#i don’t remember the name of the specific saint but there was At Least one who made a habit of like.

[brittlebutch]

i don’t actually remember when i wrote this out but arguably this would have been better for the THAT GIRL’S NOT RIGHT IN THE BRAIN title. Me not writing the Evan one does mean the title is open, if i ever decide to pick this up again though I guess lol

[forsakenwitchery]

It's been a long time since I've really ranted about something on here but like.

HOTD is just… On another level of bad? At some point this season, I got so tired of getting angry with the writing I just straight up started laughing at almost every single scene. I managed to find a sliver of enjoyment in the shitshow what S2 turned out to be. Not anymore.

Small costest backstage at the end because I felt like looking at myself smiling after writing all this down lol

Having seen some and read about some E8 leaks I'm just… I guess I'm checking out. What they've done to the Greens and specifically Aemond this season is Merlin's 'Morgana suddenly full evil' level of shit writing. And I can't handle yet another favorite nuanced character of mine being stripped of any nuance by the shit writers. But at least with Morgana there was a lot of her, and with Aemond it's 2 minutes of peak character assassination per episode and it isn't cutting it.

I feel so bad for Ewan and the rest of the Green actors who gave it their all - and in some scenes you can clearly see Ewan giving his all trying to fight the shitty writing, but there's only so much an actor can do with a script so bad.

Like when in ep. 5 everyone kept referring to Aemond as if he's suddenly Satan incarnate (Alicent, Daemon ahhh pretty sure there was someone else this episode ‘cause I remember three characters) I knew they decided to flip the switch with Aemond suddenly going full caricature villain (and yeah he was no saint BUT LIKE BBQ-ING HIS BRO?) with no proper buildup for it but HOLY SHIT I didn’t think it would be ‘blink and he’s full on sociopathic villain’. And the way they really did try and hammer that point home with him yanking Helaena now is just… Fucking wild. But like, he wasn’t wrong with dismissing Alicent who turned out to be the biggest traitor on TG this season (RIP S1 Alicent). He’s not wrong in saying they need Dreamfyre. But the show sure did go about him technically not being wrong yet showing it in the worst way possible very... head-on and with lacking any nuance. It truly feels like Condal & Co just couldn’t handle how popular Aemond became in S1 and gave him as little screen time as possible while simultaneously trying to make him as unsympathetic and suddenly 180 as possible. Which just doesn’t work without the proper buildup if you stop to think for even one second.

Then we’ve got Alicent who drilled it into her sons’ heads they’ll be dead unless they fight Rhae and now she’s also 180 and doesn’t understand why they want to fight and turns out to be the biggest traitor basically surrendering her children, the city and her brother to the woman whose husband killed her grandchild. The fuck did S1 Alicent go? Can we see her? Is she in the room with us? You know, the one jumping Rhae with the knife for Aemond? By all means, she and Aemond should have had a dynamic akin to Cersei and Joffrey’s if they were dead-set on making Aemond pretty much THE (only) villain in the show (which should have been about everyone being a criminal lmao). But like… We came to THIS? THE FUCK. THE FUUUUCK. Like imagine for one second Cersei pretty much throwing her kids to their enemies. This is. I don’t know which level of bad writing is this. We’re so far past the rock bottom at this point, the bottom doesn’t exist, the depths this season has reached don’t even have a proper name.

Then we’ve got Helaena. All season I’ve been waiting to see more of her. All season. And I waited. And waited. Her being the Dreamer sounded cool on paper. And they just ended up using her as a device to show ‘Aemond bad’ again? And HELP DAEMON? And like... to spoil the end of the story for those unfamiliar? THE FUUUUUUUUUUUCK. THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

Like damn, I knew they were baiting us with the promo and I knew it would be OOC for her to want to fight but at the same time I was kinda hoping at least she’d want to? Like she’s sane in the show. Her son was beheaded in front of her eyes. I kept hoping this show would have at least ONE female character actually willing to fight, but no. The balcony scene was good. But in spite, not thanks to what the writers clearly meant for this scene to be. Phia and Ewan really did give this scene their all and try to add nuance where they just once again tried to write Aemond off as a dick.

I haven’t seen the Aegon scene but apparently, they tried to make him look dumb again? And since there’s no rush to vacate KL in the show, why the hell didn’t he try to at least take his daughter with him? Like we get it, show, you hate the Greens and therefore all the Greens hate each other apparently (not buying it no matter how much you’re selling it tho), so him not bothering with Helaena is like okaaaay suuuure (not), but HIS KID? He was the hightlight of the first part of this season, and now we're... back at it again. Yay.

Also tbh I hated Daemyra as a concept in S1 as a ship but I LOVED their dynamic if it makes sense. It was truly interesting and both characters really shone in their shared scenes, so when Rhae’s arc this season started to feel like Groundhog Day I really missed Daemyra since at least their push and pull with Daemon made her feel more alive and interesting idk. But like. Their reunion scene looks like a grand meh? Daemon looks like he cares. Rhae came off to me like she doesn’t give a single fuck about him. Rhae in general was one of my fave characters in S1 and now it’s just. Huh? Them trying to saintify her absolutely ruined the character for me, she’s just so bland now which with her amount of screen time just… Doesn’t make for a very compelling show.

So. Yep. Those are my thoughts and feelings. tbh I don’t even know when I became so attached to the Greens. Like maybe it was in spite of the show trying to ruin and ignore them. Sort of like when you start rooting for the underdogs. But now I just feel really hollow and drained and sad for the actors. On both teams tbh, ‘cause like… What even is the point of this show anymore? There’s no war. Aemond is the only one who’s willing to wage it and the show villainizes him for it. Even in ep. 8 Rhae still says she doesn’t wanna fight the war. What did we spend 8 episodes, then, on aside from some character assassinations?

What’s the point if you don’t really feel anything towards most of the characters? Not even anger or apathy? ‘Cause like, I couldn’t care less when Rhaenys died. I’m sure when Jace kicks the bucket it would be the same. If the characters themselves can’t be bothered (where’s the aftermath for Blood and Cheese ffs?), why and HOW the hell should the viewers care? I’m sure they’ll find a way to make even Helaena’s death as meaningless as possible with giving her zero agenda in the matter.

I truly don’t think I’ll be watching S3. I don’t think I have it in me to witness how they screw up the Greens even more than they already did. It’s not even fun anymore how dumb the show is, it’s just draining. Motivations and relationships changing 180 between episodes or even during them (sometimes even during scenes), major events not phasing anyone and having no consequences. Characters the show chose as THE main characters living in Groundhog Day with nothing to do. We’re supposed to just believe the characters are suddenly completely different than they were weeks/months ago in show’s time just because the show says so. HOW ABOUT NO?

I’m only holding out hope for Daeron but at this point? I’m sure he’ll have a total o 1-2 minutes of screen time each episode as well and they’ll ruin him somehow, too. Still funny though how him and Aemond are both 16 which I’m sure is just another writing plot hole but on the off chance it isn’t… The only cool and redeemable thing the show can do at this point in my eyes is make Daeron and Aemond twins. You know, at the very least to give Ewan the screen time he deserves AND give him some better material to work with. But ah well.

At this point I’m choosing to more or less ignore everything that’s happened in S2, ‘cause the sure itself sure as hell ignored 2/3 of it, so why can’t I. Honestly, I want to do a full Helaena and Aemond cosplay, not a costest, if not for any other reason than to freaking forget S2 ever happend and maybe do some scenes which should have been in it, shippery or not. tbh I wasn't even shipping Helaemond until I saw Ewan and Phia's interviews about them and I was SO HYPED. And Tom's interviews. I was so hyped for siblings interecting in general and I feel like both the actors and the audience were done dirty in the worst way possible.

Also also the last thing I want to say is that it's super sad to see viewers turning on Aemond because it's so clear that's what the show wants everyone to do and neither Aemond nor Ewan deserve it. That's very telling of how badly he's written this season, he's not a villain you love to hate, he's just there for people to hate him. I hope at least Ewan doesn't get hate for his character, but we all know some people are braindead enough to project characters onto actors, so... :(

ALSO ALSO ALSO I don't really feel like fighting over this show because I don't think it deserves any more of my nerve cells, so should anyone decide to come at me for this post don't bother, I'll just reply with print screening this part. But it's kinda funny how tumblr seemed to have an actual war over this show when the show straight up refused to commit to anything.

To everyone who has read thus far – here, have some cute backstages from our costest. I’m sure we could all use a hug and a laugh. I know I could.

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Tuesday evening! Finally getting chance to get away from work and do something I want to do. This review ha Not a ton of Chenford but what they have is really good and its an excellent Lucy ep. We meet her mother who I like even less than her dad...

2x05 Tough Love

Ep starts off with Lucy complaining to Jackson about her dating life. She says its like Goldilocks. This one is too hot or too cold. Too frat bro or screen writer. How she’ll never find someone. Oh sweets just wait few more years you can do it haha it’ll be so worth it. Jackson’s reply is primo. ‘What you need is a grown man.’ Ain't that the truth....She does have one it's just they’re both just not ready yet LOL

They’re scrambling out the door when she opens it and there is Lucy’s mom…..As you remember I wasn’t fond of her dad. Now we get to meet her mom and get the other part of the puzzle piece. She tells Lucy how she and her father are getting a divorce. Lucy doesn’t look worried almost like this happens all the time. Her parents sound dysfunctional af. No wonder Lucy has the issues she does honestly.

She refuses to tell Lucy what happened or what’s going on. Completely dismissing Lucy and her questions. (Just like her father..) Off to a great start. Her mom stares at their couch and says how great it'll be for her back. Jackson gives up his room when Lucy offers a hotel room instead. She Looks like she wants to murder him for doing this baha I can not blame her. Nothing worse than a parent staying with you as an adult. Least that's always been the case for me. They make you feel well at least hers does as do mine like you're a child all over again they can berate and tear down.

The amount of issues I have with my own mother are not unlike what Lucy has. I feel her on this. Her mom takes a pot shot at her on the way to Jackson’s room. Her face says it all. I’ve always loved Lucy’s sense of style BTW. She always looks great to me. But I’ve been there my mom also likes to take little shots like that at me too. I relate so hard it pains me. Can't just show up and be kind...no no has to tear you down a bit before 5 minutes have elapsed. It looks like she gets it from both barrels with her parents. Another thing I can relate to as well. No reprieve.

Grey brings up CI’s in roll call and how they need to cultivate their own. Tim instantly is mouthy about them. Grey tells them they’re good tools. Tim pipes in ‘They’re definitely tools…’ Of course he has a POV that is diametrically opposed to Angela's. He thinks they need to be dominated and never in control. Where she believes they need to feel like they're apart of the team. Why am I not surprised at both of their POV’s? Ha Tis the theme of this ep for them least from a work standpoint. Harper pipes in says they're both wrong they all need to be handled differently.

Lucy already has her CI all picked out. Are we shocked our girl did her homework long before this came up? She’s chosen a pawn shop owner named Opal as her first CI. Lucy has picked this specific one cause they’re never called in help from the cops about illegal merch. Meaning either they're a saint or keeping illegal stuff without reporting it. Tim seems impressed with her strategy. (won’t tell her that of course) but lets her know it’s not easy to bag a CI.

What I love about this first scene is Lucy’s complete control. Her calm demeanor during this whole thing. Not one thing rocks her boat. Tim just sits back (Looking fine as hell btw) and lets her do her thing. He is as proud as can be while he does. I don’t know what’s cuter her little spin around being all proud of herself or Tim’s cute smile behind her. He is beaming but trying to keep it in check. He's enjoying watching her do her thing that's for sure.

Lucy commands this situation entirely. Opal clearly doesn’t want to bite so Lucy forces her hand. Tim just stands back and lets her work her magic. You can see how proud he is of her taking control. Owning this situation and ultimately getting what she wants. I mean he’s seen that in action a million times with her. Usually it’s her battling him haha So I’m sure he’s more than happy to let the shop owner be the recipient of her driven energy for once haha

Opal cracks and Lucy asks for something that has come through recently. No petty misdemeanor crap haha Tim is just sitting pretty literally and figuratively while she does this. Look at him in that second gif. The way he is watching her. He is impressed with her and its showing. Opal presents Lucy with a designer bag worth at least 6k. She starts digging into the bag and Tim is confused as to what she’s doing. He decides to speaks up for the first time and ask.

Lucy tells him these high end bags usually have serial numbers sewn in. It’ll link them to the original buyer. She finds this and proudly shows off her good work to Tim. She is beyond adorable with how proud she is of herself right now. Tim’s little smile is his stamp of approval. First time we get to see Lucy confidently command a situation with no help from Tim and even get his approval during it. Major growth for Lucy and I’m here for it. ❤️

The serial number leads them to an address where they speak with the woman who it belongs to. Lucy tells her that her bag was at a pawn shop as stolen property. The lady is awful and assumes it was her housekeeper and fires her. The step daughter Olivia walks in and fesses up to selling them. Says she wouldn’t have even noticed.

