#he is my personal dress up doll and also my pose reference and—

[chibishortdeath]

Whenever I do pose studies it’s usually with Simon—

Explaining them all under a cut as per usual :3

Most of these are based on stock photos lol. I ran into a set of them that was just people in business suits being absolutely distraught and lmao yeah. Simon can be a little pathetic if he wants to, we all are sometimes. Anyway I picked this one specifically for the high heels. I think Simon would be the kind of guy to have a panic attack in Dracula’s castle and somehow not roll his ankle in his heeled boots even once 💀💀💀. Idk what else to say about this one uhhhhhhhhhhhh—

Simon seconds after being cursed with the knives subweapon right before a boss battle. Especially annoying because he had the cross boomerang, basically fills the role of knives but way way better 😔…… also noooo I forgot to draw the sword on his belt 💀. I’ve been trying to keep that consistent, even if the Belmonts like don’t really use the sword at all lmao. I’ve always assumed that it’s probably canonically Leon’s sword, of course before Leon was created as a character it was likely just generic sword or sword from a then unnamed ancestor, but yeah. I like to think Simon uses it for like really tough close combat situations, either that or it’s just a back up in case anything happens. It’s also just really fun resting your hand on a sword sometimes hmmm very practical hand rest—

Two more various defeated poses. The top one is practically just his death pose from like was it chronicles that has him lay flat all the way—? No… ok most of his death poses have him with his ass in the air X,,,,,,,,D. He dies in a faceplant with his knees a little inward just right so that he’s making a perfect quarter circle shape on the ground lol. But I do remember seeing one death animation where he lays flat hmmm what game was it…… it’s not CV4 is it… hmm what mystery. Also I just noticed that I haven’t been drawing a part in his hair until recently??? Idk why not lol it’s something. Tbh drawing the top part of his hair is stupid difficult because I over exaggerate his bangs and I don’t want them to clash or bleed into each other, otherwise the top of his head is kinda hard to see (X X ). But this top angle of it isn’t too bad to draw :3

Another one, still stock photos so far. This one unfortunately his hands got all smudged up (-_- ;). Also his hair ended up covering all of the neck anatomy I drew R.I.P.

Finally, one with his face in view— He’s praying.. and giving a little side eye… kinda. Idk this was also a stock photo X,,,,D. Tried to make sure his headband tails where in these as much as possible cause I missed drawing them—

Another dynamic stock photo pose, this time not in that group of business person ones! It might have been a different weapon in the original image tho, but I made it the family sword :3. Then ironically I realized I had been forgetting the whip multiple times 💀💀💀. Idk maybe the context for these is that he was in a really difficult battle and got the whip (and eventually the sword) knocked out of his hand, that’s why he’s so freaked out rn too ig. He’s also got knife subweapon oh no pray for my man he’s struggling— And that bottom silly doodle says “glubtupis wepple” which is a caption I saw on a cat meme somewhere I think I don’t remember tbh 💀💀💀💀💀💀

This says “Willem Dafoe ass pose” because indeed this is a pose from Willem Dafoe. He did this once— I should draw Simon in Willem Dafoe poses like that page I made of him as various Jerma poses hmmmmm—

Suddenly very unrelated Simon’s Quest doodle that just so happens to be on the same sketchbook page, so it’s invited too. The text says “excuse me do you know where—“ “beat your fucking head in 💖🌈😇” “thanks! I’ll consider it!” and this was drawn based on that guy who says “go to Deborah Cliff, hit your head, and make a hole” and at like 1 am lol. That’s such a sentence tho like, anyway you read it is like not good 💀💀💀. He might be saying “beat your head in” or, uh, considering it’s a cliff— I need to replay the game again and actually write about it aaaaaaaaaaa, I have so many ideas (>< ). There’s also random chibi head angles above it for practice.

I saw a cute nightgown on Pinterest and immediately put Simon in it and I was right, he does look cute in it. It was also a really good practice for drawing fabric textures!!! Especially the ruffles on the bottom, they’re very loosely sewn, pretty far apart, subtle gathering— it wasn’t intentional, but you can kinda see his silhouette through the fabric a little so uh just imagine that it’s a thin fabric and light is going through it :3. The second doodle is him in other more modern pajamas. Shorts, t shirt, socks, the usual. I love how I drew his mouth in this one he’s so cute asdfghjkl (〃ω〃). These were both doodles done while I was sleepy so the sleepy vibes came through in them pretty well I think—

Another tiny doodle of that nightgown. You can either take it as him wearing one of Selena’s nightgowns or that Simon just has a cute, tiny, semi sheer, little, frilly nightgown of his own, both are very valid options—

[translationandbetrayals]

JoJo’s Bizarre Fashion Adventure

My entire life, I’ve loved fashion. When I was little, my mom saw me as her doll, always dressing me beautifully, spending all of her precarious teacher’s salary so I could be the most stylish girl in kindergarten. I loved matching my shoes with my headband and my little purse, and as I grew up, I started using fashion as a way of showing people who I am.  

So, when my boyfriend forced me to watch Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (2012), I imagined it would be another shonen anime about violence, blood, and women with big t1ts. And even though it has a lot of violence and blood, and a lot of women with big t1ts, it also has my dream wardrobe. I was fascinated with the poses at first in parts one and two, but when my boyfriend and I started Stardust Crusaders, my mind was blown away. Not only did Jotaro Kujo instantly become my favorite Jojo so far, but I mainly loved his style. His school uniform that he always wears, personalized with the chains and belts, and his hair that melts into his hat, really show his tough, stoic character and made him more unique. I also really liked how, when we see him again in part four, he didn’t lose his essence. He has the same style but more mature; he still wears his hair melted into his hat and has that gold hand on his hat that reminds me of Star Platinum’s big hands. But now that he isn’t a student anymore, he has an anchor symbolizing his new interest: marine biology.

I thought it was brilliant how, from Stardust Crusaders to the end, the creators started using fashion as a resource to give even more life to the personality and identity of the characters. Not only by showing us through their outfits how they’ve changed, like in Jotaro’s case, but also how the clothes they wear have a connection to the stands they possess. Since the power of the stand comes from the power of the soul, fashion in Jojo’s is a representation of every character's inner power.

Even though in the third part the outfits were simpler—except Jojo’s, as he still had a badass outfit—Kakyoin had an all-green suit, symbolizing his stand Hierophant Green. Josuke has his amazing distinctive hair, with his modified version of the traditional Japanese uniform with a peace symbol and a heart, which makes me think of his stand Crazy Diamond, which has the ability to repair instead of destroy, like Love does. Bucciarati has a lot of zippers in his outfit, making the connection to his stand Sticky Fingers more obvious. Giorno Giovanna has ladybugs in his clothes, referencing his connection with nature and his stand Golden Experience, which can transform objects into living beings. And Jotaro in Stone Ocean has a shirt with a star, in honor of his iconic stand Star Platinum—plus, he has even cooler pants now.

Another thing I loved about watching Jojo's are the references to pop culture. Not only are most of the stands named after bands, albums, and songs that I really like, but I also loved discovering the fashion references and the collaborations between my favorite brands and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Writing this post allowed me to dive into Hirohiko Araki’s mind, where I found a lot of his inspiration. For example, Giorno’s hair is very similar to what Karen Mulder wore to a Mugler runway. I also found a lot of Versace magazine covers with poses very similar to those in this anime and manga, which was really unexpected because I never imagined that when I first started watching this show, it would have such an interesting connection to fashion. The worlds of c and anime are connected through Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, to the point where they’ve even collaborated with Gucci. More recently, Araki released a collaboration with Shueisha's UOMO magazine, where Bruno Bucciarati poses on the cover wearing Balenciaga to promote the Hirohiko Araki JoJo Exhibition: Ripples of Adventure exhibition.  Expanding his work outside the anime industry and leaving his legacy on fashion too. 

That’s why I really love Jojo’s bizarre world: it combines three things I adore—anime, fashion, and my boyfriend.

 -Maria Esperanza Verdejo

[de-righty]

Hi! Your character designs are fascinating, do you mind talking a bit about how you approach them?

I wish I could answer this question properly, but the thing is- I know little to nothing about character design! I just tend to fool around and have fun until i come up with something I like!

But! Out of curiosity I decided to "document" how I approach creating characters, maybe it'll help!

(!just remember you are listening to the random person on the internet who is by no means an expert!)

1. Nothing more to add! I start with creating a "doll" of sorts. However, it does help a lot if you decide on a general theme and character traits before doing even that.

I went into this creation kind of blind, so I had to redo a lot. BUT it's cool too!!!! Some of my best characters got half of their personality DURING the design creation, so it's totally fine if this process overlaps.

2. That's the trick i tend to use a lot to keep a character from looking nothing-ish, or with too much going on.

The "focus" throughout the design stays as my compass, whatever else I do shouldn't clash with the main detail and shouldn't drain too much attention from it.

Again, character creation is fun and experimental, so, sometimes your focus detail can change! Or disappear! It's just a good starting point to overcome the blank canvas

3. I decided it will be a DnD warlock with some aristocratic background. The pose has changed, the proportions shuffled back and forth to create some warlock uncanniness. It's basically going back to step one but with some new context!

4. So next step- outfit. I would really like to learn how to design with clothes in mind immediately, to sort of bounce off of different forms. But as of rn for more serious designs I prefer to dress my base like a doll. It helps with anatomy consistency, but it definitely can feel less expressive.

The one advice I have (besides references, use those, please!!!) is to try and do clothes "sloppy" first. Sometimes the longer you spend with lines and details the less you are aware of the overall shape. This fit in particular I only got right after I roughly painted the silhouette of the dress

5. Panic! Chaos! Lots and lots of it. I'm keeping myself handcuffed from making everyone green, or Yellow+ some variation of black. BUT since it's a "documentary" I get to do it one more time. As a treat.

Colour theory is, well, hard! So while working with a new palette I often find myself googling the complementary colours. It's alright too!! Looking for colour inspiration is important, you never know what you can find out of your comfort zone (do as I preach not as I do)

Also don't forget to check your tone with black and white filter, it makes wonders.

And with that we're done! But not really :D

Characters tend to change and evolve the more you draw them. Shapes get adjusted, facial structure becomes more refined.

Take a look at my babyboy Ludwig.

He may not be the best example, cause, well, he's a dnd character, lots of changes were due to the plot shenanigans, But still!!

A good way to test if you like the design or not- is to draw it a bunch of times. Some details may be added, some may be toned down

@septemberlikestea is the mastermind who taught me that, so you sir are getting some credit.

Aaaand I guess we're done!

[illfoandillfie]

Making Art (Kinktober Day 14: Double Penetration)

Kinktober Masterlist | Regular Masterlist

Pairing: Fairy!Lucy Boynton x Reader x Fairy!Rami Malek (plus mentions of fairy ben and gwil)

Words: 3,320

Warnings: double penetration, sex slavery, oral sex (both m a f receiving), some pussy spanking, groping, groping while she’d unconscious (brief), public sex, sex with an audience, a lil bit of triple penetration, pornography, inspection, references to all the previous chapters lmao

A/N: Part of the Fairy AU. Couldn’t resist writing more of this tbh.

It was Gwilym’s idea to start. He’d mentioned it in passing when Lucy had first let him examine you but, apparently, she’d quite liked the idea. It served a dual purpose – get everyone excited about the upcoming bacchanal festival, and show off her power as their queen. No one could disapprove of a queen who not only protected them from a human but also subdued that human and turned her into a harmless sex doll. So, Lucy had told Gwilym to make the arrangements and before you knew it you were making a pornographic magazine. You were happy to do what Lucy asked but it had been an exhausting couple of weeks and you were glad to be near the end. The artist Gwilym hired, a tall, broad man with a patchy beard, was renowned for his pornographic creations. He’d done every sort of scene imaginable from sweet and soft to predatory and painful. Barely a fae existed who had not owned one of his works at some time or another because his catalogue was so diverse that you were nearly guaranteed to find something you liked. And when Lucy and Rami sat down to discuss options, they were thrilled with his vision. Together, they’d picked out important scenes the fae folk should see and over the last couple of weeks you’d filmed them all.  

The first few days had been spent down by the mushroom ring where you’d entered the faerie world so long ago. You’d been given a black dress to wear, though it was artfully torn to expose enough of your body to titillate the people. A small taste of what was to come. The artist had sat down on a chair he’d brought down, pulled out a sketchpad and began using magic to create small samples of colours from the world around you. Then he’d posed you and made you stand while he sketched out his piece. It took a lot less time than you’d assumed it would but, as he’d explained to Lucy, he had to be fast to capture sexual scenes.   “Sex can change in a second, especially where magic is concerned. I like my subjects to actually perform the acts I depict, instead of just simulating them. I give some direction but I like them to be natural so I’ve learnt to be quick enough to beat an orgasm. Of course, usually my subjects can do multiple takes but clean up in between can sometimes kill a mood so I try not to take too long.”  His process seemed to consist of making sketches in his book that he’d take back to his workshop to finish on a larger scale. And then he’d apply a potion to the artwork which would create the movement, a small video on the pages of a magazine.  

Once he’d satisfied himself with the arrival scene you’d moved on to the moment you were captured and taken to the queen. You’d thought perhaps actors would be hired but, again, you’d been wrong. Lucy was adamant that she should star in it herself, that if her people were going to see their queen dominate a human they should really see it. When you showed your surprise and told her that world leaders in the human world could lose their jobs because of sex scandals, she’d laughed and reminded you the fae folk thought very differently. A former beloved King of the faeries had released a sex tape every Yuletime as a gift to his people and others before him had had their likeness captured in erotic portraits or wrote heavy tomes detailing their lusty escapades. This was going to be part of her legacy. And, as such, she would personally pose for her scenes, as would anyone else involved. Which meant that you were joined in the mushroom ring by Benjamin and a few of his soldiers. The artist recorded Ben knocking you out with pixie dust as his soldiers held you and then, while you were passed out, each of them had their chance to feel you up, tearing your clothes more in the process. With multiple people in the scene, the artist required a few extra takes and so you found yourself being alternately woken and made unconscious three or four times in a row before he was satisfied. And there wasn’t really any way to tell how long you were out for any one time. All you knew was that you’d been touched by the men, your pussy a little wetter each time you woke. But, eventually, the artist was satisfied and everyone moved to the throne room to perform your presentation to Lucy. You knelt on the floor, arms bound behind your back and a strip of fabric gagging you, as Lucy stood over you and grabbed your face, menacingly examining her prey while Ben and his men watched. After that you, Lucy, and the artist moved down to the room with the stone dais, so you cold recreate the moment she tricked you into eating her out and thus became your owner. It felt a little odd performing such an act with the audience of the artist but you soon forgot he was there, all your attention on pleasing your queen.  

The artist was the talk of the castle since most weren’t privy to his sessions. His reputation as one of the fae world’s leading erotic directors assured that everyone was interested in what he was doing in the castle. At first the rumour mill said he was creating portraits of the king and queen, which they would exchange as gifts on their wedding day. But, as the week wore on and more people became involved, the speculation got closer to the truth. Your first feast in the castle was re-created, though the hall was empty save for those important people who sat beside the Queen. Naturally there needed to be a depiction of Lucy presenting you to her courtiers, her fairness and your forced submission on display, but she couldn’t single anyone out without creating jealous conflicts or fuelling rivalries. So, instead, one of Lucy’s maids was dressed up in place of a noble woman and you were introduced to her as you had been introduced to Lucy’s subjects on that night. And, of course, Rami had fun bending you over the long table again. After that Gwilym agreed to give away a couple of his secrets and performed a small examination of you for the artist. Nothing so thorough as you were used to but it allowed him to get some detailed sketches of your tits and then your pussy being fingered and fucked. The detailed shot of your arse came when he sketched you being trained – plugged and chained to the wall while you fellated one of your dildos, Lucy just beside you, ready to punish you if need be.  

And then there was a night where you were taken to the woods. The story of your brazen escape attempt while your queen was in a neighbouring land. Benjamin got to play the hero, capturing you and dealing you a severe punishment in the dungeons. You didn’t dare point out the story was fake. That he’d actually made you run through the woods at night so he could hunt you down. You knew that Lucy was likely the only one who’d believe you and she’d just point out the escape made a better story. That you would be the wicked human who tried and failed to outwit the Queen’s men. It’d make her and those she trusted most seem more powerful, more reliable. It’d make it seem like turning you into her obedient pet was harder than it had been and yet she’d still succeeded. She used a similar reason when she agreed to a scene where a small group of maids took liberties with you while bathing and readying you for your duties. Tiana starred alongside you in that scene and you couldn’t help but feel quite flustered by her presence. Especially when Lucy declared she’d enjoy watching Tiana use you.  

But, finally, it seemed as if the artist had almost got everything he needed. He wanted some final pages that showed how Lucy had successfully conditioned you to behave. That she’d beaten the human and now you were her willing slave. That showed her and her soon to be king consort as the powerful leaders the fae folk deserved. So he needed some shots of Lucy and Rami sharing you, dominating you together. The artist didn’t have anything specific in mind. He was happy to watch things play out naturally, quickly sketching what he saw. It started with you on your hands and knees, Lucy fingering you as Rami and the artist watched on. By then you were well and truly accustomed to being watched by the artist, so it took no time at all for Lucy  to declare you ready for her cock as she summoned a dildo, her favourite one to fuck you with. She set it up and slid into you, making you moan from the first thrust.  “Good girl,” she cooed at you, “but your whore sounds will wake the whole castle. Rami, shut her up.” Her sweet tone turned authoritative and almost mean as she gave your arse a slap. The sharp sting made you gasp right as Rami grabbed you by the hair, holding you still as he pressed his cock into your mouth. He made you gag, holding you down as the artist hastily sketched the position.   “Don’t stop on my account,” the artist said, flipping to a blank page, “Do what you will to the whore.”  Rami didn’t need to be told twice, pulling out enough so you could gasp for breath before thrusting into your throat again. He didn’t need to push you all the way down, Lucy had found a rhythm that did it for him, forcing you to his base with each stroke of her strapon. When it started to feel like you didn’t have enough breath to continue you tried to pull back, but Rami tugged on your hair and Lucy leaned forward, stopping you from moving at all as she shushed you and whispered in your ear.  “Uh uh, pet. Rami likes your throat too much. Tell him you like his cock too.”  You moaned, tears in your eyes as you tried not to panic.  “That’s right,” she said sweetly, “you’ve gotten so much better at swallowing cock, haven’t you?”  You tried to moan again but were interrupted by a wet gag which made Rami’s hips buck.   Lucy laughed as she tugged you backwards, drool running down your chin as you took a few hasty breaths. “Do you like it when she gags, my love?”  “Mmhmm,” Rami groaned, “Feels so good.”  “Hear that Pet?” She shoved you back down his length, her cock jerking in your cunt, “Keep gagging or else.”  They didn’t give you much choice in the matter, though you would have forced yourself to gag even if they had. Lucy grabbed your hips as she began fucking you properly again, each stroke deep and hard and matching the way Rami was fucking your throat. They were nearly always in sync, though the closer Rami got the more he jerked and twitched and fell out of time. But that just made it harder for you to keep up with and more likely he’d force you to gag or choke again. You could barely hear the scratch of the artist’s pencil over all the wet sounds the two of them were pulling from you. Especially once Rami started groaning with how close he was getting.   Lucy made sure to degradingly praise you, remarking on what an obedient toy you were and how easy it was to use you. But she also threw out commands too, reminding everyone that she was the one in charge and that you belonged to her. As Rami got closer Lucy told you to get him off so you started trying to moan again, in between the gags he still enjoyed hearing.   Lucy’s hand slid underneath you, her fingers finding your clit quickly, “You can do better than that whore. Here I’ll help.”   There was a sudden electric tingle as Lucy released a bolt of magic directly against your clit. It was like a vibrator but so much stronger and you were forced to cum, moaning around Rami as the pleasure kept going.  

