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[see-arcane]

Jonathan Harker: The ‘Absolute Love Corrupts Absolutely’ Villain That Almost Was*

*LONG before Francis Ford Coppola’s Cinematic Gary Oldman Fanfiction

Spoilers ahead for the Dracula Daily enjoyers, because I’m whipping out all my literary receipts on this.

I recently finished speed-rereading Dracula because I have no self-control. In doing so, I got a refresher on quite a few incendiary factors of the book that time had dulled in my memory.

1.     There’s a TON of ‘I’m not like other girls!’ and ‘men good, women dainty,’ and ‘What no I’m not projecting, honest, I just really like the words manful, voluptuous, manful, aquiline, manful, God, and manful again. –Bramothy Stoker,’ so brace for that from basically the whole cast. I’m blaming it partly on Bram Flakes’ own prejudices, of which there are plenty, and the fact that he’d clearly never met a thesaurus in his life.

(I appreciate everyone’s mental revamp of Mina as the New Woman to Lucy’s Classic Damsel, but…oof. Everyone’s in for a harsh Period/Stoker Accurate reminder.)

2.     Brammy Pajamas was either hanging around some exceptionally devout Christians to write some of the second/third act scenes with everyone basically thrashing and wailing and falling on their knees and clasping/kissing hands as they pray to/thank God, all while thinking it was perfectly natural behavior for these characters…or he legit had no clue how any kind of ordinary human being, Christian or otherwise, would react to the situations he puts them in.

(Seriously, it’s not even that everyone’s devout, it’s that they’re all written to act like they’re in a soap opera where the only direction they got was to be as hammy and histrionic as physically possible. You’ll know the scenes when you see them.)

3.     Jonathan Harker has not only been done dirty by every adaptation since the book in terms of being a main character, along with being the character to spend the most time with Dracula in close quarters, period, and being the love interest for Mina—his whole character arc by the second half of the book is the most blazing hot, “If my beloved is destined for damnation, I’m heading to Hell with her, fuck all else,” shit I have ever read in classic literature, full stop.

Not Dracula. Not any character based on Dracula.

Jonathan fucking Harker is the OG archetype for Love Corrupts (Violently), and the canon story avoided him going full tragic villain by t h i s much. You want proof? Let’s go.

NOTE: MAIN SPOILERS STRAIGHT FROM THE BOOK, SHIELD YOUR EYES

Here’s the part most Harker fans scream over, myself included:

“To one thing I have made up my mind: if we find out that Mina must be a vampire in the end, then she shall not go into that unknown and terrible land alone. I suppose it is thus that in old times one vampire meant many; just as their hideous bodies could only rest in sacred earth, so the holiest love was the recruiting sergeant for their ghastly ranks.”

Good shit, good shit! Jonathan was already prepared to risk falling to his death from a cliff or being eaten by wolves rather than stay in Castle Dracula for a bloodthirsty eternity with the ladies. But now? Mina is quite literally his, “You are worth Hell,” Beloved. But there’s more. Fast forward to one of Team Fuck-Up-That-Old-Undead-Man’s first head-on encounters with the Count. As they’re waiting, Jonathan gets impatient, declaring:

“I care for nothing now,” he answered hotly, “except to wipe out this brute from the face of creation. I would sell my own soul to do it!”

He says as much in front of his Christian+ buddies who, by now, had pretty fair reasons to believe in the legitimacy of Hell and all its demons. Van Helsing is definitely startled and seemingly talks him down from such an oath. Key word being seemingly. Because we jump forward again to a point where Mina, in full saintly forgiveness mode (and apparently selectively forgetting Van Helsing’s history lesson about Dracula’s pre-vampire days being ones of a slaughtering tyrant), saying that if/when they destroy the Count, oh, how happy his soul will be to be free of his torment on Earth, et cetera. Jonathan Harker has a rebuttal to share. Namely:

“May God give him into my hand just for long enough to destroy that earthly life of him which we are aiming at. If beyond that I could send his soul forever and ever to burning hell I would do it!”

God forgives. Jonathan Harker emphatically does not.

Onward again, and he speaks volumes by what he does not say. Chiefly, there’s a point where Mina, now in full martyr preparation should the worst happen, makes the boys swear an oath to destroy her body if/when she succumbs and dies to Dracula’s vampiric poisoning so she cannot rise again as one of his ladies. The boys swear. Mostly. What we get from Jonathan is…

“And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?”

“You too, my dearest.” (Note: The rest of her paragraph here is full of the most knife-twisting, utterly warped martyr ‘pep talk’ I’ve ever read, and I have no idea how she/Bramarama thought it would remotely convince Jonathan this was all a reasonable and chill thing she was talking about. Anyway.)

It’s important to note that absolutely nowhere in the ensuing text does Jonathan ever speak the promise out loud. He does read the goddamn Burial Service at Mina’s request, which he barely chokes his way through. But he never makes the oath.

Another jump ahead. They are on the hunt for Dracula and, alas, have just missed him at a key point. Most of the gang are shaking their fists at the sky, cursing up and down. And what is Jonathan doing? Well, to quote Jack Seward, just before the epiphany…

“We men were all in a fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calm; his hands are as cold as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edge of the great Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with him. It will be a bad look-out for the Count if the edge of that ‘Kukri’ ever touches his throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand!”

And upon discovery of the Count slipping them…

“Harker smiled—actually smiled—the dark bitter smile of one who is without hope; but at the same time his action belied his words, for his hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukri knife and rested there.”

For context, by this point Jonathan had already come at Dracula with said Kukri knife a while back, having nearly landed the blow after charging out of the pack and nearly fucking gutting the Count. For extra context, this is a Kukri knife:

He’s just been walking around with that. For half the book. Plotting.

And, with all of this in mind, we can only assume Jonathan had two plans of action in mind.

Plan A, follow Van Helsing’s lead.

…Not counting the moment he almost bit the Professor’s head off for saying he had to bring Mina along with him to Castle Dracula. Another good scene which includes his very succinct reaction to Van Helsing’s suggestion, even if he does have to agree in the end:

“Not for the world! Not for Heaven or Hell!”

Anyway. If the plan works out, cool. He gets to kill Dracula, Mina is saved. Best case scenario!

But then there’s the unspoken, explicitly unwritten (in case his pages need to be read), but heavily foreshadowed Plan B. They cannot destroy the Count, in time or otherwise. Mina is now either a corpse waiting to awake as a vampire, or a vampire already. The others, true to their vow, mean to destroy her.

Jonathan Harker, true only to Mina, in whatever form she may take, still has that Kukri. And the element of surprise. And a full acknowledgment of the realities of Heaven, Hell, and his holding Mina’s continued existence above them, his friends, his sanity, his humanity, and himself.

In short, all your tragically romantic Draculas can kindly go fuck themselves with a wooden stake. Jonathan Harker is the first and best gothic horror example of a person in love to the point of madness, damnation, and willingness to deceive or destroy anyone who would endanger the one he loves. The only reason we never got to see it in action was because Stoker had to tack on a happy ending. If he hadn’t?

The census would be less four unsuspecting heroes and plus two newlywed vampires.

The End.

Suck on it, Francis.

[minlve0]

*°•.˜”*°•𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔅𝔞𝔯𝔟𝔦𝔢 𝔱𝔢𝔩𝔩 𝔶𝔬𝔲?*°•.˜”*°•

PAID READINGS

Choose one of the following pictures.

All the pictures are from Pinterest.

- If you liked it, do reblog.

PILE 1

You are magical and you are powerful. Why do you doubt yourself so much? Who did that you? You have so much love inside you. But what use is that is you are too scared to give it to someone? Fall in love, let people in. There are so many who want to know you. You are special, don't be scared of pain that might never come. You are so strong, people admire your bravery. Good things are happening, pile 1. Don't hesitate to accept and go after it. You are magic, don't forget it. You have been blooming, turning your wounds into flowers. And the universe is proud of you for that. You have come a long way and it's time to rest and let go.

•You have everything you need to succeed. •You have been brave, but it's time to be soft. •You are my darling, and I won't let anyone harm you.

--you have a lot of messages. Listen to the universe. Someone wants to talk to you. It could be your spirit guides, your family or someone close to you.

PILE 2

You are the moment!! You are confident, you are out spoken and no one can stop you. You are the person everyone wants to be or be WITH. Some people might be jealous of your aura. Jealousy is a normal human emotion but this is bitchy/hidden insecurity jealousy. You are mesmerizing and refreshing. There's something about you that's new or a unique. It can be your style, writing or just the way you express yourself. This might rub people off the wrong way, never let them stop you. You are here to shine. There's a scared kid inside you or used to. If you haven't yet, then nurture it. You are here to be confident enough to stand alone and not back down. You will have people around you, willing to have your back and fight for you. There's a strong soul connection/ tribe, bonded with shared troubles. You know how it feels to be alone, so you will never want anyone to go through that. You are a great companion to have. People will be lucky to have you in their life, once they put down their biases.

•Venus placements. •Air placements. •Pottery/ Clay /Art.

PILE 3

You are a warrior. The person everyone wants to be friends with. You are protective over the people you care about. You might not open to a lot of people, but once you do, everyone can see your golden heart. You have a barrier around you. Not a lot of people pick up on that though. You are a sweetheart, worn down by love. You might be scared to be love again but it's going to be worth it soon. Someone's entering your life, equally fierce and protective. It can be a love interest, a friend or a new co-worker. Get ready for some excitement. You are a gem that a lot of people want a part of. Give yourself some of the love you readily give to strangers. You are deserving of the stars and more. You have a truly unique and loving soul. Capable of battling wars a lot of people can't, and loving intensity a lot of people crave to be on the recieving end of. Don't sell yourself short.

•Fire placements •Pink/Purple

[lovelywritinglady]

Be Okay pt.3

Satoru Gojo x Reader, Nanami Kento x Reader

Fluff, slight angst. Last part of this series.

Your pov

F/n came and picked me up from my apartment and took me to their home. I’m so grateful for them. I think I’d lose my mind entirely if I couldn’t have their help. They let me lounge on their couch for the time being. Thankfully it was extremely comfortable. They let me vent and cry about what happened. Telling me just how shitty Satoru is for cheating on me and ruining or relationship.

My life for the longest time has be all but consumed with Satoru. Now that I no longer have him, I’m not sure what to do. I know leaving was the best option for me. He cheated on me, broke my trust, and ruined the love we once shared. Part of me blames myself for what happened. Maybe I could have tried to love him more? Maybe I could have pretended? Or maybe I’m not pretty enough for him anymore? The woman he was with was extremely beautiful. Honestly, I can see why he was with her. However, if he wanted her so bad, then why did he stay with me? A week later I was touring a small apartment the was in my price range. One bedroom and one bathroom. Just enough room for me and whatever happens next.

Fifteen months later…

It’s been a while now and I’m much happier and I’ve been going to an awesome therapist for the past ten months.  And now I feel so fulfilled with myself and the life I made for myself. I was such a broken soul back then and now I feel free. I also got a new job at a financial company in the sales department. It’s a boring job that requires me to sell shit product for way more than they are worth. It’s not an honest job, but at least I get paid well. So I guess you can say that’s I’m okay.

I also met someone nine months ago whose so incredibly beautiful. His name is Nanami Kento. He’s a mature man that is so kindhearted. I never thought that I’d be able to love like this again, but he’s shown me that it’s okay to love. He was very respectful towards me and didn’t pressure me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. We took our time together and built up a trust that I never even had with Satoru. And I find the beauty in moving on from him. Now I see my worth when it comes to relationships and even other things outside of that. Kento really helped me realize that. So I can safely say that we love each other and that it’s real. I don’t fear losing him to someone else or being afraid of him flirting with other people. He looks at me and treats me like I’m the most important thing to him. He takes time out of his busy day to make sure I’m doing okay. That was something that took getting use to, but I realize that it’s a good thing. Nanami and I have a healthy relationship dynamic and I couldn’t be happier with it.

