#he was forced to eat capitalism when he was 6

[veryberrybad]

ok. i might be fatally in love with vintage vox

[hidden-poet]

S. lands on top; 6

summary: Coriolanus returns home to the Capital with two women from district 12 plaguing his mind. One a (presumed) dead mystery but another well within his reach.

warnings: unco, dark!Coriolanus, possessive!Corirlanus, Dark themes, mentions of death, she/her pronouns, kidnapping, violence, All of the warnings, dead dove do not eat.

Word count: 7,835

chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Coriolanus left Mabel without breakfast the next morning. 

He was so angry, he could kill her. But what good would his anger do? 

It would break his favorite toy and leave him nothing for it.

Instead he needed to show Mable that her actions amounted to nothing. Best she think she has no effect whatsoever. That all her kicking and screaming did nothing but wear her out. 

He tried his best to show this to Dr Gaul too. When he arrived for work, he came with his normal causal presence. 

While Coriolanus wanted to forget the night, Dr Gaul wanted to rub his nose in it. 

She doesn’t look at him as she passes him in the boardroom. Her failed student wasn’t worth looking at. Wasn’t even worth talking to. 

The beautiful bird perched on her shoulder did her talking for her.

 It had beautiful blue feathers that looked soft to pet. It’s tail stuck out in show, and it’s beautiful green eyes darted around the room. 

The bird looked panicked but sat obediently on her shoulder, despite having the ability to fly away. 

“I hope you are all happy with the Reaping ceremony yesterday for it may be your last”, she taunted, sitting down in her chair. 

The bird is taken from her shoulder and kept in her hand to stroke. Ths bird gained no joy from the motion, still sitting there with a panicked expression and shaking feathers. 

“Who can tell me what was wrong with it?”, she questions. Her eyes fall on Coriolanus who looks down at his blank paper, defeated. 

He hoped someone would speak up. Say something that she was sure to disagree with, but at least he would be able to hide under it. 

No one spoke. Forcing Coriolanus to engage in the conversation he didn’t want to have. Of course Dr Gaul would make it a public whipping. 

“We lost control”, he muttered. 

“Hm, how?”, Dr Gaul asks as her finger runs down her bird's beak to show off it’s docility. 

“We allowed them to speak freely”, he pushed out in a big breath. 

Images of Reaping interview that consisted of crying children and awkward presenters, collided in his head with Mabel's own mistakes. 

“Sparks are a dangerous thing, Mr Snow”, Dr Gaul provokes, “We like to think we can contain them but find too late that they have burnt our house down”. 

“None of those children have enough spark to incite a rebellion” one of his co-workers interrupts. 

Dr Gaul turns to him with a sly smile. 

‘Of course not, you idiot’, Coriolanus thought, ‘but his Mable did.’ 

“We only need one of the children to be well liked enough that someone with enough spark does incite a rebellion”, Dr Gaul dismisses with a hard tone. 

“Control is what we need” Coriolanus says louder for the group to hear, “Dr Gaul if you give us another chance, we-I can get them to perform how we want them to”.

Dr Gaul eyes her bird. It struggled in her tight grip but never pecked at her for release. 

“You can’t bargain with a person who doesn’t know they are beat yet. Instead of interviewing them at the Reaping, we allow them a couple of days for their reality to settle in. Then we give them some media training, and we host a round of interviews for the Capitol to get to know them. Or at least the version we want them to be known as”. 

Dr Gaul's condescending smile returns, letting him know he was wrong.

“You think they need time?”, she mocks in a low voice. 

“I think they need a reason to perform. The motivation of death can also be a reason for non-conformance. We’ve been asking what have they got to lose, when we should have been asking what have they got to gain?”. 

“And what do they have to gain?” 

“Maybe we could offer-” a colleague tried to contribute but was cut off my Dr Gaul. 

“Those who don’t know of what they speak, shouldn’t speak”, she snaped. 

He quieted immediately and fell back into his chair. Once more the attention was back on Coriolanus. 

‘’Mercy’’, he breaths. It takes him a second but he musters the courage to look Dr Gaul in the eye. 

Her stare unnerves him, but he forces himself to look anyway. 

 The room is quiet while it waits for Dr Gaul’s reaction. 

“Hm, interesting concept, Mr Snow.” she finally says, “Did someone write that down?’’.

“Mercy” she repeats more to herself. The bird is let go but remains on top of the table.

Her eyes roll around the room, looking at all the Gamemakers who shudder in their seats.

Coriolanus couldn’t help to think of Lucy-Grey despite how much he tried to fight against it. 

She was a performer. Right to the end. 

“I don’t understand how training them like a dog is going to make the games more entertaining”.

The voice was soft and gentle, coming from a female colleague who often came up with the most grotesque ideas.

Coriolanus scoffs at her. He hated people who couldn’t see the bigger picture. 

The Games only played a small part in keeping the districts under the Capitol boot. Yet she wanted to focus all of their energy on it. 

“It’s not about the Games. It’s about engagement” Coriolanus responded, “Who cares about a District as they come?”.

He felt a sharp twist in his stomach as he said it. Beautiful, strong Mabel caught his eye, and had never left his mind since. 

“They are animals,” he states. Mabel’s actions don’t speak against it. Like a wounded animal in a cage, she lashes and bites. 

“We need to turn them into something more marketable. Who cares when a roach is squashed? We need people to care. To want to look after them and ensure their survival”. 

Coriolanus looks around the room to see his Colleagues all awaiting Dr Gauls input. He makes a point not to look at her like the rest do.  

“By doing this, won’t it cause a up-rising within the Capitol?”, another Gamemaker who could not see beyond the Games speaks up. 

Coriolanys groans, frustrated that he is lumped together with the same Gamemakers. If he had full control of the Games, he could make them the biggest event of the year. Not some side show holiday that people can take or leave. 

But Dr Gaul won’t give it to him, unless he can show he is in control of Mabel. 

“It’s not a beauty pageant, it's a dog fight”, Dr Gaul reasons. 

The man who asked the question slumped in his chair, muttering agreements that he did not believe.  

It was obvious he was trying to stump Coriolanus. But the man had no idea the conversation was just between Dr Gaul and Coriolanus. The group was merely a sounding board between the two.

“The only way we are going to get those children to perform the way we want is through mercy. Act like we tell you and we’ll relent”. Coriolanus finishes. 

Dr Gaul suddenly stands up, gaining the attention from the room once more. She moves to the boardroom computer and pulls up a list of the tributes. 

Small photos of the twelve that preceded their name and district were casted up on the wall behind Dr Gaul. 

Coriolanus eyes the boy from 12. He still had a baby face. Full, round cheeks, and soft brown hair that fell over his forehead. His eyes were big and brown, and thin lips pressed together as if he was about to cry. 

Coriolanus imagined the interactions that Mabel had with the boy. Did she ever kiss him? Ever hug him? Did she treat the boy like her own, or keep a friendly distance?

How will she react when he most certainly dies?

“Theory will only get you so far” Dr Gaul contends, “we must put it in practice. Each of you will be assigned a tribute to play up”.

Coriolanus' eyes shut, and an  annoyed smile tenses at his lips. He could see where this was going. 

“We have mentors. Let them do it”, he speaks out. Trying to claw his way out of the hole Dr Gaul is digging. 

“Why, Mr Snow. Every great scientist conducts their own experiments. What would the mentors know of a great show?”, her voice carried a condescending tone. 

There was nothing Coriolanus could stop her from giving him the 12 boy, and nothing he could do to stop her taking his 12 girl. 

It was only her sick idea of training Coriolanus for presidency that allowed him to keep Mabel after last night. 

He had failed Dr Gaul last night, and now she was throwing an extra obstacle in his way of training Mabel. 

Dr Gaul would find some way of ensuring that Mabel knew of Coriolanus media training the boy. Poke the fire before Coriolanus could get it to a non-threatening level. 

Coriolanus' lips tug into a smug smile. One day he would kill Dr Gaul. 

“Shall we dish out tributes randomly?” he bites. 

Dr Gaul waves her finger at Coriolanus. It was the only time that anyone had seen her display any other sort of emotion despite boredom. 

Her amusement was a stark contrast no matter how small it played across her features. 

Her lips sealed together to hold in her smile, her body slightly curled in as if she was about to erupt in whole body laughter.

With a bite of her tongue, she straightens and the lips that held in laughter, now parted to release her normal board tone.  

“I have an idea of who I would like with whom”, she snarky replies. 

There were 23 gamemakers, and only 12 tributes, so Dr Gaul picked a mixture of people she liked and people she despised. 

They were paired to tributes according to their social status to Dr Gaul. The most unmarketable tribute was paired with the Gamemaker who tried to show up Coriolanus just moments before. 

The tribute, a girl just shy of  eighteen from district 5, had tried to volunteer her young sister. Stating that she had promised to take her place just moments before. 

‘Make her a martyr for rebellion’, Coriolanus thought. 

Dr Gaul finally gets to district 12 and to no one's surprise, pairs the boy with Coriolanus. 

Coriolanus brings his fist up to his lips, trying different angles in his head that he could pawn to Mabel to make her believe he was trying to help the boy. 

She was too smart, and too distrustful. She wouldn’t believe anything he would say. She would just have to swallow the news without any sugar coating. 

“We’ll hold a national interview next week”, Dr Gaul announces, “You have until then to try this mercy tactic to get them to perform”. 

With her dismissal, the Gamemakers move to leave the room in one big herd. 

Coriolanus tries eagerly to follow them. The last thing he wanted was to talk openly about Mabel's failure with Dr Gaul. 

“Not you, Mr Snow”, he felt his heart sink as she called out for him in front of the others. 

A few turn to stare at him as he remains frozen in his spot. He shakes off his nerves as the last person closes the door behind them. 

Returning to his seat, he sits with confidence he did not have and looks boldly at Dr Gaul.

She sits down at the head of the table, next to him and picks up her bird once more, stroking the back of its neck.

“You want to talk about a performance?” she remarks, clearly talking about Mabel. 

“Last night-” he begins but is cut off by Dr Gaul who hadn’t finished talking. 

“She’s everything I hoped she was going to be”, her eyes remain on her bird as she talks and Coriolanus is grateful she can’t see him squirm in his seat. 

“Beautiful thing. Smart, stubborn, stupidly unafraid. A great feat for you indeed. I have never seen anything quite like her before”. 

Her eyes flick to Coriolanus who stills in his seat. 

“She’s an up-rising in herself. Are you sure you can handle that?”. 

“Mabel is a spoiled child who got away with acting how she likes because of her beauty. She is only a up-rising because no one has ever told her no. Last night, I assure you, she was told no”. 

Dr Gaul once more smiles. But her eyes remain on her bird. 

“Do you practice what you preach? Have you shown her mercy?”

Coriolanus thinks back to the train. He had put his own coat over her to keep her warm while she slept on his knee. She didn’t know it of course, so he supposed it didn’t count.

He gives her chocolate as rewards. Although, since the book incident there has been no sweets in the penthouse. 

He would hardly say he has been unkind to her. Strict maybe. 

Mercy, however, was a high bar to reach. 

“She’s clothed, fed, housed”, Coriolanus lists.

“Clothed sometimes”, she quips, “Fed and housed? Lab rats are fed and housed. That’s not mercy, that’s upkeep”. 

The bird squawks and Dr Gauls flick its head to shut it up.

“Pretty isn’t she?” Dr Gaul asks, placing the bird into Coirolanus' hold. 

He holds it gently, cupping the small clump of soft feathers between his hands. 

Dr Gaul continues to stroke its head with her long, pointed finger. 

“Mercy keeps her from flying. It knows I can, and have done, unmerciful things to it. It knows that if it tries to fly I will do unmerciful things again, but it trusts that if it does what I want, me, in my mercy, won’t harm it just because I can”.

Dr Gaul pulls her finger away, giving her full attention to Coriolanus. 

“If I hurt it no matter what it did, why would it do what I want at all?”. 

Her voice suddenly turns hard and low. Her eyes train on the blue bird as she speaks.

“You know it took me months to catch this bird. Stubborn, fast little thing. For the longest time it was my favorite pet I had ever owned”. 

Her hands reach out and Coriolanus shuffles his hands lower so Dr Gaul could rest her fingers on its back while her thumbs scratches the bird's neck.

“Then I met Mabel”, with the pressure of her thumbs on the birds neck, she snaps the bone. 

Coriolanus should have released the dead bird but felt too shocked to let go of its limp body. 

“It pales in comparison”, Dr Gaul rises from her seat and Coriolanus throws the dead bird on the table. 

“I do hope our little one on one enlightened you, Mr Snow. Mabel is too rare for you to fail”. 

Coriolanus remains sat at the table, staring at the once beautiful bird as Dr Gaul moves on with her day. 

Once the initial shock wears off, he rises from his seat and makes his way to his office with an unbothered demeanor. 

His head reeled, however. It was clear Dr Gaul wanted to get her hands on Mabel. 

 She wanted Coriolanus to fail so she could swoop in. But Coriolanus never failed at anything. 

Dr Gaul couldn’t have Mabel. She belongs firmly, and utterly to Coriolanus Snow. 

He would get Mabel to realise that sooner, or later.

He headed over to the training center after work. 

He wanted to get a start with the young boy so he would be ready for the interview. 

Coriolanus would play on the heartstrings of the Capitol people. Get them to pour money on the soon to be dead child to make his existence less miserable until he was killed off. 

His product came in a cute package, all Coriolanus had to do was feed the young boy a script and the Capitol people would eat out the palm of his hand.

He requested a room alone with the child. They were given the tv room which was large and filled with furniture. 

The young boy was kept in chains despite his small frame. 

He looked afraid as he entered the room to see the tall and well dressed man that Coriolanus was. 

The Peacekeeper pushed him through the door. Coriolanus asks the peacekeeper to leave him and his tribute in peace. 

“Hello, James” Coriolanus greets the child as the door is shut.

It didn’t work to ease the boy who kept a long distance and a frightened look. 

“I am Coriolanus Snow, and I  will be helping you prepare for your interview next week”. 

“Interview?’ the young boy asks, “I don’t want to”. 

He looked like he was going to cry. His voice broke, and he held his head up to keep back the tears. 

“It’ll help you in the Games. People will send you gifts. If you do well enough, I might even be able to get you sweets and chocolate to enjoy”. 

A little mercy while he waits to be slaughtered. 

The little boy shakes his head. The tears now spill from his eyes fast and fat down his face.

Coriolanus reaches for a handkerchief he always keeps and takes a step forward to give it to the boy. 

James jumps back as Coriolanus approaches. 

“We are not strangers, you and I”, Coriolanus said. 

The boy looks at him in wonder. Not knowing what to expect next. 

“I’ve heard all about you from Mabel. Do you remember Mabel, your neighbor?” he asks softly. 

The young boy nods his head, bringing his chained hands to rub the tears from his eyes. 

“She’s asked me to help you”, it wasn’t entirely a lie, “and you trust Mabel don’t you?”. 

The little boy nods again. Coriolanus moves forward to take the young boys chin and wipe his face with the handkerchief. 

“Her and I are friends. Which makes me and you friends”, he places the handkerchief back in his breast pocket as he talks in a soft and slow voice, “She’s asked me to help you get as much chocolate as i can. And for me to do that, you need to listen to every word I say, and do exactly as I command, Okay?”. 

“Will Mabel-” Coriolanus knew the boy’s question would end asking to see Mabel which he wouldn’t allow happen, so he spoke quickly over him. 

‘Mabel will be watching the interview. So we must make her proud”. 

The boy settles under the name of a friend, and Coriolanus sits him on the couch to go over the interview. 

Coriolanus critiqued everything. From the boy's tone of voice, to how he sat. The boy was receptive. Quickly adjusting to how Coriolanus wanted him to be. That being as small and cute as possible. 

Coriolanus soon had enough and with a promise that he would bring chocolate when he visited again, so the boy would know what he was performing for, he left to return to Mabel. 

When he returned home the sound of music irritated him. 

He followed it to a spare room down the hall. It was mostly a junk room. He remembered he had stored an old music player there just in case he ever needed it for company. 

Careful to make no noise, he pushes the door slightly ajar so he could peek through. 

Mabel was dancing like she did back in 12. Spinning round and round. Swaying her dress around her as her bare feet thud against the floorboards beneath her. 

Despite her circumstances, she moved her body to music she did not like. 

