#im gonna start putting these under 'read more' links because the chapters are getting longer

[fruit-teeth]

Matters of Time and Fate (Chapter 12)

Olivia awoke on the living room carpet, of all places. She panicked for a brief moment, as she couldn’t figure out where she was at first, but then she remembered that she’d sat down there to watch TV earlier.

She sat up, looking around, rubbing her eyes. Behind her, Demoman and Zhanna sat on the couch, watching a news channel of some kind.

Zhanna noticed that Olivia had woken up, and she remarked, “You are awake, little girl. TV must be very boring for you,”

Olivia couldn’t even recall what she had been watching before she dozed off. She rubbed her eye again, shrugging. “I dunno,” she then noticed the shirt Zhanna was wearing: it was a long t-shirt, with an American flag printed on it. The words, ‘I’m American and I’m not going anywhere’ were printed right beneath it. “What’s that shirt?”

“This? Is Jane’s shirt,” Zhanna replied gleefully. “I steal it!”

On the TV, a news anchor announced, “We now turn to an interview with Stacy Bartlet, the Florida woman who claims she has three breasts!”

Demoman quickly changed the channel, grunting. “Och, bloody stupid American television…” he smiled back at Olivia, patting the spot on the couch. “Ye don’t have to sit on the floor! Come sit with us, lass…sorry we didn’t wake ye up, we didn’t know if ye usually slept on the floor or what,”

Olivia got up off the floor, hoisting herself onto the couch and sitting beside Demo. “Sometimes I sleep in the hallway of my house. When my daddy gets ready and takes a shower in the morning, I like to sleep and wait for him in the hall outside the bathroom,”

Demo’s smile faltered a little as he realized Olivia was still speaking about her father in the present tense, but he didn’t correct her. “Aye. Is it comfortable?”

“I guess,” Olivia frowned, noticing her hair had gotten messy as a result of her impromptu nap. “But daddy says not to do it anymore…”

Zhanna reached over, smoothing Olivia’s hair down with her hand. “Messy, messy,” she chided, clicking her tongue. Olivia startled at the touch, since Zhanna was a bit rough when she did that. As Zhanna sat back down again, Olivia realized the rag that had been tied up around Zhanna’s wrist was now replaced with a clean bandage.

Demo glanced at the clock on the wall, frowning. “Hell, it’s gettin’ late…where’s the other blokes? They should be back by now…”

“If they are kidnapped, we will save them,” Zhanna stated. “I will break spine of any man who hurts Jane or Misha,”

Olivia sat up taller, surprised. “Whoa, you can do that?”

Before Zhanna could answer, a car pulled into the driveway outside. Demo noticed, and he announced, “Hale’s here!”

Olivia’s heart sank as she realized what this meant: she was going to be expected to sign Mann Co. over to Hale. Not wanting to face or think about that, she grabbed a throw pillow, placing it over her face to mask herself in darkness again.

Miss Pauling walked in, glancing through the window. “Oh, yeah—he’s here,” she reached down, carefully nudging the pillow away from Olivia. “Hey, it’s time,”

Olivia lowered the pillow, glaring up silently at Miss Pauling. Miss Pauling sighed, setting the pillow down. “Look, it’s gonna be okay,”

Demo placed a hand on Olivia’s back, encouraging her, “Ye better do it, lass…it’s what’s best,”

She stared at her shoes, before she slipped off the couch and followed Miss Pauling into the other room.

Saxton Hale entered the house, his presence filling up the whole area the moment he stepped in. Behind him, Bidwell carried the suitcase, and Miss Pauling quickly ushered the two of them into the study.

Helen was already at the table, and she stood up when the two men entered. Her eyes focused directly on the suitcase, and she gestured for it to be brought closer to her.

“Is that all of it?” she asked, watching as Bidwell sat it down on the table. Her voice sounded anxious, although her face remained composed.

“Well…no,” Saxton confessed. “Sage had more,”

Helen raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And where is that, pray tell?”

“He was only willing to give it to us for an extra price…”

“And what was that price, Hale? Was it too high?”

Hale took a breath, before he leaned in and whispered it into Helen’s ear. Helen was quiet for a long moment, until she cleared her throat.

“I see…” Helen’s eye twitched. “I suppose I will have to have a meeting with Mr. Sage, won’t I?” she looked back at the suitcase, putting her hand on it. She undid the zipper in a very slow and deliberate matter, and instantly she felt the very presence of the Australium. She closed her eyes in reverence, basking in the feeling just a touch of it gave her. Very little in her life would ever replace what she felt in the presence of this substance…

Helen blinked, straightening up once more and clearing her throat. She pushed the suitcase in Miss Pauling’s direction, advising her, “Put this somewhere safe,”

“Yes, ma’am,” Miss Pauling replied, standing up and going to the door, carrying the suitcase under her arm.

The door closed, and Helen turned to look at Olivia, who had been sitting quietly beside her. They locked eyes for a moment, and for a few seconds, Helen actually felt a flash of guilt for what she was about to take away from this child. But it did not last long at all, as she knew that this was the best decision for Olivia…and for the company, of course.

Bidwell laid out the official document and a pen, pushing it towards Olivia. “Here: read it through as best as you can and sign on the line below,”

Olivia did try to read the document. She could read, she knew how, but her father had always handled documents like these. She barely knew what half of the words on the paper even meant.

She looked back up at Hale, a glimmer of malice in her eyes. “Can I fight you again? That was better last time,”

Helen cut in right before Hale could even answer. “There will be no fighting, Olivia. Just sign,”

Olivia stared back down at the line, feeling very uncomfortable. All the adults were watching her, waiting for her to give up her birthright to them…she didn’t quite know what ‘birthright’ meant, her father had just told her it was what Mann Co. was for her.

“Sign,” Helen repeated, her voice firmer than before. “Your first name, middle name, and last name,”

Olivia fumbled with the pen in her hand, starting to slowly write her name. Her hand was shaky, and the letters looked as though they were trembling.

She hardly registered writing her last name down; it was as if she blinked and then ‘Olivia Violet Mann’ was scribbled on the blank line. Hale tugged the contract away from her once she signed, and he signed his own name under hers.

“Yes!” he exclaimed once the deed had been done, and he shook hands with Bidwell. “Finally! Business as usual!”

Helen stood up, lighting a cigarette. “Good, yes…now that we have this out of the way, we can focus on more important matters…” she turned to look at Olivia, watching her expression.

Olivia just sat there blankly. She knew her father had died, everyone had told her that, but it hadn’t sunk in until this moment. He was never coming back, she was never going to be in her old house again, and she was never going to achieve all the things her father had said she would. He’d always told her she was destined for great things, that was why he schooled and taught her all on his own, so she could one day take his place. All those dreams, and him – he may not have hugged her often, and he may not have even told her he loved her, but he had been all she knew for so long. Her world had been torn away from her fingers, and without her father, she didn’t know how she would ever get it back again. Perhaps she never would.

Helen’s voice cut through Olivia’s thoughts. “Olivia?”

When Olivia felt Helen trying to touch her hair, she lost it. Olivia burst into tears, smacking Helen’s hand away and running away, wanting to get out of the room as quickly as possible.

She ran right past Miss Pauling, nearly smacking into her, and she completely ignored Pauling’s attempts to make sure she was all right.

Olivia wanted to run away from this place. She wanted to leave – she didn’t know how, but she would do it. Maybe she would find Belicia and live with her, or maybe she could find one of the men her father had worked with…

She collapsed outside in the dirt path leading up to the house, where she sobbed again, her hands and face covered in dirt and dust. She could not care less about that, though, and she wailed and sobbed, burying her face in her small hands.

It was then, though, that the van pulled up. Olivia looked up, trying to brush away the tears that were stinging her eyes as the van parked outside. She watched as the passenger side door opened, and Heavy stepped out, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

Heavy looked up towards the house, where he noticed Olivia sitting in the dirt, tears rolling down her cheeks. He became filled with concern, and he walked up the path, coming to meet her. “Little Olivia?”

Olivia wiped her eyes, smearing the tears and dirt across her face, and she stood up as Heavy got closer. He knelt beside her; his brow furrowed in concern. “You are crying…why cry?”

Olivia couldn’t answer, and she could only whimper instead, another tear rolling down her cheek. Heavy sighed, pulling her up into his arms and holding her close. “Is okay…shh, is okay,”

He was so gentle for such a big man, and Olivia could only bury her face into his shoulder, her hands gripping his shirt like a lifeline. As he held her, she started to feel better, and she wondered if maybe she didn’t have to run away after all.

“Hey!” Engineer called out from where he stood by the van, noticing what was going on. “Everything okay over there?”

Heavy stepped back towards the van, nodding, Olivia still in his arms. “Yes. Little Olivia is sad,”

Engineer knew why, as Saxton had mentioned to him what was going to happen. Still he tried to comfort Olivia, clearing his throat. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay, sweet pea…you got us here, okay? Now how about we go inside, and I can fix you some nice French toast? That sound good?”

“Yeah, chin up!” Soldier encouraged as he stepped out of the car. “You’re strong, so strong!”

Olivia did not answer, but when she looked towards the van again, something caught her eye. Sniper was getting out of the van, yet it looked as though he was talking to someone. There was a bit of shuffling from inside the vehicle, before a woman Olivia had never seen before stepped out. She was very skinny, her glasses were cracked in two places, and she was wrapped up in Sniper’s vest like it was a shawl. Her eyes scanned the territory, before she noticed Olivia.

“Whose child is that?” the woman asked, looking at Sniper. “Yours?”

“No!” Sniper clarified. “No—this is Olivia. Olivia, this is my, uh…” he hesitated. “This is my mum,”

Olivia sniffled, wiping her eyes with her dirty hands. She felt disgusting, and she couldn’t even say hello back.

Engineer decided to break the silence. “All right, well! Mundy, I’m sure your mom must be hungry, and Olivia? You could use a bath, probably…”

Heavy carried Olivia back up towards the house, and as Olivia looked up at the sky, she could see the clouds gathering, likely preparing for some storms later on.

