#he's got me bad I'm not gonna survive his route

[moonlit-tia]

do not tempt me, Mr. Jazza ✋️

[oh-three]

TBB S3E7:

TBB S3E7:

There's the Teth trailer shot.

Ahhh, Mr. Assassin's looking a bit worse for wear.

Ayyy, escape route!

Lmaooo, Rex relying on Echo for backup, as if our guy's not booked on getting Gregor. Really does have a full schedule, doesn't he?

Glad to see that Wolffe's still in there. And being his usual self.

Ooh, the assassin's got no comms.

LMAO, the assassin just fucking jumped down there, like, "hey, I'm not letting you finish what I was told to do."

Rex, your flashlight 😭

SMART MOVE, CROSS.

They're gonna get shot down, aren't they.

"Don't worry, she only bites half of the time." 🤣

Yepppppp, and there's that. Saw that one coming. No way it was that easy.

Me trying to decide if it's Rex or the Batch that has a habit of crashing, or whether it's just them being together:

Wolffe really does hate the assassin right about now. Which, fair, he's literally doing things the exact opposite of them. That would be annoying for anybody.

"You're as bad as Hunter." / "Oh, I'm much worse." LMAO. Cross is in full dad mode and fully aware of it, and now he's turned it into a whole thing. I love him. These boys can't not compete about anything.

Howzer reluctantly admitting that this Crosshair is different from the Crosshair that he blames for getting his squad killed. 👏

"The operative's gone rogue." Saw that coming, too. I want to say it's further confirmation toward it being Tech, but that voice was definitely a modulated reg's.

Wolffe, your team sucks.

Nemeccccc 😭

"I'll draw his fire. Get to the rendezvous." Brainwashed sniper vs malfunctioning sniper 😬

WHOA, WHAT THE HELL.

LOOK, I KNEW THIS SEEMED LIKE A BIT OF A SACRIFICE PLAY, BUT I WAS NOT EXPECTING HIM TO THROW THEM INTO THE FUCKING WATERFALL.

Oh, thank god, he survived that. We're still short a couple of Cross trailer shots.

Howzer saving Cross from going over the second waterfall and actually drowning (holy fuck, a drowning attempt in Star Wars) despite his reservations toward him. 😭

"Wolffe?" / "Rex?" Ayyy, mutual shock.

Wolffe just putting his blasters away and going, "I thought you were dead." 😭

WOLFFE, FAIR TRIALS DON'T EXIST FOR CLONES IN THE EMPIRE.

"As your brother, I'm asking you to do the right thing." 😭

TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH, ECHO.

Ayyy, Wolffe telling the men to stand down because he can see the truth in Rex's words, and he can't keep going forward without at least looking into it.

"But, sir, they're traitors." / "Perhaps. But they're clones. We owe them that." The way they all just accept to respect their fellow clones despite the sides of the newfound war they're in 😭

THE ASSASSIN LIVED. HE'S GOT PLOT ARMOR. TECH, IS THAT YOU.

"Rex, you can't win this fight. The Empire is too strong." 😭

Dark-toned Omega theme.

Fuckkk, I want to watch another episode. Is it next week yet.

[pecxiebu]

Rory Keaner x Reader

y/n pov:

My first day at the new school and I'm already exhausted. Having gone through the previous day organizing all my stuff in the small apartment I have bought was more tiring than I had thought, although I'm a vampire this moving made me lose a lot of meals and I'm starving. Getting out of my comfy bed, that I use only for the reasons that I like to pretend to sleep, I go to the kitchen looking for something to eat, of course there's nothing and I'm gonna have to be late.

narrator pov:

y/n goes back to her bedroom to change clothes, choosing a dark red long sleeve, to hide the blood in case she spills some, and dark brown pants with a pair of black shoes, tying her hair up she tosses everything she thinks she will need on her backpack, a notebook, her phone, an extra blouse and a new tube of sunscreen.

- am i forgetting something - she picks her backpack and scan the room for what might she have forgotten, deciding she has everything she goes to her living room to open the curtains for the three remaining plants that survived her bad memory - sunglasses, my sunglasses - she squints her eyes putting a hand between her face and the sun while the other close the curtains - great now i’m blind - overstating her conditions y/n makes her way back into the bedroom.

finally with everything she needs in hand y/n exit her apartament to start her hunting. - my keys, i forgot the keys - now with what she hopes is everything y/n start her dark blue Ford Galaxie, her most prized possession - where does a vampire goes to eat some breakfast - she drives without a rout for some minutes until remembering the reason she came to this town at all. she picks her phone looking for her friends number - hey jes, do you have any blood on you, i just arrived and i’m so hungry - he being the reason she moved to whitechapel therefore the reason she didn't eat a drop of blood for two days is going to have to help - great, you came in the perfect time, we just got some blood and i want you to meet someone - she didn't wait for him to complete the sentence before she was spending to where she remember was his house.

y/n pov:

- who could it be that jesse wants me to meet - trying to guess who that person could be i almost forgot that i was driving, hitting someone in a bike, looks like a kid - oh my i killed a kid - stopping i get out of the car kneeling beside the person, groning the mop of blond hair turn over and i finally see the boys face - i’m so sorry, i didn’t saw you, please say you’re okay - i take the bike off him looking for blood or a broken bone, he seems okay - I don't think it hurt as much as your fall from heaven - the boy says, going from a pained expression to a sly smirk.

“what” I ask with a giggle, confusion clear in my face. it’s this boy, that i just hit with my car, hitting on me. “well, you know, because you're an angel” he blush “that fell from the sky” i conclude with a smile, what a cutie. i offer him my hand for him, he takes happily and we both stood up, giving him his bike back “i’m y/n nice to meet you, but i really need to get going and sorry again for almost running over you cutie pie” i get back into my car waving my hand at him, leaving behind a blond blushing mess behind. “I'm Rory” he shouts a little too late for me to hear.

narrator pov:

thinking about the encounter with the cute boy, y/n don't notice the time passing and in a blink she's at jesse’s gate, stretching her body a little out of the car she press the button of the interphone “password” a male voice comes from the little box “i don't know, jesse didn't say anything” throwing her head into the seat cushion, she should have guessed there would be a password, reaching for her phone she hear another voice that she recognize as jesse “hello old soul, hope you like the changes i made in the house” the gates open and she enter, seeing the front garden brings y/n old memories, some better than others. everything looks the same but different in some way, at least they have a pool now.

y/n pov:

I park the car in front of the door, there are some other vampires scattered along the entrance. entering the house it's a mess, red cups thrown on the floor, they definitely have thrown a party last night, i also see some kids lying on the furniture. “Jesse, it's so good to see you, you don't look a second older, these kids' blood are really good on you” finally in the kitchen I see Jesse with some of his friends and a girl that i don't know.

Turning in my direction Jesse opens a fangy grin, coming at me, he opens his arms and gives a big hug. “it's so good to have you back, and don't be so modest, you're as good as I remember” I reciprocate the hug, going back to the times where we whore kids and everything was simple. As I got grat the others i can see a new girl staring at me “it's so good to see y'all again, but i’m really hungry, jes where is the blood?” I held onto my stomach feeling more and more weak.

“here o- that's also the password” i take the bag of blood out of jesse’s hand, biting with ferocity into the bag i drink the majority of it’s content, letting little spill out, the metallic taste fills my senses as it fills my stomach. i feel my body getting its energies back slowly, taking slow breaths i recompose myself “sorry i didn't get a lot of opportunities in the travel” i do a little burp, putting my hand immediately on top of my mouth. “no judgment, we all know how bad it feels” a dark skinned boy says with a simpatic smile, he gives me a paper towel “i’m Nathan by the way” i take the towel saying a “thank you” after i clean myself jesse calls me to the living room.

i seat in the couch and he sits besides me “i want your help with a newling” he says looking at me and a let a small giggle “don't say that the great, cult leader, jesse is in need of help” i mock him poking at his face, he takes my hand away from his angry face “i don't ‘need’ you, i only want your abilities to convince that girl in the kitchen to drink blood” grabbing my wrist with force, he carve his index finger in my pulse “i’m gonna do it because you’re my friend not because you order it” i pull my arm free of his grip, a fine string of black liquid runs down its length “i am not one of your followers jesse, and we both know who wins this fight”

I hastily stand up going back to the kitchen, Jesse follows a little after. that now there's only the girl i don't met yet “y/n thats Sarah, one of our most recents addition and also my girlfriend” he gives a peck on her lips. I smile at Sarah knowing that its probably not gonna last much, i shake her hand and notice she is a little nervous “it's a pleasure to meet you Sarah. i hope we can be friends, all jesse’s friends are my mine too” jesse motions to the girl with his head and i understand she is the one, not wasting time i take her hand “you don't mind a take her for a walk do you” i pull Sarah to my side smiling at her still nervous face “not at all, have fun” saying bye to Jesse, i guide Sarah to the back of the house where the trees provide a good cover of the sun.

“So how long do you know Jesse” I start, trying to ease her “a couple of weeks, maybe three i guess” passing through the pebble path. I see one of my favorite spots in the house. An old wooden swing that sits below an even older oak tree, i happily stroll the rest of the way, patting the open space i invite her to take a sit besides me “it’s seems like you know Jesse very well, how many long have you know him” she asks me, voice coated with jealousy. i turn a little so my body face her “you don't need to worry darling, Jesse is like an annoying brother to me. i would never date him” she relax a bit, embarrassment showing on her face “and i know Jesse even before he was a vampire and what an ugly kid he was” i recall the time i met Jesse, he had always been a bossy little brat, but in that time we were such innocent kids. I tell Sarah about how I met Jesse, how he looked before being a vampire and how he felt the first time he drank blood.

Looking at my phone i see that we been talking for about ten minutes and the classes started five minutes ago “shit we’re late” we stand up to make our way back to the front “i’m sorry a got you late for school, hope you don't get in trouble” we speed walk to the front of the house where there's only my car. “That brat didn't even call us” i kick the floor picking some grass, taking a big breath a turn to Sarah “do you mind show me the way to school, not that you have another option” i give her an apologetic smile, leading her to my car i open the door for her, i hop into the driver's seat frustrated with Jesse’s antics.

“Sooo… Sarah what type of music do you like” not wanting the entire drive to be a painful silence i say the first thing that comes to mind “i listen to pop a lot, but i really like pop rock, what about you” she appears to be more comfortable now “i like a little of everything, but i think i know a music you gonna like” i turn on the radio with my cd already inside, passing some musics i finally stop on the right music, i look Sarah’s way expectantly.

