#i'd be borderline concerned... god.

[theprophetsaid]

Randomly remembered that Brian started talking to Rami as if were Freddie during the filming of BoRhap.... and I feel sick.

[melodic-haze]

OMG FUCKING AYAKA ABSOLUTELY SENSELESS WITH A STRAP GOT ME LIKE UGHMSGGHRKLSH LIKE IMAGINE EDGING HER MULTIPLE TIMES, SHE WAS BEING SUCH A GOOD GIRL, YET YOU DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT IT AND JUST BE CRUEL TO HER LIKE AGHDSFKKHSJGRHG AGHHHHHH (I am sane)

☆ — DEMO TRACK: sub!Ayaka x dom!afab!Reader

☆ — TYPE: NSFW

☆ — CONTENT WARNINGS: Reader has a strap, rough sex stuff, BDSM mention ig?

☆ — NOTES: Dude what if I combusted on the spot HELLOOOOOOO GOD I NEED HER (I'm not sane)

I need her to go mental PLEASE

I love the thought that Ayaka's canonically really REALLY pretty but at the same time I KNOW I'd hate it cuz of how she DEFINITELY gets hit on like a lot

She wouldn't be all that clueless of her beauty's reputation but like.......at the same time she kinda is, with the way that she kinda dismisses the attention as basically awe and reverence bc yk. She's in the Yashiro Commission

The attention just. Irks you One Too Many Times 🫶 and it doesn't help her case that she looks soooo utterly delicious, crying bc of you, so you do something about that!!!!!!

Ayaka doesn't know what she's done wrong.

She had sworn she's been behaving like a good girl for you, obeying your every command and being at your beck and call (minus when she's at work for her family's commission, you're not unreasonable), yet she was still faced with such a predicament.

Inazuma's cute little princess was clueless—was it something she said? Or maybe something she had done unconsciously to prompt you to essentially raise torturous hell on her?

She could try to rack her brains, and by archons she did try at first, and yet the only thing that she could even think of at the moment was the severe desperation for release.

The woman could see your borderline sadistic grin grow further as tears streamed down her face, cheeks almost as wet as her gushing pussy that has been mercilessly edged for.. who knows how long, by this point.

"'m sorry," she hiccuped, resisting the urge to buck her hips into your strap because despite everything, she was still your good girl, "I'm so-- mnf, sorryyy-- AH!"

You slapped her ass, pale skin already so red from the previous impacts it's had, before squeezing it roughly as you spoke, "Saying sorry and you don't even know what you're apologising for..."

"B-But I've done everything you asked of me, I--"

"Are you talking back?"

Her mouth clamps shut.

"I said--" and you grab a fistful of her hair to pull her up to your level, your hips moving as if punctuating every pause you make, "--are you.. talking.. back?"

She lets out those pathetic little whimpers of hers as she feels the tip of your faux cock bottom out inside of her in quick, deep thrusts, "I'm sss-- sorry I talked back please--"

"Please what?"

"I need to feel you move please I've been such a good g-- GIRL-- oohhhthankyouthankyou thankyou--"

You had relented to her wishes with an eyeroll, your hips practically slamming into hers as you pulled on her hair as a way to keep her upright. That along with the pain from having her hair pulled in the first place and all that pent-up lust from not being allowed that sweet release had easily helped escalate that impending high.

Ayaka knew that such a state of undress, such an expression on her face, was unbecoming of the graceful White Heron Princess but at this point? The only thing she was concerned about was being your princess, along with what she had been chasing this entire--

She doesn't register it immediately, but when she notices that you've deliberately slipped out of her cunt--

"Funny, how the Kamisato clan's very princess whines like a pathetic bitch."

Another climax absolutely ruined by you, yet she still doesn't know what she did wrong.

But she won't fight back, she won't ever fight back. She was your good girl, and good girls don't only do what they're told.

They take what they're given too, no matter what.

I don't even have much to say after writing that I'm ngl

Just that she's definitely a bit of a masochist lol

God she would just be SO FUN to toy with no matter how hard or soft you go just saying 😜😜😜😜 who knew such a reserved girl was a whore all along

There's a saying for this somewhere you all know what it is guys

Anyway enjoy 🫶

[cyxnidx]

LET ME ADORN YOU !

character: pantalone

genre: smut

warnings: body worship, that one thing where people compare you to a god..? i cant remember what its called ims orru

a/n: i adore the idea of Pantalone adoring us like omfgsjdhehhe (its been a long day so any mistakes pleass ignkre, i may or may not be borderline drunk rn)

"oh, dear." you heard your husbands voice, his tone breathy as you felt his gloved hands glide across your body. "i'd like to touch you, but.." he sighed, eyes meeting yours. "i feel even that would be a sin."

his eyes trail down your body once again. "i've done a lot in my lifetime, all without a second thought, or even no thought at all. however, when it comes to you.." he trails off. "..you; you make me want to stop for a moment. to contemplate my current decision - any next decision concerning you."

pantalone admired you deeply. not only for the fact that you were one of the few to catch his genuine attention, or to even make him stop for a moment, to stop his world from spinning, but also because your body mesmerized him.

almost to the point of obsession.

"i feel a bit odd saying this, almost like it's something dottore would say, but.." he paused for a moment. "..i feel it'd be only right of me to ask permission. to purify myself before doing such a thing - i feel it'd be necessary." he states. "i feel that even my gloves shouldn't be able to touch such a delicate surface such as your skin."

you bring your hands to his face, kissing his forehead softly. moving from his face and down to his hands, you removed his gloves and place his now bare hands ontop of you. "there's not a need for such a thing."

a smile began to etch itself onto pantalones face. a smile you recognized, yet still so vague you couldn't determine the true meaning behind it - was he manic, or was he mad?

"so divine.." he runs his cold hands along your side, kissing your forehead softly. "..such a blessing, you are." he moves down to your cheeks, jawline and collarbone whilst his hands mess with the hems of your waist band of your bottoms.

lightly, he grabs at your thighs, waist and hips. he moves to kiss what seems to be every inch of skin in the surrounding areas. "god, i love you." he'd mumble against your skin. "i adore you.. i adorn every inch of skin on your body, i have a desire to relish in your presence forever, for as long as my heart beats."

occasionally biting, he'd move to your chest and lick at your nipples for a moment before continuing his small kisses against your plush skin. "so perfect, so delicious.." he kisses your lips, eyes fluttering closed as he does so.

"a god must've sculpted you.." he tells you, moving toward your ears, whispering in a honey smooth voice. "and instead of being a bit selfish with you, unlike myself, he decided to gift me with you." he nibbles on the cartilage lightly. "..and i'm glad he did."

his fingers diligently pull your bottoms down all together while his lips dance with yours, a groan coming from his mouth when he feels even more of your warmth that was hidden under your clothes.

"goodness, darling." he almost pouts. "tell me, why haven't i began taking your clothes off quicker.."

[catghoul31]

I Just Wanted To Feed Some Ducks, For Christ's Sake

Wade was just having a @poolverine-week Day 4: First Date with Logan, when out of nowhere, a close-minded jerkwad of a dad decides to harass them! He deals with it in typical Deadpool fashion, but accidentally reveals something about himself along the way. Will Logan still love him? Or will he hate him forever and ever and never, ever talk to him again??

(...Spoiler alert: everything was fine. Psh, I wasn't even worried!! Why'd you think I'd ever be worried...?)

Content Warnings: Homophobia and Transphobia (directed at logan and wade)

Read it under the cut, or on ao3!

This was probably the happiest Deadpool had been in about a decade… and all he was doing was throwing corn and peas at ducks at the park!! Oh, but his Logan was there, and today, that made all the difference. 

A couple days ago, they’d exchanged their first “I love you”s, kissed each other until their lips got sore, and signed marriage documents. That third one would’ve only been true if he’d taken Vanessa’s advice at face value, sure- but it was official now!! Deadpool and Wolverine were an item. No queerbaiting, no sending one partner to superhell, and not an ounce of homophobia to be found! This story would be really short, because it was honestly just an excuse for Wade to tell all you guys that he was feeding ducks with Wolvie right now. Wasn’t that an adorable thought in these trying times? He sure was glad no one was gonna ruin it, and he could just lean against him and kiss him on the cheek all cutely-

“Hey, what the hell-? You can’t be doing that around my kids!!”

FUCK.

Okay, Wade, calm down. Maybe there’s some other weirdo who decided to waltz over here naked or something, and that’s who he’s talking to? 

No- no, this guy was walking over to them- and there goes that cute little smile on Logan’s face. Why does this author keep making us deal with shit like this…? I just wanted to feed some ducks, for Christ’s sake!

“I don’t remember asking you, dickhead,” Logan grumbled lowly, and Wade would recognize that tone anywhere… That was only ever how he spoke if he was seconds away from introducing the claws to someone’s face!! He needed to humble this Karen-in-training now, before his peanut gave that guy a real reason to get them kicked out!!

The rando who thought he was the king of this public park scoffed at the show of aggression, crossing his arms. “No, listen to me!! I don’t care if you two want to be freaks in private, but I won’t have my children seeing this nonsense-“

“Nonsense?? We’re just feeding some ducks, lady!!” Wade interjected, stepping in between both the fuming, borderline rabid monster man and Logan. “I know that sounds concerning, but that bucket’s full of mixed vegetables! No white bread here, we know that’s bad for them, so I promise your kids won’t pick up any bad habits-“

“God, shut up!! You know exactly what I’m talking about- this gay shit… ” he hissed, as if ‘gay’ was a four-letter word or something, while gesturing at them as though they were some spectacle. He really could’ve picked… any of their other adventures, if spectacle was what he wanted. He was clearly new here, since Deadpool knew he’d gotten a lot fruitier than this!! But whatever- so much for no homophobia, right?

“Oh, come on!! ” Wade said, in the middle of a few barks of laughter. “ That’s the problem you have with us?? In the year of our lord 2024… I mean, I’m a fucking merc, and you’ll probably find out what’s going on with my super-friend here if you keep bugging us,” he quipped, smirking at how fucking pissed Logan looked. He’d have no problem calming him down later, if you know what I mean… ;) But he was honestly curious- what lore was behind the stick up this man’s ass?

“Please, though, tell me how me giving this little guy a little kissy-kissy affects your children, who are currently throwing handfuls of dirt at each other 200 feet away from us where they can’t possibly see us,” Wade snarked, scratching Logan’s head as said little guy continued growling threateningly at the man. “Easy now, tiger…” he soothed, to absolutely no avail.

The loving, accepting individual in front of them cringed at the exchange before them, nearly looking ready to spit on Wade. Hey, he’d gladly open his mouth for him!! “You don’t see a single problem with this?? Ignoring how fucked up whatever that guy’s doing to me is-“

“I’ll show you fucked up, you sad, bigoted waste of-“

“Hey, hey!! We’re having a civil conversation here, Logan- I am so sorry. He’s not used to new faces, but I’ve been working on socializing him-“ Wade joked again, shutting up as soon as he felt the pricks of his claws brush his hand. They had to keep it cool, blood-free and stuff, because they had to think of the kids, right??

