#it wasn't like a certain character who is hanging out with her human dad a day after waking up as a vampire

[stevesbipanic]

Billy was not racist. He was trying to protect Max and Lucas both from his father, who would have harmed both of them plus Billy if he knew they were even hanging out let alone romantically involved. Billy was a victim of abuse at the hands of his father, and his mother abandoned him to his father despite knowing what cruelties he would suffer just to save her own ass. Was Billy an asshole? Yes. Was the shitty way he treated people especially Max okay? No, never. Nothing excuses it. But you try living with the sorts of abuses his father heaped on him, and on his mother before she left, and the abuses he would have been heaping on Max's mom too. I have zero doubt that Billy's father r-worded both Billy's mom and later Max's mom because "wifely duties" or some other misogynistic garbage. Billy would have overheard the sounds from it pretty much any time it happened while he was home. You try living with all that and see how YOU turn out. Billy did deserve a redemption arc. He got one of a sort when he sacrificed himself despite "the mindflayer's" control over him, all to save El, Max, Max's mom, and even people he hated. Because he knew what "the mindflayer" had planned. Did you not see Billy's tears when "the mindflayer" was speaking through him? Did you not notice Billy told Karen to stay away from him rather than give in to "the mindflayer" and kill her? Did you not notice Billy flat out lied to his father when his father demanded to know where Max had run off to? There's no way Billy didn't have some kind of clue where to find her. But he lied to his father, to shield her and to shield Lucas, from whatever harm would absolutely have come to them at the hands of Neil Hargrove. Billy is not the embodiment of evil you clearly think he is.

Did Billy somewhat sometimes care about his stepsister? Yes. Did he get abused by his dad? Also yes. These facts don't excuse him from his actions in both seasons 2 and 3.

In our early meetings of Billy he highly threatens to run over the party while they're on their bikes. A normal same human being wouldn't do that. He also beat Steve to the point the kids thought he might be dead. He continued beating Steve even once Steve had been thoroughly knocked out, and likely would've killed Steve if Max hadn't knocked him out.

Also YES HE WAS RACIST WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???? Did you know that Billy's line "certain type of people" in regards to Lucas, was originally a black slur? He was a racist character picking up the trait from yes his abusive dad. Just because his dad was abusive doesn't mean Billy didn't become racist because of his upbringing with him.

You can definitely say that line is to protect Max from abuse from her stepdad if he found out she was talking to a black boy. But it certainly wasn't protecting Lucas, billy couldn't care less about Lucas' safety (SEE TRYING TO RUN HIM OFF THE ROAD).

His character was written to be a bad person, accept this. Characters aren't always written to have redemption arcs or all be good people. He was a racist bully from the 80s with an abusive dad. Just because you think he's hot doesn't change these facts.

Also, abuse doesn't inherently make your character grow up to be a bully. Lonnie Byers is heavily written as an abusive father, even going so far as it was suggested he killed Will in season 1. But neither of the Byers grow up to be bullies. Eleven is brought up in an abusive environment and moves past these traits. Steve's parents are seen as hard on him and in some ways absent and neglectful and besides Jonathan we never see him fight anyone that wasn't for protection.

Billy is the only older character that shows complete disregard for the kids safety. And him dying in st3 doesn't forgive these actions nor rewrite his racist abusive character.

You're allowed to hate characters that are written to be the bad guys. No one attacks anyone for hating Dr Brenner because he's the villain. Many people including myself didn't like Steve in season 1 because he was written to be the popular asshole. Characters are written certain ways for reasons. So go enjoy your self insert fanfiction where you really just want Billy to be a hot ooc. But for the rest of us it's totally fair to hate on one of the villains of the series.

[not-quitenormal]

DVD commentary game:

At that moment, the kitten went to gnawing on Galinda’s index finger lightly. Galinda frowned at the green girl. “But… Elphie, I can’t put him back,” she said quietly. She looked into the kitten’s wide green eyes, her heart once again melting. “I’ve never seen anything so helpless in my life. He was obviously abandoned by his mother—he’s so young. And he must’ve been so terrified being in such an uncomfortable place without anyone to love and care for him. Not to mention the storm could have killed him….” She sighed. “I believe something brought him to me so he could be saved from such an ill fate.”

Jesus. Okay. So. I wrote that fic in June 2007. I was 14.

If you really don't wanna read a DVD commentary, start scrolling now. I am high and unnaturally talkative.

Around that time, to kinda set the stage, I lived with my family in the middle-of-nowhere, Louisiana. (If you look at the map of the state, the GPS marker should look like you shot Bart Simpson in the arm. And YES that is how I learned where my Parish was on a map, thank you.) Three years prior, we had moved back to be closer to extended family. My grandparents (my mom's parents, specificially) owned at least 72 acres of land. They sold 1 of it to my mom for, like, a dollar, and then arranged so that we could move a double-wide trailer in asap. Our properties shared a driveway for the most part, but the only other connecting point was a gate in the back that led to my grandparent's back pasture.

Right outside of the gate was a small barn where my grandparents kept their hay. They had six cows. They also had a really bad problem with feral cats. I had counted about 20 of them when we first moved in. Most of them weren't socialized - they only came around because Nana put dry cat food out on all four porches twice a day. But there were some who allowed us to pet them, and eventually they would come running to greet us whenever they heard the gate latch open. The female cats had their kittens in the hay barn every mating season. The ones who liked us or didn't mind us allowed us near their kittens. The others? Unfortunately, ferals are avoidant by nature, so their babies were abandoned because humans were around. My sister and I learned how to make milk bottles to make up the difference and help the other mothers out.

