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thedeadhandofseldon · 3 years ago

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The Anti-Mercer Effect

On the Accessibility of D&D, Why Unprepared Casters is so Fun, and Why Haley Whipjack is possibly the greatest DM of our generation.

(Apologies to my mutuals who aren’t in this fandom for the length of this, but as you all know I have never in my life shut up about anything so… we’ll call it even for the number of posts about Destiel I see every day.

To fellow UC fans - I haven’t listened to arc 4 yet, I started drafting this in early August, and I promise I will write a nice post about how great Gus the Bard is once I get the chance to listen to more of his DMing).

Structure - Or, “This is not the finale, there will be more podding cast”

So, first of all, let’s just talk about how Unprepared Casters works. Because it’s kind of unusual! Most of the other big-name D&D podcasts favor this long, grand arcs; UC has about 10 hours of podcast per each arc. And that’s a major strength in a lot of ways: it makes it really accessible to new listeners, because you can just start with the current arc and understand what’s going on!

And by starting new arcs every six or seven episodes, they can explore lots of ways to play D&D! Classic dungeon delve arc! Heist arc! Epic heroes save the world arc! Sportsball arc! They can touch on all sorts of things!

And while I’m talking about that: Dragons in Dungeons, the first arc, makes it incredibly accessible as a show - because it lets the unfamiliar listener get a sense of what D&D actually is. (It’s about telling stories and making your friends feel heroic and laugh and cry, for the record). If I had to pick a way to introduce someone to the game without actually playing it with them, that arc would definitely be it.

And I’d be remise not to note one very important thing: Haley Whipjack and Gus the Bard are just very funny, very charismatic people. Look. Episode 0s tend to be about 50%(?) those two just talking to each other about their own podcast. It shouldn’t work. And yet it DOES, its one of my favorite parts, because Haley and Gus are just cool.

And a side note that doesn’t fit anywhere else: I throw my soul at him! I throw a scone at him - that’s it, that’s the vibe. The whole podcast alternates between laughing with your friends and brooding alone in a dark tavern corner - but the laughs never forced and the dark corner is never too dark for too long.

Whipjack the Great - Or, the DM is Also a Player!

I think Haley Whipjack is one of the greatest Dungeon Masters alive. The plots and characters! The mechanical shenanigans! The descriptions!

Actually, let’s start there: with the descriptions. (Both Haley and Gus do this really fucking well). As we know, Episode 0 of each arc sees the DM reading a description - of a small town, or the Up North, or the recent history of a great party. And Haley always strikes this tricky balance - one I think a lot of us who DM struggle with - between giving too much description and worldbuilding, and not telling us anything at all. She describes people and events in just enough detail to imagine them, but never so much they seem static and unreal - just clear enough to envision, but with enough vagueness left to let your imagination begin to run wild.

While I’m thinking about arc 3’s party, let’s talk about a really bold move she made in that arc: letting the players have ongoing control of their history. Loser Lars! She didn’t try to spell out every detail of this high-level party’s history, or restrict their past to only what she decided to allow - she gave them the broad outlines, and let them embellish it. And that made for a much more alive story than any attempt to create it by herself would have - but I think it takes a lot of courage to let your players have that agency. Most Dungeon Masters (myself included) tend to struggle with being control freaks.

And the plots! Yeah, arc one is built of classic tropes - but she actually uses them, she doesn’t get caught up in subverting everything or laughing at the cliches. And it’s fun! In arc 3, there really isn’t a straight line for the players to follow, either - which makes the game much more interesting and much trickier to run. And her NPCs are fantastic and I will talk about them in the next section.

Above all, though, I think what is really impressive is how Haley balances mechanics, and rules as written, with the narrative and rule of cool - and puts both rules and story in the service of playing a fun game. And the secret to that? She’s the DM, but the DM is a player, and the DM is clearly having fun. Hope Lovejoy mechanically shouldn’t get that spellslot back, but she does, and it’s fun. The changeling merchant in Thymore doesn’t really make some Grand Artistic Narrative better, but wow is it fun. And she never tries to force it one way or the other - the story might be more dramatic if Annie didn’t manage to banish the demon from the vault, but it’s a lot cooler and a lot more fun for the players if Annie gets to be a badass instead - and the rules and the dice say that Annie managed it.

Settings feel like places, NPCs feel like people, and the narrative plot feels like a real villainous plot.

Anyway. I could go on about the various ways in which Whipjack is awesome for quite a while - she’s right, first place in D&D is when your friends laugh and super first place is when they cry - but I’m going to stop here and just. Make another post about it some other time. For now, for the record I hold her opinions about the game in higher esteem than I do several official sourcebooks; that is all.

Characters - Or, Bombyx Mori Is Not an Asshole, And That Matters

Okay, I said I would talk about characters! And I will!

Just a general place to start: the party! All of the first three parties are interesting to me, because they all care about each other. Not even necessarily in a Found Family Trope sort of way, though often that too. But they generally aren’t assholes to each other. The players create characters that actually work together, that are interesting; even when there’s internal divisions like SK-73 v. Sir Mr. Person, they aren’t just unpleasant and antagonistic all the time. Listening to the podcast, we’re “with” these people for a couple hours - and it isn’t unpleasant. That matters a lot. (To take a counter-example: I love Critical Role, but the episode when Vox Machina pranked Scanlan after he died and was resurrected wasn’t fun to listen to, it was just uncomfortable and angering and vaguely cruel).

All of the PCs are amazing, and the players in each arc did a great job. If you disagree with me about that, well, you have the right to be incorrect and I am sorry for your loss. Annie Wintersummer, for one example: tragic and sad and I want to give her a hug, but also Fuck Yeah Wintersummer, and also her familiar Charles the Owl is the cutest and funniest and I love him. And we understand what’s going on with Annie, she isn’t some infinite pool of hidden depths because this arc is 7 episodes and we don’t have time for that, but she also has enough complexity to be interesting. Same with Fey Moss: yeah, a lot of her is a silly pun about fame that carries into how she behaves, but a lot of how she behaves is also down to some good classic half-elven angst about parenthood and wanting to be known and seen and important. (Side note: if your half-elf character doesn’t have angst, well, that’s impressive and also I don’t think I believe you).

There are multiple lesbian cat-people in a 4-person party and they both have requited romantic interests who aren’t each other. This is the future liberals want and I am glad for it.

Sir Mister Person, the human fighter! Thavius, the edge lord! Even when a character is “simple,” they’re interesting, because of how they’re played as people and not action-figures. And that matters a lot.

In the same way: the NPCs. There really aren’t a lot of them! And some of them come from Patreon submissions, so uh good work gang, you’re part of the awesomeness and I’m proud of you! The point being, the NPCs work because enough of them are interesting to matter. It’s not just a servant who opens Count Michael’s door, it’s a character with a name (Oleandra!) and a personality and history. They’re interesting. Penny Lovejoy didn’t need to be interesting, the merchant outside the Laughing Mausoleum didn’t need to be interesting, but they ARE! And Haley and Gus EXCEL at making the NPCs matter, not just to the story but to us as viewers. I agree with Sir Mister Person, actually, I would die for the princesses of the kingdom. I actually care about Gem Lovejoy of all people - that wouldn’t happen in an ordinary campaign! That’s the thing that makes Unprepared Casters spectacular - and, frankly, it’s especially impressive because D&D does not tend to be good at making a lot of interesting compared to a lot of other sorts of stories.

And, just as an exemplar of all this: Bombyx Mori. Immortal, reincarnating(?), and described as the incarnation of the player’s ADHD. I expected to hate Bombyx, because as the mom friend both in and out of my friend-group’s campaigns, the chaos-causer is always exhausting to me. And yeah, Bombyx causes problems on purpose! But! She is not an asshole.

And that’s important. Bombyx goes and sits with the queen and comforts her. Bombyx gives Annie emotional support. Bombyx isn’t just a vehicle to jerk around the DM and other players; Bombyx really is a character we can care about. To compare with another case - in the first couple episodes of The Adventure Zone, the PCs are just dicks. Funny, but dicks. Bombyx holds out an arm “covered in larva” to shake with a count, and robs him of magical items, but she also cares about her friends and other people! She uses a powerful magical gem to save her fertilizer guy from death! Yeah, Bombyx is ridiculous, but she’s not just an asshole the party has to keep around for plot reasons; you can see why her party would keep her around. And one layer of meta up, she’s the perfect example of how to make a chaotic character like that while still being fun for everyone you’re playing with, which is often not the case. And I love her.

The Anti-Mercer Effect - Or, “I think we proved it can be fun, you can have a good time with your friends. And it doesn’t have to be scary, you can just work with what you know”

The Mercer Effect basically constitutes this: Matthew Mercer, Dungeon Master of Critical Role, is incredible (as are all of his players). They’re all professional story-tellers in a way, remember, and so Critical Role treats D&D like a narrative art-form, and it’s inspiring. Seeing that on Critical Role sets impossible standards - and people go into their own home games imagining that their campaigns will be like Critical Role, and the burden of that expectation tends to fall disproportionately on the DM. And the end result, I think, of the Mercer Effect is that we get discouraged or intimidated, because our game isn’t “as good as” theirs. (And I should note - Matt certainly doesn’t want that to be our reaction).

So the Anti-Mercer Effect is two things: it’s D&D treated like a game, and it’s inspiring but not intimidating. And Unprepared Casters manages both of those really freaking well. Because they play it like a game! A UC arc looks just like a good campaign in anyone’s home game. They have the vibes of 20-somethings and college students playing D&D for fun because that’s who they are (as a 20-something college student who plays a lot of D&D, watching it felt like watching my friends play an especially good campaign). They’re trying to tell a good story, sure, and they always do. But first and foremost, they’re trying to have fun, and it shows, and I love the UC cast for it.

And that’s the other half of it: it’s inspiring! It’s approachable; you can see that Haley and Gus put plenty of work into preparing the game but it also doesn’t make you feel like you need hundreds of pages of worldbuilding to run a game. Sometimes a cleric makes Haley cry and she gives them back a spell-slot from their deity! That’s fantastic! It’s just inspiring - listening to this over the summer, when my last campaign had fallen apart under the strain of graduation, is why I decided to plan and run my new one!

That quote from Haley Whipjack that I used as the title for this section? That’s the whole core of this idea, and really, I think, the core of the podcast.

The Mercer Effect is when you go “that’s really cool, I could never do that.” But Unprepared Casters makes you look at D&D and go “wow, that looks really fun. I bet I can do that!” And I love the show for it.

And I bet a lot of you do too.

#unprepared casters #bombyx mori #haley whipjack #long post #this is really rough but I don't have time to keep working on it and it's already a month later than intended

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blarrghe · 3 years ago

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Writing Year in Review

thank you to @aymayzing @barbex @fandomn00blr and other mutuals who did these with the catch-all tag. Tagging @onionjuggler @midnightprelude @cciarants @whataboutbugs-art @inquisitoracorn and of course, anyone who wants to do it :)

Wrote: Oh, well over 200K words. I didn't count, but Matchsies alone is at 200,756 and I've written some other stuff too. Went a bit crazy this year.

New things I tried: A spiralling longfic, writing more sex, some DA drunk writing challenges (though not nearly as many as I'd hoped).

Fic I spent the most time on: Matchsies.......

Fic I spent the least time: Other than a few one shots, I guess What If We Were... which was a fun Dorianders thing I was doing from writing prompts that I just kind of haven't thought about in a while.

Favourite thing I wrote: Matchsies is my big baby this year, but I really liked the three little Fenders things I wrote which were Like Raindrops (265 words), Anders Has Several Problems (918) and I Hate You (and your little cat, too) (3985)

Favourite thing I read: Underneath the Bough by @midnightprelude and @oftachancer and Overboard by @onionjuggler are the two fics I'm currently following, they're both very good!

Writing goals for next year: Maybe I'll finish Matchsies?! I had set the goal to complete more short things and I guess I did write a couple one shots. I’d like to write a more reasonably sized chaptered thing (like maybe I can keep one under 50k??), and I want to fill some of the great prompts sitting in my inbox...

Some other stray thoughts: a bunch of people tagged me in these things, each with a different format, so I’m just gonna dump my other end of year comments here.

Speaking of comments - holy hell, comments!! Matchsies did pretty well and is my most commented and most kudos’d fic by far, and even before I started that I was getting a bit of really nice feedback for Twelve Nights, which I finished early in the year. I want to extend just the biggest, most grateful thank you to everyone who has ever left a comment on any of my work, whether it was just a nice thought in the tags, a sweet ask, or a comment over on AO3. Every single one encourages me like nothing else, I reread them all the time, and while all that is great and makes my ego happy, it has also allowed me to make some new friends! (Hello to @gaysolavellan @whataboutbugs-art @cciarants @aymayzing and @elvhenfaer all of you are super cool and I’m so glad I got to talking with you guys this year!) On top of that, it also just lets me know what’s working in my writing, and it’s so exciting to be able to connect with people over these stories, characters, and sometimes the deep dark emotional experiences. I started posting fic when the pandemic started because I knew I would go insane if I didn’t find some kind of online community, and here I am finding it! Forever grateful to the people who are out there discussing stuff on Tumblr and Discord too, but the fact that a few of you actually take the time to give consideration and thoughtful comments to MY words and insights is just. Yeah. All warm and fuzzy. In 2022 I hope to read a bit more and definitely comment whenever I can, let’s all be friends :3

Characters: Dorian and Taren are my most written characters, of course, and I’m really glad to be part of a fandom with this fun and active OC culture. The fact that some people enjoy the perspectives I create both for the existing characters and also for my own is really nice, and I love love love hearing about and seeing the beautiful art of everyone’s OCs. What a cool space. I’m hoping to expand on some of the other original characters who live in my head this year! I’m particularly interested in doing some Warden + Origins crew stuff.

