#i don't know what he means by everyone's lives changing

[becausebuckley]

michelle's buddie fic recs: week 1!

happy new year, everyone!! we're kicking the year off with a slightly shorter rec list than usual - i've been spending a lot more time with family, and a lot less time reading - of lovely, lovely fics. enjoy!!

this is a mix of fics with all ratings, so some include NSFW content. please take a look at both the ratings and the fic tags before reading! some might also contain spoilers for season 8.

if you come across something you like in this list, remember to show some love to the author by leaving kudos and a comment!

all i want for christmas... | Tizniz/@tizniz | 3.4k | GA

“So…I don’t think we’re gonna make it back for Christmas.” Buck closes his eyes and takes a breath, letting the full impact of Eddie’s words hit him for a second. “Y-yeah, man. Of course. I totally get it.” He swallows, “Your family is there, anyways.” i am still thoroughly enjoying a few more holiday fics and this one was an absolute highlight this week!! so soft and lovely <3

'cause i took the long road to find you wanting me | BekkaChaos/@bekkachaos | 6k | T

Buck can't bring himself to act normal around Eddie in the days after he reveals he's looking for houses in El Paso, he knows that Eddie leaving will be one of the most painful things he'll have to endure, but he refuses to tell him that he shouldn't go. After a few days, Eddie comes to Buck's loft unannounced to confront him about it, and everything becomes even more complicated. i LOVE this fic's characterisation of buck so very much <3 so good!!

every corner of this house is haunted | justhockey | 2.5k | GA

And now that love is everywhere, is in everything. It’s worn so deeply into the grooves of his skin that it’s changed the very structure of his fingerprint - is burrowed so deep inside of him that it has rewritten his DNA. His love for Eddie and for Christopher is carved into his bones - etched onto his heart like an epitaph: love lived here. Love left here. the excitment i feel whenever i see a new justhockey fic <3 i mean seriously, do you need to read more than those two little summary paragraphs to be convinced to read this gem of a fic? i don't think you do. click the link, you know you want to <3

honey came in and she caught me red-handed | lizzybizzyzzz/@lizzybizzyzzz | 9.3k | E

buck accidentally sends eddie nudes; they fuck it out. so hot so good so them <3 oh how i love buddie accidentally sending each other nudes, and this fic is right there among the very best of them!!

if only in my dreams | songbvrd/@songbvrd | 9.2k | GA

Eddie moves to El Paso a month before Christmas. Buck goes a little bit insane about it. at this point a michelle rec list isn't a michelle rec list without a fic by songbvrd on it lol. what can i say, i know what i like, and this author happens to write a lot of it! i love buck going a little bit insane over eddie moving and his decorating and the buddie and just everything <3

pluto is not a planet. | gooondocks (happyhauntt)/@happyhauntt | 3.2k | GA

buck finds out that pluto isn't a planet anymore and takes it very personally. this fic is so so gorgeously written. the most beautiful character study introspection buck fic. genuinely just that good <3

with all the clouds around (it's never been clearer than now) | seachanged | 2.4k | T

It happens on a Saturday. Or, it starts on a Friday that turns into Saturday, the easy joy of the night tipping over into the pale, vulnerable light of the morning; dazzling in its inevitability.  the buddie dynamic here is so so good, a little teasing and a little flirty but mostly so very soft <3 lovely fic!!

[aishangotome]

Azel Radwan: Romantic Ending Ch. 24 Premium Story

Chapter 24

Thank you @shatcey for providing the video for this chapter!

♡———♡

The God of Tanzanite is the incarnation of the moon—that glorious moon was dyed red, heralding the end.

The people rejected the end of the long dream that had lasted for a thousand years, but in front of the God's remains, everyone had no choice but to accept it.

Akatsuki: Come to think of it, there were signs.

Some time has passed since then—Tanzanite, having finished the God's funeral rites, was in mourning throughout the land.

We, as foreigners, were also caught up in the turmoil, and until now, we haven't even been able to calmly talk things over.

Akatsuki: I started receiving requests from the God a few years ago, but most of them were just materials related to astronomy.

Akatsuki: He was collecting literature about the sky regardless of the era... He was probably estimating the date and time of the lunar eclipse.

Akatsuki: The phenomenon of the moon disappearing is by no means rare.

Akatsuki: But it's difficult with current civilization to accurately predict its cycle down to the second.

Akatsuki: Moreover, a perfect lunar eclipse like that doesn't happen very often.

Akatsuki: He meticulously calculated and determined the optimal day for his "death." He's truly a genius.

Akatsuki: ...He's something else.

The owner, sitting cross-legged on the floor, poured Tanzanite's local alcohol into a cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Opposite him, Clavis looked up at the moon floating in the sky, and Luke languidly swirled his alcohol.

Luke: What do you think will happen now?

Clavis: Of course, things will change. Divination is no longer a guaranteed reality.

Clavis: With the God's death as a catalyst, people need to find a way to live without relying on divination.

Clavis: But what's still a mystery is... why did divination suddenly become inaccurate?

Kamal: Ah, about that, there's something called the Stargazer's Disk.

Kamal and Silvio were sitting on a chaise longue by the window.

Had the enchanting beauty given up hiding his true identity, or was there no longer a need to?

He spoke fluently, no longer concealing his low voice.

Kamal: The Living Gods of Tanzanite have each engraved their own star on that disk throughout generations.

Kamal: It sounds mystical when you put it like that, but the actual divination is much simpler.

Kamal: It's nothing more than statistics recording the psychological tendencies of humans.

Kamal: The Stargazer's Disk is an auxiliary tool for accurately diagnosing people's personalities.

Kamal: For example, let's say Prince Silvio has an arrogant personality. Arrogant people have tendencies, right?

Silvio: Hey, don't casually insult me.

Kamal: Now, now. The Stargazer's Disk can determine a person's tendencies through a few questions, but...

Kamal: If the disk itself is wrong and diagnoses an arrogant person as humble, then the results based on that will also be false.

Silvio: So that greedy bastard tampered with the Stargazer's Disk?

Kamal: That's right. He overwrote and ruined everything that past Living Gods had built up.

Kamal: We've mostly finished collecting the correct Stargazer's Disks. The divination up until now is no longer reliable.

Clavis: Haha, to think that the truth of divination wasn't mystical, but based on an advanced field of psychology.

Kamal: Our gods are truly amazing. Including Azel, they all had exceptional minds.

Silvio: ...No one would think that such an amazing God would actually die.

The word "death" brought a momentary silence to the memorial sake gathering.

Clavis: He didn't just die. The fact that he took his own life with an obsidian weapon is quite cunning.

Luke: What do you mean?

Clavis: As you know, Luke, Tanzanite has a triple alliance, right?

Clavis: Regardless of the circumstances, if God was killed by obsidian...

Clavis: Acroite and Ruby have practically been given a ticket to pick a fight with his country.

Akatsuki: Ruby is in no position to do so.

Clavis: Ah. But for Acroite, it's highly likely to become a card they can use in the future.

Silvio: So, takin' this incident as an opportunity, they've obtained a legitimate reason to attack Obsidian?

Clavis: However, it's not certain whether that was part of the triple alliance's deal.

The conversation came to a pause, and silence fell again.

I had been listening to the conversation, but perhaps my heart was numb, as no words came to mind.

I looked down at the alcohol in my hand, not drinking, just staring blankly at it.

The face reflected on the surface was terribly haggard.

I thought about it absentmindedly, as if it were someone else's business, and when I looked up, I realized everyone's eyes were on me.

Emma: ...Ah, I'm sorry. Did I miss something?

Clavis: That's not the case, but...

Silvio: Hey, your drink hasn't gone down at all. Why don't ya get some of that Delightful Bastard's kiddie juice?

Clavis: Haha, what are you saying? I'm drinking an adult juice.

Silvio: If it's juice, you're a kid.

Luke: I can walk you to your room. Don't push yourself.

Emma: I'm not pushing myself. Thank you.

(If possible, I want to stay in a lively place.)

(Because if I'm alone, I'll keep thinking about all sorts of things.)

*flashback*

Pushing through the crowd, I was the first to step into the pool of blood.

I was prepared for "death" to come, but I didn't know it would be such a vivid death...

My memories are hazy from the point where I was shaken by the shoulder by a familiar doctor.

*flashback over*

Kamal: ...I'm sorry.

Kamal sat down next to me and put a hand on my back.

Kamal: That child is undeniably a genius, but he's always been clumsy with interacting with people.

Kamal: As a God, he doesn't have enough experience to understand human subtleties...

Kamal: He truly didn't anticipate that you would be this hurt.

He gently patted my back, and the gesture reminded me of that night.

