#like he worked for the person she forged evidence for once?

[beneaththebloodylake]

i dont get it though, why were there sketches of apollos cases under the paintings?

[supercrazyangel4]

The thing I've always loved most about aa4 is how much darker the tone is than the rest of the series in a way that isn't just edgy for the sake of it, but subverts your expectations from the original 3 games in a really interesting way. The trilogy was built upon the trust Phoenix had in others, and it was something we as players could almost always feel certain in. AA4 flips this on its head and makes it so Apollo effectively can't trust anyone but himself.

Your mentor, who the in the trilogy was a paragon of wisdom you could always turn to no matter what, gets revealed to be the culprit and sent to jail in the first trial and by the end of the game his list of crimes has stacked high but you still have so few answers on why he did any of it.

Your boss, the goofy protagonist of the trilogy, is now inexplicably a washed-up, disgraced, cheating poker player with an implied drinking problem who seemingly found a new hobby in evidence forgery and jury rigging.

He has a codependent relationship with his daughter, your assistant, who usually is a completely innocent and hapless victim of circumstance. She sees herself as the provider for the house and will help her father cheat at poker, or forge evidence, or guilt trip the poor attorney they knowingly screwed of out of a job into working for them for dirt cheap.

The detective, the only other returning main character, a previous assistant, is completely changed since we last saw her. In the trilogy she was chipper and bright despite the hardships she faced, and now she's unfriendly and burned out, turned bitter by the world. The scene we're first properly introduced to her in Apollo genuinely spends several minutes thinking his boss is making him bribe her with cocaine.

Every single defendant is a criminal guilty of something other than what they're charged for. Each case centers around an underground black-market poker ring, a mafia family and medical malpractice, a smuggling ring, and a family of forgers and an incredibly shady troupe of magicians. The one thing all of these people have in common is that none of them will tell you literally anything about what's happening, half of them clearly reveling in being as big of cryptic assholes as possible.

The only person who doesn't fit this description is, for once, the prosecutor. Usually your biggest obstacle and the most morally corrupt of the main cast, he's the only person who's both 100% on the side of truth and on the same page as you for the entire game. He's just as clueless as you, being used nothing more than a chess piece just like you are.

But the truly masterful thing about AA4 is how morally grey it is. These characters aren't just one note villains. They're not even villains at all. Most of them aren't even malicious.

Your boss, for all the low levels he stoops to, is underneath it all the same guy he's always been, doing everything he can to bring a criminal to justice and protect his family. Your assistant is a sweet girl who truly cares about you, she's just prioritizing herself and her fathers safety before anything else. The detective is the same passionate and kind woman under everything else. The rest of the defendants are genuinely well-meaning young people who got involved in shady stuff they didn't fully understand.

The game is filled with good people trying to make the best of bad circumstances. The game has just as many fun moments as the original trilogy. For all it's rough appearance, the game has a similar heart. For every unanswered question or unrighted wrong, there's a smile or a hope for a better future. For every bad action, there's usually someone trying their best behind it. The game is melancholic and dark, but isn't afraid to let good shine through. It knows there's no shadows without the light.

[bihanarms]

Unveiled Passion (Johnny Cage x Fem!Reader OS)

sum up: okay, I just watched 'Crazy, Stupid, Love,' and as I was observing how Ryan Gosling was with Emma Stone, I couldn't stop myself from picturing Johnny as him. So, it's inspired by the movie, sweeties! Hope you'll like it :p

warnings: mention of smut but not explicit

Damn, I'm so tired..

Exhaustion weighed heavily on (Y/N) like a burden, every step she took in her apartment felt laborious. The day had been a succession of intense battles, vicious attacks, and precise maneuvers alongside Liu Kang and the other champions he had gathered. Since the day he had knocked on her door with that determined gleam in his eyes, her life had taken an irrevocable turn.

The apartment provided an oasis of tranquility amidst the chaos of their mission. She dropped her weapons bag with a sigh of relief onto the couch. Each joint seemed to protest as her body reminded her of the countless blows she had endured to protect the realms. The soft glow of the lamps cast a soothing light around the room, creating a comforting ambiance.

(Y/N)'s steady breath blended with the apartment's silence. Ever since she had joined the god of fire and the other champions, moments of quiet had become rare. But despite the overwhelming fatigue, a profound sense of satisfaction lingered within her. She recalled how she had hidden her powers for years, working in a mundane office, leading a life that seemed ordinary on the surface. And now, here she was, a fighter in an epic battle to save the realms.

She had found a family among these champions, a unity forged in the fires of fierce battles and the sharing of colossal burdens. She had established quite good relationships with each of them, sensing extraordinary souls within them, and that was true even for someone like Johnny Cage for exemple.

And, it hasn't always been the case, his arrogance and oversized ego had tested (Y/N)'s patience more than once. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she reminisced about their past interactions, a hint of frustration evident in her gaze, now heavy with fatigue. Despite the transcendent stakes of their mission, Johnny always found a way to tease and provoke, as if perpetually playing his own role in an action movie. His persistent attempts to flirt, accompanied by clichéd and crude phrases, had become a predictable routine.

She had known him from before all this, as they were both from Earthrealm. He was a well-known actor she had seen on television many times before the current events. He exuded undeniable charm, and she couldn't deny that, but his way of being... God. And since they had been brought together by Liu Kang and she had met him in person, she had discovered that he was the same man in real life as he was on television. So despite his appealing physique, she wondered how he could attract so many women with such a cheesy personality.

But, as mentioned earlier, she had come to appreciate everyone, including him, and well to be honest, that had happened just a few days ago. Something truly strange had unfolded between them during a mission. Beyond the intense battle she had fought, Johnny had saved her when she was on the brink of imminent death, throwing himself in front of the enemy to shield her. It was an entirely ordinary act of camaraderie in their shared struggle, but what had followed had disrupted the equilibrium of her feelings.

When he had approached her while she lay on the ground, whispering, Thank God, I was so afraid of losing you, He had said those words with an unexpectedly sincere tone. It wasn't one of his usual charming lines he tossed around at regular intervals, nor was it one of his arrogant provocations. His tone had been laden with genuine concern, his gaze expressing an unusual sincerity. She had never heard him speak to her in this manner before.

And since that day, a new side of Johnny Cage had revealed itself to her, causing a deep disturbance within her. The question swirled in her mind: was she attracted to him? The notion was hard to digest. How could she, in the span of a day, a split second, due to a simple gaze, undergo such a transformation in her feelings towards him?

Not to mention that over the past few days, even the most insignificant jokes that escaped Johnny's lips managed to draw a smile on (Y/N)'s face. And he couldn't overlook this phenomenon. He had started teasing her more, throwing jabs more frequently, a behavior that caught her off guard. She relished in this playful interaction more than she would admit, even to herself. It was a feeling she secretly loathed cherishing.

That evening, he even had the audacity to invite her out to a bar, suggesting they should "relax for a moment, just the two of them." His words had struck a chord, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. When he made the proposition, she felt her heart race, but she masked her unease by raising her chin and appraising him from head to toe, adopting a semi-stern tone.

.

"Come with me tonight, (Y/N), it's going to be fun," he had said, a taunting smirk on his lips.

"No, sir, I'm not really the type to go out, especially not by your side," she retorted, although deep within herself, she secretly wished to say yes.

He had countered playfully, "You're lying to yourself, my dear. Well, too bad for you, I'll send you a picture anyway so you can see what you're missing!" accompanied by a mischievous wink.

"Whatever..."

.

Why had she turned down his invitation, even though deep down, a part of her wanted to accept? Simply because she still wasn't ready to admit that she might be attracted to him. Moreover, a glimmer of fear crept in whenever she considered the possibility of emotionally engaging with such a charming man, a true heartbreaker.

.

Bip

.

The shrill sound of the phone abruptly interrupted the apartment's tranquility. Who could it be at this hour? Let me be...

Her pulse quickened as she saw the message display on the screen: a message from Johnny Cage. A part of her had anticipated that he would be behind this unexpected interruption. She unlocked the phone and read the words typed by his teasing hand:

"You're missing out on a hell of a night, babe."

A mixture of exasperation and amusement tickled her nerves. With agile fingers, she opened the photo attached to the message. Of course, it was him, always true to his signature sunglasses, his face sporting a wide grin as his right hand proudly displayed a middle finger. That stupid man... A smile crept onto the young woman's lips, but it quickly faded when she noticed two female silhouettes in the background. Two women, dressed in form-fitting dresses, their charms on display... they were absolutely stunning.

A sharp pang formed in her belly. Wait, am I jealous? She was surprised by her own mind's instinctive reaction. But the truth lay there, lurking in the corner of her consciousness. She couldn't deny the jealousy that had awakened within her. The mental image of Johnny charming these women, his cliché-laden pickup lines making them laugh, them succumbing to his charm with disconcerting ease, all of it swirled in her mind.

.

Bip

.

A new message, this time from Johnny. Meet me at Angel Share, 5 Second Street, in case you change your mind.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. Damn right, I'm going to change my mind, you'll see. With determined steps, she headed to her wardrobe, picking an elegant dress and a matching pair of heels. She had decided to brush off all this inner confusion, to enjoy the evening, whether she wanted to or not. With one final check in the mirror, she left her apartment, ready to face what awaited her.

.

"And that's how I saved the world, ladies!"

A mixture of joyful laughter erupted from the two blondes sharing a table with the actor. Compliments followed:

"Wow, you're truly amazing, Johnny..."

"I know, sweetheart, I know..." he concluded, punctuating his words with a playful wink. The music was in full swing, the walls of the bar vibrating to the rhythm of upbeat sounds. People danced, laughed heartily, and the atmosphere was at its peak. An exhilarating feeling electrified the air, infusing each of the participants.

Suddenly, the entrance door swung open forcefully, revealing a tall figure. The newcomer's eyes immediately fixed on the international cinema star, Johnny Cage. Intrigued by the noise and movement, Johnny swiftly turned towards the source of disruption. Between the effects of alcohol and the distance, he struggled to discern who stood at the club's entrance. However, the silhouette was approaching rapidly, and in an instinctive move, he removed his sunglasses to see more clearly.

"(Y/N!)" he exclaimed with joy, "I knew you couldn't resist the urge to come to me—"

"Shut your dumb mouth, Cage."

Without hesitation, (Y/N) took Johnny's face in her hands and pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss. This audacity caught Johnny off guard, his eyes widening momentarily.