Three years later. One of that year's batch of kittens, Leo, was my twin's favorite. He was a healthy orange tabby and often got into things he shouldn't. I can't remember who his mom was, but she was new and wasn't very certain of us being around. There was a thunderstorm one night. The details are fuzzy because I was at home while this happened, but when my sister went to go feed the kittens she found Leo caught hanging somewhere outside of the barn, in the rain, and she needed to rescue him. She later came home and begged our parents to let us bring Leo inside. She was denied because we already had a cat and didn't have space for another pet. (Our dad got a dog the next month.)

Something about the way she described it made an idea click for me. Elphaba, book-verse, was neglected by her mother. Elphaba was often put into uncomfortable situations by her father because of her green skin - something I hope Maguire elaborates on in his prequel. And the destructive impact of water? I mean. That speaks for itself. The whole fic was written around this passage specifically, tbh. So if the rest of it feels kinda crusty I apologize lmao.

(I was also just starting to write for the Wicked fandom. Character associations and descriptions are kinda wonky around the 2006-2007 timeframe, but by 2008 I got it locked in. Zero character analysis went into this - I had no idea what that was, lol.)

I will let y'all enjoy your Wendys in peace now.

[taleweaver-ramblings]

Ding-Dong, the dragon-kissed tiger devil is dead!

(This is a D&D story. You have been warned.)

So, I've posted a few times about Rise of the Shadowmaster, the D&D campaign I play in. Most of those posts have had to do with the party's nemesis, Ralak Shas, a rakshasa (think: shapeshifting, manipulative fiend whose natural form looks kinda like a humanoid tiger). We hate this guy more than the actual big bad — he was working with the big bad for a while, but they've split since. In the time we've known him, he's kidnapped wizards, framed us for murder, started a war, almost gotten my character's sister captured and probably killed, stirred up a tribe of giants to attack our sorcerer's homeland (leading to the death of our sorcerer's mentor, who's also the second father figure who's died on our sorcerer), killed our fighter's best friend and a lot of his crew, and probably a few more things too that I've forgotten about. For the last several months (out of game) or weeks (in game), we've been chasing each other, trying to bring this to an end.

AND TODAY!

In response to a message from my paladin's deity, we headed into the Underdark, thinking Ralak Shas was hanging out with the drow. We knew he'd been involved with them before, as they had (we thought on his prompting) tried to attack one of the above-ground cities. We managed to get into the city and made contact with the family least inclined to kill outsiders on sight. From her, we learned that Ralak Shas had indeed been down there and that he was acting as an advisor to the ruler of the drow. With some good persuasion checks and a rather tense duel to convince her we were good at what we do, we convinced her to help us. We make plans to teleport into the ruler's spire so we can ambush both Ralak Shas and the drow ruler (because she's been ruling far past her natural lifespan and the drow need a change of leadership and anyway, we might as well, since we're there anyway). So, the next morning, we scry on Ralak Shas so we know where to teleport. He fails his save, so we see him — not in the Underdark.

No.

He's above ground. In human guise, wearing the uniform of a military officer from my country. Talking in Infernal to three other people wearing similar uniforms. With the very distinctive woods just north of the area of the war behind them.

*cue panic mode*

The plan has abruptly changed, but not for the worse. We grab an associated object from the drow, promise to come back as soon as we can, and teleport out. Since we can still see the location in the scry, the teleportation goes off without a hitch. The DM agrees that we've gotten ourselves a surprise round; Ralak Shas certainly wasn't expecting us to teleport on top of him.

First move: our Ranger lets off a lightning arrow and a magical arrow. Both hit for some excellent damage.

Second move: I charge in with a Holy Avenger in one hand and a Dragon Slayer Longsword in the other. Three hits, three smites, two with extra damage because this is a fiend and I have a storming Holy Avenger.

Third move: our cleric tries to flame-strike Ralak Shas's accomplices. He gets counter-spelled. Oh well.

Fourth move: Our sorcerer cast Draconic Transformation before we teleported, and now he lets loose a roar and a 50-foot cone of force damage. Ralak Shas fails his save. Our sorcerer still has his action — but this is a rakshasa. They're immune to most spells under a certain level.

You know what isn't a spell?

A dragonborn's breath weapon.

Our sorcerer releases another cone of magical fury, this one frost.

And the fiend, at last, melts away into ichor.

(His allies fled pretty fast after that. Then we found out that this particular military outpost is command central and that my dad and another of my sisters are both here . . . and my brother sent me a Sending last night to tell me he has a problem he wants my help with. And at some point, sooner rather than later, we'll need to go to the Hells to kill Ralak Shas for good. But for now? We took him out — we got the drop on him, finally, after all the times he's gotten the drop on us. And that feels pretty storming good.)

[cljordan-imperium]

WIP AITA TAG

Rules: write a WIP intro in the style of a Reddit AITA post.

I was tagged by @talesofsorrowandofruin

I'm going to tag - @on-noon, @frostedlemonwriter and @shipping-through-eternity and OPEN TAG

I already did my WIPs HERE if you missed it, so I'm going to take a page from the one who tagged me and do some characters.