Kamal: Initially, he kept you around as insurance in case Rhodolite was involved in Obsidian's conspiracy.

Kamal: Obsidian has been smuggling weapons for a long time, trying to destroy our country from within.

Kamal: Rhodolite is connected to Obsidian...

Kamal: To prevent them from interfering with the plan, it was necessary to keep them in check.

Clavis: A sad misunderstanding.

Kamal: But I think his declaration of infatuation was really just a whim, or something that happened along the way.

Kamal: I don't think he was thinking anything more than "I found a good target, so let's use her."

Luke: If he were alive, I'd punch him.

Kamal: That's why... I was also surprised when I learned that he had placed you in the solitary castle.

Kamal: He must have learned about the beauty of "Belle's" heart and couldn't leave you alone.

Silvio: ...Wouldn't the woman have been less hurt if he had just left her alone?

Silvio: It's not sane for a man determined to die to keep a woman by his side.

Kamal: Didn't I just say? Gods lack experience.

Kamal: He wasn't thinking about being liked by you as a person, Miss Emma.

(...You cowardly God.)

(Even though you did nothing but make me like you.)

Akatsuki: "I didn't know" isn't an excuse.

Akatsuki: This is a matter of compensation.

Emma: Indeed... you're absolutely right.

Emma: I feel like slapping him with an invoice with a lot of zeros.

I laughed to dispel the melancholic atmosphere, not wanting them to worry about me any longer.

Emma: I'll... have some alcohol.

I brought the cup to my lips and poured it down my throat in one gulp.

Silvio: Hey, if you drink like that...

Clavis: Will another drunkard be born? Will it happen?

Luke: Don't act so cheerful. Bring me some water.

(...My throat is burning.)

(Is it because this alcohol is what Kamal brought?)

(It's the same alcohol as that day.)

*flashback*

Azel: Can you hold your liquor?

—The last night I spent with Prince Azel.

Perhaps he couldn't bear to see me still wide awake, so Prince Azel got out of bed and took a bottle of alcohol from the shelf.

Emma: I can drink, but… Prince Azel, you indulge in alcohol?

Azel: I don't usually drink.

Emma: But there's alcohol in your room…

Azel: Kamal just occasionally holds one-man drinking parties here. He's an excessive drunkard.

Prince Azel left the room and returned with two alcohol cups.

He roughly pushed aside the book that was on the table and filled the empty cups to the brim with alcohol.

Emma: Why do you feel like drinking now, even though you don't usually?

Azel: …Kamal falls asleep when he drinks. It's like a sleeping pill for some people, right?

(In other words, this alcohol is also mercy.)

(…If I say that, he'll definitely say something like, "I'm just making you drink because you're noisy.")

Azel: Here.

Emma: Thank you.

As I received the alcohol cup, my body swayed slightly from Prince Azel sitting down on the bed.

(I hope I don't get strangely drunk like before.)

I brought the cup to my lips as if in prayer.

It was a unique alcohol, sweet yet burning hot as it went down my throat.

Azel: ………… That's too strong, isn't it?

Prince Azel, after taking a sip of the alcohol, also made a grimace at its intensity.

Emma: Are you a lightweight?

Azel: I don't know. I've never drunk enough to know if I'm strong or weak with alcohol.

Emma: Then I'd like to see you drunk, Prince Azel.

Azel: What on earth are you expecting?

Exasperated, Prince Azel gestured to the space beside him.

Feeling invited, I sat beside him, our shoulders touching. Even though he wasn't doing anything, I felt strangely nervous.

Azel: More importantly, you were in the middle of your story, weren't you?

Emma: That's right. I think I talked about my life up until I became Belle.

(Prince Azel, who asked me to "tell me about yourself," is listening to my story more seriously than I expected.)

(As if he's interested in the way I, as a human, have lived...)

His mystical eyes caught mine, and I gulped down the alcohol as if to hide my nervousness.

Emma: There was a Founding Festival in Rhodolite, and there—...

-

Emma: ––...and that's how I ended up deciding to travel the continent as a book merchant.

By the time I finished my story, half of the alcohol in the bottle was gone.

With my head feeling fuzzy, I savored the joy of having Prince Azel listen to my story.

He was a good listener, interjecting with appropriate responses at just the right moments.

Azel: Traveling, huh? Sounds fun.

Emma: ...Things weren't always fun in Tanzanite because of a certain greedy God.

Azel: That's the real thrill of traveling. There's no excitement in a journey without any mishaps.

Azel: You should be thanking me, actually.

Emma: ...Thank you?

Azel: Don't make it a question.

Prince Azel placed his hand on my head after setting his cup down on the table.

His fingertips felt warmer than usual.

Azel: Tanzanite is just a stopover point, not your final destination.

Azel: You'll encounter many things and many experiences will help you grow.

Azel: When that happens, there's no need to look back. Just keep walking forward.

Azel: Journeys are accompanied by encounters and farewells. Get used to it now.

Azel: These are valuable words of advice from God.

(And someday, this time I spent with Prince Azel will fade as a past event, becoming just another experience.)

(Will there come a time when I'll talk about this bittersweet memory with someone like this?)

I cast my eyes down, hiding my face with my hair.

The face reflected in the alcohol looked as if it was about to cry.

(No good, I can't get drunk at all today.)

As I repeatedly opened and closed my mouth, trying to say something…

The hand that was resting on my head pulled me closer, and a soft sensation fell on my temple.

(...Huh?)

At first, I didn't understand what it was, but as I blinked a few times at the closeness of his face, the same sensation was applied to my forehead.

The moment I understood, I felt like my face was on fire.

Emma: Wh...What are you doing!?

Azel: What, can't I kiss you?

Emma: Of course you can't!? And what kind of kiss is that anyway?

Azel: It's a divine blessing.

Azel: May your journey continue to be smooth sailing.

He even kissed my cheek, and my tears finally subsided.

(This is strange… definitely strange.)

(Sure, Prince Azel is a suggestive God, and there was that accident-like thing before, but...)

Emma: You seem really drunk even though you don't look it.

Azel: That's not true.

Even as he denied it, Prince Azel continued to give me light kisses, seemingly unaware of his own strange behavior.

(I see… he turns into a kiss demon when he's drunk.)

(...It's a blessing in disguise that he hasn't had a chance to drink until now...)

Emma: Prince Azel, I have some advice for you too.

Emma: ...It might be better if you don't drink alcohol in public.

Azel: I wouldn't drink even if you didn't tell me to. If I ever get drunk, it would be a disaster.

(So, is now special?)

(...Maybe this is a precious side of him that he only shows me.)

(...)

(I wonder if he'll forgive me, just this once.)

I placed the empty alcohol cup on the table and cupped Prince Azel's face, now a kiss demon, in my hand.

Azel: ...What?

Emma: I'll give you a blessing too.

Emma: May you achieve the results you desire, Prince Azel.

I pressed my lips against his forehead, which was creased in a frown, as payback.

Azel: You're not a God, are you?

Emma: Even humans can give blessings.

Azel: That's news to me.

Emma: You learn something new every day.

Azel: .....

(...He's hot. Maybe I'm more drunk than I realize.)

When I tried to pull my hand away and create some distance, he grabbed it as if to stop me.

He pulled me closer, our faces so close that our breaths mingled.

Azel: Then give me more.

Emma: I-I don't believe in bargain prices—mm!

He pecked my lips, and all the emotions in my head were blown away.

Our eyes met, and despite my intention to push him away, I accepted him again.

(He was the one who told me not to fall in love with him...)

The kiss, which had been just a touch, gradually deepened, as if he knew I wouldn't resist.

His tongue intertwined with mine with a rough urgency that stole my breath, making it so painful that tears welled up.

(It hurts...)

Even though it hurt, I wrapped my one arm around his back.

Even though I could have closed my mouth if I truly hated it, I didn't.

Instead, I felt the heat mindlessly as he greedily demanded more.

Azel: This wasn't how it was supposed to be... damn.

(...I'm the one who wants to curse.)

Contrary to his words, he slowly pushed me down onto the sheets, continuing to devour me under the pretense of a blessing.

As our eyes met, our lips touched, and our tongues intertwined, I experienced pleasure for the first time.

(And surely, this will be the last time.)

When I tentatively responded to his kiss, he reacted with momentary surprise.

But he didn't turn away as he usually did. Instead, he accepted me.

As I traced the thread connecting us, I touched Prince Azel's cheek.

Emma: ...Do you know?

Emma: Normal people don't kiss like this.

Azel: I know.

Azel: I just want to.

Emma: ...Y-You're a bad drunk.

Azel: I'm not drunk.

Emma: That's what all drunk people say.