However, his surprise didn't last, as he soon responded to the kiss with growing intensity. His hands slid from (Y/N)'s face down to the small of her back, pulling her closer to his own body.

A thrill of electricity ran down (Y/N)'s spine as Johnny deepened the kiss. Their lips danced in an intoxicating rhythm, forging a sensory connection between them. The curious glances and murmurs of surprise among the other patrons seemed distant as they got lost in this exchange.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingling, Johnny's mischievous smile bore a different glint, one that was softer, more genuine. (Y/N) gazed at him, revealing a vulnerability she hadn't anticipated.

"I think you should take me to your place."

"Uh, yeah... yeah, I think you're right, let's do that."

.

Once at Johnny's, the atmosphere subtly changed. A grand mansion that was clearly comfortable, imbued with a laid-back ambiance, and all these items? Damn, he even had a pool in his living room. (Y/N) looked around, absorbing the details of the place while trying to gather her thoughts. Johnny, on the other hand, had gone straight to the bar, determined to create a pause in the buzz that had arisen.

"So," he said with a teasing smile, "how about a few cocktails to start?"

(Y/N) nodded, feeling that it was exactly what she needed. Johnny got to work, skillfully mixing the ingredients with an ease that suggested he had done this more than once. Soon, two colorful glasses were placed in front of them. The young woman appeared much more nervous and less self-assured now that she was alone with her comrade in arms.

"Here you go, beautiful," he declared, handing her the glass.

They clinked glasses, their gazes briefly meeting before their lips touched the edge of the glasses.

(Y/N) quickly felt the warmth of the cocktail slide into her veins. She could feel the tensions easing, her mind gradually relaxing. As she took another sip, she could sense Johnny's gaze on her, silently observing her with curiosity.

Without hesitation, she lifted her glass and downed it in one go. Johnny's expression shifted from amusement to surprise, though he forced himself to maintain an impassive demeanor.

"That, my dear, is what I call a good start," he commented with a smirk, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, are you going to give me some explanations?"

"Explanations about what?" (Y/N) replied, her voice slightly nervous.

A teasing smile danced on his lips. "I think you know very well, sweetheart, or do I have to draw you a diagram of how you threw yourself at me a few minutes ago?" he retorted, a mix of mischief and challenge in his gaze.

She let out a nervous laugh, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I didn't exactly 'throw myself' at you," she said, trying to regain her composure despite her nervousness.

Johnny approached her with confident and assured steps. A playful smile still lingered on his face. "Hm, really?" he quipped with a teasing tone.

The young woman instinctively took a few steps back, her eyes sparkling with both amusement and nervousness. Then, she took a deep breath and began to speak, slightly stuttering but determined. "Okay, I know I seemed very confident at the bar when I rushed over to kiss you, but now that we're alone, I'm much more nervous about the idea of sleeping with you."

Johnny's smile slightly faded at her words. "Sleeping with me?" he repeated, his eyebrows raising slightly. "Who said we were going to sleep together?" He looked at her for a moment, then a light chuckle escaped his lips.

"Oh, come on, I know very well!" she exclaimed playfully, feeling the effects of alcohol allowing her to speak her mind freely. "Isn't that what you do with all those girls? You bring them home, have a few cocktails, and end up sleeping together in the pool, for instance?"

Johnny blinked, surprised by (Y/N)'s audacious remark. Then, he let out a genuine laugh, evidently appreciating her straightforwardness. "Well, yes, if that's what you want but-" he was about to say, but was abruptly cut off by (Y/N)'s assured and determined voice.

"Take off your shirt."

His eyebrows raised slightly in a mix of surprise and amusement as she didn't seem to shy away from anything, and her proposition was quite unexpected. He stared at her for a moment, unsure of what he should do.

"What? Seriously, just out of the blue like that?" he asked, a teasing smile still playing on his lips.

"Yes," she replied without hesitation, her determined tone showing that she was set on seeing this through.

Johnny chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, you're not afraid to speak your mind, that's for sure."

(Y/N) didn't back down, her captivating gaze still holding his. "I've always wanted to know if it's real or just Photoshop in your movies," she explained with a mischievous smile.

The actor looked at her, his eyes slightly widened, impressed by her audacity and carefree attitude. He hesitated for a moment, then with a theatrical shrug, he started unbuttoning his shirt, gradually revealing his tanned skin.

She fixed her gaze on every movement, her eyes lighting up with undeniable fascination. When he finally took off his shirt, revealing his chiseled muscles and athletic physique, she felt her breath catch slightly.

"Wow, is this for real?" she murmured, her voice filled with surprise and admiration.

A teasing laugh escaped Johnny's lips as he raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you want to touch to check?"

(Y/N) bit her lip, feeling her cheeks grow warmer. "No, I'm good," she replied with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

He ran a hand through his hair, displaying a smirk. "Can I put my shirt back on?" he asked, slightly embarrassed and taken aback by the turn of events.

"No," she replied again without hesitation. "So, what's the next step?"

Johnny was caught off guard by this question, his confidence momentarily shaken. He was used to bringing women home, but it had never taken this turn before. His thoughts raced, looking for something to suggest that could match the moment.

Suddenly, (Y/N) had a mischievous smile. "I have an idea," she announced, taking Johnny by surprise. Before he could react, she lightly pushed him, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the pool.

The cold water seized him, the shock making him burst into laughter. He emerged from the water, shaking his head to get rid of the excess water. "Well, that was unexpected."

She laughed along, feeling the alcohol rise to her head but enjoying the effect it had on her. She didn't care about anything anymore, and no worries occupied her mind. She took a risk by pushing him into the water, but it seemed like the perfect thing to do in that moment.

Johnny spread his arms theatrically. "You managed to wet these super expensive pants I was wearing," he complained with a laugh.

(Y/N) teased him, raising an eyebrow. "Who cares? I'm sure you have enough money to buy 50 more like these," she replied before bursting into laughter again.

A playful smile stretched across the young man lips. "Well, since that's the case..." He suddenly stood up in the water, letting a cascade of water fall onto (Y/N) in the process.

She let out a small cry of surprise, but instead of getting angry, she burst into laughter, finding herself soaked from head to toe. The peals of laughter were contagious, filling the air with lightness and complicity.

Then, without further ado, she began to remove her top, revealing her bra underneath. Johnny's eyes slightly widened as he looked at her, marveling at the beauty of her body. Damn, this woman...

(Y/N) didn't seem to care that she was now in her underwear, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Without hesitation, she jumped into the water next to Johnny, splashing him once more.

.

But then the atmosphere suddenly changed as Johnny boldly approached the young woman, his gaze determined. As he neared her face, (Y/N) felt her heart begin to beat nervously again. Fuck, is he going to kiss me again ?

"It's okay, beautiful, let yourself go, don't overthink it," Johnny began in a soft voice, his hand gently gripping her arm to draw her closer to his body. His hands then slid to her hips, his grip firm but gentle. "Trust me, I know you want it as much as I do."

Charmed by Johnny's smooth voice, (Y/N) allowed herself to be swept away, getting lost in a kiss even more passionate than the previous one. Their lips met with a palpable intensity, their breaths mingling in the tension-filled air.

The kiss was scorching, filled with desire and curiosity, as if they were seeking to explore every corner of their mutual emotions. Their bodies seemed to naturally align, their hands wandering with growing confidence, exploring every contour and curve.

As their lips finally parted, (Y/N) gazed intensely at Johnny. "You also feel more than just a one-night stand thing, right? Be honest " she asked in a soft voice, laden with emotion.

Johnny got lost in (Y/N)'s eyes, feeling his own heart beating just as strongly. All his Hollywood-forged arrogance had disappeared at this moment as he lost himself in her sincere gaze. The atmosphere became much more serious, a palpable tension enveloping the room.

"Yes, sweatheart, don't be afraid, I feel it too," he replied calmly and authentically.

A smile of relief spread across (Y/N)'s face, doubts and worries seemingly dissipating. Johnny continued, his tone carrying a touching sincerity. "Now, come here."

They kissed again with renewed fervor, passion and desire merging in every movement of their lips. (Y/N) let her hands roam all over Johnny's body, exploring his skin and the feeling of his muscles beneath her fingers. Meanwhile, Johnny slowly lowered his hands, placing them on (Y/N)'s hips before sliding them down to gently grasp her ass cheeks.

Their bodies were close, each touch electrifying their skin and intensifying their mutual desire. They lost themselves in each other, their hands and lips communicating a multitude of emotions and sensations. The sexual tension between them was palpable, and as their hands ventured further, they knew that this night would be the beginning of a deep and passionate connection.

[philokaliist]

Hiii!!LOVED your Luke and Clarisse works!I need more Luke fics!Could you do a fic with Luke x fem reader where reader is like a mermaid or something and Luke almosy drowns but she saves him and he falls in love but she leaves right after saving him so he keeps coming there in hopes to see her again? TY IF YOU DOO POOKIE

'Tides & Kisses'

Luke Castellan x Fem!Mermaid!Reader

A/N:Omg I love this request!!Sure,I can try to make it,tysm for requesting - I was out of ideas but I rlly love this!I think I've seen something with the same prompt so if you got the idea from that person - creds to them for the prompt! 💗

You save Luke from drowning and for some reason - he keeps coming back for you.

Luke stood at the entrance of a mysterious cave located near the camp - well,relatively near, its dark entry beckoning him with an eerie feeling.The rumors of its depths had intrigued him,stirring a sense of adventure within him.Despite the given warnings - his curiosity - and stubbornness - led him to the edge of the water, where the echoes of waves and the scent of saltwater filled the air.

As he cautiously ventured deeper,the sound of rushing water grew louder,and the dim light from the entrance gradually faded.Soon, he found himself standing on a rocky ledge, overlooking a vast underground lake. The water seemed bottomless, its surface disturbed by strong winds creating swirling currents that hinted at the hidden dangers below.

Luke hesitated, glancing around the cave with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. The distant sound of the wind merged with the rhythmic beating of his heart.

As Luke gingerly stepped closer to the water's edge, a sudden gust of wind caught him off guard. Losing his balance, he teetered on the edge before gravity claimed him, sending him plunging into the depths.Panic gripped him as the cold water enveloped him, and the currents threatened to pull him deeper into the unknown.

Just as the waters threatened to claim him, a silvery figure emerged from the depths - a mermaid. With a graceful flick of your tail,you propelled yourself towards Luke, wrapping him in your embrace.Luke's vision blurred as he struggled against the currents, but then he felt a gentle touch, guiding him to the surface.Breaking through, he gasped for air, his eyes meeting yours.

