#i was supposed to prepare for a national exam

[nostalgebraist]

I feel like I've had the same experience several times now: someone does a new translation of a non-English literary classic, and all the critics praise it to the moon, so I go and try to read it, and it's turns out it's just . . . bad? Like, really bad? And weirdly bad?

A while back, I wrote about the case of Pevear and Volokhonsky. Here's another example, which I encountered while doing background research for my novel Almost Nowhere.

----

One of my novel's major characters is a literary translator, famous for his rendition of the Persian epic poem Shahnameh ("Book of Kings").

To help me write this character, I tried to read the Shahnameh myself. I started out – where else? – with the translation that seemed to be the gold standard, and which was certainly the most critically lauded.

Namely, the 2006 translation by Dick Davis, in prose with occasional shifts into verse.

Here's how the Shahnameh begins, in Davis' translation:

What does the Persian poet say about the first man to seek the crown of world sovereignty? No one has any knowledge of those first days, unless he has heard tales passed down from father to son. This is what those tales tell: The first man to be king, and to establish the ceremonies associated with the crown and throne, was Kayumars. When he became lord of the world, he lived first in the mountains, where he established his throne, and he and his people dressed in leopard skins. It was he who first taught men about the preparation of food and clothing, which were new in the world at that time. Seated on his throne, as splendid as the sun, he reigned for thirty years. He was like a tall cypress tree topped by the full moon, and the royal farr shone from him. All the animals of the world, wild and tame alike, reverently paid homage to him, bowing down before his throne, and their obedience increased his glory and good fortune.

And here is the same opening, in the 1905 translation by Arthur and Edmond Warner (which I only discovered much later in the process of writing Almost Nowhere):

What saith the rustic bard? Who first designed To gain the crown of power among mankind? Who placed the diadem upon his brow? The record of those days hath perished now Unless one, having borne in memory Tales told by sire to son, declare to thee Who was the first to use the royal style And stood the head of all the mighty file. He who compiled the ancient legendary, And tales of paladins, saith Gaiúmart Invented crown and throne, and was a Sháh. This order, Grace, and lustre came to earth When Sol was dominant in Aries And shone so brightly that the world grew young. Its lord was Gaiúmart, who dwelt at first Upon a mountain; thence his throne and fortune Rose. He and all his troop wore leopard-skins, And under him the arts of life began, For food and dress were in their infancy. He reigned o'er all the earth for thirty years, In goodness like a sun upon the throne, And as a full moon o'er a lofty cypress So shone he from the seat of king of kings. The cattle and the divers beasts of prey Grew tame before him; men stood not erect Before his throne but bent, as though in prayer, Awed by the splendour of his high estate, And thence received their Faith.

Now, I can't speak at all about the source text. I have no idea how faithful or unfaithful these two translations are, and in what ways, in which places.

Still, though. I mean like, come on.

This is an epic poem about ancient kings and larger-than-life heroes.

This is a national epic, half myth and half history, narrating the proud folkloric lineage claimed by a real-world empire.

There is a way that such things are supposed to sound, in English. And it sure as hell isn't this:

What does the Persian poet say about the first man to seek the crown of world sovereignty?

Excuse me? That's your opening line? I thought I was reading a poem, here, not taking a fucking AP World Literature exam!

----

Postscript

Some of the critical praise for the Davis translation, quoted on the back cover of my copy (emphasis mine):

"A poet himself, Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose, with none of the antiquated flourishes that so often mar translations of epic poetry." (Reza Aslan, The New York Times Book Review) "Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh live again in English.” (Michael Dirda, Washington Post) "A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis’s translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi’s masterpiece in English but the best." (The New York Sun)

[mahowaga]

THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT FOR THE BEAU IDÉAL OF IDIOCY | N.K. — EPILOGUE

SUMMARY: you're supposed to be in the stands, eating snacks and talking strategy with your friends, enjoying watching the three champions battle for the triwizard cup. you're not supposed to be entangled in what seems to be your own personal (hell) triwizard tournament.

PAIRING: ravenclaw!nanami kento x hufflepuff!fem!reader CONTAINS: hp x jjk au, (friends who are) idiots to lovers, romance, fluff, crack, profanity PLAYLIST: the course of true love never did run smooth WC: 1.4k WARNINGS: none, a black eye

series masterlist | previous

— EPILOGUE: A RING, AN EYEPATCH AND A SPOTTED YELLOW TIE: THE TRINKETS OF A MAN IN LOVE

Professor Nanami Kento comes off as slightly intimidating - but only the first time students meet him. Maybe it’s because he’s a former Auror turned Hogwarts professor, or maybe it’s just the way he is, with his sharp gaze, his perpetually furrowed brow, and the careful, measured way in which he carries himself. It’s easy to mistake him as the kind of professor who brooks no nonsense and expects nothing short of perfection.

Most students, however, quickly come to realize that buried beneath his reserved nature and indifference to frivolous chatter, Kento is simply pragmatic. He doesn’t waste words where silence would do just fine, nor does he indulge in what he likes to call impractical optimism - the kind of blind hope that completely disregards logic and preparation. That, he insists, is how people often find themselves knee-deep in avoidable disasters.

Still, his strictness is not cruelty. He isn’t a man of unnecessary scoldings, nor does he humiliate his students for their mistakes. He expects diligence, effort and respect, of course - but he also gives those things in return, in equal measure. An eye for an eye.

First years are often surprised when they witness him being particularly gentle with them - having heard stories from their seniors about him - especially when he corrects their mistakes with a low, steady voice rather than sharp reprimands. If their hands shake while gripping their wand, he steadies their wrist without a word. If they struggle with casting a spell, he demonstrates again, his movements slow and precise.

For the upperclassmen, he is slightly less forgiving. By then, he expects them to understand the weight of their work, to take their education seriously. When a seventh-year attempts to bluff their way through a practical exam, he merely raises an unimpressed brow and tells them, “Confidence is useful, but competence is better. Try again.”

Despite this, Kento is far from humorless. It is just that his humor is so dry, so subtly woven into his words, that it flies over some students’ heads. When one particularly bold student claims he must have been a heartbreaker in his youth, he merely replies, “No, but I suspect I caused a fair amount of academic distress.”

Some students swear they’ve seen him smile - actually smile - on Fridays, when he wears that damn blue dress shirt paired with the spotted yellow tie that has half the student body swooning. Others say his mood is markedly lighter after receiving letters, especially ones with golden wax seals. They also say, and this might be a stretch, that he is arguably happier whenever the national Quidditch team wins a game.

And though he pretends not to notice the way his students sometimes linger after class, waiting for him to make some offhand remark that reveals more of the man beneath the professional exterior, he lets them believe that they are being subtle.

Perhaps, in some ways, Kento is softer than he appears. But if anyone were to ask him, he would simply adjust his tie - that odd yellow tie of his - then glance at the clock and say, “That is a subjective observation. Class dismissed.”

Professor Nanami Kento is known for many things - his punctuality, his unyielding standards, and the signature spotted yellow tie he never fails to wear. But perhaps most notably, he’s known for the way he wears that crisp blue dress shirt every Friday like clockwork, a color that makes his students swoon despite his no-nonsense demeanor.

Today, he walks into the classroom of seventh years as he always does on Fridays at nine in the morning, a binder tucked in the crook of one arm, his beige jacket slung over his shoulder. But there’s something different about him. Something just barely noticeable, like a chord slightly out of tune.

He is unusually quiet. And he’s wearing a white eyepatch across his left eye.

Nobara is the first to call it out. She raises a hand, her sharp gaze locked onto him. “Professor.”

Kento barely looks up as he nods in acknowledgement. “Yes, Kugisaki?”

“Something’s off about you,” she says, and the murmur of agreement ripples throughout the classroom like a spell cast into the air.

The corner of his lip twitches, a faint betrayal of amusement, but his expression remains carefully composed. “Is that so? Is it the eyepatch?” He places his jacket over the back of his chair and opens his binder.

“Yeah, that, but also-”

Then, a voice rings out, pointing out the one detail that’s gone unnoticed in his morning routine.

“His finger!”

All eyes snap to where his left hand rests against the open coursework. There, caught in the soft morning sunlight filtering through the window, is a silver band gleaming against his skin.

The classroom erupts like Mentos into cola.

“Are you getting married, sir?”

“Professor, you had a girlfriend all this time?”

“I thought you were single, Professor!”

“Who’s the lucky lady, sir?”

The lucky one, he thinks to himself, is surely me. It always has been.

Kento exhales slowly, dragging a hand down his face before resigning himself to their inevitable persistence. He sets his binder down and leans forward, bracing both hands on the desk.

“I met her properly when we were in Year Seven,” he begins, his voice steadier now, carrying the weight of a memory he cherished. “She was my date to the Yule Ball, but I’d known her since Year One.”

The students lean in, eager, a sea of grinning faces and unbridled curiosity.

“So you were a heartbreaker!” one of them exclaims.

Kento doesn’t entertain the notion. Because, after all, he was never a heartbreaker - he’s never broken your heart, and he never will.

“Now,” he continues, his voice tinged with something softer, something undeniably fond, “she’s on the national Quidditch team. And I am the lucky one to be by her side.”

Excitement bursts forth like a Bludger through glass.

“Is it-”

“No, no, it has to be-”

“Wait, what about-”

A cacophony of Quidditch players’ names fill the air, a frenzy of speculation that makes Kento strain to hear the one name he is waiting for. And when it finally rises above the rest, unmistakable, he simply nods.

Silence befalls the classroom.

Then-

“Respectfully, Professor, she’s way out of your league.”

Kento sighs. He expected as much from his students. But they only know the flashy, charming player, he thinks, not the woman who steals all of the blankets at night, or the one who insists on making him tea even when you’re too tired to stand properly, or even the one who listens to him going over his notes for his classes and calls him a nerd.

He holds his left finger up, showing off the silver band. His voice softens further, the weight of his love woven into every syllable. “She proposed to me.”

This sends the students into another fit of disbelief.

“No way!”

“You let her beat you to it?”

“Professor, you’re killing me here-”

Kento pinches the bridge of his nose, but his patience is unwavering. He has endured far worse than the relentless enthusiasm of his students. 

He lifts his gaze, and this time, their attention snaps to the eyepatch across his left eye. The room quietens.

Someone whispers, “Professor… did she-?”

Kento sighs. “She may or may not have hit me in the face with her broomstick in the process.”

For a heartbeat, nothing.

Then- chaos.

Laughter fills the room, unabashed and delighted, as students collapse onto their desks, howling, others wiping tears from their eyes.

“She took you out mid-proposal?” Nobara wheezes.

“That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Yuji declares.

“Wait, so, did you say yes before or after she gave you a black eye?”

Kento runs a hand down his face again, but this time there’s the faintest ghost of a smile curving his lips. He thinks of the way you had panicked when you realized what you had done, throwing the broomstick away as if it had personally offended you, how you’d practically thrown the ring at him while apologizing profusely, how he had been laughing too hard to say yes immediately while you fussed over him.

“After,” he admits. “And I would say yes a thousand times more, even if it means getting hit again.”

The class erupts into cheers and applause.

As they congratulate him, one by one, Kento only thinks of you - the woman he would soon call his wife, the one who had chosen him, just as he had chosen you. And for the first time in a long while, he lets himself bask in the simple, undeniable joy of it, because if refuge has a name, it’s yours. If ruin does too, it’s still you, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.

A/N: thank you so, so much for reading this little series of mine! i really hope you loved it as much as i did (because i lowkey bawled my eyes out the moment i finished this chapter). i have to thank @gojover for encouraging me and lifting me up when i was hit by writer's blocks or the age-old illness of lethargy - i love you (sue me). and thank you, reader, for taking the time to read this! (art by elitamasan on X)

[theofficialpresidentofmars]

here’s a little piece I wrote inspired again by @strifentines ‘s Zuko-Azula roleswap AU! i’m posting it here because I can’t be bothered proofreading and posting on Ao3 rn

anyway I did this as a little creative writing exercise while procrastinating my media and statistics exam preparation. it’s an excerpt from the start of the S3 E16 Southern Raiders episode, my take on how I think it might go :]

———

The Western Air Temple was burning.

The Western Air Temple was burning, and Azula had woken to the sounds of three military-class Fire Nation airships firing explosives at them.

She didn’t have much time to assess the situation before the doors were closing, the room was shaking, and debris was falling from the ceiling, right above Katara.

“Move!” She knew the word wouldn’t register to the water tribe girl as quickly as it needed to, so she accompanied her command with a side tackle. The rocks hit the floor where Katara would have been standing if it wasn’t for her, but her rescuee didn’t seem entirely appreciative. Instead, Azula received an elbow to the side for her troubles.

“What are you doing?” Katara ungratefully yelled.

“Saving your life, genius.” At that, Katara rolled her eyes, which Azula supposed was all the thanks she was going to get.

“Life saved, you can get off me now.” Katara pushed herself up and out of Azula’s arms, not so much as offering to help her stand up.

Azula scowled. “Next time I’ll let the falling rocks crush you,” she bitterly replied, only half-sarcastically.

Behind her, the earthbenders were carving some sort of escape passage through the wall. She considered it for a moment, before her mind circled back to the three Fire Nation ships out the front.

They’re here for me. Why else would they be there?

The others were starting to flee through the passage, but Azula turned back, preparing to jump through a hole in the wall.

The Avatar’s voice rang out from behind her. “What are you doing?” So concerned, as always.

“I believe this is a family matter,” she responded. “Stay out of it, and I’ll meet you once I’m done.”

It didn’t sound like a happy silence, but Azula could hear from his footsteps that the boy had joined the others. She was expecting more resistance, more concern for her well-being, blah blah blah, but it seemed he was getting more used to her methods. Good. It was more efficient this way.

She vaulted over bent metal and jumped through an explosion, wrapping her bending around her, making it to the front of the courtyard. A fourth ship rose from the fog, carrying atop it a familiar passenger.

Wrapped in the royal regalia of the Crown Prince, hands wrapped around the railing atop the war balloon was her brother, wearing that stupidly creepy theatre mask. His hair was half up in a finely-crafted topknot, but the rest of it blew about dramatically in the wind. Azula half-wondered if it was a conscious choice, for theatrics. That entrance certainly seemed planned.