Collabs: Started my first collaborative work with @gaysolavellan and even though I’m writing slow af right now, it’s very fun and I’m super excited to get that done. I think it would be awesome to do more of this kind of teamwork story building in the future, because, again, I just want to nerd out about stories, make dumb jokes, and be friends <3

Sex sex sexy sex: I set out in my Year In Review last year to do a bit more explicit writing and try to find a comfort zone in writing about sex, and it’s been difficult but very fun! I am in constant awe of people who write a lot of straight up smut and kink and all that fun stuff, and while I’m still on the flowery prose and copious feelings end of the spectrum, I’ve definitely upped my game. It’s too bad that tumblr and other parts of the internet can feel so fraught with purity policing and debates about how to explore these topics, but I’m glad I’ve found a space to explore sexuality and creativity and to kind of parse out some stuff through the meta lens of making up steamy soap operas and sharing them with you horny dogs <3

and that leads us into....

Worldbuilding and meta: I say sometimes that i just find it easier to do my meta commentary through in-depth worldbuilding, and as weird as that is it’s true. DA is kind of a mess, but extrapolating from the good bits, expanding on the interesting bits, working out my own interpretations for the shit bits, and so on has been very freeing. I think it has also just helped me become a better writer. I’m not saying my takes are all 1000% correct (but also yes they are) but I do hope these skills will transfer to when I finally get back into original work, and even if not I’ve really enjoyed being able to take to this space to just mess around with the Big Concepts that may or may not be handled well in the source material... Also, it’s cathartic to write stories about this stuff when the world (and sometimes my life) is the way it is. Another big thank you to anyone who’s engaged with me on these subjects, and hey, my inbox is always open!

Happy New Year!!

#writing things #blarghe #year in review 2021

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tinyjeanmarco · 4 years ago

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hello! i’m back with another hc! these are for levi cuz i love him and they were inspired by me getting my vr headset recently and it making me hella dizzy (;*△*;) this is also extremely self indulgent because i feel like this is a relatively niche topic to write about.

modern!levi x gn!reader where reader is a gamer!

warnings: none

you met levi through mutual friends and you both sort of like had this attraction going on between you two. dating was inevitable.

he found out fairly quickly that you were a gamer. cuz uh, being a gamer means you’re constantly gaming on your free time.

you make time for him and be sure to not be totally absorbed in your games all the time.

levi got really annoyed with you at first because you would always be “in a game” and unable to pause it to text him back.

he kinda snapped at you for it so you realized you needed to communicate more.

enter you always stopping to text him back when you’re in a game, even if it means you die, because your baby is just that important to you.

turn him into a gamer too. do it. bet you won’t.

you start with making him get discord so you can chat with him while you’re playing something.

sometimes he wants to watch you play cause he’s interested in what you love doing. he just wants to understand.

you stream the game to him on discord and he watches you play, asking questions on what you’re doing from time to time.

“then i build this item last cause the others are more important.”

“but that item gives you more attack damage.”

“levi, the passives on the other items are better than this one.”

“....what?”

levi really is clueless, but he likes to try for you.

i just like to imagine levi with one of the cute headsets with the cat ears on them. he would be like bitch no i’m not using that but you talk him into buying it anyways. he’s just glad no one sees him when he’s playing games (other than you).

you actually made him into a monster though. he’s always texting you asking you to play a game with him now.

now listen, when you and levi move in together, you’re going to have one of those cute set ups with your desks in the same room.

one side of the room will be yours, the other his. both completely different vibes. his would be all dark and yours would be vibrant and colorful!

levi would be the type to have to remind you to eat and take care of yourself once you get deep into a new game you got.

he would cook and bring your plate to your desk.

sometimes he would bring you tea late at night when you were still up at your computer.

horror games.

you both love them, even if they scare the shit out of you.

you would often be the one who would scream at the games, while levi would sit there silently, never showing that he’s afraid.

jump scare? he doesn’t even flinch.

you loved watching him play horror games cause it was so funny to just see something jump out to scare him and he’s just all like “you little shit rat” to the thing that scared him.

you share your steam libraries! one of you gets a game and the other doesn’t wanna spend money on it as well so with shared steam libraries, you both get it! true love. ♡

one last thing is vr. levi never really liked it because it always made him sick.

you however? you really wanted to like it!! but it still made you sick as well.

one time you got super nauseous from it, and levi forced you to take a break from games and rest in bed.

he brought you some carbonated beverages and set up a fan on you to cool you off and ground you.

levi also makes sure to cuddle you in bed and relax with you, helping you to fall asleep and hopefully sleep off the motion sickness!

you thank him by giving him tons of kisses to which he pretends to be disgusted with.

i can definitely see levi as the boyfie who isn’t a gamer but you’re able to shape into one. he would be weirdly good at games right off the bat as well.

first time playing games? actual god at it. sometimes you even get a bit jealous, but he will still always turn to you for advice and help when he’s stuck in a game. ♡

#aot #aot x reader #attack on titan fanfiction #snk #levi #levi x reader #levi ackerman x reader #snk x reader #levi headcanons

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sketching-shark · 3 years ago

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Exhaustion and Fear

Another scene from my AU of @witchysolfan super-cool Transformers au, here with a “there was only one bed” situation that does NOT work out in a happily ever after, at least for now. Same warnings as usual apply, so beware of body horror elements.

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Some months after forming what the fox monster had promised to be a “mutually beneficial relationship”—and while he wouldn’t quite call them friends—Peter felt confident that a fundamental shift in his and Alexis’s relationship had occurred, and for the better. She no longer alternated between snapping at him and cringing, instead approaching him without any obvious trace of fear or anger and often being shockingly blunt about what she thought about him and the whole host of preternatural entities she had started to educate the young vampire on, starting with the fact that he apparently was technically now the new king of vampires, with the blood of a dragon flowing in his veins.

Peter thought it did—what with the fire breathing and the looming presence in his mind that seemed to be drawing some strange sort of mirth from his every move ever since he had drank that cup of blood—explain a lot of what his body and emotions had recently been going through. That simple explanation for what the hell was happening to him was one of an increasing number of reasons Peter was more and more grateful by the day for Alexis’s help, even for the more embarrassing episodes of his new supernatural life. Just two weeks ago, in fact, his tongue has spontaneously become long and forked and flickered out like that of a Komodo dragon, bringing in a whole host of rich scents he wasn’t sure how to interpret and resulting in him jumping so hard in shock he had fallen off his chair. Alexis had first laughed at Peter’s reaction before giving him a cheeky wink and the comment that if he practiced with his new tongue long enough, he was sure to become popular with the ladies.

Peter had been very glad his skin was dark enough to hide his furious blush.

But even with her snide comments and dirty jokes, the fox monster—or hô li tinh, to give her the proper distinction—was out of the metaphorical box and literal cat carrier. There was no denying that she was becoming an increasingly important part of Peter’s life. Of course, while this was good for him while he tried to figure out what he now was and what he should try to be, it also meant even more grumbling, fault-finding, and general complaining from Stefan, who on top of everything else kept snarling at Peter about the unfairness of the flesh-eater being allowed outside (“In case you haven’t noticed,” Alexis had growled at him during a particularly bitter fight, “I’m literally a leashed animal on these jaunts!”) while he was left to go stir crazy in the small apartment. And yeah, Peter could understand why the older man would see it as such. But now, especially with all the information Alexis was providing about the preternatural world and all the dangers it possessed—about what a highly prized piece of meat a regenerator was in the eyes of many powerful entities—Peter was now firmly convinced that his apartment was the far better option to the tiny cell Stefan might otherwise be crammed in. As it was, Peter hadn’t even been hurt in the events that saw Alexis crash into their lives, but he still had nightmares about an alleyway that resembled a bloody hole, Stefan’s eviscerated body with its raw red and beating heart fully exposed, a creature that looked at first like a beautiful woman before it…she…turned into a monster with sharp fangs and a voracious appetite for raw meat.

Peter couldn’t imagine how bad it was for Stefan, who had not only lost his life (and most of his internal organs) to Alexis, but now had to live with two people who had killed him so easily.

And in Peter’s case, repeatedly.

…It was wild to think that he and the fox monster were the preferable options compared to what Stefan would be suffering if one of the preternatural sovereigns Alexis was educating them both on had been the ones to grab him.

Yet for as much as the fox monster tried to illustrate the dangers, it didn’t seem to make Stefan recognize the precariousness of his position in the slightest. All her presence meant for the older man, in fact, was that he had someone else to pull into the many arguments between himself and the new vampire king. It didn’t help that the regenerator was getting increasingly vicious in his needling, as if he was hellbent on seeing how much he could insult both Peter and Alexis before they attacked him. Loud snarls and shows of pointed teeth would usually make him back down for a while; the first time Alexis had done so, transforming her entire face into its giant fox semblance so that she would present a more intimidating picture, Stefan had locked himself in the bathroom and refused to come out for hours afterwards. Even so, it was a tactic that was making them all miserable and having less and less effect as time went on, all while Stefan was becoming more and more argumentative and cruel in his insults. It was getting to the point where Peter greeted the door of his apartment not in relief that he was home, but in resignation that as soon as he stepped inside a fight was sure to break out. As it was now.

“Come on man, just let me drink so we can call it a night, fuck off to our own spots, and not have to look at each other until morning!”

“No!”

Stefan had wrapped his neck in a thick scarf and was keeping both slender hands gripped tight around the knot, as if he was terrified Peter would try to rip it off like one of those creepy cheap romance book vampire fuckers who tore the clothes off the women they supposedly “loved” before having their own feeding session. The older man was glaring daggers at him, and while Peter wished he could just inject Stefan with his docile venom to get the chemist to calm the fuck down, he wasn’t about to turn into a vampiric stereotype to do so. Especially since Stefan was clearly very upset; doing anything like that would ensure any interaction between them in the future would be a thousand times worse than it had to. Peter inhaled deeply—his rapidly transforming body and Alexis’s tutelage on the meaning of different scents helping him detect the bitter tinge of fear under Stefan’s anger—and he tried to quash his own quickly boiling temper.

“Look…I’m well aware that this current arrangement is far from perfect. But, well, you heard what Alexis said about all the nasty creatures that would love to take a chunk out of you on an eternal basis. We can’t risk any of them finding out what you are! So we need to figure out-”

Stefan, clearly not giving a shit about anything Peter had to say, interrupted him with a snarl of his own.

“Shut up! How dare you lecture me about anything! I wouldn’t even be in this situation if it wasn’t for you, you violent, bestial ass! I’m sick of you biting and draining me whenever you feel like it while I’m trapped in this tiny hellhole you call an apartment! You’ve scarred my neck to hell and back! You never let me even go outside! Every goddamned day brings me closer and closer to being declared legally dead! You take and take and take and give nothing in return! I hate it! I hate you! You tick! You leech! You…you…you disgusting fucking parasite!”

Peter felt his anger, and hunger, flare up higher and higher with each word Stefan spat at him, the dragon in Peter likely fanning the flames of his rage at being so insulted, especially by someone who was so weak in comparison. He’d show this mewling little bloodbag. He’d shred that stupid fucking scarf��demonstrate just how pathetic Stefan’s attempts to deny Peter his right as the vampire king were—and sink his fangs deep into the regenerator’s neck and drain him to the point of death as many times as he pleased. He’d…

He’d…

No.

He’d sworn he would never make Stefan go through the agony of death and regeneration again. He’d sworn to Alexis he refused to be anything like the selfish, sadistic monsters that apparently had their way in a good portion of their world and this one.

Yet Peter realized with a dull jolt just how easy it could be for him to simply ignore his oaths and do whatever he wanted, take whatever he desired. But that was something he refused to do.

Go down that path once, make excuses for yourself the first time, and you’d be making excuses for the rest of your life all while the pile of bodies grew higher and higher.

Peter’s tongue—shifting inadvertently into its more snake-like form—flickered out instinctually. The scents it pulled in made him realize in a flash that, as Alexis had told him time and time again, for as much as Stefan was putting on an angry face the truth was that he was terrified. Stefan’s eyes flickered down before widening in surprise. Peter glanced down as well, and suddenly realized that his hands had shifted to their more draconic form in rage at Stefan’s words. Yet rather that rather than lashing out at the other man, he had instead clawed up his own arm. The pain started to hit him, but he could take it. He just needed to get away from the source of his rage and frustration. Keeping his claws embedded in his arm, Peter very deliberately turned away from the shaking regenerator and walked slowly to his bedroom, blood dripping down his arm the entire time. He needed to cool down. He needed calm and quiet. And it was obvious he wasn’t going to get that from Stefan, not today, and likely not ever.

Peter told himself it was okay, and maybe, at least in this instance, it was. He could hold off for a few days longer, hopefully catch Stefan in a more accommodating mood later on. And if not…well, he could probably rely on his father to help him get enough blood, at least for a little while.

Alexis was sitting on his bed, her current-fox ears lowered in what Peter had come to recognize as irritation before they perked back up as he entered and closed the door behind himself.

“Got into another fight with the banshee, huh?”

Peter scoffed. “And I’m assuming you’re hiding in here for the same reason.”

“…Guilty as charged.”

