#it was like people’s best friends had personally betrayed them instead of people making a questionable business decision

[ebp-brain]

.

[aphrothiti]

Saturn nakshatras, especially anuradha, have a tendency to be codependent and form close one-on-one relationships.

They value consistency and stability so this is usually a platonic best friend for two main reasons

a) It’s more likely to be an older connection that they established as children. They aren’t as attracted to the “excitement” of a new romantic relationship and would rather stay with what they know

b) They’re naturally closed off and reserved so they may be uncomfortable with the physical and/or emotional expectations a romantic partner might have for them (sun nakshatras feel similarly about relationships but for different reasons). They can sometimes outgrow this as adults though

Anuradha’s god Mitra is also associated closely with friendship.

Both Pushya and Anuradha can be very giving and devotional in nature- Pushya being “nourishing” and Anuradha being associated with Radha, a goddess of loving devotion who became so close with the god Krishna that they are basically considered one (Radha-Krishna)

However by completing devoting themselves to others/society, they can often personally stagnate.

(What specifically they might devote themselves to by nakshatra:

Pushya -> spirituality, charity work,

Anuradha -> companionship,

UBP-> controlling or strongly influencing their interpersonal relationships through leadership positions, eg. as a boss described in Claire Nakti’s UBP video, or as a cult authority like Crowley (UBP native)

Please note that the themes I’ve associated with the 3 Saturn nakshatras are a generalisation based on their themes and not to be taken as definitive. Someone’s personal priorities will likely be visible in their whole chart.

For example Claire Nakti uses Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep, a Pushya native) as an example of a tyrant Saturnian boss character, but she also has moon in the 10th house, making her career a major area of life for her.)

It’s common for Saturn nakshatras to go to extremes and give up everything for a certain ideal, but in order to grow into the Mercury nakshatra stage, they have to move on.

(Ashlesha -> shedding of unwanted personal attachments

Jyestha -> the eldest, ruled by Indra King of the Gods

Revati -> I’m not entire sure how to articulate this yet actually. UBP nakshatra is a rather intense energy being associated with black magic and such, so I like to think of Revati as a development into a more carefree state of being. If you can word it better please share)

I think the transition from Anuradha to Jyestha specifically makes me think of this song by the Buttress

For those who don’t feel like listening, its basically reimagining the story of Julius Caesar’s assassination as a woman (Brutus) who resents a man close to her (Caesar) for being successful whilst she is just the “muse” who provides him companionship. This eventually leads to Brutus betraying Caesar and choosing themselves

“Or am I just wishing I could be like you?

that the people would see me too as a poet

And not just the muse”

This is just one lyric that demonstrates this but I recommend listening to the full song to fully understand the vibe.

Jyestha is also Anuradha’s yoni consort.

I don’t have any birth info at all for the Buttress but this song is sooo Anuradha-Jyestha coded to me.

The most mainstream example of this dynamic I can think of is Maddy (Jyestha sun) and Cassie (Anuradha ascendant) from Euphoria.

“Maddy knew who she was from a very early age. For as long as Maddy could remember, everybody loved her. She never knew exactly what it was. She just knew that she had something special. Something intangible. Something immeasurable. And she had that fucking confidence”

-quote from the show that I copy and pasted off of the wiki

Cassie resents her best friend for exhibiting these qualities and wants them for herself. She too wants to be powerful and charismatic (Jyestha stage) instead of just sitting on the sidelines as Maddy’s best friend (Anuradha stage). She betrays Maddy in the process but does not earn respect from anyone due to her codependent nature.

I don’t really care for Euphoria and there are a lot of in depth existing astrology analysis on these two so I won’t elaborate further. Just a popular example

[kisses4reid]

scare | ·˚ ༘ spencer reid ,, (part 4)

synopsis - you’re in a relationship with some one else and have a pregnancy scare, both your own reaction and spencer’s makes you realise that you’re not happy.

part synopsis - you return to work, and a sudden revelation changes everything.

genre - bau!reader x spencer, friends to lovers, r was with someone else, douchebag bf trope, pregnancy scare, angst & fluff, comfort, reader is female with female anatomy and feminine

warnings - pregnancy is the main theme, blood, menstrual cycle, crying, inaccuracies because i have never been pregnant/ever thought i could be pregnant, uneducated reference to abortion: 'stick something up there',

w/c - 2.1k

a/n - last part. im sorry for the long wait and the subpar writing, i lost motiviation for this series and wasnt as into the story as i was before. BUT! i kept going for you guys. thank you <3 if anyone catches my hamilton reference youre my best friend

You hadn’t shown up to work for the week, taking the precious sick leave you had been hoarding and spending it all on arguing and throwing things into cardboard boxes. Not your stuff, but Lloyd's. And Spencer had spent those days pulling at his hair, tapping his fingers on his desk, and watching the automatic glass doors of the bullpen open just to find somebody else.

To everyone else’s knowledge, you simply had a bad stomach bug, but to Spencer it was much more. His stress was just a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate if one more person asks him how you were. Because he didn’t know. Not only were you physically absent from Spencer’s life, but virtually as well. No texts, calls, online likes or tags. It made him think the of the worst possibilities.

That’s where he was now, sat at his desk, finger tapping, leg bouncing, eyes darting from glass doors to blank phone, before he grabbed his phone and started to Hotchner’s office. His steps echoed in the early morning office sepace, patting his sweaty hands down his pants. But he didn’t make it very far before he heard Garcia’s familiar squeal, and your own genuine giggle.

Six days had been the longest you went without seeing Spencer, let alone your entire group, since you got the job. But you couldn’t put such a burden on these people, especially not the one who had seen you break down in his own apartment. To you, this was something you needed to figure out slowly and alone. Alone. Thank god, you were single now.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, just a flu?” Garcia asked, slipping one of her arms into yours and walking you to your desk.

“Stomach bug.” You smiled, patting her hand and sitting down at your desk. You looked at all of your trinkets and photos, happy to see that you never actually put a couple photo on your desk, and happy to see a photo of your team all together instead.

Spencer spun on his heel and widened his eyes, a breath escaping him in relief.

“Y/n.”

You looked up and stared at the man, the bags under his eyes deepened and the creases between his brows appearing like scars.

“Spence, hey.” You smiled as Garcia took his hurried steps as her queue to leave.

“How are you-“

“He’s gone. Sorry you cut you off.” Your hands started fidgeting, you looked askance. Spencer’s eyes betrayed him in his shock, thankfully his lips didn’t betray him in his happiness.

“Oh. That’s great.” Spencer nodded and had to shake the sudden urge to grab your hands and squeeze them. He could feel the possibilities in his fingertips by the second, but he couldn’t lose sight of the bigger issue here. “Are you gonna work a case with us? Are you feeling��� better?” He asked with full care in his warm brown eyes.

“Yeah, I’m better. I mean, I’m not great yet but I’m better. Still thinking about things.”

He nodded, but before he could ask anything more, the rest of the team emerged from the elevators.

“Eden Lim, missing for 9 hours after her mother left the front door open to let in fresh air. Power outage in the neighbourhood took out all the air conditionings. Neighbours are either elderly couples or other families.” JJ handed out manila folders and picked up the remote to the Tv screen, showing a photo of a sweet little girl with her mother in a slightly professional set up. Aaron nodded and started, “Wheels up in thirty, JJ organise a meeting with their sheriff and investigators.”

On the plane, you were surprised to say the least. You found out you were pregnant by a sudden sickness, and now, you felt fine. Even though you didn’t get plane sick often, you expected at least a little nausea or maybe a headache. But honestly? You felt fine. Maybe you were a superwoman, one of the rare lucky mothers that don’t get sick often.

That’s what starts to distract you, the thought of the future. You didn’t know anything about pregnancy, let alone parenting. The last time you babysat was for Emily’s cat. Your hands started sweating and you bit the inside of your lip to attempt a suppression of nerves, but you obviously weren’t slick enough.

Hotch sends a glance your way, “You okay, Y/n?”

You smile softly, “Yeah, just the plane is kinda waking up my stomach.”

He nodded, seemingly accepting of that answer, and you gave yourself a mental fist bump.

You try to refocus on the case, but another factor is making this specific one harder.

Eden.

The top name on your baby name list since you were 16, the one you sort of planned to use without much second thought. The one who belongs to a missing child.

A young man who had just lost his son stole Eden, took her to his house, and treated her well. He was a father who had suffered loss, and took from someone else in the same way so that he wasn’t alone in his feelings.

Something about that felt slightly relatable. If Lloyd knew how you were feeling, maybe he would understand the weight on your shoulders.

You walked with Spencer to your desk, the aura around you both feeling like it was going back to normal, just with another layer on top. The secret kept between you two, a bigger one than any of the others. You flicked your small, dark green scarf over your shoulder, the difference in temperature from the case hitting you harder than usual.

Spencer slipped his satchel over his shoulder and sent you a smile. You felt a spin in your stomach because of the sight, and looked down to hide your face discreetly. You heard a small clear of the throat and then Spencer’s voice,

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Every time the victims name was mentioned, you sniffled, you rubbed your arm, or took a harder breath. Why is that?”

You widened your eyes, nearly laughing at the question. You had no idea Spencer was paying that much attention to you. Honestly, you thought he was going out of his way to avoid you to lower the chances of the team getting suspicious.

“Oh, it’s just uh. Eden has been on my baby name list since I was a teenager.”

Spencer’s shoulders tensed slightly, and his mouth opened as he nodded. His heart broke a little more. And he realised this was the first time you two were having a conversation since the night you stayed at his apartment. Not only was it making it real for you, it was making it real for him. Although, he had already vowed to himself that he would help you out with anything you needed, he doubted his mental capacity to take care of a baby made from the women he loves and a man he despises.

You both started walking to the elevator, always the last two in the office before Hotch, and you subconsciously stayed close to him. A pang hit your lower stomach that you pushed down.

“How are you doing, physically and mentally?” Spencer pushed the button with the down arrow, and looked down at you. His hair was slightly ruffled, his tie askew, but his eyes were how they always were when they looked at you, full. Full of care, of adoration, of worry, of knowing. Full of… something that could ruin both of you if he made the wrong decisions.

You took a breath and had to tear your gaze off of his, “Well, like I said, I broke up with Lloyd. He didn’t want to be a father, and when I told him I didn’t know what to do with the… baby, he said… he said… he told me to ‘stick something up there’ if I couldn’t afford another way.”

Spencer felt a rush of rage wash over him, his cheeks reddening and his hands fidgeting harder by the second. How could he?

“Basically, the opposite of how you reacted,” you laughed but it didn’t last long.

“Y/n… why haven’t you told me about him before? I didn’t even know you had been talking to guys until you were already dating one of them. If you told me about him I could’ve… I don’t know.”