“Zuko,” she spat, keeping her voice loud enough to avoid her words being lost in the wind. “What do you want?”

Her brother laughed lightly, like a lilting melody, carried across the wind. It was not a genuine sound.

“Don’t worry Lala,” he almost sang, “I’m not here for you.” His tone was gently condescending, as if he were talking to a child who simply didn’t understand. It was infuriating.

It had also taken Azula a little aback to hear that he wasn’t here for her. If she was in any way disappointed by this, she wasn’t going to admit it to herself.

“Answer my question.”

Zuko sighed, and although Azula couldn’t hear it over the wind, or see his lips move to form it, she could tell because he’d used his entire body to accentuate the gesture. It was a habit he’d picked up from their mother, even if he didn’t know it anymore.

“If you must know, I’m going to capture the Avatar. If you don’t want to get blown up, I suggest you move now.”

Azula planted her feet into a solid stance. If he wanted a fight, he could come and get one. In return, her brother only sighed again.

“You make these things so needlessly difficult, sister.”

Zuko raised his hands and sent a brilliant burst of dazzling white light at her feet. She sidestepped quickly enough to avoid it, but the move had been meant as a distraction- and an explosion on her left sent her flying into a wall.

The ground beneath her began to crack, and Azula pushed herself up as quickly as she could. Around her, supporting pillars began to topple and fall.

She ran towards the crumbling edge, up the side of a titled beam, and threw herself over the edge, landing on the side of the balloon. She hadn’t managed to get a good grip upon landing though, and it only took a slight tilting of the vessel for her to slide off the edge, spiralling into a free fall.

To her eternal luck, she landed on top of another balloon, hidden beneath the fog. Azula looked up to see that Zuko had jumped down from his post, and was watching her rise up through the air. Her balloon stopped level with his, and she watched him take a step back- and then make a running leap through the air towards her position.

Towards her. She wasn’t thinking quick enough- and there was another white flash headed towards her face. She dodged, tucking into a roll, and returned with her own blue flame in a series of quick shots.

Zuko deflected them skilfully, and seemed to be preparing another attack. Azula knew she was at a disadvantage- these war balloons weren’t hers, she didn’t know where her allies were, and she didn’t know if she could take her brother in the state he was in- so her mind quickly flipped through a series of possibilities on how to avoid imminent failure.

Get him monologuing.

“Capturing the Avatar? Seems… beneath you.” Azula didn’t have to say much else, the implication was clear.

Zuko took the bait. He dropped his stance slightly, shifting to instead give her his

attention. He positioned himself in a way that would allow for the best vocal projection over the wind, rather than the best range for fiery attacks.

Azula couldn’t help but feel pleased with herself. Too easy. Even like this, I can read you like a book.

“My honour was called into question,” he began, making no attempt to hide a certain flavour of contempt in his voice. “This is how I can restore it.”

Azula couldn’t keep the shock out of her own voice. “Your honour? Your honour? What could you possibly-“

Zuko held up a hand, cutting her off.

Wow. Rude.

“You want to know what I, Father’s favourite child, could have done to warrant his displeasure.” Azula didn’t like that his tone of voice conveyed that he obviously expected her to know what it was, because she didn’t. She also didn’t like not knowing things.

“I wonder…?” he added, unhelpfully.

Azula was at a loss for words, which was a position she despised being in. Zuko took this moment to advance, taking measured steps forwards, hands behind his back like he wasn’t mere metres away from a fatal precipice.

“Father wasn’t too happy that you lied to him about what happened in Ba Sing Se. And he wasn’t pleased with my compliance in said… what was the word he used again? Treachery.”

Compliance? Please. Azula had only said that Zuko had fired the killing blow against the Avatar, and if her brother had chosen not to dispute that, whatever reasons he might’ve had, not one of them was treasonous. As much as she might like them to be.

No, her dearest brother seemed perfectly incapable of treason thanks to her father’s unethical interventions. She wasn’t even sure if he’d known what the word meant, anymore. Ozai knew that. And if he was really concerned about treason, he certainly wouldn’t have let Zuko remember it, much less live with the consequences.

Which meant that their father had sent the Crown Prince off on this silly quest purely because he wanted his son to suffer, and he wanted his son to remember suffering. To remember not being good enough.

Because even with all the mind control and conditioning in the world, Zuko could never be cleansed, in his father’s eyes, of the crime of simply being himself. He could be perfect, and still not good enough. Azula had once been foolish enough to be jealous of the attention he received from their father- bitterly though, she wondered if after everything, she was still somehow the favourite.

That was probably why Zuko hadn’t spoken out against the lie. Even as the gem of the Fire Nation, he still had to prove himself.

It might have been funny to her if her father had been anyone else, or if there wasn’t a scar on her brother’s face that he thought he’d given himself.

“You’ve got nothing to say to me?” His voice cut through her inner monologue. Azula looked up again, eyes meeting the forceful white of the mask.

“Take that thing off. I can’t hear you properly,” she commanded. It wasn’t particularly true, but it might help her case.

The smile in his voice made it seem like he’d been waiting for her to ask.

“Of course.” Carefully, and with both hands, Zuko lifted off the mask.

Spirits, he looks so much like our father.

Azula was not proud of her first thought, but he’d inherited the same sort of wicked smile, and the strands of hair he’d left undone framed his face in an uncomfortably familiar sort of way.

His eyes had once belonged to his mother, but they’d been empty for some time now, any trace of Ursa scooped out over a circling flame and scorched.

Azula had smiled when her brother was branded, regretted it since, but at that moment, she was almost glad for the scar- it broke the horrifying illusion and drew her mind back to the parts of her brother that were just that- her brother, and nothing else.

The next thing she’d noticed were the bags beneath his eyes, and the creases in his forehead that even a smile stretched far too wide couldn’t disguise.

Zuko looked terrible. He looked like the product of restless nights, of endless stress.

Not for the first time, Azula felt a pain in her chest thinking about how she’d left him alone in the castle with their father again after the eclipse.

But even still, he’d seemed fine on most other occasions she’d seen him unmasked. This seemed… rougher than usual. Rougher than she might even expect from only parental disapproval, even if that parent was the Firelord.

The third thing she noticed was how his scar seemed bigger than normal, etching its way down into his neck, fresher in some places than others.

“Do you like it? It’s beautiful, in some strange way. And it’s mine to keep.”

His words shocked Azula out of her trance. There was something strange about the way he said them, and it wasn’t just the implications of what he was actually saying.

“He doesn’t often give me gifts but this one’s here to have forever.”

It was then the diction clicked- Zuko was quoting something. Azula wasn’t sure what, but the rhythm and the barely hidden disgust-dripping irony in his voice suddenly made sense. It gave her the mildest relief that her brother hadn’t become a full-on sadist as a result of her father just yet.

“You’re staring.” Azula snapped her eyes up to meet her brother’s own uncovered pair. The very eyes his distorted smile never quite reached.

“You seem shocked,” he innocently observed. “What, you weren’t expecting this to happen?”

“It’s not your fault,” Azula blurted out before she could stop herself. It was a slip of emotion, and she immediately regretted it. But if Zuko was surprised at all by the sudden vulnerability, it didn’t show at all.

“I know,” he responded plainly, and surprisingly. “When Father gave this to me, he said that it was merely a consequence of my own actions, and that in that sense it was my own doing. But I know better than that. It wasn’t my fault.“

And then, something happened.

Zuko’s mask fell. Not the theatre mask that was hanging on his belt, but the mask he’d worn in place of his face for years. The one that Azula wasn’t sure could come off.

But in an instant, the creepy, uncanny smile of the Fire Prince vanished and was replaced by a scowl that seemed to reach into the depths of the soul, an expression of emotion that was actually real. It was visceral anger that felt right to look at on his features, if only for the fact that the brutality of the scar finally slotted into facial harmony. It was an expression that Azula had known on her brother as a child, when she’d stolen his snacks, or burnt his toys, or pushed him over, or anything of the sort. It was the kind of emotional reaction that was tended to with love and care by their mother, punished by their father, and suppressed by years of brainwashing. It was achingly familiar, and it somehow felt like home in a way that nothing had for years.

Azula’s breath was snatched away by the sight of her brother, her actual brother.

“It was yours.”

The anger was, as always, directed at her.

“You told Father about Ba Sing Se. You turned him against me, and you left me alone to deal with it. This is the result of your actions.”

And then almost as quickly as it had left, the mask reappeared. But something was… wrong with the way it was put back on. Like it had been dropped, and Azula could still see something shifting through the cracks. Beneath the horrid sterility of everything else.

“I’m not going to hold it against you, if you were worried about that,” Zuko offered, unconvincingly. “I know you weren’t thinking about what would happen to me when you angered Father on the Eclipse.”

His eyes narrowed. “No, you weren’t thinking about me at all.”

Azula had no words to defend herself with. She was still stunned, and couldn’t bring herself to even so much as move. Her brother unhooked the theatre mask from his belt, and moved to put it back on.

“That’s why you’ll never be Firelord, Lala,” Zuko concluded, matter-of-fairly. “You don’t think ahead. You don’t think about anyone else, either. It’s all about you in your little world, and when you ruin lives, you leave, and never look back.”

Then he leant in, until his mouth was only a finger’s width away from her ear.

“Mom would be proud.”

Somehow, the very words she’d wanted to hear her whole life were twisted into something that cut into her with the same pain as a small knife to the abdomen.

For once in her life, Azula couldn’t even think straight. Her brilliant mind conjured blank after blank.

She didn’t even notice she’d been kicked until the balloon disappeared from beneath her and she was falling, falling endlessly through the clouds.

She hit something with a softer impact than should have been possible from that height. Her vision swam as the clouds continued to rush around her, as if she was still falling.

“Are you okay?” A young boy’s voice. There was a face and a name that she couldn’t place in the moment.

“She’s fine. She’s still breathing, right?” Snarkier, female.

“She’s clearly not okay.” A third, male, older. “She looks like she’s in shock. And she hasn’t insulted us yet.”

“With any luck, it’s permanent.” The second one again.

“Katara!” Number three. Number two was Katara.

Her senses began to come to her, and Azula wiped away a traitorous tear that she hadn’t realised she’d shed.

“Are you alright? Did you get hurt?” The Avatar. Aang. He was looking at her with big eyes. He’d given her the opportunity to leave with them, he’d been right, and he wasn’t rubbing it in her face. He was never going to.

Azula shook her head, numbness starting to give way to a self-inflicted rage at the next few tears to desert her eyes.

“My brother,” was all she managed to say.

———

and then I remembered my exams are the day after tomorrow and stopped there. 2698 words

[tiramisuucakeee]

8. LEAP OF FAITH

( sunflower, yang jungwon )

“ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh,”

the rhythm of the music kept you going as you ran laps around the national mall, pushing yourself to stretch each stride as far as you could. your legs burned a little, but you were used to it. the beat kept you moving.

"needless to say, na-na-na-na-na, she was all na-na... nevertheless, calling it quits now, baby..." you mumbled under your breath, your eyes scanning the area. families were scattered around, some taking photos, others just enjoying the day, but no one paid you any mind. it was normal for runners to come to this place.

"crash at my place... na-na-na-na..." you hummed, slowing down as your watch beeped. it was time for a break. you eased up, catching your breath, and let your legs slow, feet still tapping to the beat.

“ooh-ooh-ooh… can't refuse… she wanna… cruise, and i’m not trynna lose…”

carrying yourself towards a tree on the grass around the monument, you sat down carefully, not trying to open the wound on your side again, thanks to the prowler. it was bad, you knew you weren’t supposed to be doing this - not until after graduation, at least - but a few days wouldn’t hurt. besides, you had plans to take some pictures with the team afterward, a shot in some cheer formation. you needed to keep moving if you wanted it to look right.

your phone buzzed in your pocket, pulling you out of the moment. you grabbed it, seeing the caller ID, aunt may. you tapped to answer, bringing the phone to your ear.

“hey, sweetheart,” aunt may’s voice was warm but slightly worried. “could you do me a favor? i’ve been trying to get ahold of wonnie all day, but he’s not answering. i was thinking... maybe you could swing by and take his laptop to him? he’s at stark tower, but i don’t know what’s going on with him. i’ve called, texted, nothing.”

it was weird for jungwon to act like this, though you remembered you haven’t talked at all this past week. you two were both busy with final exams and graduation preparations. or atleast you were, and thought he was.

you glanced around, letting out a small breath. “yeah, of course, i’ll take it over. don’t worry, i’ll make sure he gets it.” you paused, feeling the familiar knot of concern twist in your stomach. “is he... okay?”

“he's probably just busy with that internship. you know how he gets, after all, it’s his future,” aunt may replied with a chuckle, though her tone was still tinged with concern. “just check in with him for me, okay? make sure that stark guy isn’t too hard on him.”

“i will,” you said, already standing up and stretching out your legs. the break had done you good, and now you felt ready to go. “i’ll head out soon to your home. don’t worry.”

after hanging up, you took a moment to look around again. the day was too nice to rush through. but, of course, there was no saying no to aunt may - or to jungwon, for that matter. you grabbed your stuff, deciding you’d finish your workout another day.

!

sliding the spare key inside the door lock, you were met with aunt may’s apartment, a place you’ve recently visited more times than you could count, your parents often let you crash here ever since you and jungwon started being a thing. even though they’ve met him three times, they could trust him with you.

you stepped into jungwon's room, and looked around. posters of the bridge, a few superhero sketches, and street art cover the walls. his bed's messy - blanket half-thrown, sneakers scattered at the foot, his backpack tossed nearby. there’s a mug of something half-drunk on the nightstand, and the laptop's open with a few tabs of research and news articles.

“there it is,” you spoke out loud, and headed over to the device, glancing slightly at what he was doing. “cross species genetics? lizard dna into mice? what the hell…” you shook your head, and closed it, slipping it on his backpack and taking it with you.

the city streets were busy, being almost lunch time, so you decided to take a cab to the stark tower, leaving a message for jungwon, to let him know you’d be there with his stuff.

you turned your gaze upward and spotted the towering silhouette of stark tower in the distance. it was even more imposing up close - its sleek, modern design gleaming in the sunlight, with a structure that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. it was one of the city's landmarks, and though you’d been here before once with your class in a tour, its scale always made you feel small, almost insignificant.

once paying and getting off the cab, you approached the entrance, greeted by the constant hum of tech and innovation that permeated the building.