I haven’t seen Satoru Gojo since that dreadful day. I’m really glad for that. But now I know that if I see him, that it won’t hurt me like it I thought it would’ve months ago. Now I’m okay and his betrayal doesn’t affect me at all. I understand now that it wasn’t my fault in the slightest. That he was the one that broke that trust. I’ve felt so much lighter having that burden off of my shoulders. I try not to think about it too much, but I sometimes wonder how he’s doing now.

Satoru Gojo pov

It killed me not seeing her these past fifteen months. Initially I wanted to give her some space. I knew that if I went to her immediately, she’d shut me down. And I didn’t want that. I truly don’t know why I waited this long. Maybe it was because of work? Maybe it was because I was scared? Maybe I was just to nervous? I don’t really know. But now I’m ready to get her back. I’ve changed these past months. Since that woman, I haven’t been with any one else. No one else to me could even compare to y/n. No one else holds my heart the same way she does. No one else loved me even when we were at our lowest. I don’t deserve her at all. I know that I don’t, especially after what I did. But I’ll be dammed if I don’t try.

It’s practically took a month to convince y/n’s friend to tell me the area that my lover lived in. They simply wouldn’t budge. And to be honest, I kind of respect their loyalty. F/n told me that they would not give y/n’s actual address because that would be shitty. And they told me that it was up to y/n whether or not she would give me further information. Which was completely fair.

So here I am with her favorite flowers in hand walking around the area in which y/n lives at. I want to convince her that I’ve changed and that woman meant nothing to me. That y/n is the only person for me and back then I was far too stupid to understand that. If things go well, maybe we can move here together. This place is really nice and it’s got a homey feel to it. Walking around I notice a lot of cute stores and other fun things to do. No wonder she chose this area. It’s the perfect place for her.

I wondered around for awhile about to give up on my search. Maybe she’s out of town or something? Or maybe f/n gave me the wrong area? I was about to give up my search when I saw her. She looked so beautiful. Even more beautiful than I remember her. She had this huge smile plastered on her face and her cheeks were dusted pink. She looked genuinely happy and my heart filled with joy seeing her so.

Not even a split second later I saw the reason for that happiness. It was my old friend Nanami Kento. He was holding her hand. Even he was smiling too, which was an extremely rare occurrence. I felt cold seeing them together. I’m not a fool, I know when I see a happy couple. She’s moved on now and I was too late to stop her. I guess I deserve this though. I was the one to break her heart. I’m just glad she’s in good hands now. Nanami is an honorable man who will take good care of her. At least I know that’s she’s gonna be okay…

Thank you so much for reading. This is the last part of “Be Okay” I have a lot more stories in stock. Stay tuned. ❤️ This story has an alternate ending on Wattpad that I am currently writing if anyone is interested.

Please feel free to request, comment, and reblog

Click here to see what I’ll write for and click HERE for my master list.

•I do NOT own any characters except y/n•

Art not mine

L.W.L

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3



[missmungoe]

I remember scrolling through your page and seeing an ask where someone claimed they’d sell their soul to satan for a snippet, and I can’t help but relate…any new snippets for Tideswept👀 that last one was super juicy

That Satan is really getting his money’s worth off my writing! Meanwhile, I’m just delighted someone wants a snippet<3 This fic was going to be my New Year’s Eve update, but unfortunately it’s not quite ready, and since I don’t want to rush it just to post it on the day, it will be a new year update instead. But in the meantime, have another snippet!

(Follows the last one, just in case there was any fear I’d leave you hanging this chapter, communication-wise ;))

He looked so surprised to see her, if she hadn’t been so nervous, Makino thought she might have found it more gratifying.

Taking off his glasses, “What are you doing here?” Shanks asked, before he froze, as he seemed to get a proper look at her, his wide eyes raking across her, and she saw the moment he recognised the oversized coat she’d pulled over her nightgown, and didn’t seem to know which detail to focus on, before he finally settled for an incredulous, “Did you walk here by yourself?”

She couldn’t tell if he sounded more shocked or angry, but then wondered if even he knew. But at least the answer to that was explained by her presence; as for his first question, that was slightly trickier, but while she wasn’t rightly sure what she was doing, before she could lose her courage, Makino let it take her.

Shrugging off his heavy coat, it fell to the planks around her ankles, before she toed off her boots, and his eyes widened when she reached for the ribbons holding the nightgown closed.

“What are you doing?” Shanks rasped, taking a step towards her. “Stop.”

She didn’t, the lowest ribbon coming loose, before she reached for the one above it, and his voice scraped from him, firmer now as, “Stop,” Shanks said. “Makino!”

But she didn’t stop, the second ribbon yielding, and the third, but as she reached for the last, a big hand seized hers, stopping her.

Her eyes shot up to his, sharpened steel under his scars now. She could feel her heart pounding in her breast, but didn’t look away, and this time it was pain that roughened his voice as Shanks asked her, “What are you doing?”

Holding his eyes, she didn’t care that her voice wavered. Her heart was steady. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

Shanks didn’t answer, but then in that moment Makino wondered if he could have managed.

His hand hadn’t released hers. Makino felt how it shook, the veins in the back pronounced, and thin silver scars covering his fingers. The intimate candlelight deepened his colours, the red of his hair and the dark scruff of his beard. It danced over her skin, flushed under her freckles where the nightgown hung open, held together by the remaining ribbon between her breasts.

His eyes searched hers, as though trying to root out the reason for her behaviour from them. Makino only met them, her battle strategy offered and her armour shucked. But then with all the advice she’d been given, to go to war, to think like a swordsman, she’d failed to account for herself. And so here she was, not as a queen or a warrior, but as the person she’d always been, since long before the Fates had bound their threads.

Taking his hand, she coaxed it to loosen its grip, cradling it between hers. And if she had carried a weapon, it would have been across the palms of her hands, lifted in offering.

“Shanks,” Makino said. Not my king. Not even Captain.

She felt him tense as she brought his hand to her waist, the broad span of his fingers covering it easily, a shock of warmth through the sheer fabric of the nightgown. The tendons under her hands were taut, the spread of his fingers bunching in the fabric, but he didn’t pull it away.

Eyes like grey steel bore into hers as she lifted them from their hands, her smaller one spread over his. It barely covered his knuckles.

“Why are you here, my girl?” Shanks asked her, the deep pitch of his voice on the verge of breaking.

Makino met his gaze calmly. Her voice when she spoke was gentle, not a shiver in it now. “I’m here for my husband.”

Something passed through his eyes, a flash of feeling, there before it was gone.

The broad hand under hers lifted from her waist, but just as she thought he’d pull away, Shanks raised it to her cheek, brushing away her hair where it tumbled around her shoulders.

She watched as his eyes lowered, hooded under his scars as he took her in, the way he had on their wedding night. He towered above her, but this time she met his observation without cowering, her chin lifted and her own eyes gentle.

A crooked knuckle brushed the peak of her breast through the nightgown, her breath catching as she shivered, and saw his hand where it paused.

“You’re nervous,” Shanks said, and she wondered what he’d expected her to say to that, because it wasn’t the huff that left her.

“Of course I’m nervous,” Makino snapped. “I’ve never done this before!” And before he could catch up, said, with every ounce of prim defiance she possessed, “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to.”

She was running at the mouth now, but then in terms of battle strategies, she hadn’t planned further than stripping off her nightgown, and since that hadn’t worked, plain speech would have to do.

“I want this,” she said, and heard how her voice wavered now, her tears spilling over, but didn’t stop. “You. I’ve been trying to make it clear, but short of bringing an accompanying chorus, I don’t know what I have to d―”

His mouth caught hers, seizing the words and her breath in a kiss so fierce it lifted her toes off the planks, a big hand reaching to cradle the back of her head, pulling her close, and her relief was so fierce she might have sobbed.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Panther Princess; T’Challa x child reader

*Author’s note*

Well this was a LONG time in the making, not only cause of motivation and time schedule wise but I wanted to make sure I GOT THIS FIC RIGHT since this is my first time writing for T'Challa since Chadwick's death last year (MAY HE RIP OUR KING!!!). Hope you guys enjoy this, and I’ve decided that after a few Wattpad requests I’ll open requests up here on Tumblr but there will be some MAJOR adjustments to what fandoms I’ll do. For now just be patient with me and eventually I will open requests here on Tumblr, I just don’t want to be overwhelmed.

Warnings: Malnourishment. abuse, terrorists involved (no action but just the word), some fluff.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@soy-guey

@queen-paladin

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

______________________________________________________________

It was in the dead of night when T’Challa received word about some smugglers were traveling with some stolen Vibranium, and word has it that they were working for Klaue.  Even though he had been dead, Klaue’s business was still running and forging deals with terrorists groups and anti-government parties.

Him and Okoye were flying over towards the drop-off point where the dealers were gonna be exchanging their latest steal of Vibranium.

“The dealers that Klaus’ second Lt. Rosko Lannister is selling the Vibranium to come from an Iranian terrorist group.”

“As usual we will let them make their business transaction before taking any further action. After dealing with the terrorist group and Lannister is ours, he will be put under the same crimes as we would’ve given Klaue.” T’Challa told Okoye.  She nodded as the jet continued to fly towards their destination.

It was just before sunset when at an old, abandoned warehouse Rosko Lannister and some of Klaue’s old men waited for their clients to arrive.  Soon enough driving in the black SUV’s and Honda trucks, the Iranian terrorist group came out of their cars.  Most of them were soldiers holding their AK-47’s close to their chest while out of the head van, 3 men dressed in full 3 piece suits exited the car.

They looked exactly alike for these three men were actually brothers.  Two of them were twins and the other was a year younger than his older twin brothers. Hasim, Sami, and Achmed Israeli were the three leaders of the biggest terrorist group in the world.  There was even record shown that they made deals with HYDRA back in the day.  Mostly smuggled weapons and potential serums for super soldiers.

After the fall back in 2014 when both SHIELD and HYDRA were exposed, the brothers decided to go underground and disappear under the radar.  The US and European governments have been trying to find them ever since but they are too clever and can easily cover their tracks both physically and wirelessly.

“The Israeli brothers. I can’t tell you how honored I am to be doing business with you.” Rosko praised.

“We didn’t come for praises. We came for the Vibranium. Do you have it?” the oldest twin brother Sami demanded.

“Getting down to business. That was one thing my former associate Klaue always appreciated. God rest his soul.” Rosko kissed his finger before raising them upward. “Nah I’m just kidding he was an arsehole, I’m actually glad he’s dead.” He changed his tune.

“The Vibranium. Do you have it or not!?” demanded the younger twin Hasim.

“Patience Hasim. Let the white man talk.” Sami eased his brother.  Rosko turned to one of his guys and nodded.  His left hand man let out a whistle and soon two men come carrying in a large box that was filled with the stolen Vibranium that Klaue had stowed away for himself.

The men set it down before the brothers and Achmed opened the case up to reveal the Vibranium they were looking for.  A small smirk came across Sami’s face and he said.

“Excellent. The most powerful material in the universe.”

“It did come at personal cost from Klaue, better him than me. It’s worth billions. Hope you also kept your end of the deal. This transaction is only fair if both parties agree.” Hasim smirked cunningly and turned to his general.

He nodded and exclaimed in Muslim and before Rosko even knew it. Every single one of his men was shot dead by the Israeli brother’s soldiers, leaving only him alive.

Every gun was now turned on him and Rosko had no choice but to raise his hands slowly.

“True. But when dealing with terrorists you should’ve also realized that there is a price to pay. Especially if you’ve been followed.” Sami said. At this point Rosko was confused.

“What-what-what are you talking about?”

“I’ve been in this game for a long time Mr. Lannister, I’ve seen everything and heard it all. Superheroes, aliens, psychotic androids, even real life wizards. So don’t think for a second that your actions hasn’t risen suspicion to the one who rules the very place where you got this Vibranium from.” Sami closed the case and patted it before his brother Achmed took it and had it put in the truck.

“King T’Challa has no idea of this Vibranium that was stashed away. He’s recovered the traces of Vibranium that Klaue kept public. There’s no way he could know about this.”

“Clearly Klaue had a better game face than you Mr. Lannister. For he wouldn’t have revealed such an important fact to me.” At that moment Rosko knew he had been played by the brothers.  Before he knew it, a bullet went straight into his head and he died right there.

