#i swear ill come up with a proper plot for him guys just give me a year

[ginshey]

brah went from ramble ahh to death real quick

MUICHIRO TOKITO—or the mist pillar, rather—had always been renowned for his airheaded demeanor, a demeanor that rendered him unapproachable by many.

truly, he was a man of difficult reach, his impassive countenance instilling fear in those who approached.

so, picture this—imagine the bewilderment one’s face would have when they catch sight of him smiling and giggling like the young boy he actually is.

you were his exception, the one capable of dismantling this wall with the mere weight of your words.

he, somewhat, held a belief that a human's words held paramount importance.

but yours, oh, yours were simply too profound.

yes, you read that correctly.

even before tanjiro, you had the fortune of uncovering muichiro’s lovely hidden interior.

he had even consistently made it abundantly clear that he would go to great lengths to ensure your safety.

what an extraordinary accomplishment! and as long as it wasn't a mere dream—which you knew it wasn't—evidenced by muichiro’s tendency to embrace you with affection, a sight many envy.

pay no heed to their jealousy. just stand proud, for you are his one and only.

in this regard, you are truly beyond lucky.

you are his favorite, after all. aren’t you?

[mldrgrl]

Broken Things 17/24

by: mldrgrl Rating: varies by chapter, rated R overall See Chapter 1 for summary and notes

November approaches quickly.  The surveyor is due to arrive in only a handful of weeks.  The horses are coming along just fine with their training.  Mulder’s relationship with Katherine feels like it’s moving forward at a pleasant pace.  Just before the last weekend of the month, he asks her if he might accompany her into town that Friday.

“Of course,” she says.  “But, you don’t need to ask.”

“You might have plans with your friends and I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“I would like to call on Susannah and Monica and Doctor Black, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t welcome to join me.”

“Then, I will accept your invitation.”

“My invitation?  You invited yourself.”

“Did I?”

Probably the only thing he finds more delightful than when she raises her eyebrow at him is when she rolls her eyes at him.

He asks if she’d like to attempt to drive the wagon into town, but she declines.  She feels that she’s only just mastered the carriage and has not had any wagon lessons yet.  She’s more than happy to have him drive them.

Their first stop is the mercantile.  Susannah rushes out to greet them and pulls Katherine inside by looping her arm through hers.

“We’ve got the prettiest new fabric in that will suit you so well,” she says.  “I’ve been hoping you’d come by and held it just for you.”

“John,” Mulder greets, as he enters the store.

“Mulder, what timing.  The denim trousers you ordered arrived just this week.”

“Thank you, I’ll take them now if you’ll wrap them.”

“Already done.”

“Katherine has our supply list, but it looks like your wife has absconded with her.”

“Yes, she’s been waiting for her to come in.”

“I’ll just take a look at the catalog in the meantime, I may have a few other things to order.”

“Certainly.”  John slides the thick book of merchandise across the counter to Mulder.  “We saw Melvin ride through town a few weeks ago and take Doctor Black back with him to the ranch.  Heard you had taken a tumble from a wagon.”

“Just a little shoulder damage.  That does remind me, if you have any liniment, I’ll take a couple tins off you.”

“We’ve got Sloan’s.  The oil.”

“That’s fine, two bottles.  No, make it three.  I’ll bring one to the Doc.”

“He said Katherine patched you right up and did about as good of job with it as he would’ve done.”

“I guess if I had to compare the two, I much prefer the bedside manner of my wife.”

Mulder chuckles as John blushes and fumbles with the bottles of liniment.  He’s saved from any further conversation of his shoulder when Katherine appears with Susannah and some bolts of cotton fabric with a blue paisley pattern.

“Kate, you have our list?” Mulder asks.

“Oh, yes.”  She opens the little drawstring bag at her wrist and gives John the paper.

“Now that Katherine’s taken over from Melvin, you don’t have to translate his hieroglyphics any longer.”

“Yes, lovely handwriting.”  John nods and then starts to collect items from the list, all business.

“I was just needling your wife about that Sunday dinner get-together we promised,” Susannah says.  “You be sure not to keep her so busy she can’t do some proper visiting.”

“She is more than free to ride out at any time to come calling, but it has been a bit hectic lately.”

“Oh, we heard about your fall.  Doctor Black said Katherine did all the doctoring for him and he didn’t lift a finger.”

“It was a mild concussion and a shoulder dislocation,” Katherine explains.  “Just required a re-set of the shoulder and a good deal of rest.”

“John, put in for five of these undershirts here on page 67.  Kate, is there anything you might want from Montgomery Ward?”

“I don’t know.”

“Take a gander and put in for whatever you find with John.  I’m going to head across the way to the lumber mill just for a few minutes.”

“Alright.”

Mulder leaves Katherine at the mercantile and goes across the road to the mill.  It’s a noisy place with a lot of sawing and yelling and hammering.  The smell of sawdust is everywhere.  The air is thick with it and Mulder can swear he feels it clinging to him as soon as he gets within five feet of the place.

“Mr. Hartwell,” he shouts, waving his hat to get the foreman’s attention.

Mr. Hartwell leaves the saw he’s working with stuck in the lumber he’s cutting and takes his gloves off to shake hands.  “Mr. Mulder, good to see you,” he says.

“I’m soon to be in need of some lumber.”

“Oh?”

“I took over Old Man Goodwin’s plot and I’ve got a surveyor coming out a little more than a week from now.  He’s supposed to get me some plans for a bigger barn, new stables, and we’ll be doing a new bunkhouse and expanding the house eventually.”

“Is that right?  When might you be needing your order?”

“I hope to break ground by winter.  At least on the corral.  I’ve been clearing trees on the property and we can recycle some of what we’ve already got.  You still have a record on the build on my current plot?”

“I reckon so.”

“Let’s start with that same amount.  I’m about to run down to the bank.  I’ll tell Mr. Skinner you’ll be giving him an estimate and he can advance anything you need and I’ll take what I can get by let’s say, mid-December?”

“Well alright then.”  Mr. Hartwell nods.

“I’ll also be in the market to hire labor, so if you have anyone in mind you can point my way, I’d be most grateful.”

“I’ll ask around.”

“Thank you.”

The two men shake hands again and Mulder heads back to the mercantile.  John Jr. is loading up the wagon with their purchases.  He gives Mulder a wave.

“How are things with your sweetheart?” Mulder asks, helping to load the last of the crates from the porch.

John Jr. sighs.  “She broke off with me a couple weeks ago.”

“Well, now, that’s a shame.”

“She said I was boring and then the next day she was holding hands with Luke Doggett.”

“That the Sheriff’s boy?”

“Yes, Sir.  I can’t even be mad over it because Luke’s a nice guy.”

“Be patient.  You’re a hard worker and you’re not boring at all, you’re stable, like your father.  You’ll find a great girl one day that’ll appreciate that.”

“Naw, I think I’m done with girls for awhile.  I’m gonna save up and get a horse.”

“Well, horses are good too.  When you’re ready to buy, you come see me.  I’ll give you a good deal.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Mulder chuckles to himself as he walks away from John Jr. and goes back into the mercantile.  Katherine gives him a smile that makes him want to wrap his arms around her.  He puts his hand at the small of her back instead.

“Ready?” he asks.

Katherine and Susannah say their goodbyes.  Mulder helps his wife up into the wagon seat and then they head to the bank.  He leaves Katherine at the line to the teller’s window and waves to Skinner who motions him into the office.

“I wanted to let you know that we’re moving forward on the expansion,” Mulder tells him.  “Mr. Hartwell should be coming by with an estimate for lumber.  I told him to speak with you and you’d arrange to advance him anything he might need.”

“I can do that.”

“I also, uh…”  Mulder turns his hat over in his hands for a few moments and then he glances out into the foyer of the bank before he shuts the door to Skinner’s office for a bit of privacy.  “If you can get word to my lawyers through the branch in Fort Worth that I’d like to update my will, I would appreciate it.”

“Certainly, if that’s what you want.”

“I’m sure I’ll need an update of my account holdings, so whatever they need they can have time to put it together.”

“What brought this on, if I may ask?”

“Had a fall from a wagon a few weeks ago.  Nothing drastic, mind you, it just got me thinking and I’d like to make sure that if...well, if anything should happen, there’s no question of what my wishes are.”

“Your wife would be protected, by law.”

“Not well enough.  I want to make damn sure the ranch will stay with her, and I want to make sure Melvin will be taken care of as well.”

“I’ll get word and if anything comes back from your lawyers, I will let you know.”

“Thank you.”

“Does she even know?  Who she really married?  How much you’re worth?”

“No.”

“You might want to tell her sometime.”

“When the time is right.”

↭

Katherine feels more confident this time when she pays the mortgage.  The teller is polite, calls her Mrs. Mulder, slides the card to her that she needs to sign with a fountain pen and she doesn’t hesitate this time to write Katherine Mulder next to the date.