“Open my eyes?” You smile sadly, and nod. “If I told you about him, and about how he acted… it was kind of like complaining about a sapling to an oak tree. Complaining about a page to a library. Complaining about a dickhead to…” You shook your head, “I felt embarrassed. And, I want you to think highly of me. But I guess after all of this, I can’t really help it anymore.”

Spencer stopped you in front of the elevator and took your hands, he looked at you with concern, and a bit of anger.

“Y/n I don’t hate you, or think any lesser of you just because you’re… pregnant, or because you were with a bad guy. I think that, while it’s true I think Lloyd is a terrible guy and I don’t see a lot of logic in staying with him, it was your own decision. I’ll always respect that.” He glanced down to his hand holding yours and let go of it.

Your eyes widened, panic shot across your face.

“Y/n?” The elevator doors opened.

“I need to go to the bathroom.” You turned and ran to the toilet, hearing Spencer’s steps behind yours a moment later. He called your name, asked you if you felt sick, and it made him feel guilty for making you stress in a time like this.

He hadn’t fully processed that you weren’t just his best friend, his love, but his pregnant best friend.

You pushed on the ladies bathroom door hard and darted for a toilet stall. There is no way I’m peeing my pants in front of Spencer Reid.

You closed the stall, and soon heard Spencer enter the bathroom with no hesitation to the fact it was a women’s room. “Do you need to hold your hair up?”

And even though the offer played with your heart, you quickly denied him, “No, Spencer, I’m not sick. I just needed to…”

You wiped, and suddenly you felt dizzy. Red.

Red?

“Blood…” you whispered to yourself. "Oh my... god."

“Blood!? Y/n, should you go to the hospital?” He stood closer to the door as his heart rate picked up.

You stood up, pulled up your pants and opened the door. Spencer nearly fell into you.

You screwed your eyebrows together in confusion, and all at once a million feelings hit you. Hatred, sadness, depression, heart break, hope, denial, acceptance… relief. You looked down, unable to look at Spencer as your heart quickened, and covered your mouth with your shaking hand.

“Spencer, I’m on my period.”

His big eyes searched yours, looking down and over your face and body and it was like watching him piece a puzzle together. “You’re not…”

You shook your head, and a wave of relief hit you all at once, tears hitting you like a tsunami, your arms wrapping around Spencer’s shoulders like unforgiving ropes. He stilled for a moment, before reciprocating the tight embrace, a breath of air leaving him in the contact. He squeezed his eyes shut and gripping at your work shirt causing wrinkles to appear between his fingers. His large palm warmed your back in soothing strokes before they laid tightly around your ribcage. Honestly, hugging you was a big thing he had been thinking about in your absense - they were always genuine.

You let go and smiled at Spencer widely, the first one you gave him genuinely in too long a time. Spencer placed a hand on your cheek and wiped a tear gently, smiling back at you.

“Oh, Spencer, I’m so… sorry.”

He stopped in his tracks and widened his eyes, “Why?”

“I made you worry for so long-“

“Hey, a false positive is not your fault. You had a less than 1 percent chance of getting one so it’s no wonder it didn’t cross your mind. My mind, as well.” His heart swelled as you two looked into each others eyes. Happy, relieved, suddenly aware of how close you two were to each other.

Spencer dropped his hand, and looked down with a cough. “I’m happy for you, Y/n.”

You nodded with a shy smile, and turned to look back at the toilet, “Well, I’m gonna… you know… take care of this and then… do you wanna get a drink? I need to... I need somewhere that's not my apartment to think about this.”

He blushed slightly, realising where he was, and picked up his satchel, “Yes, of course. Do you want to go to mine? We can pick up drinks on the way?”

"That would be amazing, thank you Spence." "Anything for you."

taglist - @jeffswh0re @reap3erslov3 @candyd1es @0108s22m @aurorsworld @theoraekenslover @c-losur3 @littlelearningbrat @khxna @laurakirsten0502 @cultish-corner @yokaimoon @flow33didontsmoke @reidswifeyyyyyy @kitsunetori @yasmin12312 @softestqueeen @adoresami @hazza3000 @lov3-audz @issy25 @pleasantwitchgarden @upuntil6am

[melatonindeficient]

i just hate how Mel and Jayce never actually broke up.

Like if they did, I would probably (not really but whatever) be less salty about the way their paths diverged. Their last conversation had an hollowness to it, as if in making Jayce's character arc about saving Viktor rather than him trying to be a truly good leader (subtle shade at how I wish there was a greater focus on the Piltover-Zaun conflict) they forgot about about the fact that he also had other relationships (I'm also referring to how it felt like he didn't speak to much of anyone this season (and yes I'm aware this is partially due to him being in a hole for half the season, I'm referring to the rest of it)). Just because their lives were going in different directions and they were changing didn't mean they didn't have love binding them (I mean that was literally the premise of jayvik, and vi and jinx).

When they first saw each other again, they were two people who had undergone immense amounts of trauma over the course of a very short period of time—that conversation was never going to go very well. And as much as I hated the way he spoke to Mel at first, Jayce's reaction to seeing her makes sense; I mean, he saw Salo, who wasn't particularly likeable, and took him out just because the voices said so. Plus, in addition to his head splitting in two, his best friend had just walked away from him and used Hextech—Jayce's lifelong dream and reason for living—for an immoral cause. If Viktor could betray him, who was to say that Mel—his lover, yes, but also a tactical politician—wasn't also playing some long game?

We see his sense return to him during their passenger conversation, but his uncharacteristic bluntness makes it almost seem like he was severing their relationship, but I think that's a crazy thing to assume when he was preoccupied with a rapidly approaching battle, and one in which he'd have to attempt to kill his best friend (again! And this time in a more stable state of mind where he'd actually be able to register it!).

Now for my glorious queen Mel; she doesn't seem to have much of a say in any of this. She spends years in control pulling the strings of Piltovan politics, only to have all of her control seized from her in an instant. Then she comes home and her boyfriend—this one unchangeable force in her life, this one person she likely thought would remain the same—had changed. They never even get a chance to understand each other, and unlike the majority of the conversations Mel has, she doesn't have the upper hand or even a level playing field.

(personal opinion leaking through here because whyyy why could they not have just one more soft scene before she lost everything and he got absorbed into the freaking cosmos)

Anyway, Mel doesn't just let things happen to her, and it's not like the Black Rose just took that trait away from her (which is established because she could've taken her mother's betrayal and done nothing, but rather chooses to fight for the city she chose rather than the one that molded her). So the way that their last conversations went makes it seem like either she'd been expecting them to break up (which she deadass had no reason to) or they were both holding on to a hope that that conversation was just unfinished, and they could scream and yell and comfort and console when they weren't facing an imminent threat.

It's unfinished. It's empty.

Obviously I would've loved to see them together and happy forever and ever amen, but if they had to split i wish they'd actually split. Some angst or something instead of that empty ass fucking conversation.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Hi! Love your writing a lot! Humble request:

"Hero, please. Just... Not today." with a villain that's already struggling for whatever reason?

“What are you doing?” the hero hissed. And then again, louder this time. “What are you doing?”

The villain turned away from them quickly. Their hand was shaking, the hero noticed. Usually, they would take a step towards them, take their hand…

But the hero could barely see through the tears.

“Are you angry at me, is that it?” The hero’s voice was shaking.

“…please, not today, let’s just…” The villain stared at the ground and the hero got undeniably frustrated. They were at war with themselves. They wanted to hug the villain, they wanted to embrace them.

But they couldn’t.

They just couldn’t. Anger overwhelmed them and disappointment followed right after.

“You’re killing people now, is that it? You’re killing people?!” the hero asked and they were sure if they had argued during the daytime, someone would have called the police.

But the parking lot was empty and the sky was dark. There was just the two of them and the thick, horrible conflict between them.

They’d grown up together, they were best friends. Hell, they had trained together to help people, not to kill them.

And now the villain was standing here in front of them after confessing to multiple murders.

The hero’s heartbeat was fast enough to make their chest hurt. The tears were dropping uncontrollably and they couldn’t, although they tried so desperately, keep it together.

“What is wrong with you?”

“It…I had my reasons.”

“Your reasons?” The hero took a step forward, grabbed the villain’s collar. “Your reasons? Are you insane!? Us being more powerful than others is threatening the existence of every single normal person on this planet. And instead of getting rid of us, people trust us with their lives and you go ahead and betray them? You betray me?”

“Not everyone deserves your protection,” the villain said. “Not everyone deserves to be on this planet. No matter if they have powers or not.”

“What are you talking about? What are you doing? This isn’t you.” The hero let go of them, nearly pushed them away. The villain was a quiet person, a very sweet person.

God, what had they done?

The heartbreak was reaching deep into the hero’s soul. They had wanted the villain to be in their life for a long time, for forever to be precise. They’d had a crush on them since childhood after all.

But this…

“I’m sorry,” the villain whispered. “We both know I’m not like you.”

“No, but this isn’t you either,” the hero argued. Subconsciously, they dug their nails into their palms. As so often when stressed.

They hadn’t done that in months. Digging deep enough to draw blood. Opening old scars.

“I don’t expect you to understand what I did, I…there was no other way, I’m sorry.”

“No, I don’t.” the hero said. “And I don’t need an explanation. What you did was wrong. You betrayed what we stand for. You betrayed…you betrayed us.”

They stared at each other, a few steps away. This was the last time, the hero realised. This was the last time they were seeing each other.

“Leave,” the hero said. “I don’t want to see you ever again.”

The villain waited, as if they were weighing words on their tongue. Then they nodded. And ultimately, they disappeared.

Months later, the hero figured out that the villain had killed those people to protect the hero.

It didn’t change anything, though.

[mothwingwritings]

Hrnnnngh because the whole Yujiro stepdad mindset will never leave me, I keep getting possessed with this thought: What if Baki and Jack had misguided feelings for their little step sis just like their father does???

(Warning for stepcest and noncon mentions, proceed w/caution)

Baki would be in deep denial over it. His feelings over you are natural. He just wants to protect you. That’s why he fantasizes and plots about luring you over and caging you in in his underground training room. He knows firsthand how threatening the outside world is, how much danger lurks around each corner, and now that Yujiro is seeking you out specifically, that just makes everything THAT much more dangerous.

You’re so pretty and kind, trusting of people even when they don’t deserve it. He was an absolute idiot for not seeing the dangers that put you in earlier. Living with him you would be safe and cared for, gluing himself to your side to personally assure that. He could barely contain himself when he thought of you nestled in his arms each night, snuggling close, so incredibly thankful to have such a loving and strong brother to protect you. With how much you revere and care for him, surely you’d have no objections to his hands roaming your body, or his lips stealing a kiss as a small show of thanks. You’re so sweet and he loves you so much that all he wants to do is give that affection back to you tenfold, even if you struggle to accept it.