“woah…” as you walked inside, the lobby was something else - clean, minimalistic, yet undeniably high-tech. glass panels and steel frames blended with holographic displays that floated in midair, showing the latest updates from stark industries. people moved with purpose - some in suits, others in casual wear - talking on their communicators or typing furiously on handheld devices. the whole place reeked of power and cutting-edge science.

your family had a tech company, for hospitals all around the country, but they couldn’t compare to the infrastructure of this place, it seemed from the future.

at the front desk, a sleek, well-dressed receptionist looked up as you approached, a polite smile on her face. you cleared your throat. “hey, i’m looking for the internship program, i have to drop a computer off. where do i go?”

she glanced at her screen, eyes flickering briefly over her monitor. “go through security, you make your way up the elevator. just swipe your ID card on the panel inside, and it’ll get you where you need to go.”

you blinked, a little taken aback. "i don’t-"

but she had already turned back to her screen, leaving you a little more confused. it seemed a bit strange, but you figured it out. after passing security check, you made your way to the nearest elevator, feeling a bit more like an imposter than you should’ve, as you slipped into the sleek, mirrored lift, praying that it would work without a card.

the elevator doors slid shut, and the lift moved upwards. you didn’t know how far you were supposed to go, and suddenly, the elevator came to an abrupt stop. the lights flickered slightly before they steadied. the doors slid open with a soft chime, and you stepped out into a hallway. but something felt wrong, this didn’t seem like a floor for internship.

this wasn’t where you were supposed to be. and now you were stuck on… some random floor.

before you could even process it, a blond, tall, muscular figure rounded the corner, dressed in a casual, yet worn-looking jacket. captain america. steve rogers.

he paused as soon as he saw you, his expression shifting from casual to surprised. “hey, i know you,” he said, his voice low and warm. he seemed genuinely curious. “you’re- uh- you’re with spider- jungwon, right?”

you brain did a quick flip, and the awkwardness hit almost immediately. “uh, yeah. i mean, yeah, i’m... i’m with him.” it was crazy enough you had met spider-man two times, now you met captain america.

steve chuckled, a warm, almost nostalgic sound. “that kid’s talked about you more than i think he realizes. seems like you’ve gotten yourself in trouble a lot lately, huh? spider guy also likes to run his mouth about the people he saves.”

you laughed nervously, your brain scrambling for something witty to say. "no, yeah, i guess i have… sorry, it’s really, wow, meeting two superheroes, you guys are like- celebs, or something. i mean like, it’s incredible."

he grinned. “it is. some old people still don’t believe the 65 years in ice thing,” his eyes crinkled with amusement. “we’re kind of old-fashioned, i wouldn’t have either.”

you smiled awkwardly, glad that the tension was melting away. there was something about steve’s demeanor that made you feel comfortable. a few moments passed, and the two of you started making small talk in the middle of the hallway, sharing old-man jokes. spider-man was right, captain america would like you if you ever met him.

it was weird, bonding with him, he seemed so young, yet so old. but he was easy-going, after all, he knew your late grandfather, who created the family medical-tech business, all starting in the war, selling it to military.

“so, what brings you here? i suppose you’re not here to talk to me in the middle of the hall, right? you’re looking for jungwon?" steve asked, still grinning.

“you’re funny, and yeah, i’ve got his stuff, uh- his computer," you replied, gesturing to the backpack slung over your shoulder. "but it looks like i got a little lost. could you tell me where he is doing the internship?”

he nodded, his smile still there. “no problem. i’ll take you to the science lab, you need to go find happy, he should be nearby supervising, he’ll help you.”

the two of you walked down the hallway, chatting as you went, until you finally reached a secure door with a card access panel. steve swiped his own ID, and the door clicked open. you waved him goodbye, thanked him once more, and stepped into the bustling office space beyond.

inside, the floor was filled with a steady hum of conversation and activity. corporate scientists, researchers, engineers, with interns following them around - all working on something monumental. holo-screens flickered, large projects sprawled across tables, and high-tech gadgets buzzed in the hands of staff members. you recognized some of the faces from the news or briefings. this was the real deal. and it was a little overwhelming.

you felt the weight of the backpack more acutely now, knowing you’d have to find jungwon or happy in this sea of highly skilled professionals. but you didn’t have time to hesitate.

you tried asking a few people where happy or jungwon were supposed to be, but no one seemed to know. or maybe they just didn’t have the time to help. every answer you got was a direction that led you to a dead end or deeper into a maze of hallways. at this point, you were starting to wonder if you’d accidentally wandered into one of stark's top-secret labs.

“this is so bad,” you clicked your tongue, finding yourself in front of a set of double doors. they were sleek and imposing, clearly leading to something important. you stared at them for a second, then reached out instinctively, pushing them open.

and that’s when you found yourself inside... mr. stark's office.

“no, no, no, this is really bad, they’re going to arrest me for trespassing…” your eyes widened, and your breath caught for a moment.

the room was vast and pristine-modern, almost intimidating. large windows stretched across one side of the room, offering an impressive view of the city skyline. stark’s desk was sleek, with various holographic displays of the iron suit flickering to life the moment you stepped inside. the room had a polished, almost futuristic vibe, a blend of luxury and technology. you could feel the weight of history in the room, like every inch of it screamed genius.

behind the desk, standing in front of a monitor, was a man, arms crossed, his usual guarded expression softening slightly when he saw you.

“please tell me you’re happy,” you breathed out, more nervous than ever.

“well, if it isn’t y/n,” he said, his voice gruff but familiar. “i am. aunt may told me you’d be dropping something off for jungwon.”

you blinked, surprised he recognized you so easily. "uh, yeah... i... kind of got lost, though."

“yeah, that’s easy to do in this place," happy said with a knowing grunt. “come on. let me take you to him.”

he led you down another corridor, moving quickly, but not rushing. after a few turns, he finally stopped in front of a large door, opening it to reveal a sleek conference room. it was clearly set up for serious business - glass tables, multiple monitors, and seating for a dozen or so people. you felt a bit out of place standing there, but happy just gave you a nod and gestured for you to enter.

“hang tight for a minute. i'll let jungwon know you’re here,” happy said, before slipping out of the room, leaving you alone.

you took a seat, glancing around. the conference room felt a little less intimidating than mr. stark’s office.

you barely had time to think when the door to the conference room suddenly slid open.

spider-man stepped in.

“woah- hey- hold on, y/n? w-what are you doing here?” jungwon spoke, trying to conceal his voice. he thought aunt may would be here to drop his computer off, that’s why he came in his suit, not bothering to change. but you were here.

“oh, hi,” you waved, hugging the backpack close to you.

“w-what, shouldn’t you be resting? uh, you know, with the prowler thing that happened?” he stuttered, and walked towards the other end of the room, trying not to be so near.

“no… i was dismissed from the hospital a while ago…” you said. “are you okay…?-“

he totally ignored your question, and spoke loudly. “you shouldn’t be here, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“excuse me?” you stood up, “what do you mean i shouldn’t be here? what i do is none of your business mr. spider-man, i’m not some kind of villain,” you told him.

spider-man looked away, forgetting he was in his suit and mask, and he wasn’t yang jungwon for you. all of this was making him tired from hiding.

he had just been tossed around and almost crushed by a gigantic lizard, and now he had to continue lying to people he didn’t want to lie to.

“i’m sorry, it’s not my place to question you. i suppose you’re here for that guy you’re with right? the one that was on your computer, the intern. i’ll let him know you’re here, i think i just passed by him in the hallway.” he spoke softly, calming down.

“thank you, spider-man,” you gave him a nod, and he turned to leave, not before you said something again “you were right.”

“what do you mean?” the masked hero turned around.

“captain america. he’s a cool guy,” you smiled, remembering the conversation.

“yeah, old man probably knows everyone and their grandparents by now.” spider-man chuckled, and then went to close the door of the conference room.

!

yang jungwon had never in his life changed clothes faster. he came out of the employee’s bathroom, jumping in one leg as he tied his shoelaces.

“shit, shit- ow!” he ran into a wall, and then opened the door of the room you were in, seeing you stood by the window panel.

“h-hey! y/n, they told me you came to drop something off“ he spoke, panting.

you turned to him, he looked absolutely messy. his labcoat’s neck was folded inwards, his shirt was crumbled and his hair pointing in every direction.

“what’s going on with you, jungwon?”

he knew this was bad. you two haven’t talked lately, since he has been busy trying to fight the prowler and norman osborn at the same time, and let’s not talk about his encounters with doctor octavia.

"i'm fine, w-what do you mean?" he laughed, running a hand through his messy hair, though his voice lacked its usual ease.

you stepped closer, instinctively reaching up to fix his hair for him. "jungwon, you're anything but fine. you look like you've been run over by a truck."

for a moment, his eyes flickered with surprise. how did you know about that?

he’d been fighting norman osborn in the streets just hours earlier, and after the battle, when the dust had settled, he barely managed to escape being flattened by a truck that barreled down the street as the lizard disappeared into the sewers.

he gave a half-hearted chuckle, trying to mask the exhaustion in his voice. "is that supposed to be an insult? because if i look this good after being hit by a truck, we should probably check on the truck instead."

he laughed, but the joke didn’t quite land. you didn’t find it funny, not when he looked so worn out, his eyes shadowed with something deeper. it worried you - more than you wanted to admit. it was like he was falling apart, right in front of you, and you weren’t sure how to stop it. graduation was only a few days away, and yet, it seemed like his whole world was unraveling.

jungwon let out a slow breath, his face softening as he dropped his head against your shoulder. "i’m sorry," he whispered, his voice strained. "can we talk? please?"

you wrapped your arm around him, holding him a little tighter. "we can do whatever you need, won," you said, your voice gentle but firm. "just talk to me."

jungwon took your hand, guiding you through the quiet halls of stark tower, moving with purpose but not rushing. the weight of the silence between you both felt heavy, but it wasn’t uncomfortable, just full of unspoken words. when you reached the elevator, he pressed the button for the rooftop, and the moment the doors closed, he sighed heavily, as if the burden of the day had caught up with him all at once.

when the doors finally opened, the fresh air hit you both like a wave, and you stepped out into the cool breeze. the city sprawled out beneath you in all its chaotic beauty, the hum of the streets below a distant, rhythmic buzz. the skyline stretched into the horizon. it was almost peaceful up here, far from the noise and pressure of the city.

you followed jungwon to the edge of the rooftop, leaning against the railing as you both took in the view. the moment felt intimate, like you were suspended between the sky and the earth, disconnected from everything but each other.

for a long moment, neither of you spoke. jungwon ran his fingers through his hair again, then rested his hands on the railing, his eyes fixed on the city below. he looked tired, drained.

finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “i wanna tell you something, y/n.”

he turned to face you, and for the first time, you saw him fully. his face looked rough, bruised, with faint marks of scars near his temple, remnants of a battle you knew nothing about. the sight made your stomach twist, the heaviness in his eyes telling you that something was weighing on him.

"okay..." you nodded, turning to face him as well, your voice soft and steady.

he hesitated, his expression conflicted, like he wanted to say something but the words were stuck, caught in his throat. the tension in the air grew thick between you, your heart beating faster in anticipation.

"i... i've been bitten..." he began, his voice shaky, eyes searching yours.

in that moment, everything in you froze. this was it. this was what he'd been hiding from you. you felt a sharp pang in your chest. he was confessing to you.

the last thing you wanted was for him to pull back now that he was going to tell you that word. you could feel the weight of the moment, and the desire to protect what you both had.

“so have i…” you spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

“okay…” he whispered, a bit dizzy. he seemed to realize what you thought this was, and even if he wanted to confess his love for you now, he was meaning to confess something else. he just wanted to close the distance between the two of you in that moment, seeing you so near and vulnerable, but he had to get it out before doing that, your love was too much for him.

"okay, okay, okay, i gotta tell you this one thing," he gulped, shaking his head slightly as if trying to ground himself. his voice was unsteady, like the words were building inside him and needed to come out. "i gotta tell you this one thing, and it’s about spider-man and everything that’s been happening, the prowler, all of it. alright?" his hands waved in the air, as if trying to grasp at the right way to explain it.

you blinked, suddenly feeling your heart drop a little. it wasn’t what you thought.

“oh. okay,” you said, awkwardly stepping back, feeling your cheeks flush with embarrassment. you hadn’t meant to read into things like that, and now you felt exposed, vulnerable in a way you hadn’t expected.

jungwon’s face dropped, his eyes widening at your reaction. “what?” he breathed out, watching you step away, the confusion clearly written across his features. “wait, no, no, no- okay, forget that, i won’t talk about that.” he shook his head, clearly frustrated with himself.

“no, it’s okay,” you insisted, though the words felt hollow in your throat. you didn’t want him to notice how embarrassed you were.

"no, it's not," he said, his voice firmer now, the urgency in it returning. he took a step closer, his eyes locked on yours. "i'm gonna talk about me, okay?"

you blinked, swallowing hard. "what about you?" you asked, your voice quieter now, watching him carefully as he searched for the right words. the air between you both felt thick with tension.

“it’s impo- i wish i could just-“ he blinked, as he struggled. “i- i can’t. it’s hard to say.” he looked at you again.

you watched him carefully, feeling a mix of concern and worry. the longer he hesitated, the more it gnawed at you. "just say it," you encouraged.

"mmm, i don't know..." he muttered, frustration clouding his face. he rubbed the back of his neck as if trying to shake the words loose, but they stayed stuck.

"say it," you whispered again, your voice soft but full of faith. you wanted him to trust you, wanted him to know you were there, no matter how heavy or difficult the truth was.

he turned back toward the railing, his head hanging low in self-disappointment. the way his posture slumped made something inside you tighten with worry. what was so hard to say? maybe it was something even worse than you thought.

"what? jungwon?" you called, your hand moving to rest on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "you can tell me."

he didn’t answer right away, but after a moment, he let out a long, quiet sigh. he seemed so small in that moment, so unlike the strong, confident person he usually was. you felt your heart tighten, the worry turning to a quiet desperation to help him.

