#i think i've told this story before but it was truly baffling to me

[ishikawayukis]

bought some hair dye and i'm ready to fuck my hair up (on wednesday)

[elrxiel]

What baffles me most about gw*nriel is people giving Gwyn traits that are not even close to the canon.

It's like for them Gwyn is an empty canvas they can pour themselves or their fantasies into. They paint her as a badass warrior, as the next heroine, as a saviour of Ilyiria - not to mention some of them give her traits that are canonically held by Elain such as indicators of her being a good spy or her being associated with roses. There are so many theories and fics I've seen where the idea of Gwyn is not nearly what she was portrayed by SJM. It's very interesting that nothing like this happens with Emerie but when it comes to Gwyn - a side character who's not even that relevant to the plot, at least not yet - some people seem to paint her as the most important character in the whole series and really believe that she will be the next main, even before Elain (who has so many possible ways of development or versions of a story that can be told that is based on what is actually in the books).

Seeing her as a more interesting character than Elain is a matter of personal opinion and it's not what this post is about. But if you truly see Gwyn as a better partner for Az, a better main character of the next book or overall, a better character, please at least stay true to the canon. At least use her actual personality while speaking about her.

I don't think her character is meaningless or pointless, I would actually love to see her involved in the upcoming war. I just hope that maybe her further showing up during the story will finally clarify her personality more and people will actually stop treating her as someone she clearly is not, stop giving her traits that belong to other characters just to justify their poor theories and see she is enough the way she is.

I feel like the only reason gw*nriel is a thing is because some people cannot stand the idea of a slightly different character than Feyre, Aelin or Nesta leading the next book. They cannot stand not having a warrior girl but a soft, feminine woman. So they chose Gwyn to make her the next Aelin or Feyre in their head. It's really sad tbh.

[utilitycaster]

I agree what the cast says does not hold as much weight as what happens on stream. I think this is why I get frustrated by the 'Orym is to blame for Laudna killing Bor'dor' debates, using things Liam and/or Marisha have said on 4-sided dive that contradict the actual scene, where Marisha states Laudna barely notices Orym and Ashton, and *nothing* will stop her from doing what she wants to do. At worst, it's inaction. Have interviews and things like that always held so much weight in fandom?

I am absolutely the wrong person to ask here; I was not super in fandom when I was younger. I am going to, as I am wont to do, make some educated guesses but please take with a grain of salt.

I think there's a few things going on. A lot of people have told me that Glee was the first fandom they personally recall where it became about winning more than like, having fun and sharing ideas, and I wouldn't be surprised if that is at least an influence. (The idea that two ships that do not conflict and indeed have incompatible sexualities are in some kind of deathly serious competition is truly so baffling to me that I have to chalk up that particular bit of, if I may use a yiddishism here, mishegos, to Glee for sure.)

I also think that there was a time and there are shows where interviews did (or do) carry more weight, namely, those with executive meddling, or loss of creative control, or, notably, queer ships until quite recently. I have a lot of friends in the Star Trek fandom even though I'm not knowledgeable at all and from what I am given to understand, there's been a few ships squashed or delayed by executive whim or homophobia that the actors would pretty openly and consistently confirm at conventions. (The ones I know are Riker and Troi; and Garak and Bashir; but I have only hazy recollections of TNG and know NOTHING of DS9 so this is second-hand). I've talked about this before, but Word of God used to carry more weight for me when you simply couldn't have same gender romances on network TV or most mainstream film without risking your career. Now? You're a coward and a panderer.

Anyway I think with actual play specifically, which is improvised (ie, intent can shift dramatically and unexpectedly) and which has a lot of talkback shows and also a disproportionately huge amount of content people get in the habit of cherrypicking, and in extreme cases this turns into cherrypicking themselves straight out of the actual narrative and into microexpressions and OOC interviews and side conversations from three years ago.

I also, and I am too tired and too many drinks in (two drinks in, to be clear) to articulate this tonight, find that actual play in particular has amassed a certain fandom that I think was attracted to things I like and support (queer characters, women/queer people/POC creating and driving their own characters, independent creator-owned productions, improvised and therefore at times really unique stories, not needing to have streaming services in some cases) but also doesn't actually like Actual Play as a medium (see: every single D20 fandom meltdown low-key boils down to "I have zero genre awareness of both whatever is going on narratively and also I high-key loathe D&D as a means of storytelling and particularly the existence of violence in narrative, yet I am watching the Violent Narrative D&D show, so dance or me, my puppets, wait why aren't you dancing.") So I think you get a lot of people who are just making dumb fucking arguments because they decide what they believe and then poorly reverse engineer the support instead of doing things in the proper order and I think the people claiming Orym is responsible for Bor'Dor's death are in that category and we should stop treating them as people who are adding anything of worth to the conversation.

[hopetorun]

🎤 maggie with the cup final in play, i have ogwacs on the brain. who are your guys who haven't won that you would most love to see get one before all is said and done? we won't define an ogwac as strictly as most, so i'd say like. if we feel like they've been around forever and they're like 30 at least we can call them an ogwac for this exercise!

oh gosh!!!! there's such an assortment of guys that i've been fond of over the years for various and sundry reasons so in no particular order of fondness but starting with oh let's say the strongest contender on the list

pomo!! you didn't say i could include non-players but i am anyway, i think he's earned the title. two scfs more than twenty years apart gets you on my list

jeff skinner revenge tour. i don't think this requires explaining. i can't believe i have to root for the sabres but christ. if there's anyone in the league who deserves it. my only comfort here is that the previous record holder for most gp without any playoff games got traded to a contender as a deadline rental and promptly won the cup that year. only good thing the p*ns have ever done for me.

taylor hall. he's one of my longest-tenured favorite guys and like. man what a rough go of it he's had since 2018. also before 2018. but i had such a blast watching him when i was first getting into hockey and i think he deserves nice things.

jordan eberle. he was never quite the same level of special guy for me but i would truly be so stoked. kr*ken stop being cowards and make him captain.

justin faulk. one of my guys!! not on the blues though. i would bust out my old extremely stained faulk jersey in his honor!

someone on twitter pointed out that if the cats win, oel will be the person player to win the cup while on the canucks payroll which i do unfortunately think is very funny. anyway i love a comeback story AND that man did his time in the wars (coyotes org) so i think that would be a lovely cap on a rough few years

honestly most of the core players from the sharks mid-teens teams. some exceptions apply. that team was so bananas good for so long and not only did they never win, i don't think any of them have even gone on to successfully cup chase anywhere else? rough. i think pavs' likely retirement leaves burns as the only guy who was really there for all of it, assuming @moregraceful told me correctly that couture is probably a perpetual LTIR guy now, and burns took a step back this season in a way that has me wondering if father time is finally coming for him. anyway it's a bummer. and on that note

erik karlsson. god i can't root for the p*ns for it but i've been fond of him for so long! yet another man who has been in the wars. one of us, etc

claude giroux. because i've had to see that goddamn quote about how he thought he'd have plenty more chances at the cup back in 2010 and he's literally never even made it back to the final. good god man

john hock. i've enjoyed his work for years (he's actually the reason the flames ended up as one of my higher ranked sure i'll put that game on teams)

dylan larkin is only 27 but like. spiritually.

i would love for sam gagner to cap his baffling, delightful resume with a cup. but not this year.

roman josi. i was hardcore pulling for the preds the season they made the final 😭

yes i did go through every roster for this. yes i did find several old guys without cups where i was like, no i want him to stay that way.

[podcastenthusiast]

I don't like this one as much as the others but eh. I like it enough to post.

--

You find her one evening at the edge of camp, callused hands strumming her lyre and silently mouthing lyrics to herself. You quietly admire her for a moment.

"Composing a ballad about me, my dear? Do be sure to mention how beautiful I am."

"I'll get right on that. This is just a little something about our adventures."

You scowl. Normally you would despise such a term. Adventures are for heroes. There are no princesses in castles, only vampires trapped in dusty tombs and saved, if they're lucky, by worse monsters. But you know the power of a good story; you've learned that from her. It can dull the sting of fear from what is, at its heart, a madly inglorious struggle for survival at any cost, which includes a lot of corpses left behind.

"You play wonderfully," you say to avoid such dark thoughts. "I never had the knack for music, myself."

Cazador wouldn't have allowed such a thing even if you had. Anything just for yourself, any creative expression or small diversion you could potentially get away with between torments had to be quiet, unlikely to draw his attention.

"That surprises me. You've got the hands for it, and I've been told there's nothing more seductive than a lute player."

She smiles playfully, and you feel something in your chest tighten strangely. She's teasing you.

"Quite right," you reply, sultry, instinctively slipping on the old mask. "I have many other talents, I assure you. Very...skilled hands."

"Mm. I wouldn't mind learning that thing you do with the needles."

You blink, baffled.

"Embroidery?"

"That's the one."

She seems immune to your charms sometimes, which is as irritating as it is oddly liberating. She truly doesn't appear to expect anything of you. She sees you, is beginning to know you, yet for some inexplicable reason still wants you around.