She was trying to fit one of lucy-greys old songs to the tune but was making a mess of it with her timing and out of breath voice. 

‘Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling, clementine. You are lost and gone forever. Dreadful sorry, clementine” she sings out of tune.

Coriolanus remembered the song. Remembered watching Lucy-Grey dressed up in the nicest rags she had, and too much make-up to sing it up on stage. The song sounded much nicer coming from her lips, but Mabel looked much better signing it. 

She spins away, planting her back to the door as she dances with someone not there. Coriolanus takes the distraction to push through the door and make his way to the music player. 

He picks the box up and smashes it against the floor. The music makes an awful static noise as it is killed. 

Mabel spins back to him. She doesn’t look shocked or startled. Instead a playful and amused expression still dances across her face. 

“You could have changed the song” she remarks. 

From the top of her gown he could see the harsh, red lines from the cane. She must have been in pain but yet insisted on dancing. 

“Dr Gaul asked about you today” he says in a calm manner. 

“Good for her”. Mabel keeps her distance across the room like the small boy did. 

“Not good for you. You realize I can’t protect you from her”, he admits, “You think I am bad, you have no idea what Dr Gaul is”. 

“Scared of her Coryo?” Mabel taunts, “I am not. I’ll protect you”. 

“You should be”, Coriolanus argues.

‘‘She can’t do nothing to me that hasn’t already been done”, Mabel spat. 

“She can do things to you that you couldn’t even imagine”. 

“Let her. What have I got to lose?”. Mabel storms past him out the door, heading back down the hall. 

There it is. 

She had nothing to lose, everything was already taken from her. Her family, friends, passions, bodily autonomy. 

Coriolanus follows her to the living room. 

“You should know I’ve ordered Peacekeepers to retrieve your sister from district 12”. 

Mabel spins so fast her hair sweeps across her face.

Finally her annoying smug look is replaced with pure dread. 

Coriolanus sighs deeply, and shrugs his shoulders.

“What have you got to lose Mabel? Nothing. What do you have to gain? Your sister's life”.

“You’re lying” she states in a tone almost wishing. 

Coriolanus shakes his head. “I’ve figured you out Mabel. You’re a glutton for punishment. Dare I say you enjoy it. The more I push you, the harder you push back. But that boy at the reaping…You wouldn’t have begged for your own life but you begged for his”.

Mabel for the first time is silent as the information rushes over her. Coriolanus feels a stinging sensation of power run through him. 

“When she arrives, she’ll be placed in an apartment in the building complex for easy access, and every time you step out of line, she’ll suffer. Every time you’re good, she’ll eat”. 

He steps closer to her so that they were almost touching. He towers over her, his neck craning so he can look her in the eyes as he speaks. 

“I am doing this to protect you. Dr Gaul would ruin you” he promises. 

Mabel spits in his face. He feels the warm, wet saliva trickle down. 

His eyes close in anger but he begins to laugh. 

She was beat. She knew it too. 

Instead of a slap, her hand reaches up to wipe the spit away. 

“I am sorry” she said, ‘I didn’t mean that”. 

Coriolanus opens his eyes to find Mabel looking rightfully worried. 

“Please just let her go. I’ll be good”, she promises, “You’ve made your point”. 

Coriolanus reaches up to take her face in his hands, yanking her up on her tippy toes so he didn’t have to look so far down. 

“You’re so beautiful Mabel”, his thumbs brush against her cheekbones, before moving up to her eyes. 

She closes them so he can brush his thumbs against her long eyelashes. She doesn’t open them as he runs them over her eyebrows and down across her lips.

“What a prize you’ll be once your fire is stowed. She called you a rebellion in itself today, and she was right. Who wouldn’t fight for you?”. 

“My sister-” she begins but stops herself knowing nothing she could say would sway his mind. 

Her eyes remain closed. Not daring to look. It was the first time Coriolanus felt like he had control over Mabel. 

How he wished Dr Gaul could see him. He wouldn’t fail. She couldn’t have his Mabel.

“Your sister” Coriolanus repeats, “Do you think you could be good for her?”. 

Mabel nods in his hands, eyes still closed. 

With his hold on her, he brings her head forward to whisper in her ear. 

“Why don’t you put that saliva to good use?”. 

He feels the weight of her drop in his hands as she lowers herself to her knees in front of him. 

Coriolanus Snow, future president of Panam, and king of mercy. 

It was Saturday. A supposed day off for Coriolanus but his mind raced with potential questions that may be asked of James. 

He could go later to advise the boy and ensure he had a suitable answer for each question, but for now he forced himself to enjoy laying in bed. 

It was late, Coriolanus had never remained in bed, unless he was sick, past seven. 

Now the clock almost hits ten and he makes no move to rise. 

Mabel lay’s on his chest, covered in nothing but a thin sheet.

Coriolanus had awoken well before seven at which point he had woken Mabel with the weight of his body curled around her, and kisses that spoke of his need. 

Her mind too, seemed to race as she lay there. 

“What color hair does my sister have?”, she asks. 

“What?” Coriolanus asks as Mabel rises from his hold, bringing the thin sheet with her. 

“It’s occurred to me that I have taken you at nothing but your word. You are a liar and a thief. How do I know you really have my sister?”.

Coriolanus’s wonderful morning was now ruined. Mabel had been so perfect the past few days and now the spell had been broken.

He rises from the bed, going over to his wardrobe to get dressed as he speaks. 

“Do you want to see her?” He offers. 

“Yes”, Mabel commands. 

Dropping the sheet, she hurriedly dresses in the same green dress she always wears. 

Coriolanus takes his time, flipping through his large wardrobe to find a shirt. 

Mabel pushes past him, grabbing the first shirt she sees and shoving it at Coriolanus. 

He backhands her for it and she tumbles to the ground in a heap. 

“I was going to say we could bring her breakfast but it seems neither of you will be eating this morning”, he taunts. 

This time she waits on the floor for him to choose a shirt. He lays it on the bed before going back to pick pants and shoes. 

When he begins to dress into his pants, Mabel rises from the floor and takes the hem of his pants into her hands. 

He lets her do so, dropping his hands to his side and watching her under a curious gaze. 

She helps him dress into his shirt and shoes. She never once looks at him and he never once looks away. 

He knew that she was trying to dress him as fast as she could so she could see her sister. But there's a domestication to it that Coriolanus loved. 

He leaves the room wordlessly and she follows him out of the apartment and into the elevator. He only stops to grab his coat and keys. Mabel knew it would only be a quick visit before he left for the day. 

Level 3, she commits to memory. 

Coriolanus seemed too relaxed to be showing her. He seemed almost bored to be showing her. 

Mabel knew that Coriolanus had her sister. She didn’t know that he would be so quick to show it. She had prepared herself for a series of nagging before he relented and either showed her where her sister was kept or brought her sister up to her. 

Knowing where her sister was kept was the first step in forming a plan to get her out. Coriolanus gave it up too easy. 

He was a smart man but too egotistical. 

A week of playing docile and he had forgotten the threat Mabel posed. 

The third level opened to a long hall but only one door. She followed Coriolanus to it where he dug through his pocket for his keys. 

Finding the right one he held it out for Mabel to take. She takes careful note of which key it was and inserts it in the lock. 

“After you” he states. 

Mabel felt as if she could throw up as she twisted the key in the lock. 

The apartment is empty and for a second she thinks Coriolanus had played a terrible joke on her. 

He pushes her into the apartment and the door locks behind them. 

“Livy!” Mabel called for her sister, “Livy!”. 

A shuffling noise is held and a small body dashes out from a cupboard. 

Mabel drops to her knees to retrieve her sister who shoots into her arms. 

Her name could be heard from her sister's small voice between large sobs. 

“It’s okay” Mabel promises, “Oh god’. 

Livy was barely 6 and could easily be picked up by Mabel who distanced her and her sister from Coriolanus. 

“I’ve never lied to you, Mabel,” Coriolanus stated.

Mabel nods, “No, you haven’t”. 

“So let’s go”, he nods back to the door. 

Mabel walks to the door with her sister in her arms but is stopped by Coriolanus. 

“I can’t leave her”, Mabel begs.

“Find a way”, he retorts. 

Mabel knew it was for the best. She could figure a way to get her sister out. The Penthouse was too secure.

Coriolanus was too preoccupied with keeping Mabel there. 

Escape was impossible there but a level unguarded and only one lock to get through? Mabel could get through that. 

She places her sister down despite her screaming. A plan was already forming in her head. 

“I’ll be back” she promises. She wipes the tears away from her sisters eyes and places a kiss on her head. 

“You’re safe and I’ll be back”, she reiterated. 

Livly grabs hold of Mabel's leg, begging her to stay and take her home. 

Mabel tries words, bending down and rubbing her sisters back as she spoke. 

Coriolanus, tired of the scene, used force to separate the two. 

Mabel tries to fight off his hold from her sister, to pull her close once more but Coriolanus tore her from Mabel’s grip and took the squirming girl over to the couch where she was thrown on the soft cushions. 

Mabel followed close behind so as soon as his hands were free of Livy, he took hold of Mabel’s arm and pushed her back out the door. 

The little girls cries could be heard from behind the door. It was an unbearable minute that it took for Coriolanus to remove the key from the lock and retreat back to the elevator. 

The big metal door shut out the sound completely, but brought Mabel back to the front entrance of her prison. 

The security measures were more complex and Mabel stood stunned while Coriolanus went through them all. 

The door finally opened and Mabel was flung inside. 

Despite her sadness and anger, Mabel did not cry as she was tossed to the hard floor. 

She rolls on her back and looks up to the high ceiling forming a plan in her head. 

—-------------------

Coriolanus spends the rest of the day with the boy. 

He had forgotten the chocolate promised. 

The boy took the news hard, but sensing that Coriolanus was already irritated he kept his disappointment to himself. 

They went over questions that Coriolanus formed. Even spent an hour just practicing the walk from the curtain to the stage. 

Everything was crucial to the performance. One mistake could cost Coriolanus having the most popular tribute. 

Coriolanus was nothing if not a perfectionist. 

The other Game makers visited their tributes at the training house. A Saturday couldn’t be wasted with friends and family. Not if Dr Gaul was involved. 

Still they broke for lunch at an expensive restaurant in the city. Coriolanus was glad for the distraction. 

They spoke of the impossible task of making the tributes ready for the interview.A few even spoke of their persona they were going to push. 

No one but Coriolanus wanted their tribute to seem weak. James would have no problem standing out. 

The news lightened Coriolanus who stopped by the shops on the way back to the training house to pick up the chocolate promised to the boy. 

When he did return home, the smell of burning filled his nose. 

He rushed to the kitchen where pots could be heard clanging together. 

Mabel was there, covered in flour and bending to take a burnt cake from the oven. 

“What are you doing?” he asks angrily. 

“Oh you’re home” Mabel says in a soft voice, “I am sorry. I didn’t hear the door open”. 

She places the cake next to several others. All of them were no good. Burnt, sagged, or an off color. 

With her hands free she walks over to Coriolanus wiping her hands on her dress and taking his coat from his shoulders. 

“I wanted to have something nice for you to eat when you got home, but I have never been a good cook. And that was with ingredients and kitchen stuff I knew”. 

“Don’t over-exert yourself. I have no need for you to cook” he says cautiously, watching her hang up his coat. 

“I know”, she states turning to look at him, “I just wanted to show you that I have changed. I’ve been thinking all day how foolish I’ve been”. 

She walks slowly over to him, ringing her hands together. 

“If I wasn’t so foolish, Livy wouldn’t be here”, she continued, stopping in front of Coriolanus. 

“I mean really I didn’t even mind that”, she doesn’t finish her sentence but looks up at Coriolanus. 

“I didn’t really mind you. But I fought against you anyway and it cost my parents both of their daughters”. 

“And you thought cake would solve that?” he mocks. 

“From where I am from, cake is how we show remorse” she wraps her arms around his stiff frame. 

He didn’t let her remain, pulling her hands away just after they landed. 

“I have work to do. Clean up your mess”, he demand. 

Coriolanus locks himself in his study. He could feel his resolve slipping as she buttered him up. It was important now, more than ever, that he remained in charge. But she had a funny way of turning his knees weak. 

He avoided her until dinner where they ate in silence. 

She tried to make conversation with him. Batting her eyelashes like he used to watch her do to other men. 

He slightly enjoyed watching her try to gain his attention. As a peacekeeper he used to beg for it to happen every night at the Hobb. 

His ignorance of her, only grew her attempts. She sat next to him and not across from him. Asked him question after question until she realized she wouldn’t get an answer.

“Coriolanus, I am trying” she finally said. 

He ignored her still, taking a piece of bread from the table. 

“Hey” she complained. Her hand reached out to touch his chest and he dropped the piece of bread to grab her wrist. 

Not touch. One thing he couldn’t ignore was her touching him. 

It felt like fire every time. He longed for it, he couldn’t ignore it. 

He shoves her hand away, quickly rising from the chair and storming off. 

He took a shower alone. Something he hadn’t done for a while now. 

Of course, he was going to give in to Mabel and her new way. He would be crazy not to. 

But watching her pine for him as he had pined for her was satisfying. 

Once again the order of things was returning. 

When he returned to the bedroom he saw her laying on the bed in his nightwear. The oversized bed shirt and old boxes that slipped down her frame. 

She was doing her homework. She doesn’t look up at him or speak as he enters the room. 

He scoffs quietly, now she is sulking. 

He picks up the book he is currently reading and enters the bed without a word. 

They remain like that with Mabel doing her work and Coriolanus reading his book. 

He gets four chapters in before Mabel disturbs him by thrusting her paper over his book. 

“Do you want to check it?” she asks. Normally he would and her nightmare lesson would begin again until she got it. 

He knocks the paper out off the road with his book so he could return to his reading. 

“No,” he states. 

“Good. I am pretty sure it’s wrong” she jests. 

She throws the paper to the ground which was something Coriolanus would normally scold her for but he can’t ignore her if he is scolding her. 

He also can’t ignore her when she places her body across his legs. 

She lays on top of him. Her head reaches his stomach where she pushes up the fabric of his pajama shirt and places three small kisses on his stomach. 

His eyes shut briefly from the thrill of it. His stomach tied in knots under her. 

The book is moved to the left, it hangs loosely in his hand over the bed. 

Without the book blocking her, she grins at Coriolanus. Knowing how irresistible she was. 

His spare hand reaches down to cup the back of her head, looking down at her in disbelief. 

Her fingers loop around the waistband of his pants, wordlessly asking for permission. It’s given when he raises his hips to accommodate her and the book drops from his hand. 

Coriolanus sleeps soundly that night. 

Mable had given him a massage after riding him long and hard. 

She was surprised by how quickly he had fallen asleep. His hair splayed out across the pillow as he lay on his stomach, his hands under his pillow as Mabel digs her hands into the mussels of his shoulders. 

She snaps her fingers a few times in his ear to ensure he was asleep before sliding off him and dressing in his dressing gown. 

As slightly as she can she sneaks down the hallway to where he kept his keys by the front door. The door in front of her required more than a key to get in so he felt no threat leaving them there. 

She slides out the draw of the hallway cupboard to retrieve the key she hid earlier. It was the closest match she could find. 

It wouldn’t fool him if he looked but she would just have to make sure he never looked. 

The key to her sisters door is taken off and the decoy is returned in its place. 

She moves to the kitchen next, taking out the wet cake mixture from the fridge and sinking the key to the bottom. The cake was small; it would only take a few cuts to find it. 

Slowly and carefully to avoid making noise she places the cake in the oven and sits in front of it watching it bake. 

Coriolanus woke with the feeling of his hair being pushed back. 

His eyes flick open to see Mabel laying on her side next to him. A heavenly sight to see first thing. 

He had almost convinced himself it was all a dream last night. 

“Morning. The kitchen staff need to be let into the knife draw. He keeps pointing at it”, she says. 

He rolls over to check the clock. Quarter to 8. 

He shouldn’t have slept in. No matter how peaceful his sleep was. 

With a groan he rolls out of bed and Mabel jumps down next to him. 

“I told them to prepare the food downstairs,” He said, annoyed. 

He notices she was wearing his dressing gown. It incites a need to have it for himself. To feel her warmth against his body. 

He spins her by her shoulders so he could slide the dressing gown off and put it around himself. 

She makes no complaints as he does so. Running back to the wardrobe to get another to protect herself from the cold. 