“please,” you whispered, your hand still resting on his shoulder, waiting for him to look at you, hoping that whatever it was, it wouldn’t break you both.

he stood straight up, as if he was about to tell you, but his mouth betrayed him. his lips parted, but the words wouldn’t come. "i can’t..." he whispered, shaking his head, his eyes flickering with that same conflict, the one that seemed to push him down more than any fight ever could. he turned away from you, pulling away from your touch, like the very act of letting someone in was too much for him to bear. his back was tense, the way he faced the railing, staring out at the city, as if it held the answers he couldn’t bring himself to say.

you stood there, frozen for a moment, the heaviness of the silence swallowing everything around you. it was like you could feel the truth sitting between you, taunting both of you. you felt you were everything but someone he could trust.

"okay, then forget it," you said, your voice flat, emotionless, turning on your heel and beginning to walk away. there was a coldness in your tone, one you hadn’t intended but couldn't stop, it was your defense. "you have your computer now, i’m going home. call me whenever you can talk to me again."

with every step you took, you could feel his absence growing louder in the space between you, like a distant cry. but the hurt was there too, because in that moment, he wasn’t opening up to you, wasn’t trusting you even after you did. he was leaving you alone, just like how all the other people did whenever you got too close.

he now felt as if his whole world was crumbling apart, as if his mind was deteriorating. how could he be spider-man if he couldn’t trust the person he loves most. he wanted to, it was all he needed. you could comfort him in a way no one could, not aunt may, not his best friend, not stark. it was you.

in that moment, it was like the universe itself nudged him forward, pushing him toward you. he didn’t know how, but it was almost like you two were meant to be there for each other. a kind of destiny. it was the canon.

his instincts screamed at him to just trust, just do it. he could feel the weight of everything pressing on him, but this? this was the leap of faith he needed to take. it wasn’t just about being spider-man. it was about being with you. because you made him who he was.

if it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t be watching those cheer practices, admiring you from afar behind a school building, where a radioactive spider bit him.

without thinking, his hand shot out, his web-shooter firing the moment his fingers curled. the sticky webbing latched onto your wrist, and in a swift motion, he yanked you back toward him, pulling your body into his. your feet barely had time to react before he was standing there.

you gasped as you stumbled toward him, your eyes wide in surprise, but he held you firmly, his grip around your waist gentle but strong.

spider-man was standing right in front of you, and he was yang jungwon. the man who saved you countless of times was him. you swallowed, still trying to process everything, your heart pounding in your chest. he's been spider-man this whole time. it felt like the world was spinning a little. yet in this moment, standing so close to him, you could feel how real it all was. how much he trusted you now, how much he cared. and maybe that was enough to make everything else make sense.

“you…” the words came out of your mouth, still not being able to grasp what was happening.

“uh huh,” jungwon smiled, pulling you in. he closed the space between you, his lips finding yours in a kiss that was soft, but full of all the things he couldn't say out loud. you leaned into him, your hand resting against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath your fingertips.

his hand slid to the back of your neck, pulling you closer, and you let him, melting into the kiss as everything else was nonexistent. the only thing that mattered was him, and the moment, and how it felt like all the pieces had finally come together. the person you'd always known, the person who'd been protecting you, he was yours. and you were his.

when you both finally pulled back, breathless and looking at each other with that same wonder, you spoke, "you’re spider-man.”

jungwon had playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "shut up," he laughed softly, clearly amused by your reaction. but there was something else in his eyes-something needy and endearing. before you could say anything more, he pulled you in for another kiss, this one more urgent, more intense. it was like he couldn't help himself, like all the unsaid things were pouring out in that moment, and you couldn't have stopped him even if you wanted to.

there was no more space between you, no more secrets. just him, and the undeniable truth of this.

after the kiss, you both pulled away, as the quiet of the city buzzed around you. for a moment, you just stood there, trying to steady your breathing, the world seeming to spin a little slower.

finally, you broke the silence, your voice playful but filled with wonder. "so... how does it feel to swing from building to building everyday, mr. spider?" you asked, your eyes sparkling with curiosity. "i mean, doing that all the time has to be pretty amazing, right?"

“mr. spider? seriously?” jungwon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he met your gaze. "you wanna find out?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

you raised an eyebrow, a mix of excitement and hesitation bubbling up in your chest. "wait, you’re serious?" you asked, half-laughing, half-nervous.

he nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "yeah, why not? i mean, you already know what i am. i already saved you too, might as well show you the real thing."

you blinked, stunned by how casually he said it, but the thrill in his eyes made your pulse quicken. this is it. this is insane, and incredible.

“come on, we can even listen to some music while we swing, that one song you really like, the sunflower one, okay? it’ll be awesome,” jungwon grinned.

"okay," you said, laughing a little in disbelief. "let's do it."

before you could even process it fully, jungwon’s hand slipped into yours, and he pulled you toward the edge of the rooftop. you looked down, the city below you sprawling out, but all you could focus on was him.

"hold on tight, spider-woman," he said, a grin spreading across his face as you hugged his body. without another word, his web-shooter fired, a thread of webbing shooting out into the night. you felt the familiar tug of the swing as he leaped off the edge, pulling you both into the air. the wind rushed around you, your heart hammering as you swung from one building to the next.

you couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing in the open air as the city’s lights blurred around you. this is real. this was him. you were flying through the city, with the boy you knew better than anyone, but who you were just beginning to truly love.

!

meanwhile, deep beneath the city, in the winding corridors leading up from the subways and beneath the looming shadow of fisk tower, something sinister was taking shape.

"how long will it take?" a tall, burly man asked, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he observed the scientists working tirelessly. they were building something enormous, a machine unlike anything seen before, encased in a translucent crystal that shimmered ominously in the dim light.

the woman in charge, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose, adjusted them with a flick of her hand. "we don’t know exactly," she replied, her voice steady but laced with a sense of urgency. "it could take years, but once complete, the collider will work. it’ll bring your family back, i promise."

the man, known only as kingpin, didn’t respond immediately, his cold eyes narrowing as he took a step closer to the massive machine. "it better work, doctor octavia," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "or you know what will happen."

just as the threat hung in the air, a figure emerged from the shadows behind him. dressed in all black, the prowler’s presence was both intimidating and lethal. the tension in the room heightened as he unsheathed his claws, their sharp edges gleaming under the dim lights.

"y-yes, mr. kingpin," the scientist stammered, clearly rattled by the appearance of the prowler. "i’m positive it will work. we’re making progress. it’s just a matter of time."

kingpin’s gaze never wavered from the machine, his expression cold and unreadable, as the prowler's menacing figure loomed silently beside him.

TAGS: @jiiyen @yjwxfxr

NOTE: raise your hand if you want whatever this is to continue, please please pleaseeeee, i’m way too invested in this, i rlly wanna include spiderman atsv

EXTRA:

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[mooechi]

..hey there y'all 😁

so it's been approx. a day since I found out exams have been moved to next week, and I may or may not have ended up dramatically sulking thus resulting in being inactive bcuz I prepared for nothing LMFAAOOOO

but then again, I couldn't find myself gathering the time to open tumblr at all tbh. this week's been a tough one, w all the bombarding of events and all

anyways, I fortunately had enough spare time today to add in a few drawings to make up for my loss (LOL) , and yes, that includes that lazy ass scrap above.

even though I'm most likely gonna be inactive for a little further while, I'd still like to thank my good ol' childhood bestie for taking me out of my whiny slacking shell even temporarily. that mfs definitely gonna reblog this again, so you'll know what I mean.

so first and foremost-- since I've gotten addicted to fbje all the more lately, I stumbled upon a very pretty artwork within the manga. it's official, and I wondered how it'd fare if I were to implement it in terms of demon slayer's gaiden artstyle.

here's how it turned out!

it's not the best, I think I ended up making her look fierce..I honestly wanted to give it komorebi--dappled sunlight, if you will--but my brush ended up not being as compatible with the chosen style of gaiden so...yeah, I ditched that and went for this idea instead!

moreover, I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of notifs I've missed. I'm so sorry that I've just seen it, but I'm glad that I now did..@muitsuri , WHAT HAVE U BEEN UP TO⁉️⁉️..I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE ANTICS UVE DONE- FEEDING THE EVAKARI NATION⁉️⁉️ HELL YEA!!

I express my sincerest of gratitude's to all the appreciation too, thank you all so much! 💕

hence, I've done a lil smth...

I'm never designing wooden walls again cuz wtf did I do

remember that one idea where they snuggle (smth like that) back then? YEPPP finally got the motivation to bring that to life..somewhat.

you see, this was supposed to be in manga style..so imagine the truck that hit me when my dumbass finally noticed that I've been using THE WRONG BRUSH THIS WHOLE TIME

ofc, ended up questioning my life choices at that point. but hey, since it was late alr and I unfortunately couldn't afford to go back anymore, I forced through it 💪

well, that'd be all for now! I'm gonna go get some rest now--though not b4 I catch up to the updates 😘

i am not entirely satisfied yet displeased with the end product of all this..

I used fbje as reference, both anime and manga.

still, please refrain from stealing. you can take inspo tho!

[maagicmushies]

Naruto is a bad ninja. That's like baby’s first Naruto criticism. This is supposed to be a manga about ninja, yet its main character is a loudmouth clad in bright orange who has never even heard of the word subtlety. There are even large stretches of the manga where he is one of the weakest main characters, so he’s even failing at the manga’s specific definition of a ninja. He is just horrible at it. But one thing that I never hear a lot of people mention is that Naruto is a bad ninja by design, he needs to be.

The Land of Waves Arc serves two main functions. The first is easing the reader or viewer into the world of shinobi on a very “scientific” level. You learn what chakra is, what the three main types of jutsu are, what chakra control is, how ninja rank works, what kekkei genkai is and so on and so forth. Everything that would be in a textbook to be studied by entry level ninja is in this arc. The second function is a look into the world of shinobi on a more “ideological” level in the second half. Ninja take on jobs, but rarely do they take on jobs for other ninja. They mainly take on jobs for local feudal lords or crime lords who wish to use these strengths for political purposes. In this way, Naruto’s ninja are sorta like mercenaries. Ninja are expected to kill the people who they have culture and shared experiences with for the sake of people who really couldn't care less about them. Their intelligence is their most valued aspect and emotions can compromise that so a trained ninja can’t even cry. As Zabuza says, a ninja is just a tool to be used by their employer and anyone who cannot do that, is a bad ninja.

One of the most genius things about this arc is that almost every named ninja we see ends up breaking a vital rule of the ninja code. Haku and Sasuke sacrifice their lives for loved ones, compromising their mission in the process while Sakura, Naruto and Zabuza are reduced to blubbering crying messes by the end. They all failed at being ninja because to be a ninja is to cast away your humanity, something that isn’t really possible. By the end of the first arc, the series has planted the idea that being a ninja isn’t something to be desired. Ninjutsu and throwing stars are cool, but this ideal of a “real” ninja is so cynical and cold that anyone who could pull it off perfectly would be as miserable as they are abhorrent. Trust me, we’ll get back into that. The arc ends with Naruto deciding that he’ll find his own ninja way. A way to be a ninja that is not synonymous with pain and cruelty.

Following the Land of Waves we go to the Chunin Exams, the stock tournament arc of the series. One thing that sets Naruto’s tournament arc apart from a more standard one is that winning isn’t the primary goal. Anyone who has watched the show or read the manga might say “Of course winning isn’t the primary goal, Shikamaru lost, yet was the only Konoha genin to promote”, but becoming Chunin isn’t even the main goal of the Chunin exams. The main goal of the Chunin Exams is to show off a nation’s talent, both as an advertisement to would-be employers and as a flex to rival villages to show what they have in store for them if they try to start a war. It was created as a form of deterrence, a ninja equivalent to broadcasting a video of your nation’s rocket capabilities. Ironically, this “mock war” ends up turning into a real war as Orochimaru uses it as a smoke screen for his real invasion. Naruto comes into the exams pretty unprepared as a fighter, but very prepared emotionally. He speaks to the demons inside of Neji and Gaara, desperately wanting to ease the pain that they’re going through. He can’t stand the idea of losing them, just like he lost haku so he talks to them like they’re people and not weapons and it resonates. The two would end up becoming lifelong friends with Naruto as a result and it had jack shit to do with his skill as a ninja. He succeeded with them because he was a person to them.

The Search for Tsunade arc is not too important for this analysis, but does introduce an idea that will become important later where Jiraiya purports that a real ninja is “one who endures”. This isn’t just fancy waffling but how the literal kanji for the word “ninja” can be broken down. That’s why, in Jiraiya’s eyes, being a ninja is not about being the most efficient or knowing the most jutsu. It’s about never giving up even when everyone else wants you to. It is what he has done his entire life and what he teaches Naruto to do. However, this is far from the only interpretation of “one who endures”. Sasuke’s flashbacks of how he remembers Itachi is massively important to our understanding of ninja because Itachi is the perfect ninja. Remember that “One Who Endures” thing? Yeah, Itachi takes that to the extreme because he thinks that it is a viable path for a shinobi to be hated by all. If that lets them do their job to the best of their ability, so be it. That’s why he handles the Uchiha coup like he does. He becomes hated by his entire village, the entire world and hated most of all by the person he loved the most. But Itachi got his job done. He did it so well that no one ever knew he was doing a job at all.

If Itachi is what lies at the end of all shinobi, if all of them got to be "perfect", we’d have entire clans and communities getting slaughtered by well meaning people just wishing to prolong the existence of the village by a couple of years. Itachi’s partner Kisame has a very similar backstory. In fact, you could argue that all of the Akatsuki are perfect shinobi. All young prodigies who were allowed to exercise cruelty because that’s what their job called for and simply got cut off by the people who weren’t able to handle the monsters that they created. It’s no coincidence that this group of ninja who were all able to be better ninja at the cost of their humanity all show some form of body horror or inhumanity in their design.

This pertains most to Sasori, one of the main villains of the Kazekage Rescue Arc. Sasori was clearly traumatized but no one in the sand cared because he was able to channel that trauma into his incredible skill with puppet ninjutsu. And then when he became more and more broken over time, creating human puppets and assassinating Kazekage, they tried to act as if they had no hand in that. However, just like Zabuza and Gaara before him, Sasori could not fully discard his humanity. He tried to replace so much of his human body with puppetry but he was never able to get rid of his heart, poetically. The same goes for Sai in the next arc, who has been trained from birth to kill off all individuality. Even before his big turn, Sai constantly laments over the fact that despite trying so hard, he can never get anyone to truly like him. It’s natural that as humans we crave connection and want to love. The more you try to act like this is a lie, the more you end up like a Sai. And no one likes Sai.

