to be either unbiblical intimacy or no intimacy, they’re going to end up choosing unbiblical intimacy. And if that’s the case, I think the wider church shares responsibility for that.”

As Allberry asserts, people within the LGBT+ (#LHBTTABCDFIGMPPQZ) and the entire #SinSickSocialistLyingLeftistLiberal community are being denied access to this kind of intimacy, so even those who are keen to follow God’s commands and to please Him by their faithful obedience are drawn to other sources for belonging and acceptance.

Jesus never taught his disciples to deny friendship and familial love to anyone. “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).

He also promoted mutually uplifting, godly friendship. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The word friend, philos in the Greek, means “beloved” or “dear.” “I have called you friends,” Jesus said to his disciples (John 15:15).

Not everyone accepts forgiveness through Jesus; but he offers dignity, love, and truth to everyone. When a Gospel-Believing person highlights Sin in a person’s life, the purpose should always be to point that person to Jesus and His Saving grace and mercies.

Admitting and repenting of Sin, turning to Christ for Salvation, restores a person to peace and wholeness with God. Many so-called Christians, however, point fingers and exalt themselves by knocking down anyone whose lifestyle does not line up with their own.

 A Merciful Love

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).

A big problem in the church right now is the attitude that because someone identifies as homosexual, lesbian (or gay as they now prefer to be called), transgender, pedophile, etc., that they should not be welcomed into the church.

This is wrong for a few reasons:

1. We are all sinners. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the plank sticking out of one’s eye while examining the speck in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3-5).

2. We are commanded not to judge others. If we treat other people as though they are not as valuable to God as we are, then we risk incurring his judgment on ourselves (Matthew 7:1-2).

3. Jesus hung out with everyone. He ate with sinners. That’s why the Pharisees were so scandalized. He offered the gift of his presence and the offer of salvation without prejudice.

4. Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary.” This is not an invitation to particular individuals who qualify on the basis of their behavior or lifestyle but to anyone who is tired (Matthew 11:28).

Given the obstacles and even dangers the LGBQT+ community faces, added to the ordinary strains of life in general, one might imagine they are very weary, indeed.

 What’s Next for the Church

Everyone was made in God’s image, but not all people embrace Christ’s message of Hope, Peace, Love, Holiness, Grace, Mercy, and Justice.

One reason for this is religious arrogance (Not much has changed in over 2,000 years, sadly) — Christians who act as though they are in a position to condemn or pardon.

But if churches shut their doors to those who defy God’s commands about sexual intimacy, the doors would be shut to everyone. The duty and privilege of Christ’s disciples are to offer all who will listen to the message of salvation and the promise of a love greater than anything.

His Love and Justice go together, but all who call on Christ’s name for Salvation are covered by His Blood. Believe it or not, that includes same-sex folks and all the rest… Each of us is a work in progress.

We can teach His inerrant Word but must always do so without judging or persecuting anyone, and with love and kindness.

If churches shut their doors to those who defy God’s commands about sexual intimacy, the doors would be shut to everyone. The smokers and drunkards, the liars and gossipers, the thieves and robbers, the cheaters and beaters…

The duty and privilege of Christ’s disciples are to offer all who will listen to the message of Salvation, Restoration and the promise of a love greater than anything.

 I have way too many friends and family who’ve dibbled and dabbled or live out any of these lifestyles the same way others do with alcohol, marijuana, porn or other addictive drugs… but I Love them all and would support and do anything for them that I’d do for anyone else within the Word of God. :) #REBTD

 My God and Father, how great is Your Love and Mercy… Thank You for Saving me from me and my poor choices in this life. Thank You for Saving my wife, sons and Godsons and so many family and friends from the Devil’s deceptions that lead to addictive behaviors. My Lord, bless and increase their Faith and Hope in You to continually walk with You that they won’t lose the precious Gift of Salvation from when they first Believed. Last but not least, let the lost find You and takeaway any thought or desire to sin and come to You with a repentant heart to give themselves to You. In Jesus’ Saving name, Amen.

[merrybandofmurderers]

OC Facts ft. Yuo Lavellan

                                                            art by @meat-mill​

PLACE IN SOCIETY

✖ FINANCIAL – wealthy / moderate / poor / in poverty

Living a nomadic life comes with certain trials; there are lean times, depending on the whims of nature and human tolerance. Still, Yuo’s never felt that he wanted for anything. Clan Lavellan has been around a long time, and they know how to provide for their own. No doubt those who live comfortably in cities look down on their lifestyle, but the Dalish have different values. Just because they do not measure their lives by the weight of a coin purse does not make them poorer for it.

✖ MEDICAL – fit / moderate / sickly / disabled / disadvantaged

Yuo is very physically fit, with excellent endurance and stamina. He trains frequently and eats well and has a lean, well-toned figure. That being said, his method of fighting and chosen specializations are hard on his body. He has to take care with his many scars so they don’t tighten up or cause him pain. Even so, old wounds have a tendency to flare up, especially when the weather turns. Recurring pain is a reality of his life that Yuo has had to account for. (And, of course, the loss of his preferred hand post-Trespasser is an adjustment.)

✖ CLASS OR CASTE – upper / lower / middle / working / unsure

Being Dalish puts Yuo at a certain remove from the classes of human society. Life among the Dalish requires hard work, but the people are not split into arbitrary groups based on the perceived virtue of that work. Of course, he is considered lower class by most humans, although becoming Inquisitor has changed that. It chafes Yuo that he is considered a peer to the nobility he has so long disdained.

✖ EDUCATION – qualified / unqualified / studying

Yuo has an intense curiosity and desire to learn. Any place he sleeps always ends up surrounded by scattered piles of books. He keeps a journal to make notes of his travels, the things he encounters and experiences. He investigates every ancient ruin or mysterious magic artifact he finds. He has a broad scope of knowledge thanks to his clan’s travels, and life experience has granted him wisdom. He enjoys debating magic with his mage companions (even Solas), and has no qualms about going to someone more educated on a matter than he is.

FAMILY

✖ MARITAL STATUS – married, happily / married, unhappily / engaged / partnered / divorced / widow or widower / separated / single / it’s complicated

Yuo and Dorian had a very long road before ending up together, and even when they did, things were rocky. They are deeply in love, but their respective hang-ups and conflicting worldviews do not make things easy. That said, they are devoted and ultimately make it out the other side still committed. Following Trespasser, they are married among Yuo’s people before Dorian’s return to Tevinter. It’s initially a long-distance affair, what with their respective duties, but eventually they are able to settle down together.

✖ CHILDREN – has children / no children / wants children / adopted children

Yuo adores children and he loves mentoring them. In his late 20′s, a single mother in the clan died, and he and his sister took her three children into their care: the clan’s first Mahanon, his twin sister Danae, and their elder sibling Ephraim. Yuo doesn’t consider himself a father to them, more of an uncle/older brother type guardian, but he has put infinite care into raising them.

Some years after being married, once the issue of Solas is dealt with, Yuo adopts a half-elf boy with Dorian named Invictus. They raise him together, between Tevinter and Yuo’s clan, and ultimately he succeeds Dorian in the Magisterium.

✖ FAMILY – close with sibling / not close with siblings / has no siblings / siblings are deceased / it’s complicated

Yuo has one sibling, an older sister, Anavi. They have always been close and understand each other intuitively. As children, they were very competitive; as adults, this dynamic developed into a playfully teasing one. Their personalities are complete opposites, but their core ideals are the same, and they would give anything for each other.