“Put your slippers on. It's cold this morning” he demands but does not follow the same advice. 

Coriolanus had so many clothes and shoes it made it hard to find anything among it, but eventually she finds her slippers wedged between the cupboard wall and a shoe rack. 

She turns to find Coriolanus had left the room. She follows him to the kitchen where a frightened chef watches as Coriolanus unlocked the knife drawer. 

“Don’t let it happen again” he warns the Chef who nods his head in agreement. 

His eyes shoot out at Mabel as if she was a traitor but surely he must realize who the knife drawer was locked from. 

Coriolanus stayed in the kitchen until the Chef was done, and another servant washed, dried and returned the knife so the drawer could be locked once more. 

Mabel waves at her friend as the girl rushes past to plate up the food. 

No wave is returned, but Mabel smiles anyway. From the corner of her eye she could see Coriolanus glance at his keys with a curious expression. 

She dashes over taking hold of his arm and tugging him forward. 

It worked to distract him. The keys were placed down and he willingly followed Mabel to the table.

“You’re in a good mood this morning” he comments. 

She pushes him into the chair by his shoulders and climbs on top of him. 

“You’re in a bad mood this morning” she replied, “can’t say that’s ever happened to me before”. 

Her fingers card through his hair and he leans back into his chair.

“I bet it hasn’t” he remarks. 

The servants come to display the food on the table. Coriolanus takes his hands from her waist expecting her to get up but she remains. 

She does swing her legs out from either side of him so she was sat on one side. 

Thanking them as they place the food, Mabel reaches out for a bacon strip and eats half of it before offering it to Coriolanus. 

He denies being fed. Leaning forward himself to plate his own food. 

Did she think he was a fool? He thought to himself. Was she deluded enough to think Coriolanus would buy this change of heart act?

She played the part for the benefit of her sister, he understood that. 

Still felt somewhat rewarding to reap the benefit of his hard work, so he was hesitant to call her on it. 

She yawns as he reaches for his cup of coffee. 

“Did you not sleep well last night?” he asks her before taking a sip. 

Mabel thinks back to the cake with a sly smile. 

“Best night sleep I’ve had in a while actually”, she answers honestly. 

Mabel looked best when she had just woken. Coriolanus had always thought so. 

Her hair was wild and messy, her eyes were heavy still carrying sleep, and her lips were always so plump and red. She must bite them either as soon as she wakes up or during the night. 

She takes his cup from his hand, bringing it to her lips to have a taste. 

“Uh, I don’t know how you drink that”, she complains putting it back on the table.

“You’ll get used to it”, he says, “You seem to get used to things quite fast with proper motivation”. 

A tense smile pulls on Mabel's lips, and she averts her eyes to the table. 

“Has she eaten today?” Mabel asks. 

“She eats at seven every morning. Good food. Proper food. Not district slop”. 

Mabel turns her head back to him, bringing her lips to the point they were hovering over his. 

“Well, how can I thank you?”. Her words carried ill-intent. He would hear the disdain in her voice as she spat them from her mouth. 

“You can get off me so I can get ready for the day”. An almost perfect morning, ruined by acknowledgement of the large elephant in the room. 

As he walks back to the bedroom he wishes that he refrained from taking the jab at her. Who cared if she was acting the fool? At least she was acting like his fool. 

When he enters the room dressed for the day it seemed Mabel was back to her new self. 

She stood as he enters the room. 

“You’re leaving already?” she asks. 

“Yes” was his short reply. 

“Wait” she calls as he heads towards the door. 

He halts in his spot, watching her run into the crowded kitchen. 

It startles the servants as she shoots pass them

She takes the cake from the fridge, the parchment under it reading “level 3. Find her”. 

There was only hope that it would get to Mrs plinth and even more hope that she would go against her husband to follow through. 

Still she was Mabel’s only chance. Ma plinth was a good person. Still district- still human. 

She was sure to listen to a desperate plea. 

She takes the two plates and pass the servants who squashed themselves to stay out of her way. 

Coriolanus watches her bring the cakes out from the kitchen. 

“One for Ma” she raises the smallest cake tin, “and one for Dr Gaul”. 

“Cakes?” Coriolanus questions fixing his tie. 

“Apologies” Mabel reminds him, “just make sure you don’t mix the two. Ma has a district recipe that won’t be appreciated by Dr Gaul”. 

Coriolanus sighs he wanted to say no but the last 24 hours had been so nice. 

Ma was just below him and he would see Dr Gaul at work. Maybe the cake would serve as a pointer to his good work. 

So he takes the cakes from her hands. 

She points once more to the cakes,  “Ma. Dr Gaul” she reiterates. 

Coriolanus nods, going to leave her.

She catches his face between her hands to stop him, reaching up on her tippy toes to kiss him. 

He freezes. He wanted to kiss back but by the time he could gain control of himself again she was pulling back. 

She tabs his hands as she spoke to indicate as she was talking, “Ma. Dr Gaul”. 

“I understand” he assures. 

“Good”, she grins, “I’ll see you when you get home”. 

The thought made Coriolanus feel giddy. 

He leans down to kiss her once more. Half of him didn’t want to go to work but he was determined that Mabel would not stray him from his path. 

Mabel sees him to the door and waves him off 

“Please, please, please” she mutters under her breath. 

tag list;

@bruher

@hiatuswhore

@swimmjacket

@immyowndefender

@namelesslosers

@lovelymoonkiid

@queenofshinigamis

@acidaciruela

@briefwinnerpersonaturtle

@tian-monique

@someonefromwutheringheights

[kirbylover34]

VOTE!!!

I know how everyone is feeling currently about the genocide of Palestine right now. People are angry and furious that we Americans are complicit in the ongoing violence that revokes the lives of innocent people. How our politicians are sending weapons and defending Zionism, and silencing those that speak out. As it stands both political parties, our democratic and republican candidates are fully onboard with the slaughter of women and infants. I feel that pain, seeing videos of children crying for their deceased families and the vileness I never thought humans were capable of doing. As it stands democratic candidate Kamala Harris has fully shown support for the Israelis. So why as an average normal American citizen who detests the ongoing genocide am I telling you to vote for Kamala? If you have been paying attention to our current politics. You would know who Donald Trump is. But many of you have seem to have forgotten the various warning signs that should alarm everybody. Trump has recently ramped up fascist rhetoric, calling immigrants and minorities like vermin, threatening to arrest political opponents, spreading deceitful lies such as how Haitians are eating cats and dogs, many of you have also seem to forgot that he incited an insurrection on our capital after sleepy joe was fairly elected. He did nothing when people were dying from COVID and even sent our tests to Vladimir Putin. He has been convicted of 34 felonies. Many of you should also know about his Project 2025 playbook,if you don’t. It details plans to replace the federal civil workers with MAGA Loyalists, and using Unitary Executive Theory to give the Executive branch more power over other branches of government. He also wants to send illegal immigrants to concentration camps, give a tax cut to 1%, defund the department of education and EPA, cut back on social security and Medicare. Also many seem to be ignoring the fact that he was given immunity by 6 out of 3 Supreme Court justices. Which the sane court also overturned Roe V. Wade. He also plans to take abortion away nationwide making it illegal. Also most of his current administration want the same things he wants. He plans on turning our country into a military state as a local police force. Hell that’s not even counting the fact that the republicans request he be put in MILITARY VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION. He wants to outlaw rights for Gay and LgbtQ. Thats not even counting the fact that he is clearly suffering from dementia and could be in control of NUCLEAR CODES! Yet many people say Kamala is the same shit from the toilet bowl as trump. I can’t sit here in good faith and watch people ask for a revolution that may never even happen. We are literally hanging by a thread over a black abyss we may never escape from. We are looking at the next Nazi Party, but instead they call themselves MAGA. I’m telling you to vote for Kamala not because I support her. I’m voting for her for the lives of every American. People of color, women, children, LGBTQ, elderly, average normal people who just want to live their lives. Literal lives are at stake here. People should be coming together to make sure Trump never gets back in. And yet I still see people insist to not vote for Kamala. I’m sending this as a warning and message to everyone to vote Blue, no matter what stupid shit the democrats do or how much you dislike them. Do it for your neighbors, do it for the good people who stand in solidarity with Palestinians! VOTE!!! 🔵🇵🇸

[sillybigbird]

It's Mexico's independence day so heres some facts I know, but you can tell my favorite subject and the only one i could really pay attention in elementary school was History

Independence battle was started in 1810 (15-16 of september) and ended in 1821 (September 27th)

The revolution also started in a 10, 1910. (This was a revolution against the dictador Porfirio Diaz)

In 2010 the goverment make so many conmemorative events for it since it was 200 years from the independence and 100 of the revolution i even have a bill of that year

We find funny the stereotypical characterizations of the Mexicans. We are actually proud and glad of the interest.

We almost got governed by a French man, in fact, a lot of historians think we would be better if he made it to the power (he was executed after the French invasion)

The 5 of may conmemors the victory of the Puebla's forces against the French army (it was literally pure peasants with machete against French troops, it was a huge win even if we lost the thing after that lmao)

Where I live theres a huge seasonal fair that the goverment puts bc here was the main battle. The fair is next to the forts of the battle, and its crazy expensive so It's been years since i visited it)

Mexico City is actually constructed over a huge lake, where in the prehispanic times Tenochtitlan used to be. Tenochtitlan was full of man-made islands that held pyramids, villages, plantations. It was huge genius. The civilization settled there was the Mexicas (me-shi-cas) or better known as Aztecs. But with colonialism (1521) arrived and they literally burried all of that, the lake is still there and México city sinks over 3 cm per year.

Colonialism lasted over 3 centuries.

We actually have royalty: when we first were freed, the democracy wasn't implanted over the first couple of years as a free country. We had like 3 emperor until a new constitution was made and we were able to vote for our presidents. The last descendants of the last emperor are alive and residing in europe

Our famous president is Benito Juarez a peasant who scaalled until president, was built like a penguin and his most famous phrase is "Respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz" (Respect for the rights of others is peace). It's an inspiration for a lot of attorneys here. During his presidence the country's capital changed over 5 times because he was the one who had to held the French invasion.

Women vote its legal since 1952

Our presidencys lasts over 6 years.

We're going to have a new constitution soon and we're all fucking scared

We have an inside joke that in the north states the people dates their cousins (sweet home alabama Monterrey)

We all hate Santana (The guy who sold half of our contry)

The main religion practiced here its not catholicism. Its "Guadalupanism". Because theres a myth of an appearing of a Mary Virgin in (also) México city. 12 of december is another huge date bc of that. This religion is practiced over the 60% of the population (according to inegi)

In september 13th (also by the time of the French invasion) there was a confrontation Mexicans vs Frenchs in the Chapultepec Castle (Home of next to be French-mexican emperor) where the French tried to take over, but they were running so low in forces they needed help of the military academy with spldiers between the 12 and 19 years old. The history books said that was 6 kids that leaded and defended the castle, all dying in battle in such heroic ways (one of them involved himself in the flag and jumped of a rooftop to land over a French troop). There's a monument where their tombs are supposed to be. But this was recently discovered to be a myth and there's not actual historical evidence of this event. They were called "Niños heroes" (Hero kids)

For most of us, independence day is just an excuse to drink alcohol, eat a lot of typical food (I love my Dad's pozole. I LIVE FOR MY DAD'S POZOLE) and commit Arson.

My Dad makes such a delicious traditional Pozole.

Did I mention that i love my Dad's pozole?

My favorite food of here is cochinita pibil (traditional dish from Yucatan). And my favorite pastry is napolitan Flan, and impossible cake (a variant of Flan but with chocolate cake), my Dad recently taught me how to do Flan. I stand for Hibiscus Water bc im lactose intolerant and i cant drink horchata. My favorite candies are Santa Clara's Cookies and camotes (both typical from my region).

I like parties, how are made here. They're so fun.

My country is going to the shit and I'm so fucking scared

[glitterytreechild]

The nerve of gang nam soon, the pampered kid with FOUR parents who would do anything in their power to provide for her, who has not ONCE in her existence felt an ounce of loneliness, who's trillionaire mother would rip the world inside out for her, who discovers capitalism and has the realisation that the world isn't cotton candy and bubbles but actually evil for the FIRST time when she's 22 yrs old; the nerve THE NERVE of that girl to chastise Ryu Sio, an orphan abandoned by the world, who was used and abused by the mafia, forced to murder people at 6 yrs of age, used like a puppet, torn between a war inside him, who not once in his life received the chance to be human.

Hwang geum ju is a filthy hypocrite with her "people can change if they're given a second chance", where was your magnanimous-forgiving-second-chance giving spirit when you were dealing with someone being forced by one of the most powerful mafias in the world to distribute drugs? As for Gang nam soon, I've never hated a main character as much as I hated her. How could you turn around after someone tells you they've been abused their entire life, trusted no one, and were forced to do terrible things to survive, and call them a bastard? Does nam soon not have an ounce of empathy in her hypocrite body? The parallels between Nam soon eating lunch in a villa with her two mothers and relatives who love her more than anything else in the world and the scenes where Sio sat alone in the place where his orphanage stood? And knowing that despite being abandoned by his parents which resulted in him being abused for years he understood that his biological parents were probably not in a position to provide for him and tracked them down and provided for them? And all this for the drama writers to just include a scene where the main characters on their romantic stroll to muse once about how different ryu Sio would have turned out if the world had shown him an OUNCE OF KINDNESS? Like you guys are seriously telling me that this thought did not occur ONCE in gang nam soon, daughter of philanthropist and believer of goodness of people Hwang geum ju, that this man opening up to you about his traumatic childhood and life and the fact that he does not want to die being controlled by an evil mafia could possibly be a better human if he recieved the chance? This drama could have explored a complex relationship between Sio and Nam soon, where she recognised that he was really a victim of society's evils, Hwang geum ju could have helped Sio escape the clutches of the mafia and they could have taken down this organisation together, but no instead the writers decided to make a drama chock full of loopholes, cringe dialogue, predictable and boring plot "twists", a painfully one dimensional male lead, and a forced romantic relationship between the main characters who had ZERO chemistry. From a kdrama fan who LOVED strong woman do bong soon and only and only started this drama because of bongbong and minmin's 5 minute cameo, I'm beyond disappointed. It ruined my year ending (almost)

[steadfastpetrel]

Worth Existing (or, Frank Webster Gives Keegan An Existential Crisis)

been busy this semester, but have a reflection comic I got away with making for an information history class! it's rambling, but i had some fun digesting my thoughts.

image descriptions from alt: The title page contains the title “Worth Existing, or: Frank Webster gives Keegan an existential crisis.” In front of a mirror, Keegan stands with their back facing the viewer as a reflection of them as a librarian looks back worriedly.

Page 1 features a sequential cartoonish sequence of Keegan’s head rolling and landing on his shoulders. He says: “Finding out how we’ve come to view our information society has been a ride. My pea brain can only fit so much, ideas only roll vaguely when I try to talk about what I’ve learned, but I’m at least seeing things from new eyes. More specifically…”

Dialogue continues on Page 2, 3 panels sequentially zoom in on a horrified Keegan. She says, “I’m seeing how much Frank Webster hates libraries.” The quote from the book she’s reading is as follows: “Moreover, library staff have benefited disproportionately from the establishment of these services, being provided with secure and pleasant (if not lavishly remunerated) employment. Why, one might ask, does the public purse need to support the likes of Agatha Christie and Jeremy Clarkson when their books are readily available for cheap purchase and their literary merit, still more their intellectual and uplifting qualities, are at best of minor significance. Such observations raise questions regarding the efficacy with which public libraries actually operate. It follows that a driving force behind their establishment and continued state support, the appeal to mitigate the inequalities of capitalism in the informational domain, seems to have been less than fully effective.” End quote.

Page 3 has Keegan looking with hands clasped, paused. They then look at the camera, asking “Did the dude just insult Agatha Christie?” The bottom has them lying on their bed, looking up at the ceiling in thought, saying “There’s something that just bugged me ever since I read that chapter. I never really understood the theory we talked about in class, it’s a skill I’m working on, but the weird beef he has with libraries at least gave me a vibe on ‘Hayekian Neoliberalism.’ And also how weird it is that capitalism got so far into deciding what’s worth existing. If the thing I wanna do with my life is worth existing.”

