#its been super hard trying keep strong for my younger siblings now

[kdyism]

im going on a sudden hiatus, y'all.

[mothmags]

More Nashi headcannons

This time, her relationships with her family!

part 2 - part 4

Natsu

I said it before and I'll say it again she is a daddys girl

Her and her dad were super close when she was little, and they are still very close now

Natsu is so proud of his little girl.

This mf will brag to everyone about how strong and brave she is

very much like how guildarts acts about cana vibes

she tries to seem humble about it, but it's very obvious that she likes the praise

these two team up to prank people. April fools day is dreded in the dragneel household for this reason alone

he has since learned to knock when entering her apartment after accidentally catching her and maree in the mid romantic moment (they were not having sex THANK GOD)

"their not dating my ass," but he mostly keeps it to himself. they will tell everyone when their ready (totally not connecting that he and lucy had that same kinda relationship when they were younger)

be buys her and her brother a gift if he's gone on a long mission

yall KNOW. He's going to be a great dad

Lucy

when she was a teen, her and her mom had BEEF

nashi would not listen to a word she said even if it was for the best

nashi was just sick of having her tell her what to do

she grew out of it by her late teens' early 20s, tho

they were super close when she was a kid and are becoming closer now that shes out her teenage angst era

even though they had a rocky couple of years, they would still do magic lessons on wednesdays

before they go for their weekly lessons, they get coffee or tea at the local cafe that opened up down the street

Lucy gets a mocha latte and Nashi gets a boba tea

they talk about books and how their week has been and general catch up since sometimes their schedules dont sync up

these two, even in nashis' teen years, they gossip to each other about stuff happening in the guildhall while the other was away

nashi also tells her mom everything shes been working on in her studies at FSI

lucy is always ecstatic since some of it is stuff that isnt public knowledge yet

luxy tries really hard to be a good mother to her kids and now that nashi isnt a kid anymore she sees how much work and love her mom gives to make their family happy

Neil

She low key thinks he's a babied brat

They "fight" a lot. mostly about trivial things, but it never gets serious. its mostly teasing

they dont throw hands often with eachother its mostly verbal

Lucy would ground them for fighting, and they would both be like "moooom >:( we were just having a little fun"

he breaks into her apartment several times a week to steal snack on the way to the guild

when he tries to set up a prank in her apartment maree catches him like 75% of the time

she just kinda backs away and doesn't snitch because she thinks it'll be funny

sometimes hed just break in to knock a drink off her counter and turn the lights off or just generally be a nuisance for a hot second then just leave

nashi never gave him a key. This guy just breaks in through her window.

sometimes loke lets him in tho

he stays with them when his parents are on a long mission

not because he needs someone to watch him but because he gets bored in an empty house

they very much have the "only I'm allowed to be mean to my sibling" dynamic and will fight anyone who tries to break that

when they both were living under the same roof, it was incredibly chaotic but once she moved out he missed her a lot

hed never tell her that tho

Happy

besties for the resties

he joins her on smaller jobs when she can just go by herself

he joins in because "a lady shouldn't travel alone!" but he just wants to hang out with her

when she was younger and more rowdy, he would try to keep her out of trouble but would get wrapped up in whatever prank she was doing at the time

he would join her for mostly every job for this reason, but since neil goes out on jobs alone now, he mostly joins him (and ofc he joins natsu and lucy on theirs aswell when they do big ones)

he steals food from her apartment with neil

he teases her like how he teases lucy but ofc its all light hearted

[bbgmessi]

I havé alor go questions so bare with me lol:

So obvi this is an o!erling blog (we love our bbg haaland) but what other headcanons do you have for the rest of man city? I see o!foden and a!grealish making sense to me. I see Alvarez as a cute little alpha and maybe Silva as dad alpha type I loved the way erling swung him around after the header against Bayern it’s giving child that is now bigger than the parent/ bigger younger sibling vibes. but what’s your opinion on those players and others?

I’m trying to figure out how they would’ve reacted to foden and his appendicitis like are they worried for their omega? Would it reaffirm that they’re weaker/more fragile? Would erling subconsciously be upset with him for being sick (even though it’s not his fault everything that happens to one omega affects them all bc they’re under a microscope especially since erling is so atypical as an omega).

Would erling be close to other omegas or does his legend/next big thing status get in the way ? How do betas interact w the alphas ans omegas on there team? Are there a/betas (like betas who are more dominant) and o/betas in your world ?

What would the team think of haaland never missing a game? Would he himself keep pushing even when he’s hurt to beat the stereotype? Would alphas on the team be mad he’s getting so much playing time and negate all the hard work he’s done? Or are they more progressive and supportive of him? Is there like an antagonistic alpha who would always start shit ?

In your omegaverse do the omegas have separate locker rooms and bathrooms? Would it be like male female then on the inside there are more doors that sat alpha beta omega ? Or are there 3 separate bathrooms for every secondary gender regardless of biological male or female?

(ok so this is a super long response s lol) anon i have a secret. and it’s . i’m just making all this up as i go lol!!!!! i change my world and players dynamic for the scenario and story i currently want to tell, like you said alpha jack but i’ve written him as an omega because something about the way he’s regarded as such a himbo and erling is so criticized for his looks and not even his performance reads so… woman coded to me so it makes sense to me for them to be lesbians, but alpha jack could work in so many scenarios too it all just depends on what i’m feeling lol (except erling bc he’s my poor little meow meow and i feel like it’d just be so cliche to make the giant man an alpha… and i’m him)

and like phil could rly be an omega, he had a child super young which fits really well into omegaverse and like him trying to find his place in the little group of man city omegas… but also tiny alpha phil trying to fight to prove himself despite his size… different social commentary but both so valid!!! and it’s the same for julian!! he could be a tiny alpha, trying to find his place, or a sweet omega trying to figure out the english society and all that!! everything kinda depends hahaha, but i agree with silva as a dad alpha, erling just being so excitable he forgets he’s so strong he can lift people up like that but silva just had to be like:)

and also… hm phil’s appendix surgery… idk i don’t feel like it’s super big of a deal bc it’s pretty routine surgery? but if i’m not doing masc lesbian omegas omega erling i could do like pick me omega erling where he’s so desperate not to fall from the public and peps good graces he’ll do anything and he thinks that includes scoffing a little when phil is out injured even though he can’t help it… maybe there was all ready weird tension between them from the beginning bc pep uses his attention like a weapon and chooses who to focus on and lately its been erling and phil is jealous

to me it’s super important to like… use individuality to tell the story, like erling is an omega but that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly a super motherly person etc he’s just a person who faces different hardships just like any other omega is different but the same so i don’t think i’d write a!betas and o!betas bc it feels like a way to assign dominance and submissive roles to like everyone on a societal level and it feels counterintuitive for me like people are still… people… and individuals who can be different, their status gives them certain outlooks and things but it’s also not… changing who they are personality wise… idk if this makes sense but yeah

but erling and other omegas could go either way, like does he try to distance himself because he thinks that will allow himself a way into the world of the alphas of football? if he’s just quiet enough about the harassment and all maybe they’ll accept him??? or does he lean into other omegas… it’s up to you!!

now i’m feeling really repetitive lol but it’s the same about the alphas on the team, anyone can be the bad or good guy, maybe they’re upset he’s doing so incredibly well maybe they’re supportive i’m not sure… i could go either way depending on if i want angst or smth else, they’re kinda like tools to tell a story for me

and i like to think separate locker rooms for omegas at least but also maybe it differs from country to country and like situation to situation, maybe more progressive countries have joint bathrooms and locker rooms but they can also be harmful places but the separation can be isolating… but yeah i literally make it all up as i go so sorry if i’m ever inconsistent lol

[pascalina]

The brothers' movie

11/07/2015

They don't use the same last name, but they are siblings. Pedro Pascal (40) the Chilean actor who starred in Game of Thrones and now has a starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, uses his mother's surname because it is easier to pronounce in English. 17 years younger, Lucas Balmaceda Pascal (23), also an actor, debuted in Los 80 and today stars in the TVN series Juana Brava. Here, both talk for the first time about their relationship, their love for cinema and their mutual admiration.

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal was born in Chile, but a few months later he had to go into exile with his parents and his older sister, Javiera, to Denmark. It was the end of 1975. Thanks to the Rockefeller scholarship granted for his father, the doctor José Balmaceda Riera, a year later they moved to the United States: first they lived in San Antonio, Texas. Life there was just beginning and it was not easy.

Seventeen years later, in 1992, Lucas Balmaceda was born in Orange County, California, into the comfort of a family that was financially in its prime. His dad was at the peak of his career: as a fertility specialist and director of one of the University of California's reproductive health centers. But suddenly they moved back to Chile when Lucas was three years old and his brother Nicolas was eight. The two older ones stayed there. Pedro was already studying drama at Orange County High School of the Arts. Then he went to New York to study theater at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

After a couple of small appearances in TV series, in 2014 he took the big leap in his career: he played Prince Oberyn in Game of Thrones, which made him world famous. Today, he has a starring role in the series Narcos. He is also filming a movie with Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe.

Fame came early for Lucas. After leaving Saint George High School in 2010, he studied theater at the Universidad Católica, and he began to shine: in year fourth, he starred in the theater play "La noche obstinada", by choreographer Pablo Rotemberg, and got a role in the successful television series Los 80 and today, in his last year, he is the co-star of Juana Brava, the new TVN nighttime series.

Scene one:

Lucas appears in Pedro's life

P: "I was 17 when Lucas was born. He was a baby when I left to go to university. I remember my first visit back and Lucas, who was not even two years old, was already the owner of the house. I remember those looks, wanting to tell me: 'I don't know who you are, but this is my house, mate.

To this day I have never seen that personality in another child. It was fascinating to see that wit in someone so small. Since he was a kid he had that fierce intelligence... The four siblings, Javiera, the eldest and the queen of the family; Nicolas, the doctor; Lucas and I are like a compact and consistent unit. I can't imagine life without them".

L: "Pedro was studying at the university in New York when I was born. When he went home for vacations to see the family, as I didn't know him, I thought: 'who is this guest, who is this weirdo who kisses my mother? She's mine!'. Back in Chile, every year Pedro came to visit us. It was the most entertaining thing in the world for me. He was much older and he would come with all the coolness, with all the culture of cinema, with horror movies that were not available here. Then we would watch them and play them out, we would do sketches. We would play that Pedro was a murderous monster and we would escape from him. We were each a character. He was very funny, he did voices, he impersonated people. He gets mad when I tell him, but I've always found that he has a Jim Carrey thing about him, he manages to make some impressive faces. When he came on, I couldn't stop watching him, he was too entertaining. We are all big movie buffs thanks to my dad. When I was three years old, he took my brothers and me to see Batman. I remember crying hysterically. I was very young, sensitive, and being in the cinema was like entering to another reality: loud noises, giant screen. I didn't understand anything.

Scene two

Transplanted

P: "What's Chilean about me and what's gringo about me is a very interesting question, because I don't think even at 40 years old I've been able to figure it out. I was raised and educated in the United States and socialized a lot with American pop culture, but Chilean pride has always been unwavering. My parents were exiled for eight years. So our visits to Chile were regular. My whole life I have lived in the United States and my whole life I have visited my relatives in Chile. However, since my siblings were raised in Chile, my connection to the country is much stronger today and it is something I am grateful for. Something that happens to me a lot is that when I say I've been in the U.S. my whole life, they say, "Well, you're a gringo then! And after a conversation in my fluent Spanish with a clear Chilean accent that same person turns around and says: I've been listening to you, you're Chilean!

L: "I am Chilean because I lived and grew up here since I was three years old, but at the same time I have a cultural disconnection: my parents lived 25 years in the United States, my brothers are gringos. My visual culture is super gringo, the TV shows I watched when I was a kid or the movies I watch to this day I understand them from that place: as an American. More than being born in the United States, I feel it's because of my family's background".

SCENE THREE:

The performance

P: "There were good years and bad years (when I started my acting career in the United States). Many years I was a waiter to supplement my income. But from a very young age I was auditioning for professional jobs. In my late twenties my career in the theater was relatively consistent. Then, when opportunities in television arose, I was consolidating and it became much easier to pay my expenses. I think that struggle, going through those situations, empowers you a lot and it's one of the things I'm enormously grateful for. And Game of Thrones was an incredible gift. It's the best role I've ever played and they're the best people I've ever worked with."

L: "It's Pedro's fault that I wanted to be an actor. But when I told him I wanted to study theater it was hard for him, more than anything, because he cares about me and studying theater is hard. You have to be very wise and have a super high self-esteem to take care of yourself. Pedro went through many things. If there is an actor who doesn't have contacts in the United States, it's him. Everything he has achieved is because of his work. That's why when people ask me why I don't go to the U.S., it's a resounding no. Being Pedro Pascal's little brother is not going to get me around the corner; I would have to be Tom Cruise's twin to achieve anything. Even so, Pedro had many failed career starts. In 2011, for example, he was offered a starring role in a series called Wonder Woman and it was eventually canceled. That's why, when Games of Thrones came up, I was like, wow! We were all freaking out, because Games of Thrones is like a worldwide trending topic. All the episodes he was in, we were all watching them together at my house, eating pizza or sushi."

SCENE FOUR:

Mutual lessons

P: "I try not to get too involved in anything Lucas does or how he does it. He has single-handedly created each of his experiences and is one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen. He loves his work and is continually developing his skills for television and theater, and eventually film. He executes like a real artist and, to be honest, it is more common for me to learn something from him than for him to learn something from me. I mean that very sincerely. Lucas reminds me to work hard and keeps me inspired. When I saw him in Los 80 I was incredibly proud, but not surprised. I was seeing something I had always known. The only advice I've given him is to not be such a workaholic, to take care of himself and to be proud of what he's accomplished and what he still has yet to accomplish. Deep down, I'm always going to be the protective big brother."

L: "Pedro is an object of admiration for me. What he says is law for me. Sometimes I ask him: 'Pedro, did you see that movie?' and he says: 'Yes, I didn't like it'. I tell him: 'Oh, I didn't like it either'. The nice thing about our relationship is that it happens so sporadically, once or twice a year, that the moments when we see each other are very intense. We either fight a lot or we love each other too much, but it's always like a story, like a movie. While he's there and I'm here, we talk a lot on WhatsApp and Facebook".

P: "With Lucas we always keep each other up to date on what movies to watch, what TV shows are good. I bug him all the time asking him about what's going on in his life and I'm always asking him about his perspective on things. Despite being away from each other for a long time, Lucas and I are very close and always have been. I see Lucas at the beginning of an amazing career, with an unwavering curiosity and passion. I love it when he confides in me about things he is enjoying or situations he is dealing with."

L: "I've never seen Pedro in theater, but I've been told he's tremendous. On camera, I find that he has a very intense look. He also has, and in that we are very similar, a very strong visual culture, the fact that we have always liked horror movies. He plays characters that hide something, dark characters. A great strength is that he is very sensual, he knows how to handle himself well from seduction".

P: "Lucas is brave, he's fearless. There's nothing he's not willing to try, he's never going to give up on a challenge, he's never going to leave something halfway, no matter what that means to him. Lucas is unstoppable.

Link interview

[egyptian-sun-god]

Never Have I ever S2

SPOILERS.....Turn back now I’m serious.

I’m waiting....

Okay cool your fault at this point

I was fairly critical of NHIE S1, I won’t lie. And I’ll be real I still stand by the fact that NHIE S1 was fairly meh overall. 

But holy shit, they knocked this season outta the world man. The show really really found its proper footing this season. They were smart to keep the cheating for only two episodes and explore the repercussion for the other 8. 

1.Devi Vishwakumar.

Let’s start with the main character.  Devi still does immensely fucked up shit this season. Dating two boys and have them find out in the MOST humiliating way possible. Yikes. Being a really sucky friend to Aneesa and starting that rumour about her (inadvertently) and pretending to her. Stalking her mother and being possessive of her. The really awful apology that was pretty self centred, a bit not good. 

