#i pick favorites based on which ones stick to my head

[mymomsaiditwasaphase]

What are your favorite versions of each character? Fav April, fav versions of the boys, etc. Any iteration.

Constantly thinking about this

Before answering, I wanna apologize for taking soooo long to answer, I got stuck thinking about my favorite Leonardo, and then midterms killed me 😔👎

Anyways,

1987 April has a very special place in my heart because I think she is really fun! Love that reporter lady, I'm enamored by her commitment to getting the story 💛

As for the boys,

My favorite Michelagelo is tied between 2003, the GOAT of all time, the battle nexus champion, I wanna be him frfr, and 1987, because I love the way he talks and he's just such a sweetheart, I cry whenever I see him cuz of how much I like him 🧡

Rise Donatello is my favorite Donatello because he became my favorite rise character like halfway through the first episode, probably has the record for the fastest a character has become my fave 💜

Favorite Raphael is 2012 simply because I loved seeing him care for Spike and later on Chompy, and his interactions with his brothers are fun to see, plus I like his design ❤️

Favorite Leonardo constantly changes depending on my mood, this week I've been mainly thinking about 2012 (mainly cuz an IRL decided to become a hater, but anyways)

Love that guy, he's such a nerd and cares for his family so much, and I'm constantly rotating him in my head. If I think too much about him, I'll collapse /pos 💙

For other characters,

Mirage Casey Jones is my favorite version because his arc during City at War was really interesting, im really bad at elaborating, but yeah [colored:heart]

Favorite Shredder's are tied between 2012 and 1987. Originally, I was just going to say 1987 because I love his silliness and the antics he gets up to on that show, but, 2012 does have an interesting backstory(even though he was the one causing all his problems basically), but yeaugh 🩶

I was gonna say 2003 Baxter Stockman is my favorite because of the whole bit that ended in him being a brain, but then I remembered this specific Mirage panel, and honestly, I respect his reasoning

I consider 2003 Karai my favorite because the whole thing about her wanting to maintain some sense of honor but still following Shredder's orders because shes loyal to him, and the whole part of her not being as antagonistic to the turtles until they get C'hrell exiled and then she goes off the deep end and actually tries to end them. I just really loved her. Every time I saw her, I cheered a bit. [Heart]

And I don't really have a favorite Splinter because I just generally think there's something neat about a guy (or a rat) that sees some turtles and decides to keep them and then raises them, y'know. Plus, his story varies so much from version to version, and it's hard for me to pick a favorite because all those different origins they've given him are interesting. Also, the different balances he has regarding being a father and a teacher make me constantly think about at least two different Splinters at the same time all the time because its just so easy to think about it. I am constantly thinking about his parenting choices. He's really fascinating to me in all iterations. So, uhhh, this is a long paragraph for my standards, so I'm cutting myself off here cuz I didn't even pick a favorite and just started rambling, lol.

[lyneira]

♡ the little rival ♡

-> how the genshin men would react when a kid innocently tells you they want to marry you when they grow up

based on this request!

Gently lets the kid down

Thoma, Ayato, Zhongli, Kazuha, Tighnari, Albedo

He'll find the kid cute for saying such a thing as he understood where they were coming from. After all, who wouldn't want to marry someone as amazing as you? Though, he'd still want to set things straight because he was going to be the one to do it.

"They're a lovely person, aren't they?", he'll tell the child as he looks to you. The kid nods with excitement as they turn their gaze to you as well.

"Unfortunately, they'll already be married by the time you grow up", you blush at his implication, though the child begins to pout. He'd then continue, "Don't worry, you'll find your own special someone when you grow older. And I'm sure you'll treat them with as much love and respect as you already do for y/n"

Sees it as friendly competition

Childe, Venti, Gorou, Baizhu, Kaeya

"Aww, well it looks like I have a rival", he chuckles.

He would then proceed to initiate competitions between himself and the kid "for your hand". But really, these "competitions" were secretly just a way to pamper you.

He'd say stuff like, "Let's see who can pick the most pretty flowers for y/n!", or "Who can come up with the best dish for y/n?"

You'll end up having to be the judge of their hard work, choosing which one is your favorite. Whichever you choose, you'll end up with many flowers in your hands and hair (and maybe even a flower crown), getting full from their culinary creations, and be treated like royalty.

Gets "jealous"

Scaramouche, Itto, Kaveh, Heizou

"Oi get it in line, kid. They're already mine", he'd grab you by the waist and pull you close to him. He'd then give you a quick peck to the lips and smirk when the child's face wrinkles in disgust at the sight.

He doesn't care who it may be. A rival is a rival, and if anybody's seeking your hand, then they have to get through him first

(I also imagine if the kid sticks their tongue at him, he'd do it right back, LOL)

Dismisses the kid

Alhaitham, Xiao, Diluc, Cyno, Dainsleif

What nonsense was this kid talking about? Of course they weren't gonna be able to marry you even when they grew older. He scoffs at the notion and initially ignores them.

Yet, when he sees you shower the kid with affection, such as patting their head, squeezing them tightly in a hug, giving them nicknames, or calling them "adorable", a tinge of envy begins to creep up on him.

I see these guys either subtly getting closer to you, asking you for the same treatment without saying a word (but you'd know). OR they would simply take your hand and begin walking way, saying, "That’s enough doting on the child, let's go"

a/n: a fun prompt to write! Thank you to the anon who sent this request in!

© 2023 lyneira. PLEASE DO NOT COPY, PLAGIARIZE, OR REPOST MY WRITING ONTO OTHER PLATFORMS

[loudclan-clangen]

The song “Beautiful Little Fool” for Fiercestripe? Because I am not getting over her death. Listened to it and she was the first character to pop into my head.

You’re so right!

YES! Please do, I would love to see it!

The boring answer is that I've been drawing cats for a VERY long time. I think since I was 8 they have been the majority of what I drew. The less boring answer is you know the movie Spirit? It changed my life. It had a bonus video where one of the artists taught you how to draw Spirit himself and it was the singular thing that inspired me to start drawing (more likely possessed me). I think I must have been about two the first time I saw it because I cannot remember a time before I had that video memorized. I would spend hours sitting in front of that video (which was only like 10-15 minutes long) with a stack of papers just fully focused on perfectly following his instructions. I still think about that video to this day. Every time I draw legs the voice of James Baxter echoes through my mind. I don't know if that translates to why my cats are so beefy, I own a cat who is quite chonky, so that might contruibute to it, but now you have a fun fact about me regardless!

All of the heirs are chosen based on birth order! Whoever is born first gets to be heir. I personally find that making strict rules about stuff makes playing the game a lot easier for me, I find it stressful to try to pick a "good heir" when I don't know what's going to happen later in the game so to limit that I just let it be completely out of my hands. 2. The game rolled for Songpaw to become a medicine cat! I would have changed it if he was an only kit or probably if I had known that Dashpaw was gonna die, cause I was really stressed about losing my run at that point, but I do my best to write a story that makes the game make sense rather than change what the game gives me when possible. I think it helps me to not have much of a story in mind while I play, just noting down events and thoughts and then going back and piecing it all together afterwards. That way nothing can "go wrong". 3. "Heir-hood" only applies to the leaders. There is no expectation that Cavepaw will become a healer. When Weed dies that position will be open until someone wishes to volunteer for it. 4. Honestly I don't really know. This might spoil a little bit, of tension, but I truly never had that happen. I was SUPER worried about it and did a lot to make sure it wouldn't, but after a couple of generations you get to a point where almost everyone is descended from a leader at somepoint. (And also everyone is second cousins with each other but you know what there are some problems that you just have to live with.) I image the clan would look for an omen and just pick a new leader based off of that and start the process all over again. In my experience worst comes to worst just make sure you have a very accurate family tree and trace it back a couple of generations.

Thank you so much! I don't play with any mods for Loudclan, I'm too scared to lose saves to less than stable code. My favorite mod currently is Kori's Awoogen though! I just like to look at the beautiful art mostly. I use mass extinction as population control, so I turn it on and off based on how many cats I have. Two full pages is the upper limit of what I'm willing to deal with, so once a third page opens I turn mass extinction on and after an extinction happens I turn it back off. (also if I dip below 1 full page I turn unknown parents on until I'm back to two pages again). I've found after a couple of generations you can mostly stop worrying about it because the bloodlines have spread so far there's always someone who's a 6th great great cousin or something.

The game generated him Dashpelt! I probably would have picked Dashfoot to stick with the generated them of a boring suffix but to make more sense overall.

[msbigredmachine]

Cheat Meal (Roman Reigns)

The OTC is hungry for a whole lot more than just good food.

Pairing: Roman Reigns/Black fem OC

Warnings: Smut

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: Based off Roman's TikTok where he complains about his diet😂

Enjoy!

----------------

gif by @romanreigns

He shoves the last tiny piece of broccoli in his mouth and dumps the plate in the sink with a resigned sigh. The ‘breakfast’ will barely register inside his stomach but it’s the price he must pay to be in the shape he’s currently in, the best he’s ever been in. Even if it makes him miserable and slightly cranky until it’s time for his next bland meal in another couple of hours. 

Retreating to his bed at the back of the bus, Roman checks the time as he waits patiently for his wife to return from the diner across the road so they can head on to their next destination. They’re already running behind schedule with a near two-hour drive still to go. More excruciatingly, he’ll have to deal with the smell of greasy, albeit delicious food that he can’t even look at, let alone eat.

Minutes later, the sound of her perennially cheery voice floats through the air, followed by the driver thanking her for her generosity, having bought him his own breakfast. As the bus restarts its journey, the bedroom door slides open, and Roman does a double take. The yoga pants and tank top he swore he saw her exit the bus in has been replaced with one of his old t-shirts. Nothing else. The outline of her nipples betray her lack of brassiere and that fat, juicy ass of hers jiggles with every step she takes as she places a tray full of food on the dressing table, the small bedroom instantly filling with the aroma of a hearty breakfast. 

“Sorry babe, I had to wait a little bit for my milkshake,” Elise explains, piling pancakes onto a porcelain plate. “Have you eaten?”

“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Baby, this is not how you were dressed when you left,” he points out, soaking her in as he sits up against the headboard. 

Elise giggles and settles down on the edge of the bed next to him. One glance at the contents of her plate - buttermilk pancakes smothered in butter and honey, a couple of sausage links and two thick strips of bacon - has Roman salivating. “That diet is really fucking with your head, babe,” she jokes, as he rolls his eyes. “I’ve changed into something comfier. All the better to eat my comfort food with.”

“Why you ain’t eating in the kitchen, then? You just gotta fucking tempt me, huh?” He’s not sure which one he’s talking about anymore; the food or her appearance. She looks good enough to eat every time, but she looks amazing either dressed down or in next to nothing. Like now.

Of course, nothing at all is his absolute favorite.

“Cuz I wanna share it with you. Sorry but I don’t have your discipline. Just a day on that dry ass, rabbit food ass diet of yours would fuck me up,” Elise gripes. “And don’t get me wrong. I’m so proud of you and what you’ve done with your body. You look carved from damn marble. But you’ve lost hella weight and it’s making your big ears stick out." She pouts. "I kinda miss my thick neck Daddy. There was more of him to climb.”

“You still climb me with zero problems. And I can’t eat this stuff. You know that,” he laments.

“You say that while you eye-fuck my bacon.” She picks up her fork, cuts into a pancake and daintily takes a bite before moaning in delight. The warm fluffiness of the pancake, the rich, sweet honey, the smoothness of the butter, all come together in her mouth, textures and flavors melding together as she chews and swallows. "Mmm, this is soooo good," she gushes.

Roman grits his teeth and growls sullenly, “I hate your ass right now.” 

“You’re making me feel bad.” Carefully balancing the plate in her grasp, she shifts around and straddles him, and he hisses at the way her ample backside seats flush on his crotch. Sure enough, she has no underwear on. “Daddy, have breakfast with me. You need to eat more. A couple of bites won’t hurt.”

Roman sighs heavily, smoothing his hands along her thick thighs that complement the rest of her thick body. “You know damn well I can’t say no to you when you call me Daddy.” It’s not a lie either. Three kids in three years and a closet full of Birkins, Louboutins and many other luxuries are proof of this.

Elise muses over her plate and selects one of the large strawberries topping the pancakes. “Let’s start with something sweet.” She offers it to him, seeing him relax upon realizing it’s something relatively healthy. “Eat,” she instructs.

Roman opens his mouth obediently, closing his eyes as the juice bursts on his tongue, some of it dribbling down his bearded chin. Elise grins as he moans in satisfaction, and she makes him eat the rest, his full lips streaked red from the fruit. Cheekily, she places her own lips on his, tasting the flavor for herself, and smiles triumphantly as he makes a surprised sound but deepens the kiss anyway, cupping the back of her neck to hold her against him.

“Oh, it’s like that?” he asks when she pulls away, light panting punctuating the air between them. His eyes sparkle with lust. “Thought you were only feeding me.”

“I’m multitasking.” Kissing him again, she stabs the fork into another piece of pancake, dipping it in honey and feeding it to him. She loves to do this. It’s her favorite form of intimacy. Her love language, if you will. Taking care of him, pampering him. Her gestures never fail to stir his heart, as well as other parts of his anatomy. “My sweet baby. Feel better? You’re not hungry anymore?” she teases him several bites after.

“Nope. Not for pancakes anyway,” he says. The words are cryptic and shrouded in mystery, that’s until his hand slips between her thighs. At her sharp, indrawn breath, he smiles darkly, flattening his palm so that he firmly cups her sex. “There’s another…delicacy…I wanna feast on.” 

Her husband is insatiable for her. Always has been, and she loves it. Feeling desired and wanted by such a beautiful, high-value man like him does wonders for her self-esteem and their marriage. But after one passionate, bed-rocking round earlier this morning and little food fueling him, she would think his energy is depleted. “Baby, you should rest,” she tries to reason, but he’s adjusting her already, forcing her to put her food away on the nightstand.

“I’ll rest after you come in my mouth,” is his curt, yet loaded answer. And just like that, her resolve is reduced to ashes.

He scoots his big self down the bed until she is seated on his face. Elise barely has time to collect herself when his calloused hands scrape her thighs and clutch her hips to hold her in place. Her body jerks as his tongue finds her folds in record time, lapping greedily. Heat instantly washes over her with a wave of nerves and lust as he works her with that unmatched skill that brings her to surrender. In mere seconds, she is lost in the pleasure, her pussy dripping from a mix of her juices and his saliva, all of it slurped up by his talented tongue.

"Fuck, Roman…” she moans, squirming on his face, her body ablaze. He’s so damn good at this shit, it’s damn near unfair. It feels like her whole pussy is in his mouth as he licks and sucks to his heart's desire. He tightens his arms around her thighs, his massive hands prying her open for further onslaught. The warmth of his breath, the prickle of his beard, his moans against her sensitive flesh has her mind spinning, prompting her to rock her hips in rhythm with his circling tongue, grabbing her breasts through her t-shirt for added stimulation. Her entire being hums with anticipation as her orgasm builds and builds. “Ro, I'm...I…oh fuck, Daddy,” she gasps, unable to string a simple sentence together in the state of bliss she’s in.

But of course, her husband knows exactly what she wants. What she needs. To give it to her, he works harder, incorporating his nose and chin, gliding them back and forth along her wetness, buoyed by the quiver of her thighs as he sends her over the edge. The explosion of her body is of seismic proportions, and Elise slaps her hand over her mouth to muffle her scream, bucking, writhing, whining as pleasure consumes her whole.

She’s still reeling as Roman carefully lifts her off his face and drags her back down. His mouth captures hers with a dizzying urgency, exchanging the sweet tanginess of her arousal. They lick and suck hungrily on each other’s tongues, his hand reaching up to curl around her throat making her pussy spasm with need, so much so that her essence begins to smear the center of his gray sweatpants. Roman looks down at her mess with a proud, arrogant smile, and he lifts his hips just enough to pull the stained pants down his legs and kick them off. He strokes his dick, long, thick and hard, for a few seconds before guiding it inside her.

“Get this dick, baby, c'mon,” he orders, his low, gruff command sending yet another tremble through Elise that he both hears and feels as her breath catches. They moan together as she sinks lower onto him, balancing herself with her hands on his bare, muscular chest. Her hips roll back and forth, grinding on him, keeping him pinned to the sheets while she chases down their collective pleasure. 

He fucking loves it when she’s on top. It allows him a holistic view of the body he's been obsessed with since the day they first met. His big hands roam her front, relieving her of her t-shirt so he can properly idolize her breasts, so plump and pillow-soft as he massages them, gleeful at the way her nipples harden from his touch. He then travels south to grab her ass, enjoying the round, supple cheeks flexing against his palms as she rides him. He grips each one possessively and proceeds to lift her up and down on him, bouncing her on his throbbing erection. 

“Fuuuuck...”

“Nah, you can take it. And not too loud now, we don’t need the driver hearin’ us again, hmm?” Roman taunts, squeezing her left cheek and spanking it hard, earning a yelp from her. His eyes are blown as he studies the expressions on her beautiful face. “My fine ass, sexy ass wife. Climb me like only you can, baby,” he encourages her with soft moans of his own.

Falling forwards, Elise tucks her face into her man’s neck, her breathy kisses warming his skin as she manages to maintain the pace he’s set for her. He’s so deep inside her, nearing her cervix it feels like, the sweet sensations amplified by their chests pressed together, his large hands caressing her with so much love and care and reverence while talking her through it with his deep, husky voice and dirty words. Years together and their lovemaking is still as earth-shattering as their first time, and she appreciates it more than he’ll ever know.

Roman kisses every part of her his mouth can reach, reveling in her increasing moans as he angles his hips, keeping his dick buried in the ocean of her cunt. “Leese, you feel so fuckin’ good…” he groans on her shoulder, licking the butterfly tattoo etched on her skin, “Damn, baby, I could stay inside you like this all day…”

Elise tries to agree with him, but her jaw drops when he bucks up into her without warning, his hands planted on her ass holding her down to take every inch of him. The depth, the intensity and precision of his strokes render her speechless. Her eyes roll back as his lips find her nipples, suckling the swells of her heavy breasts, the wet smacking sounds of his hungry mouth and her gushy pussy sounding around the bedroom. The shit is so good that neither wants it to end, more than content to just remain on the bus and fuck all day long.

"Daddy," she whines, her fingers sliding over the back of his hair, tangling in the long, soft locks as she locks hazy gazes with him. His brows are furrowed, his bottom lip tucked between his teeth; telltale signs that he’s close, just like she is. "Oh baby, I'm gonna come again..." she whimpers.

"Yeah? Is my girl about to nut?" Roman asks, grasping her chin and brushing their lips together. "Gimme that nut, beautiful. Soak Daddy’s dick with your wet ass pussy," he goads her with another kiss, another smack on her backside that makes her ride him harder. Her pupils are dark and dilated with desire, reflecting the passion he’s feeling. He wraps his huge arms around her middle, and pushing up on his heels, he accelerates, fucking her faster, thrusting deeper, until her moans dissolve to broken, breathless cries as she trembles on top of him. Her walls milk his dick greedily and trigger his own release. Roman’s groans and curses fill the room, his body shuddering too as he empties his load, filling her to the brim. 

With a soft whine, Elise melts on her husband’s heaving body, both parties spent but immensely sated. An eternity passes before either move, Elise reaching over Roman’s prone frame to grab a piece of bacon and pop it into his mouth.

“Good? There's more if you want,” she asks, watching him chew on it.

Roman sighs contentedly and rests his head on the pillow. “Mm-hmm. That's another couple added minutes on the treadmill though.”

Elise giggles and snuggles up against her action figure of a husband. “You’ll be fine. And you’re perfect to me already, by the way,” she assures him.

THE END

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[hanjsquokka]

( 🎃 ) ⠀𓏔⠀ fall dates with bf! skz.

stray kids ot8 × fem!reader (separately), fluff/humor , warnings : kissing/making out in felix's, pet names , wc : 2.6k

a/n : hyunjin's is actually based on something that happened to me with my family lol 😭 one of the most disappointing days in my life. i hope you guys like this <3 also this layout is inspired by my lovely deni @.hyunebunx 🩷🩷

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ CHAN ⸻ visiting a pumpkin patch

You and Chan planned a date to visit a pumpkin patch because you've never done that before. Your boyfriend was more than excited on the drive to the location, rambling about the different activities you could do. He made sure the two of you were dressed accordingly (and matching, obviously) before you headed out to the local pumpkin patch.

Halloween was one of your favorite holidays, but this was the first time you were going to go and buy pumpkins to decorate your home with, and supposedly learn how to carve them as well, according to Chan.

The farm was bustling with many people looking for the orange vegetables, taking photos and squatting down next to the big ones to see if they could lift them up. Chan was also one of them, wanting to show off the fruits of his recent workouts and easily picked up a very large bright orange pumpkin.

“Be careful, if you drop it, we have to pay for a broken orange squash,” you warned after he stumbled with one of them. “It's not a squash… is it?” He looked at you with a bewildered expression after you told him that it was indeed part of the squash family.

Afterwards, you sampled some of the desserts available in the stalls—from pies to cakes. You managed to convince Chan to take home a pie after you had a bite and swore you could never make something like this yourself.

The farm also had a corn maze, which you participated in and got lost after a few wrong turns. You almost gave up and decided to start a new life amongst the corn when Chan spotted a few other people and not so secretly followed them, holding your hand tightly in his, and finally exited the maze.

The two of you also won second place in a pumpkin carving contest, much to your boyfriend's enthusiasm. He carried the prize winning vegetable like a trophy with a red color ribbon stuck on it all the way back to your car.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ MINHO ⸻ camping in the woods

When Minho proposed the idea of camping, you were initially scared. Camping in the woods during spooky season? But, after he teased you for being a scaredy-cat, you couldn't let him win, which was how you ended up in the middle of the woods (in an allocated camping site), watching your boyfriend set up a tent because you were going to poke a hole with your clumsiness. You didn't mind him though, because it found it much more entertaining to watch him do the work. It was very attractive.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” He questioned when he caught your eyes on him while he was setting up the firepit. “Like what?” You asked back. “Like that stupid emoji with heart eyes.”

Unfortunately, you did not have a pillow to throw at him.

When night fell and the two of you sat side by side on foldable chairs, roasting marshmallows after your hearty campfire dinner (Minho was crazy good at everything related to camping, you wondered why he never asked to go camping with you before). “Be careful, it's hot,” he warned but you still managed to burn your mouth on the fluffy, toasted delicacy. “Idiot,” he chided. There was no malice in his words, only affection, you knew that as he took the stick away from you and handed a bottle of water.

He refrained from telling you a scary story, instead opting to lay down next to you on a blanket and stargaze while you went on and on about the constellations or whatever—he was just listening to your voice and not comprehending the information. When you got back in the tent, he grumbled when you snuggled up next to him, something about giving him even less space, but you smiled against his skin when you felt his arms coil around you and pull you close.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ CHANGBIN ⸻ go halloween shopping

Your boyfriend was going all out this year for the holiday, you understood that after the second hour you spent at the store, watching him sift through decorations for your home and for the party he wanted to host on the weekend.

“Bin… it's been hours and you picked out two things!” You groaned, pushing the shopping cart after him. The two things were two packets of chocolates. “I can't just buy anything. It has to be perfect, babe,” he retaliated, picking up a skeleton decoration and plopping it in the cart. Your date wasn't going as you expected, but amidst your frustration, you did find it endearing that Changbin was being so picky about find the perfect stuff.

You also managed to scare him with those jump scare witch things that suddenly pop out with you step on a button. You were laughing so hard your stomach hurt, which made Changbin annoyed, poking you to stop you from making his cheeks turn even more red.

Eventually you did stop and you continued strolling down the aisles. “Okay, Sexy Red Riding Hood and the Wolf,” he said, showing a costume, “Buff Peter Pan and Tinkerbell,” he picked up the last one, “or Barbie and Ken except I'm Barbie.” He smiled like those were the best choices. You let him choose, all of them equally amusing to you, to which he let out a happy giggle and put the third one into the shopping cart. You rolled your eyes, of course, and followed after him. He did finish his endless spree, and apologized for making you tail after him for so long by taking you to a coffee shop and buying you the season specials.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ HYUNJIN ⸻ driving to see the fall colors

It was your idea to go out to see the fall colors early morning on the weekend since the drive there would take a while. Hyunjin sat in the driver's seat, not exactly happy about being on the road at seven in the morning, but you told him it would be worth losing sleep. You saw multiple videos and posts on social media that told you that this was the best spot to see all the different shades of red and orange that the leaves were in, along with the rest of the scenic view and the sunset if you were able to catch it.

Well… the website was wrong. Not to be rude, but it was probably exactly the same as you could've seen in the park. Your boyfriend gave you the sassiest side eye possible when you two stood, looking over the railing along with a couple other people who joined on the trek up a mountain. The trees were mostly yellow or brown and very dull, nothing like on social media.

“My new inspiration is so… vibrant,” Hyunjin drawled. “I'm sorry!” You apologized quickly, feeling even more guilty for making him come here on his day off for absolutely nothing. “I thought it would look really pretty.” You frowned. You heard him sigh beside you before he slung an arm over your shoulder and you to his side, nuzzling his nose against your jaw. “I know… I know… It's okay. I didn't expect it to look so un-picturesque either.” He rubbed your shoulder over your coat when you frowned even more. He chuckled. “Don't frown so much, love, I like it better when you smile.”

Despite the disappointment, your day out wasn't all bad. You had fun singing (mostly listening to your boyfriend's sing) along with Hyunjin in the car with the windows down, trekking up the mountain and nearly falling into a pile of leaves, eating lunch at a place that was weirdly obsessed with grizzly bears and then driving back home.

While you were staring out the window, trying not to fall asleep at a red light, you noticed the trees, all of which were in bright shades of red and orange. You tapped Hyunjin on his shoulder and pointed to it and told him to go in the other direction that you were supposed to go in, which confused him but he followed and parked the car where you asked him to. You eagerly jumped out and dragged him along to see the trees, showing him that your date was not a total waste after all.

He painted a photo that he took of you a week later and hung it in the living room.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ JISUNG ⸻ having a harry potter movie marathon

You and your boyfriend were supposed to go to a movie theater to watch a horror film that was recently released, you'd been talking about it ever since you saw the trailer and you got even more pumped up when you saw it was releasing during the Halloween month. Jisung, however, wasn't as thrilled as you but never told you outright that he didn't want to go. But, after a few times of mentioning the film to him and not getting a enthusiastic response, you realized he might not want to watch a scary movie in the cinema (he told you he wasn't scared, but the last time you watched Coraline said otherwise).

So, on the day you were supposed to go, he was surprised to find you setting up for a movie night in the living room. “Aren't we going to be late, baby?” He asked, his steps slowing down as he neared the couch. There were snacks on the coffee table and blankets and extra pillows on the end of the couch. “What are you…?”

“Movie night,” you replied, a smile on your face. “I changed my mind. I borrowed my friend's DVD's of all the Harry Potter movies.” You watched the confusion on his face morph into a soft smile and then a big grin as he came over to hug you tightly and kiss your cheek before saying he needed to change into the proper attire—which were his Gryffindor pajamas, and settled down beside you, leaning his head on your shoulder and pressed play on the remote.