✖ AFFILIATION – orphaned / adopted / disowned / raised by both parents / it’s complicated

Yuo’s mother died when he was 19, just before he received his vallaslin, and his father when he was 22. He was close with both his parents and took their deaths hard; though he has learned to live with the pain, he never really recovered from it. His parents were attentive and loving to both him and his sister and raised them with strict values. Yuo inherited his looks from his mother, much of his personality from his father, and from both his unwavering sense of responsibility to the People.

TRAITS & TENDENCIES

✖ disorganized / organised / in between

From the outside, Yuo definitely seems disorganized. His personal space is messy and his belongings are often in disarray. However, Yuo knows exactly where everything is, and so does not consider himself disorganized.

✖ close-minded / open-minded / in between

Yuo has strong ideals and is definitely biased against certain factions which have proven themselves harmful (such as the Chantry, templars, and general nobility). That said, Yuo is willing to be proven wrong and to admit it. Aside from that, Yuo has no judgement for one’s race, identity, or lifestyle. Yuo has a firm sense of justice and no tolerance for prejudice.

✖ cautious / reckless / in between

Yuo is confident, but not arrogant; careful, but not inhibited. He enjoys the adrenaline rush of battle and is not against spontaneity in his daily life. He knows when to be cautious--he would not have lived this long otherwise--but he indulges in moments of impulsivity when he can get away with it. He is wary with people, a free-spirit tempered with age, but not opposed to seeking pleasure when the opportunity presents.

✖ patient / impatient / in between

Yuo is.. not patient. He can be, when the situation calls for it, but he is not inclined toward waiting. If there are things to do, then they should be done. There is so much to wait on as Inquisitor; politics are infuriatingly time-consuming. Yuo’s patience is reserved for children, animals, and students. Everyone else must deal with Yuo’s restless hands and huffy breaths and pinched brows.

✖ outspoken / reserved / in between

Yuo’s voice has always been loud, and he’s never been one to keep his thoughts to himself. He might be reserved on personal matters, but when he has something to say, he will not hold his tongue. If one has offended him, he will not hesitate to let them know; when he is joyful, he shares it with all. Yuo’s voice has always carried, whether in anger or exuberance, and as Inquisitor, Yuo’s voice is well-recognized by his followers.

✖ leader / follower / in between

Yuo can be a good follower. He listens to his Keeper, follows her advice. He knows when to defer to the authority of someone with more experience. That said, his assertive and confident nature means he can easily slip into the position of leader. He is not comfortable with the scope of his role as Inquisitor, but he would bear the responsibility before putting it on anyone else. He can make hard decisions and deal with the consequences. He is content to follow one who has earned his respect, but if Yuo can take control, he is not inclined to leave the handling of a problem to others.

✖ sympathetic / unsympathetic / in between

Yuo is often uncompromising when it comes to his ideals, and he may seem callous and harsh to those he disagrees with, but underneath is a heart easily bruised with compassion. Yuo is incapable of seeing suffering without doing something to right it. The gentleness he displays with children, with the wounded and downtrodden, always surprises people. Yuo never developed the skill for healing, but he took Sylaise’s vallaslin because he wished to emulate her care and protection. Yuo may seem harsh, but he possesses the skill to understand even his most despised enemies.

✖ optimistic / pessimistic / in between

Yuo was optimistic, once. He’s lived through too much loss to retain it. Yuo is definitely on the more pessimistic side of realistic. He considers loss and hardship an inevitability; when it happens is simply a whim of fate. It is not so debilitating as to keep him from fighting, but hope, for Yuo, is something he has in short supply.

✖ hardworking / lazy / in between

Yuo is a person defined by duty, perpetually burdened by responsibility. He does not know how to live selfishly. His parents raised him to value community above all else, and his life has been largely spent in service to the clan. He could not shirk his duties any more than he is capable of living without breathing. He would work himself into the ground if his companions let him.

✖ cultured / uncultured / in between

Another thing the Dalish have different values regarding. Yuo fits in among his people, but he’s certainly.. rougher around the edges than most. He takes care of his things, but has no interest in putting on airs. He has a vast scope of knowledge and follows the etiquette of his people, but has no patience for meaningless niceties. No one has ever accused him of being a gentleman. No doubt humans view him as uncouth, and he’s fine with that. Or he would be, if his role as Inquisitor didn’t require him to rub elbows with nobility.

✖ loyal / disloyal / in between

Once Yuo’s trust has been earned, he will be loyal almost to a fault. There are lines--betrayals harsh enough to sever his loyalty--but unless that line is met, Yuo is the zealous type, willing to lay down his life for a loved one. His clan and family have his utmost devotion. Yuo’s loyalty can a frightening thing.

✖ faithful / unfaithful / in between

While Yuo is comfortable with non-monogamous arrangements and has been more inclined to them in the past, he does not cheat. Such arrangements only work with the consent and understanding of those involved. And Yuo is far from unwilling to be monogamous. He may never fully close off the possibility of inviting guests to a shared bed, but he is a devoted lover, and whatever his partner needs from him, he will do his utmost to provide.

SEXUALITY & ROMANTIC INCLINATION

✖ SEXUALITY – heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual / omnisexual / demisexual / queer

Sexuality for Yuo is a bit complicated as he is genderfluid. In modern parlance, he would consider himself gay and queer, as he is masc-leaning and has a sole preference for men.

✖ SEX – sex repulsed / sex neutral / sex favorable

Yuo is a very sexual person. He very much enjoys sex and uses it as both a means of connection and stress relief. His clan always had a relaxed, open-minded attitude regarding sex and relationships, and Yuo grew up with a group of friends he often engaged in casual sex with. He’s had far more casual partners than he has romances and that suits him just fine.

✖ ROMANCE – romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favorable

Throughout his life, Yuo has been more inclined towards casual relationships than committed, intimate ones, but that’s mostly by happenstance than a strong preference. When he was young, Yuo viewed such relationships as a means of enjoyment; if he didn’t enjoy himself, he did not stay. He’s had only a few serious romances in his life, but not because he has anything against romance specifically. After putting his trust in someone who ultimately betrayed him, he’s been cautious whom he gives his heart to. Sex is easier than romance for him, but when he falls, it’s with his whole heart. Falling for Dorian was a particular combination of trials, but ultimately he followed his heart and never lets anyone doubt his feelings.

✖ SEXUALLY – sexually adventurous / sex experienced / naive / inexperienced / curious / uninterested

Yuo has been around the block more than a few times when it comes to sex. There’s not a lot he hasn’t tried, and he’s usually willing to try anything once. He knows what he likes, and there isn’t much he doesn’t. Yuo enjoys tender love-making, but his craving for adrenaline definitely shows up in some of his sexual tastes. Sex is one of the few things Yuo doesn’t have any hang-ups over; he’s confident in his abilities and enjoys exploring various pleasures with his partner. Dorian had some exciting escapades in Tevinter and was rather surprised that Yuo was the one teaching him things when they finally fell into bed together.