“Not bad” she bobs her head in the rhythm, I followed along and not soon after were dancing to the song. we share the moment and i feel that we gonna be good friends “looks like we’re here” she points to a brown brick wall building, there's no sing signaling what is the building “i really liked meeting you Sarah, hope we can be friends”

i give her a side hug and we go our separate ways, but not before i bump in someone “sorry, i wasn't looking” the blond boy from before kneels on the ground looking for something, next to my feet i see black glasses that i remember seeing on the boy earlier. i quickly get down and pick the glasses “here” i hand them over to the cute boy “i don't think i got your name” helping him stand i say “it’s Rory, and you’re y/n, are you going to study here i can show you around, i’m like suuupeeeer popular here” enthusiastically he puts the glasses on, he looks like a happy puppy that just got a treat “please Rory show me the to the principal's office” he opens a big smile and leads me to the doors opening them for me.

i am feeling this year is going to be special

hope you guys have liked and thank you for reading

@maggiecc

[dameronology]

"there isn't anything that i wouldn't do for you." with joel miller please 😩😩

this is my first time ever writing for joel so pre-warning this could be total shit

Joel Miller was a hard man to ignore.

He had a heavy presence; it filled every corner of the room with his various huffs and sighs, meaning that he was on your mind even when you were in a bad mood with him. You didn't want to be. Not when you were living - hell, surviving - in a time where everyday was too fucking precious. It was just...a miscommunication, maybe. Joel had changed the plan of attack at the last minute, you'd been shot at, yada, yada, yada. Now, quite justifiably, you were sat with your back facing him, staring blankly at the wall and waiting for him to apologise.

"Are you gonna stop giving me the silent treatment now?"

You glanced over your shoulder at him, shooting him a dirty look. "Are you going to apologise for?"

"What the damn hell am I meant to be saying sorry for?!"

"You went the wrong way!" you exclaimed. "You said we'd come in from the left, and you went right, and those fucking mercenaries almost got me-"

"- but they didn't! I saved you in time, didn't I?"

"It doesn't count as saving me when you're the one who put me in danger in the first place, Miller."

Joel sighed to himself, trying to refrain an eye-roll. Sometimes his inability to hide discontent was a curse, and that was something he realised when your glare widened. You were impossible at the best of times. In this climate, there weren't many of those.

Hands on his hips, he finally cracked and crossed the creaky floorboards of your hotel room. You were lucky to have found it in a motel half way between your last city and the next. It had no running water - or anything, really - but there was a mattress and a roof with minimal damage. That was the best you could find these days.

"Look...can you look at me? Just for a sec?" Joel began. He leant down in front of you, placing his hands on your knees as he balanced himself opposite where you were sat on the end of the bed. "I'm sorry, okay? I really am."

You glanced down at him.

"There are usually two things on my mind during a shootout like that: keeping you safe and then knowing the safest route out," he continued. "Running from every all the fuckin' time is tiring. My head gets loud and...I'm prone to slipping up. I don't like to and I hate even more that it happens but it does. And I'm sorry."

"Joel," you murmured. "No, I'm sorry. Shit. I shouldn't have made you feel bad-"

"- I want you have to faith in me all the time," he cut you off. "I want you to have confidence that I'm gonna look after you and keep your ass safe because there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."

"I do," you murmured. "I promise."

"I love you," he replied. Joel softly placed a hand on your cheek, guiding your face down to meet his in a tender kiss. "I've got you. Always."

You smiled. "I love you too. Always."

[darkboysroadtrip]

Helpful Guide To The Road Trip!

First and foremost, the ask box is always open, I haven't closed it before and I'm not gonna start! Which means, send in whatever whenever all the time forever! I will never not want more asks, they are the lifeblood of the story! There's no dumb questions!

That goes for likes and reblogs too, go fuckin nuts!

And second, hi hello! You can call me Core (or as I have been nicknamed by the Road Trippers: CC)

Okay! Here we go!

Like the title says, this will be a helpful little guide! Here's what you can expect!

I'll be putting in the story thus far in bullet points if anyone doesn't want to read through everything.

Links to my art (they will be categorized by story, memes, requests, reference sheets, and any others there may be.

Links to things sent in (art/writing/memes)

Links to important parts of the story.

Useful tags I use (even though we all know the tag system sucks but oh well)

A list of all the emojis/names anons have used.

A link to a ficlet I wrote for this.

Links for the boarding school years blogs.

And here we go!! Buckle up! There's this post which is the first five days. Then a link with the rest of the days and THEN another link with all the other things!!

The links are here and at the bottom.

Days Continue

The Other Stuff

If you do want to read the whole story in its entirety and not just the bullet points, AO3 is your best bet to go through it!

The Story Thus Far And Important Story Links! As bullet points!

Not all of the links provided are essential to the story, but I do find them amusing. If the bullet points are enough context for you it's fine if you don't want to read the post.

Day One.

Remus makes the blog, pesters Dee and Virgil to go on the road trip. Link

Remus' car is a 1969 VW buggy, nauseatingly toxic green in colour. He adores this car. (no there is no foreshadowing with this definitely not)

They pack and leave once Remus gets home. (He was at Roman's)

Yes the three of them are in a relationship.

Virgil quits his job to do this (he forgets to quit)

They all met in boarding school, under not so great circumstances.

They have no destination, they're just going and doing, taking suggestions from followers.

They stop to get slushes

They go to the post office? Because it was a suggestion

The post office gets stuck up by a gun toting hooligan

Murder was suggested, they (unfortunately) did not go that route

Virgil throws Remus' slush at the mugger then hides, Remus fights the guy, knocks him unconscious and zip ties him, they leave before the cops get there. Link

It's revealed that Remus has one eye. He always makes a new story on how he lost it.

They get to a campsite for the night. Link

Short answer on how they got together, Bonfire at school, Remus made the first move on both of them. Link

Their ages revealed! Virgil and Dee are 26, Remus is 25.

Their heights are revealed! Remus tallest then Vigil then Dee.

A couple of asks about murder, Remus is for it the other two not so much (dependent on specific situations)

Dee has vitiligo confirmed.

They have been up for a long time, they go to sleep.

Day Two.

Day two begins post. Link

Virgil might have done crimes before. (what crimes? Who knows)

They plan to have a picnic today. It doesn't happen this day.

Dee is used to camping.

Remus likes to cook, he's not bad but he is Inventive. Dee is the best at cooking.

Remus asks Virgil to put 'atrocities' to their list of things to do. He does not.

Remus says money is handled and he will not lose it anytime soon. We'll see.

The anons want Arson. Dee says maybe.

Virgil remembers that he did in fact, not quit his job yet. Oops. He was a manager at an art store, his boss sucks and the job was soul sucking. No loss here.

Dee will not tell you his name.

Virgil puts arson on the list at the request of the anons.

Remus gets into a fight with a rabbit (anon)

Dee knows how to hunt, skin and clean animals for food. His mother taught him survival skills.

His mother is a sore spot for him.

[The anons dub me CC]

They're leaving the campsite, Dee is voted to drive, he loves driving.

They need supplies.

They ask for suggestions on stuff to buy.

A skeleton, beer, chocolate, sandwich bags, rubber bands, lube and water is suggested.

The skeleton is named August.

Their phones gain signal again. Roman is Worried. Link.

Roman is now following the blog.

Favorite food: Remus' sweet spicy ribs, Dees Korean barbecue and sushi, Virgils coffee mocha ice cream.

They get to a mall, it has a Halloween store where they get August, Remus and Virgil also get Dee to dress up in costumes for them. Link

They dress August up in grunge clothes.

Remus is banned from having gum, for multiple reasons, but mostly the gum catastrophe of 2015. No they will not elaborate.

Dee is asked his exact height. It's 5'4, he's not bothered by it at all.

He gains an army of short anons.

They get to the grocery store. They are kicked out of the grocery store. Link.

We learn that Remus (or at least his family) is Rich.

An anon calls Dee and Virgil Remus' sugar babies. Virgil does not take kindly to it. Link.

Like really not kindly to it. He sprains his hand. Link.

We gain our first antagonist anon.

We find out why Virgil went to boarding school, he's trans with transphobic parents. Link.

Dee knows medical things. He went to medical school for about a year.

Remus goes to the pharmacy to get supplies for Virgils hand. He forgot to bring payment.

Instead of going to get payment he... just kinda steals the stuff. Link.

Chatting in the car while driving to a motel, the boys are tired and calming down, Dee reveals that his mom is dead and died the year before he was shipped off to boarding school.

End of day two! Link.

Day Three.

Day three start post! Morning starts, Remus gets breakfast for the boyfs. Link.

The anons want to play truth or dare. It's Remus' favorite game, they can't not do it. Remus will do anything he's dared to do.

The first dare is that Remus needs to paint something on his car. He's down for it, they plan to continue playing and go to the store for paints.

Second dare is also for Remus. Link

Three truths for Virgil. Link

Another truth for Virgil, about his parents sending him to boarding school. Link

They get to the hardware store. It is Life Changing. (more on that in the next bullet points)

A crying small child approaches them. Link

The anons suggest kidnapping.

Dee and Virgil take the kid to look for his parents. Remus is left alone with the paints. He doesn't notice.

Dee loves the child. They may kidnap. Link , Link

Remus is unattended. He's pouring brown paint in toilets. He was alerted about the kidnapping as he was doing so.

They are probably taking the child. Link

Well, that's their child now. They re-name him. Welcoming Thomas to the group! Link , Link

Do we see a hint of abandonment issues in Dee? Link

Thomas' dad got mad at him for making noise.

They go to a Toys R Us and a clothing store to get some essentials.

Remus gets antagonized, it doesn't work. Link

Remus gets antagonized more, it kinda works. Link

Virgil explains what arson is to Thomas. Link

Dee and Virgil realize Remus isn't following them anymore. Link

Thomas is really small for his age.

They finally step into the stores. Thomas gets some new stuff, Remus is weirdly really good with kids. Link

Thomas thinks all rodents are just different rats.

They get back to the hotel, they're just chilling now.

We are informed that Roman is in a relationship with both Patton and Logan.

They start to get ready for that picnic they were gonna do on the second day.

Oh yeah, technically still playing truth or dare, here's a Remus dare that is funny. Link

The last post of day three, they go on the picnic, Remus' car actually gets washed so he can paint it, the rest of the night is peaceful. Link

Day Four.

First post of day four, Thomas is the first to wake, he's quiet about it, his father didn't like being woken up. He unintentionally wakes Remus, Remus does not care. The morning is quiet, they pack up their stuff to get on with the trip, a magic coin is found. Magic anons are on. Link

Of course the first thing the magic anons do... gives Virgil a dick. It's free bottom surgery babeey. (He owes Rat anon a favor now.)

Virgil also now has a pet spider. She is fuzzy, black and purple and kinda sentient. (she doesn't have a name, we kinda forgot about her...)