“Surround the area. We don’t leave till the King is dead.” Ordered Achmed to his security team.  The soldiers exclaimed Arabic commands as they surrounded the warehouse with their guns outward and ready to fire.

One guard in particular heard something move behind him and he quickly turned and fired three shots but didn’t hit anything but some old crates.  His paranoia was getting the best of him and that’s what gave him away.  He was suddenly grabbed by the back of his robes and lifted up and beaten till he collapsed to the floor unconscious.

2 more guards heard what was going on and went to check on their fallen soldier when a flash of a figure ran behind them. They quickly turned and fired their guns when suddenly T’Challa came down behind them, quickly disarmed them and knocked them unconscious.

As more of the brother’s security came in and they open fired on T’Challa, he merely walked towards the security before sprinting forward and disarming the rest of them.  His claws tearing their guns apart, and using his quick ‘cat-like’ agility, he managed to take down the entire fleet.

“Israeli brothers!” he cried out.  It was then Sami came out and T’Challa revealed his face to the eldest brother.

“King T’Challa. I must say it is an honor to be in your presence.” Sami mocked.

“Did you really believe we would be unaware of this trade?”

“On the contrary, I expected this all along. It was that witless white monkey Rosko who didn’t expect to see you. But never fear, he’s out of both of our hands.” Sami said nonchalantly as he looked down at his nails.  

“If you surrender the stolen Vibranium to me, we can resolve this peacefully. But refuse, and you’ll face justice of Wakanda in Rosko Lannister’s stand. You and your brothers.”

“See my brothers and I made a pact. If we can’t escape the system, we’d be—how you say, judge jury and executioner to ourselves. And rather than rot in a cell separated, we shall join together in a blaze of glory. And we’re not afraid to take you with us, suffering the same fate as your own father did.” Sami raised his arms out like he was flying and waiting for a fiery explosion to happen.

But nothing came.

He opened his eyes to reveal that nothing had happened.  It was then coming into the open space were Ayo and Okoye who had Sami’s younger brothers. Both men were bruised and battered up pretty badly.  The two Dora Milaje members dropped his brothers down at his feet like trash and T’Challa said.

“I told you. This could’ve been resolved peacefully. But you forced our hand, especially when you had planned to blow up the place with all of us inside.” Sami growled but nonetheless raised his hands in surrender.

As the Dora Milaje were detaining the three brothers, T’Challa retrieved the stolen Vibranium when he heard something nearby.  It sounded like chains, they had defeated all of the security, Rosko and his men were all shot by the Israeli brother’s defense, and the brothers were all detained so who else was here?

“My King?” Okoye asked.

“Stay here Okoye, I want to check something out.” He told his general of the Dora Milaje.

“My king, it could be another threat we do not yet know about. Let me come with you.”

“I’m not defenseless Okoye. Now you and Ayo just put the men on the ship and let me handle this. It could be some animal or the chains fell down off of something.” Okoye nodded to her king and soon T’Challa headed deeper into the warehouse.

As he explored every bit of it, he soon noticed that there appeared to be a hidden door within the walls that was very faintly cracked open.  He opened the door and could hear the sound of the chains getting louder and louder.

It was almost like they were—pacing? They kept a constant rhythm as they would move about, in a circle pattern or something close to it.  T’Challa slowly walked towards the direction of the chains and soon found what appeared to be a cage.  A glass cage but it was inside that surprised the Wakandan King.

Inside the glass was a child.  She appeared to be around the ages of 8-11 years old. Her hair was extremely long and madded like a lion’s mane.  She looked malnourished so much so that you could almost see her bones.  But for being malnourished, how could she have the energy to pace so frantically like she was now?  He also noticed that there around her neck, wrists and ankles were chains keeping her inside.

T’Challa slowly walked out of the shadows and into the light where the child would be able to see him.  She stopped her pacing and just stared at him curiously. T’Challa disengaged his full Black Panther suit so that he was in his normal clothes.

“I am not here to hurt you.” He gently told the child.  The child slightly tilted their head like a lost puppy.  “My name is T’Challa, what’s yours?” T’Challa slowly and slowly got closer and closer to her cage as he spoke in that soft voice of his.  When she didn’t answer him he assured you, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I just want to be sure you’re okay.”

Suddenly in the blink of an eye, her (e/c) soon turned to a deep cat eye yellow.  Her body shifted into a fairly young but still decent size panther and she lashed out at the cage, knocking T’Challa off his feet in slight fear.  The child now standing before him as a full panther clawed and roared at the cage furiously.

“My King!” Ayo’s voice spoke in Xhosa and soon her and Okoye came in and when they saw the panther, they lifted up their spears in defense.

“Stand down!” T’Challa commanded them.

“But my king—this animal is feral. It was going to kill you.” Okoye reasoned with him but T’Challa told her.

“She is a human child. She shifted into this panther before my eyes. Look.” Soon enough the panther shrunk down and soon turned back into the young girl who was still pacing back and forth in her cage.

“What sorcery is this?” asked Ayo.

“Not magic. Science. Look closer at her arms.” T’Challa said.  At the section of the arm on the other side of the elbow, they noticed dozens of needle injection scars.

“This child was experimented on.” Okoye said grimly with a horrified expression.

“What do we do my King?” asked Ayo.  T’Challa looked at the child who was growling and trying to act scary even though she was no longer a panther anymore.

“We take her to Shuri. Maybe she can shed more light on the matter. Get her to the ship. But approach her cautiously. Don’t make any sudden movements.” Ayo and Okoye bowed their heads to their king and walked towards the cage.

The girl would hit her skeletal body up against the cage trying to rattle it and actually roared out a panther’s real roar, her teeth slowly growing into the large infamous canines of a real big cat. Okoye and Ayo then placed a hover bead on each end of the cage and soon the cage levitated just a few feet off the ground.

The little girl roared and began clawing at the glass but it hardly did anything as she was now being guided towards the ship.

When they reached Wakanda after dealing with the brothers, Shuri in her lab was going over the girl’s intel scan that she made of the girl from her cage with her kimoyo beads.

“So what is it you can find Shuri?” T’Challa said as he entered his sister’s lab.

“This may come as a surprise to you brother. But—she has no birth record at all. I’ve contacted some of my people in various places around the world to see if there has been any missing child and all of them have said no. My theory is that she may have been created from a test tube to look like this.”

“Any idea who could’ve made her?”

“The same organization that made the White Wolf into the Winter Soldier.”

“Hydra.” T’Challa said gravely.  Shuri nodded.

“I hacked into their old files and it only confirms my theory. Seems like they wanted to create their own Cat-god or something.”

“Any records on what her powers are? She can shift into a panther but can she also shift into anything else?”

“I’m still digging through the files, there’s a lot of files that came to creating her. It’ll take time brother.” T’Challa nodded in understandment.

“Keep me updated.”

“Yes brother.” T’Challa walked away but he turned back towards the young girl and saw that she had briefly stopped her pacing to look at him once again.

A week later after finding the child, Shuri managed to dig up that HYDRA’s plan for the Child was for her to become their Agent Battle Cat.  The ability to shift into a panther.  She also has enhanced agility, speed, and strength.

However when HYDRA fell back in 2014, they were forced to abandon the project and she had been left alone in that warehouse ever since.  Thinking about the enhancing experiments she must’ve been forced to endure or whatever genes they gave her, it allowed her to survive even being chained up in a cage for years on end until she felt like she needed to give up.

While being kept under his sister’s supervision, T’Challa also made it apparent to try and communicate with the Child, just to see if she could either understand or (in a rare case) speak in any language.  The first time he had tried to talk to her well—let’s just say she ended up with broken nails and chipped teeth after trying to take a bite of T’Challa’s forearm when he activated his suit to protect his arm from her attack.

He had finally finished his royal civic duties for the day when he decided to try and talk to the Child again.

“You sure it’s a good idea brother? You did cause her to lose her nails and chipped some of her teeth.”

“I learned my lesson last time. But you weren’t there before that happened. She had actually dropped her guard and almost looked like she wanted to communicate with me. I think I’m getting through to her.”

“Okay brother. But if she attacks you again, I doubt that’ll sit well with Mother as well as Okoye and Ayo.”

“I will handle mama and the Dora Milaje. For now see to it that no one disturbs us.” Shuri nodded and told her workers to go home for now, leaving T’Challa and the Child alone.

T’Challa slowly approached her cage to see her lying down on her side licking her broken nails.  Some of them had broken off by the top, while the rest had the entire nail broken leaving a bloody mess in it’s wake.  She was currently licking her blood stained fingertips when she caught T’Challa’s scent.

She growled and hissed angrily at him, her canine fangs extended out and her eyes shifted into the cold, yellow panther eyes.

“Steady, steady. I’m not here to hurt you.” T’Challa sat down a few feet away from the cage and continued, “I am sorry for what happened to you. I was only protecting myself from getting hurt. It was my fault for overstepping my boundaries.” Her hissing ceased and she closed her mouth hiding her fangs but she would occasionally growl lowly, her tail coming out and twitching anxiously.

They sat there in silence for a couple of minutes when T’Challa said to her.

“You know, I’ve been thinking of a name for you. You know something to call you. I’m betting the men who created you never really gave you a real human name. What do you think about—Ariana?” the Child hissed. T’Challa chuckled, “Didn’t think so. Shuri said you might like it but now I can prove to her that I was right. Now for the real options, what about…….Nala?” the child tilted her head confused.  “No? What about…..Diana?” she looked down and went back to licking her fingertips. “That won’t really help them heal. Sure it’ll clot the blood but it’s not that good for saliva to heal a wound like that.”

She looked up at T’Challa and growled lowly.

“I’m just trying to help. We have the medicine that’ll help you. I won’t lie it might sting for a brief second but it’ll help. Will you trust me with healing you, please?” the child looked between him and her fingers before slowly extending her arms out and she briefly nodded.

T’Challa then got some antiseptic and band-aids. He opened up a small section of the cage, just enough for her arms to come out.

“Thank you for your trust.” He then began to doctor her fingertips.  She let out some painful roars on the stubbed fingertips that no longer had a nail anymore but at least this time she didn’t try to attack him like last time.  He soothed her with calming phrases like ‘it’s okay. It’s won’t last long.’ And ‘Just relax, it’s almost over.’ After bandaging up her left pinkie finger he told her, “There, I’m done (Y/n).”

At hearing that name, she looked up at T’Challa curiously.  Her tail perked up and the tip curled inward.  T’Challa looked at her to see her tail fall limp to the cage floor. “(Y/n)?” her tail lifted up again and her head tilted curiously.  “So you like that name eh?” She looked at T’Challa and her nose twitched as she was trying to sniff him through the glass.

Taking a risk, he slowly reached his hand into the cage once more like before.  However this time he kept his hand in a downward position, so that his hand formed the shape of another cat’s nose.  The Child slowly crept towards his hand and gave it a sniff, when she saw that he wasn’t moving his hand, she rubbed her head against his hand for a brief second before nuzzling underneath his palm so that it sat on top of her head.

He gently began scratching her scalp which caused her to let out soft comforting purrs.  T’Challa smiled warmly and continued to gently give the child—well (Y/n) some more scritches and pets.

“Don’t you worry (Y/n). I promise I won’t allow anyone else to harm you in any shape or form.”

The next couple of months after getting her body weight back to normal and healing any other wounds she had maintained, T’Challa allowed (Y/n) to venture outside the palace with him.  Thinking the city itself was too much for her right now, he decided to take her out to the Border tribe so that she could see the outside world for the first time in her life.

Needless to say she was overwhelmed but she was happy to feel the grass beneath her feet, see the beautiful landscape, and hear all the sounds of the outside world from the animal calls to some of the Border tribe members talking with each other.

“Seems she’s getting along well.” Okoye observed (Y/n) who was cautiously watching the rhinos from their pins.

“Slowly but surely she is. Walking on two feet is still a bit of a challenge but she’ll get there eventually.” T’Challa told her.

“At least she’s learned to not attack you.”

“It was one time Okoye, be nice.”

