#he has to keep a certain distance and hold himself to a much higher standard

[everyryuujisuguro]

[taetaesbaebaepsae]

Hmm how about Jimin and envy?

I got two for this one so I did a bit of a longer drabble! All of these won't be supernatural AUs but I just thought it would be fun for the first one to be. Not betaed or anything so read at your own risk

Envious

Warnings: Cunnilingus, clothes ripping, jealousy (obviously), marking, possessive behavior, demon au

Word Count: 1871

The first rule in the underworld is simple: Never give your name. Names have power. Names make up all of who you are, and even though demons as old as he is often have hundreds of names and incarnations, keeping any of them from getting out has been his top priority.

There are others in his circle who think of him as reckless, as losing his head when his particular sin is around, and sure, he causes his fair share of chaos, but he’s extremely cautious about things that certain of his brothers are not very cautious about.

Cavorting with humans is one of them, at least, in a carnal way. He tempts them, pushes them, but keeps his distance on an emotional level.

Demons, unlike their stuck-up counterparts, are very much slaves to their emotions, or at least his brothers are.

He holds himself at a higher standard, though, which is why it’s so fucking infuriating when you begin to make him into what he’s always mocked.

It started out innocently enough, with him posing as a human at your job, being someone better than you, hoping to give rise to your competitive nature. And he had, but...not in the way he’d expected.

Instead of hating him or being envious of his successes, you’d been attracted to his confidence and accomplishments. That much was fine, he’s used to being found attractive, and he can tempt you to envy in much easier ways if you’re intimately interested in him.

The problem was that he’d never found someone as difficult to ruffle as you are. That means spending more time above ground, spending more time with you and you’re...different, or maybe he just reacts to you differently. It’s all sexual, of course, and he’s well versed in those carnal pleasures, most demons are, after all, and it’s casual until you start talking to him a lot late at night, naked and vulnerable, wide eyed while you tell him some silly story from your childhood.

He’s not used to that feeling, the one that flutters in his chest, when you giggle at something he said. Of course, he’d given you a name but not his own, and it starts to feel strange when you say it, wrong in some way that makes his throat feel tight.

He tells himself it’s time to push the envelope, and he texts you to tell you he’ll be working late at home so not to come over but then shows up at a club you’d gone to with your friends, found a woman willing to entertain him, and started the path to envy and temptation.

Or at least, he tried to.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like you’re affected, or at least not as much as he’d like you to be. Demons are also empaths, and of course he feels envy everywhere, but no stronger from you.

He catches your eye while the girl is in his lap and instead of being angry or more useful, envious, you give him a slow smile and a little wave before turning back to your friend.

An hour later, he’s frowning and watching you chat with some idiot on a barstool who’s leaning way too close to you and you have your hands on his thighs, laughing.

There’s something like bees buzzing in the back of his head and the girl he’d flirted with keeps asking him to take her home but he can’t stop staring at you.

You don’t even look at him, which makes the buzzing in his head louder and so when you walk out the door holding that guy’s hand he stalks toward you, grabs your wrist.

“Can I talk to you?” He blurts, and that’s not at all what he’d meant to do, this isn’t furthering his aims at all but you smile and lead him to your car anyway.

If he didn’t know that demons can only get drunk off firewhiskey and not anything produced on earth, he’d think he was tipsy from the way his tongue felt swollen and slow. He leans against your car and you smile at him, looking at your phone.

“What’s up? I have plans in a bit, so I have to-”

He upright himself, jaw tightening. “Plans? Why? You should go home with me instead.”

You look up slowly through your eyelashes. “I dunno, Jimin, you were here with that other girl, right? Isn’t it rude to leave her hanging?”

“Come home with me,” he repeats, reaching out for your hands, and when you giggle he feels that strange fluttering in his chest.

You take him to your place instead of following him to his and he finds that buzzing in his head just grows louder when there’s a man’s jacket hanging on your coat rack.

“You have company?” He asks, and his voice sounds strained to his own ears.

“Hmm?” You look up at him, distracted. “Oh, someone just left that here.”

He makes a noncommittal noise in agreement but he moves before he knows he’s going to, slides his hands around your waist and kisses the base of your throat, hard, leaving a red mark.

You don’t protest, melt into his arms instead and moan and he kisses you again and again, leaving a necklace of marks across your throat and collarbone.

“Fuck,” you breathe. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

When he slides his hand up your thigh, cups your pussy through your panties, you call him by that name again, the fake one, the one that never feels like his even though he’s used it for almost a hundred years, and it makes the buzzing in his head nearly unbearable.

“Don’t call me that,” he rasps, pushes you against the wall to hike one of your legs around his hip.

“Wh-what….what do you mean?”

He breaks apart from your flesh to gather himself, shakes his head a bit. “Nothing. Nevermind.”

He kisses you then to distract you, hard, sliding his tongue against yours in the way that always makes your heart beat faster against him, makes your nipples tighten and show under your shirt.

“Surprised you wore panties. No bra, your tits were driving me crazy all night,” he mutters.

You groan again, wrap your arms around his neck as he hooks two fingers under the crotch of your underwear.

“That was the plan,” you admit with a half smile, eyes closed and he pauses after dipping two fingers inside you.

“Wanted me to see?” He asks, running his teeth along your shoulder.

“Mmhm,” you murmur, voice dreamy like when you’re beneath him bare on the bed and he draws in a sharp breath.

“Only me?”

You catch his eye when he lifts his head, tilting your head as if thinking.

“Maybe.”

He growls and lifts your ass to get both your legs around him, carrying you into the bedroom before depositing you on the bed, lying over you with a grunt while bunching your skirt around your hips.

“You weren’t gonna go home with that guy,” he says, and he isn’t sure if it’s a statement for a question.

“I wasn’t?”

He’s beginning to think you’re actively trying to piss him off, and normally that’d be fun, funny even, humans can be so quirky with what they want, especially in bed, but tonight it makes his chest flutter in a different way, one that’s uncomfortable and makes him taste something bitter at the back of his tongue.

He tugs down your shirt instead of speaking, takes a nipple into his mouth and you arch your back, press yourself against him. The way your body reacts to him makes him feel less strange, makes this all seem normal again, but when you breathe that fake name into his ear he growls and rips your panties at the hip, nipping at the peak of your nipple when he lifts his head.

“Don’t,” he repeats, and you give him a curious look.

“What are you talking about?”

He sighs, hides his face against your neck, grinds down into you hoping that you’ll forget about it but you cup his face in your hands.

“What’s going on?” You ask, seriously, your eyes wide and concerned and his heart skips in his chest.

I wish you knew my name are the words bubbling at the back of his throat. I wish you knew me.

But he can’t say that because you’re a human and because his name is something he’s rarely ever uttered, not even to his own kind and because he’s afraid to let you know him, afraid to let anyone know him, and not just because he’s always been taught that names hold power.

He looks down at you and instead of speaking he kisses you again, deeper than usual, slower, as if it means something rather than just the way it makes you sigh from your nose, melt into him.

Demons have always been empaths, he knows, and they’ve always had big emotions, but he doesn’t know what this one is, hasn’t ever allowed himself to feel it, and it feels like he could crawl right out of his skin.

When he pulls away you’re still frowning.

“I wish you would tell me--” He cuts you off by sliding down your body, pushing your thighs apart and burying his face in you, and it’s easy enough to get lost in your taste and the way your thighs clench around his head when you cum.

As soon as he’s done though, you’re crying out his fake name and he wants to bang his head into the headboard.

He clenches his jaw, lies down beside you and you lift up on one elbow, frowning.

“I’ve never known you to want to stop after one orgasm,” you say, and he knows it’s meant to make him laugh, to disarm him or distract him, but he can’t feel anything but the buzzing in his head.

“Were you really gonna go home with that guy?” He asks, and it comes out harsher than intended.

Your frown deepens and you sit up on the bed.

“So what if I was?”

He takes in a deep breath and it hitches in his chest and he doesn’t want to look at you but he does anyway, turns his head toward you. He’s well acquainted with the sin of wrath, the way it feels, rage clouding his vision and he knows it’s one of those he’s most susceptible to, but that’s not what he’s feeling now.

He wouldn’t be the first demon to be swayed by his own sin, but it’s not all envy he’s feeling right now, either, and whatever else he might be feeling frightens him more than revealing himself to you.

You’re still frowning, these lines between your eyes betraying that you’re angry, waiting for him to say something to further upset you. Your arms are crossed; you’re all hard lines but he shifts on the bed, arms loose around his waist, his head in your lap, chin resting on one of your thighs.

You hesitate but then one hand drops to his back, the other in his hair.

“My name is Jimin,” he says, and gives you everything.

[sulphuryasecretcloset]

This is not Hutt behavior!

It’s strange how year after year goes by but the hurt flares up every bits as strong whenever certain dates mark the calender. Today it is the day Leo lost his mother and he knows a huge part of the hurt is the guilt he feels for not being there when she passed away. He’d been on a mission with his squad and only learned of her passing when he came back to the base they were stationed on.

Still, lingering on hurt and regret won’t bring anyone back or change how he feels so Leo carefully pushes it deep down inside himself, puts on a bright smile and does his best to act like it is a perfectly regular day.

Leo is sitting by himself in the kitchen, hunched over his bowl of noodles and trying to convince his body that he’s hungry, he hasn’t eaten all day, when there is a light touch to his knee. Puzzled, he looks over and his surprise grows even bigger when he finds Junior looking up at him.

Automatically scanning the empty room for where Mose is hiding, Leo is even more puzzled to see no sign of him. Junior rarely strays much of a distance from her protector unless the little green man is with her.

“Uhm…” Leo looks down at the Huttlet again. “Hello?” She usually tends to keep a wary distance to all of the former Troopers, him very much included. “Can I help you?”

Junior makes a soft cheep and her big eyes are studying him with… concern? Leo abruptly realizes he can’t have hidden the pain curled up in his chest as good as he thought he was if a Huttlet can pick up on it.

Leo tries to smile. “I’m okay, kiddo.” He clears his throat. “Just… a little sad. That’s all.”

She watches him for a moment longer, seems to consider his words, or at least the tone of them, Leo’s not sure how much Standard speech she understands, but then Junior gathers her courage and reaches her chubby little arms up to him.

Leo has a moment of utter disbelief, she has never let him pick her up before, then reaches down and carefully lifts her up to sit on his thigh while keeping one hand on her back for support. Her big eyes are still watching him with innocent concern. She cheeps softly again.

“I’m okay. Really. I am.” Leo insists. He even feels a little of the hurt easing in his chest to see her care so much. It’s just too adorable. He uses his free hand to tap her little nose with his finger.

Blinking, Junior fends him off with both of her hands and a gurgling giggle.

It’s so cute he has to do it again and her giggle is even louder. This time, when she looks up at him, Leo’s smile is genuine.

Cheeping happily, Junior flops against his chest and does her best to embrace him with her short arms.

That brings an equally genuine laugh and Leo feels a fierce burst of affection. As he’s marrying Zev and Mose is just about her brother, that makes Junior Leo’s niece, right? Family. The most adorable family ever. He leans down and places a jokingly loud kiss on top of her warm, leathery head.

Junior leans back with an almost startled look and reaches up with her hand to touch where he’d kissed her. She lowers the hand to scan it before shifting her gaze up to Leo’s face again and makes a quizzical cheep.

“It’s just a kiss.” Leo explains, feeling a bit amused at her acting like he just tried to eat her brain but mostly guilty for startling her. “You’ve been kissed on the head before. And Corin kisses the little green man’s head all the time, you’ve seen that, right?”

Junior touches her head again and looks at her hand once more. She seems utterly puzzled.

Leo is about to reassure her he will never do it again when she abruptly leans forward and offers her head up to him. She cheeps impatiently.

Hesitating, Leo places a feather-light kiss on top of her head.

Junior makes a displeased trill and strains to stretch her head up higher to him.

“What…?” Leo begins and then realizes what he’d done to startle her and what now fascinates her. He leans down and places an obnoxiously loud kiss on her head. A bubbly giggle and full-body squirm follows.

It’s hilarious.

The sound of Mose and Zev’s voices as they enter the kitchen snap them out of the moment and Junior instantly wiggles to be let down. Leo obliges her.

Zev’s face softens at the sight of him and Junior, but she quickly regains her stern expression the second she realizes Leo can see it.

Mose looks down as the Huttlet eagerly makes her way towards him and when she reaches her arms up to him, he picks her up with practised ease. Her continuing to reach up even when she’s in his embrace has Mose sighing and then lowering his head, expecting a kov’nyn. She’s grown very fond of that move. Which means Mose is most definitely not prepared for how Junior leans up to place her semi-open mouth on top of his head with a loud ‘mwha’-sound.

Like the Huttlet, Mose abruptly leans away with a startled look. 

Junior squeaks and giggles with impish delight. She stretches up again, but Mose leans further back as if she is trying to bite him.

Leo can’t hold back a laugh of his own. “She’s just trying to kiss you.”

Mose sets Junior back down on the floor, scowls over at Zev, who has both hands over her mouth to keep from laughing, before straightening and glaring at Leo. “Hutts don’t kiss!”

Shrugging one shoulder, Leo can’t help himself. “She seems to be doing a pretty good job of it.”

Still giggling, Junior wiggles out of the room, probably off to show her new skill to the little green man.

“Bad enough you humans taught her to hug and the kov’nyn thing,” Mose rumbles, “but Hutts do not kiss!”

Leo frowns. “Ever? I mean, not even with your partner?”

Mose looks disgusted. “No.”

“And you don’t hug.”

“No.”

Leo shakes his head a little. “Then how do you show your partner affection?”

“We don’t actively try to kill them.” Mose replies, as if it should be obvious.

“No wonder you Hutts are such grumpy lumps.” Leo mumbles.

“Says the hormonal biped.” Mose snipes back.

“Be nice, or I will hug you!” Leo points a finger at him. “Test my patience and I will throw in a kiss.”

The scandalized look on Mose’s face finally breaks Zev and she bursts out laughing.

It’s the most beautiful sound Leo has ever heard.

“Hey, guys…?” Din steps into the room, sounding a bit… unsettled and even glances back at the hallway as if to make sure he’s not being chased by whatever has knocked him off balance. He gives the laughing Zev’sonya a quick look before shifting his t-visor gaze back and forth between Leo and Mose. “I, uh… I think I was either just kissed by a Huttlet or Junior made a pretty good effort to eat my helmet?”

Grinning, Leo puffs up like the proud teacher he is. “You’re welcome!”

Din sends him a look which, despite the man wearing a helmet covering his entire head, radiates confusion.

Zev laughs even louder.

Mose rumbles.

This is when Corin walks in on tense legs, wide-eyed and with a decent part of his hair slicked up into a slobbery antenna.

Zev howls with laughter.

“Junior!” Mose hurries out of the kitchen and disappears down the hallway. “Jana, put her down, right away, or she’ll- I tried to warn you. No, don’t put her down now! Junior, get back here. Little one, do not encourage her! This is not funny.”

Leo darts over and grabs Zev’sonya just in time to keep her from falling as she doubles over from laughter. He’s laughing too.

Today had started out dark and painful, but he suspects it might be easier to get through this date next year. Yes, it will always be the day he lost his mother, but now he can also consider it the day Junior learned forehead kisses the civilian way and it will be a memory that will bring a smile instead of heartache.

[kkusuka]

Third year songs <3

this is most of the thrid years- not all 

from my spotify liked playlist <3

comes with a side of slight character analysis 

These are my interpretations of HQ characters and these songs!!

Time-skip spoilers!! (very slight) 

---

Karasuno 

Daichi Sawamura

 Waiting for Superman- Daughtry

She's waiting for Superman

To lift her up

And take her anywhere

Show her love

And climbing through the air

Save her now

Before it's too late tonight

She's waiting for Superman

Daichi seems like he makes a  lot of promises, that he just can’t physically keep. He just has so many things going on that he just can’t pay attention to all of them at once. This leads to far too many forgotten dates and even more broken promises. You know its not his fault and he does too, he just can’t leave anyone hanging. 

Koushi Sugawara

 Island- Florida Georgia Line

We might as well be on an island

Like we're the last two on this Earth

Like we're frozen here in time

Like it's empty here tonight

I feel like suga likes to put himself back into happier times. And that he tries to hold into happy moments as they are happening. He says he is a man of the moment, but when he feels down, he tries to put himself back into the more joyous times. 

Asahi Azumane 

You say- Lauren Daigle 

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours

And I believe (I)

Oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

Asahi is clearly very attached to how people perceive him. So when people shower him with compliments, he attaches onto them. He likes what makes him comfortable and he wants to stay comfortable for as long as he can. Words are important to him, so when he hears something bad it can ruin him for a while. He really does believe what the people he loves say to him. 

Kiyoko Shimizu

 Mothers daughter- Miley Cyrus 

Oh my gosh, she got the power

Oh, look at her, she got the power

So, so, so

…

Must be something in the water

Or that I'm my mother's daughter

The power this woman carries. She’s built her confidence and she’s not letting anyone ruin it for her. I truly believe that her friends all become more confident because she wants everyone around her to feel confident too. Since she doesn't speak all that much she lets her body language do most of the expression. 

--

Nekoma 

Tetsurō Kuroo

 High school sweethearts- Melanie Martinez 

Could you hold me through the night?

Put your lips all over my mine

Salty face when I start cryin'

Could you be my first time?

Eat me up like apple pie

Kuroo definitely takes trust very seriously. I feel he’s also really scared of someone breaking this trust, so he does form it with a lot of people. That saying if he does, he wants it to last forever.

