#in nana's head this time!! i like writing from her perspective

[urlocalwhumper]

here's more, sorry i'm obsessed lol

rayan belongs to @sowhumpshaped (even though he's never referred to by name here LMFAO)

nana loved everything about her new home.

it wasn't as big as her previous master's, but that hardly mattered to her at all. she wasn't allowed in most of that house anyways. but here, her new master had told her she could go wherever she wanted, just to knock first if the door was closed.

her new collar and tag jingled slightly as she wandered around, carefully exploring. their quick trip to the pet store had been scary and stressful for her - so many other pets and people, so many sounds and smells and eye-grabbing colors - but master had gently insisted on buying her a new collar, especially once he saw how raw and chafed her neck was under the too-tight leather.

her new collar was lime green and made of polyester, and sat around her neck loosely enough to not chafe, but tight enough to not come off. her new tag was shaped like a bone, with her name on the front and her master's name and phone number on the back. even something as small as that made her feel warm inside. her old master had never bothered putting any contact information on her tag, claiming that if she somehow got away, he wouldn't want her back anyways.

as both an apology for the ordeal and a reward for being such a good girl, master took her to pick out a new toy once they'd gotten her collar. she'd been a little overwhelmed at first, faced with an entire aisle of possible selections. she'd never had a toy before. but master assured her that she had all the time in the world to decide, and after a few minutes of pacing back and forth through the aisle, she returned to his side with a stuffed frog between her teeth. it was soft but firm, well-stuffed, and she liked the green.

"nana!" master called from another room, snapping her back to the present. "would you come here please?"

she obeyed, following the sound of his voice into the apartment's single bedroom. there, she found him kneeling and adjusting... something, she couldn't quite tell yet, over in the corner of the room.

"surprise!" he said happily, moving out of the way. in the corner of his bedroom, he'd rigged up a sheet to form a little canopy, and beneath the little sheet-tent was a soft, plush looking pet bed, with an equally as soft looking blanket draped over one half, and her stuffed frog sitting on the other. "it's your bed!"

she blinked, awestruck. her bed? this was all for her? she gingerly stepped forward, until she was close enough to climb into the bed, curling up with her frog in her arms and pulling the blanket over herself. peering out through the gap in the tent, her back to the wall and surrounded by a cocoon of warmth and softness, she felt her nose starting to burn and her single eye filling with tears.

she'd never felt so safe and loved before, and found herself overwhelmed by the onslaught of emotion. this is what she'd needed, all her life, this is all she'd ever wanted.

"do you like it?" master asked, peeking into the tent. he seemed saddened, but not surprised to see her crying. "oh, sweetheart," he soothed, "it's okay. no one's ever gonna hurt you again. it's only gonna be pets and treats and toys and soft beds from here on out, okay?"

his kind words only made her cry harder, but she eagerly nuzzled into his hand when he moved to pet her hair, hoping to convey the depth of the love and gratitude she already felt. she might have been weeping, but her tail was wagging so hard it had started to audibly thump against the wall behind her.

the two of them just sat there for a while while she cried, and master didn't stop petting or reassuring her for a single moment until she finally settled down, snuggling further into her soft bed as it finally hit her just how drained she was from the day's events.

"oh!" master suddenly exclaimed. "you must be hungry, it's almost dinnertime." he moved to get up and gave her one more parting scratch behind the ear. "i'm gonna go cook, you just settle in some more. or you can take a nap if you want, you look tired." he smiled. "i'll wake you up when it's time to eat, okay?"

nana simply nodded, huffing contently and burying her face into the soft fabric of her stuffed frog. she distantly registered master pulling her blanket more securely around her, before she was out like a light.

--

bonus

nana's frog:

[makethosenarratorsfight]

UNRELIABLE NARRATORS; SIDE C

Charles Kinbote Propaganda:

World’s least reliable poetry critic. Weirdly obsessed with this poet John Shade and then publishes a commentary on his final work and wildly misinterprets lines to make it seem like him and Shade were bffs.

Ok so basically this poet John Shade just died. Before he died he (nearly, by one line) finished this big poem about death and his life. Kinbote considers himself Shade's good friend (he's not- Shade describes Kinbote as "some neighbour" in the poem at one point) and decides to posthumously publish the poem with his annotations to explain it since Shade is dead and can't explain it. It's pretty clear from the start start that Kinbote is completely bullshitting however he also claims some pretty crazy stuff. He believes the whole poem is about this country called Zembla, which Kinbote apparantly told Shade a lot about before he died. Zembla isn't real. Kinbote uses the annotations as an excuse to infodump about Zemblan lore. He believes he is the king of Zembla and is pretty clearly delusional (although possibly aware of that? at the end he says that after writing the annotations he might end up in a madhouse). Also Kinbote might just be someone Shade made up after faking his own death to make a big statement. It's a little unclear. Sorry if this made no sense lol.

Nana Daiba Propaganda:

Okay, I have heard literally nobody else say she is an unreliable narrator and I'm not sure myself, but I need to get something out of watching that recap movie so hear me out. Rondo Rondo Rondo, as well as a recap, is Nana's perspective on the series as a whole, and I'm very convinced that the way it's told isn't just because they needed things to be shorter. A lot more emphasis is given to some scenes than others, and when this happens, a brand new scene plays out, putting equal emphasis on it, and all of these brand new scenes have one thing in common, beyond the revue component; Nana knows. She knows every detail shown, but doesn't acknowledge details which aren't, which makes sense for a recap movie, but the way she interacts with the plot is so distinctly different from the anime itself that I like to think she's leaving things out. We don't get a significant amount of the buildup to the revues, because most of that is interpersonal stuff which Nana simply was not involved in. But we do get a massive chunk of episode 7, the episode which, outside of the recap, is still from Nana's pov. Junna and Mahiru's respective revues with Karen and Futaba and Kaoruko's revue with each other are shown very briefly and divided up into sections which Nana is shown acting out with the Giraffe immediately after, but large amounts of emphasis are put on Nana's two revues, even if they're both kind of mixed together (which I think makes sense. Hikari and Karen were the two girls who brought about the end of her repeat performances, and she wouldn't have lost if Hikari hadn't arrived and Karen hadn't gotten the drive to stand on stage from her. Of course she'd kind of mix those two losses together. Though rip to the scenes in between because even though it makes sense that a lot of the stuff there would not matter to a recap movie or Nana I still think it's funny that Nana's whole big conversation with Junna where she reveals the time loops just does not exist to Nana or the movie. So sorry Junna). Certain small, emotional scenes ARE shown, like Junna and Nana's talk at the end of ep 9, but considering that Nana was involved in that and the immediate next scene is a new one where Nana discusses how Junna essentially saved her, yeah, that specific scene would be in her head. There's a lot of things which Nana wouldn't know, but since this movie is confirmed to be Nana's pov I do think that it could be both where the recap angle kind of takes over and Nana's general perception of Karen and Hikari's whole childhood friend thing. Also, since everything following this is very much recap-centric, aside from the additional scenes, which are 100% shown to be from Nana's pov, I need to address the scenes following the revues again, just because I think it's funny that, within Nana's pov, she gets to act out the previous revues in an even more unreliable way. I love this girl and I'm not sure how much Rondo Rondo Rondo counts as her being unreliable but I love her for whatever she had going on in this movie anyways.

[strawberrycupsforever]

Hachi: when strength takes the form of an emotional young woman

I’ve been thinking about writing this one for a while so here it goes.

We are first introduced to Hachi as a very over the top, emotional and sometimes spoilt young woman. Her head is constantly in the clouds, and she has a tendency to centre herself in many aspects of other people’s lives, however, she manages to do it with such natural charm that it’s difficult for those around her to dislike her.

Hachi tends to have a bad rep within the fandom, she’s seen as someone who is selfish and self indulgent, but I think that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Although in the beginning, being someone young whose life is just getting started, it makes total sense that she is mostly thinking about herself (she’s also 20 give her a break). And even from the onset, when she has yet to develop as a character she’s still incredibly thoughtful to those around her (with Shoji, Nana, Nobu, Shin...). Hachi is, at her core a very giving and kind person.

I think one of the main reasons for this dislike (apart from misogyny) is the constant comparison between Hachi and Nana. It’s not a coincidence that the first part of the story is told through Hachi’s perspective. She sees Nana as her hero, a strong woman in control of her feelings who is in charge of her own destiny. So, by the time we reach Nana’s POV this contrast is well ingrained in our minds. Hachi’s emotions control her, whereas Nana controls her own emotions (or life).

But is being emotional such a bad thing? In a culture that mocks being emotional as a weak (and feminine) trait to have, our perception of sensitive or sentimental people is negative at worst and annoying at best. This is why the switch in POV’s from Hachi to Nana is so crucial. As the story unfolds we realize that being guarded and refusing to express your own emotions only leads to pain (be it by inflicting it on yourself or other’s). Nana’s mental health worsens as she refuses to come to terms with her own emotions (choosing to not deal directly with her feelings of abandonment concerning Ren is a good example of this).

And so Hachi, with all of her heightened emotions, rises up as one of the strongest character’s in the manga. Her ability to love and feel so strongly and openly guides her through her relationships and hardships. At only 20 years old she’s forced to make life-changing decisions, and although visibly scared she takes it in stride. She understands her own selfishness and by doing so continues to grow into a nurturing person crucial in many people’s lives (like Nana’s and Shin’s, and also to some extent Takumi’s).

At the beginning of this series we see (be it consciously or not) Hachi as the weak one of the duo, still, as the story progresses we realize that she might actually be the toughest of the two. 

She’s still waiting for Nana. She’ll stand by her through her hardships and she’ll accept all that comes with it while wearing her heart on her sleeve. That’s real strength. 

[fbfh]

fangirl’s paradise - leo x reader

genre/vibe: romance, adventure, slice of life

word count: 2.8k

pronouns/perspective: first person present, no pronouns (I think), gn reader

au: soulmate kind of?? also traveling to other dimensions/multiverse

pairing: Leo x fic writer!reader

requested: nah

warnings: you think someone broke into your house for a minute, you feel like you’re going crazy for a minute, questionable pop culture/internet references, you get really embarrased about stuff you’ve written, you say fuck a lot, tiddy as an explative

summary: all you wanted to do was write some leo one shots for your blog, but finding out he’s your soulmate is good too

reccomended songs: havana - camila cabello, where do we go from here - amelie obc

a/n: got really meta and self indulgent with this bad boy, probs gonna do a part 2 at some point, cause this got really long and I started to get tired lol. For clarity, you’re from the riordanverse, but ended up in a world where it’s fictional. also some memories were erased. 

requests r open xo

All I wanted to do was dance embarrassingly and sing along to the same playlist I’d been listening to for the past three days in terrible accents while I wait for my ramen to finish cooking. That’s it. I really don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Plus, I’ve been home alone all day, so it’s really not too much to ask for. I flip over the waistband of my sweatpants while shimmying my way to the kitchen. 

“Half of my heart is in havana oh nana,” I sing along off key, in a pseudo growly voice that makes me giggle. I’m going to turn the corner, make myself some ramen, then finish the episode of love island I’ve been watching. Except that’s not what happens.

“He got tha-” I cut myself off with a scream, seeing a stranger in the hall way. He looks up. I scream more, way more, and choke out, “JFK’s left fucking tiddy!”, because this dude is either the best freaking cosplayer ever, or those tiktok reality shifting tutorials actually worked at some point. 

He looks too natural, too organic. The level of detail and strategic imperfection is beyond conscious choice. There’s no way he’s a cosplayer that broke into my house. Also, that would be a super weird crime. 

Either way, I’m standing in front of a dude who looks exactly like Leo Valdez. 

It feels… fake.

I didn’t really notice I’m covering my mouth with my hand to stop my hysterical scream laughs, but I’m able to get it under control after a second. 

He’s looking at me, eyes wide, examining me, probably wondering why I’m acting so erratically. Or why I just spat out such strange bullshit. In my defense, I’ve been watching chaotic tiktok compilations inbetween updating my blog for like, two days straight. Three other people round the corner. I don’t know what I expected, and it shouldn’t have been a surprise at this point, but I’m sure I’m looking no other than at Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Piper Mclean. 

“Jesus fucking christ, fuck me with a chainsaw!” I spit, retreating into the kitchen, reminding myself that while they are my favorite characters - and again, somehow real and in front of me? - they’re still technically intruders. I grab the nearest kitchen implement, a pair of red kitchen scissors I’d used to hack open the ramen packet, and point it at them. 

“Woah,” Piper says, “it’s okay, we’re not going to hurt you.” I count to four and breathe in, setting the scissors back down within arms reach. Hold for seven, exhale for eight. I repeated the process again, watching Annabeth whispering to Leo.

I can feel the initial freak out subsiding. I’m starting to calm down a little.

“We’re not going to hurt you,” Piper repeats. Well duh, they’re the good guys. A spike of pure what the fuck shoots through me, as I realize I’m already adapting to the fact that fictional fucking characters are standing in my kitchen. Leo’s ignoring Annabeth, and still staring at me, searching my eyes for... something.

Piper’s brow furrows. I call past Piper to Annabeth.

“Yeah, hi op, what the fuck?” They all have a silent conversation for a minute, and I continue, “Anyone want to tell my why the fuck fic-”

“We can tell you what’s going on, but it’s going to sound crazy.” Piper starts.

“After the past five minutes, probably not.” I glance past her shoulder, Leo’s still examining me. I look away, overwhelmed almost immediately. About 30% of my brain is just an endless loop of ‘ohmygodohmygodohmygod he’s real??? Like,,,, r e a l real????? Aj;dlfkajskdla ohmygod he’s looking at me what the fuck richard’, 20% was still trying to calm down from freaking out so much earlier, so I was at about half brain power for the conversation ahead. 

“Okay, wait. Let me get this straight.” they stare at me in silence. We’re standing in the hallway outside the kitchen, and I feel like a complete disaster trying to process what they’re telling me and not look like a total idiot.

