#mastermind x femme fatale

[hvmator]

andy & elodie

[arcadia-of-pluto]

Twist of Fate; Chapter Fourteen

Pairings; LADS OT4 x reader

Word count; 2.2k

Themes; isekai, eventual smut

Rating; 18+ for swearing and mature content

Notes; Hey guys! A little late on posting today, but it should be fine. Chapter fifteen will come out shortly after this and I'm pondering whether or not to post sixteen as well since it'll be a much longer chapter 🤔 and that'll be the beginning of my actual writing, straying away from the original story finally. Chapter fifteen marks the end of the original timeline! So, it'll be the end of Sylus's story in-game and I'll be able to branch apart and do my own thing. So I hope you're excited by what's to come.

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Masterlist

In the dim lighting of ‘your’ room, the crow brooch on your chest gleams a dark red reminiscent of wine. Finally, after a long fight, you got the brooch from Sylus. He kept his promise and agreed to help you obtain the aether core as long as you resonated with him– which you still weren’t sure just why he wanted to resonate with you, but it doesn’t matter at this point.

With an expensive, form fitting red dress and some dazzling earrings, your reflection in the mirror is strange yet sufficiently alluring. A slit runs up the side of the dress that just barely exposes the skin of your thighs, a pair of black stockings adorning them. The only uncomfortable thing would be the shoes, but you’d just have to deal with heels tonight. Your hair was pulled back, as to show off the jewelry best, and the scar over your right eye almost seemed like it fit the outfit, making you look like a femme fatale.

As you were checking yourself out in the mirror, you didn’t even notice Sylus stepping into the room until he speaks. “It suits you.”

You look up to meet his gaze in the mirror, noticing that he’s wearing a formal black shirt with a coat thrown over his shoulders, both having a kind of blood splatter type design to them, and a pair of black slacks. He always made the most simplistic of outfits look good.

Sylus leans lazily against the doorway, “No one can stay wary when there’s a beauty walking around.” A soft blush creeps across your cheeks as you clear your throat and turn around to look at him, “Hmmph, this beauty will bash your skull in sooner or later.” You take a few steps toward him as you fix the ends of your black gloves, “You’re just going to waltz right into a dangerous auction without a plan?”

“I like how you assume I didn’t make one,” Sylus raises a brow as he shifts his stance and rubs his middle finger and thumb together, “Find a way to make everyone lower their guard first. Then lure out the ones with ill intentions and get rid of them. Then, I’ll cover you when you fetch the aether core’s other half.”

“....That’s it?” You raise a brow, placing one hand on your hip. Sylus loops his thumbs through his pockets and looks down at you, “You won’t fail. Promise.” He gives you another once-over and you sigh, taking his outstretched hand and walk out the door with him. “You better not be a liability later,” You shake your head.

To deal with the real masterminds behind the auction, you can only ally yourself with someone deadlier than the enemy. All the information you have gathered has created an intricate web of conspiracies. Now, it’s time to tear it up.

The hotel is decorated rather elegantly, a card sitting on the counter reads “Myriad of Night”. There must be a dress code, seeing how Sylus generously gifted you the dress you’re wearing... As you step into the hotel, Sylus turns his head to look down at you, turning his body to face you and you suddenly feel way too overdressed– as if a fancy dress like this doesn’t fit you. Like it would be better on someone else, someone more pretty.

“It’s not too late to back out now if you want to,” The white haired man says and holds his arm up for you. “Focus on yourself first,” You retorted back, almost embarrassed that he caught you in a self-deprecating moment before you grab his arm, “It’s showtime.” You smile up at him as you step closer, intent on putting on a show.

As you both step further into the large room, you notice multiple encased podiums with protocores and their prices, along with hotel staff walking around with metal trays filled with glasses of alcohol. One, two, three guys…That’s quite the ambush. Three guards, so it’s not like you can steal anything. You’ll just have to buy whatever it is you want for now. “Sylus..” You turn your head to look up at him, “Are you sure they’ll bite?” “It depends on your performance,” He says, not turning his head to look at you, but you notice him stealing a glance at you from the corner of his eye. 

“Mr. Sylus, we’ve been expecting you,” A male server says as he walks up to you both and Sylus turns to face you, taking out an earpiece from his pocket. His fingers brush against the skin of your cheek before he puts it in your ear. “I assume you already know how to act as good bait,” He murmurs as he leans forward, playing the role of a boyfriend almost perfectly. He steps back, a smile tugging at his lips as he lets out an almost breathy chuckle, “I’ll be back soon. Have fun.” He lifts your hand up to kiss the back of it before he holds out a black card between two fingers. You happily pluck the card from his grasp.

After he leaves, you walk down the row of encased protocores, taking a look at each one. The majority of them are just ordinary protocores, good thing they aren’t bombs. 

Though you pause at one plumbob-shaped, reddish pink one, doing a double-take. It seems…off. Was it tampered with? It was labeled at $70,000 and you decide maybe you could use a good chunk of Sylus’ money. He must’ve handed you his black card for a reason. You move closer to the red protocore to take a better look and almost jump out of your skin when another server speaks to you. “Did anything catch your eye, Miss? There are even better ones on that side.”

You notice he has a tablet in his hands, so he must be one of the sales waiters. “The stuff you have is pretty mediocre,” You scoff, crossing your hands over your chest. This was probably the one and only time you’d be able to act all haughty and rich, so you were going to take advantage of it. A smirk tugging at your lips as you press the button on your earpiece, “Sylus, it’s okay for me to purchase a few items with your card, right?”

“Don’t bother me with such trivial matters,” He responds quickly, sounding like he’s in the middle of something. “Got it,” You muse before glancing back at the waiter, “Mmh, I’ll take this one for one million. Please, wrap it up for me.” “Five million.” Comes a voice from your earpiece and you hold back the urge to laugh. “Why?” You respond to the earpiece and Sylus scoffs, “You offer will make people think I’m broke. Wouldn’t want that, sweetie.”

“Actually, I changed my mind. Put it down for ten million,” You say to the waiter, twirling the black card around between your fingers. “Also, are these all the protocores you got? I’ll buy everything for four times the price.” You smile as you hear Sylus speak in the earpiece again, “Pompous.” “I’ve always wanted to say that at least once,” You whisper into the earpiece.

As Sylus stops responding, you decide to hand the card over so the server can ring everything up. You pocket the card after it’s all done and go to lean against a wall, taking a sip of the fruity alcohol you were given as you try to listen to what’s going on on the other side of the earpiece.

You assume since Sylus can hear what’s going on on your end, you should be able to hear what’s going on with him. “Mr. Sylus.” You hear a man before hearing the sound of Sylus’ evol and a few grunts, the man sounded as if he were choking. You assume Sylus was trying to intimidate him with his evol. “My time is limited, so let’s cut to the chase,” You hear Sylus say and you imagine he looks nonchalant in front of the others.

“No…I didn’t betray you..” The other man says and you hide your smirk behind your glass. That’s probably Sherman and, if memory serves, he’s the main suspect behind your family’s death.

“Oh, I know. You’re too much of a coward to do it on your own. But the people who said they’d help you replace me must have made an offer only an idiot would refuse.” You hear Sylus say and you raise a brow.