The sensation on stopped when Rami came, his cock twitching as he emptied himself into your mouth. But you made sure to swallow everything, not wanting to disappoint. Rami hummed as you kept sucking on him, making sure he’d completely finished, and then pulled out, slapping your cheek with his still hard cock.   “That was hot,” Lucy gave another thrust, a reminder that she was not through with you yet, “I think I want to see you cum again.” She pushed you down then, working up to a punishing pace she hadn’t been able to achieve while sharing you with Rami. And then there was another bolt of magic. It sank into your skin from both her palms, the tingly heat rising in you as you moaned into the sheets, your cunt clenching around her dildo as she forced you to cum again. Lucy’s hips slowed as you tightened, making it harder for her to move inside you. And then, as it began to subside and you tried to catch your breath, it started up again. A few thrusts of Lucy’s cock and then you were cumming again, muscles tightening and pussy dripping, before you were ready.   Lucy rubbed her own clit as she watched you writhe, getting off on your whines as you became more sensitive. It only stopped when she came.   “How was that?” she asked the artist.  “Incredible, your highness.” He discreetly palmed himself.  "Excellent. But, I was thinking it might be useful if you had some options. Maybe a couple of other positions to choose from. We want the people to have the very best examples of my pet’s obedience, don’t we?”  “That we do,” the artist agreed quickly, his eyes raking over your exposed pussy, “Might I suggest this time you’re a little meaner to her? Really show off how you’ve put her in her place.”  “Good idea.” Lucy clapped her hands together excitedly, “Rami dear, why don’t you fuck her arse. I’ll keep using her cunt for now.”   You whined as you felt yourself being grabbed and manhandled into position. Rami sat on the edge of the bed and pushed you to bend as he removed your plug, and then you were unceremoniously pulled onto his shaft. Either he or Lucy had magically conjured enough lube that he slipped into you with relative ease, but it was still a little uncomfortable at first. Neither of them seemed to notice or care when you whimpered though. Rami just thrust up into you, working himself deeper into your arse. Lucy gave him a minute or so to get adjusted, giggling when he groaned about how tight you were. But she didn’t hold off for too long before she was pushing your legs wider and sliding into your cunt.  

You still felt sensitive from the orgasms she’d forced you to have but it was a complement that Lucy wanted your cunt again.   “Thank you, my queen,” you gasped out she eased deeper.   Lucy smiled and tucked your hair behind your ear and then gave a hard thrust that made you whimper. “Don’t worry, whore, I’ll make sure you’ll enjoy this.” There was a pause and then she added, “or else.” with a playful laugh.   You didn’t have time to react because both Rami and Lucy started thrusting into you then. They’d shared you like this before but the overwhelming fullness of both of them still took some getting used to. All you could do was try to breathe as they put on a show of dominating you, roughly using your holes. They expected a display of gratitude from you, ordering you to moan more so they knew you liked being their fuck toy. And when your moan stuttered out after a particularly hard thrust, Lucy decided you needed the help and forced another orgasm from you. It made you whine with how sensitive you were, tears in your eyes, but she just slapped your cheek.   “You better not be complaining.”  “I’m not,” you whimpered, “I love this.”  “Hear that Rami, she loves this.”   Rami groaned from behind you, “As she should.”  Lucy just hummed in agreement as she leaned forward to kiss him over your shoulder. The shift forced her to bottom out in your cunt and Rami must have felt how deep she was because he groaned and came suddenly.   “Can I have your cum too my queen?” you asked, breathless and desperate to please.   “Not like this. But yes.” She pulled out, the sudden emptiness almost as bad as being stimulated when you were already over sensitive.  

You were once again manhandled, dropped into the middle of the bed. Lucy unfastened the dildo and pressed it into your ass as Rami cleaned himself up. She was quick to mount your face, her cunt nearly dripping from how much she’d enjoyed using you. You eagerly lapped at her folds. It was your favourite part of being her pet. She’d taught you to enjoy being shared, to enjoy taking cock in every hole. But you loved her pussy. You loved pleasuring her like that. And she knew as much. This was a reward for being good for the artist. Lucy came quickly, you made sure of it, but she just kept rocking against your mouth. So you moaned into her, wanting her to know how much you enjoyed being under her.   Rami didn’t waste much time either. Your cunt was now free, begging to be filled again, so he settled between your thighs without a word.   You felt Lucy lean forward to kiss him again but it was just a quick peck and she soon settled back to hump your mouth as he enthusiastically fucked you. It made you moan again which just made Lucy grind harder. But the two cocks filling you were a touch distracting and Lucy needed to remind you that you were meant to be getting her off. She spanked your sore, overstimulated, pussy. You cried out, the sound muffled of course, but redoubled your efforts, apologising for getting distracted with your tongue. She seemed to accept it and moaned prettily as she came again. But she still wasn’t done.  

Rami came again before she was satisfied. He pulled out so he could coat your cunt in his semen before shoving his cock back inside.   The artist made a sound of joy at the sight of the mess. “That is the perfect way to close off the magazine. But...perhaps one more load. So it’s obvious how much you use her.”  You only took notice of the conversation when Lucy, having cum again, climbed off your face.   “Would you like to help?”  You turned your head to see the artist, hand on his chest asking, “me?”  “Of course you.” Lucy laughed, “you’ve done so much for us these last weeks. Seems only fair that you get a first hand idea of how well trained our pet is.” She turned to you, “Be a good girl and suck him off.”  You didn’t need to be told twice, already opening your mouth before she’d finished giving the order.  Lucy picked up the sketchbook and flicked through it as the two men took their turns, the dildo still fucking your arse, “These are going to be incredible when they’re finished. But I think you’re right, she does need to be made a proper mess so everyone knows how much of a cumwhore we’ve made her.” 

[the-mercurial-star-o-vesper]

TEN OUTTA TEN 1010

Welp, its happened. I’m into No Straight Roads, and the boys with the K-Bop in their step has got me hooked.

So I’m gonna celebrate (for the moment) with lots of gathered info I’ve found, seen, or heard speculated, regarding the Top Boy Band of Vinyl City... 1010. [Possible OCs to come later]

Some of this stuff might be common knowledge, some is already on the wiki, but hey, no shame in having a consolidated list.

But for now...

The Names of 1010 were deciphered by out of universe fans. They are Rin (White), Haym (Yellow), Eloni (Green), Purlhew (Blue) and Zimelu (Red).

An old placeholder model for 1010 had Black Hair and different tron lines.

1010 in binary is... literally just 10.

Eloni does not get fan letters; He’s the “Funny Band member”, and Funny Band Members don’t get fan letters.

1010 wears Sailor uniforms (The US Navy would call them Dress Blues, so think... Popeye. But no hat.) In fact, their flying limo is a god damn Tron-lined Battleship. Even the Cannons dance to the music.

They’re a parody on K-Bop bands or Boy Bands to the West. And while they’re listed as Funky, they’re technically Synthpop. (Haha, Synth)

In the background of their fight, when the Battleship Limo stops for pictures, you can see that there is a set of pictures of 1010. Rin the White has a Fuschia or Purple Background, while all the others have a background matching their aesthetic colors.

1010 have common powers... ... Firing Lasors. ... Levitation (Or small time Flight; as they rush to the side to meet the Cameras) ... “Taking to the Sky”, or just really powerful jumping. ... Being powered by Cheers. ... There’s a reason I left Shield off in a moment.

1010 are both outrageously tall (Mayday only comes to their waist when they stand up properly), and outrageously heavy (did you hear them walk backward in their intro cutscene? How heavy are these guys!?)

It could whatever kind of AI they have, but they are waaaay insynch, almost preemptively. Perhaps 1010 are directly linked to each other?

In most of their appearances outside of battle, they all have the same colored eyes as their aesthetic colors. But in Battle, they all have White eyes. Mind that in their Show Stopper picture, they’re back to having their aesthetic eyes again. Take that as you will.

1010 has associated attacks, when you’re in the Phase facing the Factory and Neon J. ... Yellow has Missiles or Splash Damage explosions. No literally, the yellow droid is the missle. ... Green has Bombs. HIS HAIR IS A BOMB. ... Red has Saws. He-He literally uses Red Droid as the Saw. ... Blue has some sort of Staffs or Whirlwind strike. They are staffs made of Purl-Hew. ... Because of his Picture’s Purple Background, White’s likely isn’t an attack but is, in fact, the Shields that occured early in the battle. Which is probably why they’re never deployed, because how the hell can you make a shield out of Rin Bots.

It was pointed out in one of the many Youtube Comment Sections that 1010′s hairstyles match their respective attacks in some form or fashion. ... Zimelu’s Mohawk indicates his associated Saws. ... Haym’s hair looks like a missile. ... Eloni’s hair looks line a Grenade Pin. ... Purlhew’s flat top hair could indicate the fact that he’s literally used as a Staff End. So basically he’s Blue. That’s his attack. [Hah] ... Rin’s the sexy one. Look, for a Band of Robots with fancy hairdos and attacks, he’s not considered remarkable.

As they are a parody of Boy Bands across the World, they may follow the boy band “archtypes” ... Rin is the Leader, and the Heartthrob (He doesn’t have a weird hairstyle, and he does the most flirting / talking; as well as the most promoted) ... Eloni, as already established, is the Funny Guy, or the Comedian. ... Purl-Hew is the Cool Guy, (consider his Sunglasses) ... Zimelu is the Bad Boy (Mohawk, his ANGRY EYES AARGH) ... Haym’s is apparently considered a Pompadour. Maybe he is also a Bad Boy? Consider his name, he may be the Smart Guy. ... There is no known “Shy Guy” or “Cute Guy (Technically, the Second Heartthrob, but isn’t a threat to first Heartthrob’s position). So, go forth and create.

Fun Consideration on my part. Since Names can have meaning in No Straight Roads and meaning in personal names... ... Rin is a japanese name, and boy can it mean a lot of stuff depending on the Kanji (Some of the meanings are “Dignified” “Compassion” “Cold”). He’s probably coolly impassionate off stage. ... Purl-Hew is apparently a pun on Pearl Hue (cos I guess blue Pearls). Perhaps he likes puns. ... Zimelu is an ooold fortress in Lativa apparently. Perhaps he has a warish personality. Or I guess knows very Niche military history. (Perhaps, in-universe, it was the name of a base Neon J served at?) ... Haym is the name shared by a few people, but in the themes of music, its probably Nicola Francesco Haym (Italian Poet, Opera Librettist, Composer, Manager, Editor and Numismatist (That’s uh, a guy who studies Currency)). Perhaps our Haym is quite the Nerd. ... the name Eloni means Lofty. Which can me “Of Imposing Height” (They all are), “Noble or Exalted Nature” (Possibly?) “Proud, Aloof or Self-Important” (They all are that too, yes), or in regard to Lofty Wool “Thick and Resilient” (I mean, if you look at those thighs-- Ahem). So basically Eloni’s name defines all the group... Wow, poor fella. No wonder he’s the Comedian, he’d have to pull anything to get noticed (when its not about his hair) [THE DUDE DABS]

If Battledroids all have background memories to be more efficient in combat... Does 1010 have backup memories from Neon J?

Metro Division shows other kinds of Robots, and the progression of 1010′s Mark Models (1 looks like your typical Sailor, 2 looks a bit like our 1010 but more droid, jointed and blocky, and our 1010 is currently mark 3... There are 4 known Types of Droid, so a 4th Mark may be on the way)

Neon J, Manager and Creator, is a Vetren of Vinyl City’s Navy (It only has a Navy); and his District is literally a Theme Park mashed with a Ship Yard.

Neon is the 10th element of the Periodic Table, and J is the 10th letter. Dude loves his 10s.

Considering how he replaces the bots in battle, or even outright uses them as weapons... Perhaps his “Troops” are not the Bot bodies, but the AI possibly hosted inside? 1010 has more personality out of battle after all, and Neon is seen fervently protecting 1010 when their eyes share their hair color. (As their eyes are only white in battle...) Hm, mayhaps the HC is, that when their Eyes have color, the AI is truely present.

Neon is a Cyborg, note that his body appears to be the same kind of droid as 1010′s, with a Radar head. His brain is apparently in his radar, and as we saw post-battle, that head was smashed to hell. Perhaps the reason he was reminiscing so much and though that BBJ was really after him, was because of some serious onset head or brain trauma.

Apparently, Vinyl City has or has had Border Wars. This could be a reference to the Korean DMZ Conflicts (As 1010 does distinctly include Korean K-Pop, and South Korean men do have to serve 2 years in the military forces by law), but there have been hundreds of different Border Wars throughout the world. [ I wonder what war Vinyl City was in. Perhaps against the Artist Capital of the World, Canvas City ] [ Oh take me down to the Canvas City, where the grass is green and the pics are pretty--]

Neon’s passion is Dancing.

Neon J and DJ Subatomic Supernova do seem to be in a lot of pictures together. No wonder everybody ships them.

Neon J used to make toys, as seen by the collectibles you can get. Done by hand too. Though if each toy found is a stage in his life... I wonder who the doll with the violin is.

Think maybe Neon J has direct control over 1010? I mean they share the same voice, they have a passion for poses and dancing, he does directly command them...

Are Cyborg parts cheap? Or was Neon J someone important enough in the Vinyl City Navy to actually become a cyborg? Military doesn’t do expensive prosthetic surgeries for random grunts without reason.

Okay, regarding what the Azkar faction is. Its probably suppose to be Askar. Azkar is a type of Islamic Prayer. Askar is actually Arabic for Army. So it’d be The “Army Faction” (which makes more sense for a nation city-state that only has a Navy)

The place he called “Kewan” is not a real world place. Its either Persian for “Saturn” (What, is he... Is he a SAILOR SCOUT!?) or Kurdish for Mountains (He does mention mountains).

Possibly more as information arises.

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Fireworks Event - Victor

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an event which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Contains references to Night Dream Date and Fairytale Date (available in EN)

Previous section: here

3rd Anniversary Masterlist: here 

Prior to the Carnival, there were questions posed in the Go See You feature which affects which scenario the player sees during the Fireworks Event:

Question 1: Having gone to the amusement park a number of times, which attraction was your favourite?

Option A: As compared to the attractions, the fountain left the deepest impression!

Option B: The float parade! I really want to participate in it again!

Option C: An attraction consisting of a rapid fall. [no footage found]

-

Question 2: Think about what the “perfect day” you clamour about every day looks like specifically.

Option A: For you to smile a little more.

Option B: To stick together with you.

--

[ PART ONE ]

As the day gradually darkens, tangerine light from the setting sun dyes the clouds crimson. Various coloured lights are illuminated within the carnival.

MC: What should we try as the final attraction...

In order to round up this day in the most perfect manner, I look at the guide map before me, in serious thought. 

Victor: Let’s go to this place.

A step faster than me, Victor takes my hand, moving forward without hesitation.

MC: This is...?

[ Option A: As compared to the attractions, the fountain left the deepest impression! ]

MC: The fountain plaza!

The glittering and translucent water droplets meld with the setting sun, casting a colourful brilliance. 

The scene before me is similar yet different, and it makes me recollect that trip to the amusement park I thought we had missed out on.

The shock that the amusement park had been rented out completely still lingers in my heart. 

Victor: The only person to feel so strongly about fountains would be you.

MC: Do you know the reason for that?

I smile as I look at Victor, watching as he sighs and folds his arms in front of his chest. 

Victor: Because we watched those fountains together. As compared to the fountains, what’s more important is the memories related to them. Things which carry memories are always more captivating than other objects.

MC: ...

I’m rendered speechless as Victor steals all my lines.

Seeing that my originally planned script is no longer of use, I can only nod blankly, letting my cheeks flush. 

Victor seems to be pleased with what he sees before him. He chuckles while shaking his head, returning his gaze to the fountains. 

The faraway water columns are reflected in my irides. They twirl elegantly in the air before falling, crashing against another rising column of water, creating rays of light.

Victor: I like more things now. 

Without warning, Victor speaks. 

MC: What?

Victor: Fountains, Shiba Inu dolls, and all sorts of miscellaneous items. From a certain point in time, I started liking more and more things. 

Memories from the past flash before my eyes. Those very trivial fragments string together like pearls, sparkling and dazzling.

MC: Isn’t that pretty good?

I tilt my head, leaning against his shoulder. 

Victor: It’s not bad. 

Victor lifts his hand naturally, encircling my waist gently.

Perhaps due to the ongoing parade, or visitors seizing of this chance to experience other attractions, there aren’t many people at the fountains. 

We monopolise the sunset and the gleaming reflections from the water, tranquil happiness entering my heart along with the rising water droplets.

As the final ray of light of sunset dips beneath the horizon, the fountain performance officially announces its end.

Walking towards another place, I suddenly realise that one question has been neglected.

--

[ Option B: The float parade! I really want to participate in it again! ]

I look at the bustling parade in front of me.

MC: The parade!

As dusk gradually sets in the amusement park, the lively performers and magnificent parade vehicles move forward together with the music. 

Along with the lights, the images before me overlap with my memories. 

MC: Victor, do you still remember the first time we visited the amusement park? Just like this time, we tried all sorts of attractions, and then watched the parade. 

Victor: Mm. I won't forget. 

MC: With this thought in mind, whether it’s the time we sat in the parade vehicle, or how we took the merry-go-round together today... I seem to have truly become a princess from a fairytale. 

Victor: Just that counts as being a princess?

MC: Eh? What counts as being a princess then?

Could Victor have an unexpectedly wise opinion on this topic?

I look at Victor, waiting for his response in anticipation.

Victor: The ability to handle governmental, state, and diplomatic affairs - these are the most fundamental...

MC: Wait, wait. I don’t think we’re talking about the same type of princess. 

As expected of a Victor-style response - in just a second, it can ruin the romantic atmosphere surrounding us.

MC: I’m referring to those in fairytales.

Victor: For example?

MC: Mm... 

MC: Beautiful dresses, elegant and dignified, able to eat delicious food and adorable snacks... 

MC: Most importantly, they their own Prince Charming!

Victor: That’s all?

After listening to my response, Victor chuckles softly.

MC: What’s wrong? Don’t look down on this “princess dream”, okay? This is the purest dream of a young woman...

Victor: I’m not looking down on it. I just wanted to ask how this differs from the days you’re leading right now. 

This question renders me speechless, and I can only stare at him blankly. 

The parade vehicle passes by, and large volumes of flower petals drift around us.

I just hope that the light is sufficiently dim, so that he wouldn’t see that my face is even redder than the sky.

As the final ray of sunset dips beyond the horizon, the parade officially announces its end.

Observing the gradually dissipating crowd, I suddenly realise that one question has been neglected.

--

[ PART ONE ENDING ]

This isn’t an attraction Victor would be interested in. Why did he bring me here so decisively?

I search my memories for a long while, and a possible answer finally surfaces in my mind. 

A few days ago, he suddenly asked me a few questions out of nowhere. 

[ flashback begins ]

Victor: Having gone to the amusement park a number of times, which attraction was your favourite?

MC: Why the sudden question?

Victor: So, what’s your answer?

MC: Mm... let me think...

MC: If I had to mention one...

[ flashback ends ]

I didn’t expect that he was already making preparations for this trip to the amusement park since that time.

Perhaps seeing that I'm smiling in an overly silly manner, Victor asks a question.

Victor: What’s that silly smile for? 

MC: Victor, do you place special importance on this carnival? 

Victor: What kind of a question is that?

MC: I’ve already noticed! Those questions you asked a few days ago - they were in preparation for today, weren’t they?

Victor: Haven’t I always been practising what I preach and telling you about the importance of doing research and preparation beforehand?

Victor gives me a blank look - the exact same expression as when I hand him a proposal which doesn’t pass.

But as of today, his outward appearance no longer dupes me!

MC: Thank you. I didn’t think you’d really remember my answers, and even fulfil them for me. I feel especially happy right now. 

I take his hand, the corners of my lips curling upwards involuntarily.

Victor: Which one of your wild imaginations do I not remember? In contrast, I want to forget them. 

His tone is gentle, and a more tender sentiment surfaces in the deep pools of his eyes.

MC: But... isn’t something missing? 

Perhaps attributable to the extraordinary tenderness in his expression, I’m given the courage to be “insatiable”.