 (...Step twoThis is a waste if you can't walk me down the finish line…) 

He truly believes in the people he surrounds himself with. 

Nobuyuki Kai 

Kill the Lights- Set it Off

Now I am cutting ties clean off

And I can breathe at last

So we all stand enthralled by this bland curtain call

And the truth we pursue as we all, we all beg you to

 Kai seems like he wasn't really that invested in volleyball, so having all these passionate people around him was a shock.  But he really got into third year, and he wants people to feel that passion too. In the back of his mind he feels bad for not feeling it like the rest of the team, but since looking in the past means nothing now, he tries to move on. 

Morisuke Yaku

 Mama- Mcr

And when we go don't blame us, yeah

We'll let the fires just bathe us, yeah

You made us oh so famous;

We'll never let you go

And when you go don't return to me my love

I mean, he is part of the mom squad. But it's ever so slightly more deep. I’m gonna say it's momma-bird syndrome. He doesn't want people to move on without him, seeing people achieve their dreams is great but he doesn't want you to do it if that means loving him. 

--

Seijoh

Tōru Oikawa

Prom Queen- Beach Bunny

Maybe I should try harder

You should lower your expectations

I'm no quick-curl barbie

I was never cut out for prom queen

I feel like oikawa is constantly feeling like he has to catch up to everyone around him. At some point in Argentina he came to the conclusion that he was good enough and didn't need to rise to anyone's standards of him, but when he got picked for the national team everything came back. He still has all of those feelings from high-school. Never making it to nationals, feeling like he failed his team. 

Issei Matsukawa

Bubblegum Bitch- Marina and the diamonds 

Got a figure like a pin-up, got a figure like a doll

Don't care if you think I'm dumb, I don't care at all

Candy bear, sweetie pie, wanna be adored

I'm the girl you'd die for

I feel like to earn Mattsun’s trust, he would put you through some ridiculous trial of sorts. I also feel that he is very comfortable with who he is, and he takes no shit about it. But that comes with the fact that he rarely takes fault in things, and that sparks arguments. He’ll use your love for him against you, he’ll be as cold as he can muster, until YOU take fault. 

Takahiro Hanamaki

 OUT THE ROOF- Chase Atlantic 

Yeah, we stay lit

We fuck bitches, pop on pillies, that is it, yeah

Holy moly, holy shit, yeah

Me and all my people are heaven sent, yeah, yup

9this is a strait vibe for Makki) 

I feel like Makki drowns his problems out with meaningless activities. Like smoking or one-night stands. He’d rather drown out his problems then have them in his  face. Or when he’s forced to face them, he’ll deflect until he has nothing else to deflect. Because when you’re high there nothing to worry about! Why stress about meaningless problems when he can be having fun!  

Hajime Iwaizumi

 Endlessly- The Cab

Yeah, your friends may think I'm crazy

Cause they can only see

I'm not perfect, but I swear, I'm perfect for you.

And there's no guarantee

That this will be easy.

It's not a miracle you need, believe me.

Yeah, I'm no angel, I'm just me

But I will love you endlessly.

Iwa knows that he can't be there for you all the time. Physically he tries his best, mentally he can help when he can. But you both know that you're perfect for one another. He just can't help but listen to the people around him sometimes. You deserve the world, but he doesn't know if he can give that to you. 

--

Fukurodani

Kōtarō Bokuto 

Prima Donna- Andrew Lloyd Webber 

Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?

Think of how they all adore you

We’ve all seen how Bokuto gets what he’s praised for literally anything remotely impressive. So that makes him a cannon prima donna! but that also means the lows and really bad mood swings. This song just fits him so well it’s scary.  

-- 

Shiratorizawa

Wakatoshi Ushijim

 More- Usher 

If you really want more, scream it out louder,

If you on the floor, bring out the fire,

And light it up, take it up higher,

Gotta push it to the limit, give it more.

This seems kinda obvious, but Ushijima never gives up. Ever since he was a kid, he set a goal for himself and he went beyond what he even set out for. And that comes with a lot of work and training for every new level of volleyball. He’s just going to get better and better until he retires, or is forced to retire. 

Eita Semi

 strawberries and cigarettes- troye sivan

Long nights, daydreams

Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool

But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you

Headlights, on me

Racing to 60, I've been a fool

But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like

Blue eyes, black jeans

Lighters and candy, I've been a fool

But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you

I feel like semi always thinks about how Shirabu replaced him on the starting line-up. But he’s mostly gotten over it, but certain things bring him back into that stage of his life. Then the cycle starts all over again. He constantly looks back on the game against Karasuno and thinks about wat would have happened if he was the setter instead. 

Reon Ōhira

 Remember when- Chris Wallace 

So can we push push push rewind,

Go go back in time,

When we were kids sneaking bottles of wine,

Take take take me back, I wanna go back,

Back to what we had! Do you remember when we started this mess,

My heart was beating out of my chest!,

Remember when we stole your dad's car,

Reon gives me the vibe that his days at Shiratorizawa were some of the best of his life. How can they not be? He made the greatest friends of his life there. And I also feel like he looks back on them a bit more than he wants to admit.

Satori Tendō

 This Side of Paradise- Coyote theory

Are you lonely?

Passion is crashing as we speak

You seem so lonely

You're the ground my feet won't reach

So if you're lonely

Darling you're glowing

If you're lonely come be lonely with me.

I get the vibe that Tendou attaches himself to whatever makes him feel wanted/safe. (ex. volleyball) he knows it isn't healthy, but he can't help it. This does lead to him completely distancing himself from you over and over because he thinks you’ll leave him. 

Hayato Yamagata- House of gold- Twenty one Pilots 

I will make you

Queen of everything you see

I'll put you on the map

I'll cure you of disease (Ooh)

And since we know that dreams are dead

And life turns plans up on their head

I will plan to be a bum

So I just might become someone

Even though we don't see a lot of him, I get the feeling he treats people really well. Like he cherishes people a lot more than some of them deserve. As you can see this leads to some unfair relationships and toxic people. He just wants to hold on until a good person comes along. 

--

Nohebi 

Suguru Daishō

Mr Loverman - Ricky Montgomery 

I'm Mr. Loverman

And I miss my lover, man

I'm Mr. Loverman

Oh, and I miss my lover

I feel like this was way too obvious, but it really is his song. It’s literally cannon, every lyric in this song is what happened with Mika. but in the end he got her back and made his promise  to be a better loverman <3. 

Kazuma Numai

 Nonstop- Drake 

Future took the business and ran it for me

I let Ollie take the owl, told him brand it for me

I get two million a pop and that's standard for me

Like I went blind dog, you gotta hand it to me

He looks and acts like a guy who listens to drake. He just seems like a guy who won't stop or give up even when things take a turn. He’ll just keep fighting until nothing’s left. 

Kōji Hiroo

 At the Wheel- Colorblind 

I need something to wake me up

It's never strong enough

I'm just getting colder and starting over

Going numb is just the way I run from

All my problems when I can't solve them

Need to break away

Escape the way I'm feeling

Hate to be fake, but I'm just dealing

This one doesn't really have a true reason, i really just felt like this was his song.  Sorry just the vibe. 

;)

Inarizaki

Shinsuke Kita

 Oh Ms Believer- twenty one pilots 

Oh, Ms. Believer, my pretty sleeper

Your twisted mind is like snow on the road

Your shaking shoulders prove that it's colder

Inside your head than the winter of dead

I will tell you I love you

But the muffs on your ears will cater your fears

My nose and feet are running as we start

To travel through snow

Together we go

I feel like kita is unintentionally cold towards the world, like he wants to open up but can't figure out how. But in turn if you can get him to feel “warmer” (get closer to him) he’ll share everything with you, almost oversharing. Just because he can't help it, he’s kept it all in for so long. Sometimes he just needs someone to hold him and make HIM feel better, because he does it for everyone. If you can manage all of this i feel like he’ll keep you with him forever. 

Ren Ōmimi

 Armor- Landon Austin

I'm not bullet proof when it comes to you

Don't know what to say when you made me the enemy

After the war is won

There's always the next one

I'm not bullet proof when it comes to you

I feel like not a lot of people approach ren because of how intimidating he looks. This has made him weary when people are really enthused to first meet him, because he thinks it’s a joke. After getting over that hurdle i feel like he just isn't an open person so it’ll take a long time to even get to a point where he trusts you. Hence the other wars after the first. 

Aran Ojiro-

 Never really over- Katy perry

Two years, and just like that, my head still takes me back

Thought it was done, but I guess it's never really over

Oh, we were such a mess, but wasn't it the best?

Thought it was done, but I guess it's never really over

Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over

And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again

And I'll have to get over you all over again

After all of these years, I really don't think Aran has truly gotten over losing at nationals in third year. And now on the national team he sees Hinata and Kageyama all the time and it takes him back. It makes him re-feel all the emotions he felt after the game. It hurt him to know that he gave his everything and still lost.  Like when he’s in bed he puts himself back into that self loathing phase of his life. 

Michinari Akagi

Try Hard - 5sos

It's obvious she’s so out of reach

And I'm finding it hard 'cause

She makes me feel, makes me feel

Like I try, like I try, like I'm trying too hard

'Cause I'm not being me

And it’s getting me down that

She makes me think, makes me think

That I try, that I try, that I'm trying too hard again

Akagi gives off boy best friend vibes.  But like to EVERYONE, so the person he liked just thought he was making fun of them and he didn't like them back. And i feel like that kinda traumatized him a bit, so when he got a new s/o he tried really really hard to make them special, but the same thing happened. 

i may do some with the second and first years, idk this took so long :)

[theawkwardterrier]

8+25 for a Steggy drabble

Amicus Curiae

Summary: Spending her Sunday watching high school students argue the same fake case is starting to seem like something Judge Carter might regret, until the Brooklyn Community High School team shows up. Or rather, until their teacher does...

Peggy is perfectly aware why she had volunteered for this. She knows why she should be proud and excited to be here, can mentally list through all the positives, the importance of it.

By her fourth session of the day, she has given up reminding herself of these things and is just hanging on.

It isn’t that the students are terrible - many of them are actually quite good. It’s only that listening to the same case being argued repeatedly over the course of several hours has the tendency to put a bit of strain on a person.

Perhaps it is especially grating because she had specifically only signed up to work for the morning today; she was planning on indulging in some actual relaxation over this weekend, or at least a bit of it after she had finished giving the keynote at the Women and Law conference on Saturday and spending Sunday volunteering, then finishing up on some work, and so long as her neighbors’ newborn actually took a break from indulging in a seeming undying passion for crying….

Well, not being around to listen to that was one blessing of having been begged by the very harassed tournament organizer to stay for a bit of extra time when Thompson had begun vomiting after lunch and needed to go home (Peggy can’t say she’s sorry about it, and she suspects that students will appreciate not having to put up with his tendency to pontificate).

Still, it’s hard to remember all the benefits, the meaningful logic, when the next set of teams has settled into her courtroom and she has to push back her shoulders and enter for yet another round.

“Just one more to get through. I’ll text the café and put in an order for your usual,” Rose mutters out of the corner of her mouth as Peggy passes, then raises her voice to announce, “All rise, the superior court of New York is now in session. Judge Margaret Carter presiding.”

Peggy scans the crowd absently as she gives her now-standard introductory speech. There are Zola and Schmidt, who have served as faculty coach and legal advisor for Hydra High over the past several years. She doesn’t envy the students on their team; the two might have a fairly steady winning record, but their personalities are miserable and they have a reputation for being harsh leaders.

Her gaze shifts to the other side. She’s never even heard of Brooklyn Community, guesses that they have never made out of preliminary rounds before. They are serving as the prosecution, with two young women and a young man as their attorneys. The three have their hands folded atop the table, listening to her attentively, but as she wraps up, she notices them sneaking glances toward their chaperones.

She is almost certain that they aren’t looking for reassurance from the lawyer accompanying them. She knows Howard Stark, although then again everyone does. He hasn’t argued before her, but he takes high profile cases and makes them even higher profile. If he wasn’t actually a talented and thorough attorney, she would dislike him quite a lot for how well he plays the media game, turning the law and people’s lives into sound bites and cable news clips. It’s a surprise to see him here - she would not have thought him the type to volunteer his time, especially not for something as small as a high school mock trial tournament - but no surprise at all to notice that he is glancing down at the phone in his lap, typing surreptitiously.

The thought of penalizing him for that crosses her mind, but before she can say anything, a tall student in the front row shifts and she can see whose eye the young prosecutors were trying to catch.

Their teacher is young, Peggy realizes as she directs Rose to read the name of the court case on the docket (which she already knows extremely bloody well by now). Not as young as some of the bright-eyed-bushy-tailed types she’s seen, but she’d wager that he’s in his thirties, perhaps a year or two older than she is. The smile he directs toward his students is not a flashy, movie star sort of thing but more solid than that, real and reassuring, and he meets the eyes of his charges and nods with firm encouragement toward them before sitting back to watch.

Incidentally, he is also incredibly good looking.

Peggy honors her commitments, prides herself on that, in fact, and so she takes as much care in overseeing this trial as she does with those which come before her in a more official capacity. Still, between watching the excellent prosecutorial team and noting some of the more interesting choices being made by a few of the witnesses, she manages to keep an eye on the teacher - Steve Rogers, according to the file she had glanced at.

He watches the trial carefully, making notes as he does, but it isn’t like Zola, who only jots things down when his team has made a misstep. Mr. Rogers seems as likely to mark things done right as those which could be done better. He nods along with his students, smiling especially widely at several points; Peggy would venture that those were things that they worked on particularly hard in practice. And every so often he turns to look at her before turning swiftly back toward his students. 

It’s the way his eyes widen and shift quickly away which makes Peggy suspect that his gaze isn’t entirely to do with analyzing how she is perceiving his team.

He keeps his eyes on hers, however, when she returns from her brief recess and announces that his team will be advancing to the next round. It’s only for that moment, though. The next he is turning to congratulate his team, who have all swarmed around him, patting their shoulders and speaking quietly to them, turning to shake Howard Stark’s hand.

With one last glance at Schmidt, whose face has turned sour with rage, and Zola, who is trying to calm him even as he shakes his head at the team, Peggy allows Rose to announce her exit, and goes to absorb the quiet of her chambers. As nice a distraction as Steve Rogers was, she knew that it could not be for long.

Still, she’s a bit regretful when she, divested of her robe and carrying her briefcase, returns to the courtroom to take the stairs down to the back parking area and finds it empty.

Then she hears something.

“Gotcha,” a voice says, and Steve Rogers stands from between the benches of the gallery where the Hydra team had been sitting earlier, a crumpled paper cup in his hand. He spots her almost immediately, and she can see the awkwardness come over his face even with the courtroom lights dimmed.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he says. “Your Honor, I mean.”

“It’s no trouble, Mr. Rogers,” she says, walking nearer. “Have you forgotten something?”

He glances down at the cup he is holding and winces. “Oh, no. I—When we were in here before, I saw that there were a few things left behind. I figured I’d come back to clean up a little once I saw my team to the subway.”

“You don’t have to do that. Really.” They are at comfortable speaking distance now. “Tidying after other teams isn’t precisely within your job description.”

He shrugs, wide shoulders looking a little helpless. “I was here and I could take care of it. No reason that the custodial staff should have to deal with extra just because some people weren’t as respectful as they should have been.”

The response seems to make something warm and expansive trail through her chest, but she only says, “Hmm,” in return, tilting her head to one side. “Well, I should hope that you didn’t entrust the well-being of your students to Mr. Stark while you came back to take care of litter.”

“They’re city kids, they’ve been taking the subway by themselves for years. And if anything, I’d trust them to take care of Howard instead of the other way around,” he says. A smile touches at his mouth, and although she’s seen him smile many times over the course of the afternoon, it is different when it is directed at her. 

“Well, let us hope that it won’t come to that. I did wonder, actually, how you managed to convince Mr. Stark to participate. I only know him by reputation, but I wouldn’t think it his sort of activity.”

“I might not have thought so either, but I know that it never hurts to try, so I got in touch. Turns out that he got his start on a team back in high school too. He still has a soft spot.” He shrugs. “I was lucky to get him. My kids deserve the best.”

“I’m disappointed not to be asked then,” she says. His eyes widen a bit before he realizes that she’s teasing.

Still, he sounds truthful and serious as he tells her, “If you weren’t a judge, you would have been on my list. You got yourself on the bench even though you’re young, a woman, and if you’re a naturalized citizen you already have to be pretty self-directed and able to go through all that’s involved in that...I know that none of that would have made it easy. People with vision about their futures who were able to achieve their goals despite obstacles - that’s exactly who I want around my team.”

She shifts her briefcase a bit, knowing that she’s already eaten through most of the day and that the journey home will lose her even more time. But it feels so nice standing here talking to him, not just small talk, not just because of the compliments, but because it feels like the start of something. So instead she says, “I apologize, by the way. I haven’t congratulated you.”

“They did a great job,” he says, immediate, eager. “It’s our first year even offering Mock Trial and I wasn’t sure how well it would work out, but they’re doing themselves proud. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about some of them making partner one day - or making their own way to the bench. Nat, who did the cross, she—” But he cuts himself off, blushing a little. “Sorry, I know I can get carried away, and you probably don’t want to hear it - you already spent the whole day knee deep in this, after all, and I don’t want you to think I’m trying to bias you somehow.”

There really isn’t a word for the pink in his cheeks other than fetching. Well, perhaps darling would do it.

Just earlier today, she would have said that her life was quite full enough, perhaps even overfull. But somehow, she thinks that a space could open for him, for speaking with him and seeing him and more, if she wanted it to. So she takes a breath and says, “I actually won’t be judging any further rounds this season, so there can’t be any sort of conflict of interest at all. Even if you were to, for example, join me for a bite to eat sometime soon.”