Magic anon sends bad memories to the boys. A little bit of Lore Link

Talking about Dees mom and abandonment issues. Link , Link , Link , Link

On that same note, was she really sick? It hasn't had a direct answer yet ;p

They pull over to get some air after the antagonizing.

The anons Will Not Let Them Rest. Remus throws the magic coin away in the forest. Link (warning for fake gore)

An anon takes their clothes away for 10 asks, they still have underwear, Thomas is still fully clothed. Remus is loving it, Virgil not so much. Link

Some of the nice anons however come in and give encouragement to our boys. And treats! The coin is unfortunately (for them) back ~Magically~ . Link

They decide to go to another campsite to unwind and sleep, they are going to be there for a while this time. Remus texts Roman to tell him about an ask that came in for him. Thomas is awed by fire. Link

Two anons have hugged them for comforting.

The attack on Roman, basically saying how fake he is and how he's probably jealous of Remus cause he doesn't hide his real self and not 'perfect' saying that people wouldn't like the real him. Remus defends Roman. We find out they didn't always have a good relationship and we find out Roman is a Broadway star. Link

The Main Antagonist Anon asks for hugs. No One Liked That.

Another anon comes in to take away their warm things for the night their blankets are gone and they're not allowed to start a fire. Their clothes will be back soon though. It is still going to be cold.

Another anon... doesn't exactly hug them so much as envelopes them in a sensation of tongues.

Another antagonist anon gives Thomas only a hug. And and ominous message of "I'll be back soon".

People are very huggy today, but at least this time the anon asked first. Virgil is getting sick of them, Remus is enjoying them.

An anon takes away their food by putting it all in a bag and getting it stuck in a tree. Remus mourns the snacks loss.

A ladder is given to them, Remus immediately tries to get the food down but it's stuck with magic. He tries to cut it open with a butterfly knife, still doesn't work and the ladder falls. He falls with it, he lands in a bush, the ladder lands on his face and his nose is bleeding.

Someone gives them bandages, Dee checks for a concussion, he's fine. We learn Remus' full name. Remus Able King, he doesn't seem to like it.

Oh yeah, his knife landed in his thigh when he fell. And his ankle is sprained. Dee patches him up. Link

UFO Anon distracts Thomas with a light show.

Rat anon erases the adults memories of each other, they are mentally teenagers again. This lasts the rest of the night. It doesn't go well. The only thing they remember is school, they don't trust each other. UFO Anon tries to abduct Thomas, Wasp Anon tries to as well. Remus is Not Okay with Thomas missing. The rest of this night is a pretty important part of the story, so there will be many links here for it. Link , Link , Link , Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link.

Day Five.

Day five begins, everything is normal again. They decide today is for strictly relaxation. Link

They talk a little bit about how last night was crap, and about how much they've changed since high school, and that them meeting was the best course that their lives could have taken.

They're determined to have a good day, they decide that swimming is a nice idea.

They get to the campsite beach, they give more insight to how they got together. Link , Link

They talk about how much their lives would have completely sucked if they didn't meet. Link

Talking about their parents reactions to them getting together (hint none of them cared a bit for it). Link

On how the school reacted to it also was not good, but our boys like to go against authority if nothing else. Didn't stop the adults from targeting them and turning a blind eye to anyone else who was deemed 'good' i.e the favorites.

They also didn't like Roman just by association with Remus.

Virgil was roommates with his bully. Here are some pranks he pulled on her for payback. Link

They used to sneak out a lot, to Remus' room or to the forest.

Virgil used to do gymnastics.

Roman begged Remus to join a sports team with him, Remus didn't really enjoy it.

Remus speaks German. Virgil knows Latin. Dee speaks French and ASL.

Thomas knows a little bit of Spanish, so does Roman.

They have yet to get into the water. Dee pushes Virgil in, Dee ends up falling into the lake when Virgil tries to drag him in too.

Thomas does not know how to swim. Remus tosses him to Virgil who is in the water to teach him.

They realize that they should probably be more careful with Thomas. He seems to have no self preservation. Link

They go back to the campsite, Dee says he's going to go to town to get food stuff, he's taking Thomas with him, and the two injured should stay there.

Someone suggests finding Mothman, they want to but are injured. So they make it a plan to go to Point Pleasant.

Virgil and Remus want some *ahem* Alone Time, so they turn the anons to Dee. It is uneventful shopping (except for the fact that I had to have Thomas accidentally erase all the asks cause... I accidentally did that...)

Also the cashier at the store is Suspicious of Dee (he seems to recognize Thomas (though no one picked up on that))

He goes to buy some clean blankets then back to the campsite.

The rest of the night is nice and smooth.

Before sleeping Remus and Virgil tell Dee that they're handing the blog over to The Others for a few days so they can relax.

Days Continue

The Other Stuff

[thatgirlwithasquid]

PLEASE # 8 : Broken Soulmarks and # 9 : witch!steve/werewolf!billy forced proximity???

hahaha sure <3

I share another snippet of Broken Soulmarks here since tallula asked about it too, but it's a harringroveson soulmate au that I haven't picked back up in an unfortunately long time. After looking at it for this I might go back at it... no promises though cause I'm easily distracted and this wip game has made me wanna take another look at lots of these fics lol

It's mostly canon-compliant despite the soulmarks so it's very angsty (double major character death! though the idea was less to show the deaths and more to focus on how Steve responded to it) but a lot of fun if I do ever share the thing. Well, fun if you like angst cause Billy dies before Eddie ever finds him, and Steve is having a bad time of things cause I went down the 'Steve has shitty parents' route for this one

Snippet:

Steve wasn’t aloud to act like a damn queer, not in his father’s house. Basketball stayed, and so did swimming. All kinds of sports were met with begrudging appreciation, under the condition that he was one of the best on the team. And so King Steve was cultivated. It wasn’t good enough. It never was. No matter how Steve tried - no matter how good he got at sports, no matter how popular he got, no matter the interest he showed in his father’s job - his father only saw his failings. Too poor grades, missing beers, dropping attendance, a poor basketball game. His soulmarks.  Always his soulmarks.

witch!steve/werewolf!billy forced proximity is the sequel to Not How Magic Works. I cannot remember what the fic that inspired that one was about exactly, but I know it was by @intothedysphoria and I reread it a lot before I caved and wrote mine lol. I can definitely see the influences of Max's writing sneaking into mine when I reread it haha, which is definitely a good thing cause Max's writing is brill.

I couldn't help sneaking the hints of magical forced proximity into that first one, and I'm glad I did cause even though I've mostly only been planning the second one so far I've been having soooo much fun with it.

It's very silly and unserious and they're bickering constantly in the part I've written so far. And Carol's gonna be in it again!! I do not write enough of Carol, so I occasionally throw her into the background of things. She's not made an appearance in what I've got so far but I'm already buzzing to get to write her again.

And here's a snippet of this one too:

“I’m not your fucking pet.” “If you were I’d dump you at a shelter,” Steve hisses under his breath. Billy clearly hears it; his face pales, livid. A storm brews behind his eyes and, in that moment, Steve realises they’re probably not going to both survive this whole ordeal. One of them will have murdered the other before the day is out. Steve can only hope that one of them being dead will end whatever curse he’s set loose on them. Could you imagine if they had to drag the other’s corpse around even after all that? Steve gives Billy a considering look. He’d probably need a wheelbarrow to lug the guy around. He’s not exactly weak, but Steve doubts he’d be able to drag that mass of muscles around for long without one. All body and no brain. If only his looks made up for his atrocious personality.

[natasha-in-space]

I got a yoosung angst prompt cuz its fun to put the most sunshine guy through the worst traumas

How do you think his relationship will mc be post Bad Ending 3. Yeah its the ending where Unknown kidnaps and tortures him. Lets assume that he eventually got rescued and nearly died in the process (cuz Unknown badly hurt him in a fit of rage) but he survives....he lives

But whats gonna be after that how the whole ordeal is gonna affect his relationship with his S/O because it is going to be tough for both the parties. Ofc yoosung who was directly affected by the ordeal will need alot of therapy, and love and support. But it was quite tough for mc too.... if anything yoosung route does, it shows us the fact that losing a loved one is traumatic, nearly losing one too as well and MC also was traumatised and is guilt ridden (maybe i should have tried harder to stop him had i knew this would happen is a constant thought in her head) she also becomes somewhat protective of him because he has been through enough and deserves to get the best of the world.....but while mc is well intentioned in her actions....it somehow stings Yoosung, he is the one who should be protecting her, he should be the proactive one in the relationship....thats what he thinks. It makes him feel small....besides he can also see her running herself thin for him....and he just wants to not be a burden to her...

I rambled alot im sorry but i wanna see your take. As always i just wanna let you know I love your writing

Well, the unfortunate thing that I just can't help but bring up is that... Bad Ending 3 happens due to the player's (MC's) actions. That's not how it works in real life, of course, but with the structure of MM's storyline, that's how it plays out, and that's how it's meant to be interpreted by the player. In that ending, MC prioritizes themselves first, and encourages Yoosung self-sacrificial tendencies for their own benefit (or, well, safety, to be more exact). MC's actions are what led Yoosung to sacrifice himself in that ending in the first place. And that's also the reason behind his seeming resolve with what Unknown is putting him through in the aftermath.

'It's okay. I'm protecting them. They wanted me to keep them safe. So they wouldn't be scared. I need to stay strong for them. I'm doing this for them. Because I love them. Because I don't want to be in the dark and not do anything like it happened with Rika.'

So both sides of the argument are dealing with a messy tangle of emotions to deal with. And if you do want to imagine a better resolution to all of this, it'll probably involve a lot of conversations between the two.

Your dynamic between each other is unbalanced in that particular ending. And that's something that needs to be fixed. MC should take more care of Yoosung's well-being first before their own and believe in him, while Yoosung needs to work on his anxious attachment style.

It is difficult, though, because Yoosung's worst traits got the best of him as a direct result of MC's actions. The situation is pretty similar to those who want to imagine a better solution to Jumin's 2 Bad Ending. While it's possible, it needs to be acknowledged that MC is the one who needs to put most of the work in.

In my opinion, what would their relationship be like? Well, if we assume that MC does feel guilty for everything that happened, that's a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. Yoosung got hurt. Bad. Both physically and mentally. And he'll probably dismiss it too. It's important to remember that in this particular ending, he's devoted to you to an unhealthy extent. Not the same as in his 1 Bad Ending, but in a very self-sacrificial way. He'll probably just smile at you and say that he's happy you're safe. That that was the only thing he ever wanted. And that he held out for so long because he remembered what you told him, and how scared you were.

So... it's a pretty heavy situation for MC to be in. It's one thing to have your loved one disregard their well-being for you, but it's completely different when it's the direct consequence of your own actions.

Many apologies need to be made. Even if Yoosung doesn't understand why you're apologizing to him. Lots of talks to be had. And lots of very slow and steady progress to be made.