Azel: ...Then I'm drunk.

Azel: Is this okay?

As if it wasn't enough, he attacked me again with a greedy kiss.

Whether intentional or unconscious, his large hand caressed my body, making my hips jump.

(Somehow... the more blessings we exchange, the stranger my body feels.)

(...It's like a curse.)

*flashback over*

Emma: ––...!

As if to blow away the memory of that last night, I poured more alcohol and swallowed it.

Kamal: My, my, my, you're a good drinker.

Emma: I can still drink more!

Clavis: Your Holiness, shouldn't you stop her?

Akatsuki: I'm not her father.

Akatsuki: ...Let Emma do as she pleases.

Akatsuki: There are times... when people can't go on without drinking.

.

.

.

Romantic Ending Ch. 25

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[glassladyoftheopera]

In Stars and Time as a Musical Follow Up: Costumes

Okay, a topic I may have enough thoughts on to make a full post about; costumes! (and a little bit stage craft in some places.)

This is mostly about what people would do if they wanted to actually put on a live version of this, versus treating it like a concept album. I am however going to mostly ignore cost restraints outside of like, truly ridiculous stuff.

So first, some general notes.

The color palette: we will still have all of the costumes and sets be in grayscale, with the red used in the 'say it's name' and Act 5 sequences probably mostly being done through lighting. We will not have the actors use skin paint though. I'm not that mean. The audience can buy the idea that the world is meant to be black and white just fine without it.

Materials: I would avoid overly synthetic looking fabrics to maintain the 'vaguely fantasy medieval' vibe, but I wouldn't worry about using actual natural fabric. Comfort and cleaning are higher priorities.

Ensemble: Not much to say about them! Just that the production would have to be careful to make sure everyone is in truly neutral grayscale and not let too warm / cool of grays slip in.

Okay, let's talk characters.

Siffrin is tricky basically every option for interpreting the cloak has it's own pros and cons. Having sleeves means better movement options for the actor, but they only show up in a handful of images in the game. Full poncho means we get Full Triangle Vibe, but it would hamper movement a lot. Cloak with a pinned closed front means we see more of the rest of the costume more often, which I wouldn't mind, but it does break up the classic triangle silhouette. It's honestly still my pick though. Then there's the eye patch. I know some shows just give characters eye patches, and as long as you're careful staging the dances it will probably be fine? But I assume semi-mesh eye patches for performers are a thing, so I'd try to find one of those. Lastly, hat. It probably couldn't be as absurdly big as in game without casting major shadows we don't want on Siffrin's face, so they'll need a slightly narrower brim and we'd keep the hat pinned in a more back position.

Mirabelle's outfit probably wouldn't need to change much, but her little fingerless gloves would need some reinforcement at the top to keep them from falling down her arms. There's also the matter of her needing to have her sword with her most of the show; it might need to be a little smaller than a true rapier, but Shakespeare shows have duels and such so we can make something work.

Odile wouldn't be particularly difficult to costume as long as you don't make her sweater / jacket too heavy and put some straps on her shoes. Fake glasses aren't hard too bad, but some rigging in the back to keep them on will be helpful.

Isabeau I'm sorry but your sleeves have to be a little less gigantic, it will get in the way of the audience being able to read your gestures / get caught on stuff. They can still be long and loose though. Also, in real life the stripes on his pants being that wide could be an issue in terms of reading where he is on stage with the set / looking kind of goofy, so I might make them just a bit thinner.

Bonnie... I do not know how to make your weird pillow hat work in real life. For most game accurate version you'd have to make it completely from scratch. Something like a beret in terms of construction but... big. And probably held up internally with stuffing and wire. The alternative would probably be a big sunhat, and if you want to include Bonnie getting a new hat just slightly redo that scene to find something else that's similar.

Heck yeah its time for Loop! Now, we're definitely not doing a full star head, that wouldn't let the actor do any of that good emoting. But! I think a lower face mask could still work. You might have to hide the actor's mic under there to make sure they could be heard, but it's definitely possible. They would definitely need a custom wig for spikiness, plus a star-like head piece to top it off. Now the rest of it... I mean, you could go full body suit. I'd probably do that as the first choice, though maybe adding a wispy loin cloth or tie around the middle for modesty depending on your performer / venue. But! Different productions could get really creative with it, as long as the base still has them black and covered with stars and there's the star in their chest. Add in some specific design quirks that are only elsewhere found in Sif and The King's costumes, but just tiny little detail type things? Chef's kiss.

Speaking of the King! He unfortunately does need to be Very Big, but thankfully Broadway shows can pull that off! Something similar to the Wizard head in Wicked could work here, where only some parts of the set piece move (mechanically or via puppetry) and the actor is a voice over. The hair could be a mix of practice and projections. The tears that show up in the fight would probably also need to be projected. The hard thing would be getting it to disappear quickly enough. Maybe the last bit before the loop resets is always in front of the curtain? Could be cool. A less well funded production would probably have to either use mostly projections or re-work to use less moving parts.

Last up Euphrasie! Since she has a long dress getting her some extra height wouldn't be too hard, and she doesn't have to dance or anything so that helps. But! She does need to do the Act 4 finale dramatic kneel down, which is harder to work around. If we cast a tall actor and just use lifts in her shoes, it could work. She wouldn't be as super tall as she would be if we used hidden stilts, but I like the image of her cupping Sif's face, it goes all the way back to the comics, I gotta keep it.

What about y'all? How would you dress everyone? Any little details you'd want to see? And tricks to deal with the problems I thought of? Have fun!

[phantom-thieves-official]

can I say something controversial. I think by interpreting the Maruki reality stuff w Akechi as 'Joker's greatest wish was for Akechi to live bc they're in love!' is kind of a poor read of the text. Not because I don't ship them or whatever, my shipping opinions aren't relevant to this post. But because I think it overlooks a big part of Joker's actual character. He wanted Akechi to live because he saw an innocent person taken advantage of and discarded. He saw someone who needed help. You can even go further with this and say, okay, Akechi wasn't an innocent person - he killed people and tried to kill Joker himself. And what does that mean for Joker's character? It means he saw someone who had done terrible things - some of them to Joker, personally - and he still came away from Shido's palace with the understanding that while he did bad things, Akechi was a victim of Shido's, too. Good, or bad, or in between, that he still was someone in need of help. Joker wanted to help Akechi. He wanted to give Akechi a chance to make things right, and to show him that they didn't have to enemies - that Akechi didn't have to fight the Phantom Thieves, and he didn't have to be alone; that it's never too late to change course and be a better person and that Akechi's life didn't have to be one of hatred and isolation. He could atone for his crimes, still take down shido, and have a group of people to support him. After the terrible things Akechi did as Shido's lapdog, after he sold the thieves out and plotted to murder Joker. Joker still just wanted to help him. Joker saw that while Akechi was undoubtedly a criminal he was also a victim, and there was something in there worth trying to save. But you know what? He couldn't do it. Right as he seemed to be getting through to Akechi, he was killed by Shido's cognitive version.

And so when Maruki's reality brings Akechi back, it means imo that Joker feels guilty. Out of all the people he'd been able to help, Akechi was the one person he just couldn't save. It's not because they're in love, it's because Joker regrets how things worked out. He regrets that he didn't get through to Akechi sooner. He regrets failing a vulnerable and victimized person whom he feels he could have helped. Even if that person hated Joker. Even if that person had previously tried to kill Joker with his own hands. Joker's sense of justice is imo his biggest character trait, followed closely by his massive savior complex. Of course he wanted Akechi to live. Because in Joker's eyes, despite what he'd done to hurt Joker, Akechi was still a victim. He was still someone Joker should have been able to save.

This all comes to a head when Joker chooses to deny Maruki's reality. He's choosing to live with the guilt; to accept he can't save everyone no matter how hard he tries. He's moving beyond the savior complex and recognizing that sometimes, some people are really just unreachable, or don't want to be helped. It's a moment not only of characterization, but of character growth for him.

anyway that's my hot take. by viewing the third semester through a shipping lens exclusively you lose a huge point of characterization for Joker bc you overlook the nuances of Joker's desire to help everyone all the time and the guilt he feels about failing to help Akechi. You misconstrue Joker's desire to help in the first place as coming from a place of love rather than a place of selflessness and justice; a place of 'doing what's right simply because it is the right thing to do.' You miss out on the subtle ways it shows Joker's not biased by hatred or contempt, how despite the heinous things Akechi has done, and despite the harm done to him directly at Akechi's hand, Joker is still capable of seeing that Akechi is a victim, too - which in itself shows that Joker's idea of justice isn't motivated by personal relationships, grudges, or biases.