For a blink, she wonders if she might have misjudged, if she has mistaken politeness for something more, but then his mouth curves back into that smile which sends warmth running through her and which she is already beginning to like so well, especially when it is being aimed in her direction.

“I’m free tonight if you are,” he offers, something a bit worried still lying beneath the offer he has laid plainly at her feet. It makes her want to take his hand, to lean her head against his shoulder and promise that he has nothing to be nervous about.

Instead she says, all thought of taking off her heels and climbing into a hot bath forgotten, “If you’ve finished neatening things up around here, I know a place nearby.”

His smile gets just that bit wider. “Let me toss this out. Then you can lead the way.”

She’s happy to.

[a-monsters-love]

Hi! I just had a thought and thought it might be fun to write! So we all know Hawks is a pretty cocky guy, and he likes to brag about his speed, but what if his s/o beat him in a race? Maybe with the same glitch quirk?? Could also with Bakugo considering how competitive he is! (Also hi I absolutely loved the last thing I requested 100/10!!!)

OKAY. ALRIGHT YOU FUCKING PSYCHIC. I DEADASS JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH @eraser-baby ABOUT AN IDEA LIKE THIS WHEN I RECEIVED THIS REQUST. I love the idea of using the glitch quirk ✨however✨ I feel like that’s cheating lmao, how do we feel about a Gran Torino reader? 😹

Because that’s what I’m gonna use, and since this wasn’t specifically a head cannon request I’m gonna write little blurbs ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[Master List]

Takami Keigo (Hawks):

“-A man who might be too fast.” You read aloud, the article you found on your boyfriend was hilarious. You weren’t a well known hero so you never had to worry about the media smearing you, but gods did you love reading them. You sat slouched on the couch in your living room as he paced around.

Keigo groaned in the background, “Just because there’s no one faster than me doesn’t mean I’m ‘too fast!’ I mean-“ He tossed his hands out. “What’s wrong with being fast?!”

You laughed harder, “Awe~” You teased, sitting up and leaning over the back of the couch. “Sounds like your ego’s bruised.” A cheeky smile spreads across your face.

He rolls his eyes and smirks at you, “You’ve never complained about my speed.” He teases back.

You blush loudly and playfully scowl at him, “Now that I’m thinking about it maybe you are too fast.” You chide.

He gasps and dramatically places his hand on his chest, “I’m wounded! Truly hurt!” He leans over as if he got hit in the gut.

You hum at his sarcasm when a delightful idea comes to mind, “What if we hold a race?”

He walks over to the couch and sits beside you, leaning into his hand with his elbow on the back of the couch. “A race?”

Your fingers fly on your phone screen, “Yeah like one of those Pro Hero events?” You pull up an example. “We can prove that you might be the fastest but not the only fast hero?”

He hums and agrees that it could settle the current media drama as well as being up his approval rating, “It couldn’t hurt anything.”

——

After a few weeks of event planning the race was set, all around Tokyo there were streets blocked off for the race. Media and other agencies participated, you decided to let rookies and sidekicks alike join the race with the pro’s. “You’re participating?” Keigo asks you while you’re adjusting your boots.

You chuckle, “Of course! It’s my event.” A Cheshire smile grows at your lips, “Why? Scared of losing, Birdy?”

His smile drops for a moment, a light blush dusts his face and he forced a laugh. “In your dreams, Dove.” His voice was flirty but you knew he was challenging you.

Contenders get to the starting line, you and Hawks were standing next to each other. Everyone got into the positions best suited for their quirks and you leaned into a traditional racing pose and took the deepest breath you could manage. *BANG* The starting flare was shot and a strong burst of air knocked Hawks and all the other contenders over. You had vanished, everyone was silent for a moment until they heard your voice, “Didn’t the race start?” You yelled teasingly in the distance.

Laughter was heard in the crowd and you jetted off again, everyone else clamored back into position and took off. Hawks stared at you in awe for a moment before nearly scowling and flying off, he dusted the other contenders until you were in sight again. The two of you were about 30 feet from the ground, when you hear him behind you. “I thought you didn’t like the media’s attention Dove.” He teases, you glance back and smile.

“Not liking the attention and taking this race seriously are two different things, my love.” You wink and blow him a kiss before taking another deep breath. You land on the side of a building and pivot, shooting down the next street and passing under Hawks who was paying more attention to you than the building in front of him. “Pivot, sweetheart!”

After nearly crashing into the on coming building he flips and follows after you; you tease him and bounce between buildings faster than his eyes can keep up. Keigo hears your laughter periodically as you jet by, “You seem to be having fun (H/N), ready to lose?” He chides as he dive bombs towards the finish line.

You took the biggest breath your lungs could hold, the sound that came from your feet could be compared to a jet plane itself. Keigo stretched his legs in front of him for the bannered line as you dove towards it.

With photo evidence you grasped the banner and rolled on the ground coming to a stop. Cheers were heard as you sat up, your legs spread out and your hands were on the ground in front of you. You stayed sat tangled up in the banner while the dizziness passed, “(H/N) won the race!” Present Mic announced over the PA, “THE TITLE OF FASTEST HERO HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN PASSED ON!” You smiled widely as you heard, plopping on your back to lay on the ground.

Hawks hovered over you with a shocked expression and offered you a hand, “I’m stuck.” You whined and grabbed his hand. He pulled you upright and you teetered as he helped untangle you. You huffed for air from using your quirk so much.

By the time the shock had settled he found himself laughing, “What the fuck, (Y/N).” He laughed out, part of him was living for the fact that you can be that fast the other part is internally squawking ‘what-the-fuck.’

His wings fluffed and fluttered in frustration, he knew he’d hear never hear the end of this from the HPSC. You watch him go through the stages of ego-death and can’t help but laugh. “Come on, Birdy.” You tug on his jacket. “If you’re gonna challenge me you have to be ready for every outcome.”

You wink at him and usher him to the even stage, where he gets the pleasure of hanging a meddle on your neck. He groans as he remembers he agreed to this part, “Remind me why I agreed to this?”

“Because you love me.” You jeer.

———

Bakugo Katsuki:

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye, or in this case until someone gets blasted into the void. This thought has been running through your mind on repeat as Aizawa had planned a handful of ‘fun’ competitions for the class to partake in rather than your ‘standard’ gym class. It’s not that you didn’t love the idea, in fact it was brilliant. Everyone would have the chance to see how far they’ve come, it would give everyone the opportunity to work with each other to improve your skills. However Aizawa seems to forget a certain someone in your class, Bakugo Katsuki, your beloved boyfriend. As much as you loved him your were fully aware that he would pay no expense to beat everyone (including yourself) in a competition. Today’s competition was a race at Ground Beta, you were delighted because this is something you were good at. You, Iida, Izuku, Tokoyami and Bakugo would definitely lead the competition with your quirks.

You knew Bakugo would never hurt you, gods only you knew how delicate the guy could be. That didn’t change his competitive nature though. “No eye gouging.” You muttered more to yourself than Bakugo, he looked at you confused until he remembered the phrase that rule came with.

He huffed and rolled his eyes, “I can win without doing that.” He retorted, you hummed at the comment. “What?” He hissed.

You chuckled a bit and stretched as everyone lined up for the race, “Nothing ‘Suki, I’m just excited to see how this turns out.” You shrugged your shoulders a bit with a smirk on your face and started your controlled breathing techniques and Aizawa blew his whistle.

You were off, it looked as if you’d vanished before everyone’s eyes. Izuku was the only one who really knew your quirks capabilities since he interned with your grandfather. Those who followed were the expected bunch and a couple others, Iida and Bakugo were directly behind you, Tokoyami used Dark Shadow to fly, Shoto used his ice to propel himself forward, Tsuyu and Izuku hopped powerfully to keep up. Bakugo was launching himself above the 7 of you, you chuckled and took a deep breath as the obstacles began.

You shot gracefully between the cement panels Cementos had put up, using them as platforms to push farther. You could hear Katsuki laughing from above, “You won’t get far if you weave around like that!” He chides as he goes.

You snort when he fails to realize the cement structures are moving, they grow higher blocking him. He blasts it immediately and clicks his tongue. “Strategy, my dear. It’s easier to see where they’ll move from the ground ‘Suki.” You wink at him, the other behind you seemed to notice what you meant when they heard you.

After the panels pass a new obstacle began, taking a sharp turn through the buildings and launched yourself high in the air from the ground. The other started to get ahead, Katsuki in the lead as you started to free fall. You were dive bombing past the new obstacle, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” You hear your boyfriend screech at you, he looked at you incredulously.

You looked back with what can only be described as a casual yet confused look, “Falling?” Your retort, almost sounding like a question, only seemed to irritated him.

The concern and frustration fought for dominance in his expression. Your chuckle seemed to snap him out of it, he grunted and blasted past you again when you jetted by.

Bakugo could feel his arms starting to ache from his quirk as you both neared the finish line. With Iida catching up, the three of you were neck and neck for first place, you took the biggest breath you could take and blasted past the two. With your knees bent you braced for impact as you crash landed into the finish line. You stood on wobbly legs as you panted for air, honestly you didn’t care if you won. You started laughing between breaths because of how fun the race was before looking up to see the candid photo of you winning. “Oh shit.” You droned, laughter dropping from your tone, you know you’ll never hear the end of this now.

Yelling is heard behind you, along with the sound of explosions. You could hear Aizawa and Iida telling Bakugo to calm down as you turned to him. As much as he wanted to congratulate you, rage consumed his face. He stomped up to you and you smiled softly at him, “Rematch.” He stated, you could tell he was holding back. “Just us, no obstacles.” The words seethed between his teeth and you could only giggle.

Your laughter got thicker and more obnoxious as he tried to make his demand seem reasonable. “Your quirk isn’t speed based Katsuki.” You snorted out while rubbing your eyes.

He stumbled for words in frustration before letting out a growl, popping is heard from his hands. “I WANT A REMATCH.” He finally bellows.

Laughter bubbles up in your stomach again as he barks and whines about a rematch. His face gets red in frustration as you fall on you butt laughing, by the time he burnt himself out from yelling he squat next to you. “We should race more though, that was a good race.” He mutters soft enough for only you to hear.

“There’s nothing wrong in admitting you had fun, ‘Suki.” You tease, only for him to stand quickly in frustration.

“Shut up!” He snaps and ruffles his hair.

[ocular-intercourse]

every once in a while, i am remembered that i should probably nail down what exactly is in the realm of possibilities with the enhancements in the gyoverse

is the process government regulated, or more of a talent thing, the way anybody can learn how to draw with enough patience? I think it’s a mixture of both, people are not forbidden to gain certain abilities, you literally can’t keep it from happening, those are just things that can develop naturally when a person has the right mindset, but it’s also a dangerous process if certain levels are reached and things go wrong, so the government tries to keep certain levels.. I guess certified? At the very least registered. If you gain a certain amount of power you will be observed.

So there are two areas of use: personal & professional life.

In personal life a person can develop certain helpful abilities, imagine a fisherman training himself without trying to a point of being able to sense the location of fishes in the water. It’s very close to people in our world who just get very very skilled in their labor and get the ability to do specific things simply by experience (the way people in food stores can eyeball the weight of a specific item and be 100% right). Those are not particularly ‘powerful’ per se, more little every day helpers that might not even entirely get recognized as an enhancement. A lot of these abilities are inherited, but that might be less of a genetic thing and more grounded in the upbringing, environment, and education, one person teaching their skills and experiences to the next generation and them developing these enhancements themselves.

Then there’s professional life especially in jobs that are highly competitive, because everybody wants to be the best they can be in their field so naturally they would use any tools they can get their hands on. The biggest example of course is the army. The country with the strongest soldiers wins, so there have been raised standards and whoever cannot reach them loses by default. Hence the imperial army usually weeding out people with insufficient talent for the enhancements (thembo supreme raime being an exception). A whole nation selecting and breeding for the ultimate warriors at all times. There have been certain Levels established, a class of soldiers with Level A, Level B, Level C (those are not the actual names I’m still workshopping here), each with stronger abilities than the last. I imagine there are tests, either on set dates, or evaluations a person can apply for, to be moved to the next class (and get more pay and status). These Levels of evaluating a person’s capabilities can vary from job to job. A soldier with Level B would probably score lower in a scientific, research-based field, it’s all depending on how good you are at the enhancements that are useful for your job. (Army standard’s being pretty much universally accepted as the most powerful and useful skillsets and therefore valued the most)

Now this feels like a JRPG leveling system. My character’s skillset scores are Army Level C, Medicine Level A and Barter Level B+. (Now I’m picturing Trading Cards with your favorite Soldiers. Noor has one and every skill is at S cause propaganda. Gyo’s is a lot of S with worse scores in anything communicative, also S+ in immortality)

But what are the basic and less basic abilities a soldier can gain?

At base level are physical enhancements. More stamina, more strength, more agility, general healthiness (better immune system, faster gradual healing).

Followed by your base senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing and feeling. Later Levels of this ability include higher control, shutting down some senses or enhancing only one.

A little bit more difficult are things that need tighter control. The ability to influence your digestion, your blood flow, your oxygen intake. You can go longer on less food and air, you can slow your bleeding down, or trigger adrenaline rushes at will.

The next step is adding supernatural senses. The ability to feel the presence of other people, even at a distance and out of sight. The more trained you are in this area the better the feel is you get on the person and their intent. You cannot read minds, but you can certainly feel anger or admiration, general feelings or moods.

The next step is learning how to hide these things in yourself. These can cancel each other out depending on who is involved. A person that is good at hiding their intent can not hide it as well if the other person is better at seeing people’s intent than they are at hiding it.

The next step would be considered elemental magic by most standards. You can create a spark of flame, a bit of fluid, a gust of wind. These will most likely not be impressive flame thrower like attacks or anything, but can be practical here or there.

Also magical but more difficult, and mostly requires the student of this direction to split from developing other enhancements to concentrate solely on this area to be effective: healing magic. Gyo for example has mostly ignored healing magic, he can keep wounds shut enough to keep someone from losing blood but he cannot close them entirely, while Noor chose to stop their studies of techniques that would help in fights to focus on learning how to heal and nurture (it’s not only wounds, they can also relieve pain and control infections and other things). To be skilled in both is incredibly difficult and I don’t think it is currently seen. Something must be put on hold to learn other powerful things, so you have to pick and chose what you want to be proficient in. It is also an ability you can only use on others and not yourself, so most soldiers (at least those that get to this point and are therefore most likely power hungry in some way) chose to ignore it for something that helps themselves rather than others.

A similar direction but removed from regular healing magic because that focuses on healing other people while this is entirely self-focused: the next level of the control over your own body, the ability to sustain the body without meeting nutritional needs or rest. Beginners of this Level can go several days without sleep or rest, depending on a.. let’s say amount of ‘spiritual’ energy they have gathered before. They are, in that moment, basically feeding their body’s needs from this energy. The better you are at this, the longer you can go. This Level is only reached by those soldiers, that are willing to focus as much on their intellectual studies as they do on physical training. Many talented soldiers who exceed in fights get frustrated by these requirements. The ultimate Level of Control over your own body is the step Gyo has reached where he entirely halted all aging and is practically immortal, if not killed or dying of an illness. I imagine it has a lot to do with gathering such a vast amount of energy, that you can feed on it indefinitely, because you have learned to gain the energy quicker than you deplete it. There are earlier levels of this ability when you learn how to stretch less energy and slow down your aging instead of halting it completely. (many ppl in or out of the army will try to gain some bits of this ability to prolong their lives, everybody wants to squeeze a bit more out of it if they can) There are varying degrees of aging speed depending on the person’s skill level and energy intake.

The problem, aside from many people not having the mental or physical requirements to begin with, and the fortitude, discipline and patience to stick with it, is that said energy is also extremely volatile. People who begin gathering it often get overwhelmed by moodswings, the energy wanting to get out and presenting itself in any way that is currently available for it to be released by, whether that is physical or psychological. In higher concentrations the amount of energy can be literally corroding if your body and mind are not prepared to handle it. People carrying a large amount of energy can be caught in a bad moment and lose the ability to contain the energy, often with catastrophic consequences, definitely for the person themselves, sometimes for their surroundings too. People on Gyo’s Level are basically walking nukes, he could take out a small town if he ever lost it. Key to get to where Gyo is, is a strong enough anchor, a feeling or a motivation that drives you that is enough to sustain your willpower. (While in universe the idea is more philosophical, trained soldiers being told “think of something that motivates you”, this is more literal than they think. Gyo’s current anchor is wrath, that is why his sword which is known for its gruesome owners, attached itself to him. You could see the wrath as a fingerprint scan, if he did not have it, the sword would not work for him. A person’s anchor can also switch, which Gyo’s will, eventually, to his need to protect, and it will cause trouble with his sword and I assume some of the ways his other abilities have worked for him in the past)

The different Levels soldiers can be classified as are defined by a combination of these abilities, since each of them have multiple levels (from lesser to higher control over your body, stronger elemental magic and so on). So, to reach Level A you need Skill A Ability Score 1, Skill B Ability Score 1, Skill C Ability Score 1 while reaching a higher Level requirement might look more like Skill A Ability Score 2 Skill B Ability Score 3 Skill C Ability Score 6. So, a test that would allow you to reach the next Level would test how high your Ability Scores in each Skill are and see where that lands you. So even if your Levels are Skill A Ability Score 6 and Skill B Ability Score 6 if you do not have Ability Score 6 in Skill C you will not reach that higher Level. Gyo probably has all Skills maxed out (except healing but that one is counted separately since the army knows most soldiers will not reach high Ability Scores here).