"Come here," she says. "I'll show you a few chords."

A liar plays the lyre, you think, taking the instrument in your hands with care. You had heard music in taverns for years, and at your former master's bloody parties, of course; it's something else entirely to feel the strings vibrate under your fingertips. You're no bard, but you understand exactly how this could be a conduit for arcane power.

She says you're a natural. You only manage a very simple tune before your fingers start to ache, but it's all right. Similar to what you used to feel after finishing some particularly challenging stitches on a garment. It's good pain. Pain you've chosen.

She would've offered this little lesson freely, you think, she is impossible like that--always neglecting to ask for something in return.

You show her the basics of a needle and thread anyway. No one else has ever been interested, not even your siblings as you mended their torn clothes and flesh.

"Hells!" she curses, having pricked her finger with the needle. You smell the blood instantly, and this she offers to you freely as well.

"Such a dreadful tease, aren't you," you say, words soft as silk, her blood on your tongue.

She grins. "You love it."

You do. She never stops surprising you. And it's nice, frighteningly so, whatever it is you're both doing here.

[mtdthoughts]

Lingering Questions I Had (Migi & Dali Thought)

After the conclusion of the story, there were some questions in my mind that I either have no answer for or do not have enough conclusive evidence to back any specific answers. This post will just be a list of these lingering questions. More may be added over time if I can think of any.

Of course, spoilers will be discussed.

Q: How do the twins know their own age?

I'm not sure if the twins were aware of their own age around the time Metry died. I imagine that it'd be pretty difficult for Metry to keep track of time while being locked up with the twins. Perhaps the orphanage was able to estimate the twins' age based on their growth development.

Q: When is the twins' birthday?

Unless I'm wrong, I don't think the twins themselves give any clue as to what day their birthday is.

The next best thing is to see when EIji's birthday is. Unfortunately, there aren't really any hints for this either. Perhaps his old photos tell us something, but they don't exactly tell us much.

I've also thought about Christmas, but that seems a bit too good to be true.

If it's truly impossible to figure out their birthday, then perhaps it was intentionally omitted to highlight the importance of the twins' adoptive family rather than their biological one.

Q: How did the twins escape the orphanage without them notifying the Sonoyamas?

This one does baffle me a bit. I'm pretty sure the children and staff at the orphanage would remember the existence of a pair of blonde twins, and perhaps they would even remember their names. I'm not exactly sure how they would react when the Sonoyamas tell them that they'd like to adopt only one of the twins, and with a name that they've probably never heard before. This leads me to the following possibilities:

The twins lied to the orphanage about their name, or:

One of the twins ran away well before it came time for Hitori to leave for the Sonoyama house, or:

The orphanage were truly negligent or didn't really care that much about the twins, or:

The orphanage did actually tell the Sonoyamas eventually, whom kept this knowledge a secret from the twins.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the third option.

Q: At what point (e.g. episode or chapter) did they begin to suspect that they had twins?

There were definitely quite a few moments in the story that would probably make them suspicious of Hitori.

I can't imagine that they would be onto the twins too early in the story. As much as I'd believe that they'd respect the twins' privacy, I think they would know that it would not be in their sons' best interest to have them continue living as one.

Q: Does Akira know that the twins are his sons? If so, then what is the nature of the relationship between him and them?

Honestly, I'm surprised that he didn't suspect this immediately the moment he met them, considering how much he loved Metry and how much the twins resembled her. Perhaps the twins told him off-screen during Episode 12. Or, perhaps Eiji told him just before he was about to spend about two years in the juvenile detention center.

If he does know about his two sons, then perhaps he felt that he didn't have any right to just take them and leave, considering the fact that the twins suffered much hardship partly because of him and the fact that the twins already had a new family. But maybe he'd be interested in making it up to them at some point, considering that he was willing to come back to Origon Village to have cherry pie with the Sonoyamas.

Q: Why did Akira give Fidelite to the Sonoyamas?

I know that Fidelite is supposed to be a symbol for Dali, but still, it bothers me that there's no explanation for this. One farfetched idea I had was that maybe he gave Fidelite to the Sonoyamas and then told them about the twins.

Q: Have the twins ever visited Eiji in prison?

It's not like it was ever stated directly in the story that Eiji's return from prison was the first time they've seen him since his arrest. All they said was "Welcome back" or "Congratulations on your release". Thus, I think it's possible that in between Christmas 1990 and March 1993, the twins could have visited him at least once.

Q: How did Eiji know about Sali? How did he know it was Dali?

It's possible that he found out during Episode 9, but I think it's more likely that Reiko knocked him out before he could discover the truth. I also don't imagine that the twins would tell him in Episodes 11 or 12. If they did visit him in prison, perhaps they told him then. It's also likely that Eiji figured it out himself (the question is, when?), since he is pretty smart after all.

[duskwoodgirl4life]

Chapter 3

Jake arrived at the aurora and found Amy at the bar with a whiskey in her hand. Jake walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and her eyes widened at who was standing in front of her.

Amy: Jake what are you doing here?

Jake: I've come to talk with you about what happened 10 years ago

Amy: H-how did you find out? W-who told you?

Jake: so it's true then, I think you need to tell me what happened

Amy downed her whiskey slamming the glass down onto the bar, she took a deep breath and started to explain.

Amy: It all happened 10 years ago I was with Hannah at the festival most of the day, then we realised that that we needed to come pick you and Richy up. Hannah said she would drive the car we had been on the road for about 15 minutes or so when it happened. It was like the woman came out of nowhere Hannah couldn't stop in time and she hit her and she fell to the floor. We quickly got out of the car panicking not knowing what to do as we thought she was dead we dug a shallow grave.

Jake: Do you have any idea what you did to her? She had to learn to walk all over again and she had to rebuild her life.

Amy: Jake, I am truly sorry for what happened. I never meant for any of this to happen. What are you going to do?

Jake: I don't know yet, I need to think about this and talk to Samuel

Amy: He knows too?

Jake: Yes he does, he went to talk to Hannah

Amy: I guess he will know the full story by now.

Jake: you know I will have to report this

Amy: Jake, please don't it was an accident

Jake: after what you have done I have to Amy I can't overlook this

Jake and Amy started to argue over what to do, their voices getting louder, MC had just walked in to start her shift when she noticed that Jake was arguing with Amy. She didn't think anything of it and carried on with what she was doing.

As MC got closer to the bar Jake suddenly grabbed hold of Amy and pulled her away from the bar and out the door. MC looked baffled at what just happened between the two.

MCs POV

I walk into the bar to start my shift and all I can hear is raised voices as I get closer I see that Jake is arguing with Amy. I notice as I start to get closer Jake grabbed Amy's arm dragging her out of the bar.

I was so sure that he liked me, at least I thought he did. I found myself thinking about him more than I have any other man. I've really been in love with a man before but Jake he's different. I think I am falling for him but if he's with another woman then I guess we are not meant to be.

I need to get him out of my thoughts. I need to keep myself busy. Luckily, it's Saturday night and the bar is always super busy.

Jake and Amy get outside just as Samuel and Hannah arrive at the bar, the look on Hannah's face says it all when Jake meets her eyes.

Samuel: Jake, what the hell is going on?

Jake: I've just been told the full story

Samuel: I need to inform my sister

Hannah: please, don't tell her she doesn't need to know

Jake: What the hell!! Of course she as a right to know

Amy: please we are beginning you please don't tell MC

Samuel: we have to it's our duty as police officers

Hannah: I can't go to prison, please, please don't tell MC

MC: don't tell MC what?

Samuel: MC what are you doing out here?

MC: save it Samuel, what the hell is going on?

Jake: it's nothing to worry about we are just looking into something

Samuel: Jake's right, it's nothing to worry about

MC stood looking at the both of them and she knew they were both lying, she knew that something had happened but she wasn't sure what it was.

MC: I don't have time for your made up bullshit now someone tell me what the hell is going on!!

Samuel: MC, there is something that Jake and I found out tonight

MC: go on I'm listening

Samuel: it's about what happened 10 years ago when you had that accident

MC: you mean the accident that caused me to lose 2 years of my life that accident

Samuel: well we have found out who caused it

Hannan: we are so sorry MC we never meant to hurt you

Amy: Hannah is right we really never meant to hurt you

MC just stood in complete shock, her entire body just froze, her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. She started to get flashbacks of what happened that night, her knees shaking.

MC fell to the ground tears running down her cheeks, Jake put his arm around her and tried to help her up but she pushed him away. She forced herself to get up from the ground and walked back into the bar.

Samuel went after his sister to try and talk to her but she didn't hear him, she just carried on walking without taking any notice of anyone around her.

Samuel: MC please, wait let me explain everything

MC:

Samuel: I'm so sorry you had to find out like this we never meant for you to find out this way

MC: go to hell all of you!! Leave me the hell alone now!!

Samuel: but…

Before Samuel could finish his sentence MC had stormed off away from him, she went back behind the bar and started to serve customers. Jake watched from the other side of the bar. It was breaking his heart to see her like this.