[akookminsupporter]

Hello, I'm not sure if you'll see this or not but I thought I would ask so I know everyone is excited about BTS year this year and is eager to anticipate their return, and I kind of wanted to talk about the infantilization of BTS prior to their MS and when they come out, so I do know at their core, BTS will still be the same loveable people, but my thoughts are running on who defines what infantilism is when it comes to the boys, for example: I was being accused of infantilizing Jimin and Jungkook because I found some of the things they do cute and adorable, I mean, they have cute moments right? (AYS for example) I still acknowledge they are grown adults and respect them as the adults they are, but now I'm questioning if these things that I'm finding cute really are babying them and I don't want to treat them like that/that way, so i wanted to know if you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on this?

Hi anon, how are you? Happy New Year!

Oh, this is an interesting question.

I think what’s happening in the case you’re describing is that the people saying that to you don’t really understand what “infantilisation” means.

Infantilisation happens when we treat or perceive someone as if they lack the maturity or ability to be a responsible adult, regardless of their actual actions. For example, if someone dismisses their ability to act, their opinions, or their choices by labelling them as "childish" or incapable, that’s infantilisation.

A fandom example is when people think they have the right to decide for X members whether they should stay with the agency, collaborate with certain artists, or interact with certain members. It happens when someone undermines a member’s decision-making ability, treating them like a child who doesn’t know what’s best for them. It’s not about finding them cute or endearing – it’s about treating them as though they can’t differentiate between right and wrong or make their own choices about what to say or do. That’s the kind of infantilisation many of us criticise in fandoms and, honestly, on the internet in general when it comes to fans of public figures.

In your case, what you’re describing sounds more like appreciation for their natural charm and personality rather than denial of their maturity. In Korean culture, there’s something called aegyo, which is basically acting cute – almost like a small child being adorable. It’s a big part of Korean entertainment, not just in K-pop, and BTS is known for doing it too. Sometimes it’s their personality shining through, and other times it’s part of their persona. You can usually tell the difference depending on the context.

So finding someone’s actions endearing without dismissing their adulthood is perfectly fine. For example, enjoying how Jimin and Jungkook interacted during AYS (or their playful dynamics in general) doesn’t mean you’re erasing their adulthood. They were often super cute during the show, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. That’s not infantilisation – that’s you finding their actions adorable or cute.

Before Jin and Hobi were discharged, I wondered if that side of them would change – if they’d stop being these cheekily adorable and sometimes mischievous people for their fans. But it hasn’t. From what we’ve seen, they’re the same as they were before, just with a year or two more life experience. That’s it. We don’t know if they’ve changed in private, but honestly, that’s none of our business.

Jungkook’s December Wlive was a perfect example of my point. He behaved just as he always has in his lives, especially over the past few years, and more than a few fans called him cute and silly or said they just wanted to squish him because he brings out those emotions in his fans. That doesn’t mean we think he’s a child – some people do, and that is infantilisation – but most of us simply find him endearing at times.

The misunderstanding of terms or labels also reminds me of how some people in the fandom label anyone who happens to see a member in public, take a picture, or mention it as a sasaeng. Or how some even describe certain fansites as sasaengs. A sasaeng is an obsessive fan who invades a celebrity’s personal life and privacy; in this case, is someone going to extreme lengths to follow or interact with idols. A fan spotting a member in public and taking a picture or just mentioning seeing them in X place isn’t being a sasaeng. This behaviour of misunderstanding terms or labels is not new.

I don’t know what’s going on lately, whether it’s newer fans or something else, but I’ve seen people on social media trying to police things that really don’t need policing or making others feel bad for things that are pretty standard in fandoms like this. For example – and I think this wasn’t specifically our fandom but a K-pop stan in general – someone tweeted criticising people who collect photocards. Like, why? Why should anyone feel bad or embarrassed about collecting photocards? Collecting is one of the most normal hobbies ever. Some people collect photocards, others collect toy cars, and some even collect women! (That last one should honestly be a crime, but that’s another conversation.) Why is it okay for men to collect photocards of sports players, sorry, I mean “sports cards” but not for people to collect photocards of artists? The double standards in society are wild.

Anon, I think it’s amazing that you’re so self-aware that you’re checking in with others to see if your behaviour might be problematic. That says a lot about the kind of person you are. In this case, I don’t think you have anything to worry about – but the people who told you that definitely do.

[eternal-loverings]

The Secret History Analysis

Hi everyone,

I just finished reading The Secret History for the third time and I wanted to share my thoughts.

This is the first time that I've read the book and actually felt real contempt for the characters, obviously I felt bad about the murder(s) when I read the book before, but I couldn't bear to have much sympathy for any of the characters this time. I feel like I have changed a lot as a person since I first read the book, and that I might not have so much faith in people being good anymore. Or, more importantly, I seem to have lost any illusions of anyone being more interesting or important than me. So that's why I couldn't sympathize with them anymore, it's because that golden veil was lifted and I just saw them as people, not romanticized, as Richard did.

It's both wonderful and jarring how much your perception of a book can change. It just shows how we can't ever truly see anything objectively.

The epilogue of the book is the part I think about the most. When Henry talks about his passport being expired, and about not being able to travel. This made me think of a passage (can't think of where it is in the book), where Richard talks about Henry, and mentions that Henry always seems more at ease when he talks in Greek, and that Ancient Greece seems to be more Henry's home than the present. This combined with the final scene made me wonder if Henry was supposed to be some kind of deity, since he seems to be able to travel through space and time. None of the other characters appear in the dream/vision, and I think Richard was there because he appears to me as a character who somehow makes his way into the realm of Gods, something like a tragic hero, although there was nothing really heroic about him.

I also noticed for the first time that Richard had no reason to be up on the mountain pushing Bunny to his death. I mean, obviously, Richard wasn't guilty of anything in the first place, but somehow I realized just now that Richard voluntarily made himself a murder accomplice just to- what? Gain their approval? To enter into their circle completely? Because a shared sin is perhaps the most binding act (also shown with Charles and Camilla).

Regarding Julian's involvement, I saw a few posts saying that Julian was the mastermind behind everything etc. I don't really agree, I really didn't like Julian (he seemed very superficial to me), but he only seemed like a coward who couldn't actually face anything that disturbed his serene image of life that he had built up for himself.

I think the true reason behind the murder was very muddled, part of it could have been Henry's wish to act out something truly significant, something so archetypal that it has been present since ancient times, or maybe the group was so disconnected from real life that killing someone just didn't occur to them as something truly momentous. I don't think it was fear of ruining their lives that brought them to it, because as we see in the end, all of them have ruined lives. Henry is dead, Camilla cannot move on because of him and leads a lonely life, Charles has completely let go of his former intellect and prestige and crumbled into degeneracy, and Francis has given up on life. Richard seems to be doing the best out of them all, but he had to let go of what they all once had, which was connection with people that all saw the world the same way.

When we think back to the times they spent together in the country house, none of them will ever experience a connection like it again.

That's all of my thoughts so far. Can't wait to read this book again sometime in the future, although I know a part of it will stay with me for some time.

[annrps]

The silhouette was a little taken aback when the man stood up and he heard a monologue from his side, maybe he really is afraid of losing control... or rather letting his madness lead the game, but Andras was wrong about something. And this made Hiro laugh, which caused a smile to appear on his face:

"Maybe, but you are wrong about one thing... I and those who were BEFORE me, begin to watch our students from the moment they received these abilities. You can consider it as stalking, but we have our own methods of how to do it at the same time. And if we see that the students are going astray... we "get rid" of them, and wait until a new student arrives... " After these words, a vine grew from under the ground, piercing the elbow of Andras's arm, which was holding Hiro. The snow turned scarlet from the man's blood. A small circle appeared next to the silhouette, it was not intended for combat. Rather, for the personal purposes of the silhouette. Surprisingly, Hiro's gaze darkened, and his smile changed to a mocking one:

"His memories were true... And how fortunate it was: you both practically had the same past, I mean your fathers, you both saved those who became part of the lives of both of you. And it's funny, did you really see HIM as a son for yourself? No, seriously. You really followed your dad's path, and wanted to ruin another child's life. And this child practically has the same situation in the family as you do. And instead of helping him cope with this, even with simple advice... You decided that your father's methods would work on him.... Did you really think that he would FULLY accept your worldview, when you don't even know for yourself what real justice is? Hehehe, the only thing he took from you is stubbornness. But he only uses it to the fullest when it comes to his family.... The one you considered pathetic now has a much better life, and I'm guessing deep down you didn't want him to be better than you. Although, maybe you did think you were raising your students right, I'll admit. After all, you had noble goals. But you gave in to the darkness, and dug yourself an even deeper hole when you tried to kill HER. Wow, to me you're just another example of a pathetic person who just gave in, deciding it was "best" for everyone, without even trying to fight back against the darkness you eventually joined."

