#like the change in buttons to switch runes

[floweringpopcat]

started totk earlier today and i already have so many thoughts. i'm guessing it takes place 2-5 years (maybe longer with how much purah aged!) after botw considering all of the guardians/sheikah tech is cleared out, plus the zonai stuff has had time to settle a bit. where did all that sheikah tech go/get disposed to? what happened to the sheikah shrines? where did the zonai ruins and shrines come from? i feel like time/dimension shenanigans may be at work

and then there's just the whole sky islands thing and i want to scream. skyward sword with skyloft and moving to the surface and then totk and the islands are back. it's like how earth started with pangaea, is now continents, and will become one supercontinent millions/billions of years in the future. full circle. (though with the royal line totk is portraying, i think it can be safely said that botw/totk are on a separate timeline)

considering botw didn't have bomb flowers, like likes, sundelions, etc., can it be inferred that the seeds and fauna came from the zonai ruins and/or depths and thrived in the new environment? how much has the geography changed?

the little tidbit in the lookout landing emergency shelter where the one guy is looking at texts written in ancient hylian? ugh /pos the majority of the hylians are so research-oriented and i absolutely love it

why does hylia say "go and bring peace to hyrule" in botw, but "go and bring peace to the world" in totk? how much is truly at stake here? i'm excited to find out

[kazucee]

★CANT BE MORE DOWN BAD THAN I AM ! It's the way a smile could easily coax a heartbeat to race. It's the way that lingering unintentional stares manage to leave one on just teetering the edge of insanity. It's the way that despite everything, at the end of the day you'll both still remain roommates, but then the start of a new day begins and suddenly you're questioning everything all over again.

In which our favourite scribe and architect struggle with feelings and their painfully obvious pining, for the lovers who up till now don't know where they stand in the positive negative line of relationships. Pairings: Alhaitham x Kaveh ! [Wk: 897]

Tall, blonde and gorgeous. Like that stupid french fry meme that has done its fair share of circulation throughout sumeru. It was stupid really that Kaveh had been the first to come to the scribe's mind when Cyno had mentioned it a few days ago during their annual TCG card gathering, it was stupid how Alhaitham can't seem to keep his mind off the architect after that event. It was fresh in his mind, burrowing and making a home in the alcoves of his brain cavity, making its unwanted and pestering presence known throughout the entire day. His entire day. Kaveh. Kaveh. Kaveh. With blonde hair that reminds him of a sunflower. The brunette ends contrasting to his golden honey spun hair making themselves known everyday, every minute, every second of his damn life.

It was an imperfection, unsymmetrical, a product of Kaveh’s laziness—since the architect had stopped bothering to hide his natural hair color with that hideous brunette hair dye that always smelled a little too pungent for Alhaitham’s liking—he couldn't tolerate but found himself staring at for a moment too long. It was bothering him. Kaveh and his stupid blonde hair and the stupid brunette tips at the end. It was a painfully ethereal reminder that the blonde was in fact the object of his desires, the recipient of his pathetic pining and silent adoration.

Even at this moment, with Kaveh sitting innocently enough on that green couch that he claimed was hideous, the scribe thinks—no feels that he must be at the tipping edge of his sanity, grasping at the strings desperately. It's just Kaveh. His roommate. With the stupid blonde hair, the brunette tips and the red clips stuck in different directions driving him to the point of madness as he casually sits there and sketches his latest commision and blabbering about nonsensical things.

Despite showing his complete disinterest towards Kaveh’s complaints about his latest client, the blonde still yammered on. Alhaitham tries, desperately, to find it in himself to switch on that damned noise canceling button and be done with his roommates voice. But he found himself listening, though with disinterest, book in hand, headphones on and hearing every single word, it's like an old record that one resonated with by chance and it won't stop playing it's hypnotizing tune. He needs fresh air. And he'll keep needing fresh air, he thinks that it's the fact that they've been living together and he had gotten a little too used to the others' constant presence.

If Kaveh noticed Alhaithams change in the way he regarded him, more softer, like how your lover would whisper sweet nothings to you at the dead of night, under the lavender scented sheets and away from the world's view. Kaveh had truly mastered the art of ‘if you convince yourself enough, then there's nothing wrong with your roommates sudden change in behavioral patterns.’ The blonde will pretend that waking up to a warm blanket that definitely wasn't there the night before was normal and Alhaitham was probably just making sure he's still alive to pay rent by the end of the month. He'll pretend that he definitely didn't suddenly start picking up on ancient runes just so that he'd have a ground for conversation with that nuisance of a roommate of his. His. Roomate. His nuisance of a roommate that he'd catch looking at him with a pinch of sweetness and warmth, with that smile that he pretends isn't there when Kaveh tells him cheesy jokes or his usual complaints.

It didn't matter that Kaveh wanted all those secret looks and smiles to mean something, at this point he'd take anything from that dense scribe's mind. He didn't know exactly where Alhaitham fit in his scale of friends, he had Tighnari for whenever he has some gossip to spill, Cyno for when he needs someone to carry him home should he ever end up drunk to the point where he can't stand straight, Nilou for when a casual day comes by so they can sit down and have tea together and chat about all the lovely things. But Alhaitham—there is no set definition of where their relationship (no friendship) stands. There's too many variables that come into play whenever he's involved, he's his roomate, his best friend, the person he could see himself spending the rest of his life with—but the latter thought is saved for those nights where he'd indulge in all those variables, where there's no need for a set relationship, where Alhaitham would stop sending him all these signals and still not act upon them.

Denial is not only a river or the act of deluding oneself. Denial is two roommates, polar opposites, with an ever changing and confusing relationship, with mixed signals, imperfections that seem to still appear perfect to the other, thoughts about the future. Their future. When those multiple variables finally reach a derived conclusion. A conclusion that they both wished would desperately happen, but until then they'll keep dancing on that fragile line of best friends, roommates, and maybe in those quiet slow days, lovers.

Small a/n: this drabble was so impulsive and so not proofread haha. See I'm supposed to be asleep right now but my body clock won't allow it for some reason so I thought 'oh I should write about Haikaveh'. College is sucking the life out of me but hey there are times where I get random bursts of 'oh go write this it'll be fun' moments. Anyways for the Haikaveh' enjoyers, it's so hard to come by Haikaveh fics here on Tumblr- or I'm just looking at the wrong places?

The characters are from genshin impact ! Fic by me © All rights reserved.

𐙚 Reblogs, likes, and comments are much appreciated !

[confused-bat]

So I finally beat the final boss of Tears of the Kingdom last week and after starting a nuzlock (no it's not going well) and sitting with thoughts I think I can finally give a review.

Annoyingly its 10/10.

Oh hey there are spoilers!

TOTK had a lot to live up to being the follow up to a game that still changes the gaming landscape and did it do that? Yes. Did it do that well? No.

It was really annoying to play as someone with as many thousands of hours as I do in BOTW, a lot because of the little changes. Some to do with places changing or being absent that really (personally) got to me and also to more general gameplay changes. First of all the slight change of the button layout with the way you switch abilities being mapped to L instead of up on the d-pad which i was far more useful. I get why it changed but after getting so used to BOTW its jarring to suddenly change.

Additionally found myself getting bored. I never did with BOTW and not with any other zelda game I have played (I have 100%ed them all). I couldn't say why with any confidence but one reason could be the sheer amount of stuff and just how uninteresting the plot was (get back to that).

The deal with the sheer amount of stuff and why I think that is an issue is that I ended up really overwhelmed. I mentioned in a post from when the game first game out I stopped myself going into the depths after I decided to wander down and I got so overwhelmed I ended up in tears and stopped playing for a week. After I finished all the dungeons I got all the lightroots to help with that but I haven't gone back since. It's rare I get so overwhelmed but it really did put me off and this wasn't the last time it happened.

Back to the plot, it was lacking. The idea was there but the way it was shown was really annoying. One reason was nobody seemed to acknowledge the story as it progressed. I finished the dragons tear quest after only two dungeons and it really frustrated me that no one seemed to care that Zelda was a dragon. Nor was it mentioned. Which seems off as the dragons tear quest was a main quest that usually impacts the story and results, but it just didn't seem too.

Another massive issue is the fact that the dungeons did not cut it. Sure they felt more like traditional dungeons however they where very much till the 'find the terminals and activate it to fight the boss'. What I miss is making your way through a dungeon and finding an item of ability that allows you to explore the rest.

All that being said, Its still a fucking fantastic game.

When I wasn't bored I was running around and getting lost (I somehow lost all ability to navigate the map though i have completed BOTW 100% twice and played it dozens of times) and finding little crevasses to explore, most of which would grant me a reward or a grand view (I'm an artist leave me be). I also loved seeing Hyrule being brought back and just overall be brought back together. I also love the sky.

The sky was what I was most exited about and though there should be way more up there, running around and hopping from island to island was really magical. I felt really free and also the small amount of information we got about the Zonai couldn't have peaked me interest more.

The abilities are also far superior than the runes and really opened up a game based on freedom even more. Plus the return of bomb flowers made me light up way too much when i first saw them.

Though the story disappointed me as a whole i still preferred it, mostly because we where living through it and it felt so much more alive. In BOTW the world felt so lonely as the races just focused on themselves while in TOTK the world is alive and bright with life as new houses are being built and the races are taking the world back for themselves. Also seeing the far past with the sealing of Ganondorf and the whole sideplot with Rauru and Sonia had me gripped.

All of this being said I will replay it for the rest of myself (and BOTW) like we all do with Ocarina of Time. Its a fantastic game that shows the best of the video game world today. I have no idea where Zelda is going next and I'm not sure Nintendo does. I think I will take the 'annoyingly' out of my 10/10 if the DLC helps fix this (when there is DLC) but I can only hope.

[sullina]

As someone who has a switch... there are a handful of games that make ot worth it. Totk, the og BOTW, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (altho base rise is on console too), and Splatoon 3. Some ppl probly like Smash Bros and Animal Crossing and Mario Kart too but those are the main ones I was interested in. Oh and Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and Legends Arceus

I already have botw on the wiiu (don't judge me), that monster hunter sounds interesting, and i did like the smash game for the wii, mainly the story mode.

I got the first splatoon a few years ago and didn't reay like it at all, mario kart isn't really fun unless you play with friends (which i don't have a lot of irl), I'm really a fan of animal crossing and with the pokemon games in recent years, i feel like they're just getting worse and worse :/

I like the older zelda games, because of the puzzles throughout the worlds and because of the unique items you got in each temple that would unlock new secrets and places, and of course the big temples. Botw had pretty much none of these things, and no, 900 korok seeds don't count, because they don't do anything once you maxed out your bag space.

One of the first zelda games i played was twilight princess, which i loved. That reminds me, one of the things that botw also lacked was a companion character, which for me is a pretty big part of the game actually. And there's usually always some kind of central mechanic that the games are more or less built around. In twilight princess, it was the fact that you could turn into a wolf at will (though admittedly a bit later in the game i think), in skyward sword it was the flying and (admittedly very limited) interaction between the surface and sky.

But the central mechanic in botw was just... climbing. Which gets old really fast. Like, sure, you have an open world game, but getting around isn't really fun since you can only climb, walk/ride and glide. And the gliding is kinda fun, but eventually it just gets old, same with climbing. I would've preferred it if instead of giving us 100 outfits, there were items instead to enhance the basic abilities, because items can be taken on and off at will with a single button press without having to go into the menu for every single thing.