“-I don’t want my, or any other kid, going around thinking it’s okay for two men to be treating each other like women! God, you two are sick…”

Immediately, a lightbulb went off in Wade’s head. Without thinking, he said exactly what was on his mind, because oh my god it sounded so fucking funny to him- 

“Well… how do you know I’m not a woman?”

Dead silence followed his statement. Logan wasn’t even snarling at the dude anymore, and the dude himself was looking at him like Tails did in that one MS Paint comic panel that made him crack up every time he saw it. Fucking brilliant.

“…Because you have a penis?? What kind of question is that, you freak?!” he yelled, and Wade felt Logan tense up in defense once again.

“Woah, woah- and how do you know that?? Get your mind out of my pants- and maybe yourself away from this lake, if you want to keep your… everything intact,” he said, tightening the arm he had around his honey badger as he glared daggers into this dickwad. Truthfully, he was this close to just letting him go- it’d be so funny!! Except his kids were supposedly here, so…

“Ohh my fucking-“ The male Karen- Kyle?- whoever he was- his brain was officially broken. Wade loved to see it!! “Just- get out!! Degenerates like you shouldn’t be allowed anywh- HOLY SHIT!!”

Snikt!! Oh, that was one of Wade’s Top 3 Favorite Sounds Of All Time for sure… and the full flash of claws from Logan finally had this dude running away with his nonexistent tail between his legs. “Awh, good boy!!” Wade praised, patting his back affectionately. “You showed him, didn’t you-?”

“Just… just shut up,” Logan said, though there wasn’t any anger in his voice anymore. Just exhaustion- and confusion? Oh… oh no… “Let’s just go home, okay, bub?”

Wade furrowed his brows- if they left now, it meant that guy won, didn’t it? But then he realized, once again- that “joke” about him possibly being a woman? Not nearly as much of a joke, as it turned out!! Did… Did Logan even know about stuff like this? Shit, he might’ve said too much in the heat of the moment… This could be bad.

“Yeah… yeah, peanut. Let’s go…”

—

An awkward silence settled over them both as they walked home. Quite unusual, since usually Wade was yapping about anything and everything whenever they’d go anywhere, even before this little date of theirs!! But he wasn’t in the mood for that- he didn’t even reach for his hand, when he’d been holding it the entire time while they were walking here. He was too anxious over what Logan must think of him now… or maybe he was worried over nothing, and Logan did really just take it as a joke? Wade really hoped that was the case…

Logan abruptly stopped in his tracks, right before they got to their apartment complex, and turned to face Wade. “Wanna tell me what that was about, bub?” he rasped, his tone just accusatory enough to have his blood pressure spiking.

“That Karen??” Wade said, hoping beyond hope that that’s what he meant. “Oh, just a dipshit in public, and you didn’t actually hurt him, so we’re probably fine-“

“No, Wade. What you said. About…” Logan shook his head, tilting his head at Wade with his brow furrowed in confusion… and concern? “…I’m sorry, I just gotta know if you… meant that. If you’d rather I call you… are- are you trans or something??”

…Okay, that was close , and technically correct- but no, Wade wasn’t a woman. Not entirely, anyways... Logan didn’t seem disgusted by the idea, so that part of Wade’s worries was able to shut up!! But… god, this was gonna get even more confusing. “I… well…” Wade paused for a second, trying to figure out how to put this.

“Not judging you here, bub. Just… trying to make sure, so I didn’t accidentally-“

“No- no!! I’m not- well… okay, you’re gonna have to stay with me here, peanut. Alright?” Wade asked, his gaze flitting away from Logan and suddenly finding the cracks in the sidewalk very, very interesting. The gruff man slowly nodded, looking at him patiently.

“I’m not… not a man. But I’m also… not not a woman, either? I might also be some secret third thing, don’t worry about it- just, I don’t really even care that much!! Trust me!! It’s just…” Wade nervously chuckled- it seemed so simple in his mind, but Logan had to be so confused right now, right? “…You don’t gotta change anything with my name or nothing, it’s just- a long while back, I kinda figured out that… my gender, it’s… more complex than just a man?? If that makes any sense…?”

Logan was looking at Wade, trying to decipher his words. As soon as Wade saw that face, his heart dropped- he knew that would all be too much too soon… Maybe he should just pretend he was joking after all? It’d be much easier that way-

“…Okay? I can’t say I’ve heard of that before, but… Wade. You know I don’t give a fuck, right?” For a moment, Wade glanced up at Logan, really hoping he wasn’t calling him ridiculous or anything. It was always hard to explain this to people, which is why he usually just… didn’t! But Logan wouldn’t have let him lie about it… he never let him lie about anything anymore!! Something about being able to “smell when he’s lying” or some shit?

“That- no, that sounded bad, what I’m trying to say is…” Logan reached forward to grab his hand again, and Wade felt his heart calm down and fill itself with butterflies at the same damn time. “If… if that’s what you are, I don’t mind. Whatever it is- you know what, just throw the Wikipedia page at me if it has a name, okay?”

Genderfluid. Wade had figured that out with Vanessa long ago, and learning what that meant, why he felt like he fit in with both men and women- but also neither category truly felt like… him? Her? Them, even-? was a massive breath of fresh air at the time. And… Logan was willing to learn. All for him…? Oh, he knew he’d picked right!! Thank God he hadn’t picked the vaguely problematic Logan from the early comic days on accident or something…

“You… you mean it, Logan? I didn’t just blow your mind in a bad way…?” Wade huffed uncomfortably, still not quite believing what he’d just said.

“Ah,” Logan waved off his concerns, stepping closer to give him a hug. Oh, he could cry- Logan hugs were the best… “You’re still Wade, aren’t ya? We’re mutants- people like him hate us for a lot of reasons. Just because I don’t understand something… doesn’t mean it’s any of my business. And- bub…” He stepped back a bit, giving Wade that soft, caring look that always melted his heart. “I’ll try my best to understand. For your sake, alright? I love you…”

Wade genuinely smiled, for the first time since that shitbag ruined their nice day out. “I love you too, peanut. Thanks… really. This means a lot…” he muttered, squeezing him tight before he pulled away.

In return, Logan gave Wade’s hand a tight squeeze. God- always had to try and break his fingers, huh? “No problem, bub…” He muttered something under his breath, making Wade’s heart skip a beat since it sounded suspiciously like, “You mean a lot, so…”

With that heartwarming coming-out story out of the way, they walked back to their apartment as though nothing had happened… and in a way, it really hadn’t!

Because they had each other, didn’t they? And no one's stupid opinion of them would get in the way of their love, no matter how loud and annoying they were about it…

[presidentlokis-hornyhelmet]

Loki x wife!Reader Headcanons [throughout the MCU]

Thor1 Loki: He's so soft soft baby TM and caring and always so sweet to you, in private or in public. Love is overflowing! Always kissing you and spoiling you. Not handsy but is always hand holding, or wraps arm around your waist. 2x Verbal Admiration than when he courted you. Favorite thing in the world is your blush and your laugh. You make him melt and he worships the ground you walk on. Gifts, LOTS of gifts. 

"i don't deserve you, y/n."  "If You don't deserve me, no one else does." 

💕How is the love-making?: Soft and Full of emotion! Worships your body; worships You. He'll make you understand why it's called love-making. Frequent eye contact because he loves getting lost in your eyes. Asgard who? (Odin has to forbid you from seeing Loki at work hours because it distracts him😂)

Avengers1 Loki: won't even look you in the eye, ignores your presence like his heritage. When you do manage to get a word with him, he'll Loki-talk you (i.e. vague words with ambiguous meanings that can be interpreted any way) into thinking he's been cheating on you (LIES). Not even a decent answer. Refuses to give you anything but his ire. 

"You still think me a lovesick puppy, girl?"  "My husband is a God who's just deeply devoted to his wife! Who are you and what have you done to him!?"  "Tut tut, my darling Lorelei -oh wait, that's not Your name." *smirks evilly and vanishes* 

💕Um.. love-making..?: most probably not, he's busy being Villain TM. But if you do manage to, he'll end up leaving you unsatisfied or humiliated, tossing you away like a rag doll -anything to make you think he's a bad guy (He's not. But you have to, otherwise The Other might hurt you too.)

TDW Loki: he'd still keep up the A1 facade and if you still want him, he'll be mean and act borderline disrespectful, claiming it's your duty as his wife. But in reality, he only wants to hurt you because spending the rest of his life locked up will be easier with you hating him. Looks at you longingly from his cell with an inexplicable sadness in his eyes, but will aboslutely deny it. 

"I know you wouldn't invade Midgard simply for power. I know you are above that, Loki."  "It is 'my Prince' to you. And, I'd rather you stick to your duties as just my wife." 

💕Smut?: Sure, if you hide it from Odin's knowledge. Lots of degradation, though. You can see the apology on his face, feel the desperation on his touch and hear the veiled sadness is his piercing words. His body language is begging you to stay, yearning for you and hoping you'd understand. Once it's over, he won't even look at your eyes knowing if he does, he can't be mean to you. What hurts him should make him stronger. 

TR Loki: After he shockingly discovered his mysterious survival, he ran back to the palace in search of you. But got to Odin first and.. y'know. He's successfully avoided any romance with you thanks to his disguise, but yearning is on the double when he sees the depth of your devotion. 

"All-Father, I wish to petition a statue on my... late husband's behalf. Of him, of what he's done for Asgard."  "He's a traitor and a convict."  "Who gave his life in atonement. It was a misguided atte-"  "Misguided!? Is that what you call acting against the Hlidskjalf? He invaded Midgard and took innocent lives!"  "And paid for it with his own. I beg your reconsideration, All-Father."  *After a long, scrutinizing pause* "The council will decide." "T-thank you, All-Father."  *Loki as Odin looks at you bow and retreat, sadness in his eyes* 'Oh, my love, how do you still love me after all I've done to you?' 

After evading death by planetary destruction and back in the Statesman hale, healthy and alive, he makes up for earlier. You refuse to accept, still feeling bitter, but Loki has his ways ;) 

💕How so? 👀: As I said, making up. For dayyyys. Lots of apologizing, lots of begging and even the occasional spanking. Many, many rounds even. Thor is quite concerned. Wait, why is Loki carrying you everywhere, can't you wal- OH. 

IW Loki: If you thought you knew how much he loves you (in Thor1), oh baby, you're about to be proven wrong. F*cking killed Thanos in, like, 2 seconds max. All it took was Big Ugly Grape-head to see you and give a creepy smile, the next minute he's lying headless on the ground, his army dissipating into dust. 

"The tesseract or yo-" *gets decapitated by Loki* 

❓And the love-making?: .... uh, doubtful.. Thor is busy choking your husband about why the f*ck he didn't say anything of having the tesseract. (Seriously, Thor, how else did you think he survived a planetary level destruction!? *exasperated sigh*) 

And you lived happily ever after <3 

The end. 💚

[islands-0f-violence]

Kimetsu no... Isekai?

