#literally I'm only picking up the muse because of them haha

[myristicisms]

About to pick up a brand new never before written (by me) muse which means new muse preparation is about to jump my ass ergo I'm probably gonna be express shitting out small drabbles for him and stuff teehee.

[crescentfool]

I noticed you're a Ryomina!!! How did you get into it? And do you have any good fanfics/doujinshi you can advice me to read? ANYTHING on Ryomina actually? I'm dying for anything about them!!! Thanks!!

yes!!! it's me!!! i'm ryomina fan (one of many)!!! thank you for visiting my askbox, i'll do my best to answer all of the questions because it always makes me happy to see that ryomina sparks joy for people! :D

...this got really long because i like linking to things, so i'm putting it under a read more (IM VERY NORMAL ABOUT THEM)

how did i get into it? i got into persona 3 around august 2021 through the movies- at the time my only experience with the persona series was with P5R / P5S / P5D. p3 was the one that interested me the most (i thought minato was very pretty + i caught wind that the themes of the game were very resonant with people). i picked the movies over the game because i'm a guy who plays games at a snails pace, haha.

admittedly, i did latch onto ryomina because of the scenes in the third and fourth movie (i have mentioned in the tags of this art i drew how much i felt like i was exploding and blasting off to the moon watching it).

but what really dug me into the ryomina hole (and what has kept me there) was thinking about how much ryoji encapsulates the themes of p3- and how interconnected his fate is with minato. i wrote some musings about their dynamic here, if you're interested!

tl;dr: what if we were both boys and we were mirror images of each other and i inherited your kindness and looks but god doomed our narrative even though we're soulmates

on ryomina fanworks recommendations:

regarding fics: i'm going to assume that you've probably read the fics that have the highest kudo ratings on them, so i won't really be listing those.

a personal favorite fic that i always hold close to my heart is Eurydice's Vow by crescentmoontea, which explores the idea of ryomina in p5r's third semester. this was the first fic i read about ryomina and it made me tear up lots...

i also think a lot about I Alone Await You by Nail_gun, literally scrumptious writing that captures the ryomina dynamic so so well. actually check out Nail_gun's other ryomina fics while you're at it too!

other fun fic i'm fond of: can't get my mind out of those memories (what were they?) by foxmulder_whereartthou. ryoji being homeless lives rent free in my head and it's all because of this fic. there's a bunch of other fun ryominas from the same author too (i still need to read them)

BkZa555 also has some fun AU scenarios if you're into that too, notably with Zagreus (P5-Setting, Ryoji focus) and The Definition of Insanity (TIME LOOP fuckery!), but they're currently ongoing.

these were some ones that came to my mind first- as i have the strongest recollection reading them. admittedly i haven't really been reading fic this year, so i don't have many recommendations from fic that came out this year. but if you're so inclined to let ryomina consume your soul, i definitely recommend giving the newer works in the ryomina tag a look-see and see if it strikes your fancy!

as a side note, i do have a few ryomina fics that i've bookmarked on my ao3 here, though i have to say that i'm not sure how well they hold up in terms of like... what i would seek out of a fic these days. but they made past me happy so i bookmarked them, LOL. it's kind of outdated (my collection of fic recs has my old username *disintegrates*).

regarding doujinshi: i have not read all the ryomina doujinshi available, but as a starting point, please take a look at this list from pandora-scans from livejournal!

notably, this is where you can find the strawberry-chan say good bye doujin- which features a small and cute comic from shuji sogabe (the p3/p4 manga artist), as well as other artists. the existence of this doujinshi is the funniest thing to me because it's like "HEY if you're wondering what the volume 8 cover is really gay it's because sogabe contributed to a ryomina doujin." this fact makes my head spin (positive). it explains a lot about the manga.

regarding persona side material:

i know you didn't ask for these but i thought that i mine as well list these too, since i feel that the side materials have some fun expansions on ryoji and minato's interactions. i haven't... watched/read all of these but, hey, i like to share these things!

for comic anthologies for the persona series (some of which have ryoji!). if you're interested in reading them, here's a scanlation index from maboroshi-no on tumblr. i don't think this is a comprehensive list, but i think it will be a great starting point!

for some translations of the persona 3 drama cds, check out imaginary-numbers on dreamwidth! ryoji and minato interactions can specifically be found in the persona 3 character drama cd vol. 1, and for the audio + english subs, you can watch this video on youtube:

and ohh the musical. ryoji singing and dancing gives me so much joy. i haven't watched the musical in it's entirety (only fragments), but here are some links that may be of interest to you:

Ao no Kakusei (The Blue Awakening), Sakuya version - playlist for the first p3 musical, translated by Phoenix Maiika.

Ao no Kakusei (The Blue Awakening), Kotone version - playlist for the femc version!! also translated by Phoenix Maiika on YouTube.

Persona 3: The Weird Masquerade (English Subtitles) - playlist by rumio!