[ Option A: For you to smile a little more. ]

MC: Since you also asked me what I’d consider a “perfect day”, where’s the smile I want to see more of?

Hearing this, Victor rubs the bridge of his nose in resignation.

Victor: Haven’t I smiled enough today?

MC: Not enough. Aren’t you pulling a long face right now? Hurry and smile a little?

Most likely unable to win against the expectant blinks I'm sending him, Victor sighs heavily once more. Then, he lifts the corners of his lips in an unnatural manner.

MC: Pfft... 

MC: That won’t do. That’s just movement of your facial muscles. It doesn't count as a smile. 

I hop forwards by a few steps, then turn my head to give Victor a demonstration.

MC: This is how you smile. 

Victor: [sighs]...

He reaches out to pinch my cheek.

Victor: Always so silly. From the moment we met, it seems you haven’t changed.

MC: On the other hand, you’ve changed quite a lot. You’re more gentle, and you smile much more. It isn’t like how it was in the past either, where your smile would give Goldman a scare. 

--

[ Option B: To stick together with you. ]

MC: Since you also asked me what I’d consider a “perfect day”, why aren’t we sticking together as agreed?

Sure enough, Victor’s eyebrows furrow deeply once he hears this.

Victor: Your memory is always bafflingly good when it comes to these things.

MC: Of course. So? There are only a few more hours till the end of my “perfect day”.

I run a few steps forward, then turn my head and offer my hand to Victor.

MC: I’m already in front of you, and you aren’t going to hold on tightly?

With a long sigh, Victor steps forward and grips my hand tightly.

Victor: I've been holding on to it tightly since a long time ago.

He exerts slightly more pressure. Then, he steadily and naturally wraps his arms around my waist, encircling me into his arms.

I’ve forgotten when I started getting used to holding hands with him, and getting used to having his warmth by my side.

Victor: I’m wondering when these habits developed.

MC: Are you criticising me again?

Victor: I’m referring to myself.

Victor smiles with a sigh, looking as though he’s seen through me since a long time ago.

Victor: You're always making such a din. Ever since I met you, you don’t seem to have changed. But this is good too.

MC: We’re meant to complete each other. But you’ve changed quite a lot. More frank, and more easy to get close to.

Victor: I was infected by a certain dummy.

[ PART TWO ENDING ]

While Victor says this, he taps my head gently. It’s reminiscent of a complaint, yet is affectionate.

MC: It’s all right, I’ll take responsibility.

Victor: In that case, tell me more about your plan?

MC: First of all...

I step on my tiptoes, helping Victor adjust the tie around his neck which features pictures of small black cats. 

MC: I'll fill your life with more adorable things. Like me. 

The park starts to announce that the fireworks display is about to begin. 

Turning my head, I see the faint, flickering stars in the sky, anticipating the fireworks I’ll be sharing with him.

The first light rises to the sky, announcing that the performance has begun.

Victor: Your proposal still needs slightly more refinement. 

The moment the firework blooms, Victor takes my hand off his tie and into his palm. He speaks in a volume only I can hear.

Victor: Think properly about how you’re going to fulfil your bold, visionary words of taking “responsibility”. There’s still a lot of time to come to a conclusion.

In the deep curtain of darkness, the blooming fireworks create mottled colours and speckles of light. 

They are of the colour I answered him as my favourite.

When I don’t notice, he always does too much for me that I’m unaware of.

I know that the person holding onto my hand next to me is my life’s answer.

[wanderchyld]

Final PBIO/IOTNBO analysis and theory

This post is my final analysis and includes some questions I have as we go into the final weekend of one of the best dramas in history. It is VERY long as I consolidate and expand on my previous analysis and theories.

I also lost a big chunk of this post while I was working on the draft just a few hours before posting, resulting to this post as a little inconsistent. Excuse me if my points are messy and some points missing with some issues untouched (because I forgot 😭). I think most points can be linked back to my past theories so you can read up on them if you haven’t.

List of my theories before ep 14:

Do Heejae and the other woman

Moonyoung’s background and Go Daehwan

Head Nurse is NOT Do Heejae, she’s the previous housekeeper

Maybe Head Nurse really is Do Heejae

As usual, please note that anything I quote may be a mix of Netflix’s subs and my translation because I know Korean and Netflix tends to miss nuances sometimes.

Firstly, Park Ok Ran’s dead.

Let’s get this out of the way first. (You can read my first theory on her role in this whole saga.)

“She can’t come anymore.”

Can’t have her exposing Park Haengja. Or plot twist: she is alive and returns to save the trio from the villain 😆

No one’s memory is reliable

Not Kangtae’s as established in ep 6 that he didn’t remember his mother brought them to eat jjamppong because he’s the one who liked it, not Sangtae.

Not Sangtae’s. In spite of his good memory, it was established in ep 10 that he didn’t remember Kangtae saving him, so his memories can be flawed as well.

Therefore, not Moonyoung’s, and definitely not Go Daehwan’s.

There are few things that we can be sure because they are concurrent:

There was a female body in the basement that was disposed or disappeared.

The murderer of Taetae Bros’ mother wore Moonyoung’s mother’s a one-of-a-kind brooch.

There was a body in the reservoir.

Taetae Bros’ mother was the new housekeeper (I saw that some people disagree but here are the supporting screenshots).

There were definitely two women

My theory that there were 2 women in Moonyoung’s family still stands and I’m expanding on it.

Let’s look at the family photos first. There are multiple versions of the family photo, and I suspect they were taken at different times. Here they are in what I think is the chronological order.

1) Photo in the basement: Go Daehwan had full-rimmed glasses, Moonyoung wore a scarf and stood closer to him with his hand on her shoulder, and the lady wore a fully black high neck top with the brooch on the right.

Before the family moved in, on the day Go Daehwan showed the lady around the house, he was wearing the full-rimmed glasses, and the house looked lived in (fully furnished, fully decorated, shelves full). 

2) Go Daehwan’s photo: Go Daehwan had half-rimmed glasses, Moonyoung stood right in the middle and without the scarf, and the lady wore a blazer over a straight neckline blouse with the brooch on the right.

3) Park Haengja’s photo seems to be the same as Moonyoung’s: Go Daehwan with half-rimmed glasses, can’t tell whether Moonyoung was wearing a scarf or not but she sat nearer to the lady who wore the same blazer over a straight neckline blouse without the brooch.

Go Daehwan had half-rimmed glasses when he realised his wife killed Taetae Bros’ mother.

Photos are evidences of relationships. In a group photo, the people who are closer would pose closer to each other. These family photos tell us that Go Daehwan and Moonyoung were actually close, and showed us the progression of Moonyoung’s relationship with the woman.

But why were multiple photos taken? If they were the same woman, why are they still hiding the woman’s face in the photos?

When Go Daehwan killed his wife, he said, “If I die, my daughter will become a monster like you.”

Why was it “my daughter” and not “our daughter?” It’s even odder for Koreans because being a very collectivist society, they don’t claim people or objects as mine. They say “our country,” “our father,” “our daughter” to show unity even when they actually mean “my country,” “my father,” “my daughter.”

Moonyoung insisted she’s an orphan. Technically, when one biological parent dies, the child is an orphan (single orphan). So perhaps Moonyoung’s not wrong. And as explored in my second theory post, she might have been referring to her biological mother. The abusive woman was probably her stepmother.

Go Daehwan told Director Oh that his wife loved Moonyoung “terribly. Very terribly,” and we have Moonyoung who doesn’t want a child to not get jealous over Kangtae’s affection. Judging by the family photos (Moonyoung posing closer to the woman each time), perhaps the stepmother was jealous of the father-daughter relationship and became obsessed with Moonyoung.

Would a child be afraid of their parent because they didn’t want to be hated? I was just afraid my mother would scold me (which was a lot). Right, we can argue that her mother was abusive, but this is something to think about.

Park Haengja: stepmother and crazy aunt

Bluebeard the French folklore, which ep 6 was based on, is about a man who married several times as he killed his disobedient wives. According to Wikipedia, his final wife had invited her sister and others over for a party before she snuck away to explore the forbidden room. Bluebeard found out and was about to kill her on the spot when her sister and brothers arrived to kill Bluebeard.

It was also in ep 6 when Taetae Bros moved in that they specifically had a shot of the dolls in Moonyoung’s old room (the brothers’ new room). I mentioned this previously: one male doll as Go Daehwan, two female dolls in similar dresses as Moonyoung’s mother and stepmother, and one small female doll.

You can see the two dolls behind little Moonyoung in her memory of her father reading her a book.

The dolls are a representation of the Go family in the house because in ep 7, only the small female doll (Moonyoung) was left, and I think there are 2 more new figurines as Taetae Bros on that cabinet but I can’t be bothered to search for a clearer shot 😁

When Go Daehwan strangled little Moonyoung, afraid she would become like her mother, they featured one of the dolls in the shot.

The point of mentioning the dolls is: Moonyoung’s mother wore a similar dress as the dolls in most of the flashbacks.

Ep 13 was based on the Korean folklore The Story of Janghwa and Hongryeon and its popular movie adaptation The Tale of Two Sisters (2003). IOTNBO has more links to this story than “the bystander is worse than the abuser.”

In the movie, Moon Geunyoung’s character frequently dressed in floral patterns (like the dolls’ and Moonyoung’s mother’s dresses).

In both the folklore and the movie, the sisters were named after rose and lotus flowers. In the folklore, it’s the sister that died who was named after the rose flower. In the movie, it’s the surviving sister that was named after the rose flower. The rose is also a motif of Moonyoung’s mother.

The flower language of rose is love and passion. Personally, considering how Moonyoung always thought of her mother when she brushed her hair, and her love for a head pat, I think the rose also symbolises her mother’s "affection."

The movie is a story of two sisters who were abused by their stepmother so badly that one of them died. As it turns out, the remaining sister developed dissociative identity disorder (DID; the same disorder as the patient Yoo Sunhae) with two other personalities: her dead sister (Moon Geunyoung’s character) and her stepmother.

I take this as a lead that Moonyoung has a stepmother, who also happens to be her aunt obsessed with her sister. Wicked Witch of the West (WWOTW) coveted Wicked Witch of the East’s (WWOTE) ruby shoes; perhaps the aunt wanted to be in her sister’s shoes, figuratively AND literally.

Now here’s another “coincidence” from the same:

Left: Moon Geunyoung. Right: Im Soojung (sister with DID).

The story Go Daehwan read to little Moonyoung mentioned a bad wizard that wasn’t invited to the birthday party so he went to the castle.

The story Go Daehwan read to little Moonyoung mentioned a bad wizard that wasn’t invited to the birthday party so he/she went to the castle to cause trouble. 

Glinda the Good Witch of the North described WWOTW as worse than WWOTE.

Go Daehwan, who had recognition and memory impairment, said his wife has an angelic face but a devil lives within. Perhaps he remembers two persons as one.

We learnt from Sangin that 1) Do Heejae came from a prestigious family of medical professionals, 2) she dropped out of 3rd year of med school, and 3) she cut ties with everyone in her family. Could she have a sister in nursing? Could she have cut ties with her family because they cray cray (or the good old "you’ll starve with a creative career")?

Park Haengja has not claimed herself as Do Heejae, and the woman in the family photos are still covered.

Following these, we can assume that Park Haengja’s the bad witch who is neither Do Heejae nor Moonyoung’s birth mother. She’s the stepmother and crazy aunt (I cover more about the sisters in the next section).

There’s always a crazy aunt or uncle.

It’s just too easy if Park Haengja really is Do Heejae. I’d also be disappointed in the writer if she takes this route because it’s cliché villain and this is not a makjang drama with illogical plot twists. It would also be a step back from all the efforts this show has been making to dispel stigma against mental illness.

So they were sisters and...

...one of them died. In water. 

As per my first theory, the WWOTW and WWOTE are sisters in some adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. WWOTE died under a house then disappeared into thin air, and WWOTW pretended to die in contact of water but she returned disguised as a good person. Sound familiar?

The Story of Janghwa and Hongryeon is a Korean folklore of a stepmother who abused two sisters to their death. She had her biological son push Janghwa the older sister into a pond and she drowned. The remaining sister couldn’t take the abuse any longer and drowned herself in the same pond.

The song “Oh My Darling Clementine” has a few variations but here’s the traditional lyrics (I removed repeated stanzas):

Oh my darling, oh my darling Oh my darling, Clementine You are lost and gone forever Dreadful sorry, Clementine In a cavern, in a canyon Excavating for a mine Dwelt a miner, forty-niner And his daughter, Clementine Light she was and like a fairy And her shoes were number nine Herring boxes, without topses Sandals were for Clementine Drove she ducklings to the water Ev'ry morning just at nine Hit her foot against a splinter Fell into the foaming brine Oh my darling, oh my darling Oh my darling, Clementine You are lost and gone forever Dreadful sorry, Clementine Ruby lips above the water Blowing bubbles, soft and fine But, alas, I was no swimmer So I lost my Clementine How I missed her! How I missed her How I missed my Clementine But I kissed her little sister I forgot my Clementine

These stories are all about 2 sisters and dying in water. Whether they’re sisters or not, a woman died and she’s related to Go Daehwan somehow.

The Murder of the Witch of the West

Do Heejae’s novel hold huge clues. Here’s my translation of an excerpt from volume 9 shown in ep 10.

… __’s scalp skinned with a hunting knife without hesitation. The corpse’s lips sewed in a fence stitch. The body dismembered with a hand axe and thrown into the trunk. Yooyoung persistently as she watched the back of the West Witch leave unhurriedly after finishing the killing and leaving notes.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Why do you choose to kill happy people only?"

But as usual, there was no answer. Was it because of Yooyoung’s tenacity to catch the West Witch? Yooyoung always sees the West Witch at the crime scenes. A faceless woman who always observed Yooyoung work hard on finding the criminal before leaving abruptly. Yooyoung began to look at the crime scene from the criminal's perspective. Why here? Why kill by stabbing this way? As she simulates the crime, Yooyoung finds herself assimilating with the criminal. She felt a thrill from imagining that she stabbed and cut the victim. She’s getting confused. Is she a detective or a murderer?

Around the same time, a murder occurred. The West Witch mimicked a passage from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, everything was in line with the Wicked Witch of the West, right down to the signature butterfly design. However, Yooyoung somehow felt guilty.

...

The suspect was a middle-aged woman in her 40s.

Yeah.

The misunderstanding

Othello killed his wife because he mistook his wife for committing adultery.

Romeo and Juliet mistook each other’s plan. Romeo died from drinking real poison, and Juliet faked her death before realising the mistake and killed herself with Romeo’s dagger.

Janghwa was framed and wrongfully accused by her stepmother for being unchaste. Her father believed it. When Janghwa ran away, her stepmother and stepbrother chased after her, and her stepbrother (under her stepmother’s instruction) pushed her into a pond to drown to her death.

What did Go Daehwan misunderstand? What misunderstanding did his recognition and memory impairment cause? Why was his wife being crazy but looked so shocked when he turned her around?

I do not believe that his memory of killing his wife is a complete memory because it has been mentioned multiple times that his memories are corrupted. I think it’s fragments of different memories pieced together.

What’s going on with Park Haengja?

There are a few possibilities.

Park Haengja is Do Heejae’s sister who coveted her sister’s position and grew obsessed with her sister’s novel.

Do Heejae’s Moonyoung’s biological mother and Park Haengja’s her stepmother.

OR Moonyoung’s biological mother died when she was born, Do Heejae’s the stepmother (abusive but still her mother because she raised Moonyoung), and Park Haengja’s the obsessive aunt.

She got so obsessed she came to believe she’s Do Heejae.

So obsessed she was always keeping an eye on Moonyoung to fulfil the prophecy that is the novel. ("You’re my greatest creation," and volume 3, shown in episode 10 with Park Ok Ran’s copy, has passages that describes episode 3.)

Park Haengja’s the one who killed Taetae Bros’ mother (screenshots of Do Heejae vs murderer below).

She took advantage of Go Daehwan’s cognitive impairment and instigated him to kill the real Do Heejae. She’s the one who saw Go Daehwan kill the woman and hide her in the basement.

Do Heejae wore her butterfly brooch on right, the murderer wore it on the left. Do Heejae always wore red nail polish and a gold rose ring, the murderer did not (although she could have had them removed if it’s premeditated).

Moonyoung’s mother:

Murderer:

Moonyoung’s mother:

Murderer:

Clearly Do Heejae didn’t wear her brooch all the time, so it would have been easy to steal the brooch. However, Do Heejae wore her ring all the time, so Park Haengja can only get the ring after she dies and "truly” become Do Heejae.

End.

I think I recovered most of my points but they’re still feel incomplete 😭

Let me know your thoughts 😊

[bexterbex]

A Soul to Mend His Own | Ch. 79

The second to last chapter in this series, but do not worry I have plenty of more fics planned. ❤️

Warning, PLEASE CHECK TAGS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO READ THEN DON’T READ. | Tag lists are closed | INBOX OPEN

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Will tag as I go along, Will update tags, Slow Burn, Influenced by Star Trek and other Sci-Fi themes, References to We Happy Few, Tons of References and quotes to George Orwells 1984 see if you can find them all, The First Order is the new Big Brother,  but who is really surprised, Blatant Nazi Symbolism, Interrogation Themes, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Really just drawn out Slow Burn, Don’t repost without permission, Torture themes, Suggestive Themes, Execution themes, Disturbing Themes, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Controlling Kylo Ren, Physical Abuse, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Kylo Ren is Not Nice, Kylo Ren Has Issues, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Possessive Kylo Ren, A character shamelessly based on Zelda

A Kylo Ren x Modern! Reader in a soulmate au with canon divergence. —————————————SLOWBURN————————————–

He is already the Supreme leader, searching the universe to find you, his Empress. Your name on his wrist has been the only constant in his life, while you have doubts about his existence and his acceptance of you. He isn’t in the database and why did the name Kylo Ren cover Ben Solo?

MASTERLIST

Chapter 79: It Will Be Done

You woke feeling worn out and sore. Usually, sleep was meant to rejuvenate but after last night’s eventful escapade, only a soak in bacta would bring you back to full health. But you reveled in the feeling of being sore, reveled in the memories of last night’s lovemaking. You weren’t always fond of the beast, especially when he reared his ugly head in defiance of your best wishes, but you had to admit that he was a powerful lover in bed.

You stretched as best as you could but a heavy arm kept you weighed down, confined to the bed and his chest. For the first time, you were awake before he was. It made you ponder over if he had been able to sleep at all since he left you nights ago. When he was asleep, he looked like a calm resting angel. His lashes long, his beauty marks dark, his lips a beautiful and plush rosy pink, his hair like dark waves encapsulating his face. Yes, he looked like an angel, but underneath it all, he was a demon. But one that was your guardian. Some people had guardian angels, you had a guardian demon.

You calmly played with his hair and caressed his cheek, not wanting to disturb his sleeping peace. You watched his slow breaths as a mediation to your morning. You then put your head back down on his chest to listen to his heartbeat, you had no idea how long you were like that before you could feel him stir. You watched as his eyes fluttered open and as he blinked to focus all with a smile on your face. He glanced down at you, meeting your loving gaze. His voice was groggy as he said, “Good morning.” He then brought a hand up to his face to rub at his tired eyes.

He was a sight to behold. “You know this is the first time I have woken up before you,” you teased. It felt more intimate, more tender this way, something your relationship tended to lack.

You could hear a small huff of amusement before he replied, “Well last night was very exhausting.” Scenes played back in your head at the memory of it all, you could feel the hollow ache between your legs.

You drew lazy circles around the beauty marks on his chest, “It was, but how much sleep did you get while you were away?” You were concerned. It wasn’t like him to need tons of sleep, he seemed to run on just a few hours in peak condition.

He looked away from you, to the ceiling avoiding your gaze, “I didn’t.” He knew you wouldn’t be happy with that admittance but he was at least being honest with you. You reached up to gingerly grab his face and pull it to meet yours. You kissed him sweetly.

You shook your head at him. “You should probably join me for a bacta bath then.” You knew you needed one, especially when he brought his hand down to lazily tease your bruised heat. Causing you to hiss at the sensation.