Synopsis: Modern Era MC is thrown into disarry inside the Demon Slayer universe. What could go wrong? Pairings: Various X MC/Reader

❝Under the harsh light of day, MC appears! Groggy and confused, our lovely MC has to figure out how she went from attending boring seminars to slaying demons within hours. With no memory to conclude how she got there--or why she got there--our MC adventures through the Taisho era with Tanjiro and company trying to figure out just why they're there, while trying to keep the story as linear as possible. Though, it's getting harder and harder to keep secrets as they keep piling up.❞

Chapter 1 [NEXT]

I winced at the bright light that suddenly enveloped my face. Covering my eyes from further abuse, I sat up in my bed and rubbed them out. I could've sworn I shut the curtains tight so this wouldn't happen. Upon placing my hand down on my bed, I felt a peculiar texture and immediately snapped my eyes open. Around me was greenery, something that isn't in my bedroom. I stumbled up from my bed—which happened to be made of moss—and looked around.

Where the fuck am I?

The last thing I remembered before dozing off was watching TenSura. Ah, what an anime. No! No time for that right now! I gotta figure out what happened. I felt around my person for anything but found nothing. I'm stranded out here with no phone or supplies.

Honestly, it's probably just a prank my friends pulled. Though this feels borderline too far, I suppose they wouldn't actually leave me for dead in the middle of some unknown place, right?

Right?

Sighing, I began to walk around. Well, not around, in as straight of a line as I could. I can't waste time going in circles. After a few moments of walking, I came across a dirt path. I'll be damned, I'm not completely lost. I still don't recall any dirt trails I'd personally know near me, though, so I just hope I'm not too far from home. Or a gas station. I really have to pee right now. I kept walking for quite some time and felt like I was getting absolutely nowhere. Suddenly, the trees and greenery around me got thinner and thinner. Once the trees had ended, I walked out into a nice field. On either side of the path I'm walking lies some sort of vegetable or something. Maybe rice? It's set up so weirdly… I don't think this is anywhere near my house.

Looking further ahead, there was a bright blob in the middle of the road. It wasn't moving and didn't look like any animal I'd seen, so I continued forward toward it. Maybe it'll have some telling of where I'm at.

As I got closer, my stomach began to twist. I felt such an intense wave of déjà vu wash over me, but I shoved it aside. Once I approached it, it became clearer and more person-sized? No, not just person-sized, but just a human! I crouched down beside them, they weren't making too much noise. Honestly, I was concerned because they were just trembling there.

"U-Uhm," I started out, but it felt like I haven't used my voice in days, "excuse me? Are you ok?" I went to reach out to nudge their shoulder when they stopped moving altogether. Their head snapped up suddenly and this man's amber eyes were locked onto mine.

And then he opened his mouth.

"AHHHHHHHHH! I thought I heard someone coming, but I thought I was crazy, but it turned out to be an angel sent from above!" In mere seconds he had pushed my back and was nuzzling my cheek, a sobbing mess. "You've got to marry me! MARRY ME PLEASE! I might die soon!" My face exploded in color as I tried to shove the strange man off of me. Looking around, there was no one here to help me so I panicked and began to hit him.

"Off! Get off of me!" He seemed to not care as he continued to cling to me and beg for marriage. I don't think I'm ready for that. As I continually assaulted him, I got a closer look at his face.

It was snotty, but I instantly recognized the blond and orange hair, the bushy brows, and—oh god—the haori. How could I not recognize this pattern sooner? My swings got weaker as I put the realization together and he seemed to quiet down a bit once he noticed, but I swung harder once I remembered cosplayers exist.

This man could just be pretending to be Zenitsu to cop a feel of random girls and blame it on his character! With this new fuel to my anger, I successfully kicked him off and scrambled backward onto my feet. I brushed my shorts off from the dirt path. He pulled himself back up and began to walk on his knees towards me, hands are done in a praying motion. "Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasemarryme-" he babbled.

"Ugh, just get away from me, it's pathetic you have to cosplay that just to touch a girl." He blinked, seemingly not understanding a word I said before he lunged. Screaming, I tried to turn and run off from his sudden attack, but he was too fast. Lightning fast. Does this kid do track in his spare time?

"You can't leave me here! I'll probably die on my next mission and if I do I'll never have the chance to marry someone so you have to marry me right now!" He was getting desperate, his fingers digging into my hips from how hard he was gripping. I was actually starting to tear up when suddenly his weight was forced off of me. I looked up and saw a man in a green and black haori, a box strapped onto his back and an irritated look adorned his face as he faced the blond.

Did I stumble into a cosplay reenactment scene and they used me as the girl? They began bickering, running through the same shtick as I slowly boiled with anger. Would it not hurt to ask someone's permission? Maybe I wouldn't have minded or even dressed up for it!

"This is so fucking stupid, next time ask someone before you involve them in your games." I snapped at the squabbling pair, effectively stopping their argument and I turned to walk off, hoping to find someone competent enough to help me.

"Stop! You're going to be my wife!" 'Zenitsu' reached out again, grabbing my shirt and yanking me back. I fell on my ass pretty hard and let out a groan. He squeaked and crawled over with speed to my side. "I'msosorryididntmeantopullyouthathard-" I held my hand up and stopped him, which to my surprise he did.

"A-Are you OK?" I looked up to see 'Tanjirou' reaching his hand out as if to help me up. I accepted and he pulled me up gently, even stepping in between me and 'Zenistu.' At least one of these guys has manners.

"Yes," I paused, contemplating asking him for directions. "Do you know how I could get back home? I don't know this area very well. We shouldn't be too far from [address], right?" His look changed to an uncertain one as he looked me over. This further puzzled him, I guess.

"[Address]? I haven't heard of anywhere like that near me. Which prefecture are you from?" Prefecture? Excuse me.

"Look, we're not in Japan so don't play with me right now. I'm looking for [address] in [State/Province]. You can drop the act." I swallowed as the boy in front of me struggled to understand. Even 'Zenitsu' was quiet, trying to figure out what I was talking about. Is it that hard to stop with the reenactment to help someone who's lost?

"But we are in Japan? What are you talking about?" I opened my mouth to further argue with him but stopped myself. I woke up out of nowhere in the middle of some forestry area. I don't remember getting there at all, not to mention I clearly remember laying in my own bed last night. To say I am confused is an understatement. I genuinely believe this is fake and there are cosplayers in front of me, but a part of me is scared. What if I'm actually here?

I shook my head, it's not possible. Looking back up at 'Tanjirou' who was waiting patiently for me, I reached up to run my hand through his hair. Before he could object, I already had his strands between my fingers and I felt over his head for bumps from possible wig caps. None. Leaving him red-faced and stammering, I turned to 'Zenitsu' who had watched the interaction with jealousy. I proceeded to do the same to him, which he absolutely enjoyed. But still no wig cap. I pulled my hand away to his disappointment and examined it for any spray-on dyes.

Ok, this has got to be either a really good dye job or my ass is in Kimetsu no Yaiba. And yet, for some reason, I felt calmer than I should. Maybe it's because I don't thoroughly believe it yet? And honestly, as excited as I am for an isekai, I at least want to know if it's real, y'know?

"I- Sorry, I just needed to know if this was… really happening." I covered it lamely. "What I mean is, I don't remember coming to Japan."

"How could you not remember coming?? You speak the language." The blond pointed an accusing finger at me. This puzzled me, I don't think I'm speaking Japanese. In fact, I don't hear it either.

"But your outfit… tells a different story." 'Tanjirou' commented, looking me over once more. I look down at myself to see the loose pair of shorts I sleep in and a random [design] shirt. There is literally nothing wrong with my outfit. Well, I guess unless I am in an anime set back in time, there is.

"Shut up! There's nothing wrong with her outfit!" OK, maybe this actually is Zenitsu. He giggled and crawled forward, reaching for my thighs when I slapped his hands away. "That's ok, I can wait for my… my…" I expected him to say wife, but it looks like he was going for something different. "What's your name?"

Of course, they wouldn't know your name, dipshit. "Sorry, it's [Y/N]."

"[Y/N]." Tanjirou tasted, slowing the pronunciation. "I knew your accent was strange, but this definitely backs up that you're a foreigner. My name is Kamado Tanjirou, but please, call me Tanjirou."

Not missing a beat, the blond beside him scrambled up and grabbed my hand, smiling. "I'm Agatsuma Zenitsu. Your future husband." I pulled my hand from his grasp and stifled back a laugh. Me? In this situation? Fanfiction could never beat this.

"You said you don't know your way around right? Well, more specifically that you don't know how you got here, you could come with me and I could take you to a nearby village?" That sounds like a shit idea, to be dropped off at a random village and just left. However, I could travel with them to their next mission and see if this place is actually real.

I opened my mouth to respond before Zenitsu butted in. "You! You got in my way once already, I'm not letting you again! We're going together!" He dramatically pointed at Tanjirou, seething at the idea of the two of us traveling alone.

"Fine, we'll go together then, but I do have a mission we need to complete." Zenitsu panicked and began to have a full meltdown again, to my and Tanjirou’s disappointment. After his scenic spazz attack, Tanjirou managed to hoist him up and get him to walk a way with us.

"Better now?" The redhead smiled at the other.

"Mm, yeah, but I'm hungry." I walked along the other side of Tanjirou, making sure I stood away from Zenitsu. Tanjirou reached into his haori, pulling out an onigiri and splitting it. He handed one half to Zenitsu and offered the other to me.

Not gonna lie, it looks good, but provided I'm experiencing this in real life, he's going to need it more than me. I shook my head, "Keep it, I feel nauseous. " I didn't lie, I do feel sick right now, but I'm not sure if it's just nervousness or not. Tanjirou opened his mouth to offer again, but I grabbed his arm and had him take a bite. He was surprised at my action but didn't bother offering it again. I know he was hungry, too, so I would keep chewing and swallowing as well.

"Eh?! Really, just eat in front of her?! Don't you have any other food!" Suddenly flustered, Tanjirou swallowed harshly and began sputtering.

"I-I'm sorry, this is all I had left-" I slapped Zenitsu upside his head for making Tanjirou panic. Not saying another word, Tanjirou finished his half, not trying to invoke anything like that out of me.

"Give it a rest! I'm not hungry, can't you listen?" I glared at the blond, who teared up in response.

"[Y/N]-chan, you've been hitting me all day! Why can't you hit Tanjirou like that?!" He brokenheartedly bit into his snack.

Tanjirou paled and looked at me. "Tanjirou hasn't been acting stupid! Also, it's only been like 20 minutes since we've met?!" The redhead was relieved to see I wasn't gunning him down. Tanjirou stuck his tongue out at Zenitsu before a crow circled above them and cawed out.

"Tanjirou! Zenitsu! Start running to your next destination! Run! Run!" Hearing that in person, yeah a little creepy.

"AHHHH- THAT CROW! IT JUST SPOKE TO US! crowsarentsupposedtodothatright?!" Zenitsu fell to the ground, having one of his episodes again. Instead of helping him, Tanjirou and I just stood there, staring at him with a blankly stare. Was it ever right for me to simp for this scrub?

( ˘▽˘)っ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ

The rest of the walk was decently calm, except for the occasional whining of Zenitsu wanting to stay back. We eventually reached our destination, which was a tall manor, mansion? Big home. Yes, that. I can't remember what happens here too well since it's been a minute, but there should he some kids around here. I scanned the area.

"I smell blood, lots of it." Tanjirou sniffed.

"Smell? I don't know about that, but I can hear something from inside… you hear it, right?" They looked at each other, and then at me. I looked back at them blankly.