[rigelmejo]

march - just some thoughts

i have read more this month than any other month? and its not slowing down its only 3/12 so i have 2/3 of a month to go and i’ve read 26 chapters. even if these chapters are ‘short’ at 10 pages, if i wanna count by ‘20 page’ chunks i’ve still read 13 chunks so far. and i’ve still got more time in the month left. most other months i’ve managed to read ‘a lot’ i read 10-20 chapters. so i’m doing really good.

grammar is a weird thing? in reading i feel like its quite easy now to understand. when listening or watching - same. and yet if asked ‘why do i say/type X’ or ‘why is it written/spoken like X’ i have absolutely no explanation in my head. i could not explain the grammar if prompted. this puts me in a weird place and i feel like i SHOULD go over a grammar guide again just so i can WORD what i’m intuitively understanding.

this is a bit bizarre to me because within the first 6 months of study i DID read through an entire grammar guide just to get an idea of what i was about to look at, and it hardly made sense once actually reading/watching/listening. i understood the guide fine, but actually Seeing chinese i was still confused. i would reference AllSetLearning’s Chinese Wiki on some basic points, then after 6 months i just stopped. now its been what 1.5 years and - reading is so easy, listening is so easy, grammar wise. none of the grammar confuses me. but i no longer ‘explicitly’ have any idea what the fuck the grammar is. i used to. i studied it explicitly before trying to read/listen. and yet now that i can read/listen, i have no idea how to explain the grammar. i can listen to a podcast and i don’t think about what the grammar is i just get it. i read and just know what i’m looking at. its like english - i cannot fucking explain it. Which makes speaking/writing a bit hard. Because when i try to check if i’m right i have no fucking clue HOW anymore - i just say/write what comes to mind and HOPE it makes sense. i have no way to conciously check for errors except ‘does this feel right’? And that’s not good enough for me lol. So I definitely do need to eventually read a grammar guide for explicit explanations again.

Technically I think “English and Chinese Grammar Side By Side” grammar book would be an excellent one to use. Because i read the first 50 pages of it and it compared it to english (so it explained english too), and it was very easy to understand and started basic then got more involved. 

I’m probably gonna use my very old Chinese Grammar Self Taught by Thimm book instead. Just because I really like that book. Then I guess use another after (probably Basic Chinese Sentence Patterns since its modern and perfect for ‘catch your own mistakes’ study and much shorter than Eng+Chinese Grammar side by side). 

Anyway I’m in a very weird place right now lol. I know i’m understanding grammar that is stuff I never even studied initially in the grammar guide, but unable to explain what it is, and a lot of stuff i did explicitly study in a grammar guide i completely forgot the explanation for. My reading and listening is GREAT, because all my effort only has to go into learning new words lately! its relaxing! Its the only part i need to do! But my writing/speaking i am very concerned about because being able to check myself for mistakes is something i’d like the ability to do.

how grammar is presented really makes a difference in how well i get it. there is some serious benefit to ‘show simple first then build up what you know’ that text books tend to prefer. versus like grammar reference books that may start with some in depth stuff.

i tried to read a japanese grammar guide the other day and 1 it was great but 2 it covered some ADVANCED stuff i never learned in genki 1+2, and so it was Explicit grammar description of stuff i had literally years ago been immersing in japanese and Still not conciously known about. So i felt. Overwhelmed lol. I felt so confused. I feel like I might switch to Tae Kim’s grammar guide primarily just because its structured with basics covered first. and i feel like until the basics are again glued into my brain, seeing even more advanced stuff just confused me so much i had no idea how to remember it. which is funny because? my usual strategy with grammar guides is to just read it and let what sticks stick and what is confusing be moved on from, in the hope i will later see it again and understand it better. so like based on what i usually do i should’ve just been able to read through it (and i’m gonna try anyway lol). but truly japanese grammar just... my mind does not like wrapping around it and remembering it. (chinese grammar is so much easier for me... so much easier....;-; )

i have been tempted to just Restart Nukemarine’s LLJ (Lets Learn Japanese) memrise decks, because I KNOW they worked for me last time really really well. And they include Tae Kim grammar lessons. And I know if i did it then maybe i’d get back to where i was years ago pretty fast.

I tried Earthlingo app. Its a cool idea, I don’t think its worth it though unless you planned to get Rosetta Stone (since Earthlingo is FREE). Earthlingo features 1000 words per language, taught to you by exploring video game worlds as an alien. Its a cool concept, but since all words seem to be nouns then you aren’t even learning the most common verbs/adjectives. And 1000 words is not a lot. And you could learn 1000 quite fast if using srs flashcards like Memrise or Anki (think weeks if you push yourself, and a month or two months if going at a regular pace). Earthlingo you have to slowly explore the worlds so that eats time, you have to choose to test yourself (so you don’t review nearly as often as flashcard apps), and one test includes walking around the world clicking the object which you’re given the word for (takes time to find the right object). All this means a word that might take maybe 15 minutes to study over a few weeks, might instead take much longer to study and learn. I don’t use duolingo because it generally covers so few words (usually 2000-4000 i think which is good for a beginner resource but you have to do the WHOLE course to get to all those words and i take so long on duolingo that could take YEARS for me versus a month on a flashcard app or clozemaster). Duolingo I also don’t use because it very slowly paces learning material (it takes me months/years to get through 1000 words on duolingo - just personally i go so slow on it, i think faster people would find a use for it). Likewise Lingodeer takes me AGES to get through (and i think covers 2000 words nowadays? I’m shocked Duolingo has more words for the japanese course tbh). However, Lingodeer is by far the best ‘app’ for Japanese grammar lessons in app practice form. Even if basically all the apps feel pretty slow to me in how fast they give you new info. Earthlingo is cool that its free, and for learners 12 and under i think it would be super useful as a way to engage them and keep them studying (since what child likes flashcards? whereas as a child i would’ve loved this). But as an adult Earthlingo is sooooo slow on how fast you can learn words, and it does not even offer very many words (1000 is a nice bare minimum but without verbs/adjectives it can only be a supplementary learning tool for beginners at best).

Link about Lingodeer having 2000 words in a course. (Since its SO hard to lookup how much vocabulary lingodeer includes :c )

Nukemarine’s LLJ memrise decks (which I’m considering going through again but ToT agh flashcardssssss.... they sure do work though agh)

http://www.chinese-grammar.com/beginner/ - this is the site I read a chinese grammar guide on at like Month 3. I am rereading it now maybe it will help me remember wtf grammar explicitly is. ToT (A tip, read Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced sections). Last time I visited the site you just clicked a section, then saw each fully explained grammar point and clicked ‘next’ it was nice. Now its laid out a little less ideal for me, but its still got all the same nice info! (Also honestly if you are a beginner I really DO like this grammar guide... it introduces basic info first, gradually gets more complex, and i could follow its logic knowing like 200 hanzi and 100 words ToT. its very easy to understand even if it takes a while to apply that info).

im probably gonna read hanshe more today. i’m at the point where either i know enough vocab, or the writers style has just ‘clicked’ idk. but now i just am not getting bogged down by unknown words and am just. speeding through enjoying the plot. Also rip me this novel has 155 chapters and im only on chapter 30.

watching japanese lets plays is really fun! i feel like im 3 years old cause i just see nouns i can learn pretty easy in context cause i know the game well, and hear some vaguely familiar verbs, but its fun! also it helps i know kingdom hearts 2 like by heart so. a lot of it makes me instantly cheerful and nostalgic. roxas’s voice is so cute in the japanese version.

oh i almost forgot: I found a book recently for chinese that for it’s like 10 page grammar guide summary at the beginning ALONE i think is more than worth the 4 dollars it costs to get. It has a ton of compound words and its a reference book in mandarin and cantonese (it has pronunciation for both, all characters are in traditional). I got it initally because it as a bunch of compound words and I’d like to get better at knowing a lot of common ones. But the intro to the book has a page explaining sentence structures in chinese, then examples. Its so straightforward and to the point. I love it. The book is “Understanding Chinese: A Guide to the Usage of Chinese Characters” by Rita Mei-Wah Choy. (There is also a companion book for individual hanzi, which is nice but this book specifically I’m finding more useful).

what i really like about Listening-Reading method, and reading, as study activities: no matter how I do them it is only improvement. I have a tendency to ‘redo’ material i don’t feel i fully mastered, or refuse to move on. So when i have duolingo, flashcards (sometimes i can move on if i ignore reviews/make myself do new stuff), books, grammar guides, self guided classes - i have a tendency to redo the material. over and over. and not progress and challenge myself. whereas with reading - every time i look up a word its useful because its new or something i clearly Need to review (not something i’ve actually learned and can move past reviewing). so whether i reread material or read new stuff, as long as i run into things i find somewhat challenging (feel the desire to word look up), i know i am running into new material i can learn. Same with listening-reading method: whether i finish a book or just skip to random books, any new chapter i do will give me new words to learn/remember (until i’ve reached a point of perfect listening comprehension which is a WAYS away). There’s no way for me to mess it up. I can give up a book im bored with, i don’t have to stick to one resource to the end. 

someone tell me why professionally made chinese audio books almost NEVER line up to the chapters???? whyyyyy ;-;

Even More Notes lol:

So I read so much in Pleco, which auto pronounces, I have COMPLETELY forgot. 得 地 - for these two, when they’re attached after a description like 淡淡 慢慢 高兴 etc, when are they pronounced di versus de???? i’m pretty sure  得 is pronounced de when its an adjective like ‘-ly’. but for  地, i don’t remember if when part of a describer if its pronounced di or de????

[spnfanficpond]

November 2018 Pond LiveChat Recap

We had a great time chatting with Rhi, @kittenofdoomage!!! Thank you so much for joining us!

We talked about getting readers, interacting with readers, and how Tumblr has made it more and more difficult with their changes for new writers to get noticed. Details from our discussion with Rhi under the cut, as well as notes on what we’re working on in the Pond!

Q: Do you wait until you are done writing a series before you begin posting, or do you post as you write?

I wait until I'm done writing a series. At some point, the idea will catch me and I have to write the entire thing, which will take about three days. Editing for another 1-2 depending on my betas and then it gets released in its entirety on Patreon (my patrons like reading the entire fic in one go, they're paying for it so I'm not gonna make 'em wait) and comes out in chapters on Tumblr about three-four weeks later. I hate feeling like I'm making people wait too long and then shit happens like it did with three of my permanently hiatused fics.

Q: Well, as for why we're here, Rhi, you get so many asks every day. How do you have such involved readers?