A similarly unlikable character would be Kakashi during the events of Kakashi Gaiden. Another ninja capable of putting the job above all his personal connections and he constantly disrespects his friends and own father. Sakumo Hatake was incredibly strong, but far from the perfect ninja I’ve been describing. He decided to abandon a mission partway, which saved his allies but inconvenienced his employer. The derision he faced was enough for him to commit suicide. In Kakashi’s eyes, his father was a coward, but to Kakashi’s best friend Obito? Sakumo was a hero. He might have been a bad ninja, but if caring about people you love makes you a bad ninja, then good ninja do not need to exist. Obito holds this opinion not as a villain, but as a rather heroic child with shocking similarities to Naruto. When he later fights Naruto, Naruto ends up appealing to Obito by empathizing with his beliefs about the ninja world. It sucks! His best friend’s life was ruined by a “perfect” ninja, he spent his entire life being hated and used because the ninja code for Jinchuriki was to roll them out as weapons during war time and then shamefully hide them during peacetime. Naruto knows why Obito would want to tear it down because he also wants to. They just have differing methods of how to.

The same goes for Sasuke when he rises up to become the final villain of the series. Sasuke recognizes the poison on the ninja world, what it does to people like him, his brother his best friend, Hashirama and Madara, every ninja in existence. That is why he wishes to forge a new path, killing off the ruling class and uniting all against him. It’s essentially what Itachi did, but on a global scale. Sasuke’s plan is bad and fails because it relies on embracing a ninja truth and the antithesis of the series - severing one’s bonds. Every single arc time and time again we come to learn that this idea of “severing bonds” does not work, it cannot work. The pit of loneliness you’re left in will kill you or warp you to a point where you’re no longer human. Naruto’s answer is forming an unbreakable bond between all people. Disrespecting and blurring the artificial line between class, between village, between civilian and ninja. The Great Naruto Bridge from the Land of Waves is a little cheesy, but emblematic of his final role in the story. Through his kindness he becomes able to link all together and he didn’t do this by being a good ninja. He did it by being a pretty bad one.

[0creativity0]

Yesterday after class I came across two friends of mine that I almost never get to see. On Fridays we end at the same time, so when we happen to see each other, we sit outside and chat for a few hours before going home, and that's what we did. One of our conversations really got me thinking though, about being ashamed of my own language and why and how, and I really wanted to share that thought process with you guys, since I don't really have anywhere else to share it, if anything to complain a bit about my experience.

Ok so, here are some informations that are necessary in order to understand what I'm about to say: all three of me and my two friends come from a different country and speak multiple languages. I moved from Portugal to France when I was six and speak three languages, friend 1 moved from Spain to France when she was six and speaks three languages as well (+ some German because her mother's side of the family is from Luxembourg and speaks Luxembourgish and German, and also she's a German student), and friend 2 moved from Ukraine when the war began and speaks Ukrainian, some Russian, some basic French, and English.

The only language we all have in common is English, so we speak English around each other. I think we're on common ground when it comes to our English-speaking skills. I'm not quite sure what our level would be, teachers have said C2 but I've never even been to an English speaking country, so it's hard to judge. We agreed to claim C1 but we doubt we've reached anything higher.

Even then, our level is considerably higher than the French average. Technically, B2 is the average level of English-speaking in France, but that's taking into consideration big touristic cities. I live in a medium sized city, and I can assure you the average amongst my school peers is an A2 best case scenario, even after six to ten years of English classes, which obviously is not their fault, this school system just sucks. Of course there's a bunch of English speakers too, and like us they're either chronically online fandom kids or immigrants, so quite circumstantial still. There's a huge gap between the normal French kid who studied English and the kid out of thirty who speaks the language for whatever reason.

All of that to say, speaking English well is not common in this area. It is not common to have a great grammar or extensive-ish vocabulary or, and principally, have an okay accent. If you don't frenchificate your pronunciation, you will stand out. Actually, I have an anecdote to back this up. I passed my first national exam two years ago, so, picture this; at the time I'm a fourteen year old girl, all of my English comes from watching Gacha FNaF videos and listening to Camila Cabello as a child, and also reading fanfiction. When time came for me to prepare my face to face presentation with a jury to get my Brevet National Diploma, I chose to do a part of it in English for extra credit. When the presentation ends, candidates are supposed to have a five minutes long chat with the jury about it (in French, because there aren't enough English-speaking professionals for the jury to be all English-speakers). I prepared for that, I really did. I even made slides in my PowerPoint dedicated to questions likely to be asked. For nothing, because they spent the entirety of those five minutes asking me about my accent. You know, the one I got from Roar and Perry the Platypus' theme song?

I hope this doesn't sound like a brag. I'm not unique or better than others, this is probably a relatable experience amongst the English-speaking community in France. I'm only insisting on this because it's important to the story.

Anyhow. Our conversation about English levels took us to our own relationship with and experience speaking multiple languages, and friend 1 made an interesting point. She told us this story about how she was studying this text in French class that was written by a Spanish man, and when she was asked to read it, she couldn't bring herself to pronounce his name correctly and just said it in a French way. Which made me think of a similar experience I had, about how I lost half a point in a geography test for misspelling São Paulo because I got so used to pronouncing it like French people do that I wrote it São Paolo, even though it was spelled out for me on the test and all I had to do was read it correctly. Then we both complained about how hard it is to use a proper English accent in public and how embarrassing it is, and how we often just say it like the French would. And what's really interesting here is that friend 2 didn't agree with any of that at all, and just stared at us like we are really stupid.

She doesn't speak French but she's spoken English for longer than us. Most people assume she's from the U.S., and they think that's pretty cool, so she's really loud about her skill. Which felt weird to me, because I got made fun of for speaking English, but she's praised for it? So the three of us were just wondering why. Her pronunciation and mine are fairly similar too, though I won't lie hers is still better. She speaks English all day everyday after all.

Similarly, there's this girl in my class who moved to France from the U.S. when she was six, and she's really proud and loud about her own English. But I almost decompose on spot when I'm asked to say even a word in Portuguese, and friend 1 picked German classes just because it was her only option besides Spanish and she couldn't bear the thought of speaking Spanish around her classmates. So what is it that makes speaking English for my classmate fine but speaking Spanish for my friend weird?

And, after approximately five minutes of thinking it through, I came to the conclusion that it's just xenophobia. Because it's really cool for her to be American but since I'm Portuguese my whole bloodline builds walls for a living. I've been told to go back to my country a few times more than once too. And like, I don't think you guys can even imagine how hard I got bullied when Portugal won the Euro in 2016. I was also often made fun of for having a mustache when I was ten. I didn't have a mustache, obviously, but I was Portuguese and a girl, so close enough. Developed a huge complex with pilosity at the time which had me shaving everything, even my hands, and I've been waxing my face since then too.

And this embarrassment that I've had relating to my country reflects itself upon English just purely because I'm so used to being ashamed. I can't speak anything but French around the French because they know I'm uncomfortable and they will make fun of it. I can't speak English properly in English class because there's always someone who will scoff if I do. Even my teachers, they're either adorable or the most despicable things to ever step on earth somehow. My English teacher two years ago, a few months before my national exam, once told me (instead of encouraging me on) that the English classes I wanted to sign up for were for "an elite of students which you are not apart of", and I still don't know exactly what that meant because I met every requirement. But it sure as hell turned me away from that route. And it wouldn't have ever happened to my classmate, or friend 2.

If friend 2 ever spoke Ukrainian around school though, it would probably be worse for her than it is for me or friend 1 with our own languages. English is cool, Portuguese and Spanish aren't, but they're always more common in France than Ukrainian will ever be.

Anyway. I guess this was my rant. I needed to complain longly about unimportant issues. Also don't mind the colors, they're mostly for me to better keep track of what I'm saying so I don't mix anything up.

[ravewing]

Wishing you luck on the AP Euro exam

I took it last year, shit was brutal

Our teacher spent two weeks cramming everything to prepare us, I was so ready, and then the DBQ was about the prevalence of the Nazi party and what sort of revolution the nation of Italy went through in the WWII era or some shit

I

Sob

It was somethin

But everything else was fine you got this, one AP history person to another (I’m taking world this year I’m so dead). Thumbs up 👍

thank you king🙏🙏

i took ap world last year and cramming was BRUTAL because my teacher strait up. didn't know anything🥀 the only thing i did was binge heimler + freemanpedia the night before and pray to confucius and i ended up with a 4 so. not too bad i suppose (at least for not knowing anything outside of the revolutions and napoleon)😭😭

but honestly dont stress too hard about world (especially if your teacher is actually doing their job) because you only need to know surface level stuff!!! and since you already took euro thats already so much extra contextualization that you can use. wishing you luck twin🤞

[delawaredetroit]

I forgot that these fights were one panel each in the manga. It’s for the best probably. The anime extended versions just exacerbated the humiliation here for Aoyama and Momo.

Momo is a rigid thinker, especially early on, and she isn’t great in a one on one with no preparation beforehand. Shinsou and Aizawa complained about how unfair/illogical the entrance exam was, but the setup of the sports festival by design disadvantages quirks/skill sets like Momo’s that are best utilized with prior preparation and coordination with others.

Mina’s win here is particularly dishonorable. She takes out Aoyama by destroying his belt that is necessary for him to be able to live normally and keep his quirk under control. It’s basically an accessibility device. The anime goes even further and has his pants falling down on national television to add further insult to injury. Mina was more than capable of winning without doing this. She’s shown to be one of the most athletic members of class 1a.

For a supposed bully buster character, Mina sure seems to spend a lot of her early screen time criticizing/targeting those who require accommodations (Aoyama and the support students). Unlike Bakugou, even early Mina saw saving as part of her heroism. But she’s not much of a thinker and doesn’t think structurally. So unless it’s someone that looks like a villain directly attacking what looks like a victim, she won’t act. Which explains how she can be both a supposed bully buster and be friends with someone like Bakugou simultaneously

[david-goldrock]

Nationalism and the nation state - a song by Yuval Hamenuval (villanous Yuval)

Imma start by saying the fella is an extreme leftist and I don't like his opinions, but damn if it isn't a good song

It's supposed to help teens prepare for the citizenship exam

People they don't wanna be alone For if they will be alone, they'd be stuck with themselves only With the idiocy that is their share in life And the shame, the boredom, the cliché and the cream cheese And life is so small What a wonder that there are characteristics like...

Religion, language, history and culture Suddenly there's an illusion of meaning And that is not nationality yet It's just a group An ethnic group

But a group isn't enough In a bun there's a need for a sausage And the group dreams at night Of a country for itself With territory and population Governance and sovereignty and all the package

And when there is the wish Even if it hadn't yet been realized Then the group is now a nation An ethnic nation

Palestinians too, dream dreams At least in bombingless nights (oh shut up) In the nation state There (people) live in peace And buried on the mountain Are all the greats of the nation But there are countries with 2 nations On the scales are equal

Such it is in Belgium - there the Flemish fish in the river And on its other side the Walloons There are enough fish for them all in millions There won't be a shortage

And in Switzerland, you wouldn't believe 2 nations aren't even enough for them There live Germans, Italians, French And living there are, guess who? Swiss Nibbling Swiss cheese They have Swiss knives in their pockets And on the wall there is a Swiss clock That's a cuckoo clock

But there is, and a nation forms On the basis of a worldview They fly on high over the rainbow Not on the basis of skin color or blood type There nationality is given by the type of citizenship The political nation Yes and it's a critical difference

Thus far, far away In the USA that's over the sea Whites and Blacks and Hispanics Eskimo and also Indians But but They are no less racist In the basement they gather guns Preparing for another civil war

Like in 1860 The jolly days Imagine

Epilog

A story of Rabbi Lennon Who failed in imaginations And in the eyes of his spirit (in his mind's eye) Saw a world without countries And his end was to be murdered by gunshot And the maniac that shot him Read Catcher in the Rye And to this day he hasn't returned The booklet to the library And had gathered a terribly big debt

Silence silence my son, let us be silent

[walkingtalkingscreen]

There Is No Good Start - Part 2

Summary: After waking up 15 years in the future, BAMF!Jungkook tries to hide his secret past as a hunter, only to catch the eye of the strongest hunter group in the nation. BTS prepares themselves to introduce the doe-eyed college junior to the world of hunters, only…why is this one strangely self-sufficient? a.k.a. the dungeonandhuntersAU no one asked for (but i wanted it anyway so here we are) featuring. a-time-traveling-jungkook. a-very-confused-but-still-overpowered-jungkook. old-man-but-maknae-vibes-jungkook. and-an-unnecessarily-but-well-meaning-overprotective-bts Summary: After waking up 15 years in the future, BAMF!Jungkook tries to hide his secret past as a hunter, only to catch the eye of the strongest hunter group in the nation. BTS prepares themselves to introduce the doe-eyed college junior to the world of hunters, only…why is this one strangely self-sufficient? a.k.a. the dungeonandhuntersAU no one asked for (but i wanted it anyway so here we are) featuring. a-time-traveling-jungkook. a-very-confused-but-still-overpowered-jungkook. old-man-but-maknae-vibes-jungkook. and-an-unnecessarily-but-well-meaning-overprotective-bts

post: intro part 2. meeting member #2

the concept: 0.1 the meetings: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

“Jungkook! You’re late!”

“Sorry, uncle! Busy day at school,” Jungkook explained, half his mind somewhere else. With a quick flourish (and some enhanced inhuman agility), Jungkook quickly leaped over the cafe counter while tying the uniform apron around his waist. Just in time, too, for the first customer to come strolling in.

“Welcome to Uncle Jo’s! What can I get for you today?”

It wasn’t until a few hours into his shift that his uncle (a.k.a. the only man willing to hire a dungeon-collapse victim like him) began closing up. By then, the sun was long gone, and students, even university ones, were already heading home after spending their evenings studying inside their little shop. 

From one of the empty cafe tables, Jungkook was already snacking on some leftover pastries. Nothing made in-house like their drinks, but he wasn’t one to complain about the free food that came with the job. Even if they were borderline stale.