P3 Weird Musical DVD & Soundtrack Booklet Scans by rumio_k - twitter thread that links to these funsies, if you don't have twitter, here's the publicly shared drive link.

god. these sure are a lot of links, huh? i hope you enjoy them- pick and choose whatever sounds most appealing! (if this overwhelmed you im sorry GKLHLDH i just like being very comprehensive in my answers about things so i got carried away).

and as a reminder, you (and anyone else reading) are always welcome to browse my tags/archive and reblog things from there anytime! i have... nearly 300 ryomina posts which, while mostly consists of art, has a few fics, meta, hcs, gifs, memes, and whatnot scattered about.

or browse the minato and ryoji tags too! there's.. nearly 1k minato. and 500 ish ryoji. and they're going to keep on growing because i can't stop being obsessed with archiving these things. god help me i am so deep in this hole called ryomina hell and now you're here too. welcome aboard!

there's always going to be a lot of fun ways to enjoy rotating ryomina around in one's brain, i think- they're a pairing with such fun symbolic imagery that is So Deep (to me) but ALSO they're immensely hilarious and weird guys (affectionate). so i love to share these things in hopes that it gives you joy too! they are the most couple ever (to me) (i'm biased)

thank you again for the ask! i hope it can satiate your need for more ryomina, and be a nice aide in exploring the p3 fanspace :)

[lilmcttens]

✨✨

Send ✨ for my muse to talk about (one of) their sibling(s).

"Oh joy. I received two of these so I have to talk about "Dumb" and "Dumber" just in case you can't tell that's sarcasm."

"Nah. You know what? They're alright. No joke they are weirdos, but they are my weirdos in a way. I give them a hard time but they can and will be annoying. They're a sweet annoying that only family can accomplish anyway."

"Listen. I'm the youngest if I didn't assert my little dominance somehow they would destroy me. Survival of the fittest or what-ever."

"Kay. I'll start with Em first because she's the oldest of us all. So she's kinda got seniority. Get it? She's old. First of all, I know she loves me because she's Always calling me her "baby sister." (nevermind the fact it's a two-year difference sis!) She's a pretty light-hearted easy-going big sister. She's also surprisingly more responsible than most people think. I mean like sometimes Ed and I go overboard being dramatic and wild."

"I've never forgotten she and Ed are a team. Duh! Because they're twins Titan! However, we can make a deadly pair too. I like coming to Emira for let's say. "Girl advice" It's not like Ed can't help with that, but I mean. He's our brother. Emira's good at fashion, she's learning healing which the both of us tried to get into she was just better at it than I am. She's healed me a time or four."

"She isn't super serious if she doesn't have to be and if you wanna sit on her bed or the couch you literally have to wrestle her for it. I think she has a crush on some of the students at our school she might tell me some time till then I'll have to guess with Luz."

"Okay. Ed's turn. He's well he's a very caring and gentle and unfortunately without having Dad as his backup. Ed finds himself getting pushed around and picked on a lot by the girls. Just like the animals in a women's monarchy in the world. Ed likes to goof off and cause problems on purpose as much as the next guy, but he's also smart. His magic is wild and unpredictable like Eda loves it to be."

"Actually, I think he really looks up to her now she has become like a mentor to him too. My older brother can do Illusions, Beast Keeping, and Potions magic! I thought I was the overachiever Edric does all that as a hobby on the side! My mind is blown. I didn't believe it! That's also, my fault I was too caught up in my own studies and future to notice his interests on the side."

"Now Edric is the one most in the doghouse for messing up my hair! He does all the typical things you expect a big brother to do. You name it; he does it to me. He sits on me, he picks me up and swings me, he fights me for a place to sit. It doesn't take him long at all to barge into my room and bother me for no reason at all. He'll tickle me, wrestle me, grab my stuff and hold it above my head. He's also the brother who read me lots of stories as a kid and even Illusioned the pictures with his magic."

"Edric is one of the good witches. I think he's got a good heart. He tries to bet me snails who will pop more zits him or Em and I just laugh every time I think about my problems. Haha. He's good. So good at making me laugh. That's all my siblings want. They wanna see me smile.

"In the end. You don't get to choose your blood-related family so if I have to be stuck with any other witches for the rest of my life I would be so bored. Of all the twin siblings I could have ended up with I'm glad it's Emira and Edric."

[lumilasi]

Almost forgot this whoops

I don't actually listen to music a whole lot nowadays, as it tends to make me unable to focus on what I am doing, or it affects my mood too strongly, especially if the song is more melancholy (I'm a Finn, guess what type of songs are popular here lmao)

But to pick some that I find nostalgic to this day and/or remember fairly well even if I haven't listened to them in a while, uhh....

Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia

I listened to this one a lot years ago, it was one of those songs that really helped to boost my mood in a weird way? The beat and some of the lyrics, but mainly the beat.

I remember listening to this song when walking home during my previous studies a few years ago, when it was a bright winter day and I'd just finished a project meet-up with my classmate, and I just had this feeling of, IDK, the world is so VAST and OPEN while listening to it. I don't know how to describe the exact vibe I had, but its the memory I associate most vividly with this particular song.