ABILITIES

✖ COMBAT SKILLS – excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

Yuo is extremely skilled as a mage and in combat, but he never lets himself be complacent. There is always more to learn, and Yuo learns eagerly. He’s been in a lot of conflict throughout his life and met many different peoples, and he’s learned something from all of them. Yuo was granted a lot of raw power with his magic, and while he’s not a natural prodigy, he works hard to learn, to hone his skills. He never takes his abilities for granted or treats them lightly. Yuo’s experience, knowledge, and innate power make him a formidable enemy on the battlefield

✖ LITERACY SKILLS – excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

Yuo is a largely self-taught polygot, taking every opportunity he can to learn and practices languages. He can read and write Trade, as well as Elvish. He can speak Antivan and Qunlat, and knows bits of Rivaini and Tevene, as well. Yuo craves knowledge and reads everything he can get his hands on. He journals extensively for matters of record-keeping and research. Dalish history is filled with so much loss, Yuo understands the value of information, of knowledge, of making sure things are passed down for future generations.

✖ ARTISTIC SKILLS – excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

Yuo can make sketches of various plants and monuments for journaling purposes, but other than that, he has little artistic ability. He enjoys music, but cannot sing, and resigns himself to humming at the behest of his companions. He learned carving from his father, and often whittles to keep his hands busy, and it’s the only thing close to art he does. Still, his carvings often have little embellishment and detail. They are blunt representations, and while Yuo would not consider them art, his companions find them charming for their rusticity.

✖ TECHNICAL SKILLS – excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

If “being good at learning things” is a skill, Yuo has it. He is good with his hands and generally only has to do something a couple times to get a grasp of it. He’s good at following instructions and has a logical thought process (which surprises people); this does mean he struggles with things that require creativity, like art and cooking. But Yuo learned young how to maintain his armor and equipment, and Dalish life required knowing various tasks and being able to pitch in when necessary with jobs that weren’t necessarily your own.

tagging @prplhawke​, @embajadora-montilyet​, @marcothehobbit​, @1orweth​, @sweetheartmerrill​, and anyone else who wants to do!!

[kuriquinn]

Evil Author Day - WIP # 5

I’ve been planning a Tales of the Uchiha series for ages now. And I keep getting distracted by all the research that goes into it. On the off chance I never get around to it, here’s my early draft of the first bit, starring our Karma ‘Verse baby Uchiwa with special mention of big sis Nirami.

Enjoy!

[...]

[...]

[...]

Smoke blackens the sky of the battlefield, poisoning the air with the smell of charred flesh and burning bones.  

Uchiwa lies in the rubble of what was once a village, struggling to catch his breath. His chest aches as if it has been trampled upon by a thousand horses, and his face is sticky. Blood weeps from his eyes, but it doesn’t blind him to the carrion birds circling above him.  

Am I to become their next meal?

He is not the first of his family to die on a battlefield, but it seems likely he will be the first to die unburied. He wonders if that will make it more difficult for his spirit to find his ancestors.  

There’s a flicker of movement off to his left, a shadow rippling behind the billowing smoke.  

Summoning his strength, Uchiwa tightens his grip on his sword, preparing himself with his last breath to do battle with the god of death himself.

“Ōtsutsuki Uchiwa,” a familiar voice intones, echoing across the whistling wind. “You just don’t know how to die, do you?”

The smoke and fog disperse as the figure strides forward, and the owner of the voice takes shape. A tall man, muscular and weather-tanned, with hair like a bird’s nest and a familiar grin.  

“Tadashi,” Uchiwa whispers, the syllables searing his throat even as they herald gladness. “You survived.”

“You know I’m too stubborn to die,” the other man says, striding forward and looping his arms behind Uchiwa’s back.  

It’s embarrassing the ease with which he is lifted to his feet, and he tries desperately to hold himself up on his own once he’s standing. He manages for half a moment, before the wet, rasping cough racks his body again. He’d stumble if Tadashi didn’t reach out to steady him.

Uchiwa waves him away with one hand, the other covering his mouth. The gesture isn’t enough to hide the truth, however, because Tadashi’s grin fades into concern.

“Were you wounded?” he asks, scanning bloodstained clothing for a sign of torn flesh.

Uchiwa shakes his head, but this doesn’t alleviate the concern; if anything, it makes Tadashi look grimmer.

“Let’s go,” he tells him. “I’m bringing you home.”

“Home,” Uchiwa repeats, gazing down at his bloodstained palm.  

He wonders if he’ll make it.  

֍

They didn’t want him to leave.  

“It is a journey I must take,” Uchiwa stated calmly, emulating the same firmness his father had always used. There was an edge to it, one that warned against argument. “And it is one I must take alone.”

“Be reasonable, young master,” his brother-in-law, Tsuyoshi demanded, wild-eyed and sly-tongued.  

“I have to see this world with my own eyes, much as my father once did,” Uchiwa replied. “Only then can I know the true path to changing this world.”

“Yes, of course, that is not in doubt,” Tsuyoshi assured him, a little more harried than usual. “But without us? You must have some protectors with you. Your father’s enemies have allies beyond this place.”

“If you speak of my uncle, you know I have no fear of him, nor any of his line.”

“Easy words for a boy of fourteen,” his cousin Kaguyo snorted, despite only being a few years older than he was. “Even with your abilities, for you to go alone would jeopardise the Master’s teachings—”

“I am the vessel of my father’s teachings,” Uchiwa reminded him, tone quiet, but a red film bled into his eyes in warning. “And it is I who must discern the best manner to continue them. I cannot do that with your voices constantly in my ear.”

“Have a care, boy—we are the most loyal of your father’s disciples. He taught us his craft before you were even a thought!” Tsuyoshi cried. “You would be wise to learn by our experiences.”

“And you would be wise to listen to the Master’s son,” a lone feminine voice retorted. The crowd of relatives and villagers parted, revealing Uchiwa’s heavily pregnant older sister Nirami. “He alone received the last of my father’s teachings, and he alone knows his final wish.”

“This doesn’t concern you—”

“Mind your tongue, husband,” Nirami cut Tsuyoshi off, earning immediate silence from the older man. “The matter has been decided already.”

Low murmuring broke out within the crowd, the growing sense of unease still palpable despite Nirami’s commanding presence.  

A woman in her mid-twenties, she looked much older, prematurely grey and with eyes hardened by loss. Though everyone in the village looked to Uchiwa to succeed his father in doctrine, it was Nirami that had inherited his qualities of leadership.  

“Uchiwa must go,” she continued. “It was the Master’s wish, and it is his purpose that all of us serve. In fact, it is not just my brother who must leave this place. You others, who learned from my father. Your time has come as well

While the others argued back and forth, Uchiwa slipped away and headed for his family’s home. Now that he had made the decision, it would be best to leave as soon as possible. Delays might mean stronger objections, and the idea of saying goodbye to his sister…

“You’re not leaving without saying goodbye first, are you?”

He winced and turned around.

Nirami stood there, hands on her hips and smile sharp. “Did you truly think I’d allow that?”

“I thought it would be easier.”

“Easier for whom?”  

She moved forward, a little slower with her heavier girth, and seized him around the shoulders.  

“There were nine of us, once; now, you and I are the only ones who remain,” she told him heavily. “Your leaving is just as final to me as death.”

“Nirami…”

He expected her, of all people to understand; she had been the one to encourage him to leave as they both sat mourning by their parents’ grave. He can hear tears in her voice, and it’s exactly the reaction he was hoping to avoid.  

When he places a comforting hand on her shoulder, she waved him away.

“Don’t mind me,” she said. “It’s the baby putting me in an odd humour.” She reached up to brush his cheek. “Go. Travel the world. Seek out the weak and teach them to be strong. Pass on Father’s ways and make this world better. Become a legend so that his enemies tremble and that even here, we will hear stories of you.”  