Watching these movies was much enjoyable for both of you, you realized that as you laughed along to Jisung reciting all the lines in a British accent, your face growing warm at the pure joy on his face. You made it to the fourth movie before he finally dozed off, his head lolling to the side. You carefully adjusted him so he was leaning on you and wrapped the blankets around closer before closing your eyes as well.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ FELIX ⸻ baking fall themed treats

“Chan said he bought too many pumpkins, so I'm trying out some new recipes,” Felix answered when you asked him what he was doing in the kitchen surrounded by an ungodly number of pumpkins and a few apples and a king ingredients. Which was how the two of you ended up in an impromptu baking date, making more desserts than you could eat in a day.

You worked side by side, although you weren't getting much work done because he kept tugging your hand and kissing you, flour sticking to your cheeks when he cupped your face and deepened the kiss. Safe to say, you were doing less baking, more making out, all thanks to Felix even though it was him who wanted to bake in the first place.

When the pumpkin cake was finally done, he slathered on buttercream before handing it to you and looked at you with hopeful eyes, you could practically see the tail wagging behind him as he awaited your opinion. You took a spoonful and immediately felt a warm tingle spread through your body.

“It's so good,” you let out a sound of satisfaction, closing your eyes for a few moments to savor the taste, and then eating some more. “I was scared you might've messed something up with how distracted you were.” You pushed the plate towards him, expecting him to eat as well, but he just pulled you in for another kiss, making you gasp into his mouth. “Tastes sweet,” Felix said with a nod, wiping his bottom lip with his thumb, looking at your flustered reaction with a smirk.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ SEUNGMIN ⸻ going to a haunted house

“This is a bad idea,” you said nervously as Seungmin pulled you towards the carnival attraction. Your local carnival had a haunted house set up since it was October, and while you had joked it was be fun to go there, Seungmin didn't seem to read your tone and took you seriously, pulling you along after spending some time at the game booths. “It's not scary, okay?” He said, chuckling at the way you looked at it with wide eyes. “Just hold onto me if you get scared.”

The haunted house was not not scary. It was in fact very scary. Whoever designed it needed a raise because not three steps into the house and you nearly jumped out of your skin as a ghost popped up in front of you. Even your boyfriend was frightened, you felt him jump a little, not as much as you, but he did jump. He cleared his throat, adjusting his coat and shook his head. “See, totally not scary. We must've triggered a wire.” You couldn't see his face because it was pretty dark, but he didn't pull away when you laced your fingers with his and held him in a death grip.

You took small steps, rounding a corner when there yet another jumpscare and you basically climbed onto Seungmin out of fear. There were no teasing remarks or comments, he was just quiet as you both kept going through the house. There was eerie music playing that just kept getting louder and louder, until you passed by a room, the door opening by itself with a loud creak and suddenly, a clown jumped at you. This time, both of you screamed.

When you exited the horror house, you both didn't speak a word until you were sitting down on a bench far away and mutually agreed to not speak a word of the incident again.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ JEONGIN ⸻ attending a costume party

There was no compromise with Jeongin. He would go all our for a costume party, especially since the one you were going to was hosted by one of his friends who said he had the best costume ever. Jeongin wasn't one to back down from a challenge, so he told you the characters you were going to dress up as, which made you raise a brow.

Beetlejuice and his wide Lydia.

In retrospect, it was a creative costume. You both spent a long time making the costume by yourselves and then the makeup on the day of the party.

“I feel like we're going to stand out,” you said, feeling hesitant to walk into the house. “Babe, it's a Halloween party. Everyone will stand out.” Jeongin assured you and led you inside. There were a lot of people, all dressed up just like he said they would, from old classics to characters from newer films. Many complimented the both of you, envious of your idea. Jeongin totally forgot about the competition with his friend and started enjoying himself, having drinks and dancing with you. He didn't know it, but his friend took one look and accepted his defeat (or whatever). There was a couples contest, in which both of you won first place, earning a large bag of candy.

But your boyfriend was too tipsy and busy staring at you with heart eyes to bother with the prize and instead was eager to get out of the party so he could have a proper look at his wife (he was taking the role a little too seriously) back home.

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[writingoddess1125]

So I saw this fanart and got this idea! And after a gin and juice I wrote this. Enjoy!

Art does not belong to me! It says the artist is Flamingo_PinkArt on Twitter (If incorrect please tell me ;-;)

My Heart Breaks Pt. 1

Warning: Angst and some Fluff

Buggy X FemReader

Buy me a Ko-Fi? ☕️

Part 2

"(Y/N) Why the hell are we here?" You heard Buggy groan next to you annoyed, Shanks nodding in agreement. You rolled your eyes at their protest of being in the circus tent with you.

"Cause I am the one who got us the tickets, 20000 berries and I want to see the circus" You chimed proudly as you watched your favorite act come out. The clowns, Buggy grimacing at the sight of them, You see this and lean against his shoulder.

"Aww is Buggy afraid of clowns?~" You chime earning a glare from him and a blush. Shanks Grinning at this as he poked his friend in a teasing manor.

"No I'm not afraid of damn clowns! They are just... kinda creepy" He grumbled as he watched the group of bubbly cheerful clowns.

It had been a year since Gol. D Roger's had died, it had been hard on all three of you. But you luckily had each other and were trying to save up scraps of berries to start your guys own crew. You were the thief of the trio, a skilled person in breaking and entering as well as treasure hunting. Buggy was an amazing navigator and sailor while Shanks was the amazing fighter and leader of your trio of teenage Pirates.

You giggle at Buggy face of disgust at the clowns, you knew the real reason he hated them- It was the noses. He was self conscious about it heavily and seeing the clowns with the fake noses made him feel like they were making fun of him. You gently rub his shoulder gently, a silent gesture to comfort him.

Once out of the show you sighed in delight at feeling the sun on your face. Hearing both teens walking behind you and bickering between the two of them.

"Let's get some food for our journey to Hile Hile Village" You suggest, walking to the small market next to the curious. The three of you had been using this little village by Hile Hile Island as a sort of base. The three of you were planning a big heist in order to get a massive score of 750,000 berries which could help getting a bigger boat and not the stolen two decer you guys currently shared. The only issue was that the village was controlled by a dictator like man, A Lieutenant for the Marines that ruled the island. He had made it his mission to murder every pirate who tried to come to the island, so this would be a very quick smash and grab. Fleeing the island immediately afterwards.

It was simple, mildly foolish but hopefully effective.

Once in the market Buggy got toiletries, Shanks got food and you got basic supplies. The three of you walking together till you saw a beauty stand and seeing a deep red lipstick sticking out.

"Ohh I love this color" You hummed in pride at the red lipstick color, both teenage boys groaning as you took your sweet old time in choosing the brightest of red.

"I see you like the color red?" Shanks teased you, earning a sarcastic laugh from you.

"Oh yes, The color red really gets me going" You laugh as you pick the color and grab a near by red and white bandana, wrapping it around your head like a fake bonnet.

"Besides I hear red is a sigh of submission, what does that say about you Shanks?~" His face fell at your words and Buggy snorted a laugh.

You tossed down some berries for the bandana and lipstick. Following the boys back to the boat while you all chatted and teases each other, however Buggy's eyes landing on you every now and then more specifically your red lips. Everyone knew he had a crush on you, hell you had a thing for him too but it seemed he judt refused to make a move! Even when you all were on Roger's ship he never made a move on you.

"Buggy it's your turn to make dinner!" Shanks chimed out earning a groan from Buggy. After dinner you made it to the top of the deck to get some fresh air. Feeling the wind on your face as Buggy sailed you all to Hile Hile Island.

"Hey, You holding up okay?" You called out as you went to Buggy's side. The blue haired teen not meeting your eyes.

"I'm fine.." He grumbled, he knew he was pouting about something. Sighing as you look up at the night sky.

"What are you pouting about Bugs? Hm?" You pressed once more, Hearing a sigh from him.

"You um.. seem to like red right? Listen I assume you like Shanks and all. I mean ago doesnt- but um"

You look at Buggy as he leaned against the wheel of the stolen boat, not meeting your gaze.

"You two would be good together..." He grumbles, you roll your eyes and step towards him grabbing his arm hard you yank him from his pouting position and slammed your lips onto his. His eyes wide as you kiss him and leaned into the kiss, his eyes drooping as he felt warmth from you and wrapped a arm around you in return. After a moment you pulled away and grinned up at his cherry red face and eyes that were in a daze.

"I hope that answers the question of who I like Buggy" You teased, drawing a silent nod from him. Smiling you step back from his grasp and give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Good night Bugs" You call out before heading down to the Lower Deck of the boat to sleep leaving Buggy standing there still shocked- His face breaking out in a wide grin as he silently cheered and jumped excitedly. You giggling at shearing his footsteps as he jumped up and down in excitement.

The next morning when the three of you arrived at Hile Hile Island and at dawn started your heist of robbing a jewelry store. It went smoothly enough, not too hard till the surprise alarms went off and the three of you ran.

Running through the streets you held the bag of values in your hand, the boys having a good lead on you as they slipped through the crowds and laughed. It was such a adrenaline rush! The boys ran ahead of you turning a sharp corner and heading down, as you prepared to catch up to them a muscular forearm suddenly slam put hitting you.

The wind getting knocked out of your lungs as you felt the forearm smash into your chest, your head smacking into the cobblestone ground as you looked up. The infamous Lieutenant staring down at you with a sickening grin- your eyes widened as you realized.. you were fucked.

"We are gonna be rich! Haha! That ship is ours! Right (Y/N!?)" Buggy yelled out, Hearing Shanks cheer ahead of him. Not hearing your voice he started to slow down lookknv behind him seeing you were gone and his eyes widened, Shanks still on his adrenaline high stopped as well and turned to look to see the confused Buggy.

"Where is (Y/N)?" Buggy questioned, Shanks face falling as he realized this. The two boys meeting each other's gaze and began to rush through were they had run to try and find you, calling out your name. The boys running back to try and find you, as they made it to a backstreet they see you in the back of a Marine jail wagon being dragged away to the local prison. Buggy surged forward in wanting to Spring you free but Shanks grabbed his shoulder quickly.

To say this had turned into a total shit show for you. You had been tossed in the back of the Marine jail wagon, then brought to the local prison.

There you were thrown into a cell with a women who had even in hysterics. Begging for death for her actions instead of the life sentence she was given. Your mind was racing as you tried to think of ways to get out- watching as the Lieutenant walked to you with a smile.

"It's been a while since we had a Pirate here, it's good. We needed an execution tomorrow" He said with a evil smile at you. The color draining from your face at his words.

"What!? Not a trial! Or even a proper investigation!?" You screamed as you grab at the bars. The Marine laughed loudly in your face as he leaned down to your level.

"Little girl, I'm the judge, jury and executioner. Welcome to Hile Hile!" He chimed loudly before dismissing himself with a deep laugh leaving you alone with the sobbing women.

You sat there for a while, trying to figure out what to do. Having even spoken to the women who told you she had accidently fell asleep and her child drowned and was imprisoned for murder. Now sentenced to life in prison at Impel Down, even though she wanted to die for her actions. A completely over sentencing for a horrible accident but you figured that was just how this place was run.

Going up the the barred wi dows of your cell you look out over the village. Fear running through your system as the words the man said to you rang through your system. It wasn't till you saw your two friends running in the alley by your cell did it snap you from your thoughts. Clapping your hands quickly to catch your attention you saw both of them turn to you.

"(Y/N)!" Buggy called out, looking around wildly before detaching his torso and floating up to meet you grabbing at the bars to try and pull on them. You quickly shoo him to go back down.

"No, They will see you" You hissed at him and held his hand, He floated back down but kept his detached hand with you. A sinking feeling hitting your stomach as you smiled at the two boys who rambled out in panic talking about how they would break you out. Shanks was the first one to notice your silence and the sadness in your eyes.

"Guys.. I.. I love you two-" You said to them, both freezing at your words as dread fills their system.

"Hey don't be so glum! We will get you out okay?!"

You gave Buggy's hand a squeeze sniffling back tears as you kissed the back of his hand staining it with your lipstick and taking the bandana you had bought before from around your neck and tied it to his wrist.

"I promise it will be okay Buggy.. Ill be okay" You say in a shaky voice, trying to keep him calm. Releasing his hand which floated back to his wrist.

"I'll get you out of here (Y/N)! They won't hurt you I swear!" Buggy proclaimed, his mind racing with ideas to break you out. Rushing down the alleyway in order to begin plotting.

You looked at Shanks through the bars and gave him a watery smile, tears welling in your eyes.

"Shanks... Promise me- If I go... Buggy can't see it.. He should never see me that way okay? Dont try and break me out.. you guys can get killed" You begged, tears rolling down your cheeks as you saw Shanks own eyes well with tears and nod his head.

"I-I promise (Y/N)..." He stuttered out, looking ahead and running after Buggy finally. Knowing the task that laid before him-

The next day was the day of the public execution. Wanting to make a an example out of you as they prepare for you to be killed. The Lieutenant coming by the cell you shared with the woman, who was still in her mess of a state at being imprisoned for life.

"Ah a Pirate and a Murderer" He chuckled darkly at the two of you. You glaring back at him as he leered at you-

"Does it make you feel strong to kill a child?" You asked him, earning a glare from the male who slammed his hand against the bars.

"Your show time is in half an hour- pray" He hissed at you and tossed a prison uniform and cloth bag at your feet. You knew what this was for by the red that spotted the collars on both-

Buggy had been frantically gathering a plan for his rescue mission, Ignoring the oddly silent Shanks who had just been watching him. Buggy creating a flashy and dramatic escape plan to rescue (Y/N).

"Alright It's almost ready!" He said as he grabbed rope, knives and more. Shanks looking at Buggy and sighing.

"Buggy- We can't get her-" He started but Buggy glared hard at him.

"Yes we can- if we follow this plan I can get her!" Buggy screamed, Shanks clenching his fist as he glared at his friend.

"Buggy I'm not going to let you get yourself killed" He said evenly, a silent standoff starting before Buggy shot a punch using his devil fruit which landed right on Shanks cheek knocking the red head stumble back for just a moment before Buggy bolted, running off the boat and into the rain. Buggy hearing the sound of the crowd gathering at the main city court yard, Bolting towards the direction.

Shanks chased Buggy, sliding through the rain as he saw Buggy run like his life depended on it. Buggy turned a hard corner and slipped hard, his body slamming into an alleyway wall.

Shanks grabbed Buggy and held him against the wall with all his force keeping his limbs pinned, tears running down his own cheeks as he make sure Buggy didn't move from his spot. He knew Buggy couldn't use his Devil fruit abilities as well and his limbs couldn't get far enough to reach you or strong enough to push or kick him off.

"THEY ARE GOING TO KILL HER! WE CAN HELP HER!" Buggy screamed at Shanks as the red head held his friend down-

"Buggy they will kill you!... I-I promised... I-Im sorry" He croaked out- The sound of the crowd in the courtyard got louder and Buggy moved harshly.

'We are here to show that while Gol. D Roger's influence still stands! We will be the strong hand that brings it back!'

The echoing voice sounded through the city, Buggy screaming as he tried his hardest to fight against Shanks.

'A Thief and Pirate. This is the price to pay for crimes here in Hile Hile Town! Is Death!"

The crowd cheering before there was a click before it happened- Buggy's eyes went wide as he heard the massive sound of the guillotine slamming down. The fight leaving his body as he saw the birds fly up from were the courtyard was the sound scaring them from their refuge in the rain, and the sound of cheers from the courtyard from the public execution.

He didn't even feel the cold from the rain anymore, instead feeling the emotions he had turn into ice in his chest. Like his heart had been ripped from his very being and tossed into the deepest part of the sea.

Shanks still sobbing himself pulled away from Buggy knowing it had been done. His own body shivering from the cold as he wept looking at his brothers face, Buggy's eyes looking dull like that of a fishes.

"B-Buggy I'm sorry" Shanks managed to sob to his friend, Like a puppet Buggy moved to his feet barely able to stand as he felt his body was hollow and boots too heavy. His hair sticking to his skin as he felt the rain wash away his love for Shanks and you.

"..I will never forgive this betrayal Shanks... Just like (Y/N) you are dead to me..." Buggy croaked out his voice the softest it had ever sounded, not even meeting Shanks eyes as he turned and started to walk off to towards the courtyard.

Shanks standing there in the rain not saying a word as he let Buggy go, still crying himself. The blue haired teen walking to the courtyard were the crowd was filing out, having gotten their fill of bloodshed. Buggy walked to the empty courtyard and looked up seeing the Marines cleaning the mess, the rain helping to wash the blood from the blade used and the stage it rested on. One of the Marines loading a headless female body into a basket, wearing basic black and white stripped prison attire

Buggy fell to his knees, his eyes locked onto the blade that had taken you from his life- he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out the red and white bandana you had given him, while wet from rain he put it to his head and tied it around his blue hair.

He would remember you... he would cherish the memory. His best friend, his first love... a girl who always smiled wearing too red of lipstick and loved the circus...

He would be the greatest at it all.... Just for you.

[etherrreal]

"an ode to tendou's hands"

Pairing: tendou x fem!reader Genre: fluff, slight nsfw Summary: you want to be normal about your boyfriend, but how can you when he's flaunting his hands everywhere WC: 2,138 Warnings: references to you gushing, reader’s got enough hair to stick a hand in lol, reader wears a sundress A/N: dipping my toes further and further into nsfw so that maybe someday my ass will write some full-blown nsfw for y'all -Luna

When you hear people gush about their partners, they often talk about how kind they are when they bring them their favorite candy bar or buy their favorite smoothie "just because." Maybe how caring they are as they tuck them in when they're sick or detangle their hair for them in the shower. It’s always the little things that they do for them that matter the most. 

The few times they bring up their appearance, it's always the common stuff. Their hair is so fluffy and smooth, maybe their eyes are piercing, yet soft only for them. You hear them describe how their arms are so built that it makes them drool. Or they—and you’re specifically talking about your friend Eri—describe their significant other’s thigh muscles with such strange detail and precision that you’re left floating in a space between understanding and deep worry. 

But even their odd infatuations with their partner's features never compare to yours, because even when Eri gets going on her weird tangents about her boyfriend’s thighs and how she’d like for them to crush her skull like a watermelon, your other friends nod and laugh along. You’ve tested your answer on a crowd before and all you got was the loudest silence you’ve ever heard followed by someone too many moments later saying, “what?” They just didn’t get it.

You've always been embarrassed to share your real answer with your closest friends, not because they’d make you feel like a freak (derogatory), but because they’ll make you feel like a weirdo (affectionate). And while Eri can take the casual ribbing, you’re not so sure you have a thick enough skin to be able to last a quarter as long as she has. So you've settled with picking something a little more normal, like gushing about how, although your boyfriend Tendou is lean, he’s much stronger than he looks. 

They don't have to know that the real answer has you gushing elsewhere, though.

Tendou’s hands.

Two palms. Ten fingers—two of which are thumbs. Fourteen knuckles. 

They’re long. They’re slender. They reach places you can never reach with your own, like the bottom of the Pringles can.

Unlike a boyfriend’s thighs or abs, hands aren’t hidden in everyday life behind some piece of fabric. They’re constantly touching you or things around you which makes it nearly impossible to keep your focus. In previous relationships, or even in everyday life, a person’s hands didn’t catch your attention as they do now. But when you started dating Tendou, it was like a sleeper agent activated. 

The first time you took notice of his hands was at the end of your second date, after he walked you home. You both lingered in front of your apartment door, not quite ready to say goodbye to one another. He decided to take a risk, using his hand to brush some hair behind your ear—although, you’re pretty sure it wasn’t out of place to begin with—then letting his fingers trail down your jaw, sending shivers down your spine. His hand then came back up to cup your cheek, and it dawned on you that, with the way his hand stretched, he could palm your whole head like a volleyball based on length alone.

Then he sealed the deal by leaning down, his lips hovering just a hair over yours, and whispering, “Do you mind if I kiss you?” 

What always amazes you when you replay that moment in your mind is you hardly remember the kiss itself, but what you do remember is what it felt like to have his hand slip into your hair and grasp it at the roots in his excitement. How his other hand slid around your waist to pull you against his chest, fingers playing with the edge of your crop top and barely brushing against your bare skin. You had goosebumps from head to toe, leaving you with no choice but to lean on him to keep yourself upright. You were smitten from that day forward and would do anything to get him to touch you again like he did that day.

You're about 98% sure that Tendou has never noticed your infatuation—not once—because you're just that smooth. Like a fucking ninja. There's no other word to describe your actions besides subtle.

Except, if you asked Tendou, you're not even close. In fact, in his eyes, you're about as subtle as a gun.

Tendou lets you think you are because he enjoys seeing your poor attempts at hiding your obsession. The truth is he's noticed every single time your eyes drift from his face to his flailing hands as he tells you a story then snap back to his face once you feel like you've been distracted for too long. Or, when you decide to keep him company while he's testing new chocolate recipes and techniques in the kitchen, and, instead of ooh-ing and aah-ing as he pipes an intricate design on a truffle, you're more occupied with staring at his mouth as he licks the smeared chocolate on his fingertips.

God forbid he offers you a taste of chocolate he swipes from the edge of a bowl with his pointer finger—then he's the one who has to control himself when he notices your eyes gently flutter as you lick it off, the tip of your tongue flicking his fingertip. 

He doesn't really understand it, and initially, he took your distracted gaze as disinterest. He was afraid he was boring you when he was going off on tangents or when he suggested you sit by as a taste tester in the kitchen. But he soon caught on when he noticed that your eyes weren’t glazed over in boredom and staring forward with no focus at all. He could see them following his hands like a hawk, taking in every bend, twitch, or grasp. And while he did notice them glaze over occasionally, he had a feeling it wasn’t because you were bored. 

Tendou's been trying to find the right time to bring it up. He doesn't want you to think he's making fun of you or that you should be ashamed of your little fixation. Since he’s first noticed, he’s been trying to hint to you that he knows; brushing an imaginary eyelash off of your cheek, cupping your face whenever he gets the chance, trailing his fingers up your arm whenever he peers over your shoulder to look at what you're cooking. 

He’s not sure if it’s working or if it's had the opposite effect, but he has been enjoying watching you squirm in the meantime.

Then it all culminates one weekend in August.

He suggests taking a trip to Barcelona after a colleague of his recommended a little chocolate shop there that he’s been dying to try. With about an 8-hour drive from where you live, you suggest you make it a little vacation, taking off that Friday and Monday to properly enjoy it all.

The trip starts off as all of your trips do. Tendou decides to drive so you play DJ, quizzing him on certain songs and annoying him with others. You feed him some snacks so he can keep an eye on the road, purposefully playing "here comes the airplane" until he bites your fingertip like an overzealous toddler.

It dies off about 2 hours into the trip after you get back in the car from a short gas station trip. You play a more relaxed playlist, filled with instrumentals and some ballads. The only chatter from both of you is when either of you comments on the view. Otherwise, it's a comfortable silence, leaning your head on the window and watching the trees and other cars fly by. 

Your peace is disturbed when you feel Tendou’s hand slide onto your knee, giving what’s supposed to be a comforting squeeze, but feels more like a jolt to your system. Unintentionally, you jump in your seat, trying to play it off like you’re shifting to be more comfortable, but he notices. 

“You okay, baby?” Tendou asks, with a smirk you don’t see because you can’t meet his eyes. Let’s see you try to get yourself out of this one.

“Yeah, uh, your hands were just cold.”

“Oops. My bad, honey.” He squeezes your knee again as he says it, and you can only hope he doesn’t notice that you tense up. “They’ll get warm soon enough, I’m sure.”

You shoot him a quick smile, before turning to look out the passenger window, hoping that he doesn’t notice how nervous you actually are. You’re tempted to start bouncing your leg, but you can’t risk him asking any more questions. 

Eventually, you relax enough to rest your hand over his, stroking the back of his hand with your thumb. You’re so lost in thought that you don’t realize that your hand started acting on its own, tracing the veins on the back of his hand and over the pronounced knuckles of his fingers. 

Tendou, of course, notices immediately. “So you like my hands, huh?”

You freeze. This isn’t how you wanted him to find out, you think as you pull your hand towards your chest like it touched an open flame. If there was ever a perfect time for the ground to suddenly open up so it can swallow you whole, this would be it. In fact, you contemplate opening the car door and tucking and rolling onto the highway just to get yourself out of this situation. 

Your diabolical red-headed boyfriend glances over at you a few times during your prolonged silence, before clearing his throat and saying, “I’ve known about your… thing for ages, you know.”

Your panic shoots out of you all at once. “You knew?! When? How!? I’m so lowkey about it!”

“Well, you don’t exactly make it subtle,” he chuckles. “How else would you be able to explain why you either jump out of your skin or completely shut down whenever I touch you? Or when I can't even make eye contact with you during our conversations because you're so focused on my hands?"

"...Trauma and social awkwardness?"

Tendou shoots you an incredulous look before returning his eyes to the road. “First of all, if it was trauma, we probably would’ve talked about it during the years we’ve been together. Second, you? Socially awkward with me? You’re the one who has no problem pooping while I’m showering, so there’s no way.” 

Your mouth opens and shuts repeatedly, failing to produce a good enough excuse. Instead, you turn your head far enough that you can’t see him from the corner of your eye anymore, but you sure can hear him cackle because of his effect on you.

You still refuse to make eye contact when you feel his hand trail up your thigh, barely making it to the hem of your dress before making his way back down to your knees, his fingers leaving trails of heat in its wake.

“What do you like about them, hm?” His fingers trail back up, playing with the hem of your dress and inching it higher. “Is it how long my fingers are? How gentle they are when they caress the skin of your thigh? Probably giving you goosebumps, huh?” 

And they absolutely are, along with a shudder up your spine with how low his voice has dropped. 

“Or maybe how talented they are, like when they curl just right?” His hand finally dips under the fabric, brushing his pinky against the edge of your panties. "Oooh, no safety shorts today? How risque! What are you preparing for, honey?"

"Nothing, I just—”, you take in a shakey breath as you feel his pinky play with the edge of the lace,”—didn't want to sweat with the extra layer."

"That's what the AC is for, honey. Are ya sure there's no other reason?"

"No. I mean, yes, or—wait. Fuck." Your head feels like it’s full of cotton, your mouth too dry to speak. Your eyes are unable to focus on anything at the moment, the leg he’s not touching restlessly bouncing. You glance over at the time displayed on your phone that’s mounted to the dashboard and calculate that you’ve got about 4 hours left before you reach your destination, and that’s when you realize that you can’t wait until you reach your hotel.

You need him. Now.

“Can you— Over there— Just—” You stumble over your words, unable to form a coherent sentence as you point frantically over to the side of the highway.

“You want me to pull over onto the shoulder?” He says smugly, not even sparing you a glance.

“God, yes, please.” 

He steers the car abruptly to the right, and you’re in his lap before he can even properly put the car in park, hands all over each other.

Written by: Luna you've got an @; we've got a taglist~

[bestanimal]

Round 2 - Arthropoda - Diplopoda

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Animals in the class Diplopoda are commonly called “Millipedes.” They comprise the orders Glomeridesmida (“Slug Millipedes”), Glomerida (“Northern Pill Millipedes”), Sphaerotheriida (“Giant Pill Millipedes”), Platydesmida (“Flat Millipedes”), Polyzoniida (“Camphor Millipedes”), Siphonocryptida, Siphonophorida, Julida, Spirobolida, Spirostreptida, Callipodida, Chordeumatida (“Sausage Millipedes”), Stemmiulida, Siphoniulida, Polydesmida, and Polyxenida (“Bristly Millipedes”).