Hysteria - Muse

This is nostalgic because its reminiscent of my even earlier, teenager hood music taste, with 3 Days Grace and Linkin Park (still love their old music, but now I need a specific mood to listen to it), and it just hits the right beats of aggressive and, IDK, chaotic lol

Its among the song inspirations for many of my older, slightly or more unhinged characters. Or characters who mostly are calm and collected, but have this intense, terrifying unpredictable side. From current roster that'd mainly be Angus I guess? And Azul to an extent.

Zombie - Cranberry & Bad Wolves (I love both versions equally, could never pick which I like more)

Both versions are their own flavor of haunting from the lyrics (which is bit of a social commentary with both) and the overall atmosphere. I like songs that feel haunting in general.

I had so many songs I'd describe as "haunting" to put here, but I chose this one ultimately, as what makes it that isn't so much the actual sounds and melodies of the songs per say, but the words. It's haunting in a more real-world way, if that makes sense?

Down Under - the version by LVNDSCAPE & Rat city. (I know the original too and like it as well, I just kinda prefer the vibes of this one)

Just a really good feel-good song that let's your thoughts and imagination fly relaxed without the crippling anxiety and depression trying to twist your thoughts into paths you don't want them to go hahaahaha...haha...ha....

(no but for real, this song was good at keeping the worse shit at bay even if I had a bad day, still somewhat is)

Dance the Night - Dua Lipa

Okay, this one is MUCH newer song, like...I think its only months old? I also know its in the barbie movie, HOWEVER, I have not watched it, nor am I interested in doing it.

The reason why this song ended up on here is that I've been hearing it on the radio, and I've sort of started strongly associating the singer's voice with one of my characters I've been building up more and more from where she started.

This has been a thing before ofc, but this case is special, because the said character started out as one of those I was never really happy with, someone that I always struggled to like or care about, despite having an important role in the story.

However, The current version of her I absolutely LOVE, finally, and this song (and some others from Dua Lipa) have really helped me finally cement my love for her, after literal YEARS of struggling with it.

(if Avane could sing/does sing in-story, her singing voice would be like hers.)

I'm not gonna tag anyone, but feel free to plop songs to continue the threat if you feel like

✨️when u get this u have to put 5 songs u actually listen to, publish. Then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers (non-negotiable, positivity is cool)🎶✨️

🥰🥰 love these!!

1. Somethin' Bout You - Mickey Guyton

2. Butterflies - Kacey Musgraves

3. Anti-Hero - Taylor Swift

4. Me To You - Tim Be Told

5. Ours - Taylor Swift

Can I tag 10 followers instead? Lmao

@beebiboibop @navajolovesdestiel @darlingvagary @ellie--eille @ladytamris @sun-ni-day @sunshine-syst3m @quicksweetdreamer @erebus-9 @lykanyouko

[overx]

🌌 for Voluntas?

🌌 MILKY WAY - what was the inspiration behind your oc? what was the first thing you decided about them?

[[okay so something you should know going into this ask is that a lot of the OCs on my blog started as AUs for Rockwell and MZ (@thegatesofinfinitespace ). Volt, Rho, Raz, and Lexi are just a handful of examples.

What tends to happen is we go "haha this would be a fun one off AU" either because something sounds like a fun one shot, or because we want to explore a trope. Then it escalates into full world building and multiple character arcs.

For Volt and Vesper? It was the fantasy AU where ROCK gets to be the monster boyfriend for once. Let's be real, MZ is already a vampire in main canon, and in several other AUs that we have he's typically the big monster bf (-points at KiZ and Lexi who were originally a separate AU from Vesper and Volt as an example).

It was a pretty simple "if Rockwell was a monster what kind would he be" ask. Since I couldn't see him as many other monsters besides a werewolf (which we'd done before with Lexi), a wrath demon is the obvious next choice and, well... there you go. So you could say that was the very first decision I ever made about him really was the "type" of demon he'd be.

From there it was self indulgence station. It wasn't well known at the time (though it's surely obvious now) BUT I LOVE MONSTER CHARACTERS AND DESIGNS. I specifically drew Volt from the ground up with the intention that he would be fun for ME to write and draw.

Claw hands??? Monster feet? Dragon wings??? Sharp teeth!!! Long tongue??? Horns?!?! stripes??? Fluffy hair!!! Pointy ears!!?! There is literally not a single part of him picked out for any reason other than "I like drawing that".

Which I think is very fitting for a creature who grants wishes and never stops wanting.

I promptly wouldn't stop drawing him as soon as he had a full design OR commissioning him from other people. Like, the only character on my toyhouse who has more art than him IS the original Rockwell.

He's been living rent free in my head for years and has the highest honor I can bestow on a muse which is their own playlist. Which is a big deal because all of my favorite muses have playlists which range from about 50 to 150+ songs lol so you don't get one unless I'm really obsessed.]]

[sadalienclubhasmoved]

Oh crap I copied the asks so I could remember which numbers they were but it copied the questions instead of the numbers... I'm just gonna paste those if its okay..