“You are the only brother I have left,” she said quietly. “The only family. Mother and Father’s legacy runs through your veins. Protect it, even while you seek to do it justice.”  

“I will,” he promised.

֍

Hours, days and eternity pass.

Uchiwa is barely conscious for most of it, slipping in and out of delirium-filled dreams. He is distantly aware of water being fed through his cracked lips, and then only because it makes him cough wet and painfully.

Once he manages to open his eyes, and watches Tadashi pour water from his flagon into a rag. He uses it to mop Uchiwa’s face, and the cold is both refreshing and tortuous at the same time. The gesture itself is gentle, and that tempts him to smile.

“This is…not the sort of thing…I would have expected…from you,” he rasps, startling the other man even though his words are barely above a whisper.

Tadashi snorts. “Well, it’s your fault. Traipsing around after you all these years made me soft.”

They both pretend not to notice the rag comes away red.  

֍

Uchiwa wandered for years, carrying out his sister’s words and his father’s will.

He first sought out his uncle’s sons, the ones who had inherited the puzzling teachings of his grandfather, but the place where they once resided was empty and ravaged by fire. The trail they escaped with was too well-hidden for even his quick eyes to find.  

After that, he sought the weak but talented and taught them to be strong. From them he elicited solemn vows in return to spread the way of Indra across the continent and beyond.

The journey was not straightforward, of course.  

Human beings were not so easily given to change, and every land Uchiwa travelled to suffered under ignorance and tradition that did not wish to yield to new teachings. Especially not teachings that could potentially allow even the poor soons of a fdarmer to be equal to or greater in ability than the sons of the gentry.  

Lords and bandit alike would gather forces to challenge Uchiwa if he remained in a region for too long, and he would be forced to deal with them. He always did so with quick and ruthless efficiency, further securing his legacy. Before a full year passed, he had earned a reputation and a name: The Demon Uchiwa.

He never settled in any one place for very long. None of them offered a sense of belonging, or of…something else. The settlement where he was raised had always held comforting familiarity, in a sheltered kind of way, but he had never considered it home. There was something unnameable lacking that made it impossible to call it that.  

This same lack existed wherever he set foot.

It was just as well, he supposed. If he was to succeed in spreading his father’s teachings as far as possible, he could not remain tied down.  Life without connection, lived at a distance, that was his destiny.

At least that’s what he believed.

Something whispered at him from the beyond, chiding him that he was not yet where he was meant to be. That he had not yet found what he was seeking.

It was in his fourth year of wandering that he found his path blocked by a tall, scruffy-looking young man. He carried a giant sword and grinned at him with teeth that had been filed to points.

“So, you’re the Demon, huh?” he jeered, eyes flicking over Uchiwa’s form in a judgemental manner. “I’m starting to think the stories are all talk. You look about as threatening as a rice stalk.”

Uchiwa did not reply, instead taking a step to one side and beginning to walk around the stranger. Just because he could make quick work out of an opponent did not mean that he sought them out for not other reason than to test himself. He could tell that was this one’s prerogative.

Predictably, the man stepped aside as well, barring Uchiwa’s path. His grin widened.

“Let me pass,” Uchiwa said, voice soft and without threat, though his mouth tightened slightly.

“‘Let me pass’?” the other youth mocked. “That’s it? I expected at least a threat attached to that.” He hefted his sword on his shoulder, expectant, and then scowled. “Really? Nothing?”

Uchiwa once again tried to shoulder past him, but the man moved suddenly, swinging his sword out to its full length and once again barring the way. As it sliced down, millimetres from Uchiwa’s face, a single hair was severed.

Uchiwa narrowed his eyes. If the man’s control over the blade had not been more precise, it might have lobbed off his nose.  

His eyes trailed from the blade to the man’s face, levelling a glare at the wolfish grin.

As the strand of hair touched the ground, they both moved.

*ACTION SCENE*

Hours later, the two warriors faced one another, breathing raggedly.

“You have skill,” Uchiha admitted at last, the first words he had spoken since the encounter began. “I could have use for a man with such ability.”

“Heh. I’m not a joiner,” his erstwhile opponent replied, shoving his broken nose back into place with no more than a small wince. “And hokey religions aren’t my style.”

Uchiwa frowned, both at the descriptor and the refusal. Those he fought either died, or submitted, begging him to teach his secrets.  

He could tell this man fell into neither category.

“Then this is where we will part,” he said, cautious.

“Seems so.”

Uchiwa nodded, feeling a little remorseful. He had to kill the man; if he did not become a follower of his teachings, he was a powerful potential enemy.

It will not be easy. This one individual may yet be my equal…

“Although,” the man said a beat later, a considering look breaking out on his face. “Now that I think on it, you must run into a lot of trouble. People who don’t like your way of doing things. I bet some of them even put up a hell of a fight.”

Uchiwa raised an eyebrow, not understanding the point being made. “Sometimes.”

“Well, I’m always up for a fight,” the man said, cheerful, and scrambled to his feet. Uchiwa wondered where he had found the energy. “Maybe I’ll tag along and see if there’s anyone else out there who might put up a fight.” He smiled coldly at Uchiwa. “At least until I decided whether to kill you or not.”

This tie, Uchiwa could not help the smirk tugging at his lips. “You still believe you can?”

“Who knows? But won’t it be interesting to find out?

“Interesting is a word for it.” Uchiwa got to his feet. “Very well. Though if you ever do decide to kill me, I would take it as a kindness if you did not attempt it while I sleep. I don’t like to have my sleep disturbed.”  

The man actually laughed this time. “Where would the fun be in killing you in your sleep? Listen, Demon, I can promise you that if I ever kill you, you’ll be awake, you’ll be facing me and you’ll have a blade in your hands.”

“Then I will extend you the same courtesy.” He bowed his head politely. “And my name is Uchiwa.”

“Tadashi,” the other youth said

[...]

[...]

[...]

[sweetscentences]

Small Changes: Chapter 4

Can be read on AO3 here. I’m posting this update early because I wanted to get through the halfway point of this fic before life gets too hectic <3

Sengoku brought a stack of heavy medical books to his third meeting with Law. Two of them were impressively sized encyclopedias, while another was titled ‘Medical Oddities of the East and West Blues’, and the last was called ‘Traditional Remedies in Modern Times’. Law snatched them up immediately, ignoring Sengoku’s explanation that they were sitting unread in his study for months. 

Rosinante was certain he just bought them. The last title was the only one he could see appealing to Sengoku, but he hardly had the free time to read a book that size.

The sentiment was sweet.

“You know he can’t be bought, right?” Rosinante asked, lighting a cigarette and his sleeve. Sengoku put the fire out with a few practiced slaps before it could spread.

“I’m not a fool,” Sengoku huffed. His sharp eyes were fixed on Law as he flipped through the books. “I don’t expect his affection. I’m only hoping for tolerance.” 

Tolerance was a realistic goal, in Rosinante’s opinion. 

“You’re halfway there already.” 

Law had stopped looking at Sengoku like he wanted to rip him apart. Or at least he had when Sengoku was out of uniform. Any reminder of Sengoku’s position would snap him back to loathing. 

He hated the Fleet Admiral. He could stomach Rosinante’s father. 

It was a difficult balance for all of them, Rosinante knew. But they were trying. Rosinante for them, and them for Rosinante. It warmed Rosinante’s heart.

“Bringing Vergo down is going to be tricky,” Sengoku said.