I also wasn't a fan of the shrines tbh. I felt the puzzles were too obvious and short most of the time and the reward was always the same, and trading the orbs in for heart or stamina containers was a bit annoying.

Also, this one's just a personl pet peeve, but i don't really like how links typical/default outfit color was changed from green to blue. Don't get me wrong, he looks good in blue, but like... nothing was wrong with green, you know?

One thing i also REALLY didn't like was the fact that you got all your runes at the start of the game and then that was it, there were no new mechanics throughout the entirety of the game. Which may appeal to some people, but for me that just made the whole game feel really same-y, like there were no new things. And I'm including the weapons, because sure there's tons of different weapons, but only three movesets, and the weapons were way too fragile, though i know I'm not alone in this point.

I could keep talking, but it's 3am, so I'll sum up what i wanted to say, which is that while botw wasn't a bad game, it wasn't really much of a zelda game and i didn't like it all that much, not enough to shell out more than 300€ for the sequel that seems to have all the same problems from what I've seen so far. But maybe I'll change my opinion, idk. If you want more of my ramblings on botw, you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

[gameguides]

Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations

Welcome to our Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations guide. A brief and simplistic guide listing every rune code found throughout the levels and their effects. #SuperKiwi64

Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations

A brief and simplistic guide listing every rune code found throughout the levels and their effects Where do I input the codes, and how? Once you've collected all 48 powerstones from levels 1–8, a sewer pipe in the main hub will now be open. Walking through said pipe transports Kiwi to a simple level with the centrepiece being a monument with 5 buttons at the top. To input codes, attack the runes in the order shown from a code. Over the course of the guide, I'll give number orders for the codes, along with smaller images of the codes as found in-level. I've numbered each symbol from left to right as such:

Most codes will override each other, but to deactivate all active codes simply input a random combination that doesn't do anything. Area 1 - Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations When inputted, the code for Area 1 turns the playable character into the dog helping you off the island. Note this change is purely visual, and does not affect gameplay.

In numbers, the code is: 2, 4, 3, 5, 1 This code is found within the hollowed-out tree:

Area 2 When inputted, the code for Area 2 makes Kiwi visually twice as large. Despite the viual change in size, Kiwi's hitboxes remain the same.

In numbers, the code is: 4, 1, 2, 5, 3 This code is found on the port side of the overgrown ship:

Area 3 When inputted, the code for Area 3 turns the playable character into one of the robot enemies found throughout the game. Note this change is purely visual, and only affects gameplay by how much of the screen you take up.

In numbers, the code is: 1, 4, 2, 3, 5 This code is found behind a wall as you approach the final slope to the boiler:

Area 4 A fun one! When inputted, the code for Area 4 applies moon gravity to all of Kiwi's movement!

In numbers, the code is: 3, 5, 1, 2, 4 This code is found on the right side of the main tower, near the top between two pipes:

Area 5 When inputted, the code for Area 5 turns the playable character into one of the state switches found within the level. Note this change is purely visual, and does not affect gameplay.

In numbers, the code is: 5, 4, 1, 3, 2 This code is found at the two paths to open a wall, behind the left entrance wall to right-side room where water raises platforms to jump on:

Area 6 - Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations When inputted, the code for Area 6 spawns a temporary pipe next to the code input platform that leads to a bonus level. The pipe sticks around until the code inputting area is left. The level unlocked is a miniaturised version of the map from Kiwi 64, a short game paying homage to Rare's N64 platformers released by Siactro in 2020 on itch.io. This area houses the game's 50th powercell atop the mountain's peak, next to a model of Kiwi from the original game.

In numbers, the code is: 1, 3, 2, 5, 4 This area's code is a bit harder to gather, with one rune of each floor located on the coffin in the centre. The full code is made by entering the runes as found from highest to lowest. Here I've compiled them all into one image for the sake of viewing simplicity.

Area 7 When inputted, the code for Area 7 turns the playable character into a powercell. Note this change is purely visual, and does not affect gameplay.

In numbers, the code is: 3, 1, 4, 5, 2 This code is found on the backside of the rock formation with a chest atop it:

Area 8 - Super Kiwi 64 All Secret Rune Codes, Effects & Locations Finally another fun one, when inputted the code for Area 8 puts the player into first-person mode! Remember, like the others this doesn't affect gameplay — you still attack in the last direction you moved, not the direction you're facing. Although only visual, note that you can stack this code with other effects!

In numbers, the code is: 2, 1, 3, 5, 4 This code is found on the wall of a rock platform closeby thered key:

For one last tidbit, did you know you crouch in this game? Try pressing the key! If you jump out of a crouch, you'll get a noticeably higher jump than you would a regular jump. That'll be all, have fun with the codes! Read the full article

[sleepyowlwrites]

find the word tag CCCXIX

the weather is turning the sky on its side, and I'm on the outskirts, always in denial, the evening is waiting to let in the night, and I'm on the outskirts, a blur in moonlight, the silence is silence but every birdsong, and I'm on the outskirts, still strung along, the moment is heady but passes with rain, and I'm on the outskirts, and I'll fade with the change. @spacetimewraithwrites

keep (dirt in the doing)

“How long have you been on your own?”

“Six years.” Rune turns her face just enough that she’s hiding in his hand somewhat. He lets her, though he knows he’s a poor comfort.

“Do you want to have some people to keep you company?”

“I can’t be part of your gang, not in all the ways the rest of you are.” She finally detaches herself, taking a deep breath. “I’m not as much of a rebel as you are.”

“Nobody’s as much of a rebel as I am.”

That gets a short laugh from her. It sounds genuine. “This is true.”

gold (summon story d0)

Skin grew back in Wryn’s natural shade of dark indigo and Zan was very relieved to no longer be looking at their skeleton. He looked up at Wryn’s face just in time to see their crimson eyes bleed back to a comfortable gold.

Zan wanted to ask if it hurt every time their body reverted back to the damage done that day, but didn’t want to repeat Erin’s mistake. He phrased it not like a question, just to be safe. “If it’s painful to switch control-”

“It is always painful,” Wryn said, a fullness back in their voice that proved the ibsin had settled into a more dormant state. “But it is manageable,” they added when Zan couldn’t hold back a wince of sympathy.

goal (dirt in the doing)

He’s done a lot, or a little, comparatively, in the several years he’s been fighting the backwards system and illegal enterprises with ones of his own, with sabotage, and sometimes arson, which Yarrow had goaded him into. Every time, in the moment, it feels amazing, like this new act of destruction against the winning class will be a game changer. It never is, and even as he plots his newest goal, Jet will wonder if he should give it all up. Be another kind of citizen. He’ll never be respectable, has no desire for it. But he could possibly enact positive change without being a force of destruction first.

Jet always comes back to it, though, because those singular moments are all he has. They’re never quite the same thing as purpose, but they’ve been good enough for now.

For now.

fire (twice caught, twice lost, 2020)

you were a bullet and a bandage and the one to say hello. I sidestepped your appendages and dove into the storm. twice the lightning struck me, twice I drowned in fire. you were a train wreck and a torment and the one to bring me back. I danced around your piercing gaze and fell down a flight of stairs. twice the darkness stung me, twice I bore its blows.

breathe (the sleepy stash)

And I delighted in your countenance, the light from your eyes, glancing onto mine; every second that I lingered in the sunset of your cheeks gave me a better reason to breathe; break all the walls of this prison house and my bones too, let me meld with you

book, button, borrow, being. BONUS: bereft, blushing. @spacetimewraithwrites @uraniumwriting @gwens-fiction @myhusbandsasemni @did-i-do-this-write @zmwrites @sleepy-night-child @pixelw0rds OR ANYBODY

[alderaani]

more than gold

summary:  A lost Jedi Temple, a riddle, some literature, and feelings that Cody isn't ready to speak out loud. | AO3

note: written for @codywanweek and the alt day 5 prompt Sith/Jedi Artefact Shenanigans! sliding in on the last day with one more thing written than expected, so i’m happy with that! i’m pretty ill today so i hope it actually makes some coherent sense 😂 also if the riddle was super obvious, soz, never written one before and turns out it’s really hard.

-

“You know, I could have sworn I told you not to touch that,” Cody says conversationally, from where he’s splayed out on his back.

“Really? I’m sure I didn’t hear you,” Obi-Wan says, cheerful despite being crumpled in a heap. His elbow is in Cody’s gut. Cody glares at him.

The room they’re lying in is circular, stone, carved out of some Forced-damned mountain and according to Obi-wan, practically thrumming with power. The ceiling is high and vaulted, letting in slivers of light where intricate mirror systems catch the sunlight of double suns and project it deep underground. It takes on a slightly blue cast, reflecting off the huge pool of water they were lucky to not fall into. Four walkways at each cardinal point lead to a central platform, and interspersed between them are four waterfalls.

It should be serene. Except now the waterfalls are travelling backwards, and all the doors, including the one they came in by, are blocked. Cody scrambles up onto his elbows, dislodging Obi-Wan with a grunt.

“What did you do?”

Obi-Wan follows his gaze and gasps, delighted. “Now, will you look at that?”

Cody is looking. Frankly, he doesn’t trust this place enough to not keep his eye on it at all times. Obi-Wan keeps saying that this temple was built long ago, by ancient, peaceful Jedi as a place of learning, and that it won’t hurt them. After they got cut off from the rest of their men at the entrance, however, Cody thinks he could be forgiven for having his doubts.

As Obi-Wan himself proves, peace-keeping hardly rules out danger.

“Amazing,” Obi-Wan breathes, hoisting himself to his feet without a second glance, to walk back up to the plinth and stalk round it, examining the incomprehensible runes engraved there.

Cody is left to peel himself off the floor, and instead goes to prod at the barriers now sealing the exits with the end of his blaster. He tries not to look too much at Obi-Wan, at the soft sweep of his hair and the span of his shoulders. Being on their own like this is something he’s avoided, of late - not because he doesn’t enjoy it, but because he’s starting to enjoy it all too much.

He doesn’t trust the way his heart leaps when Obi-Wan smiles, when he asks him to call him ‘Obi-Wan’, when the cycle draws on and they’re up late again, companionably finishing reports and debating strategy. Or, as they had been doing until Cody got cold feet and started finding excuses, debating novels, which Obi-Wan checked out of the Temple archives and read aloud, one chapter at a time, before they turned in for the night.

He doesn’t trust himself not to ruin this by overstepping. There’s something about his general that makes him lose all control of his tongue, and puts him in danger of voicing thoughts that really he should not be having at all.

It’s agony. It’s bliss. It’s stretching him to breaking point, and this is possibly the worst situation they could have ended up in, really.

“These are made out of water,” he says over his shoulder, grunting as he tries to push his blaster through. He is, of course, unsuccessful.

“Ingenious,” Obi-Wan says. “How did they manage that, I wonder?”

Cody cuts a glance back at him, and grins, despite his exasperation.

“You’re not more worried about how we’re going to get out?”

Obi-Wan waves a hand. “I’m sure the path will reveal itself, in time. Oh, look - Cody, I think this is a puzzle!”

Cody bites back a groan. They do not have time for this. They never really had time for it, but Obi-Wan promised it would be a brief detour on their way to the capital for hyperspace lane access negotiations. He’d looked so excited by recon reports of a lost temple that Cody just hadn’t been able to say no. He’s never able to say no to Obi-Wan, even when he isn’t following orders. It’s probably his fatal flaw.