How many members are in your system, and does this number change frequently?

Are there any activities your system members like to do together? Collective hobbies? Talk about those!

What’s your favourite part of being a system?

Do you have any fictives/factives/etc? Tell us a little about them!

How would you describe your system in 3 words or less?

Do you have any cool/funny stories from inside the headspace (*or whatever interaction you want if you don't have a headspace) that you’d like to share?

What is something you wish singlets knew about plurality?

Hehe, no worries, nonny!

As of right now, we have nine total members. One of them is almost entirely dormant, and a handful of others don't really front/are mostly internal (if that? makes sense? lol). SO generally, we just say we have 4 active members, hehe.

Yeah! We like video games, reading, and journaling a lot.

No factives, but we do have a handful of fictives. I don't know if there is a term for this, but a couple of them are like, "partial" fictives in the sense that it's more like they formed around the Idea of a character moreso than they Actually Are that character, or at least they are a very specific version of that character??? Not sure if that makes sense, haha. Anywayyy, Sei, M, Blue, and Touya are all fictives. Another member of ours, 9, is an introject of one of our OCs, so we aren't sure if that counts? Blue and Touya are both chaotic as fuck, and Sei and M end up keeping them in check, lol. M comes off as really unfriendly and grumpy, but he can be very silly around people he's comfortable with. Blue has been around the longest (or at least he's the only one we're aware of having been around) so he and I (Davey lol) basically grew up together?? We shared the body for most of high school, and we still have trouble differentiating between each other sometimes. Out of all the fictives in our system, Sei is the one with the most, and clearest, exomemories. Touya is a shithead and pretty much only copilots to fuck around with our friends on Discord.

"I'm being bullied" - Seriously, it's a nonstop fucking roast in here.

Totally. So, for one thing, we don't have a super clear headspace? Or at least I (Davey) don't really have access to it. HOWEVER the one place we do have visualization of is the bedroom of our mostly-dormant member, lmao. I'd say it's weird but honestly it's probably just because he's proud of how pretty it is. We can also see Sei's room, but they change it CONSTANTLY (they can't pick and stick with an aesthetic to save their life lmao). M in headspace is 6'2 and built like a brick shithouse, and OFTEN forgets that he is in a 5'4 very small body, acting like he can and will body anybody who looks at us wrong. I've been told it's VERY funny to see our puny ass walking around like "fuck around and find out." M also thinks that there is no difference between McDonald's Sprite and regular Sprite. We have a video of our friend system @muse-on-wheels calling Blue a bottom and he had the most visceral reaction. There was a literal snarl. He DO bite. He can also get rid of hiccups!! It's his superpower. Davey: Why the fuck are you so bad at parking?? M, deadpan: I'm gay. Also, all the times someone has said something internally and I've accidentally said "Shut the FUCK up" out loud, lmao.

As for something I wish singlets knew.... There are a lot of things, lol. Firstly, that just because you don't notice a difference between alters, doesn't mean someone isn't really plural. Also that it is totally okay to make jokes about it (if your plural friend is ok with it, of course). Being plural is FUNNY sometimes! Only a couple people irl know that we're a system, but we crack jokes about it all the time.

[thedyingmoon]

🖤 I See My Future Before Me 🖤

~ A V X Reader set in an Alternate Universe wherein ugly feet are a big deal (?!) 🤔

~ "Too Much Fluff Can Kill You" Volume 2. 😂

~ Tagging my friends, @heaven-on-a-landslide , @krazy06 , @diabeticsugarush , @ehrzeth , @ceruleanworld , @lessy86 , @simmy-ships , @boundbysoul , and @gxthghoulfriend . 🖤

~ Once again helped by my special anonymous adviser who stayed up late with me! And it's all worth it! I hope you like this. ❤

~ Just an important piece of instruction: Please watch the video below before proceeding to the next paragraph. 🖤

~ LET'S DO THIS! 🖤

***

XIV

***

Dante stood in the lobby as he read the latest issue of his favorite magazine.

Already in his best formal attire, the man unceremoniously waited for you. The gig this time required the two of you to infiltrate a party to rat a certain Demon out, and at the mere thought of you in a dress had him intrigued.

Of course, he found you quite fetching. But, the clothes you wore on a daily basis? With your fondness for loose, oversized, and unflattering pieces of clothing, he honestly thought that you got nothing compared to either Trish or Lady, who were two of the most beautiful, if not lethal, women he had ever seen.

Yes, he thought that all the beauty you got were wasted on your conservative tastes,...

"Are we gonna go, or what?" Dante, who failed to notice you as you came down from your room, heard you loud and clear and turned.

"Hey, what took you - ?"

The man stopped dead in his tracks, for there, right before his very eyes, was,...

You raised an eyebrow and placed your hands on your hips. "Are you gonna stare at me the whole evening? We still have a job to do."

"The lady is right." Morrison, who just entered the building, said. And when he saw you, his eyes widened in complete awe. "And surprise of all mother of surprises. You look like the most gorgeous star in the galaxy, my dear."