Jack is much more cognizant that his feelings towards you are abnormal, but he warps it in his head to fool himself into believing that his intentions towards you are just that of a loving (albeit overprotective) older brother. Though not by blood, you are still his little sister. It’s natural for you look to him for protection and guidance, and truly that is all he is trying to provide. And as your elder brother he knows best, so you really shouldn’t be questioning just how much he hovers and inserts himself into your personal affairs. How else would you have known that that guy you were crushing on was a complete asshole, or those friends of yours were talking about you behind your back? No need to hurt yourself further by looking into his claims, just believe what your big brother says. He would never betray you like that.

He loves you and would never want to cause you intentional harm or discomfort… But when he thinks of another man touching you, holding you, kissing you, fucking you it sends him into a spiraling rage of all consuming jealousy. No one loves you like he does, no one can protect and provide for you like he can, and he’ll be damned if he lets someone else try and take you from him. The world isn’t deserving of the light you bring to it, and he’ll do whatever it takes to lock you away from the cruelties of the world, even if that makes him an even crueler person in the process.

And when Baki and Jack find out what Yujiro had done to you, how he had staked his claim and had his way with you while they remained none the wiser… Enraged doesn’t even cover it. How DARE he assault you, their precious and perfect little sister? How dare he ravage you, rip you apart in a torrent of carnal desire, violating you and forcing you to the brink of unwanted pleasure… It made their heads spin, their skin crawl.

There was no doubt that the sins their father had committed against you made them furious, delirious with hatred over how he had hurt you. But more than anything the distress they felt stemmed from the single sickening belief they both shared-that instead of Yujiro that night forcing himself inside you, fucking you to oblivion, it should have been them.

[pamithebunterfly2007]

I’m tired of being that girl and my apologies to my friends . . . . . .

You see, I just keep on making promises to myself and I was expected to be a perfect friend and yet, I keep on breaking them, and turns out, I didn’t even have the chance to manage to help and fix people, but instead, I broke their fragile hearts and I broke them instantly. I just wanted to make people happy, for example I make like fun stuff like I make their request for them, make fun Gacha challenges, reblogging chain games, etc. But when I make their requested gift for them, I always feel like some sort of obligation to them to keep them happy so that way I could please them, but no matter what choice I made, from what I say, do, or make, My mind is telling me that now the damaged has already done and you can’t fix it anymore. And yes, I done shitty stuff both today and the past, and it’s me, I always thinking to myself like I’m the one who made tricky leave!!! I did everything to make you all happy for the things I do but the issue is that whenever I make something, the words that come out of their mouths are a “thank you” with a grin glued to their face filled with approval, but they always seem to be interested in the stuff I make rather than appreciating me and I get no favor in return. Sure it sounded a bit selfish but I get it, I get you guys loved me and such, and I love you too guys because I make stuff that makes me comfortable and yet I respect everyone’s thoughts and opinions but I don’t know. How would everyone would think of me, like all day, I’m scared that someone would judge me, and telling me to stop, and yes, I do love my friends and I get they have there interest and stuff, it’s that it’s what’s making us feel better for ourselves. Everyday I feel like I’m failing myself due to the choices I make that I considered to be “very poor”, keep repeating the pattern of letting myself go off the rails of being a better friend, Like I wanted to help you guys, but I ignored you. And I’m worried about for what I’m gonna say is that I always feel like I’m betraying all of you, and I by telling the truth, it’s not just me that feels like I’m failing, I had a thought that I’m actually failing all of you, and I failed that friendship of mine. Which makes me a huge fool of myself. Friendship is like a exam test, Like when you make friends with a person and do something to them, you think if it’s the right choice or not, but it’s too late to change it. . . . . . And now you prepare yourself if you pass or fail that test. And I feel like I’m failing to be my better self, I keep on trying, but I keep falling down. but it’s not just me, I’m failing both, myself and my friends, I wanted them to make them feel better and happy, like sure, you guys see me as the kind, sweet, helpful, and wonderful friend to hang out, who always make the best of the best and I get all of you are changing . . . . . . . . . But. . . . . . . I’m actually tired of being that girl who has to give in constantly and gets no favor in return. . . . . . . . . Deep down, I’m nothing but a failure who breaks people both mentally and emotionally . . . . . . . .and it gets to the point where I always feel like and have the negative thought that I’m betraying all of you. . . . . . . . . And I’m sorry, for failing all of you. . . . And my apologies if it looks like I backstab all of you. And I’m afraid if I should or shouldn’t trust myself or any of you anymore. . . . . . . . . And it’s too late for me now.

And by telling the ugly truth to all of you, we’re actually just people trying to hate ourselves and little less and loving each other more by making ourselves look better with no favors in return, but in reality, we’re actually small, and thinking we are unimportant to one another. So it’s an easier way to make friends because this is who we are today. . . . . . And I do care for you all, and for now, I’m giving you the permission to have every right to be upset with me for that I keep making those poor choices to myself and letting you all down. . . . . . . . And I started all of this. Just to let myself be disappointed in me for the stuff I done. From making people leave this site to being manipulative, and for leaving people behind. . . . . . . . It’s me! I’m poison and I failed to be perfect . . . . . . . .and I’m sincerely sorry that it looks like I’m failing and backstabbing myself, including everyone.

because of me.

@chellys-catbox @cookiecat-7388new @sakiohappychan @lunawolf012306 @nicky-toony27 @manekimelikawaii @crystalline-loptous @jacksepticeye-simp @lizzietherwbychibifan @noahowls @pennyroyald @softpawsxd @razzledeathberry @9mysterybook6 @sleepi-toasti @glitchy-across-aus @karinathebutterwolf2k5 @art1c-m0nk3ys @sketchymenace @queercodeyt @zeepatomicarts @torrentialchaos @call-me-chips @jamesjexxisdeadlmao @glitchy-yaps @sicdios @mythically15 @ayelen0o0o @shadowwolfmemes @cxrxmelchoco @solosergiohd @choccymilky6055 @xxxlawrencexxx @dazzle-expandism

[skyfallscotland]

Quicksilver, by Callie Hart 🦋

She is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm.

Ohh boy. Personally I think she is none of those things, but that's me getting ahead of myself. God, I feel so anxious posting a book reaction after the Onyx Storm Debacle, but here we are, with a book I didn't love...again.

So...I started this one with a running commentary again (Throne of Glass style) but I couldn't quite commit. We will however approach it chronologically, because that's an easier way to show my thoughts as they evolved.

Would I recommend this book? No. And I’ll tell you why, but there are spoilers ahead so be aware of that.

Friends...I did not enjoy this one and I'm starting to feel like a crazy person. Is this just a massive reading slump? Or am I weird? Because everyone seems to think these books are the best thing since sliced bread and I've not liked a single one of them 😭

My first impressions? Saeris is so cliché. Like oh we're starving and can barely survive, you can see my ribs, but actually I can scale a giant wall and fight all these fully trained guards and win...ok, sure. It's giving 00's YA vibes but alright, I'm rolling with it.

I had no understanding of what it was I was doing, but if this was a world-ending gift, then good. Fuck this city and fuck this world. My family was already doomed, and what did I care for anyone else?

Bit dramatic, but whatever, I'll still ride with you. Who am I to judge? I did write Remi.

“I wear pants. Shirts. Things I can move easily in. So I can run, and climb, and—” Kill people.

"So cliché." I mutter to myself as I put the book down. Then pick it up again. Then put it down again and use the audiobook instead.

At some point, Layne would accept that I just didn't eat that much, and she'd stop loading up my plate with so much food. She'd slip an apple into her pocket for me or something.

*Deep breaths* Saeris would absolutely fit in on mid 2000's tumblr. Babe, this is such a weird flex to include when you’ve already made it very clear she was a starving orphan, ok?

We also met the infamous Carrion—more on that later—and her brother...who sucks. No two ways about it. I hated him immediately. Are there any decent book-brothers out there? Or just...no? I thought from the way he was acting he was going to be fourteen but no, he's like TWENTY, what the fuck 😭

So anyway, hooray! We've fallen through a portal to a new world and that's the stage set—then we meet Kingfisher. Oh man. Kingfisher.

Firstly:

This is a kingfisher. I just want y’all to know that. I know it’s not his ‘real’ name but it’s still what she’s crying out in rapture ok, a choice was made and it wasn’t a good one.

Anyway, surprise surprise, he's an asshole, but here’s the rub: he doesn't seem redemptive.

My jaw was screaming, I was clenching my teeth so hard. “Fuck—you—” “There you go again. Hungry, needy little bitch in heat, begging to be fucked…” he taunted. “Let. Go!”

I’m ok with enemies to lovers, but there has to be a hint at least that the ‘bad guy’ can be a decent person. There has to be something that hooks me about him—his entire personality can’t just be ‘asshole’, and above all, despite the fact he doesn’t like the FMC (even loathes her for all I care) he has to at least have some basic respect for her, otherwise I’m not down. That’s just my personal take, you don’t have to agree, but it makes me uncomfortable otherwise.

“I don't hate your kind. I'm just disappointed by how breakable you are. If I held you down and fucked you the way I'm imagining fucking you right now, I doubt that you’d survive it.”

Like that? That’s not cute or arousing in any way.

“That your body is betraying you in other ways. That I can smell you, Little Osha, and I'm thinking about drinking the sweet nectar you're making for me straight from the fucking cup.”

I do also think the smut was just not for me in this book, as a general rule, I did find it very cringe. Case in point ^

A FUNNY INTERLUDE:

—a look of rye amusement on his irritatingly handsome face.

LMAO this was meant to be wry, I assume? There were a few instances like this throughout the book, as well as typos and missing punctuation. Which, we’re all human, I get it, but it kind of annoys me a little when this was picked up for trad pub, pulled from KU (I bought it—twice!) and has since gotten a million dollar Netflix deal. Please, if we’re going to be doing that, the publishing house needs to edit the damn book. Honestly? I think it could have done with 200-300 less pages. A developmental edit was needed, let alone a final edit.

Anyway. Onwards.

So they make a blood pact, in which she agrees to basically do whatever the fuck he says, which is...tired. I'm tired. The book is tired. We're all a little tired here.

Kingfisher held out his hand and pulled me to my feet, making a derisive sound when he saw the cut I'd inflicted upon myself. “Baby.”

It’s just...this utter derision he has for her, his supposed (spoiler alert!) fated mate, that just gives me the ick.

Then there's this:

Kingfisher stunned me to silence when he dropped to his knees and started picking up the shards of broken cup. “It's all right, Archer. Hush, it's all right.”