It's possible to come up with a better resolution to this mess. But it'll require a lot of work and patience from both MC and Yoosung. It does make a very interesting story to think about, though!

[screemnch]

The Pathologic Russian and English analysis: Bachelor Daniil Dankovsky Part 2.

I've decided that whenever I go to have my psychiatric evaluation, I'm gonna show them these series of mini-essays. The things we do... Anyway, here's the second half of my prickly prick analysis, this time from our precious miracle worker!

As the Changeling: the Bachelor in this campaign is actually a lot more consistent in between the English and Russian versions - he’s a lot meaner, condescending and all we know and love him for, so to speak. In terms of formality, he almost always refers to Clara using the informal “you,” which is understandable - she is a child, and someone who he doesn’t hold in high regard. His mannerisms, unlike in the Haruspex run, don’t change halfway through the narrative, which can be attributed to many different things - the fact that in the Haruspex run Eva survives and so Dankovsky never has to deal with the guilt of her death, for example. Or maybe the idea that he constantly treats Clara’s abilities with scepticism and doesn’t see her as crucial to the fulfilment of his plans, almost viewing her as disposable. Whatever it is, the manner of speech is very similar to how it is in the first half of the Haruspex run - you’ve got your little filler words, diminutives, rough words and an informal but deliberate sentence structure. There is a lot more frustration in his dialogues with Clara, which can be explained by the idea that he is literally out for blood for half of the game.

Overall, I was a little sad to see how many dialogue options just lead to the exact same thing via different routes, so there won’t be as many notes here as I’d like there to be. That being said, I’ve already started gathering material for the Changeling section of the analysis. Additionally, with the repetitive nature of Clara’s campaign, I’d like to preemptively say that I’ve done my best to put these in chronological order, but I make no promises on accuracy. That being said - here are some things that I wanted to specifically point out.

This line is just… Riddled with curious differences. For one, instead of psychics, Dankovsky says that it’s bad enough that half the town is, specifically, “telepaths” which is… Interesting. And incorrect, which is probably why they changed it when translating. He then goes on to say “And those that aren’t, are extrasensory!” which is much closer to “psychic” than “faith healers.” In Russia, the term “экстрасенс” (read quite literally as “extra-sense”) refers to a person with any kind of psychic ability. Though you’ll mostly find it on shitty TV shows nowadays, and it feels a bit anachronistic to use it here, the term was first used in 1979, so hey, it could potentially make sense? Finally, the line itself is riddled with exasperated little words, which makes me really happy that I pointed it out when looking through the Haruspex dialogues. The last sentence especially conveys a certain urgency that kinda seems gone in the English version. There’s no presumption. Adding the whole “I presume” was probably a way to try and emulate this urgency in English, but it ended up being more of a “wow, the Bachelor is expecting people to do as he says” which is true, but the focus of the sentence is on the “can.” Something more like “Does that mean you can do this?” And also they cut out the exclamation mark in the first sentence, which I guess just doesn’t work in English orthography.

I… Don’t know what to think of this translation. Let’s be transparent here - the closest way to properly translate the last sentence in this line is to face the facts that Dankovsky would sound like the crazy beggar woman from Sweeney Todd - “Diabolic, diabolic…” he says. And while imps and devils can very well be used as curse words in Russian, this, surprisingly, is not one of those instances. In this case, I imagine the translators chose to go for the most straightforward translation. Like having someone say “Damn…” and the translation being “This displeases me greatly!” Which I think is hilarious, but also hopefully helps bridge the gap between the two versions.

Ok. What the fuck. This is the line in the Changeling route where Clara has to stay overnight at the Stillwater and the Bachelor is all like “Eva’s probably going to hand herself in to the inquisitor and we’re gonna go and save her tomorrow” except take a look at the Russian version. See anything different? See the exclamation marks? I feel like the translation team was so hellbent on making Dankovsky the prickliest prick on the block, that they forgot that he actually gives a damn about Eva. Like, there’s an urgent tone, and air of accusation in the way these sentences are formulated to portray someone who actually cares about the fate of the person he’s been living with for the past week. The Bachelor in Russian isn’t taking no for an answer in this case, because he actually cares. English Bachelor? Honestly, sounds like he’s pissed at Eva for trying to help him. Do not appreciate.

I feel it’s important to emphasise the difference in sentiment here. The way this line is said in English sounds very distant, indignant. It’s something I’ve found with a lot of Bachelor’s lines and I’m beginning to suspect that it may just be because Russian is my native language, so I just see it as more personal, but idk. In the English version it feels like the Bachelor is just considering the possibility of saving a person (which, by the way, with how much of an ass Daniil has been to Clara is a very interesting 180) but in Russian he sounds a lot more determined, a lot more focused on the “saving” part. In a clunkier, but more literal translation, the line would be “If not Simon, then I’ll take at least you away from this miracle-rich hole.” He’s still caught up in Simon’s death, and he feels like it's his duty to help at least someone out of the place that has done nothing but get in his way (when he arrived here expecting it to help him) so uh… Once again coming for the head of whoever said Dankovsky has no heart.

So uh… See, it’s funny because… Well, in English this string of dialogue doesn’t exactly make sense to me. What’s not to get, Clara? The Haruspex has a bone to pick with the butchers, which might interfere with the Bachelor’s plans. The wording is pretty clear too, so where does the confusion come from? At this point Clara has most certainly seen a butcher, she knows what he’s talking about. But then if you think about it, the Russian phrasing of that last sentence is wildly different. See, the original phrase is “He’s not impartial to butchers too,” and let me tell you something fun about that choice of words. See, while being “not impartial” to someone may mean that you have your own agenda you’re trying to push, it does not imply having any sort of issues with the person. In fact, most Russians would use the words “not impartial” when talking about a romantic inclination. And while I’m not saying it’s the intention of the writers, by any means, but uh… When interpreting this interaction as Dankovsky saying something easily misinterpretable out of pocket and Clara just raising her hands and saying “I refuse to comprehend whatever you’ve just told me,” it makes a bit more sense to me personally, than Clara simply not being able to follow along.

In terms of being “as close to the original as possible” this line is probably one of the most far out lines. There are some lines that are translated word for word, and then there’s… This. Don’t get me wrong - that doesn’t mean it’s bad. I can actually understand exactly why these changes were made - it’s so that I would get to talk about them! The biggest difference would be in the way the Bachelor refers to Burakh in this line. In the Russian version he uses the word “леший” (Leshy) which is a word some of y’all may know from games like Inscryption and Cult of the Lamb. Leshy (quite literally means “of the woods”) is a mythical creature in Slavic folklore - an entity of the woods, the master of the forest, an overall neutrally aligned one. In some stories he confuses travellers and leads them in circles or abducts children, while in others he is a benevolent but protective figure that will help those who treat him with respect. I won’t go into too much detail, because this is Pathologic, not mythology hour, but I still think it’s a fun little tidbit of knowledge, considering who the Bachelor is talking about. That being said, in the English version he calls him a “sod” which is at least tangentially related to greenery and the like, which I think is funny. The other differences in this line are mostly in regards to sentence structure and don’t change the meaning much, so I won’t wax poetic about them.

I’m having a goddamn aneurysm. I’m shaking, crying, losing my mind. Why did this have to be translated like this? It’s just literally “My god!” in Russian. You can say that in English. You’re allowed. Or maybe like “Dear god!” If you wanna keep the faux shock element of the word. Why blimey? Why? I don’t get it. Someone please explain. Additionally, the whole “look who’s here” has a more condescending vibe of “Look who’s  decided to grace us with her presence.” So yeah. The prickly prick factor is back, babey.

The Bachelor is a lot sassier in this route. I didn’t see it as potently in the English version, I guess, because in Russian the overall vibe of this line is “A little bit… After all, you’re the only sinless person we’ve got.” Which I feel communicates both the jab, the Bachelor’s resentment towards Clara and how fed up he is with her literal “Holier than thou” rhetoric.

The Bachelor rejects the notion of love winning if the polyhedron is preserved. However, in the Russian version there is no “you lose” in this line, which I feel gives a different vibe to the interaction. In the English version it feels a little weird - why is the Bachelor trying to convince Clara to go with his plan by telling her that she loses? Is that meant to be effective? Who knows, but in the Russian version the actual phrasing is closer to “we win from you” which can mean two things: the first one being the whole “we win and you lose” interpretation. The other is - we win at your discretion. We win in your game. And I don’t know, I’m writing this at 2 am, but I feel like the other interpretation makes more sense for someone trying to be convincing.

I don’t understand why this was translated the way it is. I also have no recollection of when in the game this takes place and the dialogue itself offers very little context. The line itself however is… I don’t get it. I’ve always seen the word “darling” as a term used to either someone very close to you, or in an ironic sense. The term Dankovsky uses here, however is “cute creature” (cute being the literal meaning of the word, but in combination with the “creature” thing, it’s more akin to “dear” or “sweet”) which is a term of endearment used, at least from what I understand in literature, in reference to an innocent, gentle, feminine person. Some writers use that epithet to refer to their muse. It does not have the same vibe as “darling”; it's a lot more delicate, as if you were referring to a flower. And I don’t see where they got “darling” from that. Additionally, this is the only instance in which the Bachelor refers to Clara using a formal version of “you.”

And that’s about it for the Bachelor in the Changeling route. The main differences between this and the English version come from two factors: the specific words used, and the lack of exclamation marks. No kidding. The way Dankovsky refers to some things was just translated in a way where it conveys the purpose of what he’s trying to say, but the vibe becomes completely lost. It was interesting to see just how superstitious Daniil’s manner of speaking gets when he’s talking to Clara, given his scepticism - he refers to mythical creatures, silver bullets, and even his defence of the Polyhedron is a very… Spirited one. In other instances, the difference in terminology lessens whatever emotion the line is trying to convey. That, and the overall “tamer” use of exclamation marks removes a little bit of character from the Bachelor. He comes off as a lot more composed in English, with occasional outbursts of frustration. Just like in the first half of the Haruspex campaign, the Bachelor in the original version is a lot more impassioned, whether the emotions he is communicating are disgust or sympathy, conceit or regret. I mentioned it earlier, but it does really feel like in trying to make Dankovsky seem like a cold, pragmatic asshole, the translators accidentally took the bite out of a lot of his lines.

That being said, I want to make it clear that I’m not bashing the translation in any way. Most of these differences come from heavily made decisions, opting for either translating things literally, or trying to convey the essence but losing a few things on the way. Translators always have to deal with that choice. Even with the little experience I have with translating myself, I can understand that a lot of these things potentially could not have been translated any other way. You wouldn’t want to have to play a game where every dialogue option is followed by a footnote explaining what this specific choice of words means, and how to properly interpret them - the player’s experience is a part of the game’s design. How you understand the dialogue is also a part of the narrative, especially with how much deception is woven into the story. With all that in mind, I still feel it’s important to eventually illustrate exactly what the differences are, because not only do the way certain phrases are translated shine a new light on the author’s intentions, but additionally - some people might never find out otherwise. So uh… Yeah. Coming up in maybe yet another month, if not more - The Haruspex as seen by the other two Healers.