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison." You said, taking the Broker's hand and letting him lead you outside towards his car.

"Your partner seems to be tongue tied."

"Yeah, he's busy with that magazine of his."

You carefully entered the vehicle as Morrison opened the door for you. A few moments later, Dante followed.

The ride towards your destination was a really quiet one. You would occasionally look at the front at Morrison as he drove but, most of the time, your eyes were just glued to the window beside you. Despite that, you could not shake the feeling of heaviness in your body. It's as if you have been the subject of someone's intense stares for far too long.

Still, you smiled, not letting yourself be tempted to indulge your silent companion.

Your resistance persisted until you two reached the place.

And Dante could not hold it in any longer.

"Hey," he began, isolating you from the other guests by leading you to an empty hallway. "You've been keeping things from me."

"Wha - ?" You started to argue but, then, realized he was right. "Well, yes."

"What else can you do?" Dante demanded, your overwhelming scent of a very addictive vintage wine assaulting his nostrils and driving his patience to the limit. "Witchcraft? Sorcery? Voodoo?"

You only chuckled at his question. "They're the same thing."

The man grabbed your shoulders and made you look up at him, his light - colored eyes more intense than ever before. "Tell. Me."

Unfazed, you only smiled up at him, grabbed his huge hands, and removed them gingerly off you. You then took one of his hands and led him back towards the living area where the party was taking place.

"What are you doing?"

"See that lady?" You whispered to him in a lover - like fashion so as not to make yourself obvious that you're plotting something dangerous. "That's your target."

"How did you even - ?!"

"Sshh! Don't ask. Okay?"

Dante looked at the said female, who happened to be the host of the party.

"So, in two minutes, she will come our way, introduce herself to you, and start flirting with you. You will flirt with her for, like, five minutes."

The man looked at you suspiciously. "Why did I suddenly feel nervous about this?"

"Oh, you'll be fine. Anyway, her lover will come out of hiding. You will kill him."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anything about killing an innocent man?!"

"And," you went on, ignoring Dante's complaint. "... you will use the Rebellion and drive it through his skull, then she will attack you. You will use the Ebony and Ivory against her. And, guess what, all the guests in here? They're all Demons. You will finish them in, like, ten minutes, tops. Then, you will join me in the balcony and wipe Demon blood off your face."

"And why am I supposed to believe you?"

"Because your two minutes is up and she's coming towards us."

And surely enough, with hips swaying seductively and eyelids fluttering like butterfly wings, the gracefully tall and slender host of the party was coming towards the legendary Devil Hunter. Dante looked back at you and realized you weren't there any more.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, the man, who was covered in Demon guts and chandelier glitter, came out to join you on the balcony. He wiped the Demon blood off his face and leaned against the railing beside you.

"You didn't even help me." Dante told you wih a huge sigh. "And we're supposed to be partners."

"Convinced?"

"Whatever."

"Hey, at least you got to flirt with her, right?" You cheerfully answered.

Dante looked at you with every intention of giving you a piece of his mind but, you were already walking away from him.

"Hey!"

You turned back, winked at him, and held up a finger to your lips.

"Sshh,..."

***

You and V hustled towards the empty building, sheltering yourselves due to the very sudden and heavy rainfall.

Once inside, V heard you grunt in dismay and as he turned to look at you, he saw you as you put your black violin case down on the cold floor and strip off your wet parka, revealing your simple white dress underneath.

Now, V may have no idea, whatsoever, what you'll need the violin for during the Demon hunt, but he was definitely flabbergasted as to your taste in clothing. It's as if you were not going on a Demon hunt, at all.

You felt a pair of eyes boring down on you as you picked up your violin case, and when you looked up, you ultimately saw him staring at you.

Then, there was that feeling again - of your cheeks burning, of your heartbeat going wild, of your knees getting weak and wobbly.

It's as if the man's mere gaze put your mind in a trance, and your senses into a total discord.

You shyly looked away, trying to escape his longing look, until you finally noticed where you really were.

"Hey, this is a dance studio!" You exclaimed breathlessly as you ran towards one of the doors that led to a huge rehearsal room. You entered it and took in the achingly familiar atmosphere of the place, from its floor, the huge glass windows, to the mirrored walls.

The exact moment when V entered the room after you, Griffon materialized and flew towards you.

"Where did ya just take us to?" The bird irritatingly questioned. "It's too damn creepy in here!"

"Why? You afraid of mirrors?"

The bird squawked and flew towards one of the abandoned chairs, perching and settling himself comfortably.

You ignored the Demon and went towards the window, seeing the angry outpour outside and the eventual streak of lightning from the sky, followed by the loud boom of the thunder.

"It seems that we have become stranded here for a while." You heard V's low voice as you sensed him walking closer towards you.

You simply nodded, still unable to look the man in the eye. "I hope it stops soon."

"I wish for the opposite."

The very noticeable purr in the man's voice made your heart do flips. You turned around, and as another streak of lightning painted the sky, you saw the unmistakable mischief in those eyes and grin of his.