Samuel went over to the bar and refused to move until MC came over.

Samuel: please talk to me

MC: What would you like to drink?

Samuel: I'm begging you please talk to me

MC: oh nothing for now okay well when you decide just let me know.

Jake saw MC walking towards the other end of the bar so he decided to go over and try to talk to MC.

Jake: MC, can I talk to you please you don't have to say anything

MC: fine, speak

Jake: Thank you, I know what you're going through is extremely difficult. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like. I promise I will get you justice

MC looked up at Jake, his eyes were so full of concern, she knew he meant well by what he said. Unable to control her emotions any longer the tears started to fall Jake was quick to wrap his arms around her. He sat next to her and just held her no words where needed to be spoken.

[kay-elle-cee]

Last day?!? Oh how time flies! Please don’t mind me being late to this, but it’s better late than never, right?

First I wanted to say, Congratulations on this milestone that you received. It just shows how many hearts you’ve touched across the world with your writing and personality! I’m always happy to read your stories, and of course the angsty ones are my absolute favorite, your writing is very addicting. I hope you know that I appreciate all the effort you put into your stories, and behind the scenes takes on the characters. 

It never ceases to amaze me, with the amount of talent and passion you have when you write your stories. Each story you write is special in its own way, and I’ve already told you which are my favorites, and as always IBFIBG will have a special place in my heart, no matter what. If one day you decide to step away from writing for any reason at all, I hope you know the impact that you have not only on myself but also on each and everyone of your followers/subscribers.

 I hope you continue doing what you love to do. You have probably received many congratulations and hopefully receive many more, I just wanted to share how much I appreciate you not only as an author but as a person as well. I feel as though people seem to forget that behind every name there is a person, and your name will always be special and one that I look forward to seeing each time I go on Tumblr or A03. Your writing is truly captivating and I hope you know that even if you are unhappy with your stories for whatever reason, someone out there is falling in love with the stories you chose to share. 

Now for the asks, both game/TSwift

 Getting to know your fic writer:

#61) Why do you continue writing fics? 

#24) Worst writing advice anyone has given you? 

TSwift Song lyric game:

#31) This is me swallowing my pride (Only if you want to of course, no pressure)

Hopefully you’ve been getting enough rest. If not, feel free to hold off on responding to this until you get some much needed r&r. I’m happy to have read one of your Jilymicro fics while I was scrolling through Tumblr. I hope you never doubt your abilities when it comes to writing, because there are a lot of people who care for you, and love seeing you on their dash, including me of course. I wanted to send this before I head off to work, again congrats, you deserve all the recognition that you deserve and then some.

Nena I'm gonna cry over here, you are so lovely and I hope you know how much I enjoy seeing YOU on my tumblr/discord/ao3. <3333

For someone who's written over 200k words this year, I fear I can't find the right ones to fully respond to all your kindness except thank you, I appreciate you, and thank you again <333333. I'm so happy (and baffled) that people continue to read my little scenarios and feel affected by them. I know I've said I've been a little burnt out lately, but I don't plan on stepping away (in a permanent capacity) any time soon. Just need a little R&R (if I could actually make myself stop and rest, that would be GREAT lol).

I know I've already tagged you in your prompt (here on ao3), so now for your questions!

#61) Why do you continue writing fics?  I enjoy it, and I keep. getting. ideas. 😅 I remember when I was finishing up restless waves rise and fall I was like "oh man I only have like 4 other ideas....what happens if I run out?" and let's just say that is 1000% not a problem anymore. Now my problem is "how can I get through all these ideas before something in RL demands my undivided focus?" which might account for why I've been SO active this year.

I talk about how I work in a creative field, and that's true, but I don't get to create from scratch, and fic scratches that itch. And it's totally at my whim! No client briefs to meet, no writing to rigidly fit what other people expect, just....whatever the fuck I want.

#24) Worst writing advice anyone has given you?  "Write what you know." I think that's fine advice to get your feet wet, but if we all did that, I think ao3 would be boring as hell 😅. That's not to say if it works for you, don't do it—if writing what you know is what works, great! But for me, I had to break out of that mindset to really start writing some of my favorite things.

Thank you again, Nena! I appreciate you so much! <3

[warpweighted]

actually wait have I told this story before? I dont think I have, but I've stopped giving a shit if this gets back to him so [extremely offline mutual who hasnt heard this story but will definitely put names together] hiiiiii if this comes across your dash dont even worry about it <3

so okay. I made friends with Name Redacted at age sixteen, was part of group of long-distance friends with him, texted him one-on-one fairly regularly, etc etc. mid-October he confesses An Crush using the most obvious contrivance possible (Aiden I have a crush on a girl at school what should I doooooo, what would you want me to do if it was youuuuuuu) and I, who spent my teen years doggedly pretending romance didnt exist, completely fell for it lmao. but! rejection was immediate, I Value Our Friendship rigmarole was completed, a little awkward but we'll make it work.

because it turns out he did value our friendship! as a means to get attention from his crush. >_< after at least the second "but why dont you like meeeeeee" crytyping session (which I, having no boundaries at the time, patiently consoled him over and subsequently wondered why on earth seeing his text notif pop up was exhausting alluva sudden), via my lack of boundaries I ended up visiting him in his city one-on-one

which I had not done with any other of the friends in our little group before, and wouldn't do again for quite some time

and midway through "city tour, frozen yogurt, and a movie" my man Name Redacted finds it relevant to tell me that he wants to pay for my frozen yogurt because "this is the closest he'll ever get to a date with me."

like. maybe it was a bit of an overreaction but in retrospect its obvious why I was so tense during the movie lmao

anyways I say all this to bring up two other truly baffling instances that followed:

firstly that a few months later he asked for a pity date with me ("if we both go to the same college and youre still single and I'm still single -")

secondly that the last one-on-one text convo I had with him was during a round of shitty-innuendo in the group chat, which I had to put down to rescue a banana that'd fallen off the stem. I texted back what has to be the least sexy double entendre in existence, "sry I missed these messages yall I literally had to pause to put plastic wrap on a banana" and this boy

immediately

messages me directly and says

"dammit, Aiden, I had been so proud of myself all this time that I didnt want to have sex with you. Don't change that!"

like. ???? lol

[pebblewritesj]

TWO - Lennon's Smoke

Chapter two of my Wattpad story, Look At Yourself, Bowie! If you want to read more the rest is on Wattpad under the user Jaomixi, forty chapters have been put out so far!

---

JANUARY, 1975

"You'll have fun, you might meet someone." John said as he carefully lit his cigarette. She had no interest for the party he was trying to get her to go to, she wasn't into the rockstar, drug fueled, parties- some made her truly worry for some of the others attending.

John was desperate, every other person he asked had something to do that day, which absolutely baffled him, but he continued to ask everyone he knew regardless.

"I don't want to, really. Last time I went I saw Mick Jagger doing cocaine off Keith Richard's back-"

"Oh, but you met Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, didn't you? Come on, Mari, you know you love Mick, wouldn't have met him if-"

"If you really cared you would've called him and told him about me, do you forget you're easily one of the most famous people in the world?" the woman finally turned around to see John with a cigarette in his hand, blowing smoke out the side of his mouth.

"I've told you to not smoke in the house, Lennon."

"Go to the party and I'll consider stopping."

"Fine," She finally gave up, John giving her a satisfied smile, "But if I don't come home with at least one musician's number, I'm never going to one again."

John gave her a nod, "Great. I'm sure everyone will be very starstruck."

Mari had released her third album that year, it was called Every Soul. It was a huge hit, she was a quickly growing name in the music industry. 

"Ah yes, I can already see it. They'll line up for autographs, I better bring a pen," she smiled. 

John laughed, putting the cigarette back in his mouth and blowing another round of smoke in Mari's home. "I'm going to your party, you gonna put it out or what?"

"You know, I don't think I will."

She playfully rolled her eyes at the man, getting back up to check on the spaghetti she had cooking on the stove. 

"You should get going, I'm happy for you and Yoko."

John's original intent in his visit was to tell Mari the lovely news of Yoko's pregnancy. Mari could practically smell the mix of emotions from the man-- though it could have just been the smell of his cigarette wafting through her house. 

John looked at the woman with a face of confusion, "Get going? It's only 4:00," he glanced to the clock on her kitchen wall, it read 5:30. His eyes widened in a state of panic, he quickly got up from the bar-stool, mumbling repeated profanities under his breath, moving to the front door to make his exit. He was meant to be back home by 5:45.

"It's been a pleasure, shame I didn't have time to put out the cig, but I best be off! I'll call you about the party sometime later!" He exclaimed as he rushed to the door.

"Bye John!" Mari barely got the words out of her mouth before she heard the door close. 

She continued to make her meal for the time being, though once it was done she found that she wasn't very hungry. She ate anyways, as to not waste a meal. She found herself sticking to smaller portions lately, it was a habit.

John told her the party would be the next night, he would drive pick her up and drive them there. She asked him where exactly he'd be driving her to, to which he replied, 'Ah, some music producing bloke, what's it matter anyway?'. 