[logicmaru]

i love how ranmaru kageyama is doomed by the narrative from the very fucking beginning and i hope his minisode is even more miserable.

warning i'm gonna talk a lot. ranmaru is very blatantly described as a boring guy, who's underneath the average height for guys, doesn't have any notable likes or dislikes, unless you count his hatred for happy couples + people who are happy in general, which ngl comes into play later

i'm gonna try and explain this as simply as i can bc if i try to word it like an essay i'll confuse myself aha,,,,

it kind of shows us that ranmaru can get jealous pretty easily? and he's upset at the kind of trust keiji and sara share, even though he probably knows that's because they've known each other longer than sara's known ranmaru, but it probably still pisses ranmaru off idk

he wants to prove himself to sara, even though sara already sees him as something alike to an ally, but he wants something more than that. in the logic sara deleted scene, ranmaru states that he would want to be sara's best friend, and he admits how wants to go home with her and laugh casually over jokes together and treat life like nothing's wrong

i like to believe this was deleted because it would be ooc for ranmaru, that he would probably be very reluctant of sharing such an ideal with sara, and him suddenly spilling about wanting to be sara's friend in one moment would probably cause more shock factor, and not do much good for the lore, idk it just seems very "ah omg" and less "how interesting"

i really love how ranmaru is. not a good person. i know how strange that sounds, but ranmaru is, kind of, in a way, a support character for sara. And u would think, well support character, must be someone kindhearted and encouraging, right? well, in ranmaru's case, yes, but no?? he's more like "i will go to lengths for your survival, you NEED to win" instead of "you got this! i'll help you escape!" and it's somewhat refreshing? i'm not sure maybe i'm just not normal

anyway enough about evil ranmaru, emotion ranmaru is just very Sad, and again, doomed by the narrative

he doesn't get any kind of character development iirc, in the infamous ransara "win for me" scene, he just talks about how he knew this was going to be a bad idea, and how he has no right to be sara's friend, but from that point on, we don't get any remarkable moment where ranmaru gets some sort of character redemption, and instead we get a moment where ranmaru AGAIN goes through with some sort of wild plan to make sure sara escapes, which is erasing his personality / replacing it with the joe ai's personality.

gosh, if ur friends with me, u probably know how i love and hate this part of the game, mostly because of how interesting it is and how it could've fleshed out into a whole other issue, but i dislike how it's totally overshadowed by both the fandom and the game itself

sara herself doesn't seem to react too strongly by ranmaru's choice to erase himself to become a "vessel" for joe's personality, which really i'd love to explain but honestly idk,,, i definitely thought there'd be a bigger deal about it, but perhaps it was overruled since the modified maple boss fight was literally like,, moments after that

in emotion route, ranmaru shares little to no information with anyone, though he does come close when he tries to tell sara, which he does successfully tell sara about the asunaro human in the group, but i believe that is the only moment where ranmaru goes "sara, hold on" and actually tells sara about what he was actually going to say, which, on one hand, had me on the edge of my seat, but on the other hand, was nice to see since it was really showing how untrusting and reserved ranmaru is, no matter how much he trusts sara, he's not entirely sure if she trusts him in return, or if he trusts sara to not share this information with anyone else

i love ranmaru kageyama

[whatevermywpis]

𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓼

﹒⪩⪨﹒ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕖: 𝟘-𝟚﹒⪩⪨﹒

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞: 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥.

𝐓𝐖: 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.

Please don’t read if the mentioned subject disturbs you as angst is present continuously in the story.

Due to some very unexpected timing, you now found yourself carrying the passed-out main love interest, Riddle Rosehearts. Beautiful innocent face, that could make you underestimate his ability to be a cruel creature, a petite figure so weak and fragile, that you forgot how much pain he could inflict on you. Those were the words used to describe the cruel queen of the Rose Kingdom, though his official title would be King, Riddle was called Queen due to his feminine features.

Bleeding and dripping with the rain, you took him to your bedroom as it was one of the cleanest places in the house, you swiped away all the things on your table and gently laid the injured Riddle down taking off his shirt.

"Deuce, get the kids and some alcohol for me." cleaning your hand with rain water wasn't very sanitizing but it was the only nearest source of water. "It's time for their first lesson in this house."

"Seems like we've got our hands full, the first aid kit is on your bed." taking out the medical kit you opened it to find a lot of bandages... there's no anaesthesia. Of course, you wouldn't be able to get anaesthesia in a first aid kit.

Riddle wasn't supposed to appear at your front door injured he was supposed to appear at Trey's!! How he even ended up at your place was even wilder, but there wasn't time to spare when he was dying on your working table. If Riddle dies and his "siblings" ascend the throne there would be chaos at every single turn, because in the original after-story of the bad ending route of Riddle Roseheart, the kingdom of Roses was to deal with the war against the kingdom of beasts in which the one who ascended the throne flees leaving the place in chaos.

You don't want to live like that not when you're trying to get as less involved as you can in the story, this is just pushing you to take the position of main lead already. Well screw the similar plots of these stories, screw the butterflies, surviving is already hard enough.

"I'm back, let's start with the cleaning." the two kids peeked out the door, probably excited for their first lesson. "Come on in you two, this is your first lesson from them."

"Right basics first, Deuce the alcohol?" not that you were an expert but if what you read back then was right then it was necessary to clean the wind with alcohol, even though it's gonna hurt like a bitch.

Whimpering, shouting, kicking, that enough would be very hard to deal with, and you couldn't find anything anaesthesia for him. Riddle was obviously in pain, but you couldn't do anything else but start to press on the wound.

"That is terrifying..." Lily wouldn't be able to kill until later on when she was 19, she might have seen fighting but not something like this. yet.

"He's lucky that these would eventually heal, these slashes on the back, I'm going to have to sew them back for him." Sometimes you question how long have you been in this world, even though it's only been a day.

"Cover your ears every-" "Ġ̵̡͙̖̦̉̔̊͐̊̆̃̃ͅǍ̸̖̮̫̤͉̖̳̍̾̃̀͜H̴͚̜̅̌̔͂̄͌͋̊H̶̠͍̗̫̙̺̆͑̋̍͝Ằ̶̧͔̤͖̼̦͆͑̔̏͝Ḧ̷̛̟͕̥́̒̂͌͛H̷̡͎̤̱̿͂͐͛̉̒̈̕̚H̷̘̩̽̈́̅̚H̵͉̻̟̰̥̣̙͇͔͠H̸͍͌̈́͑͝Ḣ̵̡̘̤̠͎̲̰͉̉̌̈́̊̑̽͂̃H̸̛͙̤̰̱͊̿̐̏̈̓̐́H̴̗̲́͜H̷͔͍̎̾̉H̸͎͙̭̟͚͔́Ḩ̸͎̠̞͇̀̊̈́͗̎̌̐H̶̛̜̼́̂̇̈́͌̉H̷͍̥̒̓̍Ḧ̴̢́̅̔Ḩ̴̠͔̱͎͓̥̻̉͐̈͐͗͑͐͘̚H̴̡͕̗̜̭̖̝͠Ĥ̵̞̅̑H̴̢͈̹͎̮͈̮̺͈̜̀͂̃̚͝H̴̳̥̹̞̣̻̰́͌͆̌́̆̏́͊̈́H̶̤̬̮̙̖̠́́̄̐͒ͅ" Sometimes you wonder how strong Riddle's voices is that it one could go deaf. "He's a strong one, for someone who looks so fragile."

Riddle settled down after a bit of bandaging, he was awake-ish, he might not see you, the kids or Deuce clearly due to how tired he was., did you mention he had low stamina? Now you weren't always that excited to skip work, but be honest you would do it in a heartbeat if an excuse was presented.

“So what’s going to happen to him now?” Lily had lots of potential becoming a doctor, after her skill was described to be very careful when it came to skinning people alive and was very good with human autonomy.

“We let the patients rest obviously, he’s no longer in a dangerous state for now, we just have to think on how we’re gonna explain it to him once he wakes up.” Riddle wasn’t someone with the best temper obviously.

“I’m tired~ Deuce would be a dear and go take care of the library for me? The rain stopped half an hour ago.” You sluggishly walked out of your room and lied on the bed of the guest room.

“Ha… you’re really a handful sometimes.” Deuce kissed the top of your head, he was an affectionate kid after all. “I’ll be back by noon, and please don’t kill people anytime soon.”

The only thing you forgot to mention was (Y/n)’s importance in the main story, they weren’t all that important if you look at it from a side view, average role, average involvement, nothing out of line and could easily have been forgotten but there was one thing most have lacked to notice, (Y/n) was a walking information machine. Not because they owned a library, but because of they way they take information sold at the library.

(Y/n)’s library was the home to all of the information from forgotten nobles, to secrets of the royal family, it was the home to a guild known as ‘commercium’ which just translate to trade. Other than (Y/n) most of the nobles would have a secret code for when they want to buy information, and (Y/n) was the secretary of this guild on the outside.

“Don’t just stare at me like that, please sit beside me.” A figure hiding behind the door frame took a step back holding their heart, they weren’t very sneaky to begin with. “If you’re going to ask questions it’s better for you to face them head on.”

“How did you know I was here..?” Distrust, something you could obviously hear and without looking at his face you knew he was wary of the situation. “Why am I here?”

“We’ll let’s start with introductions.” You gave the curious prince a closed eye smile. “My name is (Y/n) the disgrace descent of the (L/n) family.”

“…Riddle… my name is Riddle.” You unknowingly gave him a dark smirk.

“So, shall we have tea?”

You sat in the garden drinking tea with the uncomfortable Riddle, right now in the story he was supposed to reach the Clover family. Perfect posture, perfect etiquette, he’s been trained thoroughly by his mother it seems.

Riddle Roseheart was now at your mercy, sent away by his mother due to complications in the castle, the current prince was now but a powerless child and a pawn in his mother’s games. Of course, his strength would soon rise but that is far from now, what he’ll do next could either help you or doom you.

“I believe you have questions don’t you Riddle?” He looks a bit disturbed, the kids were playing in the garden as well, you couldn’t leave your heirs alone.

“…Three questions… you may ask me three questions and I shall answer them, in return you must answer mine as well.” How straightforward, although he’s wary of you, he still trusts you due to you saving his life. You… he couldn’t read you like the other nobles.

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬.]