“But I am not hurt,” he mused. You could feel his morning wood against your leg, something that you wouldn’t really be able to do much with unless you had the bacta bath.  

You shook your head again, “I know but it could rejuvenate you. And who knows I might be up for a round in the tub.” This got his attention as he moved to get off the bed and then pulling you to his chest to carry you into the bathroom. You watched him struggle for a few minutes to fill the tub with the bacta gel. For a moment you wondered if you should just call Adlez and Olivia-Rose to come to do it for you, but he was huffing telling you it was fine.  

Once the tub was filled he lowered both of you into the weird slimy substance. It felt as if you were sitting in a tub full of lube and the lube was warm. Kylo took the bath as an opportunity to both massage and grope you. Filling you with a different type of pleasure as you could feel the strain of last night being swept away. You could also feel his erection against you as he did so, pressing into the meat of your ass. You returned the favor to his strong broad back, but he seemed much more interested in getting his hands back on you versus receiving tenderness himself. Many, many kisses were exchanged, but you didn’t have a round in the bath, instead, you both took a shower together.

He happily lifted you up against the wall to allow himself to enter your renewed cunt. “You were made so perfectly to take me,” he was able to verbalize while thrusting into you. If there wasn’t steam from the shower itself you were very sure that the glass would have fogged up, anyway. But he was right, your pussy fit him perfectly, taking in every inch of man that he was.

Eventually, you both climaxed with your orgasms colliding together. And then you cleaned each other off, Kylo taking great care of your body and massaging your scalp. You honestly wished that no one else would ever touch you ever again, every single one of your atoms rejoiced in his touch. But you had to get out of the shower and move on with your day.

He took care in drying you off being very tender with you. Which made you pose the question, “Do you dislike it when I call you my guard dog?”

His face scrunched up in confusion at your question. “Why would I?” His hands and towel roaming your body.

You shuffled your feet looking down away from his gaze, “Because I am calling you a beast, a monster to your face.”

He took your face in his hands and brought it up to meet his lips, “I am a monster, but I take pride in knowing that I am your guard dog. I am only kind to one person, and that is you,”

That didn’t really answer the question you had for him. “I know, but do you want to be kind to me? Or do you want to be a beast?” In many ways, you didn’t want him to abuse you every day and night, but your soul would tear itself apart if you weren’t with him.

He analyzed your face, gauging your reaction. “Do you want me to be a beast? Because I have no problem in doing so, but I do think a guard dog tends to honor its master or the thing that it’s guarding as the one thing that isn’t a threat.” His eyes were dark looking into your soul. He was trying to tell you in a roundabout way that you were the only thing he really cared about. The only thing he cherished. In many ways, he never seemed to do so unless you were in private moments like this, but you understood that this was Kylo, that it was just how he was as a person.

You told him your own personal truth, “I just want you to be you. You have spent so long being someone else, hiding from the world, hiding from me. That I don’t want you to think that I need you to treat me like a doll.” If he wanted to be the beast all the time you would figure out some way to accept it, this new version of you was made just for Kylo, and only him.

He seemed to contemplate your words for a few moments before responding, “I enjoy being a ‘beast’ when you send me out on missions, or when you need me to protect you directly. I also enjoy being a beast in bed, you were built to hand all that I can give you, for that reason. But I also enjoy cherishing my Empress. I have watched too many matches fail to know that I shouldn’t only handle you one way.” He always had something insightful hidden up his sleeve to tell you. Too many people thought he was unthinking, but in many ways he was wise.

His words sink into your soul. Giving you this happy feeling, you really were the pretty girl who ‘tamed’ the beast. But not in the sense that he would be tamed for others but only tamed for you when you wanted it if you wanted it. All you could answer that with was a kiss, you needed to get ready for the day. Big plans were ahead, and you didn’t want to delay them.

You grabbed a robe and walked into your dressing room and called upon your ladies-in-waiting. You were in a very good mood as you sat waiting for them at your vanity. Contemplating his words, and how he saw you and then how you saw yourself.  

You watched them both come in, Adlez noticing your pleasant demeanor first, “You seem to be in a good mood.” You watched as she analyzed your condition, looking for any loose threads that she would need to repair in you, not what you were wearing. She was an expert seamstress when it came to the garment of your condition.

You smiled at her, “I am, Lord Ren is back.” You felt the warmth from earlier return to your belly as mini memories flashed in your mind, both from last night and this morning.

She gave you a teasing look, “And in your bed, I imagine it was quite the reunion.” You could tell it was just her expert keen eyes that found one of the few remaining love marks on your neck, and you knew that she knew that you had put in the work order and had ordered the knights to fetch your wedding present.

You turned to look back at her as she stood behind you starting to prepare your hair for the day. “It was. But then again it isn’t any of your business.” You were teasing her of course, but then again you didn’t really enjoy people commenting on your love life. He was yours alone, it wasn’t normal for others to pry into normal people’s relationships, so why would yours be any different?

She could sense she was walking a fine line as she continued to finish your hair. Olivia-Rose took this as an opportunity to try to break the subtle tension, “Lord Ren? Is he no longer the Supreme Leader? Or are you just calling him that?” Her quiet voice told you that she wasn’t trying to cross any boundaries.

You nodded, “Yes, he isn’t. I am officially Empress of the galaxy. And he has agreed to hand over the reins to me. He much prefers to be in a position of battle and destruction versus a position of ruling and decision making.” You remembered that you would be returning to your throne today.

Adlez’s eyes flickered to yours, “ Empress Empress? So you have control over everything and you are comfortable with it?” She knew something was off, she could sense it like a bloodhound. You still had no idea how you acted when you weren’t in control for those few weeks, but you didn’t know how much they noticed.

“Yes, I am. There have been many changes over the last few weeks, some that I haven’t enjoyed, but necessary nonetheless. I am ruling over the galaxy, as is my right.” You were confident in your words and explanations.

She caught on, “Changes? Does it have anything to do with how strange you’ve been acting?” She didn’t know what exactly was off, but she just knew something was. You weren’t going to give her the whole story.

You admired your looks in the mirror before meeting her eyes. “Yes. I have now changed as my husband did before me. My weak half is gone and now all that remains is the strong Empress Ren.” You knew that she was supposed to help you, supposed to help you build your confidence but you doubted this is exactly what she wanted.

She spoke her words carefully, “I see, and I suppose those changes are between you and him?” She knew some things she would never be told, she had her secrets, and you had yours.

“Correct.” That ended the conversation right there, both of them knowing that you would never share everything with them. Some things needed to be kept secret, and this was another one about your relationship with your husband that you preferred others weren’t privy to.

Once dressed to a T and looking like a proper Empress, you enjoyed a quick breakfast before taking a shuttle back down to Exegol. You had avoided returning to the planet without your faithful guard dog. You entered the hexagon once more and were lowered down into the deep chamber below. Before when you were here it was dark and lightning flashed all around, now it was just dark. You felt as if you were entering an old abandoned lion’s den. Kylo stood next to you, the knights surrounded you, as did Phasma, Pyre, Hux, and your staff.

You all stepped off together once the platform had reached the bottom. You walked along the long imposing hallway to the main chamber. Now you were really taking in all the large statues around you. Ancient Sith Lords. This place used to be a Sith temple, but now only the Sith Eternal still worshiped here.  In many ways, the statues seemed to haunt you, but they also felt protective. In the main chamber, you examined the colosseum that the Sith Eternal used when you were crowned Empress. It all seemed rather empty at the moment. The rows of seats are just empty stone. The room seemed like a void but somehow surrounded by the people you trust it seemed homier.

Your group slowed as you all approached the throne. You parted your guard as you floated to it. This time when you sat down you could feel the power that it represented, the power your title held. You were the Empress of the entire galaxy now, there was no hiding, no returning to life before all this. No going back.

Kylo approached you, his helmet discarded to the side as he kneeled before you. You watched as the others followed in his lead. But you beckoned him closer with your finger, not stopping until his head was resting in your lap. You allowed the others to rise, and you dismissed them for a few moments, wanting to be alone with him in this exact moment. The chamber felt both empty and full. The lack of anyone else causes it to feel barren, but his presence made it feel as if the room was filled to the brim.

You slowly petted his hair, and he closed his eyes, “You know, I’ve had a dream like this. A few actually. Where I am the Empress sitting here on my throne, and you are my guard dog, chained up waiting for my order. This is the same except there is no chain.”

His voice was soft as if he wanted no one else to hear it but you, “I don’t need a chain. I have bound myself to you here,” he pointed to his wedding ring, “and here.” He then pointed to your name on his wrist. This caused your heart to flutter.

He was right, there was no need to chain him up like that. He was bound to you for eternity. Neither of you wants to give the other up. You leaned down to kiss him. “I suppose you are right.” He smiled, and a soft chuckle was his reply. He seemed very content where he was, kneeling before you with his head on your lap. A sign of vulnerability, of loyalty, of trust with you. You guided him to stand, where he pulled you up against his chest. Where he gave you one of his famous deep kisses, something your very being screamed for. You were his, and only his.

It took you a few moments to remember that you had come down to the surface of this planet to plan, to make it the new seat to your Empire. You and he walked into the adjoining chamber where everyone was waiting. You made the announcement, “This is where the capital of our Empire will be. We will use this temple and transform it into a palace befitting the greatest Empire in history.” You walked passed all of them to a small courtyard, “And this is where I would like to start a garden, my Eden. The new Hanging Gardens of Babylon.”

Kylo walked up behind you, wrapping himself around you lovingly and protectively. “And so shall whatever the Empress decrees it will be done.” And it felt like time froze, two souls combining to be one, two broken people finally mending each other, so none shall ever split them apart again.

A/N: I just want to thank everyone for being so patient. This work has been my baby for the last few months and I have gotten very attached to it. In many ways I am sad that it is ending, but I am also excited to work on some new things for you all. 

[magaprima]

Right now I’ve watched the trailer slowly, and screencapped for better looks, here are my thoughts. And some of them may be wishful thinking, but thinking hopefully is the only way I’ll get through this coming week until Part 3. 

We have Lucifer talking, saying “You know what must be done, Sabrina, claim the throne, save precious Greendale, your boyfriend...”

Now I would say it’s obvious Lucifer is tricking Sabrina into something but I also doubt Sabrina would fall for it, that even the writers would write that, considering the entirety of Part 1 and Part 2 was Sabrina wanting to ‘beat the devil’ and not wanting to sign her name, and refusing the crown and him, and teaming up everyone to defeat him. So I’m going to theorise that maybe Sabrina is pretending to hear him out, just like she pretended to submit to him at the coronation in the Part 2 finale. 

While he’s talking, when he says Claim the throne, we have a shot of Lilith, establishing that in the opening episode, at least, Lilith is indeed holding the throne. And looking like a boss ass bitch while doing it

When he says Save previous Greendale we see mortals are now hanging out at the academy, so (as I did theorise at the end of Part 2 so yay me), there is no longer the same divide of witches and mortals due to their help in defeating Lucifer, keeping Hell closed and crowning Lilith. Look how causal they all are at the Academy. Maybe this is why Blackwood came smashing back into their lives

When he says ‘your boyfriend’ we have a shot of Nick, but he’s not in Hell, he’s chained in the Witch’s Cell, so this is potentially a few episodes in, perhaps even the final episodes, since we’ve heard spoilers of Sabrina not knowing he’s possessed still until later on. 

And then we have Sabrina’s eyes turning blood red, and she doesn’t look happy while this is happening. Is this her being crowned? Is this her anger? Is this her Satanic powers coming out? Or is Lucifer using Sabrina as a vessel? Since Nick’s eyes changed when he became the human acheron for Satan. 

Then we have everyone bowing to someone who I think the trailer is trying to imply is Sabrina, but from the hair, despite being blonde, and the broadness of the shoulders, this doesn’t seem to be her at all. And it’s not Caliban either. So who is this?

Lucifer starts talking again claiming ‘the balance is off in Hell, so it is off in Heaven, so it is off on Earth. To preserve one realm you must preserve them all’. I like this part of the CAOS mythology being added, because I always love the idea of you can’t have one without the other. That demons and angels are both needed, hell and heaven, mortals and witches etc. 

But when he says the balance is off, we have a shot of Lilith, implying the balance is off because she’s ruling and isn’t meant to be. If this is the way they’re going, I’m hoping it’s because of the False God, because other shows and books have had God being an arse about who rules what, and that only celestial beings can rule realms. And Lilith is the First Woman, but she’s not a celestial being. Sabrina is though, by right of blood. So if they are saying that, I hope it’s because of some shitty ancient rule, that therefore Sabrina wants to take down, as she enjoys the whole taking down stupid rules and archaic set ups.

When he says ‘so it is off in heaven’ we see the Pagan carnival group, which makes me wonder, when the synopsis said this group meant trouble for the coven, are these magic practitioners from the False God’s side? Or another God entirely perhaps? The fact that heaven is used in the shot implies some deity is involved. 

Lucifer, however, seems to be speaking from inside the Acheron, by the designs around him, it’s all those octagon shapes. So he seems to be still trapped when he’s whispering in Sabrina’s ear

"Embrace your destiny, Sabrina” Needless to say this is just bullshit Lucifer is spinning once again, and just the destiny he has in mind for her, because we all make our own destiny, but then it cuts to an empty throne room, implying, obviously that the throne is her destiny. But Lilith is still in the room, and I think this might be from episode 1 and might, by implications from photo stills, the moment when Lilith decides to go to Greendale (as we know she turns up at Baxter High)

“Hell’s under new management now” This seems deliberately cocky of Sabrina, like she’s goading, but we don’t quite see to who, but she seems to be saying this while she’s at school and not in hell, so if Sabrina and Lilith have planned shit together, is it starting to stir things up?

Then after she says this the song says ‘I’m the devil’s worst nightmare’ which seems to imply, that even if she’s saying ‘hell’s under new management’, and even though we’ve seen her being ready for a coronation, and all this chanting, and the words from Lucifer, that she isn’t following Lucifer’s plans at all and that she is playing the long con. She’s the devil’s worst nightmare, because she never does what he wants her to do. 

Caliban is seen saying “If you want the crown, you’re going to have to prove yourself worthy of it” And then Sabrina punches him as we saw in the music video teaser, essentially proving herself with an old fashioned punch to the face. Lilith is in the background when this happens, and she doesn’t react with shock or surprise as everyone else did, she also doesn’t glare or flinch, she doesn’t look unhappy, she looks vaguely disinterested...as if she knew it was coming? It was this moment more than anything which made me begin to theorise that the trailer is deliberately sending mixed signals, and that Lilith and Sabrina are actually in this together.

It cuts to Lucifer saying “That’s my girl” but he isn’t in the Acheron here, he’s in the Witch’s Cell, so he must be in Nick’s body there, chained up, and this is obviously out of sequence, so don’t actually know what that’s in reference to.

Zelda says “Being Queen of Hell isn’t a Summer job” quickly followed by “You’re putting the coven in peril just so you can save your boyfriend” and the audio edit of that suggests that’s from two separate scenes, at least from what I can hear of the cut. It’s possible the summer job line is in reference to Sabrina having the idea of being Queen of Hell part time, sharing the throne with Lilith, in order to keep that balance, but allowing Lilith to rule the majority of the year. Persephone vibes a little, maybe, especially with the summer crown Sabrina was wearing in another shot. 

And then the coven in peril line could be from earlier on when Sabrina is repeatedly trying to open the gates of Hell in order to save Nick?

Then we have some devil looking creature appearing in front of Elspeth and Melvin, and both look vaguely terrified and unhappy about it, so is this the moment Lucifer, inevitably, gets free and wreaks chaos, or is this some other creature who doesn’t want Sabrina ruling? 

We have all the court of Hell chanting ‘Sabrina! Sabrina!’ and Lilith looking shocked, but this seems entirely out of sequence, despite the continued chants running on the audio track, to the next shot where Sabrina seems to be getting dressed for a possible coronation. Lilith is in the room with her while she’s being dressed and she is not stood in the pose of someone who doesn’t want this, of someone accept defeat or feeling beaten, she appears calm, ready, in control, perhaps even prepared for something, as if this is all planned/arranged between them (and Sabrina does smirk a little). Despite Sabrina being centre shot, Lilith’s position in the shot is actually the power position traditionally, as where she has been placed means she’s ‘overseeing’ the scene, so-to-speak, which usually means the character is ‘overseeing’ the moment. 

We then cut to Lilith glaring, with the chanting going on still, but this is out of sequence again (they’re using the chants to try and make it seem to us that it’s all in chronological order, but it clearly isn’t), as we can tell from mere costumes and timing, so we don’t actually know who Lilith is glaring at. They want us to think it’s Sabrina, but I suspect it’s Caliban. Also I think the bellhop guy might be her loyal servant we’ve seen in previews of the next Sabrina novel. 

Also for those who thought Hilda was the one causing pain to Mary, the voodoo doll she is using is for the person on the floor in front of her, who, while dark haired, does not look to be Mary, and might be one of the new characters from the carnival. 

Mary, however, does seem to be in trouble, as she’s been overtaken by vines I think, and appears to be screaming in pain, and we do see a creature appear in the next shot. So not quite sure what’s happening there, but I would like it to be that it’s not Mary being tortured or attacked, but her going through something to get something. You know like the whole Land of the Dead ‘you must be tested’ sort of thing? Like there’s a lot of Aztec mythology where it’s all ‘pass this painful test and this one and THEN we’ll see what you have to say’. So maybe?

But the writers did say we would find out more about Mary this season and we would learn the reason why Lilith picked her. 

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Mutilated Mannequin (Final Part)

Katara doesn’t see much of Azula for the next few weeks. With her lawsuit in full swing, she only gets to see the girl in class and only gets to have real conversations with her during lunch, that is if she is in school at all. A good handful of her court dates seem to take place during school hours. When she does have a day off, she spends it catching up on home and classwork. Katara feels awful for her, she doesn’t seem to have any breaks. Not that it seems to bother her, she has mentioned once or twice that it helps keep her mind off of things to be bogged down with assignments. 

And, for what it’s worth, the trials are going flawlessly. Between her own testimonies and those of her former surgone’s, Katara doubts that Kho has a chance. 

Azula sits down next to her and hands her a brownie. It smells heavenly and looks just as amazing. She has topped it with a strawberry and a zigzag of chocolate syrup. Katara gives it a taste, finding that the flavor is absolutely rich. “I didn’t realize that you were so good at cooking.” 

“I have many talents.” Azula shrugs. “Hidden or otherwise.” She smiles, and this time the smile reaches the right side of her face too. It doesn’t seem to span as wide, but it is reassuring all the same. She can only imagine how thrilling that it must be for Azula. 

She takes Azula’s hand, “is everything still going well with the trials.” 

“Very.” Azula confirms. “We’ll be wrapping them up by the end of the week. And once I win I plan on celebrating with a trip to the mall. I promised that I’d buy TyLee a certain dress. She doesn’t know it yet…”

“Why are you suing him if you can already pay for the damages yourself?” Chan asks upon sitting down.

“Spite.” Mai answers for her. “A good old fashion vendetta. I admire that.”

Yue drops into her chair next. She looks Azula over, “I think that your face looks less fucked up today.” She comments. 

Katara has never seen her girlfriend look less amused. 

“Like, that was a compliment.” Yue says.

“You have a way with words.” Azula grumbles. 

“I’m like one of those old guys that writes poetry. What are they called?”

Katara catches Toph giving her a thumbs up across the table, she can’t imagine why. 

Azula inhales deeply and casts an almost pleading look at Katara. 

“Poets.” Katara replies. “They’re called poets.” 

Yue bursts out laughing. “Oh you guys should see the looks on your faces!” 

“Does that mean that you know what a poet is?” Suki asks.

Yue nods, “Toph said that it would be funny to pretend like I didn’t.” 

“And you thought that it would be a good idea to lead into that by insulting Azula’s face?” Chan asks. 

Azula gives a dismissive wave. “She hurt herself too.” 

“I did not.”

“Yue, you just found out that we all think you really are that airheaded.” Katara pointed out. 