She’s finished before Mulder is done speaking with Mr. Skinner, so she waits for him outside by the wagon.  She’s never really gotten a good look at the town before.  The row of businesses stretches long and wide.  If the bank is the end point, the mercantile is the start.  In between there’s a sawmill, a blacksmith, the saloon, an icehouse, a cafe, a flour mill, a bath house, a meeting house, the sheriff’s office, a barber, a boarding house, a livery, a laundry, and the house of ill repute, as Mulder referred to it.

She knows there’s a church somewhere and a school, but they must be hidden in the outskirts of the town.  Doctor Black must have his practice somewhere off the main road as well.  Monica had said she lives off the road that veers left from the bank and she wonders how many other homes are out there and where everyone lives.  The Byers may make their home as part of their store, but presumably Mr. Skinner does not sleep in the bank.  And she remembers that Susannah said he had a wife.

Mulder comes outside and stands next to her.  “When I first got here about the only things that existed were the mercantile and the saloon,” he says.  “Sometimes it seems like all this just sprang up overnight.”

“Susannah was telling me today that a Wells Fargo office is coming in next year.”

“Long overdue for that, if you ask me.  Nearest place to send a telegram is either Abilene or Fort Worth, depending on where you’re at.”

“How many folks live here?”

“I can’t say I know for sure.  If I were to wager a guess, maybe fifty or so in town.  There’s a lot of ranches around these parts that do their business here, so if you consider them to be part of the town, there’s got to be at least another hundred.”

“It’s strange, but I grew up in a city of twenty thousand people and it always felt very small to me.  But, standing here, on a street you can probably walk up and back in a quarter of an hour, it feels enormous.”

“Well, they say everything is bigger in Texas.”

“I have heard that.”

“Where to now, fair Kate?”

“Where does the Doctor live?”

“Up that way behind the boardinghouse.”

“I’d like to drop in on Monica first then, since the Doc is on the way back.”

Katherine takes Mulder’s hand to climb into the wagon and he drives them down the road, over a short bridge, and then past a grove of trees.  A house appears as soon as they clear the trees, like an island in a sea of bluebonnets.

“Goodness,” Katherine says.  “Monica said you can’t miss it.”

The rumble of the wagon must have alerted her friend.  Monica comes out to the porch, wiping her hands on a dishrag.  She waves and jumps down the steps to greet them as they come down the lane.

“I hope you don’t mind us dropping in,” Katherine says as she climbs down from the wagon.  “We were in town so I wanted to say hello.”

“Are you kidding?  I’m thrilled.”  Monica hugs Katherine hard and keeps an arm around her shoulders as she waves to Mulder.  “I’ve got cornbread in the oven that’ll be done soon.  You’ll stay and have a cut before I bring dinner out to John, won’t you?”

“Well, that sounds too good to pass up,” Mulder answers.

“Come on in.”

The Doggett residence is similar to the ranch house.  There’s a dogtrot that runs from the front to the back, but the left side of the house is all kitchen and dining area, presumably bedrooms are on the right.  Monica offers them chairs at the table and then checks on the cornbread.  Mulder holds a chair out for Katherine as she loosens her hat and removes her gloves, but he doesn’t sit down right away.  He moves over to a breakfront along the wall and runs his hand over the smooth wood.

“This is a beauty,” he says.

“My boy built that,” Monica answers, proudly.

“The Sheriff did this?”

“No, our son Luke.  I swear he was swinging a hammer before he could toddle.”

Mulder nods and continues to run his hand down the side and across the front.  “How old might Luke be?”

“Fifteen.  Just had a birthday on the 13th of October.”

“That’s funny, we have the same birthday.”

“Your birthday was the 13th?” Katherine asks.  She’s mildly embarrassed that she had no idea her own husband’s birthday had passed.

“I didn’t even remember myself until just now.”

“What year were you born?” Monica asks.

“1861.”

Monica closes her eyes and tilts her head for a few moments.  “You’re a three,” she says, with a brief nod.

“A three?”

“Yes, in numerology.  Your life path number is a three.  It means you like to inspire others and make them smile.  But, if you feel you’ve been misinterpreted you can become sullen and withdrawn.”

“Is that right?”  Mulder grins as he looks at Katherine and she raises her eyebrow.  “But, I thought I was blue and red.  Now I’m a number?”

“Oh, you told him about his aura?”  Monica beams.

“I um…”  Katherine can feel the heat rising to her cheeks as though she were caught gossipping.  Mulder must sense her discomfort for he finally sits down beside her and takes her hand before hanging his hat on his bent knee.

“One day I’d like to hear all about it,” he says, squeezing Katherine’s hand.  “I was just wondering though, Mrs. Doggett-”

“Oh, call me Monica, please.”

“Monica, that’s really high quality work your boy does.  How would you feel about letting him come out this winter and work on an expansion out at my ranch?  I’d pay him, of course.”

“I’d have to speak with my husband about it, but I’m sure Luke would be thrilled at the prospect.  He’s been at us to quit school for the last few years.”

“Oh, but he can’t quit school,” Katherine says.

“Well, most of the kids around here quit by the age of twelve.  They’re needed at their farms or ranches.  Luke’s been the oldest in the schoolhouse for the last two years and he’s been pretty anxious to move on.  John wouldn’t let him since we don’t have a farm and he’s certainly not going to allow his son to take on a job at the saloon, which is about the only place that’d hire a boy his age.”

“I’m going to be looking to hire quite a few men starting next month or so,” Mulder says.  “There’s plenty of room in the bunkhouse for him and I’ll see to it he comes home for the week’s end.  Your husband is welcome to ride out any time to check in.”

“I would keep my eye on him as well, if you’re at all concerned about that,” Katherine adds.

“Oh.”  Monica puts her hand on Katherine’s arm and smiles.  “I don’t doubt that.  My, what a lovely ring!”

“Thank you.”  Katherine runs her thumb along the side of her ring band with her thumb.  “My husband got it for me.”

They spend the next half of an hour with Monica Doggett, sharing a slice of cornbread and chatting amicably.  Mulder asks her more about this numerology thing and she happily shares with him more about his life path based on his birth date.  When it’s time for them to take their leave, Mulder offers to drive Monica to the Sheriff’s office, but she says she would much rather walk.  It’s just about her only time to herself and she enjoys it.

They ride back up into town and Mulder passes the bank to go down a smaller road behind the north side of the town.  He points out a house up the ways with a sign hanging at the front that simply says ‘DOC’ etched in wood.

For some reason, Katherine feels nervous on the way up to the doctor’s porch.  She knows she already made a good impression on the doctor, but still wonders if that was just politeness.  The doctors she knew from nurse’s training were mercurial.  Someone bearing a compliment one day could come bearing condescension the next, or worse.  

Mulder opens the door to usher her inside.  Doctor Black peeks out from behind a curtain and smiles broadly.

“Just my luck,” the doctor says.  “I’ve just set a broken bone and could surely use your assistance while I mix a plaster.”

“Of course,” Katherine says.  She immediately takes her gloves off and hands them to Mulder.  

There’s a young boy perched at the edge of the exam table, no more than five or six, sniffling and sullen.  Katherine moves to him and right away she can see that his left wrist is broken.  She smiles at him and takes a gentle hold on his arm, cradling his wrist in her hands so the doctor can get to work on mixing a plaster.

“My name is Katherine,” she says to the boy.  “Who might you be?”

“Joey Skinner.”

“Is Walter Skinner your father, son?” Mulder asks.  

Joey nods and then wipes his nose with the back of his good hand.

“Has anyone gone to fetch Mr. Skinner?” Mulder asks Doctor Black.  “I could run over to the bank right now.”

“Yes, why don’t you do that.”  Doctor Black nods to Mulder and then hands Katherine a roll of gauze.  “I trust you can wrap up that wrist.”

“Certainly.”  She deftly holds Joey’s arm with one hand and uses her thumb to pin the edge of the gauze down and begins to wrap.  “Joey, you tell me if this hurts, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So, how did this happen?”

“I was playing tag with Grace and Emma and Isaac and I was ‘It’ and I was running and I tripped on a rock and I felled down and my hand hurted real bad.  Grace yelled for Miss Holly and Miss Holly bringed me to the doc.”

“Well, I think you’re a very brave boy and we’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

“Now,” Doctor Black says, rolling a small table over with a bowl of milky liquid and wrappings.  “Joey, this might feel a little cold, but you do your best to hold still, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Excellent wrapping,” the doctor tells Katherine.  “Would you like to do the plaster?”

Katherine nods and the doctor moves the table to her side so she can work.  She runs the wrapping through the liquid and winds it around Joey’s small wrist and arm, moving methodically.  She has experience with setting and wrapping broken bones, but never on a child.  She’s cautious, but tries to be quick for Joey’s sake.  Doctor Black provides her with a few short instructions as she goes.