“As your General it is my duty—”

“I understand your duty General. But you must also know that there will be times you can’t protect me. And this attack was very minor compared to the fights I’ve been in before.” It was then T’Challa saw (Y/n) now focusing her attention on some birds that had just landed a few feet away from the rhino pins.  Her panther instincts kicked in as she got into pouncing position, her pupils were fully blown and her shoulder blades flexed over one another as her butt raised higher and higher in the air.

Finally she raced forward and the birds immediately took off flying.  She leaped well over 7ft in the air and managed to capture a bird in her claws and delivered a fatal bite.  She then raced over to T’Challa and presented him the dead bird.

She placed it on the ground before his feet and backed away before tilting her head with a happy smile on her face.

“Seems she has a gift for you my King.” Okoye said. T’Challa grimaced at the gift but he quickly smiled down at her and knelt down in front of her.

“I appreciate the gift (Y/n). But—we cannot keep this bird kept within a cage. Like how I freed you, we must also allow this bird to move onto the next life.” He dug into the earth for a small shallow grave, just big enough for the bird and he placed the bird into the makeshift grave.  He buried it under the earth and he sent a brief prayer to Bast in Wakandan. “Right, now let’s head back to the palace. I have a meeting with M’Baku about reforging our alliance and allowing the Jabari tribe into the council.”

Okoye and T’Challa walked ahead when they heard something behind them.  At first they thought it was one of the goats but it sounded to hoarse to be one of them. They slowly turned around and saw (Y/n) with a hand over the grave of the bird and she was saying.

“Ba……Ba.”

“Is she……?” Okoye started.

“Ba.” (Y/n) was trying to talk!  She was trying to say the Cat goddess Bast’s name.  She managed to get out the first constant and vowel but she couldn’t figure out how to do her S and T.

“Her first time talking. She’s trying to say Bast’s name.” T’Challa knelt down and he asked her, “(Y/n), are you trying to give a prayer to Bast?”

“Ba!” she exclaimed again.  T’Challa was overjoyed on the inside that the girl he had decided to take under his wing and raise was finally trying to talk.  Many of the tutors he and Shuri had growing up had given up saying that she was incapable of speaking because all she did was just hiss and growl as well as throw things at them before laughing like a deranged hyena.

“Here I’ll help you say her name.” he adjusted himself so that he sat down and he placed his hand right next to hers and he said slowly so that she could see how his lips did it. “Say Bast.”

“Ba.”

“Bast.”

“Ba.” T’Challa shook his head.

“Watch me carefully. Bast.” He enunciated the t at the end.  (Y/n) growled lowly before taking a deep inhale and finally exclaiming.

“BAST!”

“Yes. Yes that’s it! You did it (Y/n) great job!” at seeing T’Challa’s excitement, (Y/n) began to repeat Bast’s name gleefully as she pranced around.

“A little cocky there isn’t she?” Okoye muttered.

“Let her have this moment Okoye. Besides probably hunting and killing, this is her first real big achievement. A normal milestone.”

“I suppose so.” She agreed.  Even though she might not have wanted to admit it, she thought it was adorable how little (Y/n) was finally able to speak a human language and become so happy with herself that she would prance around like a yearling antelope.

Over the next couple of years, (Y/n) continued to not only advance in her human speaking skills, but she now began to show signs of aging.  She went from that small child to now almost a young adult woman in just 2 years since finding her.  Seemed with the animal enhancement, it also increased her human aging with each time she grew stronger and tougher.

T’Challa continued to raise her as his own and pretty soon all of Wakanda looked at her as their young Princess.  Shuri loved hanging out with (Y/n) and teaching her everything there was to know about science and technology.  She even took her as an apprentice in her lab.  Okoye eventually came around and soon saw (Y/n) as a member of the royal family and took it upon herself to train her like a Dora Milaje so that she could defend herself without the need of her animal powers.

For she was the Panther Princess.

[rollercoasterwords]

hi! no pressure at all, this is just my curiosity getting the best of me, but I was wondering if you’re planning to eventually write more in the atyd another perspective series? It’s feeding my soul hahah. also if you have any writing advice for people just starting out? thank you sm and I absolutely love all your work, the hand that feeds is consuming me atm!

hi thank u so much i'm so glad u enjoyed sirius's pov + that ur enjoying the hand that feeds!! 💖

i do still have a few oneshots that i eventually want to get to in the atyd another perspective series, but i honestly have no idea when i'm going to get around to writing them just bc there are other projects holding my focus rn, so i'm basically just considering it on hold indefinitely :)

and i've already talked a little about writing advice in this post, but i feel like i got very rambly over there so i'm gonna try and be more concise here:

(first - a disclaimer: i’ve never really studied english and am by no means a creative writing expert, so i’m not the best person to give advice about like...technical aspects of writing. the advice that i do have to offer has more to do with mindset!)

1 - no writing is bad writing! writing is just like any other creative pursuit -- playing an instrument, painting, drawing, etc. the more you practice, the better you’ll get. especially if you’re just starting out, try not to beat yourself up if your stories don’t come out the way you want them to. any piece of writing you create -- no matter how cliche or full of grammatical errors or boring or incoherent it might be -- is you practicing + learning + growing as a writer. focus on having fun with the process and try not to beat yourself up if you aren’t reaching, like, ~writing perfection~ (bc perfection in writing doesn’t exist anyway!)

2 - you’re not selling a product, you’re sitting around a campfire. i genuinely feel like that’s the best way i can summarize this point lmao

what i’m trying to say here is that i think it’s really easy to get into this capitalist-brainwashing-induced mindset that anything you create is a product for consumption. this leads to a lot of pressure to not only create at an unsustainably fast pace, but it means that if your audience doesn’t like the product, or if there’s not a large audience coming to consume the product, it’s easy to feel like a failure.

but that’s not what writing is about!! writing is about storytelling and the communities it can build and the joy of imagination!! good writing is messy and stupid and fun and driven by emotion, not capital gain (at least, in my opinion)! if there is even one person who wants to sit around the proverbial campfire with you and listen to your story, that’s so exciting!! if you’re at the campfire by yourself looking up the stars and hanging out with a bunch of funky little characters in your head, that’s so much fun!! this mindset shift has been the most helpful thing for me personally when it comes to writing, because in the past i really felt like writing wasn’t really worth the time unless i was working towards the ultimate goal of publication. now that i’m writing purely for the fun of it, and writing stories that i enjoy, regardless of whether i think they’ll appeal to a broad audience, it’s like the floodgates have been opened and suddenly writing isn’t a chore or a burden but just something that i truly, truly love -- and also something that has helped me plug into a community of other people who write for the joy of writing, and i truly think that is so special and unique in this day and age <3

[aengell]

Bartholomew

Some say that there is no such thing as love at first sight, but I have to disagree.

I had been searching for him for months, and let me tell you, it was 100% worth it.

I saw him on Tumblr and knew I needed him.

To be honest, this little gentleman stole my heart the moment I set eyes on him.

He was the last one left on the shelf and even the cashier fell in love with him while I was checking out.

I cried when I opened the bag and have immediately grown a maternal attachment to him.

Ever since this little guy came into my life i have experienced joy in never before felt proportions.

I named him sir scrimble tagliatelle.

his eyes are a little crooked but I think it makes him even more goofy. 

His name is Black Sesame Ice Cream.

I love this little guy

Adorable on every level. 

Perfect in every way possible

I never knew love until this chonk entered my life and his rotundness truly never ceases to amaze me. 

I would give the world for him and want to take him on all of my adventures.

He fits right in the palm of my hand and I called him mushroom soup.

He is literally the most angelic little friend I have ever encountered. 

I named him Francois Laundromat with the nickname 'Tubby' - he really is the perfect specimen.

I think he is the most polite dollop of pudding in the whole universe.

His name is Recycling Ben and he is a pleasant man.

He is very popular with my friends as well.

He is talented, intelligent, beautiful, show-stopping, compassionate, and breathtaking - a true work of art.

No wonder he's so popular

He lights up my world so much that I want to hug him all day and every day.

He knows exactly what to say when im feeling down, he is soft and gives good hugs. 

He sits and listens and is patient. I like to come home to him.

He’s changed my life for the better. 

He brings me so much peace and he’s healed all of my ailments.

Simon is a sleepy soul with an adventurous nature, and his potato shaped body is perfect for me to hold.

Little stars set him apart from the rest.

his name is bean and he is a really good dancer. an amazing snuggler and great at sharing snacks.

I have had him for a few years now and none of the stars have come off yet. 

He’s loved a lot, because he’s incredibly soft, gentle and smiles so sweet.

Tiny arms and legs big round tummy - oh my god.

He is so misshapen it is OUTSTANDING.

He has got a big nose and his left leg is a little crooked so he can‘t sit properly, but he‘s still very cute

He holds himself with the demeanor of someone who's worked retail for the past 15 years, he’s got stance, he’s got class, he’s got my entire heart.

Beware though, he might eat all your pasta!

He also makes a great makeshift pillow.

My only complaint is that he’s a little too talkative at night, but gosh he’s so funny, it’s worth the lost sleep.

The round tummy, stubby legs, and droopy eyes all spoke to me on a deep personal level and i am going to sacrifice my life for Bomba the moment the opportunity arises.

Bartholomew will not be passed onto my kids,

he will die with me.

AN: Okey...listen before you say anything...I had this idea today in class as I was browsing the @jellycatstuffies website (they sell ADORABLE stuffed animals) for christmas presents. I read some of the reviews and I found myself not paying any attention in class, because the comments literally made my heart MELT. they were so sweet, genuine and funny that I started writing some of them down. I noticed that it kinda started to read like some kind of love confession, and that's when I decided: I am gonna make a poem out of this. And Voila! All these phrases are 100% taken from jellycat reviews (except some pronoun changes and filler words). Reading it makes me super happy and I hope it's making you feel loved as well <3 I know christmas time isn't easy for everyone! Just take this sweet like experimental poem as my present to you, I love you guys!

Another AN: I know this is by far not perfect and I feel like there is soo much more potential in this idea, but I was super impatient about posting this. I might post a reworked version soon though :) also a disclaimer: I am aware that I am probably not the first person to have this idea!

[erintoknow]

And what have i read this year?

a fuck ton of YA books to be frank - as a YA librarian, I kind of feel like it’s my job to focus my reading within my ‘field’ so to speak so I can try to provide better advisory to kids. It’s a fool’s errand of course, because like, the field is fucking huge as hell and anything i can read is a drop in the bucket but still!!

Of the YA titles I’ve read this year, I’d have to give a shout out to Andrew Joseph White’s Hell Followed With Us, a post-apocalyptic zombie survival story about a trans boy named Benji who may or may not be the foretold second coming that will finally end humankind’s existence on earth

Wendy Heard’s She’s Too Pretty to Burn is a fun sapphic thriller involving some avant garde activist art gone to far.

If you liked Malin Ryden’s Fallen Hero interactive fiction story, you might be down for Tess Sharpe’s The Girls I’ve Been, where the bisexual daughter of a serial con-artist is held up at a bank and forced to come clean about her past.

Special mention to Cristin Bishara’s Vial of Tears, Laura Sibson’s Edie In Between, and Mary McCoy’s Indestructible Object. All worth a look if you want something in the YA space to read.

I was able to fit in some quote unquote adult fiction as well. Robert Jackson Bennett’s Founders Trilogy staring a sapphic woman with the unique ability to ‘hear’ the spellwork writing that her world uses to do magic with was a fun read.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donaghue deserves special mention here too. Set in Ireland during the Spanish flu, a young woman working as a nurse and caretaker for her brother who suffers severe PTSD from the war meets and falls in love with another woman who shows up at the hospital one day as a volunteer. Equal parts heartwarming and tragic book, the ending broke my heart into a thousand pieces, 5 stars.

I also finally got to get started on the Locked Tomb series after bouncing off the first book hard a year ago. I’ve only read the first two and found them both extremely engaging, at times funny, in other parts heartbreaking. These two poor girls. I can see why the caught on in Tumblr so hard. Extremely homestuckian movements going on in there.