This dream was cold, cold as ice. It even seemed much colder than ice. You can compare it to the Arctic, but this place was colder than the Arctic. It was lonely, until a certain time...

"Wow, what an "icy" welcome. You clearly put some effort into it." Suddenly, a silhouette with a male voice approached you: his skin was pure white, like an albino. Rather, the color resembled pure snow. Gray hair, the right eye, no, the right half of the face and neck were covered by bangs, and the rest of the hair was long, except for the left front part. But surprisingly, the clothes were dark shades of blue and red. A brown cloak, like superheroes from children's cartoons or books, on the right hand a bright red glove. The shoes were even above the knees, surprisingly dark gray and light red-pink fasteners on the shoes. There was a smile on his face, and the left eye was temporarily closed. The height was surprisingly not small (It reached Roy's elbow, maybe even a little higher than the elbow, but not Roy's full height.)

"You surprise me....Under such conditions, and at such an age, to hold on to your strength in such cold....you are not afraid of the cold to such an extent that you are ready to freeze to death, right? I mean, no one can live long in such cold, can they?"

After these words, the silhouette opened its left eye: a gray iris, slightly darker than the hair and a black four-pointed star as a pupil, in the iris itself there was no hint of shine, but there was no darkening either. The silhouette's eye was open as if it was mocking you, although the smile did not show it. It was like a smile of curiosity, but the eye did not show curiosity. They began to wait for your answer.

(If anything, note this account: @annrps It will be me, just on a different account.)

A cold cell he laid in, months after his arrest. Not one of a comfortable one in the matter of facts, a retired teacher laid in a scruffy bed. Dreams were not easy to catch on, as his rest was rather limited.

But, alas, the blackhole finds himself in an place like the arctic, freezing against his skin. Andras huffs out an air of frost, crossing his arms for warmth.

The hell..?

[air--so--sweet]

Athena and Maddie are working on it together. I mean that doesn't sound like Maddie's getting kidnapped then does it? It does sound like a possible direct parallel to when Maddie was kidnapped by Doug though and Buck and Athena looked for her...

Just going to leave this here...

[thewardenisonthecase]

honestly, maybe it's a hot take or whatever, but I think that tearing down the veil and *potentially* bringing back the immortality to the elves would not have helped them a lot

[unproduciblesmackdown]

omgg lol [guy who won't stop going "more like scapeGOATED" voice] now hold! on!! lmao [same guy just saw encanto voice] Hold on!!!

[sherlock-is-ace]

.

[aishangotome]

Azel Radwan: Romantic Ending Ch. 24

Chapter 23 Letter

Thank you @shatcey for providing the video for this chapter!

♡———♡

I don't know what to call this heart-wrenching pain, but morning comes nonetheless.

My feet are heavy as I tread the dry earth leading to the city, and the scorching sunlight makes it harder to breathe than usual.

Emma: This is terrible...

The city in the Land of Illusion has completely changed since the other day.

Things are scattered about as if a war had taken place, and exhausted people are busy cleaning up.

The soldiers patrolling the city are filled with tension, and small disputes are breaking out here and there.

Man: Are you saying God has abandoned us?

Woman: What else could it be!? We've been forsaken!

Woman: The sanctuary has been taken over by traitors, and the worst criminals are still roaming the streets!

Woman: Even in this state, God doesn't show himself. The God who was supposed to protect us...!

Man: Surely something has happened to the Living God!

Woman: There's no way anyone could do anything to the Living God!

(...Kamal is still on the run, and the sanctuary, the symbol of the sacred, remains captured.)

(Distrust of Azel is growing, and the people who don't know a world without God are divided in their opinions.)

(Unaware that all of this is going according to God's plan.)

I make my way to the back of the city, passing by the small squabbles.

As rumored, the sanctuary seems to have been taken over by the forces that rebelled against God. I can't see inside the sanctuary, which is surrounded by a high wall, but I can see the red moon flag standing at the gate.

What does this flag, which defiles the beautiful moon, mean? – The breath I inhaled felt like it was burning my chest.

Soldier: You there, wait!

I am called out to by one of the soldiers surrounding the sanctuary, and I show my face.

Soldier: ...You are Miss Emma, aren't you?

Emma: Were you looking for me?

Soldier: The apostle has ordered us to "protect" you.

(It's a hostage situation under the guise of protection.)

The soldier calls out to his nearby comrades, cutting off my escape route.

Soldier: Will you please come with us?

It was a situation where I had no say in the matter.

I lower my eyes and hide my loosening lips with my hair.

Emma: Gladly.

(...I've been placed under house arrest.)

It's not quite like being treated as a criminal, but there are soldiers stationed outside my guest room, and I can't come and go freely.

I heard the Owner protesting outside, and a short while ago I passed a note to the soldier that said, "Don't worry."

Perhaps everyone is sensing the end somewhere, because the castle, like the city, is filled with tension.

I opened the window, wanting to let the heavy air escape outside.

(...When that sun turns to moon, it's goodbye.)

(...Really... was there no other way?)

There's a gentle knock on the door, and I answer.

Even before I see them, I can guess who the visitors are.

Apostle: Miss Emma, I'm so glad you're safe. I noticed you were missing after that and was worried, but...

Enis: What happened to your arm?

Both the apostle and Enis stare at the bandages covering half of my body.

Emma: I was slightly injured... Please don't worry.

Apostle: How dreadful. Enis, please arrange for a doctor later.

(...But the apostle is the cause.)

The frightening thing about the apostle is that his words of "dreadful" feel genuine.

Emma: By the way, you two came to ask about the Living God, right?

I push aside my complicated feelings and bring it up myself. Enis gasps audibly, and the apostle hides all emotion with a benevolent smile.

Apostle: So you did meet the Living God, Miss Emma.

Emma: It was Prince Azel who treated this injury.

Emma: He entrusted me with a "divine oracle" to be conveyed to the The Reverend Apostle and King Enis without fail.

(...I was the one who said I was a priestess, not a slave, but...)

(I never thought I'd actually be doing a priest's job at the very end.)

*flashback*

Azel: A priest is a public servant who serves God.

Azel: Their duties are varied, but the most excellent priests are given the right to become God's spokesperson.

Emma: So, you mean like the apostle?

Azel: He's more of a phony scammer than a spokesperson, a scammer.

Azel: In the first place, my generation didn't establish the position of priest. It's just a hassle.

Azel: Therefore, as the one and only priest, I grant you the right to become my spokesperson.

Azel: Tell everyone what I'm about to say... and tell that dreamy old man.

*flashback over*

Emma: "The last moon rises in the sky, and the people awaken from their long dream."

Emma: "The incarnation of the moon departs from the mundane world, and a new moon is born."

Emma: "The newborn moon pierces through nothingness, and the promised reality also returns to nothingness."

Emma: "When the moon reaches its zenith, the final oracle will be given."

Emma: "Tonight, gather at the stage of offering."

Emma: "May you all awaken from your dreams and tread upon the earth of reality."

As I convey every single word entrusted to me by Azel, a dry wind enters the room.

My hair is whipped up, and the unicorn earrings sway.

Emma: Please tell the people.

Emma: That is the Living God's final wish for the apostle and Enis.

The silence continues for a long time.

Next to Enis, who has a gloomy expression, the apostle may be calculating all sorts of things.

Apostle: Thank you, Miss Emma. If those are the words of the Living God, we must make them public.

Apostle: However, I find it very distressing to convey the words of the Living God to the people in this current situation.

Apostle: If we convey the divine oracle of the Living God to the people in the midst of chaos, it will only incite further fear.

Apostle: Even if it is the will of the Living God, I cannot condone words that would lead to disorder.

Apostle: I pray that you will understand.

(...This is all unfolding exactly as Azel predicted.)

(He reads the opponent's moves like the back of his hand and makes the next move with certainty.)

(Now that I'm his ally, I can feel the full extent of Azel's fearfulness.)

He's reassuring as an ally, but as an enemy, I can't see any chance of winning.

The more God's script progresses, the less likely it is that unexpected variables will occur.

Emma: Do you feel the same way, King Enis?

Enis: ...Yes. The apostle's judgment is also my judgment.

Emma: Then, it's fine if you pretend you didn't hear the oracle just now.

Emma: However, you can't stop people from talking... I hope it hasn't spread.

*flashback*

Aisha: To put Miss Emma under house arrest, I will protest strongly!

Nadia: To subject Miss Emma to such injustice is unforgivable, even for the king or the apostle!