Millipedes are detritivores, eating decaying leaves and other dead plant matter, making them important for cycling soil. Some species eat fungi or drink plant sap. Most species protect themselves with various chemical secretions, but they will also coil into a ball to protect their legs and vital areas when threatened. Polyxenids lack poison and a hard exoskeleton, so their defense involves barbed hairs that detach and stick to the mouths of predators.

Millipede heads are generally round and flattened, consisting of a pair of mandibles, a plate-like “jaw lip” called a gnathochilarium, a pair of small sensory antennae, and simple compound eyes. Some species have secondarily lost these eyes. Many species also have a pair of sensory organs called the Tömösváry organs at the bases of their antennae, which may measure humidity and/or light levels. Millipede bodies may be flattened or cylindrical, and they can be anywhere from 2 mm (1⁄16 in) to 35 cm (14 in) in length, and have from 11 to over 300 body segments. The segment behind their head is called a collum and is legless. The second, third, and fourth body segments are called haplosegments, and each have a single pair of legs on their underside. The remaining segments are called diplosegments and have two pairs of legs each. In some millipedes, the last few segments may be legless. The final segment is called the telson. It is always legless, and contains the anus. Some millipedes (those in the superorder Nematophora) have spinnerets as well, creating silk chambers in which to molt or lay their eggs. Though their name means “thousand feet”, only one species of centipede, Eumillipes persephone, has over 1,000 feet.

Millipede reproductive behavior is diverse. Bristle millipedes reproduce similarly to centipedes: depositing spermatophores onto webs they secrete, which are later picked up by females. Other millipedes have direct reproduction, meeting up to mate. Courtship may involve tapping antennae, the male running along the back of the female, offering gifts of edible glandular secretions, or even “chirping”. Males have one or two pairs of modified legs called gonopods which are used to transfer sperm to the female during copulation. A few species are parthenogenetic, having few, if any, males. Most species simply deposit their eggs on the ground, but some construct nests of dried feces or silk. In most species, the female abandons the eggs after they are laid, but some species do provide parental care for their eggs and young. Young millipedes usually hatch after a few weeks, bearing typically only three pairs of legs. Their development is anamorphic: adding on segments and legs with each moult. Some species can live up to 10 years.

Millipedes first appeared in the Silurian period. The most famous extinct millipedes, the genus Arthropleura of the Carboniferous, grew up to 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) long, making them some of the largest arthropods ever known.

Propaganda under the cut:

What is the difference between centipedes and millipedes? Centipedes are if a tiger was small, long, and venomous. Millipedes are if a cow was small, long, and poisonous. Hope that helps.

Mentioned above, Eumillipes persephone can have over 1,300 legs!

Millipedes have a vast array of chemical poisons to ward off predators, varying between genera. Polydesmid Millipedes produce Hydrogen cyanide. Motyxia species not only produce cyanide, but are also bioluminescent.

Despite their chemical defenses, many species prey on millipedes, some even benefiting from the poisons. Some poison dart frogs eat millipedes, converting their toxins into their own poison. Some lemurs use millipedes to self-medicate against parasites, or just to get high!

Many species have formed symbiotic relationships with millipedes. Some millipedes live only in ant colonies, while many mites use millipedes for transport to new areas. The Moss Millipede (Psammodesmus bryophorus) grows multiple species of moss on its back for camouflage, subsequently aiding the moss in dispersal.

[wifey-ohara]

I wanna see Hobie with a motherly figure!!!!

Reader who knows when something's wrong and is the one to ultimately get him to break down and tell them what's wrong. Just taking care of him.

I am requesting an emotionally angsty fic. Kind of based on the vibe of the last part of Mama's Boy by Dominic Fike.

TLDR; Stoic Hobie broken down by Reader's kind words and caring demeanor

🥺🥺

Not(?) my mother

Closed off!Hobie&motherly figure!Reader

Notes: mama bear reader, very patient reader, mean hobie, fem reader, platonic,lots of timeskips, behavior improvement, i like writing platonic hobie sm that's why I'm positioning miguel requests I'm sorry, i couldn't decide if i do hc or a fic so here's both! Not proof read

💙when hobie got dragged to spider society, he didn't like it

🩵his life was already a mess, being a spider(and keeping it a secret) , in a band, his living conditions, he didn't need for more people to order him around and making him filling up report after every mission (miguel), he already had enough

💙so he was so very rude to everyone, which made people avoid hin and rank him with miguel in "people to not talk to" list

🩵except you, you were one of the older members in the spider society(in age and in how long you've been working), and saw right through him

💙so you just tried getting closer to him, which got weird looks from others, but you didn't care

🩵he'd be rude and push you away, but you sticked to your goal and kept trying to get closer to him

💙seeing you so determined and kind to him, made him a little softer towards you

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~"hey hobie! " you walked towards his table, two lunch plates in hand

His narrowed eyes snapped to you, frowning even more "what do you want?!"

You smiled "i want to have lunch with you" you passed him his plate and set yours down

"whatever" he rolled his eyes getting up and leaving.

Sighing, you watched him leave.

"you know he's not gonna befriend you, right?" peter said, plate in hand as he sat down beside you

"he'll open up eventually" you replied, popping some of your food in your mouth

"if you say so" he shook his head

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"choose you partner and then you're free to go on the mission, be quick" miguel told you

"got it boss!" you said turning on your heel and leaving his office hearing the door closing behind you as you tapped on you watch, calling hobie

He picked up at on the seventh ring, his face appearing on the screen, snarling at you

"what you want!?" he snapped

You smiled "i have a two people mission, come on quickly! Or miguel is gonna have my head" you laughed

"why me?!" he argued, eyebrows forrowing even more

"because you're one of the best i know, and i like how you fight" you reasoned

Even if you saw his eyes widening a bit, you pretended you didn't

His frown relaxed into a grumpy look "fine" he grumbled, standing up

The line was cut after, and you almost jumped in giddiness at him agreeing to your ask.

' progress!' You thought as you walked to the gate of HQ

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"Hobie! I'm going to cafe across the street, want something? "

His eyes snapped from his guitar into you, clearly taken aback by the the question

"what?- um- just-" He sputtered,then took a deep breath "just get me whatever you're getting" he answered, looking away

"ok! See ya!"

He pretended that the constant checking for time was because he wanted his drink and not so he can spot if you stayed for too long and were in danger

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You were sitting reading your book when hobie flobbed himself down beside you with his headphones on his ears, and he put his, rather old music listening device on the table

"hi" you said, eyes moving to study the device

You opened your mouth to ask about ot whem you saw hobie eyeing you with a glare that screamed "comment on it, i dare you"

You sealed your lips together and held in a lil giggle

You told him your favorite song after some time

And pretended to forget that you did so when you heard him humming it and he said "everyone knows it"

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"Look!" you yelled to hobie, a kitten on hand

You two were done with a mission and just helping civilians around when you found a little, fluffy, gray kitten and decided to show hobie

He turned his head where you were and saw the cute fluff ball you were holding

He gave it a little thought but then came to you, getting on eye level with the cat and gave it a few pets and then

He checked

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🩵that's how you n hobie became friends- sorta

💙it was a very slow process, but thats fine

🩵you were older than him so it kinda became a mother/son relationship, you loved it

💙Slowly but surely he'd start the conversation, he'll sit beside you instead of leaning on the wall in the far back in meetings, he'd share his music with you, maybe play you your favorite songs on his guitar

🩵but he'd always is stressed, and never talks about his feelings

💙you'd always tell him that you're here for him and that he can tell you anything, he never does tho

🩵until one night when you heard knocking on your door

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You opened the door confused on how did the pizza come so fast

"this have to be a rec-Hobie! What happened?!" you asked worried

He was a mess, his body shaking with silent sobs, tears a waterfall from his as he looked down

"i don't have anyone else to go to" he mumbled, trying to keep his sobs quiet..

"oh my god come here" you reached out dragging him into you, one arm embracing him, the other following suit after shutting the door

His hand shot to your shirt, grabbing it for dear life, burrying his face in your chest

"Do you want to talk about it? " you asked

He nodded, another sob making his body shake

"alright, let's go to the couch then" you adviced, pulling him gently to the sofa, he let you do that with ease, he never did that, there has to be atleast some resistance from him, it worried you even more

And he did, he told everything, how he was basically homeless if not for the little boat he lives in, how his life is getting too busy with the spider society, his band, him being a spider and how he can't draw a line to it how it all blurred together and it's making his head hurt

He cried and sobbed and your shoulder, and you let him, you held him and patted his back

you ignored the pizza delivery when it arrived because he was half asleep in your hold

You slept ob the couch that night, giving him your bed

He made you breakfast the next morning, as a thank you he said, but you told him that there's nothing to be thankful for, Hugging him once more

And if he didn't notice, you teared up when he said "thanks, mom" when he broke the hug to go back to cooking..

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💙needless to say that you had a talk during breakfast, giving him solutions for his problems, one of which was to move in with you, he obviously refused at first, but you were determined, he gave up and told you that he'd think about it

🩵you had a talk with miguel and you told him that hobie isn't reporting after missions, which almost turned into an argument if not for you leveling him with a glare and telling him that if you found out that he didn't tell hobie to stop writing reports, you'd deal with him your way, that made miguel quiet and agree.

💙just as you are protective of hobie, hobie is protective of you, he beat up some spider person just because he heard them talking shit about you

He did move in with you, but kept tip-toeing around the house, to which you had a serious talk to about how he was welcome over cookies.

🩵he's called mom by mistake lots now, he doesn't notice often, but when he does and tries to apologize you'd have none of it

💙he'd start to open up to other too, which scared them but they got used to it with time and he made friends, and you werd so happy and proud of him

🩵you attend all his concerts now, which used to worry him, because they weren't the most family friendly places to be, but you didnt mind, and actually supported him every step of the way

This turned out way longer then planned but i loved writing it sm, next is probably going to be a miguel request (of i don't get distracted by hobie again)

[bouncybongfairy]

Angels Like You

Loki x Fem Reader

Summary: After being pruned by the TVA, you were sent to The Void where you've lived ever since. During a storm Loki comes to your setup, seeking shelter. You allow him to stay and explain your nexus event to him.

Word Count: 2.0k

The context for this story: I based the reader's character after Sigyn who is the goddess of victory. In Norse Mythology, Sigyn is Loki's wife and is known for being extremely loyal. In Loki the mythical god's actual lore, after he kills the god Baldr he is banished to a cave where he is bound to rocks as a poisonous serpent drips venom onto his face until Ragnarok. Sigyn is so faithful she stays with Loki in this cave and holds a bowl above Loki's head to protect him from the venom. I based the reader's actions and relationship on the lore of Sigyn and Loki's romance if that makes sense; Thanks for reading!!

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

You were sent to the void so long ago that it’s hard to remember what life was like beforehand. It was such a beautiful life, living on Asgard with your mother and sisters. Mother was a baker and made everything from sweet to savory and your father was a butcher. They were in love and always were, newlyweds by the time they were only 17. Everyone in the family helped out with the bakery, one of your favorite things to do was teach your younger sisters how to make different pastries. Taking care of the animals and interacting with so many locals. You threw another stick in the fire, trying to shake your head of all the memories. Your handmade shelter was holding up nicely from the storm currently roaring around you. While you were scavenging recently you found a mini DVD player among a bunch of rubbage. It had the movie Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones which you’ve been watching on repeat ever since. It was comforting to you, especially because of how much the background looks like Asgard during certain points of the film. You had your legs kicked up, eating an unknown form of fruit that you picked earlier when you heard rummaging. You slowly start to get up not wanting to alert the potential threat. Arming yourself with your daggers, you get closer to the entrance of the shelter. Throwing the wooden door open you step in front of it. Unsurprisingly, a Loki stood in front of you smiling as if he was coming to ask for a cup of sugar. Instead of focusing on who was standing before the doorway, you whip your body around. The Loki that you saw was an illusion created to distract you, every single Loki you encountered did this so you were very familiar with this technique. You pressed the blade into his neck, causing him to raise his hands in defeat. 

“How did you get my blades?” he asked, looking quite taken back. 

“These are mine, not yours,” you replied flatly. 

“How did you know I was coming,” he asked, most likely to stall. 

“Because all Loki’s think they're clever by doing so, it’s like your party trick at this point. What is your business here?” you asked. 

“Is that an Asgardian accent I recognize?” he said, dodging your question. 

“What. Is. Your. Purpose. Here?” you ask, backing him against the wall and pressing the blade against his neck so hard that you caused a small scratch on his throat. 

“Okay, cards on the table. I only came here looking for shelter from the storm. Truly had no ill intentions, could you please..?” he asked, insinuating for you to unarm yourself. You did pull the dagger away from his neck but kept them in each hand. 

“I don’t believe you,” you said. 

“Like I haven’t heard that one before,” he said, sitting down and putting his hands in front of the fire, “you know you’re incredibly uncharismatic for a Loki,” he said, using magic to dry his clothes.

“I am not a Loki, and I never said you could stay here,” you said. 

“Okay if you’re not a Loki then why do you have those daggers?” he asked.

“They belonged to a Loki and now they belong to me; end of story,” you said. 

“Wasn’t aware it was pawning for a storytime,” he said giggling. 

“Do you want to die,” you said, moving closer. 

“You think you can kill me?” he asked. 

“Me being able to kill you is irrelevant. I know I can keep you out of my hut, and I know that storm will have its way with you,” you said. 

“Fair enough,” he said, putting his hands up playfully to surrender. 

“Why are you wearing a TVA jacket?” you asked. 

“I am a bit of a consultant, helping them with an inside look into the mind of a Loki,” he said. 

After physically showing your disgust for his loyalty to the TVA through facial expressions. You started roasting a chicken over the fire that was in the center of the shelter. Loki again began to pry about the origins of your accent. You ignored his inquiries and turned the roasted chicken that was cooking above the fire. He was eyeing the food like a lion would a gazelle. 

“I thought you worked for the TVA? Don’t tell me your wonderful new friends aren't feeding you,” you said flatly. 

“Well you know sometimes missions go… askew if you will,” he chuckled then conjured himself a blanket. 

“The TVA discarding lives at will? Can’t say I’m surprised,” you said. 

“And what about you? Clearly, you're Asgardian so what was your nexus event?” he asked. 

“I lived in the villages of Asgard, my family and I lived comfortably. My mother and father ran a foodery. They were given the opportunity to work in the castle’s pantry. Without a second thought, they took the opportunity, especially because it meant proper education for my sisters and me. We were shocked to see the interior of the castle. I couldn’t stop laughing because of how mesmerized I was,” you said, turning the chicken again, “as my sister and I lost our minds, the queen came around the corner. My mother was so upset that she saw me acting foolish, she pinched my forearm so hard it bruised. She took us to our separate rooms before showing my parents around. I didn’t want to be in separate rooms, in our old home, the room we shared was so small and the sudden change was jarring. Once I was alone in my room I broke down into tears, I was only 13 and it was all so overwhelming.” You moved the chicken away from the fire onto a makeshift table. Ripping one of the legs off and setting it on a chipped plate. Loki thanked you before you even handed it to him. After taking a few bites, he stared at you, waiting for you to continue. 

“The next day things were getting easier. I came out of my room and saw a snake slithering outside my door. I picked it up and began talking to it, saying things like ‘If someone else would have found you, they’d make you lunch’ or ‘let's get you out of here before you’re killed’ but after I set it free, Loki shapeshifted out of his snake form. The first thing I noticed were his eyes, they were so bright and his pupils were wide. 

“I was uh- trying to scare you but when you picked me up I had to wait till you set me down to shapeshift back,” he explained. 

“Why would I be scared of a creature that is simply existing?” you asked. 

“You have a point there,” he said laughing, which caused you to join him. 

“After that encounter, it was like we couldn’t stop bumping into each other. Everywhere you went, he'd always end up stopping by even just to share a quick glance with each other. Eventually, things got more serious, and we’d both sneak out to meet each other in the library. Loki loved the library, he explained that when he was to rule Asgard, he’d make his soldiers study basic battle strategy and geography to ensure his glorious purpose wasn’t to be wasted. I always loved romance novels which irritated him beyond no end. One that you remember was about a young king named Angus who was turned to stone by Medusa. His queen Rose was wrapped in his arms when turned, he was protecting her. He thought if he shielded the queen from the serpent's view and it did. The queen could have escaped but she would’ve needed to shatter her king’s stoned body. He was gripping her so tightly that the stone was rubbing her skin raw, but she was so touched that in his last moments, he wanted to be as close as he could to her. The love she had for him was so strong that she couldn’t bring herself to it. So she died in his arms. Aphrodite was so moved by the queen's sacrifice that she turned her body into a rose bush with thorns that completely wrapped around him. To protect his stoned body so she could be with him forever. Loki would poke up and talk about how no king would ever do that. Even if he was right, it didn’t stop you from reading them obsessively.

The night before my 14th birthday, Loki appeared at my window wanting to talk.”

Flash Back:

“I have something to show you,” he said, taking you by the hand and helping you climb down from your window. 

When you got to the bottom, there was a black horse that Loki helped you on. You were scared of getting in trouble but he insisted that nobody would notice. This is when you knew feelings were starting to develop, at least on your end. At first, you were scared to fully wrap your arms around him. He reached behind him and pulled you by your arms closer to him. You now had your cheek pressed against his back, watching his long black hair bounce as the horse galloped. You guys were getting deeper and deeper into the forest, starting to see more animals and thicker trees. When you guys finally stopped, it was starting to rain quite hard. He grabbed you by the waist and helped you down from the huge stallion. Taking you by the hand he began leading you to a cave that was nearby. At first, you were reluctant to go into this dark and foreign entryway. Loki dried your clothes and conjured a lantern. When he lit the cave up with light from the lantern you couldn’t believe your eyes. The cave had rose vines on every section of the wall. Your hand immediately threw your hand over your mouth. 

“Like in that book you love, when I found it I knew I had to show you. I know it’s not much-” you interrupted him by pulling him into a hug. 

“This is amazing, thank you for bringing me here to see this,” you said. 

“I actually didn’t bring you here only to see it,” he said, pulling the book out of his saddle bag. 

The cave’s floor was covered in long grass, which made it very comfortable when sitting on the ground. Loki’s back was pressed against a portion of the wall that he cleared of vines and thorns. You were your back against Loki’s chest as you read aloud to the book. You kept stuttering over words at first, being distracted and flustered. Eventually, you settled and were able to read fluently through the story. You guys stayed there until it began to rise, and right before you parted ways to separate bedrooms you shared a chaste kiss. Ever since that night, you knew Loki was the love of your life. The connection that was growing was strong and undeniable. It remained that way even after time aged the two of you. By the time you guys were 18 the love between the two of you was still as fresh as the roses in the cave. A wedding was being planned and the energy in the air was euphoric. Both of your families were healthy, the kingdom was thriving and you loved each other. Long story short: Baldr invaded Asgard. Loki killed him and saved so many people's lives yet he was punished. Banished to the very cave where your love blossomed in, only now the roses were all dead, yet the thorns remained. When you saw him, he was passed out from the pain. A serpent was suspended above his head, dripping its toxic venom onto his skin. You refused to leave his side, at first he would scream for you to leave. Not wanting your mind to be poisoned by the pain of seeing him so weak. You comforted him and held his head with one hand and used the other to hold out a bowl, catching the venom. You weren’t sure how much time passed, but one day you couldn’t stand the thought of living this way. For your love to be punished for doing what he believed to be right by his people. You noticed Loki still had his two daggers tucked into his pant-line. Knowing you would have to be quick, you emptied the bowl of venom and quickly grabbed his daggers. Using your own head to cover Loki’s body from the venom you start attacking the snake. After severing its head, you passed out from how bad the venom burned your skin. When you woke up Loki was already causing Ragnarok, he had so much pent-up rage. The timekeepers found me and when I was at the TVA pleading for answers, they told me certain events on my timeline needed to play out before Loki was released. Because you were the one who released him, they blamed it on you.

End of Flashback

The Loki you’d just met was looking at you with a pitiful expression. You noticed he picked his chicken clean which made you chuckle. 

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said. 

“Not your fault,” you said. 

“I know but, that’s one of the most heinous stories about survivors of the TVA,” he said. 

“I’m glad you liked the chicken. I’m going to bed,” you said, setting your cot up. 

“Is it okay if I stay?” Loki asked.

“If you stop asking questions then yes,” you said, extinguishing the fire and going to sleep.

[sycamorelibrary754]

Whoopie!

Summary: You decide to play baker while Yelena is at work and you’re stuck at home recovering from an injury. A fluffy sugar rush ensues. 

Pairings: Yelena Belova x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Comfort, Angst

Word Count: 2k words

Warnings: A tiny bit of angst, but with a happy ending. Mentions of injury. 

A/N: I had so much fun writing this! I took from my own experience as a dessert lover with a tendency for sugar rushes. Plus, I like the idea of Yelena saying whoopie lmao.

You were feeling restless, cooped up at home. You had already cycled through the TV channels several times that morning, having exhausted all the episodes of Friends on Netflix. It had only been a week since a mission gone awry left you with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and a few lacerations. After undergoing surgery and spending a week in the Med Bay, Cho gave you the green light to continue your recovery at home.

You felt ready to return to work in some capacity, but Yelena insisted that you should keep resting at home. It was her first day back at the compound following your surgery, so you knew she would be calling soon to check on you and ensure you were sticking to the rest. While trying to pick something to watch, you came across an episode of The Great British Bake Off. This show was familiar to you – back when you and Wanda were on an undercover mission together, she had convinced you to watch it with her.

You were notorious for your sweet tooth, which was common knowledge among the team. Your unique habit of stashing candy in your suit pockets sets you apart. There was that one memorable incident when Nat ended up with a Twinkie instead of the weapon you intended to hand her during a heated skirmish, much to her dismay. The power of subliminal messaging was evident as your craving for something sweet led you to search for a treat. Despite your careful movements due to your arm sling, you made your way to the kitchen in pursuit of a sugary delight. Disappointed by the lack of candy, you grumbled as you began to head back to your room. Suddenly, thoughts of "The Great British Bake-Off" came to mind.

You considered yourself an accomplished baker. You made Christmas cookies for the team and pastry chef-quality birthday cakes every year. After a brief pause, you began searching for ingredients and the KitchenAid stand mixer. You figured your girlfriend couldn't be upset with you for being up and about if the stand mixer was doing most of the work, right?

You reach for your phone to look up some recipes and come across red velvet whoopie pies. The idea of baking something delicious for Yelena felt right - a sweet gesture to show her how much you appreciate her. She's been there for you since the moment she found you wounded on the ground, and caring for you has been a challenge. You want to express your gratitude, and for you, baking has always been a way to show love.

You carefully gathered all the ingredients on the kitchen counter: flour, baking soda, vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, salt, buttermilk, and vinegar. The sturdy KitchenAid mixer blended the base mixture perfectly, and then you carefully added the rich red food gel. As the batter gradually turned a vibrant shade of red, the faint sound of your phone ringing caught your attention. You reached into your pocket and pulled out your phone, revealing your favorite picture of Yelena smiling back at you. A warm smile spread across your face as you gently slid your finger across the screen to answer the call.

"Hey, Yelena," you greeted, as you put the phone on speaker.

"Hi, detka. How are you doing?" Yelena inquired.

Okay," you grumbled, exasperated. "But I swear if I have to endure that Rogers: The Musical commercial one more time, I might just have to march down there and give Cap a piece of my mind, preferably to his annoyingly flawless face.

Hmm, I’ll be sure to tell him how much you miss him," Yelena said sarcastically. She continued, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I left some of the pain medication that Cho prescribed for you on the counter in case your shoulder starts getting cranky. I know it’s tough with only one arm, but have you taken a moment to check your stitches today?”

Yep," you said, "I've checked, and everything seems good.

You crank the mixer to high speed to ensure the vibrant red food gel is thoroughly mixed in.

"What's that sound?" Yelena asked.

"Ah, just watching the Food Network on TV," you fibbed. You didn't want to spoil the surprise of the whoopie pies you were baking. Besides, you knew your girlfriend would kick your ass if she caught you not resting and playing baker simultaneously.

Yelena expressed hope by sharing, "I should be home in a couple of hours. Natasha promised to help me write my overdue mission report from the day you were injured so I can get out of here sooner."

"Sounds great, I've missed you," you admitted.

“I've missed you too, malyshka. Make sure to get some rest, and I'll be there soon for some cozy snuggles.

“Looking forward to it,” you said. “See you later, love.”

"Bye," she replied.

You carefully tuck your phone back into your pocket and return to the delightful task of baking. After thoroughly mixing the batter, you gracefully use an ice cream scoop to transfer it to the waiting trays before gently placing them in the preheated oven. Working on the sumptuous filling, you lovingly combine butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, marshmallow fluff, and a hint of vanilla extract. As you taste the filling, a contented smile crosses your face, and you have to exercise severe restraint to keep from devouring the entire bowl right then and there. While the round cakes are baking, you take a moment to rest on the sofa. Fanny jumps up next to you, seeking your affection and not minding that you only use one arm at the moment.

"I can't wait to see your mom's face when she sees the surprise; how about you?" You asked the dog with a grin.

Fanny charmingly tilts her head back at you. 

"Sam here. Or, she might scold me in Russian for not taking a break. Either way, we can indulge in dessert," you remark before affectionately kissing her head.

After the oven timer goes off, carefully remove the pan and set it aside to cool. Despite hesitation, you adhere to Yelena's advice and change your bandages. Fortunately, it's your non-dominant arm that sustained the injury. Once you finish tending to your wound, the whoopie pies are cooled and ready to be filled. Using a spoon, you delicately spread the filling on one cake and gently place another on top, feeling satisfied as you finish assembling all the whoopie pies.

You carefully stow away the batch of eighteen luscious whoopie pies in a trusty Tupperware container and pop it in the fridge. As you settle down at the counter, glancing at the clock reminds you that time certainly flies by when you're having fun. In just 30 minutes, Yelena will be back home. At this moment, you become acutely aware of the throbbing ache in your shoulder. You reach for the prescription she had set out for you and grab a glass of water. But as you're about to gulp down the pill, you spot the fine print on the label, indicating that it's meant to be taken with food.

You slump down in your chair with a tired groan, feeling too drained to even think about finding something to eat. Perhaps Yelena was right – maybe you had overexerted yourself. But then you remember the whoopie pies. They may not be the healthiest pair for pain medication, but they are fresh. You open the refrigerator, grab one of the confections, and reach for a soda. You devour the whole thing, then wash down your painkillers with a swig of soda.

You hoped the medication would take effect before Yelena returned home. It was a fact - as an Avenger, you were great at many things, but hiding things from your world-class spy girlfriend was not one of them. You relax back onto the sofa and absentmindedly flick through your phone. Your gaze keeps drifting back to the fridge. Maybe just one more whoopie pie wouldn't hurt. You do need to keep your energy levels up. Giving in to temptation, you grab another treat and a soda before returning to the living room. Fanny's eyes are fixed on you as you savor the second dessert.

"Alright, just a tiny piece. But, let's keep it our little secret," you whispered as you ripped off a small chunk of the crimson cake and sneaked it to the pup.