“Beautiful work,” Doctor Black says when Katherine is wiping her hands dry.  “Joey, is there any pain in your wrist now or in your arm.”

“It’s kinda itchy.”

“Yes, it might be, but you can’t scratch right now, I’m sorry.  We’re going to let it dry and when it’s done it’ll be hard as a rock and keep your wrist in place so it can heal.”

Joey’s bottom lip begins to tremble.  “Is it gonna be on my arm forever and ever?”

Katherine puts her arm around Joey and rubs his shoulder.  “Not forever, sweetheart, just a few weeks is all.  And the doctor will probably check on it a time or two to make sure it’s healing properly.”

“That’s right,” Doctor Black says.

“Joey!?  Joey!?”  Walter Skinner bursts through the door with Mulder behind him.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Joey.”  Mr. Skinner rushes over and for a moment, Katherine is afraid he’s going to grab the boy up in a fit of panic before the cast sets.  

“Everything’s alright,” Katherine says.

“What happened, son?”

“I was playing tag…”

As soon as Joey starts up with his story again, Katherine slips away from the exam table to go to Mulder.  “He okay?” Mulder asks.

“It wasn’t a bad break.”

“Good.”  He pulls Katherine’s gloves from his pocket and hands them to her.

Doctor Black comes up to the two of them and he and Mulder shake hands.  Mulder gives him the extra bottle of liniment he bought at the mercantile and the doctor thanks him.

“Looks as though your shoulder’s healed nicely,” Doctor Black says.

“Yes, well, I happened to have a very strict nursemaid to see me through.”  Mulder chuckles and Katherine demurs a little.

“If you think you could spare your wife for a few days a month, I’d be happy to have the help here.”

“Oh, I really couldn’t,” Katherine answers.

“Why couldn’t you?” Mulder asks.

“Well, there’s just so much to do.  And the expansion is coming up, so…”

“I’m sure we can work something out.”  Mulder nods to the doctor and at Katherine.  “Good skills should never go to waste.”

Katherine is all but rendered speechless.  She doesn’t know if she’s shocked or grateful or why she should even be so surprised.  Mulder’s the only man she’s ever known that doesn’t seem to want to control her in some way, who seems to want her to have independence as much as she wants it.  And she doesn’t just think he’s putting on airs of a generous husband in front of the doctor.  She believes that he means what he says.

“We’ll talk it over,” she says.

“Joey.”  Mulder produces a quarter and walks over and hands it to the boy.  “Next time you’re in the Byers mercantile, you tell Mr. Byers you want a bag of his best penny candy.”

“Gee, thank you, Sir!”

After they leave the doctor’s place and get back into the wagon, Katherine sits close to Mulder and holds his arm as he drives.  “Did you know Mr. Skinner had a boy?” she asks.

“Hell, until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know he had a wife.  He doesn’t talk much.”

“I think that minor panic may have caused him to lose what little hair he’s got left.”

Mulder roars with laughter.

[notapaladin]

Obsidian and Blood, an overview

Do you like fantasy? Do you like mysteries? Do you like Mesoamerican mythology? Do you like ALL OF THOSE THINGS TOGETHER, set against the lush backdrop of Tenochtitlan in 1480? (Or maybe you just want to know more about the series I have been going feral over since August.) Then buckle up, because oh boy have I got a series for you!

*drumroll, please*

OBSIDIAN AND BLOOD, written by Aliette de Bodard (better known for her Xuya and Dominion of the Fallen series)

There are two kinds of people: Those who see the words “Aztec fantasy/murder mysteries set in very well-researched 1480s Tenochtitlan BUT WITH MAGIC, investigated by the HIGH PRIEST OF THE GOD OF DEATH” and immediately ran off to buy them, and those who clearly need convincing. So here I am, shamelessly plugging my new hyperfixation!

Obsidian and Blood consists of three semi-standalone novels and three (free!) prequel short stories, all featuring 30-year-old Acatl as our first-person POV mystery solver. Acatl is not, however, your average historical detective; aside from being set firmly in Tenochtitlan in 1480 with all that implies re. the acceptability of slavery and human sacrifice, he also is the High Priest of Mictlantecuhtli in a universe where the gods regularly meddle in mortal affairs and magic spells are powered largely by rituals and blood—animal, human, or your own. You’d think this would make Acatl really, really good at solving murders, but you’d be wrong. He is the least of the Triple Alliance’s three High Priests, and his god doesn’t come at his servant’s beck and call. Not to mention the other gods, who have their own deadly agendas. That’s not even getting into the people around him, who might be the most dangerous of all. Luckily, he has more allies than he thinks—if he has the strength to actually reach out to them and admit he could use the help!

(He doesn’t need to reach out to his student Teomitl. Teomitl, a confident young warrior of imperial blood, keeps volunteering. This gives Acatl roughly one heart attack per book.)

You will like them if…

I did just say “magic murder mysteries in 1480s Tenochtitlan,” right? It’s real Precolumbian Mexico hours up in here! The history of the Aztec Empire and their Triple Alliance actually forms multiple key plot points throughout the series!

you’re into Aztec history/culture in general

if a DnD fan, you are REALLY into the Raven Queen

you think blood magic is super cool and wish it wasn’t treated as the realm of The Bad Guys

you get incredibly hyped over lesser-known mythologies treated respectfully but also very awesomely (the thing where the Aztecs thought human sacrifice kept the sun in the sky? Yeah, in this universe it is literally true and plot-relevant)

you are big into chaste heroes, lots of snarky asides, highly opinionated narrators who let their own prejudices destroy them, “from an outside perspective this is cosmic horror but for the characters it is a Tuesday,” mysteries with twists you will NOT see coming, and themes of trauma/memories/family legacies

you love reading about dysfunctional family relationships in various states of repair/further destruction

you’ve ever thought “hey this historical mystery is cool but what if there was MAGIC”

you like noir detective stories but want them with magic

you like urban fantasy but want them to have historical settings instead of vaguely modern-day ones

Plot/character summaries below!

SHORT STORIES (prequels to the novels, blurbs by me)

Obsidian Shards

Warriors have been found dead in the town of Colhuacan, obsidian shards embedded in their hearts. Acatl, priest of Mictlantecuhtli, suspects a creature of the Underworld—one he already calls a foe, for it slew his first and last apprentice.

Beneath the Mask

In the Tenochtitlan suburb of Coyoacan, Acatl’s childhood friend Huchimitl begs him to save her only son’s war captive; the man whose sacrifice will make the boy a proper warrior is paralyzed from an unknown curse, unable even to rise from the floor. But who could have cursed him, and is it connected to the mask Huchimitl now wears?

Safe, Child, Safe

A toddler is slowly wasting away, the mark of the Underworld on him, and Acatl is tasked with finding the cause. But no creature of the Underworld kills so slowly, and so Acatl must turn his investigation to the living.

THE BOOKS (blurbs taken directly from the book listings, you don’t HAVE to read them in order but I do recommend it)

Servant of the Underworld

Year One-Knife, Tenochtitlan; the capital of the Mexica Empire. Human sacrifice and the magic of living blood are the only things keeping the sun in the sky and the earth fertile. A Priestess disappears from an empty room drenched in blood. It should be a usual investigation for Acatl, High Priest of the Dead—except that his estranged brother is involved, and the more he digs, the deeper he is drawn into the political and magical intrigues of noblemen, soldiers, and priests—and of the gods themselves...

(Neutemoc: I didn't mean to sleep with her! It was an accident! Acatl: I don't understand. Did you trip?) (Acatl: I don't want a new apprentice! Teomitl: :D? Acatl: ...I will make an exception)

Harbinger of the Storm

The year is Two House, and the Emperor of the Mexica has just died. The protections he afforded the Empire are crumbling, and the way lies wide open to flesh-eating star-demons—and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the War God's power. The council should convene to choose a new Emperor, but they are too busy plotting against each other. And then someone starts summoning star-demons within the palace, to kill councilmen...Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, must find the culprit before everything is torn apart.

(Teomitl: I've only had Acatl and Mihmatini for a year, but if anything happens to them I'll kill everyone in this room and then myself) (Quenami: Playing With The Big Boys.mp3)

Master of the House of Darts

The year is Three Rabbit, and the storm is coming. The Mexica Empire now has a new Emperor, but his coronation war has just ended in a failure: the armies have retreated with a paltry forty prisoners of war, not near enough sacrifices to satisfy the gods. Acatl, High Priest for the Dead, has no desire to involve himself yet again in the intrigues of the powerful. However, when one of the prisoners dies of a magical illness, he has little choice but to investigate. For it is only one death, but it will not be the last. As the bodies pile up and the imperial court tears itself apart, dragging Teomitl, Acatl's beloved student, into the eye of the storm, the High Priest for the Dead is going to have to choose whom he can afford to trust; and where, in the end, his loyalties ultimately lie...