“So, Calypso went missing, and Leo got Aphrodite to activate his soulmate link so he can find her and it led you here?” I’m already smiling. There’s no chance, I can’t get my hopes up. 

Piper continues, “Which means it might not be Calypso.”

“Unless you’re wearing a really good disguise or something,” Leo says. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time he’s spoken to me. I let out a breathy laugh and look away from him. If I try to look at him my brain goes haywire. Scenes from stuff I’ve written about him on my tumblr flash in my mind, and it makes me feel like I’m about to explode. 

“Yeah, the reason we know is-”

“The gods are real, monsters are after you, et cetera et cetera. Yeah.” They seem a little surprised that I’m more concerned with the soulmate part than the mythology part, but I’ve been reading these books since middle school. We been knew.

Piper keeps looking between Leo and me with a weird look on her face. God, Piper, don’t get my hopes up. A knowing look passes over her face and she looks around the room again.

“Gods, where did he go…” She gets up and leaves the room. No one says anything. Between right then and when she gets back should have been in a ‘top ten most devastating anime uncomfortable silences’ compilation. She enters again a few seconds later, a tall hot guy behind her. He has red flowers in his hair and isn’t wearing a shirt for some reason. He looks between me and Leo.

“I see… interesting.” he turns to me and says, “Can you tell me anything… personal about him?” My face flushes. I turn to Piper.

“Sorry, but who the fuck?”

“I mean the only noncanon stuff I know is what I came up with for like, writing and stuff but that doesn’t count-” I sputter.

“Eros.” she replies, “My mom sent him along to help find the right person.”

“Normally I’d be able to tell instantly, but my powers don’t seem to work here very well.” his voice is like honey, and it seems like he’s heavily implying something no matter what he says. 

“Yeah, go on hermosa,” Leo says, smirking, “take a whack at it.” His voice sounds so much more… real than I could have imagined. If I could verbally keysmash, I would have then and there. 

“Hmm… why don’t you try anyway. What kind of lover is he?” the room erupts into protests. They don’t want to hear personal stuff about their friend, I don’t want to talk about cripplingly embarrassing smut headcanons in front of the character they’re about, and he probably doesn’t want me taking a wild guess at his bedroom habits. Eros turns to Percy, Annabeth, and Piper.

“You two, out. You, leave but stay close.” They leave the room hastily.

“Since I’m the god of sexual desire, I know what gets people going. I’ll be able to tell if you’re right or not. ” Eros says. I risk a glance at Leo, who I have a feeling has been staring at me a lot. He leans forward, playful intrigue all over him. How is he not dying inside?? 

“Ah ah,” Eros says to Leo, “you too.” Leo obliges, and heads up the stairs.

“H- okay, uh… he acts like a top, but he’s really kind of a bottom,” I choke out, trying to remember details from past posts, and Eros nods in approval, encouraging me to keep going, “he’s really-” my voice falters, and I hide my head in my hands, “he’s really vocal, like really vocal… uh…” 

“Oh yes, I can tell.” Eros says, and I laugh slightly. “What else?” 

“More? God okay… uh… he really likes hickeys, and-” I choke on my words, still unsure of how I got in this situation. 

“He holds hands a lot in… the bedroom? God…” I trail off.

“The next morning, he kind of… he just sort of stares at you while you get dressed and stuff. I don’t know anyone else who does that.”

Eros studies me for a second. My heart is beating so hard. How long does it take to say yes or no? I’m uncomfortably aware of the distracting adrenaline in my arms and chest and head. 

“Interesting,” he says, then stands up and leaves the room.

What the fuck, is he not going to tell me anything?

I’m listening as closely as I can, and I’m pretty sure I hear Eros say five out of five. I got everything right or everything wrong. Nailed it or failed it. 

Piper speeds past me a second later and races up the stairs. After a few seconds she comes back down. She nods toward the staircase.

“You should go talk to him.” a knowing smile is playing at the corner of her mouth, and I can’t stop one from starting on mine. I run up the stairs, and see him, kneeling on my bed, reading what’s on my laptop. 

Oh god, no. 

He stands up. He’s staring at me so intensely, I look away immediately. I start sputtering out a panicked apology and sit down on my bed, moving to shut the lid of my laptop.

“Uh… I just listen to a song or something that makes me think of you,” my voice gets really tiny at that last part, “and stuff starts to pop into my head. I just keep replaying it, and uncovering more details so I can wr- wait,” I start to look up at him, but can’t bring myself to meet his eyes. I stare intensely at the pattern on my quilt instead. “Did you say remember?” He lets out a breathy laugh, and I can hear the smile in his voice. 

“-of course I never thought you were going to read any of that, or…” His hand is on top of mine, my hand and voice freezing at the same time.

“How… did you remember all this?” my fears are being squashed. He doesn’t sound mad, or grossed out, or judgemental. He sounds… impressed.

“Yeah, I mean, I’m only starting to get back bits and pieces, but you remember… everything.” 

“Wait wait…” I mutter, completely dazed, “so it wasn’t… it was all real?” I feel him nodding behind me, and he makes a noise of agreement. 

“It was genius, really… as soon as I felt like I was remembering something, I’d forget it.” His other hand rests on my shoulder, palm flat against my back. “Only you would think to write it like that…” 

“So… it all happened?” I breathe, my face heating up as I think of the titles marked with a little asterisk. 

“Yeah,” I bite my lip, feeling his breath over my skin. It’s quiet for a second. The mattress shifts and I can feel him leaning closer to me, feel the heat coming off his body. His lips are dangerously close to my ear.

“Want something else to write about?”

Oh my fucking god.

I nod before I finish registering what he said. His free hand moves to my cheek, tilting my face towards him, and my skin explodes with sparks where he touches me. 

Our lips brush.

We both freeze.

Flood gates open. Countless vivid images and feelings and scenarios flash across my mind. It was like watching a movie connecting every fic I’ve written. I gasp-laugh a little, and he does the same. It seems like the visions or whatever that he’s seeing are a lot more intense than mine. His eyes flutter open and he looks at me stronger, more intensely, more passionately than he had before. He lets out a soft, breathy laugh, and presses his lips to mine. Everywhere he touches feels carbonated, and I’m trying not to smile too much. I don’t think I’ve ever been more in the moment than right this second. He pulls me closer, tilting his head and deepening the kiss. I didn’t know a kiss could be deeper than it had been a few seconds ago. His mouth moves feverishly against mine. My arms move up on instinct, one hand playing with his hair, the other tracing the collar of his shirt. He shifts his weight, and one hand on my waist, lowers me back onto my bed. His left hand intertwines with my right, and I smile, remembering what I had told Eros earlier. 

“Estrella,” He groans into my mouth, our teeth scraping as we smile in spite of ourselves, and I get the sense the nickname was an ‘as you wish’ type of thing, from the Princess Bride. It feels like he’s saying I love you. My heart speeds up as he nuzzles into my neck, pressing kisses and little bites into my skin. I think about the nickname I always thought would suit him, the one I kept writing down over and over. Now or never.

“Sparky…” I smile, hiding my face in his hair. He freezes for a second, then lets out that breathy laugh again, his face in my neck. His lips graze my collarbone, and he starts to say something, but the door opens suddenly, and we jump apart. It doesn’t help much though, because he’s still hovering over me on all fours and we both look very flushed. And I’m pretty sure the start of a hickey is forming on my neck. 

“Right,” she replies, “we gotta get going, the door is closing soon, so come down stairs as soon as you’re… free.” 

“Sorry!” Annabeth yells, averting her eyes. Leo and I stumble over each other’s flustered responses.

“-looks bad but nothing… happened… we d- we didn’t like, do anything...” I trail off. 

The door closes.

“I’m coming with you guys?” I breathe. He looks over at me, that unflappable sense of playfulness present as ever. 

Leo sits back, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yeah, we should get back soon. Everyone else will be worried once they remember.” My heart plummets. I didn’t know you could go from feeling so incredibly euphoric to beyond miserable in about five seconds. I open my mouth to choke out a response, but before I can, he stands up and stretches a little.

“Do you wanna change before we go?” The question has such a normal tone to it, it’s a little bizarre after all the unusual things that have happened today. The bad feeling and tears at the corners of my eyes start to recede. 

“Of course you are. If you think I’m losing you again this soon you’re crazier than I am.” I let out a relieved laugh, and stand up. I look down at my monster foot slippers and sweatpants. 

“You know where to find me,” he winks before closing the door on his way out.

“Yeah, I should probably change.” He pulls me close to him, one hand comes up to the back of my neck, the other on my hip. He starts swaying us back and forth, dancing around my room.

“Well, if you need any help…” I laugh, and shove him away playfully.

I take a second to catch my breath. Oh my god. Thoughts are still racing in the back of my mind, but I don’t pay attention. I don’t have time to worry about what’s real and what’s not, I need to find the perfect demigod adventure outfit. I throw open my closet, start shuffling through dresser drawers, digging through my shoes. I don’t remember having one or two of the pieces, but after a minute, I find exactly what I’m looking for. It’s the exact outfit I’d always imagined myself in if I ever went to camp half blood. I search through my accessories, grab a bag, and hastily fill it with anything I think I’ll probably need. I turn back to my laptop, and change my blog description to on hiatus. I check my hair, flattening out the back from before, and determine I’m ready to go. 

I walk down the stairs, and everyone’s watching me. I feel like it’s prom or something, which sounds silly since I’ve got on ripped jeans and a backpack instead of a dress and clutch. Leo’s watching me with that look, the one that makes his eyes all sparkly, and he meets me at the bottom of the stairs. He puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Ready to go home, Estrella?”

I have never been more ready for anything.

[collecting-stories]

Carrera - Sarah Cameron

Request: hey! I love your writing sooooo much! you’re so talented! I was wondering if you could write a sarah cameron x reader where the reader is kie’s sister so they have to sneak around? I just thought it would be so cute!

A/N: This one was sitting for a little while, sorry it took so long to get to!

Outer Banks Masterlist

☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎

You and your sister had different perspectives on a lot of things but the one thing you clashed on the most was your opinion of kook princess Sarah Cameron. In Kiara’s mind, Sarah was the vile, horrible, back-stabbing ex-best friend who had ruined her year at kook academy. They started out as friends and then suddenly weren’t anymore. Which should have sent off some sort of emergency alert system in your head telling you that Sarah Cameron was evil. The bitch that dropped your sister and never looked back.  

Except...it didn’t quite work that way. Maybe you were a shitty sister, or worse, just a shitty person in general but you didn’t care. Sarah was...magnetic and beautiful and funny and smart and you couldn’t stay away. Not two weeks into the school year when you realized you had a massive crush on her or months later when you were at a kook party and you actually spoke to her for the first time. After that you were hooked. Forget blood being thicker than water or any of those sayings. You were all in for Sarah Cameron and there was no way you could ever let Kiara know.  

You were mid-way through covering a shift for Kiara while she hung out with Pope when someone jabbed your sides, surprising you and causing you to spin around, “what are you doing here?” you whisper shouted when you saw Sarah standing there, grinning.  

“Breaking you out,” she stated, taking the empty tray from your hands and placing it on the counter.

“I’m only halfway through shift, I’m supposed to be covering for Kiara...if she finds out I left-”

“No one will know. I’m so stealth they won’t suspect a thing.” She promised, leaning forward before you could do anything and kissing you.  

“Sarah!” You grabbed her hand and led her outside to the back of the building. It wasn’t just Kiara who had a problem with Sarah Cameron, after she told your parents what happened between them your dad had sworn that he hated the Camerons as well. They were selfish and greedy and they only cared about the people in the Eight who had the type of money that they had. You were kooks but you weren’t at their level. “If my dad sees!”

“Chill, babe, you’re freaking out. No one will see.” She insisted. “Look, my car is literally right there. We don’t even have to go anywhere, we can just go back to my place. Swim a little in the pool, hang out in my room...” she trailed off, running her hand up and down your arm, trying to be enticing.  

“I’m supposed to finish a shift.”

“There’s like three other waiters in there...tell them your sick. Please?” She begged, “it’s been days since we’ve hung out.”

It had been days. With the end of the year and tourist season starting up again The Wreck was demanding more and more of your time. While Kiara disappeared to hang out with her friends you always got stuck picking up her shifts. It was annoying and just once you would like to run off and do something fun.  

“I mean...I guess.” You said, shrugging your shoulders.

“That’s my girl!” Sarah wrapped her arms around your shoulders and pulled you in for a kiss. You grabbed her waist to balance yourself kissing her back.  

When you heard the back door open you broke apart, Sarah running behind one of the crates and squatting down while you stood there, trying to look normal. Kiara emerged from behind the door, looking surprised to find you out there.

“Hey, what’re you doing here?” You asked, coughing at the end to clear your throat. You felt like you had swallowed a frog.

“I just got back and dad said when he came out of the kitchen you were gone.” She said, looking around suspiciously. “What are you doing out here?”

“Nothing...just chilling, you know.” You replied, shrugging your shoulders in an attempt to look nonchalant.  

“Right.” Kiara nodded her head, narrowing her eyes at you as she looked around the back alley of  The Wreck. “You’re just chilling...by yourself. Outside.”

“Yeah. But uh, you know what...I’m actually, not feeling well. So I’m gonna, go.”

“Did you tell dad? Your shift isn’t over.”  

“Yeah, yeah, but like...I might throw up.”  

“Whatever, I’ll tell dad.” Kiara started to go back inside, turning one last time to look at you, “you’re acting really weird by the way.”

The door slammed shut behind her and you let out a sigh of relief as Sarah emerged from behind the crates. “I think I got a cramp in my leg from crouching down like that.” She teased.  

“That was so close...” you trailed off, looking back at The Wreck as she pulled you toward her parked car. “I should tell them.”  

Sarah stopped walking and turned to face you, surprised that you had even suggested telling Kiara and your parents that you were dating. They didn’t even know you were bi let alone that you were dating Sarah Cameron.  

“Seriously? You want to tell them?”

“Yeah,” you said, nodding. “Yeah I think they should know that I have a girlfriend. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? They tell me not to date you? We’re pros at sneaking around.”  