Emma: Thank you. It's reassuring that you two came to my aid immediately, even in this situation.

Aisha/Nadia: "Miss Emma..."

Emma: Actually... there's something I'd like to ask of you two. Would you listen?

Aisha: Of course! We are Miss Emma's caretakers.

Nadia: Is it about meals? Baths? Or...

Aisha: Is it a secret you can't tell the king or the apostle?

Emma: ...Hehe, you see right through me.

Emma: I want you to spread what I'm about to tell you throughout the city.

*flashback over*

Apostle: ...This is troubling. To think you had already made arrangements.

Apostle: The Living God has always been wise; a mere mortal like me is no match for him.

(He says that, but the apostle isn't very surprised. He must have had some idea.)

Judging from the fact that the maids were able to meet with me, it seems he isn't seriously trying to stop the oracle from spreading.

(Even if he stopped me, someone else would spread it, so perhaps he decided it was a bad move to allocate personnel here.)

Apostle: Miss Emma, at this rate, we may truly lose the Living God.

Emma: That's why you gathered King Enis and me here, isn't it?

Emma: The Living God is watching this commotion from somewhere. It's because the apostle is certain of that...

Emma: ...that you intend to publicly execute us as accomplices of the great criminal, aren't you?

When I present the next development in advance, the apostle's benevolence deepens.

Enis, who is next to him, only makes a bitter face.

Perhaps he had anticipated this from the beginning.

Apostle: Is "that" also a prophecy from the Living God?

Emma: It is.

*flashback*

Azel: When that old man is cornered, he tends to resort to simplistic ideas.

Azel: He's probably confident that if he crucifies you and Enis, I'll definitely show up.

Emma: ...Am I going to be subjected to such a terrible fate?

Azel: You're going to be my ally, right?

Emma: ......... I-I'll do my best.

Azel: Don't agree! It was a joke! That's not the part you should be trying hard at!

Azel: Besides, if you're crucified, Akatsuki will turn into a weapon of mass destruction.

Emma: That's no good...!

Azel: ...If that really happens, I might end up killing the old man too.

Emma: .....?

Azel: Anyway, to prevent you from being humiliated, we need to take action first.

Azel: This is the time to use our trump card––

*flashback over*

Apostle: ––The Living God must have bestowed his protection upon you, hasn't he?

Apostle: It's been strangely quiet outside for a while now.

(Now that he mentions it, I can't hear anything.)

(It's not like there's a ban on passing in front of the guest room, so there should be the sound of people coming and going...)

Perhaps realizing that we are standing on the stage of a script written by God, the apostle tilts his head sorrowfully.

As if I were the villain and he the victim.

Apostle: Miss Emma, do you truly have no regrets?

Apostle: What you are trying to do is the grave sin of killing God.

Apostle: Even if you are not directly responsible...

Apostle: If you are indirectly involved, it is the same as you killing the Living God.

Apostle: If you cooperated with me now, we might be able to stop it.

Emma: .........

Emma: ...Once, I asked Prince Azel a question.

Emma: "What is true love?"

Emma: Prince Azel, the Living God, is loved by more people than anyone else.

Emma: But to me, that love didn't seem real.

Apostle: ...That's a very interesting story.

Apostle: If your feelings towards our God are not love, then what is love by your definition?

(...I love that unscrupulous God.)

(Because I came to love him, I hope my current choice is the answer to that question.)

I gently cup the unicorn earring swaying by my ear with my fingers.

Emma: To wish for what is best for that person, not for yourself...

Emma: Even if it means getting hurt, wouldn't continuing to think about what's best for the other person be love?

Apostle: ......

Apostle: ...I cannot agree. How can one wish for the best for another without being happy themselves?

(Perhaps the apostle has a point.)

(But he doesn't know how much that "own happiness" has caused Azel pain...)

???: ...Did you hear that? That's truly a Big Love.

???: Hey, read the room.

(.....!)

The voices coming from beyond the door were not something I had been informed of beforehand.

???: That's why I didn't want to use you guys. It's a hassle.

(!?)

Taken aback even further, I rush to the door and throw it open with all my might.

Immediately, the two people who seem to have been eavesdropping outside lose their balance and fall into the room.

Clavis, who has fallen on top of Luke, raises his hand in greeting as soon as he sees me.

Clavis: Long time no see, Emma... wait, what happened to your arm?

Luke: That's a serious injury. Who did that, that old geezer?

Clavis: What has he done to my daughter?

Luke: It's okay to do him in, right?

Emma: This was kind of an accident! I'm glad you're both alright, Prince Clavis and Prince Luke.

(I was worried when I heard you were missing...)

Clavis: I was caught up in the schemes of a certain noble. I was enjoying a super fun captive life, but...

Clavis: I heard you were in danger, so I kicked aside the soldiers and rushed here.

Luke: I mean, if you just said "move aside," they'd all move aside.

The "you" that Luke addressed was not Clavis.

???: No. The soldiers are on the apostle's side. Because no one wants God to die.

???: I can't move freely without hiring private soldiers like you.

A figure with their face deeply hidden by a sand-shielding mantle enters the room and closes the door.

The face that emerged as they removed their hood sent a wave of tension through the room from behind me.

Enis: ...The Living God.

Azel: If you hide a tree, hide it in the forest; if you hide sand, hide it in the desert; if you hide a prince, hide him in the castle... right?

(I wasn't told Azel was coming.)

(He said he was going to stay hidden until the time came.)

Apostle: I never expected the Living God himself to come all this way.

Azel: Oh, I didn't come here to see you, old man.

Azel: My business is with...

The mystical eyes turn towards Enis, who stands frozen in place.

Azel: Your Majesty. Have you heard about Kamal?

Enis: ...Yes. That he is a traitor who deceived the Living God.

Azel: What do you really think?

Enis: ......

Azel: You're a grown man now. It's time to let go of the past and move on to the future.

Azel: The old man is not someone you, as king, should fear.

Azel strides forward leisurely and holds out something in front of Enis.

(It's the unicorn clasp.)

Azel: From now on, you must lead the country with you at its center.

Azel: If you're afraid of such a small fry, the future looks bleak.

Enis: ........

Azel: It's alright. I guarantee it.

Azel: You are a capable king, and once faith falls, you will be in a more advantageous position than the apostle.

Azel: I will surely shatter the false faith and give you your rightful authority, so...

Azel: Would you grant me my request, "brother"?

Enis has an old, unhealed wound in his heart.

Now, being glared at by the apostle who has lost his smile, it must take courage to make that decision.

Enis slowly opens his tightly clenched fist.

And––he takes the offered clasp.

Enis: I will stop the search for Kamal by the soldiers.

Enis: He is not a traitor, but a brother to be welcomed.

Apostle: Enis....

Enis: Apostle, I, like you... do not wish for the Living God to choose death.

Enis: But, looking him in the eye and speaking with him like this, I realize that this end is what God strongly desires.

Enis: If Kamal is cooperating, then surely this end has meaning.

Enis: If that's the case... I, too, want to be a brother who can consider "what's best."

(Enis... must be hurting just as much as I am, or even more.)

As if accepting that pain, he attaches the unicorn clasp to his clothes.

Enis: Guests of Rhodolite, I apologize, but would you be willing to be hired?

Enis: I want to confine this old man for a while...

Enis: In this country, only those of a different faith can do that.

Clavis: I don't mind, but you're not going to make this an international issue later, are you?

Enis: Certainly not. I want to build a friendly relationship with Rhodolite.

Enis: How about we have a meeting about trade privileges later?

Enis: Tanzanite's economy has been developing rapidly lately. I'm sure I can make a proposal that would be beneficial to your country as well.

Clavis: Hmm... well, that's fine then. We wouldn't want to do it for nothing, would we?

Clavis: Come on, Luke, it's time to work. What kind of traps do you think an old man can withstand?

Luke: Don't do anything unnecessary. We might have to lock you up first.

(What Azel asked me to do was spread the oracle and rescue Enis who was "taken hostage"...)

(With this, I have nothing left to do.)

Azel: Miss Emma, please come with me.

Azel: It would be helpful if you could find a place with me where we can hide until nightfall.

-

A place close to the stage of the end, where there are no people at all––

As we searched for the place Azel desired, the sun began to set.

While dodging the eyes of the people, we finally arrived at a place where we could take a breather. Azel removed the hood that he had been wearing deeply and looked up at the sky.

I finally calmed down and breathed in the air that had cooled with the setting sun.

Emma: I can finally ask you.

Emma: Why did you give me a "different script"?

(I don't understand why you didn't tell me you were coming to the castle.)

Azel: There's nothing wrong with the script I gave you.