Suddenly feeling both nervous and giddy, you hastily walked towards one of the chairs near Griffon, sat, and removed your boots.

"Okay, these are getting heavy as hell!" You said, unintentionally making your voice loud due to your nerves. "I'm taking these off!"

"Ew!" Griffon exclaimed as soon as your feet came into view. "Did ya step on a fuckin' corpse or are those yer actual feet, eh sweet pea?!"

You narrowed your eyes at the demonic bird, who started laughing at your pitiful, scarred little feet.

"Hahaha! Ah, haha, eh, well, no offense, sweet pea. Just sayin' the truth."

"Beauty cannot be comprehended by small minds, my Demonic friend." V, who, of course, followed you, fortunately came to your rescue.

You gave Griffon a triumphantly evil grin as you placed your wet boots under the table. "I'm a dancer. It would make perfect sense for me to have ugly feet." You looked up at V and spoke with him instead of the bird who got grumpy. "I got these scars from years of dedicated dancing."

"Hmm,..." V mused as he sat on a chair beside you. "Those scars,... symbolize the true enjoyment and will that you felt doing that special something you adore." He uttered, then leaned closer towards you. With a soft whisper, he said, "Those feet, my Lady,... I would kiss,... over,... and over again,... if I could,... "

Thump!

"Shoes! Shoes! The floor is cold! I need shoes!" You literally yelled, feeling your traitorous heart triple in heartbeat. With hot cheeks and trembling limbs, you hastily stood up and roamed aimlessly all over the room in search of those shoes you mentioned. As lame as you might have looked then, you knew what's truly going on between you and the poet, you just could not handle your own chaotic feelings. And now, you must have looked like a total mess right before him.

"Yeah, no shit, Shirley!" Griffon sarcastically whispered at V. "Ain't that right, V? I mean, if ya like her, just tell her already! Dangit! Fuckin' stop beatin' 'round the fuckin' bushes! Look at her, ya broke the thing!"

Surely enough, V saw you wandering around the room, muttering something uncomprehensible under your breath.

Taking pity on you and feeling guilty at himself for making you uncomfortable, he stood up and walked to where you were.

You felt the man as he neared you and instinctively halted your silly, panic mumblings. You cleared your throat, bravely faced him, and saw the worried look in those deep green eyes of his.

"Well, I do not exactly enjoy it. Dancing, I mean." You told the man, making yourself as calm as you could. "It was more like a,... survival kind of thing."

"Survival, you say?" V answered, instantly feeling intrigued. How would one consider dancing as survival? But, of course, he had no idea what you've been through as a child. "Can you, please, explain?"

You slightly got nervous, feeling as if you revealed more than what was necessary. You were only talking about your ugly feet, damnit! No need to drag the man further into your own, dark past.

Once again, you looked around for something, anything, that could save you from your blunder. And there, right on the corner, you saw, as the lightning lit up the dark sky, a pair of forgotten ballet shoes. You looked at the thing with much intent, then back at your male companion.

"Shall I just show you how they made us dance, instead?" You offered. Well, since you'd be moving a lot from now on, you might as well have a sort of a warm up.

And what a perfect way to do that than that accursed piece those pale people made you dance for six whole years.

On the other hand, V felt concerned about you. You considered dance as survival, and yet, here you were, offering to open up what must've been a deep wound from the past.

Then, he had an idea.

"If dancing felt like a challenge to you," he said, suddenly offering up a hand. " ... then, would you allow this fool to ease the burden and join you for this dance?"

Thump! Thump!

Went your heartbeat once more. But, this time, escaping and saving your shy self would not do you any good. So, instead, you took a deep breath, nodded, and looked up at him with much resolve. You took his hand and began with the simplest of steps.

Well! The man surely had instruction! He was sensitive enough to know when you'll turn, when you must be lifted, and when you'll change positions. Not to mention his graceful movements! Where the hell did he learn ballet?!

Meanwhile, V only had to thank the endless dance lessons he took when he was only a boy! And not only that, he also had to actually thank his stupid twin for skipping them, for, if not, he would never have received more difficult extra lessons that involved doing a pas des deux ! And who knew it will become useful in the future?!

For a while, it seemed as though nothing could disrupt the little, yet warm environment that engulfed the two of you. Not even the bleak weather. Even the foul - mouthed Demon perched on the chair close by dared not utter any piercing word.

Everything seemed at peace, the steps you made, perfect. The lightning streaked the sky once more, splashing very little light into the cold, studio. You made another pirouette, longing to end the little dance with flourish, until the loud bang of the thunder came booming down, startling you and making you stumble on your feet. V thankfully caught you just in time before you fall.

"(Y/N),..."

"I'm fine, thank you." You reassured the man, at the same time getting back up on your feet with his help. "You know, my body's condition was not how it used to be compared to when I was a bit younger."

The man smiled gently at you as he took your hands once more, pulling you closer. "Age matters not, as long as you enjoy dancing."

You sheepishly smiled back at him. "Now that you mentioned it, yes. I enjoyed this dance."