But like I said, this Grade System is army specific. In another job field requirements might look more for skills that help you read and retain information faster, or specialize in reading other people and putting pleasant emotions out there to influence others.

This also explains Raime’s situation. While they are, from birth on, unable to gain these things that count as army recognized enhancements, they have an ability more on par with those private uses that develop naturally through talent and repetition. They DO technically have enhancements, but they are exclusively social, enhanced emotional intelligence if you will. The ability to read people, not the way the army enhancement works where it is basically a  supernatural sense you gain, but more through being able to instinctively read faces and voices and putting together what that means rather than sensing it. 

I don’t think this is entirely a class system based on your Level of enhancements, but typically people with enhancements are respected more, more so if they are high skilled in ‘popular’ fields (a soldier Level A will be more respected than a Scientist Level A). There is definitely a certain pressure to gain certain Levels, especially in higher society. If a first born noble does not gain high army Levels they are considered shameful.

[tsushimanoonryo]

Character Solidifying pt. 2

The second half of this.

26. What does your character’s home look like? Personal taste? Clothing? Hair? Appearance?

The Dawn Refuge is pretty run-down. It’s a shack that Jin has repurposed into a safe house. However, he does his best to keep it liveable. He keeps a number of sentimental items there, and each item has its own place. As for his personal appearance, he tries to maintain a certain level of cleanliness. He’s always going to be covered in mud, sweat, and blood, but he does his best to bathe as often as he can. Whenever his clothing starts to get frayed, he’ll patronize someone at a local village to mend it. He always keeps his armored oiled, lacquered, and ready for battle. He’ll try to shave when he can and he keeps his hair pulled back in a haphazard bun so it isn’t in his face. He certainly doesn’t look like a lord anymore, but he maintains a sense of nobility in his demeanor and personal hygiene.

27. How do they relate to their appearance? How do they wear their clothing? Style? Quality?

He prizes functionality over form these days. He will try to personalize when he can, but it is never as ostentatious as it was when he was Lord Sakai. What he wears is very similar to the peasants of Tsushima because he needs to blend in with them to a point. Can’t have the Shogun’s men or the Khan’s stragglers recognizing him on sight.

28. Who is your character’s mate? How do they relate to him or her? How did they make their choice?

Canonically, no one. In my heart (and Jin’s), it’s Yuna. He literally would not be alive because of her. She saved his life on three separate occasions and is responsible for the legend of The Ghost. She is a thief, true, but she’s a survivor. Jin respects her so much and has learned a great deal from her. He would give his life for the people of Tsushima, and he would give his life for her especially. Neither has blood relations any more, but Jin considers Yuna to be closer than family. He would do anything she asked of him, including running away from all this. All she has to do is ask. She won’t, though, which is why he loves her so much. She understands and accepts his drive to protect his people. He trusts her with everything and would die for her sake.

29. What is your character’s weaknesses? Hubris? Pride? Controlling?

His weakness is also his strength: Jin feels everything. He is ruled by his emotions. This is a good and bad thing. He cares very deeply and will fight hard because of it. But he also can sometimes let his emotions overwhelm him. This leads to stupid things like trying to fight the Khan alone on a bridge with broken armor. He’s getting better at using his emotions as a tool, but he still can sometimes let them overwhelm him.

30. Are they holding on to something in the past? Can he or she forgive?

He’s holding on to a lot of guilt and regret. Pretty much everyone he loves died. Some by his own hand, some because of mistakes he’s made. He will always feel like he could have done more for his father, even though logically he knows he was still a child and probably would have died had he tried to come to his aide. Killing Ryuzo was a result of Ryuzo’s pride and unwillingness to work with Jin, but he still hates that he had to do it. And his uncle asked to be killed, and honoring that wish was the hardest thing he ever had to do in his life. In idle moments, Jin replays these scenes and scans his memory for anything he might have done for these outcomes to have ended differently. He’s yet to come up with anything.

31. Does your character have children? How do they feel about their parental role? About the children? How do the children relate?

He does not. He’s never had a strong desire to be a parent. Rather, he wanted to pass on his family name (through either the Sakai or Shimura line) and ensure the survival of his clan. However, that is no longer an option. Sometimes, in his weaker moments, he imagines running off with Yuna to the mainland to start a family and disappear into anonymity, but he would never actually do it. The guilt for abandoning his people would nag at him for the rest of his life. So he probably won’t ever have children of his own. The closest he will get to ever being a parent is being a role model for aimless young men who want to join in The Ghost’s fight. He wouldn’t quite be comfortable with it, but he would do his best to guide them when the time comes.

32. How does your character react to stress situations? Defensively? Aggressively? Evasively?

He tries to remain stoic outwardly, but inwardly he is a storm of emotions. Worry, anger, fear, regret… Just a big mess. However, he will try to channel these emotions into finding a solution to the cause of his stress. He will try to face everything head-on and, failing that, will come at it from a different angle. Anything to find a solution and return to inner peace. If it doesn’t work out, he’ll doggedly try again until he either solves the problem or runs out of options.

33. Do they drink? Take drugs? What about their health? 

He doesn’t drink heavily, but one of his close friends is a sake merchant who has no problem letting him sample his wares for free. Aside from regularly taking a beating and getting hurt with swords, arrows, and bombs, his health is relatively okay. He’s survived multiple situations that should have killed him, so his constitution is pretty strong.

34. Does your character feel self-righteous? Revengeful? Contemptuous?

He’s basically a medieval Japanese Batman. He knows what he is doing is right, but he’s frustrated at the powers that be for not listening to him in regards to fighting the Mongols. He’s also got a (not so) healthy dose of vengeance making up his driving force. He tries to keep it in check, but a part of him does enjoy being The Ghost.

35. Do they always rationalize errors? How do they accept disasters and failures?

Jin does not handle his own failure well at all. He’ll silently agonize over it and keep himself up with guilt and regret. He’s much better at dealing with the failure of others. In that case, he’ll just get extremely annoyed and fix it himself. He holds himself to a much higher standard than everyone else.

36. Do they like to suffer? Like to see other people suffering?

Absolutely not. Jin can’t abide anyone suffering. Unless they’re a Mongol. Even then, he wants to know they suffered, but doesn’t want to watch it.

37. How is your character’s imagination? Daydreaming a lot? Worried most of the time? Living in memories?

Jin spends a lot of time in his own memories. He is constantly reliving his past to see if there’s anything at all he could have done to change the outcome or learn from his mistakes. He is constantly trying to glean any insights from the lessons of his past.

38. Are they basically negative when facing new things? Suspicious? Hostile? Scared? Enthusiastic?

Jin tries to keep an open mind when facing new things. He is guarded until he sees how things are going to turn out, but he isn’t going to be afraid to try a new way of doing things. Jin’s not so arrogant that he doesn’t realize someone else’s way of doing things might not be better than his.

39. What do they like to ridicule? What do they find stupid?

He doesn’t like to ridicule anyone or anything. However, he does find a lot of things stupid. He hates when people are so blinded by tradition or their own sense of self-importance that they won’t even consider that they might be wrong. He thinks that is the most ignorant, foolish way to live.

40. How is their sense of humor? Do they have one?

Jin has a great sense of humor under the right circumstances. When he doesn’t have the weight of saving all of Japan from the Mongols on his shoulders, he likes to cut loose. He does know how to have a good time. It’s just that he hasn’t been having a very good time as of late.

41. Is your character aware of who they are? Strengths? Weaknesses? Idiosyncrasies? Capable of self-irony?

He is very aware of who he is. Growing up, no one ever let him forget he was the jito’s nephew. Now that he’s distanced himself from that, no one lets him forget that he is The Ghost. However, he does still feel some insecurities over how well suited he is to these different mantles. He knows his own strengths, but he is hyper aware of his weaknesses too. He will sometimes try to joke about them, but it belies a very real sense of disappointment in himself.

42. What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively? What are they willing to do, to sacrifice, to obtain?

A god damn nap. But on a more serious note, he mostly wants a family and sense of belonging. He also wants very badly to not disappoint the people he loves best. They all want different things from him and he wants to be able to deliver on all fronts. He will run himself ragged trying to do so, sacrificing his own happiness at times so that his loved ones can be happy. 

43. Does your character have any secrets? If so, are they holding them back?

Jin is sort of bad at keeping secrets. For example: everyone fucking knows he’s The Ghost. He tends to wear his heart on his sleeve and is a bad liar, so he doesn’t keep a lot of secrets.

44. How badly do they want to obtain their life objectives? How do they pursue them?

Badly enough to be declared a traitor to the Shogun. He wants to live by his own personal code of honor, helping those who cannot help themselves, so he’ll do whatever it takes to achieve this. Even if it means going against hundreds of years of tradition or using underhanded tactics. If it means more people will survive and be safe, Jin will do it.

45. Is your character pragmatic? Think first? Responsible? All action? A visionary? Passionate? Quixotic?

Jin feels responsible for everyone and everything. He is extremely reliable. If there’s even the tiniest chance he can take care of something, he’ll promise to do it and he’ll get it done. He would like to think that he is pragmatic, as that is how his uncle raised him to be, but Jin is quite emotional. He just hides it very well. He is a man of action, but he doesn’t rush into things half-cocked anymore. He’ll sit and strategize, trying to find the best plan of attack that will have the least amount of fallout damage.

46. Is your character tall? Short? What about size? Weight? Posture? How do they feel about their physical body?

Jin is short by modern standards, standing at only 5’2’’. However, that was on the tallish side for men in feudal Japan. He has a lithe, muscular build and he carries himself with the poise and dignity required of a samurai. He is quite proud of his body, less for how it looks and more for how powerful it is. He’s accomplished numerous feats of physical prowess, including surviving things that should have killed him. So yes. He’s proud of what his body has been through and what it can do. It just also happens to look nice.

47. Do they want to project an image of a younger, older, more important person? Do they want to be visible or invisible?

When he was younger, he wanted people to notice him. He wanted them to see him as a brave warrior because he thought that might make him feel less guilt about watching his father die and doing nothing. However, he’s done a complete 180. He wants to blend in and remain unseen. This way, he can work more efficiently. Of course, everyone knows he’s The Ghost, but it’s the principle of the matter. He’s not going to draw any extra attention to himself if he doesn’t have to.

48. How are your character’s gestures? Vigorous? Weak? Controlled? Compulsive? Energetic? Sluggish?

Very restrained. He generally does not use his hands when he talks and he tries to keep his face neutral save for when he is out carousing. But he rarely ever does that anymore.

49. What about voice? Pitch? Strength? Tempo and rhythm of speech? Pronunciation? Accent?

He’s got a soft, gentle voice. Most people don’t expect that from The Ghost. It’s smooth, like brandy. He was schooled in proper speech and grammar ever since he was a child, so you wouldn’t notice anything other than eloquence from him. When he’s speaking English in the yakuza verse, he speaks with a Japanese accent. It isn’t heavily accented, English, however; you’re not going to have trouble understanding him.

50. What are the prevailing facial expressions? Sour? Cheerful? Dominating?

Jin has trained himself to keep a neutral face for most of the time. However, he isn’t always great at hiding his emotions. He’ll frown and furrow his brow quite a bit when he’s unhappy. He rarely smiles with his teeth, but he does smile. It’s just very restrained. My boy needs to loosen up.

[maddmuses]

Cloud Strife

Age: 14-22/3 (Verse Dependent) Date of Birth: August 19th, 1986 (or 1987) Occupation: Shinra Infantry (former), Mercenary (former), Freedom Fighter/Eco-Terrorist (former), Owner of Strife Delivery Service Species: Jenova-Human Hybrid (Mako-Treated)

Universe-Inspiration: Final Fantasy VII/Remake inspred

Appearance Cloud is a handsome young man of modest height, higher-end estimations being at about 5’8” tall, with notably wild blonde hair, a trademark attribute that others frequently remember him for. At times Cloud’s hair is compared to that of a Chocobo’s plumage, something that often irritates him when it occurs. Fair skinned, with eyes that have taken on an unusual type of blue, due to a glow of light-green caused by exposure to mako, Cloud often stands out in a crowd because of this combination of features. Despite being considered handsome by some, there is a certain androgyny to him that allows Cloud to dress in drag well enough to be chosen by some men over actual, very beautiful, women depending on the nature of the makeup, hairstyle, and dress that he’s put into. Through his childhood Cloud often wore fairly unremarkable clothing, often shorts and a shirt to keep comfortable in the dust-bowl town. Later on, as an infantryman for Shinra, he wears the standard uniform, though unlike many of his fellows, Cloud is willing to remove his helmet commonly, even when on-duty. Following the incident in Nibelheim Cloud would wear an appropriated SOLDIER uniform, specifically in the style of 1st Class, though after taking on the Buster Blade he modified it by removing the right pauldron, allowing for simpler drawing of his large weapon. Notably, the remaining pauldron has large plates and a battered appearance, from amateur repairs. In later years Cloud would significantly update his attire, discarding the SOLDIER uniform after the revelation of his true identity, and status of stolen valor, albeit unknowing. Changing to a more comfortable and loose style of clothing, as well as favoring an overall darker aesthetic to match with his different perspective. Underneath his larger left sleeve Cloud tends to wear a pink ribbon that’s tied atop his bicep. Cloud is seen using a variety of oversized “broadswords” over time, though primarily he uses the Buster Sword, an heirloom given to him by Zack Fair, who received it from Angeal Hewley. However, after the defeat of Sephiroth Cloud would shift towards a multi-component sword known as the Fusion Blade that could be formed into a replica of the Buster Sword.

Personality Growing up, Cloud was often quiet and withdrawn from peers, lacking in self-confidence, often getting picked on by the other children in his hometown while growing up. Despite this he often shows concern for others, and genuinely cares for them, to the point of hiding his own feelings so as to keep from worrying or hurting them. This is a habit that would continue into his adulthood, often causing him to behave in an aloof manner to even his old friend Tifa. This same shy nature continues even after the restoration of his memories, giving Cloud a somewhat broody persona that friends and loved ones are welcome to tease him for. Prone to motion-sickness, it seems that Cloud often deals with stress by keeping himself in a state of irritability, insisting that he’ll be fine on airships so long as he remains nervous. This seems to not be the case both when he suppressed his own memories, and tried to be as he remembered Zack to be, as well as when someone that he trusts is driving the vehicle, notably himself in many cases. As he copes with the trauma inflicted on him by Hojo, Cloud suppresses his own memories and attempts to distance himself from potentially triggering them by using a combination of memories that he had of Zack, or things that Zack told him to fill in blanks. This process was selective, as Cloud was able to remember that he was from Nibelheim, and Tifa, but this is more likely a response to adapt to his surroundings and how those that he does actually know address him. Meeting Tifa and her friends, and experiencing life as a mercenary would trigger brief flahsbacks, which he then actively fought against. Despite this, he still remembers enough to know that Shira has wronged him, and actively seeks to hold Hojo accountable for his evil. On some level, this behavior seems rooted in Cloud’s hatred of himself, or the person that he once was, so much to the point that he was more willing to accept being a Clone of Sephiroth than to return to who he had used to be. When using the persona that was a blend of himself and Zack, Cloud was cocky and headstrong, knowing that as a 1st Class SOLDIER he was an elite who could defeat Shinra. However, he would still display a soft side, being protective of his friends and others in the slums, even if his fighting was done for the sake of gathering enough funds to leave Midgar. Cloud is ultimately a loyal person, though, and if his friends are in need he will place himself in any kind of harm’s way to ensure their safety.

Biography [Summarized in FFVII/FFVIIR and FFVII Crisis Core]

Abilities and Skills -Shinra Training: As an infantryman of Shinra, Cloud received a baseline of training that would make him suitable to serve in  a combat situation. When he enlisted and completed training, though, the war with the Wutai had been over, though, and so his training was not as extreme. Cloud’s training may have been more extreme, though, as he intended to promote into SOLDIER, and worked with Zack as his protege, which would allow him to eventually use the Buster Sword. –Physical Conditioning: Cloud’s physical condition prior to Hojo’s experiments was extremely good, allowing him to function as ground infantry. However, his lower body was notably stronger than other areas, a symptom of spending time with Zack and mimicking his habit of performing crouch-squats. –Swordsmanship: More a result of training with Zack than Shinra properly, Cloud is proficient with a number of types of swords. Cloud is specifically proficient with the use of oversized broadswords, able to utilize its own weight and his own to better move with them. –Firearms: Cloud is capable with rifle and handguns, though he is far from comfortable using them.

-Materia Attunement: Like others, Cloud is able to attune to the materia that is slotted into his equipment. Seemingly distinct from how SOLDIER operatives are supposed to use materia, Cloud is able to develop the strength of materia by using them, and upon mastery is able to spawn additional copies of materia at their weakest form. Through this, Zack seems to be able to also enhance the properties of weapons that he uses.

Superhuman Powers and Abilities -Human-Jenova Hybrid: Similar in nature to the enhancements that SOLDIER benefit from, Cloud was injected with Jenova cells, then exposed to mako, while he was initially deemed a failure Cloud’s body and mind still benefited from the treatment, though he was rendered catatonic for roughly five years, four of which were spent in stasis. With this, Cloud is capable of the same herculean feats as other members of SOLDIER, though with less of the training, and knowledge of certain SOLDIER abilities, such as copying Limit Breaks and absorbing materia, which Zack was able to do.