She turned to face him, her eyes growing wide at the sight of his clawed-up arm. “

“Ah hell, why would you do this to yourself!?”

Alexis had come close to seeing Peter at his worst. And with their Deal, he hoped that this evidence of him being a vicious monster wouldn’t make her want to run off. “God…I don’t want to even think about it…but I guess you should know. Stefan was screaming at me, calling me all kinds of parasites. And in that moment…I…I wanted to hurt him. Badly. I wasn’t even aware of it, but I guess my hands changed in preparation to attack? But I will not hurt people for just screaming at me.” He looked away from the fox monster’s searching eyes. “Fuckin’ sick of everyone acting that I will.”

Alexis was silent for a few minutes, leaving Peter unsure as to whether she was more confused by him or by Stefan until she spoke again.

“That guy is a risk-taker, and a stupid one at that. If these were the days of your predecessor, the chemist would have been staked upside down after being exsanguinated with extreme prejudice for speaking even half as rudely to the vampire king as he talks to you.”

“Ew.”

She shrugged. “You might as well know. But more to the point, he has been getting very verbally aggressive, and besides the constant fear I can’t tell why. I do feel like there may be a motive beyond that basic stimulus-response, however…D’you have any ideas what’s going through his mind?”

“No idea. Except…except it almost feels like he’s trying to get both of us to hurt him.”

Alexis’s head cocked to the side, her eyes full of confusion. “Why would he do that?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Well…that can be a problem for tomorrow’s vampire king.” Alexis yawned widely, her face transforming into its fox form for a few seconds as she did so before it shifted back to her human features.

As was their routine now, she started to pull out sheets and blankets from the linen closet and arrange them in a neat pile on the floor. Peter watched for a few minutes, his sense of guilt, and, he realized with a start, loneliness, making him feel like he should offer what company and help he could.

“You don’t have to sleep there, you know. This bed is big enough for two.”

Alexis offered him a mischievous glance. “Well well! My great and powerful vampiric lord! I had no idea you would be so forward to even a poor defenseless hô li tinh such as myself!”

Peter rolled his eyes. “Ha. Ha. Ha. I’m not interested in someone who eats intestines. But seriously, it’s just…aren’t you tired of sleeping on the floor?”

“…Yes.”

Neither one said much, but Alexis did neatly fold away the items she had pulled out back into the closet, and, watching Peter carefully the whole time, got onto one side of the bed, quickly burrowing under the covers. Peter turned off the lights and climbed into the bed as well, making sure, as he could still see Alexis was doing as well, that they were still staying far from each other.

He turned to look at her, and realized her eyes were glowing as she stared back steadily at him. For some reason, he found this comforting, especially knowing that his own eyes were likely doing the same.

“…Good night, fox face.”

She offered him a sleepy smile that was both mischievous and warm. “Good night, bat breath.”

For the first time in a long time, both the vampire king and fox monster had a dreamless, restful night.

Peter had turned his back of Stefan as soon as he realized the state of his arm. Alexis had locked herself in a different room after dealing with Stefan berating her for well over an hour. As such, neither of them had seen Stefan’s shocked expression at Peter’s refusal to strike him, nor his hours-long state of confusion afterwards. Neither one was there to witness as confusion slowly changed completely to a fear so deep that the regenerator spent a sleepless night on the couch, his hands clasped tightly over his mouth as he fought hard to not scream.

#witchysolfan #transformers au #body horror.

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theguardianace · 3 years ago

Note

Okay I have a slight idea but not, so I’m gonna ask you, the “Pokemon Mutual” what is Pokemon?

Oh I’m so glad you asked!!! There’s a lot to Pokemon- it’s primarily a Nintendo video game series, but also an anime, trading card game, and even manga! I’ve been talking about the anime series on here mostly, but I’ll start by giving you a rundown on the games.

The first Pokemon games, Red and Green, were released in Japan in the late 1990s. They come in pairs- Red and Green/Blue (it’s blue instead of green in the states), Gold and Silver, Ruby and Sapphire, Diamond and Pearl, Black and White, X and Y, Sun and Moon, and Sword and Shield (in that order). Each new game set explores a new region in the world of Pokemon, each introducing brand new Pokemon and mechanics. The original games started with 151 Pokemon, but now there are 898, and that doesn’t even count various forms they can take, like color variations, gender differences, and Mega Evolution! Each game starts with you, the trainer, choosing your very first starter Pokemon. You have a choice of three Pokemon- a grass, fire, or water type. Which ones you can choose depend on what region the game is in. Once you have your first Pokemon, you learn how to battle! Battles can be as complex or straightforward as you want them to be- you can go deep into stats and IVs, or just have fun and spam the same attack over and over. The most important thing to know in battles, in my opinion, is type advantages. There are 18 Pokemon types (like water, fire, grass, flying, etc), and a Pokemon can have either one or two types. Some types are super effective against another, and others are not very effective/have no effect. It’s basically a super complex game of rock-paper-scissors for type matchups haha. In battles, you take turns attacking one another until all the Pokemon on one team have been defeated. Battling is fun and all, but my favorite part is catching Pokemon! When you walk around, there is a chance a wild Pokemon will show up! You can battle the Pokemon to try and catch it, and if you’re successful, it can join your team! You can then battle other Pokemon and trainers to level up your Pokemon so they can grow stronger and potentially evolve! It’s kinda trans- they look cooler, are stronger, and get a new name! Most can, but not every Pokemon can evolve. The plot of the game is to travel through the region, level up your Pokemon, and challenge gyms. There are 8 gyms in a region, each specializing in a specific type of Pokemon. If you beat the gym, you get a badge and can move on to the next one. The goal is to beat all the gyms and advance to the Elite 4, and if you can beat them, challenge the Champion! The game is technically beat when you defeat the Champion, although you can always go back and do side quests and catch all the Pokemon. As you journey, there is also an evil team trying to do… something. You end up fighting them along the way, too. Usually, the evil teams want something to do with the Legendary Pokemon of the region. Legendary Pokemon are super cool and super strong, so when you do stop the evil team you can catch them usually!

I could go on about the game for ages, but I think I got the most important stuff in there. Now it’s time to talk about the anime! It’s a long running (and by long I mean 1100+ episodes and 23 seasons, plus 20+ movies and who knows how many specials) loose adaptation of the events of the game, with it’s own special flare. It follows Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu as they journey to become a Pokemon Master. I actually don’t know what a Pokemon Master is, but dream your little dream, buddy :) Ash and Pikachu travel through whatever region the most recent game is with a changing group of friends (although the current series is an exception. I’ll talk about that later). He challenges the gyms in the region, has fun with his friends, and travels around! There is an evil team that follows him around- Team Rocket. Jesse, James, and Meowth are the group that follows Ash, with the goal of capturing Pikachu to give to their boss. They pretend to be evil but at heart they’re really just a group of dramatic gay kids who need a better parental figure. Ash is simply a 10 year old kid with a heart of gold and no sense of self preservation, so it’s fun to watch him run around. It’s pretty wholesome most of the time! Some episodes hit like a bag of bricks though, like the one where the dog dies or Ash almost releases Pikachu.

The series I am watching is the currently airing one, Pokemon Journeys. It strays from the standard pattern of the anime in the fact that Ash isn’t actually traveling a new region. Rather, he’s visiting old regions with his friend, Goh. Goh wants to catch every single Pokemon, and then eventually Mew. Mew is a floating pink cat and also a legendary Pokemon. It’s cute! But also super rare. I love it because it’s fun, and Ash and Goh have a great dynamic.

As I mentioned earlier, there are well over a thousand episodes of this show. A lot of older fans like the original episodes, but I find them kinda meh. I personally like the newer animation and Pokemon, and original Ash was super annoying. If you want to maybe watch a series, I’d reccomend XY! It’s on Hulu. If that’s not something you have, Sun and Moon is my next go-to. It’s on Netflix! So is Journeys :)

Haha sorry this is so long! I got excited :) If you have any questions or want to learn about something else related to Pokemon, feel free to ask!

#ace answers an ask!#long post #ace watches pokÉmon

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marmolady · 4 years ago

Text

Growing Pains: Part Three

PART ONE PART TWO

Main Pairings: Estela x MC/Taylor (f)

Summary: Post-ending. For Liv and her mothers, Taylor and Estela, a turbulent period of transition is afoot. Set primarily in the distant future of 2033.

Word Count: 5678

More Liv fics here: Livita, Teething Problems, Milestones and Memories, Mutual Comfort, All That Matters

Reviews and reblogs are hugely appreciated!

Tagging: @brightpinkpeppercorn, @mrsmontoya, @saivilo, @edgydepressedchoicesthot, @sceptilemasterr, @quinnkellys-wife, @greengroove

La Huerta, 2033

The sun slowly began to set, and a cool breeze came in from the sea. The reunion was in full swing, and Taylor, had found her way poolside, the traditional centre of all activity. The energy all around her was wonderfully refreshing after all the time she’d spent hiding herself away from the world; the sounds of the most familiar of voices as her friends caught up with one another, therapeutic. She was far too much of an extrovert to isolate herself; she knew that now.

Sitting down at the bar, it only took a few skilled flourishes of bottles before Raj was handing her a signature drink.

“It’s been a little while since I’ve had one of these,” she laughed. The joys of pregnancy. Worth it, but she’d be lying if she wasn’t a little relieved it was all over in time for the reunion. “Mm, that’s fruity! And just the right amount of kick to it. I say this every year, but you really do know me.”

“Another happy customer at the BhandarBar? You know there’s nothing I’d rather hear!” Raj beamed. He came around the bar and sat beside Taylor, sensing a need in her. “I feel like we haven’t hung out in ages-- last time I saw you, you had a baby on board. How has life been treating you, Taylor, my friend?”

“Oh, you know. My whole body gearing up for looking after baby, and then trying to tell it ‘no, that’s not what’s happening, here’; that’s been a bit of a challenge. My mood swings have been epic. I know she already did deserve one, but christ, Estela deserves a medal. Liv as well. I swear I’ve been like a walking hormone or something.”

“Well, if you need someone to lay it all on….”

He didn’t even get to finish. Taylor had her arms around him, hugging him tight. Where the tears were coming from now, she didn’t quite know. Maybe it was just a release of everything she’d been carrying these past months. But come they did, thick and fast.

“That’s it, bro. Let it all out. I’ve got plenty of shirts if you get boogers on this one--”

Taylor spluttered, laughing until she made herself choke and cough. “I don’t even know why I’m crying! That’s just me right now. A little bit useless.” Well, if you talk like that, you’re gonna be sobbing all night.

“You? Never. We have witnesses! You are definitely not useless. You just need a bit of Taylor Time right now. You’re allowed to take some Taylor Time.”

“For how long?” Taylor sighed. “Liv’s only nine-- sorry, nine and three-hundred-and-sixty-four days. That distinction is important to her. But she needs me. My body’s all geared up to be a mom, but with Liv I feel like I just can’t do anything. Some days I couldn’t even get out of bed.”

“Trust me. I’ve had those days. You know I’ve had those days. And listening when your mind and body need a rest isn’t a bad thing. If Liv was feeling the way you were, what would you have her do?”

Taylor pouted. “Who told you you could use my double standards to pep talk me? Fine! I’d tell her to be kind to herself. Every time.”

“So. What are you going to do?”

“Be… kind to myself,” Taylor said begrudgingly. Damn you, Raj. I can’t argue with that logic.

“We’re going to home-school Livi. For a year, use that time to reassess where we want to be in life. I’m a little nervous, but… I like that I’m going to be more proactive in her life. I’m glad I had Michael; having him was one of the best things I’ve ever done, but I want to be able to put my energy into Liv, and Estela, our little unit. Mostly, I’m excited. I am so, so ready to feel like a mom again.”

“Aw, Taylor-baby, you always were. But I getcha, sometimes you kind of lose a part of yourself in all that life throws up. And whatever life wants to throw at Liv, you guys got her back. She’s done all right for herself with you two.”

Exhaling, wiping away those stupid tears-- hadn’t she cried enough?-- Taylor nestled into a warm hug. Raj was a talented man, but no more so than in his ability to make everything feel all right. Together, her family had weathered many storms, and their bond would carry them through any still to come.

_____________________________

La Huerta, 2027

A resounding crack of lightning had Liv dive under the blankets, shaking in her Batman pyjamas. To her, it felt as though the storm had been raging for hours. Never had she heard the sky sound so angry. She burrowed under her Mama Estela’s arm.

“Mommy, it’s so loud,” she whimpered.

“I know, mija,” Estela said gently, stroking her four-year-old daughter’s hair. “But it can’t hurt us in here. Our house is strong and safe.”

The creaking of wood in the wind made Liv nervous. If the house was safe, why did it have to complain so much? Was it trying to scare her?

“It’s okay, Livi-sweetie,” Taylor soothed. “We’re all gonna sit this one out together.”

The family trio were sharing the big queen-size bed, Liv tucked up snuggly between her two mothers. There had been no talk of attempting to settle Liv in her own room; she was distressed, and that meant she could take security in the maternal bed.

As the howling wind became a frightening roar, Liv whined softly. At the foot of the bed, the little dog, Fenix, was sleeping soundly. Fenix didn’t have the best of hearing, which on this occasion struck Liv as quite lucky. The cat, Madam Mierdita, seemed more grumpy at the disturbance than frightened, growling and changing colours with every scary rumble.

“Hey, Liv,” Taylor said cheerily, hoping her easy tone would lessen the tension, “Knock, knock!”

Liv peered over the covers. Was now really the time? She’d humour her silly Mama Taylor. “Who’s there?”