The step-mom (we soon find out she is to this girl) wants her arrested. Says it'll be only way she'll learn. Lucy is appalled by this woman’s behavior. Asks her if that’s really what her father would want? She continues to be terrible and says he wants whatever she says. Tim and Lucy have no choice but to arrest her.

They bring the step daughter back to the station for processing. Lucy asks where her mother is? She lets her know she passed away last year from cervical cancer. Her dad was cheating on her mom while she was in hospice. You see Lucy’s empathy kick right in. The need to help and need to fix things. Something she doesn’t know how to turn off. I’m with her on that. I too am a very empathetic person it’s hard to turn that off when you see someone hurting.

Goes from processing this girl to trying to guide her a bit. Letting her know she shouldn’t go home tonight. Olivia tells Lucy she doesn’t much of a choice. She has no access to the money her mom left her till she graduates college. That her father is withholding it. Lucy says that can't be legal? Olivia lets her know she's too broke to hire a lawyer to know if it is. Lucy sighs tells her stealing isn’t going to make her situation any better. Olivia looks so lost then asks what will? Poor girl that sucks. I can not imagine being in her living situation.

Nolan’s son shows up with his fiancé at the food truck all in love and happy. Lucy already in a funk about dating says how happy they look and she wants that. All in good time my dear all in good time. You most definitely are not ready yet for Tim and vice versa. But breaks my heart to see her longing for that so much. It really is foreshadowing for what happens to her this season with Caleb. *Heart clutch*.

Lucy is on the phone with her mom and she is belittling her about her grocery list (eye roll) when her convo gets interrupted by Opal. I love her calling for Tim and him instantly replying. Said before it’s the little things I love and this is one of them. She goes on to tell him Olivia returned to the shop. Was selling more of her step moms stuff. This time she didn’t want money she wanted a gun.....

Tim and Lucy go back to Olivia’s house and hear gun shots. She’s shooting up all her step mom's hand bags. Saying how she turned her dad against her, that she ruined everything. Sadly they have to arrest her again. Lucy is telling Olivia she made everything so much worse. The step mom starts to go off saying how she’s going to pay for those. The sweet house keeper walks in asking what’s going on? Step mom asks why she is there? That she fired her. She says she was grabbing last of her things when she heard the commotion.

You can see how annoyed they all are with this nasty woman. The house keeper then asks Tim and Lucy if they’d like to see where she hides all her drugs? Amazing. Epic really. Way to return the favor for firing her for no damn reason. Look at them all tall and small looking like a power couple. How can two people who are just standing there exude so much chemistry?

Lucy wakes up next morning to her apt out of order. It’s such a violation to have what should be your safe space messed with. Her mother just did this without asking. Something my mom would do. So this irritates me to no end...Just another comment on what she thinks Lucy is doing wrong. Drives me insane.

Poor girl she looks so betrayed by Jackson agreeing with the new set up. Thankfully when they arrive back home they see her mom's suitcase by the door. Says they made up and her father is coming to get her. As her mom is leaving she levies one last pot shot. Telling her to come by the office to see why she isn’t dating anymore? After she is gone, Lucy makes a comment about being 28 and still single cause of her parents. Jackson challenges her and says you sure that’s why?

I love Jackson so much for bringing this up. It’s why Lucy isn’t ready for something ‘Tim level’ yet. She still is a commitment-phobe. Also she goes for things that are safe right now. Almost like a placeholder for her till she is ready for the real thing with Tim. Goes after men that’ll never really last for her. Or that she doesn’t take seriously enough for it to. Like with Emmett we'll see later on.

Her face in that gif is too funny. She knows Jackson has her pegged. She still has a ways to go but all part of her journey and the process really. Just like Tim it is fun to watch her grow personally and professionally ❤️