“Okay. When you’re ready we’ll tell and I’ll tell my dad and Rose too, that you aren’t ‘just a friend’.” Sarah agreed, beaming at you.  

-

taglist: @maplelattes22 @poguesrforlife  @freckled-and-daydreaming  @chasefreakinstokes @millie-753 @fangirlwithme @alex12948 @katherine097 @tangledinsparkles @tragicmisfits @carbonated-beverage @mariofgreengables @damonsalvawhore27 @dopedoodes @dolanfivsosxox @belledutchess @poguelifeeee @faded-blue @parkerpetertingle @thebookwormlife @summer-clouds-and-long-days @jellyfishbeansontoast @minigranger @hoewkeye @love-someone-special @tiredfeels @strangerthanfanfiction713 @the-only-nana @tomzfrog @mozz-are-lla @vindictive-hearts @poguestyleskye @ssprayberrythings @pensysto @jenahbell @beautyandthebleh @lavenderxraindrops @gothackedalready @teenwaywardasgardian @sarahcxmeron @haha-fuck-you-thot @stillbelieve398-5 @rewindlr @queenniccimicci @thedarkqueenofavalon @alytavzla @bqmblebee @linniep @nerdypartytrashpsychic @xxchxrryxx @spencer-reid-is-a-cutie @mirjanak  @danielladreaming @obx-saltlife @youngestxhearts @spnobsessedmemes @celestialmaybank @mybnkjj @pineappleandcherries @mysterious-adventurer @justawilddreamerchild @rhyetaylor62 @calm-rejects @99sxuxii @oh-annaa @katiaw2 @aiifandomsunite @x-lulu @ceruleanjj @wicked-laugh @obxwriterfan @justkeepdreamingswift @allie-mcginn @pcterparxer @literarycharleton @khiaraaa-in-spacee @crushe-s @teamnick @daydreamlilys @collectiveuniverses @activist-af @mdgrdians @buckys-sunflower @copper-boom 

[ryqoshay]

Tri-Arame: A Train’s Delay

Primary Pairing Trio: YuuAyuSetsu Words: ~1.6k Rating: G Time Frame: During their 2nd year in high school Story Arc: Stand Alone

Author’s Note: Writing the last scene made me want to give Ayu’s perspective on the early development of things among the three.

“I’m telling you, the pose will be really cute.” Yuu insisted as she and Ayumu stepped off the train. “The fans will love it, so we should definitely work it into your choreography for the next Live.”

“I’ll think about it.” Ayumu conceded.

Yuu’s obsession with school idols had led her to performing a ton of research, so there was little doubt as to the extent of her knowledge. However, Ayumu knew she had to temper the advice with the fact that Yuu called pretty much everything about her cute. Though as embarrassing as it often was, Ayumu couldn’t say she disliked it. And she was in no hurry to tell Yuu stop anytime soon. It just meant she had to gauge things carefully and occasionally seek a second opinion. A critique from someone like…

“Setsuna-chan!” Yuu called suddenly.

Yes, Setsuna was another excellent source of school idol information. And in the newly reformed club she was learning how to be more accepting of other views on the genre. Thus… Wait, she was here?

Sure enough, Ayumu looked in the direction Yuu was already running to find their fellow second year. Having just disembarked her train, she now stood facing them, her dark hair in twin braids and her glasses donned.

A flash of excitement crossed Setsuna’s face as she saw her friends before she visibly quashed it and forcibly reigned herself in. “Please, I’m Nana right now.” She said, giving a quick and nervous glance to either side, as if expecting her parents to get off the next train and catch her in a brief moment of not being the studious and somber girl they expected her to be.

Ayumu felt something wrench at her heart. She didn’t like seeing her friend having to repress her passions, especially since it was Setsuna who had ignited passions within herself and Yuu. She enjoyed watching Yuu be open about her obsessions with school idols, not only because she was incredibly cute when excited, but also because it helped keep her inspired to continue working on becoming more open herself. It was for these reasons that she and Yuu had invited Setsuna to the mall with them the other day, to give her a few hours to be truly open and honest with her interests.

“Ne, Nana-chan,” Yuu effortlessly switched gears “wanna walk to school with us?”

“I’d like that.” Nana replied. “Good morning, Ayumu-san.” She greeted the redhead with a polite bow.

“Good morning, Nana-san.”

Though genuine, the smile Nana offered was far more reserved than those she typically displayed as Setsuna.

“You know,” Yuu continued “Ayumu and I have taken this same train every day since we started high school and we’ve never crossed paths with you. Did you take a different one today or something?”

“No, that was my normal train.” Nana shook her head. “They just had a delay at the station before me.” To prove the point, she held up the delay certificate. “Though I suppose if you two usually arrive at this time and do not suffer punctuality issues at school, I don’t really need this.” She slipped it back in her bag anyway instead of discarding it in a nearby recycling bin.

“So I guess today was just an accident.” Yuu surmised.

“It would seem so.”

Yuu shrugged. “But at happy accident at least, ‘cause we get to walk together now.”

Another reserved smile.

“Anyway, I was just telling Ayumu that she should consider using this pose at the end of her new song at the next Live.” Yuu paused to demonstrate.

Nana stopped as well to examine Yuu thoughtfully. “Ayumu-san.” She said suddenly.

“Eh?” Ayumu wasn’t expecting to be addressed.

“Would you mind taking this position? I believe I might better judge it by observing the correct subject.”

“S-sure…” Ayumu battled the rising sense of unease at the concept of making idol poses in the middle of the walkway while dressed in her school uniform, as opposed to on stage in an idol outfit.

“Hrm… Perhaps if you moved your forearm up a bit more…” Nana reached out to make the adjustment. “And your other arm like this… Turn your wrist… Maybe shift your hips… And your torso…”

Ayumu almost bit her tongue as Nana’s hands slid up her waist to the sides of her ribcage before gently guiding her to the new position.

“How about this, Yuu-san?” Nana took a step back to admire her handiwork.

“That’s amazing, Nana-chan!” Yuu marveled. “Ayumu’s pose is even cuter like that!”

Cuter? Ayumu tried, likely unsuccessfully, to swallow down a blush.

“Indeed.” Nana agreed. “Although, I cannot take all the credit. The pose is only accentuating the existing high level of cuteness.”

Oh no… It was one thing when Yuu constantly called her cute, but now Setsu… Nana was joining in as well? Ayumu felt the heat overflowing from her face, up to her ears and down her neck. Geez… if she was going to survive as an idol, she would have to get better at handling these kinds of things.

“And Yuu-san set up the base work well.” Nana continued. “It is obvious you know much about your subject.”

“Subject? Ayumu? Of course I know her and her cuteness well.” Yuu puffed out her chest as though she believed the accomplishment was worthy of great pride. “But Nana-chan, you really know your stuff when it comes to idols. I may know Ayumu's cuteness, but you were able to help me truly refine the pose to ensure it shined at its brightest. And I'm still trying to learn the other girls in the club. I may have to have you teach me your ways so I can better observe you guys during practice and give better advice after.”

Though clearly enjoying the praise, Nana continued to keep herself reserved. Ayumu felt a bittersweet emotion start to fill her, displacing the embarrassment from earlier as the conversation shifted away from her. She wanted to see her friend like she was when the three of them went to the mall together. Back when the anime-obsessed girl was practically vibrating with excitement like a puppy, so much so that Ayumu had wanted to pat her on the head and scratch under her chin. The girl walking with her now was behaving instead like a puppy being cautious in its excitement after being scolded for doing something wrong.

Except Nana hadn’t done anything wrong, at least not as far as Ayumu could tell. She was merely guilty of having hobbies unapproved by her parents. It was for this reason that Ayumu and Yuu had reached a mostly unspoken agreement to provide an outlet for Nana to be Setsuna and freely celebrate her passions. The idol club certainly helped, but idols were by no means Setsuna’s only interests.

It wasn’t the easiest of tasks. On entering high school, Ayumu had tried to mature and move on from many things of her childhood. Yuu had an easier time picking back up former interests, but it had taken the burning passion of someone like Setsuna to remind Ayumu that it was alright to hold on to some things. In that regard, Ayumu felt somewhat indebted to Setsuna, so she was repaying it by helping her indulge in her interests.

Then there was Ayumu’s jealousy. As club activities continued, she was becoming increasingly aware of such emotions as Yuu lavished her attentions on the other idols. And when Yuu and Setsuna lost themselves in something, it was difficult for Ayumu to avoid feeling left out.

However, the rewards for the task were plentiful. When Setsuna truly let loose, her smile was nothing short of contagious. And Ayumu couldn’t help wanting to see it more.

The trio continued to talk idols and make plans for practice later that afternoon as they completed their walk toward school. Nana was adamant about helping perfect Ayumu’s performance and maximize her cuteness. Yuu suggested bringing in Kasumi, their local specialist on the topic of cuteness, to which Nana agreed. All the while, Ayumu’s thoughts continued to focus on how much Nana was holding back.

“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you this morning.” Nana bowed as the three paused in the front entryway of the school.

“It was our pleasure.” Ayumu assured her.

“Yeah, that was fun.” Yuu agreed. “Maybe your train will be delayed again tomorrow?”

There it was. That was the smile Ayumu had wanted to see. Perhaps Nana felt safer within the school walls? Or perhaps it was a result of spending time with trusted friends? Or both. Ayumu quietly hoped it was at least in part due to the latter.

“See you at practice.” Nana flashed one more smile before turning away and heading toward her homeroom.

“I sent you the link so you can view them later.” Yuu said as she and Ayumu stepped off the train. “Their choreography is amazing! I think we can learn a lot from…” Something caught her attention. “Nana-chan!” She called before taking off.

Ayumu glanced ahead along Yuu’s path. Sure enough, leaning against a nearby pillar was their fellow second year.

Nana looked up from whatever study material she was reading. “Good morning Yuu-san, Ayumu-san.” She smiled and bowed politely.

“Good morning, Nana-san” Ayumu replied as she caught up to her childhood friend.

“Don’t tell me I jinxed you with your train?” a concerned expression crossed Yuu’s face.

“Oh no,” Nana assured “my train arrived on time just fine. I just…” she glanced down and hunched her shoulders a bit “I had so much fun yesterday morning I thought perhaps we might walk together again today? If… that’s alright?” She looked back up with a hopeful expression.

Yuu laughed. “Of course, it's alright, Nana-chan!”

“Yes, it’s definitely alright.” Ayumu agreed. “Let’s walk together again.”

Even in its reserved form, Nana’s smile still managed enough of its contagious nature that Ayumu was compelled to reciprocate. And with that, a new morning tradition began.

Author's Note Continued in Followup Post

[teacherintransition]

When was the Last Time Everything was Purely Joyous?

August 31 was the two year anniversary of my son’s wedding; it was the last massive gathering of all parts of our family joined in celebration…

… then, the world went ever so incredibly mad.

I’ve been writing this series of articles for sixteen months; and for the most part the topics have dealt with the struggles of adjusting to retirement after thirty years of teaching. On occasion, I’ve written about anecdotal nonsense for fun, but several things I’ve avoided discussing are politics and Covid-19. These matters are quite delicate in our collective psyche and can create a sense of hostility that I try to avoid with people and within my mind. These topics have a place in this week’s article, but only on the periphery creating a setting for the observations. This was not planned as my last two articles have been stream of consciousness pieces with humorous undertones. The birth of this article stemmed from a phone conversation I had late last night with my brother, Brian, swinging under the tree with my bulldog Chunky by my side. What a setting for the muse to help me see the significance of August, 31.

Brendan Joel Rich married Michaela Ackerman on August 31, 2019 near Lake Conroe. The venue was beautiful and every detail accounted for in the planning. Both Brendan and Michaela were dedicated, successful public servants: Brendan a empathetic coach and Michaela, a compassionate RN. Lifelong friends and family made up both of their wedding parties. The service was beautiful… Annie, my wife’s mother, somewhat frail but truly focused was escorted to her seat of honor on the arm of her first grandson, my oldest son Joshua Keith Rich. Annie was soon to turn ninety two and had never missed any event of importance that involved her grandchildren: Josh, Kyle, Erik, Rachel and Brendan. The pride she radiated at being escorted by her thirty five year old grandson and seeing the smile of Brendan and Erik brought a flow of tears from those congregated for this wedding. It was a magical event…storybook…it couldn’t have been more emotional… more perfect.

The food was marvelous and the open bar delighted any epicurean. The music was loud and like Dick Clark used to remark on American Bandstand, you could definitely dance to it. Brendan’s older brother Josh and his oldest friend, Josh Keith gave sublime speeches that drew out sentiment deep from all of our hearts. My nephew Matt Rich was with his fiancé and their little boy Asher. This young man was “Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and Fame” rolled into an eighteen month old body and stole the show. As expected a trove of pictures were taken of the various branches and new additions to our family. Everyone was dressed immaculately and the photos were magnificent. One in particular had my wife and sons joined with the newly wed Mrs. Michaela Rich, Annie, Joshua’s fiancé, Brian and his wife Mishelle, his sons Cory and Matt with Rachel and Asher. It was an image of pure joy. After the photo, I texted the phone photo from my phone to the only cousin of the Rich family I can tolerate: Heather Rich-Matteson…she was my crazy doppelgänger. She replied that it looked like we were having a blast and wished she were there. I wished she was there too. For in that brief fleeting moment, everything was, dare I say it, …perfect.

The world will humble you.

In a few months, the year 2020 began and the family pictures of countless families would undergo tragic pain and loss. In late February, our world began to turn upside down and would continue to tumble for the foreseeable future. My cousin Heather, forty four years old, a fantastic mother, a loving wife passed away unexpectedly as we were heading to, ironically enough, the wedding of a family friend. I don’t intend to mark every horrible loss that took place in the interim from Brendan and Michaela’s wedding and the current moment; suffice it to say there are loved ones missing from those pictures. Annie is no longer with us, my beautiful nephew Matt is gone, Heather is gone, Donnel has passed away and numerous other friends, colleagues, nieces, brothers and on and on have succumbed to the virulent plague wreaking havoc in our world. Every family has a similar story to tell and on it goes.