I've picked a few that I think you'll appreciate

Dez

I (M/900ish) accidentally scare the shit out my once best friend's little sister so bad that she ran out into Chicago and was lost for 3 weeks. Later I kind of died and when I came back from the dead I almost killed her because she was being stubborn and wasn't listening to me. After that, I kind of revealed that everything that happened to her was the fault of another friend of her's mother in a not so nice way. I was told to by The Source, so it's not really my fault. AITA?

Talon

I (M/1300ish) got in a fight with a good friend over jealousy, causing an already frightened female to flee into one of the most dangerous cities in the US. Then I fucked around and didn't really help try to find her because my sister was having relationship troubles. Once she was brought back to the Chicago Sanctuary, I decided to leave with my sister because I was still pissed off at my friend and seeing the two of them working together made it worse. I abandoned my friend for years and when I showed up again, I was a total asshole till I was put in my place by the asshole I got in a fight with in the first place. I was in the process of fixing the past when I convinced a good friend (F/35) to help me get my sister back from The Source. She got stuck in the realm because my step-dad is a douche and almost died. I feel like I fuck everything up. AITA?

Cruz

I (M/none of your damn business) am overprotective of my sister (F/35) to the point I've almost killed an asshole that kidnapped her (M/900ish) and her exhusband (M/Immortal). Some say I get it from out step-father. 1500 years ago I failed a partner who was massacred and I fully gave into the darkness in my nature, completely abandoning the light in my soul. I was barely brought back by a couple of Nephilim. I closed myself off from everyone till I found my sister. Now I am affection to her and those she holds most dear, but I tend to electrocute first and ask questions later of everyone else, especially my grandfather (M/Immortal). I have stopped setting him on fire randomly. AITA?

Olly

I (M/Not Saying) tend to set people annoying me on fire. As the son of the flame keeper of the eternal flame of Heaven, I've enjoyed this for some time. I have a short temper except with certain people. One of my favorite victims is a mouthy grigori (M/900ish) but he's now hanging out with a female nephilm (F/?) who has powers over water, so she can put him out, right? I don't set humans on fire, so it's not like setting on fire can kill them, unless I want it to. AITA?

Thinnius

I (M/I have no clue) had served under a commander I considered a friend (M/Immortal) for centuries. Then the boss went and got a wife (F/35). The babe was wicked cool, and damn did she have some powers. But better than that, she didn't treat us demons like we were less than her angel friends. See that's kinda different than some of those other stuck up bitches that the boss had hung out with. And she paid attention to those of us who hung out around the boss. After a while, I liked her more than him. When push came to shove, I took her side and haven't looked back, even raised arms against him. AITA?

THE IMPERIUM CHRONICLES TAG (so y'all can enjoy) - @ceph-the-ghost-writer @kjscottwrites @writingpotato07 @saltysupercomputer @careful-pyromancer @late-to-the-fandom @autumnalwalker @perasperaadastrawriting @fearofahumanplanet @jessica-writes22 @dogmomwrites @mjjune @verba-writing

[sharkdream3421]

Werewolf X OC - Because it's you

Here is the tale of a human who loves people without fear. They were curious, but also talented, kind, and understanding. Here is the tale of Adriana Allaband.

Adriana's POV

I was starting to fall in love with him. Tyler Ryder, my best and closet friend who has always had my back since the first day we met. We met each other at the age of eight. Our parents made that possible as my Dad introduced me to his friend who he works with at his job. When I lay my eyes on him he was small, curious, shy, and I had a good feeling that we could be friends.  When we shook hands it was satisfying. I don't have many friends as they all treated me like crap, one even lied about being my friend.

I remember it clearly. My friend asked me to go get some snacks and bake a hot dog for her to eat. I gladly accepted and left the room. Although, when I had the snacks and hot dog in hand I heard her talking to someone else on the phone. I remember her words clearly, and it still hurts to this day.

"Don't worry, no one wants to be with Adriana. She's a loser, and a nerd. I mean have you seen her grades? She has 4's on her report card! I'm not going to hang out with someone like that." 

Without thinking tears started to come out of my eyes and the first thing I did was drop the food on the floor and get out of that house ASAP. But, Tyler was different I just sensed a good person to be with and over time we started to become close friends. One time, when I was bullied Tyler stood up for me, which was unlike his character. I thought I was hallucinating, but I was not. It was all true. I then found out that he actually cared for me as his friend. I mean that girl who ditched me never defended me at all. Tyler once admitted that he even trusts me when I was being accused of stealing from a certain classmate and tried to defend me.

We did everything together. Go to the movies, play video games, go to the park, and everything that a true friend would do. When I was in 9th grade my parents asked me if I like Tyler, you know like like like (love).

"Yeah, I think I just might do." I replied back to my mother.

I know a few things about Tyler's family. They lived in Michigan at first, but then moved to where we live in Tennessee mainly because they had the worst neighbor possible.

"He was a (swear word) for sure." Tyler's dad would say.

Tyler's house wasn't too far from mine. It was just a couple blocks away. So when I went to his house it only took a couple minutes to get there.

Here now though, in college and spending almost my whole life with him. When ever I was around him I felt safe, and he was of course my closest friend in the whole world. Right at the top of the friends list. So, yeah I loved him. I loved him for every ounce of my being. I considered telling him, but would he return his love back to me?

I wondered if he was available today? I pulled out my phone and started texting.

Me: Hey you available tonight? Or got college work to do?

I waited until two minutes later I heard ringing coming from my cell phone.

Tyler: Yeah I'm available, all school work is done for this week. What do you want to do?