(Teomitl: I am no longer Baby I want Power) (Acatl, to Teomitl: What have you got there? Nezahual, gleefully: A coup! Acatl: NO!)

THE MAIN CHARACTERS (in order of appearance)

ACATL “By my face and by my heart, I’ll bring you justice.” High Priest of Mictlantecuhtli, god of death and the underworld. As such, his duties include both the obvious ones of arranging funerals and standing vigils for the dead, and the less obvious ones of investigating magical crimes and keeping the boundaries between the heavens, Earth, and the underworld intact. When Servant of the Underworld begins, he’s only recently been promoted and hates it. Has a strained relationship with his living family, due largely to not having lived up to his (dead) parents’ desires for him to become a warrior like his brother Neutemoc. Bitter, cynical, and grumpy, but devoted to justice and fairness.

Has an official character sheet.

CEYAXOCHITL “Everyone has to grow up and take responsibilities. Even small, humble priests.” Guardian of the Sacred Precinct and wielder of the power of the Duality (Ometeotl), which makes her the sworn protector of the Mexica Empire and its Revered Speaker from all sorts of mainly-magical threats. Somewhat past middle age but still very strong in her magical abilities, and something of an antagonistic mentor to Acatl. (She nominated him for the position of High Priest. He is not appreciative.) Serious and devoted to her duty, with a keen eye for potential in others. Dies in Harbinger of the Storm and you WILL cry.

NEUTEMOC “Priests hide and run away. Warriors don’t.” Acatl’s older brother, a Jaguar Knight with five children and a failing marriage. Resents Acatl for not helping to support their aging parents by becoming a warrior like he did. The central suspect during most of Servant of the Underworld’s plot, though by the end he and Acatl have begun to repair their relationship. He is strict, stern, and bitter, but truly loves his family. (In the case of his younger brother, that love is buried very deep down.)

TEOMITL “If we don’t believe in ourselves, who is going to?” Acatl’s student, an enthusiastic warrior who yearns to prove himself worthy of his power and noble rank, as well as live up to the memory of the mother who died birthing him. During Servant of the Underworld he swears himself to Chalchiuhtlicue, goddess of fresh water and lakes, gaining (among other things) command over the man-eating water monsters called ahuitzotls. He is courting Mihmatini during Harbinger of the Storm; by the time Master of the House of Darts takes place, they are married. He is abrasive and proud, but also honest, loyal, and brave. And very, very ambitious. You will want to punch him several times. This is normal. (Also, I will swear that it's not just my ship-goggles being on too tight that has me thinking his relationship with Acatl is much more weighty and personal than the one he has with his ACTUAL WIFE.)

MIHMATINI “Better laugh, and smile at the flowers and jade. Life is too short to be spent grieving.” Acatl and Neutemoc’s youngest sister, a powerful magic-user who finds herself thrust into the position of Guardian during Harbinger of the Storm. Though she has no great ambitions herself—she mostly just wants to be a mother and raise children—she is ferociously protective of her family and will fight anything that threatens them. Even themselves. (Especially themselves.) Kind, caring, and light-hearted, but her acid tongue and sharp temper are not to be dismissed. "Fuck Around And Find Out" given human form.

ACAMAPICHTLI “We have always endured.” High priest of Tlaloc and a reoccurring thorn in Acatl’s side. Though he’s primarily out for his own gain and has no patience for Acatl’s refusal to play on the field of Imperial politics, they eventually form something like an uneasy truce following the end of Harbinger of the Storm. He is snarky and sardonic, but truly cares for his clergy. During Master of the House of Darts he somehow became one of my favorite characters.

TIZOC "I've always known that priests couldn't be trusted. You have just exceeded my expectations." Teomitl’s older brother, first Master of the House of Darts and then Revered Speaker. (Look, it’s not a spoiler if you can Google it.) He is cowardly, ambitious, and the closest thing this series has to an overarching antagonist. Among other things, tries to have Acatl executed during Harbinger of the Storm. Events at the end of that book only manage to make him measurably worse. "Ah There He Is, That Motherfucker, What A Tool" #1.

QUENAMI “Oh, Acatl. Such lack of tact. You are so unsuited for the Court.” High Priest of Huitzilpochtli, appointed by Tizoc between Servant of the Underworld and Harbinger of the Storm. Comes from a noble family, and is much better at diplomacy and playing politics than he is at magic. When push comes to shove, however, he can display some surprising determination. He is arrogant, scheming, and takes joy in cutting Acatl down, but presumably has some good qualities...somewhere. "Ah There He Is, That Motherfucker, What A Tool" #2.

Maps of the series’ primary setting

Setting Primers

Official Character Index

Glossary

[bismillahnah-blog]

‧̍̊˙˚˙blue-eyed angel

summary: roger and brian are always kissing, but not as boyfriends. they are always kissing as bestfriends - at least that's what roger thinks -

warnings: children's first kiss, some angst, homophobia (mentioned), hints of depression, it changes POV after first flashback

author's note: first of all, I want to thanks @someone-get-a-medic for helping with the plot, title and being my alpha reader (they are awesome, really). in this fanfic, rog and bri have 2 years of difference, and roger's girlfriend isn't named (bc i don't like to make the boys ex's and atual girlfriends being bitches) but if you want you can imagine her as dominique. i've been working on this since i got 200 followers - THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH - so this is a kinda of a late gift. that's everything, bye guys!!!

I stayed still. With his lips pressed on mine, there wasn’t too much I could do. It was pure, angelic, and innocent; like the devil itself had decided to let the sin walk amongst the guiltless souls of children, with the approval of God.

Waking up, my mind was racing. I can’t stop my mind from going back to the moments that are still lucid in my thoughts. The kiss. How could I forget it? I mean, it was years and years ago, but I couldn’t stop my dreams even if I wanted to. In fact, I would give everything to go back to his arms.

Why, dear Roger, why?

The boy was just like the devil, with his blue eyes ready to drown anyone who dares to come closer. But, for me, there was a different danger hidden in his emotional but cold eyes. For me, the fire was now blue, and I was ready to get burned until my soul would beg for forgiveness.

Of course, I was in love, who wouldn’t be when Roger wouldn’t stop flirting? Since he discovered what he could do by only blinking his beautiful eyes, he wouldn’t stop using, but I think his kind of behavior started in his early years, because I am very sure our first kiss was shared when we were only kids. I can remember, I’m not crazy.

“Do you think they will get us, Bri?” Roger finally spoke after a very long moment of silence. They were running from a few boys who wanted to throw rocks at the blonde, but Brian, using his height as an advantage, tried to defend the little boy, but the only thing Brian could do was look scaring, and the other boys noticed this after a few minutes, and this is how Brian and Roger ended in a park, hiding in a tunnel slide, at night. The moon was the only witness.

“I think they are only trying to scare us, Rog”

“Isn’t that what you were doing?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t scaring. They are” Brian said, locking his hazel eyes in the little’s figure.

“I think you are scaring, Bri. Excep… Excep…-”

“Exceptionally, Rog” The older said, smiling to himself at the cuteness of the scene: Roger pouting his lips while trying to remember what was the word he was looking for.

“That thing!” Roger said, smiling for finally using adults words “Well, I think you were expect something scaring when you were doing that angry face”

“I was exceptionally scaring when I did my angry face? Like that?” Brian replicates the face he did moments earlier, wrinkling his forehead and crossing his arms in his chest, while he puff his cheeks.

“Yes, like that!” The laughter of the boys could be heard through miles, the echo walking through the walls of the tunnel, reaching the stars, making even the moon smile back.

“Mom and dad were fighting again today. So you know what I did?” Roger spoke again after the laughter died. The boy could never stay silent, even if he wanted, always wanting to make some noise.

“I went to watch TV, and I discovered something that only grown up persons do”

“What did you discovered?” Brian asked with curiosity. They were still young, no surprise that a lot of things were new to them, especially those that the adults wanted to hide from them.

“Two persons, with their lips into each other mouths!” The look of shock took over Brian’s face. He couldn’t believe it, who would do it a kind of thing like that? It was disgusting! Some boys and girls even eat mud with their mouths, so why put your mouth into it?

“Why would they do something like that?”

“I think that when someone likes each other, they kiss” Roger then started to describe the scene, trying to not let any details escape: his hands wouldn’t stop moving, his eyes trying not to meet the profound gaze of Brian, and trying not to mispronounce any big word that he has heard the characters saying.

“So, it’s called kiss?” The new word sounded strange after escaping Brian’s lips. He touched them, trying to imagine another pair of lips in his own.