Oh? So he was doing this on someone else’s orders. Then, the feed goes silent for a few minutes and you take out the earpiece to make sure it’s still on, your eyebrows furrowing. You shrug and put it back in your ear. Sylus is probably using his right eye on the guy. “I see. Their method of buying traitors is as old school and uncreative as ever.” You finally hear Sylus and you hum to yourself, wondering just what is going on.

Though, maybe it’s better if you didn’t know. It would be easier to stay safe if you really knew nothing. “Sylus…! Don’t think…with them around, you won’t be cocky for long!” That man must really have a death wish. You take another sip of your drink, watching the light pink liquid swirl around in the glass. “Since you chose betrayal…My only option is to make you pay in advance.” Sylus says before you hear static. You wince, pulling the earpiece out to rub your ear. 

Guess Sylus knew you were listening in, but didn’t want you to hear him taking care of the guy.

After a few minutes, you decide you’ll meet Sylus in the banquet hall since he’s done with his part. You walk through the tall double doors and take in the banquet hall. Black flooring with a red carpet leading from the double doors all the way to a wooden, circular lacquer floor in the middle and black columns with small circular tables all around.

The banquet hall really was fancy, it almost felt like you were transported back to renaissance times where they regularly had balls. You felt countless eyes checking you out, both opening and from the shadows. You subconsciously fiddle with the protocores you bought.

There are traces of other protocurves. These were modified.

You turn around to look around and several pairs of eyes immediately look away. You take this opportunity to speak in a hushed voice into the earpiece, “Sylus, you done on your end?”

“Miss,” you hear a rather annoying voice of another man, “That brooch you’re wearing is rather exquisite. May I buy it from you?” You look the man up and down with an annoyed expression on your face. He was wearing a suit and was blocking your way, holding out his hand as he smiles. You notice a faint, blue electric current flashing from his wrist cuff and you scoff to yourself, like you’d fall for such an amateur trick like that.

You quickly steel your expression, taking a step back as you raise your chin, “Not interested. Excuse me.” The man doesn’t budge and instead takes another step toward you. “How does ten hightowers sound? Ah, the banquet is about the start. Would you like to dance?”

Maybe most normal men are ugly to you now compared to the four men you’ve seen on the regular…but either way, this man was getting on your last nerve.

“What are hightowers?” You ask, not lowering your chin as you kept your pokerface before a smile spreads across your lips as you spot a familiar face walking up.

“They’re special weapons made from high-grade protocores. A single Hightower can obliterate this entire hotel,” Sylus says as he walks closer…and closer. You feel his hand wind around your waist before he pulls you toward him. A soft gasp slips from your lips and you rest your left hand against his chest. “Sorry, the brooch is a gift from me,” Sylus barely gives the man his time of day and you felt relieved before he turns his head to look down at you, “You wanted to sell it?”

“Who knows if you were coming back or not,” You hum and notice he has a teasing glint in his eyes, “Are you disappointed?” You hold back the urge to say something else and instead run your hand up his chest as you lean closer, almost resting your cheek against it, “He was going to spend a fortune so he could dance with me. What about you? Shouldn’t you make an offer as well?” You glance over at the other man, who quickly makes his exit after realizing there was no room between you both.

You pull back a tad once he leaves and look up at Sylus as he speaks, “The aether core’s location.” “You know where it is?” You raise a brow, trying your best not to look so excited. “You’ll find out…” Sylus takes a few steps back from you and holds his hand out, “After this dance.”

“How are you so sure I’ll listen to you?” You ask, taking his hand anyways and he steps back close to you, “Refuse me all you want.” You feel the warmth of his hand against your back, resting your free hand on his shoulder as the white haired man guides you into a dance.

I hope you guys don't mind the short paragraphs, I'm trying to space them out more to make the chapters seem longer! I'll probably post chapter fifteen in a few hours?

Anyway, my Sylus's one-shot little voting thing still has a day on it, so you can go there if you wanna participate in choosing what I write! I feel like it's funny that the one– that I said I wasn't sure on, is the one in the lead 😭 but, because of that, if it wins...I've decided to merge a few ideas together, so I'll actually be able to write it with a good idea in mind!

So...I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are excited for what'll happen in sixteen! (I've been hyping it up so much, I hope it doesn't fall flat)

Taglist; @orphicmeliora , @yoongi-tunes , @mitzkooni , @hiqhkey, @tanspostsblog

[valentine-cafe]

. ˚◞♡ 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒓𝒂 1311 — 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒍◞ ₊˚

⊹ ۪ ࣪ ᥫ᭡ “ayy. . . pobrecito, ¿Te estoy sonrojando, cariño? that’s adorable, look at me with those pretty eyes of yours, thaat’s it.꒱

. ˚◞꒰verse꒱ 1311

. ˚◞꒰face claim refs꒱( x ) ( x ) ( x )

. ˚◞꒰species꒱ human

. ˚◞꒰ethnicity꒱ mexican-indian ( awadhi-tamil )

. ˚◞꒰age꒱ 46

. ˚◞꒰gender꒱ genderfluid

. ˚◞꒰mbti꒱intj/estj

. ˚◞꒰aliases꒱ scarlet cyanide, admiral of aegis, admiral (herrera), (director herrera), boss (specifically his special division), rishie (yŭ xī)

. ˚◞꒰appearance꒱

��. deep maroon eyes, sharp eyes framed with beautiful black winged eyeliner.

𖹭. soft medium-length, fluffy and curly dark brown hair that extend halfway down his neck and tickle just a bit of his back.

𖹭. bronze skin with a wide array of beauty spots on the left side of his face and along his forearms

𖹭. a very androgynous face that leans more towards feminine features, has some sharpness here and there

𖹭. stands at 6’0” in height and has a slender figure

𖹭. deep red stiletto nails, sharp enough to leave a few tears in the skin of his enemies.

𖹭. deep red lipsticks that accentuate her lips nicely, and make that deadly smile of hers look all the more beautiful.

𖹭. triple lobe piercings on either ear, with rose gold piercings covered or dangling with small rubies.

𖹭. sometimes wears septum piercing, it depends on the day and time

𖹭. midline tongue piercing with focus on the barb at the underside of his tongue

𖹭. often, he dresses quite feminine, particularly the femme fatale aesthetic ( sleek red dresses, sometimes fishnet stockings, stilettos, dark femme makeup, etc ).

𖹭. when he dresses masc it’s often by dressing in darker hues of clothes, rocking the look with lots of darker jewellery and overall makeup as well — using his makeup to bring out the more masculine features of his face

𖹭. his hands and neck are adorned by minimalistic rose gold and red jewellery

𖹭. rose gold rings littering his fingers.

𖹭. has a navel piercing.