Rosinante hummed. Took a deep drag from his cigarette. Pretended he didn’t notice Law stop reading to listen in. He was surprisingly subtle about it. Rosinante wasn’t sure if Sengoku noticed. It made him unreasonably proud. 

“You’ll need my testimony, won’t you?” Rosinante asked. He already knew the answer. It was obvious from the way Sengoku flinched. 

Rosinante nodded. He wouldn’t make Sengoku say it, not when he was so visibly stressed by the thought.

“He’ll try to drag the trial out as long as possible. Maybe implicate me too. Law will need to be under guard the whole time. I don’t want him brought into this.” 

Law tensed- the slightest hitching of his shoulders. Rosinante ignored it and settled on meeting Sengoku’s steely eyes. He tapped the ash off the end of his cigarette into the floral ashtray Makino set out for him. 

“I won’t let Vergo walk away from this.” 

Rosinante would kill him if he did.

Sengoku nodded. “I know.” 

He understood what Rosinante didn’t say, no matter how much he might deny it. 

Rosinante always tucked away the crueler parts of himself. The parts that reminded him of Doflamingo. He wasn’t as bad as his brother, he knew. But he wasn’t soft either. Not by anyone but Doflamingo’s standards. Sengoku chose not to see it sometimes, the same way that Rosinante did.

But there were reasons Rosinante made a good spy. Reasons he made a good sniper. Reasons he made a good pirate. 

Some awful part of him would always love his brother. 

He never loved Vergo. 

It would be easy to put a bullet between his eyes. 

Too easy, if Law’s life was on the line. 

Rosinante could picture it clearly. Could practically feel the smooth curve of a trigger beneath his finger. He tapped his cigarette against the edge of the ashtray again to distance himself from the thought, from the image.

“He’ll either get the firing squad or Impel Down,” Sengoku said, watching Rosinante carefully.

Impel Down was more likely. Rosinante’s lip curled. He took a long drag from his cigarette. Part of him wanted Vergo to bleed out. Another part of him wanted Vergo to rot slowly in the darkness. 

He supposed both could be arranged. After all, he still had a few contacts in Impel Down- Marine and criminal alike. Life was cheap there. It wouldn’t be too hard to hire an assassin. 

But that could wait.

“What do you think?” Rosinante asked Law. He didn’t startle like he’d been caught eavesdropping, and he didn’t pretend not to know what Rosinante was asking. 

“Impel Down is meant to be hell, right?” Law’s eyes were fixed on Rosinante, bright and cold. Somehow more hateful than they were when he first met Rosinante.

The world shaped Law into something that could be cruel, just like it did Rosinante. 

Just like it did Doflamingo. 

Rosinante nodded. Law’s lips twitched up into a sharp, amused smile. 

“He should rot,” he said simply, and turned his focus back to his book. It was opened to a diagram of a human heart. Law traced it with a careful finger. His shoulders lost some of their tension.

“We’ll push for Impel Down, then,” Rosinante told Sengoku. His cigarette had burnt down to almost nothing. He lit another.

Sengoku watched Rosinante and Law carefully. He agreed with a sigh, and took a sip of his tea. 

“Would an Admiral be enough of a guard?” he asked. 

He got a sense of Law over the past few days. He knew that his relation to Rosinante was the only reason Law would be in the same room as him. He understood that one Marine hovering over Law would be more palatable than twenty. But still…

“Depends on the Admiral.”

If Rosinante had any say in the matter, which he damn well did, Akainu wouldn’t get within a hundred feet of Law. He was an unapologetic and unrivaled bastard. His ideas of justice and righteousness would have Law out for blood in seconds. 

(Sometimes, they did for Rosinante too. He just had a reason to hide it. If he were ten years younger, he might throw that aside and attack Akainu when he had the impulse anyway.) 

“Aokiji owes me a favor,” Sengoku said. “But it’s a simple enough task that he might do it just to avoid the trial.” 

“He hasn’t changed much since becoming an Admiral?” Rosinante hadn’t seen him in a few years, certainly not after his promotion. 

Sengoku huffed an unfriendly laugh. “He has more authority to be lazy now.” 

Rosinante grinned. “Aokiji could work.” 

He was powerful. Easily strong enough to take on Doflamingo or his best. But he also wasn’t likely to bring up the Navy on his own. Unlikely to act like a Marine. Unlikely to be offended by Law’s hate. 

Aokiji could work. 

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

Sengoku and Garp left at the end of the week, before dawn. Garp pulled Rosinante into a brief, crushing hug that forced all the air out of his lungs. After releasing Rosinante, Garp offered Law a handshake that was, predictably, refused. Then he started off into the woods to say goodbye to his grandsons. 

Luffy was the only one he brought around Sengoku intentionally. Sabo made two delightfully chaotic appearances, one of which ended with Garp’s pants catching on fire. Ace, on the other hand, was hidden and carefully spoken around. 

It was an impressive act of subtlety, from Garp. Sengoku might not have noticed what, exactly, was happening. Rosinante certainly did. 

He had a few ideas. None of them were good.

There was something eerily familiar about the cut of Ace’s grin. Something about the shape of his face, the ridge of his nose. Something about the fact that, according to Law, Ace thought his father was a demon. 

For all that they had been enemies, Garp and Gold Roger respected each other. Enough that Garp might grant any final wish Roger had. Enough that Garp might even lie to Sengoku, if it meant keeping that wish safe.

It was a messy situation, if that was the case.

“Garp really could handle that better,” Sengoku sighed, speaking Rosinante’s thoughts aloud and pinching the bridge of his nose. 

Rosinante raised an eyebrow. Law glared up at Sengoku, but that wasn’t a noteworthy change in his expression. 

Sengoku sighed again. “I’m not going to ask what it is. It’s better if I don’t know.” 

“Plausible deniability,” Rosinante laughed. 

Sengoku’s lips twitched up. His expression softened and he reached up to pull Rosinante into a hug. Rosinante fell into it, resting his head on Sengoku’s and holding him close. 

“I’ll make arrangements immediately,” Sengoku promised, pulling back enough to meet Rosinante’s eyes. “We’ll do this right.” 

“We have to,” Rosinante said, reaching down to ruffle Law’s hat. His nose wrinkled and his lips curled up, but he didn’t slap Rosinante’s hand away when it rested on his head. All bark and minimal bite.

“It was good to meet you,” Sengoku told Law. He didn’t try to hug him or offer him a hand. He knew better, by now. 

Law looked torn between aggression and sincerity. 

“You could be worse.” 

It seemed he settled on both. 

Sengoku smiled. He’d grown used to, and maybe even fond of Law surprisingly quickly. Law had a sharp-edged charm, and Sengoku had a soft spot for children who lost everything but kept on living. Rosinante knew he inherited that from him.

“We won’t be here much longer,” Rosinante told Sengoku. 

Last night he pinned a map of each of the four Blues to a wall in his and Law’s room. The dart Law threw landed where neither of them wanted to go, but they were both too stubborn to throw it again. 

“Where are you headed next?” Sengoku asked. He understood the twitchiness, the unease, that gripped Rosinante in the past days. 

Sitting still too long meant death. 

“North Blue. Swallow Island,” Rosinante said, choking down his fear. Law pulled Rosinante’s hand off his head and squeezed it. Some of the anxiety sitting heavy in Rosinante’s chest uncoiled. Eased. 

Sengoku nodded. Rosinante pretended not to notice the tight, worried pull of his mouth. 