And of course Ryka Aoki’s Light from Uncommon Stars, a tale of a transgender runaway violinst, the legendary teacher who needs her to sell her soul to the devil in order to get own back, and the alien refugee running the doughnut store down the way said violin teacher falls in love with remains by far my favorite thing I’ve read this year. Please go read this, I beg you.

Finally I want to mention two ongoing serial fiction works I’ve been reading, one is Unjust Depths by Madiha Santana. What if Gundum, but under the ocean and also they’re communists? I’ve only read through the first arc so far – Arc 3 is currently under way as I type, I believe. It’s been a fun read and I intend to get back to it soon.

The other is a bit more unconventional, and that would be Nora [LastNameHere]’s Blood in the Bosphorus Paradox Megacampign Let’s Play. Which started as a let’s play following the eastern roman empire through an increasingly alternate history and has transformed into some kind of amazing communism versus fascism war epic. Nora’s writing and approaching LP updates through various in and out of universe textual perspectives have been extremely enjoyable to follow with over the years with a creativity, humor, and humanity I don’t often see even in published books never mind a screenshot let’s play and I consider it something of a personal victory to have gotten my partner, who has never touched the something awful forms (probably for the better on the whole) into reading it now too.

[angelsanarchy]

Alone Together - Eddie/OC One-Shot Series PRT 21

Prt 1 - Prt 2 - Prt 3 - Prt 4 - Prt 5 - Prt 6 - Prt 7 - Prt 8 - Prt 9 - Prt 10 - Prt 11 - Prt 12 - Prt 13 - Prt 14 - Prt 15 - Prt 16 - Prt 17 - Prt 18 - Prt 19 - Prt 20

taglist:

@thetenthdoctorscompanion @siriuslymooned @samwilsonnsnns

Dani was still in shock to be riding shotgun in Eddie's van on her way out of town with her father's permission and very strict "don't get arrested, high or knocked up" rule.

"So are you going to tell me where we're going? I mean clearly my dad knows and it's also going to be far considering he gave you a full tank and a half worth of oxygen." Dani watched Eddie get comfortable in the driver seat.

"If I told you now, a months long surprise would be ruined. Can't you just sit there and trust that I only ever have brilliant plans?" Eddie smirked. Dani let out a belted laugh flipping Eddie's smirk around.

"Brilliant plans like trying to smoke in an abandon tree fort in the woods? Or the brilliant plan of thinking no one would notice the splif in your ear because your hair was extra fluffy the other day?" Dani reached over and swatted at Eddie's hair.

"You know, I'm starting to regret this big surprise. Maybe I should turn around and take someone else who is more excited to spend some alone time with me." Eddie teased.

"Can I at least guess?" Dani asked hopeful. Eddie threw his hand up encouraging the game if it would make her less anxious. She turned in her seat towards him.

"Okay let's break this down: it's far too cold for camping, we don't have a long weekend so whatever it is must get us back before school on Monday." Eddie laughed at Dani trying deduce his plan.

"Yeah because school would be my first priority in planning." Eddie glanced over at her.

"Gareth obviously knows because he's been asking me about our plans all week and I kept telling him we didn't have any." Dani looked at the back of the van to see what exactly Eddie was bringing. It wasn't much. A cooler, a sleeping bag, a big blanket and two bags of gas station snacks.

"I can smell your brain burning Murillo and I've yet to hear one real guess." Eddie interrupted her thoughts.

"My mind is racing. This is the first time I've been allowed to really go out and do anything. I can't settle on one thing to guess." Dani admitted making Eddie laugh.

"You're so lucky you're cute. I will give you a huge hint." Eddie turned the wheel and pulled off the road so he could root under his seat for something. Dani watched as he pulled a handful of cassette tapes out before finding the one he wants and putting it in the tape player. He put both hands on the steering wheel and looked over at her as Dio started pumping through his rickety speakers. Dani furrowed her eyebrows for a moment trying to figure out how Dio could be a hint.

Then it hit her.

"We're going to see Dio?" Dani asked eyes wide with shock. He nodded with a sly grin slipping across his face as she started bouncing in her seat.

"Shut the hell up! We are not going to see Dio! They aren't playing anywhere close to Hawkins." Dani challenged. Eddie reached across her lap to open the glove box and pull the tickets out for her to look at.

"Oh my god, we're going to Chicago to see Dio?! Eddie!" Dani squeaked grabbing Eddie's face and kissing him hard on the mouth as he laughed through the kiss.

"My first concert is going to be Dio. I can't believe it! How did you-"

"Consider this a celebration gift for getting off the tank. Gareth helped me score the tickets, I talked to your dad a few weeks ago so he would have time to think about it and pretty much sell my soul to get him to trust me with your safety." Eddie explained pulling the van back on the road. Dani stared at him in awe. No one had ever done something like this for her. Dani leaned over the console of the van making Eddie turn his head confused until she put her arms around his neck.

"You must like me a whole lot huh?" Eddie briefly took his eyes off the road to look at Dani who smiled sweetly. He had never seen so much excitement in her eyes.

"Yeah you could say that." He returned her smile and she gave him a much softer kiss this time. Eddie tried to keep his eyes on the road but felt the van swerving. Dani pulled back and returned to her space on the passenger side of the van, kicking her boots off and getting comfortable as she bounced excitedly.

The rest of the drive was spent playing games and singing along to the different tapes Dani picked out. Eddie had never let the passenger pick the music in the van. Never. Dani wasn't just a passenger to him though. She certainly wasn't just a friend either. Eddie had dated plenty of girls but he's never felt like how he feels when he's with Dani.

"You still didn't answer the question." Eddie teased tapping the wheel.

"Because it's insane. You can't ask me which member of Hellfire I would eat first if we were deserted on an island." Dani exclaimed in shock.

"The answer is obvious! Gareth would have to go!" Eddie teased.

"Gareth lives on cheetos and soda. He's hardly nutritious." Dani rationalized making Eddie laugh.

"I hate to break it to you sweetheart but we all eat like garbage bags. None of us are going to taste nutritious." Eddie could feel Dani's gaze shift back to him.

"I don't know, I don't think you would taste so bad." Eddie felt Dani's fit nudge his thigh and he looked at her.

"Oh yeah? Well you're always welcome to test that theory." Eddie could see Dani considering it but she shook her head.

"I'll make a note of it." Moments like these were going to kill Eddie. The more time they spent together, the more he wanted to go out of his way to make her smile. The sound of her squeal when they parked at the venue made his heart speed up and watching her scream and grin like a child when Dio finally stepped out on stage, it made him feel things.

Thing's he had never felt but remembers when he was a kid, sitting with his mom on her deathbed as she talked about how sorry she was that she was going to miss him falling in love. The way she talked about finding someone that made you want to be a better person and how you didn't need someone to complete you but give you a reason to smile. Those were the feelings he got whenever Dani looked at him.

The intro to Fallen Angels started playing and Dani leaned back into Eddie's chest, gripping his neck to bring his ear closer to her mouth.

"I want you to play this one for me. This guitar rift is insane!" Eddie nodded at Dani with a chuckle.

"You think I can shred like Vivian Campbell?!" Dani pulled back and gave him a look like he was crazy.

"Absolutely." Dani yelled without hesitation. Eddie smiled at her sincerity and pulled her in by the back of her neck for a kiss. The way his lips moved against Dani's was hungry with appreciation and lust. Dani pulled on the ends of Eddie's hair trying not to lose her footing when he tightened his hold on her. He chanced sliding his tongue across her bottom lip and was instantly met with her own rolling around his own. Dani pulled away suddenly and held onto Eddie's shirt as she tried to catch her breath.

Eddie tilted his head down trying to catch her eyes and she shifted bashfully biting her lip before wrapping her arms around Eddie and burying her face into his chest. Eddie tightened his arms around her and could feel her laughing against his chest.

"You drive me crazy, you know that?" Eddie kissed the top of her head and she leaned her head back, still holding her arms tightly around his waist and smiled up at him.

"Yeah but you love it." She smiled, the blush having stained her cheeks. There it was. That smile. Eddie shook his head as she turned her body around to watch the rest of Dio's set, resting her body against Eddie's, making sure to lace his arms around her shoulders.

Eddie realized all he needed to survive was metal, DND and Dani. Nothing else made him feel as complete and he was totally okay with that.

[lunnybunny12]

Sandor Clegane x Reader (Wildling)

A/n: The reader is a wildling in this story and has never heard of the hound before. 

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of death and no fluff

Word count: 1338

Master List

The East watch had been getting colder and colder as of late. The winds would whistle through windows and the snow would pile against the black, stone walls.

"It's your job to talk him out of stupid fucking ideas like this, Davos," Tormund said.

Jon had just returned from Dragonstone with both the dragon glass and the "stupid fucking idea" of getting a white walker to Kings Landing. It was a ridiculous idea but you understood where Jon was coming from. If he was going to get Cersei's army to fight against the night-king she'd need proof.

"I've been failing at that job of late." Davos joked in return.

The table was quiet and had a few new faces.

One was a young man. It was clear that he had never set foot in the north before, and you knew that the second you saw him walk through the gates. His cloak was pulled right up to his nack and his hands were violently shaking due to the lack of gloves. As far as you knew he was a bastard like Jon, but a southern bastard... one of the water.

The other was an old soul, he had walked the earth for a long time and he had the scars to prove it. He was clad in silver armour that was made to fit, a clock with a thick collar of fur around it and a big fucking sword. A Targaryen guard maybe?

"How many queens are there now?"  Tormund asked.

"Two" Jon answered

"And you need to convince the one with the dragons or the one who fucks her brother?" Tormund asked.

"Both,"

You shuffled in your seat a little bit and sighed. "How many men did you bring?"

The men at the table look quick glances at each other, answering your question quite clearly.

"Not enough," Jon said quietly.

"The big woman?" Tormund asked earning a chuff from you. He always did have a knack for liking women he couldn't have.

When a deep voice emanated from the Targaryen guard, you all turned to listen.

"We were hoping some of your men could help." The man said gently and Tormund hummed in thought.

"You really want to go out there... again?" You asked, looking Jon right in the eye.

When Jon gave you a silent nod that he did indeed need to go past the wall, Tormund leaned over the table to look at the men in front of him.

"You're not the only ones."

"What?" you asked in clear confusion.

"The scouts found them a mile south of the wall," Tormund said, guiding you all down to the cells.

"And you didn't think to tell me of this?"

"You just got back from castle black a day ago and I have people to look after so forgive me for letting some prisoners slip my mind," Tormund answered a bit too quickly for your liking.

You growled in anger and then lingered behind the men as they continued walking.

The cell was colder than you expected it to be. With the little light that managed to come through the window, you saw 3 men. 2 of them were small, huddled together in a corner, clinging to whatever warmth they could, while the 3rd was large, wrapped in a thin layer of fabric and splayed across a bench.

"You're the Hound" Jon breathed. " I saw you once at Winterfell"

The Hound clutched his fabric closer to him as he pulled himself to sit properly on the bench. On closer inspection, he had a scar that took up almost half of his face. His eyes met yours and stayed there for a while with the same mix of annoyance and curiosity yours did.

You had seen bigger men than him, stranger and scarier men... so why were you looking at him?

"They want to go beyond the wall too," Tormund said to Jon before being cut off by another one of the men.

"We don't want to go beyond the wall we have to. Our Lord told us a Great War was-"

"Don't trust him" The bastard of the water (who you found out was called Gendry) growled.

"Don't trust any of them. They're the brotherhood... and the last thing their Lord told them to do was sell me to a red witch to be murdered."

"Thoros... I hardly recognised you" The Targaryen guard said to one of the men, who leaned forward to get a better look.

"Ser Jorah Mormont, they won't give me anything to drink down here. I haven't been feeling like myself."

At hearing the name Mormont, you and your brother snapped your heads to the guard. He was a fucking Mormont?

"You're a Fucking Mormont... like the last lord commander?" Tormund asked.

"He was my father-"

"He hunted us like animals" You seethed.

"Any you returned the favour as I recall" Jorah retorted calmly.

A moment of anger passed the 3 of you before the one-eyed man broke the silence.