Ok, this here is the first indication we get that he can be a decent person, and it’s not with her, it’s with some random character we’ve just met. Do I grow to like Archer? Sure, but right now I don’t know him from Adam, all this scene tells me is that Fisher is capable of respect and kindness, just not with Saeris. Be so for fucking real right now, that does not make you want to root for them. If this were your bestie you’d be screaming for them to run. This is the crux of it all. We had to get like 300 pages into this book for there to be a single hint of redemption in him and to me that's bad technique.

Clearly everyone else disagrees since they're out there praising it, but I've nearly DNF'd so many times by now, because you're 👏 not 👏 giving 👏 me 👏 crumbs. Please, give the reader something! It's all well and good for people to be out here going "well he's like that for a reason" (spoiler alert: the reason sucks, it's just the cliché 'I wanted to push her away for her own safety) but his reasoning means shit if people lose interest and don't get far enough to find out what it even is.

Note: by 'people' I mean the rest of the internet, not anyone here specifically, but since a few of you have said the same, just know that's a generalisation and I still love you! But I fear my point stands, his change of heart/any indication of kindness comes too late in the game for it to be an effective character arc (more on this later!!)

Anywho—

I shouldn't have moaned. I definitely shouldn't have told him that I wanted him. For the love of all the gods in all the heavens, why had I said that? I was going to throw up.

Same babe. Why did you? Why do you?

I couldn't believe we'd finally arrived here.

Me either!! 56% of the way in! We've basically done absolutely nothing but wander around and talk about how hot and mean he is for 300 pages but finally you're...doing things...with him 😬

Every part of me wanted to scramble from the bed and bolt for the door, but I knew that would be folly. Just like a hell cat, Fisher would give chase.

So terrified every part of you wants to bolt for the door...charming. Very hot. Love that for you.

“I could probably use a sho—” “Do not fucking dare finish that sentence,” he snarled. “I don't want a mouthful of soap and perfume. I want to taste you.”

Shower. She was going to say shower.

Another note, because I'm incapable of not shouting this from the rooftops when the occasion arises—vaginas are self-cleaning, there should be no soap or perfume going in there! You would have tasted her anyway you dumbass. You'd think he'd know that, given he's supposedly been in more of them than your local gynaecologist.

“And we can’t lie.”

*deep breaths* since WHEN? And that only makes it worse??

I'd imagined the words. Fabricated them out of thin air and somehow played them aloud in my own head in his voice.

Oh, hey Violet, how did you get here?

So anyway, then we enter the final conflict? Confrontation? Where she needs to go and save her newfound mate from under the mountain the bad guy's place! (oh and there's vampires, did I mention that before? No? Well there is now).

Anyway, turns out Rhysand Kingfisher was trapped there for 110 years with big bad Malcolm, who it's implied sexually assaulted him during that time, but we never address that. Why? Well this is romantasy and we only have six-hundred pages, why would we? Just throw traumatic experiences in there for the sake of it, why not?

Anyway—

“That's right. Fifty-five. He spent the next eight years trying to find the coin once he reached the center, didn't you, my love?”

I'm?????

55+8=63... what happened to the other 47 years? Guys? I'm????

Whatever, who cares about math! We're on the escape until—WOAH.

“It can't see or hear you. It tracks movement.”

Don't panic, don't panic, we all know how to defeat the middengard wyrm whatever that thing is! And we do. But not really, because everything in this maze regenerates, just like romantasy plotlines.

More fighting, more evil villain monologuing, etc.

THEN Saeris has to go and find a coin to break the blood oath Kingfisher made with big-bad, even though big-bad said he broke it himself five minutes ago during his evil monologue in order to make Fishie confess to...things.

“I release you from your oath to us, Kingfisher, Bane of Gillethrye. Now, go on. Tell your friends all about the deal you struck with us all those years ago.”

But no matter, we're off to find a coin and no worries, we've got that down! Of course in the process Feyre Saeris dies and gets brought back to life again as an all powerful fae/vampire queen hybrid. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

Not me, even I couldn't have predicted that double-doozy. Probably this guy though:

Zareth. God of Chaos.

Which? NO. Nope. No. Too late. FAR too late in the game for this. I'm out.

The way we went through so many boring pages of nothingness to this in the last 20% is truly something.

OK! SIDE CHARACTERS:

Danya was a complete and total waste of everyone's time, she existed only to be the bitchy, elitist mean girl side character who was mean to poor Saeris and occassionally made her jealous. This one-dimensional treatment of female characters grinds my gears. Even Everlayne, Kingfisher's sister was entirely useless, making Saeris the special female unicorn. Pretty sure this book fails the Bechdel test.

Ren was nice, I liked him, poor long-suffering man that he was.

Lorreth. Man, y'all can't shut up about Carrion and you're really sleeping on Lorreth. This man saved me from DNF'ing, he was fantastic. Put some respect on his name! 10/10 no notes. The guy you'd actually want to get with if this book were real.

He'd still looked dumbstruck as he headed off in the direction of his tent, cradling Avisiéth like a baby in his arms.

Carrion. CARRION. Ok straight up...is that really a word we want to be using as a name? Really? Is it relevant? Like did we do that on purpose because he somehow reflects roadkill? I figured we'd find out, but NOPE 💀

Who fucking knows at this point though whether it is his name. I doubt it, given Kingfisher's name is apparently not Kingfisher either. Personally though I still think that should have been addressed in the book. It's over 200k words, you can tell us why certain nicknames exist.

The thief held up his hands. “You're right. I apologize. I'm just a little on edge right now. I'm not my best self.”

Hilarious, there to cause trouble most of the time, 10/10, almost no notes.

“Are you going to tell me about my parents, or are you going to start undressing each other? Because I can leave. I don't have to, but I can,” Carrion said.

Except the part where he turns out to be a thousand-year-old fae too and a secret, mystery, vampire-killing-prince dude or whatever, there's a note about that and how it's kinda unnecessary to drop in the final 5%. Was it foreshadowed? Not effectively, no. Also Carrion Daianthus? Roadkill, crows, and...pink flowers? Yeah. That's him. That's the one 💀

Onyx. Token wild animal taken in as pet/familiar trope. She can have this one. He's cute.

Elroy. Dude's definitely going to become important again. How much do we wanna bet he's Fisher's dad? Anyone?

Anyway, this was wildly chaotic and I don't really feel bad about it because so was this book. It started out well in the first 5-10%. It was a slog to read between the 10% mark and 60%. Honestly, it only got better once they'd fucked for the first time, which was because Kingfisher's character did a 180 overnight with a big fat handwavey motion, like our FMC's magic coochie cured him of his violent tendencies. Like not to be crude, but I'm not sure there's any other way of putting it.

I think it's just not a great book, which I also think is a shame because the world is interesting, I loved the parts of alchemy we got (which weren't enough, imo) and the swords, the magic, the portals, the quicksilver, etc. I think it had so much potential and that's ultimately why it also bothers me so much as well. It feels squandered through a lack of refinement and editing.

Will I read the next one? Maybe. I'll let someone else take the hit first and see if it's any better paced this.

This has gone on long enough lmao, so I'll just leave you with one last quote that I think really sums up this book so, so much:

“Not that. The brother part,” she said in a loud whisper. “That’s not common knowledge?” “Well, yes. And no. It's just not spoken about. And it's very, very complicated.”

Yeah...

[tubbytarchia]

Wild Life Session 4 smallidarity thoughts (+ some Scar and Lizzie)

See it was all fine, nothing to worry about!! Joel couldn't bring himself to kill Jimmy, he barely even harmed him. I'm pretty sure he shot him just once (after Jimmy trampled their crops so. fair)? Joel calmed down, he rebuilt his car, everything is fine. He says at the start that he's wary of Jimmy because of him going after Joel last time, and that's about it for the time being

Jimmy dies and Joel makes a deal out of it and calls him a muppet. As per usual. Meanwhile Jimmy is still adamant to get at Joel whilst Scar tries to deter him because they want to be an alliance

He and Jimmy meet up at some point after their brief interaction at the start where Joel shot him, and they just banter. And Gem and Scar are just standing there like "guyss we're a family come on" meanwhile Joel and Jimmy's exchange goes as follows: Jimmy: "you're the ones with tasty lives!" Joel: "yeah bet you wish you could have a chunk of me!" "Oh I'm having a chunk out of you!" "Yeah and you know where to take that chunk out of!" "Oh I'm gonna take it! I'm taking it!" "You should!" And then Gem and Scar tell them to break it up and Joel goes "we're just flirting!!" ? what the fuck? Genuinely WHAT are they talking about. is this an innuendo of some sort. is this another ambiguous smallidarity sex scene sorry who said that

Jimmy gets a double kill (in the most adorable way btw. The way he weasels his way in there and backs off and comes back to try again all crouched. animal) and goddd people hyping him up is so so sweet. He deserves this. He's also a little bit evil, he's getting the murder rush but I'm happy for him. He needs to kill more people, he needs to get this out of his system, he deserves this, things need to get worse before they get better. ANYWAY Scar all "that was the greatest kill ever on the life series" is so cute. And man I gotta agree. There's more unique and funny and impressive kills but I would not mind calling this the best just for the fact that it's Jimmy. He's competent, he can do shit like this, but it feels like most everyone and the world is continuously against his survival, but here he is... my son...

And then Joel coming up to congratulate him... Really blummin cute. In Joel's POV also, he says "I went to congratulate Jimmy and we had a moment" which I wager he might be referring to the creeper incident as 'the moment' but that'd make no sense to call it that. With that tonation. Why did he say it like that. Stop being cute

But yeah Scar tries to blow Joel up with creepers only for Joel to save him from his own creeper and he's so casual about it. He is incredibly kind to the bamboozlers, it's really cute...

And then Jimmy does it!! He gets Joel!! And he gets him real good!! And can you believe that the first person to kill either of the family duo is Jimmy, of all people. Scott has died by this point too and Jimmy is the one to make a dent in the full 6-life alliance. Crazy. I'm so proud of him. It was seriously really good too, see, when Jimmy puts his mind to something and is able to focus he excels, he really does. And Joel, oh Joel is such a good sport about it. He keeps saying how it was good and fair and that he still wants an allyship with him. Tells him "welcome back to green" aww. And they make a truce, Jimmy got it out of his system and now they can be friends and go kill other people instead and Joel is proud of him... Jimmy "Joel, I finally got you, so I will stop now, so let's do the perfect dap" and then they both count down and clap their hands to simulate slapping palms. Awesome. All of Joel and Jimmy is just really cute this time around. Very happy about them being a more proper alliance now, but we'll see if it sticks... Joel can only be so mean to Jimmy at this point though I don't think he has it in him to betray him or anything lol. Can't speak for the rest of them but not too worried for the smallidarity, it's a plentiful crop...