Me: We could go for a walk. Meet me at Christopher?

Tyler: Sure, see you there:)

I put my phone in my pocket, and let my Mom know that I was going out with Tyler. I shut the back door and made my way to Tyler's house.

I saw him standing at the bus stop and knew he was waiting for me, but he looked down at the ground conflicted. I decided to surprise him, just for fun. I squatted and slowly crept up behind him. I then slowly stood up and had my hands hover over his shoulders.

"You know your horrible at trying to sneak up on me Adriana." He said as he turned around to look at me with a neutral look on his face. He didn't look happy or sad just, there.

I looked back at him worried, "Hey what's wrong?" I asked.

He just looked away from me with a frown on his face, "Nothing."

I smirked as I crossed my arms, "Your horrible at lying you know."

"Adriana, I need to tell you something, but not here. Do you trust me?" He asked as he offered his hand to me.

I took his hand as I gave him a puzzling look, "Yeah of course I do, why?"

"You'll see." He responded.

With that we held hands as I followed him. We walked through a beautiful forest with green trees, hearing crickets, and seeing mosquitoes flying off into the distance. Just hopefully I won't get bitten. Here we arrived at the top of a cliff and I could see all the beautiful stars in the sky.

Tyler walked past me and stood by me looking up at the stars. "They're beautiful aren't they? They're beautiful just like you" He asked.

Soon pink started to spread across my face like a virus.

Tyler chuckled, but then immediately looked worried not too long after.

"Adriana, I have to tell you something. No, it's easier if I just show you."

Tyler then walked past me and stopped a few feet away from me.

"Tell me what?" I asked looking puzzled.

Then all of a sudden the most unexpected thing happened. Tyler took a scissors out from one of his pants pockets and stabbed the scissors in his pants right from where his butt would be. I then saw the scissors moving and could tell he was cutting.

What the hell is he doing!?

I took a step forward, but stopped until I saw probably the most unexpecting, no. The most impossible thing to happen right in front of my eyes.

Tyler closed his eyes as I watched his form slowly change. His hands slowly moving and shifting into something a little bigger. His hair growing a little bigger including the side bangs. His nose started to change and extend outward a little and a little more by each passing second. His teeth started turning into something sharper. Some grey thing started to grow from his skin at his face, collar, and hands. His nose started to extend outward even more and looked like he was growing a snout. The grey thing was...fur? The fur reached past his shirt and some of it even got onto his shirt, his face was covered in fur as well. His hands started to change into claws with fur covered all over his hand. Ears started to appear on his head, two ears right next to each other. Side by side like an animal. His eyes were the same the whole time from when he was human though. They still had that bronze color in them. Tyler's height changed too, he got a little taller after each passing second. I especially can't forget the tail that appeared hanging right from where his butt would be.

Then, his transformation was complete. He hunched over a little. With his brown eyes and fur illuminating in the moonlight. His ears stood straight up, and looked like triangles. Fur that came out of his shirt right by the collar and hands. His hands had turned into claws. Claws that didn't even look remotely terrifying. His hair was bigger and acted like a mane that came off from the tip of his nose all the way to the back of his neck. His snout extended outwards as he had his eyes right by his snout, one on each side. His tail wagged slowly going left and right. So, that's why he used the scissors, to make room for his tail.

And here I was. My best friend turned out to be some sort of...creature and the only thing I could do was just stand there with my mouth hanging wide open with absolute shock.

He panted as his mouth opened and closed relentingly eyes looking at the ground. Must have used a lot of energy to transform. Then his eyes moved right on me. The same brown ones he had even when he was human.

"Adriana." He slowly said as he then looked back down to the ground. His voice sounded like he was in fear.

"This is what I truly am." He spoke.

I tried to ask what he was and it was difficult of course. Learning that what you thought didn't exist and learned that it ACTUALLY existed is hard to process through. I have to see if it really is my Tyler. I took a few steps toward the human like creature. Each step I took made my heart beat even faster the closer I got toward him.

"What are you?" I asked as I swallowed something down my throat.

His eyes shifted to me. His head still hanging over, and his hair moving in the breezing night air.

"I'm a wolf, Adriana. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was just afraid..." I was right by him standing in front of the brown eyed human like wolf. I knew he didn't want to cause any harm to me. His eyes looked kind, sincere, and caring. I know that it's Tyler, there was only one person who had that kind and caring voice, and those bronze eyes.

"Afraid of what?" I asked.

"I was afraid that you would think I'm some sort of monster." He replied.

I put my hand on his furry cheek. I could feel the fur going through my fingers. It was so soft, and he would definitely be perfect for a cuddle buddy.

"Your not a monster, your handsome, and perfect." I then went for it. I kissed him on the cheek, my lips going deep into his fur to reach his skin.

"Your not scared?" I could hear him say.

I broke out of the kiss and smiled up at him brushing a strand of hair away from one of his eyes. "I'm not scared because it's you." I then returned to kissing, but this time his mouth. I could feel Tyler's claws slowly going against the back of my head. After the short kiss I hugged him. Feeling his shirt and jacket against my face.

"I love you, Adriana." He said, and it was great to hear those words finally out.

"I love you too Tyler, no matter what form you take. I'll always love you." I replied.

I moved away from his chest, but I was still in Tyler's arms. "Although, I will admit." Tyler broke from the hug and looked into my eyes. I put my hand on his chest, "This form is better."