A lot of my readers who respond are regulars. I have those who pop up with the odd "this is awesome" and those who will write long involved reviews which I love!

Q: Do you think there's anything in particular that you do that encourages people to interact with you?

Yeah, I'm open with people and pretty approachable. I like discussing things, plot points, characters, anything really. There are very few things that trigger me, too. I have only three specific things that will turn me away from a fic. I think my lack of triggers helps with people who need someone like that to talk to.

Q: Do you ever ask around and try to figure out what people are looking to read to try and help boost your reader count or do you just draw inspiration from your own ideas?

At the moment, I'm mostly working on commissions, so it's other people's ideas. I'm lucky that most of my Patrons and commissioners are very patient with me and know up front that I have no specific time limits. I will write it but I can't force it. And I won't force it because that leaves everyone with a shit story.I never put an idea away forever though. I write them all down. If inspiration hits for something, I write it there and then because I never know if I'll get that mojo back.

Q: Has there ever been an Idea that has caught you by surprise when you start it as one thing but it ends up as something else?

Only about six thousand times.

Over The Hills And Far Away that I'm writing now, was supposed to only be a Dean x reader but my reader decided to go and have chemistry with Sam too.

Q: Have you noticed a bump in followers after you do anything specific?

I always have a bump in followers after Sinful Sunday. Unfortunately, I always end up with a bump in unsolicited dick pics and porn bots, too, so a purge usually follows. When I post new characters or fandoms, too. I've recently picked up a bunch of Marvel followers.

Q: As a big blog, you must also get some hate. How do you deal with that?

They don't like me because I play with them and their insults are like water off a duck's back with me. Unless they bring my kid into it. I shut an entire set of blogs down when that happened. That's also why I no longer post anything to do with my daughter. I will avoid using her name wherever possible. If I'm in a bad mood, I ignore it. If I'm feeling like an utter bitch, I'll tear them a new asshole.

Q: Rhi, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate with family, work, and writing.  Is there anything in particular that keeps your creativity flowing so you don't burn out?

I try and do something different every day. Painting, gaming, going for a walk - it's important for me not to spend all my time on one thing. Even if it's just cleaning. I also listen to a lot of music - Classic Rock on Absolute Radio is my fav. Actually, my favorite time to think about fics is when I'm about to go to sleep.

Q: I'm not sure how to even ask this, but I came into the spn fic fandom a little late and so I'm finding it difficult to gather new followers. Do you have any advice? I have a master post with the few pieces I've written but I've gotten a lot of flack for writing OCs...

Tumblr is not helping with regards to gaining new followers lately. Tags aren't working if you're an NSFW blog, no one can search anything. The only thing I can suggest is reblogging, asking other authors if they'll read your work.

[Other suggestions from the chat included submitting fics to @dirtysupernaturalimagines and the Pond, joining other people’s writing challenges (The Pond’s S14 Challenge is here, @thing-you-do-with-that-thing is always running challenges, and @mrswhozeewhatsis has a tag #writing challenge on her blog). Also, “Tumblr loves porn” and the fandom loves Dean, in particular, so writing more Dean smut will get you more readers. Just adding “Dean x Reader” to the tags, even if the relationship is barely mentioned, will get you more readers. Sam will get you the same result, but to a lesser extent. Rhi got bigger writing ABO fics, and carved out a niche for herself with them to the point she’s considered the ABO expert in reader insert fics. Another tip was to strip OC’s of names and defining physical features, since OC’s don’t get a lot of love. Many “Y/N”’s are actually just OC’s without a name. Also, if you’re writing a story that will eventually have smut, list “eventual smut” in the tags.]

Q: Random question:  a bunch of us smaller blogs have noticed a drop in reblogs over the last year or so, and I'd be curious to know if, as a bigger blog, you've seen anything like this as well?

Absolutely. A year ago I was getting about 10-20k notes a day. Now, if I hit a thousand, it's a good day and I'm expecting to take a massive hit because of Sinful Sunday, if they don't entirely delete my blog.

Q: Does anyone have any idea why the notes have all dropped so much?  Is it a glitch in notes?  People being more apprehensive to reblog nsfw things because of all the nsfw fear going on?

Community responses: The posts with outside links not showing up in searches is related to bots and porn blogs that only reblog posts to add a link to a sketchy outside web page. Several months ago, though, Tumblr started the “best stuff first” algorithm (which can be turned off in your dashboard settings, but not everyone knows this), and that pushed posts with few notes to the bottom of the dashboard feed. Since you never really get to the bottom, those posts never get seen. Tags and reblogs to build up note counts are the only way to combat this. Now, messing with the search functions means that there will be no new readers without blogs that just reblog fics, like the Pond and @dirtysupernaturalimagines and such.

[Editor’s Note: Rhi told us she’s working on a UPS Driver!Sam fic!! I’m excited. “What can Brown do for me?” YES, PLEASE!]

What’s coming up in the Pond:

Angel Fish Award nominations are due by the end of the month, so you have less than a week to submit yours and gain an entry for every nomination into the raffle! Win fabulous prizes just for spreading love! HOW COOL IS THAT? (Also, don’t forget to submit your own fics to the Pond so that other Pond members can easily find them and nominate them!)

Note: Please use the submission form to submit nominations. Asks do not allow you to include a link to the fic, and sometimes we can’t find what you’re nominating, especially now that Tumblr searches don’t work.

Design contest to find a Pond graphic! Entries are due by the end of the month, so less than a week away! So far, we have ONE (1) entry! (I mean, it’s a pretty fabulous entry, but still!) Winner gets their choice of swag with their design on it!!

SPNFanFicPond Season 14 Weekly Episode Writing Challenge - Since we didn’t have a new episode this past Thursday, the previous week’s challenge is still collecting submissions. (Honestly, there’s no deadline on any of them. Post a fic using a prompt from any week, and you’ll still be added to the masterpost and reblogged on the Pond blog.)

New Member Spotlight Post coming soon! Check out last month’s post here!

Still accepting additions and discussion about the Warning Tag List (tags to be used to assist folks in avoiding triggers and protect their mental health, not be confused with tags to help people find or avoid preferences). Reply or reblog the post itself, or send an ask to the Pond with suggestions!

Plans are in the works to try and make the blog more app-friendly. Please be patient with us in the meantime!

Plans to expand the beta program to make it easier to find the type of beta you need are also on the to-do list.

Housekeeping Note: If you send an ask to the Pond and do not get a response in a couple of days, please notify one of the admins (Michelle - @mrswhozeewhatsis, Mana - @manawhaat, or Kale - @aprofoundbondwithdean) via IM and let us know!

Thanks to everyone who joined us this month and made it an awesome conversation!! Can’t wait for next month!

Next month’s discussion: Giving feedback to other writers and how a beta reader can help your writing! Joining us will be @littlegreenplasticsoldier!

Be there Dec. 15th at the usual time!  (Los Angeles - 2PM, New York - 5PM, London - 10PM, Melbourne - Sunday 9AM)

[staycalmandlovekpop]

Who You Are Pt.2

Scenario: Im Jaebum has a dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder and he meets this girl that he didn’t know was his private therapist.

A/N: It’s been quite a long time since I posted! I’ve never done a series before and it’s not easy to update/write often cause of life and responsibilities (Kudos to all the writers out there that update frequently!) I won’t make any more promises on how fast I can release these chapters, but if you’ll be patient with me I will continue this series over a period of time~. 

Read Pt.1 Here

JB’s eyes widened in shock. You were the only woman that rejected and was repulsed by his flirting. He couldn’t believe that you actually believed him (ish) and is willingly kissing him now. Although JB wanted to enjoy this moment of victory longer, he knew that he would have to go back into Jaebum’s consciousness if was gonna score another kiss from you in the future.

As you pulled back from the kiss, you watched as Jaebum’s body went limp and caught him before he fell over.

“I’m not getting paid enough for this...” You murmured to yourself as you managed to prop him against the wall.

You were about to call GOT7’s manager when you suddenly heard footsteps coming towards your direction. You began to panic. What would other K-pop idols think if they saw you with Jaebum passed out like this? Without thinking straight, you quickly wrapped your arms around Jaebum's waist tightly. "Hey, I heard some commotion back here so I was going to check it out and see if-WHOA" The owner of the shop stopped talking when he saw you and Jaebum "cuddling" by the corner. "Oops haha nevermind. Sorry~. Get back to what you guys were doing~."

You pulled back once the owner and left and sighed. Is it possible for you to get Jaebum out of here without looking suspicious? You dialed GOT7's manager when Jaebum suddenly started to stir awake. 

"Hello?" 

"Hi, um...So he kind of dissociated into JB and then he passed out again. Is there any way you can come and help me bring him back to the dorm?"

"Okay. I'll be there in 15 minutes." GOT7's manager answered.

"Thanks. I think he's waking up right now, so I'll try to keep him calm for now." As you hung up, Jaebum's eyes fluttered open and his gaze landed on you. 

"Um excuse me, but what are you looking at?" He asked in a sassy tone.

"Uhh...Jaebum...?" You said with uncertainty. 

"Pfft no. I'm Nora."

Your eyes widened. NORA??!! 

"Nora...Nora as in Jaebum's cat??"

Nora brushed her hair behind her ear. "I'll take that as a compliment that you think I'm cute and pretty like a cat."

DID A NEW PERSONALITY JUST FORM? OH BOY. You weren't too excited to get to know more about this one.

As Nora busied herself by taking selcas next to the ice cream shop's decorated walls, you texted the manager.

"Um nevermind...She-” You caught yourself and deleted “she” and replaced it back with “he” to not worry their manager. “He just woke up...We’ll meet you back at the dorms soon."

You turned your attention back to Nora who was busy scrolling through Instagram. “Hey Nora? How old are you?” You asked. Might as well get as much information on the new personality as possible.

“I’m 12...and a half.” She replied, not looking up from her phone.

“Okay...Do you know why Jaebum created you?”

Nora scoffed. “You think that I would tell you our secrets? Think again, old hag.”

Old hag? Technically, she’s physically “older” than you because she’s in the body of an 25-year-old man…

“You know, I’m only-”

“22? Yeah, I know.”

“Yeah! So don’t go calling me a-. Wait...how did you already know? I’ve only told JB my age because he wanted to see if he could make me call him ‘Oppa’ (which failed cause there was no freakin’ way you were going to call him that).”