“I don’t suppose there’s an off switch? A back button?” He asks hopelessly. The Force, at least the Jedi sort, very rarely seems to work that way. Obi-Wan is always talking about moving through problems, about seeking balance and adapting to what’s around you, rather than manipulating it. It’s not Cody’s favoured approach; he was trained to leverage his environment to its maximum advantage, and finds he has little patience for anything else.

Obi-Wan snorts. “This is a defensive mechanism, I’m afraid. Judging by the architecture this was built at the height of the Sith Wars. This artefact is designed to trap us here until we understand the mechanism and progress, or until, back when the temple was occupied, someone would come and deal with the intruder.”

“That doesn’t sound very peaceful,” Cody says.

Obi-Wan shoots him an amused look, the warm, soft kind that makes heat rise from the pit of Cody’s belly right up to his ears.

“Even a pacifist may defend himself,” he says, then leans over the pedestal. “Now, how about you stop grousing and come help me with this?”

Cody rolls his eyes, but goes, slinging his blaster across his back and crossing his arms.

“And stop looming,” Obi-Wan laughs, catching one of Cody’s gloved hands and pulling it down to rest at his side. The simple touch makes Cody’s cheeks burn.

“Don’t see what help I can give you, Sir,” he says, frowning down at the characters surrounding the bright blue artefact. “I was never any good at Ithorian.”

Obi-Wan pauses, then tilts his head up. “Ah. Is that what it is?”

“I - I think so?” Cody was never any good at his language flashtraining; he never had the proper patience for it, but he can usually figure out the basics.

“No, no,” Obi-Wan muses, stroking at his beard with his free hand. “You’re quite right. Goodness me, it's been a long time since I last saw this dialect. Let’s see now…”

Cody steps back and waits, keeping his attention firmly split between their blocked exit points while Obi-Wan ponders. The slow upward movement of the waterfalls is eerie - it still makes noise, but none of it is right. Instead of the gentle patter he expects of water joining a larger pool, there’s a faint gurgling as they move further into each grate, travelling somewhere he cannot see.

Obi-Wan finishes his fifth circle round the platform, and the hand at his chin goes still. Cody stands at attention, expectant.

“It’s a riddle,” Obi-Wan says, and if possible, his delight grows. “Yes - the language is coming back to me now. Do you know, I haven’t looked at Ithorian in maybe 12 years?”

“Sir?” Cody says, tilting his head to look at the characters more closely. He doesn’t have even a passing proficiency at modern Ithorian, and presumably it’s changed a bit over the millennia. His training was focused on the basics, and only the useful bits, at that. He thinks he can make out the words for ‘ water ’, and ‘ enemy’ , both of which are either unhelpfully descriptive or frankly discouraging, but that’s about the extent of it.

“My old master - he loved prophecies. When I was a teenager I could never see the point of it, but it meant I spent a lot of time learning the old Ithorian dialects. They’re known as the most peaceful species, did you know?” Obi-Wan shakes his head. “They’ll exile anyone violent, it’s quite remarkable, really. I suppose in some sort of idealistic emulation, a lot of the early Jedi texts are written in their dialect.”

His blue eyes are keen, his laser sharp focus firmly on the podium. It gives Cody a moment to observe his clever fingers, the long line of his neck, the open delight with which he tackles this new problem. It’s a rare thing, to see him so relaxed, and Cody can’t help the fond smile that creeps up on him despite the circumstances. This almost makes it worth it, and on reflection, he’d rather an ancient temple than the last thing that had made Obi-Wan so happy; a wretched, bioluminescent fungus, which had infected half the battalion and given them hives. Their general had studied it for weeks.

Obi-Wan’s lips quirk up. Cody barely trusts himself to speak.

“I didn’t know, Sir,” Cody croaks, then pauses, fishing for something normal to say. “Didn’t we have to defend the governor’s daughter from an Ithorian bounty hunter on Ganaris-IV?”

“Well,” Obi-Wan grins. “Those exiles have to go somewhere, don’t they?”

Cody huffs a laugh and reaches up to scratch his neck at the seam of his bucket.

“Let’s just hope they didn’t all come here. What’s this riddle, then?”

Obi-Wan shifts to the side, then points at a spot on the podium. “As I said, it’s been a long time, but I think it starts here, and goes something like:

A thing to be forged, where water is thicker,

Worth more than gold, unless it’s pyrite that glitters.

An enemy of my enemy, or in hard times, in need,

Sometimes fair-weather, or in high places indeed.

What are you, traveller? ”

All of Cody’s hopes that it would be something nice and obvious, like “lightsaber” or, given what’s going on around them, “gravity”, escape from him like smoke. Jedi and their metaphors. It’s not just a quirk of Obi-Wan’s, clearly.

“Does that mean anything to you, Sir?” he asks, turning the words over in his head once, twice, then frowning when nothing comes immediately.

Obi-Wan’s brow is also furrowed, but in a leisurely, meditative manner.

“...I have some ideas, I think,” he says. “How about you, my friend?”

What does he think? He thinks that there are other sorts of puzzles he is much better suited to. Word play and idioms...what does a clone have to offer that?

Still, Obi-Wan is watching him, expectant and gentle, and he sifts back through the lines, a little more seriously this time.

“Ice, maybe?”

Obi-Wan nods, slowly. “Perhaps. Walk me through it.”

Cody swallows. “Ice is something that can be made, right? It’s not exactly forged, but…”

He trails off in uncertainty.

“Go on,” Obi-Wan says with another one of those soft, devastating smiles. It fractures all the thoughts in Cody’s head, and he has to stop, clear his throat and gather up all the pieces.

“I suppose...it’s just thicker water, isn’t it? On warm planets it’s a valuable commodity, it’s found in high places, and I suppose if you wanted snow, a freeze would be fair weather.”

Obi-Wan is rubbing his beard again, and he’s still smiling. “Fascinating. I would never have thought of that...only, I don’t think it’s quite there. That mention of pyrite is troublesome, and the ‘enemy of my enemy’, where does that fit in?”

Cody shrugs his shoulders, frustrated, and feels a hot flush creep up his neck. “Don’t know why you’re asking me, to be honest, Sir. Kamino hardly covered poetry.”

There’s a slight pause, then Obi-Wan’s hand is on his again, tugging it slowly down from where he’s crossed his arms.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” he says, soft.

“Do what?” Cody’s voice is gruff.

“Dismiss yourself. You do it sometimes when we’re reading together. There is often no right and wrong answer to these things, no secret. There is only perspective, and you see things I never would, if only you would trust yourself.”

Cody looks down and away, back towards the waterfalls and their slow, glacial climb. He isn’t sure that’s true. He enjoys what Obi-Wan shares with him, what other lives he gets to touch in their books, but more than anything they convince him that, beyond war, he knows very little of anything at all. He would like to, someday.

His eyes land on Obi-Wan’s lips briefly, before he tears them away. Particular experiences he would like to know more than others.

There was one book that Obi-Wan had read early on, back when this infatuation was just setting its first tendrils into him, about a forbidden romance at the heart of the old Mandalorian court. Two heirs of rival clans battling to be together against the good approval of their noble relatives. It had been torrid, ridiculous and entirely unexpected when Obi-Wan had suggested they break up their reports with some literature.

But what it had done was give him the words to express the crawling heat in his stomach, the urge he has to reach out, to touch, to soothe, to care for. He’d known what he wanted before that, of course, in a more rudimentary manner, but it had gifted him the language of yearning.

Suddenly, a particular passage springs into his mind and he straightens.

“You don’t think it could mean ally, do you? In Beneath the Armour, Mata threatens Clan Riza by saying he has ‘allies in high places’.”

Obi-Wan pauses, and then a brilliant smile spreads over his face. “Yes, that’s it! Pyrite - Fool’s Gold; a false friend! Brilliant Cody, whatever made you think of that?”

Cody grins, even though Obi-Wan can’t see it, and doesn’t answer.

“Is that really it?”

“I think you’re very close,” Obi-Wan says. “The characters engraved into the platform...yes! Stand close to me, Commander.”

Cody does, watching curiously as Obi-Wan lifts his hands, shuts his eyes, frowns, and pushes . Six blocks that make up the platform lift, the characters on each glowing bright, lurid blue. Under their feet, something scrapes, shifts and clunks, before the platform lurches upwards, spinning gently.

There’s a thunderous gurgling sound, before all of the pool beneath drains away.

“The answer,” Obi-Wan says, slightly breathless, his hair a little out of place. “Was friend.”

“The doorways are still blocked,” Cody notes drily. The plinth with the blue orb that started this whole mess has also risen, and underneath it are a set of very wet, slimy looking steps. “I don’t suppose it’s as simple as just walking down these and getting in?”

“Likely not,” Obi-Wan agrees, then inexplicably shifts a little closer, so that they are sharing space. Cody’s heart skips a beat. “But it’s like I told you, Cody. You are far greater than what you have been given.”

Cody coughs and looks at his feet, at their boots almost toe to toe, pleasure at the praise singing low through his body.

“Now,” Obi-Wan says, too close and not close enough. “How do you feel about another puzzle?”

Cody groans, laughing, and after a moment, follows his General into the dark.

[goji-pilled]

MK-S: Odd, could have sworn I sent it. Must have forgot to hit the button. Glad I asked though, because now I know.

MK-S: Another set of Candeloro journal entries. If I counted correctly, this is journal number 5. And here’s true link to the previous entry, journal number 4.

March 8: It has been a little over 2 weeks (I needed to look back to the date I used for the exterminator entry and ran the date for today through an online date calculator. Date calculations just don’t come easy given how each month has a differing number of days, and I didn’t feel like doing math right now. IRL, been a bit less than a week.) Since last I entered through the Gate. (And I’m starting back up with good habits; calling the entrance “the Gate” does feel so much more natural than “the breach”.) The Gap (Still need a better name for this…I’ll switch to the alternative for this instance.) Space Between Spaces has been different ever since the arrival and departure of Lady Klarissa. Though a fair maiden, she was followed by an unholy presence (no offense Phil, but that line just sounded good.) not of this world. This entity…did something, to the space between spaces. (Hmm…could I shorten this title and call it “The Between”…It could work, but I’m personally not feeling it…”The Unknown”? No, that’s too generic, especially since it could apply to anything else I encounter. I’ll keep thinking about it.) It’s different now. Somehow bigger, in ways that defy even the very nature of that place. And the entity saw fit to leave its signature. Written in an ancient script of our people, in runes that glowed just beyond the doors of the Gate (note to self, make an entry hall type thing that has tiny doors into the wall) it declared itself as “The Screamer in the Void”.

(Well, it seems that Phil found himself a role play name. First thing I saw when I entered into the wall was some faintly glowing burn marks in the form of Witch Language, that roughly said “brought to you” or “presented by” or “gift from” (No idea how a language can do that sort of uncertainty all at the same time. I don’t think this is a Phil thing, I think it may just be a quirk of the witch language.) where was I? Oh yeah, it said “[from] The Screamer in the Void”. Cool title. I like it. Though I hope Phil doesn’t mind if I occasionally shorten it to just “The Screamer”.)