Suddenly, Tyler lowered me toward the ground. With his paw being on my back, while he bent over. Our heads touched, as his other paw went and touched my cheek. His fur gliding over my skin. Gosh he was so good at being handsome and showing love.

Tyler smirked, and gave a cough, which sounded like he was laughing or something. "Good to know."

All of a sudden a slimy thing went against my face. Hearing licking noises I shook my head trying to get the drool off of my face. "Ewwww! Tyler that's gross." I laughed as I used the sleeve of my jacket to wipe the rest of the drool off.

Tyler's smirk just grew bigger. "That's just only one of the features this form offers."

I touched his ears as they flickered. Dang that is so adorable! "Can't wait to find out myself." I said as I smirked back at him.

The End

Author's note: This scene is based off of a movie I saw and it's really good! You should see Wolf Children. If you have seen the movie you know what scene I'm talking about in particular and it's my favorite part of the movie!

Masterlist

[panlight]

Epiphany (TWBD Pt 3)

The last two were pretty bleak, so here’s a more hopeful snippet from the Newborn Carlisle Cullen Experience. Or, well, it ends on a hopeful note, anyway!

Pt 1 and Pt 2   

The irony of the situation was not lost on Carlisle, but he was in no mood to find it the least bit amusing.

He had acted to save his life, and because of that he found himself trying desperately to end it. If he had been thinking clearly, if the pain hadn't blocked out everything except basic survival instincts, he liked to think he would have known better. He would have realized why his father would have wanted to burn him, and he would have let him.

He tried it himself, but his attempts to produce a fire came to naught. The forest was too damp, the kindling too green. As desperate as he was to die, a part of him was relieved that he would not meet his end in flames after all.

He tried drowning, but he only emerged sopping wet, sputtering and coughing but not aching for air. He tried leaping from great heights, but always landed in an effortless crouch, utterly unharmed. He even tried a stake to the heart, but the wood shattered into splinters when he tried to push it through his chest. He didn't dare go back into the city for silver or garlic or holy water--he couldn't let himself near people, he couldn't be sure of what he would do--but he knew they would have been useless; they hadn't deterred the monster that did this to him.

If the demon had just killed him outright, if the monster had just finished what he started, Carlisle’s ashes would be resting beside his mother in his father’s churchyard and he would be at peace. He wondered bitterly what his father thought. He must have guessed what had happened to him when they didn't find his body and he never returned home. If only he had been more thorough in his research, if he had been more careful. At least three men were dead because of him, and the monsters were still on the loose--with one more amongst their unholy ranks.

It was the better part of a week before he realized he had not slept, could not sleep. The realization only increased his dread; with no periods of unconsciousness, he couldn't escape his horrific reality, not even in dreams. Ever alert, ever aware, ever thirsting.

When he closed his eyes, all he could see was the monster killing his companions. It was his most vivid human memory, and he clung to it as a reminder. A reminder that he needed to be better than that, to be stronger than that, to never let himself become that thing that killed without a second thought, without remorse. He would not allow himself to become like the creature that had condemned him.

Which is not to say that he did not want to hunt, to drink, to relieve the fiery thirst. He did, and the intensity of that monstrous urge, of that violent instinct, was the most terrifying part of the whole ordeal. It took every ounce of will-power he possessed to keep himself secluded in the forest, far away from the friends and family and innocent strangers his new nature demanded he kill. He saw it as a battle for his very soul; instinct vs. intellect, compulsion vs. compassion, hunger vs. humanity.

It was a battle he was determined to win.  

And so, he resigned to starve himself to death. He didn't know if it were possible, but it seemed the only option left. He would endure the burning thirst until he wasted away to nothingness.

Days turned into weeks which turned into months and still he lived despite his desire to die. He grew weaker physically but also mentally; he could feel his resolve faltering. It was becoming harder to think clearly, rationally. To think of anything but the pain of the thirst and how to relieve it. He was terrified that some lost hunter or some unfortunate woodsman would chance across his path and he wouldn't be able to stop himself, that he would become the monster he hated and lose himself completely. Yet no matter how his throat burned, no matter how weak he became, he did not die. He sat motionless in a secluded cave, clutching his knees to his chest, his head bent in grief and prayer.

And then: a sound. A scent. His head jerked up.

There was no thought, only instinct. At last! It was so easy to overpower them; it felt so good to drink. 

He dropped the last carcass and wiped the blood from his mouth. 

Blood.

All over his face, all over his hands. Conscious, rational thought returned and he looked at his crimson-stained fingers in horror.

And then he looked at the carnage at his feet. Shock mixed with an almost joyful relief when he discovered that the victims of his frenzy hadn't been human after all; he had attacked a passing herd of deer.

He fell to his knees in thanks.

The craving had been very specific: humans, just humans. Nothing else appealed. And certainly the legends he had read and vaguely recalled through the haze of human memory had insisted the species to which he now belonged preyed exclusively on the blood of human beings. He had crossed paths with animals—they all ran from him in terror--since his transformation but their smell hadn't signaled 'food' like the scent of humans had. But he was so far gone, so desperate, his body so starved for sustenance that even the deer had smelled attractive to him that night.

And it was enough. Some burning lingered, but he felt. . . better. Stronger, certainly, and his mind had cleared. He felt like himself again, capable of rational thought and reason.

He was not a murderer. He was not a monster. Or, at least, he didn’t have to be. He was still Carlisle Cullen. And he still had a choice.