That’s all she wrote for this ep. Not a ton of Chenford content but good stuff none the less for our girl and our couple.

~~~~

Side Notes-Non Chenford

Fun to watch everyone get their CI’s and Jackson get out of the hole but that’s a bout it nothing major this ep.

Thank you to all reading and commenting/liking/reblogging. Especially during Chenford week when we have an onslaught of goodies to read and look at appreciate those who read these reviews appreciate you all :)

[moviemunchies]

The director of Sound of Freedom (full disclosure: I haven’t seen that movie), which became the darling of A Very Right Wing Audience, made a movie starring a saint, the message of which is that the system is terrible to immigrants in the US, and you shouldn’t treat them like trash.

I have a lot of thoughts, guys.

Cabrini tells the story of Mother Saint Frances Cabrini, an Italian religious sister who wanted to start missionary orphanages in China and wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. The Pope convinces her that she start working in the West, first–specifically in New York City, where Italian immigrants live in slums and are shunned by the populace, including the local diocese’s administration. Undaunted, Mother Cabrini charges forward to build her orphanage, whether or not she’ll get support from the city, the press, or the Church.

I kind of want to talk about the critical conversation that surrounded this movie.

Obviously, a film featuring a saint as its protagonist will get attention from Catholic outlets, and that’s where I saw most of the reviews. There was a noticeable common thread among Catholic critics that even though it’s about a canonized saint, a religious sister, and the character’s explicitly Catholic in the movie, her faith is not explored as her motivation, and it doesn’t really emphasize God working through her. We Catholics do not believe that we accomplish holy tasks based on our own power–we do it through God’s grace.

This movie, on the other hand, understandably makes it so that Mother Cabrini is the prime mover of events, though she certainly does have faith. But for Catholics, her reverence for God should be more emphasized, and her crediting and trusting in Him should be more explicit. I understand that in order to make it appeal to a wider (if still primarily Christian) audience, this was toned down, though I don’t know if it was the best idea.

My family and I also noted, while watching the film, that Frances Cabrini’s backstory is not really explored in a comprehensive way. Okay, fine, the movie’s not about that, and there’s enough to go off of. What’s a little more frustrating is that the sisters she leads in her efforts at building an orphanage are… look, I don’t know if they even have names in the film. I don’t remember much about them, other than that they’re there to back up the main character.

There are, however, not-so-legitimate criticisms I’ve seen. The Pillar talked a bit about it in one of their posts, but did not go into a full review because their writers are reporters of Catholic news (and they do very good work on that front, being unafraid of talking about scandal and asking hard questions). The opinion of the editor there was that, along with the above criticism, the antagonists were caricatures of patriarchal corruption, being essentially douchey men, which he felt was putting all the problems faced by the characters on men.

Which… yeah, because she’s running up against corrupt or uncaring systems and institutions, which at the time are all run… by men. 

Maybe this is because I recently read Burn It Down, but taking issue with this feels like missing the point of the movie. You can say all you want that the systems in place aren’t just the fault of some men in charge, but those men in charge hold a lot of responsibility. Immigrants aren’t suffering in the US because the system has to be that way, they’re because people in charge choose to make or keep it that way to benefit themselves. The movie simplifies how these systems work, yes, but that doesn’t change that depicting them as the result of prejudiced, greedy, and corrupt men is not a bad choice.

Like, imagine if someone complained that Hidden Figures uses caricatures that are too simple for the reality of what happened. Yeah, that’s true, and there are definite issues with those depictions, but is it wrong to do that in a movie? I don’t think so.

[And then at least one person in the comments of that post angrily claims this movie constitutes “militant feminism” which makes me see red. Do words even have meaning these days? I feel like every time a film with female leads has a douchey male villain, some whackjob claims that it’s a story asserting that all men are evil.]

If the figures depicted in the movie actually were generally alright people, and the film is villainizing real people unnecessarily, then yes, we have some problems. Otherwise, I’m fine with it.

I am also kind of stunned how much this movie comes out swinging on certain issues. Again, the director’s previous film was a movie that got a lot of attention from right wing media, and this is one that depicts things like racism against immigrants, police brutality, political corruption–things that I don’t think FOX News is as keen on talking about. I think audiences cared enough about it for this movie to be mildly successful, though, which shows that, thankfully, people aren’t on as strictly drawn socio-political lines as the media would have you believe.

 This is a fairly powerful narrative, guys, and it does not hold back. There are wealthy (white) New Yorkers complaining about how “brown children” are running through their streets, people denigrating others for not speaking English, and pointing out that the people oppressing immigrants today are the descendants of immigrants who themselves went through oppression when they arrived.

I like that the movie does not flinch away from that: showing that many of the problems we face today are not new, they’ve been baked into this country for over a century. The problems just wear slightly different hats–who the immigrants being oppressed are, for instance. That doesn’t mean it’s a progressive masterpiece, but I like this direction.

And I really like the title character. She is someone who absolutely does not give up, but is constantly getting frustrated by the people around her underestimating what she’s trying to do and whether she can accomplish it. She knows that she can, the problem is getting other people to see that as well.

Also, the movie’s last line. I’m very fond of it.

But like I said, this movie doesn’t really feel like it’s that interested in the lives of those who served in Mother Cabrini’s religious order, or much of her life and interests. And that’s a definite failing of the movie. Overall, though, I think it’s good, it’s strong, and I think it sticks with you. I lament a bit that it’s not more Catholic, and it could have been. I don’t think it’s necessarily as good a movie about historical figures as something like Hidden Figures, but it is very good, and I encourage people to at least check it out.

[marengogo]

UGH!-5: JUNGKOO-GATE

Memories That Cannot Be Erased - by Sim Hee Jin  [The Glory, Pt.2 (Original Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)]

[Music is a very big part of my life and I’m MOSTLY INCAPABLE of writing without music, so I just thought I'd share what I am listening to while writing this]

–🐺–🐺–🐺–

I was going to just play the Sims, while watching youtubers reacting to “The Glory”, Anything BTS, or anything which my mind & soul might deem to be needed at the very present. Needed to feel something, what? I don’t quite know myself, maybe something that will help me finally carry on with my project? Maybe something that will make me feel happy for the time being, at this very moment? Or maybe just something that will make me feel like I can forget that there are so many thing I must remember, at least for one fucking day. Yeah, I was going to do all of that right at this very moment, and I still will, but now it will be after I’m done writing this. 

So I am here writing this because I couldn’t stop myself from doing so, because, AND HEADS-UP THIS IS ABOUT TO GET VERY GRAPHIC ✌🏾, when one is pressing to go to the toilet, they should. Trying to hold it in, is very bad for your system as a whole, same goes for throwing up or sneezing, or anything else which obviously your body has decided that “yeah no, this can’t stay here, it's gotta to go. Now”. So release myself I will, but like everything else in life EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING there is a place for such activity. When it comes to excrement, the toilet is such a place. When it comes to sneezing, opening your mouth widely into someone else’s face is not the place. When it comes to my feelings, with regards to a specific topic, my blog is one such place.

In real life, I am the type of person that cracks jokes to no end, because it makes me happy knowing that I was the person who was able to make you laugh; I love it, I almost crave it. I am the type of person who would choose friendship over romance, in the sense that if we are going to have a crush on the same human, I will step back and that is a fault, nothing to brag about, at all, because I don’t like unprovoked conflicts when your life has been a constant fight, after fight, after fucking fight, you will quickly try to veer clear of any, if you can and also I grew to be very selfish about my romantic ideal, in my head, if you really liked me like that, I shouldn’t have to compete with someone else also another fault, to a certain degree, so I’ll just keep being me, wait, and see; if we are not meant to be, I’ll be just as fine on my own, I got used to it. I am the type who is also so patient and nonchalant that, if you don’t know me, you will straight away peg me as the person you can easily walk all over, if you do know me, you will be carefully looking for ways to intelligently tell me anything, and if you love me friend or lover you know you can just come at me and we will get at it, whatever “it” may be.

Out of the many things that I am not, forgetful is one. I will remember anything: trivial, important, bad, good, numbers, shapes of clouds, you name it; I will remember it AND WHAT A FUCKING NIGHTMARE THAT IS and let me tell you, a memory like that is usually the product of a well trained self-defense mechanism process, so also nothing to brag about. I am not a person who can sit and watch seemingly innocent people take an unwarranted beating, be it physical or emotional, because I was once there myself and I wished someone else stood up for me. I am not a saint, through life experience I morphed myself into something far from actually, so I will never truly judge you, unless you ask me to, and anything else will always just be a deliberate relying of my opinion, in my blog.

So what does any of this have to do with Jikook? Hmmm … yesterday’s live, heavily highlighted how people like me, or rather, people who are not like a certain demographic in this fandom, are often not given the benefit of the doubt. It’s all so fucking guilty until proven innocent. It reminded me just how jarringly white and black many seem to be when it comes to Jikook’s relationship in general and as the gray-citizen that I am, it is alway so criminally mind-blowing that I usually have no words and just leave it at that unless being otherwise prompted or if I see someone I care about being pestered. 

Yesterday however, it specifically made me think about JK. I don’t think I’ve ever said this anywhere in my blog but I heavily relate to JK in his way of thinking, and perhaps also feeling soulwise I think I might be closer to Yoongi, but we are about to find out soon enough, which is probably why I like JM so much 😜😜😜. Because, people such as myself and JK tend to either joke or stay calm as their MO, we usually don’t speak about important things with people we don’t know/connect with, and when we do, it might look so out of nowhere, it will end up feeling “uncharacteristic” hence sounding weird, forced and scary 👻 at times.

Out of all that, there is one particular aspect I feel like JK and I have in common, which is the fact that you can't tell me what to do, at all. That is your quickest way to win a ticket at my “I think not, in fact, I will definitely find a way to NOT do what you just told me you want me to do” Show 🤡. The one very big difference I have with JK, however, is that his parents seem to have been the child's personal decisions supportive-type, whereas alas mine were not. So even though in my formative years I was a bit of a loose cannon and did everything I wanted, it was always just as long as it didn’t involve my parents. They had/have working on it, therapy, is a wonderful thing the strongest hold on me. But so … who has a hold on JK? Does anyone even have a hold on him? 

Hobi has expressed how JK is “handsome, but doesn't listen”. Yoongi has expressed how “JK might be a genius but that doesn't mean he doesn't work hard at what he does”. JM has expressed how “JK is different behind the cameras, he is actually cute, but also has a sort of manliness to himself”. Namjoon has expressed how “even though every member of BTS is important, there is no replacement for Jungkook”. Tae has expressed that “JK is the type of person who has outstanding basic talent”. Jin has expressed, with his caring actions towards JK, how even though JK is formidable, he is still a young man in a big-big world.

Very stubborn. Impossibly talented. Regrettably young.

  That is what I have gathered of JK, thus far. From what we’ve been allowed to experience through footage, from what the members have conveyed when talking about him and from JK’s “art/work” itself as fans. The one person who hasn’t had a problem in often pegging him as cute is JM. Namjoon has time and again pointed out how JK is a softie with the body of a rock, yes, but JM always attempts to point out the fact that JK in reality is just a big ball of softness, but he is then quickly “silenced” when instantly confronted with the fact that he is the “resident mochi” … we won’t get into that particular monicker today so he just ends up agreeing 😬. Why am I pointing this out? Do I think JM controls JK? … 😂😂😭😭 … Please 😑, if they are in a relationship, JM would be a lover not a ruler.

JM has a very big influence on some of the final decisions he makes, I honestly do believe that, but JK is first and foremost his own “unique” person, who however, for at least a good 10 years, had no other choice but to listen to a whole lot of other people. Control is a very big aspect of my life: I literally FEAR losing it. Reason why I am scared of trying sleeping pills, reason why I’m scared of falling asleep while on plane, reason why I don’t do drugs, but at the same time reason why UNFORTUNATELY I drink an unhealthy amount, ever since I figured out that I always remember everything i’ve done and I that I do get loose just enough not to lose myself. Basically, the second I feel like someone is trying to take “control away” from me and if I am in a position where I can I lash. 

And by that I don’t mean that Imma scratch you obviously, just means that within 3 second of the happening I would have already formulated plan A-Z in order for me to either regain the control I lost, or find ways to soothe me and give me the apparent comfort I need to feel like I have regained some sort of control I am a master at self-soothing. At that very moment, what is paramount, is knowing that from that moment on, every single decision made involving me would be made by myself and myself only. Meaning that, at that very moment, if you saw me being undecided between broccoli and kale juice, and you kindly offered your opinion, without me asking, I would most certainly feel the sudden craving for a vanilla ice-cream cone instead.

As an introvert I’ve often found comfort within my room. Is where I’ve created most of my projects, where I’ve taught myself a whole language, where I was safe from bullying, where I could allow myself to dream, where I am 100% in control. When I’m in comfort zone, I tend to not think much about what I do, even if 85.13% of the times what I do will not make sense to anybody and has made people call me “crazy”, at that moment, it made sense to me, because i decided to it, so I would quite frankly, not give a fuck. Anyways, me and my room are the main reason for the struggle people I love have when I rather stay home than go for a day out. Once I am out, I’m the light of the party; just gotta get me there 😬. 

As it just so happens, JK seems to have found one of his comfort zone in “talking” to ARMY. He maybe has an excuse to escape from whatever it is that he actually needs to be doing/thinking of, while at the same time he shows ARMY that he is alive: WIN-WIN. Reason why he drinks with us, he entertains us, does his laundry with us, eats with you, WEVERSE-living might be providing JK with a way for him to momentarily gain control while at the same time conceding it because he is fulfilling his role as idol, he is promoting things , etc without causing any causing much of any rifts in his comfort zone. So when people ask him not to drink, to go to bed, whatever it is, if it goes against what he was there for, do not for a second think he will do any of it; because in that very moment we are most likely just a part of his well constructed comfort zone.