"Here we all are... at the edge of the world, at the same moment, heading in the same direction for the same reason."

You turned to the man and looked him dead in the eye.

"Our reasons aren't your reasons"

"It doesn't matter what we think our reasons are, girl. There is a greater purpose at work, and we serve it together whether we know it or not..." By that point, he had stood up and made his way to the front of the cell.

"We may take the steps but the Lord Of Light-"

"For fuck sake shut your hole. Are we coming with you or not?" Said the hound looking at the group.

"Don't you want to know what we're doing?" The Mormont asked.

At the back of the cell, Thoros piped up.

"Is it worth us sitting in a freezing cell, waiting to die?" Thoros smiled.

It was true, regardless of the reason you all had the same goal of stopping the walkers.

"He's right," Jon said,

" We're all on the same side... were all breathing."

And with that, Tormund slapped the keys into Jon's hands and the men went to collect their weapons and clothes for the wall.

-------------------------------------------------

You all exited the wall about half a day ago but it didn't feel that long.

Not all wildlings did well in stone walls and you were one of them. You were a hunter at heart and you always had been. Going out of the camp and getting a rabbit or rogue deer to feed your people, was what you lived for and the walls of castle black made you feel trapped.

"It's rude to stare, dog," you said tying your bootstrap with shaking fingers.

"Piss off. You looked first." The Hound replied, kicking up snow as he walked.

He walked right up to you and got in your face. He was easily a foot taller than you, his hair was frozen to his face and his beard was littered with snowflakes.

"What are you trying to do here?" you asked  

"What?"

"You know, getting close enough to my face that I can smell the last dick you sucked in your breath so YOU piss off" You laughed and pushed past him towards the rest of the group.

The hound grabbed the hood of your fur jacket and swivelled you around to look at him with fire in his eyes.

You just laughed at him and said "Ooo, You southern men, so stoic. Even your women, you'd think that they had their cunts sewn shut,"

He never said a word to you and usually just a glance his way would send people fleeing like children but you were laughing? He had you in his hands and you weren't scared?

You saw the confusion in his eyes as you freed yourself from his grip.

"I've seen bigger, killed stronger and fucked scarier men than you, dog. If you want to scare me you're gonna have to do better than that."

[mysoftboybensolo]

A Baby Makes Three

A/N: Requested by @thetempleofthemasaigoddess​ which is the very first request I have ever had, so thank you for that! This is part of my Tonda-verse, a sort of part 3. There are references to the first two stories, so you better read those before reading this one.

Links: Wash Away Loneliness (x), The Princess and the Miller (x), and AO3 link (x)

Pairing: Tonda x Fem!Reader. No use of Y/N.

Warnings: Alternate Universe, non-graphic pregnancy and delievery.

It had been two years since you had met Tonda and so much had happened then. Once you had accepted that the life you once belonged to was gone, that you were dead to the world, you began to rebuild your life and found yourself reborn. The wedding ceremony was small, you, Tonda and the priest, but it was all you needed, finer than any royal wedding you could have ever had or been to. The golden sun slowing descending, the birds chirping, the flowers softly blowing in the wind, and Tonda, looking so handsome, so happy.

It did not take long for the villagers to hear about the wedding and they all wanted to offer their congratulations, even when you two were trying to have a small honeymoon. Short though it was, those four days of early summer where neither of you did work or leave the mill were the happiest you had.

With the encouragement of Tonda, you worked to make your own shop as a soap maker.  At first, you worked inside the mill, often your tools, ingredients and soaps took up a good deal of space, but Tonda was good enough to not complain nor get upset with the clutter. He was your biggest supporter, the one who brought your spirits up when you felt like giving up. To show how much faith he had in you and your work, he had built your own work shed and was the first one to say “I told you so” when after returning from the village and having been completely sold out. It was a celebratory night for you both.

The next few years may have been full of hard work, aching backs, cracked hands, being tired by the end of the night. But ultimately, you knew that the hard work was worth it to at last have the feeling that you have worth, to prove that you could do more than be a bargaining chip for political reasons, and to be your own person. Above all, it was worth it to be with Tonda.

You sometimes think about what would have happened if you did marry the prince, would the marriage have made it as far as yours and Tonda’s? No, you think, because your more outspoken side would have made itself known and unlike Tonda, who reveled in your thoughts and took your words to heart, your betrothed or his advisors would have ignored you and written you off as a silly woman. You’d rebel, get angry, your soul slowly die and be nothing more than an empty shell of a queen who gave birth to children, at least an heir before your king left you to be with whatever mistress he favored that day. 

You hoped that wasn’t a life for your sister, but if it had been you, it would have been the most agonizing death you could have ever imagined. You counted your blessings each day to think of how lucky you were to have found Tonda.

The days may have been filled with work, but the evenings, oh, but were the evenings sweet. More than content with each other’s company, you ate together, danced, read, and even bathed together. That was one of your favorite activities, where the two of you melted into the warm water and into each other’s embrace, washing away the day’s work. And then of course, it always somehow led to the bed you shared, the bed Tonda made to be bigger for you both, and made passionate love. It was like living in your own little world and nothing seemed to disrupt it.

It didn’t occur to you that something could indeed change your way of life, until one day. While selling soaps, Adolfus had asked how you and Tonda were and then he asked the armor piercing question. “Have you and Tonda ever thought about children?”

You didn’t know how to answer that. Growing up, you were taught that it was a princess’ duty to bear heirs for the kingdom, but no one had ever asked you if you had ever really wanted children. You liked them, most certainly, and you had dreams of being a loving mother to your children, giving them a better childhood than what you had, you’d give them love. That desire grew when you watched Tonda play with the children in the village, a boy and girl grabbing on to each end of Tonda’s staff and him lifting and swaying them in the air. 

You would happily have Tonda’s children, but did he want them? You were going to ask him, but you felt so tired that it slipped your mind. It slipped your mind in the morning as well, since you were still so tired.

“My princess?” Tonda caressed your hair, using his term of affection for you, with a look of worry on his face. “Are you alright?”

“I’m just a little tired. I must have pushed myself too much this week’s orders.”

He offered a smile then said, “Take the day off. You deserve it. Rest, if you need me, I’ll be outside.” He kissed your forehead before heading out. You didn’t have even the energy to argue, but just fell back to sleep and didn’t wake until late afternoon. Tonda made your favorite meal as a reward for the work you have done, and you found that your appetite was fierce, having three helpings of it. 

“I do not blame you,” he said, after you apologized for the intensity of your hunger, “You barely ate much this week, and you ate nothing today. It’s good to see you looking healthy.”

These should have been your first clues, but it would not hit you until a week later when you started to realize some of the peculiarities in your habits. You were going to relieve yourself more often than usual, the smell of certain foods made your stomach turn when before you loved said food, and to top it off, you were somehow always ill in the morning. You didn’t tell Tonda just yet, you didn’t want to worry him, not until you went to the village doctor.

Later that evening, when you two settled in for the night, you decided that you should tell him. You were nervous, excited, but mostly uncertain. “Tonda, can we talk?”

“Aren’t we talking already?” he joked, but then saw how serious you looked and made sure he was all eyes and ears on you.

“I have something to tell you. Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you this, but I suppose, I don’t have much of a choice now.” You sigh, and decided, better to just say it. “I am with child.”

You expected hesitation, worry, uncertainty, but you didn’t expect him to burst into a smile and pull you into his arms, kissing you everywhere. “Oh, my princess, I can’t believe it! When did you find out?”

“Just today. I saw the midwife and she confirmed my suspicions. You are happy, Tonda? Truly?”

“Happy? There isn’t any other word to describe how I feel now. Did, did you expect me not to be?”

“I don’t know. We had never talked about children, it wasn’t until Adolfus had asked that I had thought about it. And don’t worry, my dear, I want nothing more than to have your child. Especially now, knowing that you want this as much as I do.” 

He picked you up and carried you to the bed, showing you how much he loved you and how happy he was, and after you two laid in bed, sleepy, satisfied and loved, he ran his hand over your still non-showing stomach, pressing a kiss to it then rested his head, as if trying to hear the tiniest sound of your child.

The months passed and your belly grew more and more, and you found it more and more difficult to work as much as you did. Tonda created a chair for you to sit in as you worked, but in the last month of your pregnancy, you had to quit because your belly wouldn’t allow you to work properly. It was probably for the best, you were growing more and more tired, eager for the child to come soon. 

Tonda was the most wonderful husband during this time. He worked doubly hard to make sure to tend to your needs as well as in his work, knowing that a baby will require a lot of attention. Winter was coming, so he needed to be finished soon. He hand made the crib for the baby and you had to marvel at the incredible work he did, and you could feel that every etching and curve and knob was filled with so much love for a life he had yet to meet, and it made you weep with happiness.

The times when neither of you worked, you both discussed how your lives would change with this new chapter, the names you would pick depending on whether you’d have a girl or a boy. And as your stomach grew, Tonda began to sing to it, talking as if the baby could hear. “You never know,” he says, “If they can hear me, I’d want them to know how much I love them.” How lucky you were to have him be your husband and father of your child.

It was early in December when it began. The snow was falling heavily outside, and while safe and warm in your home, you felt a gnawing feeling in your stomach, coming and going. You knew it was time when the sudden burst of water that escaped between your legs. Tonda was quick to hurry with his horse, despite your not wanting to be alone.

“I promise, I will not be more than fifteen minutes.” It felt more like a hour, but he was true to his word and was back in ten minutes with the midwife. Most husbands would stay away and allow the women to do whatever work they needed to do, but Tonda stayed close, holding your hand when you asked, placing a cool cloth over your forehead, anything the midwife asked, anything to ensure a safe deliver for you and your child.

It took you a half an hour until you heard the cries of your baby, and it was the most beautiful sound you had ever heard. All the pain and struggle you went through didn’t matter anymore. “He is perfectly healthy, my dear,” she says, taking your child to help clean him up. “A beautiful, healthy boy.”

She hands you your son, and you never saw anything more beautiful than your pink, wrinkly faced baby, because he was yours and Tonda’s, the perfect combination of you both. Tonda stared at him with wonder, tears in his eyes made you sob for joy. “Oh, Tonda, look what we have made.”

“You did it all, my princess,” he cooed with admiration, “You are the most incredible woman I’ve known,” he kisses your forehead.

“What will you call him?” asked the midwife.

“Casper,” you say, “It means ‘treasure bearer’.”

“Quite a fitting name,” she agreed, before leaving you two alone. “It’s alright, the snow has settled and you two will want to be alone now. Good night.”

Once she had left, Tonda climbed into the bed beide you and stared in wonder at your child. “He is so beautiful, I can’t believe he’s a part of me.”

“But he is yours, he’s ours. Here,” you carefully hand off your son to Tonda, who treats him as if he is made of glass, but once settled in his arms, Tonda let out a sigh and tears fall down his face.

“Forgive me for saying this,” he begins, making you look at him curiously, “But I am glad your carriage broke that day.”

You sigh and laugh, kissing Tonda’s cheek and nuzzle up closer to him. “Me too.”

Tagging: @thetempleofthemasaigoddess @scuttle-buttle​  @monsieurbruhl​, @creme-bruhlee​, @bruehl​, @neonheart1244​, @justfangirlthingies​, @git-it-got-it-good​, @daniel-bruhhl​, @cazzyimagines​​, @majorboredom​ and @angelayasmin​

[kira-fluff]

Hellonio👉 I heard headcannon requests are open, and I was hoping to ask for *cough* sell my soul for *cough* the RFA + Saeran with a huge history and science nerd MC. Pretty please with honey Buddha chips on top?

a/n: when I say this request is fine, when I say this request is SCRUMPDIDLYUMPCIOUS!! thank you T-T it’s beautiful // since you specified Saeran but left three other characters unspecified, please send another request if you’d like a part 2 with the rest of the characters! 