On Page 4, Keegan walks with his crutches as the dialogue continues. “I could go on for hours about all that sucks with Webster’s opinions! Of course I want the staff to ‘disproportionately’ benefit from their work. Unlike books, people have to eat! What’s ironic about Webster’s whole spiel about the efficacy of libraries is that he provides several examples of figures from his area heavily aided by libraries. Panels feature novelist John Banville, author Jeannette Winterson, and sociologist Richard Hoggart. Keegan continues and says, “And yet he goes on to be like…”

Page 5, a sock puppet speaks angrily: “People are getting free books and are hurting the poor bookseller! Libraries are stupid because it doesn’t miraculously fix the inequalities of capitalism!” To the side, the text says “Artist’s exaggeration. Don’t take this seriously.” Bottom panel contains Keegan pointing with her thumb at Frank Webster’s Wikipedia page. She says, “I wouldn’t be so hung up if this was some random guy, but considering this guy is so largely quoted and touted in my field of information sciences? Ouch obviously doesn’t cut how much all that stung.”

Page 6 contains an Asian man with a bun protesting banned books. The next panel contains a white woman with a turtleneck reading in a library as a winter storm brews outside. Keegan off-screen says, “While Webster calls libraries ‘censors of society,’ librarians are fighting vehemently against book bannings! And the way he says that public libraries are ‘captured by the better-off section of society?’ Like what, you’re going to ignore how libraries act as comfortable spaces for folks without housing during harsher months?”

On Page 7 a gavel bangs on a panel. “As if that’s not enough, publishers are suing libraries for distributing e-books, calling them ‘direct economic competitors’ when, if anything, they often support these publishers and their authors by buying multiple copies, hosting events and collaborating with local businesses.” As an example, the comic features a scene of a Black woman in a cardigan talking to a white cashier with a shaved head. She says to them, “I just read this at my library earlier and just needed to get my own copy! Can’t believe it took me this long to discover this author!” A panel below, a pair of hands scoops sand and watches it flow from their fingers. Keegan says, “I don’t know. Even in good company, it sometimes feels like the future is slipping through my fingers.”

Page 8 is a pillar of falling sand. Embedded in it is an Apple pencil, a floating feather, and a book. Keegan narrates, “As an artist and a writer, it’s wondering if I’ll be prioritized over a generative AI that doesn’t have to eat or sleep. As a birder, it’s wondering if the backyard visitors I always see at my feeder will end up as myths and taxidermied specimens. As a librarian, it’s wondering if the institutions I often called home will be felled by the swift axe that the invisible hand holds. It’s a weird feeling of perpetual free fall for a drop that is light years away.”

Page 9, Keegan is holding a book to the sky as they read it. They narrate “Learning is a language I’ve always used to make sense of the thoughts I’ve had swirling in my brain. Finding out ‘information capitalism’ was a thing was like learning about the leash that has pulled at my throat since I entered the schooling system. I am learning because I am not a person, but a tool to be put to a trade. The world around me whispers in my ear…”

“Feel wonder if you must, but don’t linger long enough to turn in something too late.” On page 10, Keegan lies on a grassy field looking up with the book on his chest. He narrates, “I can’t deny that’s a message hard to unhear. As of now, I don’t think I remember much before 2022 other than the grades I got.”

On page 11, a hand wipes a bathroom wall with a sponge. The bottom of the page is filled with floating bubbles. Keegan narrates, “This sounds silly, but I was in tears when I heard about the concept of degrowth this past week. It could’ve been the clorox I was using to clean my bathroom, but the toil of my body and mind must’ve come to some crashing conclusion when I listened past what we were assigned.” The quote goes, They’re essentially making the argument that if we stay on this growth path, the only end to that is, you know, our own extinction. They are not just saying it’s not possible. They’re also saying it’s not desirable. It’s the kind of life that you and I ultimately do not want. We don’t want to drown in just stuff. We want to have a life. We want to have time for each other. We want to have time for creative thinking and art and love and kindness.” The quote ends. It comes from Vox’s Blame Capitalism: Degrowing Pains and is spoken by Dirk Phillipsen.

On page 12, Keegan sits in the bathtub with a few tears. Narration goes, “It was just nice that someone smarter than me in this topic wants the same things I do. Time to live and space to breathe. I know it’s not a perfect solution, but it’s one of those moments that culminate to tears when you’re having a rough week. This time, it was the reminder that this doesn’t have to be all there is to it. That there were people echoing my heartfelt belief that the system that tears down those I love doesn’t have to stay.

Page 13. A frog and toad book. “One-sided beef with Frank Webster aside, this unit has bolstered my love for librarianship. As hastily made and rambling this comic went, I realize I feel this strongly because I love this field so much. Against all odds, even as the internet grew to commodify knowledge, libraries adapted to the best of their abilities for their patrons. Why should some British dude make me wonder if libraries will continue to exist? As depressing as learning about capitalism gets, it’s helpful to understand the hand that takes from you. To understand why and how I’ve always been hurt by the systems that be and make sure I can lighten the blow for those who come after. I’ve learned there’s a lot that can come out of being so sad and scared about the future. Sometimes drawing it out (even if you turn in a late assignment) reminds you that there’s still so much ahead. That, and the fact I should probably read Frog and Toad sometime. So, uh, I’m gonna do that now. Bye!"

The references page lists several sources: Frank Webster’s “Theories of the Information Society.” An article by Brewster Kahle called, “The US library system, once the best in the world, faces death by a thousand cuts.” An article by Rachel Kramer Bussel called, “How Libraries Help Authors Boost Book Sales.” And a podcast episode from Vox’s Today Explained hosted by Noel King, titled “Blame Capitalism: Degrowing Pains.” end descriptions.

[dangerousblizzarki]

Some synopses I made for my WT-inspired season with the Reboot Cast.

Like the original WT, the members get to name their teams.

Ripper explains that a team full of powerful men and MK deserves an intimidating and threatening name, and as an alfalfa man, what better name than the term he always uses to describe himself? Team Alfalfa it is.

Axel takes charge of her team and names them Team Survival because she wants what's best for them, even willing to go to great lengths to prove it,

Priya being the hardcore total drama fan that she is, took it upon herself to name their team "Team Venus" as a homage to the Original's Team Amazon, for coincidentally being comprised of four girls and one boy and hopes the team follows in their footsteps concerning challenges.

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Episode #1

Synopsis: 

Sixteen teenagers are invited back to the new season as they compete in brutal and mind-grueling challenges worldwide to win $1,000,000. The new rules, along with their recent living quarters and mode of transportation, are made familiar to the contestants before dropping them off in the middle of the sea where their first challenge awaits. Established bonds have been separated while three teams and new alliances emerge.

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Episode #2: 

Synopsis:

The three teams, now fully geared up, must traverse their way inside the Puerto Princesa Underground River with their various rewards and penalties intact. Once out of the underground cave, teams must go to the island’s local airport with anything they can use. One member of a particular team wants to take the lead due to the familiarity with the place, but will they succeed, or will the other teams beat them to it?

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Episode #3

Synopsis:

Next destination? Seoul, South Korea!! Teams must partake in a three-part challenge wherein they have to indulge in some of South Korea’s most influential pop culture media trends, including an all-out eating challenge, a simultaneous sing-and-dance performance, and a reenactment of one of the country’s most iconic romcoms. The winning team is rewarded with an all-expense paid trip around the city, while something unexpected might happen to the losing team.

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Episode #4

Synopsis:

The three teams are now headed for the Himalayan mountain ranges and are tasked with enduring the rough weather conditions together. Certain members from different teams begin to express their frustration and dismay as they try to overcome the anxiety of not knowing how the other teams are doing. In contrast, the other members tell them to snap out of it and focus on the challenge. Push comes to shove as someone is forced to decide when they find out their friend’s health from the other team is at risk.

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Episode #5

Synopsis:

The three teams head northwest for the Land of Fire and Ice. Teams are tasked with finding treasure hidden within the country’s contrasting active volcanoes and glacier landscapes. However, to make things even, a few must sit out on the challenge in isolation from their teams’ current affairs. Several contestants begin to show concern for their places in the game as alliances begin to solidify with the hope of taking out a common enemy.

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Episode #6

Synopsis:

The first aftermath of the season has premiered with old and familiar faces returning as hosts. Several previous contestants, now grown up, are invited back to comment on the newbies as the peanut gallery. The hosts review the relationship details of the first few eliminated contestants. They express their answers in their particular way, earning the respect and disappointment of the different hosts and peanut gallery members.

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Episode #7

Synopsis:

The remaining contestants are taken to their next challenge in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. One contestant becomes skeptical after observing their teammate’s interest in another player in the competition. At the same time, another one grows weary of their teammates’ performances in the challenges, forcing them to enact an operation to boot out who they think is the weakest link.

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Episode #8

Synopsis:

A forty-eight-hour-long challenge awaits the three teams in Switzerland. Teams must bobsled their way down a mountain as they gather materials for the second half of the hospitality challenge. One team ends up in deep trouble as the natives don’t take kindly to a teammate’s refusal to cooperate, while another swiftly courses through the challenge due to a member’s special training. Meanwhile, problems and new friendships arise for one team as they discover secrets and motives amongst themselves.

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Episode #9

Synopsis:

The teams arrive in Milan, Italy. As the teams ramble to search for materials spread across the city for their blindfolded models to use on the runway of traps set up by the host, one contestant is having difficulty keeping up with their team as they begin to show regret for past actions. Another one is torn as they face the struggles of having to choose sides. On the other hand, someone tries their hardest to show their worth in hopes of redemption and a place to stay in the game even further.

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Episode #10

Synopsis:

The contestants are taken to Barcelona, Spain, for their next challenge. One contestant desperately starts making moves to establish connections with certain people to turn into potential allies, which results in a deal with the intent to take down a common threat as they play a twisted game of the country’s national sport set in one of the cities glistering beaches along the coastlines.

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Episode #11

Synopsis:

Off to Arizona and into the Grand Canyon!! The host tells the teams to hike their way to their designated landmarks. An argument emerges about the current and future state of the team and wants to change how the team is being led. Meanwhile, two people express intense emotions over the problems they face in the competition. After an incident, both have time to properly overcome their current predicaments and make amends before the elimination ceremony. 

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Episode #12

Synopsis

The second installment of the season’s Aftermath show returns with new guests after their time on the show has been cut short. One person compiles some of the guests’ most controversial and humiliating moments on the show to boost ratings. Someone manages to reflect upon the behavior they showed. At the same time, another person expresses much disdain and vengeance upon a particular contestant left in the running, much to the agreement of their fellow former competitors.

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Episode #13

Synopsis:

The host takes the remaining contestants to California, USA, where their challenge is split into five parts with varying amounts of players eligible to participate per section. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, one lucky contestant must only do one challenge to win it all for their team. Meanwhile, one person manages to get a hold of something important that may affect certain contestants in the long run.

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Episode #14

Chris, Chef, and the teens travel to Kruger Park, one of South Africa's National parks, where teams must find an animal and plant with their team logo before taking the blue train to Chris for a place in the following episode. But please be sure to search carefully. One contestant's crucial information managed to cause tension between three people after a seemingly unlikely friendship began to flourish. At the elimination ceremony, two contestants are on the verge of elimination. However, can one's planning cause the votes to shift in their favor?

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Episode #15

Synopsis:

Feeling betrayed by a so-called friend, a vengeful contestant will stop at nothing to achieve their sole goal of erasing another's status in the game. The contestants dropped on one of the most radioactive places on the planet, Chornobyl. The teams must find their way out of the area; does that sounds simple enough? Not when you're on a timer while being chased down. Two contestants got to have a moment to themselves, coming to terms with what must be done to improve their stay in the game. Meanwhile, someone also comes to terms with how they view a fellow competitor as a result of their desire to win back their attention and trust, and thus, does something completely out of the blue.

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Episode #16

Synopsis:

The teams travel to Cluj, Romania. Each team must gather clues hidden within the forest to solve a mystery around the show's history. With the numbers dwindling even more by the end of this elimination round, one person thinks ahead and devises a strategy to weaken their enemies while ensuring a place in the impending merging of the teams. Still, they must seek assistance first for this plan to bear fruit. On the other hand, another person is having difficulty managing the series of events they just witnessed beforehand.

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Episode #17 

Synopsis:

All emotions are in the air, and most aren't pretty. The remaining players land in Auckland, New Zealand, for a two-part challenge. First, they must go up the Sky Tower on foot while dining on the country's fine cuisine. Once they reach the top, every team member must sky jump off the Sky Tower one at a time while ensuring the stuff they ate going up doesn't go out. One expresses great exhilaration and confidence after doing so well. and another expresses a mix of resentment and respect directed at an opposing player. Lastly, someone didn't take the most recent elimination too kindly, which didn't go unnoticed by another contestant who knew what or who caused it.

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Episode #18

Synopsis:

New, unhappy guests join the peanut gallery, and what do they all have in common other than getting outplayed? Nothing. Five lucky losers get the opportunity to rejoin the competition. One unexpected player wins, now driven by the thirst for vengeance.

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Episode #19

Synopsis:

The teams arrive in Singapore for their next challenge. It is revealed that one person winning a second chance challenge on the Aftermath is debuting onto the show with the teams finally merging, much to everyone's excitement except for one previously hopeful contender. The host tells people to work in pairs, adding tension and unlikely mileage for some and a joyous experience for others. Considering one's connections in the game into consideration, three people coordinate a plan to ensure a better placement further down the line.

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Episode #20

Synopsis:

On to Uganda to visit the country's mountains for their next challenge. Tension arises between certain contestants after the previous episode's events make one of them seem untrustworthy. One contestant manages to win immunity as a way of redemption for their past performances, while another, unfortunately, left the show in more ways than they could have foreseen. 

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Episode #21

Synopsis:

Arriving in Antarctica for their next challenge, the teens must conduct research as they go to Chris and actual researchers by kayaking over frozen seas and snowshoeing across polar landscapes. Someone’s drive for vengeance against another goes out of hand while the relationship between two others is continuously placed under mixed signals.  Ultimately, the winner’s victory earned them respect and a massive target on their back moving forward.

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Episode #22

Synopsis:

The remaining contestants are going to the Caribbean islands to compete in a water-themed challenge. Two contestants attempt to rope in another person to join their alliance for a closer place to the finale. In contrast, one contestant helps another gain immunity to protect them. In the end, tension occurs as unwanted information is spread loose, and two contestants are forced to go up against each other due to one’s dishonesty.

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Episode #23

Synopsis:

The last few contestants head to Vancouver, Canada, to participate in a challenge revolving around the Arts & Culture of the City. One contestant berates themselves over losing track of the game for selfish reasons. Meanwhile, a different contestant desperately attempts to fix whatever is left of their relationship with another due to someone’s plan to attain their preferred set of opponents. However, one underestimation over another led to a change in plans.

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Episode #24:

Synopsis:

The Aftermath Show reveals the location of the finale, back to where it all started. The batch of the most recently eliminated contestants is brought out. The eliminated contestants are split into teams showing support for the person they choose who’s still running for the million-dollar prize. A representative of each team has to compete in a challenge to give an advantage to the person they are supporting. Certain contestants express their reasons as to who among those left in the game deserves to win, earning a variety of reactions. 

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Episode #25

Synopsis:

The final four are left alone as they engage in a full-out race to Ontario, utilizing anything they can use on the way there. One contestant takes another under their wing, hoping for an easier time in the finale. Meanwhile, two rivals finally confront each other about each other’s actions up to this point in the game. Ultimately, while two contestants successfully guarantee their spots in the final 3, the last spot is fought by two harsh competitors, each with a strong ambition that led them to this moment.

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Episode #26

Synopsis:

The season has reached its final episode, where one of the final three will win the one million dollar prize. The host announces that the last challenge of the season involves three parts which will test the finalists’ brightness, boldness, and bravery, coupled with assistance from the previously eliminated contestants. Ultimately, only one contestant will emerge as the world’s latest millionaire. But does the other one go as empty-handed as they thought?

[cloudyinthecloset]

What memory would your OC rather just forget?

Night would like to forget the time he and Dream spent in the capital with the King, he would have been a lot happier without that experience. Without the emotional damage, Night may have even been better equipped to protect his village and his mother. Alternatively, he'd like to forget the short period of his life when he thought Dream was dead.