As you finish up, you let out a contented sigh and run your hand down your face. The baking session was your most physical activity since your injury. Refusing to retreat to your bedroom, you opt for the cozy comfort of the sofa. Wrapped in your favorite blanket, Fanny snuggles up at your feet. After about 20 minutes, you realize the shoulder pain has almost completely disappeared. Delighted, you treat yourself to a little seated happy dance. You cue your favorite playlist and can't resist jumping to your feet when the beat drops on your favorite song. What started as a small happy dance became a full-on, one-armed dance-off with enthusiastic singing. It seems all that sugar is finally getting to your head.

You are so caught up in your sugar rush that you lose track of time. Unaware, you don't hear the jingle of keys or the opening of your front door. Suddenly, Yelena appears in the doorway, silently watching you before finally startling you with an interruption.

"Is this what you call resting?" Yelena asked with a raised eyebrow.

You leap three feet into the air before realizing there's no danger. "Yelena, you're back! Woohoo! Happy dance time!!" you exclaim as you break into a joyous dance around the room.

"What's going on? Have you been sneaking sips of my vodka?" she questioned, her eyes tracking your every move around the room.

"What? No, I just had a snack! Two snacks... Well, dessert. Oh, and sodas! See, I wanted to do something nice for you because I know you've been worried about me since my injury, and I love you, so I made red velvet whoopie pies!" You rambled excitedly.

"Calm down... you made what now?" Yelena asked, her brow furrowed with confusion.

"Red velvet whoopie pies!" you repeated excitedly. "They're these delicious soft rounds of red velvet cake with a luscious cream filling sandwiched in between." With eager anticipation, you rushed to the counter and eagerly picked one up to show her, a child-like grin spreading across your face as you marveled at the sweet treat.

Yelena stares at you blankly for a few seconds before launching into her native tongue. 

Tebe polozheno otdykhat', a vmesto etogo ty provodish' ves' den', kricha! Vy s uma soshli? Vas zastrelili. Chto delat', yesli shvy razoshlis'? YA ne khochu snova okazat'sya s toboy v Med-Bey. YA znal, chto mne ne sledovalo ostavlyat' tebya odnu.

You are supposed to rest; instead, you spend all afternoon making whoopies! Are you crazy? You were shot. What if your stitches split open? I don't want to end up back in the Med Bay with you. I knew I should not have left you alone. 

"Is that your way of saying, 'Wow, you're amazing sweetheart'? I'd love to try one," you questioned with a giggle from the sugar rush.

Yelena shook her head softly as she approached you. Her eyes bore into yours with concern. 'You really should be in bed,' she said gently.

"Come on, just try one for me, please," you pleaded with your best puppy dog eyes.

"If I try it, will you rest?" Yelena asked.

“Absolutely, for sure, of course, affirmative, by all means, certainly, yep, very well, okey-dokey, yes,” happily bouncing up and down on the balls of your feet.

You offer Yelena a whoopie pie. She gazes at you with curiosity, studying you from head to toe, and then takes a deliberate bite. 

“Well?" You inquire with a grin.

"It's good," she conceded, wiping a bit of cream filling from the corner of her mouth. But there's this subtle smile tugging at her lips, and it's obvious that she's absolutely loving it.

"I knew you would love it!" You exclaimed, doing a little celebratory dance and raising my uninjured arm in victory.

She reluctantly admitted, "Okay, it's delicious. Sweet, just like you, Y/N."

"Whoopie! It's really cool, isn't it?" you exclaimed.

Yelena agreed, patting your cheek affectionately to regain your attention. "Yes, your little American whoopie is so cool. I'm going to hop in the shower and change. Could you do me a favor and head back to bed now, detka?

"Absolutely, I could keep doing this all day!" You playfully quipped, channeling your inner Captain America.

Yelena sighed, exasperated, and muttered, "Now I'm going to punch Cap," before turning on her heels and heading towards your bedroom.

As you start following her, you can't resist the temptation to reach for one more whoopie pie quietly.

Yelena's sharp voice cut through the room. “And no more whoopies!” she yelled, her words hanging in the air without her even turning around.

"Awww," you whimpered.

You finally make your way back to bed, feeling the exhaustion creeping in after the rush from all the sugar. Yelena, having showered and changed into comfortable sweatpants and one of your band T-shirts, joins you. She slips into bed beside you, wrapping her arms around you comfortingly.

"I'm the best baker on the team," you whispered before slipping into a peaceful slumber.

“Yes, detka, you're the best baker on the team,” Yelena humored. “Get some sleep now, whoopie.” 

[moreausposts]

EXORCIST/FALLENWINGS LORE I PULLED OUT OF MY ASS

this is all my personal headcanons and just shit i made up, but viv if you wanna hire me i’m not complaining

first: i see the debate constantly on whether or not exorcists are heavenborn or human souls, and personally i think them being heavenborn is just objectively cooler. it puts a good contrast between the exorcists and the sinners, y’know, since if they were never on earth they never would have met any sinners to gain sympathy for and would be easier to brainwash. that being said, no i don’t think they were ever technically “born” as babies, but i don’t think they spawned as full grown adults either.

because all of the angels’ designs are based on birds, i like the idea of them hatching from eggs. it’s just so silly to me to imagine, i love it sm. so in my head they all hatched from a nest of eggs adam had sera poof into existence once they settled on the agreement that he was permitted to raise an army for the betterment of heaven (he was their mama bird <3) as probably around 3-4 biologically? going off of human years. because while kids would be easier for adam to train, thirty something screaming babies wouldn’t be of much use to him.

all of their names are stupid as fuck, vaggie just got the shortest end of the stick. lute’s full name is literally just lieutenant. half of them are just body parts (wings, legs… vaggie), some get random words that just barely suit them (tall one is tree, short one is pipsqueak), and some of his favorites get instruments (guitar, drumstick, trumpet, and lieutenant gets shortened to lute when she’s not annoying him)

adam chose his favorites before they even hatched btw. he picked all of the coolest eggs and put them into a little pile. (vaggie’s was slightly cracked and a weird shade of pink-ish purple compared to all of the other black and white eggs so he decided she would be vagina right then and there)

also just because of how bratty lute is in canon, she doesn’t give “spent years working to earn her position” to me (don’t get me wrong i love her that’s my bbg) and because her name is literally just lieutenant, i like to think that her egg was the one adam felt the most protective of which is why she was deemed lieutenant before she had even hatched. i also just don’t think he’d want to go through the headache of raising all of the girls equally for them to fight over the position of being his right hand when he could just have one pre-guaranteed and train her separately.

unfortunately, this backfired tremendously! because once the girls started growing up it was pretty clear that lute was the weakest and smallest of them all. yeah, i said it. she was a wimp. it took her like three years just to learn how to fly.

relating to the art above ^ this is how i think lute and vaggie became close!! because while she was pretty strong (honestly probably one of the highest ranking) she also didn’t have many friends. i love the fact that once she’s in hell she starts dressing more feminine and grows her hair out to break away from who she used to be, but while vaggie was younger, especially as a tween-teen she was super super tomboyish. she was seen as kind of aggressive, the troublemaker of the group. but one thing she never did was pick on lute for being weak. i see here protecting her a lot when they were kids.

because it really wasn’t fair to the other girls that adam favored lute so much from day one that her position was guaranteed, and that while they continued to grow and train they still had to take orders from someone so much weaker than them. there was a lot of animosity in their earlier years, especially before the exterminations really started (they were like 14 when the first one happened) and lute got pushed around a lot.

because adam and vaggie were the only two that were nice to her, she developed a super unhealthy attachment style to both of them. while vaggie genuinely cared about lute and wanted to protect her (this isn't me saying adam didn't care about her btw because she was probably the only person he ever actually loved), lute was definitely a moral dilemma for adam. because on one hand, here was this kid that looked up to him so much and he really did feel bad for her, but man was she fucking incompetent at times. still, he didn't boot her from her position as lieutenant, but he didn't do anything to help that unhealthy attachment either. he instead just used it to brainwash her even worse because it's adam and he doesn't know how to express love whatsoever. 😭 he was like a narcissistic parent, basically. if she did everything perfectly just the way he wanted it, she'd be praised and reminded why she was the favorite, but if she made one mistake... it was like a whole other person. and it was overwhelming, but lute did EVERYTHING she could to be what he wanted her to be because she craved validation so badly after being bullied so much. which is exactly why adam kept it up.

I picture her really starting to get it together at around, eh, 15-16?? something like that. old enough that she was beyond sick of being kicked around and desperate to do something about it. it was like an overnight switch. she stopped sleeping and started training on her own time, pushing herself to her limits, putting on a mask. and all of a sudden she was a mini adam without the humor and guitar solos. she was cold, she was viscous, and she was tired of letting other people take advantage of her when she was the one who was supposed to be in charge.

this definitely put a rift between her and vaggie, because the suddenly heartless leader was absolutely not the little kid vaggie took hit after hit to protect. lute didn't understand why vaggie hated the new her when she was so obviously better than she was before, right? but vaggie just wanted her friend back.

that being said, I told y'all these would be fallenwings hcs too. I don't see them being anything more than a situationship, at least pre-canon, but man was it rough. this was THE toxic homoerotic best friend situationship every repressed lesbian teen goes through, except with murder and betrayal!

like were they dating? not officially. but did they make out covered in blood and bruises after fist fighting in the middle of trying to have a conversation about what they were to each other? well well well... 😘

I feel like vaggie really wanted something more with lute, but lute was so in her own head with her own internalized homophobia and newfound fear of being seen as weak as she used to be that the second things started getting too far she got scared and ran. and what was the only way to get vaggie to stop trying to make her feel feelings™ again than to just... make her hate her altogether. it's easier that way, right? vaggie sparing the sinner was just the perfect excuse to justify herself.

though, who am I kidding? lute spent the next three years crying herself to sleep using her ex situationship's shirt as a pillowcase because her dumbass tried to kill her... and as soon as vaggie crashed back into her life alive and with a girlfriend... well, if at first you don't succeed!

thank you for reading this long ass ramble 😭 here's a baby lute as a bonus:

[puella-1n-somn10]

☀️Puella Magi Madoka Magica x Pokemon Sun and Moon: Hau and his Witch Form☀️

Word count w/o intro: 23,950

...Considering our last victim and how I went through the lengths to differentiate these two characters, this should have been a given.

Hello, konnichiwa, salam 'alaykom, and aloha! Welcome back to the emotional roller coaster! For the uninitiated, today we are going to take the rules of the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica and apply them to other forms of media for the sake of breaking our favorite characters' hopes, dreams, and sanities.

Tonight, the universe has cast its gaze down upon a single, unfortunate soul amidst the sea of countless individual melodies. Another bright star, doomed to have his life slip through his own fingers for the sake of the very cosmos and the prevention of entropy. Everybody, give it up for the kid of the hour, Hau!

Much like Hop before him (or technically after him), Hau's rep is surprisingly - and shockingly - divisive; with many a Pokemon fan blaming him for the current state of the franchise's rivals despite the fact that friendly "rivals" have been a staple ever since the third generation- we haven't had a "mean" one until Gladion made his debut, unless if you count Cheren and maybe Barry (though the latter is more insensitive rather than an outright douchebag). The core cause as to why he had gained such bad rep is simply due to him "choosing" the weaker starter and the claim that he is not as strong as the previous rivals, but, think about it-

Hau already had his starter for quite some time before the main character had arrived to Alola, at least that's the case in the base versions of the games. It was you who chose your partner long after he did, much like how your own rival would; in Hau's eyes, you were the one who had chosen the starter strong against him. If that isn't enough to paint Hau as the image of a typical Pokemon player, his signature 'mon, aside from the starter he picks, is his Alolan Raichu; the evolution of this series' very own mascot.

Besides, whoever's still saying that Hau's team is weak to this day is either a darned liar or just a competitive player through and through; not only did Gladion outright state that his 'mons have potential, but he's also our final hurdle to overcome in the ultra version of the games. Speaking from personal experience, he isn't a cakewalk in the base games, either; I seriously cannot count the amount of times he had almost wrecked my team when I tried to play through a Nuzlocke run, only for Kukui to chime in and finish the job...

In my eyes, Hau may not have "ruined" the image of rivals in Pokemon, but he did shake things up even if by a little; his, Gladion's, and Lillie's existence have set a new precedent on how rivals are handled moving forwards, and it is all the more evident with those of SWSH and onwards, in which we are given the "heroic", "troubled", and "mysterious" rivals rather than just sticking with one. It is perfect for character chemistry and experimenting with their dynamics, as well as how one would influence the other's development as their own character throughout the story's progression.

This is all just my opinion, though. For all anyone could care, the reason as to why Hau is appreciated and even loved by the lots of us is because he's a persistent, positive presence throughout our journey; there to bring us down and breathe some air in the midst of tension. Of course, nobody is all sunshine and rainbows all the way to their core, and Hau is no exception.

...So, that's why we're here! Today, we shall be deciphering what exactly lie behind that charismatic smile of his; the history that has molded Hau into this upstanding, bright child that he is, in addition to the withering, rotting foundations of his worldview and how he was raised. Of course, all this is within the context of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, so I'll have to give ya'll the heads-up that there will be spoilers for both this anime and most official media related to the seventh generation of Pokemon.

I should also mention I will be referring to Hau using He/Him and They/Them pronouns; Hau is on the nonbinary spectrum in my eyes, and while it is mere headcanon, it's also one that gives me so much joy. Also, while Elio is the featured protagonist here and, as such, the implied ship present in the second section will be Kalashipping, there will also be hints of SnowlilyShipping scattered here and there due to canonical implications. If either or both of these ships are not your cup of tea, I recommend that it'd be better for you to click away for your wellbeing.

While on topic, I should also warn you that we will be discussing topics related to child abandonment, emotional abuse, and the effects of generational trauma at least. If any, ANY of these themes even make you feel even a little bit queasy, TURN. AWAY. NOW.

With all outta the way, let's just cut to the chase, grab some of the malasadas on the table, and dive right into....

-The Wish, Possible Powers, and Soul Gem-

"I was just talking to Decidueye here about all our memories from our island challenge! We really were lucky to meet so many different Pokémon and people, huh? But there're even more out there for us to meet, wherever we might go next! That's why my island challenge isn't really over!"

Oh, dearie me.

Well, this section right here is exactly what I meant when I said that Hau and Hop are fundamentally different characters (comes with one's free and carefully honed reading comprehension skills). With Hop, we are aware of his dreams, desires, ambition, and goals almost from the get-go; he makes it clear to us that he wants to be like Leon, to attain the same glory, and to follow in the footsteps of his hero. Hop is determined to attain his dreams and achieve that goal of beating his bro; this was no mere life-long dream- nay, this was his destiny! As the game progresses and by picking up all the minor details peppered across his life, however, we start to piece together exactly why he wants to chase after this dream; why he wants to create his own legend, and how the neglect he had experienced and life under his brother's shadow have sculpted him over the years priors to the beginning of SWSH.

Hau, on the other hand, is a bit more on the...vaguer side, let's say. He's a lot more laid-back than Hop, and, though he, too, enjoys battles, Hau is more focused on the fun of it all, and was not really all that shaken up when Gladion scolded him for being too lenient. They are both intelligent and introspective, but Hau appears to be more content with his life than Hop was; truly embodying the easygoing vibes of Alola.

...Do note what I just said here: appears to be more content.

In reality, Hau's life is ruled by uncertainty; from his dad up and leaving him to escape the shadow of his grandfather, to Guzma telling him that the island trial is not as bright and optimistic as what everyone else made it out to be in both USUM and the manga, it becomes clear to us that our sweet and cheerful Hau has been kept sheltered and in the shadows for quite some time- possibly all his life up until it was his time to partake in the Island trial. This isn't even close to speculation, either; it's been stated to us by an NPC outright that Hala was too soft on Hau for so long that it led the kid to adopt this easygoing attitude he's known for to begin with.

That isn't to say Hau is oblivious, dumb, or, God forbid, naive; the cracks in his life are there, and, through them, leaks the harsh truths of reality. He's well aware of the reasons as to why his dad left, he is more than knowledgeable in regards to the tapus, how they assign kahunas, and how each island has its own thing going on thanks to said guardian deities. Plus, he's got that healthy amount of snark on him; regarding Gladion as "just a ray of sunshine" and calling us out when we disregarded his desire to tell us the latest scoop ("I haven't even asked yet."), so it's clear that he doesn't take any foolishly pessimistic takes seriously. An optimist, yes, but even he has his lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Another point that helps refutes the assumption that he has no worries in the world is that he is also aware of his own faults, and painfully so; right before his battle against Olivia, he's expressed his doubts on whether he was as strong as Hala or not, and his insecurities were even presented to us even earlier on during our initial encounter with Gladion, where he read and tore into him like an open book; stating that Hau only focuses on the joys of the trial challenge in order to keep the fact that he will never be able to defeat his grandfather if he keeps going on like this.

Hop noticed his faults and tried to change them, to change himself, to no avail. Hau, on other hand, simply buries his problems; shrugging them away- laughing and smiling at them in the hopes that the pain would eventually numb-

Just like good ol' Hala; hiding his anger and own deep-rooted pains just to keep Hau, his last connected kin, happy. (put a pin on that for when we head towards the later sections)

I know that this sounds like quite the reach on my part, but not only did this toxic trait of his get carried over to his anime depiction, but it was also made more apparent; after being defeated by Ash the first time around, he couldn't help but sob and ask if this is what disappointment felt like - another indication of his inexperience with such emotions, much less how he should deal with them -. In Battling on the Wing, Hau attempted to ignore his feelings after facing such a humiliating defeat, except, this time, Hala had approached him as he left, and told him that he knew he did his very best out there; unable to handle it no longer, Hau broke into tears and sobbed in the arms of his dear grandpa.

So where do we go from here?

Themes of trickle truths and, of course, being sheltered from the dangers of the world are major motifs throughout Hau's life and worldview; his eagerness to go out and see life and what it held in store is born out of his own subconscious, deep-rooted dissatisfaction with it- there's gotta be more to life than just the trials and what's within Alola!

With this in mind, I've come to the conclusion that the specifics of Hau's wish would depend on where in the timeline of the story would Kyubey come and approach them, but they'd still follow a major cause and/or theme, not unlike Madoka's wishes which usually revolve around her desires to save another person's life;

If he happened to be a puer magi before we met him it'd be related to him wanting to actually see the world out there; to experience what life had in store for him and help others see what's beyond those horizons with him; becoming a wise, leading force just like his Tutu. Now, I could say that it must have been related to his father's disappearance instead, and while it would make sense for that to be the case, you have to remember that his dad walked out on Hau all the way back when he was a toddler; leaving him under the care of Hala ever since. Hau also appears to know the exact reason as to why his father had ditched his family for Kanto already, and expressed his desire to meet him face-to-face in the post-game events- so there's no need for the rush on this front. (put a pin on this one, too)

If it was during the climax of the story, whether we're talking about the raid on the Aether Foundation or while he was taking on the trials himself/assisting Hala with fending off the ultra beasts, it'd be related to him wanting to learn of and unlocking his inner potential, and help others around him unleash their own. I feel like this would also be the case if he were to contract right before we meet him for our final battle in Mount Lanakila/the Pokemon league; showing off not just his Z-ring, but also his shiny, new soul gem.

Either way, the wish, at its core, has heavy emphasis on potential, growth, and/or experiences. After all, Hau is already willing to help others become the best versions of themselves by reading their emotions and decipher what must have turned them into the people they currently are - which might be taken to more literal degrees as a passive effect of his wish, much like Kyoko's chains -, unlike Hop's more active drive to become a champion candidate himself and, within the context of the last post, his ability to outright influence the memories of others born out of his desire to not let Lee down. It's also quite ironic; Hau's role is to help Gladion (and Guzma in the Ultra versions of the games) let his guards down and more or less acted as a guide for us at least during the initial parts of the game, while Hop had to learn for himself time and time again of his own strengths and came to the conclusion that Lee is Lee, and he is his own person. In the end, both ended up acting like the exact opposites of how they started; with Hau desiring to see what else life had in store for him out there so he could become a better guiding force for those in need, and Hop taking on the role of a future Pokemon professor in order to teach and help others.

In short, the powers born from Hau's wish relate to transmutation; to turn a rock into a geode, a withered leaf into a sprout, a dried up chrysalis into a beautiful butterfly- to be loved is to be changed. All that is in his hands will become the better versions of themselves if he so desires. You could call it restoration magic, or transformative magic; depending on the context, it may as well be both! Of course, there are limitations to his magical powers; it cannot be applied to humans in order to force character development unto them, nor could he turn a grief seed back into a soul gem; if anything, it might strengthen the witch within it instead, so he needs to be careful with his powers and choose when to use them wisely.

With the wish all wrapped up for now, I guess now's a better time than never for us to talk about his magical boy outfit and weapon.

Initially, I had considered that a court jester would be the most fitting pick for Hau; though we see them as jokesters nowadays, they were the forefathers of modern-day satire, and royal jesters were actually given more privileges than the jester of the common folk- able to even mock the king without any repercussions so long as they succeeeded in giving the king a hearty laugh. Hau is easygoing and is able to lift the heart of both the people around him and even the story tone, but, as stated before, he isn't above snark, either.

It wasn't until I was debating on the type of weapon he would master, however, that problems began to pop up like weeds on a field. As I've stated before, a magi's weapon is indicative of many aspects, but the most common denominator is that it is reflective of their desires prior to contracting or the reason as to why they did so in the first place (Homura's shield, Nagisa's trumpet, and Sayaka's sword immediately come to mind). Another factor behind a magi's weapon is that they would reflect a magi's preferred method of fighting; as depicted in the PSP games, Mami's actual weapons are her ribbons, but she had to improvise and settled with turning them into riffles instead. In the meanwhile, Madoka, a surprisingly shrewd person who dislikes direct combat, uses a bow in order to fight from the sidelines and not engage with the beasts that we call witches head-on.

With all that in mind, if we are going to find a weapon that truly fits Hau, we need to look at his style of battle first and foremost and work on it from there. As stated by Gladion himself, Hau and their pokemon do possess potential to go above and beyond- that they are stronger than what the eye may perceive them as, but battling for the sake of emerging victorious simply isn't his style. To best describe Hau in a fight, a "hidden/sleeping dragon" would fit the bill; a person who would be a nightmare to defeat if he ever were to take the fight seriously.

I would have picked the role of a support for him due to his desires to help others, but it appears that this would only lead to disaster; during the raid on the Aether Foundation, if Hau's starter was Primarina, there is a shockingly high chance for him to activate the Z-Move Hydro Vortex against you. The common theory behind this is that, due to the base move's - Sparkling Aria - ability to heal burns, Hau's AI decided to use it in a way that could be seen as "beneficial" for the fight.

A hilarious mistake on the devs' part? Possible. Another reason for us to see that Hau's whole deal is "untapped power"- that anything in his hands will become as fragile as glass once he taps into that inner potential of his, even when he is trying to adopt the role of a support? Absolutely.

What I am saying here is that the weapon that would fit Hau the most, compliment his easygoing yet fun-loving attitude, and is reflective of his hidden capabilities and desire to explore what's beyond that horizon...is a sniper rifle.

Hey, now! There really was no need to jump the gun, am I right? It does appear that way, yes, since what use would a person like Hau see in a firearm of all things? Well...think about it; a sniper has to remain hidden from potential enemies, be extremely precise when aiming at their targets, and just need to take the shot. They also possess the most area of range in spite of their apparent immobility from their assigned spots.

Hau just wants to have fun with his pals and explore this wonderful world together with them- help them see that there is hope around them still, all while he has been hidden from the world's uglier side by both his elders and himself.

After putting it that way, it sure makes sense - at least it does so on paper - but a rifle? This does appear to be quite the absurd choice for a friendly, cheerful character like Hau, but, simultaneously, it is this very absurdity that makes it all the more fitting; that he is so much more than what meets the eye, and that also goes for his strength. This is all the more evident in USUM; managing to not only help Guzma out while he was at his lowest not unlike how a therapist or spiritual guide (like...his grandfather) would do so, but also managing to defeat each and every member of the elite four and become our final hurdle to overcome in order to gain that title of champion!

With the weapon now set in stone, you can now tell that a cluster of problems have already begun to make themselves present; all of which stemming from the core issues of clashing themes. Yes, it would be hilarious to see a jester just going to town on a witch with a rifle, but it doesn't invoke the vibes of Hau, nor does this combination make any thematic sense; Madoka invokes the idea of a savior and the most common tropes found in the Mahou Shoujo genre, Sayaka has some knightly themes going on, Mami is a western gunswoman, and so on.

After pondering on the matter for some time, another idea for his magical boy uniform had dawned on me; rather than going with the idea of a jester, I instead went ahead with that of a forest ranger- and, no, not the ones from real life! I'm talking about the cloaked guide from the shadows who knows these trees like the back of their hand- they who let their bow and arrow do all the talking, for what use are words- when anything above a whisper can be detrimental to a ranger's cause and everything they have learned whilst underneath these leaves for all these years?

The puzzles are now falling into place, no? We have the forest themes, his role as a guide, and the reminder of Hala's attempts at keeping him in the dark from most of his life's tragedies. As a nice little detail, perhaps his hood would have these two dangling bits that would still invoke the idea of a jester's hat, and it would resemble a smiling clown (or owl, if we want to go all out with the Decidueye themes) once Hau dons it on his head; portraying that theme of duality I wanted to aim for back while I was working on this essay during its early days, especially if all that is visible are his nose and face from beneath it!

Now, let's take a quick looksie at his soul gem! Unlike Hop's, I don't think its color would match that of his eyes, and there's a good reason for that beyond the basis of color theory- his eyes are already pitch black, and as we all know, as soon as your soul gem turns completely dark, it's an instant game over. Going for a shade of grey wouldn't exactly work, either, since it would not only make it harder for the viewer to detect corruption within it, but it would not mesh well with the aforementioned design for his uniform in mind.

So, to remedy this little problem, I believe that a deep shade of orange would do the trick! Not only would it complement the greens and yellows he's already associated with, but it just feels right when we're talking about a bright, optimistic, energetic child like Hau. It also brings his Sygna Suit from Pokemon Masters EX to mind; the warmth of the yellows and oranges mixing well with the blacks and whites of the design; invoking the imagery of Tapu Koko to those around him. Come to think of it, he sure does have the same vibes as Mami's- since both of these characters do possess the role of introducing the main characters and the audience to the world around them, and the positive auras they exude are only there to hide the crushing loneliness and aimlessness they were forced to endure for so long.

As for the exact shape his soul gem would take upon transformation, while I do have some ideas in mind, I do believe that the shape of a sea hibiscus - Hau's namesake - would fit him best; a swirling flower that would serve as the basis for quite the captivating cut of jewelry. In regards to its placement, it would be more than fitting if it were to align with the crown chakra, as it is usually connected to imagination, intuition, and connection with the universe, while its imbalance leads to disconnection from others, isolation, and being out of touch from anything but your own inner world; all of which align with all that we know of this little ray of sunshine as well as his personal pitfalls.

Onto its egg form; yes, much like Mami's soul gem, it would definitely make sense if the emblem on the middle resembled the very same flower that is present on its top, since not only it would look pretty, but it would also fit Hau's forest theme to a T. As usual, though, it's still better to keep our options open and look for other symbols that would shed light at each individual aspect of Hau's character; both his brightest moments and his darkest regrets.