“Cause we all share Jaebum’s general knowledge, duh~.” Nora said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You figured that you weren’t going to get the answers you wanted if you got up all in her case, so you decided to take advantage of her pride by playing dumb.

“Uh general knowledge...?”

Nora crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “Uh yeah, it’s exactly how it sounds. It’s the common knowledge that we all have access to.”

“What? I don’t get it... Then why didn’t Jaebum know who I was when all the other personalities did?”

“O H  M Y  G O O D N E S S. Aren’t you a nurse? Shouldn’t you know about this?”

“Actually, I’m a first-year psychiatry resident.”

Nora rolled her eyes again. Wow, what a sassy pre-teen…

“Jaebum didn’t know about it because we’ve all been blocking that knowledge from him. We knew he would freak out like this, but we also knew that if he doesn’t get help now it might be too late to work on integrating.”

Integrating, the process of all the personalities combining back into one main personality. You wondered if Jaebum tried or even wanted to try integrating. Though you suppose he should be a part of this process too since it’s a team effort. Was he trying to do it by himself without any psychiatric help? Did he give up? You had so many questions for him, but you were stuck with bratty Nora for the time being. Maybe you guys should just get back to the dorm first and get Jaebum his meds.

You linked your arm around Nora’s and gave it a small pull. “Alright, cmon Nora. Let’s go back home.”

Nora made a face and shook her head. “I don’t want to leave just yet! Just look at all the cute boys here~.”

Your eyes widened at her comment as you looked all around to make sure it wasn’t loud enough for anyone else to hear. “Shhh!! Keep it down! You don’t want to start any rumors.”

“Oooh rumors~? Can you help me start one of me and G-Dragon dating?” Nora said with lit up eyes.

“No! Just come with me!” You whispered loudly, tugging her arm harder.

“I don’t want to!”

The both of you were starting to get some weird looks from the other customers. You had to get Nora out of there FAST.

“Tell you what, I’ll buy you another ice cream if you come with me.”

“How old do you think I am? 5?” Nora scoffed.

“You can get three scoops with unlimited toppings.”

Nora thought for a moment with pursed lips before giving in. “Call~ (Deal).”

After getting Nora her ice cream, you called a cab to take you guys back to GOT7’s dorm. Even though their dorm wasn’t that far away, it was safer than walking on the streets and being caught by the paparazzi. You don’t know Nora too well yet, so you can’t really trust that she would act normally in public. The cab then pulled up a few steps ahead and you guys scurried in. As the cab driver began driving, you noticed that Nora was surprisingly silent. You looked over at her and saw her eating her ice cream while looking outside the window. Man was it a good idea to give her ice cream, keeping her preoccupied and not making the cab driver suspicious by being her sassy self. You noticed that she could pass for Jaebum himself when she's not talking. What kind of person is he? What's going to happen when he comes back?

In no time, you both arrived at the dorm and Nora finished her ice cream. Once you guys were at the front door, you did the secret knock. * knock. knock knock knock. knock. knock knock *

"Hey..." You said awkwardly as GOT7's manager opened the door.

"What happened...?" He asked nervously, letting you two in.

"Uhh soo..."

"Oooh there's a cute little butterfly clip on the floor!" Nora shouted as she ran passed and picked up something from the floor.

You looked down at your feet as you felt something nudge your leg. "Oh Coco~, you're here!!" You picked her up and held her in your arms. The clip must've belonged to her.

"Oh yeah, Youngjae is staying here for the weekend because his brother went out of town."  Their manager explained. "Umm...did something actually happen?"  

You both turned and watched as Jaebum/Nora clipped the clip onto her hair. You sighed. "It's a long story....You might wanna gather everyone and sit down for this."

"Oh Y/N? Is that you?" Jinyoung asked as he popped his head out from his room.

"Oh hey Jinyoung." You said with a wave.

"Hey! So uhh do you happen to know where my movie script went?"

You facepalmed yourself. Must've been freakin Seo Mijoon again. "Try checking Jaebum's room under the bed."

Jinyoung snapped his fingers and smiled before walking towards Jaebum's room. "Thanks!"

You and the manager sat on the couch as Nora examined herself in the mirror hanging near the T.V. 

"So, as I was saying...."

Mark suddenly comes out into the living room, drying his wet hair with a towel. "Hey manager hyung, is Jaebum home?"

Nora turned in the direction of the sound of his voice and literally froze in place once she laid her eyes on him. She watched as Mark shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair in slow motion in her head. When Mark glanced at her, she heard a choir of angels as a nonexistent light shone on him.

" O M G." Was all she was able to say as she stared at him with sparkling eyes.

"Is he okay?" Mark asked, noticing the weird look Nora was giving him.

"Maybe you should go back to your room for now..." You said, getting up to block Nora's path from Mark just in case she was going to jump him.

"Okay..." Mark said as he picked up Coco and went into his room.

"Bye Oppa~!!" Nora shouted after him.

The manager stood up with his hands on his hips. "Okay, now you really have to tell me wtf is going on. Why is Jaebum putting on hair clips and calling people 'oppa'?"

"I've got his medicine!!" Youngjae shouted as he walked out from his room. "Oh hey Y/N!"

"Hey Youngjae~." You walked over to him and took the pill bottle from his hand. 

"Thanks~." You said with a smile.

"Alright Nora, time to take your medicine." You said, walking towards her.

"No, I don't want to!!" Nora shouted, backing away from you.

"I got the water!!" Jackson exclaimed as he came running from the kitchen with a water bottle.

You poured out a pill and shoved it toward Nora's face. "Just swallow it!"

Nora shook her head frantically, dodging your attempts to put it in her mouth. "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"

While struggling with Nora, you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned around and see Jackson standing there with a serious look on his face. "Let me handle it."

You slowly handed him the pill and stepped aside.

"I'm sorry Hyung, but this is for your own good."  Jackson then took a deep breath before stomping on Nora's foot. As she yelped in pain, he quickly shoved the pill into her mouth. "Quick! Help me get this bottle opened!" 

You reached over to the water bottle Jackson was holding and twisted off the cap as fast as you could. Both you and the manager watched in amusement as Jackson proceeded to pour water over her mouth. Nora swallowed the pill along with some of the water, letting out a cough when the bottle was empty.

"3, 2, 1." Jackson counted before Jaebum passed out and fell into Jackson's arms. "We're in the clear now."

As Jackson set Jaebum down on the couch, the manager gathered the rest of the members into the living room. "Well now that there are no more distractions...Y/N, why don't you tell us what happened."

And so you told them about Jaebum hit his back, how you thought JYP came out, how Jaebum got so furious after finding out that JB came out, and how this new personality suddenly appeared.

The manager was distraught and confused. "What?! A new personality? How is that even possible? He's 25-years-old."

"Maybe being halfway to 50 is a big milestone of his life." Yugyeom joked, bursting into laughter along with Bambam.

"In the past, a personality would only form after a traumatizing event. Are you sure that nothing like that happened?" Jinyoung asked.

Traumatizing? Your thoughts go back to the kiss that you gave JB. Seriously?? Was that really THAT traumatizing for him to experience?? 

"Uhhh not that I can I think of..." You lied, protecting your pride and erasing that horrifying image from your mind.

As you told them more information on Nora's personality, Jaebum began to stir. "Look, he's waking up." Bambam pointed out. 

Jaebum rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up. "What happened?" He asked with a groggy voice.

He immediately froze in place when he laid his eyes on you. "Um, guys...Why is there a sasaeng in our house?"

"She's not a sasaeng…” Mark began. “She’s a-”

"She's your private nurse." Their manager flat out said. "Or more like private psychiatrist to be exact."

Jaebum furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "What...? Wait wait wait...You hired a private nurse without my consent? How long has she been monitoring me?"

"It's been 2 weeks. And yes, you need the help." The manager said sternly. 

Jaebum’s scoffed, with his mouth agape. "I told you already that I don't need it. I don't need anyone to help me!! I can do this on my own! Did you guys know about this too?" He turned to look at his fellow members who all just awkwardly avoided eye contact. "Wow. Just wow."

You could tell by the sound of Jaebum's voice that he felt betrayed and frustrated.

"Hey, don't blame them...They're just trying to help." You said softly. 

"Well, it's unwanted. Also, I don't mean to be rude but...you can leave now. You're no longer needed here." Jaebum said, gesturing you towards the door.

"Hyung...it's way past midnight. Are you really going to send her out alone during this time of day?" Jackson asked.

You sat there staring at Jaebum with hurt eyes in silence. Is this really what the real Jaebum is like?

Jaebum looked over at you and clenched his fist. "Fine. I'll leave instead." He said through gritted teeth. Turning around, Jaebum went out the front door and slammed it behind him.

Jinyoung sighed. "Don't take it personally Y/N. He just needs to cool down. I'll talk to him." 

As he got up and followed after Jaebum, Youngjae scooted over to you. "Hey, you okay?"

You let out a sigh. "Maybe I should leave...The contract has already been broken anyway since he found out."

"What? You're just going to give up like that?" Youngjae said with a tad bit of disappointment in his voice.

"Well, you heard him. He doesn't need me. So what's the point of even trying?"

"He DOES need you. He's just too stubborn to see it."

You stood up and threw your hands up in the air. "Why bother to help someone that doesn't want to be helped?"

Youngjae gave you a long and serious look. "But then who will help them? If we choose to ignore people who claim that they don't need help, they who will be there for them? Nobody else is going to ever know how they truly feel and they will end up facing their sufferings alone."

You sat back down and lowered your head. Youngjae was right. You felt guilty for even just thinking those kinds of thoughts. 

"I do...I really do want to help him. I just don't know how or if I even can do anything to help. I'm just a first-year psychiatry resident with no real experience...For undergrad, I just managed to pass my classes. I may have the knowledge, but I don't know how to utilize it... "

"Hey now~." Youngjae patted your back. "You're doing the best you can. You're doing a great job. You being here right now and trying to help is already more than enough."

You looked over at Youngjae and smiled. "Thanks."

A few moments later, you heard the front door clicked and Jinyoung came in. You and Youngjae stood up simultaneously. 

"Where's Jaebum?" Youngjae asked. 

Jinyoung sighed as he thought about the heated conversation he just had with him.