Azel: The words I just said to Enis, I was originally going to ask someone else to say them.

Azel: If we're found by the crowd now, the plan will be ruined.

Emma: Then why...

After a silence that made me wonder whether I should speak or not, those mystical eyes look away.

Azel: ...It was you who was looking for a job where we could be together until the very end, wasn't it?

(...!)

Azel never tries to look at me.

My chest felt like it was going to burst.

Emma: Prince Azel... can I say something conceited at the end?

Azel: No.

Emma: Well, listen.

Azel: I can't hear you, I don't know anything.

Not wanting the end to be in a somber atmosphere, I forced the corners of my mouth up.

Emma: Prince Azel, you said at first that being loved was abhorrent...

Emma: But I think you loved me.

Azel: .....

Azel: ...That's really conceited.

Emma: Forgive me, it's the end.

Azel: I won't forgive you. You have given me the greatest humiliation.

Emma: You don't have to be so shy–– Ow!

As expected, he pinched my cheek strongly.

(But I'm confident.)

(It's true that I'm being conceited, but there are many things that can't be explained otherwise.)

Azel: What are you going to do about this awkward atmosphere?

Emma: It's just Prince Azel who's feeling awkward... The cheek pinching really hurts!

Azel: In the first place, what's your basis?

Emma: You gave me what's best for me now, didn't you?

(You used your precious last moments on me.)

Emma: No, not just now, but from before...

Emma: Maybe you were head over heels for me.

("Last night" too... if that's not love, I don't know what else to call love.)

Azel: You're really being too conceited today, aren't you?

Emma: It's the suggestive God's fault.

The unrepentant Prince Azel furrowed his brows with a grumpy look and glared at me.

When I glared back in defiance, he awkwardly averted his eyes again—and I embraced him.

Even when I put my arms around his back, he didn't push me away.

Taking advantage of that, I pressed my ear against his heart.

Azel: –...I don't love you.

Azel: I don't like you or anything, you're more of a nuisance.

Azel: To think that I'm parting with you now, it's rather refreshing.

(...Doesn't he notice that his heartbeat is going crazy?)

(Or...)

(Maybe this is also the "best" for me, in Prince Azel's mind.)

Emma: If that's Prince Azel's answer...

Emma: I'll accept it as that.

In this fleeting time, like an illusion where the sun and moon switch places—

I burned the sound of his racing heartbeat into my ears and pushed my blurring vision to the back of my eyelids.

-

—The divine moon rose in the night sky, and the people gathered at the stage as prophesied.

Unable to contain the crowd, who were trampling the Al flowers, they overflowed from the stage and filled the main street of the market.

Azel: Thank you all for gathering here today.

The raging clamor returned to nothingness at the God's single word.

Without using any special loudspeaker, Prince Azel's voice resonated to every corner, capturing the attention of the people.

Even without any barriers, no one tried to step onto the stage.

The sacred air that Prince Azel wore was different from the one I knew.

This is the God that exists on the continent—I looked down on the stage from the best seat in the house.

Azel: Right now, anxiety must be swirling in your hearts.

Azel: The prophecy left by the first Living God is a "guaranteed reality" and also a trial he left for you.

Azel: You will eventually drift on the open sea without a star to guide you.

Azel: But there is no need to despair.

Azel: Sailors navigating the sea invented the compass to indicate direction in place of the stars.

Azel: You have wisdom. You have the talent to live without relying on the heavens.

Azel: In fact, you have already experienced a world without divination.

Azel: When you realized that relying on inaccurate divination would ruin your lives, what did you do next?

Azel: That's right, you used your own minds to carve out your own path without relying on God's guidance.

Azel: ...Once, there was nothing in this wasteland.

Azel: It was too harsh for people to live in, and without God's protection, you couldn't even build a civilization.

Azel: But that era is over.

Azel: Tanzanite has water, food, a rich culture, and you have come to live out your natural lifespans.

Azel: And the country that stood in the wasteland has now grown to become one of the major countries on the continent.

Azel: I am proud of you all, who built a great nation in the desert.

Azel: And that was probably the first dream that the first Living God saw.

Azel: Now that the dream has been fulfilled, you no longer need God.

Azel: But please don't grieve.

Azel: I believe that the prophecy of the end is also the prophecy of a new beginning.

Azel: ......

Azel: Now, it is time to awaken from the dream that God has shown you.

The God looked up at the sky.

The people also looked up at the sky.

I looked up at the sky too—and my breath caught in my throat.

The divine moon that illuminated Tanzanite was being dyed a reddish-black.

As if eroding the God, it gradually stole away his divinity.

Azel: "The incarnation of the moon departs from the mundane world, and a new moon is born."

Azel: "The newborn moon pierces through nothingness, and the guaranteed reality also returns to nothingness."

Azel: "May you all awaken from the dream and tread upon the earth of reality."

Azel: From the next dawn, you will build your future with your own feet.

Azel: I look forward to seeing what kind of future the "country of man," free from God's hands, will build.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the disappearing moon, and screams and cries erupted before the end—

A sharp sound pierced through it all, drowning out everything else.

(This sound... it's the gunshot I heard when I was a Belle...)

When I looked back at the stage, the God was no longer there.

Just like the reddened moon, the Living God was also dyed red and lying on the ground.

One by one, the people who noticed were losing their words.

Emma: ...Ah...

My voiceless scream dissolved into the noise of the end.

.

.

.

Romantic Ending Ch. 24 Premium Story

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[inkskinned]

she's singing in another room and my dog is asleep at my feet. my grandma asked me why i haven't found a man yet and i laughed. oh, you know. i like my house clean.

my girlfriend is also my man is also "my partner" if i'm in a professional setting. yesterday we went to a ren faire and a man mimed at me - you're together? and at my delighted nod, his baffled, you're gay? made me laugh. a woman with rainbow hair said i love the two of you together. you're both so beautiful it's absurd.

my dad introduced my partner as my "..... friend. or whatever" the other day. he knows we're dating. in the same way, i was never able to get my sister's husband to stop saying that's gay like it's 2008. he still uses the word fa***t, and my sister's defense of him has always been well, he's just kidding.

my lover and i dance to old music in a tiny kitchen. we judge new music together and take food critique very seriously. we watch love is blind before we fall asleep and agree that if they had a queer season, it would be bloody but also make for excellent tv. of fucking course queer people would know someone for only 2 weeks and agree to get married. what are you saying.

at a bar with friends, a man puts his hand on my wrist. got a boyfriend? and yes, i do have a boyfriend, she's amazing. i am texting her while i wander around a gas station named after geese. i am visiting a swing state for a wedding. in the candy aisle i overhear: she's actually like a lesbian it's disgusting. two teenage girls with packaged sandwiches in their hands, giggling. no literally, like. i'm not, like. okay with her being there while we're all, like, naked and changing.

my girlfriend and i tailgate, drink gin and cider out of cups. from the frat group beside us, a man corrects himself with one of his friends: bro, i mean, nonbinary entity, and it makes everyone around him laugh, myself included. he razzes his friend the same way i would have killed for at 19 years old - like nothing happened, he continues: you apply sunscreen like an alien. he does a little sassy (and fairly accurate) dance interpretation of the motion. his friend is laughing so hard they're crying.

i am lucky, i live in a safe neighborhood in a safe state. my masc passenger princess comes up from DC. i drive her for an hour to where all the leaves are a violent arrangement of color. we walk along the trails, letting autumn into our blood. in this part of the state, there's a lot of pickup trucks and trump signs. when we chastely kiss before getting into the car, i accidentally make eye contact with a woman holding her child's wrist. she looks disgusted. she looks fucking pissed.

two hours later my girl and i are eating dinner on a patio, soaking in the last warmth of new england sun before the chill of winter sets in. we are giggling and trying to talk through plastic vampire teeth. at another table, i see a young woman sit up straighter. i watch her watch us. she blushes and takes her partner's hand from across the table. shy, like the taste of evening has just become something deeper.

it's worth it for this moment, i think. my lover is still humming the same song she's been singing for four days straight and i don't want to kill her for it. her guitar is beside my bed. her toothbrush is in my bathroom. in a few moments i will make us lunch. we are lucky enough to have found each other. it is lucky enough to be in love.