“Well, the characters said that they could kiss again after this, so I think it’s called kiss”

Going back to these memories, Brian could swear he could hear the devil whispering in his ear at that night. “Do it, do it, do it”. How could he not accept Roger’s suggestion when himself, even at a young age, was already wishing to feel the blonde lips on his own, it was sinful, it was his one way ticket to hell. He knew that. Hell is not reserved for those parents who scream at their children after losing their tempers in frustration; is not reserved for those mentally ill who don't know what’s right and wrong. It’s reserved for those who know their actions are wrong and do them regardless of the consequences, regardless of the innocence of those who will be affected.

“If kiss is what people do for those they like, we can kiss too?” Roger was with his head on Brian’s lap. Brian, of course, jumped in his own seat: he thought the blonde was already sleeping after getting his hair played with for too long. It was a very rough day; Roger was tired after running all day from the kids who hated him and his sharp tongue, and Brian couldn’t help but come to rescue, the tunnel slide becoming their second house.

“I don’t know. Do you know how to do it, Rog?”

“I think I do. I didn’t ask mom and dad anymore because every time I asked, they would start fighting” Sadness took over the blonde expressions, he was starting to frown his eyebrows, and Brian was certainly sure he was remembering a scene that happened very often in his house.

“We can teach each other and get better at it!” The older spoke, trying to cheer Roger up, and it worked. His expressions lifted up as soon as the words left Brian’s mouth, with his blue eyes sparkling under the night.

“Well, in the movie I saw, the girl is in the boy’s lap” Roger got up, and Brian opened more his legs, already knowing where this was leading to. He was already thirteen and asked his parents about kissing, and they explained him everything, wanting nothing but to give more acknowledge for their little boy, but before he could tell Roger, they were already running from the other kids, holding firmly into each other hands.

“But we don’t have a girl!” Brian said, resting his hands on the blonde’s wrists.

“Well, my friends say that I look like one. Let’s try it, Brian!”

“But I think only people who love each other can kiss”

“So you don’t love me?” There it was, those eyes that were ready to turn into an ocean of tears. Brian couldn’t support the thought of seeing his little boy crying, so he decided to do what Roger wanted, knowing that would make he stops crying.

“Of course I do, Rog. That’s why I will kiss you” The biggest smile emerged in Roger’s face, his canine teeth still forming, making him look even more innocent

Roger was getting closer to Brian, trying to catch the older’s lips, but with a giggle Brian was dodging every attempt of the blonde

“Stop, Bri!” Roger tried to sound angry, but his laugh gave him away. Putting his arms around Brian’s neck, he finally success to stop the giggles, and they finally look into each other eyes. There is something about the older’s gaze that send shivers down Roger body, his breathing becoming softer, while Brian’s become faster, Roger is relaxing while the older is tensing up. Then, it finally happened.

The meeting of their lips was nothing like some movie scene, after all, this was their first kiss, but it was such an innocent thing, only one touch to make they melt into each other, transforming their souls in one.

“You have to open your mouth, silly” Roger said in an undertone “And close your eyes!”

Brian couldn’t do anything but obey, he was now under the spell of Roger, he would do anything to feel his lips again, and he was the only one to blame. He closed his eyes and let his mouth open, arching to feel Roger lips again. Roger comes closer again, and this time it was what they could say, a ‘proper kiss’, with the blonde’s tongue slipping into Brian’s mouth. Brian put his hands in Roger’s neck, following his instincts, while Roger hands goes to the older wrist, readjusting his posture to make it easy to feel Brian’s body, with their foreheads touching and heads moving along the rhythm of their heartbeats.

“I think this thing, this 'kiss’ is wonderful, Bri!” The little one finally says when they separate their lips from the lack of oxygen.

“We can do this anytime you want, Rog.”

They certainly did, Brian can remember and quote every time he and Roger kissed. But not as boyfriends, not even close to that. They kissed as a friend, as a silent promise that everything was going to be okay.

Of course, when they were in their teen tears, everyone found strange that two boys would still be kissing even after knowing what it means to kiss someone, but they couldn’t stop. The lust was already in their veins, and it was ready to stay in their hearts.

The most memorable moment to Brian was when they were kissing and Roger’s girlfriend saw it. There was a lot of screams, fighting, explaining and an ugly break-up, and Brian blamed himself for weeks, until they kissed again - and Brian would repeat every action again just to feel Roger’s soft lips -.

But now, they were full-grown up mans, with Brian being twenty-seven and Roger being twenty-five, it wasn’t accepted by their parents that they would still be kissing each other, even after Roger married a woman he had met at college, and they would always blame Brian. It was him who didn’t try to stop Roger, it was him who made the boy do this, it was him and his first kiss against everyone else.

“For God’s sake, you are both grown up! You have to know you can’t just kiss your friends like that, especially you Roger, who has me as a girlfriend” The girl — Brian never bothered to learn her name, thinking this was just one of Roger’s short relationships — was screaming, tears running down her cheeks. Roger and her had meet in college, during lunch, and Brian was the one who helped the blonde dress up in every date they had, even if his heart would break every time, but he was more frightened in letting Roger’s down than fixing his own heart.

“But I kiss Brian because of that! Because he is my best friend” Roger mouthed, trying to pacify his girlfriend.

“This is disgusting! If you both don’t stop with this… this…” she was trying to find words that wouldn’t hurt Roger, but only for him. If Roger wasn’t there, Brian was sure she would have threw a few things at him “this stupid craze! If you don’t stop with this stupid craze, it will all be over, you heard me? Over!” She then storms out of the room, slamming the door, leaving broken souls behind.

Of course Brian made Roger obey his girlfriend, he could see that the blonde cared about her deeply, but yet he never noticed the sparkle in those blue eyes every time he and Roger talked.

They stopped kissing each other, leading to them going separate ways, and also to their parents talking behind their backs how much they were relived that the kisses finally stopped.

Brian couldn’t care less about the other’s opinion, he only wanted to have Roger back in his arms, it doesn’t matter if it was as best friends or as lovers, as long as their lips were pressed together, their foreheads touching and their hearts synchronized in one beat.

The sun was already rising, and Brian noticed that he went on another night only thinking of the blonde. Getting up of his bed, the man decided to make some coffee; after all, he deserved an amount of caffeine, so his body wouldn’t give up after some work. Heading to the kitchen, Brian starts to pour some water in the kettle, until he hears a knock in the door.

'Who could it be? There are no friends, no family… no Roger, who would want to see me’ he thinks while walking to the door, the time slowing down so that the two souls at different sides of the door could reconnect. Brian opens the door, and it’s surprised when he sees the very well-known blonde hair, the blue eyes, the little nose, the soft lips, his soft lips.

“Roger? What are you do-” The man was stopped by lips being pressed against his, and if the blue eyes of Roger were the gateway to the soul, his lips were the same thing for the body.

They were passion, the promise of the sweetness that was coming, it was the promise of realness, of the primal desire that lives in the boys. Brian wasn’t just surprised, he was beyond happy, he could feel the devil slipping away to give place to his angel, his blue-eyed angel who was now with his arms resting in Brian’s shoulders, his blue-eyed angel who was now at his tip-toes, trying to stand tall. His blue-eyed angel with his pink soft lips.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have listened to her. I know it’s very early, but I need to tell you something” The words were running out from Roger’s mouth, and he couldn’t be bothered to try to get them, his face was red from the kiss and his blonde hair was messy — Brian couldn’t help but mess with his hair every time they kissed -.

“Rog, come inside, and then we will talk” Leaving the doorway, Brian went to the couch, sitting there and waiting to Roger to follow. The blonde follows closely, closing the door behind him and sitting in Brian’s lap.

“I missed you so much” his head was resting in the older’s shoulder, while his hands were wandering through his chest

“I can’t believe I was such a fool, obeying that woman, thinking she was right, thinking we were… only friends”

“How did you-”

“Brian, please” He rearranged his posture, putting his hands at each side of Brian’s neck, his legs resting at each side of Brian’s leg, his heart beating at the same time as Brian’s heart. “We both know, there is no point in denying. We love each other, don’t we?”

The older was in a loss of words, his dream was coming true, Brian was starting to think that this was all a dream, and soon he would wake up to an empty bed, with another disruption at his heart.

“I thought it was pretty obvious” Brian finally said something, sounding more like a silent praying than an answer, stealing a laughter from the blonde's lips. God, how much he missed that laughter, those eyes, those lips, those touches.

The sun that was coming from the windows reflected into their eyes, making their body glows, embraced into each other. From that day, Brian knew that now they weren’t best friends anymore: they were ready to take the next step. Only Roger Taylor and Brian May against the world.

“Will you promise me to never leave my side? Even if those boys come back?”

“I promise, Rog”

[theres-no-paradise]

Sorry not Sorry

Chapter 8  Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5  Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 9 

Summary: A random number wakes you up early on a Saturday morning. But it doesn't stop there. The stranger keeps on sending messages, and you have no idea what is happening, when you start to develop feelings for the unknown person.