March 9: (Took a break after that last part, so it feels a bit disconnected coming back. One of those times I’ll need to take a bit of creative liberties to help this role play double as a narrative. Basically, I’m going to be exaggerating some details, and how throughly I did some inspections.) I know not The Screamer’s (used that shortening much sooner than I thought I would; hence the aforementioned disconnect.) intent on changing the Space Between Spaces, but I am loathe to admit that it has reinvigorated a spark for discovery that I’d thought would have perished with the fall of the Rat King. That sense of unknown wilds, waiting to be understood, to be mapped, to be tamed. I must admit that I do have a sense of reasonable dread, for I know not if the Screamer in the Void has seen fit to populate this changed realm with creatures and beings from whatever abyss it dwells in. (Dang, that whole section came out really nice! I’m definitely getting back in the groove.) I tediously began the process of remapping the entry area, taking great care to mount signage to areas (notecards with push pins, worked out surprisingly well. Learned that some parts of my ribbons don’t have nerves or something: accidentally pinned myself onto a beam. (Yes Nagisa, I know you’re reading this to read ahead, so go ahead and get your chuckles out now. But seriously, don’t you care about spoiling it for yourself?)) So that I may be able to navigate these areas with more familiarity. (Not looking forward to having to come up with location names; that’s my biggest weakness as a writer. But I guess all things considered, that’s a weakness I’d prefer to have over anything else.) I will not yet explore these new areas; I must first verify that the maps from the prior iteration of the Space Between Spaces remain accurate. But once that is done, and all new pathways have been documented, the true expedition will begin. (Gotta make sure that whatever Phil did didn’t make the regular walls go crazy. Last thing I want is for some shenanigans to punch a hole in the wall only for Cthulhu or some other Eldritch nightmare to pop out. Again, no offense Phil…oh dang, just had a disturbing thought: Eldritch bees/wasps. I shiver at the thought. Well, that’s enough for now. I think Nagisa and Yuma will be happy to hear that the Adventures of Candeloro (I reserve the right to change that title on any whim that I so desire) are going to be getting some new installments!)

MK-S: Hope you enjoyed! Next time we finally get to explore Phil’s handiwork.

LETS GO!!!

[inkweaver22-blr]

Welcome to chapter nine! This one was meant to just be another filler with one of my own AU’s, but Tang just had to be introspective and have a moment of character growth. Hope you enjoy!

EDIT: This chapter has been edited to include some new info dropped on the same day I originally posted this! More info in the End Notes!

AO3 Link

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Scattered Cicadas - Chapter Nine: Rocks and Roles

Tang knows how to act. That doesn't mean he likes to play every part.

----------

Tang liked to think of himself as a decent actor, at least back in the original timeline. He had been part of the theater class in high school and telling stories required a bit of a dramatic flair if you wanted to keep your audience entertained. Convincing Pigsy he was a popular food critic hadn’t been too hard back then.

The many cycles he had been through had certainly helped polish his skill into a genuine talent. That one time where he and everyone else had been professional actors playing the roles of themselves from the original timeline as part of a show had especially allowed him to hone himself to a greater degree than before.

Being stuck jumping through time had practically made it a necessity.

It wasn’t that Tang enjoyed what was essentially lying to his family. It was more for their protection. He had almost broken the “No Interference” rule a few times when he hadn’t properly reacted to events that, while shocking or upsetting to his family, were simply part of his routine by now. He couldn’t allow the repetitive nature of the cycles to make him slip up and potentially cause more harm by being confronted by his lack of surprise or fear.

So he acted. He gasped at all the right moments or screamed in fear when in danger. Every laugh, every sigh of exasperation, every freak out over something related to Wukong was perfectly performed so as to not to raise suspicion. So long as the proper reaction occurred in response to the correct effect, everything went smoothly.

It wasn’t too hard or taxing as he never needed to fake his enjoyment of being around his family. Luckily for him, he also didn’t have to act exactly as he had been in the original timeline, or he may have gone insane from the monotony of it.

The cycles where his background was entirely rewritten were blessings in disguise, really. They were new. Fresh experiences for Tang to have and not have to work as hard to realistically react to.

He treated them like a method acting exercise. The new memories as part of Tang’s new backstory was the motivation for the ‘character’ he was playing. He didn’t have to fully adhere to them, but they certainly helped him play the role provided to him for the cycle.

He still disliked playing the villain however.

It happened a few times before already. The most notable had been when Zhu Bajie was in the role of Sun Wukong as MK’s mentor.

Tang shuddered at the memory of that timeline.

Saying that version of him had been unhinged was severely downplaying the many atrocities he had performed on both himself and others. Committing suicide to erase his name from the books of the dead, killing demons to absorb their lifeforce, and cutting open his own chest to manually insert the gem holding that lifeforce into himself for power were simply the tamer actions he had committed.

He supposed that heartbreak, jealousy, and internalized insecurities could drive even the most benign people to madness so long as they properly justified their actions to themselves.

It had been the first time in quite a while that Tang seriously considered intentionally breaking the interference rule and just running off to live in solitude for the entire cycle. Getting “redeemed” had been one of the most difficult things he had tried to pull off.

Tang dodged a swipe from the Monkey King’s staff as he was brought back into the present.

He was the villain once again this cycle. Luckily though, he was much less of a threat to his family this time around.

He was replacing Red Son as the demon child of Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan.

Tang, Son of the Earth.

He wasn’t the only one who was switched around. Pigsy, who went by Bajie, was a human who had become Wukong’s successor. MK was a boar demon who ran the noodle shop. Red Son was a scientist and engineer who frequented the restaurant.

It was almost an opposite reflection of the cycle he had just been musing about.

“You’ll have to do better than that, noodle boy,” Tang taunted as he swung his arms to pull chunks of stone from the ground, his hands and the Earth he controlled both glowing with a golden-yellow light.

He supposed that it made sense for him to have some sort of elemental power if he was this timeline’s Red Son. Earth fit as he had certainly mellowed out over the course of the cycles, becoming more focused and self assured. His original self would have most certainly been associated with air with how flighty he had been.

Tang made sure to keep his full concentration as he attacked Bajie. Earth may be the element of the sturdy, but it had the potential to be much more volatile than fire. It was easy to let loose and cause a catastrophic earthquake. It took precision to control smaller pieces of rock without causing too much collateral damage.

Bajie batted away the earthen projectiles with ease and rushed into an opening Tang had intentionally left. He had to do his best to not rely on the fighting skills he had from previous cycles and use only what his memories knew when playing a villain. Otherwise he’d easily beat the fledgling hero and that certainly would be treated as interfering.

Tang winced as the staff connected with his ribs and sent him flying. He coughed as he pulled himself up, holding his injured side as he glared at the now smirking Bajie.

“How’s that for better!”

“This isn’t over,” Tang cried out dramatically. He activated his powers, this time summoning a whirlwind of sand to teleport away.

Another scene as the villain successfully played out.

----------

Tang sat in his workshop, calculating the specific size of a rune circle he would need.

It seemed that similarly to how Red Son was a genius that incorporated magic into science, this version of Tang was one who incorporated science into magic. Not a big distinction, but important in how the process worked. It still took an impressive amount of knowledge on both subjects to work them together in the end.

Setting his pen down to take a break, Tang looked around as he stretched. He caught his reflection in a nearby piece of metal machinery he had been fiddling with and examined himself once again.

He didn’t look too different from his human self, his face remaining the same. His hair was now a dark brown with yellow highlights and his glasses were much smaller. The biggest difference were the bull horns sticking out of the side of his head.

He didn’t mind them too much, but having to give up any pull over shirt for button downs was a hassle.

Looking at his horns lead the demon scholar to think about his parents in this timeline.

Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan.

Tang frowned as he recalled the less than comforting welcome he had received after returning from his defeat. The disapproving dismissal from his father and scathing taunts from his mother had been demoralizing. It would have hurt more if he hadn't had the years of time jumping behind him.

If this was how Red Son was commonly treated, it was no wonder he worked hard in everything he did just to gain a scrap of approval and praise.

And yet he knew they loved each other. The moments he noticed didn’t happen often, but he could tell that his parents held some affection for him, and he obviously cared for them. He just didn’t understand why they acted so cruelly to one another.

Was it a demon thing? Were they afraid that by showing their love they were showing weakness?

That was certainly possible, but Tang disagreed with the sentiment. He had been through enough cycles to see that love made one stronger. It wasn’t the weakness their enemies thought it was.

Tang was already planning on becoming redeemed in this cycle. It hurt to think his parents would disown him, but what if that didn’t have to happen?

He thought about that one specific cycle and how he had become so twisted. All of it could have been avoided had his past self simply let go of his long held beliefs and went with Bajie.

Now he just had to make two powerful demons do just that.

Tang was an amazing actor.

He also had many years of watching the people around him and knew most of them almost better than they knew themselves.

His current parents were no exception.

He could see the potential for a loving and healthy family, buried just beneath the surface.

It would take some work, but he was sure he could unearth it and polish that potential until it shined.

With renewed energy, Tang pulled out a blank scroll and began planning.

He had a family to save.

----------

Welcome to what I’m calling the Noodle Swap AU! It is named that way because the only change is that the pairs that make up the two most popular noodle ships (SpicyNoodles and FreeNoodles) swap places!

Shout out to @winterpower98 for their amazing Actor AU and Dad Swap AU mentioned in this chapter! Go check them out!

Yes, yes, I know I’ve basically made Tang here Terra from Teen Titans. Most people would give him Air as an element, but 1) we already have an Air user in Princess Iron Fan and 2) Tang has changed quite a bit since the start of this Time Hopping experience, as he states himself in the chapter.

I do genuinely believe there’s a loving family hidden somewhere underneath all the cruelty the DBK crew throw at each other. It’s already been hinted that Red Son will get a redemption arc in the show, but I want one for his parents too.

That’s all for now! See you in the next chapter!

:IMPORTANT EDIT!!!!:

There's been a few paragraphs changed and added to include the new canon lore for Tang in the Dad Swap AU! Go check out @kitkat1003's absolutely ASTOUNDING work, When the Tide Pulls Away and the Earth Sharpens to Steel! It is INCREDIBLE and if it was finished, you'd absolutely know there would be an entire chapter dedicated to it here.

[thirdchairfreshie]

Oh man, I have a few thoughts about Rune Factory 5. People have probably talked it to death but whatever. Minor spoilers??

- Im having a fun time playing it, it looks pretty cool and it feels like RF4

-Im in love with every character. Im only midway through spring and havent met everyone yet, but man i wanna smooch everyone

-I came im thinking id go for reinhard (who i just met and already has 3 hearts lol) but im really loving Martin and Murakumo. Cecil is great too but im having a hard time choosing who ill be going for first 😰 havent met lucas yet

-For the girls, Lucy and Beatrice are def my faves. Fuuka is a cutie. Priscilla is ok, shes nice. Yet to meet Scarlet. Also Misasagi is probably the only milf ill simp for

-RF5 is....really easy on normal mode. Im thinking of changing to hard mode, but maybe its because i just got done with thr second dungeon?

-The game is laggy. Sometimes i accidently destroy something because it didnt register, i clip through stuff, and itll slow down whenever i go from one area to another

-Oh, and there's loading screens for whenever you enter and exit a building or dungeon, but the wait isnt too long

-Maybe its just me, but the 3D messes with my perception, especially during the bean throwing competition:(

-They did include many amazing quality of life changes, like being able to switch between farm tools and weapons with one button

-If you try to catch a fish before it bites, it doesn't leave and you can try again

-Im so glad they show you where you need to go for events so Im not just walking around

-The map is a little big, so they provide places you can warp to via the map

-Have I mentioned how much i love Martin and Beatrice 🥰

[dangerousconnoisseurdonut]

Curse of Loki preview (F/F/m)

On AO3, I have a request for a Tickle Fic, something I have toyed with for years, but never had the guts to do until now. I realize tickling isn’t everyone’s kink, but please be kind as this is my first attempt. I am posting a preview here to get a feel if I’m doing this right.