[silvermeww]

officially (basically) finished my first watchthrough of the pokemon anime

(ignoring 3 movies but listen-)

i have to say i'm pretty surprised, considering how i expected to finish the whole thing in a year (and that was hopeful, looking at 1000+ eps and me with my limited time and focus lol), but hey! it took me 6 months and a half, start to end plus most movies and some side series (i'm not watching those pikachu shorts even if you paid me).

and what a journey it has been.

just watching all of ash's journey, from overconfident rookie with no clue about the outside world, to world champ who has travelled to 8 regions. having went from one stubborn electric mouse that didn't care about him to a good 90 pokemon. started with his mother being his only supporter to so many friends and rivals holding their breath, watching in anticipation of his last move (and giving him help along his road to the world championships, and congratulations at the end). it was a beautiful road, full of hidden treasures and bumps and tough times and rough times, but in the end he made it through! he finally became a champion of a region he loved with all of his heart, and carried that love and experience from all of his journeys to the world stage and pulled it off.

it took everything, and nothing was left to waste, and he did it. and man, if that isn't inspirational, than what is? sure, nothing is perfect, even the actual anime itself, and i can argue and point those out for a good long while, but at least for today i want to be happy. it's a good day, a pretty lucky day if you look at the Friday the 12th thing, and i had a great time watching this as blind as i can (with something as big as pokemon, you can never be fully blind unless you watched it while it was airing lol). had lots of laughs, angry screeching, pointing at screen in shock/surprise, nodding in agreement, and quite a few tears, but my original run is pretty much finito. i might try to watch the whole thing in sub and jot down notes for future fics, but in the meantime it has been stunning, amazing, spectacular. loved everyone and everything, yes even the bad, because in the end there are infinite possibilities, and it really is up to you where you find your future.

(but seriously, can you believe this all started bc he woke up late? talk about the pen problem heh)

what else can i say? it's been a great ride. there are no spoilers that can hurt me (except horizons, but i'll see how that goes). i can finally rank all seasons whenever and whatever, and for the most part i know most pokemon know (but not numbers, pls i'm not a computer). many fun times ahead, and for once i finished something very big very quickly without much regrets. a good series, a great show, and something i can get behind, once i got the momentum. live, love, laugh and idk catch them all <3

[cyanogen-miasma]

YT recommended me this Indian folk metal song called Dana Dan by a band called Bloodywood and...oogh

*quietly adds to the list of song I make animatics to in my head but never put on the computer*

content warning, it does address bad things that men do to women, so if you don't want to have stuff like that popping up on your playlists then..don't do that but

aaahhh

I know I've somehow ended up an animal jam blog but what I really came here to do was ramble about my ocs

and the ocs whom this song would apply to are due for a rework but I need to explain this

so there's this kid called Virus (I am changing her name in the rework because I want to make a conlang for the species she belongs to) and her dad is Vantablack (again, due for a name change). Vantablack is very neglectful and mean to her because of a disability that she has (the species they come from are derived from Lepidopteran insects, and she was born without wings), and is low-key kind of scummy to all the women in his life (he's not a rapist, as is mentioned in the song, but the vibes are there)...anyway...stuff happens and all this culminates in Virus smashing in Vantablack's head with a mace, and then doing a 'disrespecting the dead' sort of thing (that's a whole other thing that I won't explain here)

it's not 1:1 with the song but the raw energy of 'BRING THE BEATDOWN BRING THE BEATDOWN' the drive to slay the monsters, the sheer anger that people stoop to such lows and that society has produced the environment that funnels people down this pipeline, the grief over the lives destroyed or lost through the madness, and the vengeance awaiting those who exploit others, but also the visceral pain of being trapped in this system and the desire to topple the status quo...very Virus-core if you ask me

god I need to change their names...Virus was created in 2018....I was 12

oh yeah and just to clarify this is the kitties to bugs lore overhaul

[hurtspideyparker]

If Civil War didn't end in divorce and everyone lived together Part 2

Read Part 1 and Part 3

Tony: Why is Underoos mopping the ceiling?

Sam: Told him since he's sticky that's his chore

Bucky: It's only fair he helps out around the house

Tony: Hm. Makes sense

-

Vision cooked dinner:

Peter: *pushing around food to make it look eaten*

Natasha: *surreptitiously spitting into napkin*

Steve: *taking small bites with tons of water*

Bucky: *just stares at full plate*

Tony: Well this is disgusting, I'm ordering pizza

-

Sam: C'mon man stop moping around, you gotta get yourself a girl

Bucky: Ok.

Sam: Ok? Okayyyyy! I know-

Bucky: Give me your phone

Sam: Oh you got a number in mind already hotshot? *hands phone over*

Bucky: *ring* Hi Sarah ;)

Sam: BOY-

-

Peter: Ned thought you would seperate your colours from your lights but he also thought you'd be homophobic so I don't pay him much mind cuz clearly I'm more of a superhero expert than him but he does have a 2% better average than me in history so like maybe you do hand wash your clothes and that's why I asked what underwear you wear because-

Steve: *listening intently with apprehension and alarm*

Natasha: I can't believe you found the one person on Earth who talks more nonsense than you

Tony: I know right, it's incredibly unnerving. I'm planning on adopting him

-

Peter: Mr. Stark I have to tell you something. I think Vision is a... *whispers* pervert

Tony: Um, why?

Peter: He keeps floating through my room without knocking! He saw me changing, he saw my nipples !

Tony: Well if anyone's a predator here it would be you. I mean showing your nipples to a 2 year old? Deplorable.

Peter:

Peter: Oh god, I'm the pervert...

-

Bucky: Y'know animosity isn't good between teammates. I think we should spend more time together

Sam: Am I being punked right now? Where's the camera

Bucky: I'm serious. I think it would be healthy for us to bond

Sam: Okay fine I'll bite... what did you have in mind

Bucky: Wanna go for a run?

Sam: *slams door in Bucky's face*

-

*staring at Bucky's sparkly clean metal arm*

Bucky: Dishwasher?

Peter: Dishwasher :)

(later that day)

Bucky: I've decided to let the child live

Peter: YoU wHaT?!

-

Thwip

Tony: Who took my coffee cup, It was right here

Thwip

Bruce: Um, has someone seen my book? I just had it

Thwip

Steve: I could've sworn I was holding a pen a moment ago

*giggling from the ceiling*

Tony: Young man I will take those webshooters away if you use them for shenanigans and rascality

Peter, muffled: Mr. Hawkeye told me to!

Clint: Oh so you're just gonna rat me out like that?

Peter: Sor- OOF

*falls out of ceiling vent*

-

Sam: You're in my spot

Bucky: There are no spots, it's a common area

Sam: Well that's my spot

Bucky: Did you buy the chair??

Sam: No, but everyone knows that's where I sit. Right Steve?

Steve: Oops I forgot something in my car, be right back *leaves*

Sam: Still my spot

Bucky: Still not

Sam: *sits on him*

Bucky: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL THE COUCHES ARE FREE-

Sam: IT'S MY SPOT YOU CAN'T TAKE A MAN'S FAVOURITE CHAIR-

BUCKY: YOU HAVE ISSUES GET OFF ME-

(one hour later)

Steve: Hey so turns out I don't have a car! Isn't that funn...

Sam & Bucky: *Squeezed awkwardly on the chair together*

Steve: I think I left something in my car

-

Steve: Leave the bedroom door open when you have Vision in there

Wanda: UGH you're so protective

Tony: Teenagers, am I right? Caught Pete reassembling my particle accelerator at midnight because he needed to neutralize a miniature nuclear bomb he nabbed off some guy he neglected to tell me was trying to kill him

Steve:

Steve: Wanda y'know what do whatever you want

Wanda: Really?

Steve: Yes just keep being normal. At least I can read about our issues in a parenting book

-

Thor: Ah, new warriors I see! Good to make all your acquaintance. But why are you so grumpy my friend?

Bucky: *glaring*

Peter: He's always like that. It's um, P- P- PMS? Wait -

Natasha: Yes it's PMS

Wanda: He's got it bad

Steve: *genuinely concerned* Bucky you didn't tell me something was wrong. What can I do to help?

Bucky:

Bucky: I like chocolate

-

Wanda: Welcome to the first annual girls night! This place reeks of men, so I thought we needed some women time

Pepper: Why is Vision here?

Wanda: I get sad when he's gone

Natasha: Why is Pietro here?

Pietro: Slay queens

Wanda: Moral support I think

Maria: Why is Peter here?

Wanda: He looked really upset when I said he wasn't included and I felt bad

Wanda: Anyways... yay girls! Who wants me to paint their nails?

Peter: ME ME ME

-

Steve: Pancakes or waffles?

Natasha: Pancakes

Steve: Good because I don't have a waffle maker

Natasha: Then why would you ask-

Steve: It's important for your voice to be heard, as team leader I value your opinion

*2 minutes later*

Steve: Good morning Clint, pancakes or waffles?

Clint: Waffles

Steve: Oh no.

-

Some of these were based on requests (ex. more Sam & Bucky, dad Steve w/ Wanda) so if you have certain dynamics you enjoy let me know !