She was a little excited to go, now that she knew she was going. She liked to meet new people in the industry, and she wouldn't have had anything else to do that afternoon if she wasn't going. She was dying to know who would be there, but John didn't know.

She continued to eat her food, going to bed at a surprisingly normal time. Good day ahead of her, best be prepared.

* * *

A/N

Slow start, I know. Every chapter will be at least two-hundred words longer than the last, though the next chapter should be lengthy anyways.

[tjerra14]

⭐ (I wanna know something you wanna talk about. be it a parallel you were proud of or a throwback to a scene from an earlier fic - anything goes. anything you want.)

I've been thinking long and hard which bit to choose to talk about a little more and honestly at this point I don't remember if I've done so before or just imagined myself doing so--if I did, apologies for repeating myself like a broken record 😅

Something I like doing when writing is what I call "mirroring" (it probably has a proper scientific name in theory but I'm not an intellectual where literature is concerned)--repeating the same sentence or paragraph, be it in exact wording or merely in structure, to highlight either similarities, or more often, differences. I used to only do this within a single fic, but at this point it's been coming up across multiple works especially since I consider most if not all of my Horizon fics to be part of a (more or less) cohesive whole.

So there's this bit in Linger:

Her mind doubts, dismisses, but her skin remembers. The soft touch of Ikrie’s fingertips at her temple, taking off the Focus as if she knew that as long as she wore it, they were never truly alone. Caresses exploring uncharted yet familiar paths, diligently mapping her scars, her stories. Fingers first, then lips: the one on her brow, token of the outcast. The one on her neck, token of the Seeker. Countless marks on her hands, tinkerer; her forearm, archer. Shoulders, back, chest, all cuts and claws and arrowheads: machine hunter, warrior. The one next to her navel, still fresh and angry and pink, where she caught shrapnel from a Bellowback’s exploding gullet as it charged her. Ikrie doesn’t know that one yet. She would hesitate and look up at her with questioning eyes, just a hint of worry in them, and the pad of her thumb would brush over it repeatedly as if she could smooth it out while Aloy tells the story. Friend. Talanah had dragged her to safety that day, nursed her through the fever, and while she had insisted there had been no need, Aloy knows it wouldn’t have healed half as well if she hadn’t. Ikrie would listen, quietly, and then she would lean in and kiss her, one of those lasting, heavy ones that leave her breathless and hungry, desperate for more. Prayers to a goddess—all gods—she doesn’t believe in as she drinks her in with every fibre of her being. Faith has never made much sense to her, but worship, she understands.

Followed by this one in Latency:

You know her shape as intimately as a painter knows their art. Your hands are the pigment-stained hunter braving the heights, she is the mark faded on the cliffs, and with each return, you retrace her lines. Fingers first, then lips; diligently, so that you won’t miss even the subtlest of changes: the remnants of the sun’s kiss on her arms; a faint smattering of freckles fading on her shoulders; the scars that pale, others that are added. All parts that make her, carved into her skin: on her brow, baffling compassion; her neck, perseverance. Countless marks on her hands and forearms, witnesses to her resourcefulness, curiosity and skill; chest and back praising unwavering courage against machine and man. The one next to her navel—

That one was new, and it made you pause. Look up at her, eyebrows raised, and she told you the story: a moment of recklessness, a Bellowback charging, safety reached only for the kindness and care of another. As you kissed her, soft at first, then deepening, losing yourself in her breath and taste and body, this piece, too, fell into place: the light she gives to the world and other people; that they give back. That you give back.

To me, scars are imprints of stories on our bodies, no matter how little or insignificant (or embarrassing--'my knife slipped while cutting zucchini the day before a pathology session and my prof was very annoyed with me, degrading me to clipboard-holder-protocolist with the dirtiest look imaginable' is not the most thrilling backstory), and I've always been fascinated to explore their meaning. In this case, since Linger is written from Aloy's perspective but Latency from Ikrie's, I had the opportunity to use two different approaches. For Aloy, her scars just are. They mark her with the events that left them, assigning her all the roles she took up throughout her journey. Outcast, hunter, tinkerer, warrior--who she is is written into her skin. Ikrie, however, doesn't define Aloy via her roles. For her, who she is as a person matters, and her scars and the stories attached to them are a testament to her character, to all the things she admires and loves about her. Where Aloy might associate painful memories, or roles she only reluctantly fills, Ikrie's perception is skewed towards the positive, and she actively looks for new ways to hold her high.

It's also worth noting that while both of these scenes describe the same event, in addition to the different perspectives the timeline also varies--in Linger, Aloy imagines what would happen would she meet Ikrie again; in Latency, set the next morning, Ikrie looks back on what happened. There have been multiple reunions in their past, and this one differs only in a new scar, a new story, a new perception to be added. There's routine to the leaving and coming-back, and both are well enough acquainted with it to imagine even the details correctly (which is a whole 'nother thing but y'know. Aloy's gotta run from her feelings, it's what she does).

[reachexceedinggrasp]

I've been wanting to ask this question for a long time, but haven't been able to since I've never truly been aware of it till now and you can maybe provide some eloquent insight on this subject. I've been watching lots of dramas,movies,and even reading fanfics and something that truly baffles me is how most of these authors treat One True Love romance trope. They always make the main character yearn,pine,and even internally devote her/his whole heart to this one character they love. Set it up as if the main character couldn't and wouldn't have been able to fall in love again if they never manage to get together in the end. That it is NOT that the main character can't move on, it's just that they CHOOSES not to because their love is just simply too great. Some writer even go as far as making the main character be content with being ALONE and just having the other guy/girl inside their heart forever even if they're never officially together because the devotion and memory they have of that one person is enough to keep them going. ONLY TO TURN THE WHEEL right before the Ending by making the main character act like they never even think of all those stuff in the first place and Authors playing it off as "Even though the MC loves this guy/girl so much, they still themselves as a person first and foremost. They shouldn't and don't need to depend on some memories/feelings for another person to survive. They're perfectly capable of MOVING ON." 🤪 The fun and SUSPICIOUS fact is this : Usually this kind of things happen MORE OFTEN in stories where the MC is a woman🙃 Like you just know the writer's gonna backtrack right before it ends🤡 Why bother writing all those sappy romance stuff then,if you're just gonna slap your reader in the face for expecting unwavering loyalty that you set up in the first place from your MC?!

Like do you think this kind of thinking/interpretation and writing of a story is thematically right? Or is it simply the case of the writer being a coward,afraid of fully committing to that heart wrenching love and devotion THEY set up in the first place?

It's probably a combination of being wishy-washy in general because you haven't thought through your story or what it's saying, wanting the big flowery devotion and the romantic cliches but not really wanting to commit to them, and people just chickening out.

If it's a theme or intended message, then the story should actually deal with that and have the character coming to a realisation that undying devotion is a destructive ideal or something that they don't actually believe in or whatever. That would be fine. Some books do have that as a theme they're exploring.

But switching gears tonally without any justification of that or having a character randomly completely change their attitude for no reason is bad writing. And sort of yanking the rug of romanticism out from under the reader without setting that up as the point is going to frustrate and alienate them. We as the audience don't need the author to turn to us and remind us to drink water and get enough sleep. You are not our mum. It's not a guide for life, it's a story. Don't lecture me about how the main character don't need no man, I'm not reading a romance because I want to be told romance isn't important. I want them to give the cat a name and realise people do belong to each other, that's why I'm here.

Of course, people are undercutting their own drama left and right, so maybe it's just fear of being dramatic at all. God forbid we have any heightened poetic emotions, I guess.

[kim-ruzek]

this is just my opinion but i think the upstead crazies might seem more in number and more of an issue bc the fandom in general is bigger to begin with. and truthfully your posts seem very victim complex to me about burzek fans, and lumping most of us together is insulting bc even though most of us hated this season, we don’t really bother with your fandom bc we don’t like Adam and kim

I don't really get what you mean about me seeming very victim complex but okay? Probably because I don't use as harsh language maybe? But that's just because that'll be bitchy, and I'm only bitchy back to those who are bitchy first. And because Burzek fans follow me and as much as ridiculous fans in all fandoms including burzek makes me roll my eyes I don't want to potentially isolate my fellow fans who might think they fall into that category. But I still don't pull my punches when criticising and hold them to the same standard I do other fans.

And I'm not lumping most of you together. I've literally repeatedly made a distinction because I want it to be known that I most definitely do not colour everyone with one brush. Because I'm not about that. (And trust me, it can be hard sometimes because sometimes my mind's instinct is to associate upstead fans to the few nasty fans who sent me racist shit because I remember it frequently whenever stuff like this is brought up but I know that was just a few rotten apples and that all of you, even most of the people I think is a tad delusional would chuck them out way before they spoil the barrel and so is unfair to hold their crimes against the majority).