“Europe.”

“Europe, who?” Liv asked, then her eyes went wide and she gave a shout of laughter. “Ha! You’re a poo, Mama Taylor!”

“No, you’re a poo!” Taylor chuckled. Saved, once again, by some good old fashioned toilet humour.

Estela rolled her eyes and shook her head exaggeratedly. “Oh, cariňa, you blow me away with your comedic wit.”

“Yeah!” Liv affirmed enthusiastically, apparently still oblivious to the art of sarcasm. “It was super funny!” She flinched at another crash of lightning, but didn’t hide under the covers.

“Well, my fan club, here comes another one!” Taylor smirked at Estela’s dramatic groaning. If it eased Liv’s fear, they could and would do this for hours. “Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?”

“I dunno, Mommy. W-why?” Liv asked, her voice wavering as a rumble of thunder seemed to shake the very earth. But if the world was ending, it would surely wait to hear the rest of Mama Taylor’s joke first.

“To get to the bottom!”

On queue, Liv squealed with laughter. “You said ‘bottom’!”

“You know, Taylor, I’m sensing a theme here.”

“Hey-- toilet jokes aren’t my favourite, but they’re a solid number two!”

“Dios mío! Why do I feel like I’m in for a long night?” Estela reached to tickle Taylor’s belly, which served to push Liv ever deeper into her giggle fit. She could never adequately express just how grateful she was that their daughter had that gorgeous dork to see her through the scary times. Don’t you ever change, mi amor.

The storm raged on. Cocooned together in their humble sanctuary, the small family saw it out-- or at least, Taylor and Estela did. Liv nodded off amid the thunder and the lightning, the wind and the rain… safe in her mothers’ arms.

_______________________________

La Huerta, 2033

“Livi-- be careful!”

“I am careful!” Liv hollered down from a towering palm tree. She had everything under contro--

There was a thud, and the squeak of breath being forced from Liv’s lungs as she hit the ground hard.

“Ow.”

Taylor rushed over, but her view was quickly blocked by young Isla, who had gotten there first.

“Where are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt, Isla. See?”

“Did you hit your head?”

“No.”

“How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.”

“Can you move all your arms and legs?”

“Yes!”

“On a scale of one to ten--”

Taylor cut in, feeling simultaneously relieved and incredibly fond of her friends’ little nurse in training. “Thanks, Isla, sweetheart. I think we’re good from here. Right?”

Liv scowled and jumped to her feet as if nothing had happened. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“Oh, Livita, foiled again by your old friend, gravity?” Estela laughed from her comfortable spot on the beach. She’d seen Liv through enough bumps and scrapes to know when there was nothing to worry about.

Taylor snorted, and ruffled Liv’s short hair. “Gravity’s a bitch. Try and respect her in the future, okay?”

Gravity wasn’t just a bitch. Gravity was Liv’s nemesis. A literal pain in her ass. Someday, Liv had decided, she was going to get a pilot licence like her Uncle Jake. That would teach bloody gravity.

A yell distracted Liv from her plotting.

“Hey, Livia! Livia!” Reggie hollered as he pelted up the beach. “The big tortoise came back! Diego said we can feed him! Quick!”

That got her attention. The past two years, the mighty Shore Guardian had lumbered into their midst during the reunion, and it had been an incredible thrill. In an instant, she was off and running.

“Liv, when I say to be careful…,” Taylor started.

“I know!” she called over her shoulder, “ Actually be careful. But you know I’m not scared of some old Shore Guardian, right?”

The tortoise was colossal. Built like a tank; the peak of his pyramid-like shell reached the height of a man. It had come as an immense relief to everyone when the creature started appearing on La Huerta’s shores, that he was of a docile and placid disposition.

“Helloooo there, Shelly!” Liv called, clambering up and over the rocks, a bunch of glowing flowers in her hand. “I brought you a snack.”

“See,” Diego said from his perch, overlooking the beast, “I told you he’d come back. He’s pretty smart. He must know that the reunion happens every year, and that the reunion means kids bearing flowers. I think you’ve started something, though-- the Vaanti kids are all over this guy when he hangs near Elyys’tel.”

“He’s less scary than the yeti-bear. I like the yeti-bear, but Mom and Mom say I’m still too young to give her a pat. Do you think I should make friends with the Sea Guardian next?”

The Sea Guardian was rarely observed. It was something like a plesiosaur with scales all the colours of the rainbow, and even after more than a decade since Cetus’ demise, it seemed as though the monster was only gettng larger. Sighting the beast was something of a badge of honour for young Vaanti, with the bolder among them daring to touch its back-- some even managing to take loose scales when the beast was shedding. There had only been a few serious injuries over the years, but the practice was largely frowned upon-- especially by those old enough to remember Cetus’ wrath. If there was one thing everyone agreed upon, it was that they did not want another Cetus.

Diego chuckled nervously. “Better stick to old Shelly. He appreciates your friendship.”

“Yeah, Livia, you should look after the friendships you’ve got,” Reggie said, huffing and puffing as he came over the ledge. “It’s not like you’ve got many.”

“Hey!”

“Was I insensitive again?” he asked sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“A little,” Diego said. “Why don’t you come closer and feed Shelly with Liv?”

Reggie eyed the hulking beast. “No… no, I’m fine just watching. A good scientist never interferes with wildlife. You know Jane Goodall used to feed chimps bananas? But that was like… years and years ago. Now we know that is not the best way to science.”

“Whatever, Reggie,” Liv laughed, “but don’t cry to me when I’m Shelly’s best friend.”

Down on the sand, Liv could feel the enormous presence of the giant tortoise as he towered over her, sniffing.

“Good boy, Shelly. You wanna flower?”

Diego watched her, ready to swoop down and pull her to safety if the beast appeared bothered. “Good job, Livi. Nice and slow so you don’t freak him out. Like… like you’re Hiccup and he’s Toothless.”

Liv chuckled, and peered into Shelly’s mouth as it gaped open to take a flower. “I think he is toothless.”

“Yeah, but I bet his hard mouth could break all the bones in your hand!” Reggie piped up.

“Shelly would never,” Diego assured. “He knows better than to bite the hand that feeds him.”

The tortoise gave a rumbling grumble of pleasure as he swallowed a flower.

“How have you guys been recently?” Diego probed, keeping it light, but knowing that life had recently been a rough ride for the kids. “I heard Maia moved schools; that kind of sucks. She was pretty great.”

She was pretty pretty, Liv thought, though she kept that to herself. “I’ve been really sad and lonely. But it’s all better now-- we’re all back here! No mean dumbasses. I wish Maia didn’t have to leave though.”

“I decided I don’t like getting in fights,” Reggie said. “I am now officially a pacifist. But… I guess I’ve gotta make exceptions if people are gonna say stuff about my sisters. They’re only little. They can’t stand up for themselves.”

“Better stick to fighting with your words, Reggie,” Liv said with a little smirk. “I have never seen such a weak-ass punch in my life….”

“Hey, I did pretty good!”

“If I hadn’t jumped in, they’d still be mopping you off the floor now,” she laughed.

“Well, maybe I’m better at more important things, like actually using my brain! You should try it sometime.”

“Okay, okay,” Diego intervened. “Easy, kids! You don’t want to freak old Toothless out.”

Liv looked up at Shelly. He was calmly chewing on the last flower she’d offered him, not batting an eyelid at the raised voices.

“Tio Diego,” she murmured. “Can I tell you something? And Reggie-- you can know too.”

“Of course, you can, Liv.”

“Well… it’s kinda… embarrassing. But I know you won’t laugh. Not when it’s important. I like liked Maia. I thought everyone would laugh at me if they found out I had a crush on a girl. I know it’s not something to be ashamed of, but I was still… too scared.”

“You’re telling us now-- that takes a lot of guts,” Diego told her. “It is scary. You never know how people are going to react. Most people are pretty cool these days, but it only takes one mean person to make you feel sad and small.”

Liv climbed back up onto the rocks to sit by her uncle’s side. “Yeah. Some of the kids already teased me about my moms. I thought there would probably be at least one mean person.”

“That’s fair,” Reggie concluded. “I mean, you’re probably right. If they were jerks about Erin, probably they wouldn’t be any nicer to you. They already think you’re kinda weird.”

Diego put an arm around his niece, and she leaned close. After all these years, he could always tell when she needed a hug. “Coming out and showing yourself to the world should always be on your terms. If you didn’t feel ready, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It means a lot that you feel comfortable enough to share with me.”

“Of course! You’re my tio. I can tell you anything. Even the things that are just silly and annoying… you listen anyway.” Liv sighed, and threw down her last flower to the great, lumbering tortoise, who scarfed it down eagerly. “I’m sad that Maia is gone. I thought eventually I’d be brave enough. I can be brave with stuff like protecting people who need help, but feelings are harder.”

“Feelings can be the absolute hardest. But we’re on your side, whenever you’re ready to share them. Me and Varyyn, and Reggie, and your moms. Your moms are so proud of you, you know? Being sensitive and caring can be tough, but those feelings are what make you strong. Your Mama Taylor told me you’ve been helping her get up every day when she’s been feeling really down. You make a difference-- a good one. You don’t have to be brave enough for everything all at once.”

“Thanks, Tio. You’re smart. No wonder you wrote like, two whole books. All teachers should be as nice as you.”

“Well, I do my best. And in the end, that’s all you really can do. Do you remember from Cinderella? ‘Have courage, and be kind.’ I’d say you’re both pretty good at that already.”

______________________________

La Huerta, 2031

Seven-year-old Liv reached out her hands to a stricken bird as it flailed in distress. The sound of it being slammed against the window of the house by a larger, more aggressive foe had made her all but jump out of her skin, but if something might be hurt, she had to get over her fright quickly and help.

“Hello birdie…,”she cooed. Her fingers gently stroked the feathers on its back. It stopped flapping, but its breathing was laboured, as if it was struggling for air. Blood had risen from its eyes and nose. “It’s okay… I’m a friend.”

Gently, Liv scooped the wounded animal into her hands and cradled it, crouching over the grass in front of her home.

“Tio Diego! Varyyn! I need help!”

Of course, her uncles came running. They were never far away when tasked with keeping an eye on her; by now they were too well aware of her propensity for wandering into mischief not to be.

“Livita, are you okay--”

“Tio, she’s hurt. I think she’s gonna die. This great big bird got her and hit her against the window.”

Diego was pretty sure Liv had heard the talk about not touching wild animals, especially if they were injured and likely to lash out, but the reminder could wait. One look at the bird told him it was not long for this world.

“She is dying,” Varyyn confirmed, sadly. He exchanged a look with Diego. “It’s very sad… but we must make sure she doesn’t suffer.”

Liv sniffed. It wasn’t fair. This little bird used to hang around their home, foraging in the garden Mama Taylor had grown. They liked hearing her singing and calling to the other birds.

Varyyn squeezed Liv’s shoulder. “We’ll give her a minute to see if she fades away on her own. Do you trust us to do what’s kind for your friend?”

“Yeah… but I don’t want to leave her. I think she’s less scared with me holding her.”

Diego put an arm around Liv. “That’s good. You’re making her feel safe. Everyone deserves that. Just keep talking to her, okay? Hopefully, she’ll go peacefully.”

“It’s okay, birdie,” Liv whispered. “You’re not alone now. You can go to sleep.”

The bird gave a few more rattling breaths, then was still.

“Tio Diego… I think she’s died.”

“Yes, she’s gone, mija. You did amazing.”

Liv wept, held by her uncles.

“Death is always hard,” Varyyn said gently, “even when it’s kind. You always feel the hole where there was once a life.”

“S-she shouldn’t have died! She wasn’t hurting anyone… o-or doing anything wrong… she was just in that other bird’s way.”

“I know. It sad, and it’s not fair at all. But you made her last moments so much better; that counts for a lot. Everyone dies sometime… all you can hope for is that you go feeling loved, and you made that happen. It’s like… the circle of life. Nature can be really cruel, but that doesn’t take away the good bits. This little bird probably helped lots of plants spread their seeds.”

“Yes. Even if your friend’s life was short; it had great value.”

Liv raised her head, eyes wide. “Her body becomes the grass, right? Like Mufasa said? She’s got to at least get to be part of the circle of life if she can’t live anymore.”

“Yeah… yeah, that’s pretty much how it works. If we leave her body somewhere nice where it won’t be bothered, she can feed the earth.”

“Okay. I wanna do that, then.”

A sombre procession carried the little broken body to the edge of the meadow. Liv laid the bird beneath a bush and draped her body with a fallen leaf. Then, she sat and looked over the resting place of her friend, tears filling her eyes. Varyyn was right; already there was a big empty hole. An echoey feeling right in her heart. Liv would miss hearing the bird’s chirruping as she played around the garden with her Mama Taylor. Hopefully, she’d remember that, not just this sad, sad feeling… of knowing she couldn’t protect an innocent, of seeing a life fade to nothing. Mama Estela told her that was important. That nothing should ever take away what was beautiful about something or someone once they’re gone.

She got to her feet, brushed off the dirt from her hands, then slipped one into Diego’s.

Bye, bye.

__________________________

La Huerta, 2033

“Penny for yours?”

Estela sat down beneath an old familiar banana tree, settling beside Taylor, who appeared to be a million miles away.

“Oh… I was off in my own world, wasn’t I?”

“Yes, it looks that way. But you looked happy.”

“I am. Just being here has been a breath of fresh air. I feel like I’m me again, and it’s been a long time coming.”