 But she really does do her best to improve and I am SO proud of that. She uses her father’s advice and apologizes better to Aneesa, she actually handled the Ben and Aneesa dating WAAAAY better than I’ve seen some people handle things like that. I might’ve blown a fuse if two of my friends had 4 tickle fights and had major PDA sessions when we were trying to do a group project. Like she handled that shit fairly well all things considered. Devi actually gets into the beginnings of delving into her trauma and her temporary paralysis and healing from it. I

 really see how the label ‘crazy’ weighs on her and how she blew up with it and the message of destigmatizing mental illness. (Crazy Aneesa and Crazy Devi)  Her properly bonding with her mother and watching videos of her father and remembering/honouring his memory hit REALLY HARD (since I lost many people in my family recently and that fear of forgetting them has been real). Devi is actually beginning to heal from the loss of her father by strengthening the relationship with her Amma. And the slap from Paati was so so needed, it really gave her a better respect of her mother and fixed the problem I had with Devi mouthing off so much to her Amma. I live to see good maamiyar marumagal relationships. Her relationship with Paxton is really good and it gets developed very logically and having her be scared of being pathetic but in the end she accepted her own self worth and stopped chasing after them which was good. 

Overall Devi really blossomed into her own developing person and I actually like her so much more this season. 

2. Paxton Hall Yoshida

I was honestly, like genuinely sad last season he was like 80% eye candy with not much else going for him. Paxton had so much faith as a character and Ms Kaling has really pulled him into such a better person this season. 

Paxton got hit by a car before swim season, lost his ticket to college and wow, got two timed by a girl he liked all in two episodes. If he was salty about that for more than one season I would’ve completely accepted it. Cause that’s a bad public humiliation. 

Paxton episode really really made me love him as a character (honestly more so than Ben) I think because I heard Paxton’s entire worry and irritation that he was being underestimated and no one really expected him to go to college from a friend of mine not more than a month ago. That shit is real, and it hurted my friends a lot that people were really underestimating them and just seeing them as a dumb athlete who has no hope of college. It’s really nice to see Paxton actually want to go to college and learn Japanese American side with his Oji-chan giving him advice and supporting him. And him bringing his grandfather to speak about the internment camps, that seriously do not get spoken about enough.

Also him putting effort and making a genuine effort to work hard and bring up his grades with Devi and therefore bonding with her was really nice to see. I wouldn’t mind them being endgame but Devi does really work a lot better as his pushy Indian mom/best friend/tutor.  And Devi getting mad at him for him expecting him to hold his hand throughout really hit well. Was it deserved yeah. But Devi also did blow him off after promising him to study so his anger is justified there. I’m just kinda vibing with Paxton like coming up and taking a better interest in school and being a full 3D character. And that one scene where he gives the extra credit presentation and Trent high fives the man. Classic. 

Can I also just say, it’s kinda valid that Paxton didn’t want to date her in public. Is it a dick move...yeah? But he’s within his rights to ask and she’s within her rights to deny. And he didn’t press her once she said no, he went along with it. And what Devi pulled on him is awful, and speaking as someone who’s seen popular kid cliques. Reputation really is important. Like what Devi did made Paxton lose face, if he gets back with Devi he ain’t gonna have any respect left in him. And Paxton was pretty right in deciding to not date her publicly, like even in the end he knows that his reputation is shot for what he did. Do we even know if Paxton has friends that aren’t fixated on his social status? Because becoming a social pariah without having any support of friends is gonna hurt like a bitch. Lord knows how Paxton gonna deal with it. I think Trent might be his only homie after the social downfall he will inevitably face. 

I’m just gonna say, Paxton is my favourite now and I’m really rooting for him. Something I decidedly did not do last season. I’m happy Ms Kaling developed him so much and got me interested. 

3. Ben Gross

Ah. Ben. Ben’s not my faaavouriteee.......like he’s fine. But I don’t love him. I can definitely see him and Devi becoming an almost endgame couple though. Especially with S2 ending. 

Ben is fine and he’s pretty developed, especially with his episode in S1 and it was good he took a backseat this season and let everyone else star. I feel like he’ll come back strong next season though. 

Personally do I ship him with Devi? No. I’ve been in a friendship with the similar competitive dynamic as Ben and Devi. And it was terrible. We loved to argue and we got each other’s super brainy side as Devi puts it. But we pushed each other faar too much and even the small things became arguments and each pthers achievements became jealousy. So yeah....I don’t have too much faith in the dynamic due to personal bias, but I’d love to see how it gets handled. 

Also my brother Ben, PDA is a thing and it is common courtesy to refrain from it. Man’s really going at it with Aneesa half the time. But also the moment where Aneesa sort of choked on the presentation and Ben’s irritation at it gave me BAAAD vibes. It feels like while Devi can match him, they might push each other too far, 

4. Kamala 

I LOVE KAMALA. Girl is an ENTIRE vibe. My sweetheart, love of my life. I could go on. I really like her development as well and the banter between her and Nalini. The part where Nalini practically said she looked like a call girl and she was like ippadi potathaan velaila mariyaatha kidaikum. I legit had to pause, scream in laughter for a good few seconds. 

They had such a good story with her and wanting to fight against the fact that they took her work and didn’t credit her and everyone was telling her to like take it bowing. Prasanth’s advice unfortunately checked out to me, because I’ve been told that all my life. My dad says it a lot and I know he doesn’t say it cause’ he doesn’t believe in me, but he loves me and wants my life to be easier and for me to succeed and his experience is that he’s had to deal with things like this and fighting won’t help. So yeah, what Prasanth said did not rub me the wrong way at all and I agreed with it and I’m fairly disappointed about that. I get that she got nervous and had cold feet about marriage but I do hope she and Prasanth can work this out through communication. Because I really don’t feel like Prasanth is the bad guy here. It’s just a miscommunication. 

So yeah, a LOT of Kamala’s storyline continues to really hit me hard. 

5. Nalini Vishwakumar

Nalini really had so much more screentime to blossom. I love that she has a good relationship with Mohan’s amma. It’s wonderful and I love it. Also I was shocked to see the house in Chennai. Like this house...in Chennai. The Chennai I’m used to and the Chennai they are used to are different Chennai’s. Basically wealth gap is crazy as hell and I was lowkey highkey confused if the actually shot this shit in Chennai. But props to the directors for putting some proper Tamil vibes in there. Like the scene where they kaala thottu kumbudurathu (touch the elder’s feet) before they leave for the US is so real and so vibes. I like that they decided to bring paati back. I was like hoping for it.

Also they really went at developing Nalini’s character as a workaholic mom who doesn’t get her daughter. That’s also a really common thing in Indian households with one working parent so I’m happy they portrayed that. I’m happy Nalini actually has a life outside her family portrayed and is still such a typical mother that it hits HARD. I love Nalini and she really developed as a character dealing with grief from Mohan’s death, the wish to move on with Dr.Jackson but knowing that she isn’t ready yet. 

They gave her character a life and proper working outside Devi and it really has shown to develop her character and impact her relationship with Devi. The advice to “just say yes” works with cousins and younger siblings as well, I’ve heard it before and used it..and it saves so much time. Especially with small children. 

(A memory I have is of my younger cousin going on and on about a princess and a castle and fighting a dragon and the witches and so much fantasy shit and ended with do you wanna come? I just clocked off my CCA’s and I had no energy left to question it so I just went yeah sure. Easiest decision, and 10/10 advice. )

6. Aneesa

I’m not gonna lie. I was skeptical of Aneesa and I didn’t like how Devi saw her in the trailer. But Aneesa reminds me so much of me....and its killing me. 

Also the scene where she charms the hell out of Nalini and paati ma has literally happened to me before. Most of my Indian friends hate it..because I was raised with a lot more traditional manners with my grandparents so me and my siblings all are old fashioned which parents LOVE. And I really saw that Aneesa charming them and Devi also realizing, Damn none of my friends actually treat my family the way they should be treated, perks of having an Indian friend. 

Also the scene where she gets Devi out of trouble is so so real. Because if you have one responsible friend that you parents trust, you could lie the hell to them, get you homie to back you up and it will work. Personal experience. So yeah, Aneesa character resonated with me a lot.

I also like that she wasn’t just a popular 1D Indian girl but she was genuinely cool and actually had proper issues and development where she gets more open to Sherman Oaks and actually kinda properly rebels against Noor, with having Ben as a boyfriend. 

I feel like Aneesa has a lot more potential for growth, especially with the relationship with Ms Noor and Aneesa acting as a foil to Nalini and Devi’s. Also, I feel like Aneesa can grow within her social status at school as well and have Devi maturely handle it. Aneesa I feel will really really challenge Devi’s ability to be mature. 

7. Eleanor and Fabiola’s plotlines

Okay like actually, major props to Ms Kaling man. This show touches so so many teen issues in one goddamn show. Emotionally manipulative relationships. So SO good. A lot of newer age relationships have a much more subtle and dangerous line of abuse that’s hard to find out. Like honestly it took me a while to see it as well and I realized oh fuck. oh fuck...I see it it’s bad. They really got the essence of Eleanor’s flamboyance matching with Malcom? (is it Malcolm..fuck it it’s Malcolm now) his “suaveness” and traditionally charming tendency. It made sense and it’s very realistic how Eleanor got played like a damn fiddle. I also again feel that the make up was faar to quick but I really appreciate that Eleanor got her own storyline with her step-mom and understanding of relationships instead of the show hyperfocusing on just Devi. I respect that a lot.  Petition to get a Eleanor narration episode. 

Fabiola’s storyline also was well taken. It’s an interesting added layer to the queer experience and how queerness can be expected to be performative and but really its all about being more of yourself. The idea that queer people don’t owe nobody anything or have to perform an ideal version of queerness and Fabiola struggling with that kinda hit. The part where they talked about her mother learning to support them and being Cricket? Queen/King. Like being trailblazers for the POC community and the LGBTQ+ community having overlapping struggles. Again, I liked that Fabiola was getting more personal screentime and less of her story revolving around Devi’s. 

8. Everything else

I liked that there was more Tamil being casually thrown around. Like the Kamala vaadi to hold the suitcase down as they zipped it together was funny and relatable. The accents were really interesting because I promise you, I had no clue what they were saying sometimes. Nalini’s dialogues in Tamil were like immensely difficult to understand, and my Tamil is fluent. This isn’t a criticism... I’m fairly certain the difference is to do with the regional difference. American Tamil and Malaysian + rural Tamil slang are going to have huge accent differences so there’s no surprise that I found Nalini’s Tamil hard to understand. 

I’m really really really meh about the Kamala and Manish/Mr Kulkarni thing. I still think she should sort it out with Prasanth maybe but I’m open to seeing where it goes. I might change my mind with it. 

This show like any other show had its highs and lows. But I really really do feel that NHIE season 2 managed to truly figure out what the hell it wants to do and developed into a very strong and very entertaining show in terms of representation and diversity. I’m looking forward to season 3. 

[scenariosofkonoha]

For the Country| Tobirama- Arranged Marriage AU

Part 7/15

Part 1| ... | Part 8

Masterlist

Word Count: 2.3k

Chapter Summary: Kagami and Tobirama go to the market and Kagami takes about y/n’s role in the Uchiha clan. Tobirama goes on to talk to y/n about taking Kagami for his team, but this is met with hesitation. Things get spicy after this chapter lol jk i forgot i added a fluff chapter in between this one and the spicy one

***

“Why are you so insistent on finding an orange?” Tobirama inquired as he looked down to the child who was pacing along his side, a child who was truthfully leading the way down the market trail. 

“Because,” Kagami started as he tightened his grip on the basket that was already filled with various vegetables.  “It’s for y/n. For training me with my eyes. She really likes them but they’re hard to find around here, you know?” he replied as he lifted his chin above the produce to better see his elder.  

“But why are you giving her a gift for training you? Most students don’t.”

Kagami gave a small frown, confusion overcoming his expression. “‘Cause she didn’t have to?” He offered, uncertainty weighing down his voice. “You know she’s got a lot going on with you and the hospital and the village and the clan and everything else,” he listed off the various dealings she seemed to have a hand in. “She didn’t have to train me, but she is, so the least I can do is buy her an orange.” 

Tobirama nodded. For as ornery as Kagami could be, there were times like this where he seemed much more mature than he should be.  Putting his hands in his pockets as they continued down the street, Tobirama continued to ask his questions. “And how’s that going? Training?” 

It was then that any uncertainty Kagami had been harboring vanished. With a squinty eyed smile, the young Uchiha gleamed. “Really good. She’s always been a good teacher, and her Sharingan’s strong- Madara trained her after all. Besides just being my sister, there was a reason I wanted her to train me.”  

“What?” Tobirama frowned, confusion flooding in. She had never mentioned anything of her Sharingan, or her training. Up until recently, he had only seen it activated a handful of times, all of which occurred during a mission before their marriage. The only uptick in instances of its appearance was due to her training of Kagami. Narrowing his eyes, Tobirama prodded at the comment.  “She never mentioned that she was trained by Madara?”

Kagami stitched his eyebrows together. “What do you mean?” he asked before offering clarifying information. “She was always Madara’s favorite when she was growing up. He trained her and our older brother, but he always said she was the most likely to survive. When she got older, she kinda shifted away from him, because he’s just… you know…?” Kagami failed to find the right word, but looked to Tobirama like he knew. “But she’s just not like that, and she ended up acting like a mediator for a lot of stuff.” Kagami shrugged as he admitted to information he thought his sister had already given. 

Tobirama was silent for a moment as he tried to process the information that had just been given to him. From what he had gathered over the nearly two years that all this had started, she always made her relationship with the clan leader seem as if it were nothing more than that: a superior and a subordinate. The fact that Madara and her used to be closer wasn’t fitting within the structure Tobirama had built within his head. 

Immediately reading into this silence, Kagami quickly threw in an additional tidbit to help placate his words. “Now they just kinda fight at meetings.” he added, turning his body to help project his words. “Uncle’s super strict and likes things the old way, but she tries to be flexible with us and the village, and it’s messy. She always stands up for the younger members at the meeting and how things are moving in the future. Most elders in the clan won’t listen to us, but they listen to her…” Kagami offered another truth that he probably shouldn’t have shared.

Diverting his gaze from the Senju, Kagami’s voice was quieter. “She’s done a lot for us… I’m sure you and the rest of the village would hate us even more than you already do if she hadn’t done the things she has…” 

The sharpness left Tobirama’s face for a moment as he saw the child speak more as an adult. There was almost a sense of guilt pooling within him as he came to know that even Kagami knew of his distrust. But more than the guilt of that, there was the alarming amount of sense that came into the many facets of his wife. That was why she was always so insistent on going to clan meetings. Even if she did not legally carry their name anymore, she went to fight and argue with the elders of her clan for within her generation and the following. From the sounds of it too, if she hadn’t been there, things would probably have been much different, but to what extent, Tobirama probably would never know. 

Knowing he should probably offer some support to the child, particularly because he mentioned him specifically, Tobirama tried. “Kagami…”

But his attempt was stopped by the very piece of fruit that started all of this. Acting as if nothing had just happened, Kagami diverted the conversation as he crossed over the street to the vendor. “Look! I found one!” Kagami perked up with a small laugh, ignoring any sense of pity that Tobirama would have given him.

Must have been a sibling trait… 

***

Gingerly placing a blanket over the pile of sleeping souls, the Uchiha was helpless to the smile that was across her demeanor. 

“How hard do you train someone so that they fall asleep on the floor?” Tobirama questioned, something that was almost resembling a joke, but there was a real inquiry in it. 

Stepping away from Kagami and the two cats that were cuddled alongside him, she looked over to her husband. “Oh, nothing he can’t handle.” she offered as she walked into the kitchen, joining Tobirama. “Besides, sleeping like a rock has always just been one of his quirks.” she admitted, her smile still present.