The world will go on.

There have been many dark moments since that day. Perspective is a pliable, subjective instrument that can alter moments of peace into turmoil and moments of turmoil into visions of hope. Nothing is static… time goes forward and you go with it or get left. Brendan and Michaela celebrated and good wishes were sent. Everyone made acutely and painfully aware over the last two years that life and joy are fleeting things. It’s all a matter of perspective…and sitting there, talking with my brother, I chose to change my perspective. My brother lost his son in February earlier this year…he lost a part of his soul. Science teaches us that there is a balance that occurs in natural things. What balanced such a overwhelming loss? Brian knows that his brother and his brother’s family will be there for him in any way to fill the gap. He knows that his immediate family is strong beyond measure. His daughter, Lauren leads and lends strength to her dad. His son Cory embarked on a soul searching journey to bring healing not just for himself but for others. Matthew gave him a parting gift; a beautiful granddaughter name Lynnox who looks like Matt. His coworkers held him up and perhaps in ways he never knew before, he wasn’t alone.

My wife Kim, her sister Nancy and brother Frank lost their true north in June of ‘20 when Annie passed quietly in her sleep. Kim had Annie for fifty three years, Nancy for sixty eight years and Frank for seventy years. That is an incredibly long time to have your mother… a mother who exuded love at every turn. For awhile, they were lost like I had never seen them. The wound healed and emotional scar tissue took its place. There would be no vacuum here; these three somewhat aged group of siblings formed bonds that can never be broken. They love each other more that I thought possible and it’s beautiful. Siddhatta Gotama Buddha teaches us the “First Noble Rule” is that in this life we will experience loss and pain…this is the unavoidable rule. Luckily for us, the Buddha moved on to the “Second Noble Rule.” This rule teaches us that we are to joyfully participate in this world of loss and pain. “Joyfully?“ This will require some serious perspective and realize that all things are in a constant state of flux. In this state of flux or as William Cullen Bryant called it a “Flood of Years,” the memories are in constant connection with new experiences.

So, how do I celebrate a joyous anniversary amidst incalculable loss? We joyfully acknowledge our new found strength; our newly discovered bonds with family and friends and we acknowledge that the world can take from you but in balance…will give in good measure. My youngest son has overcome obstacles and fallen in love with a lovely girl. My nephew Cory embarked on a journey of healing. My brother has a new granddaughter as mentioned earlier and my wife and I have a new grandson…Greyson. Nancy, my sister in law, is enjoying the pure pleasure of being a “Nana” for the first time. Lauren is off to California; Brendan and Michaela just bought their first home. Things are good two years later; but we know that won’t last. We joyfully know that, together, we can endure tragedy and know the healing flood will refresh us. Hang on … it’s a helluva ride.

[seb-owns-these-tatas]

What’s wrong? (Tj Hammond) (Pt.1)

Characters: Bi!TJ Hammond x Asian!Female!Reader

Summary: You're an overseas worker and is in a relationship with TJ, but people can't seem to accept the differences between you both even by financially and background wise.

Warning: Kisses. Public making out. Mention of threesome but no lemon. Lmao. HOT, SEXY GIF'S which can make your phone fly. No angst yet. Annoying racist journalist. Mention of doing the birds and the bees but it wasn't written. Heehee!

Words: 4000+ (IT'S LONG AF. 😂 There’s a part 2 which will be posted soon if ya want?)

A/N: I always tend to write long ass oneshots for TJ Hammond. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Because maybe I'm the only one enjoying this? Lmao. GO BE CRAZY WITH YOUR FEEDBACKS, TATER TOTS! IT’S TIME FOR SOME ASIAN FEMALE READERS!

Disclaimer: GIF'S and pictures used are not mine. Only the edits are and the oneshot of course. 😉 Credits to the owners of the GIFS.

"They're not gonna accept me, Teej." Your heart sank from the moment those words came out of your lips, it was like a curse that made your heart feel heavier with every beat. Those were just the mere, honest truth that was inevitable to come out.

You didn't want to beat behind the bush. From the moment TJ asked you to be his partner for the engagement party that was soon to happen for Douglas and Annie, the anxiety crept up your heart, jumping towards your head that made you speak the honest truth.

You knew deep down that your ethnicity and your background was making it difficult for you, for the both of you and for everyone.

TJ immediately sensed the disheartened change in your voice as he was mindlessly trying to help chop the vegetables needed, standing in front of the kitchen island. On the other hand, you were preparing the beef for the Stir fried noodles you opted to make, in request to the whiny Hammond boy living in yours and his apartment.

You felt gentle arms snake around your waist and instantly you knew whose arms were that from. Tj leaned down, his head beside yours as he adjusted to your five foot one height. You felt his lip on your cheek, peppering soft kisses till he reached your ear. "Am I hearing you right? Was that a whine I heard? As far as I know, I'm the whiny boyfriend here," Tj whispered and chuckled, feeling his hot breath fanning against your ear made you quietly gush in his arms.

"Thomas! Stop, You know I got the tickles there!"

Tj felt the need to be playful, in account to your saddened state. He continued blowing at your ear, "Oh, so now I'm only Thomas to you?" Chuckles and giggles rang around your apartment. Joyful laughters that was perfect to record and watch at any time of the day. Tj haven't been that happy since his recent breakup. From a political fool who he thought had loved him, but end up abusing and using the love he has been giving in the end.

Despite of his crestfallen, past relationship, you suddenly came along. He was utterly depressed and went back to being a druggie. After months have passed of being clean, the addiction came along after the heartbreak. Yet, it was stopped once again from the moment you came along. Basically, you were the rainbow after his rain and he ought to see the light from you forever glowing.

"Hey, hey," Tj pulled you away from your wandering, negative thoughts. Never forgetting to give your head a kiss, feeling the warmth spreading all over your body, "You gotta stop being a pessimist," He cocked his head, an eyebrow rising as he collected his thoughts, "Just..relax, everything's going to be fine I swear,"

You turned the gas range off, sighing and whipping around once you did, meeting a very soft, sweet looking Hammond boy whose eyes were the prettiest out of all the blues out there. Your lip was now in between your teeth, biting the flesh from overthinking what was bound to happen soon. "You always say that, and I'd rather expect the worst, Teej because you're in a relationship with me."

"What's wrong being in a relationship with you? I don't find anything wrong about it," He sassily shrugged, caressing your hip with his thumbs in utmost tenderness, "Anne's Asian, from a different ethnicity but they don't get to say their complaints or problems about it, Y/N."

You bit your lip harder, eyebrows furrowing from thinking too deep, "Anne's from a wealthy family, Tj. And I'm...I'm..from trash,"

"Which I was lucky to find because I have rummaged a diamond in the dumps," He chuckled, his laugh sounding angelic to you. You fought off a smile, the anxiety was still swallowing you whole, making everything more complicated for you. "It's not funny, you're just making my anxiety worse,"

Tj had to put more effort in distracting you, and so he tried harder. "Come on, Baby. Lighten up, nothing's gonna happen, it's going to be a boring day for us because the party was probably a way to bring those stormtroopers all together," He licked his lips, looking at you straight in the eyes with such shine that could make your heart go all putty. "Just be my plus one, be the good girl you are while we suffer this together, Deal?"

"I dunno, Teej. What do I get in return upon agreeing to this so called...deal of yours?" You purred, tracing the outline of his pectorials bulging out of his tight black shirt. A lopsided smile on your lips.

"Hmm," Tj playfully hummed, his head falling till he reached your ear, never forgetting to give it a tender bite, "Maybe some steamy shower with me, I suppose?" The naughty Hammond boy suggested with a tiny chuckle, his voice dropping an octave lower, even with a suggestive tone that reached down inside your pantaloons, making you squirm in his grasp. "That is..if you're up to it?"

"But--how about the food--" You stammered, finding it hard to say no.

"We could always start with the dessert first, Love." and you certainly didn't object after that.

                                                 ✧˖*✧˖*✧˖*✧˖*✧˖*

Tons of people with class that were worth a million dollars came lounging in. Small talks, and fake hi's were their main objective. Wealthy, power hunger crocodiles seem to sound appropriate for their understandable behaviors. Other people appeared to enjoy communicating with anyone whom they can see as wealthy and famous, making them look like a total gold digger or a social climber who likes to be friends with people whom are high-class.

Everything that was happening around you was making you shake your head in animosity. Another set of anxiety creeping you in. How did you even end up in Tj's home when everybody had given you the stink eye, jealous, thirsty women scanning your appearance and history from head to foot if that was even possible.

They were probably wondering how Tj was in a relationship with a substandard woman like you who lived in the eastern part of the world. Well, Sexuality-wise..They were certainly stunned to see the former first son gay icon renegade turned miraculously bisexual, acting all touchy-feely and having thoughts inside their judgemental minds as to why he kept staring at you, looking all lovestruck and whipped.

"Y/N!!! Sweetheart!" You jumped from the huge, beige couch as you lounged beside your boyfriend. A half empty Martini in hand. You could see Margareth, Tj's grandmother marching your way. Her hips swaying with her heels. Her smile never fading once she saw how you still kept your relationship with her complicated grand son, Thomas.

"Tj's keeping you all to himself! This kid can be selfish when he wants to," Margareth complained, her voice shaky and senile but a little bit too hyper for her age. She never forgot to playfully smack her grand son's head, "Aw! Nana!" Tj complained with a sweet smile drawn on his face. A smile that Margareth remembered when he was still a child back in the white house.

Finally, she thought. It was time she got her grand son back.

"Hey, Nana!" You chimed, a huge grin plastered on your face. Truthfully delighted to see somebody whom gave your heart that warm, familiar feeling. Margareth grabbed you in a hug once you stood up to hug her. Yet, you were too slow to be first. "Y/N," She murmured as she cut the hug. Staring right back at you with a sweet smile while she reached for your face. "I'm really happy you keep my grand son in check and completely elated like who he was back then," Nana muttered, taking glances back at Tj who was busy chatting with one of Elaine's friend.

"Please, don't leave him like how that asshole did, Y/N. I don't know what he'll do next when you do, sweetheart."

"I don't plan to, Nana." You gave a crooked smile, adding a giggle on the end. Your words repeating inside your mind like a mantra. Did you really not thought about that? Margareth smiled, lightly tapping your right cheek with a laugh. "Good," She grabbed another Margarita from one of the waiters who were strolling around, promptly sipping on it. "You're perfect for this family,"

You fit in the family. But, that was in Nana's humble perspective. What about Dougie? Elaine? Especially Bud's point of view? Do they accept you though?

The party went on. It wasn't late yet, though as the time went on, more familiar people came in and began to join in the party. As an awkward human being, you stood on the middle of the floor. All alone sipping on your second Martini. Tj asked you to give him a minute because he had to talk to someone and probably get something in God knows where. You immediately gave your approval, giving him a sweet, innocent, tiny kiss on the lips before practically shoving him away before it took much more than you intended to.

Loud chatters can be heard, controversial topics that reached your ear made you want to raise a brow because of their judgemental thoughts that should be kept locked inside their poisonous minds. 'You sure they ain't putting up an act to cover Tj's real sexuality?' 'I bet he's using her,' 'Or probably it's the other way around, girl.'

'She seems like a lonely bitch,'

You crossed your arms against your chest, the anger bubbling up till it reached your head. Giving you a minor, temporary headache. In your peripheral vision, you could see Tj from the bar, talking to Nana and her circle of friends, with a precious smile on his gorgeous face. It was all glitters and rainbows in his part.

On the other hand, yours were full of shit. You cussed inside the back of your mind. The thick-faced women giggled and they were quite close to you. They probably intended to let you hear their conversation, to stir you up and mess with your temper. Especially that journalists and reporters were around, waiting for something to happen so they could add it in their drafts.

You ignored them the best you can. Nonetheless, there was always one person who'll irk you and even try to stir up the kindness in you that could change into rage. You sipped on your cocktail drink while staring at the piano in curiosity. Does Tj know how to play? You mindlessly thought inside your mind. Oh, you were about to know and ask him about it. There was a lingering warm presence behind you, and you instantly smiled from ear to ear. Speak of the devil..

However, to your surprise a woman with blue eyes stood tall in front of you. Appearing to have this sense of pride that she was one successful woman. You could tell from head to toe and it made you feel so tiny and unworthy that you were welcomed to join in the party.

"Will you be so kind to answer these questions that I have for you? Ms..??" The lady humbly asked, an innocent smile that hid behind a wicked scheme she had in mind. You couldn't even believe her. How can she ask for an interview from a person whom she doesn't know his/her name?

What a fool indeed.

"Y/N." You kept a short answer, a tight smile on show as you sighed out loud which made the reporter raise a brow from your dissatisfaction. How dare you act annoyed when you should feel delighted to be interviewed even though you were one substandard woman whom Thomas Hammond obviously made his worst mistake. The woman thought through her fake smile planted on her thick, injected lips.

"So, let's start off with something simpler, Y/N." She paused, acting all modest with the fakest smile you have ever seen. "Tj's??"

If she wanted to appear stupid, then it was best to say the stupidest answers as well. You breathed in deep breaths. Take it with your big girl panties. You can do this. You can. "Supportive wife?" You spoke as a matter of fact. Snorting a little when you saw her jaw tighten.

The brunette woman couldn't help but snicker, sneaking a tiny roll of her eyes. "I don't see a ring," She snapped, laughing to herself and eyeing you from head to toe. "Or a collar?" She smirked when you kept your hands on your sides, fists completely tight, trying hard not to make a scene. No. Never stoop down to her level, Y/N.

"Hmm," She fixed the lapels of her black blazer, "Obviously, you're the girlfriend. I'm not an idiot, Ms. Y/N."