  . ˚◞꒰personality꒱

𖹭. teaming with sarcasm and sass, he’s known especially for his sharp tongue

𖹭. known as a master strategist and mastermind, his intelligence and wit is another main characteristic for him

𖹭. quite blunt. ties into his straightforwardness. can sometimes even come off as a bit monotone or exasperated

𖹭. charismatic despite it all, yet in am effortless way. a sort of cool confidence that exudes off of him in everything that he does

𖹭. is known to have a silver tongue when it counts. incredibly deceptive. a scarily good actor

𖹭. flirty when he needs to be. knows how to wrap people around his finger. can be quite the seductress

𖹭. observant and particularly calculating. he’s very quick to analyse and create a plan — which ties in well with his quick adaptability. might even be a bit cunning sometimes

𖹭. always ready for a challenge, surprisingly likes making bets

𖹭. can be cocky, especially when it comes to confidence in his intellect

𖹭. can be irritated quickly but he has a controlled sort of annoyance and anger. an almost calm rage

𖹭. a natural leader, very highly respected and feared

𖹭. duty-driven and prefers to work rather than let his mind run in other ways

  . ˚◞꒰with a lover꒱

𖹭. teases but like in a very shameless way — he does not hold back with the small teasing flirts or playful pokes that leave you flustered in several different ways. whether it is out of shyness or embarrassment.

𖹭. very flirty — he wants you to know and see how all over you he is. she must be marking you, musn’t she? make sure you know that you belong to him.

𖹭. does not hesitate or hold back on the pda. his hands and lips roaming your body and touching you as much as possible. pulling you all flush against him is a necessity, he doesn’t care who’s watching.

𖹭. displays a lot of his affection by physical affection. loving, careful and tender touches, and brushes of his hands on your face of wherever you allow him to touch. can be verbally affectionate too.

𖹭. cannot get his lips off of yours, he likes pulling you off to corners and kissing you breathless whenever possible.

𖹭. can get quite protective, a bit more than usual. this can also bleed into possessiveness, but he tries not to let it get out of hand.

𖹭. always has to have his hands on you in some type of way.

𖹭. can sometimes be rather clingy, both physically and emotionally. he clings to you in his sleep, a part of him always paranoid you will fade if he lets go.

𖹭. tries to use the time he has with you wisely because he’s a very busy person — often being caught up in his work and such. he always tries to make up for it.

𖹭. late night/early morning cuddles or little coffee dates in his office is one of his favorite pass times. he gets to be with his beloved, and that is honestly all that he needs to cheer him up after a bleak night or day.

𖹭. can and will do your make-up if you ask him to, rushing to find the makeup kit and sitting you down in front of his large vanity to doll you up.

𖹭. late night cooking with him that can turn into little dances around his apartment kitchen. the gentle sway of your bodies to the music creating fond memories and greeting the old.

  . ˚◞꒰strengths꒱

𖹭. mastermind: very strategic and calculative, intelligent — rishen is a mastermind, able to create tacticts and strategies at a quick and efficient level

𖹭. combat: is extremely skilled in combat and knows his way around different techniques, new and old.

𖹭. stealth: particularly stealthy along with being extremely light on his feet.

𖹭. martial arts: is very skilled in an array of martial arts

𖹭. acting / deception: extremely skilled in the art of deception. good at putting on a pretty face and swaying people around before catching them in their act and exposing them.

𖹭. weapon mastery: has quite the adaptability with weapons and uses his analytic advantages to learn them quicker

𖹭. adaptability: as previously mentioned, rishen is an extremely adaptable person, and weapons are not all that he is adaptable in. being good at adapting with environments, people and fighting techniques.

𖹭. advanced tech skills: admiral herrera has always had a bit of a knack in the advanced technical skills from firewalls and defence to hacking and configuring

. ˚◞꒰weaknesses꒱

𖹭. heart condition: has a rare heart condition that he was born with, subjecting him to heart attacks throughout his life. it is vital to keep him calm to avoid cardiac arrests.

𖹭. unstable hands: ( sometimes ) his hands can get a bit shaky and sometimes convulse due to physical trauma issues.

  . ˚◞꒰relationships꒱

𖹭. copper: boyfriend ( it’s complicated ) ( emotional support shrimp <3 )

𖹭. emerald: boyfriend ( it’s complicated ) ( emotional support bunny <3 )

𖹭. alessio agresta: enemy

𖹭. jìngyí agresta: enemy

𖹭. zhào yŭ xī: work partner, best friend, younger sibling figure.

𖹭. zhào yizé: friend, work partner

𖹭. zhào hàoyú: enemy

𖹭. zhào haitāo: neutral, work partner

𖹭. yuè mèng yáo: on and off work partner

𖹭. zhào mùchén: enemy

𖹭. shimada takara: friend, work partner

𖹭. kyung seong-jin: enemy

𖹭. shalika vaishya: right hand, best friend

  . ˚◞꒰story꒱

driven by duty and justice; high off of the stakes and always ready for a challenge, we find ourselves rishen herrera. the admiral of aegis known for his quick wit and effortless charm. sarcastic and seductive, with a click of his heels as he steps through the halls of which he’s highly respected in.

from undercover missions to hacking mainframes, sniper to knifeman,

an assassin my trade and mastermind by nature, he strives for the protection of those who cannot protect themselves. leading his organisation with dignity and strength, while trying to maintain the conflict occurring throughout his city between human and supernatural alike.

it’s hard work but he needs to keep going. even if it takes endless hours and countless risks,

he has to.

  . ˚◞꒰extra꒱

𖹭. really loves ducks — he thinks they are adorable

𖹭. he is particularly skilled in aerial dancing

𖹭. plays the bass, he was in a band

𖹭. will be grumpy if he doesn’t have his cup of hot chocolate in the morning ( yŭ xī handles it mostly )

𖹭. he can speak spanish ( latin american ), hindi, a decent amount of chinese

[justafriendofxanders]

gunn is the mastermind bc he's motivated by guilt and the fear that it will All Be His Fault if he fails to protect his people. angel's the grifter and is actually pretty good at it, but it doesn't matter bc he just takes off his shirt and the mark caves immediately (but only if it's a straight man). cordy's the hitter but like in the way that her words are her fists and also sometimes a frying pan is her fists. wes is living his james bond/femme fatale thief dreams where lilah catches him with a pistol in his waistband and a set of lockpicks between his lips and they do the sexy spy banter thing about which side each is actually playing for. fred has built an x-files fan page in html.

anyways ats leverage au is all about the fang gang sorting themselves into the wrong roles (angel's the mastermind. cordy's the grifter. gunn's the hitter. wes is the hacker. fred's the thief.) and everything immediately going to shit. cordy breaks character when they insult her hair, gunn is wondering why he's the muscle when there's a literal vampire with superpowers, wes is taking an online java course and has so far made a blue house with a red triangle roof. angel has already abandoned the plan and has to be dragged off the cross he's climbed onto. fred is doing alarmingly fine. they BARELY make it out by the skin of their teeth but then inevitably wes betrays the team and everyone looks to angel for the flashback where he reveals this was alllll part of the plan but he's too busy racing to the hospital with a pillow in hand. everyone has forgotten lorne in the getaway car

[the-platonic-charms]

Hello! May i please get Impostor x Reader request? Reader is female, INTJ, rebellious and femme fatale. Her and impostor investigate against the mastermind together, with there being tension since both suspect the other might be an enemy spy (they don't know each-other since long). I know mods won't write NSFW, but what about moments with visible sexual tension, without any actual sex? Would that be fine? I hope this request is ok! Can you also please precise who he is disguised as (no disguise is fine though and even preferred)? No preferred mod for me; whoever has the most spare time to write this ig ~

Hey I'm really sorry but we'll have to decline this request.