"Huh? Did you ask me something?" They deadpan. Zenitsu begins to repeat it when Tanjirou interrupts him.

"Look, children. " We follow his gaze to the tree line where a young boy and girl stood, clinging to each other with wide eyes. Zenitsu is startled for a moment since he didn't hear them, but Tanjirou took the lead and stepped towards them carefully before crouching down to their height. I followed behind, hoping to not frighten them. "Hi! Is this your house?" The kids shook their heads and he continued. "Could you tell me what's wrong? I'm here to help you." After they showed no signs of speaking, Tanjirou pulled Zenitsu's sparrow out and presented it to them. "Look at what I have, it's a sparrow." It took a moment, but they relaxed and one of them finally spoke up.

"Th-There's a monster in there!" The boy choked out. "We were with my brother and a monster grabbed him! We followed them here with his blood but… he was hurt badly." The kids teared up. I wanted to hold them close and tell them it would be ok, but it felt weird. Like it wasn't my place.

"That was very brave of you two, to follow him all the way here. Don't you worry, me and my friend here are going to help him and reunite you three." The girl's eyes sparkled.

"Really?! You're going to save our brother!" Tanjirou gave her a kind smile and nodded.

"Hey, do you hear that? It's like drums." Zenitsu spoke up seriously, staring at the second-floor window. What happened here again? I listened closely, trying to hear what he was hearing but couldn't.

No-

I got up and ran towards the house but by the time I got there, I was too late. A body flung itself from the second story and landed mere feet in front of me. I stared down at it, wide-eyed, feeling the blood spatter hit my bare legs and cheeks. I heard the other two run towards me, Tanjirou crouching over the body. I remember this scene, as he's the one who comforted him in his last moments. Could I have saved him if I caught him? Or was he too far gone before that?

"Hey! Are you OK?" Zenitsu turned me around to face him, I stared at him blankly for a moment. He had a look of concern and his hands were around both of my wrists. I shook myself out of it and gave a half smile.

"Yeah, just wasn't expecting that." That was a lie. "I just was trying to hear what you were hearing." What I really didn't expect was a legitimate dead body. I didn't expect the realness of the situation. If I enter that house with them, will I come out like this next? I'm just an anomaly. Anything could happen to me.

Zenitsu felt around his person until he found a spare cloth that he happened to have. He placed one of his hands under my chin to look up at him and used the cloth to clean off what splattered on my face. He had a soft smile while he was doing it, and damn I almost melted right there. Well, that was until he finished with my face and dropped down, wiping at my leg while placing his other hand firmly on my ass to hold himself up. "I'll get you cleaned up, [Y/N]-chan~" This ruined it and I planted my foot against his chest to push him away. He fell backward, losing his grip on the cloth he had and I used it to quickly get what he didn't before he sat back up. "So mean…"

I turned to Tanjirou who finished laying the boy in a respective way. He turned towards the kids and gestured toward this man. "Is this… your brother?" They shook their heads and he sighed in relief. "Then we still have time." He bowed to the body before getting up and walking over to the kids. He took his box off and handed it to them, smiling. "This will protect you. I and my friend are going in for your brother, so just wait here with [Y/N] and everything will be alright!"

Thank God, he didn't expect me to go in with him. Zenitsu, however, looks like he was just given a life sentence. "I don't know if we should Tanjirou! I can't fight!" He cried. I glanced over at the kids who stared at him in obvious disgust. Eh, maybe I do wanna go in. I could see him make a fool of himself in front of those kids. Tanjirou's only response to that was to grab him by the haori and drag him to the entrance.

"We'll be back, [Y/N]! Stay with the kids." He waved as he and Zenitsu entered the building. I sighed, looking back at the box of his sister and the children. If it weren't the day, maybe I would take a peek inside. I crouched down beside it, reaching out to examine the materials used, and suddenly the box shook, and scratching sounds emitted from it. I jumped, and immediately felt stupid since I expected it to happen. The kids screamed and dashed for the main door.

I got up and ran towards them after I realized they were making a b-line for the entrance. "No! Don't go in there!" I was a few inches short of grabbing the boy's kimono when the door slid shut. I stood there, mid-run and my hand outstretched where the boy once was. I can't go in there, I won't live! But I have to, what will Tanjirou and Zenitsu think about me if I let those kids run in there?

Actually, Zenitsu wouldn't blame me one bit.

But that's not the problem, it's immoral. I reached for the door and went to open it, but it wouldn't budge. I glared at it and tried again. Still, no movement. I took a few steps back from the door and looked at the frame and—there! The door was slammed so hard, it broke the door frame. The door is now jammed into the wood, and therefore not moving. Huh, I guess I don't need to go then. Kicking the frame in slight frustration, I made my way back to Tanjirou's box and sat on the ground beside it. Soon enough, there were scratches coming from the box again. I furrowed my brows. Does she need something?

"Hello?" She doesn't know me yet, so I don't want to just start calling her name. "Is there someone in there?" I was met with silence. I waited a bit longer to see if she'd respond, but it seems since she can't sense Tanjirou outside the box, she doesn't want to. Tanjirou… "Are you worried about Tanjirou? He's going to be OK, trust me! He'll be back soon." I stopped at that, not wanting to give her too many details. Just give her hope for his return.

After a moment, there was more movement in the box, with no scratches this time. She must've been stressed before with Tanjirou leaving her here. I hope that brings her some peace.

It felt like a good hour, but eventually, there was movement from the house. Zenitsu came barreling out of the same window as the guy from before. In his arms was the boy from earlier. I gotta admit, he looks pretty cool when he's doing selfless stuff. I ran over to where he was going to land and, again, fell short and watched as he hit the ground. Fortunately, I knew he was going to be OK already.

The boy, however, didn't. "Ah! Are you OK?!" He gasped out, pointing at Zenitsu's head.

I looked closer and winced at the stream of blood where his head hit the ground. "Yeah, I'm better than ever since I got out of there, why?" He rubbed his head sheepishly and then froze when he felt something wet. Bringing his hand back in front of him, he saw blood and screamed. "TH-THAT'S WHY!" I pulled the cloth he was using earlier and pressed it against his wound for him. In response, he giggled gratefully and flushed. Man's was just dying and now he's blushing. Great.

A crush suddenly emitted from the other side of the building and a boar-headed figure rounded the corner. "I sense a demonic presence!" And then the most guttural cackle came from him. He started towards Tanjirou's box.

Honestly, I could care less because of damn this man's chest. Stop, stop ogling him right now, [Y/N]. I can't stop. Stop. I can't stop. Stop. I can't- UGHSG, get to Nezuko now! I can't get distracted by him, he's literally targeting her.

I half expected Zenitsu to get up as he does in the story, but he's too busy begging to be babied further by me to do it. I groaned and sprinted towards the box, Zenitsu sitting up confused behind me. I blocked Inosuke's leg as he came to kick back the box. His foot met my crossed arms and knocked me back into the box. A corner lodged itself into my back and I gasped in pain. Jesus fuck, that hurt.

"You, woman, get out of my way!" He pointed a sword down at me, tip at my nose. I scowled and pushed the box back further, backing up with it. He brought his sword up to swing it down when suddenly there was yellow in between us. Zenitsu stood there, arms out. "St-Stop! Leave her and the box alone!"

"There's a demon in that box and if you don't move I'll have to take you with it." Zenitsu stuttered for a moment, aware that he was right.

"No! Well, I mean! I know that! I'll ask Tanjirou when I see him, I just haven't yet." He glanced around nervously.

Inosuke didn't like this answer and pulled his arm back. "I don't care! I'll take him and his box out!" He proceeded to punch Zenitsu, who recoiled back at me. I caught him and stabilized his stance so he didn't fall over. Inosuke continued his pursuit and kicked Zenitsu's legs out from underneath him and began to kick him while he was down. In reflex, I got up and tackled the boar. This pisses me off too much to be able to stop and watch.

He laughed maniacally as we rolled over each other, fighting for dominance. I swung at him at any chance I got, but it was like my punches weren't doing anything to him. I kept my stomach and face as protected as I could, but there was only so much I could do when being rolled around on the ground. I could hear Zenitsu yelling out, but eventually, Inosuke's fist met my stomach and I gasped for air, letting go of him. He took advantage of this and got another hit on the side of my face. My ears were ringing and I tried to make out voices from it but had a hard time focusing on them and trying to breathe. I could feel myself being sat up as I began to breathe again. My hearing was clearing and Zenitsu was snapping to get my attention.

"[Y/N]! [Y/N]! Can you hear me? Oh my god, are you alive?!" I looked around before answering him, seeing Inosuke knocked back and Tanjirou standing above him, seething.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. It just made things fuzzy for a moment." I tried to get up but immediately got pulled back into Zenitsu's lap.

"No! You shouldn't get up after getting hit like that!" My eye twitched.

"Zenitsu, I'm fine. It just, like, stunned me for a moment, I guess." I tried to pry myself from his grasp again to no avail. I glanced over at Tanjirou who watched us with disgust I know people could only hold for Zenitsu. His attention was snatched by Inosuke once again as he began to sit up.

"I understand! Fight me, with your fists!" Tanjirou sweat dropped and told him no. Inosuke ignored him and lunged at him, Tanjirou missing just barely. I wiggled out of Zenitsu's grasp while they had their squabble. Eventually, Inosuke's head was grabbed and Tanjirou slammed his head into the boar's. There was a sickening crunch that I even heard and I winced.

"DIDYOUGUYSJUSTBREAKYOURSKULLS?!" Zenitsu screamed, shaking his head back and forth at the scene. The boar head slowly came off Inosuke and I stared in anticipation. Blue hair and vibrant green eyes were revealed and I squealed. Of course, I clamped my hand over my mouth, but I don't think it matters since neither guy was looking my way. "EH?! A girl's face! How could someone with your personality be so pretty!"

Inosuke turned towards Zenitsu. "Got a problem with my face?!" He huffed.

"No! There isn't a problem! It's just that most people, including me, would consider it an attractive face!" Tanjirou smiled nervously. This seemed to rile Inosuke up further. I had no comments, I just wanted to soak up this moment and look. He caught my gaze and lunged forward again.

"You! Do you have a problem with my face? Stop staring!" He growled as Tanjirou and Zenitsu caught him halfway. "I'm going to fight all of you! Fight me! Headbutt me! Just fight me!"

"Stop! We can't do that!"

"Stop! It's taboo to fight with each other! Is it really that fun to you? To beat those who are weaker than you??"

The guy flexibly bounced back, doing a flip and landing in an interesting pose. "Fight me now! I'm flexible, strong! I won't take no for an answer."

"Stop bending like that! You've got broken ribs! That can't be good for you." They cry.

"There is no one else like me! Only I can do this! Aren't I awesome?! Aren't I?!" He smiled up at them in his scorpion pose. "Now fight me!"

"No!" Everyone yells.

"You know what! I'll tell you my name! Hashibara Inosuke! You better remember it!" He stood up straight.

"How is it spelled??" Tanjirou piped up.

Inosuke was taken aback. "Spelled?! Eh! I don't know how to spell, or read! I just know my name was written on my loin-ACK!" He paused. We watched as his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell back.