“Oh.” She says softly. “Oh…” 

“Wo-ow” Chan rolls his eyes.

Katara chuckles to herself. She wonders what she would have had to say about this a year prior. She can’t imagine that a younger her would have ever anticipated sitting at a table with this clique--with Yue--muchless, having a pleasant conversation with her. She couldn’t have predicted it any more than she would have guessed than Azula would be giving her little handmade gifts.  Azula, who she had kind of just assumed was just like every other arrogant rich girl in the school. Katara supposes that maybe she had been, at least to a degree…

.oOo.

Katara wears a look, a distant one that Azula has trouble interpreting. “What are you thinking about?” She asks. 

“Just that it’s kind of weird to be sitting here.”

Azula tilts her head but TyLee is the one who poses the question, “what do you mean, you fit in just fine.”

“No, no, I mean…” She pauses, what does she mean? “I just didn’t think that you guys would think that I’m...cool.”

Another burst of laughter from Yue, followed by an, “oh, no, don’t get any of us wrong, you’re still a major dork.” She pauses. “Like that key chain you always carry around with you and that dumb dolphin notebook...dork stuff. All of it. And only nerds like science and outer space.”

Azula opens her mouth. 

“Oh, you were under the impression that we didn’t think you were also a dork this whole time.” She gives it a moment to sink in. “Yeah, even before the surgeries...total…” she jabs her finger against Azula’s forehead. “Geek.”

“I hate you.” Azula grumbles. 

“Tell her, Chan!” Yue exclaims. 

He rubs the back of his head, “yeah, you’re pretty much a dork.” He seems to consider for a moment. “But with style and personality.” 

Azula looks at TyLee who remains quiet. “You think so to don’t you?” 

TyLee nuzzles her cheek against Azula’s. “Yeah, just a little.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She asks stiffly. 

“Because you’re kind of scary.” Mai shrugs. Even she laughs, “geez, you look so victimized right now.” 

“I’m just trying to eat my lunch and you’re telling me that I’ve been a nerd this whole time.” Azula replies. 

“Correct.” Yue nods. 

“But you’re a cool nerd.” Toph punches her bicep. 

“This whole time…” Azula whispers to herself. This whole time and yet they had treated her like she belonged. Like she was the leader of their posse. She looks to Katara. 

“They’re your friends.” Katara shrugs. “And they’re all like you.”

“This is what we’ve been trying to tell you.” Chan says. “We didn’t keep you around because you had looks and money. We talk to you because you’re you. I don’t think that I’ve met anyone quite like you before.” 

Suddenly the jesting gives way to something less entertaining. “Is that a good thing?” 

“You get all of these straight A’s but, Jesus, you’re clueless about people.” Mai replies. 

“It’s a good thing.” TyLee smiles. 

Azula’s smile is significantly more sheepish when it comes back, “I suppose that that’s good to know.” 

“Sounds like things are getting deep and gushy over here.” Jet remarks. “Christ, I leave for a few weeks and all of you hop aboard the dweeb train. And you’re trying to make it sound cute and quirky.” 

“Fuck off, Jet.” Chan grumbles. 

“I guess, with a face like that you have to settle for mediocre.” Jet eyes Katara.

“I’m not dating you.” Azula tries to raise a brow, momentarily forgetting that she can no longer do so. Instead she quirks the left one. 

“Yeah, but I bought you a gift anyways.” He drops a doll onto the table and turns it over. The plastic is gashed and beaten; clearly the boy had taken a screwdriver and possibly a hammer to its face. “Just thought I’d give you a doll that looks like you, we’re all about inclusivity here, right lads?” He asks of his new gang. 

Azula takes the mutilated doll, almost feeling sorry for it. 

“So what’s worse?” He asks Smellerbee, “plastic or broken plastic.” 

“It’s all fake, Jet. At least when it’s not broken, it looks good.” Smellerbee shrugs. 

Chan rises, but Azula holds him in place. “I can speak for myself, Chan.”

“Then do it?” Yue says.

“I could.” Azula replies. “I could remind Jet that he used to shove crayons up his own nose when he got mad. I could remind him that I remember every secret he shared when we were kids.” 

He goes tense. 

“And the ones he told me last year.” She turns to Smellerbee. “Has he shown you this picture yet?” She scrolls through her phone and finds the image she’d taken when they had gone to the beach that summer. “My dad had to drive into town and buy him new trunks because he couldn’t seem to find his.” 

Azula thinks that the color in his face is in equal parts anger and humiliation. She digs through her shoulder bag and pulls out a red crayon. She holds it out to him, “you look pretty angry.” 

.oOo.

Toph is still laughing as they wander down the hallway, her face red with it. Occasionally she slaps a locker in delight. Not that Katara isn’t feeling exactly the same. To know that Jet is probably feeling exactly as sick as he made her feel during homecoming. 

She wonders how he had forgotten that he had told Azula so many embarrassing things about himself…

She can’t help but feel somewhat sad. Dreary at the realization that he and Azula had been that close at one point. That they had been friends since they were children young enough to do ridiculous things like shove crayons into their noses in protest. 

“It kind of sucks, doesn’t it?”

“What?” Toph asks.

“That he used to be just another silly kid and now look at him.” 

“Don’t get all sappy on me now, Katara!” Toph declares. “We just had a great victory.” 

“Yeah...I guess.”

“And you’re going to have another one in a few hours!” 

It takes her a moment to realize that Toph is referring to the astronomy club. She spends the next several hours crossing her fingers and shooting silent prayers. She is jittery and antsy when she arrives in the classroom after hours. Azula slips into the chair next to her. “Nervous?”

Katara nods. 

“Don’t be.” 

Katara swallows. But how can she not be. This is her entire future. Her best opportunity to help bring her family out of a tight spot. 

Pathik, awkward as ever stumbles before the whiteboard. He haphazardly lays down an arm full of papers and certificates. “So glad that you can all be here for our last meeting before winter break. This year, has been the most impressive yet. There are more faces here today than I’ve ever seen in this club. It’s wonderful to see so many people enthusiastic about the mysteries of our galaxy.” He pauses. “There have been so many grand achievements this year. We have people who didn’t know a lick about astronomy suddenly passing my class with perfect test scores.” He holds up a slip of paper and a hand held telescope with a painted silver moon. “Improvement like that is just as important as those who had straight A’s from the start.” He makes his way to Yue’s desk and sets the certificate and telescope in front of her. “After I announce the honorable mentions and winners of our NIR-Ex trip and scholarship, we’ll celebrate you achievement by going moon gazing!” 

Yue’s face lights up. 

He leans towards Yue and says quieter, “you and I both know that you have a brilliant mind, you ought to show it to people.” 

He makes his way back to the front of the classroom. “It truly was hard to choose the winner of the scholarship and NIR-Ex trip. I have two pupils who are just as worthy. That is why I pushed for a double prize. NIR-Ex labs has been kind enough to allow two people to attend. Unfortunately, there will be only one recipient of the Lake Laogai scholarship.” 

Katara feels her face grow clammy. “Azula and Katara, I am pleased to tell you that your next date will be at NIR-Ex.” 

Katara rolls her eyes at the smoochy faces Yue and Sneers make as she and Azula walk to the front of the classroom.

“The two of you have been stellar pupils!” Pathik declares. “Absolute stars!” 

Katara can’t even count the number of eye rolls that has earned him. 

“I truly do wish that I could pick both of you.” He pauses. “Congratulations Azula...”

Katara’s stomach reels. She wants to be happy for her girlfriend...she truly does. But she feels sick to her stomach. Nauseous as she smiles at Azula and pulls her into a congratulatory hug. Nauseous as she breaks the news to her mother and father.

She tells them not to be spiteful towards Azula when she brings her over next.

.oOo. 

“Can I talk to you about something?” Azula asks. There is a tension in the air and it makes her uncomfortable. She hasn’t seen Katara since winter break began and it is beginning to eat away at her. “There’s a gazebo in the park if you want to meet there.” She doesn’t tell Katara that she is already sitting there. She just hopes that the other girl will show up. 

Her hands tremble and it is not entirely the fault of the frosty gusts that rattle the gazebo. Azula fidgets with the garland that lines the gazebo railing a shimmer of silver and gold. 

“Hey.” Katara greets. Her eyes look puffy and forlorn. 

Azula adjusts her hat and returns the greeting. 

“What did you want to talk about?”

She pats the spot on the bench next to her and Katara sits. “A few things.” 

“I’m not mad at you.” Katara says quickly. “You worked really hard for that scholarship.” 

“Yes.” Azula replies. “But I can pay the tuition in full…” She trails off. “I can’t give you the scholarship, but I can give you this.”  She slides Katara an envelope. 

“Azula…” She trails off. “I can’t take this.” 

“Then pretend like Kho is paying for it...technically he is.” She shrugs. 

“But this is your compensation.” 

Azula shrugs. “Father takes care of me well enough.” 

Azula has never seen such a wide smile on any one person’s face. That hopeful and excited glimmer in Katara’s eyes as she pulls her into what is probably the tightest hug that she has ever received is a gift. “I was going to wait until Christmas but I didn’t want you to mope around for our entire break. It would have been bothersome.”  

“I love you too, Azula.” Katara chuckles. She wipes at her eye. “What else did you have to tell me?” 

Azula takes a deep breath. “I’m going to get it fixed.” 

Katara cocks her head. 

She gestures to her face. “I talked to my old surgone, he does medical surgeries too. It won’t happen for at least a year, but I’m going to have some reversal surgery.” 

“Azula.” Katara’s brows scrunch. “I thought that you were going to try to…”

“I am trying to accept myself.” Azula replies. “That’s why I’m having him bring my face back, my old face. Before the first surgeries.” She pauses. “It’s not a cosmetic thing this time. It’s…” she thinks for a moment, “it’s like having your face fixed after a bad car accident. He says that correcting some of the damaged facial structures will give me more movement again.” 

Katara nods, seeming to accept the explanation, but she isn’t quite done. “He says that the surgery won’t remove the scars and some of the lumps might still be there. That I can get a cosmetic procedure done to have those fixed…”

“Are you going to?” 

Azula shakes her head. “Just the one that will help me get more movement in my face. I don’t mind the scars.” 

“Or the lumps?” 

“Those bother me.” She confesses. “But I suppose that  I’ll get over it. If Zuzu can get over whatever is going on with his face, I can do the same.” 

“Really?” Katara laughs. “You’re bringing him into this one.”

“I’ll insult him at every opportunity, it’s what the two of us do.” She pauses. “And I have to make the most of it because he’s moving in with mother this summer. He says that his dream college is closer to her home.” 

“Why does he want to go to school so far away?” 

“Uncle teaches there.” She replies. “Culinary arts.” 

Katara nods. 

“Anyways, I’m staying because there has to be at least one ‘wild hormonal teenage nightmare’ to drive father mad...and make sure he keeps going to his therapy appointments.” She pauses. “Oh and there also might be someone else worth sticking around for.” 

“I’m glad that you’re sticking around. I don’t know if I can tolerate Yue without you.” 

“Of course not.” Azula tucks her bangs behind her ears. 

“I guess things are going to be different next year…” Katara gazes up at the ceiling of the gazebo.

“Things are going to be different after winter break.” She shrugs. “Hopefully this time they’ll be a good different. “ Katara leans into her and Azula strokes the top of her head. 

“You’re wearing gloves this time.” Katara notes. “I think that they will be...a good different, I mean.”

[ink-logging]

Detective Comics #1000, Chris Conroy & Dave Wielgosz, eds.: I bought this on impulse because it was on the new releases shelf and people were talking about Batman online. It’s a 100-page anthology tribute for the Batman character’s 80th year and the one thousandth issue of “Detective Comics”. I don’t think anyone is ever at their best in a tribute anthology, but that makes them kind of interesting to look at, you know? There are eleven stories, which I will now spoil in their entirety.

1. “Batman’s Longest Case”, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia, Tom Napolitano: The first of two stories in which Batman is doing something that looks grim, but is actually happy and anniversary-ish - both with similar titles, and both from major Batman writers. This is the better one, because I think Capullo is an interesting artist. He’s comparable to Jae Lee, in that he’s someone who had some work in comics under his belt prior to being ushered into the second ‘generation’ of popular Image artists, and has continued to evolve quite vividly over the years. The Capullo of today dials up the use of shadows and silhouette that used to sort of decorate the folds of Spawn’s flowing cape and such - here, they’re used more to focus attention on storytelling fundamentals: geography; gesture; etc. I also generally like the colorist, FCO Plascencia, who’s done some Varleyesque color-as-mood work on earlier comics with this team, though the story here is subdued... very classy, dressed for the gala.   

Hints of ‘90s grotesquerie only pop up once Batman has solved a large number of flamboyantly abstruse riddles and discovered that the titular Longest Case is really an initiation test fronted by wrinkly old Slam Bradley, the original Siegel & Shuster-created star of “Detective Comics” back in 1937, who welcomes Batman to a Guild of Detection. This is clever of the writer, Scott Snyder, because Batman as a basic concept is hugely derivative of earlier pulp, detective and strip hero characters - and, if you’re being honest about paying homage to the character’s origins, you might as well play up lineage as your metaphor.

2. “Manufacture for Use”, Kevin Smith, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Todd Klein: In contrast, this story shoots for the quintessential. Smith, of course, is the filmmaker and longtime geek culture celebrity who’s written comics off and on, so maybe it’s his distance from the continuum of superhero writing that has inspired a short story that could have run as a backup in any Batman comic since the 1970s, give or take few cultural references. Matches Malone (Batman, when he is being an undercover cop) descends into the secretive world of true crime memorabilia to buy the gun that killed Bruce Wayne’s parents, which he then melts down to form the metal bat-symbol plate Batman wears on his chest, verily steeling his heart with the memory of this tragedy to fortify him in his neverending battle against crime! NANANANANANANANA BATMAAAAAN! Jim Lee and his usual crew makes everything look like it’s ‘supposed’ to, provided you see this type of statuesque posing as the best sort of superhero art, which many DC comics readers presumably do, given how a lot of these things look.

3. “The Legend of Knute Brody”, Paul Dini, Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs, John Kalisz, Steve Wands: Dini has written tons of comics, with not a few of those drawn by Nguyen, but this feels mostly like DC1k (acronym’s resemblance to “DICK” a purely innocuous reference to Nightwing, I assure you) acknowledging the extensive legacy of “Batman: The Animated Series”, on which Dini was a writer and producer. The story takes the form of a biography of an infamously clumsy hired thug for supervillains, whom even the most novice reader will have figured out is a Batman Family asset about halfway down page 4 of 8, leaving a whole lot of laborious and narration-heavy slapstick to wade through. Admittedly, this might work better as an animated cartoon, with voice acting leavening the pace of the gags, but I’m also not sure ‘this would be better in a different art form’ is the impression superhero comics should be giving right now.

4. “The Batman’s Design”, Warren Ellis, Becky Cloonan, Jordie Bellaire, Simon Bowland: 

Most of the drawing in DC1k is the kind of stuff you can easily trace to a few popular and fairly narrow traditions of ‘realistic’ superhero art. Becky Cloonan is the only woman to draw an entire comic in here -- Joëlle Jones co-pencils a story with Tony Daniel later on, and Amanda Conner does a pinup, mind -- and her work is the only place in this book where you catch glimpses of a global popular comics beyond the superhero provinces in the Hewlettian wild eyes of the hapless human opponents of her Batman, lunging through velvet layers of cape and smoke, lipless mouth parted on a shōnen ai jaw. It is really very impressive. 

The writer, Warren Ellis, does a pathos-of-the-hard-man story, in which Batman explains his combat strategies via narration while carrying them out, occasionally making reference to the medical bills his prey will incur and their timely motivations as terroristic white men who feel ignored by the world, and at the end Batman asks the last guy U WANT TO LIVE IN MY NIGHTMARE, LITTLE BOY and the guy is like n- no dr. batman sir, and gives up because Batman’s is too dangerous and scary a life model. It is made clear from the text that Batman has programmed himself into a system of reactionary violence that he inevitably reinforces, but this message is so heavily sugared with cool action and tough talk that the reader can easily disregard such commentary, if so inclined, which has been a trait of Ellis’ genre comics writing since at least as far back as “The Authority” in the late 1990s. It fits Batman as naturally as the goddamned cowl.  

 5. “Return to Crime Alley”, Dennis O’Neil, Steve Epting, Elizabeth Breitweiser, ‘Andworld Design’: I was surprised that there weren’t other writers from across the Atlantic in DC1k, given the extensive contributions of Alan Grant and Grant Morrison to the character. I was maybe not as surprised to see Dennis O’Neil as the lone credited writer to pre-date the blood and thunder revolution of Frank Miller et al. in the mid-1980s, as that commercial shadow is far too long to escape. Of course, O’Neil was one of the architects of superhero comics as a socially relevant proposition and Batman as a once-again ‘serious’ character in the 1970s, and it may be a reflection of his standing as a patriarch that this story contains no sugar whatsoever: on the anniversary of his parents’ death, Batman is confronted by a childhood caregiver who has figured out his dumb secret identity, and castigates him for doing stupid shit like dressing up as an animal and punching the underclass when he could actually do something as a wealthy man to improve the world. Then Batman starts beating the shit out of young masked teens who have stolen a gun, after which Batman, who is also a masked thug, is told that he is, at best, a figure of pity. The end! 

What emerges from this story, to my eye, is that Batman is a terrible fucking idea if examined with any sort of serious realism - and Steve Epting draws the story as close to photorealism as anything in this book gets. I also think it is not insignificant that O’Neil, the writer here most unplugged from superhero comics as a commercial vocation, is the one to make these observations; to believe in superhero comics is to understand that there is play at the heart of these paper dolls, and to make your living from these things is to contemplate new avenues for play. Maybe Batman is dark, obsessive! Should he... kill? Sure, Bill Finger made him kill. The Shadow killed lots of dudes. So did Dick Tracy. Ramp up the verisimilitude too much, though, and you’ve got a guy wearing a hood going out by the cover of night to scare the shit out of superstitious cowards who’ve been taking from the good people of society, which, in terms of motivational narratives, is the same origin as the Ku Klux Klan. To play nonetheless, is the craftsman’s burden.

6. “Heretic”, Christopher Priest, Neal Adams, Dave Stewart, Willie Schubert: Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin, is veteran Batman artist and frequent Dennis O’Neil collaborator Neal Adams. And while Adams is not credited as the writer on this story, it bears all the hallmarks of his 21st century work at DC: whiplash pacing; uneasy expository dialogue; and eager callbacks to Adams’ earlier work. This is the Batman comic as a continuity-driven adventure, and I found it largely incomprehensible as a story, not unlike Adams’ recent “Deadman” miniseries. I still like his husky Batman, though. 

7. “I Know”, Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Josh Reed: Hey, did you know Brian Michael Bendis, writer of approximately ten and one half zillion Marvel comics, is writing comics at DC these days? Here he teams with longtime collaborator Maleev for a story that brings to mind the old line from Grant Morrison’s & Dave McKean’s “Arkham Asylum” about Batman being the real person and the guy under the mask being the mask. The Penguin, of all villains, figures out Batman’s secret identity, but elects not to pursue Bruce Wayne in his private life, because destroying Bruce Wayne would create a pure Batman far too dark and twiztid for anyone to handle. Or, maybe that is all just an image the perfectly sane Batman has deliberately encouraged as part of his umpteenth contingency plan. I would argue that this is a gentle spoof of people taking Batman too seriously, which clicks with what I’ve read of Bendis’ idea of the character in those 100-page comics they sell at Walmart: a globetrotting detective-adventurer, appropriate for all ages. Bear in mind, I’ve read maybe 0.2% of all Brian Bendis comics.  