So this should go without saying, but it is clearly NOT sticking with some people out there. When you are looking to get some reaction from Jikook as a couple, something that will give you the fix you need for the day, week, whatever, please kindly be reminded that not only their relationship isn’t confirmed, but it is also not a paid subscription show, so they don’t owe you shit. JK is not touching JM the way you want him to? JM is not with JK in the palaces you want him to? Jikook are not doing lives the times you want them to? It is all very sad and all but it also all very much sounds to me like you problem. Thus, please be reminded that there are MANY DIFFERENT TYPES of people on this sphere, and as it is hard enough to live a life as them, as me, as JK, as JM, as you, as anybody, a little bit of consideration, and “thinking before you speak” goes a bloody ass long way. 

Happy Easter, stay safe 🫰🏾💜

Always respectfully yours,

Marengo.

[ohmydais]

@june-doe-event - day 30!

I haven’t done June Doe for a few days but I really wanted to post something for the last day, and luckily I had a fanfic I wrote idk how long ago that I just found in my notes app

beware, it’s kinda long and I didn’t read through it for grammatical errors

“Final vote” the machine boomed. “Ocean Rosenberg. It has been decided that you should have the final vote.”

“..Over what?” Her voice trembled

“Who lives or dies.”

“You told us we all had to agree on that!”

“I have decided that the final vote shall go to the one with the highest grade point average. You are first”

“No, you told us we *all* had to agree on it, we are going to stick with what you said, I-“

Ocean stops in her tracks. A mysterious blue glow emerges behind her. It’s calling her. It almost feels as if.. it’s pulling her in on its own.

“What’s that”

“The other side, you merely walk in, just don’t-“

“I choose myself.”

The choir all turns from the portal, now facing Ocean. None are exactly mad at her. They’re all just.. disappointed. Ocean knew better than this. She was getting better. She was becoming more. Why would she tear herself down lower than where she had started?

“Why would someone be brought back if they hated the life that they lived? Why would someone be brought back if their life was terrible? Why would someone be brought back just to never be listened to again? Why would someone be brought back if they never enjoyed their life even if they had it way better than everyone else? Why would someone be brought back to life if NOBODY EVEN BOTHERED TO REMEMBER THEM. NO PARENTS TO CLAIM THEM. NOBODY CARING.” Ocean’s voice becoming increasing unhinged.

“Very well then.”

Ocean steadily walked towards the other side. One more step, then it would be like none of this had ever happened. She could live her dream. She could finally become the one who she was trying to be since the third grade. One more step and she would leave it all behind.

She stops for a moment. Perhaps rethinking her choice. At least the choir hoped. One small step forward. 

Ocean turned around to see who she would be leaving behind. Their faces were all so upset. Even Noel was tearing up. The aura of disappointment was surrounding them.  Ocean noticed something was off. Who.. was that?

There seemed to be a girl in Jane Doe’s place. A girl with two long brunette braids at her sides and piercingly bright green eyes, her face becoming too blurry to make out any specific features. What was her name..

“Time is pressing, Rosenberg”

She quickly whipped her head over to the ominous novelty machine. Right. She needed to go. This was her decision. She walked towards the light, reaching for whatever lied beyond it.

Ocean awoke in a hospital bed. Why was she there? She hadn’t been just born again, had she? There was no way that Karnak would start her life over again that couldn’t be it.

“Oh, you’re awake!” said a nurse on the other side of the room, “I’ll go get you some breakfast, okay?”

Ocean weakly nodded.

Not reborn. Good. Then what?

…Oh, right, the accident. 

She survived the cyclone roller coaster incident, that’s what she’d voted for to happen. It was definitely possible to save her. I wonder what would happen if Jane Doe were to be voted…

“Here’s breakfast for today!” The nurse returned. She moved the tray table from beside the bed and placed a plate of fruit, a waffle, and a cup of water. “If you need anything just let me know, okay?”

Ocean sighed out a “mhm” as she put a blueberry into her mouth. It was very difficult to speak, both from a knot in her stomach and literally being dead five minutes ago. She ate another blueberry, then spotted a paper that was on the tray table. A newspaper.

“Our Six Saints” it read across the headline.

Oh, right. She was the lone survivor. All of the bonding she had with the choir was all just a memory now. Her childhood friendship with Constance. All of it was nothing now. Her hands slightly crumpled the edges of the newspaper as she read it, holding back tears. This is what she wanted.. right?

“Guess who’s the ‘headline maker’ now” A familiar, nasally voice said.

Ocean’s eyes quickly shot up. No no, it couldn’t really be..

“Noel…?” She quietly asked, her voice breaking.

Surely enough, a semi-transparent Noel Gruber was standing in front of her. Wearing the Saint Cassian uniform, which was disheveled and painted with blood.

“At your service”

“But.. you…..”

“You didn’t listen to the rules, Ocean.”

What rule? There wasn’t a rule mentioned?

Oh.

Oh no.

She’d cut Karnak off before he could say it. She was too busy choosing herself. How selfish was she? Everyone except for her had genuine and valid reasoning to come back. And she chose herself. Why of course she did.

“I’m sorry, I was just, I-“

“Save it, Ocean” Another voice said. Ricky, surely enough. Ocean still wasn’t used to hearing his voice, let alone hearing it angry.

“We trusted you.” A Ukrainian accented voice said

“We thought you knew better than this. We thought you’d changed. Maybe we were wrong” Another, much more high pitched, voice called, very obviously overwhelmed with tears. Just the voice alone made a tear stream down Ocean’s cheek.

“Constance, I’m so sorry, I was just not thinking straight, and I hadn’t really thought through a serious decision yet, and… and” She continued on, but her voice was less and less understandable after it was flooded with tears and sniffles. 

Ocean was whipping her eyes around the room. Even the sterile hospital room felt dirty with how she was feeling right now. The four teenagers were sadly staring at her. She nearly had a panic attack when she felt a presence beside her.

She looked to her left, where the tray table was originally sitting. There was Jane Doe. Or… what was her name….

Jane Doe stared at her. Not a single word. Her face began to warp, changing from her usual porcelain doll self into a regular teenage girl. A regular teenage girl with two brunette braids, bright green eyes, freckles, and a button nose. She seemed so familiar now.

Ocean’s vision began to blur. The choir fading in and out of the room every time she blinked. Her surroundings changing from the hospital to the abandoned warehouse.

Ocean returned to the empty warehouse, just like she was before. It was like none of this had ever happened, she was back in the exact moment she had said she wanted to vote for herself.

“Do you still feel comfortable with your decision, Ocean Rosenberg?”

“.. No.”

The choir’s faces instantly changed.

“I do not want for myself to come back”

“Very well then. Then who shall?”

“.. everyone.”

“I only have the power to bring back one of you”

“No. You can bring us all back. I’m sure of it. Nobody here is going to be left alone”

She turned to look at Constance

“Not again.”

Constance smiled, eyes swelled with tears. Which kind of tears these were are yet to be decided.

“Try your best out there. And make it quick”

The choir all grabbed onto each other’s hands and slowly walked toward the other side. Instead of looking back this time, Ocean looked to her side. To Constance. She knew this was the correct decision. She could never be more sure.

They all took one last step out of this warehouse. They all took one last step towards a second beginning.

I know the dream of life is never ending

It goes around and round and round again

You know the sun is rising while descending

It goes on and on and never ends

[gemsofgreece]

https://www.vimaorthodoxias.gr/nea/zitisan-apo-ellina-ithopoio-na-vgalei-ton-stayro-poy-foroyse-sta-gyrismata-sirial-poy-tha-paichtei-sto-netflix/

Sad and unacceptable that they asked this Greek actor while filming to remove his cross necklace. Like the disrespect 😔

The article is in Greek, so I am gonna explain what happened. A Greek actor participated in a Pakistani production prepared for Netflix. The actor says he was immediately met with a hostile environment on set, however all this became even clearer when the producer demanded of him to remove his cross because “the movie would be international”. The actor argued that exactly since the movie would be international and not specifically Pakistani, it made sense to be more tolerant of all expressions and faiths (and his character wasn’t a Pakistani anyway). The producer insisted and the actor then argued that the cross wouldn’t be visible since his clothing was layered all the way to the top. The producer ignored this and insisted. The actor didn’t press the situation, he got ready for the shoot, kept the cross under his layers of clothing and filmed the scene without issue.

I am personally told an even worse situation: a friend was working in a restaurant in Germany, a supposedly tolerant European country. He was wearing a cross under his shirt. The Turkish supervisor demanded of him to remove the cross. It’s been years so I don’t remember exactly how this unfolded, whether he complied or not. (He left at some point though.) The whole argument is that you force your religion to others which is laughable and for some reason only happens with Christianity?! Does that mean that if I see a woman with a hijab I am automatically forced to become a Muslim?!?! No it only happens with a Cross. You automatically get a first class ticket to Saint Peter’s gates upon looking at a cross. What a bunch of bullshit! The Turk obviously did not like a cross in the restaurant , even under her employee’s shirt, and Germany, like many other western countries, in the name of diversity and inclusion, selectively welcome the beliefs of some communities while butchering the right to self-expression of others. I find this situation worse because at least the Pakistanis are overwhelmingly and very passionately Muslim, you could expect some reaction like this one from them (not that it is justified). But Germany which constantly raves about equality and tolerance and diversity turns a blind eye towards such injustice. I have been told this happens in many of the northern countries - they are so scared that they maybe called backwards because they are/were mostly Christian-cultured, that they have ended up accepting and empowering everyone except their own Christians.

And people are taking advantage of this. What are the chances that this Turkish supervisor would also demand of a potential Muslim waitress with a hijab to remove it? Not nonexistent, but pretty slim anyway. The cross though? Toss it away, no problem.

And let me be clear, of course people of other faiths face numerous problems with their religious garb in a society with a different major religion, i.e Christianity. Of course it’s super common for Christian shop owners to not hire visibly non-Christian employees. I am just commenting on the hypocrisy that this happens only by evil Christians, maintained by the “woke culture”. This in fact happens by everyone in power unfortunately. A Greek in Pakistan is harassed because he is in a disadvantage. A Pakistani in Greece has no as many ways to practise their faith because they are in a disadvantage. No matter how much we try, we just hide behind our fingers, religious intolerance remains strong everywhere across the globe. But the ones who pretend to have figured out and fixed all the problems are the ones who anger me the most, because they are hypocrites who allow such shit to keep happening under their nose.

[cutepastelstarsalior]

Clone high living blogging

Episode 2

Oh wow the second hand embarrassment is SO strong when Joan was asleep in class…..

……..Joan knows about Wiccan stuff AND she practices it?? I mean I guess that makes sense seeing as her clone mother was a French saint?

“Women just weren’t friends with each other like that” GIRL what do you mean?????? Like in context Joan is saying she wants friends. I know that the show had a very small character group but ?????? That didn’t mean girls didn’t have girl fiends???

Oh there breaking the 4th wall again…….i feel like this is gonna happen a lot.

Joan really said “im not like other girls”

Harriet and Frida give those vibes of girls who pretend to be friends with the outcast only to betray and bully them…I don’t trust them.

Nooooo jfk don’t have any guy friends because ponce is dead noooooooo :(

Ah hell yeahhhhhh the blue background bathroom are back!!!! :)

Nooooooo Joan had a new foster mom!!!! Cleo’s mom and toots are probably dead :(. Hmmm that makes me wonder, HOW do the clones feel about their family might be dead? Like to them it’s what, been a day? 2? Since they got unfrozen, so it must be so jarring to hear that their family might be dead or something. :(

NOOOOOOOOOO TOOTS IS CANOTICAaly dead :(

Oh no jfk learned out the internet/tiktok

Frida and Harriet murder someone….surprise but not really….

JFK and there getting into an internet battle? :/ ok…do those “correct grammar in arguments” things really happen??? Like in real like?? It feel very specific……

Episode 3

“My boy toy jfk”

Seeing the gang having anxiety is interesting….Lind of gives them characterization…

I feel like this season is very Joan-centric while last was Abe-centric. Mmmm if there is a third season will it be focused on jfk? Or Cleo?

Topher has a emotional support possum :)

It’s neat to see Harriet fear/anxiety of being a “basic wine mom”. I like to think that she just has a fear of motherhood, or like, Amatonormativity.

Them beat the heck out of the monster while saying their fears is so cheesy. Then them saying “oh it’s (insert celebrity name here) from (xyz) is soooo scoops doo like. It’s also cheesy.

Doc….why do your nipple look so gross?

Ooohhh 👀 the clones that got taken are mind controlled 👀

Episode 4

Weird….zombies??? Goblin??? Things

I feel like the reason Joan feels odd this season is because she actually feels very passionate about stuff? Like off the top of my head the only times I remember seeing her very emotional was over Abe, not being allowed to play baseball, anything with Cleo, and the snowflake day. Like, all those time where of anger or yearning so seeing Joan happy/motivated is…..odd.

I still can’t get over Cleo voice. It sound so…high? I’ll why but I keep remembering Cleo old voice as lower?

Oh! I’m right! Her voice WAS lower, (watch a video complicated in Cleo and compare it to her new voice) :/

Ha. Cha cha smooth parody.

Oh sweet! Finally some cool stuff on how the old clones interact with the new one. Aka Joan lie and say the coffe is made from child labor and everyone believes it. Hmm very interesting take on stuff! Like ughhhh media criticism and cancel culture and stuff. Idk man I can’t explain it…

…….. awww we could had have a Joan and Cleo moment were they bond and stuff :(

Did Abe and Cleo ever breakup or are they still a couple?

Hehehe valley girl accent <3

:0 homesteader Cleo!!! Joan did a backflip….neat

:( I just realized I laugh more/chuckled more in season 1 than in season 2. So far the only time I laugh is when slow float about to hit Joan. :(

God I hate Confucius outfit. Dude why are you a triangle??? Why do you’re legs not match you’re top??? Harriet outfit is fine, still an eyesore color wise but fine.

YAY MR B AND JOAN!!!!! Love their friendship :)

YES!!! YES!!!! JOAN AND CLEO FRIENDSHIP???? Or at least no longer enemies!!! Whooo!!!!!!!!

Episode 5

10 years non union internship…..damn. 👀 hmmm would that be a good job? Like if the pay is good and manageable hours then 👀

*looking up clone high Harriet because I was curious why Harriet wants to distrance herself from her clone mom* *see that in season 1 there was already a Harriet* ???????? What….what happened to the original clone? Was she not frozen and she died and Doc was like “yeah likes remake a new Harriet clone lol”

Yay musical episode :)

Oh wow they are good singers, mostly Harriet and Frida

OMG PONCE’s DAD IS BACK yippie!!! :)

I’m like 99% sure that’s not how Footloose works. Wasn’t the dancing ban happen because of a drunk driver or something in the movie?

:( the husbands don’t get along anymore :( Mr b is so catty now