Also a very important exchange between Lizzie and Jimmy at some point: "I just finangled a load of diamonds off of Joel" "Oh? How did you do that?" "I asked him just really nicely" (lie btw she was moreso extorting Joel) "Oh, that doesn't work when I... I guess... you are his wife, I guess..." "Yeah..." "Lucky for some I guess- right (unrelated topic)" I'm not 100% confident that's what Jimmy said at the end, it's a bit hard to make out but. what? Hello?

I also extend gratitude towards Lizzie for being so nice and supportive of Jimmy, she was the one to suggest the cobweb creeper trap that ended up taking Joel out, but she also insisted that he drink a health restoration stew beforehand in case anything went wrong. Jimmy didn't end up doing so (he was full) and Lizzie is all "why?" and "something could have gone wrong". man. Nice to him...

[exculpateinteractivefiction]

"All suffering originates from craving, from attachment, from desire." - Edgar Allan Poe

Exculpate: The Fall from Grace is an upcoming 18+ action packed and fantastical interactive fiction novel. Loosely inspired by media like “My Hero Academia”, “Bungou Stray Dogs”, “Jujutsu Kaisen”, “The X-Men” and “Titans”.

Tags: [Urban Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Romance, Drama, LGBTQIA+, Textbased]

The Astra. In the years after the war it was a name that had grown familiar. A select group of individuals who had gained special abilities after the…incident. They are powerful. They are talented. They are gifted.

And you’re one of them.

Or at least you were around a decade ago. Before you made the mistake.  The type of colossal fuck up that blows up your apparently  flimsy life in a matter of minutes. The kind that has you running away and starting completely over. That kind.

Now instead of using your worthless ability to save people, you are stuck using it for much more…aggressive work. More effective work. Or at the very least work that pays better. The only cost seems to be your sorry excuse for morals. Trading your soul and sense of justice for a paycheck. What could go wrong?

It was manageable. Meaningful even. Something that gave purpose to the now shattered pieces of your life.

Everything was great.

...until you got a hit for the strongest hero in existence. Wonderful.

Play a former hero turned assassin turned…“hero” but not really .

Customize your character’s name, appearance, personality, and gender identity.

Develop a better understanding of your dreadful ability.

Explore and navigate complex relationships with six unique romantic options.

Kill your former best friend and betray old allies and new ones alike!

Come face to face with your past (both the choices you’ve made and the people in it).

Repent for your mistakes…or continue making them.

The Hero (Your Target): Maverick “Mav” Kingston (He/Him)

Maverick Kingston, your current target and the strongest member of Astra. The strongest, period. He is unstoppable - unreachable - unattainable. You would know as his (former) best friend.

Appearance: Maverick is the embodiment of “perfection” and that crosses over into his looks. He is roughly 6’1” and is quite lean. He has vibrant light blue eyes and a head of messy blonde hair that seems to always fall perfectly into place.

Personality: Maverick’s greatest flaw is undeniably his personality. To put it bluntly, he’s the best and he knows it. He manages to come across as nonchalant and egotistical on a good day - often just messing around or teasing both his enemies and coworkers alike, and while he can be quite charismatic, his laidback and annoying disposition tends to steer most people away. Although, you get the feeling that there seems to be something deeper lying beneath the surface even after all these years…

The Strategist: Carmen Reyes (She/Her)

Carmen Reyes, lead strategist of the Astra and to put it bluntly the only one with any common sense. She is an intimidating presence - although that might just be due to her title of the best hand to hand combatant of the Astra. You used to be co-workers and classmates but that was a long time ago.

Appearance: Carmen’s beauty is just another thing that adds to her imposing nature. She is roughly 5’11” and has spent years building up her muscular physique. She has curly dark brown hair that rests just below her chin and surprisingly sharp hazel eyes that seem to track your every move…

Personality: Carmen can be considered reserved and wise at best and completely distant at worst. She has a professional air to her that most officials and authority respect, but it can come across as aloof or boring especially when comparing her to the loud personalities that the rest of the Astra has. That’s not to say she is uncaring though - in fact she is arguably the most moral of the group - or at least she was back when you were a member…

The Heart: Silas Jones (He/Him)

Silas Jones, arguably the kindest member of the Astra. He’s excitable and naive - if not a bit endearing. He tends to act as the mediator between the public and the other members of the Astra when necessary. You don’t remember being particularly close with him back when you were in the Astra so it’s surprising how desperately he seems to want your attention now…

Appearance: Silas is roughly 5’8” and has dark brown skin with glowing silver marks scattered across his body. He has black locs that have been dyed red at the tips and dark brown eyes that seem to pull you in wherever you go…

Personality: Silas is easily the nicest of the group and can be quite soothing especially compared to the harsher personalities of the other members and higher ups of the Astra. He is incredibly open and energetic, if not a bit naive. He cares very deeply for the people around him and that clearly extends to you even after all these years. It does make you wonder why he is so interested though…

The Healer: Juno Aceso (She/Her)

Juno Aceso, head of the healing and medical department at Astra. She isn’t what most people expect when they hear the words “doctor” but she is a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the group. You were close with her back when you were in the Astra…or at least as close as you can be with someone like her.

Appearance: Juno is roughly 5’5”. She has deathly pale skin and dark eyebags that frame her murky green eyes. Her straight chestnut colored hair lands right at her chest, though she usually keeps it up in a bun.

Personality: If Carmen is distant and Maverick is nonchalant then Juno is on a whole other level. She is practically apathetic with her laidback nature and tends to be quite removed from everyone else. That’s not to say she has no personality though. She can be incredibly snarky and sarcastic when she wants to be. Unsurprisingly, she seems the least invested in your return. Although you get an odd feeling whenever she glances your way…

The Star: Payton Monroe (They/Them)

Payton Monroe is nothing if not a star. They embrace the celebrity status that comes with being a member of the Astra with open arms. You weren’t particularly close with them back when you were in the Astra but you heard the rumors of their exploits…

Appearance: Payton is roughly 5’7” and seems to make it their life’s goal to make themself as appealing as possible. They have ivory colored skin and dazzling lavender eyes. Their hair is shoulder length and white with streaks of pink going through it.

Personality: Payton is someone who has no issue embracing the finer things in life. They are far more interested in the public image aspect of being a member of the Astra and that comes across in nearly every interaction. While they are quite flirtatious, they seem to hold no interest in pursuing an actual relationship. Maybe you’ll be the one to change that…

The Newbie: Amari Gray (Gender Selectable)

Amari Gray, the newest member of the Astra. Not much is known about them - they joined after you left and they don’t seem exactly interested in getting to know you. They tend to be annoyed with you more often than not but you get the feeling that they are that way with most people. Although, their constant avoidance towards you specifically is quite odd…

Appearance: Amari is roughly 5’3”. They have tan skin and sharp gray eyes that seem to be set in a perpetual glare. They have thick white hair that is currently styled as a short undercut. They have a few piercings and tattoos.

Personality: You don’t know much about Amari but one thing you do know is that they don’t like you. They are either actively avoiding you or are going out of their way to pick fights with you. They seem incredibly familiar which makes their determination on making your life miserable even weirder…

DEMO TBA

[gilbirda]

Friendly neighborhood vigilante. Chapter 29

BatmanxDP crossover. JasonxJazz

[Read on AO3] [Read on FF.net]

Based on this post

First chapter || << Previous chapter || Next chapter >>

---

“We have to go.”

“Do we?”

Jazz giggled against her better judgment. Jason’s breath tickled her cheeks.

“Bruce said—”

“He can wait.” His chest rumbled as he spoke. She could feel it through his suit and hers. “They all can wait.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but the touch of his cold lips on her throat ripped a sigh from her lips instead. Her hand squeezed his bicep and didn’t move to push him away as she knew she should.

It felt weirdly exposed to be doing this in a random alley, but at least they weren’t out in the open. She’d seen worse things happen in the dark alleys of Gotham, and it was somewhat exhilarating to be part of that mystery herself.

Jason’s hand grabbed her face, pulling her back to the present.

“We have to— Mhmp!”

Jason hummed against her mouth, kissing her with enthusiasm. Jazz rolled her eyes, but responded to his kiss and very obvious attempt at shutting her up.

They were supposed to be on their way back to the Cave and meet with the others to discuss the whole “Lazarus Pits in Gotham” conversation they had to have.

Once they were alone, Jason had other ideas. It was in his eyes, in the way they were bright with concern that turned into something else once he made sure that she was completely fine after her encounter with the Spirit of Gotham.

He had always been a little hesitant before, even after she came clean about her secrets and her fangs. She thought he maybe wanted to make clear he wasn’t pressuring her into something she’d regret, which was nice but completely unnecessary. She wasn’t afraid to stop things if she didn’t want to do something.

Jason bit her lower lip. She did want this, she discovered. Oh yeah, she did. It was maybe not the best moment or the best place; but it was so enticing having this tank of a man so desperately seeking her lips like his life depended on it.

Jazz grabbed the back of his head, reveling on how soft the curls were and being thankful once more that he chose to forgo the helmet for tonight. She felt more than heard him moan in the kiss when she pulled the hair she managed to blindly grab there.

Loud beeping interrupted them, making her jump. He groaned, pulling away from the kiss slowly and with all the intention to ignore the phone asking for attention.

He had already disconnected his comms but they didn’t check that his phone was not on silent.

“Answer the phone.” She whispered against his lips, fighting against the impulse to lean in and continue kissing him like she wanted to.

The whine that came out of him was unbecoming of the demon of Crime Alley.

“Don’t wanna.” He turned it off and put it back in his pocket. “Where were we?”

She rolled her eyes. “Someone is excited.”

He hummed against her lips before kissing her again, carefully grabbing her face with his gloved hands.

“The fight did something for you, huh.”

He chuckled. “What can I say? I love my women strong and independent.”

She playfully slapped his chest. “You silly man.” Her nonchalance was betrayed by her red cheeks.

When she confronted the Gotham Spirit she wasn’t sure what she was thinking. Her thoughts were set on staying in Gotham no matter what, and how frustrated it made her to deal with the Spirit. She had dealt with stubborn people in her life, but the Spirit was its own kind of thickheaded nightmare.

She didn’t like pulling rank and doing shows of power to threaten people, that was more in Danny’s and his friends’ wheelhouse, but she knew how to do it when the situation required it.

Apparently, Jason did like her display.

Not that she was complaining.

They did have to go meet the others back at the Cave, though.

Their impromptu make out session got interrupted by her phone this time, the ringtone being a guitar riff that she set as Danny’s personal ringtone. It was a song he enjoyed and joked should be his theme song.

“Don’t.” Jason took her phone from her hands and hung up.

Jazz knew Danny would call again, as many times as it took. Also she knew he would hold it against her if she continued ignoring him like this.