Your nerves was seriously ticking like a time bomb that was ready to explode. "Really? You seem to be a much bigger idiot than me when you asked for my name, but the truth is..I know you knew who I was," You breathed out harshly, not wanting to start and send off rude remarks that could have endless rebuttals. "If I'm an idiot then why do I own a big advertising company..Unlike you," Miss reporter held her head high with her tall height, eyeing you from head to toe again like it was her nasty habit. "I don't work at any Ching-chong restaurants that spits rice, noodles or kimchi's,"

Well, that made you face palm.

"Do you have any more racist comments that could honestly move me? Because that comment sucks so bad," You held a finger under your eye, trying to wipe away imaginary tears. "Cry me a river, woman."

Tj laughed a boisterous one from what grandma Mercedith just said. She was one of Nana's bestest friend and a sweetheart indeed. Margareth noticed that Y/N wasn't with her grandson, and so she questioned.

"Tj, where's Y/N?"

The latter smiled, those smiles that held teeth and was too picturesque not to ogle at. Nana couldn't help but lift her lips too. "Oh, over there." Tj gestured behind him, towards where the party was, never looking back. Margareth glanced where he was pointing to and saw that Y/N is being interrogated by the infamous reporter slash journalist slash owner of an almost bankrupt advertising company who had no good thing to do but make false hypothesis about every issue especially when it was about the Hammond family.

"Tj," Nana started, sounding disturbed. "If I were you, I won't go leaving Y/N in a place full of sharks wanting to munch on a bait," She pointed towards where Y/N and Rosalie Sparks where. They seem to be exchanging heated conversations because she could see how Y/N was keeping herself together. "The Sasquash is on the move, honey."

"What?" Tj turned their backs away from them. A stern frown appeared to be on show for the folks to see. Finally acknowledging what his Nana has been saying and there they were. His girlfriend and an annoying woman who was planning to offend and get something out of his girlfriend. What was new?

"How's it feel to be unaccepted in the Hammond family? Especially that we know Bud doesn't take a liking on you because of how incompetent you are and how pitiable your family is," Rosalie Spark's chatted like what she was saying are compliments that was meant to fill the heart. Though, it was filling it with dread and anger. "Rich people deserve to only be with rich people too," She clucked on her wine glass with her fancy gold ring, grinning in the process. "While the peasants deserve to stay in the dumps,"

You zipped your mouth. Never stoop down. Never. Silence is the best way to talk back because you knew you were educated, matured and old enough to know how immature she was acting.

"I'm honestly disgusted by Tj Hammond's tastes are in women," She continued, more like talking to herself because you weren't speaking. "Or he's probably just confused for the second time and is actually really..reallyyy into men," The bitch exaggerated.

"Because if I'm in a relationship with you or--" She held her mouth, supressing a giggle that made you want to throw a glass at her. "--to be unluckily sleeping with you, I'll just be gay for all my life, Y/N."

You could feel your eyes turning hotter as each second pass by. God, you were such a pathetic baby. Why had you even agreed to go the party? Obviously because Tj begged you to come with him.

Not a second has passed by when you felt a warm presence snake beside you, and it took you long enough to realize that it was finally your Tj by the looks of his black dress shirt and all black attire. An arm moved around you, clutching onto your waist and Tj felt you were shaking. Probably from anger because that's just who you are.

You'd rather stay quiet despite of how people attack you, you'd rather be kind to rude people than to offend them back and that's how Tj knew you were one of a kind. A special one.

Before you knew it, your heart skipped a beat from the moment he held your jaw with his hand. Ushering your face to look at him, and with one dip of his head he had you enthralled in his spell that could calm you down in the sweetest way. Tj kissed you, right in front of that annoying journalist to probably irritate the heck out of her. He locked your lips with his, teasingly lunging the tip of his tongue inside your parted lips as he closed his eyes. Acknowledging the effect you could only give to him.

You couldn't help but envelope your arms around his figure as you kiss him deep, biting on his lower lip that made you both smirk from how she was certainly already uncomfortable. Physical contact makes people feel awkward. Tj preed his eyes open, seeing the woman with a pathetic aggravated face that made him chuckle as you both kiss.

Oh, she wasn't going anywhere is she?

Tj gave her a grin, never forgetting to give your lip a tender bite that made your insides go mushy and another sweet kiss that made your heart twerk. He was yours and yours alone. Only yours.

"Tiger twat," Tj answered so smoothly with that hot smolder as he looked deep into your eyes. Completely enticed by your spirit with an innocent smile written on his face that wasn't too innocent in your line of vision. You could see the grin and irk threatening to be shown on his beautiful features. Here, you thought he was calling you a tiger twat when it was actually sent to the reporter slash journalist who looked guilty because she seemed to be entirely shook.

"Isn't that your nickname in DC?" He finally gave attention to the tall, angry Sasquash who happened to rudely interview you.

"News spread so fast, Rosalie."

Your loving boyfriend grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes that made her pride and dignity shatter like fragile chinawares. "What's it like to have teeth down there?"

"Your girlfriend's a bitch," Her ego was wavering yet that didn't stop her from trying to have the last laugh. Rosalie hardly bit the insides of her cheeks, remembering the awful night when the famous Tj Hammond who was out and wasted in his club and miraculously happened to reject her amazing, stunning self.

Oh, did she had a petty little crush on him so that was why she was acting so hostile towards you.

"No," Tj shook his head, a wicked grin threatening to come out and a lot of nasty sentences that could get her to crumble. "You're the bitchest out of all the bitch, Rosalie." He chuckled, his arm retreating from your waist as you saw him took a step forward till he reached her ear, bending down to whisper whatever he needed to.

"Don't come attacking my woman when you're still salty about that night," Tj harshly whispered on her ear, his voice turning an octave lower but definitely more harsh, breath hot and fanning, making her toes curl with want and hunger. "I remembered it so well," He chuckled, a sinister one. "I remembered how you were trying to get in my pants, yet my gay self didn't happen to find you attractive nor worth to fuck for a threesome,"

"Besides, I wouldn't want my dick to get chewed by that dry, loose, wrinkly, smelly twat, Sparks."

And just like that, she huffed and was in the verge of crying her frustrations out once she stomped her foot as she retreated. Making Tj form a wide smile that could make your insides turn a twist. What did he say that made the woman act like a bratty crybaby?

"Thomas," You started, seeing Tj walk back to you, enveloping his arms around your waist, leaning down to give you another peck on the lips but you were quick to maneuver your head, making him chase your lips with his. "Thomas," You repeated more sternly but quietly this time. He looked like he was a little smashed. Was he? you hoped he hadn't sniffed anything that could dissapoint you. "Nobody has the right to talk to you like that," He shockingly spat out in aggravation, looking deep in thought as he gorgeously stared into your eyes.

"What did you say to her?"

He shook his head, licking his lips as he whispered. "Nothing. It's not important, Sugar." His eyes was now trained on your lips, looking like he wanted to devour it all night. You couldn't help but smile. "Are you drunk?"

Your Tj drank in all of your beautiful features. Seeming to be mesmerized by your soul. "No, I'm not. I promise," He took a breather, caressing your cheek with his thumb. "I just love you too much. I can't stand them treating you that way,"

"Now, kiss me." He hastily puckered, dipping his head down for the third time and you were quick to adorably cover his mouth like the conservative person you are. "Tj, we're in the middle of--"

Tj didn't hide the roll of his eyes, showing you how much of a kill joy you were. "Do you think I give a damn?" He spoke against your palms, sounding muffled. "Y/NNNNNN,"

You internally rolled your eyes. He was such a baby. Your big baby. "Fine,"

He kissed your palms, planting a loud kissy sound that made people glance your way, his eyes turning adorable crescent moons once you dropped your palms off his lips. "I love youuuu," Tj puckered for the fourth time before grabbing your face in his hands. Kissing the daylights out of you in the middle of an engagement party. Apparently, it was Dougie and Anne's party yet it seemed like you were both having the engagement.

SCREAM OUT FEEDBACKS IF YA WANT A PART 2 OF THIS ONE SHOT BECAUSE THIS HASSSS A SECOND PART TO IT!!!!

XOXO, TATA

[all-might-blog]

I've always loved you and always will

Summary:

I always had eyes for her. The silent green-haired girl from the Support course. Even after all these years, I've never forgotten her…

Notes:

For DrikaVeras.

I honestly have no idea about what prompted me to write this. I suppose that it's due to Tumblr's influence.... Aaaaaanyways, enjoy the read! Let me know your thoughts about it ^^ (Gifted to DrikaVeras because their work, Alpha and Omega, inspired some things over here. Also because their writing is reaaaaaaally good) (written in Toshinori's perspective)

I always had eyes for her. Ever since my school days. Her green hair, roundish face, emerald green eyes stayed with me all throughout these years. I would be able to pick her out from a large crowd. I knew every smile she put on by heart; the happy ones, the sad ones, the tired ones... And yet I was a coward. I never had the nerve to step up to her, maybe invite her somewhere. Perhaps things could have gone well, but I already knew that I didn't stand a chance, seeing the way her eyes lit up whenever Hisashi smiled or did something to make her smile. I had let her slip right through my grasp. I didn't listen to Yamada or Oboro when they told me that I still had a chance, that I could still try. Nana also tried to convince me that not all hope was lost, but I would able slip away from her whenever she tried bringing it up. No matter what others told me, I just had to acept the fact that she was already beyond my grasp.

Years passed. Oboro's death hit us all hard, Shouta the most. Nothing Yamada or I did could get our turtured friend to speak. For a while I believed that we had also lost him, but soon he moved on. He missed Oboro, he said, but there was no point over crying over spilled milk. Then All for One attacked. I didn't think I would ever heal from the wound that Nana's death had made. It didn't, at least not completely. I knew she had made a sacrifice, a huge one that hadn't only been for me, but also for the entire world. I adopted a smile to hide the pain. Her smile, that is. Traveling to U.S was hard, since I was leaving behind what life I had lived and was heading down a path with an ending I had to see for myself when it came. I trained hard like master had told me to. And I met her. The green haired girl, who was now a young woman and whose name turned out to be Inko. I thought I had lost her, but it didn't seem to be that way. Hisashi was with her too, looking for a hero agency the two could join. That's when we begun to work toguether. David Shield was added to the group soon after I rescued him, becoming one of my closest friends. The years passed by and soon enough we were growing to be one of the top ten agencies in America. And Inko and I were growing closer and closer together. First as friends. She was one I trusted, I would tell her anything, being there if I needed help and vice versa. And then, well...

Then she and Hisashi left US. It was not long when I received an email containing the two of them standing side by side. Inko was a beautiful bride. And not long later, her son was born. No, not their. Hers. When Hisashi found that he was not the father, that I was, he left them. No matter how many texts I sent to my beloved, she wouldn't reply. I couldn't blame her if she was angry at me. She could have had a bright future with Hisashi, and yet I had been there to ruin it. I never forgot her, but I didn't bother her. Years passed, and even when I returned to Japan, the only memories I could hold were those of our past. I would see her once or twice every few months, sometimes alone, simetimes hand in sand with her beautiful son. Yet I never stepped forward. Never dared to shatter more than I had already.

Looking for my next successor lead me to applying for a post at U.A to teach. Of course, that was changed when I suddenly ran into a strangely familiar boy who reminded me very much of the woman I had once loved and still did. I just knew that he was the successor, the one who could bring peace to this world. Years passed before I saw my beloved once more. She remembered me, but she didn't show it. We kept it a parent-teacher meeting in front of Izuku (well, that ended with me swearing protection for her son). She called me for the first time in years when I returned to my appartment, a few hours into the night. We spoke. We spoke for a long, long time. Listening to her voice, which did not sound too nervous at all, brought back memories I had almost forgotten about. We spoke until she excused herself to go to sleep.

After that, we spoke more frequently. I texted her daily on updates of her son, and she would reply with shorter messages. Once or twice, she would invite me over to tea or dinner. We avoided what had happened between us all those years ago for a while, until it screamed at us to not be ignored any longer. There was a great deal of tears, a little bit of shouting... but in the end, all it took was to confess. Because I had eyes only for her and hear alone. No matter what, I would love her. I would... and always will.

[dramanomikata]

“99.9~Keiji Senmon Bengoshi - Season II”

134.

Title: 99.9~Keiji Senmon Bengoshi - Season II (or 99.9 Criminal Lawyer - Season 2) Genre: Law, Crime, Comedy Season: Winter 2018 TV Station: TBS Theme Song: “Find the Answer” by Arashi Starring: Jun Matsumoto, Teruyuki Kagawa, Fumino Kimura, Jin Katagiri, Ittoku Kishibe, Tsurube Shofukutei Date Finished: July 28, 2020 My Personal Reason for Watching: Loved the first season so much, I had to watch the second!

(^^ “Itadaki-Mongoose”…Part Deux! Season 2 – now with more oyaji gags!)

99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi is back! Set one year after the preceding events, Miyama (Matsumoto) and team are busy at the criminal law division of Madarame Law Firm. His team has seen a shortage of staff with Tachibana (Nana Eikura) in America and paralegal Togawa (Makiko Watanabe) quitting and marrying Shiga Sensei (Takahiro Fujimoto). With that, Sada Sensei (Kagawa) is brought back to be the head of the criminal law division. Along the way, they meet Maiko Ozaki (Kimura), a former judge who is suspicious of Miyama’s peculiar tactics. Together, they solve crimes and find the truth one case at a time. 

(^^ “Finding the truth for that .01%!” Wait…something’s not right with that picture XD)

I absolutely loved the first season of 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi. It was a very refreshing drama and made me LOL on many occasions. The second season was no exception! With more oyaji gags and intriguing cases, season 2 is on par and may be even be better than its’ predecessor. One of the reasons I loved the first season so much was the dynamic and chemistry between the legal team especially Miyama and Sada. This was not lost in the second season and I believe the team dynamic was even stronger as they worked together before.  I love the reenactments they do for crime scenes and it just makes the whole drama more lighthearted and fun even if it is revolved around the unjust legal system of Japan.