Tobirama nodded as they both sat down at the small table and poured tea.   

Cupping the drink in her hands and pulling it in, she gave a shrug as she mused. “I’ve questioned if it’s just a trait of being a child of a village. You don’t need to be on constant alert, so you get to sleep without worry.”

“He was born before the village formation though?”

“True, but kids his age don’t remember any of it.” she corrected. “And I’m glad he can hardly remember a time before the village...” she admitted, her voice softer this time. “He’s so kind and unburdened by the past that he can actually see a future…” she spoke, more to herself than to him, but the words were still there for him to hear. 

Sitting in the darkened room, Tobirama was halted by her comment, a heaviness weighing it down. There was that same despair he had seen earlier in the day, a despair that Tobirama had never really felt. 

Biting down on her lip, she looked down to her cup before matching Tobirama’s gaze. Inhaling as if the words hurt her, she tried not to show the weakness within her. “I know when you think of our family, your mind goes directly to Madara and Izuna, but…” she trailed, her eyes quickly darting to the mass of blankets in the room next to theirs before continuing. “There are ones like Kagami, and please don’t let them limit him…” she spoke, her voice close to a beg. 

Setting his cup down, Tobirama exhaled, not sure how the next moments were going to go.  “I wanted to talk to you about that. About Kagami.” he replied, constantly analyzing her behavior to try and predict her reactions. 

A small frown came upon her face as she filled with concern. “Yes?” 

Tobirama had thought of this for a while, but particularly in the month that Kagami had lived with them, time where Tobirama had been able to see Kagami train and succeed. Tobirama knew what he wanted, he just needed permission. “Hashirama is insisting I have a team that I train from genin on up. ” he started, his voice strong as he were voicing a proposal to the village.

“I’m listening, but I don’t like where this is going.” 

This was about how Tobirama expected this to start out. “Y/n. I want him as a student. I think he’s capable and he listens and he has potential.” Tobirama admitted, offering compliments that normally wouldn’t be given. “Potential that’s unique, and can be cultivated for what this village will need.” 

Shaking her head, she denied any of it. “No, Tobirama. He’s still a child.” she was firm. “And he’s got at least another year in the Academy before he can even attempt the genin examination.” 

“But he doesn’t need it; he could pass that test right now.” Tobirama refuted. “He’s already ahead of all his peers and most of the year above him. And with you training him with the Sharingan, that puts him even further ahead of the others in the Academy. It would be a disservice to him to keep him in there.” he continued his counter. “You would be limiting him.” 

Placing her cup down and folding her hands on the table, she continued her defense. “He’s a child, and we don’t need child soldiers anymore…” she insisted. “Stop trying to take away his childhood.” 

Tobirama sighed. “Those aren’t my intentions, but I’m being realistic. We’re going to be in a war probably within the next 5 to 10 years with how tensions are rising with the other villages. That gives us time to train the young ones now, so they don’t have to go out as child soldiers like we did.” he said, his voice harsher than it had been previously as told the reality of the future. 

She placed a hand over her mouth to hide her expression as she looked away from him. He had a point, but it was still not something she wanted to come to terms with. It wasn’t the fact that they would be in another war; it was the fact that in the next one, Kagami would have to fight in it. Shaking her head again, she chose to not make eye contact. “No, Tobirama. I’m.. I’m not having this conversation.” 

“Why not?” he prodded. “Do you want him to die because he couldn’t reach his potential?” 

“Of course not!” she snapped back. “Why would you ask such a thing?” she gritted her teeth.

Though he was unforgiving in his advancements. “That’s what’s going to happen.” he retorted. “I’ve already thought this through, y/n. You’re right, he’s balanced and unaffected by the Uchiha hatred- just as you are. If he can train under someone outside of your clan, strengthen skills he wouldn’t be able to if were to be trained within the clan in addition to you training him with the Sharingan, he’ll be prepared to go out in the field when the time comes.” 

She was frustrated by the sound logic. Letting her head fall forward onto her hand, she shrugged. “I can’t. No.” 

“Why not?” 

“I just can’t, okay?” she repeated. 

Narrowing his eyes, Tobirama knew better than to believe she was declining this just because she could. “I know you have a reason. Why?”

She fell silent.

“Y/n-”

“Because the other three had died by Senju hands, and now you're expecting me to willingly give up Kagami to you all!” she nearly hissed as she threw a hand out. “I just can’t give this approval without it feeling like I'm delivering him a death sentence.” she confessed, her eyes glossy now, constantly fighting back tears. Last thing she wanted was to cry in front of him, but this was one of her weak points.  

Tobirama just listened for a moment. Even though their union had been working, the distrust was still there, and it was strikingly evident in that moment. She hid hers better than he did, but in that moment, she couldn’t deny it. “Y/n.” he tried to regain control of the conversation.

“What do you want?” she breathed out, trying to compose herself. 

“I don’t want him to get hurt either,” he said. “I can protect him until he can fully protect himself.” 

Straightening up at this comment, she looked at him almost bewildered. Never did she think she would hear these words from him, and as she sat there, hearing these truths, she was finding it difficult to process. 

“I get that he’s the baby. He’s the one you can still protect, but you won’t be able to forever, so might as well make it so he can protect himself early on.” he stated harshly, trying to make her see past her sentimental inhibitions. “I can get this order sent out tomorrow, and it will be done, but I want your permission on all this.”

She shook her head. “Even if I say, ‘yes,’ the clan won’t approve it….” 

He looked unphased. “If it’s a village order, they’re not in any position to refute it.” He delivered the truth. “I don’t care what your clan has to say. I’m asking for your permission.” 

“Why mine?” she asked, almost scoffing at it. “I’m not the leader.”

“But you’re the one who cares.” he snapped. “Madara’s not going to protect him. He tossed you into the marriage without a second thought. Do you think he’s really going to protect Kagami?” Tobirama was curt, continuously delivering the blows. 

She closed her eyes as a sigh escaped her. He was right, and that left her cornered. 

“I’ll ensure his safety...”

Gritting her teeth, she nodded. “I’ll approve it….” she nearly whispered. “And I’ll defend it in the clan,” she affirmed, her voice increasing as she met Tobirama’s gaze. 

“Thank-”

“But you have to swear, on your life, that you will protect him.” she gave the ultimatum. 

“I will.”

[rpgmgames]

November’s Featured Game: Grimm's Hollow

DEVELOPER(S): ghosthunter ENGINE: RPG Maker 2003 GENRE: Indie RPG, Adventure WARNINGS: Discussions of death, losing a loved one, grief SUMMARY: Grimm’s Hollow is a spooky, freeware RPG where you search the afterlife for your brother. Reap ghosts with your scythe, explore haunted caves, and eat ghostly treats on your journey through death.

Download the game here! Our Interview With The Dev Team Below The Cut!

Introduce yourself! *BB: My name's Bruno and I did some of the music along with Nat! I’m super happy to have participated in this game! *NW: I’m Nat Wesley, a.k.a. Natbird! I’m a composer available for hire with a few projects in the works. I’m honored to have had the chance to work on the soundtrack to Grimm’s Hollow! *GH: Hello! I go by ghosthunter online; I started developing RPGs with a friend in school when we found out that we both enjoyed RPG Horror. I enjoy art, webcomics, cartoons and narrative-driven indie games a lot. I bought RM2K3 on sale and started pouring pixel art into it, before learning how to do things like chase scenes, cutscenes, etc. I used to fantasize about making my own game, drawing dungeons and ghosts in the back of my sketchbooks, before I finally started Grimm’s Hollow. Now I’m near the end of high-school, and I’m hoping the best for uni!

What is your project about? What inspired you to create this game initially? *GH: Grimm’s Hollow, originally, wasn’t as ambitious or personal. It was simply just going to be “my first game”, something that I could finally put my doodles and RM2K3 skills to. I wanted a game that a younger me would have enjoyed, back when I first discovered the classic RPGMaker games and replayed them constantly for those endings. That was my initial inspiration. It eventually evolved into an action turn-based RPG that relies on timing, yet it’s mostly narrative-driven. You traverse death in search of your sibling, and try to make an escape. There are unexpected pieces of me that ended up in this game, some of which I’m still noticing even now.

How long have you been working on your project? *GH: Since the summer of June 2018.

Did any other games or media influence aspects of your project? *GH: Standstill Girl, OFF by Mortis Ghost, Undertale, Over The Garden Wall, and the animation medium in general.

Have you come across any challenges during development? How have you overcome or worked around them? *GH: Many! Making your first game is such a giant learning curve, that the list of challenges goes on. I would say that the most difficult issue I encountered (and that, in some ways, I am still facing after release) is working around the limitations of the game engine I am using. I wanted to see whether creating an engaging but simple 1-party RPG in RM2K3 (without going completely custom) was feasible, and I experimented with quick time events as part of that. I worked around the engine’s built-in formulae so players could see progress when they upgraded their stats - although the game might display as defence as “10”, in reality the game stores it as 40 since the engine splits defence by 4. Since I did not want to create an RPG which was too complex for my first game, I also scrapped traditional staples such as armour or weapons. There were also issues such as having an appropriate “game over” handling event which wouldn’t shoot you back to the title screen after you lost a battle; getting RM2K3 to play a small cutscene where you faint and respawn somewhere else was tricky. I felt that if the player had to reload after a loss, it would disrupt the game flow.

Have any aspects of your project changed over time? How does your current project differ from your initial concept? *GH: Like I mentioned before, the game started off impersonal. I just had a soft spot for a spooky cute aesthetic, and I wanted to indulge in that. It was (and in its essence, still is) meant to be a short story, to keep the player invested for the short game length - nothing grandiose. The original draft did not have Baker play a role in the narrative - he was just an ordinary shopkeeper NPC. For a long time during development, Lavender did not even have a name. In the very first draft, she was a silent protagonist the player could name and customize. But she played a very active role in the final outline, so it was hard not to give her own unique voice when one emerged from the narrative naturally. I am glad I did; she grew on me quite quickly! Grimm was virtually unchanged from beginning to end. The only difference was that a close friend suggested that he seemed like he would be into drinking Oolong tea - so that’s what he offers you when you meet him. Timmy also did not go under massive overhauls like Lavender and Baker did, but his relationship with Lavender became much more fleshed out as I wrote the narrative. In other facets of the game’s design, there were not many changes to the original prototype.

What was your team like at the beginning? How did people join the team? If you don’t have a team, do you wish you had one or do you prefer working alone? *GH: It was just myself, doing the art, writing, programming, etc. But halfway through creating the second cave, I realised I would need a very specific sound for Grimm’s Hollow. So, I contacted Nat for music, but I also created a post on tumblr calling for a composer since there were many tracks to make. I met Bruno as a result! I am very happy with their work and I am so grateful I’ve got to work with them! (Some players are asking for an OST release, which is in the works).

What is the best part of developing a game? *GH: I really enjoyed the early stages of development: creating new tilesets, sprites and maps and piecing them together in the editor, then taking a small screenshot and sharing it with my friend over summer vacation … It was nice to see the game’s world slowly come together. I think that’s what I enjoyed the most from beginning to end: that sense of world-building, that sense of relaxation from making a small cosy game. The latter started to disappear as work and other responsibilities started to intrude, and pressure began to seep into development time - but I never stopped loving making the world and characters. I also want to say that, by lucky chance, I have met a lot of kind people from making my first game. I’m very grateful for that, so thank you to everyone.

Do you find yourself playing other RPG Maker games to see what you can do with the engine, or do you prefer to do your own thing? *GH: All the time! Other RPG Maker 2003 projects are great inspirations for pixel art tilesets, as well as how to code harder features such as custom menus. They’re also just fun to play.

Which character in your game do you relate to the most and why? (Alternatively: Who is your favorite character and why?) *GH: Lavender and Timmy are relatable to me in multiple ways. I can’t elaborate on Timmy since that would go into spoiler territory, but I somewhat relate to Lavender’s insistence on managing her life on her own - sometimes to her own detriment. I’d say the most fun character to write for was Grimm. He can be unintentionally silly while speaking in the most formal way, but also very caring too. Everything he does and says was easy to write, whereas I had to think harder for the interactions between everyone else - especially for very crucial scenes regarding their development. That being said, my favourite is still the game’s central two siblings. I can not pick between them for the life of me.

Looking back now, is there anything that regret/wish you had done differently? *GH: I wish I started testing even earlier! Not only does it give you a good sense of what’s missing, but seeing people enjoy what you’ve made yet get hindered by bugs is a very strong incentive to fix your game immediately. When I was lacking motivation or was stuck, I found that good feedback and support made me motivated again. I also wish that I could have pushed the deadline a little further, or perhaps released the game on Early Access since it will take me a while to refine post-release bugs - but as it is, the 31st of October really was the deadline for my game due to external circumstances (no, that deadline wasn’t just because it was Halloween!). Other than that, I wonder if using an updated version of RPG Maker would have produced the same game …? It’s hard to tell, but I hope people enjoy it for what it is - I will be working on that post-release patch soon!

Do you plan to explore the game’s universe and characters further in subsequent projects, or leave it as-is? *GH: There are no current plans, but I would be happy to have the opportunity to improve and expand on the game. As it is, the game’s released for free and done as a hobby, so I would struggle to do that by myself.

What do you most look forward to now that you have finished the game? *GH: Earlier on, I was really looking forward to players’ reactions. Games are made to be fun, and I would have felt distraught if my game didn’t achieve what it was set out to do. Yet it was not just about the gameplay; it was about the narrative. I hoped that what I found funny, the player would too; what was heartfelt to me, was heartfelt to the player as well. Like sharing a laugh, or just a good experience together. I hoped they would enjoy the feeling that went into it, despite the struggle of making it against circumstance and limitations. Now, I look forward to resting and sleeping once this over. I want to explore my other interests, improve, and explore new media. I want to relax, and refocus again like I was before the heat of development.

Is there something you’re afraid of concerning the development or the release of your game? *GH: Bugs! Some are easy to fix, but others are harder due to the limitations of the engine (e.g an error in one ending is caused by an overflow error).

Do you have any advice for upcoming devs? *GH: Show your game as early as possible, to as many people as possible. As soon as you have something playable, it’s ready for feedback. You’ll see if that game mechanic you spent hours refining works, or if it doesn’t work and why. You’ll understand what players enjoy and what they want more of, but also what they don’t like or don’t enjoy. And you will definitely encounter bugs. You’ll be able to pinpoint and fix minor problems early on that can easily become a larger issue later. You’ll be able to fine-tune your game so its best bits shine, and the difficulty is just right.

Question from last month's featured dev @dead-dreams-dev: Is there anything you’ve added to your game for no other reason than because you’re hoping fans will get a kick out of it? Fanservice, fourth wall breakage, references to other games, jokes, abilities that are just ridiculously overpowered and badass, etc? *GH: It’s hard to say; game design is trying to find the intersection between what’s good for the player, what the developer enjoys, and what’s feasible to implement. Every decision made should be conscious of that … I think a lot of the game’s early light-hearted jokes was not only made because I enjoyed it, but I hoped the player would “get a kick out of it” too. But more so, I think it’s because I would struggle to write a story which is serious and bleak from beginning to end. The game is a little self-indulgent in the narrative that way.

We mods would like to thank ghosthunter & team for agreeing to our interview! We believe that featuring the developer and their creative process is just as important as featuring the final product. Hopefully this Q&A segment has been an entertaining and insightful experience for everyone involved!

Remember to check out Grimm's Hollow if you haven’t already! See you next month! 

- Mods Gold & Platinum

[streets-in-paradise]

Fictional Sibling relationships i live for

I had been thinking about this topic lately and decided i would like to make a post about it because it is a very fun and interesting one for me. I had mentioned a few times here that in terms of fandom involvement i am more invested in family and frienships than in shippings, particulary i have a fixation with strong sibling bonds or sibling like friendships. I think it must be because i have a strong bond with my younger sister, i identify with that and that’s why i tend to get more involved and interested in this sort of character interactions. 