You have to be careful with today’s interaction, Riddle is after the key to what’s to come, the King shall fall soon. Deuce will also soon receive the Stigma, things are already progressing this fast?

“First off.” Well, hopefully, you manage to get through this without making an enemy out of Riddle. “Where am I?”

“You’re at my house, it’s not very grand and is not considered a mansion but a big house.” He doesn’t seem to trust you but it was the truth.

“Second, How come you’ve rescued me? Couldn’t you have left me at the front door?” He really is wasting his questions.

“If I were you I’d ask for the current territory, or at least how I’m so relaxed and letting someone who’s a commoner sit with me like this.” Riddle seemed to have stopped treating you as if you were some dumb noble.

“Hmph, at least it’s a bit safe around here.” You’re not so sure about safety but who cares. “But still you have to answer my question from before.”

“Hm, well how was I supposed to ignore someone doing in front of my door? After all, if I can save someone then they might be able to repay me one day.” Flowers drip with the remnants of the rain. You wonder if it was a foreshadowing of the coming future, seemingly so innocent yet carrying a terrible tale.

“Fine, this is my last question to you, Ms (L/n)” so he’s calling you with that name. “How come your acting as if you had no idea who I am… Librarian (Y/n)?”

“Hahaha~ is this a joke? You surely are funny for no one, why would I need to acknowledge you?” Two could play this game, if he wants to reveal who you are he has to try harder.

“Don’t hide yourself behind those excuses, the garden of hydrangeas, the books lying everywhere, and the moon studies on the floor.” He’s got a knack for taking notes. “ You are definitely the baron who never debuted in the noble society.”

“You’ve… manage to know who I was from those clues?” You wanted to laugh, Riddle must have planted a spy in this town, or maybe it was his mother who did it. “Tell me your highness~ whose side do you think I’m playing in this civil war?”

You’re not planning to become the villain, but if this is what the plot is pushing you to become then you’re going to put up a show, you’ll play the most mysterious and intriguing side character of them all. If the story is pushing these characters to you it definitely wants you to engage in it, there’s every reason for you to accept, after all, you held the secrets at the tips of your finger.

“…” He fell in deep thought, you never appeared in the social world yet you always knew these secrets, little to no spies were found. “You… are playing neither side.”

“Bom bom~ wrong young prince.” Signalling Lily and James to your side, the children though sceptical still came. “Why would I sully my hands and cause bloodshed? I have people I need to protect~”

“Tch”

“Second question~ who or what had caused you to end up injured at my doorstep?” Cleaning the dirt from their faces you cooed at how soft it was, Lily and James are too cute for your heart.

“…I’m not sure, it wasn’t something I had recognize, all I saw was the rain and some people holding a knife repeating something but I got struck and mange to escape.” That explains the multiple wounds and the opening of another can of worms. “However I did manage to hear a bit of what they said, it something along the lines of ‘kill… witness…spade stigma…secret’”

“Hmph, third question then” You gave him a playful smirk. “How long are you planning to stay?”

He remembers those vivid days in the walls of that damned castle, sometimes he wished he wasn't a royal from the start, the chains weighed his heart and body. Sometimes he wished he never existed from the start, it hurts, it hurts so badly, he could feel the pain tracing his skin with each scratch and bruise he received.

He could hear it each time, 'how pitiful'; 'such a rotten child'; 'what a disappointment'; 'he'll live like a ghost'... Their voices pile up in his head, please won't they just stop for a moment and see that he can't bear it anymore? He didn't mean to survive like this, why do they keep talking about him? Just shut up already...

His mother... what was a mother? 'She's the one who gave birth to you, and she loves you.' If so then why does her love hurt so much? Was her love supposed to be whiplashes and screaming? Was it supposed to be a wasted childhood on books? His mother was a proud woman who chased after the love of a disgusting man, a tyrant who sat on the throne of the Rose Kingdom.

If he could... Riddle wants to run away, he wants to fly away from the cage and break free from the glass dome that keeps him away from the world, but even when he's far away from that place of nightmares Riddle still sees the same nightmare each time. Maybe the person who tried to kill him should have checked if he was alive before leaving.

"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦…" 𝘈 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. "𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦."

"𝘞𝘩𝘺?" 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧, 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺?

"𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦…" 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴. "𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳… 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯… 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥."

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳."

...What if he could live there...?

Spend his days enjoying the warmth of this family?

What if he didn't have to force himself?

What if this is the place where he could have his new beginning?

The dream for a family that never came to be... could he achieve it here?

But deep down he knew, deep down Riddle knew he'll cause some sort of disturbance here, something bad will happen as it always will when it comes to him. Yet just this once can he be selfish and have it, Mother? Can he run away from that nightmare and rest once more? He wants to believe that he won't get betrayed again by those around him, he doesn't want to be a part of anything anymore, just let him be free and embrace the new world he found.

"Even if we run away… things would eventually lead to it once more, I'll die just like anyone else" They're saying such a scary thing with such a calm face, librarians truly are a strange breed of people. "But I don't mind, as long as I can prepare for the future for the people I care for, for a future without me"

"I can be happy enough."

The orange skies bleed into the blue ones brings a promise of what will happen, the crescent moon stares at you while you wait for him. Talking with Riddle feels like talking to a part of the younger you, the part that hates people, the part that was hurt so deeply yet here you are, no longer afraid of death.

From a far Deuce walks back to your home carrying lots of things, they were probably gifts from the neighboring shops and residence. He was smiling brightly, like a child who was loved and cared for, and he still was loved and cared for.

“Some of the shop owners were surprised you didn’t show up as usual and got worried, but I told them you called in sick to day.” You don’t think you could truly hate anyone like Deuce, even if you try to.

“That’s nice I guess.” You hope the peaceful days would never end.

“Oh! So we’re making extra food tonight?” Right, you forgot to mention.

“Yup, Riddle here is going to be staying with us.”

So you managed to keep the young prince at your place, now this could mean two things for your future, Riddle could either get you into more trouble or you can become a wealthy baron living the rest of their life peacefully. You’re speaking it like this because of the unavoidable future, no matter how much you want to deny it, the future will happen one way or another.

There’s no way to change a flow of time, but for a while you could shift it’s direction, your appearance in the story might have already stirred up the problems that existed. So instead of running away, you want to fact it head on, not for your survival, but because you want to protect these people who have chose to be your family.

“You’re really pretty~ what’s your name?” Lily smiled at the flustered Riddle.

“Are you in a relationship?” You would normally think that James would be a protective brother but no, he’s a simp.

“Uhm- I..” Riddle was obviously short circulating because of the certain questions, he’s shocked by how much love they’re giving him.

“(Y/n)… are you sure about letting him staying here?” Deuce worryingly asked.

“Yeah… I trust him, he needs our help, Deuce.” You couldn’t help but smile at how much love Riddle is receiving. “In the future… there will be times when he falls in despair, I hope the time he spends here can be the light that helps him through the dark.”

You weren’t as heartless as you wished to be, you weren’t as cool as you always hoped, that’s why you felt a compassion for all of these people. Deuce, Ace, Cater, Trey… and Riddle, all of these people will go through the toughest period of their lives as the story starts.

Death was a familiar friend, it was there when you were still in the old world, you remembered how cold it was to see, how cold it was being alone. Loneliness was a mother, she was there for you, embracing you while your real mother burrows herself in work, you felt a false sense of love in loneliness. Pain was like a father, one who taught you how to care for others but never yourself, so much of his love was taught on how you could never love yourself if others don’t love you.

“Oi uhm- Wake up!” You broke from the depressing thoughts back to your friends and heirs.

“Sorry just… a bit tired for today…” the skies looked so beautiful.

“You didn’t do that much today y’know?” You feel like you’re going to eventually have an emotional breakdown because of James.

“Whatever makes you sleep at night kid” you said ruffling his hair, James hit your hand away before running to his sister. That little-

Bedtime was a bit of a mess, mainly because of the kids whining about going to bed early and your room being messy because you threw everything on your table to the ground. Deuce gave you an earful while Riddle educated the kids about the importance of getting enough sleep, safe to say you didn't listen to anything he said and was most likely to ignore or blur it out.

"Your luck it wasn't all that much of a problem, the next time you throw your stuff on the ground you're gonna have to clean your place up by yourself!" Deuce pulled your ear like who those mothers would when you did something bad, must have been a habit his mom did to him.

"Now that I think about it..." There are many things related to the moon in (Y/n)'s room, you're not sure why but you don't wanna know either since there's mainly a lot of math when talking about the moon. "(Y/n) You seem to like magic studies, especially in the moon department."

"I guess so, I just have a fascination towards these types of things." moon study was like mixing math and astronomy along with moon cycles sprinkle with touches of magic. "It's kind of my side hobby."

"They don't have that much free time unless it's at night, which is kind of perfect for studying." Deuce remarked, in the game Riddle and Deuce had a neutral relationship, you hope they could at least become friends. "We don't have much but hopefully you don't mind sharing a room with me, Riddle."

"I don't mind, I don't really like sleeping alone either way."

The sound of laughter from afar, the sound of talking just at the end of the hall, and you're left alone again, it was only you, the moon, and the stars again. You talked to the shining moon, about how you like it that you don't have to cry and be alone anymore, you told the stars about how you never want to lose everyone again.

A bird from afar flew to you, a messenger bird at so late? Who would send letters and flowers this late? Cooing at the small creature you let it drink out of your cup of water and took the letters and flowers.

𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵,

𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯?

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥.

𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘵. 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺, 𝘚.

S... Silver... That was the name of the sender, originally he was (Y/n)'s beloved knight, they were star-crossed lovers who never reached the end while you were playing Sebek's route in the first update. After the update came and Silver became a love interest, (Y/n) still dies alone, and Silver was met with unbearable pain.

It seems you're stuck in the version after the update, Silver was said to have sent letters like these to (Y/n) to maintain their long-distance relationship. You kind of had a small crush on him but truly loving someone, would only bring more harm to them than you.

𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥,

𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸, 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.

𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴.

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 (𝘠/𝘯).

As the bird flew away in the air, you wonder if it was a mistake to have sent the bird back too soon, after the poor thing had flown a really long way, just then a message came.

[𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧.]

[𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫.]

The game was starting so soon? You didn't even get that much time to even prepare, but wasn't it always like that in your life? Everything had already gone at such a fast paste.

“Hmm?” ??? Sits in his room staring at the flying bird, it seems that their relationship is going well.

“Seems like we don’t have to do much, everything will continue in its own way.” A feminine voice was heard, however, her the meanings of her words were not as innocent as they seemed to be

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

← →

[innerchorus]

...huh, the latest chapter made me ache for some reason, I didn't think I'd feel bad for Montferrat. But also, ELAM NO

What's gonna happen, what's Bodin doing here????