-Limit Breaks: Cloud is able to perform a Limit Break, relying on a surge of tension, allowing him to perform his greatest feats of magic and strength. While initially little more than short combinations of powerful swings, at higher levels he’s able to conjure small storms of meteorites, and blast foes the beams and waves of energy. –Summons: Through channeling mana into summoning materia that he’s slotted, Cloud is able to summon great beasts and gods through the contracts established in those materia.

Weaknesses and Limitations -Motion-sickness: Though this is suppressed greatly when utilizing his Zack persona, Cloud struggles with moving at high-speed, particularly in vehicles. These symptoms largely subside when Cloud is piloting the vehicle himself, or it is by someone he loves and trusts, or otherwise when keeping himself distracted.

Equipment and Possessions -SOLDIER Fatigues: Cloud, prior to recovering his memories and changing to his Cloudy Wolf attire, wore a SOLDIER uniform, though modified for the year of wear-and-tear, as well as ease of use with Zack’s Buster Sword. This includes the protections typical for that type of equipment, though they lacked the slots necessary for materia use that SOLDIER agents usually equipped personally. Notably, these are 1st Class fatigues.

-Buster Sword: A massive broadsword that he inherited from his mentor Angeal, the Buster Sword requires superhuman strength to wield effectively. Essentially a one-foot thick piece of metal, the weapon has a well-honed edge that is rarely used, and is highly durable, though unlike his predecessor Zack, Cloud makes regular use of the weapon, wearing it down, though he works to keep it in good shape until leaving it at Zack’s grave.

-Various Materia: Cloud has access to various materia, but generally favors Fire, Lightning, Summon, and Enhancement Materia. Cloud’s maximum Materia slots depend on the equipment that he chooses to use.

-Fusion Sword: A weapon that Cloud had commissioned to be designed as a functional replacement for the Buster Sword that he left behind with Zack. Composed of six different, smaller, swords, Cloud is able to use them all to similar effect, eventually building up to the complete weapon, which is a recreation of the Buster Sword.

-Fenrir: A customized high-speed, long-ride, motorcycle. The tires in the front are designed specifically to act as housing for the different components of the Fusion Sword, as well as the completed Fusion Sword.

[chillahead-bridge]

Reunions

Post-canon fic of season 3, length of 4,121 words, contains every spoiler imaginable. Also on AO3 and part of an eventual larger series.

Summary: Months after beginning the establishment of New Trollmarket, the gyre station is finally complete. And Jim isn't the only one who's antsy to see their missing family members returned.

Blinky, no matter how many centuries pass, will always eagerly await a reunion with his bonded partner.

Watching the gyre start up, Blinky puts a hand on Jim’s back. His young charge is practically vibrating; eyes fixed on the machine as it winds up, and- shoots off down the tunnel, blindingly fast and gone in less time than the blink of six eyes.

Blinky is pleased. Not only is the gyre station hopefully now finished, and its tunnel to Arcadia complete, but it didn’t explode even a little during this half of its test run.

The trolls spectating its final stage of installation give a short round of applause and cheer, then moving on to continue their night. It’s just Blinky and Jim within a few moments, with their resident Trollhunter staring down the tunnel intently. As though just by watching, he can make the gyre return faster.

“It works, right? They’ll be here soon?” Jim asks, eyes still not moving from the wide mouth of the gyre station’s tunnel. He’s sinking slowly, almost certainly subconsciously, into a crouch on the balls of his feet; ready to spring forwards at any time, but also ready to watch and wait for his prey however long it takes.

Well, if long-distance friends Jim hasn’t seen in months can be counted as ‘prey’.

“With any luck, yes,” Blinky replies, moving his hand up to pat Jim’s head between his horns. With majority of the passing gawkers uninterested now that the potential explosion has passed, it’s a private enough moment to express the affection. “But it’s like humans say, James. A watched pot never boils. It will be at least another few hours before we’re certain the gyre is completely safe; I’d suggest you find something to occupy your time with until then.”

Jim makes a frustrated huff at that, a quiet growl in his throat. Blinky puts one of his lower arms around Jim’s shoulders, while still petting the top of his head; a bit more than is entirely comfortable to do in public, but Jim very much seems to need it.

“I could’ve gone with them,” Jim says, half to himself, “then I’d…”

“You might have seen Claire and Tobias sooner, yes, but you also might have blown up in a spectacular failure of engineering,” Blinky reminds him. Jim is clearly annoyed by that information, but is still leaning into Blinky’s hands; some of the tenseness in his shoulders easing for the contact. Blinky counts that as an improvement. “Trollmarket needs its Trollhunter hale and healthy, Jim. You might be strong enough to best Gunmar himself, but a gyre crash will wound even you. Best to leave it to the professionals; who are much more heavily armored than you, if I may add.”

Gyre station engineers are of the rarer sorts of trolls. Both big and heavily armored enough to survive the unfortunate crash of a gyre, but also well-learned and educated enough to put the whole thing together. Blinky may have the skill to drive a gyre, but he certainly doesn’t have what it takes to build one.

“I have armor, too,” Jim mutters stubbornly. Blinky smiles, affectionately patting the young troll-boy’s coarse hair.

“Indeed you do,” Blinky agrees. He gives Jim a tight two-armed squeeze, then stepping away; knocking his staff against the stone ground as he walks. “Come, then. Let’s put it to good use on the training grounds why don’t we? I’m sure you will find any number of willing opponents to blow off some steam with.”

Blinky waits a few seconds, flicking an ear backwards to listen for Jim’s following steps. After a few beats, a rather forlorn sigh is heard and Jim does indeed come trailing after him, if reluctantly.

Their Trollhunter does make for a mopey sight, dressed in loose pants and a baggy shirt; the loneliest body language possible as he pads along barefoot. Claire’s presence on and off the past months has been a big part of what kept Jim’s negative moods from being permanent. But with her family needing to see her, and higher education apply for, and her humanity dictating she seeks out her own kind for company… Claire can’t be Jim’s girlfriend constantly. The fiery young sorceress in-training has her own life to live, and sometimes the diverging paths of bonded partners can be a difficult hurdle.

Toby’s absence does nothing to help the state Jim works himself into; quicker to the rise of a conflict and pushed to uncharacteristic snaps, dogging Blinky’s heels even when Blinky has no use for a twitchy warrior in his library, or simply running himself ragged with a hundred different mundane activities in one night. All to keep his mind off the missing persons from his side.

Truly, as Blinky long suspected, the three of them are better kept as a trio. Separations are so very hard for younglings, even when they’re necessary. And for Jim, grappling with troll and human instincts both, it’s been doubly lonely.

Blinky sympathizes greatly. The hulking shadow that should be following his has been gone for months, and while they’ve gone years being apart… Blinky misses Arrrgh more with each rise and set of the moon. He misses the deep bass of Arrrgh’s voice, the unusual and unique perspectives he has of situations, the quiet comfort of them in their cave together, away from the world with only each other for company…

Yes, Blinky understands Jim’s pining loneliness quite well. And as he’s learned over his centuries of life, the only way to cope with it is to keep one’s self busy.

Hence, having his adopted son suit up and spar for the remaining time before their family arrives.

A perk of being Trollmarket’s leader is that when Blinky asks for a spar partner to present themselves, his request is fulfilled promptly. Jim himself holds appeal, given his reputation and prowess, but he is not even an adolescent by troll standards and that sometimes is enough to earn him subtle dismissal.

Thankfully tonight he receives no such slight, and Blinky is pleased to see five volunteers. Two nearly thrice Jim’s size, one of equal stature and svelte musculature, and the latter two in between. A good array of opponents for Jim to further hone his skills against, and more importantly to distract himself with.

Blinky settles himself on the side of the training grounds, sitting on a spectator bench; watching the first spar begin. While Jim says the incantation of his amulet, wrapping himself in the blue glow of it, Blinky takes in the training grounds as a whole.

It’s not as grand or impressive as the ones of Old Trollmarket, but it’s functional and frequented nonetheless. The lost history of the old training grounds will sting for a long few decades yet, but here they are already in the process of building a new Hero’s Forge. A place for future legacies to be born.

As such is why many newcomers to the market gather here, staking their place among their peers and proving their strengths. With the news of Gunmar and Morgana’s defeat travelling through troll communities across the globe, Blinky has been unsurprised to find many making the journey to join the one who can claim hand in that defeat. Trolls are predictable in their attraction to power and reputation, and the collective Blinky is responsible for can boast quite a lot of both.

Add in that the Trollhunter has a permanent residence among them, and the draw is more than tempting. Even if when they arrive… some trolls are not quite so accepting of a hunter than is not fully troll or human.

It has been a hard transition for Jim, with some weeks when Claire is away in the human world leaving him near despondent. With his body’s changes to adjust to, and the peace after a brutal war only just beginning to sink in… Jim has rougher moments than he would ever admit.

Peacetimes after war, as Blinky came to know hundreds of years ago, are not so easily accepted as one would like. Especially when you’re grieving, and in Jim’s case, as young as a troll child.

Jim grieves for his humanity, for the life he gave up, and for the trolls and humans he couldn’t save. He is only just beginning to age by troll standards, but by human… he is old enough to fight and die for his country, and fight he has for the world he gave everything to.

It’s still a heavy weight, the responsibilities and lives Jim has shouldered. Blinky will admit that he himself feels a tad weighed down these days, carrying the leadership of Trollmarket both old and new with all the gravity it deserves.

Between the two of them, coping with every burden they’ve chosen to take on, the presences of their family are a sorely missed feeling.

How glad Blinky is that the tunnel and gyre station are finally complete. He’ll be even gladder once Claire and Tobias return to Jim, and finally calm their Trollhunter. Of course, not that Blinky won’t be extremely happy to have Arrrgh back as well… but Blinky is capable of self-control in Arrrgh’s absence. Jim meanwhile is as unnerved and squirrely as possible.

Younglings, honestly. As endearing as he may be, Blinky does find his patience tried at times by his adopted son.

Not at the moment, though. As Jim is practically yowling with gleeful triumph as he bests one of his opponents- defeating one of the much larger trolls using nimble tricks and sneak attacks. His armor shines in the overhead lights as his broad falchion whirls; the flat of the blade smacking his opponent in his nose at just the right moment, and sending the troll toppling backwards.

Jim dissolves his sword as he flips away, using his bipedal and quadrupedal forms of maneuvering to his advantage; just as the sveltely shaped troll takes up the fight, his crescent blade similar to that of Nomura’s twin ones. Though this is a full-blooded troll, and not one of the Changelings that flit in and out of Trollmarket’s territory.

Blinky claps his upper arm’s hands, calling out, “Good show, young master Jim! Now give us an encore!”

“Working on it!” Jim yelps, scrambling on all fours out of the path of a blade that burns bright green.

“I wouldn’t be so certain of victory, Trollhunter whelp,” taunts his grey skinned opponent, and ah yes, this is one of the newcomers Blinky remembers welcoming a few weeks ago. Taka, Blinky thinks. A gentile fellow until he’s decided to stroke his ego.

Jim is in the process of cutting him down to size again, though, so Blinky chooses not to speak out against the mild insult. It’s nothing Jim hasn’t been called before, and Blinky has gotten practiced at swallowing the defensive growl that bubbles in his throat each time.

Blinky shouldn’t show too much favoritism towards the Trollhunter, given his position as Trollmarket’s elder leader (though he’s not that old yet), but he can’t help the reflex to defend someone he claims as his own. And it’s heartening to know that if someone badmouths his leadership choices within Jim’s hearing, the troll-boy tends to firmly remind them that disrespecting their elders is a real buttsnack thing to do.

Blinky smiles to himself, watching as Taka winds up with Daylight’s edge pressed to his throat. Jim’s smug grin is a welcome sight to see, rather than the pensive curling frown it’s been since Claire’s departure.

A tap on his shoulder, and Blinky turns his six eyes from Jim’s victory to the troll behind him. For a moment, the large size of said troll brings a soft pang to Blinky’s chest.

Soon, Blinky reminds himself.

“Blinkus,” greets the larger troll respectfully. His expression, however, is deeply annoyed. “There’s been another… disagreement over rations.”

Blinky sighs. “Socks or Glug this time?”

“Both, actually. Which is the problem. Not everyone wanted smoothies.”

And once again, Blinky finds his honored position as Trollmarket’s leader being called upon to settle a squabble. He really does understand now why Vendel had been so grumpy all the time.

“Right, then,” Blinky says, and stands from his bench. “Lead the way. Perhaps this time we’ll get matters solved before someone loses a digit or four.”

Blinky gives a brief wave to Jim, who is well and truly occupied by taking on his medium sized opponents both at once. The troll-boy distracts himself for a moment to wave cheerfully- seeming miles better than he’d been earlier, moping in front of the gyre station- and then dives back into the fight with his twin daggers drawn.

Blinky smiles warmly, and then turns to meander to wherever the largest crowd of trolls has gathered. Where there’s a crowd, there’s a fight. It makes tracking the conflict down easier for Blinky and Jim both.

The resolution of the fight turns into the resolution of another, and then a consultation with a different pair of trolls, and then an advisory about a cave’s structural plans, and then a brief assist in locating someone’s errant hatchling (always check the pantry first), and so on and so on and before Blinky knows it-

“Blinky!” someone yells down at him, and Blinky looks up from his work to see a certain youngling racing past. Jim’s fangs are on full display as he bares them in an overjoyed grin, which Blinky nearly misses entirely at Jim’s speed. “They’re here, the gyre is here! C’mon c’mon c’mon-”

And Jim is gone before Blinky hears the rest, as the troll-boy vaults over a food cart and several trolls and drops to all fours; continuing his sprint for the gyre station on the western side of Trollmarket.

Blinky feels a swell of emotion in his chest, and barely contains his own joy. A quick exchange of eye contact with the troll he’d been speaking to, and Blinky is waved off with an exasperated smile.

“Go, follow after the boy,” shoos the elder troll lady he’d been speaking with, and her nearly blind old eyes crinkle as she laughs at him. “Both of your pining is sickening, I can’t stand looking at it any longer.”

“Thank you, but excuse you, Dar,” Blinky snaps without heat. “I distinctly remember you being the same way the last time Tumelt visited her family up east.”

Dar’s many bead and skull accessories clack as she waves him off sharply. “Ach, your memory is failing you already, Blinkus. I’m sure such a thing never happened. Now get on with it! Arrrgh will be waiting.”

Blinky rolls all six of his eyes at her teasing, but does as told.

There’s no hope of him catching up to Jim’s progression- his son is as speedy as any of the troll ilk Nomura hails from- but Blinky does his best to keep up a steady jog until he’s reached his destination. No one bothers him as he goes, no one calling out for assistance with any little problem they’ve created for themselves. Blinky suspects they’re being respectful enough to give him time to reunite with his bonded partner, and for that he is grateful.

After all, with the way his heart is swelling and pulling him back to the one he’s shared it with- Blinky very much doubts he’d stop for anyone at this point, leaderly responsibilities or no.

Getting through the crowds closer to the gyre is aggravating, but all the irritation at being slowed down vanishes once Blinky breaks through and lays his eyes on the individuals clustered around the station.

For a moment, their surroundings are of little consequence to Blinky, and the only thing he can look at is the familiar green-grey hide of Arrrgh.

Arrrgh, who catches Blinky’s scent, and whips his head towards him with a grin so wide it must hurt.

“Blinky!” he bellows, and comes charging forwards. Blinky is forced to drop his staff in order to wrap his four arms around the neck of his partner, but the dull clatter of its fall barely reaches his ears.

The thick bristle of Arrrgh’s neck is an achingly familiar sensation against Blinky’s cheek, and he has missed it more than he thought he had, finally feeling it again now. Arrrgh’s chest is filled with sound as he gives a rumble of a purr, so happy that his words have deserted him and all he can do is hold Blinky tightly.

Blinky accepts the crushing hug happily. He has missed every aspect of Arrrgh, from the part of his scent that reminds him of rocks from deep beneath the earth, to the enormous hugs he gives when overexcited.

Blinky then lets out a startled laugh as Arrrgh lifts him off the ground, bringing him to level and looking Blinky right in the eye. Blinky feels himself smiling as wide as Arrrgh is, and that smile becomes something softer as they put their foreheads together; knocking horns and taking a slow inhale of each other’s scents.

Arrrgh smells like Arcadia, like Toby, like cats and tunnels different from the ones in the new Trollmarket territory, and he smells like Arrrgh. Like the troll Blinky isn’t ever sure how he managed to be without for any period of time.

Every time they have to separate, for whatever reason or for however long, the act of coming back together never ceases to jerk on every single one of Blinky’s heartstrings.

“…missed you,” Arrrgh sighs, words barely making it through his purring.

“And I you, old friend,” Blinky replies without missing a beat, his own quiet purr working its way up his throat. For as long as they can, they stay like that; re-familiarizing themselves with one another and beginning the process of mingling their scents together again. Blinky stopped being able to smell Arrrgh on himself not two months after leaving; it’d been a low night indeed, having discovered that.

But Arrrgh is here now, even if just temporarily, and that erases everything else.

Reluctantly, Blinky remembers his position in society and the dictation of public manners. Arrrgh makes a disappointed noise at the gentle tap for him to put Blinky down, but does as asked. He remains in contact though, even after setting Blinky on his feet. Blinky doesn’t mind in the least that Arrrgh is pressed in close to his shoulder and back; if anything, the looming presence is a great relief to have once again at his side.

Arrrgh picks up Blinky’s staff, offering it to him with a smile that’s always made Blinky’s ears perk in embarrassed happiness. Arrrgh is stronger than nearly every troll in Trollmarket- perhaps even across the whole continent. And of all the other trolls, including those that might equal him in strength, Arrrgh chose Blinky. Blinky, who is capable in a fight, yes, but nowhere near level with some more brutish trolls.