"Hyung, get back here." Jinyoung had called out after him, as he ran to catch up with Jaebum who was walking towards the subway station.

Jaebum just kept on walking without looking back. "Just go back home Jinyoung. I've already made my point. You can't change my mind."

"Why can't we just sit down and talk about this? Hm?" Jinyoung finally caught up and went in front of him to block his path.

"There's nothing to talk about. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need her or anyone's help! I can and will overcome this on my own."

"It doesn't hurt to try!! Maybe she's different than the past therapists you've seen?"

Jaebum put his hands on his hips and shook his head, chuckling to himself without any humor in it. "Different? Haha. You make me laugh. She's the cause of why this new personality formed isn't she?"

Jinyoung stared at him in shock. They haven't told Jaebum about Nora yet or about what happened.

"Yeah, that's right. I can feel it. I can hear and feel that there's another personality that has taken a vacancy inside my mind. And all this happened right after this girl showed up. Coincidence? I don't think so."

As Jaebum walked passed Jinyoung, Jinyoung clenched his fist in anger. How could Jaebum say such things about someone who was just trying to help him? 

"Quit being so temperamental and stubborn!!" He shouted, making Jaebum freeze in his tracks and turn around.

Having Jaebum's full attention, Jinyoung continued. "H-how about us?! We're sick and tired okay?!?!" Jinyoung took a breath as he started to choke up. "We're sick and tired....of watching you suffer and not knowing how to help you...But she knows how."

Jaebum just stood there in silence, astonished at Jinyoung's outburst and seeing tears welling up in his eyes.

"Please, Hyung...The six of us really care about you and want the best for you..."

Jaebum let out a deep breath and turned away. "I'm...I'm just going to spend the night in my studio." He then walked away towards the subway station, leaving Jinyoung standing there in defeat.

And that was how Jinyoung ended up returning to the dorm alone. Maybe one night outside will give Jaebum some time to clear his mind and think about it.

"Where did he go?" You asked.

Jinyoung looked over at you. You looked worried. Worried that Jaebum went and did something stupid and that everything was all your fault. He gave a little small reassuring smile before saying, "It's okay. He's just going to spend the night in his music studio."

You and Youngjae looked at each other and smiled in relief. 

Jackson then popped his head out from one of the rooms. "Hey Y/N, you can sleep in my old bedroom. I can sleep on the couch tonight."

Your eyes widened and you shook your head. "Oh no, no. It's okay, I don't mind sleeping on the couch. You guys are the ones that need a good night's rest. You guys are K-pop idols with packed schedules every day!"

Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" 

You smiled."Yes. It's totally fine~. Thank you guys for letting me stay."

Mark then came out with a pillow and a few blankets, followed by their manager. "It's no problem. We'll discuss more about what we're going to do with Jaebum tomorrow."  The manager said as he helped Mark set up your "bed" on the couch.

You thanked them once again and said your goodnight's to each member before laying on the couch. You would wash up, but you just felt so drained after all the craziness that happened today. What an emotional roller-coaster. You tossed and turned to the other side and sighed. Will you be able to say the right words to Jaebum to convince him to let you continue being his therapist? You got up, took out your laptop from your bag, placed it on the coffee table next to you, and started looking through all the notes you took on each personality. Will you ever get the chance to meet each one of them again? While scrolling, you stopped at Jaebum’s name and stared at the little information you had on who he (the main personality) was. You knew that there had to be more to him than what you saw tonight.  Although you thought you would stay up all night thinking about it, you eventually drifted to sleep after staring at your screen blankly.

Meanwhile, Jaebum was trying to get some sleep himself on the couch inside his music studio. But he couldn't help but think about what Jinyoung said to him. "We're sick and tired of watching you suffer and not knowing how to help you....but she knows how." 

Honestly, Jaebum had his own reasons of why he has been so stubborn like this. But maybe it was time for him to consider other people's feelings too. The next morning, Jaebum carefully entered the dorm quietly to not wake anyone up. After closing the door ever so gently, he began tiptoeing around until he spotted you sleeping on the couch. The hurt expression you gave him last night when he told you to leave flashed through his mind, making him feel guilty for his immature actions. Jaebum then noticed your opened laptop on the coffee table. He turned the laptop towards him and began to read through all your notes. He was shocked and amazed at how much information you were able to gather on each personality in the span of two weeks. Based on the descriptions you wrote, it seemed like you were able to read each of them well. Jaebum looked over at you and sighed. He could really see how much effort you put into this. Pushing the laptop back towards your direction, he softly knocks on the manager's bedroom door.

The door swung opened and there stood a sleepy manager. "Yes?" He answered groggily, with his eyes slowly widening at the realization that Jaebum has come home. "J-Jaebum you're back."

Jaebum nodded before saying, "I'll do it. Let's keep Y/N as my private nurse."

Part 2 END  (A/N: Five stars for you if you caught on to a GOT7 reference ;) )

[actually-impostor]

Heroes and Anti-Heroes (3)

Saturday update, and I’m also here to tell that I’m posting this one in AO3 too

people tagged: @deafinatelyfangirling, @mira-jadeamethyst, @fearinghope  (Im not sure they wish to be tagged again, but let me know if you want to get out of the tag list)

Warnings for this chapter: None really, some cursing

Previous Chapter, AO3 Link

-0-0-0- Chapter 2: Control -0-0-0-

The years went by fast, faster than any of them could have predict they would, and when both friends last expected it, it was already time to apply for high school.

Both had their eyes set on Atlas, one of the best superhero academies in the USA. It was said that to apply there you had to be the best in not only your classes but also in your whole school, even knowing that fact, Enhos and Roman didn’t let it discourage them. They had faith in their abilities and in the other.

“Come on Roman, is just history!”

“Why would I even need history? I’m going to be a super hero after all”

“Those who don’t know the past are bound to repeat it”

Roman looked at his friend confused and Enhos shrugged embarrassedly, trying to hide his face with the hood of Shadow

“I-It’s what Papa always says!”

“Eh, I guess he’s right” Roman waved his hand around and turned to his friend, smirking “Anyway, any idea what your hero name is going to be?”

“Isn’t it a little too soon to be thinking of it?”

“No!” Roman eyes where shinning, and Enhos could swear there was fire surrounding his friend “I’ve had my hero name since I was ten! I’ll be known as Regal, the most amazing knight in the history of heroes”

“And then there’s going to be an egocentric kid complaining that they don’t need to know history and you’ll be forgotten”

“Ack, why must you rain on my parade?”

“It’s my job as your friend” Roman groaned and Enhos smiled “But anyway, I think it fits you Young Boss”

“Ugh don’t call me that, that’s how my mom’s security call me”

“I know” Enhos smirked “And it’s hilarious”

“Why am I your friend again?” With that both boys laughed “But, do you really think the name fits me?”

“Yeah, you give off that…” Enhos paused, making some random hand movements “I don’t know, Prince Charming kind of energy”

Roman laughed and put an arm around Enhos shoulders, pressing his friend to his side and making Enhos chuckle with him

“I’m flattered”

“Yeah, yeah. Now get to work Princey, or I’ll be the only one entering Atlas”

“Oh hush, we both are going in”

Enhos smiled, even if Roman was constantly assuring him that both were going to enter Atlas there was still that silver of doubt. Would they really be able to get in? Roman had a lot of troubles in history and math, and Enhos couldn’t understand a word of Physics. Besides that there was also the fighting part of the exam.

Enhos knew Roman would do well in that part; the boy could materialize weapons for Christ sakes, but what about Enhos himself? Would he get kicked out because his Quirk was too dark? Kicked out because his Quirk was too dangerous?

“Hey, I can hear you thinking over here. What’s up?”

“Nothing, I’m just anxious about the entrance exams”

“You’ll do great! I’ve never meet anyone with suck a great control of their Quirk, and you are like wicked smart”

“Wow, careful there pretty boy, one might think you like me”

“Nah” Roman waved his hand, like dissipating the idea “I only tolerate you because your dad makes the best cookies”

Both boys laughed at that, Enhos anxiety being calmed down for the time being

-0-

“Im going to fail”

“You’ll do fine Enhos”

“No, Dad no, you don’t get it. Im going to fail and I’ll bring dishonor to our whole family, and on me, and our cow!” Jeremiah looked at his son with a small smile

“Is he aware he’s quoting Mulan?”

“I don’t think so” Aaron laughed, shaking his head

“Hey kiddo, breath” He ruffled his son hair, no longer having to kneel in front of him to do so “You’ll do amazing, you are smart and have talent. It’s gonna be great”

Enhos breather deeply and tried to center himself. He looked at his dad and nodded, he was as ready as he could ever be to go to the exam.

The trip there was relaxed, Jeremiah had soft music playing in the background and Enhos was distracting himself with his phone. Apparently Roman wasn’t feeling much better

When his dad stopped the car Enhos opened his eyes wide, he could feel the panic clawing at his throat and in his need to feel calmer he had reached out to hold his dad hand

Jeremiah held strongly and smiled “Enhos, my wonderful son”

“D-dad”

“I’m proud of you, and I’ll be proud of you no matter what”

“E-even if I f-fail?”

“Even if you fail. You have defeated the odds, everyone told you that you could only be a villain but here you are! About to take the entrance exam to the best hero school in the US” he smiled, still holding his son hand “Your Papa and I are so proud of you my son, no matter what. Now go there and show everyone that Enhos Farandole is, and always was, a hero”

With that Enhos took a shuddering breath and nodded, he could do this. He had spent more than a month studying, his grades where one of the best in class (with a constant battle for the number one spot against Roman), he had the drive and motivation. He could do this.

As he sat down to take the test he stared at his credential, the number 2089 glaring back at him. He had to fight against other 2088 humans; probably more than that, considering he wasn’t the last one in the list, but could he really earn a place here?

He was playing with his pencil when someone else sat beside him; Enhos stared at the girl with beautiful brown skin and black hair, she looked slightly scared and stressed. He figured he wasn’t looking much better. At Enhos other side sat a boy that, compared to the others sitting around, looked relaxed and composed with the air of someone that already had been picked to enter the school. Enhos stared at him through his bangs in curiosity, and in that second the boy stared back at him.

“A pleasure, my name is Logan”

“A-ah, the name’s Enhos” He shook the offered hand and Logan smiled

“Good luck today Enhos”

“S-same”

When the examiner entered the auditorium everyone was sitting in, he took out some papers and started reading in a bored voice.