Yeah, how Arakawa handled him going out was masterful, and even just looking at the raw I couldn't help but be affected by it. The novel scene is a lot more brief and the way Arakawa expanded on it made me feel a lot more. It was unexpected. I haven't looked at the dialogue/thought text in that scene yet (just got in from work) but I think I might need to brace myself for further emotions.

asjdfshfgdgh you know you shouldn't have said 'Narsus might cry if Elam got hurt' right before this chapter came out...

To be serious about it though, I'm sure he'll survive this but it is interesting to me that Arakawa is not afraid to dish out a little extra harm where she feels it's needed to indicate the danger of a situation. I do wonder whether he'll manage to make it back to Narsus or whether someone will have to come to his aid, though.

It looks like we're lining up for Bodin vs Guiscard? Guiscard is... really not in a good position right now. Not only is Montferrat gone, but he's lost basically all that remained of his renowned knights who had survived the battle against Andragoras (this is shown in those five panels where the named Lusitanian knights are being killed off by Farangis, Zaravant, Jimsa, Merlaine and Daryun!). Does he even have a realistic chance of taking on Bodin and his forces now, with his exhausted, demoralised troops?

Honestly, Guiscard's army will probably just get routed at this point.

But Arslan's forces are on the battlefield, too. Are they going to get sandwiched between Bodin and Guiscard? Bodin's dialogue makes it seem like he'll try to crush Guiscard and then the Parsian heathens. And that arrow hitting someone standing close to Guiscard makes it clear he's in a super dangerous situation right now. His will to live is pretty strong so I'm sure he'll try to escape, but will he make it? How will Team Arslan respond?

It's going to be fascinating to see how this gets resolved, and what any further differences might mean going forwards.

[nonagesimus]

Birthday Prompt 2 - Jason giving Dick a pep talk

Prompted by @dickgraysonwayne

Jason was all for the idea of taking space.

In a family chock full of busybodies with no social skills it was practically a survival strategy. Especially given he was liable to dip at the drop of a hat and spend months out of Gotham with no word, he really wasn’t going to judge anyone for being a tad MIA.

Except.

There were limits, y’know?

Dick needing a break after playing Bat for a week? Understandable. Dick fully dropping off the face of the earth and not answering texts after? Less understandable.

Maybe “dropping off the face the earth” was a little overdramatic. Dick was in Blüdhaven and they knew he was in Blüdhaven. It wasn’t unusual for him to ask to be put on emergency alerts only when he’d spent time away from the city. He just usually stayed just as active vis-á-vis group chats, social calls, and that kind of a thing. Not dead silent while Damian swung around Gotham like the world’s tiniest storm cloud. And as far as Damian went, the mood had to be bad to register above baseline.

So, Jason took a trip north.

Blüdhaven was as grey and greasy as ever. It didn't take long to find a spot Jason knew was on Nightwing's regular patrol route and post up. From then it was just patience.

"Hood." Dick hadn't made a sound on the approach. If Jason hadn't caught the barest glimpse of electric blue on an adjacent rooftop, he wouldn't have seen him coming at all. "Did you need something?"

"I can't drop in to say hi?" Jason asked, archly.

"Did you?"

"Immediately calling the bluff," he drawled. "Wow, you really are in a bad mood."

Dick folded his arms, staring with a flat look on his face. Jason turned to mirror him. The helmet gave him the advantage when it came to a blank facade. The only trial would be waiting his brother out. He sank his weight into his heels, watched the shift of Dick's jaw as he clearly made the same considerations.

In Jason's defence, Dick had a lot more practice, so it wasn't a big surprise who won.

"What's going on?" he said, baldly. "Because you left Gotham like you were on fire, and the brat has been acting like someone shaved his cat ever since. Spill."

"Shaved his cat?" Dick asked, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"I don't know, it sounded like the kind of thing that would piss him off," he said. "That's not an answer."

"Why did something have to happen?" Dick shot back.

"You should know from being on the other side of it that strategy doesn't work," Jason said. "You want me to go ask Damian?"

"No," Dick said. Without elaborating.

Jason pulled his helmet off so he could better fix him with an unimpressed look.

"It's not a big deal," he amended. "I'll—I'll talk to Damian, it's fine."

"That's still not answering my question, Big Bird," Jason said. "Come on, now."

"Yeah." Dick's shoulders dropped. He took a few steps to the edge of the roof and then sat down, dangling his feet over the edge. “We had a bit of a fight the last night before B was due back, that's all."

"'Bit of a fight' is a regular conversation with that kid," Jason said.

"It was—" Dick shook his head. "Stupid. It was so stupid. We were chasing down Two Face, and he went charging in without waiting for me, and he didn't even get tagged, but I saw a bullet miss his head by like two inches and I just—"

"Freaked?" Jason said.

"Yeah." Dick shook his head. "Understatement. I did the full threaten to take him off patrol, and then he got furious, and he wouldn't talk to me before Bruce got back and I had to come home for work, and I spent the whole ride home thinking about how bad I fucked that up, and I didn't even get to apologise. So I fucked up as a brother to you, and I fucked up as a brother to Tim, and now I'm fucking up with Damian, it feels like I'm turning into Bruce—"

"Bullshit." Jason broke in before the tirade could get any more speed. Stomped over and sat down next to him, grumbling, “I can’t believe you’re gonna make me say nice things about you.”

Dick broke off, staring at Jason with eyes that were wide even through the domino lenses.

"I don't know where you got the impression that you weren't allowed to make any mistakes ever," Jason continued, looking out into the city. “And I don't know what happened between you and Tim, it's not like I was around, but when you say you fucked up with me, what are you talking about?"

Dick looked at him like it should have been obvious.

Which, Jason knew he'd talked a lot of shit over the years, but still.

"Lay it out for me," he said. At the very least it'd be a distraction from whatever Dick had said to Damian.

"I was never there for you," Dick said. "And I was an asshole about you being Robin, and I was mad at Bruce and I took it out on you—"

"You are so full of shit," Jason said.

Dick's jaw snapped shut in surprise.

"You weren't around much because you lived in a different city," he pointed out. "You were mad at me about Robin for a total of like five minutes, and yeah, you were mad at Bruce, but you used to come and hang out with me anyway, I—" He stopped to let out a long breath. "I know when I first got back, I was a real asshole about it, but I was being an asshole about everything back then."

"That doesn't mean you weren't telling the truth," Dick said, softly. He looked a little overwhelmed, when Jason managed a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"Ok, so I'm telling you now, I was just being a shithead," Jason said. "And if you overreacted with Damian, you already know it and want to apologise, so you're definitely not turning into Bruce." He had to force the words out, uncomfortable with how genuine they felt. "You're a good brother, Dick."

The overwhelmed look on Dick’s face broke into a wobbly smile. “Ok.”

Then Jason got about three seconds warning as the smile firmed up before Dick fully flopped over into him, draping over his shoulders, and pinching his cheek.

“What a good speech. Who knew you had that in you, Little Wing, I’m so proud.”

“Oh my god, get off,” Jason said, shoving ineffectually at Dick’s ribs. “If I’m not allowed to hide from vulnerability by being grumpy, you’re not allowed to do it with this.”

“I let you be grumpy instead of vulnerable all the time,” Dick said, but he did stop tugging at Jason’s cheek and settled into a regular hug. “I am proud of you, though.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Jason said. He stopped trying to shove Dick off, though.

“Yeah, ok.”

[americanrecord]

Halfway through the week! Hi Kelsey!! How are you doing?? 🥰 Happy Valentine's Day 🩷🩷✨️

hi ashley !! happy wednesday! and happy valentine's day 💓!!

i'm doing okay <3 i'm actually getting ready to go to bed super soon. i had the longest day everrrr. i got to work, and there were like 20+ huge banker's boxes jam-packed with files that i had to go through. my boss expected it all to be done by the end of the day (physically impossible) and it was, in fact, not done by the end of the day, so...i will be doing more of that tomorrow. and he's like...old, right (70+), so you would think he'd be like chill with the fact that i'd want to sit and do the work (mind you, i'm wearing heels), but he was literally like "stand while you do it, it's faster," not even being snippy or anything, just like genuine, and i was like??? ummm, ok :). and then sat down the minute he went to his office. like i'd been on my feet for an hour+ at that point and my legs were shaking bc my feet hurt so bad, he's insane if he thinks i was gonna sort PAPER for a SHREDDER for 8 hours on my feet, idgaf about productivity times. this firm has 3 people. anyway, he told me i can wear jeans and gym shoes tomorrow 😭 which is unheard of for a law firm, so...win?

anyway, i just came home and did homework after that. i thought i would have two long assignments like always and it turned out i only had 1! yay! and then i just finished doing a little bit of writing (i've been toggling with the same 3.6k words since sunday and finally have gotten it down to 3.3k so i can officially move on now.) also, i drove successfully to work!! i actually followed my uncle on the way there and he followed me home, but i survived <3 my family is mostly worried bc i work very close to what is the biggest mall in my state sooo traffic is crazy and the route is so wonky. anyway, LIVED. i've never driven by myself before !

how are you? how was yesterday? i hope today was nice, even if i'm very late answering this!!

[iamnotawomanimagod]

I want to talk Coach Ben dream theories with you bc even though I didn't respond I have been THINKING about your theory but I have to watch the next episode first bc I have no idea what more happened with that. I feel like I'd propose a theory and you'd be like WELLLLL lol. But oooooh the whole dream world thing is SO interesting

So this is obviously dated and before the finale, but I am still on this train!!

Sadly, I think we've left behind the world where Coach Ben is fully dissociating, though. Since dream!Paul kicked him out of the dream world and Misty talked him off the literal edge, Benny Boy's got his groove back. And that groove means attempted murder-by-fire of like, a dozen teenage girls (and Travis.) So I don't think anything about my theory of Ben eating in his dissociation dream world and permanently disconnecting from them is ever going to pan out.

But it's still very interesting to me that there were other similarities between Ben's dream world and the death dreams of the girls in the wilderness. In the death dreams, the girls are tempted by something they really want. Jackie drinks the hot cocoa and dies, and before that she dreams of her friends warmly accepting her and telling her they love her. Lottie's dream is a weird inverse, where her friends judge and belittle her, and Laura Lee pushes her out of the dream before she can eat food there and die in real life. Even Shauna's death dream, difficult as it is, involves her successfully feeding her baby and connecting with her child. So the pattern of not eating/eating and survival/death is pretty well established at this point.

Ben's dissociation dream world is so similar to these in some ways. He gets what he's dreaming of - he's with Paul, he never got stuck in the wilderness or lost his leg, he's not surrounded by cult-ish cannibalistic teenage girls (and Travis.) And at the end of it, Paul forces him back into the real world, just like Laura Lee did for Lottie. And Paul tells him he loves him, just like Shauna did in Jackie's death dream.