I really like the idea for it, but neither me nor the other mods were able to write it.

I'm really sorry, though it seems like you have a pretty good idea for it in your head, so maybe you could try writing it ¿ ah, i dont know what to say tbh ಥ‿ಥ

[overlordofawesomeness]

Good Dads Deserve Reward

Genre: Romance

Rating: R-13

Pairing: Apostasia x F!Mastermind

A soft smile crossed the Mastermind’s face at the sight of her husband sleeping on the bed. It’s almost unbelievable that someone who was known for his abominable characteristics would do so much for her. MM thought it’s cute; but at the same time, she felt bad for giving almost all of the responsibilities to Sia. She didn’t think it would take a toll on the celestial.

Setting a cup of warm chocolate on the bedside table, MM sat next to Sia. She let a hand run through the strands of her husband’s hair and then leaned over. With a soft kiss to the man’s cheek, she pressed her lips against his ear and whispered, “Wake up, Daddy.”

As Sia’s eyes fluttered open, MM picked up the cup and took a sip from it. Sia propped himself up against the headboard and took the cup from MM when it was handed to him, the smell of the chocolate filling his nose. His mind was still a bit foggy from sleep; but he could pretty much tell that he’d slept long enough, which was a luxury he couldn’t afford as of late due to the demands of his role.

“Don’t worry; the baby’s sleeping,” MM assured him with a smile.

The baby’s sleeping. Good.

Sia didn’t make any response. He brought the cup to his lips and began to sip on the warm liquid, feeling it travel down his throat and completely wash away the sleepiness from his mind. Soon he felt arms wrap around his waist, his wife snuggling up to him and pressing her head against his side in an almost adorable way.

“Thanks, Sia,” he heard her say, sounding sleepy. “You’re a really great daddy. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Hearing this almost made him smile. Of course.

Sia was willing to do anything for MM even as far as assuming the role of being the mother and father to their child. It’s not like MM was neglecting her duties as a mother; but he knew MM was a busy person, so he’d rather not bother her when she’s deep into her research and experiments. After all, she’s doing her best. And it’s not like he didn’t like taking care of the baby.

“Sia…”

Sia closed his eyes and made a low humming sound as a response, taking another sip from his cup.

“I love your buns.”

This almost made him frown, the words reminding him of that time when he was forced to tie his hair in buns so the baby wouldn’t chew on his hair. He was about to express his distaste for the memory when he felt a hand travel down to his side and try to squeeze his hind. His eyes widened a bit, his gaze shifting to the femme fatale whom was now climbing onto his lap.

“Daddy deserves a reward for a job well done, doesn’t he?” MM purred as she began to unbutton her vest, a smile full of lust and longing playing on her lips. “Don’t worry; the baby’s sleeping.”

[sabsfanfiction]

Femme Fatale

Pairing: Rukia Kuchiki x Centric

Rated: K+

Genre: Rukia doesn’t need romance

War has ended. Everyone deserves a little party to celebrate for the whole warriors of Seireitei who have sacrificed their lives and throw themselves out there to protect Soul Society. All the blood, sweat, and tears they all had experienced if only they would have to write their names on history books of the heroes of the world. Everyone deserves this right amount of reward.

The party was held at the Kuchiki Mansion. For some apparent reason, Byakuya did not like the idea of throwing any party after the war had just ended, at the same point he hated to see people have to make up this “big event” just to slack off. Especially to the Lieutenant of the Tenth Division who still has a lot of time to slack anywhere around that the Tenth Division Captain grew tired to his Lieutenant’s behavior. Well, that is Rangiku Matsumoto the mastermind of all parties and events.

The Men and Women Shinigami Association had debated over what the theme would be best fitted for the event, and gladly, and obviously, the Women Shinigami Association won. Seriously, it was Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto’s way of winning over a simple argument.

A pair of enormous amethyst boring eyes roamed every corner watching everyone in their best midnight dresses, long gowns, luxurious tuxes, and everyone just seems so glamorous tonight. She saw Orihime in her red sparkling dress that revealed her legs and caught everyone’s attention especially to the males in the banquet. Such a young girl to have such a body that every woman wanted to have a body like hers. Overall, this young beautiful girl is the trophy of the night. She also saw Yoruichi in her orange gown that perfectly defined her slender body walking her way to their seat with the dingy-shopkeeper Urahara in her arms, looking at her with such love in his eyes.

She saw Renji got teased by his friends at the Eleventh Division for wearing a tuxedo that he looked like much more of a syndicate than a man with luxury. Renji who was blushing embarrassingly while everyone was watching how loud and how they made such a scene on the dance floor. And he could feel his Captain is not happy about what they have caused to put shame on this sparkly evening.

Rukia crept an amused look on her face, almost a laugh. She was alone on the bartender’s stall, drinking her favorite apple martini.

She wore a white-tubed mermaid sheath long gown that reaches down the floor with a revealing skin at her back with a stitched snow-flake particle in the corner of the dress, and a pair of long white gloves that matches the design of her dress. She lets her hair down to its natural hairstyle. She wore a bit of make-up, not really a fan of a cakey makeover. Just a little touch of powder, a blush to enhance her pale skin, and a touch of pink lip gloss. She also wore a silver three-inched heels that Yuzu gave to her last Christmas.

(also follow me on Wattpad, username on cover page lol)

Rukia averts her eyes to see a blue-haired Arrancar who have the audacity to join forces with the Shinigami after what he and his kind had done to destroy Soul Society along with Aizen.

“One Rum, and one Paloma for the lady, please.” His infamous grin never left his face as he caught Rukia staring at him. She just watched him finding a seat beside her, not saying a word. It was silent, and all they can hear is the sound of the music played on the dance floor.

“You’re a talker, aren’t you?” Grimmjow sneered, facing his body to the crowd while leaning his elbows on the bartender’s table

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t like to repeat the words I say.”

“Here are your drinks, sir. Enjoy.” The bartender said, presenting the pinkish colored Paloma and the blood redrum.

“Thanks a lot,” he said as he gave Rukia the pink drink, “Here as a peace offering and my greatest apology for punching you in the gut.”

She raised a brow, he was not being sincere at all, but she doesn’t want to leave him hanging. She just sighed and took the glass from him. They just cheered their glasses and drank it together.

“Just what are you trying to do, Grimmjow?” She was getting a bit tipsy, this was her seventh time drinking a lot of glasses of cocktails since Renji told her to wait for her at the bartender’s stall. It seems that he has forgotten about her and saw him currently drinking on another side of the table with his group of friends.

Grimmjow just smirked, he turned his body to face her. The first time when he got to invade her place is to see her flawless back that magnifies the whole place and to find out that it was the Shinigami he once fought in the World of Living and badly injured her. I was a bit surprised that it was THE shinigami I once fought, but this will leave me no choice.

“Well, I just came because you seemed alone, and is it wrong of me to be your company just for the night? I’m alone too you know, my date Nel came to be with her girlfriends, where is your date?”

She also followed his position facing her figure to him as a matter of conversing properly, crossing her legs with a little bit of tease. “Renji told me to wait here but turns out he was with his friends. But I’m glad to be with your company.”