"You're safe,pretty boy," you whispered, your voice echoing through the cavern.Then,you disappeared into the depths, leaving Luke alone on the rocky ledge, his heart pounding with a newfound longing.

Luke lay on the shore, coughing up water and catching his breath. When he looked around,you were gone, leaving only ripples in the lake as evidence of your presence.

Weeks passed, and Luke returned to the cave time and again, hoping to catch another glimpse of you. Each visit only deepened his growing fascination - and desire if he was being honest - to see you once more. The cave where he almost lost his life - ironically - became a sanctuary for his thoughts,a place where dreams of underwater encounters filled his mind.Until one day - it seems he finally got his wish.

"Why do you keep coming back?" a voice echoed from the water as Luke sat by the water's edge one evening. Startled, he turned to see you,your luminous eyes meeting his.

"I don't know..I mean I do!I just - look,you saved me, and I... I felt a connection," Luke stammered,unable to fully express what he felt.

You regarded him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "You humans sure are strange creatures,pretty boy.I saved you because I felt like it, not to forge some 'connection' as you call it.I could have just as easily let you drown."

Despite your dismissive words, Luke continued to visit the cave, unable to shake the feelings for the mysterious aquatic creature.

One day,Luke spotted you again.You surfaced,your hair cascading over your shoulders like liquid silk.

"Still chasing after me, pretty boy?" You teased,a playful glint in your eyes.

Luke chuckled,realizing he didn't even know your name. "I can't help it. You're a mystery and what can I say?Mysteries intrigue me."

You then spoke, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. "Fine, if you must know, I'm Y/N. Now, satisfy your curiosity and leave me be."

But Luke couldn't just walk away. "Then tell me,Y/N, will I ever see you again?"

You hesitated,then offered a cryptic smile. "Perhaps, pretty boy, but remember,mermaids aren't meant for the world above for long,so unless you magically learn how to breathe underwater - It's unlikely."

But before Luke could respond, you leaned in, pressing your lips against his. Time seemed to stand still as the kiss deepened, a mix of saltwater and sweetness lingering in the air.Luke's heart raced and his eyes went wide and he found himself lost in the moment, savoring the taste of the ocean on your lips.

Suddenly pulling away,you vanished beneath the surface,leaving Luke alone on the rocky ledge. He touched his lips, still tingling from the unexpected kiss, a mixture of astonishment and longing in his eyes.

After you disappeared beneath the water,Luke was left to ponder the enigmatic encounter.Though he yearned for more, he understood and yet,the memory of the you lingered...

[jinxedshapeshifter]

Something about Klavier's breakdown that I think warrants more discussion is how young the animation makes him look, and the fact that there's an unused breakdown sprite for 17-year-old Klav that's exactly the same aside from using his 17-year-old design.

The animation itself isn't used much. Usually if something upsets Klavier enough for him to react during a trial (because he is very much like Kristoph in that way; he doesn't really strongly react much during trials), he uses some variant of this sprite. His actual breakdown sprite (the one where he holds the sides of his head and shakes his head in disbelief) is used 5 times in Turnabout Serenade and once in Turnabout Succession (keep in mind this count might be inaccurate).

It's used when Lamiroir first accuses Daryan of being LeTouse's killer

It's used when it's revealed the true time of LeTouse's murder was during The Guitar's Serenade, so Daryan doesn't have an alibi

It's used when Apollo points out how exactly the headsets used on stage during the Gavinners' concert work

It's used more lightheartedly when Lamiroir makes a comment about Klavier needing an interpreter

It's used when Lamiroir first clarifies how she heard Daryan and the gunshot that resulted in LeTouse's death

It's used when Vera mentions that she forged a diary page, incriminating Kristoph and explaining to Klavier how Kristoph knew about the forged diary page

Now, this animation makes him look younger, but the time it's used in Turnabout Succession makes him feel younger because of the dialogue it's paired with; "Nnnno! I don't... No!!!" To be clear he knows Kristoph's a piece of shit. He implies this as early as Turnabout Corner, where he refers to Apollo as "the little boy who bested my brother" (which implies, to me at least, that he knew Kristoph used underhanded tactics in court, and I think the fact that he was ever suspicious of Kristoph's knowledge of the forged diary page in the first place also makes it evident that he knew, or at least suspected, that Kristoph used underhanded methods in court. Additionally he doesn't seem all that upset about Kristoph being in prison). But the "Nnnno! I don't... No!!!" dialogue combined with Klavier's breakdown animation almost makes it feel like he's younger than he actually is. It's almost like a reminder that Kristoph is the only person Klavier has left because Capcom decided to dismantle his support system then throw him in the basement (thanks Capcom).

I'm actually curious, now that I'm really thinking about it, if his celebrity status at the age of 17 fucked up his maturity by forcing him to grow up too fast. It's not all that uncommon for that to happen when you're young and get thrusted into the spotlight. I wouldn't be surprised if Kristoph also had something to do with it (something like him being a celebrity, therefore a role model, and needing to act like an adult because of it maybe) but Klavier feels like he was forced to grow up too fast. Like he wasn't given the chance to be a kid. Makes me wonder what would happen if he truly hit a breaking point.

[nycteris-g]

“Once, Celebrimbor got it into his head to fly to the stars. He said he wanted to steal one and give it to his mother,” he recounts, gazing distantly at an imaginary horizon. Maglor often has that far-off look—whether he is introducing them to the secret arts of the ancient world or merely reminding them to brush their teeth after eating. Perhaps he thinks it lends him an air of gravitas, as if to emphasize the overseas origins of his pearls of wisdom. Normally, and despite his age, Elros would whip around and demand, What? What? What’s behind us? But as it happens, the matter of stars and how to reach them is one that deeply interests him.

“Is it possible?”

“Of course not,” Maglor scoffs, stroking the strings of the lyre cradled in his arms. “He did come up with quite the contraption, though. Built himself some kind of wings, even a platform, and obviously—”

“How? How did he build them?”

“That’s not important,” he hisses irritably. “Lists in stories bore everyone. And they ruin the narrative.”

The narrative is everything to a minstrel. Many things are done, said, or entirely ignored for the sake of the narrative. Sometimes, Elros likes to joke that Maglor stopped his brother from disposing of them once and for all because it would have ruined the narrative. Elrond never finds these jokes funny and glares sternly to make him stop.

“Obviously the Ambarussa lent a hand,” Maglor continues as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “And even the neighbor’s cat got involved. Imagine, it claimed to know Varda personally and boasted that she had, in full confidence, revealed to it a secret passage leading straight to her finest stars. Bah! A terrible liar.”

The twins exchange puzzled glances.

In truth, Maglor oversees their education with dedicated precision: there is no book in the library they haven’t read, no song they haven’t learned to play on at least one or two instruments.

It’s either that he thinks the addition of a cat was a suggestion from the narrative, or he still sees them as little children.

“They were all so young! They couldn’t have been more than twenty, maybe a little older.”

Perhaps those words bring him back to the present because, suddenly, he widens his eyes at the two youths before him, evidently surprised to find them there. The twins are in that delicate phase every half-elf goes through, where it’s unclear whether they’ve finished losing their baby teeth or if it’s time to put swords in their hands and send them on their way. Elros has started drawing a firm line through his name and these days prefers to be called Ros, the only part that sets him apart from his twin and where he can carve out a story of his own.

Maglor still expects to find them clinging to his legs (likely because their sudden growth ruins the rhythm of some stanza), and Maedhros has developed an abrupt interest in them, pushing—or forcing—himself to teach them what he knows: an immense amount about the art of war.

(Elros enjoys these lessons immensely, though no matter how tall he grows, he still fears that beneath Maedhros’ cruelly scarred lips lie virulent fangs.)

“Someone’s birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it? Twenty-five!”

It would be an impressive number if they were mortal. Most of them, at that age, are already married with at least two brats to feed. The cook’s sons are only slightly younger but have been working in the forges for ten years, their hands hard and nearly impossible to clean of the dirt caked under their nails.

The eldest, Balgrer, claims to be “seeing” the milkmaid who delivers cheese to the fortress every first day of the week. Only, the twins hadn’t understood what “seeing” meant in that context, so they discreetly asked Maglor—hoping to keep what seemed like a secret—for an explanation. Staying true to their paternal legacy, the brothers rarely scruple over what avenues of knowledge to open for their wards; of course, there are exceptions: the star in the sky, the trembling earth—such things remain unspoken. Judging by Maglor’s hiss, seeing someone is one of these exceptions, and he hastily removes an entire collection of scrolls from the library, the contents of which the twins still don’t know.

“This year, I’ll have to work hard to find a suitable gift.”

“Oh, Maglor. We don’t need gifts,” Elrond protests calmly. This is no metaphor: what little Maglor has left, he has offered to them with a moving generosity, anticipating every need before they even realize it themselves.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Elrond. It would be improper not to celebrate the birthday of not one but two princes. I’ll think of something—and now, up, up! Let’s continue with our lessons,” he declares as the ecstatic glaze falls over his eyes again.

(In truth, much of what happens within the fortress walls is improper. It’s improper for the twins to have grown up in the arms of the monsters who destroyed their home. It’s improper for them to learn healing from someone whose hands are so steeped in blood they’re no longer capable of it. But much is overlooked—for, evidently, it’s not good for the narrative.)

[spookyjyn]

rebelcaptain hc - both forgetting their own birthdays but always remembering the others

jyn doesnt like the attention so he always waits till the end of the day to celebrate in private with each other

cassian doesn’t like the reminder because it holds too much personal meaning. so jyn spends the day thwarting off happy birthdays on rebel base and making it as normal of a day as possible for him (he’s grateful). it doesn’t stop her from letting him know how special he is to her 🤗

don’t judge the writing too harshly I wrote this after my midterm but this was such a cute concept. Hope you enjoy Lila 💕

Cassian Andor doesn’t remember his birthday. On Kenari the days blend together, making it impossible to distinguish one from the next.

Maarva had always celebrated the day they found him; sweet bread and small gifts to commemorate the day he was brutally torn from his home planet and left to abandon his only remaining blood relative. The image of Kerri’s wide brown eyes looking to the sky, watching the ship vanish into the atmosphere was enough to turn the bread to ash on his tongue.

His forged birth certificate gave him the ice planet of Fest, a planet with one small sun and six moons. The lack of a sun made the days shorter than the galactic standard, with 14 hour days which equated to 6,928 days as one standard year. This meant on Fest his birthday would be celebrated roughly once every 18 standard years.