“Abe can’t sing, can’t dance…” i don’t think he even knows karate? I don’t think he’s going make it/lyrics

✨ white guy confidence✨ …………….don’t drink Abe sweat….

Harriet being a pushover/not wanting to speak up against her friend 👀 (also side note it seems like Frida and Harriet stop hang out? Or rather Joan and Harriet are closer friends then with Frida??)

Oh gross they actually drank Abe’s sweat….

Harriet likes her play! It’s different from Joan’s and that fine! Love that Harriet stood up for herself and wants to do her own thing

Oh hey Vincent van go! :) he spoke!!

The said fuck! Literally the first time it happen on the show!! :0

The quiche medphor is nice :)

…..these nerd didn’t try a second time? Also Cleo can dance! She did it with Ashley angel (no pun intended) and she dance at prom????

“Practice makes progress” :) wise words Frida!

Harriet is a good singer

Oh no is jfk and Harriet going to get together???

Ok I think Harriet may be my favorite new clone…

NoOOOOOOOOO NOT THE DINNER !!!!! :0 it’s burning!!!!! Nooooooooooo

[annwayne]

MUSIC ASKS

because it looked fun :3 bagheerita did this a while back and I wanted to do it too, so >P

Edit bc I forgot to also include the credit: originally from @benedictervention-deactivated20

1. A song you like with a color in the title: Blue Lips by Regina Spektor

2. A song you like with a number in the title: One by Harry Nilsson

3. A song that reminds you of summertime: Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood

4. A song that reminds you of someone you would rather forget about: The Plagues by Mick Byram and Ralph Fiennes Less a person and more..a cult lmao but I still love it

5. A song that needs to be played LOUD: Teenagers or Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance no, I will not pick just one.

6. A song that makes you want to dance: Kissing Strangers by DNCE ft. Nicki Minaj

7. A song to drive to: Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

8. A song about drugs or alcohol: Gasoline by Halsey (?) It mentions getting high and drinking lol another song that was pivotal in my self acceptance while in the cult.

9. A song that makes you happy: Pompeii by Bastille during track meets we’d play this song off one of our phones and sing at the top of our lungs… some good memories.

10. A song that makes you sad: Love Like You from Steven Universe Ft. Rebecca Sugar less sad and more I always cry when I hear this song?

11. A song that you never get tired of: Saint Bernard by Lincoln lol reclaim religious imagery who?

12. A song from your preteen years: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons this was the first song I discovered completely by myself, not from tv, movies, friends, or family.

13. One of your favorite 80’s songs: Africa by Toto (Ninja Sex Party Cover is my favorite)

14. A song that you would love played at your wedding: Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

15. A song that is a cover by another artist: Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Ninja Sex Party

16. One of your favorite classical songs: This isn't fair I listen to classical music the most and I know so many by just like a couple notes. Like. man. I was a band kid you can't do this to me. Alright I'm being a basic bitch- Für Elise by Beethoven

17. A song that would sing a duet with on karaoke: I'll Make A Man Out of You by David Zippel, Matthew Wilder, and Stephen Schwartz (Yes, the disney song I can always belt out a disney song)

18. A song from the year that you were born: Closing Time by Semisonic yeah I pulled a semantics lol.

19. A song that makes you think about life: Creature by Half Alive who asked for more religious iconography???

20. A song that has many meanings to you: Take Me to Church by Hozier

21. A favorite song with a person’s name in the title: Eleanor Rigby by The Beetles

22. A song that moves you forward: Bells by The Unlikely Candidates

23. A song that you think everybody should listen to: Devil’s Train by The Lab Rats I just think it’s a cool song

24. A song by a band you wish were still together: Yeah I don’t know bands so I couldn’t say. Heard MCR has a reunion tour going on rn so good for them.

25. A song by an artist no longer living: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

26. A song that makes you want to fall in love: It's You (specifically the cover by Road & Ashe, at least the video title says its a cover but I can't find who the og artist is like at all-this was the song I listened to daydreaming about falling in love when I was a teen)

27. A song that breaks your heart (in a good way): Hurt by Johnny Cash

28. A song by an artist with a voice that you love: Say My Name from Beetlejuice the Musical Alex Brightman is one of my favorite voice actors and singers out there like I always can spot him in animated media and promptly lose my shit. I had the chance to see Beetlejuice the musical last December and I can't say how amazing and cool it was to see this musical after years of listening to the soundtrack.

29. A song that you remember from your childhood: Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett

30. A song that reminds you of yourself: Weak by AJR I loved this song when it first came out, listened to it constantly as it was something telling me I could make mistakes and didn't have to be perfect (something unacceptable in the eyes of the fundamentalist cult I was born into) and just a few years later I escaped that cult. Now it's a song that shows me I knew. I knew before I knew.

[evita-shelby]

Of Gods and Witches

Chapter 14

Taglist: @thegreatdragonfruta @v3d3rl1cht @urgonnaneedabiggership

Gif by @diver5ion

1919

“She’s married, she’s possibly pregnant, but at least the baby will be born on the right side of the blanket.” Livia tells her brother when they meet up at her fifth avenue palace she now owns. Belonged to the Astors before Livia made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

He is one of us, Santiago had said in a coded telegram. He may be immortal.

Not a god, but a mutant who she fell in love within the course of three weeks.

You would think her immortal lover could have waited.

But, for all intents and purposes, Eva drowned, and the man Meche saw was just Jesus Christ coming to collect her soul to heaven.

Her body disappeared as if by magic and in five years ---in accordance to the clauses in Dominga's will--- it will be the sign the church needs to make her a saint.

Saint Eva of Veracruz.

He wants to scoff. She killed several priests and at least one nun, not counting that she had been recovering from all that pill popping, smoking and drinking and that her peers assumed she was on the verge of insanity.

“No, she’s too cautious to get pregnant, Eva’s impulsive, but not stupid.” Patricio shook his head as they went over the lost of specifications of everything on Eva’s list.

They were covered for the next four business quarters with a book worth of shipping schedules for all legal and illegal ventures.

Signed ‘all my love, Eva’.

----

1923

“Fatherhood suits you, in kuxtal.” His witch kissed him in greeting and made no attempts to take the baby from him.

“You know any other man would be more than happy to ignore their child.” Eva points out as he held their infant daughter instead of finishing his work for the day.

He was never this distracted by anything, and now the God King of Talokan will use any excuse to be with his baby daughter and his wife.

“I think we’ve established I am not any other man, yaakunaj.” Ch’ah had waited more than a century for a child of his own blood. A child he didn’t have to return to their mother and father, a child he loved ever since he held her and heard her in that vision four years ago.

Itotia, whose name means dancer in Nahuatl.

Itotia, who has little wings on her ankles and dark curls like his.

Princess Itotia of Talokan.

“Sometimes I can’t believe this is all real.” He admits to his wife.

“Neither can I. Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream.” She said running her fingers through their daughter’s hair.

“I love you.” the words come unbidden now, she had said them first and then he struggled to say them.

And then one morning, after she had sucked him into one of her visions again, he said it the moment their souls were slingshot back into their bodies.

I love you, but please don’t do that, in yatan, he had been out of breath and nauseous and yet all that was forgotten when his wife asked him to say it again.

“In every universe in which you and I exist, I love you too.”

----

2025

“Come back to me.” she said putting the pearl necklace he once gave her on him.

This was their deal; he wears them to battle and returns them when he comes back to her and their girls.

“In every universe in which you and I exist, I will return to you, in kuxtal.” He kissed her like he may never do so again. A stupid fear, but a real one.

When half of the life on the planet disappeared in 2018, Ch’ah Toh Almehen was left with just the pearls in his hands as his life was snapped out of existence.

His wife and children gone and he had not been able to stop it.

Half of Talokan had died with them, and many had been killed by the consequences of that sudden disappearance.

The ocean was filled with dead in ways it had never been before, those didn’t get resurrected, those who were only died in watery graves as people scrambled to remember where the others had fallen in 2018.

The thing about magic is that you must be careful on how you word things and these Avengers did not think about consulting witches or sorcerers or even someone who had remembered those old stories.

But they had come back and yet the signs are all there. Something is coming, something worse than Thanos the Titan and his infinity stones.

K’uk’ulkan's worst fears had come true in the meantime. Wakanda had tried to be as noble as its dead king and now the Americans had discovered how to track vibranium.

They kept getting closer and now they were too close for comfort.

The smaller cities and outposts had been able to move out if harm’s way, but Talokan was too large to move now and it would never move again.

He cannot lose more people he loves because of the whims of the surface dwellers. He needs Wakanda to clean up the mess they started or pay the consequences for their so called good intentions.

Vibranium could not be shared to all.

Countries had been enslaved and pillaged for centuries because of lesser resources, if only someone had reminded T’Challa that when he foolishly showed those greedy leeches his hidden kingdom.

And yet, that is not the only thing threatening those he loves and holds dear.

“Will you tell me what you’re hiding when I return?” The king of Talokan whispered softly when they parted.

“Maybe.” She said. No, her eyes said.

She is hiding something; something is wrong with her and Eva thinks he wouldn’t know when she lies after a century together.

When her husband leaves, Eva removes the glamour.

His witch is ill and it kills him to know she refuses to let him help her. To save her one more time.

----

She hates lying to him, but him losing them seven years ago nearly destroyed him.

He can’t know she is dying.

The thing about magic, is that sometimes there are limits to it.

She can pretend she is well, but the magic can sometimes breed a certain type of cancer that no one can cure.

King T’Challa had died of it, Jane Foster as well and now Eva, the Witch Queen of Talokan will join them.

The witch is running out of time and has played the last card up her sleeve, and like the coward she is, she doesn’t have the courage to tell her husband the truth.

But she must, she must prepare him and their daughters for the inevitable.

She will tell him when he returns, the witch tells herself as she lies down in the hammock and ensures her daughters cannot see her like this.

[lowlylux]

I am a Sinner (You are a Saint)

Chapter Eight | Revelations

Ship: HeiKazuScara

Rating: E

Status: In Progress

Word Count: 2.2k

Description:

“You shall be cast out of the heavenly realm indefinitely.”

Kunikuzushi feels arms grab his own as he is forced to his feet. He struggles, keeping his eyes on his mother only. “Mother! Don’t let them do this!” The guards continue to drag him away, even if it is a struggle. “Mother!” He knows the gate to the human realm is growing closer to him. The more time passes, the less chance he has to escape. But the divine never back out of their decisions…never. He looks to his mother one last time, hoping that she at least looks at him. But her gaze refuses to meet his own.

When he is finally cast out, the air rushing past his entire body, he could only visualize his mother’s pained expression.

He has never felt so alone…

ao3 link

Heizou groans as he feels pain erupt from the back of his head.  His eyes have not yet adjusted to the lack of light, causing him to squint, but even that attempt is futile.  Heizou in this very moment is helpless when it comes to finding out his situation and specifically how to rectify it.

He tries to move his arms, only to realize that his hands are tied together.  And, considering the fact that it is rope and he has nothing to cut it with, he doesn’t even have a chance to free his restraints.  Suddenly, he regrets going into that damned factory.

Memories of the last time he was conscious flood his mind.  He can’t remember much, just Sanada knocking him out.  And sure, that is pretty shocking, but he really doesn’t think Sanada is the murderer.  He just isn’t the type.

So that leads to his long-running theory of the possibility of supernatural involvement, which seems much more likely now.  But he still can’t prove it, which definitely is a problem.

Lights are flicked on in an instant, leaving Heizou no chance to prepare whatsoever.  He hisses in surprise, scrunching up his face until he finally feels like it is safe to open his eyes once more.  Although, truth be told, he regrets opening his eyes once he does.

In front of him is Sanada, who is very much not alive in any capacity.  Blood pools from a wound on neck, the liquid inching closer to Heizou’s feet as time goes on.  He’s pale, but not enough to mean he’s been dead for long.  Sanada’s black hair is messy, the back of it being wet from what Heizou can only assume is his own blood.  But what bothers him the most is the never blinking eyes.  They stay staring at the ceiling, slightly cloudy, the last expression of pure horror forever etched onto his face.

Sanada was still young, and while Heizou didn’t know him, he knows that Sanada didn’t deserve this ending.

Heizou looks further, noticing the fact that someone is across the room.  He’s shrouded in a partial shadow, but what Heizou cannot even comprehend is why someone would just be sitting in a chair, calmly watching the scene unfold.  “Past the shock?” The person asks, standing up so that he is in full view.

Heizou gapes at the sight.  He has never really seen this person outside of a few interactions, but seeing them here so calmly is incredibly mind blowing.  “Pantalone?”

In front of him is the medical examiner, a usually flippant individual that Heizou rarely sought out.  He was always strange, obsessed with the dead in a way that seemed unnatural and frankly made Heizou uncomfortable.  But here he is, standing there proudly, his unnatural pale blue hair pinned away from his face.

“You couldn’t even go by a seperate name?” Someone asks, causing Heizou to snap his attention to the newcomer.  

He looks just like Pantalone…

“I like my given name,” the one Heizou assumes is Pantalone says, shrugging while he talks.

“Well I could’ve given you a name.”

“I’m not going to take advice from someone who’s named Dottore.”

Dottore gasps in a fake manner, feigning offense.  “I’ll have you know that my name is-“ his focus turns to Heizou in an instant, as if he forgot that he was even there.  “He’s awake.”

“Obviously,” Pantalone scoffs before glancing at his hands and groaning.  “You know, your skin is the fucking worst.  Would it kill you to actually take care of yourself?”  If Heizou wasn’t used to Scaramouche at this point, the sight in front of him would cause him to scream out.  But even if he’s used to the unknown, it doesn’t make it any less shocking.  Pantalone completely changes in a mere moment, his features meshing together until a new person emerges.  He has longer black hair, however the hair clips remain.  But what is most shocking is his eyes, the pupils resembling that of a snake.

Dottore walks toward Heizou, kneeling so that they can be eye to eye.  His smile is strained, as if he is annoyed with Heizou’s presence, but he keeps his intentions unknown for the time being.  “Shikanoin Heizou, we need to talk.”

●•·•●

It took hours before Kazuha fell asleep.  Scaramouche at first didn’t really know what to do.  Sure, he knows how to support someone, but Kazuha was damn near inconsolable.  Scaramouche couldn’t even understand half of what Kazuha said in those hours, but he could understand the fact that Kazuha feel guilty.  That morning, Heizou mentioned both of them calling out of work so that he could take Kazuha to the boardwalk, but Kazuha insisted that they needed to work.  So Scaramouche sat there, letting Kazuha cry his heart out in his lap until he inevitably couldn’t bear to be conscious anymore.