He just raised a brow, “I thought your date was Ichigo Kurosaki, isn’t he your boyfriend?” Somehow, he feels happy but doesn’t know why he feels that way.

Rukia grew tired of that question, Ichigo and her were never an item, and she doesn’t see him that way as much as possible. “He is just an ally, honestly. And there is nothing really between us.”

“Ouch Rukia. If he hears that, he would be very devastated!” He just laughed. He never knew how beautiful this woman was in front of him, her skin that magnifies the whole place, her eyes that he cannot possibly read the stories in any particular, and her resplendent beauty that overpowers the expensive dress. So, this is Rukia Kuchiki.

Rukia didn’t say anything. “You know, you wanted him to feel devastated at that time, I could really see you have changed a lot these past two years, Grimmjow.” She chuckled silently, then looking at him with a grin on her face.

Grimmjow nearly shivered. He wanted to know why this girl is such an important person towards Ichigo that he would vow on his knees to protect this woman in front of him. Just who is this woman? And why is Ichigo feels like he is so lost to see Rukia getting hurt?

“You’re interesting, I would like to know more of you, Rukia. I hope I could work for you in the near future.”

“It’s my honor to work for you as well, Grimmjow.” They shook their hands in the most proficient way and let go afterward, “But there is nothing really interesting you want to know more of me, Grimmjow.”

The way she says his name makes his heart came to life again to a hollow like him could feel this kind of disposition. Is this forbidden?

“Excuse me, Lady Rukia, Lord Byakuya is looking for you.” It was the servant of the manor who has interrupted their conversation.

Rukia signals that she heard the word and will go to meet with him. She just stood up with the help of Grimmjow, knowing that she was tipsy. “Thanks for the drink, I’ll see you around.”

Damn, she is really something! He thought as soon as they parted ways.

“You’re looking for me, Nii-sama?” She smiled.

Byakuya observed her, something was not right with her dress. It looks like it was about to fall, he did not expect her to dress immodestly. Does Matsumoto have to do with this? And she was looking like THAT while talking to that blue-haired peasant.

“What did you and that Arrancar talk about? I want you to keep your distance away from him.”

“Nii-sama, it’s alright, we’re okay now. He offered me a drink, and he wished for me to work for him, that’s all.”

Byakuya does not like what he heard. He took off his coat and covered her back. He could feel the dirty eyes of every male in the party darting to its target and that is his sister and he is more than welcomed in slashing them with his Senbonzakura.

“Nii-sama, I told you, I’m fine, I don’t feel cold, and the cold doesn’t bother me.”

“I insist, and I am not happy with what you are wearing.”

“I’m sorry, Nii-sama, this is what Shirayuki made for me, and it’s beautiful.” She was a bit dissatisfied that she disappointed her brother on what she was wearing. It wasn’t that bad.

Byakuya sighed. It is not the dress that makes her beautiful, she made the dress looks beautiful on her. She just shined in the moon right now. And he hated that insolent Arrancar who had the audacity to make a move to his sister. He could not allow such thing to get near to his pride who has tried to kill her once or twice. And he could not particularly blame everyone for hurting his one and only family, because he is too, he tried to kill her once. No, he was being a jerk to her ever since he adopted her to the Kuchiki Family. And honestly, he regretted all the things he had done to her, to make her feel less of herself. He was the one to be blamed why she was hiding in the darkness, why she tried not to tell him a single thing about her problems. It’s all because of him, his selfish and insensitive being that had caused everything for her depression.

“No, don’t feel sorry. Anyway, I wanted you to meet someone—”

“Rukia!”

Byakuya irked a bit when they were interrupted by someone in particular.

“Hey, Byakuya! Mind me borrowing, Rukia for a while?”

And there is only one person who has no manners up until this time.

“Kurosaki Ichigo. My sister is not something you can borrow, she is not an object.”

“Sheesh Byakuya, it is just an expression—”

“Uhh— Come on Ichigo, let’s talk somewhere. I’ll see you later, Nii-sama.” She bowed then dragged Ichigo far off away from her brother. And she sighed as soon as they find somewhere more private.

They were gone, she ignored me, and she did not even take my coat. Byakuya was even more dissatisfied. Then he went around to entertain the visitor.

“Thanks for saving me, Ichigo.” She owes him that.

“No big deal. I know that Byakuya could be an ass sometimes.”

“Hey don’t say that.” She punches him playfully.

He just chuckled. “Anyway, where were you, I kept on looking everywhere for you. Even though you are already wearing heels, I still can’t—”

Rukia did not even let him finish what he has to say, as she stomps his foot with her heels that earned him what he deserved.

“Geez, I was just kidding!” He cried. She may be small, but he has forgotten not to underestimate small people like Rukia. He would be killed by now if she reads his thoughts. Or worst he will meet Byakuya’s Senbonzakura in his throat.

“I was just at the bartender’s stall.”

“I see, you’re a bit of tipsy you know that how many glasses you have drank anyway?”

“Seven.”

“God, I did not know you can drink that much.”

“It’s not something an underage brat like you could discuss something like that.”

Ichigo sighed. “Stay here, I’ll get you some water.” Then he went to the bartender to get something for her to drink to relax her stomach. And honestly, she looks so different tonight, she looks so feminine that has been masking out her masculinity. That even he realized he was treating her differently this evening, he was more like gentle to her unlike their unusual bickering and nonstop argument with each other. Nah, she is still a bitch.

Rukia was near the dance floor and saw everyone started dancing with their partners. She needs to find a seat first, she regrets wearing this heels Yuzu gave to her, she could already feel the numbness forming in her legs, and she would even regret if she gets cramps after this. She composed herself and decided to wait for Ichigo. Then she saw someone walking up to her with a warm smile that crept on his face. She almost gets into tears at the moment where she sets her eyes on him. For such a long time, for how many times she had beg in front of her brother that she has to go back in Huenco Mundo to save the person who has helped her, and her friends escaped from the Menos Forest.

“Ashido.” She whispered his name, as she ran up to him, he was also doing the same thing. They kept on excusing themselves from everyone on the dance floor just as what they want to see themselves.

“Ashido!” She exclaimed, holding him in a tight embrace as soon as they find themselves with each other. How does he escape? When did he come here to soul society? Why did he change his mind of coming back in here? She had a lot of question, that she cannot just simply express it in one whole sentence. And the crowd just stopped whatever they were doing but look at them reuniting with one another. And some eyes, in particular, do not see this as a friendly camaraderie.

“Rukia, I’ve missed you.” He whispered, cupping her face, leaning so close to her as if he was controlling himself of his urge to kiss her.

“I’ve missed you too, Ashido! Why are you here? And I’m sorry, I have told you and I had promised that I will come back for you, but I didn’t. I’m sorry! I really am! I tried to come back for you, but I failed. I’m sorry that I couldn’t do such a thing just to make up my promise to you. Ashido, please, I-I am really—”

Ashido hated the way she kept on apologizing to him as he stops her by smashing his lips on hers. He could not contain his hidden emotion for her, he had missed her. Just looking at her in his arms right now for how long it was of not seeing her, this was the moment he had always been waiting for to feel her skin, to taste her lips, and just to be with the woman he had admired. When the first time he met her, he had underestimated her skills but found out that she is as strong as a warrior prepare for a battle of a lifetime and that truly makes her so different from anyone else. And he admired her for that kind of being which he could not help but fell in love with such a strong and independent warrior. Rukia was taken by surprise but she just responded of his soft gestures, the way his tongue generously asking for an entrance. She could not believe this right now, they were being stared at by everyone else. Byakuya saw them! She could not believe her tongue is asking for his.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS RUKIA?!” Renji, her date was enraged.