Perhaps if he could keep himself satiated with animals, as he had in his human life, he could keep himself strong enough to resist more tempting prey. Perhaps, one day, he could beat the temptation entirely. He could rejoin the world. He could walk amongst humans as if he were still one himself. He could go to the great universities and study the things his father had always forbade him from studying. He could contribute to the world; perhaps even make it better, somehow.

Suddenly the endless expanse of time that stretched before him seemed a just a little bit less like a curse, and just a little bit more like an opportunity.  

[aphrodite-would-be-proud]

Anon said: I hope I'm not too late to slip in a request! I was actually hoping for a more platonic request with Miche? Just how he would help out a new cadet on his squad or something... Maybe there having a hard time fitting in now that there on a section commander squad or even worried about an upcoming expedition. Miche is one of my biggest comfort Characters and I'm such a shy person lol...I love you blog by the way, it's such a comforting place...🥺

Miche reassuring you that you're enough.

{Miche & reader | tw:none | platonic, comfort | canonverse}

{ "The Interior of the Palm House on the Pfaueninsel Near Potsdam" 1834 by Carl Blechen 1798 - 1840 }

No one can deny that the survey corps had a...certain reputation between the people, for being ruthless, unhinged and not a place for someone hoping for a future.

Their leader is known for gambling with human lives, their strongest has a criminal history record and their most intelligent, does experiments that would put medical student dropout Frankenstein himself to shame.

In short, you'd be crazy for walking there with your own two feet and expecting a crumb of compassion.

You don't go looking for fish in the desert.

You've heard it all, those sayings people keep reciting like a broken record whenever you'd bring up joining the survey corps.

"You'll just end up titan food"

"Why do you want to throw away your life?"

"God your poor family…"

And despite all of that, you still marched on, despite everyone who told you to quit.

Not only did you join and stayed alive for so long, you've even managed to climb the ranks in record time.

So fast in fact that you were assigned to join a section commander's squad after a very successful titan capture mission that earned you a pat on the back from Erwin.

Being pulled from your friends and moved to a new place where you were surrounded by veterans who've been in their positions for 10 years or more, was quite sudden and shocking.

One thing that should've eased your nerves, was the fact it was squad Miche you're being put into.

Anyone in the survey corps can tell you that in comparison to other squads, this was the most...friendly per say, since they prioritised teamwork and coming back alive over everything else, knowing together they're much stronger and willing to protect each other no matter what.

While yes they did have their quirks, it was almost nothing in comparison to Levi's strict hygiene rules and Hange's workaholic routine or Erwin's unreadable intentions.

And yet, you felt unease at the whole situation.

You were clearly "that new cadet" in this old group of close-knit people, almost standing out even.

You wanted to prove yourself, you've done it before to all those people so why is it any different now.

Maybe...because they are actually experienced soldiers this time, and not strangers living in blissful ignorance inside the walls.

Maybe because you feel the growing burden of expectations set on you for being the newest person in the squad, and being put there by none other than the commander himself which would raise some eyebrows if you couldn't deliver.

Uncertainty and doubt began pooling up inside your mind, making you second guess decisions and overthink actions.

And it's not like the squad members were leaving you out, no in fact they were doing their best to include you.

….maybe even too much actually, it didn't help that all of them were outgoing people, it was overwhelming.

Nanaba was an unofficial stand in caption when Miche wasn't around. Having a confident yet compassionate personality made her protective of her teammates, almost like a big sister, earning her a lot of respect.

So much in fact that it would unintentionally intimidate people out of approaching her

Gelgar was a strong believer in Miche, loyal to a fault almost. Yet he wouldn't say no for a chance to relax and grab a couple drinks, being friends with so many people came naturally to him with his mellow personality and overall friendliness.

Maybe a bit much too friendly? That personal boundaries were often crossed without him realising it. 

Lynne was a good balance between the two, she was considerate of others feelings...even so much in fact that she tended to sugar-coat almost everything.

Thomas and Henning were close with each other, both serious and determined. But maybe because they were so used to each other that dealing with new people became...strange, for conversations with them resembled an awkward dad attempting to check on you but not actually putting much effort to understand.

Meanwhile, you were a reserved and shy person.

It was a miracle that you managed to get a group of friends in cadet training that stayed with you throughout the years, but now after being transferred it was all turned to dust.

You have to start again, meet people again and talk to them while wondering if they actually like you or are pretending to be nice because they don't wanna come off as rude-

On top of that, Erwin seemed to keep an eye on you after your last mission, silently conveying the trust and expectations he's putting your way, to not fail him and show you're worthy of this special treatment.

It was too much, too overwhelming and draining.

Dread and uncertainty loomed in the corners of your mind, only metastating in size as the date for the new expedition was announced.

To add fuel to the fire, apparently everyone seemed almost...excited or nonchalant for going out there again, like this is a mere walk in the park as they began making preparations and training.

Were you the only one that felt nervous? Oh god.

Your legs felt like they were weighted down by stones as you stared at the large board in front of you, a white sheet signed by the commander announcing next week to be the date of the expedition, several names listed below for who'd be required for service.

Your name was at the top, even with a line underneath it. The fact it was in cursive didn't make it any less gut-wrenching.

The chatter of people around you, discussing the plans and joking with each other, began blurring out at the back of your mind.

The weather seemed colder as shivers ran down your neck. A rolling feeling in your stomach making your throat tighten, your own voice inside your head was the only noise you could hear.