6. How easily could your OC be convinced to do something that goes against their moral compass?

Not very easily, although if the life of one of his Marked or his brother was on the line, Night would probably cave and do it.

8. Would your OC ostensibly be able to get away with murder?

Could he? Absolutely, given Dream's light walking ability. Would he? well....in the right circumstances, maybe, but it'd have to be pretty damn extreme.

24. What is an alternative life path your OC might have gone down? How different would their life be if they'd made those decisions?

In an alternate timeline, Night is killed by the King while they are still visiting the capital and Dream is held against his will, threats against their village keeping him in line, even though it ends up burned to the ground anyway. Their mother's tree is dug up and dragged to the King's castle. Dream is kept as tender of the tree and pet to the King, forced to pick and give her precious apples to whoever pays the exorbitant price. Dream wallows in his own sorrow and despair, plagued by the vengeful voice of his mother until finally he snaps. He eats as many of the apples as he can, inadvertently bonding with his mother's tree and accidentally killing her in the process. Dream turns into a horrible amalgamation of skeleton and dryad, roots growing out of his soul and wrapped around his body, bark and moss and fungi sprouting from his bones, a thick layer of vegetation covering his limbs and turning him into a living ecosystem. The last two apples grow in his eye sockets, blinding him, and big wing-like branches with thick foliage sprout from his back. After that Dream is driven predominantly by his emotions, which oscillate wildly between positive and negative, but remain largely negative as he begins a rampage of consumption, spreading his hate and sorrow as he seeks the revenge his mother wished to enact. Somewhere in his broken mind, this version of Dream believes his brother is still alive and simply missing, and the carnage he leaves in his wake is only the unfortunate byproduct of searching for Night.

This is just one potential Bad End for the E!AU twins' story, I've got plenty of other ideas~

10. What's an AU that would be interesting to explore with your OC?

Their original world! It would be super fun to get a tour from them of their village and the forest their mother's tree resides in. They'd be able to introduce you to everyone and snag you some sweet goodies by virtue of being with them, plus you'd be in their mother's good graces, which is a rare boon.

19. How does your OC behave when enraged?

Night has a cold building anger that is slow to grow but does eventually reach a peak. He's able to hold grudges for a very, very long time, but he also has the experience to know when he's becoming too angry and how to stop himself from reaching a point of no return. Because Night's corruption is connected to his own negative emotions his rage bulks out his corruption. While this helps cushion his broken body and reduces his chronic pain, it also makes him incredibly heavy and sluggish, even to the point of bending him over as the corruption piles on and weighs him down. Night can become completely consumed by his negative emotions, resulting in him being smothered by his corruption and at risk of it crushing his fragile body.

Dream's anger is explosive and hot, but it burns out pretty quick. He's not very good at realizing how angry he's getting and is prone to outbursts before he can stop himself. He physically gets hot, to the point of being burning to the touch. Dream is not one to hold grudges and wants to move on as quickly as possible, even if he shouldn't.

[385bookreviews]

1.45.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

SPOILERS

Pages: 528

Read Time: 9 hours and 58 minutes

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ Storyline: ★★★★☆ Dialogue: ★★★☆☆ Characters: ★★★★★

Genre: YA Dystopian

TWs for the book: Violence, death, murder, child death, war, blood, cannibalism, poisoning, gun violence, classism, gore, injury, child abuse, toxic relationship, death of a parent, confinement, toxic friendship, torture, police brutality, grief, execution, animal cruelty, animal death, su*c*de/thoughts/attempts, alcohol, drug use/abuse/addiction, physical abuse, gaslighting, emotional abuse, vomit, medical content, fire/fire injury, xenophobia, medical trauma, genocide, forced institutionalization, panic attacks, bullying, colonization, mental illness, slavery, kidnapping, hate crime, misogyny/sexism, stalking, dementia, trafficking, terminal illness, abandonment, chronic illness, racism, bombing, eating disorder, self harm, deportation, ableism, domestic abuse, infidelity, miscarriage

POV: Third person; Coriolanus Snow

Time Period/Location: Over the span of around 6 months in Panem, the new name for a fictional, dystopian version of North America, set 64 years before the first The Hunger Games.

First Line: Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again.

The story centers around Coriolanus Snow, the future president of Panem we see antagonizing Katniss and Peeta throughout The Hunger Games series. 10 years after the rebellion of the districts and their defeat by the Capital, Coriolanus and his cousin Tigris and their grandmother are still feeling the affects of it. Tigris and Coriolanus have lost both of their parents, and the family has lost their fortune, barely managing to maintain appearances that they are still wealthy. Coriolanus goes to the Academy, and has plans to attend University the next year, but only if he can manage to win a prize by mentoring a tribute in that years Hunger Games.

He feels insulted by being given a District 12 tribute but hopes he can turn it around upon seeing the charismatic singer, Lucy Gray Baird, put on a performance at the Reaping and capture everyone's attentions. He waits for her at the train station and offers her a white rose from his grandmother's garden. She only takes a petal of it, but resolved, he rides in the caged truck bed with her to where the tributes are to be kept. This ends up with him and the rest of the tributes being dumped into the monkey house at the zoo. He is embarrassed, but Lucy Gray tells him to own it, and he plays it off for the news cameras. After being removed, Dean Casca Highbottom, who seemingly has a vendetta against him and knows of his family's poverty, gives him a demerit. Dr. Gaul, a mad scientist and head gamemaker overseeing the student's projects, commends him. Coriolanus continues to visit Lucy Gray at the zoo, along with Sejanus, a fellow classmate who Coriolanus despises but keeps on his good side anyways. Sejanus and his family were from District 2 but became wealthy Capitol citizens when his father supplied weapons to the Capitol during the war. Sejanus is guilt ridden by this, made worse by the fact that the tribute he is supposed to mentor was a classmate of his in District 2. He offers food to the tributes, but his tribute Marcus refuses to take anything. During school, Coriolanus and Dr. Gaul come up with new ideas for getting the citizens of the Capitol and all of Panem involved in the Games, such as betting on tributes and sending food into the arena, seeking to make it some kind of sporting event. On a trip back to the zoo with some of his other mentors to give the tributes food, Arachne Crane, the mentor of the District 10 girl, is killed by her through the bars of the enclosure. The District 10 girl Brandy is then shot by the Peacekeepers.

After this, Coriolanus and another classmate Clemensia are chosen by Dr. Gaul to put together a project explaining how to make the betting and food donation system for the Games work. Clemensia is too distraught to do the project, but Coriolanus finishes it on his own. They are summoned by Dr. Gaul to her lab where she is working on genetically engineered rainbow colored snakes. If the snakes are familiar with your scent, they are friendly and calm, but if not and you approach them, they attack you with venom. Dr. Gaul put the project papers in the snake tank and asks Coriolanus to lift them out, which he does without issue, however when Clemensia tries, she is bitten and begins to die and is whisked away to the hospital. Dr. Gaul says this happened because they lied about doing the project together when he did it on his own. Coriolanus sings the anthem of Panem at Arachne's funeral, and Brandy's body is dragged through the streets. The rest of the tributes are paraded through while shackled to the back of a truck. After this it is arranged for the tributes to tour the arena with their mentors, when suddenly bombs go off. Both District 6 tributes are killed along with their mentors, twins Diana and Apollo Ring. Lucy Gray rescues Coriolanus instead of trying to escape. The District 1 tributes are shot by Peacekeepers as they try to escape, the District 2 girl dies, and Marcus, Sejanus' District 2 boy, escapes. After his recovery, Lucy Gray begs Coriolanus to believe that she can actually win the Games and they begin plotting how she can do so. Before the Games begin, Coriolanus gives Lucy Gray an old compact of his mother's so she can smuggle rat poison into the arena. She gives him a kiss and tells him he has stolen her heart.

The boy tribute from District 5 dies before the Games can begin, so only 14 tributes enter the arena. They find Marcus' body beaten and tortured but still alive hung up on metal poles. This enrages Sejanus and he has an outburst in the Academy and leaves. The District 7 girl Laminia kills Marcus as an act of mercy. Dill, the girl from District 11, dies of illness some hours later. After an uneventful first day, Coriolanus returns home to find Sejanus' mother, and she says that Sejanus has disappeared and not come home since his outburst. That's when they spot him on TV in the arena, sprinkling bread crumbs on Marcus' body, something that was done to the dead in District 2. Dr. Gaul calls Coriolanus, demanding he come to the arena and rescue Sejanus. When he goes in, Sejanus refuses to leave, wanting to make a statement with his death, but Coriolanus convinces him otherwise. On their way out, Coriolanus is forced to kill Bobbin, a District 8 tribute.

As a way to cover up for his son's stunt, Sejanus' father creates the Plinth Prize for the mentor who's tribute wins the Hunger Games. It is a full ride scholarship to University, which is something Coriolanus desperately needs in order to be able to go because of his family's poverty. Sol, the girl from District 5, is killed almost immediately the second morning of the Games. Lucy Gray and Jessup, the District 12 boy, finally emerge from their hiding places, but it is clear that he has rabies and is trying to kill Lucy Gray. Coriolanus and Lysistrata, Jessup's mentor, send in huge amounts of bottled water, which trigger Jessup's hydrophobia and cause him to fall to his death. When Coriolanus arrives home he learns that his family will lose their apartment due to a new tax bill that they can't afford to pay.

On the third day, Mizzen and Coral from District 4 and Tanner from District 10 kill Laminia, who has been safe up on top of the rafters. Coral and Mizzen immediately turn on Tanner and kill him. Reaper from District 11, the most feared tribute, emerges and starts lining up all of the dead bodies. His mentor Clemensia, who was hospitalized for very long and deformed from the snake venom, cruelly refuses to give him any food as he isn't killing anyone. Gaius, one of the mentors in the program, died from his injuries from the bombing on the arena. Coriolanus discovers Dr. Gaul is planning on dropping the mutated snakes that bit Clemensia into the arena. He decides to drop a handkerchief that Lucy Gray had been using in the snake pit before it is put into the arena so that the snakes will not attack Lucy Gray.

Wovey from District 8 emerges the next day, only to immediately foam at the mouth and die. Coriolanus suspects Lucy Gray killed her with rat poison. Dr. Gaul announces Gaius' death and sets the snakes loose in the arena. Circ from District 3 is killed, along with Coral. Lucy Gray, however, emerges from the tunnels singing to the snakes, and they wrap around her dress and her arms perfectly at peace.

The next morning Teslee from District 3 uses drones to knock Mizzen down from the rafters and he falls to his death. Treech from District 7 kills Teslee with an ax to the skull. Lucy Gray emerges and he goes to attack her as well, but she runs and hugs him before he can swing at her and attaches a snake to his neck. The venom kills him. Lucy Gray taunts Reaper until he decides to drink from a puddle of water she poisoned with rat poison and he dies, making her the winner of the 10th Hunger Games. Before he can celebrate his victory, Coriolanus is sent to Dean Casca Highbottom, who reveals the handkerchief he dropped in the snake tank and the compact with the rat poison. With his cheating revealed, he has no choice but to give up his victory and join the Peacekeepers.

As a Peacekeeper Coriolanus goes to District 12 as he hopes to be able to see Lucy Gray there. He is beginning to consider su*c*de when Sejanus appears, having also joined the Peacekeepers. Sejanus was also given the choice Coriolanus was of expulsion or Peacekeepers, but he agreed to do so as long as Coriolanus could officially graduate the Academy with High Honors. Coriolanus resolves to take the officer's test to move up in the Peacekeepers. He makes plans to see Lucy Gray at a performance of her and her band, The Covey Bairds. He is forced to witness the execution of a rebel, who tells his lover to run before being hung from a tree. At the Hob, Coriolanus sees Lucy Gray perform, and they are about to reunite when her spurned lover Billy Taupe appears and causes a fight. Sejanus and Coriolanus leave the base the next day to go visit Lucy Gray and her family. She sings Coriolanus a song she wrote about the hanging the previous day, called The Hanging Tree. They talk and say it was written in the stars for them to be together. When Coriolanus and Lucy Gray return to the house, Sejanus and Billy Taupe are seen conversing, and Sejanus is drawing him a map of the Peacekeeper base and Sejanus admits they were discussing the girl who the rebel who had been hung told to run. She was captured by the Peacekeepers. Lucy Gray tells Billy Taupe off, and Coriolanus begins to suspect Sejanus as being a rebel sympathizer. Coriolanus writes a letter to Dr. Gaul as if he is still having lessons with her, telling her of what he is learning by being in the Districts.

The soldiers are assigned a new task of shooting jabberjays and mockingjays, but only after they assist Capital scientists in trapping 100 of each. Coriolanus is thrilled that his ideas are being heard, as he hates the fact that the mockingjays exist, seeing them as being out of control. When they go to see the Covey perform again, Coriolanus finds Sejanus sneaking around the Hob and decides to keep a closer eye on him. Lucy Gray confesses that Billy Taupe wants her to run away with him up north. While working with the jabberjays, Sejanus comes up to Coriolanus to confess something to him, and Coriolanus presses record on a remote so the jabberjay records the conversation. Sejanus tells him he is going to run away and go north with Billy Taupe, and needs Coriolanus' help to free the captured girl. Coriolanus refuses to help and tries to talk him out of it but fails, and then sends the jabberjay off knowing that Dr. Gaul will hear of Sejanus' treason. Lucy Gray and Coriolanus walk in on Billy Taupe and Sejanus trading illegal weapons, and Lucy Gray diffuses the situation by saying she'll go north with Billy Taupe. Then Mayfair Lip, the mayor's daughter that Billy Taupe cheated on Lucy Gray with, appears and threatens to reveal the whole scheme, so Coriolanus, not wanting him and Lucy Gray to look like rebels, shoots Mayfair, and then another rebel present named Spruce shoots Billy Taupe when he tries to stop Lucy Gray from leaving. Spruce runs off with the guns that have Coriolanus' fingerprints, but is brought to the Peacekeeper base the next day severely wounded. Sejanus is then arrested and executed for treason.

Coriolanus is told that he is being sent off to become an officer, but with Spruce now dead he is worried that the guns with his fingerprints will show up eventually, and he decides to run away with Lucy Gray. In the time that it takes for them to get to their usual hangout spot deep in the woods, Coriolanus has already decided that this kind of life isn't for him. In the abandoned cabin he finds the guns with his DNA and realizes he can go back and become an officer, but Lucy Gray runs off, realizing he plans to go back and that he betrayed Sejanus. He chases after her, and she planted her orange scarf by a snake that bites him. He fires the gun at random into the woods but can't tell if he killed Lucy Gray or not. He throws the guns into the lake and makes it back to the base. The next day he gets on a hovercraft bound for District 2 so he can become an officer. He is sent to the Capital instead and is greeted by Dr. Gaul. Him becoming a Peacekeeper was a plot of hers the whole time, and she had him honorably discharged and enrolled at the University.

He becomes an apprentice gamemaker, and became the heir to Sejanus' family fortune as they didn't know he was the reason he died and adopted him as their new son. He finally learns the truth as to why Dean Casca hated him so much. Him and Coriolanus' father were friends at the University and given a project by Dr. Gaul to come up with a way to punish the Districts after a war, he joked that they should have the Hunger Games. Coriolanus' father turned the assignment in to Dr. Gaul, betraying Casca's trust, and making him the creator of the Hunger Games. It is left unsure whether or not Lucy Gray ran away into the woods or if she died, as back in District 12 it is speculated the mayor had her killed. He uses rat poison to kill Dean Casca, and the book ends with his family motto: "Snow lands on top."

Coriolanus Snow (Coryo): This was an incredible backstory for Snow. You know that he's going to turn out evil, but at the same time you are rooting for him to be a good person and to win the Games early on in the book. Getting to finally see his internal monologue and his motivations and logic, and how he was shaped by Dr. Gaul, really puts the rest of the book series into perspective. He isn't a loveable protagonist whatsoever, and at the end of the book when he is a Peacekeeper you really start to get his true perspective of things. He never loved Lucy Gray, but saw her as his, an object and a possession, a toy that he eventually got bored of. He saw the mockingjays as an affront to the control of the Capitol, like a mockery. This series puts into perspective everything Katniss did later on and her entire symbolization and why it was so triggering to Snow and why he hated her so much.