They stopped kissing when they heard Renji. This party turned into such a shameful commotion. She did not know why she responded to Ashido’s kisses, and honestly, she would be damn of how good he is.

“And you, who the hell are you!? Just who are you to Rukia?!”

“Renji, please, he is Ashido the one who help us from the Menos Forest two years ago, have some decency and respect,” Rukia assured.

“Oh, decency and respect? After what you two have caused in front of everyone, in front of your brother in the name of your title as Kuchiki to show such an indecent act!? And what about respect, Rukia! I am your date, and you came to kiss this guy and ask me to buy me your respect. I am your date! Why can’t you buy my respect?!” Renji was filled with hurt that spreads all over his face.

Rukia bit her tongue. “I-I’m sorry.”

“Jesus Christ! Rukia!?”

She had hurt him again. “Renji—please—” Then she saw Ichigo who was carrying a water bottle, seeing how surprised he was even more confusing.

Rukia’s head was getting dizzier, she just rubbed her temple, massaging all the headaches. She was confused to whom she would deal first. But Renji’s words pierced right into her heart and seeing how hurt he was, left her with guilt and felt she had lost her loyalty to him. As partners.

“ENOUGH! All of you in my office now! Especially you, Grimmjow.”

Grimmjow just blinked he didn’t do anything, maybe he just did a little, like offering Byakuya’s little sister a drink. But he just obeyed as they all followed Byakuya in his office.

“All of you! Did you all know how indecent it was to make up such commotion to everyone! Ashido, why did you kiss my sister?”

“Um—”

“And Rukia, I am extremely disappointed in you tonight!”

“I’m sorry, Nii-sama.” Rukia just sighed, it was her fault. She felt with so much guilt that Renji could not even dare to look at her and all she could see is the anger in his face and the hurt in his eyes. Then who should be the one who will be blamed with that? Her.

“But Ashido why are you here?” It was Ichigo who had asked.

“Oh, I came back because the Kano Family needed a new Heir and Byakuya Kuchiki-dono was the one who helped me escape for her sister’s sake.”

They were surprised as well as Rukia.

“Nii-sama, you? You were the one who helped him escape?”

Byakuya sighed, he could no longer put his anger at her but seeing her right now the only woman in the room to be so beautiful. She is so elegant. “I have been telling you not to worry about it. Because I have everything in control.”

“Just when did you come back here, Ashido.” Rukia somehow connected the dots.

“I—”

“I forbid you to answer that!” Byakuya raged.

“And I forbid you to listen to him!” Rukia fought.

Ashido sighed. “I came back in Soul Society, two years ago. After you had begged for your brother to look for me.”

“And why am I hearing it just now?” She was mad.

“It was for your own good.” Said her brother simply.

“What good did I get to deserve something like this! I always have to blame myself and thought about it all night of the I promise I have made to save Ashido. Are you out of your mind?!”

Everyone did not say anything.

“This is bullshit!”

Byakuya had forgotten that Rukia too has a sharp tongue. He has to lecture her about that later.

“I’m sorry, Rukia. It is not your brother’s fault. It was no one’s fault at all. The elders, they were the one who decided to hinder us from seeing each other again. Because they were arranging a proposal for us to be married.”

“WHAT!?” These reactions came from Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Renji.

“Oh.” Rukia reacted vaguely, she was used on hearing arranged marriage and every proposal is a failure due to her brother’s strength and power of not letting her marry anyone for her sake. And for the sake of the Kuchiki Family. Because for Byakuya he knows what is best for her, who is best for her. And whatever he has in mind, she should abide by his decisions.

“Nii-sama, you knew about this?”

“It is my role as Heir of the Kuchiki Clan to know any information with our affiliation with the other Noble Families.”

“And, do you think the Kuchiki Clan and the Kano Clan are prepared to produce an offspring?”

“Yes. I believe we are all prepared—”

“For the sake of the family. But not for me? Remember, I am not a true blood Kuchiki. And I don’t like people who only see women as sexual objects just because we are the only ones who can produce an offspring. This is not how society works! This is like some stupid complexity that both parties are being forced for marriage!”

“And you must abide with the rules because you are my sister. You were a Kuchiki! And that’s final, you are marrying the Heir of the Kano family.”

Rukia clenched her fist, she could not contain her anger, she felt so betrayed. She could not believe her own brother has to do this to her. She didn’t realize she is losing out of control that she lowered her own body temperature causing the room to shake, forming a gush of ice fog near her body.

“Rukia, you have to calm down!” Byakuya told her, but she didn’t listen.

She was out of her mind everything inside Byakuya’s office turned to ice and broke it into tiny bits of pieces.

“Captain! Do something about this!?” Renji exclaimed chanting some kido spell to break the ice of his frozen legs.

“Rukia can do this?” Grimmjow was in awe, getting away from Rukia as much as possible to avoid being frozen cold.

“Don’t be surprised, idiot! Rukia’s bankai could literally kill anything! And she is momentarily killing herself right now!” Ichigo hissed at Grimmjow.

Rukia’s hair turned white. “I’M OUT OF HERE!” She blows such fuse of coldness that everyone inside the room frozen on their feet. And could not follow her.

Rukia walked as fast as she could outside the banquet that everyone seems to be so surprised with her setback, they were trying to get away within the area. She was freezing the whole ground of the banquet that even the Koi fish pond turned solid ice because of how cold she is.

“What happened?!” It was Captain Hitsugaya who demanded an answer as everyone pointing their Zanapkuto at Rukia.

“Please, everyone, calm down!” It was Ashido who was just following her behind together with the other men in Byakuya’s office.

“Rukia... you need to calm yourself first.” Ashido said in short breaths, “Look around you, everyone is scared.”

Rukia stiffened a bit, as she looks around in every corner of the banquet. They were giving her a look of fear. Her power is uncontrollable, yet she feels so strong and powerful that it also become a very dangerous state for her to master it. She breathes slowly melting and thawing out the area around her slowly as it is, she began to melt. Her hair turns to its original color and her entire organs inside her skin just melted to its core as soon as she reached her normal temperature. She made a little scratch on her left cheek.

“My greatest apology, everyone, Nii-sama.”

“ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US ALL?!” It was Ikakku.

“SEIZE HER!” Soifon ordered her mobile squad to capture her.

“DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT LAYING A SINGLE FINGER AT HER!” Byakuya roared, glaring Soifon’s subordinates.

“Or you will be killed by her lethal skin?” Byakuya muttered. He chanted some kido spell and targeted it to his sister as a yellow bolt of string keeps her from moving away. “And don’t even think about freezing it!” He warned her.

“Party is over. I’ll take everything under control if you please let me Kyoraku Captain Commander?”

“SHE SHOULD BE IN JAIL! FOR THIS SINFUL ACT! SHE WAS TRYING TO KILL EVERYONE!” Soifon seized.