8. “The Last Crime in Gotham”, Geoff Johns, Kelley Jones, Michelle Madsen, Rob Leigh: Whoa, now we’re talking! Kelley Jones! Just look at this: 

Such totally weird stuff, coming from the artist who drew all those classic ‘90s covers with the huge bat-ears and wildly distorted musculature, the cape this absurd, unreal shroud. It looks like he’s working from photo reference with some of this comic, but also just tearing out these drawings of huge jawlines and shit, this total what-the-fuck-is-going-on haze, which perfectly matches Geoff Johns’ furiously ridiculous story about an elderly Batman and his wife, Catwoman, and their daughter, and Damian, and a dog, who all investigate a mass murder that turns out to be the Joker’s son committing suicide, and then Batman unplugs the Bat-Signal because crime is over in Gotham forever, and then we find out it’s all the birthday wish of Batman, who is blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, in costume, in the Batcave. Is “Doomsday Clock” like this? Should I pirate it??

9. “The Precedent”, James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez-Bueno, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson, Sal Cipriano: Inevitably, we come to the story that argues that Batman is actually a great guy, and his pressing of children into action as vigilantes under the cover of night is an amazingly positive thing. This is what I mean by “play” - it doesn’t literally make sense, we all know that, but if you buy into the superhero idea, you can buy into this universe of metaphor where the Batman Family is a vivification of finding your company of people, and belonging, and being loved. Lots of talk in here about snatching young people out of the darkness and forging them in light, and helping them find a better path - it sounds like Batman is signing these kids up for the Marine Corps, which is one of several organizations that recognizes the power of these arch-romantic impulses.

10. “Batman’s Greatest Case.”, Tom King, Tony S. Daniel, Joëlle Jones, Tomeu Morey, Clayton Cowles: This is just unbearable. Oh god, what absolute treacle. It’s the second story in this book about Batman being serious and mysterious, but it turns out something nice is going on - he really just wants a photo of the whole Batman Family, because he lost his family when his parents got shot, but then he cracked his greatest case by finding a new family, which is the Batman Family!

All of this is communicated via clipped dialogue in which various Batman Family superheroes trade faux-awkward quips and cutesy ‘moments’ that are supposed to embody the endearing traits of the characters, but read as the blunt machinations of art that is absolutely desperate to be liked. This is art that is weeping on my shoulder and insisting I am its friend, and I want to get away from it, immediately. Tom King is the most acclaimed superhero writer of this generation, and I can only presume his better work is elsewhere.

11. “Medieval”, Peter J. Tomasi, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, David Baron, Rob Leigh:

Finally, we have the obligatory story-that-leads-into-next-issue’s-serial, thereby demonstrating that Batman endures. It’s done as a series of 12 splash pages, depicting Batman in battle with his greatest foes, and it benefits immeasurably from the presence of artist Doug Mahnke (some inks by Jaime Mendoza), whose been a favorite of mine since those early, blood-splattered issues of “The Mask” at Dark Horse decades ago. Broadly speaking, Mahnke is working in a similarly muscular vein as many contributors to DC1k, but his sense of composition, of spectacle -- that boot-in-the-face energy the British call thrill-power -- adds an important extra crackle, and an element of humor; his Batman looks like a hulking maniac dressed in garbage bags, beating the shit out of monster after leering monster. What we are seeing is the fevered imagining of a new villain, the Arkham Knight (a variant of a character introduced in a video game), whom writer Peter J. Tomasi characterizes via the old trick of having the villain narrate to us a bunch of familiar criticisms of the hero, which the hero will presumably react to and overcome, or acknowledge in an interesting way, or something, in future installments. This probably would have worked better if other stories in this book hadn’t already made a lot of the same points in a manner that is not an advertisement for the rebuttal of those points... or if I were even capable of reading a story like this without imagining a final dialogue bubble coming in from off-panel going “SIR, THIS IS A BURGER KING DRIVE-THRU.” But something’s gotta go in issue #1001.

-Jog

[kog0ruhn]

Degtyarev Lair Review (#176329)

You had me at “Chernobyl, but with dragons.” Then, when I looked in your lair, you had a tank. Not a dragon who is tank-like in their size and strength, but a literal metal tank that shoots ice spears and has a clouddancer living on it. I do not know what magic I must have worked to bring your lair into my life but, holy smokes, this is probably the most unique lore turn I have ever seen on Flight Rising and is abso-freakin’-lutely a joy to go through. Special I-didn’t-choose-you-but-I-love-you-anyway to Flammenwerfer. He werfs flammen.

Anyway. Moving on.

Amaroq is an impressive Tundra anyway you turn it. Despite the normally cheerful and cute appearance of the breed, there’s just something intimidating about this bad boy. Maybe it’s the chains, maybe it’s the ghost tertiary, or maybe it’s just everything about him. I’m willing to bet it’s the latter.

I don’t know if it’s intentional, but everything about him screams “Gaoler.” I adore the use of his apparel, often clunky pieces that overwhelm a dragon used liberally without making him look too cluttered. I love how each piece coincides with his natural coloration, giving a cohesive look that seamlessly bleeds from armor to fur to scales to ice, always leading the eye and never disrupting the flow. And speaking of his coloration, I like the use of the dark, shining primary with the light, more matte tertiary. He very much looks like a skeleton frozen in a block of dirty ice, and that is a creepy aesthetic I can totally get behind.

You have a knack for making up some really nice Tundras, and Arkadiusz is no exception. Like Amaroq, he’s one hell of a flight rep with clever color matching and a very distinct personality about him. I like the colors chosen for him; anymore, you typically see copper or cyan or some combination of the two when it comes to Lightning representatives, so the use of darker blues with the carrot stain to further mute them is actually quite neat to see. It’s still very fitting and, in my opinion, complements the actual Lightning festival apparel better than the brighter hues that are more common. This is especially true with the aforementioned stained gene, which “browns” him down to match his outfit better.

Again, you did a kickass job of using more cluttered apparel without making the dragon look cluttered, which (in my experience) is very, VERY hard to do with the Lightning apparel. It all just covers so much, is typically bulky, and is very hard to match together (the coat and the more brassy “faux limbs” like his mechajets typically don’t look all too great combined). Yet, you subverted this by using the tome, with brighter metal bits that help tie the lighter golds of his feet in with the rest of his outfit. It’s a very clever move.

Beretta. Just… Beretta. I’m going in alphabetical order (because I saved all the dragons I wanted to use on my computer and it alphabetized them for me), but Beretta is hands down my favorite of your lair. She’s eye-catching and cleverly dressed, bright and oozing and downright radioactive. You can’t really get past her on your scout tab without having to click on her, because she’s just that goddamn unique. And that’s coming from somebody who hates pants on dragons. I’m willing to overlook them because holy shit.

Just, the use of smirch here to blend into her grasp apparel is incredibly smart move, and perfect. Combined with her plague accent, she just reeks of something impossible, grotesque, and harmful. Just the thumbnail of her--what with the focus of green on her snout and spreading away the further you go back, combined with the female Mirror posing--makes her look like some irradiated alien creature plummeting out of the sky like a comet made of pure nuclear waste. Just, she’s an A+ dragon and you should be very proud to have her because she’s amazing. Absolutely AMAZING.

JohannaCash caught my eye first in your lair because, after such a long time of sighing at cowboy dragons and never being able to find a way to make any of those frilly dress sets work, I found myself noticing her and going, “Oh, so that’s how you make it work.”

She’s a beautiful dragon, dressed in a way that I never thought would work out but rocking every bit of that apparel like a champ. Her colors go well with her outfit, said outfit is amazingly coordinated, and the female Skydancer posing keeps it from looking like a lump drowning in lace and ruffles. She gives off a very distinct “outlaw” vibe, and the color selection for her (mostly browns, I mean) almost lend an “1800s photograph” look to it. She looks like she was straight-up ripped from a Sornieth wanted poster. And don’t even get me started on how suiting her familiar is (jackalopes + western themed dragons = match made in heaven) or how clever the halo of flames is as a reference (as the bio says, “Ring of Fire, baby”). This is just… this is just an amazing dragon. She’s close to beating Beretta for first place.

Mauser is just a pleasing dragon to look at, and comes across as a lot more “chill” than some of your dragons. Maybe it’s the softer palette of browns or the hippie bead necklace, but she’s yet again one of those “dragons in pants” that I actually like.

First off, her colors are amazing and her genes complement them well. The contrast in her cherub make her lighter colors shine much brighter, and the selection of colors in her seraph do well to bring her outfit home, adding paler elements that coincide with her aviator scarf and arctic pants. I also like the elements of blue added by her steampunk goggles and her aforementioned “hippie beads,” as turquoise and brown are always a winning combination that is incredibly pleasing to the eye. Beyond that, the art in her bio is hella cute and, like her outfit, gives her a touch of personality that makes her all the more endearing.

Halfway done and we come to Nebulae, who is an amalgamation of everything people typically pick apart in a dragon as “bad” but somehow works. A lot of folks aren’t too keen on the original armor helms (well, “original” armor helms) or the use of gembond on a dragon, but I don’t think she’d have half as much of an impact without them. The “faceless guard” vibe she gives off is very intimidating, and the gembond meshes well with her icicle chains to give the impression of a dragon who is, quite literally, armored by the elements. It just makes her look rougher, tougher, and harder to take down, which I’m assuming is the intention considering her bio snippet.

Her colors are wonderful, too. Her primary is somehow very subtle, and it took me a while of staring to realize she wasn’t an entirely white dragon. Her apparel is placed perfectly so that the fade of her iridescent gives the impression of being a part of her armor. Even her fins and belly look more like they’re cast in shadow than actually charcoal. Additionally, going back to her icicle chains: they don’t look unnatural, like they do on a lot of other dragons. They match so well with her secondary that they essentially become a part of her, and it’s fabulous.

I have a weakness for Plague dragons, I won’t lie. Choosing Ruumis wasn’t just because she is gorgeous, but pure bias and legitimate awe at how good of a Plague dragon she is. She strikes a wonderful balance between beauty and brutality, being dolled up in the typical Wyrmwound fare while still flowing and retaining an air of elegance about her. In other words, she’s a very pretty dragon who looks like she’ll break every bone in your body.

Her colors and her apparel, again, match perfectly and I love the bleached, diseased look that her piebald and paint genes give her, as well as the curious way her genes make the gem on her forehead look. I was half convinced that had to be some kind of effect from her apparel or an accent, and had to take her to the scrying workshop to realize that “bullseye” look was just from paint. And, while her bio is still incomplete, I had a giggle at the bits that are done, including her implied methods of “punch first, negotiate later” and the fact she has all the charisma of a angry wolverine. It seems very, very fitting.

This girl looks like Mattel produced a cosmic horror and I love every bit of it. She’s a Barbie pink monster covered in daunting crystal spines, breathing out the void like smoke, with beady little Guardian eyes that seem to glow with the contrast given by her accent and her poison gene. I honestly don’t know what’s not to like here.

First of all, the shardhide shines on Guardians and it looks especially fitting on Sirli, especially considering the way the spikes fade from neon pink to darker purples, just like her poison and toxin. The cosmic gradient given to her by her accent also helps it “grow” into the rest of her, looking less like a piece of added apparel than bits of her actual default artwork that should be there. The touch of brighter purples with her sylvan apparel and tail feathers also add visual interest with pops of color that keep her from looking too flat, which I think was necessary considering the fact she’s a triple and the bulk of her apparel teeters on being the same color as she is. A wise decision that worked out very well.

I feel kind of bad that I keep fishing out of your scouts, but you have a lot of lovely Mirrors with Steyr being chief among them. It’s so infrequent to find a “classy” Mirror on the site, considering folks’ tendency to (understandably) bring out their ferocity or play to their Plague roots, and that creepy, fierce vibe would have been a pretty easy direction for you to go in considering her ghost tertiary (which, I honestly thought was part of her accent for a moment). And there is something certainly haunting to this beautiful girl, but she seems far more refined than sinister.

First of all, that accent when combined with her candles is amazing, since they play off of each other with the wisps of smoke and a near inversion of colors (black smoke on gold wings, gold smoke on black candles). The decision to go light on apparel was a wise one, too, as it keeps her from looking overly cluttered and lets her natural beauty shine through.

Additionally, on a fun note, I realized that Steyr is actually the older sister of my dragon, Zafirbel. It’s like Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon, man, but with dragons!

Again, I love a good Plague dragon, and while I was impressed by Steyr’s diversion from the typical Mirror fare, half the reason I love Zverskiy so much is because he doesn’t just go for the trope. He owns it. This is, perhaps, one of the nicest Plague Mirrors I’ve ever seen, and as a former Plagueling myself, I’ve seen (and owned) a lot.

I don’t know exactly how to describe it, but he has a sort of “undead” vibe that straddles the line between lich and vampire. He looks fierce and menacing without resorting to the typical “bloody flesh beast” look that so many others go for (I say, while kicking my own so-called “skinless” Mirror under a rug). His cream ghost tertiary goes so well with that accent that I had to double-check my own dragon in said skincent to see what was or wasn’t a part of it, and he rocks that carapace arm like nobody would believe. I’m most impressed of all by just how hodge-podge his apparel is, coming from a half-dozen different sets that I would have never thought to mix, but creating a cohesive and intimidating outfit that makes him seem ready for war. Dude’s a 100%, Grade-A monster, and that’s just wonderful.

[incorrect-kotor-quotes]

Please continue to compare Final Fantasy VII and KOTOR. I need more of this.

I don’t have any quotes in mind, but if you find it funny, here’s my reaction as a first-time player to the game so far.

I’m talking to the secondary members of Avalanche, and, yeah, they’re all going to die.

Did they just leave a small child in charge of the bar?

As disturbing as this whole mob boss infiltration mission is, I can’t help but find it funny how enthusiastic Aerith is about getting Cloud to wear a dress. She is dead-set on getting him to wear one. And the wig, can’t forget the wig.

Wow, they’re really going to make me run up all these stairs. That’s… kind of brilliant.

Where’s the option to kill the deputy mayor and get my money back for those “hints”?

I’m seriously doubtful of Hojo’s understanding of biology if he thought… that… would yield anything useful. Also, I am never going to not stop finding Red XIII weird.

I can’t find the button to attack left on my motorcycle, so I’m stuck trying to keep all the other drivers on my right. It’s working, sort of.

I’m romancing Tifa. Thanks to reference osmosis, I know who dies in this game and I’m not getting onto that sinking ship.

I am going to shove my stupidly gigantic sword up the Midgar Zolom’s ass (or whatever you call it on a ten-meter serpent) if it’s the last thing I do.

With the right timing, I was able to run past the Midgar Zolom. I don’t know if that’s supposed to be possible, but at least I can save money on that stuff used to catch chocobos.

Is it possible for this child to die if I screw up the CPR minigame? Also, there’s a CPR minigame?

I utterly failed the infiltration mission at every possible opportunity, yet somehow this had no negative consequences.

There’s a talking cat riding on top of… I don’t know what that’s supposed to be, and he has forcefully joined my party.

Why is this prison infested with weird floating masks?

I lost the first chocobo race. On the second one, I was doing okay, then I had to go take care of something, didn’t hit the pause button, then when I came back it turned out I won. Waht.

Half of the enemies in this game elicit a response of “I don’t know that that is, but I’m going to beat the shit out of it”. I’ve fought living motorcycles, Dobby the elf, a tankceratops, a fabergé egg/matroska doll, and a sentient house.

I hate the frogs the most. They attack five at a time and just keep transforming me into a frog. Why.

The talking cat is going to betray me.

Ninja Misssion Vao is my daughter now and I will kill anyone who harms her.

Okay, after a bunch of backtracking and grinding to get up to the right level, and through the combined power of several gods, I have killed the Midgar Zolom. Finally, I can cross this stupid swamp in peace.

The Midgar Zolom respawns immediately. Fuck, ABORT!

Where’s the option to threaten and attack everyone in Fake Nibelheim until they answer me honestly?

Sweet, I have a plane now.

Ninja Misssion betrayed me, stole my best items, and has left me to die. Once I get them all back, she’s grounded.

Dammit, I can’t ground her, she’s the third-strongest person in the party.

The Forgotten Capital is beautiful, and the music makes it very atmospheric. It’s too bad I can’t figure out how to get to the next door around that goddamn fish. 

Yep, she’s dead. C’mon, with all the enemies we’ve fought, I’m sure she could survive at least one stab through the chest.

“End of Part One”? How long is this game?

Cloud is gone, we have a giant airship, and Tifa is the main character now. I could get used to this.

Dammit, I found Cloud and Tifa is staying with him. Now Cid’s in charge. Fine, as long as I don’t get stuck with Cat Shit.

That was an interesting plot twist. Gonna have to play through the flashback again.

I’ve got a submarine!

There’s a big, green, ethereal thing wandering around the bottom of the ocean, and it is creeping me out. I’m gonna fight it.

That was a terrible idea.

Apparently it’s called the “Emerald Weapon”, and it has a million hit points. Literally 1,000,000. My strongest attacks can’t even take off 1% of its health.

On the plus side, the Midgar Zolom, which has 4,000, has ceased to pose a threat. I killed ten of them in a row.

I’ve been to Golden Saucer multiple times now and I still haven’t found any way to obtain their fake currency. I went to the areas they said to, no one offers to exchange.

Why are we trying to stop Shinra from gathering materials to destroy the meteor? I know they’re assholes, but they do have the most resources to deal with the problem.

I’m with Cid on using the Huge Materia to destroy the meteor. It has to be more effective than slamming it with an empty rocket. That’s just science!

Cid, you fucking idiot, why did I listen to you? You can’t even make your own goddamn tea!

I’m running into a bit of a problem since I did some grinding with Tifa and Ninja Mission, so now they’re a couple levels about Cloud, who keeps dying, then he doesn’t get experience from the battles, so he’s fallen another level behind. And I’m about to fight Hojo, I can’t just go back and slaughter some wildlife to gain their power.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten right now. I’m enjoying it, but this game is really really weird.

[weezxo-blog]

You’re My Religion

OK guys, this is my very first attempt at writing a fan fic, or anything to be honest! Please excuse any mistakes/bad grammar. I tried my best with this, but am far from a pro! I hope you can see past any mistakes, and enjoy the story anyhow. This is heavily based on Lana Del Rey lyrics, which I feel fit so well with JDM. He always comes to mind when I listen to her songs. Below are the ones I’ve used the lyrics from in the story for reference, if interested. Feedback welcome :) 

Lana Del Rey - Gods and Monsters

Echo and The Bunnymen -  The Killing Moon

Lana Del Rey - Yayo

Pairing: Negan/Louise (original character)

Summary: Louise is a part time singer, playing local bars in her small town at the weekends. The night started like any other, until a handsome stranger walks in, changing everything. Louise is in her mid twenties, with long dark hair and blue eyes. Quite petite.

Warnings: Language, sexual themes

Friday 9pm. The bar was relatively quiet, with only a handful of regulars perched at the bar, eyes fixed on the TV. The place didn’t usually come alive til later, so I was confident I’d still pull a crowd. I sang here regularly, and was good friends with the owner Matt. We had been friends since high school. The bar was one of the only ones in town that had live music on a regular basis. I used to work here at one point, serving drinks a few years back. It became my second home. When I wasn’t working, I’d be hanging with my large group of friends. Playing pool, and participating in the odd karaoke night. Singing had always been a passion of mine, and something I enjoyed immensely. Plus the extra cash always came in handy, in addition to my day job as a florist.

I fixed my make up in the bathroom. Swiping my signature red lipstick across my lips. The perfect contrast to my long, dark hair, and black mini tea dress. I loved the ritual of getting dolled up. It put me in character for my set. Even though it was just a bar, I always gave it my all. ‘Louise, can I get you a drink or something?’ Matt yelled from the other side of the door. ‘Nah, I’m good Matt. I’m on the water. Save the drink til after the set.’ I smiled. Checking myself over one last time. Perfect.

I stepped on stage, fixing my mic stand, and checked over my guitar tuning one last time. The room was dim, with only the bar lights glowing. Even though the October air was cold, the heat in the small bar was already rising. There was a heaviness to it. I felt the familiar feeling of butterflies in the pit of my stomach. It sounded silly, but I always got nervous before I sang. The intimacy of a small crowd made it much more personal.