Now, context! Bruce has been sent a horn with Norwegian Runes all over it. What he doesn’t know is that this is the Horn of Loki, the Trickster God and causes... interesting results between the recipient and their enemies. In this case, Bruce and the Rogues of Gotham. After he has blown the horn, he gets the urge to go into the city and winds up at Selina’s flat, not realizing that she has a guest at the minute and... well, here goes nothing.

“Relax, Bruce, I just wanted to lounge around for a change; Tabitha and Barbara got me this on my last birthday. Do you like it?” Selina gave a little pose and Bruce did his best to keep his eyes on her face where they belonged and not drawn to her cleavage which he had never seemed to notice before. It was darker than magenta, somewhere between sangria and mulberry, with pink cherry blossoms scattered on it; it was indeed beautiful, but Bruce was wishing at the moment she had something on underneath as he could see her breasts, including her perky nipples.

“Bruce?” Selina asked with a shit-eating grin as though she had a damn good idea why he hadn’t answered her, causing his blush to deepen as he responded,

“Nice! It’s very, uh, very nice!”

“I think the naughty boy was eyeing your tits, Cat.” Bruce whirled around at the sound of another female, only to find Bridgit Pike waltzing into the room in another bathrobe, this one somewhere between navy and indigo, with white orchids. He was struck by how attractive she was, even with the scars on her face and what he could see of her body; her hair was long, though there was none where her face had been burned, and her smile was one of the, pardon the pun, cat who got the canary. He felt himself harden as he suddenly felt very much like a canary.

“Uh, I’m uh, sorry for interrupting you two, I’ll just, um, I’ll just -” Bruce was shocked when Bridgit grabs the lapel of his jacket and pulls him to her so she can kiss him. As he and Bridgit make-out, he feels Selina grab his jacket and pull it off of him. Bruce however gets a moment of clarity and pulls away as Selina pulls his button up partially off, ripping a few of the buttons off and trapping his arms in the sleeves.

“W-wait a minute, what are y-you -?” Bruce just about jumped out of his skin when Selina dug her fingers into his underarms, causing him to almost bite his tongue off as he fought not to laugh.

“Naughty boys need to be punished, but we don’t want to hurt you so, Selina and I think you need a good laugh; not to sound like Jerome, but you are way too serious.” Bridgit explains as she lightly runs her fingers over his ribs. Bruce doesn’t say anything, knowing the minute he opens his mouth he’ll start laughing and won’t be able to stop. He hadn’t been tickled since he was seven, and he had forgotten how much he hated it. Selina and Bridgit start leading him to Selina’s bed, digging their fingers into his ribs or underarms when he tries to struggle. Bruce is almost crying from the exertion it’s taking to not laugh. When it comes time to get him on the bed, they move quickly to get Bruce’s arms out from the shirt, and tied down using some scarves. For his legs, Bridgit sits on Bruce’s stomach and switches between his underarms and stomach, not letting him get used to either sensation as Selina wrestles him out of his shoes, pants, underwear, and socks before tying his legs down. Bridgit stopped for a moment, enjoying seeing Bruce struggle to contain his laughter, as Selina went to get something.

“P-please Bridgit, I, I’m sorry I looked at Selina’s breasts; you’re both so pretty I couldn’t help it, but I’m so sorry for being a pervert and -mmph!” Bruce was cut off as Bridgit again kissed him, and he moaned a little as she played with his nipples before Selina came back.

“Starting without me?”

“I’ve never seen a guy apologize so much for sneaking a peak at a boob before.” Bridgit explained as she petted Bruce’s locks, something he actually seemed to enjoy.

“I told you; he’s an odd one but can actually be kind of sweet, like a puppy.” Selina said as she resumed her position at his feet, making him worry about what she planned to do.

“Well, even cute puppies have to be disciplined when they do something naughty, but since he seems so sincere with his apology, I think we can give him a little reward afterwards.” Bruce went to beg again, only for Bridgit to lightly trail her fingers up to his underarms, prompting him to keep his mouth shut and bite his lips.

“Gotta warn you handsome; we won’t stop until we hear you laugh. Why not make it easy on yourself and just let it out?” Bruce shook his head, causing Bridgit to sigh before smirking as she dug her fingers into his underarms and Selina tickled his thighs, a place he didn’t even think was ticklish but Selina just had to prove him wrong. He giggled, chortled, and snorted behind closed lips, but still refused to out and out laugh, even when Bridgit switched to his stomach and Selina tickled his knees (seriously, knees could be a ticklish spot?). Though, when one of Bridgit’s fingers got close to his navel, he almost lost control, though sadly he knew Bridgit had seen it for what it was when she got a wicked gleam in her eyes before saying,

“He’s a tough nut to crack, Cat; I think we better up our game.” Selina released a very put-upon sigh as she responded,

“You asked for this Bruce.” Bridgit leaned over as Selina also stopped to get something, though just what Bruce could not see. When Bridgit pulled back, she held what appeared to be a makeup brush, making Bruce wander just what was she going to do with that. He wasn’t allowed to worry about it however as Selina grabbed the toes of his right foot and stretched them back as far as they would go, leaving his arch taut. He got the uneasy feeling he was about to face his Waterloo. Bridgit then leaned down and placed the brush on his stomach and started a slow spiral edging closer and closer to his navel. Soon, it was tracing the navel itself, and Bruce was shaking so bad with suppressed laughter, he thought he was going to pass out. Those soft, silky bristles felt like dragons teeth on his sensitive stomach. Bridget looked him straight in the eye, amber into green, and asked,

“Does our naughty pretty boy have a ticklish belly button?” Before Bruce could confirm or deny, Bridgit dug the makeup brush right into his navel to swirl it around same time as Selina lightly ran her nails up his foot. Actually, to Bruce’s horror, he realized Selina was wearing her gloves with the claws on them, and they were what she was lightly dragging up and down his foot. At the twin sensations, Bruce didn’t stand a chance and finally burst out,

“Hahahaha! P-please s-s-stop! I, I c-can’t t-t-take this!” Bruce hated how he was reduced to stuttering, but the girls were just too good. Selina kept her touch light to make sure her claws didn’t accidentally pierce the skin, but that didn’t make it any less intense as she used one claw to draw nonsensical patterns along his sole, first lines going up and down, then spirals on the ball and heel of his foot, then zig-zags across his arches. Bridgit meanwhile kept switching between the brush and her her finger digging into his navel. Sometimes, just to spice things up, she would use the brush on his navel while digging her fingers into his underarm. Her dual sensations of sharp and soft were driving him up the wall. Once, she even ran the brush over his nipple and as the silky smooth bristles ran along his slightly swollen nub, he didn’t know if he wanted to moan or bite his tongue off.

“You know, Bruce, for a guy who runs around as much as you do, you have really soft feet.” Selina casually remarked before she gave into temptation and ran her tongue up the sole in front of her, enjoying Bruce’s bucking as he almost screamed,

“S-Selina! P-pl-please s-stop! Hahahaha!” Bridgit then found a similar urge over taking her so she leaned down and ran her tongue along Bruce’s underarm, relishing in the squeal Bruce couldn’t hold back as she licked and nipped at the smooth skin there.

“Isn’t Bridgit beautiful, Bruce?” Selina asked before she nipped at his arch and soothed it with her tongue.

“V-v-very b-b-beautiful!” Bruce had started laughing so hard, he was actually crying a bit.

“Why don’t you show her how beautiful you think she is by eating her out?” As though convincing him of the idea, she tickled one sole with her claws and licked the other one, going so far as to take his pinky toe into her mouth and run her tongue all around it.

“A-anything y-you w-w-want!” Bruce was almost convinced he was having an out of body experience from the sensations. He took in a huge breath when they stopped while Bridgit moved to sit on his face, though he was surprised when she turned around so she would be facing Selina.

“If you think I’m going to stop tickling you and making you do that cute little laugh of yours, you’re as nuts as Selina says you are. Besides, this gives me better access to your cute little belly button.” Bruce whimpered before leaning forward to her center; he hadn’t had much practice with this, but he remembered a few drunken fumblings with Grace, and she directed him to what she liked and didn’t like, though this time he was hindered by only having his tongue and he was at the wrong angle to reach her clit. Still, he started by gently licking her inner lips with little nips here and there, and he heard her give a little moan.

“Looks like you haven’t been training your puppy enough Selina; he’s very shy, but seems like he’s -ah!- trying.” Bridgit stroked his hip as she spoke, and Selina smirked as she responded,

“Maybe we should encourage his tongue a bit more by way of example?” ‘Oh no, what now?’ Bruce whimpered before almost dislodging Bridgit when he bucked like a bronco at the feeling of tongues on his most ticklish spots. Selina repeated the action of putting his toes in her mouth and running her tongue and now teeth around them as she dragged her claws along the arch. Bridgit meanwhile leaned down and used her fingers to spider up and down his stomach as she stuck her tongue in his navel and swirled it around before nipping at the skin around it. As he laughed at such intense sensations, Bridgit moaned at the vibrations, causing her own tongue to vibrate in his navel, which made it tickle even more. He wondered about the heat that had started bubbling up in his stomach from all this; was he becoming aroused from being these powerful girls little tickle and sex toy?

[lilikags]

This is a more in-depth summary of the last two previews. Find them here and here. 

Watch the video here. 

Notice: This will be implemented after 5/27

Section 1- Summon Improvements

1. Selective summons:

Guaranteed 5* hero at summons 1, 10, 20, 30

Record function

View hero rating 

Another selective summons for players who beat EP 3

2. Moonlight connections

Connections with Arbiter Vildred, Martial Artist Ken, Dark Corvus, Ruele of Light, Specter Tenebria, and Judge Kise are available

will open after clearing Episode 1, Sanctuary Gate Underground

You can use the hero before finishing the quests, however there is a cap to where you can use them.

3. Connections

Connections will become easier

Most likely an Angelica connection will be added

4. Specialty Change

There’s a bit more, but here’s the important bullet points:

Must be level 30 instead of 50 to specialty change

They’ll give you runes for the tree

Difficulty level for certain quests will be reduced

Section 2- Growth Improvements

1. Penguins

Will just be one element

No longer will take up slots in the hero inventory

2. Penguin Mileage

If there are max level heroes on the team, the exp they gain will be used to create penguins.

3. Potion of Ascension

This potion can instantly ascend a hero to 6*

Limited supply, but you can get one from Adventurer’s Path

If you have already completed Adventurer’s Path, the additional items will be delivered to your in game inbox.

Section 3- Content Improvements

1. Basic Content Improvements

Pets unlocked at Rank 25 instead of 35

Free abyss guides and labyrinth compasses

2. Side Story Improvements

Side stories will be available starting after you finish episode 1 of story.

Tutorial for side stories

Overall difficulty of side stories will increase

Energy needed to obtain x amount of side story materials will be reduced by 25%.

Molagora and goblin challenges in every side story

Friendship items will be added to shop in accordance to the featured hero’s element. If the featured hero is, for example, Senya, who is an earth unit, then the friendship lanterns will be for earth heroes.