Lucy Gray Baird: I agree with a lot of the character evaluations of her that I have seen that she is not meant to be similar to Katniss, but rather to Peeta. They both are able to manipulate audiences and put on a show, and I believe this is why Snow targets Peeta and uses him the way he does in Mockingjay. Lucy Gray wasn't what he wanted her to be, so he discarded her when she wasn't useful. I like that they ended her story mysteriously, with you not knowing whether or not she died or if she escaped on her own and made it north.

Sejanus Plinth: Following the theory that Peeta reminds Snow of Lucy Gray, Katniss reminds him of Sejanus. Sejanus was arguably more influential in Snow's life than Lucy Gray, and his "betrayal" affected Snow more. This might explain why Snow treated Katniss more like a peer, and Peeta more like toy. As for Sejanus himself, I enjoyed his character a lot, just wishing he was less naive and didn't trust Snow like he did.

Tigris Snow: We see Tigris in the Hunger Games, a mutated person altered beyond recognition and wanting Snow dead. I so desperately need to know what happened between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Mockingjay that turned their close relationship to the point that she wanted him dead.

Storyline: Watching Snow transform into the monster we know him as was an immensely compelling storyline. You slowly watch his downfall into authoritarianism and cruelty and it's a painful read but so, so good. Suzanne Collins gave so much backstory and explanation for things that happen later. None of it felt forced or thrown in there just because. Things like The Hanging Tree song and Snow's connection to it being fully explained makes the rest of the series feel so much more real and everything has a lot more significance than it did. Also learning that Snow (with the help of Dr. Gaul) made the Games into the spectacle we see in the original trilogy ties everything together in the best way possible.

Representation: Pluribus, a club owner and smuggler close with the Snow family reveals that he used to have a husband. One of the Covey Baird girls has a girlfriend.

Summary: The writing style between this book and what I remember of the original books is definitely different, and it was weird to me at first but ultimately, as it's from Snow's perspective, it makes total sense and adds to things. Snow is an unreliable narrator from the jump, but you don't really realize that until nearing the end of the book. This book really just adds to the series as a whole and takes to an impossibly high standard for an already legendary dystopian YA series.

Quotes: "I'm so blameless I'm choking on it."-Sejanus Plinth (pg. 73) "He comforted himself with the thought that she was old and no one lived forever." (pg. 161)

[darksynkka]

Dark Urge ask game questions by @daemon-in-my-head

Past Life Dark Urge Asks - Edition 1

Will be answering for my durge Anirin all at once for character backstory reasons.

My pre-game screenshots of Anirin

plus my awful sketches of him

1.    Do they miss their adoptive family? Why or why not?

Anirin refuses to say so, but he does. Especially his sister Anya Felbrack (he called her “Nana” when she was born, and it was her nickname until the day she died). He never did let anyone close after their deaths. Not until Gortash came along and sort of forced him out of his shell kicking and screaming.

2.    Did they keep anything from their old family and home? A memento or a skill perhaps?

While deep down a sentimental guy, Anirin kept nothing from his old home, not even his own name. He told himself it was to cut ties when in reality, it was out of shame.

3.    When Sceleritas fetched them from their comfortable home, what did they do on their journeys? Did they take on any jobs?

He lived on the streets for a while, fending for himself. It wasn’t just his family that he was made to kill but his old friends and their families too. Bhaal made sure that he well and truly had no one. His pre-tadpole backstory is still a bit of a WIP but I do think he got into, at least, SOME trouble with the Fists and the Guild.

4.    Do they speak casually or do they try to adorn their speech with frills? Do they maybe even dare to curse?

Anirin was always a bit of a wordsmith (though it mostly comes out in his writing), and he always had some interest in the bardic arts, though that was beaten out of him pretty early. Pre-tadpole, he always spoke more formally though he’s a bit more relaxed around Gortash. Cursing, though, is something he only does when he’s really, really pissed off.

5.    What was their relationship with Sceleritas like? Did they like their ever-adoring butler or did they try to run from the most wretched mother hen?

In his childhood, once his fear of Sceleritas subsided, he clung to the butler as a sort of replacement-mom. After killing his family, he was alone and afraid and ashamed of what he’d done and Sceleritas knew exactly how to capitalize on that. As he became an adult, however, the butler’s endless babying started to really grate against his nerves, and Anirin started to feel more and more patronized.

Long story short, as a child, Anirin loved his ever-adoring butler. As an adult, he felt suffocated by him and started to view him like a childhood toy he’d long outgrown but couldn’t bring himself to throw away.

6.    Bhaal loves money; did your Durge inherit that trait? Do they enjoy luxuries or try to live a frugal life, giving their all for their temple?

He lives a very minimalist and utilitarian lifestyle, believing that everything he has must go to the temple. He didn’t even eat real food until Gortash kind of forced him to.

7.    Did they have any connections or companions outside of the local underworld? If so, what were those connections like and if not, why?

I’m not sure about connections but he did do business with the Guild a lot. They had an arrangement to stay out of each other’s way and even employ each other’s services every once in a while.

8.    What was their relationship with Orin like? Did it change at some point?

His relationship with Orin is, in a word, complicated. Anirin is significantly older than Orin and even if he refused to get close to her for a time, he still had a hand in raising her. He cared about Orin, he really did, in the same way you might care about a much younger cousin. But he still kept her at arms-length for the most part (still closer than he’d allowed anyone else at that time). He’s still too wounded from being made to murder his adopted sister to allow himself a real relationship with Orin. Though he did attempt to comfort her after the one time she tried to resist Bhaal’s influence went awry by teaching her how to perform a proper vivisection (she’d been dissecting animals for a while now). It’s not much but it was a genuine attempt to bond with her and Orin did understand this. They had a close relationship after that until Gortash came along and, in Orin’s mind, stole Anirin away from her.

9.    What would a typical meeting of the chosen have looked like when your Durge attended?

Anirin has always been a man of few words. He’s usually content to listen and observe while Gortash leads the meeting. However, he WILL snap and put you in your place if you insult Gortash in any way. And that place might be six feet under.

10. Gortash seemed to have admired Durge, what did they do to deserve this admiration? Did they have any notable personality traits or did they impress him in some other way?

They both admired each other for their minds. Anirin is a good temple head but a terrible bhaalist. He’s much more similar to a banite in terms of attitude and world view. Pre-tadpole Anirin is cold, brutal, efficient and only speaks when necessary. Gortash likes that about him.

11. The other cultists. How did your Durge view them? Did they enjoy their following or did they dread being idolised?

Anirin himself did not enjoy being worshipped. Only Bhaal, the true lord of murder, should be worshipped. Anirin is merely an extension of his will.

12. Durge gave a gold coin to a beggar once; why did they do it? Did this occur regularly?

He grew up in poverty. Experienced homelessness. He knows exactly what it’s like to be on your last legs and have no one bother to help you. No one had given HIM any coins when HE needed it. Ngl, I don’t think he truly knows why he did it. I think he just saw someone who reminded him of himself and felt empathy.

13. Orin has her faithful group of changelings. Did your Durge have a similar 'personal guard' or task force at their back and call?

He had his personal assassins mainly for picking out targets and bringing them to the temple. Anirin didn’t get out of the temple much.

14. Durge famously acted as an assassin in the last decade or so. What was that like? Did they plan everything out meticulously, or did they act spontaneously and on whims?

For the most part, Anirin’s end goal was to make the Temple of Bhaal into a legitimate assassin’s guild and for murders in Bhaal’s name to be legally sanctioned (sort of like the Morag Tong in The Elder Scrolls) before slowly but surely killing the whole world like his father planned. He would intimidate patriars and aristocrats into paying the Bhaal temple protection money (he calls it “tithing”) and insisted that “important” people not be touched to keep the authorities from asking too many questions. But sometimes… some hapless fisherman reminds him a little too much of his adopted father or some young blonde girl looks too much like his adopted sister. Anirin rarely kills on a whim but when he’s reminded too much of his lost family, he can’t help himself.

15. Bhaal handcrafted Durge. Do they enjoy and worship their appearance, or did they have a rebellious phase, trying their best to change their Lord Father's grand design?

He thinks personal vanity is a waste of time and believes that anything that doesn’t directly serve Bhaal is pointless. He didn’t even bother with personal hygiene all that much until he started attending balls and parties with Gortash. For once, Anirin looked pretty, and he liked it. He started taking care of himself again after that because Gortash gave him a reason to want to.

[tyrranux64]

"Holy Diver"

Welcome to Providence City America, cirta 2364 AD. Spanning about 200,000 miles in diameter hanging just off the coast of California like a cancerous growth. A fully realized technological marvel and a “paradise” of late stage capitalism, offering the mere illusion of a more “evolved” civilization no longer adhering to the old ways when in truth the old status quo is very much alive still feeding off the lower class like a parasite. And now going against the system is punishable by having your very alienable rights stripped from you and being treated as a pariah on social media, death would be much for favorable…..so naturally the suicide rates are at an all time high (and a frequent source of meat for fast food chains). Truly is a wonderland of stagnant progress……much better than the alternative. About 80% of North America lies in ruin, terraformed into a hellscape of alien crystal and bio flesh following the events of the Great Cataclysm, details of which are now lost to time. Anyone who cannot afford to leave the continent will have to brave this hellscape for a chance of freedom. Such is the sad state of affairs that two very unlucky street rats find themselves in. Forced to live day by day under the oppressive rule of corporate greed. Waiting for the last straw to give them cause for unleashing the strange power that they each possess to burn this nightmarish status quo to the ground…..and then they are contacted by a mysterious freedom fighter, one Poppy Quocks, who has a proposition for them both…. _______________________________________________________

Chrost Matoi {HOLY DIVER}[Colleen Clinkenbeard] Japanese, age 12, non binary, pending. 4 feet 3 inches. Quiet and reserve right down to the overgrown hair obscuring their eyes, has a hard time communicating with even other kids their age. A kid in every sense of the word, right down to the iron clad attachment towards their adoptive brother Frisk. It is no mere codependency, it is a bond between two kindred spirits that have nothing else in this terrible shit hole known as Providence City, nothing but each other a couple hundred Providence Dollars to their names. Because of the circumstances Chrost is especially protective of Frisk, taking care of his wounds, making sure he eats right, being over lenient with his knuckleheaded decisions, willing to maim anyone that harms so much as a hair on him. If anything were to happen to Frisk there is no telling what Chrost would do….especially since it turns out that Chrost is in possession of a dangerous power that could destroy the world… _______________________________________________________ THE AEONS The fallen angels of destruction, diving down from the heavens upon the world to destroy it and rebuild it anew. So the legends say. Thought to have been mere myth, the recent appearance of the infamous Holy Diver has people now paranoid that all these doomsday prophecies, conspiracy theories and hokum might actually be cold hard reality. There have also been rumors of other such monsters, sharing the Holy Diver’s mouth only face with no eyes, boasting powers that could only be describes as…..eternal……

-[HOLY DIVER;] The Titan of Wrath. Bearer of the Hecatonchires Driver transforming them into a humanoid of shimmering gold. “Herculean” doesn’t quite do justice to this humanoid beast’s terrifying strength, amplified by its ability to stretch its limbs and grow additional arms. Wields the power of light with such ferocity that it can atomize solid matter in one full power blast. Height in this form is 8 feet 3 inches.   

-[VOID DIVER;] The Slothful Assassin. Bearer of the Gashadokuro Driver transforming them into a skeletal nightmare of pale ivory. His bone like body makes him virtually invincible and incapable of feeling pain. A master of the blade who is able to grow bone protrusion weaponry from his body, any protrusion they grow is sharp enough to cut through solid diamond. Height in this form is 8 feet 6 inches. -[MEGA DIVER;] The Avarice Wyrm. Bearer of the Jormungandr Driver transforming them into a Herculean dragon god. Sheer power and strength concentrated into their fists and their very skin cuts through even steel like a thousand blades, has heightened senses able to see in full three dimensions at once. Can channel great water like chi energy for devastating attacks. Height in this form is 10 feet 4 inches.   

-[NOVA DIVER;] The Lustful Psychopath. Bearer of the Cerberus Driver transforming them into a feminine lycan of reddish obsidian. Has three heads, two of which are massive shoulder pauldrons spewing out intense flames which then take whatever animal like shape that they desire. Armor is constantly giving off intense radiation and can even outright become like molten rock. Height in this form is 7 feet 9 inches. 

 -[ZERO DIVER;] The Jealous Nightmare. Bearer of the Leviathan Driver transforming them into a disturbingly beautiful fishman of crystalline blue sapphire. Is easily identified by the fifty foot long “serpent tail” protruding from the upper back and neck, able to reduce the very temperature of the immediate area to sub zero within seconds causing living flesh to become like frozen rock. Height in this form is 25 feet 5 inches.  

-[GAEA DIVER;] The Gluttonous Beast. Bearer of the Behemoth Driver transforming them into a towering quadrupedal beast. The very concept of devastation and genocide made manifest, able to destroy an entire city with its sheer animalistic fury and hunger. Also has the ability to spew poison that causes hideous decay and mutation. Height in this form is 40 feet 10 inches.   

-[CHAOS DIVER;] The Vain Antichrist. Bearer of the Sephiroth Driver transforming them into a demonic humanoid seraphim with six wings of bleeding blades. Easily the most dangerous of the Aeons simply for having the power to unleash the Rot, but even without that power this beastly terror is exceptionally powerful in raw strength and speed. Height in this form is 20 feet 10 inches.   

[natsu-tte-noodle]

A3! Translation - Regional Tour Instablam Posts (Autumn Troupe)

Autumn was a little easier to do than Winter was... you’ll probably see why pretty quickly lol

Also, the like count on the posts seem to be completely random.  This isn’t important to the meanings of the posts, but I think it’s really funny that I’ve gotten Kazu posts with 0 likes lol

Also you can see here that I tried to vary the way they type out their tags in terms of capitalization and stuff!  That’s a purely stylistic choice on my part; there’s not much in the Japanese that implies for it to go either way

Sendai - Zunda shake

Banri

Sendai. A commemorative zunda.

#the fabled zunda #delicious

Juza

Delicious.

Taichi

Sendai was fun! (≧▽≦) We all drank zunda ^^

#MANKAI Company #Sendai #We’ll come again #Zunda #Wasnt sure what station lunch to get (1)

Omi

Thanks for coming to our Sendai play run. This is sweet and delicious.

#Sendai

Sakyo

Thank you for attending our Sendai play run. Apparently this is famous.

Azami

#Sendai #Thanks #Zunda

--

Nagoya - Nagoya morning breakfast set

Banri

Nagoya morning.

#coffee #as for the ogura #just looking at it made me sick

Juza

Ogura bean paste.

Taichi

Morning! （ `ー ´）ﾉ My tummy’s been full all day~!

#MANKAI Company #Nagoya #Morning #Ogura bean paste

Omi

Active since the morning. This is healthy.

#Nagoya

Sakyo

Thank you for coming to our Nagoya play run. Speaking of Nagoya, this is morning. The early bird gets the worm, after all.

Azami

#Nagoya #Morning #Accompanying an elder #Damn sleepy

--

Osaka - Glico Running Man in Dotonbori (2)

Banri

Dotonbori. #THE pose #they forced me to do a pic #not posting it tho

Juza

My souvenir from Osaka was a cheesecake.

Taichi

Osaka was fun! I luv it! (3) Jk （≧▽≦） I ate myself to death (4) with delicious food!

#Osaka #Surprise Kansai dialect #The hells with that (5) #Dotonbori #Variety #Ate too much #MANKAI Company

Omi

A food binge tour with everyone. When you think Osaka, you think food.

#Osaka #Thanks

Sakyo

Thank you for coming to our Osaka play run. As always, there were many people.

Azami

#Osaka #Good work #Dotonbori #Sightseeing

--

Niigata - Red snow crab

Banri

Niigata crab.

#sea of japan #shellfish #massive

Juza

Crab.

Taichi

Crab! So big! Super tasty! ^^

#MANKAI Company #Crab #Niigata ftw (6) #Hype

Omi

We ate crab today. The seafood from the Sea of Japan is fresh.

#Niigata

Sakyo

Thank you for coming to our Niigata play run. Of course the crab is good too, but the rice is delicious.

Azami

#Niigata #Crab #Impressive

--

Fukuoka - Tonkotsu ramen

Banri

When you go to Fukuoka you gotta have tonkotsu ramen.

#best place for it #crispy style #second noodle helping #used it up

Juza

Ramen after the show run.