Estela gave a contented hum and rested her head on her wife’s shoulder. “I’ve missed happy Taylor.”

“Well, thanks for sticking by and waiting out for her. Happy Taylor appreciates it.” Taylor chuckled at the sound of Estela’s quiet laughter. It was infectious. Hell, just Estela’s smile was like the embodiment of sunshine, it made coming out the other side of her dark cloud all the more glorious. “I think we’ve got our Livi back. Or I think we’re on the right track.”

“I know we are. It’s been a slow decline… I don’t think I even realised how miserable she’d gotten until I saw her snap back to how she should be.” Estela shrank in on herself. What excuse did she have? She had one job; to keep that kid happy. She didn’t have a war to contend with, or the struggle to get by between pay-checks, and she still couldn’t manage it. “I should have done better. I’ve been trying… I’ve been trying so hard… but somehow I couldn’t make everything better for her. Or you.”

“Don’t you even think about it! No.” Taylor pressed a fierce kiss to Estela’s temple. “We hit a few bumps in the road, that’s all. I wasn’t counting on an intense case of the baby blues… or what might actually have been full-on post-partum depression. The timing was unfortunate; really, it sucked. But you carried us through. When Liv got suspended and I couldn’t fucking stop crying because I just couldn’t handle it, you did handle it. You’re pretty great. Ask Raj; he gave me a magic pep talk earlier, I’m sure I could rope him into a repeat performance.”

“Thank you. You’re good at putting things in perspective, I’ll give you that. I know I set my bar too high. Just because Liv has her struggles, doesn’t mean I’ve failed… it means she’s a human being. And that’s probably what we were aiming for….”

Taylor giggled. “Godammit, my otherworldly influence has been foiled!”

“Actually, while we’ve got a chance to talk… I was speaking with Aleister earlier.”

“Yeah, I thought I saw you two hanging out.”

“Well, it seems like we’ve inspired him and Grace. Reggie’s not going back to that school next year either. It sounds like Livi’s gonna have a homeschooling buddy here on La Huerta!”

“Oh, wow! Ohmygod, that’s perfect! It’ll be just like old times; almost half the gang back home again. And… and the girls? Are they waiting a year, or are they going to teach them as well?”

“You’ll have to ask them, but it sounds like they’re going to get started with Erin and Immy. It’s going to be so good for Liv.”

“Yeah. Really that’s… that’s wonderful. God, I’m so happy right now!”

Estela found herself laughing. Her dork was back. She took Taylor’s hand. “And then, moving forward, Aleister says they’re considering a permanent move to San Trobida-- obviously under the assumption that we’ll be heading in that direction ourselves.”

“Oh my… holy crap!” Taylor flung her arms around Estela and hugged her tight. Something in her knew right away… yes, that’s right. That’s where we’re all meant to be. That gut feeling overshadowed any qualms or fears. “Tio Nicolas is really not gonna know what’s hit him, hey?”

“No; and I think it will be a dream come true.” Nestled in Taylor’s embrace, the scent of her mingling with the La Huerta sea air… it was, to Estela, the very essence of happiness. The excited yells of children at play had her look up over her lover’s arms; there was her Livita, piggybacking little Erin through the shallows while the terror, Immy, sent up wild splashes of water at their faces. It was time to try something new. For them.

“Aw, ‘Stel, just look at them!” Taylor snuggled in, a giddy grin on her face. She needed a change, and she had a feeling that for her, for Estela, for Liv… it would be a step towards their best lives. The year to come, and even beyond that, was to be a thrill ride of the most exhilarating kind, and they’d take it on hand in hand. She exhaled her fears and sadness, and let the wind carry them away. “I really love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Taylor. Forever.”

_____________________

Midnight over the Celestial. Or rather, two minutes to midnight. The countdown to Liv’s tenth birthday was on, and the kids-- save for the two little ones who’d long been in bed-- were just about hanging onto the non-grumpy side of overtired.

Ten years. How could that even be? Taylor could see the years in her face and Estela’s, but it still could have been yesterday that they were interrupting the festivities with the announcement that… ‘uh, I think baby might be coming’. What had followed was a period of some of the most intense hours either of them had lived through, a culmination of two lives’ dreams and emotions. And at the end of it, Taylor had found herself holding in her hands the second love of her life. Her sunshine. As children do, Liv grew. She’d tested her mothers, putting pressure on their weak points and making them stronger. She’d brought them closer, something Taylor wouldn’t have believed possible… but sharing their daughter’s journey was like watching a miracle unfold; to be touched and changed was inevitable.

Michelle joined Taylor, a knowing look on face as they watched Liv’s impatient jiggling.

“Crazy night ten years ago… my one and only midwife job.”

Taylor chuckled. “Crazy, crazy night. The best night of my life. I don’t think I’m ever going to stop thanking you for getting us through.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome. Ten years on, it’s stuck with me. It’s amazing to see the young woman she’s growing into. I’m not going to lie, I’m proud of my small part in putting her in the world.”

That change was coming so fast. The transition from that rosy-faced bundle of cuddles into a bright, opinionated adolescent was going to be underway in no time at all. Even now, looking at that giggling ten-year-old, it was hard to imagine.

I’m going to embrace every moment. Every one. You, me, your Mama Estela, we’re on this adventure together. And I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

Estela put her arms around Taylor from behind, smiling into her wife’s shoulder.

“Is it my birthday yet?” Liv asked, bounding over to them.

“One minute, mija.” She tugged Liv into the hug and covered her forehead in kisses. “Come here!”

The cake was unveiled, and the small girls, Isla, Erin and Immy, erupted into ‘ooh’s, while Liv did a dance in her mothers’ arms. Her family around her sang, all together, celebrating her milestone, and she knew belonging. She looked up to her mothers and grinned, face aglow with candlelight.

The future was bright.

#endless summer #estela x taylor #playchoices

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unelectedofficial · 5 years ago

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wow !! i honestly am surprised to still be here , if that doesn’t sound too pessimistic . when i made this blog , i expected it to be something i did over the summer until school started again to keep me busy and distract me from things happening in real life ; i never thought that it would turn into one of my most fun and fulfilling hobbies . this blog has gotten me through a lot of tough things , helped me to grow as a person and writer , and has connected me to so many amazing people . i’m glad you all still follow me and that i’ve ( hopefully ) made at least a few people like nessa more than they did before . it’s been a fun year -- let’s do another ?? now , a few special shoutouts under the cut because some people deserve awards for putting up with me / having to engage with me for as long as they have . if i left anyone out , i promise it wasn’t intentional and i went through my blog / followers like ten times when writing this .

@cadyhcrons -- bro , even though you don’t have an rp blog ( smh rip kara danvers am i right ? ) you seriously mean so much to me !! i’m sure that no one cares , but everything you see on here actually has to be seen by sophia first and she validates most of my choices -- unless i make them at 3am , of course , which happens a lot . bro , you’ve let me yell at you about miss nessarose every single day for like a year and a half and honestly ? i don’t know how / why you haven’t told me to just shut up by now because i even annoy myself after a while . you give me confidence and make me feel special a lot ; you’re an irreplaceable friend ( and as soon as i can , i have to mail you that gum that i bought you ) . it’s gonna be hard to pretend like i haven’t written this for you for an entire week , but i hope you’re surprised at least a little bit :) @wldbirds -- nic , like i said the other day : i don’t remember when you followed me . but , what you don’t know is how this is actually a good thing . to me , it feels like we’ve been writing for ages and you never fail to impress me . i really feel like our writing clicks and we’re very much on the same page with headcanons . i cannot express how much i think your blog is like , cool and i applaud you for putting up with me . there’s much more to say , but i just want to really thank you for writing with me / helping me grow as a writer !! @shallowprince -- charlie , we’ve actually been mutuals for a lot longer than i remember ( oops , my bad ) and i think you saw my blog when it was ugly . so , thanks for sticking around !! on a more serious note , of course , i want to thank you for all you’ve done for me . i don’t know if you know , but that one night when you bombarded me with messages just , like , praising me beyond belief i literally wanted to cry because you were flattering me so much . and still , you’re one of the nicest and friendliest people that i’ve ever met . your fiyero is spectacular and #sidecharactersforever !! @orchestrahearts -- linny , you probably knew this was coming because i mention it so much buuuut . . . you’ve literally been following me for so long ?? we’ve been mutuals for as long as i’ve had this blog i believe and i just really appreciate that you stuck around because there were certainly some unappealing phases to this blog ( i was learning !! ) . you’re a great person to talk to and i will never fail to be impressed by the work you put into your blog . @songbird-not-found -- ali , you’re amazing !! you were the first eurydice that i followed / that followed me ( i can’t remember who followed first , but it was probably me let’s be honest ) and i didn’t even know anything about hadestown . i asked my friend about things for like a solid month before you inadvertently persuaded me to listen to it . why i hadn’t , i still don’t really know but . anyway , your eurydice ( and all of your other muses !! ) is written extremely well and it’s been so nice to have you on my dash . i know that we don’t talk too much ooc , but i really appreciate that you always like my dumb posts and support me !! @madgirltm -- max , you probably also knew this was coming because of how much i openly ( and anonymously , surprise ) stan you but !! thank you so much for following me for this long ?? i literally can’t remember how long it’s been exactly , but i know it’s been a while . i hype you up a lot , but honestly i just want to really let you know how much i respect you . the confidence and dedication that you have for your blogs and muses is something that i aspire to have and be like one day . it means a lot to me that we’re mutuals !! @russicnrat -- lyra , i know it’s my turn for positivity wars ( even though it’s been months ) and i swear one day you’ll check your phone or tablet or computer or idk samsung fridge and be like oh carly did it huh . maybe now isn’t the best time to tell you ( and i probably have told you and just forgotten ) but i once had a cat called lyra !! anyway , you impress me . end section . no , like your blog is gorgeous . your writing ? beautiful . you have dmitry down like crazy . i saw anastasia on tour and was like oh when i could like ?? see your writing in the acting ( if that makes any sense ) . not to mention , i love all of the edits you post and think that you’re just neat :) @suverennaya -- czarina , we’ve only really written together a little bit but i admire you so much from afar ( even though it isn’t really afar , but you know what i mean ) . all of your blogs are so pretty and your writing is stunning . you’re super knowledgeable and it really shows throughout your blog . as members of the broadway rpc , we gotta stick together and thank you for sticking with me . @gclddustheart -- kasee , i know you hate my angst . but maybe . . . you don’t hate me since you’ve been following me for a while ?? jk , maybe . anyway , you’re amazing and i hope you know that i appreciate our interactions . whenever you send an ask i do the keysmash thing because i get so excited . your blog and writing are something really special , and i want to thank you for sharing it with me for so long . @soulofsea -- lissa , your writing is beautiful . whenever i see that you’ve replied , i quite literally have to stop what i’m doing ( if i can ) and like , curl up in bed to read it . you have such a gorgeous , metaphorical way of writing that i could only ever dream of having . not to mention that the aesthetic on your blog is genuinely so impressive !! thank you so much for writing with me and not getting angry with nessa for being mean and awful to annie all the time . and know -- i love annie with all my heart !! @wantlonger -- ashley , i had to include you ( of COURSE ) because even if we don’t write much and our threads take place in some strange , unknown place , we’ve been mutuals for way longer than i thought ?? i just suppose the time flies when you’re writing with someone as amazing as you . all of your characters are so well written and i love the aesthetic / vibe of all your blogs so much . i’m so happy that we write together and hopefully we’ll continue to do so for a while xoxo gossip girl

#✧･ﾟ → OOC / ❛ 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 ❜#thank u all so much #you guys all mean the world to me

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the-himawari · 4 years ago

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A3! Citron - Translation [R] Magicians' Pure Love (2/2)

*Please read disclaimer on blog

---

Citron: Who is the second exhibitor?

Taichi: Then I’ll go!

Citron: Taichi, welcome.

Taichi: The thing I’m putting up for sale is this! An Akapoyo-kun* pen I bought recently that was released for a limited time! I accidentally bought two of the same ones by mistake, so I’m giving this to someone!

Citron: How much will we start with?

Taichi: It’s something that I bought by mistake, So I’ll give it to the person who wants it.

Citron: Ohh, Taichi has coachingly provided it for free!

Tsuzuru: Not coachingly, but kindly.

Citron: Yes, that! So those who want it raise your hand, raise your hand~!

Kumon & Sakuya: Yes!

Tsumugi: You two raised your hands at the same time.

Kumon: Ahh, in that case, Sakuya-san go ahead!

Sakuya: No, Kumon-kun go ahead.

Kumon: It’s fine, it’s fine Sakuya-san, you have it!

Sakuya: No way, Kumon-kun can have it.

Guy: It became a mutual concession.

Citron: When this happens, there’s no choice but to hold a single-round match between men…

Tsumugi: Single-round match?

Citron: Here I have mini animal mascots.

Tsuzuru: Where did you take those out from?

Citron: There’s 4; a dog, cat, rabbit and bear. Here, I’ll choose one without it being seen, and hide it in my hand. The one who superbly guesses the mascot I’m holding in my hand will get the pen present!

Misumi: Oh I see~.

Guy: It’s a fairly interesting deciding method.

Kumon: Then I’ll~… choose the dog!

Sakuya: Ok, then I’ll choose the bear.

Citron: The one I chose is~… The bear~! Sakuya, good job!

Sakuya: Wah, thank you very much!

Kumon: The right answer in one shot, Sakuya-san amazin’!

Tsumugi: Fufu, as expected of roommates. They get along well, huh?