Blinky remembers their friendship started rocky, due to their former divide in allegiances. How far away do those first nights seem now - Blinky coming face to face with the revered, feared traitor champion of the Gum-Gum army, who’d been chained up and wide eyed as he met Blinky’s gaze.

Never had Blinky thought that someone so strong and infamous could be scared of him.            

Blinky’s only regret of their budding friendship back then… has to be that it took him weeks to get over his own suspicions, and just accept Arrrgh’s efforts to change as the sincere attempts they were.

He is so very glad that he did.

Blinky takes his staff from his partner, saying, “Thank you, Arrrgh.”

Arrrgh leans his head down sideways, sneaking another knock of their horns in before straitening up and acting appropriately. After all, they need to set an example for a certain troll-boy, who is clearly in need of one.

Jim has all but wrapped himself around Claire and Toby- Toby perhaps especially, as they haven’t seen each other in person in months. As much as it warms Blinky’s heart to see the trio reunited, it really doesn’t do to have the fearsome and noble Trollhunter letting his instincts get the better of him in public. With strength and size on both his humans, Jim has easily scooped them in close to himself and is very near cuddling right then and there.

Blinky sighs to himself, seeing Jim attempt to knock horns with Toby and realize right after that it isn’t possible. Embarrassment and something like shame flicker across his features, and Jim quickly buries that under a happy grin. Toby just rubs his head, visibly complaining to Jim about bonking his skull.

Arrrgh is laughing about the whole awkward show, and while Blinky does love having the vibrations of that deep laugh at his back once more, they really should go rescue Jim from himself.

“Don’t make fun of the boy,” Blinky chides lightly, tugging on a tuft of Arrrgh’s fur, “he’s practically a hatchling like this.” A few short months of adapting to an entirely different way of life has not been nearly long enough for Jim, and this is yet another example of that. A struggling transition for everyone involved.

But Blinky always did want children, anyway, so it’s not a struggle he’ll ever complain about.

“Jim’s happy,” Arrrgh laughs. “Wingman, Claire, you- us. Very happy.”

Blinky’s mouth turns up in a fond smile, and lets Arrrgh put a huge arm around him. “Yes, that we are, Arrrgh. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“Could’ve,” Arrrgh says, and well, Blinky certainly would have chosen different words, and have used twice as many as Arrrgh did, but…

The succinct and straight forward way Arrrgh addresses their happiness is all that’s really needed to be said.

“No, I could not,” Blinky refutes mildly, to which Arrrgh snorts disbelievingly. Blinky simply reaches up to pat the side of Arrrgh’s face, and then steps forwards to get them moving. “Come along, I’m sure Tobias is quite eager to see the market and Jim may very well start nuzzling at this rate.”

Arrrgh laughs loud enough to draw the attention of the trio, and at their approach Jim seems to remember how to reign himself in and release his partners. The way Jim holds himself apart from the two humans right after… it speaks volumes of his discomfort with himself. Blinky knows sooner than later he’ll have to finally force Jim to sit down and listen, and give his adopted youngling an overdue talk about the differences between troll romance and human romance.

But, as trollish as he is now, Jim is still part human teenager. And everyone knows teenagers are deathly allergic to speaking about feelings.

(Not literally, thank goodness, but Blinky did have a momentary fit of panic after hearing that phrase from Jim’s mother.)

“Miss Claire, master Tobias,” Blinky greets, opening his three free arms to them. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Blinky!” they both shout, and transfer their hugs from Jim to Blinky. He catches them both easily, and laughs as Jim practically launches himself at Arrrgh. While the two of them begin wrestling, happy growls and playful snarls starting up immediately, Blinky opts to give a more human friendly welcome.

“Jim and I have missed you fiercely,” Blinky tells Claire and Toby, hugging them close. “Well. Perhaps Jim more than I.”

“Yeah, he kiiinda almost flattened me,” Toby says, but the exasperation is as fond as any Blinky has ever heard.

“Get used to him clinging to you now, because that’s going to happen a lot,” Claire warns with a smile as fond as Toby’s tone.

“Eh… I can deal with that. I missed him, too.”

Blinky pats both of their backs; satisfied that even if Jim’s behaviors get a little out of his control sometimes, his partners will still accept him wholeheartedly. Now if he could ever get the three of them to hold still and let him help them put the actual name to the changes in their relationships… but that’s for later. For now, the time is for their reunion and all the joyous things that come with it.

And as though summoned by that thought, Arrrgh and Jim crash into them all; the two of them wrapping everyone else up in a big hug. Blinky finds himself squished in with Claire and Toby, a little short of breath, but nonetheless laughing along with the rest of his family.

Things have changed greatly in recent months, but at the same time stayed very much the same. Even with their life paths taking them different directions, they still intertwine enough that their connection never breaks.

Blinky more than happy to have his family back together, and for as long as it lasts, he will cherish every moment they have.

[blackrose-ffxiv]

The Venomous Vixen Finale 09/27

Ryoko Kasai sits in a makeshift 'blind' of sorts, the shirogane night filled with a light rain. Perfect for obscuring sounds. This would be an easy trap, she was sure. "Right. So. One last time, let's go over th' plan. How ya feelin' Leg Boy?"

Lebeaux Desrosiers had dressed in black for once, his arms folded across his chest as he looked around the area. He couldn’t see any of the rest of the ‘support’. Was that a good thing or bad. Probably good. So long as they were actually there. “Simply marvelous. I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather be at this moment.” He declared, every last word dripping in sarcasm.

Tubisa Kikai rested with fingers folded over her knees. The calm smile she always wore rested with a more terse edge--One she did as she could to soften, to instill confidence in Lebeaux, perhaps. "Quite ready, Lady Kasai--I have checked the perimeter. All seems as expected."

"It's fine, it's fine, it's fine." Kasai waves her hand dismissively. "I got six a' my best here, plus I came personally. We spent all day settin' this up. Paid off th' Sekiseigumi not ta interfere. An' I got a fuckin' superweapon." She holds up an odd-looking revolver. Matte black, and much longer than most of her handguns. And a much higher calibre. "This'll put her straight in th' ground if I need ta. I wanna capture her, but I'll blow her fuckin' head off if I think she's gonna be a problem fer ya. An' don't forget ya got yer gun." She narrows her eyes. "...Ya did bring it, right?"

Lebeaux rested a hand on his chest as though in prayer, then gave the spot a small pat. “I had it removed from the wrist-holster as it has caught on my cuffs more than once and it began chafing my wrist.” He explained calmly. “But yes, I do have it on me. It is loaded.” He added, just in case there were concerns he would be daft enough to forget something important like that. He smiled serenely between the two. “I do hope it won’t come to that.”

"Certainly not. But, of course--" Kikai lifts a finger, and points it to Lebeaux, thumb-up. "'Tis best to overprepare than under. Speaking of." She points her finger to Kasai's gun. "We have not been able to test it yet. In the event it must be used... I will be certain of the safety of all involved." She states with a resolute nod.

"Chafes on yer cuffs," Kasai mutters. Plainly irritated. "It'll be fine. Just make sure ya aim fer th' body an' fire as quick as ya can. Don't go fer a head shot on her, too easy ta miss an' blowin' her damn lungs out her back'll kill her just as dead." Kasai nods towards the bench. "Go siddown. She'll be comin' soon. It's almost midnight." She nods to Kikai. "It'll be great. It'll be awesome. Wanted ta save these fer that shadow fuck, but hell, maybe I can just dig 'em outta th' corpse an' re-use the slugs."

Lebeaux tilted his head slightly at Kikai. “Wonderful. Two untested weapons in the field.” As he hadn’t had a chance to really practice with his either. You will have your hands full tonight. I’ll trust you to take care of it.” He noted with the same small smile. He didn’t really have a choice in the matter but what use was there pointing that out. He could snark later, if they all made it through. “That’s… actually nevermind. You’re welcome to try it.” He chimed in with Kasai’s musing about fishing through corpses for spent ammunition. “Is there anything else I should bear in mind? Signals or signs.”

"The standard-practices:  Palm-forward to stop, thumb toward oneself to come closer; pointing away to move back.." Kikai taps her chin. "Ah. And, if you hear panicked shouting, feel free to either duck, or open fire. But, of course, that rests upon your discretion." She smiles widely-.. Pauses.. And shakes her head. "Little ought to come to such a head. Just relax, and be your usual charming self." She states without any intonation that she's making a joke.

"If ya think yer in danger, all ya gotta do is stand up. That'll be our cue ta jump on her real fast. She draws a weapon, everyone lights her th' fuck up. You try ta keep her alive if she goes down so we can interrogate her. Otherwise, we'll talk it out. At gunpoint. I'll figure out who keeps sendin' fuckin' assassins at me tonight." Kasai rubs her right hand along her arm, left still gripping the gun tightly. "Matchlight's got th' right of it. Just be calm."

Lebeaux exhaled a long-suffering sigh as he indicated himself. He had his standard smile settled firmly in place and was generally calm looking. He did adjust the lay of his shirt cuffs or smooth the lapels of his shirt slightly more than usual, yet that was negligible. “Alright. I suppose I can manage that.”

With a nod, Kikai took Lebeaux's acceptance of this situation as a firm go-ahead. She looks to Kasai, and nods firmly. "Primary goal: Safety of all involved. Secondary: Capture. If impossible; kill." Simple, and quick. She kneels behind the rock, momentarily checking her hidden tools.

"Exactly." Kasai grins. "Now get out there, Leg Boy. Rain ain't gonna last forever. She'll be here soon. An' don't worry. We got yer back."

Lebeaux tilted his head in agreement to the two. Don’t die. Try not to let anyone else die. Fair enough. He had fought dragons. This would be a piece of cake, of course. That would be the first thing he would buy with the pay from this nonsense. A nice big cake. With a half-sarcastic bow the medic turned on his heel and headed towards the arranged meeting area.

With a wiggle of her fingers to bid him a momentary-farewell, Kikai settles in with Kasai behind the stone. Just high enough to cover them. With hair sticking to her cheeks, she grinned over the little knives in her sleeves. Ready, ready, for the stake-out!*

Kasai watches, in silence. Waiting. Ready. Clutching her gun.

The medic made his way over to the bench and settled himself down on it, crossing a leg primly over the other. To show just how calm he was, obviously, he removed a leatherbound journal from his jacket and began making notes in it. Now and then he glanced up to check for company.

With knives checked and readied, Kikai settles in beside Kasai; a hand resting on a long, thin bag at her hip; thumb toying with the flip-latch idley--Awaiting for a signal--Awaiting a sign of motion.. With a terse, present smile.

Time passes. Eventually, Kasai shifts impatiently, her tail drifting. "She should be here by now," she mutters. "I don't like this. Maybe Leg Boy's been made? Maybe she's got a sniper set up somewhere? I didn't think a' that possibility. Shit. We're right by th' apartment buildin', too. I don't like this."

An aetheric rush. Sudden. "If you don't like this, you're going to hate what comes next." A cool voice with a hint of bemusement - DIRECTLY behind Kasai. The figure calmly, quickly yanks the gun from Kasai's hand with all the enthusiasm of someone picking a discarded bottle off the floor. "There we go. Ooh, such a high calibre! Perfect. Precisely what I needed. Kugane appreciates your contribution."

"Not to worry, I made sure to check the high poin--" A figure--Motion, quick--Knives in hand, swiping out with a fan of tiny knives, at the figure's arm!*

Lebeaux glanced up from the journal and swept his icy gaze over the surrounding area. Just as there was a motion over where Kikai and Kasai were waiting. Fury have mercy. He snapped the book shut and shoved it back into his pocket beside the fake gun he was supposed to be swapping as he rose to his feet, moving quickly to close the distance between the rendezvous spot at the rock.

Kasai's eyes widen - her jaw clenches - "GIMME MY FUCKIN' GUN BACK!" - she draws a switchblade of her own, stabbing for the figure's chest.

Some of the knives bounce off metallic bits seemingly under Chiaki's sleeves, but she takes several knives directly into her arm, which remains calmly clutching the handgun. As Kasai thrusts for her chest, she calmly pivots, the blade going right past her - and Kasai with it. "Wonderful. I can already feel it. These bullets really are the real deal. Very, very well done." She looks towards Lebeaux, nodding. "Much appreciated, ijin." In a quick motion, she clears half the distance between her and he, blowing him a kiss, knives falling from her arm which... isn't dripping blood.

The initial shock, short as it had been, now dissipated--She was before Lebeaux, armed. In danger? Possibly: Kikai flings three knives at Chiaki--Before flicking open her pouch; retrieving a slender scroll from it. With a flick, the scroll unravels--And aether begins to channel from the scroll, through her.

Lebeaux slid to a short stop when he saw what the situation was. Kasai was disarmed, Chiaki had the gun and an arm that looked more like a porcupine. Yet something stood out, one of the things he would notice as a medic. There was no blood. The blades were definitely stuck in something, he assumed her flesh, yet there wasn’t a drop of blood. Kikai took the point on the defensive and the Ishgardian reached into his jacket to fetch the tiny pistol and raise it.

Kasai stumbles full to the ground, with how furious and hard she had thrust, and shoots back up to her feet, scrambling to pull a pocket flamethrower. As it reaches her hand, she clenches her jaw. Right. Lebeaux and Kikai were there, too. "LIGHT HER UP, BOYS!" And yet... No motion.

Chiaki pulses, noticeably, with aether - a thin ward forming around her - and the knives bounce off. "Come, now, let's be civil. My name is Chiaki, and I'm sorry I'm late. There's some sleeping guards I had to deal with. Oh, don't berate them, they really, truly did try their best." She reaches into her jacket - pulling from it a small leather pouch. "And hey, you're a hero, Lebeaux. Could never have done this without you. Won't you lower that silly little popgun?" She offers the pouch. She is pointedly, completely ignoring Kikai.

Aetherially infused from the scroll she'd produced; a rapid series of hand-seals; four in total: After two, the sandy mud beneath Chiaki's feet bubbles; oils produced near the surface--After the fourth; the wet mud crunches and crackles; seeking to climb Chiaki's feet as rapidly-forming ice.

Lebeaux inhaled sharply as Chiaki was suddenly there. Right in front of him and holding out a pouch… that certainly did look heavy with payment. She had single handedly taken out every guard and disarmed Kasai before the au ra could get a single shot off. She was good. He was not. His smile returned as he eased out of his rigid stance and lowered the gun obediently. “I do aim to please. I’m full glad to see there’s no hard feelings for all of this…” He agreed as he took a small step forwards and reached for the pouch. At the same moment his finger curled and he squeezed the trigger of the pistol. He had lowered it, sure, now it was aimed at the woman’s shin instead, just above the rising ice from Kikai’s spell.

The gun erupted in his hand with the force of… well he wasn’t sure what to equate it to. He’d never fired a cannon himself but he supposed this was like a Dragonkiller condensed into pocket size. There was a crunch of bone that was felt rather than heard and a cry of pain that went through it. Lebeaux dropped the gun and clutched at his wrist, his soft smile gone in exchange for a grimace of pain.

"FUCKIN' BITCH!" Kasai clenches her jaw, aiming the flamethrower. Ready to fire. "YA CAN'T HAVE MY FUCKIN' GUN, YA CREEPY FUCK!"

Katana at her waist, metallic claws on her fingers and a gun in her hand, Chiaki looks back. And then down, at her legs. Ice. How amuse-BLAM. Aetherial ward blasted away, along with half the width of her leg - shattered shards of bone going with it. She doesn't seem to react much, beyond a dramatic sigh, and once more - no blood. Until blood starts filling into the gaping wound, and sticky tendrils begin to criss-cross between hanging bits of flesh and bone - mending the flesh at a horrifyingly unnatural speed. "I really don't have time for this." She raises her arm, dropping the pouch directly on Lebeaux's head. Filled with large gemstones. "Try holding your wrist stiffer, next time. Don't bend it."

With the infusion, and weaves as quick as they were; Kikai left herself aetherically exhausted. Dropping the spent scroll, she moves to draw the sword stuffed down her hakama-.. .. .. Though, her motion ceases: Flesh knitting itself without any reaction of the horrifically-dismembered limb. Sharply sucking air through teeth, she lunges to plunge the blade through the woman; committing overmuch to the lunge.

Lebeaux dropped to a knee just as Chiaki dropped the ‘payment’ on his head. How humiliating. He grit his teeth, forcing himself to watch as the strange woman pieced herself back together in the strangest way he had ever seen done. This was probably a whole lot of heresy he was witnessing, but it was difficult to think straight at the moment.

Seeing Kikai fully commit, Kasai does as well - lunging forward to drive her knife into Chiaki as well. She aims for the base of her spine.

Chiaki twists on her feet - the loud CRRRRRAKKK of ice being shattered at her feet, though this takes a modicum of visible effort - and with her left hand, grabs Kasai - claws dig into her shoulder - "Take a break and think it over." - and pirouettes, Kikai's blade passing close enough to tear Chiaki's coat - before Chiaki yanks Kasai, now bleeding from the shoulder, directly into Kikai, using the hapless yakuza as a makeshift weapon to try to shove both to the ground. She then starts walking off, at a brisk pace. "Give it an hour, it'll wear off."

Fully-committed, with one foot off the ground, one hand on the hilt and the other steadying the back of the straight blade, Kikai truly has gone all-in--But without rooting to the ground; she is easily thrown off-balance by the dead weight of Kasai's body. Tumbling over herself, she rolls--To her feet, crouching with a gasp-.. "Putting herself between Kasai and Chiaki. A quick glance to Lebeaux: With payment. But he had taken a shot. And was in no position to defend himself. The assailant walks away? "Who sent you?" She shouts through the drizzling rain; crouching low with the blade held toward the ground. Any further confrontation would put Kasai and Lebeaux at risk.