With a tired sigh that channeled all her older sister woes, she made an attempt at getting her phone back. Jason extended his arm away from her.

She raised an eyebrow. So that’s how he wanted to play.

Jazz spared a thought and felt her arms grow stronger under her command over her armor, giving her enough juice to quickly grab her boyfriend by the shoulders and switch their positions, slamming him against the brick wall with maybe a little bit more force than she intended. She quickly checked he was okay, but scoffed when she saw his red cheeks and how a choked “huh” filled the dark alley.

She kissed him one last time, deep and intense, playfully biting his lip before pulling away, her phone in her hand.

Just in time, Danny was calling again.

“I’m no longer asking.” Was the first thing she heard when she took the call. She bit her lip, glancing at Jason recovering from what just happened. “Move your ass to the damn Cave and let’s get this done tonight. Some of us need our beauty sleep.”

“What happened to ‘I can go weeks without sleep, Jazzy’, huh?”

Danny grumbled on the other side of the call. “Just stop having kinky sex with your boyfriend.”

A chorus of “oooohh” could be heard in the background. She closed her eyes, embarrassed and mortified that this was probably happening on speakers.

“I am not—”

“Didn’t ask, don’t care, lalalalala~!” Her brother sang until she stopped trying to explain. “You have fifteen minutes before I go out there and drag you here. See ya!”

Jazz did a few deep breaths to prevent her from crushing her phone in her hand. Because that was the third phone she destroyed in her time in the Living World, and she didn’t want to spend the money on another one.

When she opened her eyes, Jason was looking at her.

“Mood is ruined, huh?”

She could tell he rolled his eyes under the mask. “Told you not to answer the phone.” He still leaned in for a quick peck on her lips. “Let’s go.”

They grappled back to their apartment in comfortable silence, just listening to wind in their ears and the city noises even so late at night. Jazz enjoyed the trip more than she let on, even if it was weird compared to flying with her siblings. Jason didn’t defy gravity but fought against it, and she could feel it in her gut every time he swung up and down. It was different and new and not at all how she imagined it.

He landed them on the roof of the building next to theirs, right at the alley where the bikes were stored.

Bikes. Because Danny had finally given back her modified ecto-motorbike since his own was finally done. He brought it over when he arrived, expecting to find her in her apartment to show her his gift, but that was when he panicked and went on a hunt to find her. With the excitement he forgot about it, but the shiny black and teal machine was parked in front of the apartment building when they arrived on Saturday afternoon.

She decided to keep it next to Jason’s in the alley and out of the way, but hadn't had a chance to drive it yet.

“Wanna drive tonight?” Jason asked her, pointing at the bike with his chin.

She nodded. “Actually, yeah. Barely had time to try it when I got it.” And could be a good chance to re-learn what all the functions were.

After a quick debate, they decided to each drive their own bike, and she’d follow Jason to the hidden entrance of the cave. He watched her get on the seat, waiting for her to turn it on. She just twisted the accelerator handle, the motor roaring to life as green fire was expelled from the exhaust.

“Oops.” Jazz giggled.

She focused a bit and recalibrated how much power she directed to the engine, satisfied when it went back to a soft purr that was within normal performance and there wasn’t more fire coming out.

“That’s pretty rad.”

She hummed in agreement at Jason, watching as he got into his vehicle and turned it on. “It doesn’t work on gasoline, just ambient ectoplasm and the driver’s power.” She tested the accelerator, keeping the gear neutral, nodding when everything sounded right. “Only people with enough ectoplasm can even get it to work.” She tested the brakes. They were good. “I think you could do it, actually.”

He walked the bike to the alley opening, considering. She watched carefully in case she said something wrong — Jason was still a bit touchy about not being fully human, and after Danny’s confirmation they haven’t addressed it. She definitely made it worse when she fed him pure ectoplasm, even if it saved his life. She knew they had to talk about it, but the moment simply never came up.

“Maybe.” Was all he said. “Let’s go.”

Jazz swallowed the discomfort and got ready to make the drive to the Cave.

Gotham that night was tamer, and as they got out of the Narrows and into the nicer parts of the city it was quieter and quieter. She was still mesmerized at how beautiful the city could be from up high, it didn’t matter how many times she would make this trip or climb the tall buildings — it was just so different from what she was used to, be it Amity Park or the Infinite Realms.

They quickly made it to the secret entrance for vehicles and into the Batcave, the temperature rising slightly now that they were away from the chilly fall night.

“Finally!”

Danny, still in ghost form, didn’t look pleased as he floated closer to the parking area of the cave. He had his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised, as if he was the parent catching a child doing something they shouldn't.

“Oh, shut up.” She rolled her eyes, turning off the bike with a thought. “Like you haven’t been late for a meeting because you are too busy making out with—”

“Nuh-uh,” Danny interrupted her, cheeks slightly green. “We don’t talk about that.”

“Then you can’t talk about me and Jason.” Jazz smirked, looking down at her brother, knowing she had won.

Danny scoffed, glanced at Jason, who was biting back a smile, and floated back to the others with an eye roll.

Jazz hummed when her boyfriend looped his arms around her waist. “That was pretty hot too.” He softly whispered against her ear.

“Ancients, stop!” Danny’s voice echoed from the other side of the cave.

Right, the couple remembered. Superhuman hearing.

They held hands as they walked closer to the Batcomputer, where the Bats plus an annoyed Danny were waiting.

On the screen there were multiple recordings playing — Jazz was mortified when she saw her own face from multiple angles as she got the beating of her life by the Spirit of Gotham. She froze, watching herself fending against the colony of bats that bit her and carried her towards the sky, remembering the feeling of getting shocked by her own weapon.

She rubbed her arm, not really liking how it felt.

Jason pulled her hand and made them walk closer towards the table with a hologram map of Gotham, where Bruce was mumbling under his breath, typing something on his wrist computer.

“So,” Jason started, “what’s this about a Pit under Gotham?”

Jazz looked away from Bruce as he looked up. She knew she was supposed to pay attention — this was her mission, after all — but she got distracted watching the video of herself facing the Spirit and releasing her power. Ancients, it felt so ridiculous now, making a huge speech about her titles and her accomplishments. She had tried to aim for what Fright Knight would say, channeling how the ghost always felt so sure about himself; but all she could see was how scared she had been in her eyes, how desperate she felt about staying in Gotham, and staying with—

“Earth to Jasmine.”

She blinked back to reality, looking back to the table. Everyone was looking at her.

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Sorry.”

A few smiled, knowing what she had been distracted with.

“That was a pretty cool thing you did there.”

“So you did end up fistfighting the city for Jason’s hand in marriage.” Stephanie nodded in agreement at Duke, crossing her arms. “I would have liked to see it from up close.”

Jason didn’t acknowledge the comment, just rolling his eyes. Jazz’s cheeks got warmer.

“I didn’t—”

“I am Crown Princess Jasmine. I’ve protected the Keep against invading forces for seven days and seven nights straight.” Now it was Dick who chimed in, fists on his waist, striking a pose. His eyes glowed and his smile was blinding. “You kind of reminded me of Starfire for a moment there.”

“I know right?” Jason chimed in, nodding enthusiastically.

Jazz tilted her head. The name was familiar, but she didn’t know who this person was. Probably a hero, given how familiar they seemed to be with her.

Dick saw her confusion and opened his mouth to comment.

“Focus,” Bruce interrupted the conversation, finally stopping typing in his computer, “we have a task at hand.”

Jazz giggled, but didn’t say anything about Dick sticking his tongue and imitating the older man’s expression behind his back.

“I have investigated the Lazarus Pits in the past—” he barely paused when he said it, but they all noticed some kind of hesitation — “and I got readings inside Gotham. I know the general location and have a few guesses on where to start looking, but I never had enough time to actually do it.”

Or, Jazz considered, he abandoned the project when something related to Jason happened. She squeezed his hand, but didn’t turn to look at him.

“Ok. Where do I start?”

Bruce nodded, his tense shoulders slightly relaxing. Jazz didn’t miss how he tried hard to not be too obvious that he was glad she kept on topic and didn’t ask what they were all thinking.

The hologram of Gotham in front of them moved around and separated into layers like some kind of an exploded view showing the underground levels. She marveled at the tunnels that could only be the subway system, and what she guessed was the sewers.

Before she could ask more about the amazing and detailed show of technology, the hologram focused on a part of Old Gotham she wasn’t familiar with, down and down, way under the first subway lines that had been abandoned when the city grew in a different direction.

“My readings concentrated somewhere deep under Old Gotham, and I have a few ideas of using the old metro station and starting from there.” He paused, looking up at her. “I’m… not sure what could be down there. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Somehow she understood that Bruce not being sure of something meant really bad news. Fortunately for everyone, Jazz was used to bad news and even worse odds.

She smiled. “Sure! What could go wr—”

“Don’t jinx it.” Danny slapped a hand on her mouth. “Remember our curse.”

“Curse?” Damian perked up, interested.

“We are not cursed, Danny,” Jazz groaned, removing the hand. She was half tempted to lick it, but she didn’t think it was proper for the situation. “It’s a silly family joke.”

“It’s no joke. We are cursed. Who knows, maybe our great great great grandpa pissed off the wrong witch.”

That raised a few eyebrows and a pair of chuckles. Jazz sighed, exasperated.

She wanted to agree so badly with her brother. The Fentons sometimes felt like they were cursed. She spent so long trying to find a logical answer to why things seemed to always happen to them; but even after she discarded bad luck, meddling ghosts, hubris and clumsiness, she had to agree there were unexplained situations. Specially when the words “what could go wrong?” were uttered.

She remembered thinking that before her first date with Jason.

Huh.

Maybe Danny was onto something.

Bruce cleared his throat and decided to pin the conversation for another time. “You should wait before venturing down the tunnels.”

“Why?” She asked.

“You need to be prepared.”

Jazz waited for a moment, trying to understand what the man probably meant to say. She had already gathered he was not very good at communicating his thoughts, but she thought she was owed an elaboration.

Of course, that never came.

“Prepared for what.”

“Gotham is not— You are clearly trained, but you don't understand what you are up against.”

She frowned, trying to follow.

Besides her, Jason sighed. “What Bruce is trying to say,” he rolled his eyes, like he couldn’t believe he was acting as the other man’s translator, “is that Gotham is its own kind of weird, and you should get used to moving around before facing the unknown.”

“But I’ve lived here for months…” She trailed off, seeing almost everyone around the table shake their heads or purse their lips. “Okay. Okay.” She sighed, pulling back her loose hair. “You are the locals. I made a deal. Gotham’s rules, Gotham’s way.”

She clearly wasn’t excited about it, but she knew that if she wanted to stay, she had to be on her best behavior. Making the Spirit mad was the best way to get banished from the city forever.