I will keep this just in movies, movie adaptations of books and tv shows because i don’t want it to be super long but still want to talk. In movie adaptations i will try to stay in movie’s territory as much as i can, if i add commentary on the book versions this would never end but i may slip a bit towards it because i can’t help it. 

As always, i make the disclaimer over the images i will use here, they belong to the sites where i found them.  

Sorry for my pathetic language skills in english. 

Note: this got so long that i will probably make a second part for more characters i coulnd’t include 

Boromir and Faramir in lotr 

Lotr is full of great material for people who, like me, obsess over families. Frodo and Bilbo, Merry and Pippin, Elrond and Arwen, Theoden ,Eowyn and Eomer are other great examples of family relationships i’m interested on from here ( i pretty much love to overthink stuff about almost all the lotr family relationships). I choose to talk about this bros because they have a particular place in my heart. How many times we had seen the common trope of a royal or noble family where the father is a dick who gives all his love and attention to the older brother, neglects the little one causing him to grow up resentfull and ending up as a villian while dad’s favourite is the hero of the tale? Not this time, and it is so refreshing. 

Boromir and Faramir choose each other over their father’s bullshit, you can see it in the lovely deleted scene the gif up here comes from. When Denethor shows up they are both annoyed, when he is mean to Faramir Boromir calls him out and tries so hard to make him show some appreciation for his youngest son. it is clear that, in this version, Boromir is more family to Faramir than his father ever was. I love how much they care for each other, how they pass beyond the differences. Boromir is a super amazing big bro, i love how he protects Faramir and is there for him instead of letting his father’s praise get in between. I could talk for hours about this two because i love them so much. I’m doing a hard effort in stopping myself from throwing a whole set of headcanons i have for them so i will stop now before i get too excited. 

Fili and Kili in The Hobbit

Staying in Middle Earth for one more mention i had to talk about this two. Being fully honest, the movies broke my heart because they took the exact opposite way i would had wished for. When they were introduced In An Unexpected Journey this two adorable brothers were one of my favourite aspects of it because i loved their Merry and Pippin like dumb chaotic energy. One of my biggest complains with the Hobbit adaptation is to have shifted the narrative of the strongly family focused story arc of the Line of Durin. Kili’s romance with Tauriel shifted the focus and, in my particular perspective, i hated that because i was already super involved in the family story. Besides from the “I belong with my brother”  iconic line we don’t see much more of Fili and Kili’s bond after the introduction of Tauriel. In fact, Fili loses a lot of his initial screentime in Desolation of Smaug and Battle of the Five Armies.

 I love this two, the relationship with their uncle as it was introduced in the first film and i would had loved to see more of their family dinamic explored. One of my biggest complains, besides from the change of focus on their supposed ending, is that i’m convinced that they should had entered the mountain with the rest of the company. It is such an important moment they would probably waited for since they were children, is the legacy of their family. In short terms, i love them and i would had loved to keep seeing future developments of the Line of Durin story they had in AUJ. 

Hector and Paris in Troy 

This two represent the opposite case. The relationship they have in this movie is very different from the source material but i love the great development it has here. It is outstanding to see the importance the sibling bond has in a movie that is supposed to be about a war caused by a romantic passion. 

The sons of King Priam are absolute opposites. Hector is the embodiment of a true hero, a Steve Rogers of ancient times. His strong caring nature and will to protect everyone reminds me of Boromir as well. Unlike Faramir,Paris is a freaking mess. He is the careless, adventurous and reckless little brother Hector ends up protecting every single time he gets into trouble. I had stated before that i think Paris is a selfish prick but i think that is a slight confussion of mine with the original. This Paris is more a reckless dumbass and, unlike Iliad Paris, his arc in the movie it’s a bit more simpathetic. In this version Helen is trapped in a loveless marriage to an old prick who treats her like trash (in the director’s cut Menelaus jokes about how he only cares for his wife for breeding purposes on a conversation with Hector). I can understand at some point that, if he trully fell in love with her, he felt horrible for letting her stay there as a prisoner of her husband. Going back to the my focus for this talk, i like that the movie had decided to make this two close brothers who actually care for each other despite being absolute opposites instead of two guys who barely know each other, are barely aware of being brothers and share only hatefull interactions. 

Hector’s protectiveness over Paris warms my heart. He had threated him a few times ( director’s cut has the “ i will rip off your pretty face from your pretty skull” excharge. I love that scene), he gets furious at him for his foolishness, they argue but when the time comes he always chooses to protect him. Honestly, that’s such a big bro thing, i can’t help to feel identified. The weight that this relationship has in the development of the story is a surprising thing and it makes everything more tragic. Paris being the killer of Achilles has a more significant meaning because, now it’s not just the irony of the weakest character killing the strongest. Paris is aware that he owns the memory of his fallen brother so much, he wants revenge. Hector was there for him all his life, the least he can do for him is to kill his killer and avenge his death. Briseis begs him to stop but he can’t let himself do that, he owns it to Hector and that debt is bigger than anything. 

I will not delay this any longer, the family relationships on this movie are my favourite aspect of it and i have a soft spot for the bond between the trojan princes. Don’t get surprised if i one of this days i end up making an entire separate post talking about the family dinamics displayed in the film (same goes for lotr but that would take me ages and i would have to make an entire series of posts if i wanted to discuss every lotr family relationship i would want to talk about). 

Sam and Dean Winchester in Supernatural 

If you reached this point you may had noticed that i have a big thing with family tragedies involving siblings. Supernatural is my favourite show because it combines lots of elements i love. To mention just a few: horror, mythology,classic rock and a strong family approach in its pretty tragic but outstanding plot. 

Sam and Dean are one of my favourite duo of bros of all time. I don’t think i have a lot to say about them because their relationship has been analized lots of times by the very big fanbase of the show. My main difference with the common interpretation is that i don’t see the Winchester family in a similar way to the movie versions of the Steward of Gondor and his sons, which means i don’t think John has been the shittiest father ever despite his many mistakes. Unlike movie Denethor he tried hard and in the interactions we saw of him with his boys he actually cares for both of them. 

This bros were the ones that made me realize in an actual concient way of my tendency to get too attached to families, story arcs regarding them and sibling love. I’m super attached to this story, i don’t know what the hell i’m going to do with my life once it ends. 

I will end this post here. It is more than sure that there would be a part two because i have tons of more brothers,sisters and other family relationships to talk about. 

Thanks to everyone who has read my very long ramble 

[jj-lynn21]

An Unexpected Adventure Ch 3: Nature

Ch 3:Nature 

  Ch 1: Booked   Ch 2: Teatime, Ch 4: Waterfalls

Tags:@rainbowmoosie, @melodys4029​, @loomiz​, @eliza123sworld​, @super-pink-a-palouza​, @bskarsgardlove92​, @dragsraksllib​ ,@0cean-witch​, @grandpa-sweaters​, @katieskrsgard​,  @sugiseto​, @badccaptain​,  @wikiss21​  @skrsgardspam​ @skarsgardsslut​  

Notes: fluff, shock, an ode to no cellphones

Genna tossed and turned all night having nightmares about not making her deadline. Losing every bit of the credibility and trust her first book brought to her career. Losing her friend and publisher to someone that obviously wanted it more than she did. All these thoughts did nothing to help her creativity level. When she woke, she was a void of any ideas what to really focus on in her writing as she had been since she got there. It was time to do something drastic. Just walk away for a while.  

The best way to clear her head was to take Istvan up on his morning walk offer. The fire had burned out over night, but her appreciation for him only burned stronger. She was determined to make up for how she had treated him when they first met. Put all the book writing thoughts in the back of her mind just for a few hours. Being in nature was bound to get ideas flowing once she got back to work. 

Genna put a pot of coffee in a large thermos and a zip lock of crackers in her backpack purse. She dressed in layers since it was cooler now but once the sun was high in the sky the forecaster called for an unusual swing back to the 70s.  She decided on her athletic shoes over her boots because they were more comfortable. The boots she wore there were made for fashion more than hiking.  

She took a deep cleansing breath as she walked out of the cabin. The air was fresh. Genna could smell wildflowers that had not given up their life to the overnight frost yet. She looked around for her guide. Istavan waved with a great big dopey smile on his face. She trotted over to him.

“Good morning, Istvan.”

“Good morning, Genna.” He had a backpack flung over his shoulder. “I’m glad you decided to join me. There is so much beauty here you cannot see from the small windows in the cabin.”

“Show me everything.” Genna adjusted her pack as she walked with him. “I brought coffee and snacks. And my cellphone to take some pictures. I am looking for inspiration.”

“I hope you find what you want.” He helped her up a particularly steep hill. “Just relax and take it all in without sharing with the world for once in your life. It is perfectly fine not to share every experience you have.”

“That is crazy talk.” She giggled joking.  

He smirked.  

Once they arrived at a paved trail it was easier to walk. “At the end of this trail there is a nice clearing to stop for a break. I have a blanket, coffee, water, and baloney sandwiches in my pack.”

“Between us we have quite a feast.” She did her best to keep up with him but two of her steps equaled one of his..

He nodded. “Stop right here.” Istvan put his hand up stopping on the trail. “Listen to what surrounds us.”

“What is it?” She was a little frightened by his tone.

“Shhhh.” He put a finger to his plump kissable lips. “Don’t be scared. Close your eyes.” Istvan walked around behind her. “Relax. Take a breath and just listen to nature.”

His voice gave her chills. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath of the fresh air around her. It smelled nothing like the big city. It felt nothing like the city. There was a light breeze. The sun kissed her face. Some squirrels squealed at each other in the trees. Birds were chirping not quite ready to leave for the south.  She opened her eyes as she grabbed for her cellphone to snap a memory.

He took her wrist lightly. “Don’t do it Genna. Just enjoy our surrounding. Let it just be ours.”

She looked at him like he was insane. “But shouldn’t everyone know the beauty here so they will come, Istvan? I am sure you have posted pictures on your accounts to help your business.”  

“I don’t have any social media accounts.” He admitted. “There is one website that does have professional photos of the cabins and the hiking trail. I like it here because it is free from all that. No one, especial strangers need to like what you are doing for you to enjoy it yourself. Just take it in.” He took a deep exaggerated breath in and let it out. “Stay here with me in this moment. Don’t disappear into technology, Genna.”

“All right.” She slid the phone back into the side of her pack.  

“Now really look at everything you could have missed with a phone in front of your face.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Is this okay?”

She nodded yes.

“The squirrels we hear are right there chasing each other in that tree.” He pointed.

His beard tickled her cheek and she laughed. “Your beard tickles.”

“I’m sorry,.” He stood up straighter. Istvan had not really been close to anyone in months. It had been years since he felt like being as close to someone as he did her.  

“It’s all good.” She smiled and he smiled back. “What other things can you point out that I might not be catching?” She was trying to get fully immersed in the moment as he suggested.  

“Did you hear the rustling in the tall brush over there?” He gets closer again but tries not to let his beard touch her.

“Yes.”  

“I happen to know that a family of bunnies live there.” He gentle rubbed her arms. “If we are still and quiet maybe one will hop over towards the glen or many of them will. The younger ones seem to take chances like that even if I am here.”  

They waited. She leaned into him more, so he held her more securely. She did not giggle again when his beard brushed against her cheek. The bushes started rustling more in several spots. Then a little nose poked out sniffing. A few pairs of long grey ears with pink centers poked up. It was quick when they moved. Three curious baby bunnies made their way across the path right in front of Istvan and Genna.

Genna covered her mouth so she did not squeal in delight while the bunnies crossed. One stopped to look at them for just a split second before running off after its sibling. “They are so precious.”  

“Yeah, come on.” He led her down the trail more. “The clearing is right in the direction they went hopping.”

She stayed close to him. “Are there any dangerous animals around here?”

“Black bear, coyote, and a few different kinds of poisonous snakes in the wetlands.” They came to the clearing and walked a few feet in where Istvan laid out the blanket holding it down with his pack and hers. “I have a kit with anti-venom. Bears and Coyote are mostly afraid of people unless you leave food out at night.”

“I will hold you to that.” She takes her jacket and hoodie off to get more comfortable. The sun has made it warmer. She took out her coffee thermos and crackers.

He took out what he brought and takes off his hoodie also. “Sandwich?”

“Thank you.” She took one. “You can have some of these crackers with your sandwich.”

“Thanks.” He took a few from the baggy. After they ate taking in the nature around them instead of talking, Istvan laid back on the blanket closing his eyes. “It is nice to just listen to nature with eyes closed and your heart open.”

“I guess.” She glanced around at what seemed to be empty space. “Have you always lived like this, Istvan. Grown to be a Mountain man?”

He chuckled as he opened his eyes and held his strong upper body up on his elbows. “I grew up as a spoiled kid in New York City. My Dad was a Soap actor and my Mom a lawyer. We started coming out to the woods to camp when I was around ten. My Father built the family cabin himself. After I graduated high school my gift was building my own cabin.”

“Hard labor does not sound like a gift.” Genna interceded.  

“Yeah, I thought that at the time.” He continued. “It was the last time I really spent any time with him. He and my sister built the cabin you are staying in for her before she went off to college. She worked hard from the beginning as she always did in school. I did what I always did at NYU. I got in some trouble for fighting. Partied so much I can barely remember most of my time there. Still I managed to get passing grades in business school. When my parents got in a car accident driving here from the city in the dead of winter to set up for a family Christmas, they left the cabins to me and my sister.”

“That is …" She put her hand to her heart. “It is just so tragic. I’m sorry you lost them right before the holiday.”

“It was a lot to handle but helped me grow up.” He sighed. “My sister can barely deal with being here. I took over the cabins turning them into a business. That was five years ago. I ended up loving this place after a year. At this point I can’t even imagine going back to living in the city.”

“I do enjoy the silence when I work.” She laid down beside him.  

Istvan put his arm under her head lying back down with his eyes closed. “Now close your eyes, Genna. Take a deep breath and listen.”  

They laid there for a minute just silent and still. “This is maybe the best thing I ever felt.”

He leaned on his side. “Now that is a tragedy.”  

She opened her eyes to his inches away. Her heart seemed to skip at the weight of his stare. Then he glanced above her head before looking at her again.

“On the count of three I need you to get up as quick as possible.” He reached for the machete attached to the side of his pack. “One...”

“What?” And then she heard it. A rattle and hiss.

“Two, three.” Istvan pulled her up with one hand as he cut the head off the striking timber rattlesnake.  

She was in shock as he held up the body of the snake that was half his length. “It's okay now. It’s dead.” After dropping the carcass to the grown he put the machete away. “Are you alright, Genna?”

She nodded yes slowly even though she was still disturbed.  

[thecandywrites]

Of Heaven and Fire Part 3

Woo! Do you have any idea how long it took to dig through Pintrist to find ANYTHING like what I imagined moura marks to look like? Forever. And even then, like, kinda sorta. Tagging @probablyclever @funmadnessandbadassvikings and @imherefortheforthefanart​ Enjoy a big heaping pile of AWKWARD. Mr. Asshole isn’t all badass and confidence. Especially when faced with a half naked moura. Hehe. And yes, I was inspired by Bambi, right before he got twitterpated. In case you missed it- Part 1 and Part 2 

Rhoslan’s estimate of the boats returning to sea in a few days was horribly inaccurate- it took two weeks and you couldn’t help but feel it was Brock that was dragging his feet about it even though you witnessed Brock himself working at the docks on Cugas’ ship nearly every day, doing the god’s only knew what. But you took this time to rest and recover as much as you could, eating what you felt was your own body weight in food which everyone seemed keen on feeding you almost constantly, gaining as much strength back as you could, sunning yourself on the roof as much as you could too. At least your hosts were kind and welcoming and certainly didn’t treat you like a captured soldier of war, if anything they treated you like a guest, which you were grateful for and Brock’s words had proved true- in that when you were kind and respectful, you were treated kindly and with respect. 