You don't bother my fandom? Okay then you're not the stans I'm critiquing. It's simple as and if you read what I wrote you'd get that. Instead I can only assume, that if you do normally have comprehensive reading skills, that you just skimmed my posts, made this conclusion that I was lumping everyone together and sent this. Which in the future if you're going to send an ask like this, please use critical thinking and actually read everything that is said so that you have a comprehensive idea of what I said. And if you don't want to put that work in on a post written by someone who thinks there's a huge amount of hypocrites in your boring white piece of bread ship fandom then simply don't engage.

But if you do engage, please make sure you're informed.

And if this is on my criticism of upstead fans not liking this season let me make this clear once and for all: it is perfectly fine to not like a season, for whatever reason. I am not disputing that. My criticism was purely about the hypocritical nature of upstead stans -- again I'm using this to mean the crazies that have just exponentially grown since Jesse left-- but never did I assert that they had no right not to like the season.

I'm a big believer in critiquing things. I love doing so, even when during s8 and 9 I was told to get over it by your fellow fans and I truly believe looking at your show under a critical eye is a good and healthy thing (although I don't fault anyone who doesn't). But saying that, I also believe that if you are going to critisize something you can't just go half in, you have to go in all the way. Especially when making broad statements the fans I'm critising are.

And that you need to address your biases. Upstead is your ship and it doesn't matter if I find it baffling, they're your precious babies but if you're going to take a critical eye, you need to address how that may colour your opinion. I do this. I have had a jerk response to something, reexamined it and realised I was looking through the lens of my burzek coloured glasses. I've also reexamined things to make sure my dislike of fans or honest utter bafflement at how upstead fans see their ship as (like it is truly utterly baffling to me. I get it logically obviously but it's just so baffling to hear people describe it as the greatest love story) to make sure that wasn't colouring my views.

That's how your criticise things. And if you don't want to do that, then you can't criticise. And it is more baffling to me that people don't get that, or that people don't realise they don't want to become part of this modern fandom toxicity that unfortunately is getting more and more common.

[unfinshedsentec]

ACCUSATIONS—RYUSEI SATOU

a/n: I got mixed opinions on fluff or angst sooo…hurt/comfort!

Enjoyyyy <3

reader is gender neutral! And Ryusei might be a little ooc

character pairing: ryusei satou x reader

tw: cursing, fighting/arguments, mentions of cheating/cheating accusations, jealousy, etc.

Isn't funny how subjective time is? How in the best moments time seems to fly by so quickly you could close your eyes the moment would be over. And how in the worst moments, time drags on for what seems like forever. For one person, 5 minutes might seem like a piece of cake, but for another it's an eternity. And right now, those 5 minutes seemed to be a lifetime for you.

"C'mon Y/n! Quit pretending like I'm some sort of fool! I see the way you look at him, the way you smile at him. I know you love him!", Ryusei yelled, getting angrier by the moment. The rain that already ran down his face seemed to run down faster as he harshly breathed. His hair was pressed up against his seemingly happy, glowing skin, but his furious eyes told a completely different story.

To think, that this was just supposed to be a casual after-school date. That you were supposed to be a normal lovey-dovey couple for an afternoon. That you were going to finally be fight-free. But of course, you had to say goodbye to a friend, and of course Ryusei didn't like seeing you with said friend.

He never does. He loves all your other friends, just not him. There's always a problem with him.

"I'm not fucking with you Ryusei! Goddammit, when will you realize he's just a friend?! When will it click in that little head of yours that I love you and only you!" you huff, continuing to walk. Ryusei however did not follow.

"That doesn't explain why you always ask him for help on homework and stuff! That doesn't explain why you look so much happier with him than me! That doesn't explain why you look at him like how you used to look at me!" he spoke, disgusted.

"Wha-" you began, baffled at his distrust towards you. "You're crazy!"

"I'm crazy?! You're the one whose cheating!" he screamed, pure rage on his face.

His eyes were darker, darker than they ever had been before. His face was unbelievably tense, so tense it concerned you. In a way it scared you especially because you could tell that he truly believed every word he said. He really thought you were cheating, despite you showing nothing but complete and utter loyalty towards him. On the flip side, you were enraged. How could he even accuse you of that?! You who would sacrifice your life for his in a heartbeat. You who would rather die that betray him.

How could he ever think otherwise?!

"How many times do I have to tell you he's a friend. F. R. I. E. N. D!" you screamed in return. Your throat burned from the yelling, and your body slowly began to give out. You were tired, tired of everything. You just wanted this to end. But it really didn't seem it would end anytime soon.

"I don't believe that bullshi-"

"I don't care what you believe! I'm done talking about this! Clearly, I can't change your mind so I'm not going to try. If you truly have absolutely no trust in me to the point where you can't stand seeing me with him, then maybe..." you shook, casting a downward gaze just at the thought. "Maybe..."

"Maybe we should split and you can date him instead." You froze replaying his words in your head. You didn't want to believe he meant what he said, but he did. You knew he did. Although Ryusei was usually a fun, loving guy, at times he could be as hardheaded as can be. Not only that, but sometimes he let the anger get the best of him, and that was exactly what was happening right now.

"Ryusei...no" you mumbled, facing him again. "Y-you don't mean that"

"I've had enough of this bullshit. I'm done." At that, Ryusei turned his back towards you and walked away. The air thickened with coldness and betrayal. Even as he mumbled a final goodbye, his voice stayed ice cold.

"R-ryusei! Ryusei stop playing around!" you yelled, sobbing. "T-this isn't funny! Ryusei!" You felt your heart pang in a way you had never felt before. You had dreaded this moment ever since you started fighting but you never imagine it would happen. You practically felt your heart shatter into pieces as he just walked away, walked away from it all.

You desperately wanted to chase after him and beg him to stay. You wanted to try to work things out again, but he knew he was too dense and angry to listen. There was no way to get through that thick skull of his. All you could do was sob and walk the other way. After all, this was his choice. He was the one to give up the relationship you cherished so much.

It was his loss, after all.

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

The next couple of weeks were grueling. You'd see him, in the halls, in class, going to lunch. You'd see him laughing with other people as if nothing happened. You'd even see him flirting with other people, yet there was nothing you could do except look to the ground and pretend you saw nothing. You acted like he was a ghost, when deep down he was anything but that.

You cried everything, looking thought old pictures of him, reminiscing on the happy moments. You'd cry so hard you fell asleep. You'd cry so hard you couldn't breathe.

People asked you what made you so tired, so depressed, but you just couldn't answer. It was a terribly petty situation that you didn't want to admit to happening. So, you just told them you didn't want to talk about it. Even some of his nicer friend came to check up on you, but you'd just tell the same thing.

"It's nothing"

The only one you had told little about what happened was Baji, but that was because there was no denying Baji. He would find out one way or another. And once he did, he was not happy.

"Ryusei!" Baji yelled stopping Ryusei in his tracks. As usual, he gave his normal smile to Baji and acted as if everything was fine, when Baji knew it was the exact opposite.

"What's up Keisuke?" Ryusei smiled, waving.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Baji yelled, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "Why the hell would you break up with them?!"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Oh please, you can't lie to me. Y/n told me!" he yelled, shaking him. "And y'know what's sad?! The fact that I had to be the one to comfort them and tell them everything would be alright. The fact that I was there for them instead of you is just sad. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"Wha-"

"Are you a fucking idiot?! All they do is love you. They do nothing else but that, but all you do is whine about how they don't!! Don't you think if they didn't love you, they'd be with someone else?!"

"I-i..." Rysuei was speechless. He knew he could be ignorant, blind at times, but he didn't realize just how blind he had been. He didn't know how he couldn't see just how in love you both were. You were without a doubt the best thing to happen to him, yet he took you for granted and let you go just like that. You did nothing but give your best and he did nothing but accuse you.

"They're on the rooftop" Baji began, letting his collar go. "You should hurry before their gone for good"

Without a moments waste, Ryusei ran towards you. He ran as fast as he could, and then possibly pushed his legs to go faster. He panted, running up flights of stairs, yet he didn't stop. All he could think about was you, your beautiful face, and how he wanted nothing more than to be with you again; to hug you again.

And as he reached the double doors leading up to the roof top, his mind blurred with all those happy memories. He could only pray you would forgive him, pray that you'd forgive his stupidity. And as he opened the double doors and yelled your name. His heart stopped.

The bright afternoon sun shone on you, making you look almost ethereal. It made him realize just how beautiful you were, just how lucky he was to have you. He couldn't help but smile when he saw you look back at him, yet his heart stopped at the tear drop running down your face. He did that, and he felt nothing less than terrible for it.

"H-hey" he mumbled, approaching you. His hands shook from the anxiety, but he still pushed forward, determined to get you back.

"Hey" you replied, looking away. "What're you doing here?"

"Just um..." he began, messing with his hair. "I need to talk to you"

"Alright. Go on"

Ryusei walked over to you, sighing. He wasn't sure where to begin, but he had to begin somewhere. "Look, Y/n...I" he began, his hands shaking. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I was such a fucking idiot...I-i I don't know what I was thinking. You're so supportive and sweet and loyal. You're everything I ever could've wished for. I don't know why I did it, I had no reason too. And after Baji yelled at me, I felt worse."