Considering that Cassian had spent eighteenth birthday in a juvie cell drinking homemade moonshine while fucking some sentient whos name he couldn’t remember, much less pronounce, he thought it was a pretty appropriate celebration.

But after Maarva had died no one had known the truth of Cassian birth. He kept this secret locked tightly within him, a remnant from his life as Kassa. Cassian has no one left to celebrate his life, leaving his date of birth meaningless in his eyes.

///

It’s the middle of the rainy season when Cassian makes the discovery. The pathfinders had just returned from an intense mission, ending in a firefight that had led to Sergeant Jyn Erso in critical condition.

They had agreed after Scarif to list one another as next of kin, both having no one else to account for.Their relationship was in a delicate limbo, neither acknowledging their shared affection for one another, save for the heated trysts that occurred in the safety of their barracks. But something beyond the causal self imposed label of friends with benefits lingered between them. It was evident in the way Jyn held him through his night terrors, how she saved him a seat beside at the cafeteria, how his hands sought her out during times of distress.

He confronts her on accident.They are throwing jabs at each other are mid-spare when he lets the revelation slip.

“Come on, Major,” Jyn taunts, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “I’ve seen elderly wookies’ throw harder punches than that.”

Cassian is laying sprawled out on his ass, his left cheekbone blooming with a fresh bruise. Jyn landed a good hit, he’ll give her that, but he's unwilling to take the abuse without a proper retort.

“Maybe I just wanted to take it easy on the birthday girl.”

As soon as the words escape he wishes he could shove them back in. His body stiffens as he anticipates her response. Cassian peers up at her through hooded eyes. The harsh florscents of the gym illuminates her silhouette in an angelic glow, making it impossible to decipher her expression. Theres a few agonizing seconds of silence before the tension is cut with a twinkling laugh. Cassian’s ears perk at the sound.

Jyn extends a hand towards him, a playful smirk marring her full lips.

“Okay, stalker, you’ve got me.” Jyn brightly says, a teasing lilt in her tone.

Her eyes spark with mischief as her smirk shifts into something more seductive. Her voice drops low as she leans in close to him.

“I think I want my gift now, Major.”

Cassian mirrors her smirk with one of his own relief washing over him. He grips her wrist as he lifts himself onto his feet. Once standing Cassian weaves his fingers through hers. Jyn rewards him with a firm squeeze. Her eyes are alight with an all encompassing fire. Cassian understands why her father had coined the nickname Stardust, as he can feel himself getting lost in the gravity of her green orbs hold.

Jyn tugs on his arm, pulling him into her orbit. They're a hair's breadth away from each other now, so close all Cassian has to do is lean down to capture her intoxicating lips between his. As if sensing his thoughts Jyn bites down on her plush lower lip, the corners of her mouth turning upwards in an almost shy smile.

Jyn pulls his arm leading them towards the exit, her intentions painfully apparent.

But since when had Cassian ever been able to say no to her?

///

“I was born in the middle of a monsoon.” Jyn whispers, breaking the thick yet comfortable silence. Cassian cranes his neck down to catch her eyes. Her chest is pressed to his, head propped on his naked pectoral as she gazes up into the night sky.

“My mother said I was born with rain in my veins and a storm in my blood.” Jyn huffs a wry laugh. “I guess that's why I'm so intense."

The confession is intimate, more so than the lovemaking they had just participated in. It brings an expected wave of affection flowing over him. Cassian's embrace tightens as the emotion seizes him.

“I wouldn’t have you any other way.” He admits, adoration saturating his words. He hopes she can decipher what he really means, the three words that they have yet to acknowledge. And of course because she is Jyn Erso, his partner in all senses of the words, she decrypts his meaning. She peppers an array of painfully tender kisses to the sparse hairs of his chest. A recuperation to his unasked confession.

Te quiero un chingo.

“Thank you,” Cassian murmurs, the gratitude in his voice muffled into her thick tresses of her hair. He nuzzles the crown of her head and inhales deeply. Cassian wishes he could pause time and drown in this moment. Grind this concurrent memory into a thick paste to store within him. So that Cassian would never forget how this moment feels, cradling his life, his soul, his love in his arms. Holding her so tightly it is hard to decipher where he begins and she ends.

“Estar conmigo.” He pleads, fingers tracing listless patterns along her bare back. “Nunca te separes de mí.”

In two years it would be Cassian Jeron Andor of Fest's second birthday. In standard years it would make him thirty-six.

With Jyn Erso, every day is a gift.

[uptoolateart]

Hey, hey, hey - time for a Gabriel analysis!

So. After we learned that Gabriel Agreste wasn't his original name, my mind jumped to Andre Bourgeois, who also once had a different name. In keeping with the themes of the show, we are seeing that secret identities don't always come with masks and comic book names.

We had a hint of Gabriel's secret past in Psycomedian, when Harry visited and alluded to his Gabi days. How, oh how could the Gabriel Agreste we all know have ever been friends with someone like Harry Clown? This is only possible if he was once a different sort of person.

We had further clues in Gabriel's vision of the past, in the time burrow in Evolution - and in Emilie's video messages left for Nathalie, and the photographs of Gabriel, Emilie and Nathalie on some expedition, seen in Passion - and in Amelie's accusation that Gabriel has changed, in Emotion.

Adrien is also aware his father has changed with time, demonstrated when he tells Gabriel that Emilie once said they came from different backgrounds.

The photos shown in Revelation finally gave concrete evidence that Gabriel used to have an adventurous spirit and he used to smile. He was fun...but something changed...and I don't think it was just Emilie's death that caused the personality shift. Based on casual comments Adrien has made throughout the series, his father has been strange for years.

Gabriel tells Adrien that he and Kagami are 'of the same design' - and we know he means this literally. But taking it as a metaphor...for two seasons I've wondered what Emilie's parents were like. We can infer that she comes from a wealthy, 'important' family. Maybe Gabriel struggled to fit in and win the approval of his in-laws. Maybe he never felt good enough. When he tells Adrien things like, 'You're clinging to Marinette because her mediocrity lets you shine more,' perhaps someone once talked like that about him. With that kind of background, it would be unsurprising that he decided to try to forge a new identity.

And let's remember that Gabriel is a designer. His whole empire is founded on inventing personae. Even beyond the sentimonster aspect, he tells Marinette that he designed the image the world holds of his son. Everything is his invention. That speech in Pretension proved just how deep his God complex runs - he fully believes he has made the world in his image. Even the episode title - Pretension - smacks of the image he is presenting to the world in lieu of truth.

At this point, what we're seeing is a 'new money' stereotype - a self-made man who now spurns those who remind him of where he came from. It's one of the most shameful things about him. No matter how much fame and money you get...you can't forget your roots, people. Maybe that's easy for me to say because I'm not rich or famous. But I just can't imagine turning my back on my own origin story. It's what makes you who you are. Gabriel clearly didn't want to be that person anymore...and that's sad.

What's also fascinating is that, if we zoom in on those pictures Nathalie took in Revelation, we see that once upon a time, Gabriel - Gabi Grassette - was a punk. Let's take a moment to appreciate the spiked hair, makeup, leather jacket, ripped jeans, and dog collar - not to mention that smirk. And far from being ashamed of his work with Harry Clown as a human frites (who, by the way, reminds me so much of Mr Banana), he was smiling about it. Man, he loved it. Contrast that with Gabriel in Party Crasher - 'JOY.... What's going on in my HOUSE!?'

If it were at all possible for the old Gabi to meet Cat Noir, I can imagine him loving Cat's costume. On that note, I can't help but compare that dog collar with Cat's bell. I've said before that I see the bell as a symbol of Cat being domesticated and under control. Gabi probably saw his dog collar more as a rebellion, but maybe it too is a symbol of how he once felt controlled by someone.

The thing is...the punk movement was all about anti-establishment anti-authoritarianism. Today, Gabriel is the establishment he once rebelled against. It makes me think of John Lydon of the Sex Pistols turning Conservative and advertising butter. Musicians like Donovan - not a punk, but in a similar category, as a 1960s hippie - are rare for maintaining that same spirit all through their lives.

Gabriel is a 'sell-out'. He gave up that spirit and became someone unrecognisable. Those photos demonstrate that Emilie isn't the only body buried in a 'basement' in the Agreste mansion. There is a different person buried under the cold veneer that is Gabriel - a person Nathalie probably misses. I expect that's why she's stuck with him all this time, despite her better instincts. Something tells me Gabi would've made a better father.

The irony is that Adrien's moments of rebellion are probably one of the few things he has in common with his father, if we look far enough back in Gabriel's past. That, and their temper - and randomly breaking into eccentric dance and song. Gabi might have appreciated Adrien more for standing true to his principles. Maybe Adrien sometimes reminds Gabriel of himself and he can't stand it - can't stand thinking of what he's lost along the way.

I believe Gabriel exists in a perpetual state of regret. Part of him probably misses Gabi, too. After all, Gabi got Emilie. What has Gabriel got? Wealth, sure, but Emilie's dead, Adrien all but hates him, Nathalie's wasting away, and Gabriel himself has only weeks to live.

If you think about it, Gabriel's whole quest has been about getting a do-over. He wants a second chance with Emilie - a second chance for Nathalie - a second chance at his own life. He then tells Adrien that his greatest wish is to try to reconnect with him...because he knows he doesn't have much time left with his son. Even then, though, his selfishness prevails. (Psst, Gabi...you can't make up for years of terrible parenting with banana pancakes.)

Thinking of the snake miraculous, the second chance lets you know what's going to happen, enabling you to make better decisions the next time around. In other words: it's about learning from your mistakes. Gabriel never learns, and it is his refusal to accept destiny and his own human fallibility that is causing his disintegration.

The more Gabriel necrotises, the more we can see this as his 'sins' catching up with him. He doesn't seem to grasp that all the blackness devouring him is, in a way, the blackness of his own heart. Even if he erases the whole world, he can't erase his deeds. If he managed to get his Wish and bring Emilie back, she would be horrified. She'd wonder where her Gabi went.

Gabriel is proof that 'evolution' isn't always positive. He reinvented himself once, and now, because it didn't go the way he wanted, he's trying to reinvent things again. Tomoe also hints at a belief that the solution to her problems is to make the world anew - to get a second chance. Felix tries this, too, when he creates the red moon to wipe out all people except his select group.