“It was an accident! She did not do anything wrong!” Ichigo defended.

“Ichigo,” Rukia called him out, “It’s okay.” She gestured him not to speak any further. Ichigo just bit his tongue and obeyed.

Rukia curtsied an apologetic bow in front of the crowd and curtsies herself in front of her dear brother, avoiding the gaze he was giving to her.

“Lift your head.”

Rukia did so and receives a slap from him which took everyone by surprise. The slap that everyone can hear, and they could not believe he just did that to his own sister. She could have been better off in jail than being treated with humiliation with the whole people in Soul Society. Rukia was pretty used to it. A squatter like her to be in the Kuchiki Family, having the title as Lieutenant in the 13th Court Guard and her name is known in the criminal records in Seireitei for transferring her powers to a human boy, and other sins that her brother would always keep on reminding her not to disappoint him again. Until now, she is such a hard-headed Shinigami.

The bolt of binding was still around her body.

“Take her to her room.” Byakuya told his servants as he unbinds the Kido spell from her, as his servants bowed in front of Byakuya and bowed at Rukia before they will take her to her room.

Rukia slumped into her bed. Rolling over to the side, finding it uncomfortable, then slumps back facing the wooden ceilings. She had lost her count how many times she had disappointed him with her manners.

“Rukia-sama, is there anything you need?” She heard her servant by the door, wishing any request from her.

“No, leave me be.” Rukia lost her mood as well, maybe she was ashamed of her doings. Especially, her incident with Ashido, her fight on the dance floor, her anger to her brother, the way she blows some shards of ice nearly killing the people in the mansion, and being the host of the party to show such indecent manner to her visitors.

She counted the spiritual pressure decreased one by one away from the mansion as if they started calling the night to such a pity party. She could feel Ichigo, Renji, Grimmjow, and Ashido along with Byakuya being in the same area together. Her brother might be telling them that they are prohibited from seeing her ever again. Then, they just separated in such a swift manner. Rukia sighed heavily, she doesn’t like staying in her room, she had asked Ichigo to open the window for her at the World of Living at his house, as she had decided it to him that she will be staying at his house for a while. But unfortunately, her brother dumps her in her room.

“Rukia?”

She heard her brother’s stoic voice behind the door. She did not answer.

“Meet me in my office at ten, make sure you are properly dressed!”

If Rukia hadn’t enough temper, she would have freeze the door in no time, or freeze the whole Seireitei that it surely will become a one winter season, and spring, autumn, and summer will cease to exist. She just quickly changes into something more comfortable and presentable, a black with florally patterned kimono. It was given by the elders on her last birthday and waited for the time to strike ten.

She heard a knock o the window sill by her balcony and felt his spiritual pressure.

WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING?!

“What the hell are you doing in here!? You can be killed!” Rukia hissed to see this bright orange haired idiot who has no fear of getting himself killed by her brother’s rage.

“Shhh, I’ve learned how to hide my spiritual pressure and don’t shout.” He hissed back at her.

Rukia just shuts her mouth as she joined him in the balcony, enjoying the relaxing cold windy air that Ichigo shivered and Rukia being immune to it. “You should go home, Ichigo. Please.”

“For two years, Rukia. You knew that I’d never listened to whatever you say. And you’re still going to tell me that?”

“For two years, Idiot. You knew that I’d kick your ass if you wouldn’t listen to me, yet you still got your ass kicked by me.”

Ichigo just blinked and got his ass kicked just now. Then he chuckled, let’s just say, Rukia’s kicks hurt a lot. He just rubbed his butt, ignoring the pain---well enduring it while enjoying her company in the silent night.

Rukia just wondered what he was doing in her balcony. “Aren’t you gonna ask about what just happened?”

“I wanted to, but let’s stay here for the silence for a while,” Ichigo stated, closing his eyes while putting his elbows on the railings.

Rukia chuckled silently, “Idiot!”

“Say anything you want.”

Rukia just followed his position then lets out the longest exhale ever recorded. “You see, about what happened, about---”

“About what happened to you and Grimmjow, why did Byakuya call him in his office? Why is he in the game as if he is part of it.” There ICHIGO said it. He could not contain his curiosity anymore to why he was here. He needed answers or he wouldn’t be able to sleep with all the questions running in his head.

“Well, he offered me a drink.” She said simply.

“And?”

“And ask me that he will work for me in the near future.” Rukia sighed, she was being asked the same question for one night and by two persons. And she is tired of hearing it.

“And about that KISS?! Could you please explain it to me?” He was now facing her, frustrated.

“The kiss, was...nice?”

“I DIDN’T SAY TO DESCRIBE IT!”

“Well, I was surprised by it, and I missed Ashido.”

“A total stranger, yes. Yet you still responded, and are you sure you consider it as a friendly camaraderie?”

“I never said it was!”

“Then why did you respond?”

“Because---”

“Because you’ve never been kissed before, and you responded because you felt nice in his lips?”

“Why do you care so much about me kissing someone?!”

“BECAUSE YOU DON’T LOVE HIM!”

“Ichigo! Please! GO BACK TO YOUR HOME!”

“NO! I WILL NEVER LISTEN TO WHATEVER YOU WILL SAY TO ME TO GO HOME, TO GO BACK AWAY FROM YOU. BUT I WILL DO WHATEVER PLEASES ME!”

Rukia sighed. “Is there anything you needed to ask?”

“Are you marrying him?”

Rukia looked away. “What other choice do I have, of course, I will marry him.”

“Why?”

“I SAID I DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE!”

“And you would just give it up that easily fighting what is really good for you? But abide for what is good for the Kuchiki Family?”

Rukia did not answer to that.

“Don’t get smart with me, of course, I still have my rights, even if it means my brother will kill me,” Rukia said it with so much vague in her tone of voice.

“Then, it is your turn to answer me, why would you care so much as much as this?”

Ichigo nearly bit his tongue, nearly stuttered, “because you are my friend, and--”

He looked away, he cannot believe that his heart was racing like this, “and I don’t want you to get married yet.”

Damn, why do I sound so possessive!?

“And if you do, I-I could feel I don’t have anyone to talk to, to argue to, to fight to, to stay in my closet, and to have this kind of normal and freedom relationship like we had, like this, right now.”

Rukia felt the warmth when he said those words. It really means a lot to her, she just smiled. She was so happy to hear such sentiment of what real friendship is all about. That’s how their relationship works.

“Idiot, even if I marry him, our relationship remains intact.” 

No, don’t even think of marrying him or marrying someone. Ichigo held his grip.

“I don’t know, Ichigo. Even if I don’t have any other choice. I feel like I’m being choked down and being forced into something I couldn’t deal with.”

“Then, I will help you.”

“Over my dead body.”...”

“Rukia please, trust me this time. I will convince Byakuya not to marry you with Ashido.”

“And why can’t my sister be married to him, Ichigo Kurosaki? And did I ever warn you to stay away from Rukia a while ago?”