-

MC who is a History and Science Nerd

Saeyoung 

Saeyoung is the Blueprint for being a nerd 

like come on he tries to flirt with you in binary code

I think he’d still tease you though 

little things like “oh wow my little nerd~” 

you have to remind him sometimes how big of a dork he is 

pokes your cheeks when you’re reading something 

instead of paying attention to him haha 

literally will pout 

if you ignore him too much 

still, seven is the type to get into your passions too 

seeing the way your eyes light up

he is intrigued and ends up loving it just as much as you do 

tries to make REALLY bad science puns 

I just imagine each time he’d tease you he couldn’t hold back the big smile he makes 

when he sees you look a little pouty 

if you don’t include him when you watch history documentaries he will be very very petty 

might ignore you until you say, “well, do you want to watch to?” 

when you were studying for your chemistry exam

instead of being helpful 

seven whispers dirty jokes in your ear 

all science-related of course 

oh gosh he LOVES messing with you so much 

will steal your little journals recording plant growth and read them out loud 

he’d hold it over his head when you try to grab it 

“LOLOL YOU NAME YOUR PLANTS?!” 

“ssSTOP!! SEV STOP!!” 

little mischievous giggles 

oh gosh he loves you so much. 

Saeran 

watching you talk about the subjects you love – it’s his favorite thing 

when your eyes light up and you have this big, geeky smile on your face 

he’s not good enough with his words to express it to you 

the way his heart rate speeds up 

and oh 

when you realize you’ve been talking non-stop 

and you blush profusely 

apologizing, saying you didn’t realize you were talking so long 

he shakes his head, “no, I like it. I like it when you talk about the things you love. tell me more.” 

now you’re blushing for a different reason.. how did you end up so lucky?

literally so supportive 

hypes you up while you’re studying 

makes you little flashcards ;-; 

loves you so much 

will genuinely give you lil kisses (they’re shy) when you tell him all about your favorite wars because ?? 

THAT’S SO CUTE uwu

PLANTS 

p l a n t s 

he has so many plants 

shows you all of them 

has names for each one

and his beautiful flowers

will read with you plant care books and scientific experiments about them

honestly will spend looooong nights just staying up and talking with you 

like can you just IMAGINE 

staying up til 5am… talking about everything and nothing 

accidentally falling asleep together on the couch 

he loves how you smell, and subconsciously hugs you closer 

you wake up 

and in a moment of boldness 

you wake up and exhales 

and hugs you a little tighter 

Yoosung 

he’s a (sort of failing) university student 

to be honest you will use each others strengths if you are in classes with him 

you lowkey carry him with all the assignments and studying you help him with 

but he really admires you 

he’s not really the type to seek things out for the sake of curiousity 

sure, gaming is different

but when it comes to subject matters and non-fiction it all flies past him 

he’s no dummy, it’s just hard for him to apply himself to something he doesn’t even really care about 

so meeting someone so refreshingly different from him is so, so nice 

not to mention you’re so incredibly sweet and kind 

you’re so patient with him 

and when you lean in to help him understand the concept more.. 

he can’t get enough of it 

he thinks it’s so cute how you’re so passionate and geek out occasionally 

you inspire him to succeed 

because you can do anything

and yoosung thinks that if you cheer him on, he’s able to do anything too 

oddly enough, he might even find a certain area of what you love to be really interesting, too

but honestly you kind of lose him when you get into astrophysics 

like are you even speaking korean anymore 

he can’t keep up with you 

when you talk about things he can’t really wrap his mind around 

but he could listen to you all day 

he would also probably want to tell you a lot about his own hobbies 

it’s very sweet how you both can love what the other loves – simply because you or he loves it 

Jumin

honestly Jumin is incredibly smart 

like he knows so much about almost everything 

so he eats up all the conversations you have about historical events or the sciences 

he’d hold his palm over his mouth, resting his chin on his palm simultaneously 

trying not to laugh 

because he looked at his watch 

and you’d been gushing about a new scientific breakthrough for the last ten minutes 

he’d avoid eye contact with you in that moment because he might lose all control 

and say it out loud 

I love it when you talk like that.

resisting you might be the only thing Jumin isn’t good at 

buys you ANYTHING remotely close to the subjects you like

if he ever sees something in a store, he’d immediately buy it on impulse 

“Y/n would like this..” 

God if you weren’t already dating it’d be beyond obvious that he’s so smitten with you 

He’d just give you it casually, saying, “I found something for you..” 

He’d pay any price just to see your eyes sparkle and a big smile light up your face 

Cute. 

He’s so patient, so even if you stay up late doing research or reading, he’d stay up 

and listen to you if you’d read to him 

or do some of his own reading 

can you imagine Jumin reading one of your little books during his free time? 

like oh my gosh 

he has a habit of getting really into your passions 

he’s certain anything you are passionate about is worth learning more about 

[daisylikesmedia]

Series 8 Episode 11 & 12: Dark Water & Death in Heaven

Woah is Daisy reviewing her first two parter since Series 6?? Yea she is. Hello everyone and welcome to my review of the Series 8 finale. I’ve absolutely loved going back and rewatching this series so far, and despite a couple of duds, overall the focused character arcs in this series have been a refreshing change of pace from the more high concept arcs of the 11th Doctor’s era. Does this finale do the rest of Series 8 justice? Let’s find out.

Dang Missy, you ARE so fine. Ok that pun was terrible but Michelle Gomez’s Missy is an absolute joy to watch. This story is at her starting point in her arc over the next 3 seasons, where she is a lot more familiar to a lot of Masters before and after, but it still works with her. She kinda does sexually assault the Doctor in Dark Water, which obvs is a yikes, but scratch that scene away and she just exudes chaos in the best way. She really is here exclusively to fuck with the Doctor and I am SO here for it. She’s the one that put Clara & the Doctor together, she’s the one who’s been harvesting the souls of the Doctor’s fallen enemies. Even in her defeat, she tells the Doctor about Gallifrey’s coordinates, and the scene following where the Doctor finds out she was lying… yea it’s an oof and it sells Missy’s impact on this incarnation of the Doctor. So so good.

Alongside Missy, we have the Cybermen, and we know I’m a bit of a cybergirl myself. But, this time, Moffat manages to nail them as a villain. In his 11th Doctor outings with the iconic villains, I feel like he didn’t focus enough on what makes the Cybermen good. They’re our friends and family converted into emotionless husks, lending from body horror stories to sell us on just how scary this is. And yea, they show us exactly this in this story. Danny Pink’s existential dread during his time in the Nethersphere, followed by seeing his wrinkled body forced into that Cyberman, is terrifying to see unfold. The way his guilt from his time as a soldier is prayed upon by the system to make him beg to have his emotions stripped from him is horrific, but his ability to power through and lead the Cybermen to saving the world proves his worth as a hero, and the Cybermen are utilised as a concept so perfectly to round out Danny Pink as a character.

One gripe I do have though is in regards to Kate and Osgood’s return. It is absolutely a joy to see them back on screen as always, and I love these characters to bits, but sadly they get sidelined very quickly in this story. Osgood via death at the hands of Missy, and Kate via getting booted out of the aeroplane, again by Missy. I do wish we got more time with them, and they got a little more agency in the story (especially if you’re gonna just off Osgood like that), but alas, they weren’t the focal point on the story so whilst it’s a disappointment, I can see why this happened.

And Jenna Coleman take a bow because her performance as Clara Oswald in this story is nothing short of brilliance. From her grief and following betrayal of the Doctor, to her so easily slipping into the role of the Doctor, to her arrogance and following heartbreak as she realises she was bragging about how chummy she is with the Doctor to Danny. Jenna was expected to have such a range in this episode. She needed anger and glee and sadness and everything in-between, so it’s a testament to her that she nails it all with ease. Yea she’s fantastic in this 100%.

I’m not even done because we haven’t talked about how AWESOME Twelve is here. This is his character fully evolved after the events of the series, and seeing him able to express empathy and be resolute after his rough start is super satisfying to see. His line after Clara betrays him, “Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?”, is my favourite Doctor line maybe of all time, because it is built up with an entire series of character development coming to fruition at that exact moment. Dare I say, this was the moment Twelve became my Doctor. Alongside this moment, his interactions with Missy are gold, and your heart breaks for him both when he sees that Missy lied about his home, and when he is forced to say goodbye to Clara with a hug. That last scene with Clara really wrenches my heart, and again Daisy gushing about cool lines but when she says “Thank you for making me feel special” I just lost it. Because that’s who the Doctor is, that’s what they do. They make you feel special. It sums up what I love about Doctor Who in one little line and yea it’s perfect.

TL:DR/Overview: Dark Water & Death in Heaven are a fantastic two-parter that rounds out the arcs of Series 8 incredibly well. Every single member of our main cast is written and performance to excellence, Missy and the Cybermen are both villains that are well utilised, working in tandem to bolster the story rather than stealing the limelight from one another, and it’s the kind of story that reminds me how special Doctor Who is to me. Sure, I have my gripes with how Kate & Osgood were handled, and there are a few things I wish didn’t happen, but the positives so heavily outweigh the negatives here that I’m S tiering it. Series 8 really is great huh.

[digestionsack]

El’s Playlist Part Two: The Self-Explanatories

As per the name, these songs are the ones that are pretty self-explanatory, that don’t really have too much to analyze. I thought I’d summarize them here just for reference, but these are mostly things we already know.

Alright gang leggo.

1: “Raise Hell” by Dorothy

So, as with a lot of the songs on her playlist, this song is about El being an inherent badass. Observe:

“Young blood, came to start a riot/Don't care what your old man say/Young blood, heaven hate a sinner/But we gonna raise hell anyway”

This song may also have a double meaning, a literal meaning, foreshadowing the events at the finale of S4 (the UD rising into Hawkins).

“Baby drop them bones/Baby sell that soul/Baby fare thee well”

Also, the lyrics above could loosely reference Vecna and the trances, but I don’t really think that was the reason they chose this song.

Another thing about this song is the artist, Dorothy. What I noticed while going through El’s playlist is that there is a “fairytale” motif of sorts—specifically referencing Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. I’ll go through my in-depth thoughts on that in the conclusions and takeaways section of these analyses, but I’m just pointing them out in each individual song as well.

2: “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar

Again, a song about El fighting and being a badass.

“You come on with the come on/You don't fight fair/That's okay, see if I care!/Knock me down, it's all in vain/I get right back up on my feet again!”

Not giving us any info we didn’t know, but a solid song nonetheless.

3: “Don’t Wanna Fight” by Alabama Shakes

A lot of these songs could have double meanings, this one included. By just looking at the title, my impression was that this song was about El being tired of being put on a “superhero” pedestal by the people around her. She’s been fighting all her life, and she’s getting tired of having to do so.

“Living ain't no fun/The constant dedication/Keeping the water and power on/There ain't nobody left/Why can't I catch my breath?/I'm gonna work myself to death”

And then it could also be referencing El’s relationships, especially with the first lines of the song.

“My life, your life/Don't cross them lines/What you like, what I like/Why can't we both be right?/Attacking, defending/Until there's nothing left worth winning/Your pride and my pride/Don't waste my time”

…which could be about either Hopper or Mike (it’s a funny thing with this playlist—in songs like these, it’s kind of hard to differentiate the Mike/Hop/Brenner references). However, as accurate as these second set of lyrics seem to be in regards to El’s relationships, I think the overarching theme of the song when it comes to why it was put on El’s playlist is being tired of always having to fight, and just wanting to rest and live your life.

4: “Piece of My Heart” by Big Brother & The Hiding Company

And ladies and gentlemen, here we have one of MANY romantic tragedy/breakup songs.

“Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah/And didn't I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?/Honey, you know I did/And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough/But I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough”

The song is basically saying, “I gave you my heart, I gave you all I could, but you’re still hurting me.” This has a specifically romantically theme. Mike, bud, come on…

5: “Good Girls” by Elle King

Yep, another song about El being a badass.

“Hey, hey, hey/Since I'm gonna go to Hell anyway/I'll go out with a bang, bang, bang/Crash and burn it all away/Hey, hey, hey/Since I'm gonna go to Hell anyway/I'll go out with a bang, bang, bang/Crash and burn it all away”

What I find interesting is that this song is in one of the newer Ghostbusters…just a fun little thing.