“Okay, let’s cut straight to the important stuff” He murmured “As you all know you have an hour to finish each exam. There are 4 written exams, one for every important thing.”

He took a small remote control and turned on a hologram, there was written everything that could be considered important for the examinees

“As you all can see there’s one for everything language related, one for everything math related, the other for the history of the USA, and a special one for the most popular heroes throughout history”

Here the examiner paused to yawn, making a few of the kids in the front row follow his example

“You are also forbidden from using your powers; we have a few people with cancelling Quirks around the room to prevent that from happening. Well, good luck and try not to die”

With that last statement the teacher made the test appear in front of them and a clock started the countdown. Enhos groaned, they had started with math and he was ready to throw his chair at the examiner.

He could hear the panicked murmurs around the room, whispered “what the fuck” around the room, making him chuckle under his breath because same. He looked at the clock and noticed that there was only 20 minutes left, so he concentrated as much as possible. By the corner of his eye he could see Logan almost done and the girl on his other side messing up her hair, making it stick up all over the place.

By the end of the hour he could hear a few sobs, there was also relief, a few heavy sighs, someone making a half-sigh half-hysterical laugh, a general groan in the room and the defeated air in a lot of others. At least he wasn’t the only one feeling defeated because of the exam.

History wasn’t that different, but there were less sobs and more relieve sighs after that one was over. The language one was the hardest, because what the examiner didn’t explained was that it was an exams on languages. There were different questions in different languages and honestly Enhos felt like his brain was about to collapse.

And then came the only one that Enhos was sure he would ace; the so awaited test about heroes, heroes of every side of the world, heroes with different powers, heroes that were called villains when kids and the ones that were always called heroes. When that one was over the room heaved a collective sigh of relief and the examiner laughed

“Be free tired kids” He dismissed them with a wave of the hand and the possible new students scattered. Logan gave a slight nod to Enhos and he answered back with the same gesture. In the entrance door he reunited with Roman who looked like he went to war and lost

“Though exams?”

“You have no- Wait, yeah you have an idea because you just went through the same”

“Yeah, my brain is not working well either” He shook his phone in front of Roman “Want a ride?”

“In your beat down car?”

“Excuse me your majesty” Enhos rolled his eyes “I’ll make sure my future car is better” with that he dialed his dad “Yo dad, exams are over!”

“I’ll be there in 5”

“We’re driving Roman to his place tho”

“Valerie is at work?”

“Apparently”

“Okay, not a problem. See you in 5” With that Jeremiah hang up

The following morning Enhos entered Atlas again, getting as mentally prepared for the fighting exams as he possibly could. He might have to use Shadow a lot, but hopefully he’ll be able to control it enough to not actually hurt anyone too badly.

He sat side by side with Roman and both were talking when the announcer of the program entered the classroom, their hair was all over the place and they had a shaky smile in their face.

“Hello! Im Talyn and I am a teacher here in Atlas” They fixed their glasses and chuckled “Are you all excited? I mean you probably are. Okay! As you all read in the application requirements, you’ll have mock battles after this”

They took a folder out of their bag and messed around with the papers a bit. Then the giant screen behind them turned on and a hologram showing five different cities appeared

“Now, these cities that you all see behind me are actually owned by Atlas and are in no way real cities so you don’t have to worry about a thing! You can let loose with your Quirks” Relieved sighs could be hear around the place “Your enemies are… this!”

In the hologram the image of a robot appeared

“There are three different types of robots that will act as villains. Your job is to defeat them”

“We are fighting robots?!” It was a general scream. Enhos stared in shock, that was definitely not what he expected

“Roman… Roman, im screwed”

“Can’t really deny that… Sorry”

Enhos groaned, this was not a good thing

“Calm down, calm down kids, let me finish. There are three different types of robots and all of them are worth 1, 2 and 3 points accordingly and you get them by defeating them. There’s one that’s worth zero points. Your job is to avoid him at all cost”

They nodded

“Anyone caught doing un-heroic things is going to be disqualified on the spot! Good luck, you have half an hour to get ready”

Enhos groaned in frustration, he wasn’t even in the same arena as Roman. He knew enough self defense and martial arts to hold his own but the others would be using their Quirks, and he was at a disadvantage.

He shook his head and changed clothes, wearing a black tracksuit pant and a grey sweatshirt, Shadow still wrapped around his shoulders as a cloak. He went out along the others several students and waited for the sign. The teacher, Talyn, started laughing at them.

“What are you all waiting for? It already started. There are no buzzers in real battle you know?”

The class stared at them in shock for a few seconds and then they all screamed, running inside the city to try and defeat as many robots as possible. Enhos racked his brain to try and think on what to do.

He grabbed a robot of 2 points by their leg with Shadows help and threw him at 2 other robots of 1 point. He could do this; he could even immobilize the robots with Shadow and kick them away. That would work, right? He was in the middle of a restless attack when he heard a “Heads up!”

Enhos moved to the side in a hurry when he noticed someone was flying at full speed at him, or more precisely, at the 3 point robot behind him that was going to attack his blind spot.

“Gee, boy! Use your Quirk!”

“It doesn’t work on robots, but thanks for the save” He turned to look at his savior and raised an eyebrow, it was the girl sitting beside him in the written exam

“Pleasure, the name’s Lilly!” She pointed at herself and smirked “What’d you say we work together?”

“How so?”

“We cover each other backs!” She was still smiling, and Enhos gave back a hesitant smile “You make sure nothing kills me and I do the same for you!”

“Sounds fair, I’m Enhos by the way”

“Well Enhos, let’s go!”

With that Enhos and Lilly kept each other as alive and safe as possible. Enhos was still mostly getting by with only his self-defense classes and Lilly was destroying robots with one hit and flying all over the place. Enhos documented that in his brain; apparently her Quirk gave her super-strength and the ability to fly.

“Less than a minute! Deploy Zero!”

Enhos and Lilly stopped when they felt the ground shook. Out in the distance a giant robot stood up, taller than any building around him and big enough to be considered a Mecha from Evangelion. Enhos gulped and Lilly cursed under her breath

“So that’s the Zero Points uh”

“It’s not really a wonder they told us to avoid him” Enhos nodded

“Let’s go Lilly; we are the closest to him. We gotta run”

“Okay!” Lilly got close to Enhos and smiled “Hold on to me, we are flying out of here”

“I don’t like flying…”

“Is that or death, but your choice kid”

“Ah fuck, okay”

He hugged the girl and Lilly flew fast enough to make Enhos lose his breath. When she stopped they were almost out of the gate

“Come on Enhos, run!”

And so he followed her, cursing slightly inside his head. He hadn’t destroyed enough robots to be able to enroll in the school, so now it all depended on the written exams. Once they were out of the city Lilly turned to him and smiled

“Well, that was fun Darky!”

“Why Darky?” He groaned, making Lilly laugh

“Because you are dressed in almost all black!” She passed an arm around his shoulder and smirked “I hope to see you around school, this looks fun!”

“Here’s hoping I make it”

She laughed again, slightly slapping his arm. They shared a few more minutes of conversation while walking to the changing rooms and then said their goodbyes.

Just like the past day he found Roman in the door, his friend looked so tired

“Did you over did it with the swords?”

“There were a lot of talented people there Enhos. One guy was just throwing robots and debris and parts of buildings all over the place with just his mind”

“Telekinesis?”

“Apparently, but he never really threw things bigger than him. There was other that was just teleporting all over the place. One that had heat rays Enhos!”

“Hey, Roman, breathe. I’m sure you did amazing” He smiled, texting his dad “At least between the two of us you have more chances of entering Atlas”

Roman sighed and hugged his friend one-armed “You’ll get in, somehow. I know it”

Enhos smiled, he wasn’t exactly sure of that. But they still had enough days to wait until the letters telling them their destiny appeared in their houses. They still could be kids, they still could relax.

Unknown to both of them a pair of eyes stared at the boys with a grin. This was getting more interesting.

[jilliancares]

A Royal Pain: Chapter 13.5

word count: 2.5k

link to masterlist ; next chapter

ao3 or wattpad!

smut warning!!

this was originially gonna be a part of chapter 14, but then it’d be getting kind of long and disjointed and there’d be TWO smut scenes so here ya go

also i was gonna upload this on wednesday but im bored and it’s spring break so:

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (AND A HALF):

Dan didn’t want to think. He didn’t want to think about that fact that he was supposedly now king (he was suspended in a state of shock, and he hadn’t really dared to believe it yet). He didn’t want to think about how the man he had looked up to, and loved, had been so wicked and cruel at heart for so long. He didn’t want to think about the influx of responsibilities he was suddenly saddled with, dealing with his kingdom, helping his citizens, communicating with his neighboring kingdoms. He didn’t want to think about how, technically, he wasn’t supposed to be in his rooms right now, but in the king’s quarters instead. He didn’t want to think about anything at all.

Thankfully, Phil was prepared to help him with that. He came with Dan to his rooms without Dan even having to ask, the both of them leaving the courtroom with Dan in a state of numb shock. Alfonzo and Bentley didn’t bother to tease him about bringing Phil back to his rooms either, only giving him sympathetic looks. Bentley even reached over and patted Dan on the shoulder, and Dan was surprised to find himself leaning into the touch.

“Are you okay?” Phil asked quietly, as they traipsed further into his rooms.

“I don’t know,”  Dan answered honestly. “I’m—trying not to think about anything, actually.”

Phil stepped forward and pulled Dan into his arms, letting Dan rest his weight against him, letting him breathe in Phil’s familiar and intoxicating scent. Phil pressed a soft kiss against his forehead, and Dan hummed.

“What do you want to do?” Phil whispered. “I could read to you, if you want. Or set up a bath.”

“Let’s have sex,” Dan suggested instead. He felt Phil stiffen slightly in surprise, before he chuckled and ran his hands over Dan’s back.

“I’m not sure if that’s the best idea,” he said slowly, pulling away from Dan slightly to look in his eyes. “So much has happened today, and you’re bound to be feeling the stress…”

“But I don’t want to think about it,” Dan argued. “And I definitely won’t be able to think about anything else when I’m seeing you naked.”

Phil blinked, and his pupils dilated with arousal, before he shook his head fondly. “I can’t believe you’re talking me into this.”