Pairings: Tom Holland  x Reader [submit your name: How it works]

Y/N your Name

Y/F  your friends name

Word Count:  1932

Warnings: There will be swearing for sure, lots of sarcasm

A/N: Chapter 8 is done! A little late, sorry for that, but I hope you like it. We are slowly working our way towards the main plot, so stay tuned on the upcoming chapters. Feel free to let me know what you think, too! Im so Happy about all the feedback I get. It really helps me to stay motivated and write for you :)

It was a day after the Incident in the pub and you were laying in bed and staring at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity. Your phone was on the nightstand next you, silent since the last message from the night before. The only sound in your home were loudspeakers, playing some music from your Spotify playlist.

‘Things will happen while they can, I will wait here for my man tonight. It's easy when you're big in Japaaaan. Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight Big in Japaaaan, be tight. Big in Japan, ooh the eastern sea's so blueee’, you sang along and tried to not think about your embarrassing encounter with Tom. Afternoon was slowly creeping by and you didn't do anything all day until your phone buzzed for the first time that day and you turned over to grab it from the stand.

The Spiderman: I’m leaving in two days to Montreal. Wanna meet up properly this time?

You immediately sat up straight in your bed, staring at the message that came from Tom. You giggled a little at the new Nickname in your contacts. The whole situation seemed to be unreal, you still couldn't imagine that the Tom Holland was the person who messaged you by accident. And yet here you were, reading a message from him once again.

You: I swear, I’m living in a fanfic or something …

The Spiderman: ?

You: Nevermind lol . Yes, I’d like to meet. Any idea what to do?

The Spiderman: Do you like dogs?

You: Positive.

The Spiderman: Fancy a walk in the park with me and Tess?

You jumped out of your bed and ran over to your wardrobe to get some clothes, at the same time you typed in your response. A walk in the park sounded just great for a sunny afternoon date. Meet? Just a walk? What were you supposed to call this? You were unsure if this counted as a date or not so you just shoved that thought into the darkest corner of your mind and chose some casual clothes. Jeans and a simple T-Shirt would do for a walk in the park.

You: Sure! Where and when?

The Spiderman: Richmond Park. And whenever you’re free

You: I’ll get ready and let you know when I’m about to get on the train.

You showered, dressed up and put some decent make up on your face before you rushed out of your apartment. Usually it took you a little longer to get ready but this time you didn't want to waste any time. What was happening with you?

The Spiderman: Alright. Ill pick you up from the Station.

You: Omw. See you!

The Spiderman: in a bit! X

The time on the train passed by quickly and you arrived in no time at the station, that was closest to the Park. You’ve been here before, so this area was familiar to you as you got out of the train to meet Tom, you remembered the buildings and surroundings.

“You look nice”, was the first thing, Tom said and immediately you felt your ears turn red and warm. You hoped for your cheeks to stay pale.

“Thank you. Even though I’m not wearing anything special”, you laughed, a little nervous.

“But you still look nice.”

“Thank you Mr. handsome”, another giggle escaped your lips as you approached the pair. You embraced Tom in a hug, before turning all your attention to the dog, that was sitting well behaved next to him. “And who are you?” you asked even though you knew Tessa already from Photos on the internet. You stroked her chin and head before getting up again. “That’s my dog, Tess”, Tom answered and you smiled, giving the dog one last pat on the head. “She’s gorgeous. Take good care of her or she might be gone later”, you joked, smiling wide. “You think someone could steal her?”, Tom wondered and motioned you to follow him out of the building. “Oh absolutely”, you grinned, winking at him. ‘It’s easier than I expected’, you thought to yourself as you walked next to the guy you’ve been talking to for the past few weeks. After the incident in the Pub, you were over thinking so much about your behaviour earlier. That you weren't even capable to say a proper word. You believed, that meeting him again would be so awkward after the first encounter but you were glad, that it wasn't as you expected it to be.

“Wanna hold her?”, Tom’s words threw you out of your train of thoughts and you stared at the leash for a second before realizing what he was saying. “Sure”, you answered while taking Tessa’s leash, holding onto it tightly so you wouldn't lose it because of your clumsiness. “So, how was your day?” Tom asked casually, as you walked in the direction of Richmond Park.  

“It was good. Silent and nice and yours?” you didn't tell him the part where you stressed yourself out because he asked you to meet. You tried to play it off cool.

“I had a few interviews this morning, so I’m a little tired”, he admitted, with a small smile on his lips.

“You should rest. You’ll be busy again once you're back at work”, “But that’d mean I’d miss some quality time with a certain girl”, his laugh made you look up to him with a questioning look on your face.  

“Oh you can just hang out with your dog all day at home?”, you joked, totally getting his saying.

“You're a dork”

“Naaah, I got your intention”, winking at him you walked a little faster so that you could reach the park and let Tessa run. “But I just don't like to play hah”, you added.

“No games here any way!”  

You both walked through the park, enjoying the summer sun on your skin. You let Tess run around freely, make her get the sticks you threw or play fetch with her ball. Tom was looking at you many times in silence, you felt it but you didn't say anything. The silence between you two was nice and not awkward at all and you enjoyed the attention you got from him, even if it was him staring at you.

“Would you have ever imagined us to actually meet?”, the brunette asked after a while as you decided to walk back slowly.

“To be honest, no.”

“Why?” “I don't know. I think I was scared? If you would've asked to meet before we saw each other in the pub, I would have declined”, you admitted.

“Hmm”

“I didn't know what to expect. Sure it somehow excited me because I actually enjoyed your texts.”

“Oh, you did? I knew it!”, Tom laughed and you joined in.

“Sure I still do. But whenever I tried to imagine our first meet, I couldn't”

“I understand. It's hard to think of someone when you haven't even seen their face before.”

“Exactly, but now I'm kinda glad we met.” your words weren't louder than a whisper but Tom seemed to understand everything without a problem. “So am I!”

You kept strolling through the park, talking about everything that came up to your mind. Tom asked you about your job and what you did in your free time, except for texting him. And you asked him the same. Especially about the past weeks as he was traveling the world. He told you about all the places he went to and you were in awe. You liked the glimmer in his eyes as he talked about traveling to all the places he hasn't been before. “Are you excited for Montreal?” “Oh absolutely. It’s gonna be busy with all the work there but I'm looking forward to it” he was genuinely excited, you could tell and suddenly there was a weird feeling in your chest. As something was stinging you.

“I'm a little jealous, I admit”, you said, laughing a little.

“Oh, I’ll bring you something or sent you a card if you want!” Tom suggested and you shrugged.

“No, you're busy enough. You don't need to get me anything” ‘please do bring me something’, you thought to yourself.

“I’ll do it anyway. No discussion” ‘Yes!’

You were slowly approaching the Neighbourhood with the train station just around the corner and it made you a little sad that the day was about to come to an end. “Wanna stay for dinner?”

“I’d love too but I don't want to-” you couldn't finish your sentence which was pretty much about bothering him more. Tom must’ve felt this because immediately he said: “Okay, come on, we’re getting Dinner at mine!”

“I hate you so much.”

“I know.” You both laughed once again. As you did many times this day.

There was tons of Chinese takeaway spread out over the small table in the living room. You sat on the brown sofa, legs crossed and a box with rice and chicken on your lap as you watched Sons of Anarchy on Tom’s big, old TV. When will he get a new one anyway? This model seemed to be from the early 00’s.

“I enjoyed today a lot. Thanks for inviting me over.”, you mumbled shyly, after finishing your food.

“It was my pleasure. We should hangout again sometime” Tom suggested as he stuffed some more noodles into his mouth. You smiled softly and nodded: “Id actually like that a lot, Tom.”

“Good, maybe I can make some room tomorrow?”, he wondered and you felt your cheeks warming up the probably hundreds time this day. But last minute you remembered, that you were  and not able to hang out.

“I'm afraid I'm busy. Can't miss my meetings”, you shrugged. You would’ve loved to hang out with him, but work was calling for you and you couldn't just call in sick because of some random guy. Okay, Tom wasn't random at all but still, calling in sick just for him to meet up with you wouldnt work.  

“What a shame.”

“Just give me a call once you're back in town and I make sure to make time”

“Sounds like a deal”

After you boarded the train, you sat on a free place next to the window, as it started to move towards your destination. You recalled the past hour and felt the heat overcome your body once again, as your mind wandered off to the brown eyes that stared at you for the millionth time that day. You remembered how Tom’s arm felt behind you, as he rested it on the back of his sofa. His fingers slightly touching your shoulder as you scooped up a little closer to him, trying to not make it too obvious that you enjoyed his little touches. There wasn’t much interaction between the two of you while watching Tom’s favourite TV show, which you learned that night. It was just the two of you, enjoying a Series and being close to each other. It wasn’t awkward or weird in any way, just nice and comfortable over all. Deep down you wished, that he would’ve made a bigger move and one thing could’ve led to another but that would either mean you’d become friends with benefits, which you obviously didn’t want, or just a one time fling and he’d be gone forever because you couldn’t look him in the eyes once again. You liked the slow pace, you both unconsciously decided to have with the whole ‘getting to know’ scenario and you wouldn’t want to have it any other way. But there was one thing worrying you: The Distance.  