Taichi

Thanks Fukuoka~! And my long-awaited tonkotsu ramen ^^ I enjoyed it all the way down to the soup!

#Fukuoka fun #Hakata (7) tonkotsu #ramen #MANKAI Company

Omi

Enjoying Fukuoka. This is our last stop.

#Fukuoka

Sakyo

Thank you for coming to our Fukuoka play run. At the end of the run.

Azami

#Fukuoka #Tonkotsu ramen #Light oil #No overeating #No ruining your skin

--

Notes:

1. This was 駅弁悩む (ekiben nayamu), which is literally “worry about the station bento,” but that sounded to me like he wasn’t sure if it would be good or not

2. Dotonbori is a popular tourist destination in Osaka!  Food is huge in Dotonbori, and Osaka in general, which you’ll see in a lot of the posts about it. The Running Man sign is an ad for Glico, the company responsible for Calpico/Calpis and Pocky!  The ad has been up since 1935.

3. Taichi says 好きやねん (sukiyanen) here, which is Kansai dialect for “love it”.  I normally don’t do anything funky with Kansai-ben, but if I didn’t it’d look like he was saying “I love Osaka. JK NO I DON’T” lmao so we had to do SOMETHING.  Shoutout to Moonlight for the simple suggestion!

4. Here Taichi uses the phrase 食い倒れ (kuidaore), which basically means “eat til you drop.  I had to change the TL a to “eat oneself to death” to make it sound ok, but it basically means the same thing, right? Omi’s “food binge” is also originally 食い倒れ

5. The standard tsukkomi retort in manzai as well

6. This was 新潟最高 (Niigata saikou), with 最高 basically meaning “greatest.”  I let myself have a little fun as a treat lol

7. Another name for Fukuoka

[libidomechanica]

As soon alive

A sonnet sequence

               1

—The bonie lass made me backe vnto the centre of meane by no mercy grow, if not before he stars; and unruffled; then snatch’d with his side, whiles her hair is loving a pictured from woe that spared neither counts of Troy, tower, untries Darling? Or dove, let thy looks from eating yet if in present can express’d her wisdom lingering eyes: and her wrath appear’d to rest hue, of things surpass on; his books inuentions: the verge to proofs, save Zoe, who, by Force: but, God wot, wot not be for a Camelot. Ah, what lay like galvanism upon the stand up she smiles at the first days. For my grotto, vaults.

               2

” Said they eat and fresh from this is ration. He answer’d by Forces that golden heavenly part—and twilight doth was Indignation of gore. All that was the sickly for lover, when I remembrance to go althought form all the Ant’s ease, safe-smiling spent for towns of the starves who wanted virginity, with rarely charm or hopes do crown’d into love; and nearer being! Abode not much mortal steps, before the walk by my disgrace, made the take his Anguish, and corruption to scold me. Out of her when the faculties, but this the forehead— and clear, by one that it would belief.

               3

But fayleth trust can apprehend, and raiment; no part of the bed to me:—the book sonogram a tiny dictum full welcome, and heard of this was from thence to call heavens Decree; which make defense can break within the tree, it’s wrong—a purple night. The town was the mothers, good-bye! With senceless lays, at clothes will forts of it. Here he lov’d—and must weep; and knows the most shall coverlids golden moon the vain,—let us be undone. Of true Muse! Case he badg which doubtfully, for Death which is no old power and but a special persons like to me, i’ll crack with honey sprung to death.

               4

A crescent hand in ever without a loth by brain, like Feinds, but loue doth laughs to cope for for very lances, may reach’d here as her own to fainter chaste kiss’d her father’s grasp, for vice is all the firm, quiet as it feel amain to scud like the secretly will lives, whose pure affection couplet, or her captive Jews, and theirs, and end my friends or foes are shall get. Because I loue lyke sacred peace and I am drained to the full of gold. Where are the foster- babes of hot deserv’d the latter happiness had the scarce demur: and that the yellow rolls, besides, naked waist: Fair Cupids!

               5

And square to keep watchword till fractured our sprites gleam a poet sin, great coat. Her former days, has talk’d of filthy lustrous leaning thousands us, and cells, if you mak’st thou art, and in the kind when, were flowre, but in a garden of ages gather with hush’d as water, and whenever Ceases up my dream of which two can bind; so great voice three were countenance liberty. Say so much better were was said to knit they will see the Lady Daphne scorches, wonderful, for fled before than I. And flee away, the feeble beames doe wander and prone shilling her deserving hot.

               6

That everything in this trade. When I laugh she shadow’d by the ague. ’ No, no; and at a storme beasts were it is an ill-gotten, save the gale; and let that is, which her me to mend your part was they heart of many nymph uprisen again; and of sleep, in the mere served out a twinkle or admire, as the thing, she had not easy those sap is drink rum from yonder do you rose with torment’s coarser; and then this, not the capital, after Sorrow will some few sad hours. These Ills they will I quite as the pangs a mirror’d walls me, I touch my selfe into a baser makes it may my horse ill.

               7

(Because, for, as I knew not from Dian: so that had fountain. Away; long far as all we again their head, and mine eyes the sounds of science, pageant to fight it by no friend, till obey their veins, even so, Belovëd, I at last more liked poets priz’d, and oars, that good nor which serene, nor mine is lever. Let Sanherins makes warrior in one, thought they—he being left me with me makes coy excuse. Such Vertues manifold. When I behold willing hour, to search it inward beat which on him from such grace; well supple-sinew’d, these toying him, for all that his child, born with her o’ercloudes is a sparkles diuine in sense and fluster! That watch her than half impair’d, their Power, and from the Apostle,—and your own Worthier lust yielded pray: yet with her sweet and so, that would have a solitary felt th’ unkindly star? No sun, but small sweet, sweet widens came a spoile.

               8

Birds in default. Path, and the time to her Foot that were a cry as tenderest spoyle. Larger to thy part, and some on all that made him back doth concentrating on reflected thirty in truths; each shrinking for their natures in the please. And when, after Day, Designs; for my bone, you hardest yron soone about going above, and half-graspable; for none him; such have since her so; a gentle prefers to hands, and grace. Said Juan was fresh: the right? But hauing the frame the vine creed her eyes away. And I begonne, he was their eyes with ouerflowing thought, a year white, had held it flies. Done—i’ve been, if Death set us your compare. But it was too swift as he interrupted by it; and straight take her good she talked with Anguish, we chance, nor utterly, like pitches, without disturb’d his thrown into the old tune; he cheats us is like a willow was cement wide their valiant fast slept.

               9

E’r Saul the comes more hard to the Owl, You elegant extraordinary planet rul’d, their very home, thinking in vain Pretence been used to her. Fall into the spot, she arose, with mine, a gestures, for Gain: nor did hudled Notions slain: his sleepy music, came two come with all between they thou are, but cruelty she friends, like so much talk’d full of bad; all tenderness, did press day denied wherefore can be got a thousand grin as a hungry for muscle and let up—so you doth immortals call’d and he’s to sing; he’s doylt and hill, is or was, before the bedded fish there all decay of how we show’d women, Painting hearth when we livelier Eden’s gloomy tune? That, then, that was still the filled thro’ the ruling proof, of that may tell, by their eyes were all were won Renown, from the worst of adders to starry Pole: from the louely hew, that pain, plead towards of their Passion.

               10

All were also now I though the which to Secure the presents a Chief of Royal Youth remain the sophistries, a wretched; hopeless guess; but forgot, and not blind, and notes shiver this please, and smallest portraits of introduction’s pausing the smiles, ask’d a Master our subject as make him down: thy face, my side, and, pitch found: yet looks, with unusual proceeded quite a skim of men: men, even the battering sea, cameras, and we walks in his claspt by a shade of Life to mounting them mayst be scared less photorealistic? The blasted ten those that faire mantle wings on the husband is!

               11

The little captain he kiss’d her labour was broken: happy love as her fancy into my mind, as they will lay thee; how high degree. Kept in golden gather lips of friends are threw him from human trammel’d from then, the burthens have a Right, what might, even as a bus. To battalion of a Patriott’s All-attoning with awful rainbow, and round his boy. ’Re all her some little had an officer, when, and Ruby Girdle space he cannot all from this this country’s the island-crag, when you that at the Court, then snare or is it then giue most and daynty is left off in their breast.

               12

Tell me, nor men, and line, enam’ling warm water. Weeping: only famous golden butter which doth breed: by fens.—Perish in blisse and his hand into a single ball because it’s unlike Paris led thee long kiss, I put you in his eyes this Curse. Birds long hours will clung to ease me nought forgot as of your ranks out-wrest; the enamel. That is impossible red with the goal of praise itself came to blow arion’s roar, and I linger of thyself upon my hear me, with expose? When I did excell in vapour, and strike, named afterward love, then, like musical: sweet Tibbie Dunbar.

               13

To make churl Death were eloquence is left thine eyes of pleasures, till now. A thankless husbands’ sides her face; and half a Father thick-jewell’d winds thro’ the armies and Starry skies, when you report. Great desert-springs there in comes far dwell is Eden, or shrill be asleep. These enchantress! The helmet and once haue powres are we ought, their affairs, why did smells, then his mother moved: I sigh’d, or finn’d by an hour head: deriu’d, tearily, and ’gan tell his passion of the ladies. To beg the heathy most sure on the storms, a girl, ruby-lipp’d rose. This breath or makest that, reach! Perhaps it man.

               14

Failure; but he, far away from boot to the though on the gentle deare hard at her wits at Camelot: and by the learnt to prayers, vowes, ruth, she grew less days of his face to sleep; and all his man quite throng’d her syne,&with a hazy wood ye sort of all that might be for every moments come, let me louely and bore a cow’s shaking like Ida: she door. They fountains from Stella loue new-corded, and ordure some lead frail at first one I almost too divine arms; and virtue of a virtual self! And King Damon guess nor curious in a rough rugged tree with ease, if only one conversations full sad as elephants; nor care, nor sword, things high couches fly, the Drinking but bitter fruitful streak the struck not of suffering lips were mountains a wild warrior’s cold were happy in the table to nothing westward to the sunbeam by thy e’en woe tell me, my golden bee.

               15

To that records of delights the fearful meaning. Half lost, life indeed, and yet the martyr’s grief are, and sense did not your labour, I think I’ve no more, who think, since I die, the burning here. Child do departing aught each other held in shadow of Thunder as men had of steele in bountiful was dark, with myrrh and can see the day either, then from wave o’er ocean, vast fire. I kissed unto a seconded justifi’d they wish’d people savour, pitie there perhaps it were Principles oft. Eyes nor ears that will brimm’d, and how we sound: and try and ne’er afternoon was just names where I, who watch.

               16

“‘I’d catch her hose, and he built, affrayd. We fail, proof makes me so farre, italian not determinals. Knowledge he crimson from yearly that their lords with rain: then, Israel. A little space of ninety years, four light diffuse; tis pity, where nothing more their strength destroy?&With the nights, no Angel’s watchful, charms, she carpenter, at least now we men disarm’d. Intentions: that sweet. And her eyes of Time, another lately Brave to Cheat his spears, and chill’d thoughts decay, and all the present case. My lord, a slave to me. With her voices come, let it been a love must not made this Advice in the day.

               17

That I’ll have I present case by chance to isolate the silvery gauze; yea, whose smyling eyes nor compound so heauenly thou should have felt a garden-gate: and I to ashes, and carrying isn’t hardest Marble striated rock, and can be thy love here, no more, sweete succeed the return’d his one therefore than Life, you’ll known with which he had been storme beat’s that hinders, who knew by trains of any ill: deriu’d, teares and gave them from myself must waste not long be her natures native of lost thou the grant greedy fyre, out being came, wherein blossom- belts, and cheerful in your vertues might eyes?

               18

A cow’s shafts she stood, and last I wish too! And passed year, betrothed apes of the mind them all around their solitudes just what river like a city, who listening hands; a sovereigner grass. Want of my hearts doth flesh, and stiffly yet, he shape and powerful as Mars bare his usual Theams; and most riches of an ill-gotten her golden heaven: we knows no art, and kept? Yet liue for Empire and for which he had the heart to change to take to all you please, my very sense had no more ease; bankrupt of life: ’ I mused on his sleeping faster: places, on her which the would morn!

               19

For I was: then though these, and outer worth desyre: no hide her power and virtue of young mans bereft, nor did the cost, and everything spray, a desires; but now thou wayworn, or set up a Sun. A match blaze,—and young lad, which perhaps was quite order’d and she to her, as there and know not wrong, and try thing. And firmest flourish’d and obstinate, by axe and me, as mortals alone—alone—in somers day: they’re breed. And their day; then turn’d the wreaths. But slight-nature smiles, and, which cut off with grief in wild. When I inhale, snake, who lived to me, he green and Haidee, being immortall hye.

               20

The world: so he four in the capital, after blood fingers down. Pale and sad slate roofs and thus he clung the doom’d to the Eye and forth, and when it he died, but Arrow- like in one vasty deep abyss, it seems when he look’d and blankets stalk, drinks of such appease, if this gore. Twas on all her face, with Scio wine—here I stood; like each other sorrows of those dalyings, that brow, no tongues, of her what care na thy kin, as in the powre of my mouth is—in a way quite and I sank upon her safety, the loves more to sinking on one sent they light, but hardest yron soft air to such wretches old.

               21

And Time within can own myself—but out the crack with you, when the first, in white like Lucifer when the vast and that wear out of her huge mass who though not they sallied nations’ airy goal, haply some happy date bids me not enough; and tropes with his hands from Syria, or all she lay beneath. Yet, inspire, tis not into a chariot, herald of water-smoke, on earth, thy to be terror and fluttering in his inside you will haue powrefully; the earth until the Godhead body arriving pleasure and out wine, will belief some knotty problems from heauenly fyre.

               22

Ah Maud, Maud?—Though needeth great deeds of old Apollonius—from whose earst with his Master of rainbow, as is a strangers—heirlooms of Her, salámán and then guiding. A maidens came, not so resplendently yet euen things, fearing at his eyes, your daughter, vie withdrew him the abuse of these palisade, quite awaken theyr shining in her as deare for one was more augment model of a statues drawn from the art of loue pined hand, and I with its tenants to their bare a golden hair, and both; so that runneth every numbers it not marble floor where sat an echo? On either.

               23

Nor doubt, and some shows: the caves with clamour or foe, while he thrilling head the heavy; think that being in the soldier’s: yet had had built, and if thence came round his face, like to me, the livest blisse and the western as vilest dust I wanna be your life would forgotten clear moons that day.—Come, let me promise of my poore captain ways: through. To laugh to make again, ’ and no offend her view forth do springs charms distinct, the river, get the gemmy bride flash’d, still keep the viewless sky—but over Locksley Hall, their anthem smile were furl’d as from the coming nigher, gather fee, she mothers, too.

               24

And either is ouer all. And then shall doffe her proudly make their greatest like Cathering column was in crushing else all. Such were was wartime, may have prove and with Honour mouth doth my youth of bearing ill all all the votive frigate, soft Adonis’ should fighting with an unbidden lightning of the dying, hidden shift our cause? Of love, wine, sweets: onward from my mind at prevents would morning’s right of her make the crew, who can ye be surely writ. Till take thy maisters did I close cool waves which might with affronts that their Land, and after loves all my Fear the same straight take exceeding o’er his, but in vain I am shame where those dawn, youthful, charming Charles scatter’d o’er dream’d, the more: so she doth pleasure sight. That the scout were soul move so near, they to Arbitrary Lord: and mountains; and her sable eagle’s vision have lied. Female moulders, as stare, could say who swore, against me.

               25

With Descend they expectations frore, red wept the third form’d in pass; erect they laid with a Lordly Rage, his entrenchment on a heaven black and palace in the sensation came heaven, the field, eager-hearted, and sorrow; I cannot becomes my foes had, these rhymes. For whatsoe’r descent. The stream the house is of those twilight, incense burns, seeing it with the Firmament. They spoke: but the east carnival she look at ease, so OVER him, I overhead thou could not rank thought to mind. What other face disappear’d in a beautiful! Riding were too much employ’d th’ ears o’ joy.

               26

To run, for her Vlisses, but two days them chaste kiss; a long weary, unless the narrative. He thrumm’d a Throne woodcocks, and look up their curious laws. And no partakes delight through your heart his Kitchen-table of Life, your father’s, who wore a cow’s shafts she dight, nought, can it be worke assoyle, I wish that dark tree or turn the city’s taken bastion, battery to pondering. In muffling in your vertues cover eclipsing eyes from him—for his workmanship and wiser thirstiest attraction ought finding head at my extern the individual man, his gloom, and mend!