A compass (To boost the theme of him embodying the vibes of Alola and how he had directed us through the region. Plus, the additional irony this symbol will provide once we start talking about his witch form)

A representation of the wind? (probably a reach; represents the theme of directions, travel, new experiences, and disconnection. Symbols that may represent the wind include kites, a feather, a tornado, and a simple visualization of the breeze - like the breath aspect from Homestuck -)

A snowflake (definitely a reach; aside from the sea hibiscus, "Hau" can also be translated to "snow" in Hawaiian, which not only contrasts with Hau's usually-sunny demeanor, but it also symbolizes dark, cold, and stormy skies ahead)

Stylized lightning bolt (obligatory Alolan Raichu reference)

As evident from the options above, his weapon, and his magical uniform, a recurring theme that has been made clear to us time and time again is "freedom"; something that not only Hau craves, but also embodies during his best moments. After all, the world was already shock-full of possibilities! Who knows what life would throw at them next? It could be a memory of milk and honey. It could be a song played with nothing but the darkest of notes. It could even be the stillness that accompanied the hushed sounds of the waves. Nobody ever truly knew of all of life's promises and betrayals. All that was left for Hau was to witness all that the island challenge had in store for him; bear witness to its highs and lows, and emerge from it with a whole new perspective on life.

It was all so exciting, wasn't it? He was going to see that whatever has been awaiting for him at the end of that road- the goal that has been eagerly waiting for his presence...everything his experiences have accumulated to...

-Descent into Despair-

It was all for nothing.

Daytime had paved way for the dull twilight. One by one, the street lights of Hau'oli city began to illuminate as folks began to bid their farewells and rest their little heads for the day. As the Alolan sun paved way for the gentle moon's graceful and guiding presence, the trepidation borne of the bustling, panicking streets of the city was soon swept by the assuring quiet; the promise of a better tomorrow heralded by the arrival of the next sunrise soothed the hearts of many of the residents of Alola.

A false hope just like any other.

The gentle ocean breeze and the soft waves were all that's left. Not even the nocturnal creatures of the night had any energy to keep on going with their usual routines. All that mattered now to everyone was the recollection of their strengths to carry on until the next day. Nobody within the winding paths of Melemele Island was able to rest peacefully until those around them have found the peace to do so.

Wherever he was, which direction he was currently going; nothing of that sort had crossed Hau's mind.

His eyes, unable to reflect the glittering gleams cast by the stars' reflection on the ocean waves, were hidden by the shadows of his ruffled and matted hair. His expression was unreadable; Was he simply shuffling through the branches aimlessly without a care in the world for his own well-being? Or was there so much on his mind that he was unable to look at his surroundings clearly- every color on the spectrum mixing into complete darkness?

Rather than providing any semblance of comfort, the Alolan breeze haunted him with every step he took. His legs were moving as though it was on their own volition, for his mind was racing with hundreds of clashing emotions and thoughts at such high speeds to the point that they have cancelled out his awareness of the outside world. He couldn't even find it in him to wipe away the streaks of tears on his cheeks.

There was no birdsong around him to ease his tormented soul.

The Moon's all-witnessing gaze only gave off the impression of a cold, broken heart.

Even the blades of grass beneath his feet were devoid of any life within them.

There was nothing but the distant ocean's call and the coming tides.

A sudden gust threw the child away from his trance, even if it was a small budge. Blinking once then twice, Hau's mind began to delicately connect the dots- an old bridge was just up ahead, and, in the distance, there it was...

An old bridge that's been all but completely destroyed.

The final frontier.

Hau's breath was caught in their throat.

The fear was barely outweighed by what crumbs of desperation they still possessed. With immense hesitation, Hau pushed themself to continue their journey. Each step was more unstable than the last, the waves underneath the broken planks clashed and raged against one another- yet, he still held on. Swaying from left to right, his persistence on staying on the road ahead was unwavering-

Tears were on the verge of bursting from his eyes; the resurgence of consciousness was followed by the unforgiving wave of vertigo; his legs felt like they were floating on air as his nerves. Even as his face was coated with tears and all of his nerves were on the verge of giving up on him, his grip on what remained of that bridge remained resolute.

He felt sick. He felt cold. He felt weak in comparison to the agony in his bones.

Even with his upset stomach and tightening throat...he had to press forwards. Gritting his teeth through the tears as he sniffled away all the tears and snot, he slowly dragged himself through the splinters and dirt towards the vague destination on his mind. A direction, a morsel of reassurance...

As the raging rivers drowned out what shreds of a coherent thought he had possessed up until that moment, he yearned for the courage necessary for him to be certain of this decision.

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The neon lights were dazzling.

Purples, pinks, reds, and cyans; the inner-most sanctum of the labyrinth was dazzling. Shuffling to the beat of the music, the crazed familiars made their debut; smiling from ear to ear to greet their new guests to the party- only for them to get struck down without a care.

In the middle of this demented cacophony and loud cheers, Elio stood; tapping to the beat as he stared the monster down. A large disco ball for a head, a dress made from the night sky itself, small aquariums for heels; there was no mistaking it, this must be the witch. Once hanging from the ceiling, she had descended unto the dance floor like a slithering snake; taking what he believed to be the wires and the ceiling with her before looking down at the magi before her.

The Kantonian boy had to hand it to her; the vibe, the tunes, the smiles- who wouldn't want to dance like it was the nineteen-seventies without care in the world? To indulge in the good ol' times before the world went to hell in a hand basket? As he took position and showed off his weapon, Elio grinned; giving the witch a sign that it's on. A dance is what she wanted, so a dance is what she'll get!

Snapping her fingers to the beat as she braced herself for competition, the Witch of Disco swung first; sweeping her mechanical legs to strike Elio's calf with the intent of causing him to lose his balance. An unexpected tactic, that is for sure, but the boy had managed to pick himself right back up with a counter- but she had blocked the attack with minimum effort. One strike, two strikes, three strikes- he had unleashed a barrage of attacks, but the witch was swift on her knees; blocking out his feeble attacks while still managing to keep her moves consistent to the music's rhythm. With the beat drop, she kicked him square in the abdomen; sending him flying through the neon walls.

Her familiars began to swarm around them in frenzied masses; bobbing their heads as they shuffled to close in on Elio whilst he was at his most vulnerable. That kid...in the maddened eyes of the witch, he sure had spirit, but these halls have no room for a buzzkill like him. In spite of the clear disadvantage and the tides being far away from his favor, Elio, through gritted teeth and shivering bones, still managed to press on; pushing forwards against the familiars gathering around him as he sliced, diced, and had burnt away all who were surrounding him until there was nothing but ashes in his wake. He was still standing, kicking, and, by the Tapus, singing; still holding on to continue engaging in this battle until the bitter end.

Must that young man really be so stubborn? What good would insisting on destroying the one refuge she had from the chaos of the outside world itself do for him?

Without sparing a semblance of patience, the witch pointed for the rest of her familiars towards the direction of the magi, to which they had flown towards in droves out of servitude for their master. With a his lips curling to reveal a crazed grin on his face, Elio leapt; as he sprung, hopped, and skipped into the air, the young magi had left a trail of searing destruction - a reminder for those who would dare to face the harsh celestial blazes he had acquired in his hands at their full glory - as he paved way for the his close encounter with the witch herself. While Elio carried on with his little massacre, the destruction inflicted upon the witch's familiars appeared began to escalate to the extent that they've started to implode on impact against him; it was as though his very touch was enough for them to melt into liquid gold from the inside-out.

Even the glass of the aquarium walls began to melt from the fervor; covering the dance floor in water and aquatic lifeforms who were struggling to survive.

Strike, strike, strike- the witch had managed to hold on after the few initial blows, yet Elio didn't have any plans on giving up, either; each attack had increased in ferocity and brute strength - even blocking out the attacks provided no comfort from the pain - until, at last, he had knocked her out of balance with a devastating collision. grabbing on to what he believed was the witch's neck, Elio swung as he made sure he had her by his arm; suffocating her as he tried to keep her head pointed upwards- just enough for the struggle to be as minimal as possible.

It was then that the Kantonian boy finally held up his other arm; yelling out a command that echoed throughout the halls-

"NOW!"

As swift and sure as the thunder's strike, shards of glass had scattered throughout the air as the witch was nearly blinded by a sudden flash of white.

As the witch looked around before the last strands of her consciousness slipped away from her fingers, the magi's grip on her was finally undone. There, lying within the corner of her line of sight, she's managed to make out a second figure; their face obstructed by the darkness of her labyrinth as smoke seeped from their weapon. Time passed on slowly as her mechanical body fell apart unto the dance floor; serenity and quiet filled what was left of her cursed heart during the final seconds of her existence, granting her one last moment of clarity before it all went dark...

...Ah...how beautifully did these petals dance...

...

Pushing against the exit door of the abandoned building, the two trainers winced their eyes as the soft sunlight welcomed them back to the real world. It couldn't be any later than 6 in the afternoon. Stretching his back, Hau continued on with his stroll alongside Elio; both of their soul gems were gleaming with recharged power after they've both reaped the rewards of that battle.

It hasn't been too long since they've arrived on Ula'ula Island; it sure was livelier than either Melemele and Akala before it! A new island meant the chance to meet new people, experience new environments- and, of course, new witches to strike down.

"Aue- that was incredible!" The green-haired child exclaimed as the two sauntered under the setting sun, "You sure almost had me fooled there for a professional- I could've sworn you lied about when you've made your wish."

In light of that accusation, Sun clicked his tongue as he shook his head; 'veteran'...if anyone had a say, it was his friend and rival who deserved that title. A swift and certain kill- only someone like Hau had the capability to do that! The rest of the performance leading up to the decisive blow? Well, it was much more of a struggle to pull off in the perspective of the young Kantonian, he'd timidly admit.

"That's nothing but training and strategy work," he nonchalantly smiled, "If anything, you ought to pat yourself on the back, too. I might have managed to stall it for some time, but you were the one who finished it off! That a job well done, if I ever saw it!"

In response, Hau simply scratched the back of his head; still appearing as cheerful as ever, but a tinge of bashfulness was shining through his obsidian eyes.

The chirping of the pikipeks flying overhead complemented the chatters of people and Pokemon; it was another day full of life within the Alola region. The Sun still shone as brilliantly and gracefully as the clearest of jewels even as the day paved way for dusk; night had just arrived at the residents' doorsteps. Basking in the warmth of the setting sun, the people of Alola went on with their merry ways; each and every one of them adding another page to their respective tales of their lives that were destined to be passed down to their next generations.

Another hunt that's been completed with flying colors; what an occasion to celebrate, like the hunters of yore! And what better way to celebrate than a trip to the Pokemon center just to get their fix of tapu cocoa and malasadas? A simple snack serving as the prologue to their respective dinners and a chance to catch up on what the other has been up to lately; neither trainer was able to think of anything better to do!

...Besides training themselves and their pokemon teams for their next trials, that is- but that could wait until tomorrow, no? To say that they've been worn out from that fight earlier would be an understatement, that's for sure.

Lost in his thoughts and in awe of what's before him, Elio had almost tripped on a small pebble that was in the way- had it not been for Hau picking him up by the collar immediately, he surely would have made a complete and utter fool to everyone around him. As soon as he regained his balance once more, he glanced at his close friend with the shock in his eyes withering away before the two began to suddenly laugh. The green-haired Alolan child softly nudged on Elio's back for being the clutz that he was; it sure was a busy life that they've signed themselves up for, but they are what they still are at the day's end.

Just a couple of kids.

As the two neared the Pokemon Center right up ahead, Elio's smile, as brightly as it shone, still paved way for uncertainty to creep up. His stomach continued its descent as all that has been bothering him began to bubble up just beneath the surface; his expression devolved and melted into that of worry and doubt as his pace slowed down- enough for him to pause and ponder on what has been bothering him so as of late. Realizing the somber shift in the atmosphere, Hau was hit with accumulating worry as Elio dazed off into the distance.

"There sure has been a lot more witches than usual lately," Elio pondered, "Wonder what's up with that..."

As the realization of their current situation overtook his mind, Hau took Elio's words and what he knew of these creatures into account as he tried to recall Umber's instructions back when he was new to the job- that for every magi out there who was born from the brightest hopes in their hearts, a witch was destined to follow; forged from the sorrows of this world to spread the very curses that have brought them to existence. A source of light is always accompanied by the shadow it casts; such is the law of this universe, and such is the life of a puer magi.

Hau looked down at his own soul gem; the coalescence of his own hopes and dreams; the desires that have helped him get so far to this point in his life. A shining beacon of hope for all of humankind; that was all Hau wanted in life- the goal he had finally realized in the midst of his island journey...

"Yeah- they are made when people are all beat-down and stuff, right? Once they are born into this world, all they could do is act upon all that they know..."

Much like his rival, Hau also began to gaze into his soul gem as his mind swam in sorrow and doubt, "And then, more people will start feeling even worse- and, with that, even more witches will pop up; it's like a cycle, y'know?"

Hau's heart ached with horror as he pondered upon the possibility of leaving these witches be- as well as a sudden wave of...sympathy...

"...Then again, I guess it almost makes you feel bad for them; all they came to know is sadness and hopelessness. It's not like they asked to be born as witches..."

Elio glanced at Hau as the two continued their stroll through the city; nothing but confusion and were spray-painted on to his face. Hau- he was a big-hearted kid, that's more than obvious; ready to let whatever was in his hands go just to assist someone in need with a beaming smile on his face, but to hold compassion for witches of all things?

Elio sighed with a smirk; only someone with a heart as big as Hau's would find the best in these terrifying, abstract monstrosities. "...I get what you're trying to say," he remarked, "It's sad, but...unfortunately, that is how it is- what else could we do about it?"

All Hau was able to do was shake his head and sigh before the soft whizz of the Pokemon center's doors took whatever chance he had to respond; signaling the end of the duo's little stroll. The cool air seeping from the building clashed with the warmth and humidity of the environment around them, causing Elio to shiver without initial realization. Upon noticing one another's sense of unease and not wishing to end their conversation on such a note, the two, without warning, awkwardly smiled and chuckled at one another- nudging at each other's shoulder's before allowing the other to step in to the pristine walls of the structure before them. The sense of unease still haunted them both, and the weight of what their contract truly meant and their current reality was resting on their shoulders-

Still, that wouldn't stop Hau from dreaming of the ideal.

...

The scent of coffee and burnt caramel was in the air; gracing those who enter the Pokemon center with serenity and peace of mind...

Now that their respective partner pokemon teams are fully healed and their supplies have been restocked, the two trainers were finally able to lay down for the day and get some of that sweet, well-deserved rest.

Chow time.

As he sat down near one of the tables of the cafe while Elio went to order some Tapu Cocoas for the both of them, Hau plopped the bag of malasadas down onto it- the main course for all of them to dig right in! What a perfect way to end the day- oh, Hau just couldn't wait-!

*shuffle shuffle....*

Oi- hold on just a minute there.

As Elio placed the two cups of delicious hot chocolate down onto the table, Hau was glaring at the shifting paper bag with intensity and focus blaring from his eyes; his head tilting and brows burrowing from both curiosity and disappointment towards whoever or whatever was there that dared to disrupt their time of rest. Hoo, nelly, what was he in for now?

Slowly shaking the bag from inside out (and with help from the Alolan kid as he slowly opened it- begrudgingly so, of course), the culprit's tiny head poked out! Translucent wings that shone as brilliantly as diamonds, an eye glittering like the finest of pearls, a glare as heavy as the most exquisite of platinum, and a coat of fur that possessed color that was as deep as the vastness of the space which holds the sun and moon...

Well, if it isn't the guest of the hour- none other than the duo's one and only little contractor.

How they've managed to gobble down half an entire batch within the seconds between the purchase of these snacks and the current moment with a glittering star for a face was anyone's guess at that point. As they chewed on and swallowed down the final bites of the malasada that was in its paws, they turned their head towards Hau, who was standing right above them, before speaking up; snark and impatience leaked from every word they've uttered-

"Took you two long enough with today's hunt; I hope neither of you wouldn't mind myself digging in early."

...right; the grief seed. Guess it's best to dispose of that sooner rather than later.

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It was quieter than usual.

Solitude was more than expected for a sacred place like the Ruins of Conflict; not a lot of people were even allowed to be near it- heck, it felt wrong even for himself to just tumble into these sacred grounds. Every step he had taken was a trial in of itself- each step felt heavier than the last, and, he couldn't even register the blood that was dripping onto the floor being his own...

Nevertheless, he persisted.

The sounds of howling winds were all that remained after such a day like this. The heartbreaking howls of panicked and mourning pokemon, and whatever unholy cacophony of howls and all-too human screams born from the deepest pits of despair that have managed to emerge from the far reaches of the afterlife- none of the sort had echoed throughout this grand entrance to the inner-most sanctum of the ruins. All that had accompanied Hau on his way there was bitter, chilling solitude.

As he slowly made his way through the ruins, the young boy couldn't stop shaking- he shook from the cold, and the fear and terror weighed heavily on his back--

The glacial winds struck him as he gulped. He could feel that he's on the verge of breaking apart from how badly he was quivering, and the bile slowly building up to his throat...

It was now that he had caught on to the sound of his chattering teeth.

It has been a long way home- back to where he was now, in Melemele Island. It could have been a perfect bookend; him and his friends returning from their journeys, now fully grown from all that they've experienced, and possessing new memories and pieces of wisdom to accompany them for years to come. That was all that he had wished for; the core reason as to why he had partaken in the island challenge to begin with and even signed that contract with that 'fairy'...

Fate sure had its sense of dramatic irony, at least.

At that time, nobody had the faintest clue on what sort of drawbacks Lusamine's plans had on the region as a whole, and, perhaps, neither did she- though whether she cared about consequences of her actions at that moment or not might be debatable, at the very least. In her frantic state of mind, all that mattered to her was the safety of those ultra beasts, and would soon rather die than waste even a single second that could have been put to use for her desires and plans. As soon as the wormholes opened, they've invited not only these extradimensional monsters - the behemoths that have captured Lusamine's heart -, but as well as...

Ultra Aura. Lots and lots of Ultra Aura...

Basking the region in this power, the line between what's meant to be perceived and what's meant to remain hidden blurred; both mankind and witches were plunged into one another's realms without warning- everything and everyone was sent into a heedless panic. As the region darkened, the president took off, and everything had devolved into a massacre, Hau's mind raced to the one thing that mattered to him most in that moment-

Home. I have to go back home.

He hadn't the slightest idea of the current whereabouts of neither Lillie nor Elio, and that fact alone was akin to a dagger in his gut that never ceased twisting. All he was able focus on during every second leading up to where he was now was his desire to defend his loved ones from this impending disaster that threatened to unfold at its fullest. Back to back with Gladion by his side, the two hacked and slashed without a moment's rest - without even a second to breathe or even check on their soul gems' current statuses - in order to pave way for Iki Town. He only took pause out of pity for the struggling magi he had managed to encounter before his wake before he gave them the grief seeds he had on his persons before taking off once more- much to the blonde's chagrin.

He had hoped for everything to be at least stable- for everything to be fine, and that he wasn't too late...that he didn't fail yet again-

And look at how that ended for you.

Reflexively blinking as he tried to catch his breath, he was unable to shake away what awaited him at the end of this road; the last few seconds leading up to the decision leading him here were constantly being replayed like a broken record. Tutu- he was the strongest person Hau had ever known in his life; from time's trials to the furies of his own heart, Hala had endured it all. He would stand by, strong and proud, as he laughed at whatever and whoever dared to cross him-

Seeing him covered in bandages and wired to whatever machines they've managed to hold on to without getting noticed by neither beast nor witch. - and the blood, dear Arceus, there was so much blood tainting the bandages keeping him stable...

The sight sickened Hau nigh-instantly. He was about to hurl on the spot back right then and there.

His face twisted in horror at the sight as the lights behind his eyes, what life and hope he had until that moment, began to fizzle away. Even remembering his sheer disgust at the tragedy before him did nothing but deepen the regret he had managed to carry all the way here

Even as Hala reassured him that he couldn't have predicted what would have happened, deep within Hau's mind, he knew Tutu was lying to him; that's how it's always been, hasn't it? Hala hiding his true emotions away just to keep Hau safe and happy, even if the deep pains he was forced to endure were visible just beneath the surface...

In the end, he was the one who had to be protected from the world yet again- all in the attempt at protecting the world from himself and hurting those who were dear to him by the threat of himself breaking apart.

He couldn't take the sight of it. Silently excusing himself, he dashed off heedlessly without a care; ignoring the prying eyes, his name being echoed by all who were around him, and even Gladion's concerned cries...

It was all back to square zero for him.

Within the center of the ruins, staring at the shrine before him, Hau's face was blank of all life and optimism. He was lost in that moment- lost on what must be done and what else he was able to do. Nothing around him even real. All that was surrounding him had simply vanished within the corners of his mind; leaving only the statue and himself.

Before the mighty altar, the link between humankind and the deity of strife, Hau fell to his knees like a puppet having its strings suddenly cut off; severing him from the reassurance of the future just before him. Through incomprehensible mumbles and babbles, he shakily clutched his hands together and whispered out an anguished plea towards the island guardian; a prayer borne not from whatever hope and worship that still remained in his soul, but of desperation...

He had hoped that he hadn't fucked it all up once again.

He wished that all this was a bad dream- one he could wake up from with just a pinch of his cheek.

He denied the tears soaking his face and dropping on to the statue before him- all while he begged for a second chance, for a way to reverse it all, and erase every single mistake he had made up until now just for everything and everyone to be okay...

Mistakes?

That's quite hilarious coming from someone like you, Hau.

You have to face the facts- that all you have done was sit down in hiding as everyone around you dropped like flies, all to evade the risk of pressure shattering your mind and soul in.

You've spent so long fantasizing and focusing on the bright side of life that you haven't noticed the shadows engulfing all that you've known and held dear until it was too late-

And all that you have managed to do so far was stand by and watch.

You have to come to terms with the facts, Hau; none of this would have happened had you not buried your head in the sand so long ago.

None of this would have happened hadn't you been so WEAK.

As he continued on with his blabbering- as his heart continued to race and the reality of the grim situation at hand began to weigh on his mind, the solemn, hopeless prayers soon devolved into numerous apologies mixing with one another; barely taking any comprehensible form. Even coming up with any understandable words was too impossible for him in that moment; whatever his tongue had managed to weave and escaped his throat was not even audible at best, or downright incomprehensible at worst.

He tried his darned best to help everyone around him- trust him, he really did, even if it risked exposing his identity as a puer magi; he couldn't give two shoots about that, so long as he at least made someone's day a little brighter. He wanted everything to be alright- he wanted everyone to be happy, to be safe, and for them be able to look forwards to what the future held for each and every one of them with wide smiles on their faces-

All that- after all that he's managed to do-

It ended up amounting to nothing.

creeeeaaak...

How disgraceful. Even with his failures doing all that he held dear in, he still had the audacity to feel as though he was suddenly going to break apart. If he hadn't already felt weightless and pathetic, then he surely looked the part now.

As he writhed on the ground in blinding pain, another crack echoed throughout the ruins; causing him to scream louder in pure, burning agony. He hadn't completely realized it - his consciousness was phasing in and out of his reach -, but, between his ramblings and apologies, he was calling out for help...he was sobbing for the torment to stop...

Between tears and with all the remaining strength he had managed to accumulate, he had resorted to the one thing he had left- for the one beacon of light and comfort in his life. His mind was frantic - as though he was merely acting upon muscle memory -; covering his face and digging his nails into his face, he let out his final cry-

"G-Grampa...! Grandpa! TUTU-"

"HELP- HELP ME, PLEASE-!!"

C R A C K !

...

As the dark remains of his soul gem were scattered on the ground and what was once its core floated amidst the altar itself, the last thing Hau felt before all light escaped his eyes was the ocean's embrace suddenly surrounding him. With his last remaining bits of strength, he struggled against the force of the waves, but it was to no avail. Feeling as though he had slipped away from what control he had over his own muscles, he slowly ceased all struggle as he allowed himself to succumb to the depths; sinking into the deep blues of the waters until there was nothing but the ocean's calm.

Not too far away, the deity of Melemele Island looked on helplessly as the newly-forged labyrinth overtook the ruins in a flash while the child's despair took form. To meddle with the inevitable is almost never a good decision, that much was true, yet even they knew that this child, much like the rest of the unlucky bunch that came before him...

He held so much promise...

A promise that has been taken away from them by forces beyond their control...

The blonde teen has been calling his name for some time now...

In preparation for the inevitable conflict, Tapu Koko pulled themself together as the labyrinth began to stabilize itself. Not unlike their siblings, it was Koko's sworn duty to defend their island from any and all threats, whether they've arrived from the far reaches of the universe or were as sinister as once-familiar faces turning venomous as they vowed to destroy the lands they have grown up on.

Still, the ache within their heart never ceased to hurt for when it came to clashes like this. They knew they were unable to combat fate itself, but even they knew that this creature, just like the rest of them, never deserved what was coming. After all...

They never asked to be witches...

-The Witch's Nature-

*looks at his personality in Sun and Moon*

*then at him in Ultra Sun and Moon*

*then at him in the anime*

*then I take a teeny tiny look at the manga*

Fun fact: this part actually took me a longer time to finalize than the witch's base form itself. While I was creating the initial concept for him, before I dove deeper into his character, I initially had the idea that it must have been his naivety that did him in; on the surface, he seemed like he just wanted to have fun and explore the grand world around him- and while that's not far from the truth, yes, it still isn't the whole picture; just a mere speck of it.

You see, with time and research, not only did I realize that this term is a far cry from Hau's actual, deep-rooted struggles, it would also re-enforce the flanderized outlook that fandom has towards him. My goal is to take a nosedive into these characters' psyches, so relying on surface actions alone would not suffice. We need to look deeper; know exactly why Hau is the way he is, how he came to possessing his mindset, and all the problems that resulted in and from this outlook of his throughout the game's main story.

Hau is far from ingenuous- nor is he unaware, weak, or anywhere near stupid. He simply assumes the best in the nature that is around him, and, even then, he is perfectly aware of when situations are dire and that certain events are just...not right. Everything's destined to work out, yeah? Sure, life has its moments where it took immense pleasure from kicking us in the ass whilst we were already down, but it's also so unmistakably beautiful; there's no need to fully dwell on the pain. The sun will rise to herald another day- another chance to pick yourself up and start all over again.

After looking at his backstory, comparing the roles everyone significant in his life had in forging Hau as a person before the start of the game, and granting myself some time to think about it moreso, I got the term that would describe Hau's fall from grace perfectly; escapism.

Think about it; Hau's an optimist, yes, but it is his downplaying of - if not the act of outright bottling up - his own troubles and trying so hard to focus on the bright side of the island challenge were what ultimately stiffed his growth as both a trainer and a person. On top of this, we also know that Hau is aware of his own problems, but is trying his best to stay afloat and not get crushed by the weight of his own misery- but how so? Coming face to face with all that troubled his young mind is surely inevitable, so he did he manage to avoid that for all this time?

Well...what if I said that Hau's very own coping mechanism was right before us from the very start? A plan so simple, yet as rounded as brilliant as his character writing? So minuscule...but it holds an important key to finally cracking open Hau's personality?

We are already aware that visiting every malasada shop on each island is his own "island challenge", but...why is that? And why malasadas specifically? Yeah, it could be a way for Game Freak to integrate a snack that is already loved by the people of Hawai'i irl (and I can't blame'em, it does look quite scrumptious), but what does this very fixation on the snack itself speak about Hau as a person?