Taglist:  @hollandorks  @beardedsteveslut @ilivefortomholland @casualprincess77 @agirlwithpointlessideas @isabellamozarella03 @MENDES-HOLLAND @thiswildfire @wastedheartnat @hollandbaby @moonofmy-life @smileylaurens @random-fandom-lady @heartoftheadventure @blackazkaban @augurydemon @homecomjng @punkass-potato @unfoldingdaydreams @thefriendlyneighborhoodspidey @rivedale @tiffanypooh

[rainbowravioli]

the way yoi staff is either blind or just rly fucken stupid. ive seen a lot of written reasons why people love yoi, and yuuri's probably the biggest one. cuz yuuris anxious. stubborn. chubby (at the beginning). yet so relatable. having him not to win gold, and to lose to yurio is like slapping him into face with words "nice try, loser, but not enough." on the other hand, letting yurio win is also a crime. its like telling him: "u're a brat, but thats ok." not only it doesnt help him, (1)

it just absolutelly messes with his character. and hes not even happy with gold. cant see how rude he will be in 2nd season. now, yurios cool. in his own twisted way. & breaking the cliché "the main character always wins" may look nice, but in the end its just N.O.N.S.E.N.S.E. yuuris favourite of reasons. of good reasons. some relate to him thanks to chubbiness, others due to anxiety. but hes not normal character. hes complex, yet so relatable. rly nice to see such a character like him. (2) thats why not letting him win is a big slap to the face. and dat character mess in last episode? (last only. ep 11 still made sense with characters, while the narrative was slowly destroyed [dem scores] - then in ep 12, the story made no fucken sense). there was anon who wrote to soobaki&you, the one with autism. i can feel their rage and disappointment in show. yuuris one of few reasons i still care bout the show. others are victor (they gonna fuck him up, save him), other characters (3) and their development (are they gonna defend yurio's behavior. i wanna kick his ass - i don't care if he has tragic backstory, thats no excuse for such a behavior hes doing). also, can they treat chris like person and not sex symbol. u just gotta have feeling staff loves yurio more and ignore yuuri. sometimes i wonder if they despite yuuri cuz of his "glass heart" (such a shitty name for his personality). also, the behavior to victor? asses, give him to me and ill write him a proper story. (4) i relate to yuuri way too much, too. imma not kiddin', when finale happened & i figured out what was goin' on, my school marks just dropped down. people may laugh at me, but when u still have the message "nice try, try again" in ur head, people cant expect ull be doing excellent. & the fanon theories? vic cant do the dishes? bitch, ive been taking care of myself from young age & never had a problem doin' dishes (i do live w parents, but they kicked me to care bout myself pretty early). (5) cooking meals isnt my strongest thing, but i can prepare smth for myself to not die from hunger. dissing vic's character like dat? fight me, assholes. hes not like that. "hes an alien" thing? someone fucked up, can u feel it. btw, sorry for long message. you probably have tons of asks rn. let yoself rest too. peace~ (6)

You guys never have to apologize for long messages. I’m always very happy you want to talk to me. Also, yes, entrust me with your anger and salt! I’m here for you guys. 

I’m always here for Yuuri appreciation and Victor defense squad so let’s get to it. 

Like I mentioned here (x), Yuuri is one of the big reasons YoI works and achieved the popularity it did. Seriously, go look at positive reviews of YoI. Even in short ones, they usually take the time to specifically point out Yuuri as being an excellent character and protagonist. And he is. He’s a huge part of the initial appeal of the series and of what distinguishes YoI as something new and original.

Yuri on Ice is an adult story. Yuuri is not the typical sports anime protagonists who is a teenager still learning the sport and wanting to make it to the big competition for the first time, who has to learn about teamwork and friendship and is still growing up. No, Yuuri did all that already. He’s an adult, he’s the top male figure skater in Japan, he is in the middle of his career and it suddenly goes terribly for him. Yuuri is emotional, he has weight problems, he suffers from anxiety and a deep imposter syndrome that makes him an unreliable narrator, but he’s also determined and stubborn and he hates to lose. And he’s an adult who is facing the lowest point of his career and having to find the strength in himself and his support system to move forward. He’s complex, nuanced, flawed and very realistic. Many people can relate to him or identify him as someone they could easily know in real life. The audience wants Yuuri to succeed and to finally believe in himself and prove his self-worth to the world.

Aaaaaand that’s one of the reasons why episode 12 doesn’t work. There’s really no reason to have Yuuri lose, especially when we are told and shown throughout the series that he always had the ability, he only lacked the confidence. Having a consistent build up to Yuuri winning gold at the GPF only to have him lose is not edgy, or clever, or “realistic” (x) (if I have to hear this argument one more time I’m going to set something on fire). Breaking the “cliché” does not make for quality writing. It’s particularly baffling in a series like YoI that managed to consistently surprise the audience in ways that added to the narrative and made sense, like the brilliantly executed plot twist of last year’s banquet.

Thing is, in the case of YoI, Yuuri losing is not even breaking the cliché because Yuuri’s entire story and journey doesn’t adhere to typical sports anime conventions to start with. Having him lose to Yurio is particularly insulting. Not only does it justify every single one of Yuuri’s earlier fears and doubts but it completely turns the story’s themes and meaning on its head. Yurio is a brash teenage genius who has been a prodigy since he was young, starts the series already believing he is better than anyone and then he proves it by shedding his entire identity for better scores (and developing super powers in the last episodes). Did Yurio learn anything? No, other than having his terrible behaviour justified. Hell, he’s even unhappy with his result because Yuuri beat his FS score, how dare he. Did Yuuri learn or gain anything? No, just that even while trying his hardest and battling through his anxiety he’s still just not good enough. Genius > hard work.

It’s weird and concerning how the staff has been acting and talking about the characters post finale. Sometimes it feels like they just wanted to make Yurio the protagonist but were aware he would never have been able to carry the story properly (YoI wouldn’t be even a quarter as popular as it is now if it had been Yurio on Ice, fight me). I just want them to treat Yuuri like the protagonist he is and, while we’re at it, shower him in the same level of love and attention they are giving Yurio. I anxiously await for season 2...they better compensate Yuuri. RIP Victor though. Poor dear, he also deserved much better and was completely screwed over. I swear, it’s like episode 10 never happened.

imma not kiddin', when finale happened & i figured out what was goin' on, my school marks just dropped down. people may laugh at me, but when u still have the message "nice try, try again" in ur head, people cant expect ull be doing excellent

There’s nothing laughable about fiction touching us deeply like that. *hug* I hope you’re doing better now. I understand. I...was kind of in a deep sad daze for a good while after the finale. It felt like betrayal. Specifically 12 because I was not panicking after 11. Episode 11 still makes sense. I just avoid it now because in retrospect it was the beginning of the end *sigh*

As for fanon interpretations. I can’t with Victor and the dishes! He’s an adult, he can take care of himself. I don’t understand why people think it’s cute or charming to portray him as some kind of human disaster who has only survived without “housewife” Yuuri so far by ways of a miracle. I also can’t with Victor having no impulse control and Yuuri having to keep him in check when in canon that’s Yuuri! Yuuri is the impulsive one. Victor is actually a much more controlled and thoughtful character than people give him credit for. Also Yuuri being serious and cold towards Victor and constantly threatening divorced (though with some of the things people have fanon Victor do, I can understand where the divorce comes from). Oh and any of them preferring the other’s merchandise over the real person. That’s not cute. And this doesn’t even cover all my fanon problems but good God. What’s the appeal of taking a healthy, loving, equal relationship and twisting it into that?

As for “alien” Victor...well Kubo is partially at fault for that one, isn’t she? But fandom just went with it. And it bothers me because it dehumanizes him. I feel like many people just don’t care to understand his character at all and just have him be this ~wacky random guy who is so mysterious and incomprehensible in his actions~. Victor deserves better. Time to pull out that badge again. 