The man may not have chosen to mention it to you but, he definitely enjoyed the little performance with you. Much more so than you did. For you were there with him, smiling, and forgetting the chaos of this world.

For at least a few minutes, it felt intimate for V.

However, he saw the smile on your face slowly vanish as you let go of his hands. The man looked at you in confusion, then you told him, "There is, was, only one person in the world who could outdance me in the past."

The man's face fell, seeing the sadness that was creeping up on those (E/C) eyes he had come to adore.

With glistening eyes, you simply uttered, "My sister."

"I'm so sorry." V whispered achingly at you. "It must be,... "

"She was," you went on, managing a smile despite the hurt that suddenly made its way onto your chest at the reminder of your lost, beloved sibling. " ... how to put this? She was perfect in every way. She was the most beautiful girl in the world, and everybody adored her. She,... died,... to save me, V."

V looked away from her. He had,... someone,... very special whom he lost a very long time ago. Hearing you tell your own tale regarding the person you lost brought back those hurtful memories of the one he loved above all else,...

... her,...

He took a deep breath and faced you once more, not wanting you to worry about him.

"What matters is that you still have precious people around you, my Lady." He said, his voice hoarse and raw with untold emotions and unshed tears. "You must focus on not losing them, as well."

You smiled at him, aware of the melancholic feeling you had evoked in the already cold and lonely atmosphere. You took both his hands and guided him to sit on the floor.

Confused, V glanced at you as you positioned yourself in the middle of the empty dance floor. Griffon noticed this change and flew towards his master, settling himself right beside him.

"V," you began. "... let me tell you the story of a man who regrets the loss of a loved one and the woman who loves him the most. The love of his life. Whom he could no longer be with."

You took a deep breath and began a slow movement that gradually turned into a series of steps that seemed to tell a story, like what you mentioned.

Every turn, every gesture, every sweet and graceful hand movement told V some numerous, little words forming into silent sentences that seemed to whisper directly at his heart. The steps to the very raw yet beautiful dance you performed honestly moved him, feeling a different kind of an ache within his own heart. The steps turned more radiant as it came to the heart of the story,...

... of a very graceful woman,...

... and the man,...

... who was foolish enough to let her go.

And when you finished, he was both speechless and mesmerized. You looked at him with concern, confused by his uncharacteristic silence.

That was when you saw it,...

... genuine tears falling down his face.

"Ah!" You stuttered, not knowing what to do upon the realization that you just made V cry. "I'm so sorry! I would never do this again! I - "

You were immediately silenced as V stood and gave you a hug so tight, yet so gentle, that you felt that he did not want to let go of you.

Like he did not want to ever lose you.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

You knew he was still crying, so you took the initiative to wrap your arms around him and pull him closer.

"Hey, it's okay." You gently whispered at him, calming him down with your caress. "I'll never leave you. I promise."

And just when things were getting more and more cozy between the two of you, Griffon, who seemed to get touched by your performance, as well, flew towards you with large, melancholic eyes. How strange for a brazen creature such as him!

"Hey, do ya know any more stories that won't make ya cry?" The bird asked in a sad and weird tone.

"Okay! Let's see,... "

V smiled as he let go of you, wanting to hear what you were about to say. He just could not help but become excited for your story.

"There was a warrior who was protected by three Goddesses." You began. "However, he mysteriously vanished, making the Goddesses scatter all over the world in search of a temporary vessel until he returns. They found her and dwelled within her for a hundred years.

"Then, one day, he returned and two of his Goddesses returned to him. Aside from the last one who got attached to the woman. But, to gain complete power, the man must have all three with him. So, he took the third Goddess from the woman by force."

"What happened?!"

"Ah,... she died."

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SHITTY STORY?!"

You became nervous as cold sweat trickled down your forehead. "I made it up,... "

"WHAT IN THE FUCKIN' - ?!"

"Hush, you Demon,..." V chuckled as he watched the two of you argue,...

But, the fun and peace of mind you had didn't last long,...

For, only after a few hours, Griffon, who was rendered useless by the Diabolical Amalgam, was screaming your name as you made your way towards the frightening creature, unarmed, wounded, vulnerable, and above all, stripped naked.

"SWEET PEA!" Griffon pleaded as he tried once more to attack, only to fail yet again. "YOU WILL FUCKIN' DIE! STOP!"

But you only looked back at him, winked, and held up a slender finger to your bloody lips.

"Sshh,..."

***

🖤🖤🖤

Note: That's Simone Cameresi for you! A very graceful dancer. I imagine her as the Reader in that very sweet and heartfelt moment as she danced for V. So, I hope you followed my instruction and watched her before reading the next paragraph. 🖤

Another Note: The title of the song is Turning Page by Sleeping At Last. 🖤

P.S.: In ballet, a pas de deux is a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together. The pas de deux is characteristic of classical ballet and can be found in many well - known ballets, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Giselle. Yeah, the more you know. 🖤

🖤🖤🖤

[ambitionrps]

I'm here to burden your work load. All ships! Tassius, Aliden, TayNox, Lospen, Adsen. xoxo

you’re so weird for doing this on anon????