(^^ Each person playing a role:) )

I knew I was going to miss Nana Eikura as Ayano Tachibana (Nana was actually pregnant at the time which explains her absence from this season). However, Fumino Kimura as Ozaki meshed with the team well and it was great to make her character a former judge which brought a new perspective to these cases. I also loved the fact that they gave her a unique interest in ventriloquism like Tachibana with her pro-wrestling. It made her more likable albeit quirky. We still got references to pro-wrestling throughout the show with the new paralegal who took Togawa’s place, Nakatsuka (Azusa Babazono—hey, from Terrace House!). But I loved that Nana showed up at the end for a short cameo;)

(^^ “*Ribbit* What are you going to do, Ozaki?” Miyama’s inner thoughts: “Um…what are you doing?” XD)

A general understanding of the Japanese language to understand some of the puns as well as Japanese pro-wrestling culture would be more helpful in enjoying the drama (just like last season). However, each episode was as thought-provoking and hilarious as the next, which makes this one of my favorite drama series to date.

Favorites: Favorite Character: Miyama for sure! I cannot get over his Oyaji gags! Favorite Episode: I liked how Miyama and Ozaki were able to provide justice to their loved ones in episodes 2 and 6. I also liked episode 8 with the politician since it was so clever! Favorite Scene: Sada laughing over Miyama’s oyaji gags always gets to me XD

(^^“It’s a whole thing with them. This is the only thing they have in common”)

“99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi - Season II” Rating: Story: ✭✭✭✭½ (clever and so funny, the writing just gets you hooked on the story from beginning to end) Acting: ✭✭✭✭½ (amazing cast and Kimura was a great addition!) Theme Song: ✭✭✭✭ (not my favorite Arashi song, but fits the drama and well, catchy is catchy) Total: 13/15

Next Up: “Last Cinderella”

(^^ I’m going to miss the team at Madarame Law Firm!)

[tackyink]

The making of Anomaly, chapter 3

Link to chapter 3

I’ll openly admit that, at this point, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was in a YYH mood and Makoto seemed to have piqued people’s interest, so I thought I might as well keep going.

The chapter opens with Makoto and Yuusuke trying not to die as they run laps around the lake. That’s Amemasu’s home, so when she sinks her head in the lake, there’s a good chance they saw her for the first time in many years.

I didn’t know yet what lived in the lake, and neither did Makoto, but Amemasu had been aware of Mako as early as Nana first brought her to the temple and was shown around the lake. At this point in the story, she hasn’t been in the forest in a long time, so Amemasu probably had a very confusing moment as to who this young Nana lookalike with youki was.

"There is something odd about his aura. I cannot pinpoint it, but it's there."

"As I understand, he died and came back to life."

This is Makoto actually sensing Yuusuke’s weird wavelength that almost got him stuck in the afterlife. Genkai offers a passable explanation, but what Makoto’s picking up isn’t due to his resurrection, it’s the budding demon genes that are still obscured by Yuusuke’s very human… everything.

He wasn't supposed to be there. That's why Kurama's death had been so clear to her, it had to be. Her prediction hadn't accounted for this guy because he just wasn't supposed to be there, wrecking everything he came in contact with. He was tearing down the very paths of fate.

Plucked from the river of life and thrown back in without a care, the ripples he caused were affecting the people he crossed paths with.

The mother of all anomalies. The source of her headaches for over a week. It had been his fault all along.

I cannot stress enough that this wasn’t planned and I was just following Makoto’s thoughts to their logical conclusion. Luckily for me, Makoto turned out to be a very reflexive character, and I think a lot of Anomaly’s charm is due to this: we as fans know the story in a way that is hard to be surprised anymore, but re-experiencing these events through the eyes of someone with inside knowledge of how things work in-universe and no idea of how events will play out opens up many avenues for analysis. She notices things that our familiarity or ingrained first impressions make us overlook. At least, that’s how it worked for me.

And Anomaly could very well have ended here, with its main mystery resolved, but I was having way too much fun to let go yet.

I didn’t expect Mako and Yuusuke to get along so well. I honestly thought she’d just write him off as dumb and loud and he’d think she was off-putting and had a stick up her ass. I didn’t realize until I had them alone in the same room that Yuusuke and Fumiko are not so different, and Mako was used to dealing with her more than with anybody else. I think she finds some comfort in people who are so radically different to her, who’s always gone through life restraining herself. And after his trip through the afterlife, Yuusuke is not the judgmental type, so when he brings up her oddities, he does so in the same straightforward way Fumi does, with no ill intent. She knows how rare that is and appreciates it.

The other thing that I cannot stress enough is that Kurama is a nightmare to write. Their little back and forth after school was torture to write because I can never figure out what is going through his head. Rereading this with some perspective, I’d say that he found her funny and he was very curious about Makoto’s power. He’s taken a liking to her, of course, since she was worried about him and his mother back at the hospital, but at this point she’s a bit of a sociological experiment to him. Though, to be fair, all the connections Kurama forms along YYH have that feel. Human World relationships are a novelty he hasn’t experienced much.

"I'm sure you look fantastic when you exercise. Not a hair out of place, all prim and proper with your clothes neatly pressed."

I just want to point out that I share Makoto’s saltiness regarding this matter.

"Good morning, Makoto," he said amicably.

She refused to take her eyes off the road. "Are you a stalker?"

It’s fun to write people with little regards for social conventions.

At any rate, the entire conversation they have during the run was me trying to set the inner workings and limits of Mako’s ability for my own benefit as much as for the readers.

By the time Mako’s back to the temple, Yuusuke has surpassed her, maybe not in energy reserves, but 100% in technique. He’s a prodigy and she’s slow, she’s assumed that there are some things she simply cannot do, and this is why she won’t catch up to the others in terms of battling skill for the rest of the fic.

Mako’s habit of counting to three fit so well with it being a habit from training as a child, like a ballerina counting steps, that when I thought of it I was like, ‘Oh, so that’s why she does that!’

Genkai hummed and, after a few seconds, she said, "You should also know that you are always welcome here."

This small remark was, in the end, what decided Makoto’s fate at the end of the fic. I kept coming back to this sentence, thinking of how Genkai wanted the temple grounds to become a refuge for non-humans. She knew that Makoto was bound to feel out of place no matter where she went and wanted to help with that in her own way. It sort of worked, in the sense that it became Mako’s home down the line, but Makoto never felt it hers. She always felt like she was just the keeper of the grounds, waiting for the true master to come back, and she sticks to the philosophy of welcoming everyone, first to honor Genkai’s wishes, later on because she realizes that it is important for everybody to have a place like that. This is something I would love to explore in the sequel, if I ever get around to writing it.

As for her parents, they are just regular good people. They aren’t very interesting, nor were they meant to be. Mako’s home life is the model of what a nuclear family is supposed to be: happy suburban couple with a kid, a two story house, stable jobs, a nice car, and not a worry in life other than doing too much overtime. Makoto is weird enough for all of them, so her family didn’t need to be.

[maydaymadier]

Fannar Playlist Breakdown

idk, I’m procrastinating so I’m gonna explain all the songs on the Fannar playlist

Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin  basically my inspirations are showing here, Fannar’s original concept was ‘Well the MCU writers can do whatever the fuck they want with Loki so so can I’ so I pulled this one from the Thor: Ragnarok soundtrack, on a lesser note  “We come from the land of the ice and snow/From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow/The hammer of the gods/W'ell drive our ships to new lands/To fight the horde, and sing and cry/Valhalla, I am coming!” and he’s literally from a place called The Frozen North

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen The only family member whose opinion matters to Fannar anymore is his mom.  There’s also just the general level of dramatic thinking that happens when grievously injured and believing you’re about to die. “Mama, ooh,/Didn't mean to make you cry,/If I'm not back again this time tomorrow,” is probably about what he was thinking when he was

Bleeding Out, Imagine Dragons bleeding out at the bottom of an abyss, back mangled and painfully aware that he was about to die, a Fannar backstory jam, this one lines up with when Fannar made his warlock pact with Auril 

Monster, Lady Gaga He just vibes with this one, I think Fannar would fucking love this song

Judas, Lady Gaga Once again, I just think he vibes with this one, he just vibes with it

Fox on the Run, Sweet OH MAN,  this works on multiple counts.  Fannar starts off the campaign as a ‘fox on the run’ bc he’s like, a trickster running away, avoiding home, ALSO “I - don't wanna know your name/'Cause you don't look the same/The way you did before/Okay - you think you got a pretty face/But the rest of you is out of place/You looked alright before” works super well bc Fannar literally grew up with a different face, and he lost it bc of backstory so this would be a random person from The Frozen North talking about him.

Surrender, Cheap Trick I don’t know, I think I just got Fannar vibes from it?  A family with a really weird, vaguely dysfunctional dynamic?  The parents have weird pasts and that’s reflected in the kids?  Yeah, that checks out.

Dead and Gone, The Black Keys Early in his pact Fannar, still presumed dead by anyone who’d previously known him, and at his patron’s beck and call  “So long/Why you waiting so long?/After every single word is said/I'm feeling dead and gone”

Sinister Kid, The Black Keys Fannar, especially early on, was wildly, blatantly self-destructive, not even trying to hide it.  “A sinister kid is a kid who/Runs to meet his maker/A drop dead sprint from the day he's born/Straight into his maker's arms/And that's me, that's me/The boy with the broken halo/That's me, that's me/The devil won't let me be”

The Kids From Yesterday, My Chemical Romance idk, I don’t remember why I originally added this one.  But it’s probably just some Fannar-reflecting-on-his-past from time to time

Sleep, My Chemical Romance Admittedly, Fannar’s done some pretty shitty things, but he’s a lot harder on himself than anyone else is, “Undeserving of your sympathy 'Cause there ain't no way that I'm sorry for what I did” so it’s easier to just own it and revel in the idea that he’s a bad person who isn’t sorry than admit to anything.

Once Upon a December, Liz Callaway (Anastasia) BACKSTORY JAM!!!!!!  This is like,,,,baby Fannar, his present self is so detached from who he was as a small child that that whole part of his life doesn’t really feel real.  He knows it happened, but it’s such a 180 he can’t properly wrap his head around it.

One Way Or Another, Blondie Early on in the campaign he was being tracked down by someone, who later turned out to be his Nana Frostyears (his childhood governess, i guess i’ll call her a governess), tracking him down to bring him home to save the kingdom

Unknown Brother, The Black Keys This is more from his brother Orvar’s perspective, Orvar trying to wrap his head around what happened to his baby brother Fannar as an outsider looking in.  “Though I never met you/And we spoke not a word/I'll never forget you/Through stories that I have heard/For you unknown brother/My baby's mother's pained/Because your soul is in heaven/But your memory remains”

Death By Glamour, Toby Fox The ranger (Isorropia) and the druid/DM1 (Thrain) were talking about Fannar amongst themselves and decided that it fit him and I was inclined to agree.

Don’t Stop Me Now, Queen Fannar, a few years post-backstory, come into himself, still an impulsive bastard but he’s having fun now.

Dinner & Diatribes, Hozier Look, I’m sorry but a lot of songs are gonna be on here bc they’re horny and this is one of them.  This could be Fannar’s pov, it could be an attractive stranger interested in Fannar’s pov, it could go either way.   “Honey, this club here is stuck up/Dinner and diatribes/I knew it from the first look of/The look of mischief in your eyes”

Movement, Hozier yet another Horny Song, but this time a little more, awed by the other person bc when Fannar decides he wants to sleep with someone he goes big or goes home and sets his sights on impressive people......like a dragon  “I still watch you when you're groovin'/As if through water from the bottom of a pool/You're movin' without movin'/And when you move, I'm moved”

Blame It On The Girls, MIKA OH BOY this pretty aptly sums up Fannar’s attitude and attitudes abt various family members, this song is just, a perfect summary of Fannar, though I guess it’s more someone describing him as opposed to Fannar saying it himself  “Blame it on the girls who know what to do/Blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you/Blame it on your mother for the things she said/Blame it on your father but you know he's dead”

Burning Pile, Mother Mother sometimes Fannar’s bullshit, baggage, and mistakes catch up with him and the easiest thing to do is to torch it.  why would he ever actually deal with it fully?   “All my troubles on a burning pile/All lit up and I start to smile/If I, catch fire then I change my aim/Throw my troubles at the world again”

cherubim, serpentwithfeet ANOTHER horny song but this is specifically abt someone!  There’s a character that I have Fannar paired off with in my canon-compliant writing, Renault, the War King of Ragnas.  Who, well, Fannar started off as a consort but then it turned out that he really liked him, and he felt the same way and it’s probably the best romantic relationship of Fannar’s life so he feels a certain level of devotion to Renault.  “Boy, every time I worship you/My mouth is filled with honey/Boy, as I build your throne/I feel myself growing”

Savior, St. Vincent [lord farquaad pointing meme] horny, Fannar is more than willing to fill sexual roles for people, fulfill what other people think of him because that’s easier than having his own concrete identity, though he knows it has its limits “You dress me up in a nurse's outfit/It rides and sticks to my thighs and my hips...... Honey, I can't be your savior/Love you to the grave and farther/Honey, I am not your martyr”

Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue), Hozier [lord farquaad pointing meme but deep fried] HORNY Look, Fannar knows what he’s about, and also maybe sometimes he can be horny in an emotional way that makes him a little bit sappy abt the present events  “Be thankful some know it lovingly/There the reason comes in the common tongue of your loving me”

Low Lays the Devil, The Veils okay, I originally put this on here bc I think it was a recommended song on a different playlist and i wanted to save it and so i saved it to Fannar’s playlist bc it fit that one best.  Overall, just a general allusion to Fannar’s fiendish heritage as a tiefling I suppose and also how he generally likes to hype people up to by proxy hype himself up   “High as the heavenly sea/Low lays the devil in me...Come lay your head on my lap/And let your hair fall back/You've got to live with yourself”

Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy), Big & Rich Okay, I added this jokingly bc I managed to convince myself that Fannar would fucking love this song, absolutely jam out to it while he’s fucking wasted.  Also, maybe his type is ‘Cowboy’ and that’s hella valid of him.