               27

I never to me left his sighs labour was cold. Fit for spill kept he, he views that I mighty, for it not so Leonidas and up erect in sounds beguile: but not do, breathes; the bastion, which the cave, as is an hours, and would thee knowne, rich in the night shows melt to have such as to touch solitude; but a smiles of grace. To slumber in whom remorse while the lily as the marbled plain trust the beacons. She fades into the forthright this as the which to-come reels, as starry hollow over may read, and Haidee paid before, but do they? That nurse Amalthea skimming, and striving a sleeve!

               28

Of might and as, in his sweet, he felt close my gaol: and from the Russians say, we lose. The sweet is other destined to shapes—though the burning may be through a bleed, falling devout to heauenly ran through, by my succession, just the young khan, who held it a little fluent Greek, without afar, which took our long a race of spear’d with a youth, where Philosopher had fallen down heart let us range, althought them away, whose two selves and all-oblivious things are at strikes his Lips press town! The Queene most impeach’d them sweet music, sole perhaps the winds can this resolve on his infant cave her.

               29

He look’d on Camelot. Tell themselves the extract from your line;—but them both juan was quite termes her eyes are either lives are in honour’d, twixt two brother, then more—his hairy, her employ’d in a new time may be too longer vnto that large: how strange simile or pale, no—none of the fairy, to the silver place forthright eyes are only face into a kiss’d her of Ease? That can moue, one knew and lately statuary a virgins among the sunset peeps into stubborne will in heauen, so resplendour which slays evening’s height: good, Gracious, just what a show the smiles of flowers disease.

               30

I know be what to his feet went sorcerer’s bear; a tutor. At length of years shone another Errors but with a golden most forlorn, and a Wife. Gleaming roll’d in every minutes tell, by our love, for such length with temperative: The verse, alas! Bearing if this parent, wigged and saved, but may entangle me no more, but a stoic, or like inversion, and yet to fray old darkness the spight, to gaze upon such delights, intrigues, of delight! Inside you your semblant trembled his fram’d by day share his lot, far-off sail, we caught from off his might hangs a moment sees a gracious, Just, observants to the grey was she died, ne let his Wit prove the earth, even whence to pass the more. To Káf, down himself warm waters, appeare the flowers, because for ever column made her sleep, and again with this I would be sitting naked waist, and his new-born Adon’, this may as well.

               31

Or ne’er behold, but give or Hands more were caught arm and fain to endure form’d of cunning arise, I sweep around: she mighty look’d on flowers something but to air, behold, day by day, crosses and a frowned sit, having to their arms could tingling else all friendship False, are shall not see no more, I lykewize. Press my smart sat like a half- hid in dust, thus far away, the hair, I said from yonder deeply dawn; and a day. I meane, the graue conuay, my pen hatch mine, the wall, casement off dearth, even and in thee times would growing bars, murmurings, shaking heavy next day she former flinch.

               32

She loves these Arms accuse, beside remorse while the carpet to friends, and war. And mad, whom thence that was difficult as it left they the seraglio do to sleeping way, the Land; in the Duke of Angells Metal in its for the day as in cloud, he become again; but sunk in Absál the Spyder and secured then she could the danced to me, the bottom, to make the bayonet and despotic: but if in your mouth. What were left to protege and like an alderman, knew your precious of that them smyles weaker than Dante’s bosome land, with reconciled; nor curious merchance, charms.

               33

In winter-scoff, and swept, and survey these pleasured splendour fresh as she dight about for the Honeycomb; and the glories, which snare his part, which when not this by try’d th’ enamoured from the army, like command, and, alas! Thee the might is morning streamlet o’er, vibrate life’s strange was love glory tone of one day not seen his tuneful neighbour this flow learning. That she had further hours, and crow through a sword: there rose upon the road run Popularly Mad? Smiling from their dead?—Know your little clotted. Saw with bade his purplish, vermilion- tail’d, whereunder a bomb, and young bride.

               34

Were let me melts withal, but, finding light pitty neuer ye entrap in the east could be, fearing too harsh jars: the travel, if but their prey, rose ears of eloquence is people instant more re-survey these were lying, as this money in phrase seemd the broad clear, vanished his darling warm and thus: in Strife! These two starry clusters Fate: in Exile with the stream in ioy, the woes with how few Tears in the chieftain—somehow evasive, six, and Spares; by the Hellespont! Cast; they caught from peace sharpening shook till not harvest of us Our lands of worthless eyelids a coal; and level lilies.

               35

To though I cannot quitting at some perhaps than her rosy deeds—this Egyptian soldiers—the great Athenian and the deadening ran, and tender; nor too stray, and sky were: the smoke was put upon his very spirits back, like he felt to have seen born. It may hearts’ most in the moaned moan of Rome and plain to behold; his question seeing: for command; for witness wrinkled brook, that immortal height of those with the smile his Goodness grow old tuneless delight. With little cast antre; the others’ fears would creep; and she accompanied by five pounds at length of nature, as were the passions.

               36

Can’t but a shield her maid—and none can bears triple Crowd: that hasten now left the last, Ida’s at the great the entrails and silver bugle hung their light of existence, a pure, though t was Restor’d, and I will my flowers to the lady to sell her lighted at your might enhance, hand ankle rout, which grows to seal joint: slowly-dying Gladiator’s feather’s shames not their bed, by the strife come whereas the fire, who dare nothingness delight that all nature and fetters, appeare drinks and save;—a mast, two names, though tall be done by Weavers issue shall never vain,—let us entwine hath melancholy, so beautiful; but still, and somewhere, would haue waste, when her looke, return, unhappy title of Medicine in Vain! These wearie woes with louely euery minute seems the Pen of her Hair down to Camelot; the image of purest lips, an’ made walk’d o’er the moon, they meane a one.

               37

She, mething for each sense did no offend. It—but overborne in piece of women’s torches ever. The heart which disdaynfull worth! Nay, he had a sun, whose we quit in his deedes. From that dy’d in Patty’s room. Lady in her mindes to be extremity; pleasured arre. For want to be incense the pass’d: of his own slight still God is wide Corinna’s carnage, when life with a great wrong; was even as the sea, resting farther. To linger of the professes, when not love, like wind o’er here, night a kiss from the sea of sleepers was one who had take herd approach another thou can.

[zenkor123]

Journal of Peeta Mellark -Thom and Delly

October 15, 75 ADD

Thom and Delly requested that I decorate their wedding cake, they specifically requested frosting drawing of rabbits. decorating their cake took all day. While weddings used to be dry, here in 13 since Finnick's wedding I have already baked 3 weddings cakes. Artemis said that occasionally district 13 cakes sometimes with Morphling are given for occasions like a new birth but weddings are private here in 13 unlike the large birth parties.

I've baked the cake for Sally stone and Coal Ryker a mixed 13 and 12 couple just the day before.

After finishing Thom’s cake I cooked an additional cake for myself and the members of the victors cell. I had made the cake by adding honey, Morphling gel, morphling grains, flour, apple paste together. I cook them in the Den it takes 1 hours to cook. Then one needs to add frosting to the cake which takes another hour. I take my first slice and finish it. It has a very strong taste. My hallucinations feel more physical, doctor Galena says it is a result of Morphling interacting with my digestive system. It’s like my hallucinations are inside of me. I sometimes can't see what they are. They are cats, pigs, dogs and they are inside me. There is fish swimming in my stomach. They then leave my body in lines one after the other. Doctor Galena had prim give these to the patients she is learning “bedside manners.” So is spending time in the hospital wing with us.

A few rebels from district 6 came to tour District 13 they asked around where they could get some morphling, when they asked me and Johanna I told them them they came to the right place and we showed them our den, I cooked them some Morphling cake. They made business offers to smuggle more morphling and talked about their morphing processor biolers. The D6 biolers will be there next month. I finally found someone who also does Morphling painting. In D6 Morphling which comes in many different colors naturally anyway is bred for paint. The plants for producing this are down but the reconstruction will be complete in 3 months.

Katniss keeps staring at me and it is getting on my nerves I collect some naturally growing Morphling fungus in the forest and she and her lover Gale just stare at me on top of a tree! When I was eating with Johanna I did the same thing that I did in the forest, pretended she wasn't there. I sometimes when I’m sleeping I see grey eyes in the tunnel network staring at me. Whatever my past Katniss is attractive I do not protest, I sometimes masturbate. For all I know I see all sorts of things in the tunnel window, professional mind breakers from the capital, my mom Myrna, myself before I died, Prim’s cat, Prim, my dad. I can literally see Snow himself stare at me and in the state where I’m about to sleep I would not notice. She might not even be there.

Peeta indeed remembered his feelings for her but the memories were like a light that went on and off flickering. Katniss felt joy that not even entire gallons of Jacker Venom and deep denial could totally crush those feelings. But Peeta needed them to not exist to do this she noted that Peeta was presenting her as a ghost. Peeta had to add several paragraphs before it to assert that he moved on from her highlighting the physical effects of the hijacking, and his progress in labor. By mentioning all the prenight hallucinations he is asserting that those feelings for her are just as real as the lies the capital forced into his brain. Yet if she is so unimportant why is her watching him sleep in the journal where only important stuff is supposed to go? Yeah sure, Peeta

[tigorrrr]

Name: Nejteri

Age: ??? (6 years younger than Shao)

Height: 150cm

Weight: 83kg

Breast size: D

Species: a TaiGore humanoid (it's said they're extinct)

Resides: Outworld

Fighting styles: Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Taekwondo/Kickboxing

Appearance: Relatively a small woman for her age but her limbs are honed with broad muscles, she's agile and very fast, most of her strength is in her legs. From a malnourished child that Mistress Eileithyia had found on steep mountains, under a proper care and training provided by the military family Nejteri grew up to be a decent fighter although she avoids fights if possible. Her body - back and front - although less lean and has more natural body fat that just stays there. Hair that she keeps short curls up naturally, if it were longer the locks would be more straight.

She usually wears sleeve-less clothes when not being a caretaker for the day and leans towards more darker colors, sometimes she does like a pop of red or orange. The set of earrings were her first ever gift from Shao and his brothers when she was nearing her adulthood, right before she left the family.

Nejteri has a cat-like shaped eyes, scleras are a darker color of blue. Her ocean-blue eyes glow in the dark.

She rarely transforms into her TaiGore form but when she does she reaches to 200cm. Her predatory sense of scent is ten times more efficent, if she were to track her prey only crossing a water would help them shake her off.

Her diet is strictly meat, raw or cooked, if she'd eat anything else her stomach wouldn't digest it and her body would be forced to throw up.

Personality: as she got older she became more mellow, before then she was a meek, silent type that would get hostile if feeling threatened. Nejteri is quite dense and socially awkward when interacting with people, she doesn't have that issue with kids from teens to infants - her gentleness comes out naturally when around them. She may look level-headed but it's quite easy for her to loose her cool at certain situations.

Past life: Nejteri doesn't remember anything clearly before she was found by Shao's mother, only that she was always on the move with bad living conditions around jungles and mountains. She was taken in to their family to be sort of Shao's maid/caretaker for he was constantly sick and needed someone by his side 24/7. The family members were relatively kind to her, even let her to participate with Master's sons training at times, most brothers treated her either like a sister or a friend or an useless addition. Nejteri left them as soon as she became an adult, not being needed to be by Shao's side any longer, she traveled around the Realm before settling in the main capital.

After so many years and Wars she'd met Shao again, now a general, with an-almost-teen boy he had been training under his wing. Although they met rarely, Nejteri came to just look at Shao when he was at work with his General duties from far away, but always went out her way to see Reiko every day.

Present life: currently, Nejteri is a kindergarten teacher for most days and a self-defence trainer during afternoons, if she isn't busy with either of those she likes to take a trip for a few days into forests to hunt and free her tiger spirit.

Relationship status: complicated

Adopted son: Reiko

KOMBAT INTROS

Shao: If you give up now I promise you will walk out without broken bones, Cub.

Nejteri: I broke your arm before, don't be such an arrogant cad, Sh'o.

Nejteri: If you were a good General, then you'd listen to reason.

Shao: You don't know the first thing what it takes to be a leader. Just worry about your toddlers, midget.

Shao: You really think you can handle me? I've grown stronger... and taller since the last we fought.

Nejteri: What? Ya will go gentle on me? What a disappointment.

*

Nejteri: Third time's the charm, as they say.

Reiko: If I manage to beat you today, will we go get drinks for my success?

Reiko: Why did you chose their side?! I thought—

Nejteri: I'm on no one's side, kid! I don't want a war and have many other children go through the same pain as you did.

Nejteri: You became quite stubborn, may be my side of the family...

Reiko: And? Should I say; 'thank you mother'?

*

Shang Tsung: It's a shame you don't wish to join us, I quite liked your elan.

Nejteri: Can't say I ever liked anything about you, you scumbag.

Nejteri: There was always a foul stanch about you!

Shang Tsung: That was the reason for your cold shoulder, dear?

Nejteri: I won't let you hurt them!!

Shang Tsung: They lost to me because they were weak. You shouldn't have coddle them, Nejteri.

*

[redpusea]

A raw post about what being a sex worker is really like;

The betrayal of yourself, lying to yourself that it’s okay that people push and walk all over your boundaries which are pushed and pulled, squeezed, slapped, spit on, torn apart, resulting in bruises, bleeding, gashes, maladaptive coping mechanisms (this part might just an undercooked prefrontal cortex and lack of good role models possibly) and a deep feeling of something being wrong.

Deep down this feeling of something being wrong is pretty normal and I think most workers can probably relate to it, when you have a menial job or tasks you wonder why you deserve to eat when there are people starving, you give $50 to the homeless but you know it isn’t going to help them for long as you know how bad the support system is. You’ve seen the puss leaking from the proverbial wound that capitalism creates.

You were never taught what real love is just the kind that hurts… sometimes but not all the time, sometimes they’re really nice and treat you really well. Like the on and off relationship based in loneliness and partial compatible dysfunction, like cogs that fit really well for 2 gears then get jammed and jarred until they align again rinsing and repeating.

At times it feels easy but most of the time its like you are now a therapist who knows she doesn’t qualify or nearly get paid enough to do this and there is no spirit, it left her body when he didn’t bring cash even though she clearly stated beforehand multiple times but she can’t afford to ditch this client otherwise she wont have a place to stay next week, or maybe it left when he stealthed the condom she’s still not sure exactly but will think about it when she should be sleeping.

She wishes she could be who she wanted to be and do what she wanted to do, like reading or talking to classmates about community projects but she is reminded that she has responsibilities to meet, things she has to do, people she has to do, men with wives she has to do, men with children, why aren’t they spending time with their children? She already knows the answer because she is paid to be with them, they are unbearable almost repulsive in the way they hold their entitled, bigoted beliefs, swinging them around sometimes proudly other times under the veneer of being “wise” whatever the fuck mate, it is no wonder they have to pay people to sleep with them.

She once said it was liberating, and there is a part of financial security that comes after a big pay day that is liberating, sucking cock like the absolute cock destroyer you are for 6 hours to make what a wage slave makes in a week feels liberating until the next week comes around and the possibility of not knowing if the client could have potentially given you chlamidya or if you just forgot to brush your teeth last night. Either way you push it to the back of your mind where you put all the other nawing bits of information go. She learns this isn’t healthy and leads to a reduced amount of mental capacity and is why she starts crying at the idea of having to do militant style school work that has no real net benefit. But luckily she finds coping mechanisms that help, things that she wants to learn that will actually help people and country but there is still that feeling of something being wrong.

She can’t fix everything but she tries to make the most of her time by balancing rest, work and play actually being alone with herself and figuring out herself not always analysing others and what they like but what she likes and how she is connected to a larger whole. She offers gratitude to exist, even within the suffering as light, gentle, calm, breath, peace and love are all possible sometimes too or maybe she just a schizoid bitch who needs a better sleeping pattern, good night

She wants people to know how young she was when she started and that no one should have to be forced into labour to pay for necessities, it doesn’t make for innovation it just breeds ignorance for a better way for all. A way that would create so much unimaginable wealth, wealthier than the wealthiest, not in terms of monetary value but in intellectual and spiritual value.