Zenitsu screamed. "Is he dead?!" Tanjirou quickly knelt down beside the man and sighed in relief.

"He's just unconscious! I bet I gave him a concussion when I headbutted him." He smiled.

"A-Are you OK?" The girl spoke up, Tezuka? Teruko? Teruko I think.

"Yes! I was born with a really hard head, like my mother!" He smiled proudly. Teruko grinned at him and reached up.

"Could I touch your head?" He nods and lowers his head for her and she runs her small hand across it, even tapping it. "Wow, it is tough!" I lean in and reach out as well. Might as well do it, too, since he's offering. My palm came into contact with his forehead and he turned red. I ran my thumb across it and the red mark and smiled.

"Yeah, it's hard." Zenitsu began whining behind me, disappointed.

Tanjirou stared for a moment before he got up hurriedly. "I-I think we should start burying the dead. There were countless people in there." He started off in the direction of the house, before making Zenitsu give him his haori and taking his own off to make sure Inosuke was more comfortable. After that, he barely spared me a glance before taking Zenitsu with him inside again. Was I not going to help?

( ˘▽˘)っ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ

Yeah, I helped more than they wanted me to. How do I know this? The moment they brought the first bodies out, I helped with the burials and they kept trying to push me away. I proved stubborn and kept assisting where I thought I could. There was a sudden movement from behind us and we turned just in time for Inosuke to get up and face us.

“What are you guys doing?” he asked.

“We’re burying the dead, you should help.” Inosuke turned his head up in distaste.

“I don’t need to help, I see no reason to bury them.” I opened my mouth to say something since he was so rude about it, but Tanjirou beat me to it. Honestly, I preferred his response anyway.

“Oh, it’s OK, I see. You’re too injured to help, right? Please, lay down and get some rest. I wouldn’t want you to overdo it.” He gave a coy smile. I had to stifle my laugh. Way to go. Even Zenitsu looked impressed.

Inosuke growled and pointed at him. “No! I can do it! I can bury more bodies than you ever could!” And with that, he ran off back into the estate. With him hard at work, we got everyone buried properly. Paying one last bit of respect, we turned to leave. In the distance, Inosuke was rushing head-first into trees. Tanjirou’s crow circled above us, calling out and shocking the children.

“Go down the mountain!”

“Is that crow really talking?” Shoichi asked.

“Crows actually have higher intelligence than most people believe. It’s very possible.” I smiled down at him. He nodded in thought.

We walked for another 10 minutes before the path split and the three siblings took the left. They bowed and thanked us for escorting them down. Zenitsu caused a scene, dragging Shouichi down, and begging him not to leave us. After some convincing, we pulled him off and went our separate ways once the crow handed the ward to the kid. As soon as they were out of sight, Inosuke began to pick another fight with Tanjirou.

“Come! Fight me, you!” He pointed at the redhead. I groaned inwardly.

“Dude, can’t you calm down?” I poked my finger into his forehead, pushing him back.

“You! Weak woman, fight me as well!”

Ticked, Tanjirou spoke up again. “We have names you know! I’m Kamado Tanjirou, and this is Agatsuma Zenitsu and [Y/N]!” Inosuke laughed at this.

“Alright, Gonpachiro Kamaboko! I’ll beat you.” He stated seriously. Zenitsu and I could help it and laugh.

"Excuse me, who? I don’t know who you’re talking about!” Tanjirou whined.

“You! Gonpachiro!” In response to this, Tanjirou retorted with his proper name.

I sighed. “This is exciting.”

Shortly after that argument, we came to a gate with a Wisteria crest on it. I marveled at the size of it as the crow came back within distance and landed on Tanjirou. “Rest! Anyone who was injured, rest!” Tanjirou raised a brow, skeptical of the crow's comment.

“Huh, what about earlier when I was fighting with my broken rib and leg from the mission before?!” The crow looked sheepish and let out a dry cough. Inosuke popped up on the other side of him and grasped his tail, holding him up.

“Let’s eat him.” I gagged at the idea of it, and the crow itself screamed in discontent, flapping to get away.

The gate creaked open and an elder woman stepped through, a warm smile on her face. “Hello, welcome. You guys are demon slayers, right?” There were glances my way before they curtly nodded. Well, except for Inosuke.

He stood beside her, poking a finger into the side of her head. “What are you? A demon? Huh?? You look weak.” Steam escapes through his mask.

“Rude!” Tanjirou exclaimed, but the old lady seemed unbothered.

“Please, come in.” She turned to the side and entered the gates, walking ahead at an alarming pace. In hopes of keeping up, I quickly scrambled after her, and the others followed shortly. She led us to one room and gestured inside. The boys entered and before I could step foot, she stopped me. “Here, I have a separate room for you to change in.” Huh, understandable. She led me not too far down the hall to another room and handed me a clean yukata. It was just white with a faint, generic pattern in it. So simple. “When you’re done, you can come back down the hall to the left and I’ll have food prepared.” I nodded and she left before I could say thank you.

Once I had changed and put my scuffed-up clothes to the side, I stepped out into the hall. It was empty, except for the faint noises coming from Tanjirou and the others. I honestly didn’t know where I was going, but I didn’t worry too much as I had the sound of their voices to follow. I came up to a lit-up room with a crack in the door. I pushed it open to reveal four sets of food, Tanjirou and Inosuke were sitting next to each other while Zenitsu had the empty spot reserved beside him, waving me down. I tentatively took a seat beside him, causing him to squeal.

I picked up my chopped sticks and tried some of the food, a little clumsily, might I add. I liked most of it and picked around a few parts I didn’t quite enjoy. Across from me, Inosuke had his boar head off, eating away at his food with his hands. Huh, I wonder if they’ll care if I do the same. One day if I get tired of it, I’ll break down and do it, too. “She’s a monster!” He shovels a mouthful of rice and shrimp in his mouth and begins to speak again. “Granny’s a monster! She does things too fast!” Tanjirou recoils in disgust.

“Use your chopsticks!” Inosuke stops for a moment and grins before snatching some of his food off his plate. Zenitsu was clearly bothered at the sight, but kept his mouth shut in fear of falling victim, as well, I’m sure. Tanjirou went to put some more of his food on Inosuke’s plate, but I stopped him and proceeded to place what I had left on my plate on his. Honestly, it was mostly the things I didn’t like from the selection, so it wasn’t a loss for me. “Oh, I wouldn’t have minded, [Y/N]!”

I shrugged. “I didn’t like that anyways, might as well give it to someone who will eat it.” I took a drink of my tea. He nodded back in understanding and continued to eat. Zenitsu tugged on the sleeve of my shirt and offered his chopsticks to me.

“[Y/N]-chan! Feed me please~ I’m so tired.” I groaned and declined.

“No, thanks. I’m not interested. If Tanjirou and Inosuke can feed themselves, you can, too.” I huffed. He pouted and began to eat again, albeit dejectedly.

After everyone was finished, they went to the room they were originally in. There were three futons set up in the boy's room and I inwardly groaned. I expected this, but I’m too nervous to say anything about it so I’ll just suck it up. I walked back to my room alone and shut the door behind me. The room was scarcely decorated and a decently fluffy-looking futon was in the center of the room. I sunk into the bedding and turned over, thinking about today’s events.

[ohwolfling]

TY IM THE GOD GALE ANON HAHA

This is a bit weird to admit but me and my friend love bg3 so bad that it’s a roleplay now (yippee), and my friends character wants Gale to ascend so he’ll fix Karlach and Astarion. Mine’s arguing Gale will become corrupt and while he gets to live, he will still lose his entire life by succumbing to the self doubt and hatred of himself. He lives, but he doesn’t *live*, you know? I didn’t know if that was a good argument though because one life is on the line (Karlach) and the other will also be bound to being horrifically miserable. Trying to push that there can be other ways but ofc I went to my fav gale knowledge haver for their take

Firstly, it's not weird to do RP. It has been done since the dawn of time. Enjoy what you enjoy and do so enthusiastically and openly!

Gale ascending to godhood is motivated by the idea of worthiness, even ground, power = safety (a very Astarion parallel there). Gale sacrificing his life by using the orb to save the world is motivated by the shadows of this - low self worth, guilt, desperate for meaning, an overwhelming nihilism, and a life-long pattern of handling that recklessly, with an undercurrent of death wish. In the god ending, all of his worst traits are amplified, to the point of cruelty at times, and it destabilizes the astral plane and more. In the Orb ending, Gale at the very least has come to terms with it all. He has found a kind of family and he is making the choice to save them, to save the world, to pay penance for a mistake he made. It's poetic, it's Byronic, and there are no bad consequences outside of the loss of Gale (unacceptable to me personally, but as literature... that hits).

So could you make it make sense that a Gale approached by someone outside of Mystra and Elminster and told, "you know, doing x, y, z would help Karlach, would help Astarion..." Absolutely. That could make narrative sense.

That being said, I'd be curious what alignment this person is rping under. Convincing someone to give up their humanity, convincing an unstable, freshly wounded human to shift that into godhood... I don't know. It's neutral at best, borderline evil. Even if you have a character who doesn't care about Gale as an individual or thinks they're sacrificing some lesser person for a good cause (icky to me tbqh), anyone in the world of D&D knows what a huge deal it is to tangle with gods. Becoming one? Adding another deity? That's... not a small thing. That's HUGE. They would need to really justify why their DnD character- who through the course of BG3 events has seen gods very old and would-be gods who are more mutated tyrants, and a myriad of corrupted, miserable, doomed chosens- does not factor that in.

Outside of that, my thoughts are that Karlach would not want this. I can't imagine a world where Karlach is okay with this plan and where Karlach sticks around if she finds out after the fact that someone bullied a very broken, insecure, currently being told his only worth is to fucking die guy into foregoing humanity all together. Are there versions of Astarion who would be down with that? I think it's possible. But then Astarion has to live with it. So much of Astarion is defense mechanism and facade. I don't see him feeling great about it either, even if he'd accept it. What I want for Astarion above sunshine is a life where he heals and gets to be a person. I just don't think that happens if he starts it off entangled with a newborn god who is fine destabilizing the world as you know it in pursuit of impossible equality.

Maybe for your party, they would still push Gale into becoming a god, particularly if you avoid meta gaming and ignore the knowledge of exactly how destabilized things get (though there is a 0% of it not being any concern, DnD has so many deities, they're very tangible). But thinking more in terms of RP, I'm thinking of a DM. And I wouldn't let you get away with a peaceful world after that, with an untouched relationship to Karlach and Astarion after that, and it would probably be an alignment change in most circumstances.

[my-pjo-stuff]

Okay I already posted about this once on my main when I was having my live reaction series to the first five PJO books, but like- am I the only one who's REALLY creeped out by Artemis and her Hunters? Like, genuinly. They give me the biggest ick known to man. And before anyone comes at me about "misogyny" or "just not getting their trauma"- -I am a girl myself. I know what it's like to not feel safe in certain situations due to men. I had a frankly horrible ex love story. By all means, I'd be a prime candidate for the Hunters. If it weren't for the fact that they look like a sexist cult to me. Like listen- idk what your opinion on romance or men is it doesn't mean that you get a free pass a on straight-up being misandric! Which is something Artemis and her girls DESPRATLY need to be taught if you ask me.