Taichi: Congrats! Here, the pen!

Sakuya: Thanks, Taichi-kun. But… as expected, to Kumon-kun…

Kumon: You can’t, Sakuya-san! It was decided by the match so Sakuya has to have it!

Citron: It’s as Kumon says.

Sakuya: Sorry. Well then, I’ll take it gratefully. I’ll be sure to treasure it. Ah, that’s right Taichi-kun. Won’t you also tell me the place they’re selling this pen?

Taichi: Of course it’s ok!

Sakuya: Thanks. Kumon-kun, if it’s alright, next time let’s go there together to see?

Kumon: Sakuya-san…! Yeah! I’ll go, I’ll go!

Taichi: If you two became interested, I’m also glad~.

Citron: As a wonderful friendship is seen, Here’s today’s featured product! Tah da~h!

Tsumugi: This is…

Citron: A brooch handed down from generation to generation in the Zahran royal family.

Kumon: Uwah~! Super cool—! Somehow it seems like a magical item!

Misumi: It’s sparkly~!

Sakuya: The decorations are very elaborate and it’s really beautiful.

Tsuzuru: But before, there was an instance where it was just a candy pretending to be a ring. This time it could also be sweets…

Citron: If you doubt it, you can make sure by feeling it!

Taichi: Is it ok? Then I’ll…

Guy: Wait.

Taichi: Eh?

Guy: That’s not a good you can touch with your bare hands. It’s as Citronia says, it is an item that has been handed down in the royal family since long ago.

Theatre troupe members: EHHHH!!

Taichi: J-just a little more and I would’ve touched it…!

Kumon: Me too…!

Citron: You spoiled it already, so boring!

Tsuzuru: Why is something so important even here in the first place! Please quickly return it to Zahra!

---

*Taichi’s mascot character you can see on his shirt/doodle/various places.

previous |

#a3!#a3! translation #citron #act! addict! actors!#magician set done!!#the other cards are done/are going to be done by others #<3

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hellsholygroundarchiv3d · 5 years ago

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SALEM’S FOLLOW FOREVER! (✿ ♥‿♥)

first of all i just want to thank all of you for being here. even though i know i don’t talk to everyone just know that if we are mutuals that i appreciate you and probably stalk your threads and what not. lfgfdgdg i wanted to make this since i hit 300 and i can’t believe that! it’s insane! you are all talented and swell people and i’m so happy to call you guys friends....even if we don’t talk.

some top tier pals.

@facemypast / @justicetempered --- oh gosh where do i start. we’ve known each other for so long and you are one of the sweetest people i’ve met on this hellsite we call tumblr. you’re always soooo fun to plot/talk with and bucky/dom makes me so happy! idk what i’d do without you here to send me pics of your cat and chat with me about stuff. thank you for being a real pal.

@crueldesire --- you little shit i love you. we’ve been shipping for so long royce/dom feel like an old married couple and i love it. you are a wonderful writer and funny as hell. you are always so involved with what we write and i care about you a lot. please know you are loved and idk what dom would do without royce annoying him c’:

@tcnystcrrk --- wHAT CAN I EVEN SAY TIFF. i mean. for starters, dom and tony are *chef’s kiss* but also i mean you....wow. you’re so sweet. i’m so so glad we’ve grown as close as we have, hell we have a fucking podcast together and talk every day. you are often time the only person i talk to all day so i seriously appreciate you and your company. idk what dom would do without tony. i just. i love you and tony so much *sends hugs*

@zondevol --- wow. skylar is...seriously such an interesting character. your writing, how you play him. from what you’ve told me i can tell you’ve put so much thought and effort into him and i respect that so much! you are truly a gem!

@jedishope --- SHANE! oh gosh. you are so talented and creative? so kind? i could go on about you all day but just know i appreciate you sooooo much and your writing always blows me away. your oc’s, what you do with canons it’s insane. just....i love you and i hope you’re doing well!

@yemaenja / @oseunas --- lilli you are seriously amazing. stunning. talented. wow. i’m so honored to have an RP partner like you. your writing and aesthetics are always on point and you’ve always been such a kind soul here on tumblr. i just have nothing but love for you.

@shieldedsouls --- YOU ARE SO PURE AND KIND! bucky/dom and mia/angie honestly make me so fucking happy and AHHHHHH you have always been a pillar here and i just enjoy you and your writing so much.

@dcgausscr --- AHHHH. hi. listen. tris and dom are one of the oldest ships i have and honestly i can’t believe how much dom loves him. it’s crazy! you are a phenomenal writer and an amazing person all around. i’m so lucky to have gotten to know you and write with you!

@penniesfortheferryman / @deliciousfear --- wow. i feel like we’ve known each other for so long. it’s crazy. but all your blogs are always so good, well thought out and gosh. i can’t say enough nice things about you and i’m glad even now we still continue to write together. T^T

@shelcved --- dom and lara jean. enough said. LOL no, but wow aren’t they the cutest? and dear god what would dom be without her? i love you so much nyx. you’ve always been such a kind soul just like lara and you are really inspiring. i love you dude.

@localmagicalboi --- omg. vi is literally so cool. really too cool for anyone on this hellsite. certainly too cool for dom. lfgdflgkfd;lg you are one of the funniest people i’ve had the pleasure of talking to. i know we haven’t rp’d a whole lot but what we have has always been gold. i adore vi so much and so does dom as well as dakota. haha. love you!

@zagubionywilk --- i love all your blogs so much?!?!!?!? you put so much time and effort into everything and it shows! i’m honored that you follow me and i just think you are super swell and amazing!

@lvckyflannel --- you are always so kind to me!!!!! i love your blog so much and ahhhh! one of my long time mutuals who i adore.

@filthyblade --- god i love frank. i love that he annoys dom so much and i just....wow. you are amazing and always so kind and sweet. thank you for being a light on this hellsite we call the RPC. i enjoy you very much on my dash!

other cool pals ( that i probably lowkey stalk or am too nervous to talk to ).

@siilverbulleted // @monstriiss // @waketothefire // @wickxdwxtch, @wickedpraycrs // @historysung // @donttakethishome // @heroicsurvivor // @mvnces // @gcldenhexrted // @hedraqon // @hrodohaide // @huntershowl // @felinewiles // @thatchergreene // @thundaddy // @angerbuilt // @diiavola // @scythecaress // @batnotsilver // @battlesthatmatter // @starkbirthed // @strigct // @sviker // @airherc // @diviniamysteria // @savitrheiress // @blccmngs // @kidfrombrccklyn // @starfallentm // @legendmade // @sovietspookstory // @sinceiwasfour // @touchfelt // @epheemere // @egotisticle // @yukitscne // @samaelnomcre // @kxllerblond // @fuckingvictus // @warringpeace // @itsybitsyparker // @bheithann // @onemanbcnd // @dragonkingtm // @shimmerseas // @metal-armed-man // @pumpcursed // @grcndeurs // @graveiary

#( ooc. )#long post cw #( i dont have a nice graphic or anything but. )#( ily guys. )#( also im so sorry if u arent on here i have a horrible memory and tried to put everyone :c )#( this took so long. im. )

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shibalen · 4 years ago

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hi! sorry for sending in 4 asks last time! here’s take 2: can i rq an ohshc & mha matchup? i’m she/her. i prefer males, please! i’m around 4'10", shoulder length black hair & dark brown eyes. personality-wise, i’m not very expressive & seem apathetic unless i’m close to someone. i can act really childish & immature with people i’m close to, & i love teasing/pulling pranks on my friends. i’m a very messy person + i swear a lot. i like horror, psychological thrillers & action comedies. ♡ part 1!

random information; i’m a cancer. intj-t/intp-t. kind of changes. 3w4. ravenclaw + slytherin. i also really like spicy food- i dislike crowds & parties. i’m a very competitive person as well. i can be quite the sadist asdfghjk- i like cats too :,) i can play the piano & i have basic knowledge of a few other instruments. i like to draw, sing & sometimes write. i’m bad at comforting people- i give sorta good advice, but i always sound harsh. + i’m a night owl- i hate waking up in the morning. ♡ 2!

forgot to add: i’d like a romantic matchup please! i have a dog, but i prefer cats more. i can speak filipino, english, basic japanese & a teensy bit of swedish. i like indoor dates, but i also like dates in public aquariums & zoos! i’m also interested in things science-related, mostly biology, chemistry or anything space-related. i think that’s it. thanks in advance!! ♡ 3!

♡︎ matchup for @cherrycolaxo

howdy! that's okay, i understand the length can easily slip! i'm sorry your matchup took me almost two months to get to—hopefully it is worth the wait |ω･`)

|| ohshc: i match you with . . .

umehito nekozawa

• it was the matching first impressions vs reality that influenced me the most to put you together !! you both appear intimidating at first but in truth you're different and a lot more than what people make of you.

• i also think you can be a positive influence on Nekozawa. he is not good with people but your free-spirited nature encourages him to try a bit harder ♡︎

• he was looking for members for the black magic club when you first met. he asked you to join, expecting to be let down again, but then you agreed!

• instead of finding him creepy you thought he was an interesting character and that the club could be fun. plus, the Beelzenef puppet was cute; you got your own（ΦωΦ）

• through club activities you got to know each other and grew close. Nekozawa was scared to take the subject elsewhere than black magic at first, but soon learnt you share your love for cats and horror, and dislike for crowds.

• he felt like someone finally understood him outside his family and liked him despite his strange ways.

• likes to talk about your interests as well as the languages you speak. though into the supernatural, Nekozawa probably educated himself on science so he would know how seperate the two. now he's glad it's come in handy again.

• was admittedly taken off-guard by your change of character. you began teasing him playfully and pulling harmless pranks on him, and boy was just extremely confused????

• until he understood that's how you show you think of him as someone close. he cried.

• with you his days became more lively, and he learnt to enjoy himself. finds it hardcore that you can be a bit sadistic. a good trait for cursing people!

• once taught you russian to scare Tamaki who was convinced you were putting a voodoo spell on him.

• "mommy, there's two of them now!!!"

• you can't tell me wasn't crushing on you for months before he finally tried to do something about it. his dark soul could not handle the fluffy and fuzzy feelings consuming his being.

• proceeded to make the mistake of asking the host club for help and utterly embarrassed himself when trying to confess to you. it was chaos.

• you had to chase him down for two weeks before he agreed to show his face to you again.

• the rest is history. welcome to the dark side (ฅº￦ºฅ)

• your dates usually take place indoors because you both prefer it that way. despite his photophobia, Nekozawa occasionally manages to overcome his extreme goth levels to visit the aquarium with you.

• night dwellers™

• you skip school parties to practice black magic and tell stories in the dark, candle-lit club room. most students just assume you're in a cult now.

• the best person to share your drawings and writing with. he gets excited about everything you're willing to show him and actually gives great feedback, especially if it's magic or horror related.

• writes you dark and romantic poems. leaves them for you to find sometimes with a black rose next to the piece of paper ♥︎

• also says i love you by telling you to stay safe whenever you go outside and he can't come with you.

• you have to insinuate anything beyond hand-holding for a while though, because as much as Nekozawa wants to show you physical affection, he's too shy.

• you stop doing it though eventually, just to tease him, so you're surprised when he awkwardly nuzzles Beelzenef against your cheek.

• he got paranoid and thought you lost interest in him to be with the host club

• just kiss the puppet back and he's happy for the next three days. when embarrassed or shy he'll also use the puppet to convey his emotions. you've come to be a pro at reading puppet expressions.

• romantically your relationship advances slow and steady. it's very stong, built from lots of memories, trust and mutual understanding.

• tbh he doesn't need the sun when he's got you to brighten up his life ♥︎

runner up: Hikaru Hitachiin

⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

|| bnha: i match you with . . .

denki kaminari

• your personalities fit together like chocolate and vanilla ice-cream. you add the richness and denki the sweetness to the taste — in result your combination has the best flavor!

• the moment Denki first laid eyes on you he thought you were supe cute, so naturally his mind went 'a person who looks like she doesn't want to be talked to? *cracks knuckles* imma 'bout the change that.'

• your apathetic demeanor didn't throw him off his game, no sir. he just kept talking, flirting and hanging around you until you warmed up to him.

• quest accomplished :D

• i mean, he thought it was attractive how chill you were in the beginning, but uncovering that childish, prankster side of you was like finding a real gem ♡︎

• you can be chaotic together now! loves that you're not afraid to curse. so badass.

• developing feelings for you was an entirely different story, however. they came so naturally as you hung out that when Mina brought it up Denki just short-circuited.

• "You and y/n hang out a lot right?"

• "Yeah, we're super close!"

• "So you like her?"

• "Of course!"

• "Are you finally gonna ask her on a date then?"

• cue surprised pikachu face

• needless to say, he asked you on that date right away the next weekend. you went to the zoo, and he did a bunch of research beforehand to impress you.

• was still shooketh that he only just realised his feelings for you so all his attemps to be smooth were yeeted out the window.

• you still thought it was sweet how genuinely hard he tried to make your day enjoyable so thanked him with a kiss on the cheek.

• boy almost lost his final braincell from the shock and happiness.

• a very doting boyfriend! the type to be at your door with your favourite snacks at 2am if you text him you had a bad day.

• you don't even have to say anything because as your best friend/boyfriend he knows how you act when under the weather.

• even if you're just fine Denki is always down to clown with you. night owls as you are, midnight adventures to. mcdonalds and watching action comedies til the sun comes up are common (even on school nights, especially on school nights)

• 10/10 will do the 'i'm just stetching and yawning oops my arm is around your shoulder now haha'

• he's a bit scared of thrillers and horror though. please cuddle this bby he likes it very much when he has an excuse to be so close to you.