“Stop talking and start touching,” Dan commanded, and Phil pressed a laugh into his hair, before his hands were sliding underneath Dan’s shirt. His fingers were cold against Dan’s warm stomach, and goosebumps rose all along where they touched, though still Dan found himself arching into his touch.

Slowly, Phil mouthed along Dan’s neck, starting at a sensitive spot just behind his ear. His breath was warm against Dan, and it made the rest of his body shiver in comparison, though that might’ve just been because of how good it felt. His tongue darted out and flicked against Dan’s neck, and he found himself gasping, his fingers tightening momentarily on Phil’s arms.

“I love how sensitive your neck is,” Phil murmured into his ear. In response, Dan tilted his head, trying to nonverbally get Phil to return his mouth to Dan’s skin. Phil thankfully did as such, and he sucked on Dan’s skin before lapping over it, his mouth hot but the air of the room cold on the saliva he left behind.

Dan was already hard, which wasn’t much of a surprise. Phil could probably arch his eyebrow in Dan’s direction at the right moment and Dan would be turned on. He pressed himself against Phil, appreciating the hum Phil let out against his neck.

Dan rucked Phil’s shirt up against his chest, delighting in the feel of Phil’s bare skin against his hands. He sacrificed having Phil continue working his magic against his neck in order to tug Phil’s shirt over his head, and Phil took the opportunity to do the same with Dan’s.

“Can I top?” Dan panted, already unbuttoning Phil’s trousers. Once the clasp was undone, he grew impatient and shoved his hand into Phil’s pants entirely, Phil warm and hard to the touch. He dragged his eyes back up to Phil’s, unable to help the smirk that graced his lips as Phil’s eyes fluttered as he moved his hand.

“God, you can do anything as long as you keep doing that,” Phil moaned, and his hand came up to grip the waistband of Dan’s trousers. Not to tug them off or anything, but just for something to hold on to. His eyes had fallen closed while his mouth hung open, and Dan watched his adam’s apple bob as he swallowed thickly, Dan having just run his thumb over his tip.

Phil was completely unguarded in his reactions, which was one thing Dan loved. Usually, Dan couldn’t help feeling self-conscious about what he did while they were having sex, at least for the beginning part—when he’d yet to succumb to pleasure and still had a bit of a hold on his rationality. He would keep his hips pinned to the mattress instead of bucking up into Phil’s touch, and he would bite down on his lip, would swallow his moans instead of letting Phil hear them.

Phil moaned softly as Dan slid his hand further down to massage his balls, his other hand coming up to shove Phil’s trousers out of the way entirely, annoyed with the way they were obstructing Dan’s movements.

You look amazing like this, Dan wanted to say. Phil looked disheveled, and his chest was flushed, his face drawn in an expression of pleasure. Dan didn’t say it though, his cheeks flushing at the thought of uttering it, though he resolved to one day. He was slowly becoming more and more confident with his and Phil’s intimate encounters, and he didn’t doubt that one day he’d be able to lay on his bed, completely naked, without feeling a smidge of embarrassment while Phil’s gaze slowly dragged over him. And maybe by then he’d be able to say something dirty too, something like, when you moan like that it makes me want your hands inside me or I want you to watch me while I touch myself.

Instead, Dan said with his hands what he couldn’t with his mouth, letting them move fleetingly over Phil’s body, over his chest and thighs and his hot, hard arousal.

“Fuck, Dan,” Phil gasped, and he reached down and yanked Dan’s hand away from him. “I won’t last much longer if you keep doing that.”

Dan couldn’t help moaning at the thought of that, and he pressed himself against Phil for a kiss, suddenly desperate all over again. Phil’s hands worked at his belt while they kissed, and Dan gasped loudly into his mouth when Phil’s hand wrapped around him, gracing him with a few strokes that made him feel dizzy before pushing his trousers further down. They both struggled out of their pants, none too gracefully, before climbing onto the bed together.

“Lube?” Dan questioned, looking around desperately. Phil groaned in annoyance, and they both participated in a desperate scramble that resulted in the covers of the bed on the floor, the bedside table thoroughly searched through (the drawer pulled out of the table completely), and the bathroom cabinets destroyed before Dan found it under the bed, the small container having rolled behind one of the legs.

“Found it!” he called, half under the bed with one leg up near his chest—a result of his desperate squirm under the bed when he’d seen what might’ve been the needed lube—and the other protruding out from under it.

Suddenly, hands were pressed against his arse, groping and squeezing, and Dan was making a surprised sounding squeak that he would definitely deny when Phil teased him for it later. One of Phil’s hands squirmed under his body and wrapped around his cock for a few hard pulls, which Dan couldn’t help jerking into, before his voice said gruffly, “Hurry up then!”

“Can’t move—” Dan gasped, “when you touch me like that.” With that, Phil’s hands removed themselves and Dan was shuffling horribly awkwardly out from under the bed, his face red, hair a mess, and cock flushed and pressed against his stomach, a string of precome glinting in the torch light.

“Bed,” Phil managed to get out, before they were both scrambling back onto the mattress, the blankets forgotten on the floor, and the lid of the lube being hastily unscrewed between them. Soon enough, Dan’s fingers were lathered in the smooth substance, and his dry hand was pushing Phil back on the mattress as he scooted closer in between his legs.

For Dan, this was the most embarrassing part about sex. He realized that none of it was even supposed to be embarrassing, the fact that it was an intimate moment between himself and the man he loved, but he couldn’t help the red flush and flustered nature he took on when it was time for one of them to put their fingers inside the other. For some reason it just seemed so personal. It was such an intimate part of themselves, and their hands were something that they used every day for any menial kind of task—and yet they put them /there/.

“Come on, Dan,” Phil panted. “No time for a crisis right now.” Dan flushed, and he tilted his head down, letting his hair hang over his eyes and effectively obstruct his view of Phil, as he slid his fingers over Phil’s puckered skin and carefully pressed one inside. Phil spread his legs out wider for him, and Dan shuffled even closer, working him slowly and carefully.

“Okay?” Dan asked, although at this point he already knew it was. Phil was panting, although it almost looked like he was trying not to, and his chest was rising and falling heavily where he lay on the bed.

“Yeah, definitely,” Phil gasped, and he choked on his breath as Dan pressed against his prostate, before arching into Dan’s hands and trying to get him to do it again. Phil looked amazing like this—he looked amazing all the time, to be honest, but he looked especially good during sex. Usually he was all cocky and controlled and seemed infinitely more stable and prepared than Dan, but during sex he fell apart just as easily.

“‘M ready,” Phil slurred, and he grabbed Dan’s wrist and pulled his fingers out of him. “Want you now.”

“God you’re hot,” Dan couldn’t help saying, going red immediately after, and Phil’s eyes fluttered open to look at him through half-lidded eyes.

“Says you,” Phil rebutted, his eyes eating Dan up, sliding so slowly over his exposed skin that he felt he couldn’t move. Phil’s gaze burned, and when his eyes finally returned to Dan’s, he had to mentally shake himself of its weight.

Trying to ignore the way Phil made him feel, the way his heart tried to squeeze out of his ribs and the way his cock throbbed when Phil so much as looked at him, he slathered the lube over himself.

He went slowly, always a little amazed by the fact that he could even fit in there, and that Phil was willing to let him. He could feel himself shaking at the feeling of Phil around him, the heat and the pressure, tight hot tight.

“Fuck,” Dan gasped out, and Phil smiled blearily up at him, his eyes glazed over in pleasure, his hair sweaty and pushed up out of his face. Dan, almost absent mindedly, reached down to stroke Phil, knowing that this part usually made his erection flag a little, as the pressure and pain overwhelmed the pleasure for a few moments. He was pleased to find Phil still hard, though he stroked him anyway, gasped when Phil bucked into his hand and caused Dan to slide completely into him, all at once.

“I love the way you look when you fuck me,” Phil breathed, and Dan’s eyes snapped open and he hastily shut his mouth, which had been hanging open as he panted in pleasure. Dan groaned and doubled over, hiding his face in Phil’s knee.

“Fuck, Phil,” he whined. “You can’t just say that.”

“I can say whatever I want,” Phil disagreed, before squeezing around him, the sudden influx of pressure making Dan jerk further inside him with a gasp.

“I hate you,” Dan whispered, but he slid out and back in and tried desperately to keep his face from looking like he was going to have a sex-induced aneurysm.

“You love me,” Phil replied easily, and he reached up and ran his finger over Dan’s nipple before tugging on it, and Dan stuttered into Phil.

“I love you,” Dan hastily agreed, and he began fucking Phil in earnest, his fingers gripping tight on Phil’s hips. Dan couldn’t help the low moans that escaped him with every few strokes, and Phil didn’t even bother to try to stop his.

Phil’s head tossed and turned on the pillow behind him, gasping when Dan thrusted into his prostate.

“Getting close, Dan,” Phil conveyed, and Dan nodded heavily, thankful. He was already well on his way to an orgasm, and it was good to know that Phil wasn’t far behind. He reached down and wrapped his hand around Phil again, pumping him quickly as he fucked into him, his strokes hard and even.

Phil came first with a cry, and the feeling of him tightening around Dan as he did sent Dan over the edge as well, had him pounding into Phil a few more times before he came, moaning and gripping Phil as close to him as he could. After, they lay hot and sweaty and panting against each other, before Dan finally felt the strength return to his muscles and he could gather the energy to pull out of Phil and collapse beside him.

Phil immediately turned to face him, and they cuddled into each other, their legs intertwined and their breaths soft and even in the air between them.

“Thanks,” Dan whispered, and Phil hummed.

“For what?”

“For helping me not think.”

“Mmm,” he murmured. “Anytime. Love you.”

“Might have a mental breakdown later, though,” Dan informed sleepily, before closing his eyes and pressing himself more firmly against Phil, wanting to absorb his body heat.

“And I’ll be here when you do,” Phil promised, and he pressed a kiss to Dan’s forehead.

~~

next chapter

[theperfectladiesman]

Saiyuki meme part 2

34) What character do you think is least like yourself?

~Probably Ukoku. I’m not a psychopath or sociopath looking to snuff out life and light. And he’s super cunning and manipulative. 

35) What is a shipping you’re not on board with? (Be respectful!)