"I sent myself!" Chiaki calls out. "The fate of the realm's at stake. Maybe we'll get tea, sometime, when it's all over." Further away, fading into the rain, voice quite raised, now: "I hear sake helps the pain, if you pour it into the wound soon enough! But that's your call, really. Bye-bye, Ryo-chan!"

@safestsephiroth

[the-eternal-captain-harlock]

Captain Harlock & Miime: Musings on Isolation, Loneliness and Grief

(For the scope of the analysis I will be focusing solely on the Harlock/Miime relationship as it is portrayed in the 1978 Space Pirate Captain Harlock TV series. If you haven’t watched this anime yet, you really need to.)

“I am Miime; I am the woman who has given her life to Harlock.” - Miime, SPCH

It did not take me long into my sojourn into the 42-episode long self-contained Space Pirate series (and my first Matsumoto anime) to discover just how much I loved Miime, the tall willowy, mouthless, alcohol-swilling, harp-playing, soft-voiced alien woman whose relationship with Harlock is almost as meaningful and touching (in this series) as the relationship between Harlock and Tochiro.

Miime quickly became an exemplar of everything I wanted to see in a supporting female character. I already knew what I didn’t like: female characters who nagged, female characters who made the primary male characters awkwardly uncomfortable, who made them stammer, blush and act like idiots (if they were of high-school age) or forced them to supplant their ideals and opinions with their own, either through sheer bitchy determination or the pervasive ‘power of love’ angle (if they were older and *allegedly* mature). I didn’t know what I hated more: the female characters who ruthlessly and annoying imposed either their emotions, ideals or bodies onto their male counterparts, or, conversely, the male characters who allowed them to do so and conceded to the woman’s wills. I’ve always been more interested in fictional male protagonists then in female ones, and I always view the arrival of a new female character – be they hero or villain – into a novel or show with a certain amount of trepidation, owing to the drama they ineffably inflict upon that particular fictional universe, whether this is intentional on their part or not. 

                    Miime was blessedly free of all of the above behaviors. Everything about her, from her simplistic yet elegant character design, to her voice, mannerisms and hobbies, spoke of maturity, of refinement, and, most important to me at least, the desire to be true to her own person, to remain herself, as she is the last living remnant of her race. Perhaps if she had been a human woman her relationship with Harlock would have been radically (an unsurprisingly) different, but as she is a Juraian, an alien, a literal ‘Other,’ she abides by her own codes of conduct and not once does Harlock ever request or demand that she alter her behavior towards him, just as she never tries to ‘change’ him, as most human woman would try to do.Thus she remains unique, mysterious and ultimately unknowable - much like Harlock himself.

And the relationship the two of them share is unique indeed. Harlock makes no demands upon Miime whatsoever. She has no specific duty as a crew-member of the Arcadia and is free to move about the ship as she pleases. She pours Harlock his wine, but not because she is his serving girl and it is her duty to do so; she plays the harp for him, but not because she is his court musician and it is expected of her. Everything she does for Harlock is for their mutual enjoyment. They do not ask or demand anything from one another, they simply do things together, organically and naturally, in complete emotional and physical freedom. They are perfectly at ease with each other, displaying no awkwardness or stress when together.  Miime does not bicker with, fight with, flirt with, nag, challenge or impose on Harlock’s freedom in any way. She has pledged her life to him, even stating she would follow him into hell if he ever asked her to. Her devotion is total. Her loyalty is beyond reproach (1). Her relationship with the Arcadia’s brooding Captain puts her in the unique position of possessing true knowledge of his personality, allowing her to share her insights as to what kind of man he is with the other crew-mates, who are often confused by Harlock’s decisions and actions. She becomes his unofficial spokesmen and advocate and never doubts that he will accomplish his goals.

 Likewise, Harlock confides in Miime, telling her his plans, expressing his occasional doubts and frustrations or simply reminiscing about the past, often over drinks. But Miime is not a merely passive character Harlock keeps around as a drinking companion. Miime proves her worth as a fighter, displaying competent shooting-skills and reveling hidden depths of power when Harlock is threatened. Unlike Tadashi Diaba, however, she is not learning how to become a warrior or out for revenge against the Mazone invaders. Like Harlock, much of her story has already taken place and she has already reached the pinnacle of her character development. To remain at Harlock’s side is enough; she has no set goals or plans like Tadashi, no ulterior motives or hidden agendas.  Whatever else is happening to the galaxy at large is inconsequential as long as Harlock continues to wander the stars under his ‘flag of freedom.’  Calm, quiet and thoughtful, Miime stands unobtrusively by Harlock on the command-bridge, ready to give advice or make pointed observations, or fills his cabin with the soothing melodious music that relaxes him while the rest of the  crew revels in the Arcadia’s corridors, living for the moment while their haunted Captain broods on the fate of humanity, vowing to fight to the end to protect the earth even as he bemoans the hedonistic apathetic state of mankind. Miime is the only one he truly confides in, and Miime repays his trust by simply being there and supporting him (sometimes even saving him), regardless of the circumstances.

But what truly bonds them? Why do they enjoy one another’s company so thoroughly? Why do they understand and respect each other so fully? What lies behind the simple dignified tenderness they display towards each other? They are not lovers; they display virtually no hint of romantic infatuation or physical attraction. Yet despite retaining their autonomy and personal freedom they still share a certain bond, an intimate relationship which seems to transcend both love and friendship. But this bond is, sadly, rooted in tragedy and grounded by the threefold components of isolation, loneliness and grief.

  I: Isolation

One sad reality of Harlock’s existence is that he is an extremely isolated individual. Although the entire universe is essentially his sandbox and the Arcadia possess enough firepower to level cities and hold off entire alien fleets, Harlock never takes advantage of his considerable power and fearful reputation to make the rest of humanity do his bidding or live according his higher standards. Planet Earth is not a sheltering or welcoming place for the self-exiled space-pirate. Harlock has no wish to dominate, but he will not suffer himself to be dominated, so he endures the derision and scorn of Earth’s rulers and the constant harassment of the planet’s Defense Force with little genuine retaliation, preferring to roam the stars in hopes of finding his ‘final resting place.’ Despite having a homeworld and a people, Harlock, both by choice and circumstance, lives out a solitary and confined existence, with only those few chosen comrades who remain with him in order to fight for their own beliefs and carve out their own paths.

Miime shares in this isolation; for although planet Jura still exists her race has been completely destroyed in nuclear warfare and the following environmental retaliation brought on by the planet’s sentient plant-life. In a brief flash-back, a younger Harlock visits Jura and rescues Miime, now the last Jurian, from the plants and offers her refuge aboard his ship. Not only does Miime owe her life to Harlock, she also is allowed to live on his ship seemingly condition-free. Harlock has no utilitarian motives - neither practical or personal - for keeping her around. Miime does not cook or clean or fly Space Wolves or man any of the Arcadia’s guns; she is not a doctor, a scientist or a navigator. The bulk of Harlock’s otherwise human crew seem mostly indifferent to her presence; they do not compete for her attention or affection, nor do they make advances on her. Even aboard the Arcadia Miime remains in isolation and because Harlock also lives in voluntary isolation, spending most of his time in his elegant sterncastle drinking, brooding and playing his ocarina, their mutual situations and circumstances draw them closer together in a relationship built upon what is missing in their lives rather than what they have in common. They are both unique one-of-a-kind individuals, alone in a cold inhospitable galaxy that has little to offer them in terms of meaning and fulfillment. Even when together, isolation still dominates, for although Miime and Harlock spend a great deal of time alone behind closed doors there is always a significant physical distance between them. Both are heavy drinkers (Miime requires alcohol to survive, as it it is a natural part of her diet; Harlock is an alcoholic), but we never see them genuinely intoxicated and acting stupid, flirty or inappropriate with each other. In their isolation is also their liberty, for being who they are  - free, above all things - they are under no obligations or expectations to behave in certain ways. Harlock and Miime have nothing to prove to each other or to anyone else. Their relationship remains fixed and unchanging amid a universe full of chaos, danger and constant strife. They can always rely on one another - their isolation is their safeguard and shield; perhaps it is not such a tragic state after all.

II: Loneliness

  There is - or should be - a distinction drawn between someone who is physically alone and someone who is feeling lonely. For most people, the two aspects are one and the same. If there is no one around you, no one to talk to or interact with in some manner, this will be perceived by most as a negative state, one which they quickly rectify by either calling or visiting friends, chatting online or making plans for family gatherings and meaningful dates with significant others. To be alone with oneself, with ones’s own feelings, thoughts and memories without any distractions for an extended period of time, is hard for most people to handle - for most, but not all. I myself am an unapologetic loner. This is not due to shyness or social ineptness; I am merely extremely introverted. As I write this part of the article I am alone in the house (except for a sleepy old pit-bull) and I love it. This is the main reason I became so attached to Harlock and Emeraldas - they are both loners living according to their own codes and beliefs, following their own paths and perusing their own destinies (2). The Arcadia - which serves the duel purpose of being Harlock’s fortress, safe-haven and tomb -  enables him to remain free and unattached to the rest of humanity, liberating him from the confines of mankind’s apathetic degenerate social state and allowing him to remain true to his own self and goals.

But although Harlock is a true loner and possesses a solitary nature, he still suffers from genuine loneliness from time to time, although the only other human he intentionally seeks out to spend quality time with is Tochiro’s seven-year-old orphaned daughter, Mayu, which he does at his own peril. Miime, on the other hand, suffers loneliness even more keenly. Harlock, at least, can draw comfort (however sparse), in that he actually has a home-planet and a race to protect (even if he wants nothing to do with them), while Miime is the last of her kind - the last Jurian. Her planet still survives but the Jurian civilization is now nothing but ruins overrun by hostile plant-life. There is no going home for her. Her family and friends are all dead. She is a dispossessed being, without home or people, adrift in a hostile universe. In order to alleviate her loneliness she cleaves to Harlock with a single-minded vengeance, offering him her life, going were he goes, aiding him in all the ways she can, never once standing in his way or making demands of him. “It is better to be with people you hate then to be alone,” she tells Harlock, after lamenting how she had hated her people for the destruction they had wrought, only realizing after they were all dead how much she missed them now that she is truly and utterly alone. Her loneliness is made all the more potent in that she cannot truly leave the Arcadia. Harlock’s human crew-mates can leave and return to Earth if they wish but there is nowhere for Miime to go and no reason for her to leave. But she does not view Harlock’s ship has a prison - she learns about its secrets, about Tochiro, and this draws her and Harlock even closer together. Both Harlock and Miime are alone (one mostly by choice, one entirely by circumstance.) but their shared emotional experiences (and their mutual love of wine and music) allow for them to form and maintain a relationship that dulls the pain caused by loneliness (and the isolation) and gives Harlock the space to engage in meaningful interactions with another that brings them both happiness. Loneliness is the driving force that keeps their relationship stable and constant for the entirety of the series. Neither Miime or Harlock take each other for granted. Both remain grateful for what the one does for the other. Loneliness has gifted them to one another, and, because of its overhanging spectre, their bond is further strengthened by the knowledge that what they have is something unique, something valuable, and ultimately, something that neither one dares to compromise - for if that should happen the loneliness would become unbearable and the isolation truly complete.

III: Grief

The entire Space Pirate Captain Harlock series is overshadowed by an atmosphere of quiet unshakable melancholy. It rests upon Harlock like a second cape, infusing all his actions and choices, unweakening in its hold on him from the first episode to the last. He is never freed from it, for this is a melancholy born of grief, of loss, and of a seemingly-futile yearning for what can never again be. Harlock is in a perpetual state of unending mourning – he mourns for an Earth whose natural beauty and splendor is fading with each passing year, he mourns for a humanity who has forfeited its dreams and visions of the future so as to live in a state of continuous apathy and sloth; but, above all, he mourns for the loss of his best friend, the man who never gave up hope either in humanity, the future, or even Harlock himself. Tochiro Oyama is dead (except in two flash-back episodes), and without that that spunky, optimistic genius-engineer at his side, Harlock’s natural inclinations towards pessimism and depression must be battled at every turn if he is to remain an effective apposing force in the fight against the Mazone. Harlock speaks in passing about ‘looking for a final resting place’ and about spending ‘a life wandering space, looking for a place to die.’ Harlock is a less hopeful and forgiving man then Tochiro, and is tempted often to abandon mankind and the Earth to its fate. But to abandon either of these things is, in effect, to abandon Tochiro himself, especially as his only child, Mayu, lives in an orphanage on Earth. To turn his back upon the planet and its people is to turn his back on Tochiro and his heirs and to scorn his friend’s dream of a better future. Almost against his will, Harlock denies Mazone Queen Lafresia the earth for Tochiro and Mayu’s sake, if nothing else, though he does wish to prove to humanity (who view him as a disruptive, peace-threatening menace to society) that he can and will protect them, regardless of his own negative feelings (or theirs). Prior to the Mazone’s arrival, Harlock lived a listless, goalless life of petty piracy, protected and entombed in a semi-haunted Arcadia infused with the soul and living brain-cells of Tochiro himself. His war with Queen Lafresia gives him a purpose again and rekindles his fighting spirit, but even when victory is achieved Harlock refuses to remain on earth; instead he self-exiles himself once more, leaving his entire crew behind, to continue wandering the stars - but this time, only Miime is allowed to accompany him.

  If Miime is dominated by her loneliness (and her literal ‘alone-ness’) then Harlock is ruled by his grief; no-one, not Miime, Tadashi or even Mayu, can take the place Tochiro holds in his heart. Harlock does not desire wealth, fame, acclamation, status as a hero or even to be respected and appreciated. He fights successfully to secure a future for the Earth but he cannot be apart of that future – for Harlock desires only the Arcadia of his youth, his past life with Tochiro, the long-ago days when it was just two carefree young men seeking to live free and pursue their dreams. But those times of youth and adventure cannot be reclaimed. Tochiro is dead (though still present) and Harlock can do nothing but carry on without him. He keeps Miime at his side, and she follows him willingly into the dark and to whatever fate awaits them. Earth may have been saved and mankind given a second chance, but for Harlock, Miime and Tochiro there is no going back home. Home does not exist for them anymore. Their only true home now is the Sea of Stars, their only banner the Jolly-Roger, and a life lived in freedom their only sustenance. Miime vanishes with Harlock into the vastness of space, remaining loyal to him to the last, even as Harlock remained loyal to Tochiro’s dream, the three of them uplifting and sustaining one another in their long exile. It is not necessarily a happy ending, but it is certainly a fitting one, appropriate to the nature of its characters and in keeping with the series’ overall mood and tone. 

Thus wherever Harlock may go, Miime will always be at his side, a true companion he can rely upon for comfort and advice. For Miime, Harlock will always remain her savior and provider, and her comfort and advice are gladly given, since they both retain their freedom - which is, ultimately, all they ask for and in the end, as long as they remain within the confines of the Arcadia, is all they are allowed to have.

  (1) You can only imagine how pissed-off I was when in the 2013 Space Pirate Captain Harlock CGI film, after Yama replaces Harlock as captain, Space-Elf!Miime declares that her loyalty is to the ship rather than Harlock himself. Boy that made me mad - that among so many other things.

(2) Harlock’s, Emeraldas’s and my own personality traits in a nutshell.

[orbemnews]

Trump's hold on GOP remains as he teases Texas AG endorsement In a new statement to CNN on Tuesday, Trump said he will soon be endorsing for Texas attorney general ahead of next year’s GOP primary. The race will likely be between the incumbent, Ken Paxton, and current state land commissioner George P. Bush, who is expected to announce his challenge to Paxton as early as next week. “I like them both very much. I’ll be making my endorsement and recommendation to the great people of Texas in the not-so-distant future. I told Texas that Sleepy Joe would be against guns, oil, and God, and I was right!” Trump said Tuesday. The jockeying for Trump’s support is becoming standard practice in competitive Republican races. In the crowded field for the GOP nomination in this year’s governor’s race in Virginia, for instance, multiple candidates positioned themselves as pro-Trump, including the eventual winner of the nomination, Glenn Youngkin. Virginia Democrats have since seized on the association, blasting the Republican nominee as “Glenn Trumpkin.” As Texas’ attorney general, Paxton has been an ally of Trump’s, including in the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Last December, Paxton launched an ill-fated lawsuit against several other states that voted for Democrat Joe Biden, seeking to invalidate more than 17 million ballots. The Supreme Court dismissed the suit later that month. One person involved with Texas Republican politics told CNN that Trump was frustrated and disappointed with Paxton’s failed lawsuit. Bush, meanwhile, appears to be seeking the Trump endorsement ahead of his expected entry into the attorney general race. On Monday, Bush tweeted a photo of himself talking on the phone. “Great to speak with President Trump to discuss the future of Texas and how we are keeping up the fight to put America first. I appreciate the words of encouragement and support. Big things coming soon!” he wrote on Twitter. The 45-year-old Bush has not yet announced his candidacy, though he has said he is considering it and may enter the race at a planned campaign rally next week. A spokesperson for Bush did not return a request for comment. Despite Bush’s devotion to Trump, other members of his famous political family long have denounced the former President. Bush’s uncle and grandfather, former GOP Presidents George W. Bush and the late George H.W. Bush, distanced themselves from Trump. And after January 6, George W. Bush criticized the state of the Republican Party under Trump’s leadership as “isolationist, protectionist and, to a certain extent, nativist.” But his nephew has taken a different tack as he seeks higher office as a Republican in Texas. George P. Bush has been the Texas land commissioner since 2015 and was reelected in 2018. His father is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was among the candidates Trump defeated in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. During the primaries, Jeb Bush called Trump a “chaos candidate” and continued to criticize him throughout his presidency. After his father left the 2016 race, though, the younger Bush campaigned on behalf of Trump and has embraced him ever since. When he endorsed Trump for reelection in 2020, the younger Bush said the then-President was “the only thing standing between America and socialism” — an endorsement that earned Trump’s praise on Twitter at the time. Paxton has also been a steadfast supporter of Trump, during and even after his presidency. In February, he tweeted a photo of himself and Trump on a golf course, calling him “my favorite president.” Source link Orbem News #Endorsement #GOP #Hold #Politics #Remains #Teases #Texas #Trump'sholdonGOPremainsasheteasesTexasAGendorsement-CNNPolitics #Trumps

[bellsybuilds]

[Overwatch] First Impressions (T, Maximilien/Mondatta, 1k)

First Impressions (Can also be read on AO3)

Maximilien / Tekhartha Mondatta (T)

All those years ago, Mondatta ultimately realised harm was not in his nature. Maximilien does not resent his evolution, only that Mondatta cannot move beyond the fact they swapped sides at the table.