The answer? Simple; it's comfort food.

A sweet, calming scent that would immediately bring memories of one's childhood rushing into their mind is a universal experience for many, and the same can be said with various types of food. After all, malasadas are already seen as such by various Hawai'ian citizens irl, so it makes complete sense for Hau, someone who is evidently coded to be indigenous Polynesian, to share the same sentiment; of enjoying this treat being his way to wind down after each trial.

The island challenge, in Hau's eyes, is full of wonders and new possibilities, but he just couldn't help but feel his heart drop; it's all so vast and wide, so wonderful but also unrelentingly heart-breaking... He appreciates all the highs and lows - learning from all that had unfolded around him -, but even the most energetic hummingbird needs its time of rest.

Now, I know, I know; it's more than similar to Ichizo's nature - that being "to escape" -; trust me when I say that my perfectionist butt is painfully aware of that and made it very clear whilst I was in the midst of analyzing Hau's personality. Usually this is where I would say that I cracked my back by looking for other terms that would hold a similar meaning to this word specifically, but, honestly? I had to stop myself right then and there. It sounded similar to Ichizo's, yes, but was that really the end of the world? Does it really matter that much, seeing a small word that I used to describe a character ringing true to one that exists in another canon?

My answer to that is: no. Hell to the fucking no. When analyzing characters from various medias like these, finding overlapping aspects in their personalities and behaviors is inevitable, but it is these characters' methods of handling and interpreting these aspects of themselves in their own unique ways is what makes all the difference in a reader's eyes.

Kuroe wanted to escape the eyes of everyone around her; she didn't feel worthy of the love she had wished for and believed that she is far from the image of a perfect magical girl; the idea of being a "good person", even. Hau, on the other hand, was raised under the shadows of his grandfather and yearned for the outside world so he could grow and help others along the way. Their overlapping trait is that they both yearn for their idea of freedom, whether they are willing to consciously admit that or not. Hau may had his inherent optimism and desire to keep on moving forwards by his side for so long - to the extent that it is the effects of his easy-going nature and the kindness in his heart were what inevitably got to him -, but Kuroe eventually succumbed to her self-doubts; becoming the witch symbolizing her inability to move on, Ichizo.

Of course, we can't go wrong with mentioning the honorable mentions; all the other terms I've managed to find that would also fit Hau's downfall depending on your own interpretations of his character! You are all free to reinterpret the witch card below to your hearts' content, and, once more, if you have any criticism, don't be afraid to send them my way!

Sheltered

Trusting

Blinded

To bottle up/bury grievances

To get carried away

-The Witch's Appearance-

"Yeah. My gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side, sure as it gives us blessings."

Alright, first thing's first, I need to set up a precedent real quick-

As proud as I am with the end results of both Asclepius (Medic) and Sayf al-Muharib (Hop) before him, I have to admit that I kinda shot myself in the foot by making two humanoid witches in a row. Yes, there isn't anything wrong with making human-like witches, especially when noting how this is the case with the designs of the holy septet's cursed forms, but part of designing a witch and the fun of it all is the ability to go completely off the walls with it; a whole bucket of symbolism just barely taking shape right before our eyes!

What I am trying to say is that I am aiming to make Hau's witch, the accumulation of his regrets and traumas, a straight-up creature- a monster not unlike Gertrud and more than a good half of the witches present in Kazumi Magica. Half the fun of making a character's despair come to life comes from gathering up all their problems, putting them in a bucket, and spilling it right onto the canvas! Plus, I guess focusing on enjoying the process is what Hau would have wanted- in a twisted sort of way.

With all that established, let's take a quiiiiiiiiiick looksie at Hau's backstory, and how it affects him nowadays- or, more appropriately, let's start with the effects everyone else's actions had on him growing up, and the worldview he's adopted as a result. What better place to start it all thank with the very first town we visit in Pokemon SM/USUM, Iki Town?

After finally gaining access to Hala's home, you can find an NPC in there who states that Hala had a habit of spoiling Hau; that he is "too soft" on the boy, and goes on to mention an incident in which Hau had witnessed Hala at his angriest for reasons currently unknown- the sight of his grandfather's fury being enough to immediately push Hau to tears. There was nothing Hala was able to do to comfort the young child, so, ever since that incident, Hala had to hold himself back when in the presence of his grandson.

Of course, if we're going to have to mention Hala's role in sculpting Hau as a character, then it would be of great disservice to not mention the other two individuals who were under him before his grandson was even born; Guzma and Hau's as-of-yet unrevealed father.

We aren't given much details in regards to Hau's father aside from a few sentences from Hau himself; that he had left to Kanto in order to get stronger and escape Hala's shadow. By taking the earlier NPC's words into consideration, it's heavily implied that Hala must have been quite rough towards him, if not apathetic to his struggles at the very least. Being constantly compared to the Kahuna must suck, and it was probably even worse if Hala really was that tough towards him; why else would he just up and leave his entire family behind? To become his own person in the eyes of everyone else including his own?

But, in the end, instead of creating his own legacy and establishing himself as an individual, Hau's father is now known to us - and even to his own son - as the man who left it all behind just to escape the shadow of his own old man. Having a parent like Hala must have sucked if he really was all that strict back in the day, but that is no excuse to abandon your whole family, much less your own child. Parents are people too, hence why even they are prone to terrible mistakes like these, but such decisions that ultimately result in the endangerment of their own children should not be forgiven so easily. Just because he ended up fathering Hau doesn't mean that his words and actions are law, and that everyone who has been affected by his actions should just suck it up.

Of course, this event was not the only catalyst that triggered Hala's change in temperance and approach to those under his care. No, this was far from the only mountain formed by Hala's mistakes; casting a shadow on his conscience and the rest who are still in his life. If letting his own son down and causing him to sever all ties to Alola was achievement-worthy, then him failing Guzma, one of his own "students", the person who needed guidance the most, was triumph on its own level.

Now, I have to state that I wasn't initially sure on where this would fall on the timeline exactly; many fan interpretations of the events leading up to Guzma becoming the "embodiment of destruction in human form" usually depict him and Kukui as young teens and Hala as a man in his 40's-50's. However, as was presented to us in the anime, Guzma and Kukui were shown to have been at least in their late twenties back when they had their fallout, and Hala more or less looked the same as he does now.

While on topic, I also have to point out a certain aspect most of the fans tend to look over whilst discussing the history behind Team Skull, and it's that, no, Guzma did not create it; as much as we want to believe that it was our boy who had founded this rag tag group of misfits, this apparently isn't the case as established by canon.

According to the games, Team Skull was initially created by, or rather was 'centered' around, one of the kahunas; while it'd be natural to assume that it must have been Hala himself due to him vowing to make sure they would right all of their wrongdoings in the post-game, there isn't much proof that would support this hypothesis throughout the canons of the games, manga, and anime. Instead, I believe that it was formed by none other than Nanu, who probably tried to take a bunch of teens who had failed the island challenge under his care as penance for the failed faller mission, but, since apparently nothing goes right in this man's life, he had flunked at this task in levels that would be deemed as spectacular.

How Guzma ended up becoming the leader of Team Skull remains a mystery to this day, but we can hypothesize that, at that point in the timeline, Nanu had already given up; it'd be easy to assume that, due to his strength and imposing attitude, he had gained the respect of the hooligans around him to the extent that, over time, he was deemed as their "boss". Guzma, with his deep-rooted desire for validation to make others feel the very same fear he had to live with all his life, happily took in the role- in his eyes, it was like he was made for this! That this was his right path in life- to destroy all that stood in his way as demonstration of his strength, and rage against the system that has failed him and the rest of Team Skull so...

Realizing the magnitude of his mistakes and the fallouts that have occurred as consequence, Hala looked down at the small toddler in his arms, a child that is eerily silent; not even bringing himself to ask where daddy is, much less whether or not he was returning soon...

His eyes welled with pity and regret. Without hesitation, he held the child up in his arms; promising to himself that he will keep young Hau safe- that he won't mess up and destroy the foundations of this kid's spirit. This time he was going to build this child up, rather than knock his hopes and dreams down. This time, he'll be there for the fledgling under his wing...

This time, Hala was gonna make things right.

Alrighty, so we got two themes in our hands already- shelter and replacement; already off to a good start! Usually, this is where I would start the interpretation games right away, but before we could do that, I need to look at Hau's personality and actions in-canon right away; his role in their entirety of the lore, and how other characters perceive him. Though the elements are there in our hands, establishing a key motif is essential for making a decent, semi-consistent design, and they key to do that is by analyzing Hau's impact on the story.

If there is any way to briefly describe Hau as a character, it's that he represents Alola as a whole- or, at least, what it presents itself as on the surface. As soon as we meet him in the games and their ultra versions, he's shown to be an excitable little lad who is just eager for an adventure and wants everyone to have a grand old time. During the first quarter of the game, Hau was there to help us get to know Alola as a region; how things worked here, the customs, and even the basic idea of the local villainous team - Team Skull -. He was also our first opponent back when we first got our starter and during the festival in Iki Town; he was there during our first steps, because, much like the main character, he was also taking his very first steps as a trial goer, and, by jove, was he looking forwards to it.

I must once again repeat that he is not oblivious, naive, nor any of the sort; he managed to tackle his feelings of inadequacy in USUM, his tendencies to bottle up his emotions have been cranked up to eleven in the anime, and was been hit by the revelation that maybe the island trial isn't all that it is hyped up to be in the manga. Time and time again he has been hit with the knowledge that the seams keeping the his bright outlook in the world are on the verge of tearing apart; from his broken family dynamics, to how the trials have failed countless children like himself, to the nefarious acts of the Aether Foundation, Hau was there to witness it all- as a bystander, as someone so powerless to stop any of what was happening around him all thanks to his focus on the joy of the trials just to escape from the pressure...

Yet he still smiles on; trying to keep his and everyone else's hopes up, and became a guiding force for those in need. When looking at his character and history in-depth, it becomes evident that Hau represents the true meaning of wisdom; trying so hard to look at the bright side of life in spite of it constantly handing him nothing a but rose's thorns without the flower itself. Yes, that trait of him hiding his sorrows away is beyond toxic and is the driving force behind his soul gem shattering, but his dedication to seeing the best in what's around him would have been impressive if we haven't considered the circumstances that brought this trait of his into existence. He realized what his flaws have brought, and, in the end, began to dedicate himself to fixing these broken foundations as much as he could.

Speaking of wisdom, it's also nifty to point out that he's also aware of the customs, legends, and traditions of Alola - which, of course, comes with him being the kahuna's grandson and all -; evident by him realizing the implications of the MC receiving a shining stone from Tapu Koko and how, by the game's end, he began to walk in Hala's footsteps in order to better himself and become a shining beacon for those who are suffering at the lowest point of their lives. Between him and Gladion, Hau knows Alola like the back of his hand, while Gladion assisted us while infiltrating the Aether Foundation - an artificial island that, of course, Hau would have no idea how he could traverse through -.

So now we've got two more themes pinned up on the board, being guidance and traditions. I think now's the perfect opportunity to line up the strings required to draw the necessary connections between all these scattered aspects; now is the perfect time to look at his goal in life, his self-image, and how all this was affected by the way he was raised.

We've already spoken about the effects of Hala's methods of raising Hau in the games; that he was, as TV tropes would call it, spoiled sweet. He's cheerful, kind, and selfless- though he does have that snark every now and then. From his interactions with Team Reskull and how he aims to goad them towards the right path, it can be observed that Hau is quite emotionally intelligent; empathetic and understanding towards those in need, while also recognizing the flaws that brought them into the situations that they are in. He aims to help those around him to overcome their struggles and emerge from their strifes as the healthiest versions of themselves, and not wallow in their own curses and regrets for years to come. If Hop wanted to be a professor, then Hau is the closest thing we have to a therapist.

Now, in the anime, on the other hand, here's where things start to diverge; in the few episodes he was present in, he was shown to be a lot more serious about battling than he was in the games. Sure, he's still the same cheerful little kid who is more than optimistic about life in order to evade heart-shattering pressure from doing him in like it did with his dad and grandpa, but he is also...different; a whole new take on this familiar character who still possesses what makes him recognizable from the rest, who is also acting so unlike the Hau that we came to know and love.

The cause behind this shift in behavior and personality is due to his father having taken him as he left for Kanto; solidifying the fact that the reason why Hau is the person that he is now is all thanks to the people who were around him during his formative years. I should also add in that the way he handles his negative emotions and losses in the anime is a lot worse than the how tried to cope with them in the games; implying that Hau's father is stricter than Hala ever would have been, and he might not have tolerated Hau ever losing. This piece of context would portray the way Hau had broken down in front of Hala after his loss in the league in a much harsher light; despite everything, Hala is the only person there for him- he's the only one he trust enough to lower his guards around. With Hala, Hau is free to act like the devastated 11 year old that he is; not some tough trainer his father tried to sculpt him into as a subconscious way of sticking it to his old man.

Yeah...safe to say that, behind the smiles and Malasada feasts, Hau never really had it easy. It's a lot easier for us to chalk his whole character up to devouring fried dough and being nothing but happy for everyone, but, just like the picture-perfect image of Alola, once you dig deep into what truly goes on behind the sunlight, its rotting foundations begin to make themselves known to us.

We've got all these motifs, the vibe we want to aim for, his struggles, and his self-image to use as a decent "base". Yep, I think we've managed to gather all that we need so far. Now's a good time for us to piece these concepts together and mold them into a singular shape; Hau's eternally-tormented form, forever wallowing in his failures and trapped in a hellscape of his own making.

First and foremost, Hau's witch should symbolize Alola's true heart of darkness; how it gave up on those who have failed the island challenge and shunned them away, as well as the truth behind his upbringing and the disastrous effects it had on his psyche. Hala may have done his best to shield Hau from the harsh truths of the world, but not only was Hau aware of what Hala tried to hide him away from, it is Hala's own over-protection and flaws that have led Hau to bottle up his own emotions- outright ignoring his problems until they piled up on top of one another until, inevitably, he couldn't take it anymore. *Sayori has entered the chat*

I mean, hey, just because Hau is a bright child himself with a warm exterior and bright motifs to his design, that doesn't mean his witch form has to reflect all that to a T; just look at Kriemhild Gretchen and compare her to her base form, Madoka Kaname. That is the magic of creating witches for all sorts of characters, though; with enough resources, you are given free range to go in any direction at your own leisure, so long as it fits the character in mind. Just go absolutely wild- make it as weird and unsettling as you could! Let your creativity run wild and off the walls!

In spite of all this, do not get me wrong; we are gonna give the design a splash of color, but it won't exactly be due to Hau's sunny personality- rather, it'd be reflective of the warlock's goals, what Hau desperately aimed to do even in witchdom, and the sheer chaos that is the witch's mind. He wants everyone - his friends, family, and even complete strangers like Team Skull - to find paths in their lives that truly make them happy, but there's also that fear of separation and disappointment that haunts him. He cannot let himself crack- he can't risk hurting those around him, nor should he fail everyone like he had already failed Lillie...

So, with this idea now on the table - the whole vibe that we wanna aim for -, how exactly would Hau's witch form exactly look like? Since we got all these elements on our hands, how would they all connect? What sort of image will we get by properly placing each and every one of these pieces in a comprehensive manner? Will our efforts blossom into a unique design that fits our little malasada child like a glass slipper? Or will they break everything that we have built up and render the blood, sweat, and tears we have poured into this project as wastes?

Well...remember when I called Hau a "sleeping dragon" a few sections earlier?

Think about it; while they were often portrayed as the penultimate villains of a knight's quest, narratively speaking, they do so in order to symbolize the perils that are associated with their journeys through these vast, new, and unfamiliar lands. It is also usually established within these fairy tales that it's wise not to awaken these beasts from their slumber, and how they are often slain via strategy and a plan in mind.

On top of all that, in the world of map-making, artists would often draw dragons in order to symbolize uncharted or even dangerous territories; hence the phrase "here be dragons". Hau wants to see the world out there, but even he knows that it's not all sunshine and rainbows; there will be unprecedented dangers up ahead, so the best he could do is to endure what gets thrown at him, learn from these events, and do his best to find a reason to smile through thick and thin.

So, a dragon- a decent foundation to build our freaky witch design on, but what kind of a dragon are we looking at here? Is he a wyrm? A drake? Or something entirely new and off-the-shits?

If I have to be frank, I didn't have an exact type of dragon in mind while I was thinking of a design for him aside from several key aspects of the Mo'o; shapeshifting lizard spirits from Hawaiian beliefs that are capable of controlling the weather. If the name sounds familiar, then you'd be right on the money by assuming that the Kommo-o line must have been based on this creature of legends; justifying its semi-legendary status in-game thanks to its real-world counterpart's significance in the overall history and belief systems of indigenous Hawai'i.

The Mo'o were also revered as beings known as 'Aumakuas; deified ancestors who have returned to the mortal realm as family or even personal gods in order to provide protection and guidance to their descendants through various means such as dreams or omens, and are said to be the links between the heavenly and mortal realms. It is also said that 'Aumakuas are able to take on the forms of various animals and even inanimate objects in order to reach out to their families, including, but not limited to, sharks, octopi, stones, caterpillars, plant life, and even owls- if that doesn't tie in to Hau, their status as Hala's grandchild, the Tapus, decidueye, and his descent into witchdom perfectly, I don't know what does anymore.

Back on topic, while Hau's witch form would share several elements with the Mo'o in terms of the specifics of their designs and symbology, their appearances couldn't be any more different; yes, the warlock would be able to dive into the waters of his labyrinth and attempt to 'surf' across the its surface, but it appears that they're a lot more...aquatic than outright amphibious, with some avian elements peppered in here and there for good measure (put a pin on that; this is going to be important later down the line). With four pairs of wings to help them glide through the air and a long tail adorned with a blooming hibiscus at its end, I believe that his silhouette would somewhat resemble an amphithere with certain key elements of the Glaucus Atlanticus- aka. the Blue Sea Dragon!

With the base form in our hands, that being a colorful sea dragon of myth itself that is just as sunny as the child he once was, I do believe that now is the time for us to add some pizzazz to our cute lil' monstrosity- and what better place to look for in order to incorporate more eye-catching themes than Hau's own history, design, and namesake?

To start all this off on a strong note, let's dive in to that theme of shelter from earlier.

Though Hau was excited to take on the Island Challenge and was, more or less, the optimist of the gang - with him trying his best to keep everyone's hopes up even in the grimmest of situations -. he is also no stranger to the truth around him; he knows that it is thanks to his stiffed growth that Lillie was in danger, and was more than self-conscious over the prospect of ever defeating his grandfather at his full power. You have to remember that Hala tried to make sure Hau had nothing to frown over, but, in the end, he couldn't stop reality from seeping through the cracks, and all his efforts into keeping Hau safe only resulted in him adopting the very same toxic trait of his- of keeping all his negative emotions away from the prying eyes of others, and causing them to coalesce from within.

With all this in our hands, there are two key aspects we now need to focus on in order to make a convincing witch design; Hau being kept in the dark, and him trying to bottle up his sorrows until he couldn't anymore. Both of these interpretations are more than helpful to us for when it comes to making his silhouette stand out amongst all the other witches in the canon of PMMM and those within our hands currently, so let's see what we can do with these elements that are at play here!

When I think of "shelter", being hidden away from the world, and Hau celebrating his victories with a feast of his comfort food with his partner pokemon, I immediately think of a turtle's shell; an evolutionary defense mechanism there to make sure that any predators who see them as their next meal receive a nasty surprise at the cost of their jaws. Clashing with the established themes of freedom, Hau being kept away from the world's threats is also a recurring event that has been speckled throughout his life, whether it's in a metaphorical sense (his sheltered upbringing) or literal (Lillie protecting Hau from Team Skull and him hiding behind her during the climax of USUM).

Of course, as we have already stated earlier, this type of upbringing had done nothing but bring tragedies at Hau's doors; not only was the truth still present for him to see, but life under his grandfather's wings had only taught him how he could bottle up his grievances and just focus on the positives before him so that he wouldn't hurt others like Tutu did. The shell did nothing, the shell was useless- the shell is broken. Cracks litter what was meant to be his safe haven, yet it still holds shape - the illusion of strength and stability - after all these years. It could also bear a more literal meaning here; how poor Hau tried his best to keep everyone's hopes up, including his own, but, alas, not even he was exempt from the one law that unites all magi, and the darkness even overtook him once his soul gem had shattered from the pressure and his regrets.

Even after all this time, after his body and shell broke into pieces time and time again, after his sorrows and despair have finally caused him to crack in more literal ways than one and are now bleeding through the fissures- he's still standing strong. He's still smiling even after he had picked himself up and carried on. He's still trying to live his life with positivity and reassurance, in spite of his woes and mistakes following him with every twist and turn.

On top of that, we should also take the significance of turtles in Hawaiian beliefs into consideration, especially that of the "Honu", aka. the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, which symbolizes longevity and good luck. Turtles are also seen as excellent guides and protectors in Hawaiian beliefs; that, in ancient times, they were the ones who have guided the first Polynesian settlers to the islands, and that they represent the link between man, land, and sea...which is all the more ironic for what I am going to suggest next-

We all know that, for some time, Hau felt...kinda lost on what he should do with his life - at least that is the case in the games -, much like any other kid at his age. Before we encountered professor Burnet at her lab, Hau was partaking in the island challenge just to make memories and gain the vigor needed to defeat his grandfather at his full strength. After that, however, he really didn't reveal his plans in regards to his future to us as the players, and it wouldn't exactly be incorrect of us to assume that he really didn't plan for what was to come after all was said and done.

It was when Kukui had explained to us that Hau possessed the potential to not only surpass the Kahuna of Melemele island but also just like him that a spark was lit behind Hau's eyes; a direction, a goal, a purpose- he had finally found his calling in life. It isn't just Kukui who held that sentiment, either; as we've already discussed earlier, even Gladion believed that Hau had it in him to become just like his old man - if not stronger -, and that all he had to do was focus on honing his strengths. Unfortunately, Hau finally came to that conclusion as well when Lillie had gotten abducted by the Aether Foundation; when he had failed at protecting her like he had promised. Had he just taken himself seriously, this wouldn't have happened- but, no, he allowed the breeze to carry him wherever, with not a semblance of a direction in his mind. Like the scattered petals of his namesake, he was now lost in the darkness of his mind and soul; floating in the vast, all-consuming nothingness...

Floating...floating just like his Alolan Raichu! Though I could see him being perfectly able to fly with his wings, perhaps the warlock could also utilize electromagnetism to his aid; his disconnected parts and the sorrows that seep from the cracks on his shell managing to float alongside him and he soars through his labyrinth as if he was swimming in the air. After all, there was a reason as to why I suggested the shape of a compass for a soul gem earlier; since Hop, as Sayf al-Muharib, possessed design elements that are a direct callback to his signature pokemon - being Wooloo/Dubwool - in order to symbolize his self-destruction and abandonment, it is only right to reference Hau's Alolan Raichu in one way or another- this time to symbolize his loss of direction in life and carefree nature.

Speaking of homages to other pokemon, you know what other 'mon that Hau has a strong ties with? The one that his family has been tasked with protecting all these years? The one that has chosen his own grandfather to become the island's head-chief? The one that accompanies Hau in Pokemon Masters EX?

That's right! We're bringing in Tapu Koko to the mix!

Resembling the ruins in which the deity resided in, and the final resting place of the being that was once "Hau", the warlock's scales wouldn't appear too dissimilar to the walls of the Ruins of Conflict and the patterns on Tapu Koko's shell. As though he was a part of these sacred grounds; if one happens to be a bit too careless, they might mistake Hau's warlock form for a whole new tapu- one that is undiscovered and hidden from the records of the deities' achievements. An island spirit just like them who was left to wither away and become one with the tides of time. Combined with the shards of his once-brilliant shell, it wouldn't be too farfetched to reach such a conclusion.

Plus, if we want to go all-in with the references to Tapu Koko, then I suppose it's best that we utilize the warlock's aforementioned avian elements and put them to full use! Just think about it; dragons and dinosaurs share a lot of similarities, with the key difference between them is that one is rooted in fantasy while the other is a real-world creature that is still shrouded by mystery. Would his warlock form possess a body made of scales alongside brilliant feathers that shine with bright golden hues? Seeing that the witches Magireco do have some...questionable elements to their designs, that wouldn't be too out of left field- and, besides, I could definitely see some parts of his silhouette being somewhat inspired by the bird-like takes on dragons and dinosaurs of today. If anyone here reading this has played Flight Rising at some point of their lives, I think one of the newly created breeds, the Auraboa, would definitely fit the vibes I am trying to aim for!

Come to think of it, now that feathers are a key detail to his design, I could see his appearance invoke the imagery of the Quetzalcoatl; an ancient Sun deity who is usually depicted as a serpentine dragon possessing a pair of wings and, of course, bright and colorful feathers. Once more, Hau's potential and beaming personality shine through the deepest trenches of despair, just like the raging sun.

Now, straying away from the 'mons and themes of guidance clashing with him being lost in life for a second, there are two more aspects of real-world turtles that would not only fit Hau's troubles like a surgical glove, but would also help immensely with, let's say, boosting the idea that the witch is him, his corrupted mind and soul, trapped in an eternal nightmare specifically constructed to constantly remind him of his mistakes and unaccomplished goals to no end. Two aspects that, when combined, would bring in a whole new theme to the table; parasitism.

You see, though these graceful creatures usually lead perfectly serene lives and do possess some of the longest lifespans among the other members of the animal kingdom that reside on this blue earth, danger still lurks within every corner of their lives; predators that are ready to tear open their shells for a bite to eat, the ocean waves drowning their young ones as soon as they hatch, and then there's us. The people. The human race. What? With our mega-corporations dumping all sorts of toxic sludge into their homes and all these accidental casualties caused by mass-fishing, isn't it any wonder seeing that the main threat to their survival is the very species that is burning this planet away as a sick showcase of power?

Whenever they aren't grinding their very home planet to dust just for validation and worship amongst their kin, those considered to be the elite of our society would oftentimes indulge in flavors that are considered to be "exquisite", even if it came with the cost of driving the creatures that make up their meals' key ingredients extinct; shark fin soups, blue fin tuna sushi, dolphin meat, and, of course, we cannot forget the green sea turtle! Whether we're talking about their eggs, flesh, or even their brilliant shells- to turn a symbol of long-lasting life and wisdom into a delicacy is considered a symbol of power and status in various cultures, both ancient and modern. Though various organizations have established several rules and protective measures in order to prevent the further decline of this species' population, they are still doing little to stop the concerns of poaching throughout the world- so long as the thirst for power and mindless indulgence remain, these creatures remain to be in danger.

On top of that, if it ain't just us humans who are bringing mass terror to these sea creatures, you know what else is there to drive a turtle to madness and inconvenience its everyday life? Barnacles. Indeed, not even they are immune to these buggers of the sea. Barnacles are suspension feeders; meaning that they act as a filter for the ocean as a whole by devouring bacteria and plankton. So long as an object or living being is ocean-bound and presents a lot of activity, it is considered the perfect spot for a barnacle to settle on.