I don't know what these parallels mean, lmao. I'm not even sure they mean anything, anymore. And I don't know if they were ever going to get so literal as the "even if you're not dying, if you're dreaming and you eat, it's bad" route. That was probably too on the nose.

But I do think it's interesting that there are a lot of similarities to all these dreams. Maybe, since Coach also wasn't eating in real life, being the only one who hasn't given into cannibalism, the similarities between the dreams were only supposed to suggest that, if Ben hadn't woken up, he would've eventually succumbed to starvation and died anyway. And they just thought it'd be too obvious to have him be offered and refuse or nearly accept food in his dreams with Paul.

I thought it was clever, though, dammit!

Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying that I think there's something there, I don't think it's exactly what I thought it was, and sadly, I think we've gotten all the answers we're gonna get. What a nuts story beat, though.

[spongebobafettywap]

Also quick question, wasn't it Abyss and Kiwi Black he also had a strong link to?

correct, it was probably tied to how they each had a power set slightly similar to his like abyss' which is tied to space alteration.

(while i was looking this up to be sure i read that abyss just got killed which is... sad because apparently it was the only way to solve an issue as he still couldn't control his powers. even after being on an island with other mutants and scientists for 3 years. dude is just unlucky)

Also a male writer being unfamiliar with female biology is par for the course in Marvel comics LOL.

oh believe me i know. but this just took every single one of the standard bad i was used to and blew it out of the water. like the panel where destiny is having nightcrawler... this now exists.

i- i don't even know where to start. the proportions are off (how long are destiny's femurs), the perspective is off (the must-wear-a-tie-on-the-job medical 'professional' they had is too far away from her to be of any help or see anything).

for the 22 hours this went on, they let her keep her glasses even tho she's blind and thus wouldn't need them in the first place as they serve no purpose and might become a nuisance real quick... (like the whole process makes you sweat and builds pressure on your head/face so glasses can get pretty uncomfortable). also they'd fall off/ slip from her face especially due to the labor position she's in...

because destiny is nearly sitting down on her hands and knees, slightly hunched over (instead of arched up), in actual pants while doing all of that. it becomes more jarring to see because fake-pregnant mystique next to her is in a more-practical-for-the occasion nightgown even tho she's not gonna deliver any baby any time soon

quick side note on the time taken here for the delivery : each pregnancy is different and complications do arise but destiny already had kids before so it should have gone smoother than what this story implies in both process and positioning besides the doc or mystique could have better advised her on the latter. (the writer might have accidentally leaned on the ' azazel's children are harder to deliver ' route too due to his poor knowledge on anything and in that case that's yet another common factor between nightcrawler and azazel's biological children...)

overall when you combine this panel with any medical knowledge you might have,

it just looks like nightcrawler came out of the wrong orifice okay ?

and if he supposedly came out of the right one, the only possible outcome to this poor attempt at that specific labor position is a dead baby nightcrawler as he would suffocate between destiny's legs before drawing his first breath... on the account of those damn pants

does destiny actually want this kid or is she deliberately dwindling his chances of survival before he's even out fr

Well you know they will have all important Street Brawls as part of the next Marvel Crossover event I'm sure. Marvel: Secret Street Brawls.

mystique just casually organizes encounters between specific heroes and villains after making a poll of "who do you wanna see fight" and "which street needs more wrecking" online then she films everything and updates it to cash in on some good old advert money. that's it, that's how the whole event should be about

It's like everything you're telling me gives me more reasons to never go back to reading Marvel. I felt like my tastes in story telling really matured after I started watching shows like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and reading and Watching Jojo's bizarre adventure. Maybe there's a reason why the best stories function with a beginning and an end and don't go on endlessly with too many cooks stirring the pot.

Like seriously wasting Abyss for what? Some storyline no one cares about? You know its interesting how you'll be one of the few people to point that out about how stupid the drawing of female anatomy is. Of course a lot of people just really like the "appearing progressive" angle that Marvel loves to do so they can sell a headline instead of putting thought into it, much like how they did when they decided Bobby should just be gay in such a contrived way like having Jean mindread him and tell him he's gay. Like they couldn't just have him explore his own sexuality? With his own feelings on how his relationships went and what genders he likes? Side note I really hate whenever someone criticises a story thats made to appear progressive gets lumped in with reactionary bigots as if whenever you write something with the intention of progressive you are absolutely free from criticism its just so childish really.

Honestly yeah they do need to just have Marvel Street Brawl be a thing and then they could also try to be deep about it like they did with AvX and pretend like there's this massive moral dilemma situation "Should we destroy this Street or not? That's a big problem and we need to answer it in 50 issues"

[l-in-the-light]

I'm just gonna leave it here lol. Come on, Zoro can be pretty dumb, that's the point of it. Always has been. You think Zoro even noticed he chomped down some razorblades? Ofc he didn't! It was just some crunchy food for him. And he's too airheaded to realize only his lunchbox had anything crunchy in it lol. There's a reason why Luffy and Zoro are besties, and that reason is: they're both kinda dumb. Personally, it only makes me like them more.

But if anyone wants to go serious route here, I think we should instead ask this question: what made Zoro this way? Is he so used to eat trash to survive that a bit of poison and inedible things don't affect him all that much anymore? When we look at Zoro's backstory we can realize that he was pretty much always alone. No family, always training. Like sure, he had the dojo, but he didn't think they're his family or at least we never see anyone treat Zoro this way or him addressing them as family. He called Kouzaburo just "some old guy". No one told him they're all probably relatives either (we know thanks to SBS that they, in fact, are somewhat related). Zoro lost his parents and was on his own ever since (his father died fighting against pirates, his mom was a bandit and died of illness). How did he find the dojo, what did he do to survive before they took him in? Let's not forget Zoro was always full of pride and very stubborn. I doubt descendants of samurais would just tell him "we need to take you in, otherwise you will starve". Maybe they told him instead that they will take him in only if he promises to train (because he has potential), so in exchange he tried to be good with swords, so he can somewhat repay them for their kindness and care. Like to show their efforts to train him didn't go to waste.

Anyway, my point is, Zoro at some point in childhood might have also learned how it's like to be starving what a coincidence, it's like with Sanji huh. Luffy also knows that feeling, when Garp left him in the jungle alone and told him he needs to survive by himself. He had to try out things to eat if he didn't want to die of hunger. We can laugh that Luffy is so stupid that he's eating any mushrooms he finds, but that's probably something he learned as a kid to do to survive. So I bet Zoro, who can eat any trash you give him, is also showing us he didn't have an easy time as a child.

Disclaimer of sorts: And before anyone protests that only Sanji is allowed to have a starvation as a theme in his backstory, otherwise it won't be unique anymore, I dunno, what about Nami (who lived in poverty and at times had to survive on tangerines alone), Usopp (what did he eat after his mom passed away? who took care of him?), Chopper (yeah, he kinda ate a devil fruit because he was hungry and somehow assumed that looks edible huh), Robin (lately it's been revealed how she had to eat from trash to survive) and outside Strawhats, what about Law? After he got out of Flevance and before he joined Donquixotes, he had to survive somehow. The only possible way he could have done that is by living on the streets and by eating trash or stealing. There's a lot of starving kids in One Piece, that theme is not exclusive to Sanji, but it also doesn't make it any less special. Sanji himself is what made it actually special; by vowing he will feed all the starving ones, no matter what troubles it will bring him, no matter if someone he feeds has bad intentions or might be a bad person. He's not letting anyone starve and nothing is ever gonna make him regret feeding people, even if they try to harm him instead of showing gratitude. That's what's truly special about Sanji's backstory, the starvation bit is just allowing him to relate to starving people more. You can say all you want about Germa, but Judge didn't starve his son, and ever since he left his family Sanji worked on the cruise ship and didn't really experience hunger either.

The Razor Blade scene: Character assassination, a joke, or something else?

I've been seeing people discuss two small scenes connected to each other post Fishman Island and in Punk Hazard, the first where the two are bickering and they say this:

And a scene in Punk Hazard where Sanji packed lunches for Luffy, Zoro, Robin, and Usopp and Zoro is making "crunching" noises in the panel, and Oda reveals in an SBS that Sanji did actually put razor blades and poison in Zoro's food:

I have seen claims of character assassination in this scene for Sanji, considering his position on food being something everyone has a right to and his refusal in Whole Cake Island to put poison in the cake they plan to give to Big Mom:

I understand that comparing the two scenes, it does look like Sanji is abandoning his ideals just to get back at Zoro in their fight. But we need to look at both what Oda is saying in the SBS and also Zoro and Sanji's relationship to understand this scene, and why I don't believe this breaks Sanji's character or his ideals.

In the SBS, Oda ends the answer with "The serious nature of their fight is what makes it interesting." Going back one panel and seeing what triggered this fight:

It was Zoro being a lil shit and calling Sanji "Nosebleed-kun." That's to say, this fight is no more serious than their usual bickering, and Oda is making fun of that. Ultimately, this scene and the lunchboxes is a running joke, so that is one thing to keep in mind is that the scene, and Sanji by extension, is not serious about this fight. Of course, jokes are not immune to committing mischaracterization, so we have to look at their relationship too to make sense of it fully.

So why did Sanji actually put poison and razor blades in Zoro's food if he believes that poison shouldn't be used in food? I think at the end of the day, we have to remember that Sanji would never hurt anyone through food, especially the ones he cares about. And he does care about Zoro, it is shown time and time again that they watch out for and care for each other, from Long Ring Long Land, to Thriller Bark and Saoboady, and in Wano. My point is that Sanji knows that Zoro is a freak of nature and wouldn't actually be hurt by the razor blades or the poison, and that he would finish the food.

Zoro actually eats the damn food and literally says nothing about it, Oda didn't even think people would catch this it was such a small detail, but it's one I really like. One because, honestly, it is a funny joke to me, but also it shows a level of trust and understanding of each other? Sanji knows that Zoro is such a brute that he can just fucking. Chomp on metal (which. you know he does on the regular anyways LMAO) and have a little bit of poison go through him and he's literally fine. This is no worse to me than Sanji kicking him. And Zoro just accepting what he's been given, literally no complaints, and he finishes the food and doesn't waste it, because he DOES respect what Sanji does for him and the crew on a daily basis.

Ultimately, the difference in this scene and in Whole Cake Island is that Sanji KNOWS that he isn't actually gonna hurt Zoro by pulling this on him, hes looking to call Zoro on his taunt and be an annoying brat back to him. Bege is seriously asking him to kill Big Mom through the food that he makes, something that's on a completely different level then him pulling a prank on Zoro. The razor blade joke no different in this scene as well in Wano:

I don't think this is out of character for Sanji, it is their usual pettiness on full display, but also serves as a nice small detail into how they understand and trust each other.