~I pretty much ship nearly everything under the sun for the most part. Or can at least understand or respect a ship. I ship I wouldn’t really be on board with though would be Li Touten x Nataku. Or Dokugakuji’s mom x Doku/Gojyo. Just not my thing.

36 ) Which Saiyuki character do you think could easily adjust to modern times?

~I’d say nearly all the main cast. I think they’ve all been through so much & they’ve learned to get really good with adapting and rolling with the punches. But if I had to narrow it down, perhaps Goku. Followed closely by Gojyo. They seem the most easy going & quickly accepting & adaptable. Likewise, I think Kougaiji would be one of the ones who would struggle the most perhaps. 

37) What is your favorite quote?

~There’s A LOT of good ones. Seeing as I have the opposite of a photographic memory... I can’t remember what my fav would be. A really good, memorable one though is where Kou overcame Ukoku’s mind control & gave him the whole speech where he wont be controlled again & his friends helped him to the light. Idk, something to that effect. Maybe I’ll come back to this question later after I find the exact lines.

38) Do you binge read the entire series or read selected chapters?

~Usually when I binge read or binge watch, it’s from start to finish on the entire series. If I just want to research something or remember a specific thing, it’s selected chapters.

39) Are you more a fan of Gensomaden Saiyuki or Saiyuki Reload/Gunlock?

~With the anime, Gensomaden. With the manga, its definitely Reload. 

40) Your favorite character became a mythical beast. What would they be?

~This.... is a tough one. If I wanted to take the easy option, I’d say it would be Kougaiji and he’d totally be a dragon. Or if I wanted to be funny, saying Gojyo being a kappa. I could see Hakkai being the male form of a Dryad. But I think my favorite is Sanzo... and the only thing I can think of to liken him to is the Phoenix. Sanzo’s “like the sun” and Phoenix is a sun bird. Phoenix’s rise from the ashes and Sanzo got burned by Kou’s fire and still rose to his feet. 

41) If you HAD to choose a character to die, who would it be?

~Well, this doesn’t say -MAIN- character. I wish I could say Ukoku... that would spare everyone so much misery... but I like the psycho bastard. So...Gyokumen Koushu. Then maybe Kou would get his mom back & he could team up with Sanzo!

42) Would you rather: Have all characters die or Have only one survive

~The question is.... would it be like Goku? Have them forget & then be reunited with the reincarnations? On one hand, it would be nice to have one survive to carry on the memory of everyone who died. But....I feel like there’s something incredibly unfair & cruel about having only one survive... so I guess I’d rather them all die. 

43) If [character] got into a fight with [character] who would win?

~Lol its hard to do these ones when I’m just answering them myself. 

44) What does Gojyo’s marking look like to you?

~I answered this one already, basically, a tribal flame

45) If Sanzo became a demon, what kind of marking do you think he’d have?

~I kinda wanna say something like the youkai Suika. Something small & round on his forehead in place of the chakra. Or it would probably be somewhere more discrete like his back or upper arm, a red color instead of black...idk the shape/design.

46) If [character] died, what do you think they’d be reborn as?

~I think Zakuro would love to be reborn in the golden age (Elizabethanera) cuz that’s when theatre, music, poetry & literature flourished. Perhaps Kougaiji/Hazel in the Victorian age and Ukoku in the Edwardian era... I know that’s not what the questions asking, but it is interesting to think diff era’s you’d put them in. 

47) After the journey, what do you think [character] will be doing?

~Hmm... I’ll just stick with Gojyo for this one. Assuming he’s still alive after the journey. I think he’d stick with Hakkai. (grudingly)Helping out around the shop if Hakkai worked/owned a shop. I could see Gojyo maybe being a bar tender or an escort/host... or whatever those equivalents are in the Saiyuki era, or just keeps raking in money with his gambling while being domestic with Hakkai.

48) If [character] had a tumblr, what would they reblog?

~This one’s a fun question. I think if Gojyo had a tumblr, the majority would reflect the 3 things he likes most- women, booze, and smokes. Probably sprinkle in some selfies of himself being all sexy, cheesy pick up lines and puns, maybe some crude jokes, more scantily clad women, and gambling tips. Then there’s probably some stuff he’d reblog for the sake of Sanzo,Hakkai, and Goku if they had tumblr as well. Monkey posts to tease Goku, life hacks for Hakkai, & random stuff that would piss off Sanzo. Probably jokes about cranky old men or something. 

49) What is your favorite animated scene?

~umm.... idk... all of Gaiden?

50) [Character]; Boxers, briefs, or commando?

~I feel like Gojyo would have an occasion for all three. Briefs when he’s planning to get with a lady or impress. Boxers when he’s lounging with the boys. And sometimes commando, mainly when sleeping if he has his own room. 

51) What 3 or more tropes fits your favorite character?

~ummm.... running gag, ship tease, and funny moments. (gojyo)

52) What are 3 tropes that describe [character]?

~fiery redhead, the alcoholic, and jerk with a heart of gold (gojyo)

53) If Saiyuki got a 4th series, what would it be called?

~Well now that there is a 4th season coming out... Saiyuki Reload Blast XD (now we just need an Ibun OVA!!!)

54) If your favorite character could control an element, what would it be?

~Fav charater’s always been between Sanzo and Kougaiji... though recently I often wonder if it’s not Hazel now. I think Lightning suits Sanzo. Fire for Kou. And Ice for Hazel. Earth for Goku & Hakkai. Wind for Yaone.

55) Was there a character you used to love but no longer do?

~I dont think so actually. I think everyone I love I still do and everyone I hate I still do. 

56) What has been the saddest moment for you in the series?

~Yakumo’s death. Yakumo’s whole chapter arc.  And the end of Gaiden.

57) What is your favorite anime/manga genre?

~Psychological thriller/horror (but I also like romance & action & drama)

58) Name 5 other characters you like along with your fav Saiyuki character.

~Spike Spiegel, Axel, Seto Kaiba, Zelos Wilder, Alvin Svent, and Snow Villiers

59) Do you prefer subbed or dubbed anime?

~Dubbed. But most of the time subbed is 100 x’s better... obviously.

60) Did you watch the anime first or read the manga?

~Gensomaden anime came first.

61) Do you seek out spoilers or avoid at all cost?

~I avoid them at all cost, most of the time. Unless it’s something I’m not planning to watch or read.

62) Do you write fan fics or draw fan art? If so, link!

~I do, on both accounts. I don’t have any Saiyuki fanfics though. If anyone really want links, I’ll send them privately in IM’s. My Saiyuki fanart can all be found on my blog. Other fan art of diff fandoms is on DA. I only have a couple of completed fanfics on fanfiction.net... most of my work isn’t finished so that’s not really worth linking, I wouldn’t think.

63) What was the most pointless filler in the anime?

~I can’t really think of anything... maybe the sauna one where Goku thinks Sanzo turns into a demon. Or the kitty one. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both those episodes... but in regards to the plot, they don’t contribute a thing. 

64) How do you describe Saiyuki to a friend who has never heard of it?

~Four guys travel west to stop the resurrection of a demon lord. Um... there’s lots of humor and action. It’s amazing. It’s.... kinda gay without actually being gay.

65) If you RP what is your favorite thing to Roleplay?

~answered this one~

66) What is your favorite Saiyuki Opening or Ending for the animes?

~The opening for Gaiden is very gorgeous, perhaps that one <3

67) What’s something you think would improve the series?

~HAVING MORE MANGA TRANSLATED AND PUBLISHED HERE IN AMERICA! And bring back some minor characters, that’d be cool to see.

68) Who, in your opinion, has the most tragic backstory?

~Geez... that’s like comparing a life time of stomach issues to someone who has a life time of mental illness... both are equally tragic. If I HAD to pick.... Yakumo.... I’m just gonna go with Yakumo. Technically, it’s not really a backstory but what’s he was presently doing. Having such a kind, soft heart... wanting nothing more but to save, shelter, and raise youkai kids... and choosing to kill them when they go berserk, perhaps with the whole mentality of ‘kill a few to save the whole’. It’s so tragic. Other than that, I can’t choose 1 over the other for tragic back stories cuz everyone has it equally bad in some way. 

I guess I can say the tie would be between Gojyo, Sanzo, Hakkai, Goku, Dokugakuji, Hazel, and Nataku.

69) Who would be best at pleasing their lover?

~It kinda depends on what said lover wants most our of their partner and if it’s true love or a fling. If they both knew what they were doing, Goku & Kou would be very thorough, patient, and thoughtful lovers. Gojyo would be best at bringing the skill/pleasure in a pure sexual aspect. Hakkai’s difficult to pin down. He’d be gentle with the same qualities I listed for Gok/Kou.... but he’d have this wall up at the same time. Sanzo... just probably wouldn’t be the best, if he got intimate at all to begin with. Hazel’s so... antagonistic. I’ll just go with Gojyo or Dokugakuji. 

70) What do you think Saiyuki would be like if Kougaiji and co were the main protagonists? Do you think you’d still enjoy it? 

~A lot less humor and more dark because it would be more from the “villains” POV. Kou’s kinda angsty. I don’t think Saiyuki would be as well recieved and loved from Kougaiji’s & co’s pov... and there’s several characters we might have missed out on.... but I think it’s something I would still really enjoy. If its written by Kazuya Minekura, she’d make it amazing regardless. 

71) What minor character had a significant impact on the plot?

~I think that would have to be Hazel Grouse.

72) On a scale from 1 - 10, 1 being not much and 10 being too much, how much does Saiyuki Gaiden hurt you?

~TEN

73) What character is still a mystery to you?

~Perhaps Koumyou or Ukoku (maybe even Yaone in the sense that we kinda know next to nothing about her... that I can recall). But with Koumyou especially, both of them are just so complex & different than I am that they’re difficult for me to understand. 

74) What is the funniest moment in the series?

~It really says something about how much a perv I really am if the very first scene that pops into my mind after thinking about what my fav moment could be is.... Gojyo & Goku wrestling & arguing on the bed and that lady walks in & thinks they’re doing, or about to do, something naughty. Oddly, I Really like the scene where Gojyo mimics Sanzo too. 

75) Who is your favorite minor character?

~Hazel or Banri or Zenon ...... Yakumo & Zakuro are p great too

76) Which character has had the most growth?

~I think that would have to be Goku

77) Which character needs more development?

~hmmmm........Lirin maybe?