Two songs in, and the bar was already starting to fill, and any sign of stage fright had gone. A rush of cool air hit my body as the door opened, causing my hair to blow back off my face. I Looked over to the door, where I saw him For the first time. Tall, with slicked back hair, and angular features, his long, lean body towered over the crowd. His black biker jacket fit perfectly over broad shoulders, and black jeans sat low on his hips. It was like he moved in slow motion. Everything in the room became a blur, and of unimportance. He was like no one else. Taken aback, my voice hitched as I sang. I watched him casually saunter up to the bar. Hunched over the wooden top, resting an arm on the edge, he waited patiently to be served. He looked quite a bit older than myself. Not that I minded. Older men were always my preference. He had an air of confidence about him…bordering on cockiness. 

 ‘In the land of gods and monsters, I was an angel, lookin’ to get fucked hard. Like a groupie incognito posing as a real singer, Life imitates art You got that medicine I need Dope, shoot it up straight to the heart please I don’t really wanna know what’s good for me God’s dead, I said ‘baby that’s alright with me’

. As if reading my thoughts, he turned to face me, locking eyes as I sang. My heart raced. His gaze was intense. I felt a vulnerability wash over me, but I couldn’t break my eyes away from his. It was as if every word I sang had been written about him. I picked up my acoustic. ‘This next song is a cover, and one of my all time favourites….I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.’

‘Under a blue moon I saw you  So soon you’ll take me  Up in your arms  Too late to beg you or cancel it  Though I know it must be the killing time  Unwillingly mine Fate  Up against your will  Through the thick and thin  He will wait until  You give yourself to him’ 

No one else mattered. It was just him and I. His eyes broke from mine, only to start a slow descent down my body. As he drank in my appearance, exploring my every curve, I felt almost body conscious. Like a shy teenage girl again. I wanted to know his thoughts. I can’t remember the last time a man had an impact like this on me. I needed to pull myself together. I added some extra sass to my swaying hips, and pouted my lips, acting as care free as possible. Eventually his eyes made their way back to mine, causing me to bite down on my lower lip. What felt like a private one on one show, got cut short with the arrival of his drink. Bourbon on the rocks…of course he was a whiskey man. I watched as he wrapped his long, slender fingers round the glass, bringing it to his lips. Sipping down the amber liquid slowly, he turned back to me. 

For the rest of my set, our eyes continued to meet. He was a hard character to read, not giving much away in his facial expression, but I could tell he was as intrigued with me, as I was with him.

‘Put me onto your black motorcycle 50’s baby doll dress for my “I do” It only takes two hours to Nevada I wear your sparkle, you call me your mama Let me put on a show for you, daddy Let me put on a show Let me put on a show for you, tiger Let me put on a show ‘

As I sang the final note of the song, the busy bar applauded. Setting his drink down on the bar top, my man of mystery clapped with the rest of the room. A slight devilish smirk played on his lips as he watched me set down my guitar and step down from the stage. He had trouble written all over him, and I was desperate to know more.

Taking in a deep breath, I made my way over to the bar, making sure to slip in to the space between him and the next man. Waiting to be served, we both stood there in silence. He knew I was there. Looking down at his drink, he swirled the liquid round the glass, his low, gravelly voice breaking the silence, after what felt like a lifetime. ‘That’s quite a voice you have there.’ My god, he sounded divine. Turning to face me, i saw his features for the first time in detail. Faint lines surrounded his dark eyes, that deepened when he smiled. Rough, silver stubble covered his face, but couldn’t hide those dimples that were underneath. He was beautiful. ‘Thank you, I hope you enjoyed it?’ I responded, coyly tucking a piece of my long, dark hair behind my ear.  ‘Enjoy it? Sweetheart, hearing you tonight was the most enjoyment I’ve had since fuck knows when.’ I felt my cheeks burn red. ‘Can’t say I’ve seen you in here before?’ I pried. Leaning my hip against the bar, now fully facing him. ’ Well i ain’t really a regular. Just stop in by some places when I’m out riding. Usually when my wonderful wife is busting my balls about shit.’ He had a wife. My heart sank. I tried to hide the disappointment on my face, giving a half hearted chuckle at his response. ‘I’m Negan.’ He outstretched his hand. His wide grin showed his perfect white teeth. ‘Louise.’ I placed my hand in his, which was much larger than mine, and surprisingly softer than I anticipated. The heat from his palm radiated through my body. I was literally putty in his hands. ‘Can I buy you a drink Louise?’ Damn. I had to play this cool. Or at least Pretend to. ‘Yeah, sure. Why not? I’ll have what you’re having.’ He raised his brows, almost surprised. ‘A girl after my own heart.’

The next thirty minutes felt like a dream. We grabbed our drinks and headed to a small table at the back of the bar. It was much darker, making his features appear in soft focus. ‘So how long you been doing this for, superstar?’ I sighed. ‘Good question…Umm, about 6 years if my memory serves me correctly. I’ve always sang though. I was in the school chior until i was 16.’ I smiled. ‘Wow, the chior? Looking all innocent and shit?’ You must have been such a good girl in high school.’ He teased. Eyebrows arched. ‘Ha, if only you knew the half.’ I shook my head, taking a sip of whiskey. ‘Oh I can already tell you have a mischevious side. Look at that smile.’ Pointing at my face. ‘Hell, it got my attention.’ He winked. I lowered my head, trying to hide my blushing cheeks that were already red from the alcohol. ‘Your guitar playing is also pretty damn impressive.’ He looked at me with a seriousness. ‘I play a little too…although not as good as you, Miss Smarty Pants.’ I shot him an over dramatic look, raising a hand to my mouth. He let out a soft chuckle, taking another sip of his drink. ‘Maybe I can teach you sometime?’ ‘Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.’ Licking his lips through a toothy grin. ‘So what about you Negan? What do you do for a living?’ ‘Excuse me, but that’s coach Negan to you young lady.’ ‘Coach? As in school coach?!’ ‘Yes as in school coach. Someone has to keep those sorry shits in line and make them do some damn exercise.’ ‘Wow, I was not expecting that! I’m glad you weren’t my teacher.’ I teased. ‘Darlin’ I can promise you’d have wished I was.’ My face was seriously burning up. A Cheshire cat like grin spread across his face, showcasing those dimples. Brushing off his comment, I continued. ‘I’m guessing it’s not at the school here?’ ‘No, next town. At the high school.’ I couldn’t stay in a town this small. I get bored easy. And what about you baby girl? You got a some weird ass day job too, I should know about?’ ‘Haha, no not really. I’m a florist. Flowers are my shit.’ I replied in ma matter of fact way. He gave his head a slight nod to the side, pouting his lips. ‘Nice.’ ‘What’s your favourite flower?’ 'What’s my favourite flower?!’ I laughed. 'Can’t say I’ve ever been asked that by a guy before.’ 'Darlin’, I ain’t like other men.’ 'You don’t say…Well if you really want to know, it would have to be black calla lilies. They’re dark and mysterious, a bit like myself.’ I winked. 'Haha, you’re definitely dark and mysterious. Got me wanting to know more, let me tell you.’ From there on, we chatted about everything. 

From music, and movies, to his dogs, and favourite bourbon. Talking to him was easy. It wasn’t like having a conversation with an awkward young guy. The type that usually tried to chat me up when I played. Negan was different. He was confident. A man that knew what he wanted, and skipped the bullshit. I’d never met anyone like him, yet it felt like I’d known him forever. ‘I’m telling you, Knob Creek wins, hands down! That’s some classic shit right there.’ Pointing to the liquid in his glass, his voice full of passion, and eyebrows raised. ‘I don’t know…doesn’t taste a whole lot different from Jack to me.’ I playfully pondered. Deliberately winding him up. ‘Is that so young lady?’ We stared at eachother in silence, for what felt like a lifetime. The authoritive tone of his voice sent a heat soaring between my legs. I imagined all dirty things he could say with that mouth. Crossing over my legs in attempt to relieve some of the pressure, my foot lightly grazed his leg, causing his eyes to dart to mine. I didn’t mean to touch him, but it certainly didn’t look like he minded. I let my foot linger against him, enjoying any form of contact. ‘Are you flirting with me doll?’ He toyed, smiling into his glass as he lifted it to his lips. ‘What if I was?’ I mirrored his actions, sipping slowly on my drink, trying to hide my smile. There was another pause of silence between us. Suddenly I felt his finger tips brush against my foot under the table. Heat soared through my body at his touch. His eyes bore into me with a look I hadn’t seen yet. They were dark, with almost an urgency to them. A hunger. His hand moved further up my leg, stopping at my calf. ‘So Louise. Tell me, what other hobbies you got? Other than music of course.’ Was he seriously asking me this right now?! His hand moved to the back of my calf, massaging the muscle firmly, working his way down to my ankle. My lips parted, barely able to form words. ‘Umm, I….I enjoy photography, and working out.’ I stammered. ‘Working out, huh?’ I can feel that. These legs of yours are delicious.’ He purred, with heavy eyes. Trying my hardest to keep it together for the sake of my dignity, remembering I was in a public place, I managed to muster out a sentence. ‘What are your hobbies?’ He leaned slightly closer over the table. ‘Maybe if you hang around a little longer, I’ll show you exactly what my hobbies include.’ Licking his lips suggestively. I was too caught up in his words and touch to come up with anything coherent to say. He knew exactly what he was doing. The smug expression on his face said it all.

 Whatever was about to happen next, came to a grinding hault, by the unwelcome sting of house lights. ‘Fucking god damn it.’ Negan hissed, eyes scrunched, swinging back in his seat. He sounded as disappointed as I felt. Snapped back to reality, I sat up in my chair, uncrossing my legs, trying to process how the hell things escalated so quickly. ‘Everybody out!’ Bouncer Brian wasn’t in mood to fuck around tonight. Knowing that we’d be allowed to stay, I made Negan an offer. ‘You know, we’ve got time for another drink? If you want to of course.’ I hoped that didn’t sound as desperate as it came out. He sighed. ‘While I’d absolutely love to get shit faced with you sweetheart, I gotta be able to ride home in one piece.’ He smiled. ‘Oh, of course. Silly me!’ My fake smile barely hiding my disappointment for the second time tonight. Shit, what was I thinking anyway? This totally wasn’t my style. Sure, I liked to flirt, but with a married man I had just met? He had me under his spell. Gulping down the last of his drink, he stood up, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket. ‘You smoke?’ ‘Not in a good few years. Could use some fresh air though. It’s far too hot in here .’ Fanning myself down with my hand. He smiled, outstreching his arm for me to pass, as we headed towards the door. 

 The fresh autumn air was crisp, bringing a slight bite to my flushed cheeks. Negan leaned against the wall, lighting up his cigarette. Taking in a long draw, causing his cheeks to hollow. The way that cigarette hung from his lips made him look ridiculously sexy. I just wanted to drink in his appearance. He let out a slow exhale, the smoke disappearing into the cool, night air. ‘Is this your bike?’ It was a Harley. It had to be his. It looked as bad ass as he did. ‘Sure is. She’s my baby.’ I touched the cold metal frame, looking it over in closer detail. ‘She’s a beauty.’ I had always had a facination with bikes, and had been meaning to get my licence for quite some time. 'You ride?’ Intrigued by my enthusiasm. 'Well I can, but I don’t have a licence.’ 'Oh you naughty girl.’ He shook his head, lips curling through his snigger. Pushing himself off gainst the wall, he dragged his free hand over his mouth, staring off into the distance in thought. ‘You know, I could give you a ride home sweetheart? His proposition caught me off guard. I turned quickly to face him. He had a playful glint in his eye. My imagination ran wild, painting a picture of us riding through the darkness, wind in my hair, and arms wrapped tight around his body. ‘Well? What do you say?’ His husky voice brought me back to reality. As much as the thought made my heart race, I couldn’t allow it to happen. After all, I’d only just met the man. ‘Oh it’s ok, my friend, the owner of this place is driving me home soon. I almost instantly regretted my decision. ‘He likes to know I get home safe.’ Negan raised his eyebrows. ‘You implying I wouldn’t take care of you baby doll?’ resting his thumb on his lower lip. ‘No, of course not, I didn’t mean…’ ‘I know sweetheart, I’m just fucking with you.’ We laughed, staring at eachother with lust filled eyes. A calm silence followed. Taking one last drag on his cigarette, Negan tossed it to the ground, stamping the bud out. Exhaling, he walked towards me, stopping only feet apart from me. ‘It’s a real shame though. I’m pretty positive you’d have enjoyed the ride’. He looked down at me, biting his bottom lip through his smile. His scent was intoxicating. A combination of cigarettes and cologne. I felt myself getting wet at the sheer overload on my senses. It was almost unbearable to be this close to him. 'Maybe next time?’ I implied, looking up at him doe eyed. 'Abso-fuckin’-lutely baby girl.’ We stood in the quiet. He towered over my petite frame. He could have consumed me, if his stare hadn’t already done so. 'Well I guess I better hit the road before my wife finds something else to fucking yell at me for.’ He closed the space between us, bending his head down to kiss my cheek. His stubble lightly grazing my face. 'It was very fucking nice meeting you tonight Louise.’ I loved hearing him say my name. I could listen to it on repeat forever. 'It was nice meeting you too Negan. I’m singing here in two weeks again, if you happen to be out on the prowl.’ Winking at him suggestively as he mounted his bike. 'Can’t come soon enough.’ Assuring me he’d be there. 'Goodnight sweetheart. You take care of your pretty little self.’ 'You too Negan.’ I shouted, waving him off. 

 And with that, he was gone. Suddenly aware of the cold air and silence around me, i crossed my arms close to my body, and headed back inside. Most people had now left the bar. 'That looked cozy.’ Matt smiled and winked, wiping down the bar top. 'Oh please, we were just talking.’ Not fooling him, or myself with my response. Taking a seat at the bar, I sighed, staring into space. 'Does he come here often?’ Matt raised his eyebrow, giving a small smirk. 'Not really. I’d say maybe a couple times a month or something. Usually keeps himself to himself. Looks deep in thought most of the time.’ 'So you haven’t really seen him chat up other girls, or whatever?’ I tried making my questions as casual as possible. 'Nope, can’t say I’ve seen him.’ I knew I shouldn’t be getting involved with a married man. It was trouble waiting to happen. But trouble excited me. There was something different about Negan. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I bet he had a girls falling for him in every bar. I wondered why he was so open about having a wife? Was I just a number to him? How often did he do this sort of thing? I just didn’t get it. Most guys would go to the ends of the earth to hide that sort of thing, with his intentions being so obvious. My mind was in a million places. 'Louise! Hey.’ Matt snapped his fingers, trying to get my attention. 'Time to go! Let’s hit the road.’ I had a feeling this would be a fucking long two weeks…

[theolddarkmachine]

SUPER LATE GAJEVY WEEK 2017: DAY 7- KIDS

IT'S THE FINAAAAL CHAPTEEEEEER! (To the tune of Final Countdown.) This was a tiring challenge, y'all, but felt like the best way to come out of my writing hiatus. It definitely got me back into a writing headspace, and I'll definitely be excited to continue with some stuff. If y'all have any preferences for the type of fics you would like to me to work on-- like fluff, smut, AU, etc-- lemme know! I will definitely NOT be writing something everyday moving forward lol Cuz that shit wild, but if you happen to have any prompts you'd like to sling my way, I'd love to do like one or two one-shots a week based on those! I'll also most likely be starting a longform fic within the next week or so :) THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO READ WHAT I HAD TO WRITE!

(Also, nothing rated R, but some getting naked does occur near the end)

His name was Geppetto, and honestly, he should have been as easy wizard to defeat. It should have been a one-and-done, in-and-out, little to no fucking about. His magic was a bit like Bickslow’s, except instead of putting souls into dolls, he was able to make the dolls into real people. The problem was, they turned into kids so they didn’t really pose much of a threat. (Haha, Geppetto, Pinocchio, Levy got it.) In fact, on the surface it had seemed easy enough. Gajeel, Levy and Panther Lily had taken him out pretty easily. There had been a slight scare when Lily had been hit with a spell square in the chest, but while it had thrown him back quite a ways, he’d gotten up and managed to continue to fight until they had the guy in cuffs.

Their little family had been triumphant, hit the bar at the guild on the way home before they stumbled into their house, Levy and Gajeel retiring to their room upstairs and Lily heading to his downstairs. The three of them were very unprepared for the surprise that met them in the morning.

****

Levy was having another dream about the small, faceless blue haired children. Though they didn’t have faces, they knew they were supposed to be hers. The first time she’d had the dream, it had really freaked her out. Her and Gajeel had been married now for about a year and a half, and she was aware that the next step was kids. She wanted kids with him, of course she did. In fact, she wanted nothing more than to be able to create a tiny person that they could call their very own. The miracle of life was honestly a fascinating thing. However, the idea of pushing a miniature Gajeel out of her body was the single most terrifying thing she had ever imagined. So it wasn’t like she was in any rush. He didn’t seem to be in any rush either, they were just fine with their little family that consisted of themselves and Panther Lily. That didn’t seem to stop everyone’s incessant questioning.

The questions had started a few months into their marriage, she suspected after folks had deemed their “honeymoon phase” to be over. The first dream followed shortly after, causing her to wake up in a panic, the shirt she stole from Gajeel for her pajamas soaked through with a cold sweat. She’d gotten used to the dreams by now, almost welcomed the little glimpse into her future, whenever they finally decided to work on that. Tonight’s dream featured the family all snuggling together on their bed as rain fell outside. The faceless girl was curled up in the crook of Gajeel’s arm, her head resting on his chest as she traced random designs onto his dark shirt. The faceless boy was tucked under Levy’s chin, tinkering with a little iron dragon. It felt so real as she rest her cheek on top of the boy’s hair, enjoying the imagined warmth on her cheek. She could definitely be okay with this.

“Psst, Gajeel,” the faceless boy said. Huh, that was weird, Levy thought to herself as her dream self looked down at the kid. They normally didn’t talk in her dream, and she’d definitely thought her kids would refer to Gajeel as dad, even if they were just her dream children. “Psst,” another hiss from the faceless boy. She heard small footsteps shuffling across the room before a small finger poked into her cheek. That felt entirely too real to be a dream. Her eyes fluttered open, the image of the faceless children falling away and replaced by another child. This one definitely had a face, and was very much real. He was incredibly close to Levy’s face, so much so all she could see were wide dark eyes, and a deep scar through the kid’s left eyebrow.

****

Gajeel hadn’t ever woken up as quickly in his life as he had when he heard Levy scream. Without fully opening his eyes, he grabbed a hold of her arm pulling her back into him as he leapt out of the bed. He held her to his chest with his right arm, unleashing his scales over his left to protect them from whatever danger had caused her to cry out. Only, it didn’t look there was anything there.

“Levy, what the hell?” He croaked, his voice still heavy with sleep as he let her go. The bluenette just pointed to her side of the bed, and he saw her arm tremble slightly. He squinted in that direction, wondering if maybe there had been a big bug or something that he’d missed. Anything that would warrant that kind of scream so early in the morning. That’s when the small head peaked over the edge of the bed. It continued to rise to reveal a kid that didn’t look like he could be more than 5 or 6 years old. He was a small little thing, with shaggy black hair, wide black eyes and dressed in nothing more than a pair of green pants. A pair of green pants that looked oddly familiar. That’s when Gajeel noticed the scar through his eyebrow.

“Holy shit,” he muttered, not believing his eyes. “Lily?” The kid’s eyes sparkled as his bottom lip started to quiver. He hopped up on the bed and ran across it before leaping into the air and onto Gajeel, throwing his little arms around the dragon slayer’s neck.

“Gajeel,” Lily cried in his neck. “I don’t know what happened but I don’t want to be a kiiiiid.” If it wasn’t for how shocking the whole thing was, it actually would have been a little funny. He wrapped his arms around his friend as he held him up.

“Lily?” Levy said curiously, looking at Gajeel who just shrugged.

“Hey, c’mon bud, it’s okay,” he tried to say reassuringly as he started bouncing the former exceed as one would any other child that was fussy.