Jazz felt Jason squeeze her hand in solidarity. He understood the city, he had talked about it plenty of times. She always thought it was kinda cute how he went on rants about the people, the flow of the city, the way things worked around. He loved it, but he also respected its dangers.

In a way, Jazz wondered how much of Jason she’d understand once she got to understand the city.

“Very well. Your training will start tomorrow.”

“Training?”

“Training!” It was Stephanie who jumped to hold her other hand, practically shaking with excitement. “Welcome to Batfam 101: speedrun edition!”

Some of the others chuckled, but by the way their smiles hid their secrets, she wasn’t sure if this “training” would be anything like she had known before.

---

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[ultimategenshintournament]

Ultimate Genshin Tournament: Round 5

Propaganda below cut

Venti:

calls the Traveler "his warrior" plus he's like our long-time friend??? He basically asked us out during the alchemy event???? You can choose to bring him up during the fight with Signora????? He's the best idc

He. Is. Amazing. So many layers, so interesting...So much trauma and potential...Not to mention look how AWESOME he is generally!!! He's kind and caring towards everybody, and also carefree and mischievous!!! How can you not love him??

he’s TOO GOOD for this world- he’s just a little guy!! Like he cares for his nation and the people of Mondstadt SO MUCH it hurts when people say he doesn’t. Like, my poor trauma-driven little mega-powerful war god who’s actually just a tiny little wind spirit honoring his dead friend!!!! I love him so much

his lore means he gets brought up almost every patch. he convinced a bunch of the most lethal women in Teyvat to have tea instead of screwing him up. he would always rather take the path of least resistance. he’s the three time best bard in Mond. he never seeks glory, only wishes to offer it to others. he was a better father to Diona than her real one five minutes into meeting her. he gives Glory whispers of what the world looks like so she can navigate. when a nun of his own church denied his identity he decided to run a heist to steal back an item that is only holy because it is his. he keeps his misery and loneliness trapped within, and does his best to bring joy to every person he meets. how can you not love him? 

He's Venti. How do you beat that? Answer: you don't. You can't. 

they say that an nation is most like their archon but is the anemo archon a god that took after the people's traits or did the people take their archons traits (the only correct answer is that venti took after old mond's people traits and it's so disgustingly sweet, he's a lil baby who cared so much that he kept old mond's wishes heard and their dream a reality — of freedom (without a god, as much as he could) where humanity leads trust. he left mondstadt because he trusted that humanity would do that right thing always but then he got betrayed by the Lawrence clan but he forgave them???! the anemo archon gave them no punishment , but mondstadt did . venti has me ugly crying

Kaeya:

He's cool, he's mysterious, he wears an eyepatch, he has a super tragic backstory, he's good with kids, he takes care of his friends, what's not to love!!!

despite all the hardships he’s suffered, he’s still such a kind person 

This is the character of the everyman. Everyone should love Kaeya because he's with you no matter what. He has the great mystery of his origins and his damage with his family and his brother, but he is with you til the end. That's what makes him so special to me

Furina:

girl deserves therapy and hugs and the best life in the WORLD because oh boy she went through a lot!!!! wouldn't pretending to be a god for 500 years with no support mess you up? and yet she still kept on going for her people!! she wanted to save her nation from a doomsday prophecy and she DID

After act 5 she deserves the world :(

“If all the people of Fontaine are on one side, and I am on the other…is it not obvious where the scales of suffering should tilt?” NO IT ISNT YOU’RE JUST ABNORMALLY SELFLESS AND INCREDIBLE AND PERSISTENT. Even the Archons praise Furina’s name and say she is a human with strength and capability worthy of an Archon. That’s not even to speak of Focalors. She snapped at Arlecchino only when the Harbinger implied that Furina had done nothing to preserve her people from the flood. Meanwhile every minute she was working to prevent the prophecy. A month after we took her to court and almost got her killed she agreed to help us direct a play, a favor for a favor

[maleyanderecafe]

When Jasy Whistles (Webcomic)

Created by: Cibeles

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

You probably have seen this one around, but I did find it very unique in terms of the worldbuilding. It can be admittedly fairly slow in some points in terms of pacing though actually the thing I enjoyed the most out of the series was seeing Jasy's siblings and learning more about them. Currently as of writing this, the story has finished its second season and the creator is working on it's third and final season.

The story starts out with Hela, a girl who lives in an traditional/ relatively isolated town outside of modern things who wants to take after her grandmother and become the chief of her town one day. Hela's best friend Rodri is one day taken away by one of the demigods, Jasy, and Hela goes to get him back. Jasy needs a human to help him get through the gate as a demigod like himself is not able to, and promises that if he makes a pact with Hela and gets through, she will be able to get Rodri back. Hela is very suspicious of Jasy as not only did he kidnap her best friend, but there are folk stories about how you should not follow Jasy's whistle, as it lures them somewhere bad. However, with no other way to get Rodri back, Hela accepts the pact and they go on their adventure. They are attacked by one of Jasy's half brothers, Ao Ao, a beast that eats everything and gives birth to children with only the desire to consume. As Jasy is not able to hurt his siblings, Hela must be the one to protect him using her skills in archery. They are able to escape and slowly walk through the land itself. There they meet other people there, trapped under strange circumstances. All of them are cursed to grow until they are adults and are never able to grow old, all while still having to sustain themselves on the few resources they have in the land. Hela wishes to open the gate and free the people there, as they are all fighting over the resources, while Jasy doesn't seem to care whatsoever, as he has a distrust of humans after the previous one betrayed him while trying to open the gate. Despite this, Jasy is able to mostly have amends with the people there, and even meets another sibling of Jasy's, willing to give her face to him so as long as they can go through to the gate safely. In the end, this brother instead wants to have Jasy's face, something that he willingly trades over Hela's, so as long as Hela can stay alive. Hela eventually reaches the gate where she sacrifices herself to open it and allow the people into the land. This greatly affects Jasy as he suddenly realizes how much he had cared for and loves her. To get her back, Jasy goes into the spirit realm to try to save her, and he's able to see her past with Rodri. Jasy is fully willing to stay with her in this forever loop of her childhood, but the two of them eventually come back into the world, and now having opened the world so the humans can go in, recover there afterwards. Jasy and Hela continue to love each other in their honeymoon phase, until Jasy is captured by humans. Hela finds out the humans that caught him are under the leadership of Rodrigo's mother, who had been missing for a while, chasing after treasures. We find out that she is the human that betrayed Jasy initially and attempts to get Hela to shoot him, only for her to free him. The last couple of chapters reveals that Mboi Tu'i, the sibling that has taken care of the realm is actually Rodrigo in some way and wants to take Hela away.

So I will say right now I don't really know that much about South American mythos, so there's a lot of things that go over my head in terms of references or how each type of god acted, but I do feel that I did have a good understanding on how each of Tau's children acted and the kind of possible personalities that they have. It's definitely a unique take on mythos that we don't normally see. The artwork as well is very gorgeous, the characters are very pretty and I'm a fan of the more monster designs of the siblings as well, seeing how each of them came to be and just how much they have to suffer. The world that Jasy and Hela go into is very cool, the idea of humans that basically can live forever is both a blessing and a curse, as they cannot reproduce and they still have to eat and fight for territory. I think my favorite of his brothers is probably Kurupi because I really do like sad monster boys that are shunned because of their appearance. Compared to his more real life depictions in myths he's a lot more sympathetic and tragic, so it's nice to see those incorporated in there. The entire plot seems to eventually go to deal with Tau, Jasy's father, in some point in the future.

Still, despite this, I feel like the plot at times can be really slow. There are good moments like when Hela helps out the people who are in stuck fighting each other and we see the dynamic of the world, as well as the aforementioned lore of all of Jasy's siblings, but the actual development of Hela and Jasy's relationship is slow, all things considered. Initially, Jasy and Hela are more like enemies, as Hela is extremely suspicious of Jasy and vice versa, only cooperating with each other because they need each other's help. Still as the story goes on the two of them fall for each other and slowly develop feelings for each other. This isn't necessarily done in a bad way, but it is incredibly slow and honestly lost my attention a lot of the times. I'm also a bit surprised that Hela wasn't more resistant considering Jasy actually did kidnap Rodri and only promised to give him back if she cooperated. While again, the romantic moments were fairly cute, they aren't all that interesting to me and to be honest, I'd rather see the actual worldbuilding that the two go through rather than their relationship. Hela as a main character focuses mostly on her desire to run her tribe, and while she initially is fairly competent and active in the story, shooting a lot of Ao Ao's children, she ends up having to rely a lot of Jasy to save her, especially since she ends up losing her bow and arrow after a while. I actually straight up forgot that she could do archery at the end when Hela was forced by her aunt to kill Jasy, which is probably not a great sign. I don't think she's the worst MC in these stories because she does have a lot of interesting points to her, but it does feel like she was hamstringed after a bit, with a bunch of chapters after Hela dies and is revived pretty much being carried around by Jasy as she recuperates. She does have a fairly strong conviction of not only bringing back Rodri but her connection to her grandmother, as well as the development to allow herself to finally decide things for herself without having it taken away from him, but I still feel like she could have used a bit more agency in the story itself.

Jasy as a yandere doesn't actually start out as one so we actually see the kind of decent he gets into. He is a rather light yandere all things considered, but it is always fun to see them descend into yandere behavior nevertheless. Like I said before, Jasy and Hela have a bit of a tumultuous relationship at first with the two of them begrudgingly forced to help each other, while slowly learning to understand each other a bit more. Jasy doesn't understand why Hela would go so far to save Rodri and later the humans that are trapped but has to go along with her anyways since she's the key to him getting through the gate. By the time he does reach the gate, and Hela sacrifices herself, he starts to realize the error of his ways- while initially he viewed her as a tool to open the gate, he now starts to realize that he actually did care about her, and more deeply love her, even to the point of going to the realm of the dead to find her. He even so much is willing to loop over and over Hela's favorite childhood memories forever so as long as they are together. When Jasy does finally retrieve her, the two of them basically have a honeymoon together, where Jasy is extremely doting on her. We do see some of bits of jealousy earlier with Jasy, such as when one of the guys of offhandedly suggests that Hela is actually pretty attractive, but it doesn't really come to full fruition until after she dies. It's a bit hard to say right now exactly how far he'll go considering it feels like it's just the beginning of the yandere arc for Jasy, but it at least is a start. Not sure how far they'll ramp it up in the third and last season, if at all. Like I said though, it's still pretty light and it's very possible that it might stay that way, though with Rodri's reveal, it could also very well go on a darker path.

Overall, I was pretty surprised at the story, but I do have split opinions on it. The worldbuilding and the mythos of the monsters are really interesting and a definite unique take that I haven't personally seen as much before, but I find that the story and pacing for the characters are pretty tedious and dragging at times. Still, it's extremely beautiful and the story itself is something unique to experience if you are interested in such things.