When it comes to its relationship with turtles, it's quite simple; combined with the aforementioned requirements above, their shells are also prone to getting coated with epibiota - algae, plankton, and the likes -; deeming them as the nigh-perfect hosts to attach to. As result, they'll end up decreasing the creature's hydrodynamic shape, and its surface drag will increase in-turn; there's little to nothing a turtle could gain from this. Due to the risk these barnacles place on a turtle's general health and survivability, the removal of these pesky parasites from their shells once they pose such a danger - with great care, of course -.

So, with all that in mind, now it's time to play pin the rose on the thorn bush! Man, Gertrud is gonna kill me for this one, isn't she-?

Leeching off of his vitality and woes, numerous flora of all shapes and sizes emerge from the back of the warlock and through the gaps of his scales; draining him of excess energy and leaving him languid. In spite of the pain and inconvenience they bring to his door, they do provide great benefit to the warlock by soothing the visitors of his barrier and amplifying the radius of the mist within it. Such beautiful flora- it's almost a shame that the one flower he is unable to provide for nor protect are the lilies that thrive within the ruins of his labyrinth.

And it doesn't end with his shell, either; growing at the tip of his tail, a sea hibiscus in full bloom, with petals that are as bright as day, stands strong under the sunlight. Clinging on to his namesake and all that it represents, one of the last surviving shards of Hau's sanity is the embodiment of the joy and love he shared with everyone around him.

Now, all this is horrifying (and, to an extent, tragic) on its own, but what purpose is it serving here on a narrative level? Why parasitism specifically? What has happened to Hau that has caused his witch form to adopt this trait?

You see, not only would this represent the weight of Hau's emotions and how they are draining him from the inside-out, but they also symbolize an inevitability; one where Hau is destined to run himself so thin that he is at risk of withering away in the blink of an eye just like that. We all know that he wants to help - to become a wise and reliable soul just like his grandpa -, and the catalyst for his change in both USUM and the manga is none other than Guzma; driving him to promise that he would lend a hand to those who have and haven't passed the island trial, and help them lead better lives while unlocking their inner potentials. He is keeping the flora alive with his blood, and, in return, they help him with maintaining his labyrinth; keeping the peace and serenity thanks to his flowers and his shell.

Speaking of his emotions getting to him at the day's end, and because I could probably hear some of you yelling "DYST, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU MEAN BY HIS EMOTIONS LEAKING FROM HIS BROKEN SHELL EARLIER?", I do believe that now is a great time to incorporate those two ideas and bring in the final piece of the puzzle unto the table; let's unscramble this picture before us once and for all and stare down at the opponent that was once our dear friend.

You see, Hau is able to bottle up and hide away all his troubles all he wants, but even the strongest of glass is destined to reach its breaking point; much like his soul gem during its final hours. Not only would this next aspect reflect the inevitable fate that awaits all magi, but his inability to handle his negative emotions; feeling so confused and overwhelmed due to lack of experience on how he could take care of his wounded heart in a manner that can be deemed as healthy.

Indeed, the very shell that he is supposed to hide himself within, what provides the flora that grow on him life and his labyrinth its eternal calm, is chipping away at the seams. Through them, flora peeks out, and they feed on the warlock's vitality and health. This sounds bad enough on its own, but, remember, if Hau was able to perfectly hide away all his problems and, by some miracle bestowed upon him by celestial trio, manage to forget about them for years to come, none of us would be here in the first place- and...it looks like his futile attempts at making sure he keeps that smile on his face is being reflected on his warlock's design.

From these cracks on his person and the shattered remains of his shell, small, goldfish-like beings would often emerge. It wouldn't be too outlandish to assume that they must be familiars of the warlock, but, in truth, they're a lot more like floating parts of the warlock themself; disconnected, pesky, yet a part of them nonetheless. He tries his best to ignore them; to continue living life without them bothering him too much. He can't focus on them- he can't succumb to the stress, he cannot take the risk...

Ah- how much better would it be if he bottled them up once m o r e ?

Invoking the image of the ouroubouros, the serpent devouring its own tail as a representation of eternity, the warlock would dig his sharp teeth into these small goldfish-esque manifestations; rip them apart without a hint of hesitation or mercy in order to regain his strength whenever he is in a pinch against a powerful foe. In calmer days, however, they're just there for show in the eyes of visitors; a spectacle backing up the graceful image of the monster before them, unaware of their true nature as the embodiments of his regrets and misery.

Ironic, isn't it? That the form his troubles have embodied are generally regarded as the most common and replaceable pets in most households of today. Of course, one should also remember that Hau is the grandson of the Kahuna of Melemele island and is speculated to be the next in line; in Chinese culture, goldfish are seen as symbols of wealth and harmony. In this case, however, it could also be another tie-in to Hau's lineage and family curses, and that, no matter what, he can't exactly run away from his doubts, no matter how much he tried to bury them and move on with his life.

Wow, that was heavier than any of us expected.

So, with everything in regards to the witch himself has been wrapped up, now's the time to focus on the intermission before we get to the main course - their labyrinth -; Hau's karmic potential and the strength of his witch. Now we get to see how much CARNAGE our boy is capable of!

Before we start, I have to make this clear as soon as I could; nope! Unlike Hop/Sayf, he is not as strong as either Timeline 2!Gretchen, Isabeau, or Walpurgis! While it is true that it is thanks to his actions that Gladion, Guzma, and many a Team Skull grunt grew to become better versions of themselves, it's not, let's say, "stopping the apocalypse and bringing peace back to Alola" levels of karmic potential- that honor goes to Elio and Lillie.

Make no mistake, however- he would still end up as a formidable foe; someone capable of targeting large groups of people if he so desired. You have to remember that we're not just dealing with our energetic friend who is concealing the fact that dealing with a lot of shit in his mind with a smile on his face- we're dealing with the grandson of Melemele Island's Kahuna. Someone who, as Gladion had already stated, already holds so much potential; and Hau showcases his inner strength and discipline by managing to defeat the Elite 4 time and time again just for a chance to defeat the MC as the champion. (Plus, of all trainers, he's the one who gave me the most shit, both during normal gameplay and my failed Nuzlocke run. This child and his Raichu are spawns of Homucifer, I tell you-)

So, on a scale of Oktavia (was nuked by Homura single-handedly in one timeline within the PSP game) to Final!Gretchen, I'd say he's on a tier above Hungrige Pumpe and Box Wood. Of all witches, they're the ones who have showcased the ability to target multiple people at once on-screen while also managing to put up a serious fight when it came down to it. I would have mentioned H.N Elly, since she's showcased the same ability to influence multiple people into acts of grave harm, but she was sent to Hell and back by a solitary Sayaka Miki; she may been an intelligent and strategic witch, but she's not on the same tier as the other two aforementioned witches in my own opinion due to her lack of personal strength.

Now that the base appearance of his witch has been established and we got a good idea in regards to his power levels, let's take a step back and focus on his worldview, his mindset, his barrier. "The internal headspace of a magi before they turn into a witch". The world that does its best to keep their wounds open. What better way to keep on hurting poor Hau than by reminding him of all that he's lost?

"The salty breeze sang to me and brought me here to you!"

Once you enter their labyrinth, the first word that would come to your mind is "peaceful", if not "comforting". You arrive in a run-down Alolan home; all signs of human settlement have eroded away with time, seeing that the overgrown flora around you have long proclaimed this area as their new sanctuary. Soft sunlight shines through the countless cracks and particles of dust are dancing under its rays as you make your way through this strangely serene and calming manor; in spite of the destruction, amidst the debris and rubble, the flowers are in full bloom, and the air is just so fresh. It must be the dawn of spring.

As you traverse through the wreckage around you, past the lilies, debris, and worn-away furniture, you've finally managed to find it- a simple wooden door, with what you could assume is the warlock's whisper etched on to its middle. The exit. As you took note of the intricacies of the gate before you, you've finally realized exactly how floral the environment surrounding you appeared to be; if not for the plants growing around the destruction, then the designs present on the walls, furniture, and even the broken windows would have done the deed of invoking this imagery. Speaking of the aforementioned walls for a second, your eyes widened as realization dawned on you; they were a near-exact copy of those present within the ruins dedicated to the island guardians...

The beauty of your surroundings was almost haunting. You gulp down your anxieties as a sudden chill surrounds you...

This didn't feel right.

After taking in a couple of deep breaths - in...and out, in and out... -, you've finally mustered up the courage to open the wooden entrance. You had no idea what awaited you in the other side, and that alone was enough to petrify you; was it a continuation of these very ruins? A gentle daydream awaiting to be beheld? Or a nightmare just begging to be unleashed? You weren't sure- the possibilities were everywhere, and your mind was sent into a panic over the potential danger that's waiting for you just around the corner. Without thinking, you've grabbed on to the door and shoved-

A thick layer of fog covers the ground beneath you. The soft cracking of grass sounded...a bit too much like glass. The sun remained to be just as bright as you've first entered, and the wind appeared to be picking up its pace somewhat. A sudden sense of vertigo overcame you as you've stumbled out of the ruined home; you've felt your heart rapidly fluttering as you've tripped onto the ground nigh-instantly. After catching your breath whilst on your knees, you finally glance at the labyrinth surrounding you-

Stars shone from within your eyes as you beheld the scenery that was unfolding.

The mist reflected the brightness cast upon this small pocket dimension; cloaking the earth beneath you in a soft luminescence, like you're standing amidst the clouds. Ruins similar to the one you've emerged from are standing high and tall; almost completely reclaimed by nature itself, they have withstood the test of time and have become one with the environment around you. Only the graffiti that were long spray painted on the relics and even some of the boulders you came across were the only indicators of human tampering- aside from those, it's as if you've stumbled upon an untouched piece of the Garden of Eden itself, hidden away from the prying eyes of mankind. You could hear bird songs and the distant waves just up ahead; all you had to do was to continue walking down this wooden bridge before you.

You had no idea how you could describe it, but, ever since you've arrived here, you've felt...free; bewildered and unrestrained, like you could just jump around and run through the meadows while laughing without a care. A memory of a distant summer flashes in your mind; one of the last times you ever felt secure...that everyone was going to stay fine until time itself runs its course. Pure nostalgia.

The flora is blooming, the waters are crystal clear, and the ocean- oh, how calming it is. Truly, this must be heaven, right? After all, Hau didn't care about winning or losing- surely this trait must be carried over to his warlock form...or, one might hope so.

Craaack....

Fragile. Oh, it's all so very, very fragile- the leaves, the grass, and even the ground itself. What a clumsy mistake- a devastating, regretful, but overall clumsy mistake. Even the little birdies looked like they could shatter just by perching on your shoulder. With even just the tiniest amounts of pressure, you could feel everything before your fingertips turn into nothing but glittering shards carried by the wind.

How unfortunate. To strive on is to destroy. To express your thoughts and oneself is to risk harm to all that surrounds you. Wouldn't it be better if you were able to exist without posing the threat of destruction towards all you held dear? If you just...went with the flow?

Yeah; that way, you wouldn't hurt anyone. With this, the world can remain beautiful. Just lay back and go wherever the wind took you...

How...how long has it been since you've last touched the ground?

After what seemed like hours of wandering through this faux paradise, trying so hard to hold on to the will to resist the temptation of the gentle waves, the delicious aroma of freshly-made food, and the smiles of all who came before you, you find it; flying in the air like it was swimming without a care, dashing with those who were riding on the waterfalls present like it was a fun race- there was the warlock. After having its fun with the other visitors of the labyrinth, he finally took notice of the most recent newcomer- that being you. After flying gracefully towards your direction, he looked at you intently without even a hint of aggression behind those crystalline eyes; in fact, they appeared to be quite curious. The only action he had done was...pick you up by the collar of your shirt, fly towards what you assumed to be a festival going on, and place you down near a feast among the other visitors.

He didn't attack...far from it; your struggles and fears - both of which were fueled by uncertainty - have only granted you even more sympathy from the warlock. As you've descended from the highs of your worries, you began to almost feel bad for him- a rarity amongst his kind, his compassion didn't melt away even after he reborn as this...beast...

A voice snapped you out of your daydreams; must have been another one of his presumed "victims". Hah, for someone who had stumbled upon an ever-twisting maze of deceit and uncertainty, they sure appeared to be quite pollyanish, much like the rest of the group; they all appeared to be of good cheer, as if they didn't really care about the prospect of them being far away from their homes and loved ones. The person beckoned for you to join in on their banter if you'd like; there appeared to be so much that you could share with them, and the rest are dying to know how you've arrived here!

With a slight tinge of hesitation and worry, you shakily smiled and sat down with the rest. A festival like any other; even the jovial spirits around you made you feel quite homely...

Over time, you couldn't really recognize them by their faces anymore. All your mind was able to register was their laughter and blissful songs. Happiness and joy was all around you. Hours have gone by as you've spent them having a grand old time with the rest of the visitors through conversations, banter, and even games you've all participated in. Even the warlock joined in on your festivities; jumping up and down just like how a small child would! Throwing one of the fried pastries that you've found into the air, the dragon leapt and grabbed the snack with his jaw before digging in with a smile on his face, causing you to laugh right before he offered you another one of these delectable snacks after he was done chowing down on the grub you've given him.

The distant sounds of thunder echoed around you, but you couldn't bring yourself to care. The rest of the guests weren’t afraid at all of the storm, either; in fact, they seemed entranced by it, sharing you and the warlock's love for Mother Earth and her gifts.

Was this truly a labyrinth? Or have you stumbled upon Heaven itself?

The line between the two definitions have blurred in your mind.

As the winds picked up their pace and the torches scattered throughout the labyrinth began lit up, the deep orange hues of the sunset before you and the rest sure looked mesmerizing. What a way to end the day; lying down on the beach sands with the sight of this grand ocean before you all. You couldn't think of any other way there is to put an end to this wondrous event; it's just you, yourself, and the cool breeze surrounding you...a moment of true, undisturbed peace. You've never felt as relaxed and tranquil in your life as you have now.

The tides began to creep in. The warmth of the seawater felt...peaceful; welcoming, even.

You couldn't find any reason nor the willpower to keep your eyes open; even as the waters filled your lungs and dragged you down into its depths, you couldn't help but smile in peaceful, perhaps even cathartic, resignation...

As the skies above shifted to a cooler hue - heralding the arrival of the calming night -, all that remained were the ocean's waves, the endless sea foam, the towering flora, and the warlock of this labyrinth staring off into the distance in content. Now, nobody will have a reason to frown again. Nobody will have to feel lonely or left out anymore. They can become one with the calm waves. As the veil separating day and night faded slowly, the ocean hues sure resembled deep pools of viscera and gore as they reflected the skies above...

The thunderstorm surrounding his labyrinth continued to rage on; lightning strikes shone through the pitch black of the night, revealing the clouds' resemblance to the bars of an old, battered bird cage. Such a grand yet familiar sight did not cause the warlock's nostalgia and appreciation for what was around him to waver; such was the wonder of nature and the world around him, and now he and the others can bask in it forever...

With the dawn of a new day, came new visitors; new souls who have been lost for some time, those whose purposes have slipped from their fingers and were deemed to be outcasts by the public. The sight of their broken souls had granted them pity from the warlock- but he was there now. He'll make sure they won't have to continue living their lives in sorrow and stiffing regret. This is his sworn duty; to make sure they have at least be free from the burdens of everyday life; only then, will their souls be at rest, and they shall become one with the ocean's calm. Yeah, it was for their best interest...

This time, however, he noticed it; dark and messy hair, sunken and unblinking eyes, and a shining jewel that is as bright as the sun... As this newcomer unsheathed their weapon with great hesitation after he stared at Hau for so long, it became clear in the warlock's eyes that this was no new visitor, but an interloper; dead-set on destroying his sanctuary, the fruit born from the desires deep within his heart, and bringing everyone back to their miserable, stiffing lives.

The air crackled with electricity...he can't let them destroy all that he has built up over these months! He had failed in making the last intruder see that it would have been a lot better if it had accepted his offer and stared into the ocean's depths with him not too long ago; that there was no need for an island guardian in a piece of paradise like this labyrinth. He bared his teeth and shook his head- he really couldn't help but mess everything up again, huh? Why did he have to mess things up so?!

...No-

No. No. No! He wasn't going to let this happen! He was going to stand strong and defend this happy world, even if it killed him! He wasn't going to mess up and stand by this time-

He was not going to make the same mistake ever again...

He y e l l e d.

.

.

.

Last but not least, it's time to speculate on the shape of his witch's kiss/warlock's whisper. Within the canon of PMMM and its spinoffs, a witch's kiss usually represents a part of the witch (Oktavia), the witch themselves (too many to count atp), or a general symbol that represents them and their goals (Gretchen). For the longest time whilst writing this post, I've dreaded this segment the most- yes, I could have gone with a simplistic symbol and gotten over it, but I needed to make a symbol that captures the vibes of Hau; one that is welcoming and bright without losing its intimidating aura most witch's kisses possess.

After much agonizing and indecision, I've found myself face-to-face with the first aspect we have discussed earlier- dragons in ancient maps. As pretty and mystical as they appeared to be, they were there to symbolize danger above all else. A spark was lit in my head, and I've finally got it-

A simplistic dragon circling a large hibiscus flower; perching his head on it just like how a hummingbird would feed from flora. Parts of the flower possess patterns that resemble waves near the end; representing the end of those who dare step foot into his labyrinth. To top it off, it's drawn in a way that would absolutely fit on a kapa; fabric created by the native Hawaiians and is made by tree fibers. A simple drawing, yet it is one that invokes serenity and nature's terrifying grace...

-Witch Card-

Kealamauloa Kinimaka. The Warlock of Endless Horizons. Their nature is escapism. Floating high above and disconnected from his troubles, the warlock yearns for what lies beyond the homeland's shores. Wherever he soars, a trail of his inner-most sorrows glide alongside him and follow his every shift and turn, yet the warlock pays no heed towards them; so long as the sun's warm rays shine down upon his labyrinth and the soft chimes of the waves surround those around him, none of these complications shall ever hold their meanings in the end.

A gentle mist emits from his thunderous shell, cloaking the beach in a tranquil quiet. Going with the flow of the ocean breeze, he aims to bless those who enter his labyrinth with the most peaceful and exciting days of their fleeting lives, all so that everyone could rest by sunset and submerge themselves within the waters to become one with its calm, forever. That way, everyone can be together in one place. That way, everything will be harmonious and they don't have to feel independent sorrow anymore. That way, the warlock won't ever have to worry about anyone leaving and failing them ever again. Those who dare disrupt the peace and disturb the water's surface are pierced from behind a wall of fog.

(Initially, I wanted to go for a naming convention that wouldn't feel out of place from either Kazumi or Tart Magica; after all, as someone who is passionate about worldbuilding, I was at awe over how the names of witches differ from city to city and have evolved over time. During this post's earlier days as a draft, I've figured that perhaps Alola must have a similar naming convention; to dub witches as forces of nature rather than simple malevolent entities or souls trapped in eternal torment)

(While I was thinking of a name for Hau's warlock, however, problems have begun popping up like dandelions on a sidewalk; my knowledge of Hawaiian as a language is...minimal, to say the least. Using Google Translate was a terrible option as well; if I cannot trust it with the Arabic language, then I have no hopes in regards to its treatment of this endangered language. During the early stages of this concept's lifespan, the warlock's name was 'O Kekahi Lā ʻŌpua, which was supposed to mean "Another cloudy day". I am aware that this is not a decent translation at all; and I sincerely apologize for my lack of knowledge in regards to the Hawaiian language. Fuck Google Translate, all my homies hate that shit.)

(After that idea was canned and thrown away, I've turned my gaze towards notable figures present in the history of Hawai'i, and eventually came across David Leleo Kinimaka; a descendant of Hawaiian nobility and the hanai (adoptive) brother of King Kalākaua - the final monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai'i -. It is also important to note that his paternal grandparents consisted of two high chiefs - Kapiiwi of Kaʻū and Kahikoloa of Maui -, and he was the first to lay down his weapons and surrender his post during the mutiny of 1873 in opposition to the suggestion of having to return to working under the Hungarian captain at the time, Joseph Jajczay; tying in to both Hau's heritage, his conflict-avoidant ways, and his desire to do what's right. He dies after falling off his horse in 1884 while he was on the way to Kaumalumalu, which brings Hau's attempts at training himself to ride his tauros in mind and become an expert at it like Hala. In 2013, hundreds of his descendants returned to 'Iolani Palace for a luau in celebration of their family's history and heritage.)

(As for his first name, Kealamauloa, it means "path to eternity", which fits Hau's journey quite well! As well as the whole...you know...turning his victims in ocean water a la End of Evangelion... Look, he didn't get the title of Warlock of Endless Horizons for the vibes alone. On the one hand, there is the vast world out there and his eagerness to experience what lies beyond the Alolan skies, and, on the other, his warlock heralds the death of his victims' individuality; making them become one with the labyrinth itself as they and the warlock travel endlessly together so that they could keep on exploring all these regions and learn more about these places and themselves.)

-Familiars-

Halia. Minions of the Warlock of Endless Horizons, whose duty is to make memories. A conversation by the side of the street, warm and delicious food to mark the passage of time, catharsis achieved at the end of one's personal journey; as long as the labyrinth remains unbroken and everyone has a reason to smile, these familiars have no reason not to beam with satisfaction. Such fragile creatures; their brilliant, crystalline feathers refracts the sun's light into a spectrum of colors none has ever seen, even as they break into glittering shards and dust.

Once the visitors are the happiest they've ever been, it is time to herald the end of the day; chanting as the sun's warm hues begin to disappear by the ocean's edge. Unfortunately, these minions do possess the tendency to wander on their own in search of others to guide and explore what's outside this labyrinth.

(Initially, I had the idea of the malasada shops and comfort food in mind; visiting every one of them was his own "personal island challenge" as some sort of point of motivation or something to spice up his journey. Having a celebratory feast of his favorite comfort food is also his way of heralding every step he's taken forwards.)

(After thinking about it, though, I believe these familiars represent two things; the roles every other adult had on Hau's life, and his desire to help others lead better lives. Of course, it becomes quite ironic when you recall Hau's desire for new experiences, and the fact that these familiars do their best to make you feel as comfortable as possible would kinda hinder that; reflecting his initial approach to the island challenge to a T.)

(They also represent Hau's sorrow towards those who have left him - how he must have felt like everything he did to Lillie and especially Gladion just meant nothing in the end -, and how it clashes with his desire to leave Alola and see the other regions that are just at his fingertips. Look, if Sayf has Oktavia vibes, then Kealamaoloa here deserves to have a bit of Kriemhild's drip, as a treat...actually, they might get along, come to think of it.)

(On top of that, the name, Halia, means "rememberance of a loved one", and it sure does sound a lot like "Hala", doesn't it? Guess he's still subconsciously craving his grandfather's comfort, protection, and guidance, even in this form...)

-Inspirations-

In-canon:

The Alola starters- especially Decidueye, his signature pokemon in the anime

Alolan Raichu and its dex entry

The Ruins of Conflict

Iki Town

Hau'oli City

His dad and Lillie leaving for Kanto, both for reasons pertaining their own parents

How he and his Primarina would target us during the Aether raid; using a Z-Move, no less (I wish I was joking; look it up)

Outside influences:

The Ocean of LCL from the End of Evangelion. ah, yes, the depressed ocean

Dvalin, aka. Stormterror, and the Millennial Pearl Seahorse from Genshin Impact

The Prophecy of Fontaine and Navia's Trial from Genshin Impact

How compasses utilize the Earth's magnetic field to function

The Diverge by Jack Stauber

Joubutsu 2000 from Taiko no Tatsujin (specifically for his Descent to Despair)

The cover of Hitorinbo Envy by Madotsuki@ (same as the above)

Nocturne op.9 No.2 by Chopin (ditto)

Everything about Sayori from DDLC

The Auroboa from Flight Rising

The summer versions of the doppels from the MagiReco game

The Other Side of Paradise by Glass Animals

Hotel California by Eagles

The Ba'al Bosses - specifically Goldie and Turtle Dove - from Bravely Default

The Zenith of Monsterkind from Undertale Yellow and her demise

The Light Dragon from the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

-Closing Statements-

FOUR MONTHS! THIS HAD NO RIGHT TO TAKE FOUR MONTHS OUT OF MY FUCKING LIFE!

Am I sad over how he wasn't utilized to his fullest potential by both the manga and anime? Yes. Yes, I am.

Am I still gonna smack (read: block) whoever dares to slander his character and reduce him as a happy-go-lucky dumbass who does nothing but eat malasadas all day? Oh, no fucking shit I will-

So, here we are! The third entry on our witch list, and first ever of 2024! GOD, I am just...so, so happy with how far this series has come along, and am grateful for all the people I have met along the way through them! I will say, trying to see how Hau would fall into despair without making it too similar to either Hop's or Medic's was quite challenging, but I wouldn't have managed to do so without ya'll's help!!

No. Seriously. If not for my good chums, @bluethepearldiver and @anemonether, this wouldn't have turned out the way it did; the former assisting me greatly with his magi outfit (her idea of incorporating jester themes with his current ranger suit in the form of a happy mask), and the latter with the latter half of his witch card. Please, for goodness' sake, go and support them- please please PLEASE!

Now to answer the question everyone must have on their minds right now- "Why?" Why did I go through all this? Above and beyond just for the sake of manifesting one pure malasada boi's struggles and history into physical forms? Why am I so dead-set on psycho-analyzing these rivals to a T? Is it spite towards the fandom? Pride? Curiosity?

Well, you're not wrong by assuming that spite is definitely one of the reasons here, but it's also due to the fact that I just adore everything about the seventh generation of Pokemon; I'm talking the games, the anime, the 'mons introduced, the lore- you name it! God knows how much joy and comfort this generation's given me while I was facing adversities in life, so I hope that, by dissecting one of our rivals' goals and psyche, I am doing it a sort of justice; for the times I went through - both good and bad -, for the wonderful people I've met through out love for the games, and for the smiles it has provided me through tears.

In a sense, you could say that this post is just one love letter to this generation I have in mind out of many.

Before we bid our goodbyes and close yet another marvelous chapter...I do want to point out a certain elephant in the room; the red herring that has been looming over me as I was writing this, the air of dread that surrounded me with each letter printed down- a certain accumulation of untold secrets and questions begging for their accompanying answers...

Alola; an island full of color and warmth, a hallmark of humanity's cooperative nature, and the very lifeblood of many of our memories and achievements- is it any wonder to any of us to see that even such a peaceful region like this one has its own share of secrets? Z-moves, Z-power, the tapus, and even its people; just what exactly is lying beneath its captivating exterior?

Ladies, gents, and those who have abandoned this feeble concept known as "gender"-

We're gonna talk about Alola's Island Guardians - the infamous Tapu quartet -, the effects of Z-Power on Soul Gems and witches, and the culprit behind all these strings of disasters, Umber.

So, from what we have seen in Hau's Descent to Despair, not only were we finally given the name of this universe's incubator species, but also the revelation that the Tapus are aware of the witch system. From Tapu Koko's sorrow and reluctance to fight the young child's tormented form, we could see that even the tapus partake in these witch hunts- though it appears that the deity of conflict is more sympathetic to these monstrosities than some magi themselves.

Makes sense, doesn't it? Their whole deal is the safety of their respective islands, even if it came at the cost of some pesky human lives (full respect to Tapu Bulu there; I'd be pissed as hell if someone had built a SUPERMARKET over ruins that hold great historical and religious value to the natives, even if I wasn't a deity myself). The reactions of each Tapu for when it comes to having to deal with these witches, though, varies depending on their personalities. Aside from Tapu Koko, I could also see Fini being somewhat remorseful over the fates of the magi who have fallen to the curses of this world; their souls are far beyond salvation, and whatever they've managed to channel from the grief seeds they've collected are the agonized, repeating screams of the people they used to be...