All those thoughts and worries creeping from underneath the dark corners that you've been pushing them into all this time, like a swarm drowning you in their "what if" and skepticism, full of doubt and illogical pessimism for worst case scenarios.

Thoughts that aren't even your own joined them, ones you never had and knew weren't true and yet amidst the storm it was hard to tell the real from the ones passing through.

You know you're capable, so why…

Are you capable?

Yes…

but are you really?

...

And how are you even sure?

Before it could pull you deeper into that hole of despair, something snapped your attention back to reality, a hand nudging your shoulder. 

"You really didn't hear me huh." The voice came from behind you, a tall figure stepping closer till you were in his shadow.

Miche looked at you with a tilted head, his lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes bore into you like he's attempting to guess what's going inside your brain.

You've been too lost inside your mind you didn't notice that you were the only one left standing in front of the board.

From the way Miche's shoulders fell after reading your expression, eyes softening after glancing at your name on the sheet, he was quick to catch on.

Before you could say something to save your face after being caught in this state by none other than your new captain, Miche just told you to come with him, making sure to walk beside you، protectively staying close that no one on your way would interrupt.

Passing the corridor leading to his office, you gave him an uncertain glance as he simply gestured for you to continue walking for whatever unknown place you're headed to.

Soon enough the buildings and stone streets faded the further you went on, grass and dirt roads taking its place.

It wasn't a long walk per say, but more of a secluded area that took both of you some turns in seemingly shady alleyways to reach.

You couldn't hear the horses or soldiers walking anymore, only the soft flowing of the nearby river.

The tall grass barely reaching below your knees, some ladybugs crawling on top of the scattered daffodils in-between, the closer to the river cliff you got the taller it became.

The first thing Miche did, wasn't explaining to you why you're here, or what exactly he was after.

No, he barely said a word even, only taking in a deep breath as the wind had the courtesy of pushing his bangs back, eyes finally in clear view now.

Gaze meeting yours, he gave you a nod, a gesture to do the same thing.

You reluctantly took a deep breath.

He smiled.

Both of you sat by the river, he gave you his jacket to sit on.

As the silence grew between you, even while it wasn't the uncomfortable kind, it was clear he was struggling to phrase something, the right words just not coming to mind.

Turning his body towards you, he finally said, "how about i just..listen, let it out.".

It wasn't easy, you can't just pour out your heart to your superior.

Not to mention the military wasn't a place for weakness, could you really openly admit to your worries?

Well, yes you could, because it isn't weak, it takes great strength to face something scary and admit to it.

It's strength that got you this far.

How could you ever mistake vulnerability for weakness?

Keeping true to his words, Miche didn't interrupt you as you slowly opened up about what's been troubling you.

He patiently listened, occasionally humming for you to go on whenever you'd lose track.

And by the end of it, after you poured out all your frustration, sadness and worries, it felt...like a weight lifted off your shoulders.

Miche looked at you with understanding in his eyes, as if he himself has been in this exact same position years ago.

...and maybe he was, considering his behaviour wasn't what's socially common, he would've definitely stood out back before he had the respect of being a captain.

He isn't a man of words, for actions spoke much louder.

That's why he became more attentive from that day on, offering to help you train, giving you a smile whenever you passed by and sitting near you whenever his squad were gathered so he'd ask for your opinion on plans or simply share looks whenever they began joking with each other.

He didn't attempt to make you change, instead he made changes to accommodate you.

You're part of the team and he made it clear.

And while he couldn't give reassuring words, he certainly gave his time and energy, paying attention to you, reading your moods and listening whenever life becomes too much.

Maybe he saw his past self in you, and wanted to give you all the comfort, attention and care he wished for back then.

Even if it was mere hugs and shoulder pats that he could offer, he knew small things can make changes overtime.

For him, it's not getting rid of your stress that he was attempting to achieve, no, for life is full of stress.

Instead, he wanted to offer you ways to deal with the stress, to acknowledge it as it is and be heard, to be understood.

Because while stress will pass either way, it didn't mean it had to pass painfully.

You weren't alone, he made sure of that.

Maybe he got too attached, maybe someone might say he's giving you special treatment, maybe Erwin would give him a backhanded comment every now and then.

But since when did Miche pay attention to these things? 

Well...he can't deny he might be giving you more break days than the other Cadets, larger food portions and even most of his time.

But he won't justify himself to anyone either, he doesn't have to.

Because after all, there really isn't any ulterior motives behind his actions, they were as simple as they came.

It was pure genuine care, the type that makes someone want to protect a person and watch them grow healthy.

The type that made him offer you a thumbs up after each training session, a proud smile on his face for how much you're learning.

Maybe some slight teasing about how if you keep this up, you might even replace him as the second strongest one day.

And while he said it with a joking tone, the hopeful pride-filled look on his face told a whole nother story.

you're not sure if it was a joke or a promise.

[animalpetcel]

Witch AU- Metropolitan Students (First Years)

With the help of Gaiaonline (and the users' extensive guides), I have been able to create representations for the cast for this au. So I'm gonna start with our main kids, giving a little info under each one.