[tumblunni]

aaaa im getting stupidly inspired to work again on my old Dating Sim Ghost Tragedy Game since I had that dumb idea today about a new Dating Sim Ghost Tragedy Game I’ve had like five separate ideas for different tragic undead datey games :P Lets talk about this particular one!! I’m pretty tired so I cant really write it a big post like i did with today’s new idea, but I’ll try my best ^_^

The idea is that it’d be sort of a traditional medieval fantasy setting but its more like a slice of life tale of the regular citizens in these sorts of worlds, rather than a big destined hero thing. Sorta like the appeal of the Atelier series? I’m thinking the protagonist could maybe be a blacksmith or a gardener or some other down-to-earth job? I just feel like he’s a hardworking chill sort of dude, sometimes kinda comes off as emotionless to others, kinda depressed but devoting himself to his work helps him smile again. He’s really passionate about whatever he does! And i think deciding his job would be a big step towards developing this idea, because having it as a minigame would help add structure to the plot and some relief from the sadness. I dont wanna make it too similar to Atelier though... So yeah, the protagonist is this cute mid-twenties relateable fella who’s just trying to do his job. I think I wanna give his outfit dungarees or something? I feel like he’d always look a bit work-uniform-style even when he’s off duty, he’s kinda too lazy to change clothes. A perpetually bored and disinterested guy. Or, at least that’s the impression he gives off to people who don’t know him, he only brightens up around the few friends he has. AND HE PUTS 100% INTO THAT SMILE, GODDAMMIT

And then his childhood friend is someone who actually was sort of a ‘standard rpg hero’, but a really sad subversion of it. At the moment he’s currently the main love interest, and he’s still sorta the catalyst for the plot and the mysteries and all, even if you don’t pick him. or I dunno, maybe I’ll just make it only one love interest but many multiple endings, but I think this character would be happy if his love interest was happy with somebody else in the endings where they dont get together. He’d be crying but happy. Anyway, my mental image for him now is this really weary chronically shy cinnamon roll who’s like a big ol tall beanpole knight with long rapunzel hair that he hides behind. Maybe white hair cos that’d fit thematically with his plot, but is that too sephirothy? When they were children, knight-guy used to be this bright and uplifting figure who always protected protagonist and had such great dreams of being a hero who could save everyone! And he went off to join the army at a young age, and then he just... shattered. He came back disgraced as a deserter, the decade of loyal service ignored by all his former neighbours just because he’d quit in the end. He had a complete breakdown and just couldnt take the violence anymore, now he’s barely 23 years old and already retired. And completely alone. No family, just trying in vain to take care of his fragile self as he locks himself away in his house and everybody gossips about him. And the thematic thing is that his biggest fear is spiders. The moment he snapped was when he was left injured on the battlefield unable to move for hours, trapped under a pile of bodies of his fellow soldiers, trying to play dead to survive. He just remembers seeing a spider crawling across the face of the man next to him, the man in pieces... So everyone horrid in the village likes to mock him by scaring him with spiders, and I havent decided on his name yet but he probably has a spider-based nickname. He’s unlucky enough to even look spidery :P

Ooooooohhhhhh and for extra irony, the village is next to a magic forest populated by demon spiders. WHOOPS, FATE HATES YOU! They’re kinda like both the gods and demons of this village, they’re seen as morally bankrupt dangerous trickster spirits that’ll do whatever they want regardless of good and evil. Everybody talks about how horrible they are and warns that anyone who does [insert sin according to our religion] will be cursed by them, but they also make offerings to them and consider them entirely responsible for the success of the harvest, etc. Its like if you knew your gods were unpredictable dicks but you still tried to placate them with gifts! (like most old european pantheons I guess) And even though this setting is indeed a magical one, the existance of the spider spirits is kind of an unknown mystery similar to real life gods. People very rarely see them in times of need, and nobody can ever prove it really happened. The forest is indeed the ‘forest of spiders’ but the only proven fact is that it has a lot of (as far as we know) completely ordinary spiders in it. Nobody knows why so many spiders cluster in this one area, so making up a legend about gods seems like a possible thing that could happen. or maybe this one area really is the centre of the world where the One True Spiders weave the webs that tell the future, and these are their mortal followers praying in worship much like the humans do... Anyway, its just a cool aesthetic thing of a cobweb-encrusted forest where entire trees get coccooned annually as the seasons come and go~ And a cool civilization that has a lot of trade in silk and weaving! Kinda based on the old ps1 game Jade Cocoon, though that revolved around magical spirit silkworms instead.

At the time the story starts, best friend knight guy has been back home for a fair few years now. Him and protagonist met again, and protagonist is goddamn determined to take care of his ill friend and somehow manage to convince the town to take him back! Its basically two depressed people holding on to each other as their lifeline, and helping each other compensate for the things they’ve each been robbed of. Protagonist struggles with expressing emotion and being a complete pushover who can never tell anyone what he really wants, so its helping him a lot that for once he’s determined and won’t just mindlessly obey his parents. You cant tell me to cast aside my best friend! Plus best friend just generally thinks the goddamn world of him and helps him be happy! And best friend suffers from seeing himself as worthless and being anxious about disaster at every turn, feeling that nobody loves him and nobody SHOULD love him. And not being capable of taking care of his more mundane day-to-day needs because he doesnt believe he deserves to like.. eat, sleep, leave the house, etc. Poor guy... I’m so glad I invented a protagonist character that can be there for him! And seriously they both just renew each other’s self worth and I’m getting so emotional about this pairing before I’ve even developed it... GAHHHH

SO YEAH LETS GET DOWN TO THE ACTUAL PLOT It was kinda necessary to establish the history leading up to it, because that’s why it’s so tragic :(

Last year, the protagonist’s best friend vanished overnight and never came back. Everyone says he just ran away again like a coward, nobody even looked for him except you. They say he was last seen walking into the forest, and nobody will listen when you say that’s IMPOSSIBLE! His biggest fear was the spiders! The protagonist frantically tried to find him.. tried to find his body... tried to at least investigate this murder mystery and find some closure... tried to at least convince people that it WAS a murder mystery.... With the loss of the person he cared about most, the protagonist has slunk back into his own shell again, and starts to give up hope on life. Facing the same pariah treatment they gave his spider-fearing friend, he eventually learns to stop asking questions, to stop searching, to just do whatever his parents said. And his parents said he has to have an arranged marriage, to restore their reputation, after his STUPID STUNT of causing so much FUSS over the death of some stupid deserter... Each day blends into the next, as life becomes once again just going through the motions of being a ‘proper man’. Then... One day... He comes back. The spider-haired best friend comes walking though your door like nothing had happened! But.. he isn’t quite right. Your joy starts fading to a growing dread. He doesn’t remember what happened? He walks straight past the people heckling him? He seems more peaceful than he’s ever been, he’s fearless again and he keeps answering your questions with exactly what you’re desperate to hear. Sometimes you swear you see him talking to spiders whenever you turn your back... So you have to adjust to having him back, and try and figure out the mystery of his dissappearance while worrying whether you can trust him or not. You even entertain irrational thoughts that the legends are true, and maybe you’ve invited a forest spirit into your home because it mimicked the voice of the man you loved. And... what will you do about that love? For the first time ever he’s recipricating your feelings, he knows all those words that went unspoken, as if he could hear you every night as you wished you’d confessed while you had the chance. Is this really him holding you close, or is it a cruel trick to offer you everything you wanted, so the forest can claim you just like it claimed him?

So yeah, gameplay would be like exploring around each day searching for clues, doing a certain job-based minigame, and having chances to either go down the dating sim path or mistrust this man that may or may not be the one you knew. Even options perhaps to develop a romance with other characters instead? But will there be consequences for instilling jealousy in something otherworldly...? I think maybe if you just jump right into romancing possibly-friend-possibly-doppelganger, then you get a bit of a bad ending. Agreeing with him 100% and never solving the mystery is bad, regardless of whether he’s actually trustworthy or not. Either way it ends tragically, but there might be possibly a way to get a true romance ending with him if you actually do keep on top of resolving the main plot as well as just smooching. I... won’t say whether his romance is good or bad though :P And there’d be one not-romance route, where its kinda like you have to work hard to avoid romance! The protagonist’s arranged marriage is a big problem, he’d resigned himself to that fate but now he’s starting to hope he can confess to the one he really loves instead. But he’s gotta go against the whole damn world trying to force him into this ‘destiny’... Oh and I wanna make the most of the spider aesthetic! I was thinking that ‘fate threads’ could be a big gameplay element, with the possibility of getting these out-of-context flashforwards and clues that can help you avoid a bad ending. (Like in Until Dawn!) And romance meters would be a silk thread connecting the two of you, because pretty interface elements are awesome :)

POINTLESS RANDOM DEVELOPMENT TRIVIA This is actually a super old idea that’s remained undeveloped for many years! Back when i was a lil teen I originally imagined sort of a similar thing but with mermaids/water spirits instead of spider ones. And a lake instead of a forest, naturally. Also it kept flip-flopping on the genders of the characters. Ultimately i decided delicate spider aesthetic would fit better with a m/m couple and terrifying swamp creatures of fierceness would be better as sapphic. And the het idea died quickly cos it was based on dumb gender roles that the shy one has to be the girl, blablabla :P Oh and for some reason the whole spider idea came from reading one particular case in the manga adaptation of Ace Attourney. Weird, huh?