Just the way they talked about men, commenting on them "only being good enough for camp (Halfblood)" when they talked with Bianca in TTC. The way that they were solely focused ON Bianca that entier talk, saying that they would be her new family when the issue of Nico was brought up. That not only FEELS wrong. That IS just straight-up wrong. If you'd switch the genders here and make the Hunters of Artemis a group of men talking about women like that you'd have the entier internet burning them at the stake- but if it's a group of girls hating men it's fine like?????? And then also that constant "holier than thou" attitude concerning relationships they seem to have? Like don't get me wrong, if you don't wanna do romance or hang around men that's fine! Whatever shoots your rocket ladies- but don't act like it makes you BETTER or anything! Honestly? That whole attitude gives me MAJOR Christian Purity Culture vibes. The way Artemis also seems to traget mainly younger girls for her Hunters is also just.... borderline predatory? I mean I get that the whole thing of the Hunters is that they are a bunch of maidens and stuff- BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ARTEMIS ATLEAST WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE THE MENTAL CAPACITY TO PROPERLY MAKE A DECISION AS MAJOR AS JOINING YOU!?

I mean it's not like you can't join the Hunters if you've ever fallen in love with someone! Is the thing that you have to be a virgin to join up which is why Artemis goes after young girls???? If that's the case then the Hunters might aswell just be Christian Purist Culture nuts because it'd basically be the same.

Again my main problem isn't the whole "eternal maidens without romance or men" thing. My problem is that they are sexist as hell towards men and straight-up prejudiced to the point that they'd be a social pariah if the genders were switched.

Idk if I'm gonna get smitten for this, but if THAT is supposed to be MY patron!? A straight-up sexist leading something that comes scarily close to being a borderline cult? Yeah no, no thanks. No patron needed over there.

[kemendin]

Been feeling the WildStar nostalgia this last week so I thought I'd talk a bit about these lads - Caspian and Darius Serapis, who were both born in WS and more recently made their way into SWTOR.

Caspian's known as Seeker in WS, having discarded his clearly Cassian birthname when he defected from the Dominion about a year after his arrival on Nexus. Being both a) from a prominent Highborn Cassian family and b) one of the Dominion's foremost Eldanologists, this didn't sit too well with his loyalist older brother. A respected officer in the Radiant Legion, Darius spent over a year hiding the shame of Caspian's defection, while at the same time tracking down his errant sibling with the intent of physically dragging him back to the Dominion if necessary.

While they were close as children, Seeker and Darius come to borderline hate each other by the time they're adults. Darius' heavy-handed, militant manner and fierce devotion to the Vigilant Church clash constantly with Seeker's defiant questions and growing disillusionment with the so-called destiny of the Dominion. This comes to a head when Darius finally catches up with his brother. Seeker makes it clear that not only does he reject the Dominion and the Church, he has every intention of plumbing the secrets of Nexus for proof that the Eldan were false gods, and he will hurl that evidence into the face of Emperor Myrcalus himself if he has to.

Fortunately, Seeker manages to escape his brother's custody before an incensed Darius can make up his mind about executing him on the spot for heresy. They don't meet again until a worsening of Seeker's genetic disorder - a side effect of his Highborn lineage - requires the primal pattern of another blood relative to stabilise his own. By this point both of them are Extremely Tired And Done with this whole situation, and ultimately Darius agrees to a) save Seeker's life and b) take a record of Seeker's death back to the Dominion so they'll stop hunting him, and they go their separate ways.

Given this whole history, it's been very interesting to spin them a new story in SWTOR. For one thing, with Caspian as my canon (ish) Jedi Knight and Darius as my also canon (ish) Republic Trooper, they're actually on the same side, which from the outset meant that they do get along a hell of a lot better than in WS. Caspian is still the defiant, logical disbeliever, but the Force is as close to 'faith' as he actually gets in any universe so far, and overall he's less steely than his original WS self. Darius is still the stern and hardened soldier, deeply loyal to the Republic, but he doesn't have the unyielding fanaticism of the Church. And I think the fact that Cas is also a warrior, in a way, gives them something significant to have in common. They're not best friends by any means, but they respect each other's roles and do care about each other in a usually unspoken way (unless it's Darius openly yelling at Satele Shan over letting his little brother run around with the Emperor's fucking Wrath. He has Concerns. They are entirely warranted).

I've got at least one SWTOR fic I want to write with the two of them, on Corellia during the class story. So it'll be fun to see how Darius' voice emerges here in the galaxy far far away.

[szyszkasosnowa]

Bookshelf wrapped 2024

[2023 edition]

I didn't do any challenge or anything like that, but I kinda wanted to read more books that aren't Polish, American or British. And I'm pretty pleased with how it went on.

1.Zdążyć przed Panem Bogiem [Shielding the Flame], Hanna Krall. Rereading, as it was a required reading in the high school. Extremely good. Makes you think about things like. Is morality relative? How can we judge the morality of people living in hell? Can we judge their morality at all? What is the worth of saving one life, even if only for a few more months? A few more weeks?

[the 1st book in this list I'd like to direct a movie of]

2. Miracle in the Andes, Nando Parrado and Vince Rause. Insane story. Borderline unbelievable, but it really happened. I appreciate Nando's insight looking back many years, and his appreciation and understanding even for his friends who "did nothing" during their ordeal.

3.Chłopi [The Peasants], Władysław Reymont. Yooooooooo this book fucks! Did I mention I enjoy stories about the cruelty of small, closed off societies? I was also very positively surprised by the portrayal of the female characters (for a book written in the 1900s!).

Jagna is very human and complicated, and while she's condemned by her peers, she's never judged by the narrative.

Hanka has the best character arc, and not only does she become a #girlboss, but with her newfound high status she still is able to be compassionate toward those worse off then her (especially to Jagna!). Or maybe it's only because of her high status that she can allow herself to be compassionate at all? Drop Antek's ass tho, girl.

Jagustynka is spitting straight truth that literally could come out of the mouth of a modern feminist. Her compassion towards the girls and women hurt by the society is really touching, especially considering how she herself was wronged and how she has all rights to be bitter and selfish.

What happens to Magda (the servant girl), Jagata or Jewka is heartbreaking, but the worst part is that while people may feel sorry for them, no one is really shocked or horrified - because such things are just so commonplace.

4. Moby Dick, Herman Melville. Yooooooooooooooooo this book also fucks! I mean, no wonder it didn't really gain traction when it was published, because it seems very modern in some ways. Instead of the smooth story about adventures at high seas, we get a little snippets of the adventure, mixed with.... anything really: side stories, brow-raising cetology, concerning looks into the future life of Ishmael. Some very modern thoughts on ecology and vegetarianism. Why is the whiteness of the whale so scary? Some homosexuality. Being insane about your field of study. Seeing God and going mad. Wait, it was on the open ocean, could this "God" be an eldricht being? And what is the meaning of the white whale? Or maybe there is no meaning at all?

[the 2nd book in this list I'd like to direct a movie of]

5. H.P. Lovecraft's stories:

At the Mountains of Madness. I'm a bit disappointed? I've read how this is his best story, but it was... boring? The story of aliens was mostly exposition, and I know that's how he rolls most of the time, but with all the build-up -- it was sad. I liked the giant albino penguins though. And the idea of what could be hiding in the yet undiscovered parts of world. Too bad we already discovered everything lol [<- sounds like something said just before being eaten by a creature from the other dimension]

The Color Out of Space. Pretty regular Lovecraft stuff. Creepy little villages and forests, and all that. The way he described the landscapes though, I could only imagine them as very pleasant and just ideal for a stroll, like how are they creepy. I think you need to touch some grass Howard boy.

The Shadow Out of Time. Pretty similar to AtMoM, but I found it more compelling.

The Outsider. Creepy, I liked it.

The Music of Erich Zann. I really liked the vibe of mystery in the heart of the city.

The Rats in the Walls. I think it's one of my favorites, it's so creepy and disgusting.

Call of Cthulhu. Very solid story. I still can't believe that in the climax some guys drove their boat right through Cthulhu himself. That's a bit embarrassing...

6. Strange Beasts of China, Yan Ge. VERY up my alley. Magical realism, weird creatures, creepy city? I like how this book starts as a collection of short stories, but gradually they start to connect and finally you end with a single coherent narrative. Shout out to @drzewiej-niemota for recommending this book to me 😎.

7. Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy. After finishing this book I kinda felt like a total degenerate, because every time I've seen it mentioned, people said it's so atrocious and disgusting... But I was like, eh, it's not that bad? Like yeah, a lot of violent and cruel and disgusting things happen, but maybe the author's ascetic style diminished the impact. I loved how he still could be weirdly poetic despite this laconic language.

8. The Road, Cormac McCarthy. Ok, THIS one made me stare blankly at the wall. Definitely one of, if not the bleakest description of post-apocalypse I've ever seen. Everything is hopeless and cruel. You really don't believe that anyone (or anything) is gonna survive more than a few more years. But it's not an empty misery porn, far away from it in fact.

What the book is really about, is the indestructible, maybe even illogical love of a father for a son. It's the force which can make a man bear anything, and it can make sense of anything. Sometimes you start thinking - stop, man, there's no hope in this world, the real act of love would be to kill this child painlessly. And yet.

9. Fictions, Jorge Luis Borges. I only checked it out because I got intrigued by the story "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius", but then I decided to read the rest of the stories and it turned out that this book clicked with me very well. I can't really describe what the stories are about. It's like. The author taking some slightly absurd idea and having fun with it? There's also some of these reviews of fake books, if you're into it.

10. The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Richard Rhodes. Very good. Very thorough. Starts with the beginning of the 20th century and the first discoveries of the atom's constituents. Allows to understand how the politics of the time shaped the science.

11. No longer at ease, Chinua Achebe. Not as good as Things Fall Apart.

12. Nad Niemnem, Eliza Orzeszkowa. Decided to go with the flow and re-read another required reading after Chłopi. But it's ehhhhhhh not as good. I really liked the first part, where we got portraits of different people living near Kostrzyn, what they're like and why they're like this, and how their life changed them... But then the part about Bohatyrowicze was way too naive and idyllic, and the ending too sweet. Also if Justyna really wanted to make a change in the lives of the peasants, she should have married Różyc, in this essay I will-

13. Rehepapp ehk November, Andrus Kivirähk. Another one very much up my alley. Folk tales, magical realism, and, guess what, a small countryside society! I described it as "what if the peasants from The Peasants had magical powers?" The answer is: they would use it exclusively to steal from and piss of their neighbours. Which at first made for a great comedy. But then it stopped being funny, and started being too real.

14. The Worst Journey in the World, Apsley Cherry-Garrard. Or how Scott made it to the South Pole (miserably). It's nice to read a first-hand report.

15. a collection of short stories by Flannery O'Connor. To be fair I only read this book because I saw it in Lost (2004) 😔 (Jacob is reading it while Locke gets defenestrated). And it's another case, after Shirley Jackson, when the collection of short stories that, from the description of it, shouldn't do anything to me, ends up capturing my heart.

And finally. Some good fucking Christian literature. Most of the stories touch on some Christian themes, but they're like. What this religion is in its core, rather than whatever shallow view of it we usually see in fiction. What's the meaning of the grace; of forgiveness; what are the pitfalls of people who believe themselves good Christians; and so on.