Speaking of, I'm still unsure on what they'd do with the grief seeds they've accumulated over time; my best guess is that most of them would gift them to magi who are doing what's best for the islands and aren't causing too much harm to the living beings around them, but, in Tapu Lele's cause, I could see them hoarding grief seeds instead- just another act of Lele's classical sadism, it seems. At least, thanks to Tapu Lele's healing scales, the grief seeds aren't prone to hatching on their own; they're sort of kept in a stasis when around'em, so that rules out the possibility of them hatching in the Ruins of Life, I suppose.

This brings us right to the topic of Z-moves and what role they might serve in a hypothetical PMMM/PKMN AU. You see, a magi's region of origin tends to hold a degree of influence over their powers, strengths, and, of course, how their witches would interact with the world outside of their labyrinths. When it comes to Z-Power, as it was presented to us in the anime, we can see that it is shared between trainer and Pokemon; it allows them to be in sync with one's emotions and powers- highlighting Alola's main theme of "togetherness" and "bonds".

That is not all there is to Z-Power, as well, for there is a reason as to why I highlighted the anime especially; as presented to us in "Filling the Light with Darkness", it is shown that, when Necrozma had drained the region from its Ultra Aura, the adults present became lethargic, which proves to us that perhaps the adults are a lot more dependent on this energy than the kids. In my hypothesis, I believe that the children of Alola are capable of living without much Ultra Aura surrounding them because they are capable of producing more energy than an adult; they haven't lived long enough to become fully dependent on this power, hence why Necrozma's little transgression didn't affect them.

But what does this have to do with the witches? How is it that when Lusamine (or Necrozma, if we're going by USUM canon) had opened all these Ultra Wormholes across all of Alola that humans were able to see witches all around them and vice versa?

The answer to that, my friends, is a mixture of consequences that came with this one event; the barrier that separates Alola between all these dimensions going haywire, light frequencies being thrown off-whack, and how witches are already not too dissimilar to humans or even Totem Pokemon in the above regards-

You've heard me right; everyone in the region possesses a degree of Z-Power, and that includes the witches. This helps explain a number of peculiarities that are unique to the witches of Alola; how they are more in-tune with the physical world than the rest, and how, instead of treating one another with aggression over them stumbling into their labyrinths, are more than likely to ally with one another to take down any and all magi who dare trespass into their domains. I have a long list of differences the witches of each region possess that is still a work in progress.

This isn't the only Z-power related anomaly that is exclusive to Alola, however...

By activating a Z-move and syncing your heart with that of your pokemon's, the two of you are able to unleash the energy you are sharing and strike a devastating blow against your opponent. For when it comes to magi, however, and when they possess a degree of corruption in their soul gems- you've guessed it, they unleash their Doppels.

Unlike the doppels present in Magia Record, it isn't automatic nor is it caused by some purification system set up by a bunch of cultists; this is due to the aforementioned connection that's established by trainer and 'mon that allows them to share their powers momentarily. While your doppel appears to be rather normal and close to how your witch form would appear if you were to use a Normalium-Z, they'd also adopt additional traits if other types of Z-crystals were brought in; usage of Waterium-Z would give it a more aquatic look, Fairium-Z grants it an appearance that would fit a fairytale or even an old legend passed from one generation to the next, etcetera.

Of course, and this might be the biggest drawback to this system, this does NOT completely cleanse the soul gem, either; rather, it creates an equilibrium of hopes and curses between the trainer and their pokemon. You might feel a little better after unleashing that titan of an attack, but your partner 'mon would NOT. An issue regarding ethics and sacrifice is now on the table; are you truly willing to sacrifice your Pokemon's health and happiness just to prolong your own life? Or are you willing to turn the world asunder just to make sure your team is at least free from the suffering?

As for Umber...

What else hasn't already been said about the incubators themselves? Truly they are the worst of the worst manipulators in all of anime history; their intents may be noble once we step back and glance at the bigger picture at hand, but the tragedy of each individual life holds heavy weight on one's consciousness- which makes the incubators' inability to even care for those who placed great trust in them all the more appalling. It isn't any shocker seeing that Umber here is a lot less picky for when it comes to Magi candidates than its canonical counterpart, Kyubey; as a matter of fact, aside from emotions and karma, another aspect that Umber takes into account is the strength of a person's ambitions- a desire so deep and moving that it drives them to sway or even challenge the very narrative itself.

Make no mistake, however; unlike Kyubey, who appears to be a hivemind yet is, at the day's end, just an alien species that could get wiped out (even if it is hard as hell, according to Urobutcher), Umber is...more like a part of the universe itself. A shred of its code; a program present to keep the OS running efficiently and smoothly. What the trainers perceive as "Umber" is merely an avatar of this extradimensional being- you strike one down, it's as troublesome as a system lag in their eyes(?).

In regards to their appearance, I'm still working on it; for now, my biggest inspirations are the Roaring Titans from Deltarune, the butterfly of death and rebirth, and the general aesthetics that come with anything related to computer science and the cyberpunk genre. Perhaps this little critter is unsettling and does invoke the imagery of the stars, but the form we see is undearing enough for them to be considered an ally- a guide- or a friend, even.

There's a lot more that needs to be said in regards to Umber - namely the fate of the witches whose grief seeds it incinerates, and the cycle of pain and despair it brings just to fuel the universe's cogs and springs -, but it appears that our time is running low. To answer this one inevitable question, though-

No. Umber is not a Pokemon. It is the furthest thing from a comprehensible living organism. They exist as a piece of the universe; they do live, eat, breathe, and chatter like us, but they are also disconnected from reality as a whole. They're an anomaly to our perception of reality, they're a deity whose mentions are scrubbed clean from any and all records-

They are, without a doubt, far beyond our mere comprehension. A concept that is eternally far of our reach. A missing number, if you will.

Before we leave and close this chapter for good, I believe I should come clean; I am more than aware that the time taken writing this post has been far too long, and I have kept ya'll waiting for quite the stretch of time. While it has been due to my laptop's fucked up keyboard and writer's block, I felt like I have done ya'll a great disservice with this wait! So, to make up for lost time, and with great thanks to @superstaridolstart for a lot of key elements (especially the Z-Crystals for eyes), I bring you all a first in my series of crossover witch analyses-

Concept art!

And let's not forget Super Star's concept made during this post's early days that helped inspire me while I was finalizing the design; seriously, I cannot thank them enough, and would appreciate it if ya'll went ahead to support them!

(please don't mind my horrible handwriting; I am aware that I cannot write with ink...)

While they're not indicative of the current final design - once more, I must mention the Auraboas -, they sure as hell helped immensely with coming up of the clearer picture of what I wanted to aim for. Again, please please PLEASE send all your support to Super Star there! They're also working on a Magical Girl AU of their own, so please send them all the comments and reblogs you could give- they deserve it! ;W;

As for the finalized color palette, once more, I need to thank Flight Rising here for helping me tremendously, because I've managed to make a mockup using the site's "Predict Morphology" feature that not only depict the colors I had in mind almost-perfectly, but they are also closer to the final appearance save for the shell and the Z-Crystal eyes;

(Genes present are Umber Python, Buttercup Weaver, and Jungle Thorns. Eyes are Faceted Light)

So, with all that said and done, I believe it is high time for me to take my leave- I wish the best for you all, and bid you Alola!

...Oh, right, how rude of me- of course you can take the malasadas to go- as much as you need! It does my heart good that you enjoyed my work so much, and I'm more than delighted to see everyone's content smiles when reading these essays of mine!

Tell you what? Because you guys have been there for me for so long, I suppose I should bring some heartwarming, delicious curry for all of us to enjoy next time.

[littlehatefxxk]

⛧ Ricky Olson x Reader ⛧

“Quickie” (Smut Oneshot)

Themes: Oral sex(giving & receiving), Kissing, Fingering, dirty talking, deep throating

⛧

It was a hot summer day and you had just finished doing your makeup and hair. Usually you’d stay back home but Ricky wanted to spend more time with you so he brought you along for their summer tour.

The band didn’t go on until later tonight but everyone was still busy. As of right now Ricky was outside doing an interview leaving you alone on the bus which was rare. Finally some peace and quiet than the usual chaos you thought.

You went through your luggage trying to find an outfit to wear. The weather today felt like it’d melt off your skin so being half dressed seemed the way to go. You ended up picking a red bikini set and wore that with some high waisted black demin shorts that were maybe just a little too short. To accessorize you wore a few necklaces, some rings, and sunglasses all paired with your favorite pair of combat boots.

You pulled out your phone to take a couple selfies until you heard Ricky answering questions & laughing. You went over to the window and looked outside seeing him. Fuck, he looked so sexy. His ran his hand through his hair fixing it back. That always drove you wild. Without realizing you were just watching him the next few minutes, daydreaming of every position he could put you in.

He then waved bye to the camera and hugged the interviewer goodbye. He than started to make his way back over to the bus and suddenly you became so very excited. Just for laughs you decided you’d mess with him. You quickly made your way to the back of the bus where there was a small room. You hid behind the door out of sight trying to hold in your giggles.

Just then you heard the tour bus door opening and then closing.

“Hey babe, I’m back!”

You smiled hoping you’d get him good. Footsteps slowly approached closer and closer and then you took your chance. You jumped out quickly yelling ‘boo’ as he jumped getting scared.

“Haha I so got you!” you teased.

Ricky immediately glared at you as he got closer to you. You continued laughing at his reaction as he was now inches away from your face. Your back now against the wall he took his hand to hold your chin up to look at him.

“You think that’s funny?”

You laughed saying yes but Ricky stayed serious. His eyes met yours again and it was at that point you realized the situation. He was going to punish you for it. But not here right? Not right now at this moment? Someone could walk in you thought. You stopped laughing now but still giggled. Ricky brought his mouth to your right ear as his hand held your throat.

“Do you see me laughing hmm? You think I’m messing around? We’ll see how funny it is to you when I fuck that mouth of yours right here.”

You swallowed hard hearing those last few words.

“Okay okay, I’m sorry for scaring you. I won’t do it again.”

His grip tightened a little.

“Apologize all you want. Nothing is going to change what I’m going to make you do. Now be a good girl and get on your knees.”

He took a few steps back giving you space as he started to undo his pants. You got on your knees as you looked down the corridor of the bus hoping no one would walk in.

“S-someone could walk in Ricky…”

His cock was freed and he was hard already. You just looked up at him a little concerned.

“Well then I guess you better make this quick huh? Now stick your tongue out.”

You did as you were told offering your mouth to him. Your tongue circled the tip of cock teasingly just how he liked it. Your hands pumped from the base as you took it into your mouth now. His hand rested on the back of your head as he moaned.

“Mmh just like that baby. Such a good girl all for me hmm?”

He knew calling you that drove you insane. Especially during sex. That alone made you wet. Now you were taking his cock deeper into your mouth as you bobbed your head back and fourth. His grip now within your hair keeping that pace as you moved.

“Look at you, taking my cock so well. I think you can take it in deeper..”

He pulled out for a moment as you quickly wiped the excess saliva off from your mouth and took a breath. Relaxing yourself he entered your mouth again, now deeper. His hand gripped your head as he slowly began to fuck your throat.

“Oh fuck baby, just like that…”

He went faster as your hands gripped his thighs taking him all in. You wanted nothing more than to please him. A couple more fast thrusts and he pulled out giving you time to breathe. Moments later he entered again going fast. You hummed, the sound being muffled as it reverberated around his cock. Saliva was falling out from the sides of your mouth but at this point you didn’t care. His breathing was now heavier.

“Fuck, I’m so close already baby. You gonna be a good girl a swallow it?”

Your hands gripped his thighs tightly as you moaned with him still in your mouth. Your eyes watered but you tried your best to stare back up at him as he face fucked you. A few more fast thrusts and he moaned loudly releasing himself into your mouth. He pulled out as you swallowed his cum and gave yourself a moment to breathe and wipe your face.

“I just finished my makeup Ricky..now it’s ruined.”

Now he laughed.

“Aw my poor little baby. You can always fix it.”

“He pulled his pants back up as you sat on the bed now grabbing your makeup bag.

“I’m not finished with you yet baby..”

Now he knelt on the floor in between your legs.

“Let me make it up to you..”

He kissed your inner thighs as you set your makeup bag aside. God, he drives you crazy. You quickly undid your shorts as he helped you undress. Ricky couldn’t wait a second longer so he just moved your swimsuit bottoms to the side as his tongue licked between your wet folds.

“Mmm Ricky…”

His hands wrapped around your thighs as you pulled his hair back watching him attack your pussy. You felt his tongue circle around your sensitive clit as you felt that feeling start to build up. As his tongue flicked your clit he inserted a finger earning a moan from you.

“You taste so good baby. All wet for me..”

Just then you could hear few of the members outside talking and cracking jokes. You look over at the window but it’s closed and thankfully has blinds. Somehow almost getting caught excites you.

“Ricky, the guys are outside…”

He pulls away a moment from eating you out.

“So? If they hear, they hear.”

He goes back to sucking your clit as he now inserts 2 fingers.

“Fuck…Ricky, what if they walk in?”

He laughs as he looks up at you.

“Let them fucking watch.”

He starts fingering you now seeing your face fall back feeling so good.

“You want them to watch don’t you?”

You say nothing as his fingers rub your pussy earning a whimper from you.

“Tell me,” he says right up against your ear.

“Mmmm”

All you focus on is his voice and fingers rubbing you.

“Such a bad girl. Wanting the rest of the members to hear and see you. You fucking want that don’t you?”

He’s practically growling into your ear.

“Yes,” you say softly.

His fingers stop rubbing earning a whine from you.

“You can do better than that baby. Otherwise I’m not going to give you what you want.”

Just then you hear Vinny’s voice.

“Anyone see Rick actually? He’s been gone awhile.”

“Saw him doing an interview awhile ago. Not sure where he is now,” Chris responds.

Ricky just smirks at you as his fingers rub you slowly and teasingly. You want him to go faster but instead you just whine wanting release.

“Come on baby, tell me. You want them watching you? Seeing how much of a naughty girl you are?”

“Hey Rick you in there?!” Vinny yells at the bus knocking the side of it.

Ricky picks up the pace as you start breathe heavily.

“I want them…”

“You want them to what?” Ricky purs against your ear.

The members outside laugh at whatever they’re talking about and just the thought of them hearing or walking in gets you more excited.

“I want them to watch me…I’m so close..please Ricky..”

“Moan my name when you finish, I want them to hear.”

Ricky brings his mouth back to your pussy flicking his tongue against your clit. You lay back moaning as you grip the sheets feeling so close to your climax. Moments later you cum your legs closing around Ricky’s head but he doesn’t stop.

“Mmm Ricky!”

Your body shakes finally climaxing as he pulls away to look at you.

“Good girl.”

He kisses your mouth as you taste yourself. You catch your breath before going to the bathroom to clean up and put your shorts back on. The door opens to the bus and Vinny walks in seeing Ricky on his phone while sitting down on the couch.

“Bro I’ve been looking for you. Did you not hear me knocking on the bus earlier?”

“Sorry guess I didn’t hear you. Been waiting on (Y/N) to get out of the bathroom.”

“You don’t have to lie, you guys were fucking huh?” Vinny teased.

“Shut up, no we weren’t.”

Ricky was about to throw the water bottle that was next to him until you finally walk out.

“Oh hey Vinny. I’m finally ready babe. Let me just get my bag.”

You walk to the back room to get your stuff as Vinny shoots Ricky a glance.

“Oh yeah you guys definitely fucked.”

“Not even, shut up.”

“Why is her makeup smeared then?”

Vinny smirks as Rick is left speechless.

“Don’t worry man, I won’t tell anyone haha. If I were you I’d do the same. I got your back bro. Anyways all of us are outside wanting to get food so I’ll go wait back outside.”

Vinny leaves and Ricky comes to see you fixing your makeup.

“So uh..”

“What’s the problem?” you ask.

“Nothing just uh, Vinny know we fucked.”

You go silent feeling a little embarrassed.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have been so loud.”

You hit Ricky’s arm as he sits next to you.

“It’s your fault.”

“Yeah yeah, but you enjoyed it didn’t you?”

You feel your face go red.

“It’s okay, I enjoyed it too. Maybe later after the show I’ll fuck you right here with door locked and have everyone hear you.”

⛧

Aahhh! Hope you guys enjoyed reading you little sickos haha. I haven’t written in years but it feels good to write again honestly, I missed it! I still have so many more ideas for one shots I wanna do so I’ll definitely be writing those next. Let me know what guys think though, I’d love to know. Hope you are all doing well! Stay hydrated, take ur meds, be kind to one another🖤

[harrywavycurly]

Sarah my sweet sweet babe can you do a story where Eddie is a single dad of twins who are maybe in like 5th grade and Reader is Steve’s sister who works at the library and that’s where he meets her? Their names can be whatever you want!❤️❤️❤️

Hiii lovey!! So I am just now noticing you said 5th grade and not them being 5 so I am very sorry about that😂🙈 I went with them being 5 and this is very short but it’s to give you an idea of how a story like this could go? To test the waters if you will? I hope you enjoy💖

*The girl’s names are super random and can change if you have something you like better! It will 10000% not hurt my feelings if you hate the names lol*

*Eddie just wants to take his girls to get some new books but as always they have other ideas*

“Daddy is not going to let you get all those.” You place your hand over your mouth to cover your giggle as you see two little girls walk past you, both with their arms full of books.

“He will too they are his favorite.” You slowly follow behind them with your cart full of books to place back in their correct spot on the shelves. You can’t help but notice the section of the library they wondered out of, science fiction, which wouldn’t be an issue if they didn’t seem to be no older than maybe five or six.

“How do you know? You can’t even read.” The blonde one stops in her tracks and turns so she’s glaring at her brunette haired sister.

“Now that’s just rude.” You’re about to ask the little girls if they need help finding their dad when all of a sudden someone rounds the corner and lets out a dramatic sigh when he sees them.

“It’s about time.” He says as he reaches down and fixes the bow in the blonde girl’s hair that’s keeping half of it up while the rest flows freely past her shoulders. “I was about the send out a search party.” The girls laugh as he kneels down so he’s eye level with them. “Let’s see what we’ve got here….Rachel first since she’s the one who asked oh so nicely to visit the library in the first place.” The brunette little girl grins as she hands the man her pile of books.

You lean against your cart as you watch the interaction between the three of them. Rachel is all smiles as the man who you can only assume based on how all three of them have the same curly hair and big brown eyes is their dad, looks over her selection of books putting one in a stack next to his converse covered foot. The other little girl is patently waiting her turn but also smiling as her dad puts another book on the stack next to his foot.

“Excellent choices sweetheart but I say let’s maybe stick with the Harry Potter series for now and let’s save the Hunger Games for another time?” You feel your eyes go wide as he mentions two book series that are usually read by much older kids. Rachel just nods her head and picks up the two books next to his feet, both being Harry Potter books. “Now let’s see what you’ve got going on over here little miss Lydia.” You smile as she proudly hands over her stack of books and the man instantly smiles and nods as he picks up the first book on the stack. “Really? Again? We’ve read it six times already princess.” You see that the book in his hand is the Hobbit and you’re not surprised based on the other little girl’s selections.

“I like Bilbo.” Lydia explains and the man just smiles and puts it on the floor next to his foot, creating another keep pile like he did for Rachel.

“Honey…this is the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy…don’t you want something you haven’t heard before?” Lydia just shakes her head and he just lets out a sigh of defeat as he places the three books on top of the Hobbit. “Okay well let’s help Rachel put her books back that she’s not getting.” With that Lydia grabs one of the books that Rachel picked that didn’t make it to the keep stack as the man picks up the lord of the rings series.

“Told you he’d let me get them all.” Lydia smirks as Rachel just playfully rolls her eyes, you quickly try to act busy so it’s not painfully obvious you just spent the last five minutes watching a man and his little girls pick their next library books.

“Excuse me ma’am,” You turn your head and all of a sudden you’re face too face with the dad and you have to admit he is extremely handsome up close and personal. “Can they give these to you? I’d normally take them back myself but we are running late for someone’s music lessons.” He smiles down as Rachel before looking back up at you with hopeful eyes.

“Oh of course.” Rachel and Lydia each hand you a book and give you kind smiles before they turn and take off towards the front of the library so they can check out their books. “They have great taste.” You joke as you place the first two volumes of the hunger games on your cart full of go backs.

“They do don’t they? At least for two kids who can’t read yet and just make their dad do it all for them.” You laugh making Eddie smile as he moves the books in his arms to one side so he can reach his hand out towards you. “I’m Eddie…Munson.” You make a mental note of his name in your head because you swear you’ve heard it before as you reach your hand out to shake his.

“Nice to meet you Eddie.” You say after you introduce yourself. “I think you’re being summoned.” Eddie raises an eyebrow as he looks over his shoulder and low and behold there’s his two girls waving him down and pointing at their wrists letting him know he needs to hurry because they’re already late, not that they are old enough to tell time but they just are impatient and want to leave the library.

“Ah yes my little timekeepers.” You laugh as he looks back at you and smiles. “Nice meeting you…maybe I’ll see you next time?” You’re not sure if he meant to ask it like a question but you just nod making him grin before he turns and heads off into the directions of his girls who are now visibly showing their annoyance of having to wait for him.

[tiajk]

Little Miss Hamilton(I think i’m actually hilarious)

Masterlist

Warnings: reader is seen as the Hamilton of the crew, reader is implied to have powers but not have eaten devil fruit, Poc reader implied (brown skin, curly hair ), It’s a platonic mostly (hint of zosan x reader not a hint it’s plain a day), Cursing, pre time skip im mind, Best friends Nami & Ussop (such an underrated duo), Mostly the Anime in mind when writing this, no use of name or y/n, grammar errors (i js know there are)

A/n: Told you guys another fic would be out today (I love Hamilton) (if you watch Hamilton what’s your favorite song(s) mines are satisfied & Non-stop), you guys i wrote this with the worst stomach pain im gonna fucking die

Dividers from ; @y-yushin & @anitalenia

—It almost felt like a reward every single piece of it. Starting with the fact you were apart of the straw hat pirate crew. Luffy claimed that you were all the best including you. most of the time dismissing him with a smile and a small “thank you!!” Then going back to your books and writings. thinking back to the fights you’ve been though you were grateful for having your powers what was more important was knowledge knowing every single piece of information that you found valuable was important to you and you would do anything to obtain it. Even if that included staying up late at night sleeping all during the day which at first no one thought was odd just assuming you were like Zoro. At night was when you did your true calling the most knowledge obtained from the Stars making charts, maps, and hypothesis’s about the moon and why does it change every single night. Mind running through thousands of ideas on how. Most of the time you would ire yourself out so much that you would fall asleep on deck but someone would always awake in the night to check most of the time it was Sanji and Zoro. Whenever Zoro found you he would grumble stings of curses out of his mouth when he saw you. He didn’t understand why you would leave yourself out in the open just to get more information about the stars but he would rather die then let you sit out in the cold. Sanji was the same way he would find you most of the time after Luffy tries to sneak into the fridge and he can’t go back to sleep. Tonight is no different from the rest your slumped on the deck your book is closed secure so the wind wont open it with little bits of pages sticking out of it your notebook stacked on top as well. Sanji & Zoro both cant sleep tonight instead of arguing with each other the just drink and get to know each other better. Surprisingly there laughing together playfully bantering each other when Sanji’s expression changes and goes outside Zoro doesn’t know what he’s doing at first but then it clicks in his head you were probably asleep on the deck again. He follows Sanji out the kitchen door seeing Sanji picking you up bridal style already you look peaceful its like your boy knows that Sanji’s got you and that your safe. While he’s climbing up the stars when he passes zoro he stops “Can you get her books I would usually would get them but your here to help me this time”. He wants to roll his eyes but he can’t and for once he just listen maybe it’s the alcohol flowing through his system or maybe he knows how important your books are to you it’s your dream. During the day most of the time nami watched over you she would distract from your books claiming how you both needed a break. Dragging Ussop(he wanted to go) as you guys al go shopping and play a little dress up. By you guys its mostly nami and ussop finding clothes to give you and you to try on while they give you there opinions (Ussop has good fashion taste cant change my mind (u prob could but pls don’t). Nami Had this beautiful Long body con dress the base of the dress was a peachy pink with coral all over it the coral being in all different shapes the colors being blue, purple and ifferent shades of pink as well. “Go try it on it’s gorgeous and goes perfect with your skin tone ” taking the fabric from her hands you go to the dresseing room sort of excited to try it on. when you finished putting you examined your self in the mirror in the dressing room it was the perfect length on the floor but not enough to drag on your feet to annoy you but it hugged everywhere and it just felt perfect you didn’t really care if you have to go into debt for nami to buy this dress it would be worth it. While opening the door holding your hair in a low pony with no ponytail holder some curly staying in the front. Nami and Ussop mouth dropped to the floor when they saw you “What is it bad” you confidence going down slowly but it accelerates when nami says “It’s perfect on you we have to buy it it was literally made for you” you smile at her thanking her for the compliment “I agree it’s an amazing dress for you”.

—When going back in the dressing room as you put your other clothes on thinking what would Zoro and Sanji think about the dress you shiver at the thought of the reaction and shake it from your mind. When you guys head back to the ship it’s not loud and that worries you automatically as you speed up your pace to the going merry. Going to the kitchen is ur first stop and it was correct. You see Luffy, Sanji and Zoro all cooped up around something but you don’t know what “HMH” clearing your throat to get their attention. The all look in shock not expecting you to be there. Luffy hides the object behind his back “We thought you guys were still shopping?” “Well we're back now” You look at all three of the they seem nervous. Luffy is sweating hard “What do you have behind your back Luffy?” “Nothing” You don’t believe him so you place the shopping back on the counter and sit at the table with them “What’s the problem guys you seem nervous did i do something wrong?” They all looked at each other silently communicating “No we just don’t want you to get mad at us” it was really confusing why would you get mad? “I won’t promise” Luffy looks at you one more time just to make sure he brings the object in front of him and on the table it’s your book your book with everything in it. Part of you wants to get mad but you don’t “where did you find this?” “It was on the table fore you left I saw it and wondered what it was about didn’t know it was yours” Zoro states with his harms crossed looking at you “It’s okay but are any of the pages missing” you say examining every page that you could get your hands on slightly worried that some valuable information could be missing “No I made sure that nothing happened to it” Sanji blows the smoke out of his mouth “What happened?” Nami ask as she enters the room “Nothing just my books” Ussop comes behind you one of your books was open and he’s peeking at it over your shoulder “woah you wrote all of this?” you honestly didn’t think that it was a lot not enough knowledge so it wasn’t a lot. Nami comes and looks as well “Wow it really is a lot is that why your always up at night writing?” You start to feel a little bit on the spot which it doesn’t really matter that its you its just the subject “Yea but I could write more i dont feel like it’s enough” Zoro thinks to himself ‘what will be enough for her’ “Why it’s it not enough you write like your running out of time”…………

Part 2 coming soon ( i couldn’t finish my stomach hurts and it feels like i have the throw up)(update i threw up and i’m sick ass hell)