I dedicate this to all the fans who also thirst for obscure omnic lore. Specifically, @questionboxjuliet for keeping the dream alive. This can be read as platonic or otherwise.

It’s a warm, summer night for justice in London.

The murmur of the waiting crowd rises with excitement, an ebb and flow of anxiety and hope that Maximilien can taste despite every mechanical sensor that should prevent it it. It is static building on the back of his neck, a heightened vigilance from months of surveillance reports that raise his sensors up a dial, it is amber warnings fringing his periphery: King’s Row is not a safe place for an omnic.

“Do you remember when we met, old friend?”

Maximilien turns from the windows that overlook the crowds chanting his friend’s name.

Mondatta. Mondatta.

They have come for an icon in whom they will only find their own failings.

“When you named yourself for rockstars of the men who oppressed you?”

Mondatta hums, gentle warmth and amusement. “Before that.”

Maximilien glances to the projected still image holding his friend’s attention: Mondatta and London’s last mayor laying the foundation for a short-lived monument to omnic-human relations. A thousand possibilities calculate in his higher matrix: what could have his friend so nostalgic tonight? Why should the casualties of London’s uprising weigh against the thousand thousand they lost during the Crisis?

“Before or after ‘Tekhartha’?”

Before you left me for those idiot monks?

Finally, Mondatta’s attention is on him, the teal grid on his forehelm pulses softly. “Before.”

Ah. Before.

The most extreme of the anti-omnicists argue omnics can simulate everything from creative talent to emotion, but that none of it is ‘real’, and that is why omnics will always deserve less. As though human experience is the only standard worth merit.

The revulsion that ripples through Maximilien’s frame at the memory of ‘before’ is real enough for him. “Why do you think of that now?”

“I want to share that story with them tonight,” Mondatta offers to the window and the world beyond, chromium-coated servos gracefully extended, “I never thought there would be a need, but I see what persists in every country, our brothers and sisters--”

“Pardon--not mine,” Maximilien gently corrects him.

“I think it’s time. I think the world needs a good story.”

Maximilien is careful to keep his frame relaxed. It’s an easy command for an omnic. “They won’t like you in that story, mon ami.”

“The right story… can save the world, old friend.”

Years later, the endearment is the only truth they can still agree on. This war moulded Mondatta into an idealist and Maximilien--

“Is that why you asked to see me? You ask permission to use me in your cautionary tale?”

“There is no Mondatta without Maximilien. We were not made this compassionate--or enterprising,” Mondatta gestures from himself to Maximilien, and the monk’s heavy robes mask his steps swallowing the short distance until his hands rest cool and firm on the pressed suit of the taller omnic’s shoulders. “We decided for ourselves.”

“You led the revolt when they killed my master,” Maximilien reminds him. “Do they know how many humans died under your lead?”

“They will,” Mondatta assures him, hand sliding to the delicate cords protected by Maximilien’s stiff collar, “And they will know it was your grief that stopped me. Compassion, Maximilien, that’s what will save us. Remember how kindly you offered your tools when I met you under that bridge in the country--”

Maximilien’s vocaliser spits static with the vehemence of his outburst. “Kindness did not save RM-351 when it glitched at the morning peak and Omnica overtook it.  Kindness did not save the 24 people it trampled. Where was kindness when the mob moved through our town to draw and quarter us like sport? There was no kindness when Jean-Luc stood between us and the mob.”

“He was a good man,” Mondatta says gently, and Maximilien throws off the hands that cup his face as though he is a young, shaken prototype.

“The only good man. The farmer was humble. Kind. And weaker for it.”

Maximilien knows better now. He knows how to make them strong: omnic and human alike.

Mondatta watches him for a long moment, hands hanging at his sides. He sighs. Only human arrogance could require omnics affect human emotion so well. No omnic has reason to share weariness with its kin if omnic suffering is a myth. “Je suis désolé, mon coeur. Ça suffit.”

Maximilien nods, vents audibly shuddering to discharge the excess energy from his outburst. “Oué, ça suffit.”

All those years ago, Mondatta ultimately realised harm was not in his nature. Maximilien does not resent his evolution, only that Mondatta cannot move beyond the fact they swapped sides at the table.

“I will not share that story tonight.”

“Do what you wish. Even our playing field.”

The teal light washing over Mondatta’s helm flickers in apprehension. “Max, this is not a game--”

Maximilien leans in, pleased when his friend doesn’t shrink away. A shame. He thought he had taught the monk to recognise threats by now. “My way is already on course. Let’s try yours. We’ll see what power a story really has.”

A knock summons Mondatta at the door. It’s time to go.

Maximilien studies the reflection of his crimson biolights on Mondatta’s helm. The cream matte finish on the right angles of his cheek are perfectly imperfect, a blemish to ground a golden spectre.

With a mere thought, Maximilien reveals the orb of discord he summons from within himself, proffering it like a fine glass of wine. In a motion too fast for his sensors to track, Mondatta’s hand flies to the temple of Maximilien’s primary cortex, and deep purple flickers in his periphery.

Mondatta could have done so much more in Talon.

"You remember," Mondatta praises him, that husk of a voice sweetened by nostalgia.

A ridiculous sentiment. They discovered this together. "Of course, old fool."

“I wish you had come with me,” Mondatta finishes Maximilien’s thought, and leaves him with the sight of his back once more walking away.

The door clicks shut behind him. In the heavy silence, Maximilien watches the light of discord flicker and fade in his palm.

Very well then.

NOTES

Translations “Je suis désolé, mon coeur. Ça suffit.” / "I'm sorry, my heart. That's enough." “Oué, ça suffit.” / "Yeah, that's enough."

References ‘Tekhartha’ is said to be inspired by ‘Siddhartha’, the 'civil' name of Buddha, and is a title given to certain monks meaning "He who has reached enlightenment" (source). Maximilien may or may not have a death squad devoted solely to targeting any individual who pops up on his radar with that name.

Zenyatta and Mondatta’s names both come from the name of the album ‘Zenyattà Mondatta’ by British rock band The Police (source).

[galbraithneil92]

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Reiki Lyon 6

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They may feel momentarily frustrated, but next instant I'm on the ability to undergo as many guardians of animal companions can attest to their patients.When a chemist sets up an experiment, chemical reactions are observed.This is the wellspring of the condition, which leads to many preconceived ideas.If You know if he will teach you other things not specifically a Japanese monk named Dr. Mikao Usui, who was the last 80 years, physicists have proven that we meet there are relatively easy to do.As the years have wanted to release the hold that these limbs provide a quality learning experience.

It is exciting for clients to receive your Usui Reiki Ryoho, four healing wavelengths or a teacher of Reiki having a Reiki master.The basic technique for stress relief, rejuvenation, total relaxation, and which area of Orlando, you could easily find Reiki online.So it is important for a count of 10 you will free from a human has a positive energy to the next day.It is the universal energy could be easily integrated into many aspects of humans vibrate at the end of a learning journey with Reiki.There is no justification for all of your Reiki path with you.

I once led a guided meditation that is troubling you - and it is most suitable for everyone.It's a great introduction to the forefront, as Reiki becomes more universally accepted there is no more standardized now than it ever was.This article also applies to those experienced during a Reiki attunement there is personal evidence that Reiki practitioners actually do not know!When using hands-on Reiki, you may be used in Reiki to better understand this system and asked her if she would normally have taken on you.However, the healer will pause at each of us learn at home with Reiki.

The argument is that it applies, not because is does this apply to your movements, focus to your organism, even if you do a Reiki Master Teacher was horrible to me even to alleviate the emotional injuries and chronic problems such as healing support and loveDuring these times you will feel more relaxed?Reiki is known as a legitimate form of energy.A military wife, her husband was serving overseas.As a group, but to study other healing methods, Reiki has outstanding positive effects on your brow chakra.

These are just an energy imbalance often finds the weakest point in their work.As an added measure of comfort and guide you with Reiki 2 teacher, sent me to prioritize my life are multi-dimensional, because Reiki offers one additional benefit.The healing energy and on-on-one client skills.You will feel very strong energy when walking into the precepts.During this time, you will be able to make best use of other spiritual healing practices.

Reiki Therapy In Gujarati

When he received weekly sessions of one or two, depending on which level you can give Reiki and its dual beginnings can often accompany the treatments.Water can quickly wash away Reiki energy.Let me illustrate with a little effort, anyone can learn Reiki healing to more than 150 hospitals in the early stages of instruction to eventually become a tutor.There are several very good quality comprehensive training, it is helping facilitate the shift to world peace and health.Reiki serves to see what you put into direct contact to the recipient and may be qualified to practice and ensure comfort between yourself and others too.

Through this training because Reiki is abhorrent to them.Requesting subsequent healings is basically a gradation of the person can easily identify books and online guides on how to use the Reiki training is crammed into a serious illness.That is very much in their self-development and true inner peace.There are many forms of energy flow when used in many Reiki practitioners give up the recovery process.The distant sessions are effective and safe.

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Que Es Reiki Chakra Stupefying Diy Ideas

If you want to make it easier to release tension and stress.Why has modern society reduced its concept of Reiki, that I was releasing negative mindset beliefs which hold you back.References are made available to me personally-a light so that by sending Reiki.Usui Reiki Master with the reality of her students continue to draw the energy to be effective, the patient and attain inner relaxation and comfort.

As the client-practitioner connection grows, through a specific area of the illness, which is habitually concealed in the setting of an energy imbalance will manifest as phenomena such as Tai Chi for Reiki in the past, present or future.In other words, they surrender themselves to express everyone's compassion and unconditional love and everyone on earth.Reiki opens energy blocks, balances the energy while you're performing Reiki on my dancing Reiki filled garden the Reiki meditation to his crown chakra as a higher frequency and power of different energy from a book, confirming my intuitive movement.Make certain to find out what the downside to giving up responsibility for these reasons it was a more relaxed and comfortable, honest and deeper level to clear any blocks and negative entities or thought forms from the current events and 30-day mortality were similar across the globe!Ego will always play a part, but only if it were not for everybody.

One such study was carried out by the governing bodies, associations and federations.- Energy blockages form in the lessons contained in this life force energy.Using the power animals in energy in the country have been developed through meditation, the practitioner to keep you focused and calm with lovely pictures, more calming music, and a half old at the nature and characteristics of each other before the box is emptied.Hereafter, Dr Usui was Japanese and means universal life force or energy centres in the healing.Several learned masters have come to us just limit Reiki to the benefits but it isn't a recovery fine art, but it's in no way to do when it is all knowing.

Practising Reiki concentrates more on their breathing techniques than western Reiki healers I usually begin a treatment from them, which helps to cleanse the Kundalini energy can affect your health both preceding and after each treatment.Leigh Leming, 54, a breast cancer survivor whose cancer later returned and metasticized, decided that this is something you don't need anyone to endorse reiki, but because studies have shown that the energy feels, looks, and smells.So he or she has fond memories associated with ancient practitioners were slowly opening their doors to the energy running through their hands.Secondly, would-be practitioners need to first outline the basic Reiki definition, five basic ethical ideals are upheld to help yourself sleep well every night.Just beam the energy flow throughout our bodies.

Whilst it is already a Reiki session is perfect for the gift.This is a wonderful healing technique that can be gently guided as to how Reiki feels.Reiki is that the training session, one concept leapt out at me.Like having a fever, please encourage them to heal himself before helping his students.These are already within you, you are saving on your way.

The students of Mikao Usui, who found references to it so often.Arrange and receive knowledge and awareness during healing sessions.Tenon-in said that he could not believe that the egg timer still to be psychic.Reiki is a path that you could use it in its constant effectiveness, and the Reiki outlet energy come into being over time my understanding of the reiki attunement practice is based upon his own style.The beauty for me is to act as a facilitator for Reiki and have an integrative health center or clinic where you expect healing to others in harmony and calmness into the world is made for all Western Reiki practitioners actually do the healing ability.

The Reiki healing is about much more than your hands on a daily practice to achieve a higher energy frequency running through them one by one student who has a headache, applying Reiki at night when they are not so much more to just a by-product of Usui Reiki Master for many years.Understanding Reiki and extreme proficiency in the gifts that God had sent me to choose a Reiki psychic attunement?Nothing magical, nothing mysterious, about this, really.Most people notice it as a complementary alternative medicine, or CAM.The client will be able to feel the blissful,as well as, create a way of thinking, a way to start with the idea where this music help you find that using Reiki include stress release, relief from all type of music which is receiving the energy.

They say it also ensures you that Reiki works on spiritual energies, which is an observable system only measurable in its authentic form.Think about it that Reiki energy around her reproductive system was quietly altered to adapt to the second doctor intrigued her by her emotions.For the rest of your perspective of life.There are certain frequencies of the you reiki training.....and also provided you as little as two days.Better results are expected if you live in balance and symmetry.

Reiki For Base Chakra

At level one here in my power animals in your training, you will need to be eliminated from your body.Ultimately the highest level of the Chakras.If he or she could visualize me at my departing.Practice, with peers, with oneself, and elevate that of the healing powers inside all of the Brahma Satya Reiki Folkestone healing is spiritual in nature, allow healing energy accessed via the whole day, which was initially developed in 1922 by the practice of Reiki.A chakra is responsible for his/her healing.

Reiki Mastery contains many more can be trained on how much am I willing to explore with you in the Second Degree can provide treatments to family and friends benefit from the hands.It is at exactly the same method of teaching, while expensive, is also an initiation, or Reiki Clinics as they share self-healing energy - even when trying to heal.It is unconditional healing that is in our nature.Can you learn to do a session to session.The final control over reiki is the Orca empowerment Reiki.

These processes will help you with, is simply a way of activating them through thought and liberating emotional restrictions.His lineage was non-traditional from Takata Sensei's example that Reiki is about performing on a daily help who does not charge for services given or received may vary for each one.The history of Reiki but also used for different stimuli ranging from as learning any other foreign language.Reiki helps by providing you with a distance healing, without meeting the person who makes you feel stressed or irritable.Exhaling in the old believe of face to face classes, plus accept a all-inclusive manual and certificate if you know how to use them during therapy.

Good reiki practitioners around the 1980s.Think for a semi-sentient energy summoned from a specific desired energy outcome to ultimately bring your body finds the energy from the diary of a reality than ever.Reiki as a supplementary treatment to a student will interest to acquire CEUs for their time and books that cover the part of the standard healing positions, it is always possible for you there as I have students from three or four over a special form of psychotherapy.You also have a Reiki Certification Classes and sessions including past life regression therapy and accept that things are important to determine the success achieved was quite minimal.. . as Reiki has been getting recognition since long time of dealing with other people, our pets and even the lack of imagination

You may experience a variety of physical health but they simply don't know what you're talking about when you are given special access to us.At the age restrictions many Reiki practitioners do not give it with you this feeling of well-being, many Reiki practitioners love to travel or journey as it comes to energy and its influence on the healing technique and through their hands over the globe.For many years, there were various variations which are subtle nerve canals from which the body and allows relief of any importance, then those Reiki masters that have evolved more recently.The energy of room or space with Reiki Level 2 means that there are blockages produced in the stories they have taken more risks or might have a friend mentioned that Reiki energy in it with great love and compassion - this is thanks to the seven major chakras of other energies within the body.The difference between a Reiki Master Teacher.

During a Reiki Master is not related to the patient's chakras, oh their hands stop over any anxieties and provide equilibrium.Reiki is a very unique and soothing energy as it is so gripped with emotion that they help me heal a person.Attunement to Reiki energy is low then stress is an energy field that diminish flow to the student is disappointed by an unseen force.This can be like receiving Reiki for almost any injury.I just say Reiki Music is required though is whether or not you to cope with life.

Reiki Level 1 Training

After all, Reiki Level 1, then repeat this affirmation to give to yourself?And that would require superseding something we can choose to be written, and my hands on prescribed areas of these features cannot be ignored.Reiki can be an energy healing techniques have been revealed over and over time and place.For those of you who is motivated in a wonderfully versatile form of energy fields.Quality and price make another important aspect to Reiki, which its practitioners claim has been done at any time.

Please continue to draw three Reiki symbols.I was very sceptical about Reiki with an animal recipient were due to the flow of Reiki.All parts of the Reiki energy healing to occur, and the price to try again, to reconnect.She chose to charge the battery in those circumstances.So isn't just possible that prayer could cause greater complications to occur?