16. Soviet Milk, Nora Ikstena. A story of a mother and a daughter who both grew up in the Soviet Latvia. A lot of talk, often uncomfortable, about the female body, since one of the protagonists is a gynaecologist. Quite a good read, but to be fair I expected somehing more.

17. Passport to Magonia, Jacques Vallee. Time to put your tinfoil hat on... so basically the author compares the stories of UFOs, UFO sightings and abductions, to the stories about fairies and demons, and finds that when it comes to the bare bones, they're very similar. I mostly read it for the fairy folklore bits.

Again, if anyone wants to make a kind of a tag game of it and list their own readings... [Jeb Bush please clap voice] please do...

[archonoclasm]

There's something to be said, I think, about how the perceptions of Tevinter being taboo, immoral, and wicked to the point of borderline devilry could all bleed easily with the bias against the gay community.

"Out of desperation. I wouldn’t put on a show, marry the girl, keep everything unsavory private and locked away. Selfish, I suppose, not to want to spend my entire life screaming on the inside. He was going to do a blood ritual. Alter my mind. Make me…acceptable. I found out. I left."

Dorian, a gay man himself, is obviously very much aware of how his preference for company wins only blatant disapproval. It's been framed as unacceptable, after all, for every single day under the illustrious House Pavus. Betrothed to a woman, it was the normal, the expected, to prioritize his bloodline and sire heirs. As Dorian had stated: "Every Tevinter family is intermarrying to distill the perfect mage, perfect body, perfect mind. The perfect leader. It means every perceived flaw--ever aberration--is deviant and shameful. It must be hidden."

As Dorian had no interest in marrying the girl, however, that left him to wear the title of some unfortunately regrettable anomaly -- something he took very to heart.

In the Winter Palace, Dorian jokes about this a touch, though it's easy to regard it as him speaking very explicitly on Tevinter's nasty reputation. If romanced, Dorian, when asked for a dance, will offer this:

Dorian: Dancing with the evil magister in full view of every noble in Orlais? How shocking.

There is also this line if you romance Dorian:

Inquisitor: I want us to be closer. I was hoping to get to know you better. Dorian: So… you and I? People will talk.

Furthermore, after stumbling upon an argument between Mother Giselle and Dorian, Dorian, when asked what's happening, the exchange goes as follows:

Inquisitor: What's going on here? Dorian: It seems the revered mother is concerned about my 'undue influence' over you. Mother Giselle: It is just concern. Your Worship, you must know how this looks. Dorian: You might need to spell it out, my dear. Mother Giselle: This man is of Tevinter. His presence at your side, the rumors alone... Inquisitor: What’s wrong with him being from Tevinter? Specifically. Mother Giselle: I'm fully aware that not everyone from the Imperium is the same. Dorian: How kind of you to notice. Yet, still you bow to the opinion of the masses? Mother Giselle: The opinion of the masses is based on centuries of evidence.

Together, paired with other commentary sprinkled in by Dorian himself, and you get the gist: to be seen with Dorian is a scandal that'd be the talk of every damn dinner table across all of Thedas. The reasons may range, of course, but regardless, the closeness to the stigma Dorian faces is undeniably reminiscent of all just a touch of those prejudices the gay community experience. He's seen as someone who can corrupt the Inquisitor, the Herald of Andraste, and the beacon of mortals all a god damned miracle. Even there, I'd argue the Inquisitor's religious underpinnings only highlight the perceived 'evil' of Dorian's all the more. To Dorian, he's learned to play the 'aberrant' all too comfortably, donning his wit and his sarcasm like a mouth full of daggers. It's not a role he fancies, and furthermore, is a role that has led him to believe abandonment is truthfully all he'll come to experience, but if he can play the image to hide how much it hurts him, then you can very much consider it very much done.

[theseventhoffrostfall]

relative to your javelin/plumbata post, Tod Todeschi or some other Pollack last name does do a lot of experimental archaeology type videos where he tests stuff like that. Results vary but I respect he will actually try stuff out.

But I am autistically into old smelting and bronze/iron age stuff as well and I think there's a lot of potential on how many things we take for granted now as commonplace used to be extremely limited. Certain foundries and smelters, even if privately owned, would be borderline national secrets/treasures because they could consistently produce good quality metals or knew HOW to build them right. On par with monks sneaking silkworms out of china. We have accounts of Vikings making it as far as Afghanistan specifically to find burial mounds for Indo Persian wootz blades.

The Hittites were pretty good at early Ironworking for example and well-made bronze is probably better than iron except bronze is an alloy and iron can be refined much easier. I know the French weirdly kept refining brass and ARCO brass/other types in the 19th century and while not the same strength as steel the way the US and Brits innovated, French Brass was stronger than anyone else's.

Fuck I mean IIRC the Chinese spent centuries in West/Central asia like the Stans trying to learn how to breed better warhorses because old horses used to be a lot smaller and things like chariots were how you utilized horses in war instead of individually.

There's so much cool shit you can do just around the idea of foundries and smelting and it's not even been 200 years since we really figured out steel and even the 1990s saw a huge increase along with aluminum technology. Even the first Conan movie kinda touched on this with how rare materials were relatively speaking. I'd love to see a period or fantasy related story that deals with a lot of intrigue and logistical concerns like that. A warlord fighting a grueling campaign that makes no sense tactically but it's because he wants to capture a series of foundries that utilize some mythical pass high in the mountains for their bellows, or specifically daming part of a river to create a faster pressure current for a downward falling water wheel for the actual forging.

Prior to modern technologies, making steel was a literal pain in the ass and insanely wasteful. Closest analogy I can think of is raising an entire cow from birth, killing it, and only taking 1 cut of meat from the carcass and leaving the rest. You didnt "make" steel, you made this disgusting lump of iron and carbon as homogeneous as you could and prayed to God that at the center was a nice good hunk of steel you could then forge into an ingot.

Also FWIW it's less that the javelins were designed to break and bend IMO and simply that its a possibility especially in an actual battle. Oakeshott talks about Celtic leaf bladed swords and the front ranks retiring to the rear to bend kinks out of them. I'd say it's less about iron vs steel and more about heat treat and fucking NO ONE figured out actual mathematical heat treat shit until very recently. Toledo made swords (also known as a specific pattern of blade kind of like a thrusting claymore) are famous for having very rigid blades at their base but very flexible and springy at the tips. In the era where heat treat was more like a cooking recipe or an AdMech ritual than hard scientific fact, being able to CONSISTENTLY produce good heat treated blades was a huge sign of quality. Sorry for the autism but I love metallurgical history.

Nah, you're good, big dog. Most of the concepts are familiar to me, but they're good for bringing to the general discussion table without, you know, me having to type all of that out.

But yeah, the main crux of my argument is based on a few things you mentioned. You, as far as I understand it, can't just go off and harden the average stuff you'd have gotten out of a mine in the Roman empire, even after being smelted. You need to tap the famous and rare(esque) deposits of The Good Shit and buy ingots and such from them. Like you said, on a gross scale they can tell by this point how the carbon-iron interaction is working, but they're much less familiar with, like, ingots from bumfuckulum are better than ingots from frottingshire because of the specific nickel and magnesium content or whatever.

And like you mentioned, being able to consistently produce heat-treated steel is a sign of quality, which means your smiths (Roman ordnance smithies-- insofar as any existed-- local dudes who live near the garrison, dude who follows around the army with his dinky forge setup) can't be average smiths, you can only hire big-dick smiths to do their fanciest work, which is pretty stupid to do for an item that, speaking from a soldier's perspective, is gonna handled roughly, barely maintained, and haphazardly reclaimed. Plus it's a long, narrow spike of metal in an army that used shortswords and small-segmented, scale and mail armor. This is like 1500 years before we're good enough at metallurgy to be making rapiers and suchlike, your javelins have a short service life anyway. Just doesn't make sense to go whole-ass on quality from a logistics point of view. It's just that "they were meant to bend in an enemy's shield" makes them sound cool and clever and you cool and clever for knowing that, whereas "they did it to save money and production time" just sounds boring and lame to Joe Average.

On a related topic to something you mentioned, it seems like the understanding is spreading that early iron was of moderate-at-best advantage against good quality bronze work, and lacks several very real advantages that bronze has. It just so happens that bronze leaves you utterly dependent on trade networks to source at least one of those high-demand metals that generally aren't found together, while iron you "just" source and smelt and work. I've seen more and more people suggesting what immediately occurred to me when I read this, which was that not being reliant on trade networks meant you could be a lot more aggressive with relative impunity, and this explains a lot of infamous Iron-age belligerence more than just "they were powerful and vengeful and had Super Swords"

[mischas]

What would've happened if season 2 started differently if DJ never existed? Let's face it the guy was a snooze.

Oh yes, the DJ storyline sucks. And for many reasons. The actors don't have chemistry, he looks so much older than even Ben (which he was!), the borderline racist tone, the extremely classist tone, and the character switch they do on Marissa to make her reduce him to "the yard guy" which we know s1 Marissa would never dream of doing. She dated Ryan for a year without giving a toss about what his upbringing means to be enmeshed with hers. So that's all so frustrating.

Something this show did was resolve their storylines very poorly. They move at breakneck speed and it caught up with them in s2 when they had to scramble. And I understand to a degree, this is network tv in the 2000s, but we know now that JS and co needed to be reigned the fuck in even in s1 so they wouldn't exhaust every decent storyline in two episodes.

So anyway, in order for RM to ever have a chance of a real reunion, I'd have Marissa and Ryan really get into what tore them apart pre-Theresa. Which was Oliver. And the show demonized Marissa for it entirely which was insane (and led to character backlash online which JS was voraciously paying attention to). Marissa plays catch-up to Ryan's moral superiority from then on and it's infuriating. So I'd fix that shit. Remind the audience that Ryan broke her trust first with breaking into her locker and stealing her letter. Something that other teen shows, particular supernatural ones, do is ponder the idea of your beloved's agency vs their safety. The show says that Ryan is in the right for breaking into her locker because he's right that Oliver is evil/crazy/in love with Marissa/possibly putting her in danger. And it's an interesting moral dilemma if done well, but they don't do shit with it in the aftermath. Marissa has to painfully grovel at Ryan's feet all because she didn't believe him when he had zero evidence. Ridiculous.

And because this is tv let's distill this into a scene at the end of 202 when Ryan gets to go home feeling morally superior about breaking things off with Marissa before they've even started again because he's so concerned with her white lie. Like whatever dude. Like he hasn't been sleeping in Theresa's bed all summer. I imagine Marissa coming to him after the carnival and pushing him about these things. Also, it drives me crazy that 127 even has Ryan not fully gleeful about Theresa possibly getting an abortion. Sandy is the only one making sense there. Ryan is 17 years old yet they want him to have the countenance of someone who's 35. That's a problem throughout the show, really. I'm not saying he'd be skipping around Newport joyful but it is so insane to play it out like this is a wanted pregnancy for anyone involved. And for it to happen to the one Latinx character they've semi-centered (in southern California!) is... something. As well as the DV storyline and the original Eddie storyline they really wanted to go with. God, a mess. Anyway. When Ryan is informed of the supposed miscarriage in 201, we're supposed to believe Ryan doesn't even see Theresa for... months? She tells him not to come back but come on this is Ryan! Ryan who we're told is noble and good. He wouldn't go back to Chino to even hug her??? It's so crystal clear that the show wants to quickly move past this bomb they created in s1. Anyway, I'd want Ryan and Marissa to have a real conversation about how that summer impacted their lives and that'd inevitably bring up how he slept with Theresa two whole seconds after the Oliver melodrama blew up. Which could bring about a frank discussion about how they both use sex as a distraction rather than an act of love.