Charms will have an increased drop rate and low level equipment will have their drop rate lowered.

Epic + rare catalyst boxes will be added to quest rewards and the amount of gold obtainable will increase.

“Receive All” function

3. Other Quality of Life

3.1: Fail Guide

Can help to make your heroes stronger in order to beat the stage.

3.2: Catalyst Improvements

UI Page for researching catalysts

3.3: AP Shop Improvements

Easily switch between regions of the same continent without clicking multiple buttons.

Cap for amount purchasable doubled

Section 4- Future Updates (After 5/27)

1. New type of side story- Advent

9 heroes total, 3 teams of 3

3 phases, each team will fight one phase

Buffs according to element

Available to those who have cleared a certain part of episode 2

Gives substat modification gems

Hints to gem crafting and gem conversion at a later date

2. Guild PvE- Ancient Inheritance

Explore the region with your guildmates. 

The more guildmates that explore, the faster you’ll get to deeper areas. The quickest guilds to reach the deepest part will earn more rewards.

Will be updated on the third anniversary of the game

Update Schedule

[lowkis]

you put your hand in mine - chapter 7

summary: when loki falls from the bifrost he lands on earth. isla finds him while out walking her dog one night and takes him under her wing, nursing him back to health as best she can. it’s hard, trying to juggle work, life, and looking after a fallen asgardian prince. with nowhere else to go and limited access to his magic, loki must heal, wait patiently, and adapt while trying to wrap his head around life on earth after everything that happened on the bifrost

LINK TO READ ON AO3

rated: t

words: 2833

tags: post-thor (2011), eventual romance, slow burn, mutual pining, fluff, drama, romance, angst, comfort/angst, canon divergence, protective loki, good loki, confused loki, loki needs a hug, he’s trying his best to understand earth, he’s trying his best full stop

chapter 1: tumblr | ao3 || chapter 2: tumblr | ao3 || chapter 3: tumblr | ao3 || chapter 4: tumblr | ao3 || chapter 5: tumblr | ao3 || chapter 6: tumblr | ao3

With a casual roll of his shoulders Loki’s clothing changed. His armour melted away into something that still looked otherworldly – rich in material and fancy in design – but for all intents and purposes an emerald green button up shirt and dark trousers. His trousers were still made of leather and clung to his form, revealing shapely legs that spoke of power and agility, however they were dark enough in colour that they may pass for an expensive pair of designer trousers.

The quick-change left Isla staring after him. Loki apparently found this entertaining and quirked one eyebrow up on his brow as he waited for her to recover from her surprise and admiration of his abilities. He perhaps looked a little too smug that she found it so amazing.

“How do you do it so easily?” Her tone was full of curiosity as she appraised the outfit he’d chosen and how quickly he’d switched.

“Years of practice,” he smirked before walking ahead. At the end of the path in her small front garden was a gate. Loki opened it – without magic – and like a proper gentleman, held it open for her and Maya to walk through first.

“Thanks,” she grinned, hurrying through to keep him from waiting on her. “But where does it all come from?”

“Magic pockets.”

“Magic pockets,” Isla repeated back to him dubiously.

Loki smirked again and nodded. “That is the best way to explain it. I can store things in different dimensions and retrieve them on a whim.”

“Huh. Neat,” Isla nodded. Her attention was drawn to the hand he lifted in front of him, palm and fingers opened up to the blue sky above. Curious, she watched on, rapt, waiting, and eager for Loki to perform his trick.

There was a flash of green and within his palm lay a dagger. It was gorgeous in design, the blade sharpened to a wicked point and shining in the sunlight. The handle was purple in colour and covered in an inscription of what possibly looked like runes, but she couldn’t make it out. Not that Isla was paying enough attention to focus on such a thing though, for her eyes widened significantly at the sudden appearance of a weapon.

“Uh, that’s great,” she blurted out, her voice slightly tinged with fear, “but you can’t have that out.”

“I am quite proficient with a dagger, Isla. There is nothing to fear,” he chuckled.

It was intended to reassure, not condescend, but that was not Isla’s concern. She quickly glanced around to make sure there was no one around and couldn’t see the man walking along the street in broad daylight wielding a weapon.

“That’s not the point. If anyone sees you walking around with that then you’ll definitely get into trouble,” she hissed, casting another look about them.

His brow furrowed as he looked down at her. Still, without protest, Loki waved his hands and the weapon vanished. Isla felt her shoulders relax, the tension leaving them now that she was no longer walking with a man brandishing a blade.

“They did not mind it so much the last time I was here.” His expression and tone were contemplative as he looked down upon the concrete below them.

She had more questions regarding the weapon – and his self-proclaimed skill with it – however Isla’s attention was drawn away after his revelation. “You’ve visited Earth before?”

“Many times in my younger years,” Loki nodded. “Although it has been quite some time, admittedly. I’m assuming from your reaction the authorities would not look kindly upon me walking around with a weapon?”

“No,” she snorted, “certainly not.”

“Noted,” he nodded. “Thank you for informing me, and I apologise for any stress I’ve caused you.”

Isla snuck a glance up at his face, seeing a small tinge of regret within his eyes. “It’s all right,” she conceded, “just don’t whip out any weapons again, please.”

“Not even within reason?”

Isla narrowed her eyes at him. She was pleased to see he was no longer looking guilty however she did detect a hint of mischief in his tone and in the glint in his eye. The longer Isla stared, the more his lips curved upwards into a grin.

“No,” she stressed with a humorous glare. “You’re not allowed,” she replied firmly. She exaggerated her words, inferring a joking tone into then. Isla didn’t doubt he’d heed her warning. Nevertheless, it didn’t hurt to reaffirm. Plus, she was really starting to enjoy the banter they’d struck up between them.

“I accept your conditions.” He bowed casually as he walked, his arms spreading wide away from his torso as he angled it towards her. It was mocking, but she knew they were only joking with one another. “If I should need to unsheathe my weapon I will come to you for permission first.”

“That’s all I ask.” Playfully, she turned her nose up to the sky.

The quiet laugh she heard from her side warmed her heart and caused that heat to flush across her chest and start to creep up her neck. It brought a smile to her face.

Maya stopped suddenly as she sniffed at the ground and stalling their walk before she was on her way once more, eating up the concrete as much as she could with her long stride. She was excited to get out and into the fresh air, as always. She panted happily as she strode ahead of the two of them, taking in the sights and smells of the world around her. She was in her element while outside, in her happy place. There was nothing she loved more than to frolic in newly fallen leaves, to splash in the sea not far from Isla’s home, or to sprint across the grass of the park where they’d discovered Loki, chasing after a tennis ball.

They were heading down to the beach today. The temperature was warm and agreeable, and the sun was shining. The air felt cool on Isla’s cheeks but was not biting. Autumn was in the air, and she was excited. Her favourite time of year was drawing near, and Isla couldn’t wait to escape up north for a week or two with her pup.

Of course, that all depended on her sudden house guest, but it would come in time. She would be willing to take him up there to show him the sights, to show Loki her favourite places. A tour of the country. She could call it getting into his good graces and strengthening diplomatic relations with an alien race.

Isla almost snorted aloud at her thoughts.

“What is it?”

Isla glanced up at Loki. He was peering down at her, looking slightly amused.

She hadn’t been as subtle as she thought in her musings.

“It’s nothing. I had a funny thought.”

“Care to share?” His eyes glinted in the sunlight as his amusement grew.

“Ah…”

Isla hesitated but decided, why not? After all, she had to build diplomatic relations. She almost snickered.

“I was thinking about an upcoming holiday. I always travel around this time of year. Then I was thinking about how that would all depend on you,” she added, gesturing towards him.

Maya chose that moment to tug on her lead as she smelled a particularly exciting scent. It drew Isla’s attention away from him, so she missed how Loki’s face froze and how his smile faltered for the briefest second.

“But that it was okay, there’s still plenty to time to get away. So I was thinking that I could give you a tour of places nearby, if you wanted to?” She altered the last part slightly, forgoing revealing she was thinking about going on holiday with him, a total stranger, and an extra-terrestrial to boot. It was far too soon for anything like that.

“A tour?”

“This town doesn’t have much going on, but it is pretty, and so are places nearby. We could go on a road trip, we can go out for lunch, all in an effort to build diplomatic relations,” Isla grinned.

Loki chuckled. “Now that is quite the idea.”

“Remember me fondly if you ever decide to invade or wage a war on my planet, please,” she joked.

“And why would I do that?” He was enjoying playing along with her. Isla could tell by the mirth in his eyes. But there was something else in there too. She noticed it at the last second when he turned away, thinking she couldn’t see. There was something almost haunted in those eyes.

She shrugged. “I’ve seen a lot of movies and watched a lot of TV. I would be a gracious host anyway, that’s how I was raised, but it wouldn’t hurt either to have you in my favour if your relatives came knocking on our door.”

“I do not think you have anything to worry about in that regard.” He snorted lightly, but she picked up on his more subdued tone.

“So,” Isla interjected before she could take them down a path like she had earlier and upset him, “that’s why we’re going to the beach! It’s really pretty. It’s also one of Maya’s favourite places.”

Maya’s head turned to the side towards them both at the mention of her name, however she ploughed on ahead, already aware of where they were headed, and excited to arrive there.

Isla didn’t miss the fond look Loki shot Maya in response to her statement. “She enjoys the ocean?”

“Oh yeah. Big time. She loves to splash about in water and run across the sand. I think it feels nice on her paws. Much nicer than the hard concrete everywhere,” Isla commented, looking down at the ground below her to observe its cracks and how solid it felt underfoot.

Maya turned left suddenly down a hidden entryway and Isla followed effortlessly, knowing this path like the back of her hand. Loki stuttered to a stop before he crashed into Isla as they both abruptly turned.

“Sorry,” she apologised sheepishly over her shoulder as Maya started to tug more insistently. “She really likes the beach,” she chuckled.

“I can certainly see that now,” Loki remarked as he watched them both walk off without him. Maya’s excitement left Loki standing alone, but within a few strides of his long legs he easily re-joined Isla by her side.

Maya was a very well-behaved dog and a wonderful, understanding companion, however, when she became excited or saw someone or something she really loved, all bets could be off. That was why Isla had to struggle – while laughing – to reach for her harness to set her free. Maya was straining to get onto the sand, pulling and tugging against her restraints atop the grassy dune, causing Isla to laugh at her antics. After a few attempts of trying to grab her, she was free and Maya streaked across the sand, straight into the gentle rolling waves.

“You’d think she was a fish, not a dog,” Isla laughed as she walked down the sand with less gusto than Maya. She perched herself upon a bench and settled, watching her dog as she paddled happily in the surf. Her trainers were kicked off her feet and placed by her side, her socks stored within. Isla smiled as her toes dug into the cool sand, enjoying the feel of it.

“She is quite amusing,” Loki commented. He remained standing, but Isla didn’t think much of it. He’d either sit when he was ready, or he’d stay upright.

“Maya sees water and she’s off like a shot. She’s a nightmare to try and coax home again.” Isla shook her head, already dreading the fight she was going to put up.

“She wishes to remain here?”

Loki crouched by her side and folded his legs beneath him. He too watched on as Maya played happily, not noticing that his knee gently bumped Isla’s leg when he settled. It rested against her thigh and didn’t move. Isla didn’t think he’d realised, and while the action made her stiffen slightly upon contact, she had to admit the weight against her leg was almost comforting. It felt really nice.