But Felix does learn - Ladybug helps him see that even if you erase all the people causing you so much grief...you still have to deal with that pain. What Gabriel fails to see is that - like Cat Blanc on the roof, all alone without his lady - destroying your witnesses won't remove the witness in your own heart.

Even if Gabriel wiped everyone else's memory of his crimes, he would still know what he'd done. And when you cross those kinds of lines, you can never go back to who you once were.

Please no post-Revelation spoilers in the comments :)

[callsigns-haze]

Pretty like a crime

Chapter 8

Pairing: Agent Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Singlemom! Agent Y/n 'Cobra' Y/l/n

Summary: Cobra is finally back on the agency and is finally back in the job. With Kai at home she has to jumble being a mother and a agent. She's sent to her first U.C mission but never thought that she would meet a blonde, green eyed Texan...

Warning: Mentions of gun use, ptsd, mentions of death, mentions of shooting, flirting, mentions of abuse, description of dead body, death, blood, undercover work, alcohol use, smut, kissing

Prologue/ Part 1/ Part 2/Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7

"Alexandre, is back in the family." Matthew says as you sit on your balcony, sipping wine to help relieve the stress you've just experienced.

"Nice," you mumble taking another sip and looking at him from behind your glasses. He's changed so much recently, more tensed and stressed. He's been so full of anger and lost compassion that you simply don't understand.

"What's going on with you!" He lifts his voice and you don't even lift your gaze. He's angry but there's nothing that could get you more pissed than you already were. The people who hated the Chevaliers were working their way through history and you were giggling at the sidelines.

"Your brother just flipped his car and nearly died. You're so stuck up and arrogant that you don't even go and visit him and just sit here going on about business, THAT'S WHAT'S FUCKING WRONG WITH ME!" You shout at him.

"All you care about if your doing well in daddy's business. Not once did you stop and think about anyone around you, even your own brother's. Matthew, history from ten years ago is getting pulled back up from the grave and you should care about not getting caught by a lose thread!' And with that your gone. As you storm off as you shove past Penelope.

------

These people cared for no one at all. All they cared about was money. You don't know how you got yourself so deep into this drama but you don't want to know, but one thing you learned is that the only way to survive is to thrive by yourself.

You run down as fast as your legs can carry you. Your dad was called down to the police station along with other team members with no reason for the explanation behind it.

You pull out your badge and guards approve your entering and sadly the first person you lay on is the last you would've wanted. "Matthew."

Matthew, was your father's lawyer, family business brings close and yet that so-called lawyer is actually your ex. You haven't seen him ever since you left, from what you heard he went for rehab and it showed. He didn't seem sloppy and drowsy anymore, he had composure. He stood up straight, eyes not bloodshot and looked like the Matt you knew.

"Y/N."

He could not believe his eyes. The woman he had loved for all those years and the same woman that left him was now standing right in front of him, ready to hear news about her father.

"Hi." You both say in sync , causing the two of you to let out a laugh. Your laugh was one of the finest you've ever given off, you're far from happy to see this man and no act could fake it. It broke the thick and tense silence as you asked, "What happened with my dad?"

He looked down at you and pulled out a bunch of paper while pointing and explaining, "They pulled evidence from back years, then forged them together and got this mess." It sure was a mess, each line being more fake and unrealistic from the other.

Your father would never do such things and never did, he has worked honestly and fairly and whoever was doing this to him would surely pay.

"Can I-"

"Hey, Cobra!" A voice from behind you calls as the tall, muscular, blonde, green eyed Texan runs up beside you. He kisses your cheek lightly as Matthew hunts him down with his gaze. Horrible timing Hangman.

"Who's this?" Jake asks, wrapping his arm around your waist. These actions are getting stared at by Matthew as if he was a hawk hunting his prey. "Matt, this is Jake my partner. Jake, this is Kai's dad Matthew."

If you ever seen a cartoon character lose colour in milliseconds there was no better way of describing Jake. All the colour drained from his face, he went all pale and stiff, while shaking as he held his hand out.

Matthew stared at Jake's put out hand and ignored it, slightly shoving past it as he tells you. "They don't have anything solid on him, don't worry. Excuse me, I have to go see my client." He shoved past Jake whispering in his ear as he walked past. "If I were in your place I'd leave my family alone."

Jake got the biggest chills of his whole life. Your ex was, Matthew Chevalier. Nicely putting it, he was done for.

"You didn't tell me HE was Kai's dad. Wait! So you're-" You've heard this sentence more than you could count in your life, exactly the words used on the phonecall.

"Madame Chevalier or Lady, whatever you wanna call it." You sigh, pulling your head back and putting it back down to lock eyes with Jake. You stare at his green eyes for just a moment and then lean in to plant a kiss upon his lips. You wrap your hands gently around his neck, twirling his hair lightly as your lips perform a sort of dance. You pull back and look Jake in the eyes.

"As much as I hate him he's still Kai's father and a damn good lawyer, that's all that matters."

-------

You enter the white room where Romain lay. His neck was injured and in a brace and his arm was in a cast. He looked so powerless. In this moment he looked as if he lost all the authority he's ever had.

You walk toward the hospital bed and sit down on the small chair beside him. A tear slips from your eye as you watch him in such a state. Out of all the Chevaliers he was the only one with dignity and a heart and this all happened because his dad kicked him out for loving a man and not Grace.

"Hey," you say, putting his free hand in yours as he looks at you. A tear leaves his eye as he lays his sight upon you. You felt horrible for him. He didn't deserve this, not at all.

"Y/N, I-i-i-i." You shush him already knowing what he was going to say. The Fortuny family ended in such a way and now he did the same but if it wasn't for Olivia he'd already be dead.

"Romain, their death wasn't in your hands."

------

You lay on your couch as Kai insisted on walking Jake's dog with him, and there was no way you could deny it. The blanket lay only upon your feet as you curled yourself up into a ball.

Matthew was sober and back into his ordinary life. He was sober and in a brilliant state, he was influenced and trusted and most importantly out of all, he found you. Matthew had the right to fight for Kai if he wished to.

Kai was his son after all and the only reason you left was due to the struggles that your relationship pushed. You quickly got divorced papers and signed them and immediately left the continent let alone the country.

You earlier pulled out a glass of champagne, but now you've ended up in the middle of chugging the whole bottle. Your ex husband is in town, meaning he could tear you down for what you did. He could easily get rid of you for what you've done.

"MOMMY!" Kai's voice echoed through the apartment as they returned from their walk. You place the champagne bottle down onto the glass, black coffee table and sit up properly from your previous egg position.

The second Jake had taken off your son's shoes, the little boy ran to you and sat beside you before you pulled him into your lap. "Mommy, can I stay up with the doggy?" The little boy enforced one of the fittest pouting lips you've ever seen but you couldn't say yes, not tonight.

"I'm sorry baby, bed now. You've taken a bath earlier and went out in your PJ's so you're perfectly ready for a night snooze." Kai groans as Jake appears leaning against the living room doorframe with the young energetic dog at his feet.

"Your mommy's right buddy, you'll still have time to play tomorrow." You look up at Jake and smile before standing up with Kai on your hip.

You carry him over to Jake where your boyfriend happily relieves your arms from your son, carrying him to his room to put him down.

- Once Jake re-entered he found you leaning against the kitchen counter, head pointing downwards as you took deep breaths.

There were silent tears streaming down your face when the flashback of the papers went through your head. You let out a little sob not being able to contain yourself and that's when Jake noticed you crying.

"Noo angel, don't cry. I'm here now everything is ok," at that you get up to face him gently wrapping your arms around him and sobbing into his chest.

"Shhhh baby, it's okay. I'm here."

"It's just that when I left I never had to s-s-see him aga-" you could even finish the sentence with your shaking. You were having another panic attack. You haven't had one in ages but Jake knew this wouldn't end well if you didn't relax and take a breath.

"Look at me angel," he commands softly, not trying to be ruff or rude but in a way to get you to listen.

You raze your gaze to him as your glassy eyes spill again and you start hiccuping softly.

"Now, see angel. I'm here, okay? I'm fine and I'm with you so let's keep the past to the past and now everything is okay," he says pulling you in gently.

Your son's slowed down as you started taking deep, slowed down breaths. "I don't want him here. I want him gone, for good this time!" You choke out before reburying yourself in Jake's chest. You want Matthew dead.

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[a-la-campanella]

Lunar New Year post! To all who celebrate, may the new year be full of happiness for you!

I have many gripes about the writing for the High Cloud Quintet, but what I find the most fascinating about their fallout is where it places Jing Yuan, and where it will lead him into the future.

Baiheng is dead. She's gone, and while there is very strong evidence (nothing explicitly confirmed, but we're working with what we can get) pointing to traces of Baiheng in Bailu, part of the reincarnation process is acknowledging that Bailu is a whole other person separated from her past/any other life she may have lived and with different memories/experiences. The future is thus: she will be the next High Elder for the Xianzhou Luofu, and she's content with her position as a doctor and healer to those in need of treatment. She doesn't seem to have any big dreams, and what she has now is enough for her. As part of her duty and the expectations of her, she'll stay with the Xianzhou Alliance until she has to reincarnate. It doesn't matter if she one day grows to dream bigger, the choice is now robbed from her like it was from Dan Feng.

Dan Heng is content with his own life. He's suffered enough as it was when he was first born in this name, escaped the Luofu, running away from Blade across space, and made his way to forge a life he can call his own on the Astral Express. He has no need nor want to be shacked by his past, and he can live freely without the shadow of Dan Feng hanging over him. I'm curious where he'll be centuries down the line, given how long his expected lifespan is, and the lifespans of his companions being... probably nowhere as long. But until they part ways, Dan Heng will have them by his side. Of the current Express Crew, Pom-Pom would still be around, and maybe the Trailblazer too. Dan Heng might die and never reincarnate, or he might someday return to the Xianzhou Luofu again to settle down when it's his turn to return to an egg and be reborn anew once more. Given what he's like, I don't see him going out with mara.

Blade was Yingxing, and now he's Blade. Yingxing is dead in the sense that the person he used to be is no more, and now, Blade is just a blade. Mara haunts him in a way that tortures him, and he'll take the path Elio promises if it'll grant him freedom. Living for so long is his punishment/price, and death will be a mercy. He'll die one day, I'm sure, though I'm fairly confident that day will be far off, too. He has the Stellaron Hunters to keep him company for now, and if Elio delivers his promise, Blade will see his peace in the end with them. After the events on the Luofu, I think it's safe to say his arc will conclude with him moving on from chasing a past that no longer wants him, and breaking free—accepting a certain finality—in what has passed, and what will come (his death).