Ryusei then, took your hand forced you to look at him. His dark teary eyes met yours and he knew right there and then that you were the one for him; no one else but you was.

"I-im so sorry! I'm sorry for being so stupid, for not listening to you, for making you cry.... for b-breaking up with you. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm so stupid...I'm sorry-"

Suddenly, Ryusei felt himself get cut off. A warm, familiar feeling spread throughout out his body as your lips met with his. His shaky hands pulled you closer, as close as he possibly could. He was afraid to let you go; he was afraid of ever letting you go. Even pulling away from the kiss was painful.

"S-so, do you-"

"I just needed an apology", you said, smiling at him. "But if you do that again, I'll kill you"

Ryusei laughed, before pulling you closer. "I'd like to see you try <3"

At that, everything seemed to be fixed. You were Ryusei's, and Ryusei was yours. That was something that would never change, you were sure of it.

After all, Ryusei was your happily ever after~

masterlist || reblogs are very appreciated <33

[ladyanput]

Ok so this is the third time that I'm sending you an ask tonight. (or is it night time in your country?) I'm being annoying right now but whatever. So I've been cackling about those salt fics you wrote because they are just amazing. I have a request, though it is up to you to write it or not. So, can you write a salt fic where someone got an interview with Ladybug (probably Aurore) and then they ask her why they replaced the old heroes like Rena Rouge, Carapace and etc. and LB is just like I don't work with dumb shits or somethin'. Then there is also a new Black Cat (Probably Luka, Felix, or Damian) because Adrien here is an asshole and this fic is saltier than salt water. Then LB also insults Alya's blog and their school. Those foolish mortals get some lawsuits and the rest is up to you. (This request is probably messed up since it's already midnight here and I can't sleep.)

You're never annoying, I just apologize that it took me so long to get to you. I do hope you don't hold it against me, darling.

A one on one interview with Ladybug was basically unheard of if you weren't the Ladyblog or Nadja Chadwick. Ladybug had made it firm that she wasn't a celebrity, she was a hero. She wasn't there for clout, for attention, for fame or fortune. She just wanted to keep Paris safe.

That's was Aurore admired about her. And why she felt queasy as she sat across from the heroine, who had given her of all people an interview. But she got ahold of herself, taking deep breaths as the cameraman began counting down. And when he hit 'one', she put on her best smile and straightened in her seat.

"Hello Paris! Welcome back to 'Latest Buzz'! I am your lovable host, Aurore Beauréal. Today I am here with a very, very special guest, our very own heroine of Paris; Ladybug!"

Ladybug beamed right at the camera, but gave a shy little wave, giving away the nerves she obviously had.

"Now, Ladybug, I'm so glad you requested to be on the show. You know, I initially thought I had misheard when Estelle told me. Usually you're not big on personal interviews." Aurore gave her full attention to Ladybug, but keeping the bright, friendly smile and perfect posture.

"Well, I tried a few times actually. But when I did, none of them were really great experiences." Ladybug admitted and both girls immediately thought of that disastrous Face-to-Face interview. It left a bitter taste in their mouths. "My issue is that misinformation has been spread around a lot recently. It's made me realize that I need to find more trustworthy sources."

"Ladybug. I vow on my integrity as a host and Estelle's reputation as a journalist that we are people who research facts. We don't ambush our guests, we respect them." She said, placing a hand on her heart. Ladybug saw an honesty in her eyes that she hadn't seen in such a long time. It honestly made her feel.. Respected. "Now, Ladybug.. We both know you have a lot of fans. A lot of admirers. False information can be spread so easily these days, which sources specifically are you telling people to avoid?"

"Well.. With Face-to-Face, I found that I was entirely ambushed in that interview. I wanted to speak about my hero work, but instead Nadja kept trying to needle her way into my personal life. That picture she had shown in largely out of context; when Dark Cupid attacked and Chat Noir was under his spell, it was the only way to get him free."

"Yes, I remember watching that. I'll be honest Ladybug, I felt bad for you." Aurore bit her lip, but smiled a bit when Ladybug nodded. "I mean, Chat Noir wasn't helping either. He seemed to be trying to push this narrative forward that you two are a couple."

"And we're not!" Ladybug burst out before she could stop herself. Everyone in that studio could hear the utter stress and frustration in her voice. "I've begged and begged Chat Noir to stop with the flirting, the 'telling people we're dating', everything! I just wanted him to focus and he couldn't seem to do that!"

"Is that why you replaced him? Because of his slacking off and refusing to take anything seriously?" Aurora sat up an bit straighter, her eyes going wide.

".. Not exactly, no. It was a bunch of issues that eventually piled up and boiled over." Ladybug made some gestures with her hands, trying her hardest to find the words but just letting out a long and pained sigh in the end. "I do enjoy my new partner now. He is more serious, more stable. I know he won't go off and pout if I deny something he wanted. I needed an entirely new team, as a matter of fact."

"Well I am going to say, on behalf of everyone here, that we're glad. We swear on our integrity as journalists that if such rumours were to ever surface again, we will do our proper research." Aurore beamed and many of the staff and crew behind the cameras nodded and gave Ladybug their thumbs up. Honestly, it warmed Ladybug's heart to see such support.

When had been the last time someone had supported her like this? Sure, her parents supported her, but her friends..? Her peers? No, none of them had supported her in a long time.

"Speaking of research, I'd say to stay away from the Ladyblog." It burned to say it but it had to be said. Alya had crossed so many lines it wasn't even forgivable at this point. She had gone too far, had betrayed too many.

"Wait, what?" Aurore nearly jumped out of her seat but quickly composed herself, taking a deep breath. "Pardon me Ladybug, but the Ladyblog has been a vital source of information since the very beginning."

"And I'm not denying that!" Ladybug quickly held up her hands, her eyes desperate now. "But please let me explain. The Ladyblog was amazing in the beginning, but like all things, it started to go astray. It was things like trying so hard to find out my identity. Trying to push that narrative of that whole superhero couple thing.. Ladyblogger Alya Césaire has proven time and time again that she is not trustworthy. I mean, I thought she was my biggest fan. Why does she keep pushing my words aside?"

Many people who watched the interview would agree. If you idolized someone, respected someone, truly looked up to them.. Why would you push aside their words, their wishes to try and push the narrative you're so convinced is true, but isn't there?

"And don't get me started on the whole Lila Rossi craze she seemed to be on now." At Ladybug's mention of Lila Rossi, both Estelle and Aurore had to keep from rolling their eyes. They knew all about the girl.

"You speak as if you are quite frustrated, Ladybug. What an odd reaction to your best friend." Aurore leaned forward a bit in her seat. Everyone else got to the edge of theirs. Ladybug only shook her head, looking utterly defeated.

"That's the thing, she isn't my best friend." It took everything to keep from satin that she hated her, that she had taken away her friends and her life. "The only times she's met Ladybug is when she's been akumatized, which has been around six or seven times at this point. And the other things she's claiming are so outlandish! Saving Jagged Stone's kitten from a airport runway? Clara Nightengale stealing her dance moves? And the Ladyblog just posts it out there, claiming every single story is true. I'm just scared that people are taking this one hundred percent seriously. That's why I had to drop Rena Rouge and Carapace from the team as they believed Lila Rossi over me. They didn't even try to confirm these rumours! And it hurts to think that one day, someone will take Lila's words seriously and get hurt. What if she says it's safe to dip strawberries in bleach? Or tells someone that she found a way to tame some kind of wild animal? Someone would get hurt because they believe her story and try it out for themselves!"

"My goodness, I can definitely see how that is a problem. Misinformation is very easy to spread thanks to the internet, so you being worried is a very relatable thing." Aurore nodded, then tilted her head ever so slightly. "Ladybug, do you know anyone who has taken her word seriously? This is besides the Ladyblog of course."

Ladybug closed her eyes briefly, mentally debating with herself before finally giving in. These things needed to be said.

"Collège François DuPont. Now I wasn't there personally, but I heard about this situation and looked into it. The entire situation was appalling. Apparently a student was found to have cheated, assaulted another student, and commited thievery. But the thing that stuck out is only one person saw her do all of these things; Lila Rossi. No investigation was done, no questioning other students. This student was then expelled immediately. Her teacher and her principal didn't even give her a chance. And from what people have been saying, Miss Rossi's behaviour is actively encouraged in that school. She misses countless days, no, months of school, claiming she's traveling. But when she was supposedly in Achu, doing whatever it was she was claiming with Prince Ali, I was fighting her akuma here in Paris on Heroes Day!"

"I was at school the day that happened. I knew the student that happened to. They're the nicest person in that school! Never a bad thing to say about anyone, always willing to help! I agree with you on how things were handled, it's a level of incompetence that is baffling." Aurore's hands slowly curled into fists as she remembered it all. She slowly shook her head. "The principal, their teacher, their class who backed up Rossi. It must have hurt them so much, made them feel so alone."