[yuri-is-online]

Insomnia questions but what happens if there are multiple yuus instead of just 1, what would be their dynamic with each other?

Like what does Riddle! Yutu think of Ace! Yutu? Would Jade! Yutu use Floyd! Yutu as distraction when he wants to get away from Jade when they were still in the future? Princess Tamago being carried around by Uncle Lilia! Yutu

(into the yutuverse lol)

Hmmm. Multiple Yuus who are related in some way, or maybe they're just friends. The sort of people who definitely would have gone missing together, everyone was so happy when they re-appeared so many years later, I could see them being the subject of a lot of cryptid theories. Poor Yutu and Yutuutu get linked a lot of youtube videos about their parents missing persons case.

Jamil! and Epel! Yutu who have a really normal friendship all things considered. I could see this being very positive for Jamil! Yutu actually, I'm in the middle of editing his multiple mental breakdowns for his post but if someone like Epel! Yutu was there to help ground him he probably would hate himself a lot less. Since Epel is still alive he would have been able to answer the questions his Yutu had about him in a much more satisfactory way. Epel seems like he'd be a good dad and Jamil! Yutu could use one of those lol

Jade! Yutu and Floyd! Yutu probably got a long like a house on fire until being transported to Twisted Wonderland. If Jade lost both his spouse, Floyd's spouse, their kids, then Azul and Floyd I think his mind might might have genuinely broken for a while. Floyd! Yutu takes that incredibly seriously when he learns about it, but Jade! Yutu still isn't able to see past how protective his dad is of him. Jade! Yutu feels betrayed, Floyd! Yutu is his cousin and his supposed "best friend" so why is he constantly snitching on him to his dad? Meanwhile Floyd! Yutu is pissed because hello? He has a living fucking father to hold onto why is he being such a little shit?

You already know what Riddle! Yutu thinks of Ace! Yutu:

They have one of those childhood best friends dynamics where they annoy the shit out of each other and are constantly fighting but when someone else tries to join in they team up because hey. Only I'M allowed to make fun of my cousin D:< Riddle! Yutu plays baseball but that sounds like too much effort for Ace! Yutu so I could see him being the team manager. Riddle! Yutu hates it because he keeps making sports anime references that "aren't funny."

Malleus! Yutu who did genuinely think of Lilia! Yutu as an older brother like figure but is so done with him insisting on being called Uncle. Princess Tamago absolutely adores her Uncle and doesn't understand why big brother is so pouty about it. She has two hands and she wants both big brother and uncle bats to attend her tea party (•̀ᴗ•́ )و

Azul! and Deuce! Yutu who were really good friends when they were kids but had a falling out when Deuce! Yutu started being rebellious and formed his gang. Azul! Yutu refused to join and beat the shit out of Deuce! Yutu for making his parent cry, but didn't snitch about what he was doing. When he gets sorted into Savanaclaw and winds up the Dorm Leader Deuce! Yutu makes fun of him for the rest of their time at school. Oh so big boy was too good for his little gang huh? He wanted to be the big boss- hey stop putting him in a headlock it's just a joke!

I had some more but these were the most fleshed out ones in my head lol (into the yutuverse indeed)

[rachetmath]

Favorite Jaune Ship

Okay, let me do this. My Jaune ships. Other ships I’ll do later.

Lancaster/SilverKnight (Jaune x Ruby);

This ship still holds a special place in my heart and to me was supposed to be one of the factors of the show. Jaune and Ruby's relationship started at Beacon. Jaune was Ruby’s first friend and was the first thought of being a part of a team besides her sister. Unfortunately, she was stuck with Weiss and Jaune had a crush on her. Ruby has times when she and Jaune talk but were always cut short for reasons. However, after the fall of Beacon, I was happy to see her and Jaune team up. But my hopes were short-lived when Weiss and Oscar came onto the scene. Now, because of them, the one relationship I could support died because the story tries its damndest to push Whiteknight and Rosegarden together. (Like seriously, this is one of the reasons why I hate Oscar to this day. Volume five, to this day, I believe Jaune should have unlocked his semblance for Ruby instead of Weiss.)

DragonKnght/GoldenKnight/DragonSlayer(Jaune x Yang);

Now normally this is a crack ship. This ship is just two people boning for almost no reason, but I can see a story behind this ship with Jaune and Yang being an alternate version of Tai and Raven. Jaune is Raven because both  have supportive semblances, use swords, and have a distaste for Ozpin’s methods. Yang is Tai due to mainly being raised by him alone. Throughout the story, we see how Jaune and Yang interact and how their relationship differs from Tai and Raven’s. How Tai and Raven fell apart and what they should’ve done to maintain it. How Jaune and Yang handle situations differently they’ll always find a way to bounce back by talking it out and giving each other space. Though I believe Bumblebee fans would be offended and probably say, “Blake could add that same effect”, I still stand by this.

SilentKnight(Jaune x Neo)

Cute, deadly, and very sad. I haven't read the book but I have heard about it. Also, I wish they made a movie starring her or gave us an episode but… okay. Back on topic, I find this ship enduring. They have only one thing in common but that's enough to create a dynamic between them. However what makes the ship sad is that Neo will be the only one hurt. Image Neo trying to be Ruby just to be with Jaune only for him not wanting to be with her. Loving and caring for Ruby more than Neo. Neo hates and becomes jealous of Ruby because unlike her Neo has no friends. Roman died. And Cinder betrayed her. Jaune probably being the best thing in her life but she will never have. So sorry folks, Silentknight was a no-go.

Topaz (Jaune x Emerald)

Same as Silent Knight except it's Emerald’s loyalty to Cinder getting in the way of her having any relationship with anyone. Jaune probably would talk to her but trusting her could be too much of a stretch for him. Emerald might as well be one of the few who could talk to Jaune one-on-one and be real with him but still, I don't think neither of them is looking to like each other.

Knightshade (Jaune x Blake)

These two never had a single one-on-one conversation. Like really they barely interact with each other. I would not be surprised if they both got drunk somewhere and were found sleeping in the same bed by accident. But I believe they are good friends.

Knightfall (Jaune x Cinder)

Okay, this can go either way. Jaune is done playing the good guy to a bunch of girls who are favored by everyone and want to destroy the world. Cinder decides to be a good person and wants to redeem herself. I highly doubt this would happen but I love the concept. Imagen Jaune has to tell Cinder to chill out all the time. Then having to be the most patient with her especially when following a plan. Cinder trying to be nice but pushing her feelings down so she doesn't show weakness is funny, sad, and insane.  

Martial Arc and Nora's Arc(Jaune x Ren x Nora)

You two do not deserve him. You had four volumes to talk with this man but you didn't. Ruby knows your leader better. Yang treats your leader better. Shit Weiss treated your leader better. Ya’ll barely maintain a relationship with each other. How will you two be in a relationship with this guy if you can't contribute or commit to it? F*** the both of you.

Whiteknight(Jaune x Weiss)

Okay, now this may be my f*** all worst ship. First, I’ll admit Jaune was just a fanboy seeing his female idol for the first time in real life. But as he continues he eventually gets over her a bit. Then in some way, he does try to get with Pyrrha, who was an upgrade. What I don't like about this ship is unlike Lancaster it feels forced. Like in volume five Weiss got stabbed by Cinder for no reason. It should have been Ruby considering Jaune traveled and spent more time with her than Weiss. And Cinder hates Ruby. Then in volume seven she basically used the man to get away from Bumblebee. And the only time she ever acknowledged this man was in volume nine when he turned out to be her favorite character in a story. I may be wrong but no, this is not my favorite.

[night-market-if]

Answering some bulk questions

I am getting the same kind of questions in my inbox and instead of answering them all individually, I thought I would just make one long post. Hopefully that can clear some things up.

Why is m!pen white and f!pen black?

Mostly because the character of Pen is death. They have no form. Not a real one. Much like the MC, the image they are presenting is a construct. So, when I thought about that, I kind of thought it would be fun to play around with two very different aesthetics (I think in the final edit I might even write them a bit different). I did this for two reasons. One, because I haven't really seen this in ifs. And two, I kind of liked the duality of it. Opposites, really. It sat well with me for the character of death.

2. Why does nothing bad ever happen to Milo? Stop playing favorites.

Bad things have happened to Milo. More so than the other characters, I would argue. I have a feeling this is more from people annoyed that a very specific bad thing won't happen to Milo. Because Milo has watched Malcolm and MC die. Was beaten as a child. Orphaned. Didn't know where his real home was or who he was. Has a ghost for a sister. (who he also watched die). Has been responsible for keeping his best friend sane for quite a few years. And got the shittiest job in the world. He has also been stabbed at quite a bit. Betrayed. And used.

I do a lot of bad things to Milo. Favorites would be if nothing bad happened to him. And defending your characters decisions is not playing favorites. It is just knowing your characters as a writer.

3. Who is your favorite RO?

I have said before that Milo is not my favorite to write. So inevitably I get asked who is. I don't answer this question because I don't want the complaints.

4. Why don't you have stats?

Because I don't like them. I come from much more of a storytelling perspective than a game mechanics one. And don't get me wrong. People that do game mechanics are awesome. I admire them a ton and enjoy their games (though my field is more video games). But that's never what I wanted the Night Market to be. I just want people to be immersed.

5. Do you feel you have to have inclusivity as a writer?

I don't know why I've been getting this one a lot. Might be something going on in the community. The honest answer is no, I do not. I have never felt pressured to have a certain representation within the Night Market. That all being said, maybe I don't feel that way because I tend to have an organically more diverse cast of characters? But I can't say I have ever felt like I have to put a certain representation in. And I don't believe writers should feel pressure for that. Because a lot of times, if you are just putting in a token character to do it, it becomes a bit problematic.

6. What are your favorite IF's and do you have recomendations?

I hate to say this, but I don't read IF's. I've dabbled occasionally in the past but I find when I read IF's, it messes with my head and my ability to write. Now, I read a lot of novels. That is my preferred vehicle of reading. But as for IF's, I probably won't read a lot of them until I am officially done with the Night Market. I struggle to enjoy stories when I feel like it is a part of my day to day job.

7. Why don't you ever speak out politically?

Because that is private for me. I don't want to. I want to provide an escape from the world. Not add to discussions that are being had by people far more adept than me. I leave my political feelings and responsibilities at home.

8. Why can't you provide (insert numerous topics) to the route?

Because coding and writing are a bitch. There is a lot of work that goes into this stuff that isn't always fun. And sometimes, as much as I would like to put something in or have a new route, I just can't. I am one person. A person who has a pretty hefty personal life. I am doing what I can.