Jingliu is the only other character besides Jing Yuan to keep her name from those times, but she's mara-stricken like Blade and has her own agenda now. She has no personal attachments anymore to anyone from her High Cloud Quintet days, not even her own disciple Jing Yuan, nor does she display interest in associating with them now. She'll pass one day like Blade, I'm sure. They may not go out the same way though; regardless, I don't expect her to do much even if she does live on after her role has been fulfilled (to participate in the war/"game" against Yaoshi and end the abominations of Abundance once and for all).

Jing Yuan was, and still is, shaped by the people around him. The person he was when the High Cloud Quintet was around isn't the same person he is now, but in some ways, he still shares that identity. He's fond of Dan Heng and still cares about Baiheng (now assumed to be Bailu). Jing Yuan used to dream of being a Galaxy Ranger touring the universe in the name of justice, and instead took to rising the ranks in the Cloud Knights, learning to protect what's left of his home on the Luofu, and becoming a leader who valiantly fights for peace. I'm not quite sure how he'll go out. Maybe in battle, against the Abundance; or maybe Yanqing, trained to surpass him, will be called to cut him down; or maybe he'll retire peacefully, spending his days peeling tangerines and basking under the Sun, until he's older and more gray, and one day, gone.

And it's just so interesting to me, because Jing Yuan is so kind, and it does not make him worse off. Unlike Blade and Jingliu, he doesn't let the mara consume him, and focuses on his happiness instead of the despair. His grief is quiet, he carried the weight of a world on his shoulders, but he still finds the time to take in a disciple and teach him the way of the sword, to visit the doctor who reminds him of an old and dear friend, and to make way for banter with his next-in-line. He's outlived the rise and fall of civilizations during that time, alone and not-alone, surrounded by the people he had and has now, and may live long enough to outlive several more.

Everyone has moved on from those years together, and their pasts may connect, but their futures all lead in vastly different directions. I'm sure Jing Yuan has lamented over the past before, but centuries have gone by since. Many things in the world have changed now, and he lives his own life, too. They all do.

Where am I going with this? Who knows. Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate and to Jing Yuan especially. As Yanqing might say: 恭喜发财（红包拿来）。

May your red envelopes be packed with extra money so Yanqing can buy that new and fancy dragon-themed sword.

[aslightaddity]

Dappy!verse Riddler lore

Born Eduardo Enigmar to Franklin Enigmar and Julia Osorio, in a small city in the east coast. Together they were a happy enough family.

He was a quiet kid and often was left to manage himself and often was used to console and comfort his parents. He was terrified of disobeying the rules as his mother would refuse to talk to him or look after him for days at a time when he would misbehave.

At school, He was always talented, well behaved, and was placed in advanced courses or pushed up by a few grades. He didn’t have many friends as he was seen as weird and creepy by the other kids.

He loved detectives, his favorite books as a child being Sherlock Holmes. He’d often investigate small mundane things for fun, find out what keeps getting into the trash, whose moving in next-door, and one day he decided to investigate where his father went for his frequent business trips.

He followed Franklin to another town and watched as he rejoined a family. A mother and son he hadn’t seen before but Franklin seemed to know. Before he was caught he rushed himself home and told his mother.

His mother was angry with him for running off and coming back with a crazy story. She refused to believe him.

Shortly after the birth of his younger sister, Malory who was almost 15 years younger than him, his parent’s marriage became rocky and the truth finally came out that Franklin had a second family.

Throughout the divorce proceedings Ed tried his best to be supportive and helpful to his mother but was only met with anger, she blamed him for it all. He had dropped out of his senior year in high school to take care of his mother and Malory. His mother would always shout and treat him with distain as she only saw Franklin when she looked at him, to the point where she tried to get Malory to never look at him.

After a few years, when Malory began school, one petty fight between Ed and his mother boiled over into him leaving without a way for them to contact him.

He traveled around, couch surfing, and never being able to hold a steady job. It was slim as to which stores would hire him due to his lack of a diploma. After awhile he ended up in Gotham, where he not only got forged documents but he also changed his name. From Eduardo Enigmar to Edward Nygma to finally distance himself from his family and the man that ruined his childhood.

In Gotham he became a PI, unable to be employed by the GCPD due to his lack of proper training, a rather successful one at that, due to his affordability mainly. Despite being an upstanding investigator the GCPD officers he worked with never liked him, often poking fun at him or messing with evidence.

He was hired to investigate a murder one day, the problem however being that, the murder wasn’t reported to the police before the case was given to him. So when the police were tipped off there was no other possible suspect but him, there was a jarring lack of evidence to prove his innocence.

What ‘incriminating’ evidence was found was his forged documents, a name change, and a manic denial. After a psychological evaluation he was deemed criminally insane and sentenced to Arkham.

The brutal treatment in Arkham (electroshock therapy and misperscribed medicine) and the trauma of being framed finally culminated with his anger and left him catatonic for months and prone to hallucinations. However, In an outburst he attacked and seriously injured a guard and himself causing him to need a mobility aid once it healed. After the attack he was resigned to solitary.

There his hallucinations only got worse and He realized people were always going to blame him for things gone wrong and only see evil in him. So he decided to let go on trying to be the good person he had been trying to be for so many years. He realized that no one but himself cared about his justice.

As he was used to investigation and puzzle solving, escaping from the asylum was rather easy. (He was quite proud that he was able to switch his place and his aloof guard’s)

However once he was out it was trickier, he couldn’t return to his apartment or office as the leases had broken during his incarceration. After wandering through the labyrinth that were the Gotham streets he sunk into the iceberg lounge for a place to sleep.

He managed to lay low and go unnoticed, thanks to the help of two of the women who worked there (Nina and Diedre) for a few days before Oswald took notice of him.

Their first interaction included Oswald blackmailing Ed with his estranged family and Ed threatening Oswald’s life. Despite the rocky start Ed soon proved himself to Oswald to be usefully and trustworthy (through many heists and investigations to rivals) and Oswald proved himself to be caring to Ed, something he had not been accustomed, and they became closer. Both have confided in the other about their pasts and trust no one more than the other.

With Oswald’s influence and the help and support of Nina and Diedre he became more and more bold with his crimes and eventually became The riddler we know and love

[bitch-for-a-rainbow]

Supercorptober Day 3: Kara

The folder is burning a hole through Lena’s desk.

Not literally, of course, that hasn’t happened in years. (Thanks, Jack). But it might as well be. Jess had dropped it off a few hours ago with a meaningful glance that was as close to an “I told you so” her professionalism would allow. It’s thicker than Lena would have thought. Much thicker. She tries to pretend that isn’t as much of a warning sign as Jess handing it to her in person had been. She eyes it like a snake, and the name emblazoned at the top seems to glare back.

Kara Danvers

It’s stupid, really, her hesitation. These background checks have been done on every person she’s been in close contact with since she was four years old— and they’ve only grown more intensive after Lex’s fall. Even Sam had had to go through this once. Kara is no different.

Except that she is. Except that now Lena has a folder on her desk thick enough that the plastic cover is bulging. Except that if there wasn’t an issue, Jess would have just told her that Kara had been cleared. Except that Jess had never, in the almost 3 years she had worked for Lena, given Lena one of these folders in person, on paper.

The nagging worry chews at the base of her gut. Here they are. All of Kara’s secrets. She really hadn’t thought the woman could keep a secret at all, but she must have. She must have.

Kara is a journalist. Lena’s known that from the start. Maybe she’d been hired to write a hit piece, and her friendship had just been a means to get her scoop. Maybe she’s been selling photos or compromising gossip or the project details that Lena has been stupid enough to tell her about over their lunches. There are a hundred options— all of them terrible. She could have connections to Lex, an ugly voice whispers in the back of her mind. Maybe he’s been using you this whole time.

Lena brushes the thought away harshly. If anything, Kara might come down on the opposite danger of that particular arrangement. None of Lex’s cronies would argue that strongly for aliens, even if they were playing the long game.

The folder sits, and its secrets burn her.

Lena flicks it open. To her surprise, the first page is a copy of Kara’s adoption certificate. There’s a photo pinned to it. Kara isn’t wearing her glasses here, but no one could say it isn’t her. The flannel she’s wearing is ill-fitting, and the jeans are belted on and rolled up at the ankles. It’s a family photo— Jeremiah and Eliza beam arm-in-arm, with Alex on their right and Kara on their left. Kara stands slightly apart from the rest of the family. She doesn’t smile.

There’s a note at the bottom of the photo. It reads, “Earliest verifiable proof of life.” The second note, at the bottom of the adoption certificate, is far more damning. “Forged.”

Lena sifts through the rest of the pages, curiosity banishing her unease. The same note repeats again and again.

Forged. Forged. Forged.

Kara’s birth certificate is fake. From what Jess’ sources have found, every school transcript, every medical record, every single document even hinting at Kara’s existence before the age of 13 is fake— and they aren’t poorly made forgeries either. Before the family photo was taken, December 14th, 2003, there is no evidence she existed at all. No photographs, no real records. Jess’ PIs couldn’t connect her to any dead or disappeared children in the year or so before the photo. There’s just nothing. An empty hole where a life should be. Even now, every medical record she has (limited to a few necessary vaccinations) is fake.

Kara’s claim that her parents died in a car accident is as unprovable as her birth. Of the nearly 39,000 car accidents in the United States in 2003, none of them can be connected to Kara. The simple fact, raised in a small addendum at the end of the first section, is that someone had worked very hard to make it look as though a girl named Kara Danvers (Born Kara Brown) had been born and raised in California.

It’s not the worst outcome there could have been, Lena decides. So far, there’s no connection to Lex, nor even to any specific security risk. Maybe Kara had been in Witness protection, or she’d been illegally adopted from a foreign country. None of it’s good, but on the scale of 1 to psychopathic mass murderer, it’s actually all rather minor.

She opens the next section, and her stomach drops. It’s a death certificate— Jeremiah Danvers’ death certificate. “Plane Crash - Presumed dead on impact.” Her eyes drift lower, and she knows what the note will say before she reads it. Forged.

The next several documents are government-issued mission reports and memos. She doesn’t recognize the heading at the top, “DEO,” but the notes beneath it confirm its veracity. They are purposefully vague in places, but Lena has read enough of the old Cadmus documentation after the Medusa attack to read between the lines. Jeremiah Danvers had been caught hiding aliens, and he’d been given a choice. He could help catch them, or he and his family could join them. Lena remembers the way Kara had recoiled at her alien detection device. She feels slightly queasy.