When it was finally time to depart you and Brock went to the docks. 

“Permission to come aboard captain.” You requested as you stood on the dock, watching Cugas’ crew get everything together as he came up from securing things below deck. 

“Permission granted.” He laughed before you walked across the plank to walk onto the ship, followed closely by Brock. 

“Welcome aboard, let me show you around.” He offered as he showed you around the ship before he showed you a cabin where you would be staying. It was the most quaint little room you had ever been in. You could tell someone put a lot of thought and effort into decorating it. It had its own little balcony, it had a comfy bed and even it's own window. It was surprisingly roomy and luxurious and you could both see and smell the new wood in the room and it smelled more like Brock in this room than it did Cugas as you realized- Brock did this for you, Cugas helped decorate it, but Brock did most of the actual building and you didn’t quite know how you felt about it. 

“Do you like it?” Cugas asked hopefully as both him and Brock seemed particularly keen on the answer to that. 

“I love it, I have never had a room all to myself before.” You explained as you looked around, touched and grateful for it all as Cugas and Brock both smiled happily. 

“Really?” Cugas asked. 

“I have five older siblings, and six younger ones, in a house no bigger than the warchief’s house. All the girls in one room, all the boys in another while my parents keep the babies with them until they’re weaned and potty trained.” You revealed as you walked around, marveling at it all. You had never been on a ship before and it was absolutely novel. 

“Holy shit, that’s a lot of kids.” Cugas chuckled as he leaned against the wall as Brock leaned against the door. 

“Not really, heavenly moura count their kids by the dozen. Most have at least two to three dozen kids, they’re obsessed with seeing how many ways their genetics can combine, mountain moura usually only have six to a dozen and a half though. Still a lot I guess, but they’re all made out of love rather than an obsession with genetics.” You shrugged. 

“So where will you two be staying?” You asked before Cugas showed you his captain quarters which were only slightly bigger than your own but was decorated similarly, very over the top while Brock’s room was as plain and utilitarian as it could be but right next door, between your room and Cugas’ room, Brocks’ room was actually smaller than your own, like he had taken half of his and gave it to yours. 

“So how long will it take to get out there?” You asked as you all walked back up to the top deck. 

"About three days." Cugas answered as you nodded in understanding. 

When the boat moved away from the dock and out of the harbor, you could feel the waves rock the boat. Having never been on a ship before, you found yourself giggling and smiling as you got your sea legs before you noticed Brock seem to grow nauseated. 

“Seasick?” You guessed to Cugas with a nod in Brock’s direction as Cugas was steering the ship as Brock simply stood nearby and held his gut as Cugas nodded in confirmation before he taught you the finer points of sailing, showing you the various knots, taught you how the boat worked and showed you his map to show you how you were going to get to where you were going. The sun was shining, the breeze was strong, filling the sails and soon you got used to the gentle rocking of the ship. You felt half the clan was on these ships. 

By dinner time, Brock ate little other than a seafood stew and bread and some fruits and you felt he grew greener and greener but this time for a vastly different reason. 

It was midnight when you heard Brock hurl and just the sound was making you nauseated and the chain was trying to drag your leg out of bed towards the door before you sighed in defeat before you left your room and knocked on his door before you slipped in to see Brock hugging a bucket as he sat up in bed. 

“What?” He growled at you. 

“Give me the bucket please.” You requested before he begrudgingly gave it to you before you took it and dumped it out of his window then came back to his side. 

“Lay down.” You told him as you gently put your hand on his shoulder and gently had him lay back in bed before you crawled onto his belly, straddling it once more as his whole body stiffened. 

“What are you doing?” He asked in confusion. 

“Healing you.” You answered as you braced yourself up with your hands on his chest before you closed your eyes and focused before your moura marks reappeared on your skin, filling the room with their iridescent light as they started to pulse as your nightdress grew more sheer so he could see all of your body glow, becuase the more he could see, the faster this would go. 

“Just watch the marks.” You murmured as you opened your eyes to see him staring in awed wonder at you as the pulsing moura marks began to hypnotize him before his eyes grew heavier and heavier before they closed and he finally fell asleep and his whole body went lax before you let the marks stop pulsing as they started to fade as you blew out a breath of relief as you realized his hands had settled on your thighs before you looked back and noticed the chain had coiled around his leg like a vine, or perhaps a snake. 

“Oh my gods, really?” You complained as you went to pull your leg away but the chain wouldn’t budge before you looked back down at Brock who was sleeping blissfully away, the hint of a smile on his lips even. Damn him for being so adorable in the moment. 

“Well... fuck.” You huffed in defeat before you just laid down and got comfy on him at least. 

The man however was a fucking furnace! And before you knew it your night dress was super short and super thin to keep you comfortable before his arms moved the wrap around you which got you to squeak in surprise before you felt something hard bump into your center since your legs were still straddling him as your eyes snapped open and your cheeks practically glowed in the dark from their blush as you realized exactly what was poking you. 

“This can’t be happening.” You whispered as you buried your face into his chest before your own body reacted to his scent and the big hard thing poking at your center. Fuck. Your. Life. 

‘Traitor.’ you mentally hissed at yourself before the soft rocking of the boat and his own heat lulled yourself into a deep sleep. 

Come morning, you found yourself on your side, wedged between him and the wall wrapped up in his arms as his blanket was now over both of you as he was still sleeping, his arm your pillow and his elbow laying in the crook of your waist as his whole forearm took up most of your upper back and his hand was loosely splayed over your upper back and shoulders possessively as your own arm was wrapped around his chest while the other was tucked under your breasts which were pushed up against his chest, threatening to escape your clothes and you could tell the moment he woke up as his limbs started to squeeze you before he froze, his eyes snapped open and looked down at you.

“Good morning, did you sleep ok?” You greeted as you lazily opened your eyes and smirked at him as his cheeks got impossibly dark. 

“..Yeah.” He slowly answered and you could tell he wanted to know why you were there but was having trouble formulating words. 

“After I healed you, I went to leave but the chain was wrapped around your legs like a snake and I couldn’t leave, so I slept on you, hope that’s ok.” You explained. 

“Oh, uh, sorry.” He apologized as he withdrew from you. 

“Why does the chain do that?” You asked him before he fell out of bed completely and spilled onto the floor, taking the blanket with him, which he used to put over his groin, trying cover up the other “snake” in the room as you snickered a laugh, covering your mouth to keep your own volume in check because on the other side of Brock was Cugas’ room as you simply sprawled out on the bed and stretched, peeking to see Brock sitting on the floor and gulping as he gawked at you before you laid on your side and raised an eyebrow at him to answer your question. 

“I’m sorry what?” He asked. 

“Why does the chain always lead me to you and wrap around you?” You repeated. 

“Um, you know, I uh, I don’t quite know, the shaman simply thrust the chain and the cuff into my hands.” He answered defensively which made you hum, but you didn’t believe that for a minute.

“And why does my room smell like you?” You asked thoughtfully. 

“You know that chain doesn’t have to really be on there. Uh, I should, uh, I should take it off.” He suddenly insisted and got up on his knees next to the bed as he pressed himself to the side, trying to shield himself from your view and took the chain off the anklet before he noticed the marks on your ankle. “I am so sorry, why didn’t you tell me it was too tight?” He chided as he made the cuff looser.  

“You know what? Uh, that’s probably really uncomfortable. Here,” he stuttered before he moved the shackle up your leg, the shackle itself turning into a belt at your waist. 

“Sorry, I should’ve..um…” He apologized but wouldn’t look at you in the eye and his darkening blush was going down his neck into his chest and the poor guy was practically shaking with nerves. 

“Do you always get this nervous around women or is it just me that unnerves you?” You asked. 

“You know you should probably get back to your own quarters, don’t want, um.” He stuttered as he practically wrapped you in the blanket, and picked you up and carried you to your own room before he set you down and quickly left, leaving you to stand there, wrapped in his blanket, standing in your room completely dumbfounded by that turn of events. 

What. The. Ever-Loving. Fuck. 

[hcneysoaked]

sorry i love u but #30-50 for the hc meme c:

I DID IT thank u ily <33333

send me a # to learn an unusual hc about my muse!

30. is there something about their personality they want to change?

Oof, a few things, but none that he’d actually admit to. He just really wishes he was someone with a bit more… direction? He doesn’t care very much about impulsiveness, he feels it makes him more fun, but he wishes he was able to stick through with things, whether it’s projects, relationships, goals, whatever. He’s unable to really see ahead very well, so if he’s bored, he drops it and he knows its an outlook that keeps fucking him over and keeps him from really feeling satisfied, but he’s unsure of where to start and again, usually unwilling to put in the effort to try. 

31. do they have good fashion sense? or do they just wear whatever? I talked a little bit about that here, but he really enjoys putting outfits together and coordinating everything. Gives him a sense of being put together and definitely conveys that sort of image to other people. He leans more towards vintage/retro kinda style, usually thrifting a good amount of his clothes, but even then it’s not a super concise style.

32. do they critique others easily? do they judge from afar? Not so much judgy as he is nosy. Unless you’ve done something really awful, then he doesn’t feel he’s in any position to judge. Or if you’ve done something directly to him, then he might be more critical and way less objective.

33. are they too hard on themselves over the little things? Not so much for little things anymore, but he used to be. Growing up he’d feel guilty if he wasn’t doing things “right” or if he was caught in any sort of trouble, however small, but he’s definitely since grown out of that.

34. are they the jealous type? what are they most likely to be jealous of? Oh definitely, he can get jealous over just about anything. The whole dynamic he has with Simon is totally built on the jealousy over their parents favoring him, despite going out of his way to act out against them gbdjkfgd he just likes being everyone's favorite and gets upset when he isn’t.

35. are they possessive over their things? or over other people? Both? He can be a bit possessive of his things, but it’s not something that comes up often. Again, probably around his siblings gbjkdfg but even then its likely just to be a brat. He’s a lot more possessive with people, kinda going in hand with the jealousy stuff from above. He likes having their full attention, which can cause some conflict if its a newer relationship, but he tends to grow out of it too after that newness wears off.

36. would they rather be alone or in a relationship? He thinks he’d rather be in a relationship, but hasn’t been in many serious ones. They’re not really his strong suit, how ever bad he wants to date. He’s always eager to get to know people, and if he doesn’t feel that’s being reciprocated than he loses interest. Honestly, as impatient as he is, the more complicated and the more pining there is involved on his end, the more likely he is to keep pursuing and stay invested, just because he’s like Entertained ™ 

37. what do they think about polyamorous relationships? would they do it? I don’t think he’d be totally opposed to it given the right people/circumstances, but I also don’t think he’d have the easiest time adapting to it give uhhh more reasons listed above. 

38. do they have parents / parental figures? do they have a good relationship with them? Oh he has parents and it’s not the greatest relationship gbdkfg some of it is mostly on his part, just from having that frustration over them not trusting him to make his own decisions (which, he’s not exactly proving his ability, but that’s also bc he’s directly trying to go against them but whatever) and they get frustrated with him pretty quickly in return. He doesn’t see them as often after he’s moved out unless they show up or he visits with his siblings, and in main verse, he definitely hasn’t seen them since he’s died.

39. do they have siblings? if so, how many? do they like them? Oh he sure does!! He has two older siblings, Simon and Sunny, and he loves them so much but also we love a complicated sibling dynamic <3 it’s definitely more complicated with Simon though. He’s closer to Sunny as they’re closer in age and she lets him get away with a lot since they’re both the ones getting into trouble anyway (joint family disappointments whoops). Things get more complicated with Simon being the ideal kid of the family so he has some resentment built up from that and from getting ratted out to their parents by him when they were younger, but he’s also the one he goes to when things get really bad. 

40. do they have a big family or a small family? no family? Outside of his immediate family, I’m not sure. I can see him being close to any cousins he might have, just to have more people to mess around with and he’d love to play around with them if they’re younger, but that’s about it.

41. where would they want to live if they could live anywhere? Why? He’d want to stick to a big city, though he isn’t entirely opposed to staying in Atlanta. The plan he likes the most I think would be to have a sort of permanent base there while being able to travel around and see a bunch of other places. He hasn’t had that type of opportunity before, so he’d like to see where he might best fit. 

42. are they happy in their current living situation? why or why not? Main verse……. kinda?? I mean he likes ghost life because he doesn’t have to deal with any expectations anymore, but he’s also getting really bored and really lonely staying away from people he knew before. Alt verse…. sort of okay, sort of not. Still hates being in school and dealing with that stress, but he’s happy living away from his parents for now and causing whatever chaos he can with his recklessness. 

43. do they like living alone or with another person / other people? He likes living with other people! Even if he’s not totally close with the person, he simply likes having the presence of other people around. But of course, he ends up weaseling his way into their life anyway so they’ll be friends eventually. 

44. did they go to college, or are they attending? did / do they like it? Attending in alt verse! He likes the partial independence and the excuse to move out, but he hates studying polsci just because its the option his parents gave him and just generally, he doesn’t have the sort of commitment that’s really suited for that kind of schooling anyway.

45. what’s their dream job / profession? do they have one? I don’t think he totally has one, just because he’s not sure where he’d really like to go on his own. I think he’d most like something to do with other people, maybe kids specifically. He loves working with them and he’s pretty good with them. I could almost see him going into teaching just to make sure there are other options for 

47. do they like tv shows or movies? or neither? Movies!! He loves having little movie marathons and often doesn’t have the patience to watch tv shows unless they’re on the shorter side/there’s a lot hooking him in. but he loves watching just about any sort of movie, it's one of his go to friend/date activities. 

48. do they have social media? do they like it or hate it? obsess over it? He does!!! Insta is probably his most used one just because he likes posting more visual stuff but he probably rants on twitter too. He’s not super obsessive over it, but he definitely uses it as a way to distract himself/waste time when he doesn’t have the energy for other things.

49. do they have a creative outlet? if so, what is it He likes to write from time to time! Mostly it’s like journaling stuff, so not too much of a creative outlet, but he counts it for something. Aside from that, i can see him jumping from a few different creative hobbies, but I doubt he’d stick to them for very long. 

46 + 50. where do they see themselves in 2 / 5 / 10 years? Answered here !!

[nightfuryobsessed]

The new Villain

Summary: Jackie is the cities best hero, right next to his side kick Marvin. When his friend is killed in action Jackie pushes even harder to save his city and friends.

What will the hero do when he meets a new super villain and learns the truth about his best friend?

This is heavily inspired by @isa-ghost and their band of anons, I hope one day I get anons like that also, sorry it's so long, mobile doesn't have a continue reading option

Tags: @raven-clues @torieltears @pumpkin-demon (maybe you'd like this idk)

Jackie sat with his friend, looking out over the city they protected. It was a calm night tonight and the super hero had a feeling something was going to happen.

"So, Jackie, what made you want to be a super hero," Marvin, Jackie's partner, asked softly. He was a very good hero and people loved him, but sometimes he just didn't seem to notice.

"Well, I grew up on Spider Man, Wonder Woman, those kinds of shows. I grew up in a bad neighborhood and was alone most of the time," the super hero said softly, gently rubbing his wrists.

"I didn't have any blood relatives, but I had friends that did. They had older and younger siblings living in that neighborhood where food was a maybe and violence was an everyday thing. I didn't want my friends or their families going through that."

"Huh, so you just chose to be different."

"I guess so. I'm glad I did, otherwise I never would have met you," Jackie says laughing as he ruffled Marvin's fluffy green hair. The magical hero laughed before pushing the other male's hand away.

Just then, Marvin got a call and frowned, standing before looking at Jackie.