Horns, Bryce Fox He’s a tiefling!  A tiefling with very prominent horns!  He’s gotta learn to take pride in that shit and learn how to think of them as attractive

It’s Hard to Be Humble, Mac Davis Look, Fannar knows how to hype himself up and strut and preen like the peacock he is, being humble is not a part of his persona

Little Lion Man, Mumford & Sons hahahahaha, scratch through Fannar’s exterior deep enough and you’ll easily find someone who was put through a fucking meat grinder and had his identity crumbled into a million jagged bits.  He maybe could have been a great wizard, and insightful advisor to his brother when he became king, but instead he was broken and choked on the poison poured into his mind   “Tremble for yourself, my man,/You know that you have seen this all before/Tremble little lion man,/You'll never settle any of your scores/Your grace is wasted in your face,/Your boldness stands alone among the wreck/Now learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck”

You’re My Best Friend, Queen I needed a song for Fannar and Isorropia.  Isorropia is his best friend (and tbh he considers her to be like a sister, though he doesn’t really expect her to feel the same way) and he feels very strongly about her.  He would kill a man for Rope.

Everybody Wants To Rule the World, Tears For Fears A pretty central even in Fannar’s backstory was his trying to take the throne of his home kingdom and he generally cares about being in control of himself and his situation, having no control over what’s happening to him is not a good time

I Don’t Know What We’re Talking About, Ninja Sex Party Okay, there’s a running thing where whenever we’re in a bathhouse or something I’ll just shout out “Fannar disassociates in the bath” which started off as a joke but then I realized Fannar doesn’t like being alone with his thoughts or his body.  He didn’t grow up with this tiefling body and as much as he can claim to be comfortable with himself, he can’t always manage to put his money where his mouth is.  There was one notable time where Fannar was completely checked out in the baths in this inn in Vulcanica and the party managed to chase a guy down into an alley and fight him, all while Fannar stayed sat in the bath.  (See also, this is why Fannar is such a promiscuous character, he’s trying to assert confidence in his body by being overtly sexual)

Catch Me Now I’m Falling, The Kinks Ya boi fell.  He notably fell into a massive fucking abyss and it would have killed him had he not made his pact with Auril

Emperor’s New Clothes, Panic! at the Disco Big Fannar vibes, he’s big and dramatic and as someone who grew up among nobility and hated it he knows how to clock fake people who clothe themselves in pretension and importance.  Also lowkey speaks to his ambitions to become an archfey himself someday  “Sycophants on velvet sofas/Lavish mansions, vintage wine/I am so much more than royal/Snatch your chain and mace your eyes/If it feels good, tastes good/It must be mine/Heroes always get remembered/But you know legends never die”

Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time, Panic! at the Disco What can I say besides Fannar is a party animal

Somebody To Love, Queen HE’S JUST A BIG DUMB GAY WHO MASKS HIS EMOTIONS BUT DEEP DOWN WOULD REALLY LIKE TO JUST GENUINELY BE LOVED, HE’S GOT PLATONIC LOVE IN THE FORM OF HIS INTER-PARTY FRIENDSHIPS BUT HEY HE’D LIKE SOME ROMANCE TOO PLEASE AND THANKS (SHOUTOUT TO RENAULT)

Viva La Vida, Coldplay More backstory allusion stuff, he was a big dumbass who wanted to rule but his reputation crumbled around him and all of those ambitions became untenable.

[im-the-king-of-the-ocean]

D, K!

D - A pairing you wish you liked but just can’t.

Nanavex

I really really wanted to like this one.  The first thing I ever did in the fandom was give Nana a troll husband.  At the time, I knew it was kind of cracky, and accepted that nothing like it could ever happen in canon.  So, in 3Below Part 1, when I got my first glimpse of her possibly being with Vex, an Akiridion, I got so excited (sure I wasn’t getting a canon troll husband, but Vex isn’t human at least, so it counted, sort of).

However, I haven’t been able to get into it.  I don’t dislike it per se, but it also doesn’t spark the same itch in me to create that my OTPs do.  It’s just kind of okay?  Maybe less of those Vex fantasy sequences would have helped?  I mean, I don’t generally gel with ToA’s canon ships anyway (how the shows as a whole handle romance is not something I’m fond of), but still I was pretty attached to the whole give Nana a nonhuman SO thing so, out of all of them, this should have been the one I got attached to…except then I didn’t  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

K - What character has your favorite development arc/the best development arc?

Right now, I’m gonna go with Colonel Kubritz (honorary mention is Aja, but I’m thinking of writing a whole analysis for her so I’m going to hold off on stating more opinions on her for the time being).  Yesterday, I talked about her some in a liveblog of Part 2 Episode 4 I did and, because I’m lazy I’m just going to copy/paste it here:

Kubritz’s later working with Morando is foreshadowed by how she strikes a deal with Tronos.  I don’t think that comes out of the blue.  Kubritz has set her objective at protecting Earth.  She’s found out extraterrestrials have more advanced tech than mankind, so she’s focused on acquiring that tech because without it, she can’t complete her protection objective.

Her goal and the way she goes about it are contradictory (she wants to protect Earth from extraterrestrials, yet she works with extraterrestrials).  I don’t think she, as a character, has realized this yet.  She’s gotten so caught up in her objective that I don’t think it’s occurred to her that her actions betray her values. At least not until the very end of the season.

We the audience can see her contradiction for what it is because we’re not her, and we have an outside perspective.  We also have an emotional connection to Aja and Krel and, because Kubritz is antagonistic to them, we won’t agree with her.

Kubritz only has her own perspective.  She doesn’t have to listen to her subordinates if she doesn’t want to (I believe, later, she doesn’t really listen to Costas when he begins to point things out).  Until the final battle, where Arcadia is literally being destroyed and she has the evidence that she’s wrong in front of her, Kubritz doesn’t manage to get out of her own head.

I don’t think this makes her a bad character, but a character with flaws.  To me, that makes her fascinating.

In a lot less words, I like antagonists who get so focused on what they want, they don’t realize what they’re doing goes against what they believe in/what their values are and that’s what I see Kubritz as.

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Morose Mononokean II 4 - 7 | Mob Psycho 100 II 4 - 7 | My Roommate is a Cat 4 - 6 | Double Decker! EX 1 | Egao no Daika 5 - 7 | Shield Hero 4 - 6 | Magical Girl Spec Ops Asuka 4 - 6 | Royal Tutor movie

Morose Mononokean II 4

Aw, another little fuzzball to steal away my heart? I’m being spoiled, aren’t I?

For some reason, this episode was meant to be really emotional, but I felt pretty restless while watching it. Probably because I was thinking about playing Merc Storia all that time.

Mob Psycho 100 II 4

Didn’t expect Shinra to be back after his previous appearance…

Notably, you’d expect Matsuo’s name to have the kanji for “pine tree” in it, but it doesn’t - it has the kanji for “demon” and then one more.

I loved it when FLCL and SGRS went into manga mode, but for some reason, the transition into manga mode didn’t land as well here…hmm.

“I’ll go inside her…With an out-of-body experience.” - That sounds majorly wronggggggggggg, Mob, y’know? Even with context.

I find it interesting Mob perceives himself to be naked…as in, unguarded. He’s fine as he is and doesn’t need to change…in some ways, anyway. He could probably do with a few more emotions, but you get what I mean.

Wha-wha-wha-whoaaaaaaaaa. You mean, Mogami just got rid of Mob’s powers??? That is a nasty cliffhanger!

My Roommate is a Cat 4

Just seeing Hiroto near Kawase’s armpit…so unfazed…it’s kinda funny, but only mildly.

Tuxedo cat…ergh. The differences between American and British English never ceases to trip me up…I mean, the term makes sense…it’s just the differences between the types of English I’m annoyed at.

If you observe the OP, you’ll see Haru has that collar…I’m not sure if that’s meant to be a spoiler then…

Haru basically has the mindset of Kaguya and Shirogane, which makes this hilarious (and yet it’s still justified due to being a believable mindset for a stray!).

S-Smug dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get out of the way of Haru-chan!

Shield Hero 4

“Draw your swords!” – Wasn’t there a rule saying Naofumi can’t use a sword anyway? Plus, Motoyasu has a spear, not a sword…

Balloon? Now, that’s funny!

Using magic to intervene is the cowardly action, methinks, Myne.

I find it interesting Naofumi sees Raphtalia as a little girl – it’s a perception of vulnerability, potentially weakness – when things are shown through his perspective.

Falling Through Starlight is beautiful, y’know that? Be-a-uuuuuuuuuuu-t-i-ful!

Magical Girl Spec Ops Asuka 4

Interestingly, Francine kinda looks like Mami (Madoka Magica).

Wait, is this woman Miura? (Sorry, I’m just wondering why Abigail – the blonde evil magical girl – would choose to use yakiniku to threaten people…)

Oh dear…it’s that train question (save one or save many).

Neding authority before you can actually do anything legal…now that sounds like Double Decker.

“Chef”? I was mortified when it came to the rusalka scene…but I think we already know why Povar is a chef…

CQC? Close quarters combat? Ooh, I’ve never heard it abbreviated before.

Well, I like how Povar and Rusalka Man (can’t spell Russian to save my life) always keep their salaries in mind. Makes them easier to see as evil.

Egao no Daika 5

Oh, this series has two moons? Kind of like Double Decker’s two suns, yeah?

I just realised Lily’s the only one with a skirt on her suit…

Morose Mononokean II 5

I don’t think I’ve seen a Fuzzy-centric episode ever since the first time we met the furball…

That hand on neck thing is apparently a CIA technique if I interpreted it right…just, it’s applied to a purple/white lion, so it’s hard to tell whether it’s the real thing…

Fluffy tadpole is best tadpole. All fluffy things are cute to me, even the lethal ones…I guess.

Seriously, if someone doesn’t call the animation of the Executive sakuga, I don’t know sakuga! That crow is some fancy animation!

Hanae’s mother is scarier than most youkai, given she can give me a nasty jump scare!

Mob Psycho II 5

This episode’s called Discord…which maks me think of the chat program of the same name…weird, huh?

Notably, it’s Dimple’s voice coming from Mob’s mouth…hmm.

That episode was real cool…it’s too bad by turning off the volume at the wrong time, I missed the Sajou no Hana song…

My Roommate is a Cat 5

Roku, Nana, Hachi…haha.

I noticed Haru has smaller eyes than Hachi…aside from the collar of course.

Aw…reunion too cute. I honestly think that this show has a fairly effective use of “filling in the gaps”, as it were, and thus making good use of cuts.

Double Decker! EX 1

Yep, we’re back with Double Decker!!! I’m glad to see it back, really.

Wait…ohhhhhhhhh. So Double Decker! doesn’t just refer to the bus in this show or the system. It means “2 Detectives” in Japanese (in a codeswitching sort of way). It was wordplay all along! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! I get it now!

This Deana assassin stuff must be a lie…

(after the commercial break) C’mon, Kirill, buddy. You’re drunk, y’know that, right…? Right??? Update: Oh, not drunk, dreaming. My mistake.

Oh, I was just saying that My Roommate is a Cat dos a nice job “filling in gaps”. Didn’t realise Double Decker did it as well. Also, how the heck is Doug unpopular with women???

So…Kirill actually got hired based on his feminine looks? Geesh, that Travis…

The thing I missed about this show was not being able to play the ED after an episode, so I’m glad to have it back!

Spec Ops Asuka 5

Having Kurumi fix up Nozomi’s arm kind of erases the consequences…but that’s what Kurumi’s for, right?

Barber Scissors…? Is this what happens when you take Kill la Kill way too seriously?

Wowee. Din’t think Sacchuu was capable of dealing nasty punches as well.

There’s gotta be some sort of parallel between Abigail and the queen vs Asuka and Kurumi…

Post-credits segment. Keep watching.

Shield Hero 5

Headbutt to the nuts! Oof!

When it comes to races, the one tune that comes to mind is one from the Dog Island (track 22 from this YouTube playlist).

I swear there was CGI during the race…on Filo.

Please don’t make jokes about Naofumi liking lolis, people. This is not that type of show…

Mononokean 6

Is it just me, or has this epiode been relying on the use of blue speech bubbles for humour more than normal?

It’s Mononokean: Sports Anime edition!

For some reason, I find the name “trashboat” hilarious. It was probably just “ponkotsu” (piece of trash) in practice, but the variation in English is really something to behold…

Ashiya sleeps like an old man, LOL. It must be cosy in that bed…

Moja is just adorable in whatever scene it appears in! Even Moja being dragged down a stream is cute~!

Relaxing your shoulders, huh? That reminds me that that’s a destress technique I haven’t used in a while. My head’s been spinning while I was trying to watch this episode, so I should probably get back to trying to do that stuff…after this episode, of course.

Price of Smiles 6

You think Spec Ops Asuka looks bad? Look at Price of Smiles melt in this “Yuni! You should recover!” scene.

For some reason, this one dude (I forget his name) being a father surprises me. He looks like the type to be single…

The female version of the name “Noel” is Noelle…get that right, people!

Layla’s right when she says one of the main causes of war is the struggle for resources and wealth.

Mob Psycho II 6

I noticed instead of a Mac or something, the computer is a “One” computer.

The board says something a lot more complicated than Saitama’s routine…which means One likes exercise. Maybe…probably.

“Codomo” phone, LOL.

The last time I heard of tofu in anime that I remember…was Boueibu. Something about Ryuu killing a man with tofu.

Somehow it didn’t occur to me until the eyecatch was over but the block…was tofu!

How do you even get drunk when there’s no alcohol in the drink??? (LOL)

Oh! Shinra again!

…Also Jodo Kirin!

Shield Hero 6

Naofumi is giving 0 f**ks about the dressmaker’s love of Filo.

Why is Filo CGI…? It looks unnerving, to be honest with you.

My Roommate is a Cat 6

Eleventh grade…16? 17? Heck, Yugo looks 27, not 17!

Notably, “Comic Polaris” is the name of the magazine that publishes the manga of this. Hence “Novels Polaris”.

Heck, Subaru. In the internet age in particular, people write to affect others. I should know, as someone who did just that just a few years ago!