Aliden 

who said i love you first? Caden, likely the first time Ali went down on her ;D

who laughs when the other trips? Caden. Alison would be too concerned!

who pays the bills? Alison. & probably enjoys it #weirdadult

which one makes a bigger deal around the holidays? Alison.

who’s more clumsy? Caden, hands down.

who checks their daily horoscope? Alison, Caden doesn’t even agree with hers.

who sings louder in the car? Caden.

who leaves the cap off the toothpaste? Caden, poor thing.

who is more up to date in pop culture? Alison. She is a junkie and can’t help herself. 

who insists on going to see the newest movies? Also Alison. Especially if Gal Gadot is involved. 

who cries when the abused animal commercials come on? Caden :P and then she grabs the stupid animals and tells them she loves them to the moon and back. 

who’s the lighter sleeper? Alison. Always thinking too much. 

who believes in ghosts? DEFINITELY CADEN. 

who does the grocery shopping? They do it together if they can. If not, then Ali. 

who updates their facebook status more often? Caden. Mostly re: dinosaurs. 

Aspelaide (Adsen? who are you?) 

who said i love you first? Aspen. Addy has a hard time with those words (REMEMBER FUTURE WEEK?)

who laughs when the other trips? Both, they can’t handle it. 

who pays the bills? Adelaide would always forget, but I feel like Aspen would hate it. Maybe they ask someone else to do it. 

which one makes a bigger deal around the holidays? Aspen.

who’s more clumsy? Adelaideeee. Always tripping (is she drunk? is she just her? who knows?)

who checks their daily horoscope? Aspen. 

who sings louder in the car? Aspen is likely louder than Addy in every way. 

who leaves the cap off the toothpaste? Adelaide. She’s literally terrible at life. 

who is more up to date in pop culture? As a music producer, probably Aspen. 

who insists on going to see the newest movies? Addy always begs Aspen to let her. 

who cries when the abused animal commercials come on? Adelaide pretends not to care but totally gets misty. 

who’s the lighter sleeper? Addy, again, can’t sleep worth shit. 

who believes in ghosts? I feel like they both make fun of people who believe in ghosts. Like back when Aspen worked at the treatment center and Addy and her would like sit around and Addy would just shit on the entire group of people being treated there, they’d be like ‘I bet Julia believes in ghosts, mhm. EW.’ 

who does the grocery shopping? Aspen. You can’t trust Addy to grocery shop. Diet Coke and saltines. 

who updates their facebook status more often? Both. 

Lospen 

who said i love you first? Aspen, probably while eating food Lo made.

who laughs when the other trips? Aspen, Lo would never. (; 

who pays the bills? Lauren. She’s like a supreme adult. 

which one makes a bigger deal around the holidays? Aspen. Lo likes to like hang lights and stuff, get presents, but not parties. 

who’s more clumsy? Aspen.

who checks their daily horoscope? Aspen because her url reminds me of a psychic or something lol.

who sings louder in the car? ASPEN. She blares her music all of the time anyway. 

who leaves the cap off the toothpaste? Neither of them. They’re both too clean. 

who is more up to date in pop culture? Aspen because music. 

who insists on going to see the newest movies? Lo because acting.

who cries when the abused animal commercials come on? LO. She’s an animal rights activist. She has to leave the room and go hug her babies. 

who’s the lighter sleeper? Aspen because her muse, but also because sex with Lo.

who believes in ghosts? I would say Aspen. 

who does the grocery shopping? Lo would always go and always picks up Aspen’s favorites. Especially Ravioli. 

who updates their facebook status more often? Aspen. Lo hates social media. 

Tassius 

who said i love you first? They’re married with 18 children and still haven’t said it xo 

who laughs when the other trips? BOTH. Like doubled over laughing because they’re probably the ones who caused the other to do so. 

who pays the bills? Taylor. Forever. 

which one makes a bigger deal around the holidays? I feel like they both probably get pretty damn excited. 

who’s more clumsy? Cassius.

who checks their daily horoscope? Taylor would check Cassius’s and text it to him like ‘I hope you have the best day xo’ even though the horoscope is like ‘you will feel a heavy burden of desperation today’. 

who sings louder in the car? Cassius. Taylor is not a singer.

who leaves the cap off the toothpaste? Cassius. FOREVER.

who is more up to date in pop culture? Cassius because he’s a musician, but also Taylor because her family is in the spotlight and so are the Hollidays. 

who insists on going to see the newest movies? Cassius. 

who cries when the abused animal commercials come on? Neither of them. Though, Taylor would be like ’Aw, Cassius, don’t cry.’ just to piss him off. 

who’s the lighter sleeper? Cassius. 

who believes in ghosts? Cassius. And it’s probably like one of the only things he’s scared of haha. 

who does the grocery shopping? Taylor. Unless Cassius is available, then they’ll go to the store together. 

who updates their facebook status more often? Cassius, because his mouth is big.