“You sure enjoy cutting it close, don’t you?” Uncle On berated him with a soft wack to his head. Jungkook let the blow pass threw him before feigning pain.

“Uncle On! I didn’t mean it this time,” Jungkook whined jokingly. “It’s not my fault; it’s almost exam season.” 

“All the more reason you should be studying, you idiot!” The elderly cafe owner gripped before taking the empty seat across Jungkook. “What kind of punk adds even more work hours when they’re supposed to be focused on their future!? You crazy kid!”

There was a reason Jungkook liked working with Uncle On. Unlike most of the world, the old cafe owner wasn’t completely sold on the idea of hunters and dungeons. In fact, while most at Jungkook’s school were quick to idolize the country’s defenders and their careers, Uncle On still believed that the best way to a good future was through academic hard work rather than risking one’s life in those “stupid deathtraps”. 

It made Uncle Jo’s Cafe the perfect break Jungkook needed. That little blip of refuge from the world he was eager to leave behind. All the technology, decorations, and recipes in Uncle Joe’s were all pre-dungeon. Within these four walls, there was no magic, no enhanced equipment, no dungeon ingredients, and most importantly, no hunters.

Excluding Jungkook, of course. 

“Gah! Why do I even bother? It’s not like you ever listen to me.”

“What were you saying again, Uncle On?” Jungkook jokingly teased, before half-heartedly dodging Uncle On’s flying fist. “I think your hearing is failing you again.”

“You! Just wait until I get my hands on you–” 

“Excuse me, is this place still open?“ 

“Yes!” 

”No, it isn’t!” To which, Jungkook earned another fist to his head. “Uncle! You were about to close already!” 

“Then consider this our last customer of the night, Jungkook. Don’t keep him waiting!” Uncle On harrumphed, but with no real bite to it. “I’ll just be at the back fixing up.” 

Groaning, Jungkook half-heartedly dragged himself behind the counter to serve the last-minute straggler. Curse Uncle On for never being able to turn down a last-minute profit. “What can I get you then?”

“Well, aren’t you all chipper?” The new face teased with a painfully handsome smirk. “Are you like this with all your customers?”

”Just the ones who interrupt my meal,” Jungkook said with an empty customer-service smile, glancing longingly at the muffin he had left on the nearby table. ”So are you going to order or what?”

As the man in front of him perused the menu, Jungkook gave him a cursory glance. To the untrained eye, he would seem completely normal. Light beige hood, a matching face wrap, and sleek cargo pants. But Jungkook could see the enchantment on his boots, and the way his hand hovered by his side, no doubt at the ready to equip some hidden weapon of sorts. The pink-purplish gradient hair was also a dead giveaway, even if he could barely catch it on the man’s bangs. 

It was this observation, and the unmistakable feeling of a powerful aura entering the shop, that made Jungkook want to turn the man away in the first place. Not that it mattered, once Uncle On made up his mind on the matter. 

”You don’t serve anything enhanced?” 

“Nope. We only serve pre-dungeon food and drinks,” Jungkook bragged with a slightly snotty tone. “If you’ve got a problem with that, you’re more than welcome to leave.”

”As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I need,” the hunter hummed, fingers glancing over the glass case of treats. “How many of these you got left?”

“Food? Not much. We mostly have coffee and tea—“

”That’s fine. I’ll take it.”

”I’m sorry?”

”All of it. Whatever you have left, drinks or food, I’d like it all to-go, please,” he finished, and quite seriously, too. 

“Are you serious?” Jungkook looked at the man like he was crazy. ”How are you even going to carry all that?”

The customer didn’t even open his mouth before swiping his finger mid-air, causing a glowing pocket to appear. Jungkook rolled his eyes at the blatant show-off. “Right. Inventory.”

”You’re not surprised?”

”That you’re a hunter? You’re not exactly hiding it,” Jungkook said boredly before punching everything in. Every single leftover pastry and craftable drink behind the counter tallied up into one receipt. “Plus, we don’t get your kind much here.”

”Hunters, you mean?”

”Most people don’t bother with regular human food anymore. Even the students who come here complain about it. Not that Uncle On cares. It doesn’t stop them from coming back anyway,” Jungkook said under his breath. “Hunters are usually the same. Don’t you usually get your sustenance from those fancy stores?”

This earned Jungkook an amused snort from the man. ”I can tell you’ve never shopped at the Merchant’s Supply before.”

“Yeah. That thing.” A stupid name. And an even more stupid idea. Who’s bright idea was it to start capitalizing on dungeon-exclusive products by producing them for non-hunters anyway? 

“The Hunter’s Supply is limited,” his customer began to explain, idly watching as Jungkook began packing everything for him. “Most hunters have given up on relying on them for that very reason.” No doubt because regular people were greedy enough to hoard it for themselves. No wonder the death rate for hunters hasn’t gone down since Jungkook’s accidental retirement. 

“Besides, relying on magical products aren’t sustainable. Consume too much, and you’ll likely suffer from irreversible side effects,” the hunter finished, causing Jungkook’s eyebrow to rise.

”I didn’t know that.”

”It’s not common knowledge amongst civilians. But don’t worry. You’d need to go through multiple high-grade consumables to develop an addiction. Do that daily, and that’s when the real problem starts,” the man then warned, albeit uselessly, considering what Jungkook knew.

”That’s…” Wrong? New? What was Jungkook supposed to say when this recent information went against everything he once knew about hunters and dungeons? “…a shame.” 

“It is, isn’t it? By the way, would you mind heating that one for me?” The hunter pointed at the croissant Jungkook was just about to wrap. “All this talk about food has got me famished.”

"Save some food for us normal folks, man. Aren't hunters supposed to never get hungry anyway?” Jungkook snarked before flinching at his own hunger-driven callousness. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”

”And the muffin, too,” he nonetheless continued, now clearly ignoring what Jungkook had just said. 

“Right,” Jungkook sighed, returning to his customer-service setting. “Can I get your name for the order?”

”Jin.” 

“Alright, Mr. Jin. I’ll have your drinks and heated orders out in a few minutes. In the meantime, you can take a seat while you wait.” Jungkook motioned at the nearby counter as he headed to the machines. “I can call you back when it’s ready.”

By the time Jungkook had everything finished, the sun had fully gone down, marking the official closure of the cafe. Jin had just finished packing every single drink when Jungkook finally handed over the warmed food. 

“That’s for you. As thanks…and as an apology, for interrupting your meal,” Jin admitted with a genuine smile this time. “It’s the least I can do after buying the store out.”

Jungkook frowned guiltily, unable to look the man in the eye. “I really didn’t mean it. What I said earlier.”

”You did,” Jin smiled all-knowingly. “And your honesty was quite refreshing," he admitted with a genuine smile this time. "But just so you know, we do get hungry." The hunter then smirked, before giving Jungkook a mischievous wink. "We just never complain about it."

"You-!"

"Don't worry. Next time, I'll be sure to save some pastries just for you." Before Jungkook could demand a further explanation, though, the door chimes rang, signaling the hunter's departure. "Until next time, Jungkook."

Already, the exhausted college student could tell—this wouldn't be the last time he saw Jin.

[snooeycatwrites]

Character Voice Tags

Thank you @illarian-rambling for the tag! I’ve got five characters from Raising Gods for you as passengers in hired chariots.

My line: “Learn how to drive, moron! The left lane is for passing!”

Your line: “I’ll have you know I earned a perfect score on my exam.”

Epenimes: *Sends a pointed glance at the right lane and puffs up his chest to the perfect angle to display the rank on his amulet.* “The pedestrians are passing us. Tell me, how did you qualify to be a professional driver if you can’t comprehend the importance of delivering Lokyesser’s most important clergy punctually to the holy festival?”

Zaemes: “I’ve seen a chariot before. I know we’re supposed to be passing the pedestrians in this lane. What’s the point of breaking that rule if this is all the chaos you’re going to get from it, huh? If you’re going to stir things up, you gotta commit.” *Steals the reins.* “Gallop, horsey! Run as fast as you can!”

Kyetki: “The other chariots look like they’re going to cut through the right lane to pass us. Can’t you drive any faster?” … “You mean this is as fast as the horse can go. WHY would you make an injured horse pull a chariot? How did the gods not transform you into a monster? That’s cruel!” … “YOU SHOULDN’T BE IN THIS LANE UNLESS YOU’RE PREPARED TO PASS, AND YOU SHOULDN’T CUT THROUGH PEDESTRIANS LIKE THAT! Someone’s going to get hurt, and the both of you need to start thinking about other people right this moment!”

Lokyesser: “You weren’t jesting when you claimed you come from a faraway nation! Is it the right lane for passing in your country? I’m surprised you didn’t notice the difference locally. It seems a change any intelligent mortal would notice. Stop here. Disembark. I wish to capture the expressions of those traffic guards on canvas.” *Nudges the driver out of the chariot with the easel he is opening.*

Gitotzer: “Use. This lane. To pass. Don’t make me issue a citation.”

If you would like to write your line in your OCs’ voices, then tag, you’re it (no pressure), @cryptid-s-wips, @rbbess110, @ren-c-leyn, @mjparkerwriting, and @wmlittlemore-is-writing. Anyone else who wants to play is also welcome!

[posting-my-stories-here]

The Aftermath (Pt. 3)

Head heavy with thought, Aahan dragged himself back to his building, collapsing against the elevator wall then immediately straightening up as another woman entered.

He vaguely remembered seeing her during festivals and other social gatherings. He wasn't sure if his mother had been close to the woman personally but she probably knew her.

“How are your studies going?" “Fine.” He replied, smiling politely, hoping his floor would come soon.

“And you were preparing for…?” “NEET.” He responded automatically. “And IISER,” he added hastily.

She nodded empathetically. “Will you be going to Kota then?” He shook his head, suppressing a sigh of relief as the lift doors finally opened. Stepping out, he waved back at her, before briskly walking to his parents apartment and ringing the bell.

Maybe it was the disagreement with Ajay earlier. Maybe it was the shock and betrayal Aahan felt. Maybe it was the impromptu conversation with that woman.

Whatever the reason, Aahan had forgotten who exactly would open the door. And so when his middle- aged mother stood at the doorway, he felt his breath stop and his heart rate quicken.

------

NEET is the national medical entrance exam in India, taken by nearly 10- 12 million students every year. IISER is the Indian Institute of Scientific Education and Research.

Kota is the study hub of India where thousands of students go to prepare for entrance exams. A very depressing place, where tens of students commit suicide every month due to the immense pressure and competition.

I don't why but I am getting a huge writer's block on the next scene. This was supposed to be much longer, but I am just stuck.

[accountcoaching]

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[merchantziro]

One month ago, the Justice League were contacted by the United Nations to act as a neutral party overlooking a major court case regarding an American government branch known as the Ghost Investigation Ward being sued by a small town in Illinois known as Amity Park for discrimination among other claims.

However the further they research this case... The more bizarre this entire case became.

That's what one Richard "Dick" Grayson thought to himself as straightening his blue tie on his dark black suit, he knew taking the Bar Exam and becoming a Lawyer would prove to be useful one day.

Dick: (*Sigh*) (Alright, my first time operating on such a high profile case like this. Hopefully all that vocal chord training that Babs gave me would make sure I could tango with the big league lawyers.)

Dick: (B had to pull a few strings, but soon was able to get me slated to stand as the Defense Attorney for the Ghost Investigation Ward.)

At that moment Tim strolled up in one of his more casual suits, likely there was moral support.

Tim: Relax Dick, you'll do fine. Batman chose you for a reason remember, just don't let those nerves of steel get to you and focus on your chords of steel.

Dick: ...Right, I can't lose sight of what's important now.

Grayson turned to see the representative of his "client", two agents of said organization.

Operative K: This is such a farce! After everything we've done for Amity to protect them from those spooks, and THIS is how they repay us?

Operative O: This has got to be the work of those ghosts! They must be manipulating the city as the town finally fallen for their tricks!

Dick: Calm down, the both of you. If it's true that your organization has nothing to hide, then sit back and relax.

Operative O: And we're sorry for having to waste you and the Justice League's time, I assure you.

Dick: Alright, I know lawyers are supposed to trust their clients but let me make one thing crystal clear. Just because I'm your defense attorney, doesn't mean I'm not here to defend you. I'm on the side of justice, nothing more.

Operative K: ...We have nothing to say other than we've been doing everything for the safety of humanity.

Dick: ...

Tim: ...Good luck and... Make sure don't forget what I told you last night alright? I'll be in the gallery watching.

Dick: Got it, thanks Timmy.

After a bit, the trial eventually began as Dick stepped foot into the Courtroom and took a deep breath.

An elderly looking judge banged his gravel as he looked up, he was a fair and impartial Judge given a heavy background check by Bruce and the UN before being pulled from California. Records say he has handled many bizarre cases in his time.

Judge: The court is now in session for the trial of Amity Park vs the Ghost Investigation Ward.

Richard slicked back his hair as he took as he took a deep breath before looking nodding as he looked up at the judge.

Dick: The defense is ready, your honor.

On the other side, a figure with ruby red eyes and skin as paper white as his hair. He stood in his dark blue suit. According to reports he was-

Von Karma: The prosecution is fully prepared, your honor.

Judge: My word... Mr. Von Karma? I thought you were-

Von Karma: Disbarred? Hmph. Indeed I was your honor. However I have been allowed as a representative for Amity Park a chance to step back into the courts after a decade.

Dick: (Manfred Von Karma, a legendary prosecutor who had garnered a reputation for his nigh unbeaten record of 40 years and his intense aura of intimidation prior to being found guilty of murdering defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth, before being exposed by then rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright in the trial of prosecutor Miles Edgeworth.)

Judge: But... Mr. Von Karma, are you even legally allowed to prosecute on this case? You were disbarred after the events of the PW-4 Case before your sentence after all.

Von Karma: This case is a very unique one your honor... As I'm sure you can already tell by the number of capes in the gallery! Besides... While I reluctantly admit that I indeed lost my right to prosecute, I was employed by the King of the Infinite himself due to my record.

He presents a badge resembling the standard Prosecutor's Badge but one of a silver color with a mix of black and green accents instead of golden with a mix of white and red accents. A small logo mixing a P with a D was in the center.