“Don’t patronize meeeee,” Lily whined into his neck, pulling on a handful of Gajeel’s hair. He couldn’t help but chuckle. Of course Lil would be able to still use words like patronize but not be able to control his tear ducts. Levy reached out hesitantly before she started to rub Lily’s back. Gajeel could feel his dragon parent instinct rearing to life as he continued to hold his friend. It didn’t matter that normally he could become a behemoth of a panther with a giant sword, right now he was just a kid and he knew he needed to protect him.

“How about we go make some breakfast, Lil,” he said as soothingly as he could before walking towards the door. He wasn’t quite sure what the hell was happening, but he did know pancakes would be a step in the right direction.

****

Levy still wasn’t exactly sure how to wrap her mind around the fact she was walking hand-in-hand with a tiny human version of Panther Lily. Gajeel had made them pancakes, which seemed to calm the one exceed down quite a bit, though he did occasional sniffle as he sat on his designated seat at their table. They’d kept him preoccupied with some paper and pencils from her work station as they stole away to do the dishes and discuss whatever it was that was going on.

“So I was thinking,” she’d started as she grabbed the freshly washed dish from Gajeel and started to wipe it dry with a towel.

“What else is new,” he’d said, elbowing her lightly in the arm. She added the dry plate to her finished stack as she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Not the time for jokes, Redfox,” she’d said as sternly as she could. (Which, wasn’t very.) “I was thinking, do you think this may have been from when he got hit by Geppetto?” “There’s always time for jokes, Redfox,” he’d shot back, winking at her before turning his eyes back to the dish he was working on. The kitchen was filled with the sound of the water running as he scrubbed the syrup off. “It’s definitely a possibility. We should ask Makarov though before we do anything else.”

And that was how Levy ended up here, walking towards the hall with the 5-year-old Lily, who was wearing one of her white shirts that she normally reserved for training since it was the only thing small enough to fit him. Stupid Gajeel, sending her to the guild alone with a kid knowing full well how everyone had been giving her grief. All because he “had to go find something in the attack real quick.” Like she believed that. When this fiasco was over, he was going to pay for throwing her to the wolves like this. They were now standing in front of the entrance, and she was just trying to mentally prepare. With any luck, everyone would be out. She felt Lily tug on her hand for her attention.

“Are you okay, Levy?” He asked, cocking his head to the side. She felt her heart squeeze at the sight of him. He was honestly too adorable for words.

“I’m fine, Lil,” she smiled at him. “Just trying to explain what I’m doing with a tiny human is all.” He muttered, his lower lip poking out as he looked at her with that displeased look only children managed to pull off.

“I’m not a tiny human,” he grumbled causing her to laugh.

“C’mon, Lil. Let’s see if the master might know anything.” They pushed the door open to find Cana and Mira at the bar. A sigh of relief slipped from her lips as she saw that it looked like everyone else had found jobs to do. While the two of them would give her some serious shit, at least it was just the two. The card mage’s eyes were downright predatory as her and Lily walked up to the bar.

“Who’s this little guy, Blue?” She asked, a wicked smile stretching across her lips. Here it came. “He looks like he takes after a certain dragon slayer we know. Have you been hiding a secret love child from us?” Mira stifled a laugh into the towel she was using to wipe the bar down. They were both the biggest offenders when it came to asking Levy about kids, she suspected because they wanted to get their hands on them to ruin them and then give them back.

“It’s a very long story,” she sighed as she saw Lily pouting up at Cana from the corner of her eye. “Is the master around?” Levy turned her attention to Mira, knowing she’d know if Makarov was up in his office.

“Sure is,” Mira replied, eyeing the kid next to Levy. There was something familiar about him. “He’s about to head out to the council actually for the wizard’s trial. The one you, Gajeel and--” Levy saw the moment it all clicked. “Lily?!” She gasped at Levy’s pint-sized companion.

“Lily?” Cana asked confusedly, turning her full attention from her drink to the child. “Holy crap, Lily?!”

“Took you two long enough,” he said, pulling his hand from Levy’s and pointing between the pair of them. “I can’t believe you think I look like Levy and Gajeel!” There was a beat of silence before the three women standing around him started to laugh. It was just so hard to take him serious when he was so adorable.

“That’s not nice,” he said, deflating slightly and hanging his head in shame. Levy couldn’t resist as she patted his hair reassuringly.

“Sorry, Lil. Let’s go catch the master.” He nodded under her hand, reaching up to grab it with his hand again. Levy could hear her friends’ hushed voices as they walked towards the door that led to Makarov’s office.

****

The dark haired boy lay across the seat of the train with his head in Levy’s lap. His wife was staring out the window, lost in deep thought as she was running her fingers through his hair. If the motion of the train didn’t make Gajeel feel like he was dying, he may have admired the scene, loving the way motherhood looked on Levy, even if it was only a quick glimpse as they were taking care of their friend. He knew she eventually wanted to have kids, and he’d wait as long as she wanted him to, but he would be lying if he said he wasn’t overly excited at the idea of having their own kid to take care of.

Another wave of nausea hit him as he leant forward in his seat across from his companions and placed his head in his hands. After Levy and Lily had come home from meeting with Makarov, they’d informed him that they would need to head out to the capitol in the morning to meet with the council. Makarov had said he’d set up a meeting for them with Geppetto after his trial for first thing in the morning, and while Gajeel was grateful that he’d do that, he honestly could have gone without starting his day on the god forsaken train.

“You okay, babe?” Levy’s quiet voice cut through his thoughts. He looked up, and tried to smile reassuringly at her.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, his voice full of grit. He nodded to Lily, who had rolled over and nuzzled his face into Levy’s stomach. “It’s Lil I’m worried about.” He watched as she smiled down at his friend in her lap.

“We’ll get him back to normal,” she said as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind Lily’s ear. “We always figure something out.”

It wasn’t too much longer before they finally reached their stop, Gajeel stumbling off the train and taking a large, steadying breath of fresh air. He already felt so much better just being away from that metal death trap. His eyes scanned the crowd as he saw Mest standing there, waving for them. Levy and Lily joined his side, and he reached down to take Lily’s small hand in his own as they headed to the meet up with the council member. Mest smiled at them nodding at each as he greeted them

“Gajeel, Levy, Panther Lily,” his eyes lingered on the last of their group, causing him to frown.

“Don’t you say anything,” Lily said, aware how pathetic he must look with Levy and Gajeel on either side of him holding his hands. The council member just shrugged.

“Wasn’t gonna,” was all he said before he led them towards the exit so they could head to the jail the council used. It wasn’t too long of a walk, surprisingly, and Mest filled what little time it took by filling them in on how the trial had gone the day before. Geppetto had been found guilty of using illegal magic, and would end up spending 10 years in prison before he’d be released but would need to check in with the council once a month for the rest of his life. It sounded like a fair enough punishment after he’d created a toy child army and tried to take over his own town. They were able to walk straight through into the building with their escort. Gajeel couldn’t help but noticed Lily’s small hand squeeze his a little tighter as they continued down into the lower levels of the building, which were certainly a bit more gloomy than the entrance had been. He smiled down at him, and nearly ran right into Mest.

“He’s in here,” he said. Gajeel grunted in acknowledgement before turning to his blue haired girl and Lily.

“How about you guys stay out here, and I’ll go talk to Geppetto, huh?” He suggested, not sure he wanted Lily to be in the same room with the guy again. Lily gave him quite a disgruntled look as he pulled his hand from Levy’s and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Gajeel,” he started, the small pout forming on his mouth. Kneeling before him, Gajeel put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small iron dragon. When they’d gone to talk to Makarov, he’d rummaged through his things in the attic to find it. It had been a gift for him from Metalicana when he was just a boy, and he’d been saving it for his kids but it seemed like it could be useful now. Though he knew Lily was fighting the urger to snatch the toy from his hand, he saw the boy’s eyes light up. Finally, Lily took it from his hand and started to move it around like it was flying in the sky. “I’m still mad though,” Lily said, before he hopped onto a chair outside Geppetto’s cell and continued to play with the small dragon.

“I’ll talk to Geppetto and see if we can get him to turn Lil back. Stay out here with him?” Levy’s eyes were trained on Lily as he was making roaring noises with the dragon.

“Of course,” she said when she turned back to him, a weird look in her eye. Gajeel kissed her forehead before turning to enter the cell with Mest.

****

Lily would be back to normal within about a day or so, which, was a relief. Not that Levy didn’t enjoy how small and adorable their friend was currently, it had just been putting a lot of thoughts and ideas in her head that she wasn’t sure she was ready to face head on. Well, the fact she kept thinking about it probably meant she was, but she wasn’t ready to admit that just yet. By the time they got off the train in Magnolia, the stars had already come out and poor Lily had been tired out from the day of travel and waiting for Gajeel to get information from Geppetto. Apparently there wasn’t really much the wizard could do, because he’d never managed to turn a living thing into a kid before, that’s why he’d always used dolls. Just based on what he knew of his powers though, the spell would wear off anywhere within 24-72 hours. It hadn’t been too helpful, and the realization had caused quite the tantrum from Lily. One that was unlike any tantrum she had ever seen from any actual human child, but she’d marveled as Gajeel had just picked him up off the floor he’d been pounding his fists against and wiped his tears away and carried him out of the prison. The warm feeling it created in her stomach was a strange one, and still hadn’t faded as they were now walking down the street to their home.

Lily was still in Gajeel’s arms, having fallen asleep again on the train. His snores were so little as his mouth hung open and his head stay trained on the dragon slayer’s shoulder. She hung back a bit, watching the sight and knowing that Gajeel was going to make an amazing dad.

“Ya comin, Shrimp?” He yelled over his other shoulder, reaching his free hand out to her. “Or do I need to carry you too?” She couldn’t help but laugh as she ran to catch up, grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers. They walked home in a comfortable silence. She loved that they could just be together without filling silence with talk. It was one of her favorite things about Gajeel. Just being around him was enough for her. As they walked, she caught passersby smiling at them before turning to their friends and she knew to them they must look like a happy family. The warm feeling in her stomach grew. Maybe having a kid now wouldn’t be too bad. After they made sure Lily was back to his normal self, of course.

She hadn’t realized how tired she’d been until they walked into their home and the weight of the day slipped from her shoulders. It really had been a long day.

“I’m going to put him in bed,” Gajeel said as he walked towards Lily’s room. She headed up the stairs to their own, and plopped down onto it, not even caring that it wasn’t her side. Her eyes traced the patterns in their ceiling, trying to push away the idea of Gajeel tucking in the faceless blue haired children from her dreams and the yearning feeling it caused. Lost deep in her thoughts, she didn’t hear her husband enter the room.

“You’re on my side,” he growled playfully as he climbed on top of her, straddling her and leaning down onto his forearms so his face was just inches from hers.

“Whatcha gonna do about it?” She asked, lifting her head to kiss the tip of his nose.

“I’ll show you what I’m gonna do, Shrimp,” he smiled as he leant down and pressed their lips together. After being together for so long, and being married, you’d think at some point his touch would stop setting her blood on fire but that hadn’t been the case. In fact, as his tongue swept the inside of her mouth she couldn’t help but moan into it as she tangled her hands into his hair. She didn’t think there would be any point where she’d stop wanting him as badly as she did. His mouth traveled to her neck, biting and sucking down to her collar bone as her hands found the hem of his shirt and pushed it up so she could run her hands over his abs. The heat in her stomach had spread downwards and the space between them was electric as she started to tug on the fastenings of his pants. He moaned against the dip of her collar bone before he slipped an arm under her back and flipped them so he was laying on the bed and she was on top of him. His crimson eyes were full of hunger and fire as she tugged her dress over her head, leaving her in her strapless bar and underwear. She dropped the fabric onto the bed beside them and pushed up on his shirt until he took the hint and sat up to remove it. She threw her arms around his neck as she kissed him, biting on his lip and grinding her hips into his. She loved the way she could make him moan if she was being honest. It was such a wonderful sound. As he was fiddling with the clasp of her bra, a loud peel of thunder shook the windows. She felt the clasp give way as the strapless fell down between them. Pressing her breasts into his chest, he lay back without breaking the kissing, his hands now free to tangle in her hair. She could feel his hardness beneath her as her hips ground into his again. Another clap of thunder sounded, this time followed by a squeak and a knock on the door.

“No,” Gajeel growled, as he pulled away from their kiss. It took a moment for Levy to realize what was happening as another small knock rapped on their door. She couldn’t help but laugh. She suddenly understood why people always joked about how kids were the ultimate cockblock. Pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek, she pushed herself off of him, grabbing her discarded clothes and heading for their bathroom. Through the bathroom door, she heard Gajeel growl again before getting up and walking to the door.

“Hey Lil,” she heard him say as she dropped her clothes into the dirty clothes hamper and grabbed her stolen pajama shirt off the hook on the back of the door.

“Can I sleep with you guys tonight?” Lily’s little voice trembled as thunder rumbled again. The lights flickered in the bathroom and she heard the little guy squeak again. She pulled the pajama shirt over her head before walking up to the sink  and grabbing her toothbrush.

“Yeah, Lil, c’mon,” Gajeel replied and from the sound of it, helped their friend crawling into their bed. A small smile crept onto her face before she started to brush her teeth.

****

Gajeel had never felt so warm and cozy as he did as he slowly started to drift out of sleep. Levy’s head was on his chest, her hair tickling his nose slightly but filling his sense with her floral scent. He would never get enough of her scent if he was honest. His arms tightened reflexively around her and he felt a smaller body squirm in the space between them. He heard Lily’s soft snores as the cat twisted so his face was pressed into Gajeel’s side. The dragon slayer felt Lily’s cat ears twitch against his side and he could help but smile. While he’d enjoyed playing dad for a couple days, he was happy to have his little family back to normal. Without opening his eyes, he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Levy’s head.

****

It had been a couple weeks since the whole Lily incident, and one week since her missed period. She didn’t want to say she was freaking out as she stood there with Lucy, who was bouncing a little pink haired girl on her hip, but let’s be honest. She was freaking out.

“So I just, hold this lacrima in my hand, and if it glows purple, I’m pregnant and if it doesn’t, I’m not?” She questioned, staring at the offending bit of stone on the counter between them.

“That’s it!” Lucy said, not even bothering to look up from her daughter, who was currently blowing spit bubbles at her mom. Well, it was now or never. Squeezing her eyes shut, she thrust her hand towards the celestial wizard.

“I can’t do it Luce, just put the thing in my hand okay,” she said through gritted teeth. Her stomach was doing flips, sending a wave of nausea through her. Nausea that she was hoping was from nerves and not morning sickness. She felt the cold, smooth stone fall into her palm. And then, there was silence. Silence must have been good, if Lucy wasn’t making a big deal, that must have meant nothing. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see Lucy smiling brightly at her as she pointed down at the stone. There, in her palm, the stone glowed a brilliant purple.

[allisonswrittenwords]

Who doesn’t love a cute Christmas outfit?

From the time I was a toddler (I was fourteen months old on my second Christmas, which was also memorable for me taking my first unassisted steps on Christmas Eve) until I was five years old (so, 1983 until 1987), I always wore cute jumper dresses – not all of them were Christmas-esque, but they really seemed to be a popular style of toddler/little girl dress.  For four years of my life, they were the standard to dressing me for Christmas. Be they corduroy or velour, they were the outfit of choice.

Until I was twelve years old, my clothes came from Kids R Us, which closed in the early 2000s (I believe 2003).  Think Toys R Us…but not fun unless you like clothes.  I’d also like to think that having several different outfits in several different designs each year (while maintaining the very basic design concept) and colors set me up for my burning need to buy the same shirt in several colors.

Variety is only the spice of life as long as it comes in at least five colors, friends.

I was going through pictures in October (while finding the picture of my first Halloween costume), and I made sure to take some pictures of my Christmas dress photos.  I knew they would come in handy for blogging material.

Since much of this month’s emphasis is on personal nostalgia and personal stories, these dresses fit right in!

1985

I didn’t scan my photos from 1983 or 1984, so let’s start with 1985.  This was actually my professional photo from that year, taken in all its 1980s portrait studio glory.

This photo was part of a photo gallery my mom created in the upstairs hallway of my childhood home.  It was the ultimate display of cute and posed portrait studio photos, taken between the ages of 18 months and 9 1/2 years old.  The display was legendary, if for only one reason…I was fourteen when she put the photos up.  That’s right, my parents repainted the upstairs hallway, and it was time to put up the gallery of “look how cute you were when you were little!”

Our friends used to laugh at the photos – not because they were awkward or terrible (they weren’t, my mom’s “perfect babies” did not take bad photos!), but all the standard 1980s photo techniques were on display – floating heads, black backgrounds, the fall scene, the fireplace, props, my brother at 18 months shrugging his shoulders and doing the “what?” gesture in his first professional photo.

Come to think of it, that’s the one our friends laughed at!  Not my adorable display of cuteness in this red dress.  No way!

Man, that went off the track fast!

Meanwhile, staying in 1985, this was the Obligatory Christmas Eve Photo from that same year, complete with a different dress!

Skinny legs = baggy tights.  My mom has told me that getting tights to fit on me was difficult.  You’d never know that these days, with my giant calves (all muscle!), but until I was thirteen, I had some toothpick legs!

Moving ahead a year, and two different dresses!

1986

It’s Christmas Eve with these four-year-olds, all ready to go to Grandma and Pop Pop Venezio’s house for dinner and visiting with cousins!  My memories are really scattered with this Christmas, but man did we look cute!

We’re fraternal twins, and have never really looked alike, but those smiles are pretty similar!

This was also the first Christmas that I wore knee-high socks, something I would wear for Christmas for years, on account of the skinny legs!

(I also hated tights!)

Christmas Eve was all about that cute red dress, but Christmas Day meant a different – and green – dress!

That is a kid who is clearly excited about Christmas (held at our home – a yearly tradition when we lived in this house!).  That Pound Puppy dog house and “Hungry Hungry Hippos” were great presents, which definitely sums up that smile!

And for the final jumper dress, we move forward to…

1987

This is the first Christmas I remember more than just a few memories.  It was the last one in this house (we moved in the summer of 1988 to the house I would live in for 18 years, until I was almost 24 years old), and the last one where my mom’s extended family came for Christmas. At that point, Christmas Day meant spending it with my two cousins, Erin and Craig (who are playing the game with me), my Aunt and Uncle, and my maternal grandparents.  The other two people in the picture are my cousin Sandy (holding the “Monster Mash”  Monster Maker Machine) and Sue, my cousin Kenny’s wife (holding the instructions).  I’m sure my brother was playing too, but he’s not in the photo.

As for that dress, I remember it had a dog printed on it.  Also of note is the doll sitting on the couch – this was the Christmas I received one of my favorite Christmas gifts of all time.

This was also the Christmas I received a Cabbage Patch Kids pillow that my cousin Erin made for me – I still have that pillow so many years later, even though it isn’t as comfy as it was when I was a little kid (it’s every bit as comfy as a 32-year-old pillow is expected to be).  I treasure that pillow – I’ve got to get it from my closet at my parent’s house and send her a picture of it.

Christmases Future…

Christmases after that were always as memorable and lovely as the ones in these pictures.  We moved to my childhood home (as I always refer to it) in 1988, right after I turned six years old.  We had our first Christmas in that house that year (almost two months after we moved in), but it was the last one there until I was in high school.  Christmas Day was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Nesgood’s house (maternal grandparents), with our cousins and and aunt and uncle.  I’ve got pictures somewhere of those Christmas Days and all their associated outfits/dresses (sans jumpers).

1988 – New House and jumperless (traded for a “bib” dress, apparently) Christmas dress. Oh, and a Slinky!

As I said in my Christmas Vacation memory, I really miss those days.  The dresses were great, but they were only a small part of what made Christmas so special.  Be it the family togetherness, gifts, dinner, or just the fact that it was spent with my grandparents (who’ve all passed away), those Christmases were special.

I really miss it all, including the cute dresses.

Oh, and those twins in the adorable photos…

He’s still way taller.

    #Christmas Memories: Christmas Dresses - A bit of personal nostalgia - several years worth of very similar Christmas dresses! Who doesn't love a cute Christmas outfit?