Before we get started, a little info:

An Ultoma is the magical mark that appears when a witch users their powers. Remember the au is mostly based off of Kousuke Satake's The Witch and the Beast. It is a great manga y'all should check out

Warlock is just a witch who betrays witchkind

While they still have to fight monsters (who want to eat their souls for their magic), more often than not, The Magic Association won't send kids on too dangerous missions unless they're either really strong (like Yuuta or Maki) or incredibly specialized for a certain case. So usually they're doing less flashy things like helping people open enchanted locks or solving some magical mishap

(This doesn't mean that they aren't getting into dangerous adventures, no that still happens a lot bc they all have a knack for rocking the boat and getting themselves in trouble, only that the higher ups are way more strict about who does what within the Association)

If you read through the fics and see that some of the descriptions don't exactly match up with the images, it's because Gaiaonline can only do so much

You can read what I have so far here: https://archiveofourown.org/series/2134044

First Years

Yuji Itadori

Ultoma: None, but Sukuna's ultoma (the marking on his skin) appears when Sukuna is in control. Instead, Yuji has a curse mark (representing the 20 seals in his body), which are the marks under his eyes.

Our main character everyone! He isn't truly a "witch" in this au, but a "vessel", something created for the soul (lol) purpose of containing something dangerous. In this case, he contains the soul of the Warlock of Malevolence, The Double-Faced Sukuna. Since Sukuna is so dangerous, 20 seals were placed in Yuji's body as a backup in case Yuji himself wasn't enough (which he sometimes isn't), but Yuji broke the first trying to save Megumi and things just get more chaotic from there.

He was allowed to attend a Witch Workshop (their equivalent of school), if he could help the Association track down the warlock who has possessed the body of one of the Associations 4 Great Witches (like basically the best performing/crazy powerful).

Megumi Fushiguro

Ultoma: An wheel with eight handles (like what's on the Mahoraga's back) that's on his forehead.

The Shadow Witch on the run from his Zen'in heritage! In this au, witches inherit the memories (and sometimes personalities and preferences) of their predecessors, which is why they all master magic pretty quickly. It's also why most clan witches are all pretty similar and devoted towards carrying on the wishes of the very first witch of each clan, which those resembling them the most being made the clan head and forced to carry on the burden.

In the Zen'ins case, it's to keep the Beast Demon Mahoraga sealed within the Shadow Witch's heart for all eternity. They were in a tight spot before Megumi was born bc no one else had the correct power to perfectly maintain the seal.

But Megumi kind of isn't interested in accepting his Zen'in heritage or becoming the head. He's only maintaining the seal bc he knows the world will get a lot worse if he doesn't. And also he spends like 3 days a year with the Zen'ins bc that same demon they are bound to seal also makes them transform into werewolves.

It's Gojo decision to send Megumi to save Yuji from the Association's witch hunters that gets this au started.

Nobara Kugisaki

Ultoma: A trail of roses going from her head to her arm.

The one and only Nobara Kugisaki! I originally wanted to make her the Rose Witch, but then remembered that her power has nothing to do with roses, so she's the Resonance Witch.

In this au, she grew up in the country side, which is way more superstitious and less knowledgeable of magic then those living in the city. So she and her grandmother had to be very careful with the use of any magic.

But eventually Nobara met an older girl named Saori, who unfortunately had to leave after nearly becoming a victim of a with hunt. After Saori left, Nobara made a decision that she won't remain stuck in the village that her family has remained in for centuries.

She came to the city for a roaring good time and she'll be damn sure that she gets that.

Junpei Yoshino

Ultoma: A series of blots with strings underneath his fringe.

What is this? Another first year? The Jellyfish Witch? I'm in the driver's seat now so why not?

So Junpei wasn't actually born a witch. He was a human who had the potential to be a pretty-okay mage, but a deal with a young demon morphed his soul into that of a witch before transferring his body into one that has all of the perks of a witch (immortality, bewitching blood, etc). However, things go sideways when the Association get involved (a bunch of murders were piling up), and Mahito destroys Junpei's original body, trapping him in this state.

So Junpei just trying to adapt to the witch lifestyle (he doesn't have the inherited knowledge like most, and isn't used to having his soul hunted by everyone, or fighting) while also making friends for the first time

Mimiko Hasaba

Ultoma: A pattern of a rope around her neck

Okay for her and the next two, if you're anime only you won't know who the twins are until the movie drops. This is the Hanging Witch. She the youngest of the Geto-Gojo household and is the most nervous/distrusting of humans. She and her sister where almost burned alive by them after all.

Her brother and sister are trying to get her out of her shell. Also she and Nanako are trying to help Yuji tap into Sukuna's magic so he can help save their dad.

Nanako Hasaba

Ultoma: Rope pattern trailing her fingertips

The the second Hasaba twin, the Photo Witch.. She's nosy, somehow gets in places she shouldn't and is frenemies with Nobara.

She and Megumi have an a sibling rivalry going on. Usually it was tempered by Tsumiki or their parents, but since Tsumiki is in an enchanted sleep, Getou is having a warlock joyride his body and Gojo is dealing with both teaching and the magic world wanting to revert to the Dark Ages, the only thing stopping those two from going overboard are themselves and whoever gets caught in the middle.

Nanako and Mimiko use different items as conduits for their magic because their the result of two different distant witch lines crossing. Usually it ends in disaster for the child, but they came our pretty okay. And their magic is still pretty similar; Nanako can manipulate locations and people through photos, while Mimiko can manipulate people through her dolls (also Mimiko has to kill them to release control). The similarity their magic has to Nobara is also probably why they so close to her.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed, and tomorrow I'll share my ideas for the second years! (Who have also gotten a size increase bc I wanted to not make it exactly like canon with the paint swapped)

Add suggestions if you feel like it!