"That's why I want people to be more careful with what information they take as fact. It's so important, because stuff like that can lead people to a desperate place. They feel alone, like the entire world is against them. I wouldn't have let the principal and the teacher get away with that gross negligence in their jobs." Ladybug leveled her gaze directly to the camera. "People of Paris, please listen to what I am saying. I am here to be a hero, to protect you from the terror of Hawkmoth and to defeat him. But please, do not be like Principal Damocles, do not be like that teacher and her class at DuPont. Do your research, look up your facts. Do not let a liar lead you to do something dangerous and hurt yourself as well as others. Respect each other, talk and be honest. I swear on my life that I shall do the same. You are the people I swore to protect and I love. I am saying this all to protect you. And I'll hope you'll all forgive me for not protecting you sooner."

...

The interview rocked Paris. Ladybug speaking so openly about her frustrations, about the discrepancies in the Ladyblog and Lila Rossi had many people double checking the sources of everything they learned from that blog.

Alya could barely show her face as she made her way though the school hallways. Her reputation as a journalist had gone down the drain. People had basically started boycotting her blog, harrassing her, or trash talking her on other forums and sites. Even a lot of news outlets picked this up.

What hurt the most from that interview last night was Ladybug's words towards her, both as Rena Rouge and as Alya. Surely the heroine had to be mistaken, she had never beytrayed Ladybug! And that Oblivio incident, it was just to show Chat Noir and Ladybug that they were meant to be together!

Her family was upset with her. No, upset was too tame of a word. They were pissed.

"I can't believe she lied to us.."

"Well what do you expect from someone who keeps harrassing Ladybug?"

Alya flinched when she heard the whispers and rushed into Miss Buster's class. The entire class was there, all seated, all looking utterly miserable. Many of them looked as if they had been crying all night. A lot like she had.

"W-where's Miss Bustier?" Alya asked when she eyed the empty desk. Many of her classmates shot her glares, but didn't say anything about the interview last night. After all, they had no room to talk.

"She and Principal Damocles are with the school board now. We're getting a new teacher." Adrien was the one that spoke up. He looked utterly miserable. So unlike his usual self.

"Lila isn't coming back. She was pulled from school when her mother found out what happened." Alix muttered from her seat, arms crossed and shoulders hunched.

The class went quiet as they all internally contemplated how things had gotten like this. Their eyes focused on the door when it abruptly opened and Marinette came strolling in, carrying a box.

"Good morning everyone!" She said brightly, pretending not to notice the downcast expressions on their faces. She set the box on the teacher's desk before she turned towards them. "Oh? What's wrong everyone?"

".. Did you not watch the interview with Ladybug on 'Latest Buzz'?" Alya stared at Marinette, a bit dumbfounded by her friend's lack of awareness of the situation. She had been expecting Marinette to rush in with support and a fiery vengeance against those who had humiliated her best friend, maybe even a fresh pastry. But instead she was greeted with empty hands and a cheerful hello?

"Oh, well I haven't really had the time to watch much television. I mean, with my transfer papers, needing to plan out my new schedule with all of those new classes. Busy as a bee, that's me!" Marinette just beamed, giving Adrien a playful wink that had his stomach churning.

"Wait, transfering?" It was Rose that spoke up, her large eyes seeming impossibly large now. "Transfer what?"

"To my new school, of course." Marinette giggled and clasped her hands together. "I start on Monday."

"New school?!" Alya was on her feet and rushing towards Marinette. The others quickly followed, crowding around her. "What do you mean new school?! When did you ever say you were going to a new school?"

Marinette blinked, as if stunned, then tilted her head ever so slightly.

"I told you all last week, don't you remember?" Marinette tapped her lower lip, seeming to be wracking her brain before she abruptly snapped her fingers. "Oh! I forgot, you all were deep in conversation with Lila about her upcoming event with Jagged Stone and Clara Nightengale. You know, the one she said she'd be attending with Ladybug, since they're such good friends. Did she ever say how it went?"

All of the students shifted uneasily, suddenly seeming to refuse to meet her face.

Alix murmured something so barely audible, Marinette held a hand to her ear and leaned closer.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Lila was lying to us!" Alix snapped as her cheeks went a flaming red.

"About everything! She never knew Jagged Stone!" Juleka spat out in fury.

"Or Prince Ali!" Rose sniffled.

"And she wasn't friends with Ladybug? They were barely acquaintances!" Alya wailed out as tears welled up in her eyes.

But Marinette hardly reacted the way they were expecting. She just gave them a small smile and nodded.

"Oh, yeah. I know."

Alya sucked in a breath sharply.

"You knew..? But why did you never..?"

"Oh Alya, you silly forgetful thing. I told you the day she returned from her long 'trip', remember? I told you she was lying." Marinette gave Alya a smile that said 'oh you silly thing'. "But you told me that I should really check my sources. And I got tired of trying to bring up any lies, since that was always your response. So I decided to just stop. I mean, since you're such an inspiring, honest journalist you must double and triple check every source you come across and found every story to be true!"

Alya flinched and looked away, feeling the churning feeling in her gut again. No, the Ladyblog had been the only source for the stories. The. Only. One.

"And I'm sure all of you knew what you were doing! I mean, it makes sense; trusting the words of a complete stranger over someone you've known for a while now. Some of you since we were in diapers!" She focused her gaze on Nino and Kim, who had the grace to at least look ashamed.

"Marinette, you really should-" Adrien began, reaching out for the girl, but was cut off by her clapping her hands together.

"But it's alright! I decided that fighting with you all wasn't worth it, so I took Adrien's advice and took the high road! Don't bother exposing Lila, she isn't hurting anyone!" Marinette announced brightly, giving her hands a little wave.

The temperature in the classroom dropped by several degrees.

".. Adrien, she's kidding, right?" Nino glanced over at his friend, his eyes pleading for him to deny it all. But the sight of the blood draining from the model's face and the sweat starting to bead at his forehead told him everything he needed to know. "Dude.."

"How could you?! You knew this entire time and didn't even try to tell me?!" Alya rounded on Adrien, fury in her eyes.

"Now, now, don't get mad at Adrien. I'm sure he knew you all were going to do you research. Besides, it's not like this did anything bad for anyone." Marinette pressed a hand to her cheek, still grinning. "I mean, it's not like you all took her advice without doing any research. You didn't try the things she suggested without actually checking them out to be true, right? No one lost any scholarships or job opportunities. No one's relationships were ruined. No one was hurt."

The nauseous feeling spread to all of the class as the reality of everything caught up with them.

"I'm sure everything will go back to normal, right? I mean, I'm sure that that woman from the education bureau isn't here to fire Damocles and Bustier for their severe neglect in their duties. Expelling me with the most mediocre and shaky proof. Surely that's a school I should feel safe in! That I should be proud to be a part of. But alas, my preparations for my new school are already done, so oh well."

Marinette shrugged and adjusted her purse strap.

"Anyhow, I wish you all luck with the amazing things Lila has helped you to do! I know it must have been worth ignoring me and convincing me I was crazy. With all of the free time I've had, with you guys practically replacing me with Lila in the group, I've had tons of time to spend with my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?!" Alya's eyes went owlishly wide as she gaped at Marinette. "But what about Adrien?!"

"Oh Alya, I fell out of love with Adrien forever ago." Marinette shook her head in an almost patronizing way that had Alya's cheeks burning with embarrassment. They didn't even pay attention to Adrien's noises of surprise. "I mean, you claimed I was jealous of Lila getting close to Adrien, that I should let the jealousy go. And you know what? You were right! So I decided Adrien wasn't worth the stress, the embarrassment.. I mean, I couldn't even talk to him straight. I thought he was the most perfect guy in the world! Goodness, did I learn my lesson!"

She giggled as if she found the entire thing amusing. She then beamed at the class.

"Well, ta-ta! I need to get back home and make sure everything is ready to go. I wish you all the best, I really do!"

They all watched, shellshocked as Marinette breezed out of the classroom like it was nothing. Like she wasn't leaving her friends, her school, her life behind. And they all would wonder exactly how badly they screwed up, if she could walk away do easily, without a care.

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[willowbleedsonpaper]

Winter In The Shade I

Part I

Sirius Black x Ravenclaw Reader

W.C. : 2184

Requested by @amourtentiaa : It is Sirius' fifth year at Hogwarts, the same year he ran away from home and to the Potter's. Soon, he discovers the unfamiliar sight of his brother Regulus smiling and looking truly happy, next to him a Ravenclaw girl who immediately captures his interest. What will happen when the Black family gets involved in their sons lives and the ones they hold close to their hearts?

Warnings: None.

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Regulus Black. The boy who was always by himself. He never seemed to smile, never laughed, he never had something funny to say. He looked the way a living statue would, walking around the castle with a monotonous look on his face, a perfect appearance, and the most flat sound of voice. Was he even alive? Many had asked themselves as they watched him walk past them.

You were about to find out he was indeed alive and, even if he wouldn’t admit it himself, in much need of a friend.