• when you walk together you hold hands. he doesn't want you to disappear or feel uncomfortable in the crowd. gets an ego boost cause he feels like he's protecting you. also, holding your hand is just really . . . nice.

• listens to you play the piano and sing all the time (you play so well and your voice is so pretty?? how??), other times you jam out together and you've got yourselves a chill date.

• he finds it so cool that you're into so many science-related subjects :0 he may not know much about them himself but he's proud that you do.

• will brag to anyone and everyone about how smart you, his girlfriend, are.

• matching phone cases, matching t-shirts, matching outfits, just end me why you gotta be so wholesome💀

• your dog loves him, so you take lots of walks together in the park. watching those two play is the sweetest!

• prank wars everywhere anytime! it's a subtle and continuous thing between you two, always competing who comes up with the best prank.

• don't worry about being a bit sadistic or harsh with your advice. if Bakugo's words don't bother him then neither will yours. he thinks you're much nicer than him, plus your advice is better.

• on that note, welcome to the bakusquadヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

• as much as he likes it when you get along with his friends and hang out with them, Denki doesn't forget the importance of quality time. he will always have time for you ♡︎

runner up: Tokoyami Fumikage

thank you for requesting, i hope you enjoyed the read!! any feedback you might have is welcome. also, remember to drink water ♡︎

#i do headcanon that denki's somewhat familiar with physics considering his quirk #the chocolate-vanilla thing is my personal opinion #pls don't kill me #matchups #len's matches #ohshc #bnha #anime matchups #denki kaminari #umehito nekozawa

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epicstuckyficrecs · 5 years ago

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2019 New Writers Fic Rec

After seeing some Discourse on Twitter, I decided to make a fic rec with some of my favorite new writers! All of these writers only started posting Stucky fanfic in 2018 or 2019. So here are some “new” writers and some of my favorite fics from them! (in no particular order)

PS: sorry for not putting the trope, word count and rating as I usually do, I wanted to try and make this fic rec quickly!

PS2: also sorry if I chopped all your summaries, but some of them are hella long and this post is already... pretty long.

PS3: this went way past “favorite new writers” and just became “great new writers” because I wanted to prove a point, oops.

verzacefatale

You be yours and I'll be mine : “Oh, god. We got married, didn’t we?”

14-Inch Cock and a Few Hundred Bimbos : There are some things in life, Steve muses as he stares down at his crotch, that nothing can prepare you for. His dick suddenly growing six inches in length and another two in girth, just because he opened a box in a Hydra dug out that maybe he should have read the instructions on before he did? How was he to know it was literally magic that would make his cock grow huge?

2bestfriends

Collar Full of Chemistry : AKA a fantasy BDSM romance featuring heavy mutual pining, feelings denial, and enough kink to blackout a bingo card.

Like Real People Do : AKA the "Lumberjack Steve/Twink Bucky" fic of our hearts.

deadonarrival

100,000 Miles And Feeling Very Still : Steve Rogers took a job at NASA and his life is pretty okay. Maybe not great but he has some good friends and things seem to be mostly stable. Except one day their new astronaut recruit walks in and everything in Steve's life goes upside down.

Latte Art and Slow Dancing in the Dark (WIP): Bucky is a somewhat well-adjusted former army sniper that got his shoulder blown out. He took his discharge and went home to finish school and is working on his international relations masters. His best friends and roommates (Nat & Clint) are CIA agents and tip him off that their local Sbux is hiring. He gets a job there and meets none other than the hottest guy on earth.

voxofthevoid

(series) couldn't get the boy to kill me (ongoing): Captain America and the Winter Soldier are a terrifying duo on the field, working together with a well-oiled precision that tears through their enemies. Captain Rogers and Agent Barnes are distant coworkers, all polite nods and mission briefings. Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes are fire and gasoline; the sparks between them have no choice but to roar into raging infernos.

happily ever after has bite marks in it : In which Bucky is aggressively okay with his self-imposed exile from society, and Steve is a werewolf who’s nothing like the Brooklyn boy Bucky still dreams of.

darling heart, i loved you from the start (but that's no excuse for the state i'm in) : Or, the one where Steve saves the mind stone for last and decides to fuck the timeline beyond all recognition, which regrettably involves crawling delicately up Hydra's asshole and less regrettably involves showering a very confused Bucky Barnes with affection.

(series): i'm guilty of treason (i've abandoned control) : S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Bucky Barnes is captured on a mission and meets Commander Steve Rogers, the erstwhile Captain America.It escalates quickly.

four dreams in a row where you were burned : When Steve uses the last of his Pym Particles to travel to 1944 and save his best friend, he doesn’t have a plan beyond leaving behind the battlefield and living his life alongside the people he loves. But the life that finds him is not the one he expects.

deisderium

much tattoo about nothing : Steve Rogers gets a lot of email requests, but never one like this: James Barnes wants to use his healing factor to practice tattoos.

(series) tits out, lads : On the walk back from Azzano, Bucky keeps touching Steve's chest. Then he touches it some more. And more.

Let Them Eat Cake : Bucky wanted to know why their new pastry chef had gun calluses on his right hand.

deep dive : In which single dad Bucky Barnes has a crush on his daughter's dive team coach and thirsts awkwardly.

thot through the heart (and you're to blame) : In which Bucky is a baby vampire, a disaster, out to have a good time, and hopelessly in love with his roomate; and in which Steve has a few secrets of his own.

Political Animals (WIP) : or—Steve’s best friend is the U.S. Constitution and he can’t seem to stop fucking a hot Republican. They shouldn’t fall in love, but somehow they do.

thedoubteriswise

time on my hands (could be time spent with you) : "You doing okay, kid?” Steve releases a breath, deciding how honest he wants to be. No point in lying. No point in telling the truth, either. "Glad to see you.""That’s not what I asked, but same to you, punk."

honey don't feed it, it will come back : He’s stroking the cat’s fur, which is soft and fine now that it’s clean. He looks so open and inviting. Steve doesn’t close his eyes, watching Bucky’s gentle fingers and trying to come up with a plausible excuse to go touch him.

Ill With Want : Bucky pretends to be asleep when Steve crawls into bed, too tired to feel guilty over the quivery pleasure that settles in his belly when Steve’s arm brushes his. He drifts to sleep in a comfortable haze and tries not to wonder where this feeling was two hours ago when he had Marie in his lap.

steebadore

Controlled Release : Bucky's just having a little trouble...finishing. Completing the mission. He can squeeze the trigger but he can't make the shot is what he's saying. Which is why he's here, loitering outside a nice brownstone in Park Slope, trying to find the courage to knock on Captain Come Control dot com's door for his three o'clock appointment.

it takes a lot to know a man : Bucky flips to the next page, and the world around him grinds to a halt as his brain struggles to process what he's seeing. The noise of the train fades and static fills the inside of his head as he looks down at the sketches of the metal-armed guy without the mask. It's—that's him. It's Bucky's own goddamn face staring back at him from this stranger's sketchbook.

AidaRonan

Quench : Or the one where archeology intern Bucky Barnes meets actual archeologist Steve Rogers and reaches levels of thirst scientists once believed to be theoretically impossible.

Carnal Synchronicity : AKA A Tale of Two Stevies

Fraternizing With the Enemy : Steve and Bucky are both the presidents of their respective fraternities. Steve thinks Bucky's frat is filled with selfish party animals who care about little else. Bucky thinks Steve is a giant pretentious douchebag who owns too many Lacoste polos. They hate each other. Passionately.

lockedlocke

I just need you to show me : A quick google search tells him that the app he needs to get for something quick and easy, with no strings attached is Grindr. He downloads the app while he watches a bit of a Simpsons episode. It doesn’t take long, and when the app is downloaded, he looks at black icon with the yellow mask.

Pride : So here he was, at Pride despite the fact that he’d rather be at home. It’s hot, boiling and his feet hurt a bit from standing all day. Converse might be nice shoes, but Jesus they were terrible for his knees.

mcwho

it never hurt nobody : “I thought we agreed that that was creepy.” “No,” Bucky says slowly. “I asked you what you thought about people calling their boyfriends daddy, and you said you thought it was creepy, and then I asked you what the hell you’d done with my grey sweater after you did laundry, and we never talked about it again.”

(series) the serum amplifies : Little PWPs about Steve and Bucky’s sex life and the serums effect on it.

missandrogyny

don't know where i'm going (but i'll get back to you and me) : AU where Bucky is an assassin who just can’t seem to kill Steve

LeeHan

The Right Partner : Steve meets a beautiful man with a bright laugh on a sunny day in Italy. Captain America meets the elusive Winter Soldier moments later.

The Best Way to Wake : James Buchanan Barnes lay in a glass pod in the middle of the table, frozen since he fell. Steve’s hands were on the glass before he realized he’d moved. “Get him out,” Steve whispered, his hands searching for a clasp, a keypad, something.

amethystkrystal

Taking This One Step At A Time : In the weeks that follow, Bucky's omega urges start going haywire, and he realizes that night with Steve may have left him with more than just a fond memory.

Realignment : After assembling their own Infinity Gauntlet, the Avengers defeated Thanos and brought back everyone who disappeared. But their victory came at a great cost: in order to take the Soul Stone, Steve had to sacrifice the Captain America mantle and all the super-soldier strength that came with it.

cydonic

Home Is Wherever I'm With You : This is what happens when you buy a house to flip having only seen the online images: you get more than you bargained for. Bucky Barnes brings all the tools to handle a dilapidated home, but he's hardly prepared for a smart-mouthed child (with poor aim), a crying baby, and the hottest dad he's ever seen in his life living right next door.

deadto27

The Sweetest Spark : Steve Rogers runs a successful business. He has great friends and a great life. It seems like he has it all. So why is he sitting in a diner on a Friday night alone? Maybe he's just a little lonely. Maybe Bucky Barnes can help with that.

Maybe This Christmas : Bucky’s not going home for Christmas. But it’s fine. He’s spending Christmas alone in his apartment, but it’s cool. He’s not feeling up to seeing his family after his accident anyway, plus he has to work. He’s totally fine with it. But then he runs into Steve, literally, and suddenly his Christmas isn’t looking so empty after all.

NachoDiablo

Reconcilable Differences : AKA, "What To Do When Your Zany Fake-Relationship Scheme Actually Works."

odetteandodile

If Only In My Dreams : Bucky is a highly successful cooking and lifestyle blogger. He writes all about life in his Connecticut home with his D.H. (darling husband). Only problem? It’s all complete fiction.

So I Took a Faithful Leap : Bucky doesn’t fall and Steve doesn’t crash. The Howling Commados take out the remaining Hydra bases…and then they go home, just like all the other allied soldiers. Steve buys a farm in Washington state, and tries to relearn how to be at peace.

Art Thief, Heart Thief : Agent Steve Rogers is facing a series of art thefts that has him stumped, and looking for a break in the case. Convicted art thief and general high end criminal Bucky Barnes wants to make parole and happens to know all of the right people who could make Steve's job easier.

Under the Hawthorn Tree : A young man wanders into the woods one night, and wanders until he isn't a young man anymore—but something else. Seventy years later, another man follows him. Inside of a magic ring, they meet.

canistakahari

don't threaten me with a good time : Steve's taken him on vacation to a cabin in Canada in the middle of winter, so it's obviously the perfect time for his body to go haywire. Bucky is determined to stick it out, though, partly because he's a stubborn bastard, but mostly because he feels some kinda way about Steve.

Heckin' Chunker for Love : On the inside of the big floor to ceiling window of the office across the street, someone has used Post-it Notes to spell out a message: W H A T I S Y O U R C A T ’ S N A M E ?

(TBR) All of Your Love is Sunlight : Sometimes the path to happiness involves bad timing turned good, a butt plant, and a little everyday magic. For Steve and Bucky, it's all that and more.

birdjay

(TBR) STAR PLAN : He’s the most gorgeous thing Bucky’s ever laid eyes on.He’s his new tentative boss. Maybe. If this interview goes well enough, anyway. “So, Mr. Barnes?” Steve asks, blinking at him from across a particle board table. “You ever work security before?”

stay : The platform buzzes, and suddenly goes quiet. The cycle has finished. Bucky doesn’t bother to look. There’s no way Steve’s coming back when he has the chance to stay. He moves to walk away, to move on with his life, somehow. “Buck -- ?”

(TBR) The Conservation of a 17th Century Painting : Steve can’t even remember the last time he’s spoken to someone actually interested in art, who coincidentally is also someone he’d like to bang. Actually, no. He’s never had that happen.

dragongirlG

Searching Every Lonely Place : After the Battle of New York in 2012, Steve searches for Bucky with the help of the Avengers as he bumbles through a series of comedic misunderstandings with undercover HYDRA agents.

Reclamation : The Winter Soldier’s mask never falls off when he fights Captain America on the overpass and the helicarrier. That doesn’t stop the Soldier from recognizing Captain America and wondering why the man’s face is haunting his scattered memories.

megs_bee

Nothing Good Ever Happens On A Tuesday : Recently discharged soldier James Barnes is back in Brooklyn, down an arm and missing five years of memories, but he’s got his PTSD mostly under control, a fancy metal prosthetic, and what’s starting to feel like it could be a half-decent life. What he doesn’t have is any memory of the kid looking at James and asking him, “Are you my daddy?” -- or the gorgeous blond guy standing next to her.