"Jewelry shop, ten hostages, one shot in the side, two others in the leg," he reported before they set off. Marvin's mind was made up, and Jackie was focused on the people. He hoped he could make it in time and that no one died.

When the two hero's arrived, Marvin set about as distraction while Jackie made his way inside. Magic and illusions were the best to confuse and stun while strength and speed were the best for the hostages.

Jackie made his way to the injured hostages, quickly tending to them before leaving to disarm and bring down the guards. He got most of them down before hearing a gun shot and a loud thud.

Jackie ran as fast as he could, standing in front of Marvin and an unconscious robber. He smiled happily, believing that his friend was alright before noticing the growing red spot on Marvin's shirt.

The hero jumped and caught Marvin just before he hit the ground, checking him over with tears in his eyes.

"I-it's going to be okay Marv, I-I can fix this, w-we'll get ya to a hospital, i-it'll be okay," he whimpered, keeping pressure on the wound to try and help.

"Jackie," the cat masked hero muttered, a soft yet sad smile on his face. He gripped Jackie's arm, making the hero look him in the face and showed his tears.

"It's too late, the bullet ripped completely through. I'll bleed out before I get to the hospital...come here, I gotta do something."

Jackie nodded before lowering his head, his tears dripping down his cheeks and landed on Marvin's mask. The magician laughed softly before wiping away Jackie's tears and kissed his forehead.

"Thanks for showin' me the ropes Jackie, and for being my brother," he says smiling, though his voice was getting softer, as was his grip on Jackie. The super hero panicked before hearing sirens.

"No, no Marvin," he shouted, his voice breaking when he said his friend's name.

"They're almost here! You gotta hold on. Please, just hold on," he shouted, not noticing Marvin's words.

"See you again."

It had been several months since Jackie lost his partner. He had taken a while to grieve, knowing that he needed to be focused if he came back to the caped crusader thing. He had to admit, even now he felt awful, but he had a city to protect. Plus a new villain appeared about a month after Marvin died. He's gotten much more daring recently and Jackie couldn't risk another accident.

Currently, Jackie was responding to a potential bomb in an old wherehouse. Normally he wouldn't react since the city had its own bomb squad, today though, it was was different. Something felt off and the hero didn't want to put anyone in danger.

The red, blue, and green super hero jumped into the building, landing as silently as possible before looking around. The wherehouse was dark and quiet, the lifts seemingly abandoned and left to the elements, the shelving units deserted and covered in dirt and cobwebs. There were absolutely no footprints, no animals, no people. This place had been deserted for years.

The super hero turned around and readied himself to fly away again before pausing. There was music, it was faint but it was there.

Jackie turned to try and find the source before seeing someone right in front of him. It was a small child with tears in their eyes.

"Look out, they're closing in on you now," the child whispered, confusing Jackie.

"Who? Are you alright?"

"Wake up, or you'll wake up six feet down, Nobody's got your back in this town," they whispered before it went completely dark and Jackie was swallowed into a sea of black. The hero jumped before shielding his eyes as a bright spotlight whirled to life and pointed down at him as two voices continued singing.

"Knock 'em in the teeth now, out here, there's no negotiation."

The hero looked around, one arm protecting his eyes and face fro the light while his other hand rested on his green utility belt. If something bad happened maybe he'd be able to signal for help?

"No room to start a conversation, before you get a taste, it's taken, never let you guard down," the hero gasped as he was pushed from behind, falling to the ground before jumping up and stood in a fighting stance, looking around and bracing himself for an attack from any and all sides.

"Get back, put your hands up, kinda messed up, but it's tough luck, and I'm sorry, but I don't feel bad for you, 'Cause I know if you could switch this, you'd be dishing out the same shit Saying sorry, but I don't feel bad," a man purred before walking forward from the shadows. He was black, with silver eyes and scars all along his body. He wore a suit that was badly damaged and under the suit was a green looking lizard suit. This was one of the men Jackie had put away years ago, just after Marvin joined the team.

"Now I know there's no one I can trust I used to think there was, tell me that I'm cutthroat I think you got your eyes closed~ Feel the fear and swallow back the tears, let weakness disappear, there's nobody but me here, the killer in the mirror~" a louder voice shouted. The sound was so loud that Jackie faultered and had to cover his ears, opening himself to another attack.

"Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror, Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror~"

"Where did all of the good people go," the child sang again, making Jackie shake his head and look around, surprised to find the first villain gone. He turned to the child, running forward before feeling metal wrap around his waist, keeping him still as the child faded into the shadows yet again.

"They hide behind the bars on windows, in hopes they can forget we're close, trying to get some of what they've got~" a second villain sang as they stepped forward. This villain was a white male with heterochromia, one eye being blue and the other being green, though it was hard to tell with their dark sunglasses. This villain was Jackie's Doc Oct, most noticable by their large mechanical tentacle like arms around them and lifting them into the air.

Jackie growled before yelping when he felt something hard hit the back of his head and he was dropped. He put a had on it before pulling it away and seeing blood.

" 'Cause I used to believe in justice, a place where there was better judgment, but now I'm feeling so disgusted by the "have its" and the "have nots"," the loud voice sang, though was a bit quieter now.

Jackie panted before gasping as he was held down against the ground by seemingly nothing.

"Get back, put your hands up, kinda messed up, but it's tough luck, and I'm sorry, but I don't feel bad for you 'Cause I know if you could switch this, you'd be dishing out the same shit, saying sorry, but I don't feel bad," the child sang, surprising Jackie and making him look up, finding a child who was dressed like him. He reached out for them, gritting his teeth from how difficult it was.

"Now I know there's no one I can trust, I used to think there was, tell me that I'm cutthroat, I think you got your eyes closed, feel the fear and swallow back the tears, let weakness disappear there's nobody but me here, the killer in the mirror~"

"Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror, killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror," the child sang before disappearing again. The hero winced before feeling all the pressure on his body disappear and he was able to get up again. He stood on shaking legs as he looked around and panted, worried about what else may happen.

"Knock 'em in the teeth now," they chanted, circling the hero.

"Never let you guard down get some of what they've got "Have its" and the "have nots"," they teased, pushing the hero in all directions making him confused, dizzy, and a bit scared.

"Knock 'em in the teeth now, never let you guard down, when they step in your house~"

"Knock, knock, knock 'em all the fuck out!"

"Now I know there's no one I can trust, I used to think there was," a young girl sang. The hero panted before looking in the direction of the voice, his eyes widening when he saw who it was. No, that wasn't true, he wasn't like that anymore, it was just a trick. Jackie was a man now, tall, strong, powerful, he could get anyone to do what ever he wanted them to.

The super hero paused when he realized what he was thinking of. He would never do that, he would never harm another human being, he couldn't...could he?

"Tell me that I'm cutthroat, I think you got your eyes closed, feel the fear and swallow back the tears, let weakness disappear, there's nobody but me here:

The killer in the mirror."

Jackie panted as he held his head and pulled at his hair. The tears were falling but he didn't care, he had to stop these thoughts, they weren't him. They couldn't be him.

"Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror. Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror, feel the fear and swallow back the tears, let weakness disappear, there's nobody but me here, the killer in the mirror. Killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror, killer in the, killer in the, killer in the mirror," the loudest voice sand softly, right beside Jackie. The hero looked up through tears and gasped when he saw someone he never thought he'd see again.

"Marvin."

[done-mer-moved]

i Also don't know ur OCs but: 1, 4, 5, 8, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 33, 42, 50, 54, 56, 61, 73, and 78 please? -drunkmiraak

[[LKdghlkj sorry this took so long!! I got super sick so it sat half-done in my drafts for 84 years. @drunkmiraak]]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

So, while I’ve got half a billion OCs by technicality, my main idiot is Azaryne Redoran who takes the role of the Vestige in the ESO story I write with @sinnaroll by the name of Soulbound. (Ima also just casually pass on these questions for her to answer in reply for D'tannen, who is the other main character in this thingy so you can get to know him too!)

Thank you so much for asking!! Here we gooooo~!

1. What is/are your OC’s nickname(s) and how did it come about?

Az’s main nickname is the self-explanatory name shortening from “Azaryne” to “Az”. But D'tannen has kinda stuck on jabbing him with “pretty boy” to the point where it’s basically a nickname lol 

Also, in-game plot reasons dictate that the Five Companions also know him by “Vestige”, much to his dismay. It’s what the Scrolls named him by, so the Prophet tends to slip and refer to him that way, and the others kinda do too by proxy for a while. However, after Az makes it clear that he’s really uncomfortable with it, Lyris and Sai specifically make a point not to call him that.

4. What is a noticeable physical attribute of your OC?

So I memed twice earlier before I got to these questions lasdgkh gomen, but my goofier answers are Dorito Shape and Resting Trouble Face

But more seriously, one of his major notable physical features is that he’s pretty much covered in tattoos from his neck down past his waist and starting down his legs. They’re being redesigned from scratch right now because I can’t ever allow myself to have characters that can be adequately represented in game i guess lmfao but here’s the in-game tattoos with some photo-editing for an earlier visual draft on where they might cut off—

It’s a total personal headcanon but I decided that since the in-game body marking style was pretty clearly influenced by Maori-style kiriituhi, that Az’s tattoos are also highly significant in a similar way. Each piece symbolizes or connects to either his ancestry, or his own life and skills and milestones. His designs weren’t finished, but have the indication of where they were meant to continue as he hit new points in his life. Unfortunately, since his life was cut so short, that’s as far as they ever get.

On a lighter note, he also has pretty big ears?? Lmao

5. What does your OC normally wear? What would your OC wear on a special night?

He likes clothes that are comfortable but flattering. He knows what his assets are and enjoys looking well-dressed – a bit of a remnant from his previous life as a noble. 

He tends to favor sleeveless tops and cool-colored fabrics with neutral accents. He particularly likes blues of all shades, and some purples. He’ll also occasionally wear red. On his travels he wears leather armor that fits within these features, and notably has a Khajiiti-style jack because he liked the aesthetic of it when he saw the style in a tailor’s display. 

When he’s dressing up, he’ll wear more flowing robe-like attire. He had more reason to do so while he was alive, and at the time it was usually specifically Dunmeri cultural clothing. Over the course of Soulbound, he only dresses up the once so far for a date with Sinna. That takes place in Orsinium, so it’s Orcish formal wear. 

Even if the situation’s not a fancy one, though, he’ll usually still wear kohl eyeshadow, which D’tannen gives him shit for, of course lol.

8. How does your OC talk/what does your OC’s voice sound like?

Az’s voice is light, crisp, warm and friendly. It’s between tenor and baritone in range, and the expected Dunmeri accent. He’s well spoken, and you can tell he’s well educated, but his phrasing isn’t snobbish or condescending, and there’s a firm sort of sincerity to his speech, even when he’s being playful.

15. What was your OC’s childhood like?

Az’s childhood was a little complicated in that it came with a great deal of privilege, but also a great deal of expectation. He was noble-born— the eldest son of House Redoran’s Archmaster— so before he was even old enough to have an awareness of the world, his parents had already decided many things about his future. 

In spite of both this and the constant pressure of the Redoran philosophy that “a light, careless life is not worth living”, Az had an untamable spirit that continuously tried his parents’ patience. As a child, his impulsivity, tendency to bend the rules, and headstrong defiance on points he fundamentally disagreed with led to frequent discipline, and a particularly strained relationship with his father.

Over time, he begrudgingly learned to play by the rules, but would still disappear from time to time for brief moments of freedom. 

He had two younger siblings— Eralane and Meril, and they had very close and loving relationships with each other. Az always did his bes to see right by them, so they felt safe in knowing that he would always have their backs. They didn’t ever keep much from him, as a result, and Meril specifically often looked up to him as a role model.

By the time he was fourteen, he’d been arranged into a political betrothal to solidify clan relations within the House, and it was decided that the two would be married in 16 years when they were both fully grown adults. Neither he nor his intended fiancée were really comfortable with this, but even as young as they were, they knew it was a sticky situation far bigger than just the two of them. So, they quickly established that, future aside, they didn’t feel entitled to each other’s feelings. They would both rather have a straightforward, honest friendship than try to force things between them. 

Because of this, there was no tension when other chemistries developed in later years. Instead, they continued to ignore their inevitable marriage, and turned their performative date nights into formally-dressed vent and gossip sessions. Using the expectations put upon them to their advantage as they got older, they also happily became each other’s alibi when either of them needed time away with other people.

22. Who is/are your OC’s closest friend(s)?

Since arriving back on Tamriel, he’s been shuffling company a lot on his journeys. He’s also pretty introverted, despite being fairly socially adept. He doesn’t have any real connections from his previous life anymore, but has met many people and made casual friends and positive acquaintances with a solid chunk of new ones.

In terms of more serious friendships, D’tannen is honestly the closest, which is kind of incredible honestly laksdhg. But, they travel with each other day in and day out, so there’s a tight bond there that’s developing fast.

He’s also particularly attached to Irvane, who was his first friend since coming back to Nirn.

23. Who are the people your OC surrounds him/herself with?

Along the same lines as I just said above, he’s never in one place for very long right now, so he is constantly around new people. His kind heart and need for hands-on activity means he tends to gravitate toward people he can help in some way or another. His empathy and sense of honor do most of the weeding. He’d rather be around someone who has shown good intentions, even if they are rough around the edges, than someone who rests on the laurels of past deeds and judges others against themselves.

24. Who are the people your OC dislikes/hates?

It’s pretty damn hard to make this list, at least if you have any sort of good bone in your body. He’s really very empathetic and patient, and will forgive so quickly once he feels amends have been made that it’s honestly gotten him into trouble.

But, even with that said, he’s got some strong resentments for some strong reasons… Notably: Mannimarco and his Worm Cult, ol’ Molag Bal himself, and pretty much anyone who allies with them… Malacus is another name that quickly finds its way on the list under “kill unflinchingly” as he becomes closer with D’tannen.  

25. If your OC has a soulmate, who is it?

oh my god im so sorry this joke is just right here its too easy to grab i can’t help myself – 

Doesn’t a soulmate require… a soul…? 

33. What subjects interested your OC?

He’s always done whittling as a hobby, so he’s currently kinda advancing on that in woodcarving. Since he was also trained in maintaining and repairing his own weapons and armor in life, that’s carried over into an interest in actually crafting weapons on his own. He does wind up making his own bow way later on, and even spends a bit of time with the Morkul Orcs in the Orsinium arc learning to do some metalwork.

42. What makes your OC happy?

He’s very attached to his dog Blackjack, and the mutt can always seem to pick him up when he’s otherwise faltering. He loves whittling and tends to carve little objects to occupy his mind. Complicatedly, D’tannen makes him happy as well, lol. 

He also tends to have moments where he finds happiness in specific things, but the emotion related feels strange or misplaced. When this happens, it’s usually because whatever he’s experiencing— a particular sight or smell or flavor— is something that ties directly to a positive memory he’s lost from his life before. A sort of unwitting-nostalgia that’s hard to pinpoint or replicate.

As a general rule, he’s pretty easily contented. He lives very much in the moment, which combined with his adaptability and natural optimism, means that he’s usually able to find some small spark of cheer for himself anywhere he goes. He’s always wanted the freedom of life as an adventurer, so if circumstances were different, this would honestly be an ideal life for him. However, it’s pretty dampened by the stress of current events, along with the nagging restless and hollow feeling of having lost his soul.

50. What secrets does your OC have?

This is a bit of a tricky one. He’s not a super open person, but he also doesn’t like to lie to cover things up. However, there are many things about his life at present that he finds he has to dance around giving knowledge of. In some ways, the very nature of his current existence is something he keeps tucked away. It’s not very easy to explain to anyone, so he’s grateful that for the majority of the people he interacts with, direct questions never really come up.