6: “Gotta Get Out Tonight” by The Runaways

So what I noticed is that El, like Mike, sort of has a “running away” motif in her playlist. It’s not nearly as persistent as Mike’s, and I think El’s motif is more about what we already know about her at this point, but I thought I’d mention it nonetheless. I used Mike’s motif to justify my theory that he will leave Hawkins at the end of the show, and now I’m wondering if El will also leave (I personally love the “gap year with Max” hc).

I think this particular song is about El leaving Hawkins to find her sister. There are a lot of ways you could interpret this song, it could have multiple meanings, but this meaning seems pretty solid, since this playlist was released to promote S2.

“Gotta get out tonite/The wild one is callin' me/Gotta get out tonite/Out on the town is where I'll be alright”

7: “Don’t” by Larkin Poe

I was going back and forth over whether this song was about Mike or Hopper (wow, they really said “hmmm you know let’s compare him to ALL the father figures MWAHAHA”), but in the end, it reminds me more of S3 Hopper.

“Don't Honey don't bust down my door/Tellin' me what I should do/You've been around time and again/But you don't give a damn about where I've been”

8: “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt

What’s concerning to me is that at first I couldn’t tell whether this song was supposed to be about Brenner or Mike…wow. But after sitting with it a bit, I think this song is supposed to be about Brenner. S4 emphasized El realizing Brenner’s abuse most prominently (even though we know that she was also not happy with Mike’s behaviour).

“Feelin' better now that we're through/Feelin' better, 'cause I'm over you/I learned my lesson, it left a scar/Now I see how you really are”

“I'm tellin' you now, baby/And I'm going my way/Forget about you, baby/'Cause I'm leavin' to stay”

9: “Cruel Summer” by Bananorama

This one’s pretty self-explanatory—it’s basically the mood of S3. Summer arrives, supernatural shit ensues. So it goes.

“Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning/I sit around/Trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry/Strange voices are sayin' (what did they say?)/Things I can't understand/It's too close for comfort, this heat has got right out of hand”

Yay, Part 2 done! Now for Part 3…

[zedecksiew]

Sentimental thoughts about the OSR

OSR -- Old School Renaissance? Revival? A style of making and playing games, where the focus is on the experience of shared imagined space, not narrative plots or arcs.

A style fostered by a community.

That community was ugly. Many alt-right-leaning white dudes. It sheltered abusers, like Zak S -- a person who, to my shame, I'd been a fan of.

That community was good. Many key figures were queer / trans. More so (to my impression) than any other RPG community (even other indie groups). Non-white folks, like me.

The popular TTRPG eye remembers the OSR for its ugliness, not its inclusivity. Probably because the assholes were loud. And because the non-white / cis / het-ness of folks was rarely advertised as a community selling-point: "Look at how diverse we are!"

The latter aspect made me feel welcomed. My work -- entirely informed by my SEA context, as it's always been -- got attention based on its merit, not its topicality.

+

The OSR as I joined it was based on blogs, and on G+. When G+ was shut down, the community had a diaspora.

You hear about BOSR (British OSR), or NOSR / NuSR. You used to hear about SWORDDREAM? I think FKR (the Free Kriegsspiel Revival) is an offshoot of the old community? There are a million Discord channels. Questing Beast, on Youtube.

The blogs are still going strong.

I can't keep track of all the places folks have ended up. I do feel bad about that -- that I'm less community-oriented, that I work more in isolation, now. I squat Twitter mostly. Twitter is not a good place for a creative community.

But it is what it is.

+

An article Ewan Wilson was writing about the OSR got spiked at Polygon. I was one of the folks he emailed questions to.

Ewan's questions prompted this bout of sentimentality, I guess?

Here are bits from email I wrote him, in reply:

+

The OSR scene began on blogs? That's certainly how I discovered it. I can actually remember the specific post that hooked me:

Patrick Stuart / False Machine, reading James C Scott's "The Art Of Not Being Governed" -- a history of the Zomia region of mainland Southeast Asia, a place of fluid cultures and peoples that have traditionally resisted the settled states surrounding it -- riffing on the historical information in Scott's book, spinning them into RPG campaign ideas.

+

A facet of the OSR scene is its willingness to use popular rulesets as a shared language.

Dungeons & Dragons (tm) not as a WOTC corporate property, but D&D as a community vernacular. (And D&D is just one example.)

Folks like Emmy Allen and Luka Rejec have talked about this quite eloquently, I think?

I think the OSR prioritises making stuff for games rather than crafting the bestest, most elegantly-designed game possible. If you are stuck arguing about which language works best for poetry, you'll never get to the point where you actually start making and sharing verse.

+

I associate the OSR style with possibility, too. I'm not sure why.

Mainstream WOTC D&D is trapped in a self-referential loop, recycling its own Forgotten Realms-adjacent tropes. Then you have the vast forest of licensed RPGs: "Alien: The RPG", "Avatar: The RPG"; "[Insert Popular Nerd IP Here]: The RPG".

Many indie-RPG communities prize genre-emulation -- here's a game where you can mimic the narrative shape of a slasher film; an urban-fantasy novel; Legend of Zelda.

Not that there is anything wrong with this. But if emulation is where you start and end you doom RPGs to a secondary role -- forever in the shadow of other arts.

For sure the OSR has its pop-culture and games-media touchstones; the scene loves to riff on metal album covers and Dark Souls a lot.

But I'd argue that -- relative to other RPG subcommunities, in my experience -- OSR creators are willing to push further down the rabbit-holes of their particular obsessions more often.

So, yes: Dark Souls and metal music. But also references weirder, personal, and as-yet-untapped: Zomia, punk zines, walks in backyard forests, Birkenhead folklore, the Permian Period, Moebius, East Malaysian myth --

Composted together to the point they become game things utterly unlike anything else, and the stories / experiences you can have in those game things you can have nowhere else.

+

The blogs are still going strong.

Today I was reading this series of posts, a theory-based critique at D&D, the OSR, and games design in general:

"the goal of what we call "old-school play" is not to create a story but to traverse a fantastic space guided by desire, such that any story which emerges is incidental and retrospective (much like stories that emerge from 'real life'). edwards prescribes that the goal of play is to create a story, elevates this prescription into a truth about play as such, and then claims that players who do not play with this aim actually fail to meet this aim because they are mentally damaged. perhaps this can be remedied by playing the correct game, or maybe not, but regardless the implication is that by playing the correct game, one can avoid brain damage.

my take is to not let salespeople convince you that you must buy their products to be politically or mentally correct, and on the flip side do not entitle yourself to the enjoyment of other people."

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4. All four are worth reading.

Today I was also reading the very first OSR blogpost I ever read, about Zomia. It is still as good as it was, six years ago:

"The Lisu, aside from insisting that they kill assertive chiefs, have a radically abbreviated oral history. "Lisu forgetting, Jonsson claims, "is as active as Lua and Mien remembrance." he implies that the Lisu chose to have virtually no history and that the effect of this choice was to "leave no space for the active role of supra-household structures, such as villages or village clusters in ritual life, social organizations, or the mobilisation of peoples attention, labour or resources."

18 Radically forgetting tribes. How far can you push that? Ancestor free tribes, then further away, one-year tribes, then in the reaches of the deeps, the one-day, impossible even to understand as they remember only for one day.

Patrick's blog turned 10 this week.

The blogs are still going strong.

[hatboyproject]

Romance Scene Script 2: Electric Boogaloo

JOKER: Thought I'd give EDI the helm for a bit... Pretty sure she can handle it while we're just sitting around. JOKER: I know it's not exactly on the way to the Mess, but... SHEPARD: You don't have to make an excuse. I'm glad you're here. Takes a lot to get you out of that seat. JOKER: (Uneasy) Yeah. It does, yeah. SHEPARD: It's not like you to be nervous before a thing like this. Got... something on your mind? JOKER: Oh. Yeah, last vidcast of Huntress in the Haestrom ended on a cliffhanger and I'm, you know. Invested. SHEPARD: You can't ever be serious, can you? (agree) or SHEPARD: At some point, you're going to have to talk to me. Really talk to me. (disagree) JOKER: ... I don't like talking about it. SHEPARD: (Shrugging) Okay. What's this Huntress thing about, then? JOKER: Wait. Okay? ... That's it? You're not gonna try and dig it outta me? SHEPARD: No, because I know better. You hate it when people do that. (agree) or SHEPARD: What, did you actually want me to? (disagree) JOKER: Well, it's you, so... maybe I wouldn't mind. SHEPARD: You can stop holding back. We're alone, here. (agree) or SHEPARD: I only tell you what to do as part of my job. We aren't at work right now. It's just you and me. (disagree) JOKER: I know. And that's... kinda the problem. I dunno how many times I imagined walking through that door, and... JOKER: Look. I'm not great at um, saying this kinda thing. How I really feel, you know? JOKER: It's kinda weird, I mean, I've had years to practise and it still doesn't come out right. JOKER: During those years you were gone, I tried to write it down once, but I just felt like an idiot. JOKER: Since I can't say it, I've always thought about... showing you, but... (INVESTIGATE paths appear here in the response wheel) "What's got you so nervous?" (PATH 1) "You've never been involved before? At all?" (PATH 2) "I think I understand." (PATH 3: CONDITIONAL UNLOCK) "But...?" (CONTINUE)

PATH 1: SHEPARD: We know each other by now. What's got you so nervous? JOKER: You gotta understand... I don't like people. At all. Never have. JOKER: Like they think I can't do my job, or that my brain doesn't work. Have you ever heard an elcor speak slowly at you? You're there all day. SHEPARD: But I'm an exception, right? (If CHAKWAS alive:) JOKER: You and Chakwas. But not in the same way. Man, that'd be weird. But yeah... else JOKER: (Grinning) Nah. Can't stand you. In fact, I only came up here to ask for a transfer! But yeah... JOKER: No one's ever made me wanna risk it, before. I always decided it wasn't worth it. (Loop to dialogue wheel) PATH 2: SHEPARD: You make it sound like you've never done this before. JOKER: (Confused) Uh... yeah, that's because I haven't. You're the first person I've trusted enough to get this far. JOKER: Look, but don't touch. That's been my policy. It's had to be. JOKER: When your bones are made out of uncooked spaghetti, getting all hot and heavy isn't generally a good idea. JOKER: After all those surgeries Cerberus gave me, I am stronger now. But, there's limits. (Loop to dialogue wheel) PATH 3 (ONLY OPENS WHEN PATH 1 and 2 ARE EXPLORED) SHEPARD: I think I understand. JOKER: So... I've got all this stuff, I don't like most people, and for the cherry on top, I need to trust them with my life. Bit of a tall order. JOKER: But I've trusted you with my life, more times than I can count. I'd go anywhere, I'd do anything for you. SHEPARD: All this sounds dangerously close to telling me how you really feel, Jeff. JOKER: (Grinning) It's kinda dramatic I guess, but hey, seems like the moment for it... I'd sell my soul to spend the night with you... I really would. SHEPARD: No selling of souls required. How about just sharing it with me, instead? JOKER: Okay... That? That was smooth. JOKER: I just... don't know how I'd measure up... Um. I mean. Not literally. Pretty sure that's fine. But, figuratively. (Loops now to what the CONTINUE option gives) CONTINUE: JOKER: I'm trying to manage your expectations, because I've had to manage my own. SHEPARD: My expectations? And what would those be, I wonder? JOKER: Uh, well, I-... thought you'd want...? Ah, crap. SHEPARD: No, no, you've got the right idea... But first, stop looking for the nearest airlock, okay? (agree) or SHEPARD: My point is, you don't know what my expectations are. What if I just expect you to be yourself? (disagree) JOKER: Like I said... I've been thinking about a chance with you for a long time. SHEPARD: Maybe it's time I showed you what you mean to me... (agree) or SHEPARD: Maybe I should manage your expectations... (disagree) THEN THE BANGINATING HAPPENS ... POST BANGINATING SCRIPT WILL BE WRITTEN ONCE THIS ONE IS IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE SWEET BABY KROGAN JEEBUS LOOK AT ALL THOSE NODES All the dialogue for this has been generated, now, which is why some wording has changed. The synths wanted to say things their own way, sometimes. WHEWLAD