“Hiding under his nose. I’ll run an investigation on the Marines stationed there.” 

They both knew Rosinante would run his own, slightly less legal investigation. Neither of them mentioned it. He knew as well as Garp did there were things Sengoku shouldn’t be told. 

“Be safe,” Sengoku said, his voice rough as he pulled Rosinante down to press a kiss to his forehead. His eyes settled on Law. “Both of you.” 

“We’ll try,” Rosinante said, blinking away the stinging in his eyes.

It was the closest thing to a promise he could make. 

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

Rosinante and Law stayed in Foosha another week, until Law was well enough to travel and the need to move was eating Rosinante alive. The mayor and Makino came to see them off, along with Garp’s grandsons. Rosinante was glad for that. It meant he could pull Ace aside as Luffy held everyone else’s attention. 

Everyone but Law, who kept half his focus on Rosinante, and half on Luffy’s story. 

Ace looked at Rosinante suspiciously when he invited him over, but he sat next to Rosinante on the dock without complaint. 

What Rosinante saw of his wild, self-loathing temper reminded him of Law. A younger, less homicidal Law, but the sentiment remained. He didn’t know what it was about caustic, hate-filled children that made his protective instinct flare up so much. 

(He could figure it out easily, if he wanted to. But he really, really, didn’t.)

“My brother is a monster,” Rosinante told him, and Ace’s eyes snapped up to his. “Truly a monster. He killed our father when he was around your age. Shot him and cut off his head. Now he’s the reason Law and I are on the run.” 

His father’s death was one of Rosinante’s earliest memories. One of his most vivid memories. The smell of the gunpowder. The smell of the blood. The sound of the body hitting the ground, still, lifeless-

Rosinante took a sharp breath. 

“Our father was the kindest man I knew.” 

Rosinante wished he was more like his father. As generous, as forgiving as he had been. As gentle as his romanticized memory made him out to be. 

Death had a way of making men into saints. 

“But Doffy still became what he is. I still… I still became what I am.”

Rosinante found violence disturbingly palatable. He accepted it as a part of life when he was far too young. The careful way Sengoku raised him didn’t change that. 

Once, when Rosinante was still a recruit, a ship he was on was attacked by pirates. He and the three other trainees were forced into the battle. Forced to fight and kill for their lives. The other recruits spent the days after sick with grief and guilt. But the only thing that bothered Rosinante was the fact that the ship’s seasoned Marines kept asking if he was alright. He killed four men, and lost no sleep over it. Not even once in the decade since.

Ace’s brows pinched in a frown. “But you’re really nice,” he said. 

Rosinante forced a grin. “Maybe I am. But I am not my father. No one is.” 

Ace ducked his head. Rosinante gently ruffled his hair. It was the same rich black as Law’s but thinner, softer. 

“Everyone deserves the life they’ve been given, and the freedom to make it what they want.” Rosinante waited until Ace met his eyes to go on. “You chose your brothers. I chose my father, chose my son. There’s more to a family, more to a person, than blood.” 

Ace’s head dropped down again as he scrubbed at his eyes. Rosinante didn’t push him, only ruffled his hair again before walking back to Law. 

“What did you say to make him cry?” Law asked, his voice sharp and teasing. Rosinante lightly cuffed the back of his head, and ignored his furious hiss. 

“Thank you for everything,” Rosinante told the mayor and Makino, who watched the whole exchange wearing matching grins. 

“A friend of Garp is a friend of ours,” the mayor said, holding out a hand for Rosinante to shake.

“You’re always welcome here,” Makino promised, stealing a quick hug from Rosinante before offering Law her hand. 

It pulled his attention from where he was watching Sabo and Luffy dogpile onto Ace. 

He took Makino’s hand and shook it carefully. Rosinante couldn’t bite down his grin if he tried. 

After a few more goodbyes, he and Law boarded a ship set for the edge of East Blue. They perched at the rail as the ship drifted out of the harbor, waving to the group at the end of the dock. 

“Say ‘hi’ to Gramps for us!” Luffy cried from his perch on Ace’s shoulders, his arm bending unnaturally as he waved. “Torao! Go fuck yourself!” 

Rosinante choked. He turned to glare down at Law, only to be startled when a loud laugh burst out of him. 

Law doubled over, winding an arm around his stomach. His eyes crinkled so tightly at the corners they almost shut. A smile Rosinante had never seen before stretched across his face. 

The admonishment died on Rosinante’s tongue. Warmth bloomed in his chest. 

A few Northern swears weren’t so bad, really. Not if it meant Law would smile like that. 

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

The trip to Swallow Island was long, but bearable. When they crossed into North Blue, Law spent most of his time on the ship’s deck, breathing in the cold air with clear lungs. It was an incredible feeling- the cold in his mouth, his throat, his chest. 

It was biting and so, so familiar. It had been years since Law was able to breathe so clearly. He got used to choking on every breath. Got used to the heavy, burning feeling in his chest that grew every day. 

Breathing without it was difficult to adjust to. He kept waking up and thinking, for a horrible moment, that curing himself was a dream. Standing on the deck, feeling the sting of the frozen air, it helped Law remember that it was real. If he was still sick, he wouldn’t be able to imagine that feeling. 

He didn’t need to explain it to Cora. He was good at understanding that kind of thing. Good at reading Law. 

He took to joining him on the deck, sitting next to Law with his back against the rail. 

The sun was long since set. Law’s dreams the night before were unusually awful. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, so instead he leaned against the rail, his chin propped up by his hands. 

Cora didn’t ask anything, didn’t try to drag Law to bed. Instead he settled next to him, warm by Law’s side, and tipped his head back on the rail to watch the stars. 

They shone so brightly in the Northern sky. 

The familiar feeling of silence brushed across Law. Before he could ask why, Cora spoke. 

“Celestial Dragons come of age when they’re fifteen years old,” he said, his voice a quiet rumble. 

Cora coming from a family of nobles was still something Law struggled to wrap his head around. He wasn’t a coward like Flevance’s royal family was. He didn’t see himself as a god, like Doflamingo did. He was only a man. A good man, maybe, but a man nonetheless. 

A human being, like Law. Fallible, flawed, and wonderful. 

Cold wind rushed across the ship. It filled Law’s nose, his mouth, with the smell and taste of salt water. He breathed deeply, trying to hold onto it, and shuffled closer to Cora. 

“There’s a special celebration. They call it a ‘saint ceremony’. I went to my cousin’s.” 

Cora had a strange look on his face, something between wistful and pained. Law turned and sat down, pressing himself against Cora’s side and letting him wrap an arm around him. Cora was a tactile person. It was no secret that he craved touch. That he wanted to hold and be held. Law would offer him that comfort, when he could. It was the least he could do.

He would never admit that it was a comfort to him too.

“At the ceremony, a star is dedicated to you.” 

Cora pointed up, and Law followed the long line of his arm to a very familiar pair of stars. The star on the right was bold and bright. The left had the same brilliant glow, but was difficult to see when looked at dead on. One had to look to the left of it, to catch it in the corner of their eye to truly see it. 

“My mother said that the star on the right would be for my brother, and the star on the left would be for me.” 

It suited them. Cora was just as bright, as brilliant, as Doflamingo. But he was difficult to pin down. To understand. To see. 

But Law knew the trick to seeing that star. He was learning the tricks to see Cora too.

“We called them the bells, on Flevance,” Law said, resting his head against Cora. “The left one always pointed South East. I’d follow it home from the hospital with my father.” 