There’s nothing more about Jeremiah in the documents, only a few scattered remarks on Cadmus’ activity in the area of Peru where his plane had gone down. There are a few other documents. Alex apparently works for this DEO, and she’s rather high-ranking too. The end of the file has some written conclusions, theories of the investigators. Lena doesn’t pay them much mind. It was the data she needed.

So, Kara was raised by a known alien smuggler, one who’d been discovered for an undisclosed “incident” only a year after Kara’s adoption. She had no verifiable proof of existence before the age of 13. By all accounts, Kara hasn’t been to a doctor in the past 12 years, but Lena has never seen her so much as sneeze. And in all the months Lena has known her, Kara has only ever said 2 things about her life before the Danvers— that she’s adopted, and her mother was “sort of like a lawyer.” It’s not exactly the world’s hardest puzzle to solve.

Kara Danvers is an alien.

Okay, then.

What the fuck does she do now?

[beardedmrbean]

Five women say they were raped by former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed when they worked at the luxury London department store.

The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted or raped them.

The documentary and podcast - Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods - gathered evidence that, during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up abuse allegations.

Harrods’ current owners said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed - for which the store sincerely apologised.

“The spider’s web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark,” says barrister Bruce Drummond, from a legal team representing a number of the women.

Since this article was first published, more former Harrods employees have contacted the BBC saying Mohammed Al Fayed assaulted them.

Warning: this story contains details some may find distressing.

The incidents took place in London, Paris, St Tropez and Abu Dhabi.

“I made it obvious that I didn't want that to happen. I did not give consent. I just wanted it to be over,” says one of the women, who says Fayed raped her at his Park Lane apartment.

Another woman says she was a teenager when he raped her at the Mayfair address.

“Mohamed Al Fayed was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” she says, adding that all the staff at Harrods were his “playthings”.

“We were all so scared. He actively cultivated fear. If he said ‘jump’ employees would ask ‘how high’.”

Fayed faced sexual assault claims while he was alive, but these allegations are of unprecedented scale and seriousness. The BBC believes many more women may have been assaulted.

'Fayed was vile'

Fayed's entrepreneurial career began on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, where he hawked fizzy drinks to passers-by. But it was his marriage to the sister of a millionaire Saudi arms dealer that helped him forge new connections and build a business empire.

He moved to the UK in 1974 and was already a well-known public figure when he took over Harrods in 1985. In the 1990s and 2000s, he would regularly appear as a guest on prime-time TV chat and entertainment shows.

Meanwhile, Fayed - whose son Dodi was killed in a car crash alongside Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 - has become known to a new generation through the two most recent Netflix series of The Crown.

But the women we have spoken to say his portrayal as pleasant and gregarious was far from the truth.

“He was vile,” says one of the women, Sophia, who worked as his personal assistant from 1988 to 1991. She says he tried to rape her more than once.

“That makes me angry, people shouldn't remember him like that. It's not how he was.”

Some of the women waived, or partially waived, their right to anonymity to be filmed - and the BBC agreed not to use surnames. Others chose to remain anonymous. Put together, their testimonies reveal a pattern of predatory behaviour and sexual abuse by Fayed.

The Harrods owner would regularly tour the department store's vast sales floors and identify young female assistants he found attractive, who would then be promoted to work in his offices upstairs - former staff, male and female, told us.

The assaults would be carried out in Harrods’ offices, in Fayed's London apartment, or on foreign trips - often in Paris at the Ritz hotel, which he also owned, or his nearby Villa Windsor property.

At Harrods, other former staff members told us it was clear what was happening.

“We all watched each other walk through that door thinking, ‘you poor girl, it's you today’ and feeling utterly powerless to stop it,” Alice, not her real name, says.

'He raped me'

Rachel, not her real name, worked as a personal assistant in Harrods in the 1990s.

One night after work, she says she was called to his luxury apartment, in a large block on Park Lane overlooking London's Hyde Park. The building was protected by security staff and had an on-site office staffed by Harrods employees.

Rachel says Fayed asked her to sit on his bed and then put his hand on her leg, making it clear what he wanted.

“I remember feeling his body on me, the weight of him. Just hearing him make these noises. And… just going somewhere else in my head.

“He raped me.”

The BBC has spoken to 13 women who say Fayed sexually assaulted them at 60 Park Lane. Four of them, including Rachel, say they were raped.

Sophia, who says she was sexually assaulted, described the whole situation as an inescapable nightmare.

“I couldn't leave. I didn’t have a [family] home to go back to, I had to pay rent,” she says. “I knew I had to go through this and I didn’t want to. It was horrible and my head was scrambled.”

Gemma, who worked as one of Fayed’s personal assistants between 2007-09, says his behaviour became more frightening during work trips abroad.

She says it culminated in her being raped at Villa Windsor in Paris's Bois de Boulogne - a former home, post-abdication, of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson.

Gemma says she woke up startled in her bedroom. Fayed was next to her bed wearing just a silk dressing gown. He then tried to get into bed with her.

“I told him, ‘no, I don't want you to’. And he proceeded to just keep trying to get in the bed, at which point he was kind of on top of me and [I] really couldn't move anywhere.

“I was kind of face down on the bed and he just pressed himself on me.”

She says after Fayed raped her she cried, while he got up and told her aggressively to wash herself with Dettol.

“Obviously he wanted me to erase any trace of him being anywhere near me,” she explains.

Eight other women have also told us they were sexually assaulted by Fayed at his properties in Paris. Five women described the assaults as an attempted rape.

'Open secret'

“The abuse of women, I was aware of it when I was on the shop floor," says Tony Leeming, a Harrods department manager from 1994 to 2004. It “wasn't even a secret”, recalls Mr Leeming, who says he did not know about more serious allegations of assault or rape.

"And I think if I knew, everybody knew. Anyone who says they didn't are lying, I'm sorry".

Mr Leeming's testimony is backed up by former members of Fayed's security team.

“We were aware that he had this very strong interest in young girls,” says Eamon Coyle, who joined Harrods in 1979 as a store detective, then became deputy director of security from 1989-95.

Meanwhile Steve, who does not want us to use his surname, worked for the billionaire between 1994-95. He told us that security staff “did know that certain things were happening to certain female employees at Harrods and Park Lane”.

Many of the women told us that when they began working directly for Fayed they underwent medicals - including invasive sexual health tests carried out by doctors.

This was presented as a perk, the women told us, but many did not see their own results - even though they were sent to Fayed.

“There is no benefit to anybody knowing what my sexual health is, unless you're planning to sleep with somebody, which I find quite chilling now,” says Katherine, who was an executive assistant in 2005.

'Culture of fear'

All the women we spoke to described having felt intimidated at work - which had made it difficult for them to speak out.

Sarah, not her real name, explained: “There was most definitely a culture of fear across the whole store - from the lowliest of the low, to the most senior person.”

Others told us they believed the phones in Harrods had been tapped - and that women had been scared of talking to each other about Fayed’s abuse, fearing they were being filmed by hidden cameras.

The ex-deputy director of security, Eamon Coyle, confirmed this - explaining how part of his job was to listen to tapes of recorded calls. Cameras that could record had also been installed throughout the store, he said, including in the executive suites.

“He [Fayed] bugged everybody that he wanted to bug.”

Harrods told the BBC in a statement these had been the actions of an individual “intent on abusing his power” which it condemned in the strongest terms.

It said: “The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”

There were a number of attempts to expose Fayed before his death - notably by Vanity Fair in 1995 - with an article alleging racism, staff surveillance and sexual misconduct. This sparked a libel lawsuit.

Mohamed Al Fayed later agreed to drop the case as long as all the further evidence the magazine had gathered of his sexual misconduct in preparation for a trial was locked away. Fayed’s settlement was negotiated by a senior Harrods executive.

In 1997, ITV’s The Big Story reported further serious allegations including sexual harassment and groping - which is classed as sexual assault.

One of the women in the BBC investigation, Ellie, not her real name, was 15 in 2008 when she reported an assault to the police - an allegation that made headlines - but did not result in any charge.

In 2017, Channel 4’s Dispatches broadcast allegations of groping, assault and harassment, with one woman waiving her right to anonymity for the first time. It gave some women the courage to come forward - and was followed by a 2018 investigation on Channel 4 News.

But it is only now, with Mohamed Al Fayed having died last year, that many of the women have felt able to speak publicly about rape and attempted rape.

Cash and NDAs

The BBC documentary reveals that, as part of Gemma's settlement in 2009, she had to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), a legally-binding contract which ensures information remains confidential.

She says after she was raped, she contacted a lawyer who told Harrods she was leaving her job on the grounds of sexual harassment. Gemma says she did not feel able, at that time, to disclose the full extent and seriousness of Fayed's assaults.

Harrods agreed she could leave and it would pay a sum of money in exchange for her shredding all evidence and signing an NDA. Gemma says a member of Harrods’ HR team was present as the shredding took place.

The BBC has heard that women were threatened and intimidated by Harrods' then-director of security, John Macnamara, to stop them speaking out.

Fourteen of the women we spoke to recently brought civil claims against Harrods for damages. The shop's current owners, who are not asking women to sign NDAs, started settling these in July 2023.

It took Sophia and Harrods five years to reach an agreement. In her case, the store expressed regret but did not admit liability. Many more women are now considering legal action against Harrods.

[rattled-shadow]

Do you remember the notorious 11/21 exposition scene?

Would you like to hear it without background music?

My friend @ocean-stuck was kind enough to give me the isolated vocals, so I combined them into one track

And yes, I wrote a transcript for it under the cut:

Shido: I finally made it this far... It's already been two and a half years since we met.

Akechi: Back then, you were in the media's attention as a young politician who could rise up against bureaucracy. Because of that, those who wanted to preemptively deal with problems tried to tie you up in scandal.

Shido: To think I would fall for the ruse schemed by those decrepit fools in power. I recall that's when you came to me. You promoted yourself, saying that you had "special powers". If it wasn't for the research in cognition that I dabbled in, I would have thought you insane.

Akechi: I made those troublesome opponents psychotic, and erased any trace of that scandal.

Shido: Who'd think that tampering with a person's heart could trigger a psychotic lapse or mental shutdown? And when someone like that said he'd support me, I had suspected that there'd be an ulterior motive.