It was late at night, several hours after dinner, when you found yourself walking to the library for the fourth time that week. You had an herbology essay to write and were in need of a lot of research if you expected a decent grade, for some reason the exact book you were looking for was always taken, and there was only one copy of said book. Just your luck! At that point you didn’t even stop to ask for the book, just walking to the shelf where you already knew the book was supposed to be.

“Damn it.” you grunted, running your hand over the spines of the books there as you reached the empty space where the book was supposed to be. You lowered your head in exasperation, starting to read over the rest of the titles there to see if one could be of any use. You tilted your head, reading the titles in low murmurs as you walked backwards. “Ouch!” you complained, your hand instantly shooting to the side of your head where the hard feeling of what you saw was a book hit you.

“Are you alright?” asked the boy with a slight furrow of his eyebrows, placing the book he held now on the table as he neared you.

You shook your head lightly, getting the pain out of your head as you gave the boy a soft smile “I’m just fine.” you sighed, running a hand through your face as your eyes landed on the table next to you “No way.” you muttered in surprise, grabbing the book by the table and holding it to his face “Did you just hit me with Flesh-Eating Trees of the World ?”

Baffled, the boy gave you a nod “I believe so.” he said, watching as a smile appeared on your face before he said “I’m… Sorry?”

“Don’t be.” you mused “You won’t be needing this anymore, would you?” you asked, the relieved look on your face as he shook his head making him even more confused but managing to bring the smallest of smiles over his features “Thanks Merlin, I've been looking for this book over four days now.”

“I just managed to get it this morning.” he told you, your mind finally snapping out of its thoughts and more on the boy next to you.

You tilted your head, looking up at him with a kind smile “Well thank you for hitting the side of my head, I really needed it.” you said “And the book, of course.” you chuckled “It’s Regulus, right? Regulus Black.”

He awaited for the inevitable Sirius’ younger brother or any kind or relation to his older brother, but when you said nothing and just stared at him waiting for his answer he limited himself to nod.

You offered your hand to him with a kind look “Y/N Y/L/N.” you introduced yourself, shaking his hand eagerly once he took hold of yours. “I should be going now, but it was really nice talking to you.” you said, grabbing your things and walking away from him. You took one last look at him, waving your hand with a smile as his head followed your movements until you were nowhere to be seen.

His hand felt tingly as if the energy from your person remained in his skin, leaving an almost warm feeling he couldn’t quite place but he found himself looking for even more. He wanted to know more about you.

*******

You spent day and night reading the book, your essay nowhere finished as you still struggled with some of the terms there. You furrowed your eyebrows, scratching the back of your head as you turn the page back “What in Merlin's name is that?” you muttered to yourself as you turned yet another page back, looking for the term you knew but didn’t remember the meaning of. Your eyes were focused over the pages, running your fingers along the lines as you took your quill and a stray piece of parchment, taking quick notes of all the information you needed to remember.

“Healing properties?” you read, writing it down as your face turned into one of disbelief “Don’t know about that one… Side effects, that’s more like it.” you mumbled, writing furiously, not even noticing the scrap of the chair against the floor as someone took the seat in front of you.

“Do you always comment on everything you're reading?”

You rolled your eyes, looking up to see who was disturbing you when your face fell and quickly turned into a surprised one “Regulus.” you breathed out with a smile “I didn’t see you there, How are you?” you asked genuinely, putting your quill down.

“I’m fine.” he said softly, motioning with his eyes to the little mess before you “Still writing the Herbology essay?”

You groaned, letting your head fall back “Sadly, yes.” you sighed “Don’t tell anyone but Herbology isn't my strong suit.”

“Then I won’t bother you any longer.” he said “Do you mind if I sit here?” he asked you and you shook your head, his eyes flashing with a glint you never thought you’d see in his eyes.

For hours, the two of you worked on silence. The ruffling of pages, quills clinking against the bottles of ink and your low murmurs as you read over and over the pages the only sounds that flowed in the air inside the small study bubble the two of you created. At times he would ask you questions, little things he didn’t quite understand and at last, you did the same.

“Regulus?” you called, the hum you got as a response making you continue “You already finished the essay, right?” you asked.

He lifted his eyes slowly, looking at you before he nodded “Yes.” he answered simply “Why?”

You took the book before you and slid it across the table, his eyebrows scrunched together as he followed your finger “Do you think you could explain this to me?” you asked, tapping the line in the book.

He broke into a small smile, nodding his head before he lifted his eyes and met yours “Only if you tell me one thing.” he said, making you curious.

“Alright.” you said doubtfully.

“How long have you been waiting to ask me that?” he asked and your jaw dropped before you could stop it.

“I-I…” you stuttered, the smile on his lips making you even more frustrated “Oh, shut it.” you grunted, fighting the smile that threatened to grow on your lips. But he raised an eyebrow as he returned to his own book, your smile finally breaking as you reached to take the book from him “Really?” you asked.

“You want your answers, I want mine.” he said calmly.

You playfully glared at him, squinting your eyes before you sighed “An hour.” you mumbled, crossing your arms over your chest.

He let out a breathy chuckle, taking the book from your hand “How Ravenclaw of you.” he said under his breath.

You smirked at the comment, leaning down on the table to get a better look of the book as you said “Your one to talk.” you said with an amused look on your face “The Slytherin that had to embarrass me first to help me.”

You both laughed at your attitudes, the smiles now permanent on your faces as the playful bickering never ended. Not that day or any other, it became a habit for the two of you to meet at the same table to study, get homework done and read the entire library out of fun.

There wasn’t a day you didn’t see him, and people started to notice.

“I’m going to the library.” you said, getting up from the spot in the grass you sat at with your friends.

“Going to see Black, again?” One of your friends asked you, the murmurs that rose from all of them making you stop.

“I am.” you said, turning to face them with a daring look “You have a problem with that?” you asked.

“Not at all.” she said, taking a look at the others surrounding her “It’s just… well, he is weird, don’t you think? Always by himself, never talks to anyone. Besides he’s a Black, nothing good can come out of that one, I’ve heard stories….”

“So you do have a problem.” you interrupted her, crossing your arms over your chest firmly “Well, you can keep your stories. And I don’t care if he is always by himself, I really don’t see the problem with that, maybe I’ll start following his example.” you spat, turning in your heel as you started to walk away.

“Y/N!” they called after you “You know we don’t mean it like that.”

“Why do you insist on spending time with him?” one of them asked.

“Because he is my friend!” you yelled, turning one last time to see them “He is my friend and I like spending time with him.” You awaited for their replies, squinting your eyes as they just stared at you with wide eyes, or what you thought it was you until you followed their gaze over your shoulder “What?” you snapped, turning sharply to find none other than Regulus standing behind you.

“Regulus.” you breathed out, letting your shoulders relax as he locked eyes with you.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Just fine.” you muttered, taking his arm and linking it with yours “I was just leaving.”

Arms linked together, you walked the halls of Hogwarts in silence, the tension in your body only rising as he stayed silent. “Wait.” you said, letting go of him as you literally let your body fall to the floor, sitting in the middle of the empty hallway “I need a moment.”

Regulus limited himself to stare at you, sitting on the floor with a furious hand running through your hair. Next thing he knew he was sitting next to you, playing with his hands.

“What are you doing?” you said suddenly, raising your head with a questioning look on your face.

He squinted his eyes “Waiting for you?” he said doubtfully.

You were supposed to be angry, not with him, but you were angry. Then why were you laughing, Regulus asking himself the same question. It didn’t take long for him to start laughing with you. It was a sight to be seen: Both of you sitting in the middle of the hall laughing.

“I’m sorry about what they said.” you said, after you both had calmed down and had spent a few minutes in silence “I really don’t know if you heard anything but… well, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” he said “I don’t care what they say. It was what you answered that I cared about.” he admitted, reaching for your hand to give it a firm squeeze “You’re my only friend.”

You smiled at that, returning the squeeze with a chuckle “You’re my only friend too.” you said, thinking about all the things that you had done together, days spent only with the other, the small jokes and things only the two of you understood “Best friend, actually.”

“Best friend.” he repeated, with a smile.

*******

Sirius Black couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw it. One afternoon, running away from Professor Mcgonagall, he took a left turn that got him separated from his friends, the familiar laughter he thought belonged to them getting him to an empty hall.

He was about to call for James, running out of a hall only to duck his head and run back to where he couldn’t be seen, his back flat on the stone wall. He was too far away to hear the words coming out of their mouths, but that wasn’t what he was more shocked about. He listened carefully, not catching anything but the carefree sound of their voices.

He took a quick glance, watching as Regulus helped the girl to her feet, linking their arms together as they walked away, the blue scarf and Y/H/C the only thing he got from the girl next to him.

Sirius wandered the halls dumbfounded, his attention no longer on the present as a body collided against his chest, the only reason he wasn’t on the floor because James held onto his shoulders. “Pads!” James said cheerfully, his face falling as he got no response “Padfoot?” he asked “You alright?”

Sirius’ eyes met with the concerned look of his friend “I saw my brother.” he blurted out “He was smiling.”

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