A Ghost Before You Were a Ghost Story : “I’m sorry to wake you, Sir, but there appears to be an intruder on the roof. ”Tony finds the camera showing a figure standing alone on the roof, black tactical gear blending into the black night sky. Barely a shadow among shadows, save for the glint of silver along the figure’s left side. The Winter Soldier.

VenusMonstrosa

Extant : After a sudden and violent storm forces the crew of Insight III to perform an emergency evacuation, astronaut James Barnes was believed to have died and was left behind on Mars. Two years later, Commander Steve Rogers still refuses to let go. Fortunately, so does Bucky.

Through The Woods : There’s a legend in Mansewood, nearly as old as the town itself, about a pack of werewolves that once lived in the forest. They say only one survives; a monstrous and snarling beast with fur like a blizzard and fangs the size of daggers. Steve doesn’t care about any of that. He only wants to know if it prefers T-Bone or ribeye, and would it please stop tracking dirt through his house? He just mopped the floor.

BlueSimplicity

(series) You Are Responsible For What You Tame : After the events in DC and on the helicarriers, and the realization that his friend Bucky Barnes is still alive, Captain Steve Rogers swears that he will do anything he can to find him. It is easier said than done, as Steve searches desperately for any hint or clue that will lead him to his friend. Steve searches, but Bucky does not want to be found. And so begins their game of cat and mouse, as Steve does everything in his power to convince Bucky to come home.

GoldBlooded

A Midsummer Knight's Dream : Sir Steven, knight, alpha, and baron of a small countryside estate, receives an invitation to a Royal Tournament: It’s a winner-take-all competition, and the prize? The hand of Prince James, the kingdom’s most eligible omega, in marriage.

Feast On This : Steve, Sarah, and Bucky are headed down to Florida to visit the Barnes family for Thanksgiving. Bucky's tired of the interrogation about his love life from his Ma, and Sarah suggests the simplest solution would be for he and Steve to fake it for a few days. How hard can it be, right? After all, they've shared a bed before. After all, it's only pretend... Right?

Luck of the Irish Stroll : Every year Steve and Sam go on the Irish Stroll Bar Crawl, and ever since their first time on the Stroll four years ago, Steve and Sam cross paths with Bucky and Natasha. Every year Steve’s world is rocked by the gorgeous, blue-eyed man that has captivated him since they first locked eyes fighting over a couple of pints of Guinness from the bartender. But Steve's starting to want and need more of Bucky... will this be the year he can make it last for more than one night?

girlbookwrm

(TBR) (series) The Hundred Year Playlist : Steve and Bucky, start to finish. "Come on, pal, it's me. Take another hundred years if you want, I'll still be here."

sidereal : Captain Rogers never did a self-portrait; we can only speculate who his soulmate — or soulmates — might have been.

ClaraxBarton

Holding On : “Your poll numbers are way down, and we need to get them back up.”

stfustucky

Salt & Sugar (collab with GoldBlooded) : Steve Rogers is a bigshot celebrity chef in New York City, and Bucky Barnes is a classically trained pastry chef in Moscow. When billionaire and mutual friend Natasha Romanoff calls on them to collaborate for her Memorial Day Benefit Gala, they both brace themselves to spend the week working with some jerk they're bound to hate.

Honestly, Fuck Brooklyn : Or, the one where it takes yet another apocalypse for the somewhat oblivious Bucky Barnes to figure out that his dorky artist boyfriend Steve is actually Captain Goddamned America.

writeonclara

How to Woo the Winter Soldier : Or: Steve courts the Winter Soldier.

#stucky #stucky fic #stucky fanfic #stucky fanfiction #stucky fic rec #best new stucky writers

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sparrowsabre7 · 4 years ago

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Used a guide, because life is short and this game is long. So I'm meant to talk to Fragile by selecting Fragile jump in my room. I guess that makes sense but given it's only ever been for fast travel not sure how I would have worked that out as a method of communicating, or that Fragile could put you into a beach.

It's quite a nice story beat, that Fragile can't jump to Amelie as previously explained, but she can jump to Sam and Sam can get to Amelie through the things that bind each of them like knots on a strand. It may be a little on the nose but it still works, as does perhaps the first moment of consensual touch Sam allows in the game, after Fragile quietly says "I'll have to touch you" and he silently accepts. For all his weird sexualisation of some scenarios and badly worded dialogue, Kojima can still sell emotional beats when he needs to.

On the beach at last; ok, Higgs is Darth Vader now and has force powers. He creates a BT spiderweb and sets Amelie at the centre before a fourth wall breaking monologue about stick vs rope and one last boss fight: no items, final destination, Fox only.

It's Strandin' Time!

Ok this kind of... blows. It's a stealth segment where he can find out where you are almost instantly. Why the fuck wouldn't you take any weapons Sam? It's really hard to break line of sight. I know I need to throw the boxes to distract him but it's not working. Did manage to yeet one right in his dumb fucking face though. Didn't see that coming Mr. God Particle.

Ah fuck this; LEEROOOOOY mmJENKINS!! Decked the shit out of him then pivoted to bind and then kick the shit out of him some more. God, that's satisfying.

After a few rounds of that, "I don't need a gun Sam". Brave of you to say half way through the fight dickwad. Come at me.

When you were partying, I studied the strand. When you were learning how to control BTs, I mastered the parry mechanic. While you wasted your days at the gym in pursuit of vanity, I cultivated inner strength. And now that the world is on fire and the barbarians are at the gate you have the audacity to come to me for a boss fight and expect victory. Welcome to dirt, punk.

Oh, and apparently you don't need a gun but do need grenades. You're a real honourable warrior, Higgs. Truly the last of the samurai.

Kicked out a Snake-like "Aaaaaah" from him and it's over.

No. Wait. Round 3. "We got DOOMS, Sam! This was only ever gonna end one way." Ok, I... I don't know what that means but now we're in Tekken apparently. Health bars above our heads and everything. Oh no, it's Mortal Kombat, with the slow mo jaw break.

This...

This is kind of a shitty end to a boss fight... I'm literally hammering attack and winning it's just so incongruous with the rest of the game, should have left it at stage 2.

It's got dramatic music like it's meant to be the Snake and Liquid fight in MGS4 but I have no emotional connection to Higgs, in-game or out. He's just kind of a shithead, there's no brotherly bond here and he's not been established enough.

Ah multiple headbutts finisher. It is literally trying to be that MGS4 fight.

I know this isn't the end since Cliff's thing is still unresolved, but it is definitely trying hard to feel that way.

Oh shut the fuck up Higgs, stop with your "you won but still lost" bullshit. Fragile, kill the fuck out of him, please. Ugh, don't repeat I'm not that Fragile like it's your catchphrase.

Ha! Fuck you Higgs! Run out of BT juice. Oh... was that it? One punch. Also, don't just repeat "You're damaged goods" back to him like you're in a Joss Whedon film and that's an adequate comeback. Wow after a strong start this not-finale has been super anti-climactic.

Oh nope,she is going to shoot him. But offscreen. Fragile managed to bring Lou over too, nice. "Where should I take you?" Fragile asks, before Amelie butts in with "He doesn't need you, he's got me." Alright, calm down. Jealous much. But Sam is like "yeah you should go." Glad Fragile at least calls them both out on it.

Ok, so now Amelie says she could have left at any time basically, but did it to force Sam to connect the Chiral network.

And now we're "Mario and Princess Beach" running back home.

And now everything has gone insane. Now Bridget is here but maybe she's also Amelie and Die-Hardman is here to kill Bridget for fucking the world up and now Cliff is here and he knows Die-Hardman (who's real name is John) and Bridget is sending him after Sam but now she's Amelie again and behind Sam and tells him to run by pushing him in the sea, causing him to repatriate but in the repatriation sequence it's not BB inside Sam but one of those horrid dolls.

What the FUCK.

Ok and now I'm back in my room and Deadman tells me Amelie ported me here and then checked out to "finish what Bridget started" which I'm guessing may still mean blow up the world or the beach or something. Christ it has got very dense very quickly.

"We've been operating on the assumption, Higgs was controlling Cliff"; have we? News to me, I always assumed they were two separate antagonists given the Battlefield was entirely separate from Higgs' brand of goopy nonsense. So now Cliff has Amelie AND Die-Hardman on the beach. Great so things have gotten worse. Now Fragile can't port me to the beach either because reasons.

So I have to walk all the way back East all the fucking way because she transported all the secondary characters before me.

Thanks a fucking lot. This has been a real kick me while I'm down moment.

At least I don't need to carry anything there save protection and climbing gear. Hope I can at least drive some of it.

Ooh more flashback time. Looks like Bridget was intending to use BB as a sacrifice to build the UCA, unclear if by causing the Death Stranding or somehow starting the Chiral network.

Anyway now I'm walking these 6k or whatever back to Lake Knot. Some zipline help but one asshole put the zipline where the dismount is off a cliff. Sam echoes this though with a "nice zipline, asshole".

I also have no equipment, so stopping off at the paleontologist to gear up. Nice, a free bike too. Everything's coming up Bridges.

Oh fuck off Deadman, I don't want a Cliff notes session (pun intended), especially when you're just restating a bunch of theories. So Cliff wants BB to b whole, yep already gathered, the battlefield is tied to him due to his anger dragging his hellscape through with him. Sure, cool, can I get back to my drive now?

Oh come on... BTs can now spawn as catchers immediately, don't even need to grab you. Fuck this, I'm running. Sorry purple bike!

Jesus fucking christ Deadman, fuck OFF. Blah blah secret BB experiements were to make BT detectors but actually they were designed to make the Chiral network like I thought.

Oh.

They made the network by building all the cities with a BB integrated into each one.

Jesus Fucking Christ, I didn't see that coming...

That's some heavy shit man. This is that episode of Doctor Who with the space whale heavy.

While I ponder that horrific choice I'll inevitably have to make I am enjoying coming back and seeing how much bigger the highways have gotten in my absence. It's so fun to boost down them on a trike.

Another call from Deadman. Cliff put his BB in the care of the scientists but didn't know they were going to use the BB for the Chiral network, I assume he thought the experiments were benign per the lie told. Deadman says he's unsure how he was able to arrive on Bridget's beach and that there must be more to their connection so I'm going to go ahead and guess, he's Sam's father as well as the BB's, or he's a sibling of Bridget.

Fucking hell, another call from Deadman. Jesus give it a rest. No apparent connection between Die-Hardman and Bridget because his past has all been redacted, also suggested that Die-Hardman had no connection with Amelie/Bridget and that it's DH connection to Cliff that allowed him access to Bridget/Amelie's beach. God my head hurts.

Heartman's saying that the beaches are beginning to merge into a single seam, aside from the battlefield and Heartman's beaches. Amelie may have some kind of super bridge that controls all beaches which further my theory that she was BB patient zero.

Oh boy, big ol' Chiral storm, looks like it's battlefield time.

Flashback time, Cliff gives a sad speech about being a father and it looks like Die-Hardman killed Cliff under Bridget's orders.

Ok we're in Vietnam now and Cliff's wearing DH's mask. Comparatively this opener is less badass than the WWI and II battlefields but only in comparison. In any other games this would be a ridiculously cool moment. The arena itself excels as always, still not sure I could pick a favourite. Vietnam feels more linear but the mix of violent explosions, fire and oppressive silence and darkness work so well together.

Ok, I was wrong, actually reaching Cliff gives a supremely cool scene of Cliff and co marching through a lake of fire.

Another intense game of cat and mouse later and Cliff is finally down.

It's actually a really nice moment of emotional catharsis. Cliff begins to whistle a tune to BB and Sam completes it. It's not a big shock reveal, just a quiet mutual realisation that Cliff is Sam's father. They embrace and then a gunshot is heard and Cliff disappears, having first transitioned from combat gear to a suit, I hope implying his becoming whole and at peace. Despite minimal development until this past hour of exposition, Cliff has been a much more successful antagonist compared with Higgs.

Another flashback, DH is saying that Cliff should escape with his BB, but he will be forced to carry out any orders Bridget gives, hence the previous flashback. Seems DH was one of Cliff's soldiers. Still unclear if the woman lying on the bed, who is Cliff's wife, is the same person as Bridget. It's deliberately vague and when Bridget approached the BB in a previous scene her face was covered with DH'S mask.

Oh... Sam seems to think Cliff is Lou's father but that very much wasn't my take away from that scene. Deadman comes along with a recording of DH, says that Amelie left a message for him to get to the beach with one of Cliff's dolls. He knows it's a trap but plays along anyway and says Amelie also has no recorded past and made the point no one's ever met her in person. Seems to point to the fact that she may only exist on the beach.

DH says that her soul remained on the beach while her body deteriorated in the real world, but with high DOOMs abilities. She could then travel to the beach body and soul by the time she was 20 and the president said never contact Amelie except by hologram, but once the Chiral network was up and running DH checked the old records:

Bridget had uterine cancer in her 20s and never had children, yet Amelie is the spit of a younger Bridget, so... what's the connection?

Ok, now Fragile's here, and says Amelie was behind Higgs, she led the Demens and he abandoned Fragile when Amelie showed up, began the extinction initiative. She could control BTs and she was the one who turned Higgs into Homo Demens, able to command BTs at will. There was no BB in Higgs' chest pack either, only another of the dolls Cliff had.

But if that's all true, then why did she not just trigger the death stranding when Sam competed the network? Why did she need Sam to kill Higgs?

Another chapter closes but I feel we've still got a ways to go.

#sparrowsabre7 plays death stranding #death stranding

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