Dick: (Hmm... So they have their own legal system in the world of the dead, and with a logo like that PD... Could it be referring to this King?)

Nightwing flashes back to talking with John Constantine on the Watchtower.

Constantine: The King of the Infinite, is recorded as a being by the name of Pariah Dark. A tyrant who was sealed away long ago by the Ancients in the Coffin of Forever Sleep.

The Hellblazer sighs wearily as he takes a swig from his flask.

Constantine: Unfortunately rumor has it he's recently taken up the throne again and become more active in recent times.

Constantine: Thankfully he hasn't done anything yet, but... It's best we prepare for the worst if he does.

Dick: (Pariah Dark... Best to make a note of that for future reference.)

Ghost Prosecutor's Badge - A version of the badge prosecutors are given. Von Karma claims to have been given it by the Ghost King, implying a legal system exists on the other side of life. Has an odd symbol on it mixing P & D.

Judge: I see. Well I suppose if there are no objections, Mr. Grayson?

The defense attorney shook his head.

Dick: The defense has no objections. Though I must admit I am quite curious to see where this trial goes.

Judge: Very well then, Mr. Von Karma if you please?

Von Karma: ...If I must. The entire town of Amity Park, Illinois has accusations against the United States Government, specifically the Ghost Investigation Ward branch, for discrimination and crimes against the realm of the dead.

Judge: The realm of the dead?

Von Karma: Indeed your honor, the prosecution would like to call up the detective assigned by the United Nations, the Batman himself!

Judge: Very well. Mr. ...er Man, may you-

Batman: Already here and had the proper preparation time, your honor.

Batman was suddenly already standing in the witness stand. Richard smirked as he noticed Bruce probably already arrived while they were discussing Von Karma and if he was allowed to prosecute.

Judge: AHHH! ...Ahem. (*Cough*) Thank you detective.

Von Karma: Name and occupation for the record.

Batman: Batman, protector of Gotham City, one of the world's greatest detectives, and a founding member of the Justice League.

Judge: I assume you're not gonna tell us who's under the mask?

Batman: ....

The Judge chuckled nervously with some humor.

Judge: ...Can't blame a guy for trying, right?

Von Karma: Detective Batman, testify to the court on what your investigations have shown you about Amity Park and their relationship with the Ghost Investigation Ward.

Judge: I assume you didn't try to manipulate the testimony Mr. Von Karma?

Von Karma: I am a changed man your honor, and I wouldn't risk damaging my case when I have my own minor stake in the matter.

Judge: Your own stake? ...Very well, but know I have my eye on you.

Von Karma nodded.

Von Karma: Duly noted, your honor.

As they discussed, Nightwing didn't fail to catch his father gazing at him slightly in response.

Batman: Hmph? (Dick?)

Dick: Hmm? (Yeah?)

Batman: ...Tch. (...Be prepared.)

Dick: Sigh. (Gotcha.)

WITNESS TESTIMONY

-- "The Facts of this Case." --

Batman: ...Very well. Amity Park, Illinois was a town that has rumors claiming to have been haunted for centuries.

Batman: But it wasn't until recently that ghosts had begun to appear due to the research of two ecto-scientists, Dr. Jack Fenton and Dr. Maddie Fenton.

Batman: They built a portal designed to view a different dimension, one of the dead. They called it the Ghost Zone, home to many ectoplasmic beings that were able to get through the portal.

Batman: For one reason or another however, the ghosts remained off the Justice League's radar due to the calls for help being rerouted somehow.

Batman: The Ghost Investigation Ward was supposedly assigned to try and keep the situation contained and under control.

Batman: But Amity Park residents claim they have been discriminating against their kind, as well as committing crimes against the dead. But they have refused to elaborate.

Batman: If you ask me, personally I think there's a lot more to this story neither side is telling us for one reason or another.

END TESTIMONY

Judge: ...A dimension of the dead? My word. If I didn't know any better with all these aliens, metahumans, and other heroes running around, I'd almost think this was a bad bluff from Mr. Wright.

Dick: (Alright, probably the first thing I should do is to establish the facts. I know Bruce wouldn't lie to me or let any potential underhanded from Von Karma get him to fold. Time to start asking some questions and see where they lead us.)

Judge: Very well then. Mr. Grayson, you may begin your cross examination.

CROSS EXAMINATION

-- "The Facts of this Case." --

Batman: ...Very well. Amity Park, Illinois was a town that has rumors claiming to have been haunted for centuries.

HOLD IT!

Dick: Haunted for centuries?

Batman: According to the Justice League Dark, our supernatural experts, the location of Amity was built upon was incredibly unique.

The Dark Knight pulled out a report.

Batman: This report by them mentions how it was built upon an area that was at the weak point of the veil between dimensions. Which made it more likely to see ghostly activity due to such conditions making it easier for ghosts to appear there.

Judge: l see... The court accepts this report as evidence.

JLD Report - A report by the Justice League Dark on Amity Park being built upon an area that was the weak point between our world and the "Ghost Zone".

Batman: Now then, as I was saying...

Batman: But it wasn't until recently that ghosts had begun to appear due to the research of two ecto-scientists, Dr. Jack Fenton and Dr. Maddie Fenton.

HOLD IT!

Dick: Ecto-scientists? What can you tell us about these two?

Batman: According to my own research into their background, both have been obsessed with hunting and researching ghosts for years as far back as their days at the University of Wisconsin. They originally attempted to create a prototype of their Ghost Portal that failed and instead left a friend, Vladimir Masters, infected with "Ecto-Acne". ...They never spoke to Vlad again until recently a year or so back.

Dick: Vladimir Masters? You mean the millionaire and head of DALV Co?

Batman: Indeed. This brings us to discussing the portal itself...

Batman: They built a portal designed to view a different dimension, one of the dead. They called it the Ghost Zone, home to many ectoplasmic beings that were able to get through the portal.

Dick: Can you perhaps tell us more about this Ghost Portal?

Batman: Unfortunately we're still examining it to get a better understanding of the inner workings but what we know for sure is it's designed to puncture a hole into the veil where it was weakest. This allowed them to form a rift that can lead between our world and the realm of the dead.

The hero then presented a photograph showing the Ghost Portal. Dick's eyes widened at it a bit at the sight of the green

Dick: (That portal. That familiar shade of GREEN. It looks just like- No, I can't let myself lose focus of what's important.)

Ghost Portal Photograph - A photo showing the Fenton Ghost Portal. Acts as a gateway between our world and the Ghost Zone. The rift is a familiar shade of green.

Batman: However ghosts have been leaking out of it and begun causing more issues around Amity. Leading into my next point....

Batman: For one reason or another however, the ghosts remained off the Justice League's radar due to the calls for help being rerouted somehow.

HOLD IT!

Dick: Rerouted, so Amity Park was left to fend for itself?

Batman: Correct, ghosts of all kinds coming through and we were unfortunately left unaware of a potential threat.

Judge: My word, that's terrible. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my town attacked by malicious spirits.

Von Karma: ...

Batman: Well Amity wasn't left completely defenseless as Ghost Hunters were there to help. These included the Fentons, a mysterious vigilante known as the Red Huntress, and... The Ghost Investigation Ward.

Batman: The Ghost Investigation Ward was supposedly assigned to try and keep the situation contained and under control.

HOLD IT!

Dick: Can you elaborate to the Court on my client, the Ghost Investigation Ward?

Batman: The GIW are a branch of the United States Government like the FBI or CIA, except their speciality lies in studying ghosts.

Dick: So a government branch was assigned to the Amity Park case, yet the Justice League weren't contacted or even informed of the possible threat?

Batman: ...Apparently, though they have refused to tell us what reason they could have had beyond that we would have "gotten in their way".

Dick: Hmm... Hmph!?

Dick notices Von Karma tilting his head confused.

Von Karma: ...What? Are you not going to rush to your own client's defense?

Dick shakes his head.

Dick: Not yet. I'm merely here because Batman, and by extension the United Nations, trusted me to help establish the facts of this case regardless of guilt or innocence. Whether the GIW are innocent or guilty remains to be seen, justice will arrive all the same.

Von Karma: ...You sound so much like him.

Dick: Huh?

Von Karma: ...It doesn't matter, proceed with your cross examination.

Dick: (That was... Odd. What did he mean by "him"?)

Batman: But Amity Park residents claim they have been discriminating against their kind, as well as committing crimes against the dead. But they have refused to elaborate.

Dick: Those are... Quite serious accusations. Do you have any ideas what they could mean by that.

Batman: Unfortunately the GIW haven't been forecoming with their actions and the town of Amity has refused to tell me information due to belief that I will twist their words into something against them. Neither side has been negotiable with the heroes, and it's becoming aggravating.

Dick: ...Same with me unfortunately, due to the fact I'm legally supposed to be representing the GIW.

Judge: Hmmm... Understandable. Do you have anything further to comment on then, Mr. Batman?

Batman: If you ask me, personally I think there's a lot more to this story neither side is telling us for one reason or another.

HOLD IT!

Dick: What do you mean by that?

Batman: As stated before, Amity Park hasn't really been straightforward with our investigation. I believe it's due to a grudge the fact their calls never reached us

Dick: Right you mentioned before in your testimony they were rerouted. Do you know where they were sent to?

Batman: We are unsure, it's like our entire system to keep watch for danger somehow has been blocked to watch this one specific area of Illinois. Even when the town was supposedly dragged into the Ghost Zone temporarily, the Justice League never heard a peep.

Dick looked down in thought.

Dick: (But the Watchtower's systems are beyond anything in the world! How could one town slip through the cracks?)

Dick: (...Wait. Through the cracks?)

Dick: ...!

The Judge slams his Gavel.

Judge: Alright, thank you Mr. Batman. Does the Defense have any final remarks before we move on.

Dick: Just one. Mr. Batman, for the record can I ask you to reiterate a statement you said earlier?

Batman: ...Which statement?

THE GHOST INVESTIGATION WARD?

THE GHOST PORTALS?

THE AMITY PARK CALLS?

Dick: I'd like you to reiterate the part where you claim the Justice League did not receive calls from Amity Park.

Judge: Mr. Grayson, is this going somewhere?

Dick: I assure you this is, your honor.

Judge: Very well, Mr. Batman?

Batman: ...Alright.

Batman: It's like our entire system was ignoring Amity Park like it didn't exist. We are unsure of where these calls were rerouted to however.

OBJECTION!

Dick slams his hands on his desk as he smirks.

Dick: Mr. The Batman, what if I told you I might be able to provide you an answer on where they were sent.

Batman: ...! You do?

Batman gripped the witness stand.

Dick: I would like to share a recording I took of something interesting I perceived while investigating the GIW base. I had noticed a crack in the wall and heard voices faintly on the other end before I got closer.

It shows multiple agents talking into front of a massive computer screen with a bunch of calls.

Agent: Hello? ...Ghosts? Don't be ridiculous Ghosts don't exist. (Click)

Agent: What can we do for you? ...Sir this isn't funny, please call us when there's an actual emergency. (Click)

Batman: Hmmm... Are those Emergency Hotline responders?

Dick: I thought the same thing, and that it was weird they were denying the existence of ghosts despite their role as Ghost Hunters... but something interesting came up before I stopped.

Agent: Is there an emergency? ...Ma'am, for the final time we will not be getting involved in whatever tourist publicity stunt Amity Park is trying to do. Stop trying to waste the time of the Justice League. (Click)

Dick: "Stop trying to waste the time of the Justice League."

Batman: ...Then that means...

Von Karma: ...That they were...

Dick: Indeed.

Dick slams his hands on the desk before pointing a finger forward.

Dick: I have reason to suspect the GIW were involved in a mass cover up, hiding Amity Park and it's situation from the Justice League by having agents impersonating the Justice League's Emergency Hotline!

Batman: ...

The court of heroes erupted into chatter before-

OBJECTION!

Von Karma snapped his fingers, silencing the court as it rang loudly.

Von Karma: Interesting... Very very... Interesting. So you truly are cut from the same cloth as the rest of her knights...

Dick: ...! Huh!? (Her... Knights?)

Von Karma: But even still, do you have evidence that proves the GIW were covering it up.

Dick: But the recording-

OBJECTION!

Von Karma: Could have been staged or forged in an attempt to make the Justice League look good to Amity Park!

Von Karma slammed a hand on the desk.

Von Karma: Unless you have cold irrefutable evidence to back this up and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Ghost Investigation Ward were covering up Amity from the Justice League?

Dick: ...

Judge: ...Mr. Grayson, do you have anything at all?

Dick: ... (Do I have anything concrete that proves they were hiding the town from the Justice League? No... Not yet. Unless... What is it that Tim said yesterday?)

The Nightwing thinks back to last night in the Manor, when Dick was looking over his case.

Tim: You know, when the pieces don't look quite right and I find myself going nowhere fast... There's always one thing that never fails to help me turn things around in my deductive skill.

Tim takes a sip from his coffee cup full of energy drink.

Tim: I turn my thinking around, look at it from a different angle. I stop asking myself WHY something happens the way it did, and instead ask WHY WOULD something happen the way it did.

Tim: "Once you've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." A great detective from centuries ago once said that.

Dick: Eliminate... The impossible...

The Judge: Mr.... Grayson?

Dick slammed his desk, with a look of resolve in his eyes.

Dick: I believe the defense just might have something your honor!

Von Karma: ...?

Batman: ...

Dick shook his head to clear his thoughts before taking a deep breath.

Dick: (Concentrate Nightwing. Don't ask yourself what the Court Record has that proves the GIW WERE covering up Amity, but what proves the GIW had A REASON to cover it up.)

The Judge: Very well Mr. Grayson. What proves that the GIW were indeed covering up Amity from the Justice League?

TAKE THAT!

Dick pulls out a lawbook.

The Judge: A... lawbook?

Von Karma: ...! Wait, what are you-

Dick: Now, I don't have strict physical evidence that proves the GIW were indeed covering up Amity. But I can pose a motive to why they would.

Batman: Hmm?

The Judge: I don't follow. Explain please, Mr. Grayson.

Dick begins looking through the lawbook to pull up a specific page.

Dick: If you recall earlier, the detective himself said something earlier during the Cross Examination earlier that caught my attention.

Batman: But Amity Park residents claim they have been discriminating against their kind, as well as committing crimes against the dead. But they have refused to elaborate.