In the second act of Soulbound, however, after he becomes very close with Sinna, Sinna asks him directly for his story. He dodges it for quite some time before finally giving him the details, but he’s kind of nervous at that point to state it. He doesn’t know how Sinna might react. But, he lays it out on the table anyway: He’s not truly alive. He’s what remained of himself after he was sacrificed by cultists to Molag Bal. His soul was stolen, and he has only vague pieces of memories from when he lived. And now, he’s been prophesied to assist in stopping a daedric invasion. 

Sinna’s response was heartfelt. But, nobody could blame him for the fact that all he could manage for a brief moment after listening was “Wild….”

54. Does your OC think with his/her head or heart?

Heart… His upbringing tried its best to instill an ability to detach for the sake of duty, but honestly, he’s never been able to. Even when he knows there’s no way he can avoid a difficult situation, and is able to approach it tactically, emotion will be gnawing at him all the while, and he’ll be completely staunch on the things he believes the most if those interfere with the “logical” course of action.

56. What are some of your OC’s strengths?

He’s honestly got a wide range of skills in a lot of ways. He’s a highly skilled archer, and has a very well-rounded set of combat and survival skills that have been hardwired into him since a very young age. He’s also got a great sense of aesthetics, which he likes to express in woodworking and whittling when he can. He’s intelligent, but a lot of his skill specifically in emotional/social intelligence comes from his powerful empathy, and how dramatic swings of circumstances in his life have given him many perspectives to draw from, even subconsciously through the massive amnesia he struggles with. He’s incredibly adaptable. He’s intensely loyal, courageous, and firmly optimistic even through the worst circumstances. He’s got an incredibly strong character to him, and it tends to be both charming and inspiring, even when he doesn’t recognize that he’s producing these effects himself.

61. What is the general impression your OC gives other people?

Honest. Empathetic and selfless. Good-natured, down to earth, and a bit wild-spirited. Patient, incredibly forgiving. Helpful. Playfully charming. A protector. A defender of good.

73. What is your OC’s favorite form of entertainment?

He likes art, stories, nature, animals, and adventure. Crafting from time to time as well.

78. What is your OC’s favorite time of day?

Late morning. The point in the day when you’re up and awake and setting off. The whole day lies in wait before you, and you’re ready to meet it

[razieltwelve]

Prodigy (Final Rose AU Snippet)

Ruby did her best to tune out the whispers. Having one prodigy in the family was remarkable enough. Having two was downright ridiculous. Her lips twitched. If only people knew. Her other siblings were every bit as talented as her and Averia, but her parents had always been content to let them progress at their own rate. It was why they had agreed to let Diana be accelerated through Beacon whereas Jessica was likely to adopt a more normal pace.

It wasn’t about talent. Jessica was more than good enough to be accelerated to. However, Jessica’s friends - her future teammates - weren’t ready to be accelerated, and their parents weren’t going to force her to leave them behind. Teammates were family in all but blood. Breaking up great teams before they could really even form would not turn out well for anybody.

“You’re getting your own team too, you know,” Averia murmured as they made their way toward the hall for the welcoming ceremony.

“Did Diana tell you that?” Ruby asked. “Or is that another prediction from Saviour?”

“Diana helps our Aunt Vanille run team compatibility simulations.” Averia lowered her voice. “She may also have hacked the database to find out what the teams are.”

“Doesn’t Aunt Vanille do security for that database though?” Ruby’s brows furrowed. Diana was phenomenal, but their Aunt Vanille was one of the few people who could potentially keep her out of a system she wanted to get into.

“Diana got in through Atlas’s database. Beacon is locked up tight, but Atlas handles its own cyber-security.”

“But Uncle Hope is no slouch,” Ruby countered. “He should be able to keep that database secure.”

“You can thank internal Atlas politics for Uncle Hope not being in charge of that. Diana found out, which is why she was confident of getting in.” Averia’s lips twitched. “So… do you want to know who you’ve got?”

“No.” Ruby grinned. “I want it to be a surprise.” She paused. “Unless my team is awful. Please, tell me they’re not awful.”

“Oh… I think you’ll find your team interesting, and you’ll have at least one familiar face to help you get started.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “Is it Claire? Or maybe’s it’s Trajan. How about -”

“I thought you wanted it to be a surprise?” Averia ruffled Ruby’s hair. “Don’t worry. I think you’ll like your team.” She paused. “And you might want to buy some tuna before you meet them.”

“Tuna?”

Averia shrugged. “I don’t know why you’d need tuna, but Diana was pretty firm on it being a good idea.”

“Hmm… I wonder why she didn’t tell me about this,” Ruby mused.

“Probably because she finds the idea of me advising you to buy tuna amusing.”

“Probably.”

X     X     X

Ruby tried not to stare at the very, very pretty heiress. “Uh… hi.”

“Good morning.” Weiss extended her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ruby. I am Weiss Schnee.”

“I know.” Ruby’s brain finally caught up to her mouth. “I mean… it’s a pleasure to meet you too, Weiss.” She shook the heiress’s hand and took careful note of what she observed. As Tifa Mom was so fond of saying, people’s hands always told a story. Weiss might have delicate-looking hands, but there was a wiry strength to them that spoke of experience in handling a weapon, and the calluses on her hands could only have come from many, many hours of practice. “It’s good to have you on the team.”

“I must say, I was a little disappointed to not be leading my own team, but in light of the circumstances, I can understand why you were chosen.” Weiss chuckled. “As impressive as my pedigree might be, I think you have the edge since your parents are certainly quite prominent.”

Ruby scratched the back of her head. “Yeah. They’re pretty famous.” That was a massive, massive understatement. Tifa Mom was probably the least famous of her parents, and she was still super famous. Summer Mom, Lightning Mom, and Fang Mom were all like… super mega famous. “But I’m kind of hoping they didn’t just pick me because of my family, you know.”

“Ah, relax.” Yang threw one arm around Ruby and pulled her into an impromptu headlock, and Ruby tried very hard not to think about how her face was being pressed into Yang’s chest. And it was a really, really nice chest. “Ruby here got the second highest score on the tactics and strategy portion of the exam.”

“Oh? Who else was in the top three?” Weiss asked.

Yang let go of Ruby and then lifted her up like a trophy. Ruby’s eye twitched. She might not be as short as Diana, but it was kind of galling to be waved around like a trophy although Yang somehow had a way of making the whole experienced pleasant. The blonde was just so warm and affectionate. “First place was Averia. No surprise there. Pyrrha Nikos came in third. Ruby had her beat by half a point.”

“And Averia was ten points ahead of me,” Ruby countered, squirming free and doing her best to channel Averia’s glare. To her dismay, Yang just smirked back. They both knew that Ruby was awful at intimidation unless she was truly angry, and she couldn’t really remember the last time she’d gotten truly angry at Yang. “So I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Weiss smiled and extended her hand to Yang as well. “It would be remiss of me not to formally greet you as well, Yang Xiao Long - gah!”

“Forget the handshake,” Yang said, tugging Weiss into a headlock. “We’re teammates now.”

Ruby bit back a laugh as Weiss struggled briefly before realising the futility of it. Yang might not be as fast as Ruby, but Dust she was strong. Weiss had also seemingly realised that being in a headlock put her right next to Yang’s bust. “Don’t worry, Weiss. You’ll get used to it. Yang is just, well, Yang.”

“Yep.” Yang let go of Weiss. “By the way… has anyone seen our fourth member? We were supposed to meet at this training ground, but she hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Hmm…” Weiss’s brows furrowed. “Could she have gotten lost? Beacon Senior Academy does have a lot of training grounds, and this is the first day of school.”

“I don’t know,” Ruby said. “But I brought tuna.”

Yang tilted her head to one side. “Why would you need tuna?”

Ruby shrugged. “Diana told Averia to tell me to bring tuna.” She made a face. “It’s Diana. She says a lot of crazy stuff, but she’s basically always right.” 

“But tuna?” Weiss pressed. “What does tuna have to do with anything?” “Like I said, I don’t know.” Ruby took out the can of tuna and put it on the ground. “Hmm… nothing’s happening.”

“Maybe you should open it,” Yang said. 

“Sure, why not?” Ruby laughed. “Maybe opening it will magically summon our teammate somehow.” She opened the can of tuna, and barely five seconds passed before someone hopped out of the tree next to them. In an instant, she and Yang had already moved to intercept them. Ruby had never worked with Weiss before but given the Schnee family’s reputation for doing extremely extravagant things involving Dust and Glyphs, it was probably safe to guess the other girl was a heavy hitter who could drop the hammer while Ruby and Yang covered her. 

However, Ruby screeched to a halt as she took in the appearance of the person who had dropped out of the tree. Her first impression was to try not to gawk. Did Beacon have like some kind of attractiveness criteria because so far all the girls she’d seen had been gorgeous? If Yang was more the tall and busty type and Weiss was the elegant and petite type, the dark-haired girl in front of them was somewhere in between, athletic and graceful but not nearly as delicate in appearance as Weiss. 

“Is that tuna?” the girl asked.

Ruby blinked. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

“And you just opened the can and put it on the ground?”

“Uh… yeah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t actually know,” Ruby said. “But… are you our teammate?”

The dark-haired girl’s lips twitched, and she sketched them a rough bow. “Blake Belladonna.” Her eyes drifted over them. “And you would be Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, and Weiss Schnee.”

“Technically, my full name would be Oerba Yun Ruby Rose-Lockhart-Farron but, yeah, Ruby Rose is kind of easier to say.”

"That’s quite a mouthful,” Blake drawled. “I can see why you just go by Ruby Rose.”

Ruby giggled. “When I was younger I tried to change it to Ruby Awesome, but my parents said no.”

“Ruby Awesome?” Weiss asked. “Really?”

“Yeah… because I was awesome,” Ruby replied.  “I… see.” Weiss evidently couldn’t if her tone of voice was anything to go by. She glanced at Blake and then extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Blake.”

It took a moment for Blake to shake Weiss’s hand. Ruby took note of it. Was Blake just not big on physical contact or was there something else there? She couldn’t be sure, but she could have sworn Blake’s expression had tightened ever so slightly when she’d seen Weiss.

“Am I going to shake your hand too?” Blake asked Yang.

“Nope.” Blake was promptly introduced to the greatness that was a Yang headlock. “Handshakes are boring.”

“So… we’re team RWBY, huh?” Blake looked at each of them, and Ruby had the distinct feeling Blake was taking their measure. Hopefully, she measured up. 

“Yep.” Ruby smiled. “And we’re going to be the best team ever!”

X     X     X

“So…” Vanille murmured. “Are you spying on your sisters again?”

Diana glanced away from the holographic display. “Mostly Ruby. Averia should be fine. She’s got Elsa, Claire, and Jahne. She’s known Elsa and Jahne for years, and Claire is our cousin. Ruby’s got Yang, but she’s not really familiar with Blake or Weiss. At the least the tuna trick worked.”

“Like mother like daughter,” Vanille said. “Have you got eyes on Team JNPR?”

“Yeah. I think Jaune is doing his best to not throw up in panic about being made leader. He’s managed to succeed so far.”

“Good for him. Pyrrha took it well though.”

“She did, but everything I’ve been able to find out about her suggests that she really is just super nice, sweet, and kind despite being almost as much of a killer robot as Averia.”

“Meh. Maybe she’s got better software installed.”

“Maybe.”

X     X     X

Author’s Notes

This is another snippet set in the Summer/Lightning/Fang/Tifa AU. Probably the biggest change for Ruby in this AU is that everyone - absolutely everyone - will know who she is since not only is Summer still alive but she also never gets crippled by the Grimm in this AU. Given how much Ruby looks like Summer, her fellow students are going to put two and two together. There will be a huge amount of pressure on her to live up to her parents’ standards, just like there is for Averia, but Ruby is two years younger.

On the other hand, it does make some things easier. Weiss would normally be more aggravated about not being leader, but she knows who Ruby is, so she can’t exactly get upset by that. If anything, she’s pleased because being on a team with Ruby is a very, very favourable outcome for her. From a purely pragmatic point of view, being on the same team as Ruby is fantastic since teammates generally becomes close friends and allies (or possibly even more).

Ruby’s response to Yang is also very different than in canon because they aren’t sisters. Moreover, although they get along great and consider themselves close friends, Yang was raised in Patch whereas Ruby was raised in Vale. As a result, Ruby is not oblivious to the fact that Yang is a very attractive person in more ways than one.

And then there’s Blake.

In this AU, the White Fang is generally more peaceful because the last time they stepped out of line, they got smacked down so hard they never forgot about it. This is largely due to one of the establishments the more militant White Fang attacking in the past being a hotel owned by Tifa. She took exception to their attack on the hotel, and Lightning, Summer, and Fang were similarly unimpressed. Things after that did not get well for the White Fang.

As a result, this Blake is less filled with regret over being a former terrorist and although wary of Weiss is less hostile to begin with. She has, however, left home in a bid to carve out her own identity, so she doesn’t have to live in the shadows of her parents who rule over Menagerie. Yes, she basically is a princess, so both Ruby and Averia have got one on their teams. Of course, Elsa also doubles as an air conditioner, but Blake can make clones, so it’s not a total loss.

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Definitely check out my Amazon stuff if you enjoy my sense of humour.

[queen-of-the-avengers]

Terrible Secret Keeper

Characters: Peter Parker x Reader, Ned, MJ, minor characters

Word Count: 1,758

Warnings: drunk!reader, fluff peter

Summary: You and Peter are a part of the Avengers and you are terrible when it comes to keeping secrets. Peter must watch out for you especially when you get drunk.

Author’s Note: I was scrolling through Instagram and found this post with their permission, I am turning it into a oneshot! I hope you all like it! If you have any requests, please send them in! I would love to hear what you have! This is unbeta’d and any and all mistakes are all on me.

Feedback the glue that holds my writing together

Tags at the bottom

“Come on, this is the party of the year. So, who cares if Flash is throwing it? It’ll be fun,” You tried to convince your boyfriend, Peter, to just have fun.

“You know I don’t really like parties. I’d rather hang out with you at my place where we can watch movies all night long.” Peter sighed, stopping at your locker first. You faced him and put your hands on his shoulders, staring deep into his eyes.

“Peter, I love you but I think this could be good. What’s the worst that could happen? Huh?”

“You remember the last party you went to? The one where you almost got caught coming home drunk?”

“That was one time. It’ll be different this time. We’re going. I already asked MJ to drive us since she’s the only one with a license. Ned is going too.” You opened your locker and got out the books that you needed for your next class.

“Aren’t Flash’s parents going to be there? He was bragging at lunch about the alcohol he was going to get.”

“I don’t know. An older sibling maybe? It doesn’t matter. As long as the cops aren’t called on us.” You joked.

“That’s not funny. It’s underage drinking.” Peter said in a deadpan voice.

“Then it's a good thing we’re specially enhanced humans. You heal pretty quickly which can prevent you from getting alcohol poisoning and I’m the youngest person to get injected with a super serum. That means I won’t be able to get poisoning. Being a superhero has its perks.” You chuckled as you closed your locker and walked with Peter to his.

The whole reason you two met in the first place was because Tony wanted to see what you could do while Peter was there with Happy, checking out his new suit. You liked what you saw and decided to go for it. Peter liked how confident you were and decided to roll with it. Best decision you ever made.

The whole reason you were at Tony’s place was because you were injected with a chemically imbalanced serum which made you able to do a lot of things. One of those is self-healing. It’s pretty amazing. You can get a cut and almost instantly it’s gone. You’re also stronger than Steve which amazed you at first since he’s Captain freaking America.

The place that gave you the serum brought you to the Red Room where you met Natasha. You trained there to be a killing machine. With the serum, it made you better than everyone there. You didn’t want to fight or to even carry this serum but your parents forced you.

Your parents were the head of this secret organization that specializes in creating superhumans. Each year, they had someone younger to test out their failed serum. You say failed because they could never get the perfect balance of their ingredients. All the subjects died within 24 hours.