Akechi: It's because I sympathized with your aspiring ideology. I believed that your ideals needed to be achieved for the sake of the country's future.

Shido: Well, my faith in you is precisely why I pulled the plug on that research. I only need you using that power. It'd be troublesome if someone else uncovered how it works.

Akechi: ...Wakaba Isshiki, was it? That researcher, she wouldn't have had to have died if she just complied.

Shido: Any suspicions should be snubbed out. Even the smallest doubt must be severed at the root. After all, we had an active Public Prosecutors Office director on our side until recently.

Akechi: Astounding, isn't it? To think the director himself would often forge evidence to secure his promotion. He was quite surprised when you confronted him about it. He didn't know who leaked that information. Well, I got that out of his Shadow, so technically speaking, he did it himself.

Shido: This country's affairs have become stagnant. The political world is filled with old men who only act to preserve their own vested interests. The general public has forsaken such political affairs and don't even bother. Only ruin awaits us.

Akechi: I must agree.

Shido: There's no need to be ruined with such incompetent fools. I will lead this country to its revival. Those who get in the way must be eliminated at times - that's the correct way to use the Metaverse.

Akechi: Still, it would stand out if there were continuous deaths and scandals with your political rivals. Which is why I made them "suspects." Prosecute the targets that I turned psychotic... and solve them as cases unrelated to you. And thus, the charismatic ace detective was born.

Shido: Thanks to your efforts, my clean image remains untarnished, and I monopolized public opinion. Once I gained public sentiment, collaborators from all sectors began approaching me on their own. The police were no exception. With their management in my pocket, keeping them in check was easy.

Akechi: When the Phantom Thieves emerged, I thought things might become somewhat troublesome.

Shido: They were just brats once we looked into it. All we needed to do was to lay the blame on them...

Akechi: When you told me that, I knew then that you were the better man.

Shido: Their popularity was a bit beyond my expectations but flipping it made the negative press stronger. After that, all I had to do was openly berate them. I've been gaining more supporters since. The current administration is dead with ongoing scandals... never mind the fact that they're my doing. Even the government parties have begun splitting up... and they're dissolving just as planned.

[Shido laughs]

Shido: The time has finally come... Just a little more and I'll take the seat of prime minister. However, inauguration isn't my goal. That's when everything truly begins. I'll make this country rich for the sake of its selfish and ignorant masses who can only rely on others.

Akechi: In other words, you're creating a powerful country that can compete with the world.

Shido: The public resonates with my ideals and follows me. And for that, some "sacrifices" can't be avoided. That is my duty as the chosen one. Your assistance has been very influential in making my plan run smoothly. When I become prime minister, I'll grant whatever wish you want.

Akechi: With this most recent case, my name has become known across the country, perhaps even the world. Surely my story will be passed down as a hero who won against monsters that could control people's hearts. I believe I'll lay low and devote myself to my studies.

Shido: ...I suppose with your age, you wouldn't come up with debauched desires.

Akechi: ...I am thinking about the future though.

[majoresca]

Plans that Cedric could have accomplished if he was a Classic Disney Villain™, and why he is not one:

First of all, I would like to thank those who inspired me and helped me make this list, I couldn't have done it without you guys! @moonightsky ; @sweetmariihs2 ; @histroiansofenchancia and @shychick-52. Thank you so much!

Trying to kill the king, or, the royal family:

It may seem a bit too much for a children's cartoon on Disney Junior ™, and they probably wouldn't put this on the character if they planned for him to be redeemed in the future. After all, it would be very cruel and unrealistic, to forgive an attempt to regicide one member, let alone an entire family! So, you can understand why they didn't put it on his list of plans.

Classic Disney villains who tried this plan: The Evil Queen*; Commander Lyle**; Scar and Hans.

* It was more out of envy of the protagonist's beauty, not a hint of misogyny, but by killing Princess Snow White she would also leave the throne to the Evil Queen alone.

** Commander Lyle's motivation was more of an elimination to obtain resources, not to dominate the kingdom of Atlantis himself. And since the film didn't make as much money as Disney expected, he is forgotten in the villain drawer of series b.

Not a Disney villain, but Rasputin , from the film Anastasia 1997, executed this plan and almost managed to complete it with several attempts on the protagonist's life. And obviously, he lost and suffered the consequences. And since Disney bought the company that created this film, it remains in limbo in this classification.

Get it? Limbo, just like him in the movie.

Addition: We could count the episode The Floating Palace as one of his attempts, but since the character's behavior was considered out of character, dismissal is an option. Unless, if we count on the possibility of a theory with the link below:

https://www.tumblr.com/shychick-52/747316313907773440/headcanon?source=share

Trying to marry a member of royalty:

A much less violent plan, but no less difficult to execute. Since it would require a lot of time invested in the courting process, with no guarantee that it would work. In the series it is established how Matilda was the first successor to the throne, so trying to win her over to get the crown would be a logical plan. However, as she shows herself to be a free-spirited woman, with a contrasting and polar opposite personality to his, her rejection would be a great possibility.

But for a Disney villain, there's nothing that threats, blackmail or mind control can't solve. (The Disney equivalent of Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.)

Classic Disney villains who tried this plan:

The Evil Queen; Madame Tremaine's daughters, Anastasia and Drizella; Ursula*; Jafar; Lawrence** and Hans.

*I don't see Vanessa's disguise as an attempt to conquer the surface, it's more like a way to prevent Ariel from fulfilling her part of the contract. However, how could she harm at least two or three royals at once, she deserved to be here.

** Lawrence tried to marry Charlotte and pass himself off as Prince Naveen, an even worse crime in comparison. Because he would spend the rest of his life deceiving everyone.

***Gaston tried to force Belle into marrying him, but she only became a member of royalty when she married Prince Adam.

****Frollo also tried to force Esmeralda to stay with him but, like she's not a princess (outside of our hearts) then, and doesn't belong to the official line of Disney Princesses, I'll have to let her go.

Try to conquer a neighboring land or kingdom:

By being on the side of the king and being one of its advisors, it would not be difficult to suggest that there is a conflict with the neighboring government taking place. When applying as a diplomat and forging the evidence of war plans, the king could declare a war, which could have at least two results:

• The local king loses, and the villain eliminates competition between the successors, becoming king.

But if there are still some left, if at all.

Those who remain are still unable to govern, a state of siege would be established, and the villain would rule during the period of regency.

• The local king wins, and as the conquered people still needed time to adjust, the government would have to control the resistance and revolts that may arise. And the villain would offer to control the new conquered land, with custody guaranteed by the monarch.

The villain could feel comfortable and leave it as it is.

( Which I highly doubt, since these are Classic Disney Villains we're talking about.)

Or, seek to develop his government as a future supower, to conquer its neighboring kingdom and former ally.

Classic Disney villains who tried this plan:

Governor Ratcliffe;Commander Lyle; Shan Yu, Scar and Hans.

* Jafar from the live action tried this plan, however, I only want to count the original animated films.

**I'm a little unsure whether Hans fits into this category, although he lied and said that Elsa froze the kingdom, attacked the guards and killed her own sister Anna. Come to think of it, he does fit on the list.

Why doesn't Cedric fit into the list of Classic Disney villains?

Because he's not a real villain, he was just designed to look like that. He's more of a Red Herring antagonist than a major threat.

The fact that he did not engage in many of these classic plans could mean two things:

• Or he is very stupid.

• Or he never had this great desire to do evil. He must have thought that the only way to get respect was to become a worthy threat. Using Niccolò Machiavelli's line of thought: that the ends justify the means and that between being loved or feared, it is safer to be feared.

P.S.

( Even Barbie villains have tried this plans countless times! But they don't count on the list because they aren't from Disney.)

If I'm missing anything, I'm sorry guys. Thank you very much for reading until the end.

Hugs and kisses!

[motheatenscarf]

Oh, I... feel guilty about how much more I'm already liking Dawntrail now that we're getting one-on-one time with Erenville and just Erenville.

I'm not sure if it's just because he's much more taciturn, understated character that I personally find more appealing or if it's because it's letting me participate in events that are happening more, but uh, yeah, liking the second half a lot more already.

He's a very understated character and like a true introvert shines best in one-on-one scenarios. He's got some potentially juicy and interesting shit going on that he is very reticent to discuss.

First off, I am appreciating his just. Quiet confidence. He knows what his skills are, he knows what the WoL's skills are, he has nothing to prove to you or anyone and is neither in awe of nor horrified by what a fucking nightmare of murder incarnate the WoL is. It's novel and refreshing.

I was pretty sure of it before but am positive now that yeah, this "mentor" he keeps referring to is just HIS MOTHER. He calls his mother his mentor. This family friend of his we meet who watched him grow up says that he would "cry and cry" when his mother would leave him behind to explore and join in Guluul Ja Ja's entourage (called it). She evidently said he could come along when he found the city of gold and proved himself a "true explorer" and then he spent like... god knows how long? Working as a gleaner? Trying to find it? Thinking it was some psychological test to get him out of the nest?

I love it. And also, they keep calling his mother a hunter of great renown which. HMMMM. Erenville is decidedly a NON-combatant. It's another interesting trait they've given him- dude does not fight. He has zero combat capabilities. Very capable and knowledgeable guide, for the most part.... the first half kinda felt like we barely needed him, but I mean, it felt that way about most characters. That was the Koana and Wuk Lamat get to have special skills that serve the narrative half of the story, everyone else is just kinda there. Getting off topic. ANYWAY. I wonder if that's a point of comparison that stings. It's great because it means the player has to fight shit while he sleuths and does the smart guy stuff. Y'know. Obvious division of labor in a GAME.

Then there's the name.

So, on the one hand yes, trans Erenville, let's just slap that on a sticker right now, it's canon, I said so.

On the other hand though! The MOMMY ISSUES. I do believe he started out adopting the new name just wanting to slink under the radar and not be bothered as a "curiosity" in Sharlayan because he's from Tural. I also believe, however, that in forging out on his own and carving his own identity, he realized how much he preferred not being compared to or reminded of his mother through this old name. It genuinely seems to bother him when people use his old name.

I smell mommy issues. Give me the mommy issues. First half was about daughter comparing herself to daddy, now I want the boy comparing himself to his mommy and being mentally ill about it.

God that's it exactly, please, give me someone with mental illness again.

Even if it just masquerades as a reflexive hyper competency and keeping people at arms' length. That's Y'shtola and I love Y'shtola once they leaned into that.

GIMME.