That was when Scaramouche took the chance to get out of the house.  When he found himself at the doorstep of a summer house that reeked of magic, he knew there was no turning back when it comes to the decision he is making.  He knocks, and isn’t at all surprised when the door opens.  

Zhongli stands there, face completely neutral. “Kunikuzushi…”

“It’s Scaramouche.”

Zhongli releases a sigh, shaking his head.  “Fine, Scaramouche, what are you doing here?”

Scaramouche stares at Zhongli for a moment, as if he would be able to decipher what the old archangel is thinking.  Obviously, he can’t, but it would be nice if he could.  “Is Childe here?”

The older angel clears his throat in an instant, as if doing so will clear any tension between the two.  “He’s inside.”

Scaramouche just nods as he steps into the house, pausing for a moment once inside.  “You know, I knew you took frequent trips to the human realm, but I never thought you would have an entire life here.” He just sends Zhongli a side glance as he continues to talk.  “Tell me Zhongli, do the divine know about all of this?  What would Celestia think of one of their own archangels, an archon of power, being a lover of a demon?”

“And who would tell Celestia of my transgressions?” 

Scaramouche turns around fully, sending Zhongli a glare.  “You’re an ass for that comment, you know that?”

“That was the point.” Zhongli says, leaning toward Scaramouche so that he can whisper, “I pity your situation, I truly do, but don’t threaten me and what I’ve built here again.  Am I clear, Kunikuzushi ?”

Scaramouche just glares at him, not enjoying this interaction at all.  “Crystal.”

“Great,” Zhongli says, straightening his back as he smiles at Scaramouche.  “Childe is in the kitchen, he’ll be so happy you stopped by.”

Scaramouche just nods in response, not particularly wanting to egg on Zhongli any further.  He turns, going toward what he can only assume is the kitchen and luckily he is correct.  And, to Zhongli’s credit, Childe is in the kitchen.

The ginger is humming to himself, a pile of folded laundry on the table and a pot of something on the stove.  Childe grabs another shirt, finally noticing Scaramouche when he’s in the middle of folding.  “Scara!  What a surprise!”

“Childe, Heizou’s missing.”

Childe finishes folding the shirt with a sigh.

And Scaramouche, for how smart he is, is absolutely dumbfounded.  The odd realization that Childe knew more than he let on creeps into his very soul, gripping his mind until he is unable to think of anything else.  “ You knew? ”

“I was aware of a potential threat, yes.” Childe says, grabbing another shirt in the process.

“What the fuck Childe?” Scaramouche says, grabbing the shirt from Childe’s hands.  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because it wasn’t my place.”

“If Heizou’s dead-“

“He’s not,” Childe says far too quickly for Scaramouche’s liking.  The demon glances at Scaramouche before shaking his head, as if pitying him.  “We would be meeting in much worse circumstances if he was.”

Childe reaches for the shirt but Scaramouche proceeds to keep it away from the ginger’s grasp.  “What haven’t you told me about?”

The demon stares at him for a moment before groaning, running a hand through his hair.  “The witch involved with all of this, Dottore?  Well he needs a certain amount of human blood spilt to and he intends for the head detective to be the final offering.  It’s supposed to be symbolic.”

“So Heizou can be dead any minute.”

“Correct.”

“How the fuck is that supposed to make me feel better?” Scaramouche yells out, throwing the crumpled shirt onto the counter.  He holds his head, tears threatening to pour down his face.  “He could be dying right now and I can’t do anything about it.  If he dies…Kazuha will never forgive me.  I’ll never forgive myself .  I really care about him and if he-“

“Diluc’s already investigating it,” Childe says, immediately rushing to Scaramouche.  “He left this morning to try and find Heizou.  He’s not going to die, Scara.”

Scaramouche just stares at him, his eyes unblinking as he processes the information.  “I want to find him…”

“I can’t help you with that,” Childe says, sending him a pitying stare.  “My specialty is being a glorified demon bodyguard.  If you wanted help from someone, you’d need to find a demon who specializes in assassinating humans.”

“Do you know of any demons like that?”

Childe pauses for too long, already giving Scaramouche the answer he so desperately craves.  “I know of one…”

“Then point me to them!”

“No,” Childe says immediately, shaking his head.  “Dottore is a fucking psycho and the demon he has tailing him is no better.  He thinks he has Pantalone on his leash but trust me when I say this, out of the two of them, I would be more concerned about Pantalone.”

Scaramouche finds himself staring at nothing in particular, trying to gather his thoughts but ultimately being unable to.  “I’m going to bring Heizou back to Kazuha.”

Childe doesn’t say anything, instead standing so that he can continue folding the laundry.  “Do you want to stay for lunch?  I’m making spaghetti.”

Scaramouche can’t help but stare at Childe.  Here is a demon, supposedly a sworn enemy of Scaramouche, offering him lunch while simultaneously folding laundry.  It’s oddly domestic and definitely doesn’t fit any social norms that were drilled into Scaramouche’s mind since the beginning of his existence?  And Childe, while rather eccentric, is just oddly nice for a demon.  “How did you become a demon anyway?”  Scaramouche didn’t even mean to say it aloud…it just happened.

And Childe pauses, his soft smile dropping at that topic.  He sets a pair of jeans down, supporting himself with the counter.  “How much do you know about the process?”

“Not much, just that you have to make a deal with another one.”

“That’s actually pretty much it…just more painful,” Childe jokes, taking a seat next to Scaramouche on the floor.  “I’m Russian, did you know that?”

“No, I actually didn’t.”

Childe starts to mess with a ring in his finger, twisting it slightly just so that he has something to do.  “My parents died when I was a teenager.  My dad worked as a guard for some noble, got killed in the line of duty.  My mother…she studied witchcraft at the time and was found out after his death.  My village executed her not too long after.”  Every word he speaks sounds as if he is physically pushing the words out, completely unwilling to tell this story but at the same time giving this information freely.

“My older siblings had already started their lives and I had three younger siblings to take care of.” Childe smiles, seemingly remembering his siblings before his expression sours.  “It was the eighteenth century, and the Black Plague made it to my village.  I begged the kids to stay inside but Teucer met someone…”

Scaramouche really doesn’t know how to even act, but he does try to listen as Childe talks.  “Her name was Klee, her mom was a traveling physician.  She urged Teucer to come outside and he snuck out.  A few days later he started showing symptoms.  I begged every doctor I could to help him but I was told it was too late.  During that time, I was so proud of myself for keeping my mom’s book of spells.”

Childe laughs at himself, as if he had said the funniest joke known to man.  “I exchanged my soul to protect Teucer.  When I was turned…the demon I had a contract with didn’t trust I would keep out of touch, so I was banned from returning to the human realm for two hundred years, just so I would have less of a chance of finding a descendant...I couldn’t even say goodbye.”

Scaramouche puts a hand on Childe’s shoulder, causing the demon to snap out of his own thoughts.  Childe stares at him for a moment, as if searching his very soul to see if he can unearth anything.  But, when he can’t, Childe just lets out a breath as he continues to stare at Scaramouche.  “I’ll take you to see Albedo.”

And, while Scaramouche isn’t too sure who Albedo is, he can assume this is something good.

07<< >>09

masterlist

[lorekeeper-backset]

Here's some more What Ifs. Again, free to use but I'd greatly appreciate it if you sent the fic my way.

What If… Rhea’s Plan Worked? I don’t have much to say on this one. The results of Rhea’s plan are so painfully ambiguous I don’t know how this would go.

What If… There were Two Byleths? This is based off a fanfic idea I had a while back and I'm sure plenty of people have already done this. Basically, instead of one singular Byleth there are two twin Byleths, one female and one male. I’ve named these two Blythe and Theo respectively because why not. Both Byleths would be quiet and reserved like in canon but for different reasons. Blythe would be the brooding, serious one who hides a fiery temper and is fiercely protective of Theo and views herself as his older sister, despite being twins, while Theo would be more nervous and a bit of a shrinking violet, though better with people than Blythe. Each one would also represent a different part of canon Byleth’s skill set, differentiating them from each other more. Blythe takes on Byleth’s combat skills, being terrifying on the battlefield and channeling all that repressed anger into her fighting. Meanwhile, Theo takes on Byleth’s tactical skills, more at home poring over a battle map then on the battlefield himself (though he is by no means incompetent when it comes to battle, just not quite as good as Blythe) and he almost seems a different person when planning, always keeping a level head and giving orders without hesitation. Yeah, I put a lot of thought into this. As a consequence of this, Sitri actually possibly survives since it’s basically impossible for her to have surviving twins if she doesn’t.

What If… Byleth Met Byleth? This is literally just a Fire Emblem Heroes fanfic. And technically possible in Fifth Path since we know Three Houses Anna met Heroes Anna. Though if I did write that it would be non-canon to the fic.

What If… Kostas Killed Edelgard? Surprised I didn't think of this before. It’s such an obvious question.

What If… Edelgard went Feral? It’s common fan speak (or, at least, it’s common BackSet speak) to refer to Post-Timeskip Dimitri as Feral Dimitri. But what if instead of Feral Dimitri we got Feral Edelgard. I don't know how this would happen but it’s a question.

What If… Fodlan Lost its Rulers? Or, in other words, what if Claude, Dimitri, and Edelgard died before Edelgard got a chance to start her war. Probably more war.

What if… The Old Gods Came Back? Remember all those saints we kept running into who were guarding ancient weapons as monsters and whatnot? What if they decided “screw it, let’s get back into the world” for some reason. Maybe due to the war, maybe due to boredom. Who knows.

What if… Fodlan had an Infinity War? No, this isn’t a Marvel crossover. Well, not technically. The only Marvel thing in this would be the Infinity Stones which, instead of everyone racing to stop Thanos from getting the Stones it's instead everyone racing to get the Stones themselves. More specifically, it’s Edelgard vs. Rhea vs. Those Who Slither in the Dark. Edelgard wants the Stones to make her perfect world, Rhea wants the Stones to bring her mother back, and Those Who Slither in the Dark want the Stones to get revenge. What are the Kingdom and Alliance doing during all this, you might ask? Trying to avoid getting steam rolled, of course.

What if… Fire Emblem: Three Houses IN SPACE!? Yeah, I’ve got nothing. I just want to see the Three Houses characters in space.

What if… Everyone had Mechs? Again, I just want to see mech battles with Three Houses characters. Like, Dimitri could have a big bulky mech with good armor and a lion theme. Meanwhile, Claude could have a quick and nimble mech with poor armor but good range and, obviously, a deer theme. And Edelgard’s mech could have high fire power and the ability to fly with an eagle theme to fit.

What If… Fire Emblem: Three Houses Took Place a Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away? Okay, this one is basically a Star Wars crossover. But I have so many ideas! Like I figure maybe Byleth and Jeralt can be Mandalorians who lack a clan and have cool custom armor. And Sothis is either some sort of droid attached to that ship (why doesn’t Star Wars have organic piloted ships with Droid AI (vulture bombers don’t count they don't have organic pilots)? Kind of weird, if you ask me) or some weird force thing. And Felix, Sylvain, Ingrid, and Dimitri can all be Jedi Padawans. Felix is the one who has trouble keeping his emotions in check and is always teetering on the edge of the Dark Side and may even use it sometimes (which actually isn’t unusual, some Jedi do use minor Dark Side abilities). Ingrid can be the serious one that’s always trying to get the other to focus. Sylvain can be kind of like Anakin just without secretly being crazy. And Dimitri can look like a golden boy but is secretly even closer to the Dark Side than Felix.

[aquilamage]

anyway taking a break now since I got all shaky-dizzy. But I got two more little symbols on the bottom row of the “to the next cycle” screen for filling paths or whatever they’re called in! The Monk and The Saint, which I still don’t completely understand what the qualifications are for but I’m guessing something along the lines of not fighting or like. only eating the growing plant type stuff versus bugs or meat or whatever. They don’t seem to give you any immediate rewards though or at least not distinct ones (I still haven’t used the “warp to any already found hibernation area thing I got from my first thing, which I don’t remember the name of but was from surviving at the highest karma tier for so many times in a row). It’s neat.

Also a couple more of those extra images you sometimes get when you hibernate that I understand even less what’s up with those and what the qualifications for earning are. They’re very pretty though.

Which brings me to a question that I would like the non-spoilers version of an answer to: I’m almost certain this game has a story story, but am I ever going to get to anything more specific/explicit than what I’ve already found or is this game like ‘hollow knight if ALL the lore coming from just looking at backgrounds and character design and gameplay mechanics’. Just curious because I feel like I’ve gotten far enough in the game that I should be getting the meatier stuff if it exists but also I have no idea how long the game is.

started out with so many deaths I thought my only post about this run was gonna turn into that "I need beautiful women to comfort me I did very badly on platoon" post. but I found another new area!

and then trying to do the wall jump in the very first actual room took me literally 3/4ths of a cycle to do

[alexlwrites]

𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒐𝒐𝒌'𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍

✿𝑷𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: Jungkook x Reader

✿ 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:  The one where Jungkook, a second year student in the Auror Academy, keeps a journal to vent about his unsuccessful attempts at wooing you. 

✿ 𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒔: crack, humor, romance, Harry Potter Au

𝑨/𝑵: This is a Harry Potter AU but you don’t have to read Harry Potter to understand it. If you have any questions just let me know!

°•. ✿ .•°

November 4th, 10am

There’s this girl in my antidotes class - Y/N - that I swear to Merlin must have done this fucking class at least twice, because she has the answer to every question on the tip of her tongue. No one even gets the chance to speak before her hand is up in the air waiting to show just how much smarter than all of us she is. And when she gets it right, she gives the professor the brightest, most annoying smile, like he just handed her one million galleons or something. 

I mean, this is an antidotes class, not the Wizard Nobel Prize. She needs to calm down.

Ugh, anyway. Back to what I was saying: There’s this girl in my antidotes class - Y/N - and I kind of want her to have my babies.

November 4th, 12pm

“Dude, you’re drooling” Taehyung says to me in the cafeteria later, when we’re sitting down for lunch “You gotta do something about this Y/N crush, it’s driving all of us insane” 

“Yeah, man” Jimin agrees, but that’s just because he agrees with everything Taehyung says and that’s why they had matching puffskein tattoos on their asses “Either ask her out or let us Obliviate you so you can move on”

See, this is all Taehyung and Jimin’s fault really. Before them, Y/N was really just the girl that I copied the answers off of in Advanced Herbology who I had only ever seen the back of her head. But then they started talking to her- like we even needed a fourth friend! -and before I knew it, she started casually greeting us when she walked into class and I finally got to see her face and BAM! I have chosen our children’s name and Hogwarts Houses (one Gryffindor boy and a Slytherin girl, because Y/N was a Slytherin and she would probably fight me if I tried to get both our kids in Gryffindor and, let’s be honest here, she would win).