It was a fond, fading memory. The long hours looking over his father’s shoulder, watching him work. The way his father would wind his own scarf around Law’s neck before they stepped outside. The two of them walking home through a world of white- snow and buildings blending together, glittering as brightly as the night sky. The warmth of his father’s hand around his, his other hand pointing up to the left bell, laughing and telling him to look, Law, look.

Was his laugh warm, or was it sharp like Law’s?

“I can’t remember his voice,” Law whispered, and Cora pulled him closer. 

His father’s voice, the finer details of his face, they were fading. His mother and Lami’s too. The sounds of their laughs. The little songs Lami sang to herself as she went about her day. The way his parents slow-danced together in the living room, after long nights spent apart. The way they dragged Law and Lami into joining, once they were caught out of bed. The old prayers his mother whispered as she combed through Law and Lami’s hair. How Lami’s hand felt when it curled around Law’s. 

All of it gone. All of it stolen. All of it burnt away.

Last night Law dreamt of them- their faces blank and white, their voices gravelly and garbled. Their hands reaching for Law. Grabbing him, tugging at his clothes. Dragging him forward as a fire started at their feet and grew to swallow them. Grew to swallow Law with them.

Law shuddered. He pressed his face against Cora’s chest and tried to breathe, tried to calm the frantic pounding of his heart. 

The smell of death crept into his nose. Crept into his throat. 

Death and fire, cloying and thick.

The smell of sickness. The smell of burning flesh.

Law choked on it.

He thought he heard a voice, but it was drowned out by the pounding of his heart and the ringing in his ears. His throat was closing up. A hand rubbed slow circles onto Law’s back. Something against him rose and fell slowly. Law forced himself to match his gasping breath to the feeling, digging his nails so sharply into his palms they drew blood. 

The pain was real. The smell wasn’t. 

The only real smells were cold air and stale cigarette smoke. 

Law’s heart slowed. He breathed. 

He was in Cora’s lap, pulled up to lean against Cora’s chest. Some part of Law wanted to rip himself away from Cora, to snarl that he wasn’t a child, that he didn’t need to be coddled, and go hole himself up in some corner of the ship where Cora wouldn’t see him break down. But Cora was warm, and safe, and humming a low, smooth melody. Law’s head was foggy with fear and exhaustion. 

Cora was safe, carefully taking Law’s hands and cleaning the blood from them with a cloth he pulled from his pocket. 

“Think they’ll need stitches, doc?” Cora asked, his fingers gentle as they brushed the cuts. 

Law huffed, the sound more amused than annoyed. “Don’t be stupid.” 

Cora didn’t say anything about the way Law’s voice wavered. Instead he grinned down at Law, bright and silly. Law tucked his head back against Cora’s chest so he wouldn’t see him smile back.

When Cora let go of Law’s hands, he wound them into Cora’s shirt. He didn’t protest, didn’t warn Law against getting blood on his clothes. Didn’t say anything about the way Law’s hands were shaking.

“It’s a good star for you,” Law said, and Cora’s chest rumbled with his hum. 

“When do people come of age on Flevance?” 

Law grounded himself with the sound of Cora’s voice. Deep and calm. Alive and steady.

“Sixteen,” Law told him. “If you weren’t studying medicine you’d pick an apprenticeship. If you were, you’d graduate from the medical school and choose a mentor.” 

Law’s parents fought, teasingly, over which one of them would get Law. They had both known he’d pick his father, if only because surgery caught his interest more than anything else. 

“You started young then, if you’d be done school at sixteen.”

Law nodded, let his eyes fall closed. Let himself relax into the warmth of Cora’s hold. 

“Eight years old.” 

Two years before his world fell apart. 

Law ignored that thought. He focused on the sound of Cora’s heartbeat. A heavy lullaby. 

“We should do something special for your sixteenth birthday, then,” Cora said. 

Law liked that idea. Liked the thought of Cora still being there in two years. 

“Do I get a star?” Law asked, his teasing tone swallowed by a yawn. 

Cora laughed. “If you want one.” 

His heartbeat was a steady sound. Proof that he was alive. Proof that Law saved him. Proof that they both got to live. 

Law remembered something then. The blood in Lami’s hands didn’t circulate properly. They were always cold when she held Law’s.

He drifted off without realizing it. 

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

They settled onto Swallow Island quickly; Rosinante buying a small cottage at the edge of the port town with the money Sengoku gave him. Within two weeks the cottage started to feel like a home. Never more so than when Rosinante and Law sat in front of the fireplace, watching the evening snowfall and carefully figuring out Law’s Devil Fruit. 

It had a strange, unnerving quality to it, but Law was a quick learner. The notebook he was working in was filling up faster than Rosinante expected. 

Rosinante spent the days investigating the island’s Marines. There was only one small base on the island, settled at the heart of the port town. Rosinante hadn’t found anything dangerous yet- only three men with gambling problems and one woman who bought her wife flowers every day. Both habits swallowed an impressive amount of money. 

Law spent the days doing god knew what. Rosinante was fairly sure he was exploring the island. He didn’t stop Law, only made sure he still had the knife Rosinante gave him. 

When Rosinante was seventeen, he found a small collection of parenting books in the back of Sengoku’s study. He flipped through some of them, hoping to find something to tease Sengoku about, only to see careful notes scribbled in the margins of each one. It was too endearing for Rosinante to mock, and he put the books back. Luckily, no one was there to see him shed a few tears over it. He remembered one of the books mentioned allowing your child to have the freedom they needed. He had the feeling Law needed more freedom than most.

Rosinante realized he should have asked what, exactly, Law was getting up to when he brought a polar bear cub home. 

Rosinante was sitting in the front room, drinking tea while reading letters and reports from Sengoku, when Law damn near kicked the front door open. The bear was draped half over his small shoulders, shuffling on its hind feet. 

It took Rosinante a moment to recover from the strange sight. It took him a moment longer to realize that the high-pitched voice apologizing over and over in Grand was the bear and not Law adopting a weird accent. 

Rosinante took another sip of his tea. Not a bear cub, then, but a mink. 

The mink was covered in various scrapes and bruises, red staining its white fur. Law’s knuckles were bloodied. 

Law didn’t acknowledge Rosinante, dragging the mink over to the couch and pushing it down. Then Law disappeared under the couch, reappearing a moment later with a first aid kit. It was one of four scattered around the small cottage. There was so little that Law called his own in the last few years, so Rosinante might have been spoiling him a bit to make up for it. Medical supplies seemed to be Law’s favorite thing to collect. Medical supplies and strange coins. Law was a little magpie when it came to hoarding coins. It was downright cute, even if Law threatened to cut off the tips of Rosinante’s fingers the last time he poked at his collection.

It wasn’t like he was going to follow through on the threat. Even if he did, he would reattach Rosinante’s fingertips before too long. It was a neat trick Law learned with his Devil Fruit. Rosinante hoped he wouldn’t take it any further, but knowing Law he absolutely would.

Law cleaned and neatly wrapped his bloody knuckles with a practiced ease. The mink shot Rosinante worried looks as Law set about treating its wounds. 

Rosinante took another sip of his tea, carefully closing the folder he was flipping through.

Sengoku would send someone to bring Rosinante to the trial soon. Would send Aokiji to protect Law. But Rosinante could think more about that another time.

“Law,” he called. “Did you beat up this poor mink?”