“She loves the sea so much,” Isla replied after clearing her throat and recovering her ability to speak. “She never really wants to leave. Maya always puts on a big fuss when I have to end up – quite literally,” she stressed with a pointed look, “drag her home. There’s always lots of whining and barks of protest, so brace yourself.”

Loki smirked and snorted a quiet laugh as Maya splashed.

Of course, never one to disappoint, she did put up a very vocal protest about leaving the beach.

“Come on, Maya,” Isla called firmly and patiently. Her lead was attached to her harness but she wasn’t planning on going anywhere.

Maya yowled and talked back to her, refusing to budge.

“Maya,” Isla warned sternly.

“She does not want to leave,” Loki chuckled. He was standing on the sand with his hands in his trouser pockets as he watched their silly exchange.

Maya let out an agreeing ruff. Her head turned towards Loki as if he’d be her saviour.

“It is time for you to return to your home,” Loki stated, looking down upon Maya. His smile dropped and his expression turned stern, but there was still a softness to him while he regarded her dog.

Loki’s smile broadened and it looked like he was enjoying the display far too much as Isla shot him a withering look.

Maya whined.

“I know,” he soothed, his voice falling deep and low as he spoke to Maya directly. “However, Isla has asked you numerous times, and very kindly as well, for you to return home with her now.”

It was as if he was talking to a child.

And as if… As if he could actually understand her.

Maya sneezed and whined once more, although quieter this time. Her almost-bark sounded like she was saying an extremely petulant “no”.

“Maya.” Loki’s expression reminded Isla of how a parent would warn and scold a child for misbehaving. And it had the same effect. Maya dipped her head and let out a sigh but walked towards him tentatively. She brushed up against his leg and when Loki crouched Maya pressed her head affectionately into his waiting hands.

“I know you wish to stay but we cannot,” he murmured as he ran his hands vigorously up and down the side of her neck as her tongue lolled almost in his face. “I am sure you will return another time,” he placated.

Maya sat on the ground and looked at Isla almost expectantly. Almost as if she was waiting for her so they could all go home.

What the hell just happened?

“What did you just do?” Isla was not offended or upset at… whatever Loki had just done with Maya. Simply… overcome with disbelief. “Can… Can you talk to her?”

Loki shrugged.

“That doesn’t really answer my question,” she pointed out.

Loki’s eyes flashed with mirth. “I suppose not.” He drew himself up from his crouch and clasped his hands behind his back. “I can,” he nodded. “I can gleam a vague understanding of her wishes from her barks and growls. It is as though I know some words of a language, but not all, and I am not fluent.”

“Wh…”

What?

“Years of practice,” Loki winked. That was his only explanation before striding off, leaving Isla standing on the beach.

Maya was happy to walk after him. Isla almost stumbled as the distance between her and Maya grew to be too much. She’d been too stunned to even think about walking as she stared after Loki.

What an… interesting character.

An alien, who could do magic, and who could speak dog.

Just what had she landed herself with here?

“Okay,” she called to him, hurrying to catch up. “That settles it. You can stay,” Isla granted emphatically as she jogged up to him.

“Pardon?”

“You’re not allowed to leave now. You can’t,” she replied simply, but with jest. “I need you to get her butt moving each time we come here.” Their departure normally took about half an hour. Loki could stay with her forever if it meant they’d be able to leave the beach within five minutes each time.

His eyes shone with glee however his expression was schooled into one that tried not to betray it. “I would be honoured if you would have me, Isla,” he smirked casually.

It made her heart noticeably thud inside her chest. That warmth was back, spreading across her chest and up her neck.

Isla smiled brightly back him.

“But you need to explain to me how you can talk to dogs. And explain more about your magic. It’s fascinating!”

“A fair trade,” he laughed quietly, reducing the length of his stride so they could walk together and so she wouldn’t have to rush to keep up with his long legs.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

The Island

Fingel Von Frings took a deep drag of his cigar and exhaled smoke against the glass that allowed him to see into the cryo chamber while the people inside couldn’t see out.

Cassell medical personnel wrapped in thick cloth hazmat suits with protective helmets and visors worked quickly to secure Tom Allman for transport. His thick claws were wrapped in cut proof mittens. HIs arms were twisted tight in a straight jacket. On top of that, thick straps reinforced with kevlar tied his arms together. Finally, a helmet faced with a titanium alloy cage  was fitted over his head.

There was no point in wasting any more serum on this young man. He had passed the point of no return. 

As the Vice Chancellor, he’d only had the responsibility to sign off on his expulsion from Cassell. He didn’t have to be here. But he always made it a point to see off every student who left academy without an official ceremony.

A wheeled metal coffin was rolled in. On the count of three, the medics lifted his body and placed him inside, closing the lid. A pneumatic pump, sealed it with the push of the button and the glass that showed his sleeping face inside was frosted over as liquid nitrogen filled the tubing in the metal casket dropping the temperature inside. At this point, all of his body processes would cease functioning.

Fingel took a deep breath and let it out.

Footsteps approached him. Mr. Baldwin, the head of the executive department came up to him and held out a stack of papers. He stared at it. He was starting to hate those 8 x 10 white sheets as much as he hated doing his classwork.

But after a seconds hesitation, he took it from Baldwin’s hands and started to flip through it. “Runes, in Norton Hall?”

“First I’ve heard of it. Of course, it’s not the strangest thing I’ve heard. We scanned the entire place. No sign of any runes.”

“Have it tested for Longwei.” He pulled a pen from his pocket. It gleamed golden, a diamond at its head. He signed his name and handed the papers back to him.

“Yes, sir.”

“How is she?”

“Emotional.”

Fingel turned to him and stared coldly, his hands in his pockets. “What emotions.”

“Sadness, betrayal, distrust...”

“Has she talked to anyone?”

“She refuses all visitors. She believes Tom is dead. I’m fine with that. No one ever comes back from that island.”

“Does she want to leave?” Fingel began to walk out of the medical ward, still puffing on his cigar.

“She hasn’t said that. She hasn’t called her parents either.”

The chill wind from the rotors of a helicopter tossed Fingel’s golden hair about his face. The coffin was wheeled from the high security facility and into the open cargo bay of the helicopter.

“That’s strange. She talks to them every day...”

“Yes, her father has called the main office several times asking to speak with her. No word from her mother though.” Baldwin said this casually.

Of course, Fingel and Carli - otherwise known as Meixiu - talked frequently and Baldwin knew this. She had to be informed of new patients admitted to the island. “Do you want to know her opinion on the situation?”

“I do actually!” Though he was raising his voice to shout above the roar of the helicopter engine, Fingel could still hear the anger in his voice.

The machine lifted off and gained in altitude before swinging its nose to point towards the northwest and speed out of sight.

Once it was quiet enough to speak normally. “I want to know how long she plans to continue this cruel exercise. It would have been much easier to just expel him and put a bullet in his head. Which is what I suggested from the outset! And what I suggested after he went berserk and almost killed her the first time!” “Well, you went against your own orders the first time...” Fingel was quick to correct him.

“Which... I sincerely regret.”

Fingel turned to face him directly. “Why? What gave you hope the first time that has left you now?”

“There was a theory. I’d say it’s more of a myth than a theory. It stemmed from the report of Akira and Kogure Sakurai. Those two unstable Hybrids were part of the Devil Clan and had dangerous bloodlines. Both of them were held in the black jails run by Hydra until they escaped. Kogure, however, never harmed anyone, and Akira, after running on a spree of rape and murder, suddenly stopped.”

“The common denominator of the two was personal attachments. Kogure was attached to Chimei Gen. It was only after she felt that she had lost him that she finally gave in to her blood. And Akira had given in to his blood until he met a girl on the subway, which was actually an undercover agent for Hydra. He switched from killing every woman he met, to trying to protect her.”

“Ah... the power of love and friendship!” Fingel said without any mocking tone.

“Of course, this has been impossible to study. But when I saw how attached Ru’Yi was, I hoped she could act as a restraint for him. I knew this also posed a danger, so I put her under constant surveillance. But... this only served to put her in danger. The result was the same. She’s in the hospital, and he’s her mother’s guinea pig. The results were the same for Akira and Kogure as well.”

Fingel raised his hand and put it on Baldwin’s shoulder without looking at him. “Science has progressed and will progress. Even if he is a guinea pig, it may be one on the road to a solution.”

“We have a solution... Vice Chancellor.” He shrugged off his hand. “She just doesn’t want to accept it.”

Mr. Baldwin left Fingel to make the slow and long walk back to his office in the drifting snow.

The helicopter traversed the continental United States, briefly stopped for fuel in LA and lifted off again over the endless blue ocean of the Pacific. Eventually, the sun set and the pilot only had the instruments to go by. According to the official maps, there was no island on the coordinates. The helicopter was headed for a deadzone. The pilot turned the navigation to auto and stood up, walking back to the cargo bay.

The pilot removed the heavy flight helmet, revealing falling cascade of ebony hair which she shook out and ran her hands through.

Mai Sakatoku then reached into the onflight fridge for a can of beer which she opened and took a sip. “You make for quiet company.” 

She leaned over to see into the window of the coffin. The young man’s eyes were still closed, frozen in place by tears that couldn’t be shed. She lightly tapped the glass with a delicate fingernail. “You and Miss Chu’s daughter, hm?” 

She leaned against the coffin, her mind going back to the countless so called boyfriends of the past. “I suppose it’s fitting. Her father was also a berserker, before he fell head over heels for a certain dragon. And in the end, that was what saved his life.”

“She never got to tell you the story, because she doesn’t know it. In fact, I think it’s just me, my fellow Nanny and Mingfei Lu that know the end of that story.”

“Let’s hope yours ends a bit differently.”

There was no signal out here. So Mai had to content herself with whatever she had already downloaded on her phone, bingewatching her favorite movies and K-dramas. Meanwhile, she kept a close eye on the casket, making sure the temperature was kept cold enough to keep this guy from waking up.

A sudden alarm shook her from her reverie. She stood and went to the cockpit. Another plane, flying low, almost out of radar range but nearly directly below her. “Ah... we have a curious jet?”

She tried to get a picture of it, but it appeared invisible against the dark waves of the ocean. “Cloaking technology?”

Her eyes narrowed. This was no normal inquiry from a nation-state. Few nations could approach this level of high tech on a plane. Hybrids were higher functioning physically. The technology they surrounded themselves with was likewise ahead of human technology. 

That made this jet fair game. She did not change trajectory. Instead, she reached for a large gun on the back of the the plane. She hoisted to her shoulder with a soft grunt and strapped it to herself. She then hooked herself to the interior of the helicopter and opened the door.

The ferocious wind was enough to tear her away from the helicopter and she grit her teeth and let go. She was like an out of control kite, fluttering precariously in the wind. It was like being on the worst carnival ride. Still her powerful muscles braced themselves and forced the sight to her eyes. It wouldn’t do to have any reports getting out about the island.

She aimed directly for the cockpit of the jet. A tiny target to be sure. She took her time fluttering back and forth. Eventually her mind caught the rhythm of the wind, the speed of the aircraft, and linked it to the knowledge of the speed of the missile. She aimed at a spot far ahead and after a few more seconds, she pulled the trigger.

There was a bright flash of light. She blinked and the target had disappeared. She imagined the pilot getting vaporized instantly, the instrumentation getting blown apart. She turned her head to look, there wasn’t so much as a ripple that could remain in the open ocean.