Now, I’m not necessarily the most romantic wizard in the world. I don’t think I even qualify in the top five thousand. But, back in my school days, Professor Trelawney had told me I would eventually find the love of my life and  stay with her for the rest of my days. Granted, I was pretty sure that woman was just a crackhead posing as a witch to buy drugs and she also told me I would get electrocuted and die in a month, but still. She got 1 out of 2 and six years later I am in love and terrified of microwaves. 

“I’m gonna ask her out” I defend myself from my nosy friends “I’m just waiting for the right time.” 

The right time would be whenever I could get my hands in some Liquid Luck, but due to that being a highly complicated potion and that my last few attempts of brewing it ended in bleached brows and violent diarrhea, that specific day was looking further and further away.

November 4th, 12:30

One of the things I love the most about Y/N was how kind she was. Was she an annoying know-it-all? Absolutely. Did she also make sure to share her knowledge with the entire class and help everyone out? She sure did.

I still remember when I was failing my Demons and Beasts class and she sat with me for hours and carefully went over the entire subject of the semester with a gentle tone and the patience of a saint. 

Sure, I did still fail the test and had to redo it, but that was not her fault. She was not to be blamed for my inability to listen to her go on about wraiths when her perfume was all over me and her shirt was cut just low enough that I could look down her blouse and catch just the slightest peeks of her bra that would haunt me and cause me to almost fail 2 other classes.

I wished I could gather the courage to tell her that. Not the bra part, the part about her kindness. 

November 4th, 1pm

I take it fucking back. How can she just be nice to everyone?

Like that dude Namjoon. I know he doesn’t need help with his paper on counter-curses because I know he used to tutor that class. He’s just pretending to suck so she would help him and as a person who actually sucked I find that very offensive to my culture. 

He’s sitting next to her all the way across the cafeteria and even I, who probably burned off my retinas with my attempt to brew Felix Felices in my guest bathroom, could tell that he was staring down her blouse. Was he not aware of the unspoken rule that whatever was hiding down there was only for my eyes? Had I not made myself clear enough by… I don’t know, sending positive energies to the universe? Did Trelawney not write our love in the stars?

We are fated, Kim. Meant to be. The only thing you are meant to be is big and clumsy and probably like a model, because you are real jacked and I respect that.

Whatever. I don’t care. I’m sure Y/N will shake him off soon. Maybe slap him. I don’t really have to step in. She can take care of herself.

November 4th, 1:05pm

I jinxed him. 

November 4th, 1:07pm

Namjoon is being taken to the hospital wing. That will teach him a lesson.

 November 4th, 1:10pm

Y/N is going with him. She’s holding his hand.

Bugger. 

November 4th, 1:11pm

He winked at me on his way out. The absolute disrespect, the gall of this dude.

November 4th, 1:12pm

I jinxed him again. Got caught and now I have to help train the freshmen in hand in hand combat. 

Bugger it all to hell.

(Part two>>>)

°•. ✿ .•°

[Permanent taglist: @imknewattis ; @dreamamubarak ; @onlythebest-106 ; @betysotelo18 ; @havetaeminforbreakfast ; @uno7 ]

[padme-parker]

Mizpah // the darkling x reader // ch 5

summary: You tumble a Grisha in more ways than one ;)

warnings: violence, fighting, cursing, SMUT, fingering, masturbation??, praise kink, not proofread. 

A/N: this is all over the place, forgive me y'all </3

WHEN you awoke the next morning, you found a single glass of water placed on your night stand. Your head pounded as you tried to recall the blurred events from the previous night. All you remembered was catching up with Alina and then finally leaving her room. From there it was as if everything had muddled together to form a single incoherent memory. The sun had just begun to peak through your window.

While you were away last night, a servant must have stocked up your closet with clean clothes. They had mainly been a few soldiers' uniforms and some new nightgowns. Along with a few robes, each one as soft as a rabbit's fur. The gold kefta still remained in the dresser, collecting dust.

You changed out of your dirty clothes that you had slept in, and placed them in a neatly folded pile on the corner of your bed. After throwing on a clean uniform and putting your hair into a low bun, you rang for a servant. You asked her to bring breakfast to you. It seemed like there was no use in eating with the other Grisha. Where would you have sat? You weren’t a Corporalki, Etherealki, nor a Materialki. You certainly weren’t the Darkling either. There would be no place for you if you’d chosen to eat there with Alina.

Soon enough, a light knock echoed on the wooden door. “Come in!” You said, and the servant strolled in with a cart. She placed down a golden tray in front of you. You were served sweet pea porridge and fresh figs with a tall glass of water. You thanked the servant before she dismissed herself, leaving you to your food. There was another covering that laid on the tray, no plate under it. As you shoveled another spoonful of the porridge into your mouth, you took off the covering. Under the dome laid your weapons, cleaned of the dirt and blood that caked them. You placed your weapons back onto their respective places: a pistol and dagger at your hips, a knife securely tucked into your boot, and the last knife hidden away in your sleeve.

Just as you finished your food, another knock resonated in your uncomfortably quiet room. You beckoned them to come in. A Grisha with a red kefta came in, the black stitching signifying that he was a heartrender. You gave him a polite smile as he stepped in.

“Hello. I am Fedyor. I am to escort you to the training grounds today.” He explained.

“Oh no, it’s alright. I don’t need an escort. I know my way around the palace, thank you though.” You assured him. Sitting on the corner of your bed, you put on your boots. You were surprised to find them in the normal place you had put them, at the foot of your bed, near the very corner. It was a habit you had since you were a child. Every other orphan at Keramzin always placed their boots either to the left or right of their beds. It was understandably easier than leaving your boots where you normally had, yet you couldn’t shake the habit.

“The General himself required me to accompany you. As you must know, I cannot obey the General’s orders.” He stated. After lacing up your boots, you made your way to the tray your breakfast was on. You put the small plate that once housed the figs into the empty bowl of the porridge you were served. Picking up the tray, you began to walk towards the circular table near the door and left the tray there so it’d be easier for the servant to clean.

You turned to him, arms crossed on your chest as you sighed, “Fine.” You examined the new jacket you were issued, it wasn’t the same as the frayed one you were used to. The hem of your sleeves were intact, unlike your old one when you had picked apart the stitching when you were nervous. The only thing that you were particularly happy about was the fur lining. Yours had matted from being used so much and slept on.

“You know, it’s quite odd that you’re staying in the General's hall.” You let out a hm, questioning what he meant by that. “Usually guests stay in the guest hall. The General never permits for anyone to stay in his. He’s the only person allowed to sleep in this specific hall.” He whispered as we walked past a group of Materialki. They were huddled amongst themselves, whispering and giggling as they made their way to their training rooms.

“Maybe it’s because I’m Alina’s friend? Perhaps he feels like he needs to watch over me himself since he has also taken her under his watch.” You said. You took a deep breath of the crisp winter air as the two of you stepped outside.

“Perhaps. But why is Alina staying in the vezda suite? Wouldn’t it make sense for her to be staying in the General’s hall as well?” Fedyor did make a good point, if Alina was the most important Grisha of all, why wasn’t she across the hallway from the Darkling?

“It truly is a mystery I suppose. But if I were you, I wouldn’t question his choices.” You teased. You thought you might’ve offended him until he lets out a short laugh.

“Saints know what he would do if I had.” He replied, making you giggle. Your laughter died as you arrived at Botkin’s training area. Grisha alike had already been paired up and were sparring. Alina had been paired up with a girl she had mentioned last night, you couldn’t remember her name. Madia? No that wasn’t it. Narie? It wasn’t that one either. Noticing a late arrival, Botkin walked up to you.

“Botkin has never seen little girl before.” You tried to suppress the surprise you felt when you heard him refer to himself in third person. “Who is she?” He asked Fedyor. By now some people had stopped training to hear the conversation. You noticed Alina was still sparring with her friend, unaware of your arrival.

“She’s here as Alina’s guest.” At the mention of her name, the girl stopped fighting. Finally taking notice of your figure, she let out a surprised gasp.

“What are you doing here?” She asked as she came closer.

“Training. If I’m going to stay at the palace I don’t want to rot away and do nothing.” You said, rolling your shoulders to loosen up your muscles.

“First Army girl wants to train with Botkin.” His voice, although baritone and guttural, brought a strange comfort to you. “Choose your opponent.” You surveyed the crowd, looking for someone who could pose a possible challenge. Your eyes landed on a tan skinned girl with raven black hair, bangs framing her face perfectly. Her black eyes stared into yours, challenging you.

“Her.” You stated while nodding your head towards her. Botkin weaved his head in the direction you had nodded off to.

“Ah, star pupil, Zoya!” So this was Zoya, the girl who told Alina that she reeked of Keramzin. “I have trained her since she was ten.” The raven haired girl offered you a way out, which you immediately declined.

“Fighters ready?” You put your fist up, getting into stance. “And..Fight!” You waited for Zoya to come to you first. She walked up to you, her fists hung up. You circled each other, playing the waiting game. You were about to make a move when you saw Zoya moving her right fist towards your face. You ducked left, managing to move in time to avoid the punch. With her back still to you, you jammed your elbow into her side making her hunch over.

She came at you again, this time with more veracity and anger behind each swing. Except she didn’t land a single blow. You were able to avoid each one as you let out a giggle, staggering a few steps back.

“Is that all you’ve got, star pupil?” Your comment only seemed to spur her on more. She ran at you in full force, this time you let her land a hit on you for the fun of it. What you didn’t expect was for her to punch you so hard that she drew blood. You sniffled feeling a drop of blood come from your nose. You began your attack with a right hook followed by a left one. In return she used her arms to block each time, leaving her abdomen vulnerable.

You were able to land a hard blow or two before you found yourself briefly soaring through the air, your back meeting the hard wall that was originally ten paces behind you. You let out a wheeze as you feel one of your ribs break.

Botkin had begun to reprimand Zoya, looking at her you could feel her shame as she upset her mentor. You couldn’t help but smirk as she looked at you, at least now she knows how someone from Keramzin fights. Her gaze hardened, about to walk up to you once more before she was taken away by some guards.

“Oh my Saints, now the General is really going to have my head.” Fedyor said in a panic. He helped you stand as he called for a healer.

“I’m quite alright.” You ensured, but the wince in your face gave you away. Alina came running up to you, giving you a once over before taking you from Fedyor and into her embrace.

“You know you shouldn’t be doing that.” She whispered into your ear. “It’s too dangerous for you.” She made a movement to grab one of your cold hands, giving it a squeeze.

“Everything’s a risk for me, Alina. The Doctor made that clear.” When you were younger, you were diagnosed with a heart condition. It was nothing serious really, and only acted up once in a blue moon. The tugging and squeezing feeling only lasted for seconds, but the pain left you feeling unstable for hours after. “The risk is always worth it.”

“But what if one day its not?” She pulled away from you, resting her hands on your shoulders. “The Doctor himself said there was no cure for this, no remedy that could help.”

“It’s worth it if it means protecting our honor.” You replied honestly.

“I don’t need you to protect our honor.” She protested. “I need you to protect yourself. Even if that means backing down from a fight.” You remained silent as a healer began to work on you. Starting first with your broken ribs then moving onto your bloody nose. After a few minutes of sitting still, the healer finally told you that you could leave.

Alina and Fedyor accompanied you back to your room. “What do you think will happen to her?” You asked. Alina shrugged her shoulders as the heartrender went to respond.

“She will probably get reprimanded by the General too. Zoya knows not to use her powers while training. Respectfully, especially not against someone who isn’t Grisha.” He commented.

You must’ve really gotten under her skin then if she went against all those years of training and discipline. “Good. She needs to know her place.” You snarked. “Now I’d like to get some rest.” You glanced at Alina, her gaze unwavering. “Alone, please.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I promise I’ll be fine. If I need help I can always call for the General.” You replied, placing your cold hand on top of hers and gave it a squeeze. With great reluctance, she nodded her head. Fedyor and her leaving to return to combat training.

As you close the door, you feel your resolve break. Wincing as the pain and exhaustion came back. As you grew up, your condition continued to tire you. You couldn’t fight nor run the same way you could two years ago. At this rate, you’d probably be dead in the next two years because of your heart condition. That was if the war didn’t kill you first.

The sun was nowhere near close to setting. You still had most of the day to kill yet you didn’t know what to do. You thought back to one of the places the Darkling had shown you, perhaps you could go to the library. Gathering whatever strength you had left, you returned to the calm and composed front you had always put on.

The walk there had been time consuming, nauseating even. But you were determined to snatch a book or two to read while you were cooped up in your room. The library of the Little Palace was grand, filled from floor to ceiling with various books. If you ever had the chance to visit the Grand Palace, their library would definitely be on a list of places of visit.

You ran your finger along the spines of the books as you walked through the shelves. There were two things that you loved most in your life: the feeling of the sun on your skin and the smell of books. Strangely enough, the smell of the books had reminded you of Keramzin in a way. Probably because you spent most of your childhood with your nose shoved into a book. Collecting two books, you were adamant on getting to your room in time to be able to sit in the sun and read a couple of chapters. All of a sudden the smell of incense and mildew had taken over your sense of smell.

“My Saints, where is that smell coming from..” You whispered to yourself. Unexpectedly you heard a shuffle behind you. Turning around you saw a greasy man in a robe.

“Hello, y/n.” Said the man.

“Do I know you?” You replied cautiously, reaching for the knife you had hidden in your sleeve.

“I am the Apparat, a priest. Advisor to the King.” He stated. Knowing who he was didn’t make you any less tentative, your fingers still gripped the handle of your knife.

“Okay...right. Nice meeting you. I’ll be on my way now.” You said, trying your best to move around him but he stopped you. He latched onto your arm that had been reaching for your knife, effectively rendering your weapons useless.

“Do you remember?” He acquired his answer from the confused look on your face, “Oh, soon you will remember. Everything will face into place.” You ripped your arm out of his rough hands and ran out of the library, never looking back.