And let's say they talk about these things and still decide they shouldn't be together, I think that'd bring with it a good tension. Keep them in one another's lives because they're in the same circles. Maybe even do similar storylines with other love interests, but sprinkle in some pining and close encounters that give audiences what they really want. It's partly what SS get in s2, though the show drops the ball on why they're not together since they don't flesh out Seth's reasons for leaving beyond 201 and they don't come close to touching Summer's abandonment issues like they should.

If it's clear that I've thought about this before, you'd be right. Lol. I think s2 has an ok framework but could've been tweaked even a little bit to be really, really good.

[heavenly-garden]

I recently learned something.

Those who have been oppressed often oppress others. Not always is the case but more often than not it seems to happen. There are those who want to be oppressed so they can claim victimhood and say they've been oppressed too so they can fit in with even more oppressed groups. When oppressed upon harshly and over long term it causes hatred, bigotry, racism etc. People who don't realize they went from being oppressed to the oppressor means they can still claim oppression and cruelty while also being oppressive and cruel to others. It's a nasty cycle way too many people perpetuate. I was oppressed by a cruel step father for 12 years, he was a pedophile and he forced horrible things upon me against my will and as time went on I developed serious anger problems. I was angry at everything and everyone from the system, to men, to the police, to my community I also hated myself. I hated so deeply that I needed anger management because I was concerned I'd become a liability to the safety and wellbeing of others, myself included. I never thought about how my oppression was causing me to oppress others, I never took into account that I had been a part of a cycle of violence and hate. However, after my step father was gone for good I finally had time to begin healing, taking years of therapy, going to anger management, keeping drugs qnd liquor at bay so I didn't begin addictive habits which were all around me as soon as I stepped outside my door I had accessed to everything from ocean, weed, meth, heroine, pills, free liquor. I lived surrounded by a couple of native reserves where my friends did drugs and drank just to pass the time. Boredom, fear, anger, oppression, these things lead towards a very dark path if you don't become aware of how it effects us. The oppressed feel helpless so they begin to oppress in order to feel powerful over others, and the cycle goes on and on. I witnessed it on reserves where my friends lived and they were miserable and bored most of the time, sneaking their parents liquor and drugs with ease. The accessibility of drugs and liquor is far too easy for minors. People learn disrespect and distrust because of begin oppressed. My step dads mother oppressed him, she had bipolar and borderline personality disorder, she refused medication for a long time because she was in denial and he didn't know he had inherited her mental health issues until many years after and it was far too late by then the damage had been done. His mental illness had nothing to do with him being a pedo though that was all on him but his outbursts of rage, verbal, mental and physical abuse had taken its toll on me and my mom. In anycase I realized I don't want to be an oppressor. I don't want to feel this hate qnd contempt for everyone. No one did anything to me but in my mind once long ago I blamed everyone else but didn't take into account my own oppressive thoughts. I did not wish to be like that so it took over 10 years of work on myself to overcome toxic habits and intrusive thoughts. Don't get me wrong I still get intrusive thoughts but now I stop to analyze those thoughts and question them. No longer a slave to my mind, I seek to only coexist as best I can with the world no, no more buzzing in my head to go out and cause trouble I'm freeeee. I take time for myself when I need it and I've learned to enjoy being on my own instead of feeling alone and unhappy when I'm by myself, I'm finally at peace and became my own best friend, I went from hating myself to loving myself (not in a narcissistic way though) but i've learned to accept I can't control everything, I can't control what others do, I can't control what others think or feel about me, I can't control society. I had to learn to let go and accept it is what it is, time to move on. All praise be to God for helping me through the darkest days of my life. I used to hate so deeply man...it felt like it was becoming a part of my DNA lol. Anyway that's all I had to say, thank you for reading. Have a good day. 💖

[rosehearrt]

Cater Diamond for the character meme

ACCEPTING ━ Give Me a Character;

Cater Diamond.

How I feel about this character

Love him to bits. I've written him myself before, but my muse for him tends to fluctuate heavily. I relate to him in a lot of ways ( the blatantly obvious depression, the overcompensating, the ' persona ' he puts on for others ), so he's comforting for me. Of course his text speech ( actually saying ' lol ' out loud my god ) is hilarious and so is the aforementioned persona, but I really appreciate the side of his character that he hides underneath and all of the little hints that he gives us every so often that he's not doing as well as he seems. To me, it feels like he thinks he won't have anything to offer anyone if he isn't always easygoing and fun caykun, a reliable and friendly upperclassman, an entertaining and easygoing friend, and prepared to offer up a quip or a joke ( even self-deprecating ) at all times for the sake of a laugh. I don't know - he gives me a lot of feelings. I wish things were easier for him. I'm sad that he struggles to find his identity and be satisfied with it. But I do love the parallels between that particular trait of his and his unique magic. Wonderful character trivia.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

ririkei / lilicay: I love the idea of immortals falling in love with humans, I always have. And there's something about the idea of Cater and Lilia falling for each other with Cater not even knowing Lilia's real identity as a high ranking general for the Valley, OR that he's Silver's father, OR how old he is. Lilia struggling with that and having to figure out when and how to tell him because he doesn't want to lose him...that kind of thing is SO good. But all of that aside I also really enjoy their canon interactions, and I love how they're in the same club and seem to really like spending time together. Idk there's just something I really like about these two for some reason.

idekei / idicay: popular boy and borderline hikikomori. Must I say more? It's a good ship. I saw some fan art awhile back about Idia messaging his discord kitten in front of Cater and then Cater's phone chiming, which KILLED me. They have awesome potential as being the funniest ship ever, but I also think Cater could really be himself around someone like Idia and not feel pressured or judged by it which would be a pretty big deal. I'd love to see it.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Riddle and Cater. I love the way Cater jumps to Riddle's side, ready to help him whenever he needs it, and even when he doesn't ask for it. Even when he was at his worst point and embodying his most tyrannical self pre-overblot, Cater stuck with him, which I think is really lovely, especially because imo Riddle has a hard time feeling like he can give a title to his relationships with others, or figure out the depths of them, but like Trey, Cater has created an inability for their relationship to be anything other than true ' friends ' with his loyalty and his genuine concern. Even when the rest of the dorm turned on him, Cater was trying to defend him, which says a lot. Trey did it because they have a long and complicated history, but he and Riddle presumably only met the year before when Riddle entered NRC. Riddle is unpopular, and clearly disliked in their dorm, but even though it went completely against Cater's character and his never-ending chase of popularity and being as well-liked as possible, he stuck with Riddle. So, I thought that was great. I also love how he kind of has an unofficial position as Riddle's third-in-command. He and Trey always seem to be following after Riddle together, rather than just Trey himself ( the vice housewarden ). As for Riddle's contributions - the fact that he took the time to learn Magicam ( no easy feat for him ) and use it to create a way to help Cater study says it all for me. He doesn't put in that type of work for everyone, and he definitely doesn't change his way of tutoring to suit the individual. I think they both care about each other very much, and I think that's wonderful.

I also love Kalim and Cater, Trey and Cater, and Che'nya and Cater. The first two bc they're obviously ppl he considers close friends, and the last one bc that's my ideal chaotic duo haha.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I guess that I don't think he's as 2-D as some ppl make him out to be? Idk.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I have a few things, actually. I talked a lot about his relationship with Riddle up above, but I'd like to know how that kind of loyalty became established in the first place, and why Cater would go against his natural behavior and interests to stand by Riddle ( even when it affects his own image ).

Maybe this is corny, but I'd also like to see some of the other characters start to notice that there's something wrong with him/he's struggling in ways they didn't realize before. I want him to get the recognition and help he deserves!

I'd also love to learn more about his mental state and the progression from wanting as many friends as possible while being lonely moving around so often as a child to creating this carefully crafted and researched persona of his and this desperation for popularity. I want to know how exactly it happened and what was the catalyst for him essentially losing his real identity.

[anti-tenten]

so let me get this straight.

not for discourse but just overall

so the balance between three worlds is settled until someone else like ychwach is born again?

because there seem to have been very little Quincy previously and even though he is called the father of all Quincy, not all of quincies descend from people who received Quincy powers from him. Quincy were originally said to be an ancient clan (not a race) so possibly ychwach was born in this clan but as a result of immaculate conception with the soul king giving him unique powers he was had very powerful not only soul redistribution powers but also an ability to take these powers back when they were more developed, unlike jugram? then, since such Quincy were seen as defective and mercilessly killed, I'd assume he was not born in an Echt Quincy clan or was the first Quincy in his clan possibly? (I assume that's what most people have as a hc)

with such an immense power buff from actual god he was capable of distributing his power to hundreds of people whose descendants became professional Quincies and went on to colonise nearby settlements, forming an empire. to get recruited into the army you must've had some special type of cynical mindset: we see that ychwach's early sternritters never seemed to pressure people they colonised into joining the military, seems like ychwach was never concerned about the shortage of troops, so I assume a large portion of people got recruited, not drafted.

that would largely explain the "evil Quincy race from Wandenreich" issue: if most Quincy serving in the military got recruited semi-voluntarily, that would mean they were loyal to ychwach because they agreed with him and whether sternritter from tybw were born during Lichtreich or are descendants of those recruits, their families must've upheld this ideology not because they were brainwashed but based on their personal feelings about ychwach and his imperialism.

those who rejected the idea of colonising soul society or joining Lichtreich military as a whole, were left in human world (like Masaki-Kurosaki clan that were explicitly shown to be comparatively pretty nice if you ignore eugenics and incest I guess) and although they were a fairly small percentage of Quincies, there were enough of them to lead to Quincy genocide that was excused by "too many Quincies killing too many Hollows", cutting down the numbers of Quincies in the world significantly. then, almost 180 years later the first Auswählen happened, killing Quincy like Masaki and Katagiri and most of weak or Gemischt Quincy.

but knowing that there were at least two known Quincy clans - since Katagiri was from a clan different from Ishida-Kurosaki, Ishida-Kurosaki were not the last clan left after Quincy genocide: and amount of fresh graves after Auswählen proves that - and if fairly strong but not outstandingly so Echt Quincy like Ryuuken managed to survive, I would assume there are still at least a couple dozen of them left all around the world, but since there are so little of them, the possibility of powerful Echt Quincy to be produced without inbreeding into Quincy Carl II of Spain instead of Ychwach-Kwisatz Haderach 2.0 is borderline impossible, until whatever is left of soul king (which is not a lot but it has to be around because otherwise the worlds would have collapsed) goes around impregnating women again, these two and a half Quincy left are not a threat to the shinigami and that's why they aren't hunted down for sport as inherent enemies of the state I guess:///