[faejilly]

1/2) I was wondering what you thought of the Malec sparring scene in 3b. I wanted to like it, thought I would cause I'm really kinda into that sort of thing, but instead it just, I don't know, upset me. I couldn't help but see it as just another instance of the show undermining Alec to makes another character look good and I hate when they do that. Not just because Alec's character is basically tailor made for me to take one look at and go "MINE" at (which it absolutely, 100% is) but also

2/2) it’s just really shitty writing to constantly diminish one character to prop up another. But I see so many people seemed to love it and am I being oversensitive?  

Hey, if you don’t like it, you don’t like it, there’s no oversensitive. AND I HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH YOU, so. There is that. 😅

I dislike the Magnus training scene on about three (four?) different levels, tbqh, and I can headcanon all of them away, but it’s not… it does not, imo, work as is, and if you can enjoy the pretty regardless, that’s fine, but if you can’t… that’s fine too.

First: the scene at the end of the previous episode, where Magnus asks for help, is one of the most beautifully done Malec scenes in the show, imo, because Magnus is bad at asking for help, and here he does, and Alec is so gentle with him, and has one hell of a clunker of a terribly written line but he makes it work anyways because that’s what Alec does and the way Magnus pulls him in by the waist when they’re kissing there in the apothecary (in what is arguably the one place in the world that is most Magnus’, but he wants Alec there too) is just. Sublime.

But the training scene doesn’t follow on that note at all, so even if it was flawless I wouldn’t like it just because it’s ignoring how we got there. Especially since I liked how we got there. It was so lovely! And then. Completely different tone.

SECOND: The stated point of Alec training Magnus was, based on what we saw previously, to help him retrain his instincts. That is, if he’s in trouble, that he would react physically, so there’s not a stutter as he reaches for magic that’s not there, because that delay in reaction time is dangerous. THIS MEANS… that sparring isn’t actually much help for that, not initially. They need to be training the reaction, which is like katas, or a tai chi routine, or the damn heavy bag Alec likes so much. You pick the reaction you need to have and you practice it over and over and over again until your body does it without you having to think about it. (And then you practice fighting to make sure you’ve got it.) That’s what Magnus needs. There’s no argument that he knows how to move, that he probably knows how to fight, how to spar, but he needs to change his instinctive reaction.

Third disconnect! Magnus has spent 400 years learning things, sure, but he doesn’t train and practice and physically fight every single damn day like Alec does, so… there shouldn’t be any question who would win in a purely physical confrontation, even without runes. Sure, when Magnus had his magic it’d be a different story, (but tbqh Shadowhunters are trained how to fight magical creatures so it still shouldn’t be easy) but HE DOESN’T HAVE HIS MAGIC, AND HE SAID HE NEEDED HELP, THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT. LET HIM NEED HELP. LET ALEC HELP HIM.

aCTUALLy, this is 3rd & 4th, because let Magnus ask for help, that’s a very good character note and a very mature thing that he needs to be able to do, and doesn’t make him weak as a person or a character or something, come on show…

and also FOURTH: let Alec be good at the only things you’ve said he’s good at! LET HIM BE PHYSICALLY COMPETENT at fighting AND ALSO EMOTIONALLY/MENTALLY COMPETENT AT TRAINING. Like. This is a thing it is strongly implied he’d be good at? He’s good with kids, he practically raised his siblings, he’s in charge of an Institute and has been half-running things since he was a freaking teenager LET HIM BE GOOD AT KEEPING HIS PEOPLE UP TO SPEED?!?!!!

Now. ERM. Where was I?

Right. The actually training. Showing a guy stabbing a mannequin fifty times is probably not as entertaining as some sparring, I guess, but that’s lazy thinking because, honestly, Alec’s hands all over Magnus adjusting his stance and pushing him to do it over and over ‘til they’re both all sweaty is golden, wtf show, the tension build-up would be glorious, because each time they’d get a little closer to breaking form, but they wouldn’t do it.

Gah.

And then! Then you could have a legitimately fun switch to sparring because they already did the work and you wouldn’t have this jarring disconnect between Alec trying to be serious and Magnus (despite being the one who asked for help!) just playing. They could both be playing! It would actually be them obviously pushing each others buttons! Because what we got was more Magnus giving up after one exchange and then dismissing Alec’s help and then Alec eventually going, ah well, wtf, guess I can’t actually train him, let’s kiss. Which, tbf, he clearly always wants to kiss Magnus, but it’s still a really weird dynamic, because that’s not at all where he seemed to be during the sparring, he really wanted to help and Magnus wouldn’t let him and Alec shouldn’t have been okay with that dismissal. 

So, honestly, wow, my italics abuse is off the charts today, sorry. Um. I don’t like the scene because it undermines Magnus, makes him look petty and disrespectful (ymmv! obviously!) in a way that I feel is out of character, and it also undermines one of the few chances the show gave Alec to be good at what he does. Like, it says he’s good at what he does, but then it only ever shows him failing and that’s… depressing and distressing on a couple different levels.

And it’s especially distressing, because a lot (not all, but a fair bit) of the training and fight scenes they’ve done for other characters/plots have been very in character, so the fact that this isn’t is, much like the other stuff I talked about in 3b earlier, even MORE annoying because they almost got there. They set it up so well, they’ve done emotional compelling choreography before, it should have been better.

NOW. If you ignore the context and are just watching them dance around the training room, yes it’s pretty, but it doesn’t (for me) fit the set-up the previous episode gave it, and it doesn’t do justice to either of the characters.

[save-the-spiral]

Please good sir 😔 spare some serotonin ? 🥺 may I please get a wee-bit of Nolan head-cannons with him and his (s/o) having soft moments 🥺 maybe a little bit of stimming 😔 thank you good sir and blessed be ye’ soul 🥺

Autistic Nolan Stormgate is really just. the best huh. canon, huh. Infodumping,,, chew stimming,,, semiverbalnesssss,,,,, a bit of echolalia,,, hand FLAPPING... we in it now y’all. I’m autistic and writing from mostly experience, but if anyone has any input or questions hit me up.

Content warning for past ableism and past internalized ableism towards the autistic narrator/main character, also some descriptions of uncomfortable textures, like chewing on fabric and pencils.

Nolan infodumps now.

It wasn’t a thing he did before, at least not while fully aware, just excited and able to let all that excitement out in words and explanations and being just! Excited! about something. But before all he knew was after he explained or just spoke for too long, he was being annoying, or condescending, or wasting time, or being distracting, or-

“Nolan?” His partner smiled at him, not looking up from their project, aware that accidentally catching Nolan’s gaze in theirs would be uncomfortable.

“Oh, yeah.” Nolan blinked, looking back down at the extra curricular textbook he had been summarizing excitedly. He had gotten lost in thought, but he does that sometimes, and his partner doesn’t mind. “Yeah! Yeah, Yeah. So, this cool rune array...”

-

Nolan chews on a necklace made for that exact purpose now.

It wasn’t a thing he did before, instead he would absentmindedly chew on the edges of his long sleeves or on the cord of whatever amulet he was wearing at the time. He wouldn’t even realize when he was in the act, only when the awkward, lukewarm wetness of the fabric or cord hit his skin unpleasantly.

His partner noticed, and knowing the texture would later make Nolan have to change his robe or shirt, would remind him to stop. That would result in Nolan instead chewing on the pencils his partner brought from Earth, the soft yielding texture of paint on wood uncomfortable, especially if the yellow coating would chip into his mouth, or the wood splintered.

So his partner gave him something to chew on instead. Nolan brushed it off at first, embarrassed and upset at an idle habit becoming another thing they actually had to address about him. His partner was persistent, almost stubborn (another trait Nolan liked about them, just not when it meant he was being pushed to deal with his own problems).

So they brought him a bag full of gifts, reminiscent of when they had before, when he actually told them he was autistic, that he wasn’t sure exactly what that meant for him and them and that he wasn’t sure about anything after figuring it all out. Just a cloth bag tied with a ribbon, left in his dorm.

The first one had a collection of plastic toys from Earth in it, nothing Nolan was familiar with, having grown up all his life in Wizard City. A rounded rainbow cube with black buttons and switches was the only thing he picked up from the brightly colored collection, just idly examining it. Ink stained fingers tested every button, and he realized he had been sat there for a while, clicking the switch on it back and forth for that small plastic sound to echo around his dorm in regular intervals. His partner had to explain the rest of them to him, things to use so he could focus, so he wouldn’t pick at his nails just to have something to occupy his hands.

This second bag was full of different things, much less as well, but the amount never mattered. The rubber on them was soft, yielding under his nails, not the best texture but still bearable. a few hung from different cords, one appeared to be more of a bracelet. His partner ended up explaining them to him as well.

It was just a different kind of stimming, and well, Nolan enjoyed stimming. So now he chewed on the soft rubber pendant of his necklace, grounding himself while still diving into some task, holed up in his dorm or some obscure corner of the library to do work or research, his hands full but still needing to do something controllable and regular while stressed out.

It was nice, something he only felt comfortable sharing with his partner, but it was a kind of intimacy that was just knowing each other that he relished in, small parts of him only they would know.

-

Nolan doesn’t push himself to talk when asked to, now.

Being semiverbal was one of the more difficult things for him to realize. He had thought that everyone was just pushing through, forcing themselves to talk when they didn’t want to just because it was socially obligated. After his partner’s very confused look at his generalization, it was made evident that this wasn’t the case.

Sometimes Nolan wanted to talk a lot, sometimes he could talk as much as he needed to, and sometimes he just couldn’t, he even physically felt like he just could not talk, not even remembering what it felt like to talk, sometimes in meltdowns he would hysterically wonder if he ever could talk in the first place.

Talking wasn’t always easy. His partner made it clear that if Nolan didn’t want to talk, even if it was just because he was tired or had nothing to say, he didn’t have to. He wasn’t forced to speak, he could just nod or wave or lean against his partner, his head on their shoulder, or grab their hand, or hug them.

Sometimes there wasn’t even a need for words, but he still spoke them, sometimes there was a need, and he didn’t speak. Neither mattered, because they still had ways to say what was needed. They exchanged ‘I love you’s in the interlocking of fingers while holding hands, in Nolan sharing his favorite snacks, in his partner smiling encouragingly.

-

Nolan... Nolan flaps his hands now.

It was something that scared him, in a strange way. Some kind of admittance of defeat, as if he was showing off some weakness, but he knew it was anything but that, logically. It was just... it was something that he wasn’t used to. Something that felt so obviously autistic that if he even dared everyone would immediately know somehow.

Sometimes he did it in private, at first. Just sitting back a bit in his chair and hesitantly moving his hands, wondering why it was something that was mentioned so much.

Once, while excited, in some little corner of the library, he dropped his pencil and shook out his hands, and found himself just continuing to do so, smiling slightly.

It just continued from there, and he didn’t notice until just now that it was just another part of him, another thing he did. He looked up and saw his partner smiling at him, eyes glittering with a mixture of happiness and pride as they looked at his hands, and he moved them quickly, before shoving his textbook to the side and sitting up.

“You’re not gonna believe this, dear! So, so, so, so-” He repeats the word, gathering his thoughts. “ So! this new theory says that...”

And off he goes, infodumping, smiling, and later he’ll be sleepily trying to finish his explanation with his head in his partner’s lap, yawning mid-sentence.