When you were finally in your room, you threw the books onto the floor as you rushed to the tub. There hadn’t been any warm water around but you didn’t care. You filled the tub with lukewarm water as you began to strip yourself of your clothes. Skewing them across the floor as you picked up a velvet robe and tossed it on a nearby chair. Stepping in, you grabbed a loofah. Scrubbing yourself clean of the Apparat’s lingering touch. You scrubbed and scrubbed until your skin was raw. After dunking your head underwater to wet your hair, you picked up a soap. It smelt of lavender and honey. In the First Army, they had always given you a singular bar of soap to last you a week. Showers came scarce due to the fact that the soap practically diminished once it touched water. Gently lathering the soap in your hands, you cleaned your hair first. The repetitive circular motions of your hands had started to calm you down, almost lulling you to sleep. Quickly finishing off your hair and the rest of your body, you found yourself smelling good for the first time in a while.

Feeling satisfied enough, you let out a sigh, letting yourself relax as you rest your arms on the edge of the tub. It wouldn’t hurt to take a nap. You thought. After all, you fought a Grisha without the use of your weapons and came out somewhat victorious. You let your hair dangle outside of the tub to dry as you close your eyes, sleep taking over you.

-

“Stop it!” You screamed, you could feel someone splashing cold water at you. Wetting your hair and dress. “Aleksander, stop!” You said while laughing. You could hear him let out a laugh before coming up behind you and taking you into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around your belly as he rested his chin on your shoulder. The stubble from his face tickling you.

“How are you today, my darling?” He whispered into your ear, making you shiver. He began to pepper kisses up and down your neck, making your legs feel like jelly. Your hands flew to his in order to stabilize yourself.

“Good. But it could be better.” You teased, egging him on. One of his hands travels your hips, bunching up the fabric of your skirt to give himself better access. The other hand made its way to your core, ghosting past your eager bundle of nerves.

“Look at you, already so wet for me.” He shoved aside your underwear, plunging two of his fingers into your heat. He paused at the sound of your moan, “Taking my fingers so well.” He set an agonizingly slow pace, let out a few groans himself as he rubbed himself against you. His long fingers search for the spot he knew so well, the one that would make you mewl and fall apart in his embrace. He hits it once, twice, before extracting his fingers from you. He placed his slick covered fingers atop of your dry ones before guiding them back to your wet entrance. You were able to slide in with ease as he guided your movements.

“I can’t..” You breathed out, the feeling of his fingers and yours combined had been too much for you.

“Yes you can.” He purred, tilting your head with his own to get better access to your neck. “You’re almost there, I can feel it.” Just as he said that, he felt you briefly clamp down, signaling you were close. He guides your fingers deeper, nearing your g spot as his other hand lets go of your dress and goes to your clit.  

The action makes you come undone as you moan his name repeatedly, your juices coating both his and your fingers. You let out a whine as he removes his fingers from you, only to place his hand into his mouth, sucking your cum off of him.

“Sweet, as always.” He gently grabs your chin and turns you to face him, his dilated pupils meeting yours. “Here, have a taste of yourself.” His words alone made another wave of heat pool at your core. He grabs your hand before inserting into your mouth. You wrap your lips around your fingers, staring into his slate gray eyes all the while. After lapping up your juices, you release your fingers with a pop!

Even in your dream state you could tell this man looked suspiciously like General Kirigan. They shared the same face structure, their cheekbones rested at the same angle. His eyebrows were as perfectly sculpted as the General’s. Lashes equally as dark and long. The only difference was that the man-- Aleksander, had a near clean shaven face and his hair was grown out to reach his shoulders. The General had a beard and sported a slicked back look. Yet the two looked identical.

Your eyes searched his face, his body, for anything that could tell you anything. You spotted a mole near his right collarbone. Nearly hidden by the collar of his shirt, small but it would have to do. Without thinking, you reach up to grab his face to pull him in for a kiss.

“My Aleksander.”

-

YOUR doors opened with a bang, startling you from your sleep. The person entered without even knocking, alerting you to three possibilities: someone had broken in and now was here to kill you, you were being kidnapped, or the Darkling was here to brutally murder you. You let the first two options leave your mind, knowing how well guarded the Little Palace was. So there was no possibility for an intruder to get so far into the grounds. Yet the third option did little to ease your mind.

Realizing you were still in the tub, you got out. Not wanting anyone to see you naked. Not like it hasn’t happened before. You thought, thinking back to your time at Caryeva. You quickly threw on your robe, haphazardly tying it while you grabbed one of your knives and unsheathed it. You threw the knife just in time, the person emerging from the curtains being nicked by your blade before it landed on the trimming of the bathroom entrance.

“Oh my Saints, I’m so sorry…” The Darkling stared at you, surprise flicking on his features. “I didn’t hear you come in. I was asleep.”

You walked to the side, picking up a towel to clean up his wound. You dipped it into a bucket of clean water, wringing it out afterwards.

“In the bathtub?” You gave him a nod, a blush forming on your cheeks. “Well you certainly sleep wherever you can.” He joked. As you shifted closer to him, you felt that familiar wetness in your thighs. Fuck. You thought, your blush becoming deeper. You’d been so caught up with the idea of someone coming to kill you that you had forgotten about your dream.

“Are you alright?” It should’ve been you who was asking the question since you nicked him after all. He awaited your reply as you gently pressed the towel against the cut.

“I am. Nothing serious happened to me.” You replied, assuming he had heard of the events that had taken place earlier that day. “Are you?” You asked, “I mean, you seemed very alarmed when you barged in.”

“My apologies for that. You just...you weren’t responding to my knocks or my questions. I’d assumed the worst.” He said, struggling to find the words. You didn’t know how to feel, in a way you were glad that he cared for your well being, yet it slightly made your gut lurch. You’d been here for less than a week and he seemingly cared more for you than Alina. Then again, you didn’t know what the two did behind closed doors. You stopped cleaning his wound, the bleeding had stopped. The two of you remained close, only an arms distance away from each other.

“Why do you care so much? After all, I’m only a guest here at the palace. I’m not a Grisha like you or everyone else here.”

“You're my guest. It’s normal for me to worry about my guests.” He explained. You crossed your arms over your chest, eyebrows furrowing as you listened to him.

“Yes, but..” You paused, “Yesterday I was Alina’s guest. Now today, I am yours. So which is it?”

“Whatever you’d like.” He whispered, taking a step closer to you. His gaze flickering to your lips then back to your eyes.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“You just did.” He replied, giving you a smirk that made you roll your eyes.

“Have we met before?” You asked, making the General freeze in his place. His posture goes rigid, you struggle to read the emotion on his face. “.. I could’ve sworn that we…” You doubled over, your left hand clutching your chest as your right hand flew to his shoulder. The pain had never hit you twice in a day. Not even twice in a month.

“Alina..g-get her.” The General called for a servant to fetch her along with a healer. In his panic, he swept you off your feet and carried you to the bed. He laid you upon it as he took your left hand into his. In a haze, your right hand began to wander, weakly pulling at the collar of his shirt. The pain went away as a moment of clarity came over you, General Kirigan had bared the same mole that Aleksander had. As you placed your hand on his face, the pain came rushing back.

Before you allowed yourself to give into the darkness that called you, a tentative whisper left your lips, your eyes searching his.

“A-aleksander?”

-

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S.a.B. forever tag: @deceivedeer

[sebastianshaw]

(I made an Alt-Marauders winter holiday fic on the wonderful suggestion of my brilliant buddy @emmatriarchy! Credit also to @sammysdewysensitiveeyes whom I share this fic universe with and who contributed the ideas for Pyro! Characterization is a little flat/2D and a bit sappy in this but well...it’s a holiday special, that’s how it goes.)

“Is anyone here even Christian?” Claudine’s question cut through the budding discussion on-board the Marauder about what to do for Christmas on the high seas. “I was born an amnesiac clone in a lab,” Maddie said, “I wasn’t raised in any religion.” “Gran brought me up with some stories about Jesus and what,” Pyro, said,  “We did Easter and Christmas and such, but we wasn’t real serious about it. Didn’t go to church much. Don’t even remember what denomination we was. Catholic, I guess, since I got named Saint John.” “My mother and did Christmas but just gifts and stuff,” Shinobi said, “No Jesus, she was Shinto and Buddhist. “I’ve never had a use for religion,” Shaw scoffed, “Nor its meaningless rituals. I understand why ancient man marked the solstices and equinoxes and so on, it was a material event that had material benefits or consequences  for the people who celebrated it. But the winter nights getting shorter has no material meaning for me now, and nor does it even apply in this tropical weather.” “I  didn’t celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, but I did know about them growing up,” Haven said,  “We respected Christianity and its message but didn’t practice its customs, anymore than we practiced Jewish or Muslim holidays. Of course, I hold events for children of those faiths, but for myself, no. But since my father was Maratha, we did do the Khandoba festival though. It’s a six-day celebration in honor of the god Khandoba by Marthas and Deshasth Brahmans.” “I’m kind of like Haven,” Claudine answered her own question last,  “I’m open to all kinds of things but specific to none.” She was greeted by looks of surprise. “What?” Everyone sort of hemmed and hawed, til Shaw said it plainly, “I cannot speak for the others but given your academic inclinations I assumed you too sensible for such superstitions.” “Ah, yes, all scientists must be atheists, faith and science are inherently incompatible,” Claudine crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, “You know, that’s what religious extremists think too, but when they say it, we call them close-minded!” “She has a very good point,” Haven said, “Claudine, I apologize for the presumption. I shouldn’t have made such biased assumptions.” “I guess with the things we’ve seen, it’s hard to rule anything out,” Maddie admitted, “I mean. . .I’ve been up close and personal more than I’d like with actual demons.” “Which are beings from another dimension, not fallen angels,” Shaw pointed out dryly. “Beings from another dimension does fit demonic beings in Hinduism,” Haven pointed out, “Rasatala, one of the lower planes, is the world of the mighty but cruel Asuras, for instance. But this debate isn’t over whether ancient faiths have a place in a modern world of literal gods and demons—though I’d love the continue the conversation later with anyone who would like?---it’s whether we should have a sort of celebration. Since none of us are Christian per se, perhaps something else?” “I say we should!” said Shinobi, “We’re due for a party!” “First good argument there’s been here,” Shaw grunted grudgingly. “Yeah!” Pyro said, “And since we’re makin’ it up, we can make it have any tradition we want! Building mutant culture!” “I think that sounds wonderful,” Haven enthused, “I’ll brainstorm ideas,” Claudine offered. “I guess I’ve not had a lot of. . .any kind of winter holidays in my life,” Maddie said, trying not to think of the Christmases she’d spent with Scott, “I’ll take what I can get. I like the idea of it being just mine. Or, at least, something I helped make.” Shaw rolled his eyes, “Just don’t expect me to bankroll it.” “Hey, here’s an idea,” Pyro shot out, “How about we have a holiday where we celebrate our freedom by PUTTING ALL BILLIONAIRES ON A RAFT OUT TO SEA IN A STORM?” “Sounds grand,” Shaw returned in an unfussed tone, “Be sure to make one big enough for my AND Ms. Dastoor then.” While Pyro struggled with a retort, Shinobi was already asking the real questions, “First we need theme colors! What’s taken?” “Christmas pretty much owns red, white, and green,” Pyro said, glad for a chance to extricate himself. “And Hanukkah has blue and white,” Haven listed, “Yalda has a deep shade of red as well, Bodhi day uses white or multi-colored lights that symbolize the many pathways to enlightenment, Kwanza is red and black and green, Khandoba’s festival doesn’t have an official color palette but he was said to be shining golden like the sun and have a face covered in turmeric powder, and now that I think about it,  the brightly colored flowers are most often golden yellow and soft pink–” “Pink!” Shinobi exclaimed, “That’s it! Oh but we’ll make it hot pink instead of pastel, so we’re not copying Khandoba!” “Oh I don’t think it’s copyrig–” Haven started. “And you can’t have pink without purple!” Shin continued, “And we’ll make it SPARKLY!” “Right on!” Pyro encouraged, “And like Shaw said, we’re in the tropics, so tropical flowers, eh?” “Oh, we could make fake flowers that look like the Krakoa flowers! Perfect!” Claudine put in. “How about tropical foods and drinks then?” Maddie said, “Or just, whatever we can catch. Ever noticed we never do much fishing anymore? I guess the novelty isn’t there anymore. Oh, but, unless it’s ice fishing, it’s not very wintery, and this is going to be a winter holiday. . .” “Winter isn’t the same everywhere,” Claudined reminded her, “Case in point, like you yourself said, there’s no ice here. We’re all in shorts when we go on deck.” “We should definitely tell stories,” Pyro was seriously getting into it now. “Of the adventures we’ve had the past year!” Maddie added, getting excited now too, “And hope to have next year!” “Things we’ve seen and discovered and hope to learn!” Claudine proclaimed. “People we’ve met,” Haven said, warm fondness in her voice. “Fun we’ve had!” Shinobi shot a fist into the air. Everyone looked expectantly at Shaw for his contribution, and after a moment he groaned, “Things we’ve accomplished, how’s that? Worded saccharine enough for your lot?” “Saccharine means sugary, we need pavlova!” Pyro piped up, “And a cookout with sausages! And sledding! My gran used to tell me so many stories about sledding in winter back in England where she grew up–” “There’s no snow, you fool!” Shaw said. “Oh, we’ll figure a way out,” Pyro locked eyes wickedly with Claudine, counting on the idea that she would have ideas. “So, we have food and colors and some activities. . what is the foundation though?” Claudine asked the room, “It’s not religious, so what is it about? Mutant culture doesn’t seem fair, not all of us are mutant.” “It can’t really be about family either,” pondered Maddie, “The only people here who are even related, don’t want to be.” “Can still be about who you’re with, though,” pointed out Pyro, “Found family. Well. . .no, you guys aren’t family to me, that’d be more Dom and some of the Brotherhood. . .but you don’t have t’be my family t’be important, know what I mean.” “I know exactly what you mean,” Haven said, “I think celebrating personal connections, even the ones that aren’t the MOST important in our lives—or, in some cases, people we may not be all that fond of—has its place too.” “And it’s unique,” Claudine added, “I’ve never heard of a holiday about that.” “Yeah, I mean, there’s HOW many holidays that are about family and loved ones?” Maddie said, “I think “a holiday for people you just kinda fell in with and you’re not crazy about all of them but you’re together in this for now” is a pretty relevant angle for not just us, but a lot of people.” “An untapped market,” Shaw said. “And the Krakoan flowers control the gates for traveling,” Haven thought aloud, “We’re using them for decoration. . .and we met by traveling .” “It’s a symbol of journeying together,” Pyro concluded, “We might not be together for life, or even for long, but we’re together now.” “Much to my annoyance.” “Oh shut up Shaw, it's mutual!” “Now we just need to name it,” Claudine pointed out, halting the argument in the bud as the pair—and everyone else—pondered it. “Maybe. . .” Haven said after a long moment, “Maybe, much like what we all are together—some of us family but not all, some of us friends but not all, some of us. . .antagonistic to each other. . .but not all. . .it remains, for now, undefined.” And they all liked that. Because whatever it was, it was theirs. END (Epilogue: Claudine rigged up a water-sled for Pyro!)