HOLD IT!

Dick: Can you elaborate to the Court on my client, the Ghost Investigation Ward?

Batman: The GIW are a branch of the United States Government like the FBI or CIA, except their speciality lies in studying ghosts.

Dick: So a government branch was assigned to the Amity Park case, yet the Justice League weren't contacted or even informed of the possible threat?

Batman: ...Apparently, though they have refused to tell us what reason they could have had beyond that we would have "gotten in their way".

Dick: Now, during my investigation I was asking a good friend to help me with some research when we discovered something that I couldn't understand the meaning of.

Dick: The Federal Anti-Ecto Control Acts, also known as simply the "Anti-Ecto Acts" for short.

Batman: The... What?

The Judge: I've never heard of that act before?

OBJECTION!

Von Karma growls, looking confused.

Von Karma: This is madness! You would throw your own client under the bus like this? What type of defense attorney are you to have no loyalty to your client?

Dick: One who hunts down the truth ruthlessly to unbury it, no matter how ugly it might be.

Von Karma: ...

Von Karma had no response instead of pausing before looking down at his desk in thought, a shadow obscuring his eyes making it difficult to read his expression.

The Judge: I fail to follow, what do you mean, Mr. Grayson?

Dick: It was apparently passed some months ago, and it states that any being that contains a certain level of Ectoplasm in their being is to be declared as a ghost, and thus must be contained by the Ghost Investigation Ward.

Batman: Wait, but that would mean...

The Judge: Hmm? I see. But what does that have to do with hiding a city from the Justice League and a motive Mr. Grayson?

Dick: Allow me to point it out for you, your honor.

Dick: This law cites documents of research into what a ghost is by definition of the law and that they are supposedly non-sentient shades manifestated out of ectoplasmic energy and malicious shadows formed from post-human consciousness.

Dick: The Anti-Ecto Acts would bring the GIW into conflict with the Justice League because of this...

TAKE THAT!

Dick: The Metahumans Protection Act, spearheaded some time back by the Justice League due to J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, being captured and experimented on by the government and to establish peaceful relations with the United Nations as the official and legal protectors of the planet.

Batman nodded.

Batman: Indeed, it was to ensure protection of any and all Metahumans, Aliens, and other creatures such as hyper-intelligent animals from being unethically contained and experimented on for their powers, mutations, or odd biologies. To make sure regardless of who they were, they would still be accepted and to deter anyone seeing them as anything lesser for people with gifts or people who weren't human but still sapient.

Dick: The Justice League would have most certainly "gotten in their way" as The Federal Anti-Ecto Control Acts blatantly infringe upon the Metahumans Protection Act by declaring anyone with enough ectoplasm as non-sentient! They would have slowed them down.

Dick: That more than establishes a clear motivation for this cover up, the reason Amity is suing for crimes against the dead.

Nightwing pointed a finger forward as he felt the rush of adrenaline.

The Judge: ...

Batman: ...Tch. (I raised you well.)

Von Karma: ...

The Judge: So... This would indeed establish the GIW would have a concrete reason.

The Judge: However... Do you have any direct evidence of the GIW using the Anti-Ecto Acts to infringe upon the Metahumans Protection Act?

Dick: ...! Well I... No, not at the moment.

The Judge shook his head.

The Judge: Then while you have raised a concerning oversight in the Meta Protection Act and your argument does seem to hold some water, unless you have something that proves it then unfortunately all you have proclaimed so far is conjecture, Mr. Grayson.

The judge then turned to the prosecution.

The Judge: Mr. Von Karma, do you have anything you wish to add?

Manfred, who seemed lost in his own thoughts thinking about something snapped out of it and immediately cleared his throat as a faint dark smoke came from his mouth.

Von Karma: ...! Eh!? (*Cough* *Cough*) Unfortunately the prosecution also lacks any evidence in this regard, your honor.

The Judge: I see... In that case this line of logic shall be dismissed for now unless you have obtained something more substantial than two conflicting Acts.

Von Karma snapped his fingers, regaining his composure.

Von Karma: In any which case, the prosecution is ready to call their next witness to testify against the GIW.

Dick: (That was odd? What was... No, don't get caught up in whatever is up with the prosecution. Focus Grayson.)

Dick: And just who will you be calling up?

Von Karma: A High School Senior and the daughter of the Fenton Parents responsible for the Portal, Jasmine Fenton, to talk about the GIW and the incidents that occurred across Casper High School.

The Judge: Very well, Mr. Von Karma. How long would it take to call the witness to the stand?

Von Karma: She's already prepared to be summoned, but I would only require 15 minutes to go over her testimony with her... No more, no less.

The Judge: Very well... The court shall go into temporary recess to allow Mr. Von Karma to prepare the witness. However due note my earlier statement still stands if you are caught trying anything funny, Mr. Von Karma.

Von Karma: ...Understood.

The Judge bangs his gavel.

Dick eventually stepped out back into the lobby, but not without catching Bruce giving him a look as he stepped out of the Witness Bench.

Dick: ...

Dick then moved back to the Defendant Lobby, as he arrived to find Operative K & Operative O who looked particularly ticked off.

Operative O: What the hell was that about Did you get possessed by one of those no good ghosts too!?

Operative K: And why did you have to talk about the Anti-Ecto Acts and the GIW like that!? Whose side are you on!?

Dick: Like I said, the side of justice. The Justice League deserved to know about Amity, about the Anti-Ecto Acts and how they conflict with the Metahuman Protection Act...

Batman: I couldn't agree more, Mr. Grayson.

Batman suddenly appeared behind them from nowhere, Dick wasn't surprised but the two agents clearly jumped at Bruce's gruff and cold tone.

Operative O: Ah! How in the-

Dick: Ah hey Mr. Bats. Did you need something?

Batman: I need to discuss something with you in private if it's alright.

Dick nodded before being led to a little side closet by his father.

After a moment the Dark Knight let out a sigh of relief and seemed to relax a little, even though he was still in his Batsuit... Dick knew Bruce was lowering his guard a little.

Bruce: You doing alright chum?

Dick followed suit.

Dick: Just fine B, just... Almost broke there near the end.

Bruce: Yeah, I do appreciate you bringing the Federal Anti-Ecto Control Acts to our attention and the method of the GIW hiding Amity from us... However unfortunately unless there's solid evidence against them, our hands are tied.

Dick: Right, I just hope Von Karma has solid evidence against them but...

Bruce: Considering Von Karma didn't have anything to shoot them down with, it's likely he didn't have any direct evidence against them either.

Dick: Maybe he did actually...

Bruce: Hmmm?

Dick: Call it a hunch but I think he might have been saving that argument to use himself, but he either didn't have anything substantial at that point... Or maybe he's got something to hide for Amity's sake.

Bruce: Something I'll look into later. In any case, I'll do some research into these Anti-Ecto Acts and talk to the JLD about it first. Meanwhile, you've got a case to see through til the end.

Dick: Right.

As they stepped out they were hit by a flash photography, revealing Tim with his phone as he gave a shit eating grin.

Tim: You two idiots starting up a rumor that Dick Grayson is secretly dating The Batman and was making out with him in a closet or what?

Dick could feel his phone vibrate like crazy that he had to silence it. It honestly didn't take being one of the world's greatest detectives to know it was his siblings going wild over the "incriminating" photograph.

Dick: Tim!

However before Dick could be an older brother, he heard the Bailiff call for him speaking he then seemed to salute.

Bailiff: Court with resume in 3 minutes. Please make your way into the courtroom. The trial is about to begin!

Dick nodded and lost all motivation, he'll plot his revenge later when he wasn't supposed to be professional.

Dick: (Alright... Time to see what you've got Von Karma!)

And with that, Dick stepped back into the Courtroom...

To be continued.

(Eh maybe don't count on it.)

A small town in Illinois is suing the American government for discrimination against their race. Desperate to get out of this, the government tasks the Justice League with investigation.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 5: Midterms & Michigan in Prague

Dobrý den!

Another week in, and this one was packed with academics, reunions with friends from college, and plenty of great food. Between preparing for midterms and hosting visitors, it was one of the busiest weeks yet—but also one of the most fun! Let’s get into it.

Midterm Season!

Exams are officially here, meaning my schedule has been a chaotic mix of studying, sightseeing, and squeezing in as much fun as possible. This week, I worked on project proposals and executive summaries for my Communications and Leadership courses, which tie directly into our capstone project. I really enjoyed this assignment because our professor gave us complete creative freedom with the document, so I designed my proposal in Canva, fully leaning into my UX minor and making the process much more fun. In these more business-leaning classes we have also been doing a lot of impromptu class presentations. The topics range from our challenge projects to absolutely anything as an exercise to practice presenting with little preparation time. Additionally, our supposed audiences range from the company we are working with to all kinds to practice how we would speak and change our language. Presentations aren't my favorite activity, but I have to admit that repeatedly doing them in class has made me much more comfortable with them.

In Software Engineering, we had an in-person yet online exam through Canvas. The exam was challenging not so much in content rather with the time constraints. This seemed to be an issue for all of the students in the class, however, and the professor said he would give us much more time for the final. Comparing this to Michigan EECS exams, it’s almost the opposite experience. At UM, the time constraints are perfectly calibrated from years of iteration, but the actual exam content is notoriously difficult. I definitely studied less for this midterm than I have for a CS exam at Michigan, but interestingly, I still feel like I’m absorbing the same amount of information by the end of the course due to IFSA's interactive in-class experiences.

On a high note, I did well on my Czech quiz! Even though my current knowledge mostly consists of numbers 0 - 20 and informal greetings (Ahoj!), having small wins in language learning feels good. While I can get by with basic phrases in Bolts and grocery stores, my goal for the end of the semester is to hold a full conversation in Czech beyond the everyday exchanges.

Next up: my Tech Ethics midterm. Recently, we’ve been discussing John Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness, which argues that a truly just society ensures equal rights while helping the least advantaged. The discussions have been fasinating, especially when my professor posed the question: How will the social contract evolve in a world where AI replaces most human jobs? It’s an intriguing and slightly unsettling topic to reflect on as we inch closer to that reality.

Visitors from Home!

This week, a wave of Michigan friends (and my twin sister!) arrived, turning my Prague apartment into a full-on Ann Arbor reunion.

My sister Erika and friends Josie, Sabrina, and Mark flew in Friday and spent most of the day sleeping off their jet lag. To kick off their visit, we went to Restaurace Mincovna, a traditional Czech restaurant in Old Town Square. I expected a tourist trap, but they had surprisingly reasonable prices, and served me an incredible beef brisket.

On Saturday, even more guests arrived (Ryan, JV, and Alec) straight from campus for their spring break. We had a packed itinerary, hitting some of Prague’s best spots:

Brunch at Kampa Cafe — Highly recommend, especially the avocado benedict.

Prague Castle — A must-see, with unbeatable city views.

Strahov Monastery — Home to one of the most stunning libraries I’ve seen (though Vienna’s National Library still takes the crown).

Beer Garden — Because no Prague experience is complete without a Czech beer break (third highest beer-consuming country in the world!).

Las Adelitas — I’ve mentioned this place before, but the Mexican food and atmosphere are always a win.

Ice Pub — A touristy but fun experience, drinking from an ice glass in an ice pub for 20 minutes.

Dog Bar — We ended the night at one of the most popular student bars in Prague and my go-to spot for visitors.

After a weekend of nightlife, we balanced it out with a great deal of sightseeing. We did a three-hour bike tour at 10 AM (painfully early after our packed schedule), covering Prague’s most iconic landmarks and learning the history behind each:

Old Town Square — The Jan Hus Monument, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Czech religious reformer’s death, stands proudly at the center. It’s a symbol of Czech national pride and the fight for religious freedom.

Astronomical Clock — Built in 1410, this is one of the oldest working astronomical clocks in the world. It has a mechanical show every hour, featuring the Twelve Apostles and a skeleton representing Death. Its dials display time, the sun and moon’s movement, and a calendar. The clock reminds us of the passage of time, the certainty of death, and the balance between fate and faith. Our tour guide claimed it was the third most overrated tourist attraction, but I completely disagree, I think the historic mechanics and symbolism make it worth a visit.

National Theatre — A Neo-Renaissance masterpiece and symbol of Czech national identity. My sister and friend even saw Hamlet here while I had class!

Charles Bridge Lookout — The best view of the Vltava River and bridge, which is too crowded to roam with a bike. We also spotted a beaver rat (it’s a thing in Prague)! I had heard about them before but they were surprisingly cute and very friendly with tourists.

John Lennon Wall — A constantly changing, graffiti-covered tribute to peace and free expression.

Crawling Babies Statues — Created by Czech sculptor David Černy, these faceless infants with barcode-like indentations represent themes of dehumanization and technology’s role in society.

Franz Kafka Museum — We learned about Kafka’s life from our guide but didn’t go inside, so I’ll be making a trip back soon.

Jewish Quarter — One of the most historically significant and moving parts of the city.

So many sights and we even stopped for a coffee break mid-tour, which was much-needed. Later, we walked across Charles Bridge and wandered through the city, taking it all in.

Food Highlights: My Favorite Eats in Prague So Far

With so many visitors, I definitely ate out more than usual. Here are my top recommendations:

Cafe Imperiale — Celebrated a roommate’s birthday here! The upscale ambiance, incredible food, and delicious desserts make it a must-visit and great for birthday or family dinners.

Las Adelitas — Already a staple in my routine.

Arepas De Lyna — A small local Venezuelan spot with the best arepas and comfort of home.

Hoxton Burgers — Close to my apartment with fantastic smash burgers, an awesome atmosphere, affordable prices, and the best truffle fries I’ve had.

I also have a growing list of restaurants I need to try before leaving Prague. Next up: KRO (the best roast chicken in Prague, apparently), Sodo (is it really the best brunch in the city?), and Pasta Fresca (affordable yet highly-rated Italian in the heart of Prague). Reviews coming soon!

Final Thoughts

This week was definitely one for the books. It was so much fun showing my friends and sister around and getting to play tourist in my own city. Now, it’s back to reality with midterms in full swing, but I’m already looking forward to my next adventure. This weekend, I’m off to my freshman year study abroad home base in Madrid! I’ll be meeting up with the same friends who just visited Prague, closing out their spring break travels in Spain.

Until next time,

Na shledanou!