Then they saw you playing in your room with your barbies and action figures. They wanted to test the serum on you to see if someone your age would be able to take it. Your parents never really cared about you so you weren’t surprised when they stuck needles in you and injected the bright blue serum.

Low and behold it worked but before they could make an entire army, their facilities were raided by S.H.I.E.L.D and in the process, your parents died. It’s how you met Nick Fury. You were just a child and he wanted to make sure you were in good hands. You owed everything to Nick Fury because without him, you probably would have been found by someone worse who wanted to use you for evil. Nick taught you how to use your powers safely and for good.

Your life has always been a roller coaster that seemed to only go down until you met Peter. He made you feel good about yourself and the things you did. He made you feel special without the serum.

“Fine, we’ll go but we won’t stay for long.” Peter sighed.

“That’s fine with me. I just want to have a fun time on Friday.” You smiled, already picturing yourself dancing the night away.

“Yeah, I can’t wait,” Peter said sarcastically.

“We’ll stay for a few hours and then we’ll go home, okay?” You said to Peter as you walked up the steps to Flash’s house. The party was already booming since MJ picked you up later than discussed. You were a little late but you didn’t care. You were here.

“Wait, you’re going to leave early?” Ned asked, not wanting to stay here without Peter.

“Peter wants to be a buzz kill and leave early.” You teased him.

“Hey, don’t make me the bad guy here. This is all illegal just so you know.”

“So, when the police show up, I’ll know who to turn to.” You smirked and walked inside the house.

“Come on, I want to see what kind of drinks they have,” MJ said, taking your hand and leading you to wherever Flash was. Peter sighed as he watched you leave with MJ.

“Dude, what’s going on? You’re usually not like this.” Ned asked.

“I know what Y/N is like when she drinks. I shouldn’t since she’s 16 but she likes to ramble a lot. And I’m just scared she’ll tell people I’m Spiderman and she’s Scarlett Swan.”

“How did she get a name like that?” Ned asked with a chuckle.

“Have you seen her fight?”

“No.”

“You’ll know too if you see it. Come on, let’s go find her.” Peter said, walking through the crowd of people until he found you. “Great.” You were playing beer pong with Flash and you were winning.

“Come on Flash, you can throw better than that.” You chuckled, watching as Flash bounces his ball into one of your cups. This game was a lot more fun since the cups weren’t filled with beer, it was filled with vodka. You grinned and removed the ball from the cup before downing the contents.

“This could be fun to watch,” Ned commented and Peter chuckled, watching you have fun. As long as he kept an eye on you, everyone should be fine.

About halfway through the party, Peter lost sight of you. He didn’t know where you were or how much you had to drink. He and Ned split up and Peter went to go check outside for you. He hated that he had to treat you this way but it was hard enough for you to keep a secret while sober. He just didn’t want to anger Mr. Stark or ruin yours and his life.

Dude, come back inside. You have to see this.

After seeing the text from Ned, he walked inside. He hoped you weren’t embarrassing yourself. He didn’t even have to ask where it was because everyone was crowding around the living room table. The speakers were booming with sound and it was hard to hear your own thoughts, let alone another person. But there you were, on top of the table, dancing your ass off with a drink in your hand.

Because of your serum, it was hard for you to get drunk which is why you didn’t pay attention to the number of drinks you had. They kept piling up and before you knew it, you were getting on the table and dancing in front of everyone. At least you were dressed this time. Everyone else was dancing around the table but you didn’t have a care in the world.

“I love this party!!” You yelled, spilling your drink a bit. You giggled at the round of cheers before tossing back whatever was left in your cup.

“Peter! Hi!!” You waved once you saw your boyfriend. Peter stared at you, not believing why he saw.

“Let’s hope she hasn’t told anyone yet,” Ned said in Peter’s ear.

“Ooo you guys keeping secrets from me?” You yelled with a grin, seeing the two boys close to one another. “I got some secrets. Hey everyone! You know that amazing Spiderman? And that badass Scarlett Swan??”

“Shit, come on, Y/N, it’s time to go.” Peter immediately spring into action. You giggled and was about to say the biggest thing you were hiding but you lost your footing and fell off the table. You expected to bust your ass on the floor but a pair of strong arms caught you.

“Hey, Peter! Tell them about Spiderman!” You laughed, clearly too drunk to do anything.

“We need to go. This is what I was trying to prevent.” Peter sighed. You giggled as he set you on your feet and helped you walk to the front door.

“I’ll get MJ,” Ned yelled and was about to go find her but Peter stopped him.

“Don’t worry. You two stay. I’ll get her home.” Ned nodded and Peter walked with you out of the house.

“I’m Scarlett Swan.” You blurted and Peter quickly looked around him to see if there was anyone there but no one was there to hear.

“We seriously need to work on your secret keeping skills. Come on.” Peter held most of your weight and walked down the street with you. The whole time, you were rambling but that didn’t faze Peter. He loved you anyways.

“Okay, let’s get in the bed,” Peter grunted, trying to get you under the covers. He got you changed into one of his shirts and now he just needed you to stay still.

“This isn’t my room. Where’s my room?” You asked a little too loudly.

“Not that loud! Aunt May is sleeping! I’m not taking you home, your grandma will kill me if I showed up with you drunk like this. I texted her saying you’ll be spending the night here.”

“You’re too good for me. I love you so much, Peter.” You pouted, lying on the bed.

“I love you too. This is why I didn’t want to go to the party. You almost told the entire school our secret.”

“I think everyone should know. We’re fucking badass.” You giggled and laid your head on his pillow.

“Well, Mr. Stark doesn’t see it that way. Come on, sleep time. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“I’m glad I don’t get hangovers.” You giggled yawned. Before you knew it, you were passed out on the bed. Peter chuckled and sighed, wondering what he was going to do with you. He loved you but you definitely gave him a challenge.

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[bourbonboredom]

Silver Lining Chapter 3

If you’re ever gonna find a silver lining, it’s gotta be a cloudy day

A ClydexReader fanfic

Word Count: 2,243

Warnings: mention of drug use, a lil angst

Silver Lining Masterlist

Tag List: @oh-adam  @kyloren-supreme-ben   @xis23  @elsablackswift   @ladygrey03   @grey-reylo-solo  @givemelifeorgiveme

She showed up the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. Her promise to be out of his hair in a couple weeks had long passed by the time spring came to Boone county, but Clyde didn’t mind one bit.

April marked six weeks of her working at the bar. Six weeks of setting-up and closing-down times being cut in half. Six weeks of that downtime being used to shoot the breeze and learning more about one another. He liked to drink beer when he wasn't at work, she liked her Jack and Cokes. He had smoked in high school but quit after joining the military, she couldn't stand the smell of cigarettes. His brother had made him try out for football with him and he got tackled to the ground in the first ten minutes of practice and he swore off sports forever, and she had a different sport for every season in high school. They both liked to read.

It was after the first week that she started to come in to her shifts with different clothes. The zipped-up hoodie was exchanged for flannels with the buttons done all the way up. Clyde thought maybe it was for a religious reason but as the weeks progressed, her sleeves were rolled up and she’d unbutton to a more casual level. She would comment that the weather was warmer here than it was back home.

In the middle of the second week she came to work with a cellphone in hand. It was a simple pre-paid model, but she asked him for his phone number in case she needed to reach him outside work. In the later weeks, they’d taken to texting one another cocktail recipes to try out. The Logan siblings had noticed their brother using his phone more often, and took to teasing him whenever his phone would chime.

His siblings also took to coming ‘round the bar more often. At first to check up on their brother, who had basically hired a girl off the street. They were just making sure she didn't rob him blind. But as the weeks past they’d warmed up to her. It was around week four when she was joining the Logan circle during her down-time on shifts.

“Don’t spend all that time around them darlin’, their luck’ll rub off an you,” one of the barflies yelled to her one day.

“Everyone’s got their misfortunes, I’ll handle what comes my way like anyone else would,” she said back simply. Jimmy and Mellie gave their brother an approving look after that.

Despite seeing her almost everyday at the bar, Clyde never saw her around town off work. Not that he was looking, of course, but the thought was there in his head. It would seem she worked and didn't do much else. She never missed a shift, never asked for time off, and was always aiming to please. She’d make the customers smile, and even found ways to make her rather-stoic boss crack a grin.

He wasn’t much for smiling but she found ways. It usually involved mimicking his accent, which was followed by him mimicking hers, which she loved. She’d make a point to remember his favorite songs and put them on the jukebox first thing when she turned it on. She even helped string up some lights to the porch one day before Clyde came in to work, after she heard him say he wanted to do it in passing the week prior.

He was snapped out if his thoughts of her by her voice calling across the bar to a customer.

“Here on a Thursday Lorie? Must have been some kinda week,”

“You know it was,” Lorie Ann, a local in her late-twenties said as she cozied up to the bar. “The ER at Charleston was no joke this week,”

“You want the usual then?”

“Nah, get me one a those Blood Moon things you make for Ashlynn. I need somethin’ strong tonight,”

She made the drink without missing a beat as she carried on conversation with the nurse who was regaling her with the amount of overdoses she’d had to treat that week. Come to think of it, she hadn’t made a mistake at the bar yet. Drink orders were always right, no names were forgotten or glasses broken, Clyde was starting to think she was made for this job.

“We had one from Boone County, he had been holed up in the Super 8 down the road on some kinda binge. His face was all swollen up and the EMTs told us the needle was still hangin’ outta his arm when they got him,” They both grimaced at that.

“Well, you’re off shift now, do yourself a favor and take a good break, that’s hard work you do everyday.” she said, sliding over Lorie Ann’s drink.

“Thanks darlin’. Hey, are you still staying at that Super 8? I don’t know if you should be hangin’ out around there with that kinda activity goin’ on,”

She gave a tight smile, “I haven’t found anywhere besides there yet, but thanks for your concern,”

That weighed heavily on Clyde’s mind for the rest of the evening. He’d never thought to ask if she was still staying in that motel. It would make sense though for that few weeks she thought she’d be there for, but it was well over a month now. Was she planning on moving soon? Moving away?

That thought made his heart sink a bit. It was closing time when he decided to ask what her intentions were.

“You’d said to Lorie Ann that you were lookin’ to move?” he started as he stacked up the chairs. “Are you leavin’ town?”

She didn't respond for a moment.

“I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome anymore than I already have. I’d told you a couple of weeks but it’s been well past that. I dont want to take advantage—“

“You’re not,” he said, maybe a little two quickly. His eyes locked with hers and he lost is breath for a moment.

“You’re not. You- you’ve been nothin’ but helpful since y’started. Doin’ everythin’ I ask, and even things I don’t ask for. You did tell me you’d be here for just a couple a weeks but— if you wanted to stay, I’ll keep you on here,”

She kept staring at him, working her bottom lip against her teeth, as if to stop words from tumbling out. His ears felt like they were on fire and he was grateful his hair was covering them.

“I can’t keep stayin’ at the Super 8, it takes up a whole days pay sometimes—“

“I can pay you more. A real salary. And one’a the houses by me and Jimmy just went up for rent. The landlord is a friend, I could probably work down the price a bit,” he hoped he didn't sound desperate, “If you’d want that,”

She moved towards him so quickly, he didn't have time to react as she pulled him into a hug.

“You’re too kind to me,”

“It’s nothin’,” he hugged her back awkwardly, hoping she didn't feel his heart thundering in his chest where her head rested. “Does that mean you’ll stay?” he asked a little quieter.

She let go and looked up at him, smiling so wide that the spot where her tooth was missing could be seen.

“I reckon I could,”

She was getting better at the accent every day, he thought to himself as he gave a small smile.

“We can see it as soon as tomorrow,” he told her.

———————————

Clyde had texted her the directions as soon as he’d gotten home that night. He was in the kitchen with Jimmy when his phone chimed with her response. Clyde reached for his phone, but his brother was faster.

“She’s thankin’ you, with a smiley face?” his voice was full of mischief “Now what’d you do to deserve that?”

“Nothin’ don’t worry about—“ the phone chimed again, still in Jimmy’s hand.

“She wants to know if she needs to bring anything tomorrow?” A grin grew across his face. “You gone an asked her out didn’t ya?”

Clyde wanted to sink into the floor. Jimmy always knew how to push his buttons when it came to women. He knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but being the younger, less-popular, less-attractive, less-charismatic, less-everything Logan brother— he was a little sensitive when Jimmy talked to him about the opposite sex.

“If you must know, It’s not a date. I’m helping her find a place to live. She's been living in the motel off 17 and she wants somewhere a little more permanent,”

“Does she now? Would this have anything to do with the neighbors movin’ out and the place next door freein’ up?”

If Clyde could roll his eyes back into his head any further, they’d get stuck there. Jimmy saw this, and still continued on talking.

“Havin’ her next door could be nice, but remember how easy it was for us to hear the last couple who lived there? Especially during the night? Remember that if you an her decide t—”

“I’d appreciate you not finishin’ that sentence,” Clyde said in the frighteningly even tone he used when his brother would go to far. “An I’d appreciate you givin’ me my phone back,”

Jimmy handed his brother back the phone.

“All I’m sayin’ is its been a while since you had someone in your life, an she's really somethin’ Clyde. Mellie and I like her. She’s helpin’ you,”

“It’s not gonna be like that an thats the end of it,” he went back to his room, shutting the door behind him.

He sunk onto his bed, feeling disheartened. He had girlfriends in the past. A couple in high school, and one that was with him through basic and his first tour but broke up with him soon after. After the accident, Mellie set him up with one of the girls from the salon but that didn't last beyond a few dates on account of her treating him like he was fragile. She’d look at his arm too often. He hadn’t been fitted for the prosthetic yet, he had to wait months for his limb to heal before that. Pity oozed out of her mouth no matter what she said.

Since then, he was making his peace with being alone. He sat up on the edge of his bed and unbuckled his prosthetic. He placed it on his dresser and removed the sock from his limb that protected from chafing. He ran his fingers over the scarred flesh, he didn't care to acknowledge the area too often. He’d try telling himself that he was lucky that more of him wasn’t lost, that he could have died instead. But that was hard to remember when he’d see the look of pity on peoples faces when they saw the plastic in place of his left hand.

It would still feel unreal at times. He had gone though almost 23 years of his life when it happened. He didn't realize he could take a body part for granted until it was too late. It was four years later and he was still processing it. Talking about it with the Veteran Affairs therapist up in Charleston had been too hard at the time. Most days he could barely get out of bed, much less travel the half hour to the city. And now he was too busy to get up there.

Learning how to do things one-handed was incredibly frustrating, leading to him lash out a lot. He was angrier back then, said hurtful things that he didn't mean to his siblings who he knew were only trying to help. He made an effort to never yell at them again after he calmed down. It was Jimmy who helped him get a job at Duck Tape. The old owner was a Vet himself, and never treated Clyde like he was any less. He taught him tips and tricks and having someone with shared life experience helped him mellow out and realize things were going to be okay.

The owner retired and moved to Arkansas to be closer to his grandkids about 2 years ago, leaving the bar to Clyde. He didn't know if he could do it at first, run a bar by himself, but he’d hire people on to help him out. Most didn't stay long for one reason for another, but Duck Tape still stood and he was proud to be the owner. Mel had once told him that he could do more with one hand than most could do with two, which made him smile when he was doubting himself.

He picked up his phone to see her name still on the screen. He texted her back saying that she didn't need to bring anything special and put his phone down on the nightstand next to his prosthetic.

He thought about his brothers words as he lay in bed. ‘She’s somethin’’, he couldn't deny that. ‘She’s helping’, she was doing that too, though he suspected Jimmy meant something else by that.

She never treated him different, which he appreciated. Some of the other employees he had hired would ask intrusive questions, or would act like he couldn't do anything helpful. They never lasted long at the bar. But she’d done well so far. Made his life a little easier, a little happier. He felt his eyes grow heavy with sleep, and soon fell asleep with her on his mind.