The mink made an anxious noise, attention snapping back and forth from Rosinante to Law as Law tied off a bandage on its arm. 

“I didn’t beat him up,” Law hummed, grabbing one of the mink’s paws to pluck something out of it with a pair of tweezers. 

The emphasis wasn’t lost on Rosinante. He raised an eyebrow. 

The mink whined, pained and sharp, as Law succeeded in pulling out what he was looking for. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he cried, ducking his head down and covering it with his free paw. 

Protecting himself. Hiding. 

“Don’t apologize,” Law snapped. “It would’ve hurt more if I was slow,” he said, bandaging the paw in his hand and ignoring, or not noticing, how the mink flinched away from him. 

“Law, I think you’re scaring him,” Rosinante told him. Law tied off the last bandage and sighed. The second he released the paw, it joined the other in covering the mink’s head. 

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Law said. His voice didn’t sound particularly soothing, but it was enough to have the mink uncurling some. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Bepo.” 

The mink’s arms dropped from his head. He stared at Law, silent and wide eyed, for so long that Law started scratching at his arm in discomfort. 

“You did say your name was Bepo, right?” Law asked, his cheeks darkening. 

“You remembered?” 

Law looked offended. “Of course I did,” he hissed. This time, Bepo didn’t flinch away from the sharp tone. 

Instead he started blubbering, dragging Law into what was probably an extremely fluffy hug. He rubbed his face against Law’s shoulder as Law squawked, flailed, and tried futilely to escape the hug. After a while he gave up, wrapping one arm around Bepo’s shoulders and awkwardly patting his head with his free hand. 

Rosinante wished he had a camera with him. This was probably the cutest thing he had ever seen. 

Law’s eyes turned to Rosinante, to the grin on his face. His expression sharpened into something venomous. His teeth bared. Rosinante took a sip of his tea to hide his smile, trying not to laugh. Law was scratching Bepo’s ears, seemingly without realizing it. 

After a few minutes, Bepo calmed down enough for Law to slip from his hold. He sat on the couch next to him, and Rosinante joined them, setting his mug on the table. 

“Not that you’re in trouble, but would you mind explaining what happened here?” Rosinante asked, carefully taking Law’s hands to check his bandages. 

They were perfectly wrapped, as Law’s always were, but Rosinante still liked to make sure of it. 

Rosinante worried about Law more than he would ever say, would ever show. Law had no patience for coddling, he would think Rosinante considered him weak. Rosinante knew damn well how strong Law was. That was half the reason he worried as much as he did. Checking Law’s bandages was one of the few ways he indulged that worry. One of the few things Law allowed as well.

“I was coming back from Wolf’s when I found Bepo getting beaten up. I brought him back here because I didn’t have anything to help on hand,” Law said, taking back his hands when Rosinante let them go. 

Rosinante had a few questions. 

No, he had many. So many he wasn’t sure where to start. 

He settled on asking, “who’s Wolf?”

That seemed to be the most important thing to know. 

“Some weird old man who lives up the mountain,” Law shrugged. “He’s been letting me see his experiments.”

Rosinante had more questions. He wound his fingers together and rested his hands in front of his mouth. He took a grounding breath. 

“Law,” he started. “Do you understand why that’s a concerning sentence?” 

Law looked up at him, confusion and irritation warring on his face. Rosinante bit his lip. 

“Not weird like that,” Law hissed, before shrugging. “Besides, he’s old. It’s not like I can’t handle myself.” 

“I am not encouraging you to commit murder.” 

Part of Rosinante couldn’t believe he just said that. Another part of him was surprised he never said that before. Bepo made a worried noise. Law’s glare sharpened. 

“I never said anything about killing him,” he huffed. 

Rosinante didn’t think he had any right to be so offended. Even if he mellowed out considerably, murder was still a perfectly valid concern when it came to Law. Rosinante loved him, but that love didn’t mean he was delusional. 

“Will you take me with you the next time you go to see Wolf? I’d like to meet him,” Rosinante said. Law’s sharp expression softened with understanding. 

“Sure,” he said, quickly killing any sentiment in the moment by stealing Rosinante’s tea. The mug looked like a bowl cradled in Law’s hands. It was endearing enough for Rosinante to forgive the theft. 

He also forgave it because it meant Law might have an appetite that day. His eating habits were unpredictable at best. Some days he was ravenous. Other days he could barely stomach simple broths. Rosinante would take any chance to get something in Law’s stomach, even if that meant giving up a cup of his favorite tea. He could always make another.

“Back to Bepo, then,” Rosinante hummed, offering the mink his most reassuring smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

Bepo nodded frantically, wringing his paws. “You too, mister, um-”

“Cora,” Law said, looking up from the tea. “I call him Cora.” 

“Mister Cora, then,” Bepo smiled. At least, Rosinante thought he smiled. His teeth were worryingly sharp.  

“You don’t need to be so formal,” Rosinante promised. “You can just call me Cora, or Rosinante. Any friend of Law’s is a friend of mine.” 

Bepo looked a bit overwhelmed, his black eyes wide and shining. He didn’t seem to know what to do with kindness. It was as heartbreaking as it was surprising. Rosinante wouldn’t have expected Law to have the patience or gentleness for a personality like Bepo’s.

Not that Law was behaving gently by anyone’s standards but his own. 

“You’re a mink, right?” Rosinante asked. “How did you get here? We’re a long way from the New World.” 

Bepo curled in on himself again. “I fell off Zunesha’s leg,” he mumbled. He sounded near tears. His sniffed loudly, his black button nose twitching. “I got lost. It’s mean here. Everyone wants to hurt me.” 

Rosinante’s mouth went dry. Law glared up at him before, shockingly, leaning against Bepo’s side. 

“Why didn’t you fight back?” Law asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “You’ve got claws. And teeth. It’s not like they were strong.”

He had to be talking about whatever fight he pulled Bepo from. Rosinante hoped whoever was involved hadn’t been killed. Or maimed. Really, Rosinante just hoped they were able to walk away in the end.

Bepo drew his legs up to his chest, tucking his head against them. “Zepo said humans break easily. That I have to be careful if I meet them.” 

Law knocked back the rest of Rosinante’s tea, dropping the mug on the table and glaring at Bepo. It seemed his patience had run out. 

“You don’t have to be careful if someone’s hurting you,” he snarled. “Do you want to die?” 

Bepo uncurled enough to stare at Law. “No,” he whined. “I don’t.”

“Then don’t let yourself be killed. Fight. Back.” Law’s teeth were bared, his chest heaving, his hands curled into fists. “You can’t expect anybody to save you. If you want to live, then fight for it.” 

Rosinante set a hand on Law’s back. He didn’t shrug it off. He uncurled his shaking hands, breathing slowly and carefully. Bepo stared at him, slack jawed, his black eyes shining. 

“Are you alright?” Rosinante asked. After a moment, Law nodded. “You like this bear, don’t you?” 

He waited for Law to nod again before turning to Bepo. There weren’t many people Law liked. If he’d gotten attached to Bepo this quickly… 

“You’re welcome to stay with us, if you have nowhere else to go,” Rosinante offered, meeting Bepo’s wide eyes. “No one will hurt you here.” 

A moment later, Rosinante had a lapful of sobbing polar bear mink. Law shot him a smug look, which was quickly wiped off his face when Rosinante grabbed him and hauled him into the hug. He protested, loudly, but he didn’t try to pull away. 

After all, Bepo was incredibly fluffy.