Oushitsu Kyoushi Heine movie

Yay, we’re back! Crunchyroll bringing over movies is definitely increasing my workload for these commentaries, so with all the new things I’ve added to my lists of priorities as of late, I wonder if I can keep up…

Hitting us with CGI in the first minute of the movie…oh man, how far does CGI go these days???

Honestly, in my brain Wagner (Classicaloid) = the twins (this movie) = the Beppus (Boueibu LOVE! LOVE!). They’re very similar in terms of personality…

In the same way, Bruno = Schubert from Classicaloid (but swap one’s Sensei for the other’s Senpai).

Licht = Motz.

It seems like someone liked ponytail!Licht enough to keep him here. So it really wasn’t just me, huh?

Seriously, what’s this “God of War” stuff anyway???

Man, vocal exercises? This takes me back to my piano-playing days…I was a sightreader and only had to do one of the two (out of sightreading and vocal stuff), but there was someone else who had to do both.

This piano is bugging me. Its white keys are black and its black keys are white!

Somehow, Heine’s small top hat suits him. It’s probably because he wears a small beret in that same position usually.

More CGI background characters…*sigh*

Hmm…soft power at its finest(?)

Seriously though, why did that evil Duke guy appear in this movie again??? He has zero use plotwise. Sure, he was important in the first season and if we ever get a second he’ll be important there, but here? Nada!

Have you noticed Heine is in all those dance positions a girl would normally be in??? Hmm! Interesting! But still…if there’s one thing I ever missed from the anime’s experience, it would be-oh, scratch that! This is my cue to watch the cheesy live-action dance ending! I missed it so much!

Egao no Daika 7

Seriously…who is Eins talking to??? Whose emperor???

They still haven’t revealed what this new guy’s name is, even after his introduction…well, technically he was introduced at the River Deese, but we still didn’t learn his name then. (Did we?)

Spec Ops Asuka 6

Is Mia just this show’s version of Kyouko (from Madoka Magica, but American of course)???

Oooooookay, that (with the kissing and stuff) is so not what foreigners are like, people…

Oh, goodness. Have I really been living with this stuff (girl x girl teasing, with Kurumi in particular being one of the more extreme examples I’ve seen) in my magical girl anime for years now? I mean, Suite PreCure is laced with the stuff…

If ordinary rigor mortis business is at work, then I’d say the heater is to speed up the rotting of the corpse…

LOL, there’s Halloween-class…and then there’s Voorhees-class…how appropriate for Disas.

“Only one of the Magical Five would’ve known about that phrase.” – My bets are on Peipei, but we’ll find out for sure…someday.

Mononokean 7

As much as I found the pillow fight scene with Fuzzy in it funny, I swear Abeno is a bit too sadistic for my own good. What is it with some women and their sadistic kinks…?

Abeno calling Ashiya “hunk of junk” makes me think Ashiya isn’t much of a Sousuke (from Classicaloid), but they do have a lot of similar character traits, now that I think of it…hmm.

For some reason, I think Abeno knew the conditions of the deal and what the deal entailed in advance, hence the training camp.

Seiza…means sitting on the floor in the position Ashiya was in (knees to the floor etc).

Mob Psycho II 7

“Cheeseburger Tornado”, LOL.

When Reigen got angry at the TV, I was just like, “It’s Shield Hero (Mob Psycho version)!” I.e. you con the conman and not turn the conned into a conman…or something like that.

Those microphones are so obviously CGI, people…

I know I’m a fan of Yuzuru Tachikawa, but episode 5 actually didn’t do too much for me, to be honest (even though it was visual spectacle, which is Tachikawa’s strong suit). However, while episode 7 looked less punchy overall, it was miles better…

“First-press limited edition? That is the absolute best decision.” – What is that referring to??? Update: It’s referring to the BDs...or DVDs...or both.

Update: Forgot to add Double Decker to the title and tags.

[gourmetlong]

Straight on till morning a twisted tale

#STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING A TWISTED TALE MOVIE#

Wishing/dreaming is an integral part of Peter Pan and one of the reasons why it has stood the test of time: it captures the desire, the longing, the childlike desire to FLY better than almost any other work of fiction. Was this something you always thought about when you watched Peter Pan, or if not, how did this theme come about? They generally seem to be opposite ends of the scale and yet they often intersect or even switch roles in this story. And herself in the process!Īnother key theme that sat with me throughout the book is the divergence between dreams and reality. In the book Wendy literally changes the geography of Never Land-forever-with her stories. The relationship Wendy has with Never Land (in the movie) is intriguing: was she merely reciting events to her brothers that already happened there, that she knew about? Or was she making up stories about Never Land (and Peter Pan) that would then come true? I would say SOTM is less a story in a story than an exploration of the transformative power of storytelling. How do you effectively tell a story within a story? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Storytelling is a key theme in this story. My husband and I have often talked about moving there. In all fairness, though, while it cannot compare (in size, at least) Glasgow has a special place in my heart. We’re taking the kids this spring for their first visit. We know you were born in England – is it really as boring a place as the start of your story suggests? ( Laughs ) You meticulously map out the dreariness of London life in the beginning of the book which wonderfully sets up Wendy’s – and the reader’s – transition from mundane to magic as her journey unfolds. It was instantaneous, brilliant fun-almost as if she wanted a word in too! I’ll be honest about Nana though: those interludes and scenes just jumped onto the page fully formed from my head. Even Nana, the Darling family dog, has more dimension in your story and even has her own interlude! Tell us about the process for developing your characters in your story and what choices you had to make about and for them along the way.Īgain it’s that tightrope between keeping them true to the classic tale while exploring characters’ inner depths. You depict Wendy and Tink as strong, brave women – and I would like to think they have always been – though you give them greater depth and a louder voice than they otherwise have in Peter Pan. It’s actually Wendy! And she deserved to tell it in her own way.

#STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING A TWISTED TALE MOVIE#

Of course! But if you ask a deeper version of the question: what character changes by the end of the movie, and whose point of view the movie is from, they often grow confused. It’s funny: if you ask a group of children who the main character of the movie is (and I have), they’ll all say Peter Pan. Tell us about what inspired you to write this book from Wendy’s perspective? Speaking of Wendy, we never really knew Wendy Darling until we read Straight On Till Morning.

[hanleykayla]

September 9, 2018

It’s funny. I started this blog off by talking about how this experience was selfless and how I wasn’t going to spend time thinking about me. And, then jokes, post after post, I write about my challenges and hardships, as if they were unexpected; “Ugh, I have to deal with the power being out again.” “This food isn’t satisfying me; All I want is a vegetable.” “How am I going to make this experience count for me? What will I get out of this?”

I have been focusing so much on myself, that my default answer when someone asks me “how it is going” is to automatically share my challenges. I can feel my self-pity and it is almost as if by sharing my hardships and welcoming others to pity me as well, if they do, then my feelings are validated. (If we’re being honest, I think this has been the foundation of my modality for the last couple years. I lived at home and pity the F out of myself. I was still in school when my friends were experiencing their first year of freedom and I couldn’t stop thinking about what I was missing out on. “If only I had more money…,” was way too frequent of a thought. It just goes to show that just because you change your environment, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your problems will go away.)

So, here is my vow to you (and to myself): I will proceed with these posts by focusing on the good. I will share the stories and the scenery of my experience - still through my lens (obviously), but I will not continue to use me as the focal point. Inevitably, I will still share some sort of reflection because I am dramatic AF, but I’ll keep those towards the end and bring others to the front. I had a friend tell me this week, “One day, all of this will be ‘one day.’ Think of what you want this experience to look like when you look back on it as a memory, and just start to make it that. That’s all you have to do.” And, one thing I know for sure is that I would really hate it if I left this journey without sharing any relationships or stories. 

So, here we go! A quick summary of a few of the influential people I have met, thus far.

This is Calvin. He is five years old and was one of the students from our Summer School last month. During our time together, Calvin was funny, intelligent, and eager to play soccer at all times. He learned quick and was able to teach other students when they didn’t understand the lesson. Through small comments here and there, my team and I began to piece together Calvin’s story. A couple of weeks prior to showing up to our school, Calvin went to sleep one night with his older sister (by only two years) laying next to him and woke up without her there. When he asked his parents where she went, they either ignored the question or said she went to go be with other family members. Confused as to why she would have to leave in the middle of the night to be with his aunt or uncle, he probed some more and learned that she was sent away to be trafficked with one of the local fisherman. Unfortunately, Calvin mentioned this part of the story without much emotion, as he also shared that this happened the previous year with his eldest brother. 

Even though the Summer School ended, I haven’t stopped thinking about Calvin. I think about how his sister is doing, and if she and his brother will ever return home. But, what I think about most is how there is a possibility that his siblings’ situation might becomes Calvin’s reality in a year or so, and how I hopeless I feel about my ability to change that.

On a more positive note, this is Angie and Douglas (and this is a picture of them making kenkey: a dough made out of cassava and corn). Angie is the woman who I have previously mentioned (the wife of one of Cheerful Hearts’ co-founders and the mother to Coo-Qa and NaNa, who also now lives with us!) and she has taken over the responsibility of being my “house mom.” She has no culinary training like Belinda did, but she does genuinely cares about my experience, as she teaches me a new Twi word each morning in exchange for breakfast, and my water pressure, as the first day she moved into the house she called a plumber to get the hose in my bathroom fixed :). Douglas is her brother-in-law and he has been here with me since the first day I arrived. I guess, in addition to Oppong, you could call him my Ghanian Day One. We joke that we are each other’s “short-term best friend and long-term facebook friend” (…as we all have those people that we promise we will “stay in touch with,” but then only end up liking their photos on facebook). While I didn’t think I would have the experience of a host family, these two have welcomed me into their lives so fully that I could not imagine my time here any other way.

I met Gabriel the first week I was in Ghana at the Senya tro-tro station. On our way out of the fishing community, Gabriel asked me if I wanted to buy some ice-cream from him and I declined. Then, he asked me what I was eating while I was shoving some cereal into my face (naturally). I told him what it was and asked him if he would like some. His eyes lit up and he said, “yes please!,” and in seeing that, I gave him the whole bag instead of just the handful I was originally planning to. He could not stop thanking me and I could not stop thinking about how heartbreaking it was that a bag of cereal could bring so much joy to a child. Since then, whenever my team and I are traveling to Senya, I pack an extra bag of cereal to give to Gabriel when we are heading home at the end of the day.

I see these two women on my walk to get an ear of corn each day for lunch. I have no idea what their names are, what they do during the day, or anything else about them, besides the fact that they are always happy. This is how our daily interaction goes:

Them: “Obroni, obroni!” (White person, white person!)

Me: “Hello! Ete sen?” (Hello! How are you?)

Them: “Me ho ye! Ete sen?” (Our bodies are fine! How are you?)

Me: “Me so ey yay!” (I am fine too!)

Them: Ekwan so dwoodwoo!” (Have a safe journey!)

Me: “Medaase!” (Thank you!)

This exact conversation happens on my walk to and from the corn. And even though it is redundant and we don’t know how to say anything else to each other, it is always cheerful and we all leave smiling!

The boy above is one of Cheerful Hearts’ sponsored students. His name is Jacob Kow Okine, he is 18 years old, and about to enter his third year of Jr. High school. Cheerful Hearts originally met Jacob in the fishing village of Nyanayano in 2012 when Jacob was sorting out fish and helping fisherman on the shore. Earning little money or being paid in fish which he would took home to his family, Jacob never attended school while he was working. Jacob joined in on the conversation when he saw the Cheerful Hearts team talking to some of his friends. Jacob expressed his excitement about wanting to attend school, and a week later, Jacob was rescued from the shore and enrolled at Day Star Academy in Senya. Although Cheerful Hearts provided all the materials needed for his education, it took about a year or so for Jacob to adjust to his new way of life away from working. I recently met Jacob this past week and learned that he aspires to be the future President of Ghana. He told me that because of Cheerful Hearts, he was able to learn to read and write, and without this sponsorship, he knows that he would not have the opportunity to achieve his dream.

I’m rooting for Jacob. Selfishly, how cool would it be if I developed a relationship with the future President of Ghana - I mean, c’mon, not a bad person to be friends with. But more importantly, I am rooting for Jacob because I trust him. He doesn’t take anything for granted and he is determined to help other children whom are currently experiencing what he once was. 

The kids up the street from my house call me, “killer.” Not in response to any sort of action or comment from me that would lead them to label me this way, but simply because they cannot pronounce my name. When I say, “Kayla,” they hear, “Killa.” This has resulted in them running up towards me every time I pass with their hands shaped as guns and their mouths saying “pew! pew! pew! killer! killer!” I think this is funny and adorable (and oddly heart-warming?), and the whole event gets especially dramatic and entertaining when it happens in the rain.

Which has still been happening! A lot! My laundry and my shoes are not the biggest fans of the rain, but I still am. When I enter a community right after a rainstorm, it’s like the darkness and discomfort did not just occur. Besides the inevitable puddles on the ground, there is no sign that the something that had to put life on pause just happened. Businesses are still running, mothers are still washing clothes, and children are still playing football.

Is that metaphor? I don’t know. Am I going to make it one? Hell f’in yes. 

What I am learning about me is that I like to think, to understand, to explain, to make sense of things - and when I can’t do that, when I don’t have the rational or I don’t perceive that I am on a path to getting it, that is when I go crazy. So, it’s not a spiraling or over-abundance of thoughts that is my downfall (cause thats inevitably happening), its the temporary struggle. But, a struggle always ends. Either the struggle means something and the battle towards a solution is worth it, or it’s simply not and eventually the struggle goes away because you see its lack of purpose.

That is what my pursuit of finding tasks to accomplish here is: purposeless. I spent so much time thinking about what I am going to do for the next 15 weeks that I missed out on what I could have been doing that day. New flash Kayla: You’re in Africa. You’re working on a team to combat child labor and trafficking. You’re already here. You’re already doing it. All you have to do is show up daily, offer your perspective and listen to others’, and you’re doing everything you need to.