“Byakuya! You cannot just separate Rukia and me for some stupid reason! And do you think Rukia would be happy about that? She is your dear sister, treat her correctly! And You cannot force her to something she cannot handle, she is still learning and improving, she doesn’t have to be perfect in everyone's eyes, because for me, Rukia has her own imperfections and she is not ashamed of it! She has her own kind of strength by being one of the strongest Shinigami’s I’ve ever known! And it is not just being a Shinigami is her strength, but she is strong to handle any situation even from her childhood and up to this day! And that’s how strong she is no matter what you can do to make you control her! She is strong! She is not some kind of Royalty to be treated like a rose-tinted glass, she is Rukia! She is someone who can fight on her own, even though she really needed it! But that’s what makes her different! She is unique! You cannot protect her forever! Because she is strong enough than to be protected by thousands of blades! AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF HER! Brother to brother, I am disappointed in you!”

Byakuya who have entered in the scene startled Rukia, as Rukia kept her silence. This time, she couldn’t say any words. She wouldn’t want this night to be a burden for her. She could not believe what she just heard, it makes her happy, Ichigo said those to her? In front of her brother? And Praying that Ichigo wouldn’t be killed either.

THIS STUPID IDIOT! 

“Very well.” 

“What!?” Ichigo and Rukia said in shock, that was fast? Did Byakuya get awaken with what Ichigo just said?

“Kurosaki, don’t ever think so highly of yourself, you are not the reason why I change my mind.” Byakuya said with such venom in his voice. 

Ichigo just blushed embarrassingly. With Rukia hearing all the things he said about her in front of her brother, then this oh-so-high-and-mighty Noble Shinigami grade A pain in the ass would tell him something like that was even more embarrassing.

“Rukia, I’m sorry, I’m sorry about not being the perfect brother, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I want to stab myself---” Byakuya ranted, looking down on the floor.

“N-Nii-sama! Lift your head.” It was her turned to slap him back, but not in a way of paying back, but waking him up.

Byakuya deserved that one. “You slap like, Hisana.”

“Everything is all right.”

“Not everything, Rukia. I have carved a deep scar in your heart even from the day we met and even before we met. I could not see myself a perfect brother for you. I don’t worth calling myself your brother.”

“Nii-sama, I told you. It’s alright, can we speak later.” Rukia needed him to go, she wanted to hear whatever Ichigo just said to her.

Byakuya did not say anything at all. But felt his sister was pushing him away because of what Ichigo had said about her sister. He felt rejected. And he was not happy about Ichigo saying those things to his sister. Does he even deserve this?

Byakuya just leaves them defeatedly as he returned to his office to speak with Rukia later. That insolent human, don’t even think about touching my sister.

“So--”

“DON’T EVEN START WITH THAT! I DARE YOU!” Ichigo said, with a flush on his face.

“I’m different...I’m unique? I’m strong?”

Ichigo needed to calm himself down. “Well yeah---”

“It’s just, I just realized that one, but I cannot even bring myself that I’m always here to protect you.”

“I don’t need it, Ichigo.”

“And I need you to protect me as well, Rukia.”

Rukia just looked at him they were gazing at each other. “Stupid.”

“Midget.”

Then they just laughed. Then looked at the moon, how beautiful it is. 

“The moon.” Rukia started.

“What about it?” 

“It’s beautiful,” Rukia said admiringly, closing her eyes.

Ichigo just looked at the moon then to her, “Yeah.” He smiled. “I’m looking at one right now.” Whispering. He returned his gaze back at the moon after he was being too obvious.

“And she’s really beautiful.” He said with a smile.

“RUKIA! WILL YOU STILL MARRY ME!?”

DAMN IT! Ichigo thought interrupted by Ashido and the others who barged into Rukia’s balcony.

“What the hell are you guys doing in here!?” Rukia hissed.

“RUKIA I’M SORRY ABOUT EARLIER!” Renji who was sorry for himself.

“Hey, Ruks, let’s go slay some Menos Grande’s in Huenco Mundo, just you and me.”

“HEY! YOU GUYS ARE INTERRUPTING US!” Ichigo wailed.

“Scatter, Senbonzakura.”

[theartistdetective]

The Joker x Harley Quinn - Mephisto: Part 2

Well, here’s the second part! Things will take an unexpected turn!

Warnings: Out of character Harley Quinn, time to time Sherlock references. 

 Mr. J could barely contain himself. It had been a day since he encountered his dear game, Dr. Harleen Quinzel for the first time. He spent his whole day staring at the wall of his cell, thinking about her. Planning his next move, trying to make a plan to break the enigma of her mind. He knew she wouldn’t be easy to manipulate. Hell, she didn’t even look like she was scared of him even though she clearly stated that she expected him to break free soon. She was obviously clever enough to avoid rubbing the dangerous criminal the wrong way. But she surely didn’t have a problem with intriguing the madman with her unusual behaviour. The doctor should have known that he wouldn’t forget about her and should have been scared of getting unwanted attention from an infamous killer. Yet, she didn’t even care. That was a totally different level of having balls.   He usually toyed with his psychiatrists, scaring them: while pretending to be interrogated, finding more about them. Their personalities, interests, pressure points… sprinkling some bluffing and threathening into that mix and making it the perfect mixture of manipulation. This formula wouldn’t work on her. Above all things, she hadn’t asked him the questions he was used to. They weren’t questions that he can somehow connect with her and gain some information. It was always focused on him, the attention. Furthermore, she wasn’t that boring to speak to and her treating methods weren’t painful. The Clown Prince of Crime had enough with constant electro-shock therapies. He kind of didn’t want to snap her out of her “interesting and enjoyable company” mood. But how could he use her mild behaviour in favor of himself?   He just knew that she was strong-willed, intelligent and sly.   And she was evidently trying to gain his trust.   Bingo!   Well, if that was the case; he probably could try another formula, a completely unique one: one that he’s never even thought of trying before.   Let her think she got your trust, let the victory and satisfaction warm her heart. And then, make her want something more than just “trust”. The joy of knowing he will be a free man sooner than he thought, made a grin appear on the madman’s face. He threw his head back and rested it against the cold concrete as choked giggles escaped his mouth. Within seconds, giggles turned into loud cackles. As the infamous laughter echoed through the empty corridors of the asylum; one of the guards looked up and stared at the Joker, wondering the reason for the lack of damage he had caused that day.

                                                              *** About six sessions later… “Well my pretty little doctor, I couldn’t sleep with the thought of seeing your pretty face, still lingering in my head last night.” The only thing Harleen Quinzel did in return of the King’s flirting attempt was to calmly smile without even lifting her gaze from the documents she had been holding about a couple of minutes. After ignoring his attention for a little more, she suddenly replied, with a tone of sarcasm mixed with anger perceptible in her voice: “How nice, Mr. J. But I’m afraid your lack of sleep was due to the overdose of your meds,” she looked down, right at the records in her hands, displeased. “They better not exceed the dose again, or I might not choose to be the pretty little doc we all love, anymore…” She looked up to see the guard who brought the Joker in and displayed a very large grin that managed to impress even the madman. Her cold and menacing eyes were like the cream on the cake. “Capische?” The man, eyes wide, gulped as a response and quickly exited the room; leaving the two alone. “Although I’m quite moved by your concern m’lady,” Joker squinted his blue eyes and smirked, “I’m pretty sure it is definitely this beautiful face’s fault that I’m tired right now.” Quinzel rolled her eyes. “Well, if you say so Mr. J…” She fixed her blood red shirt. “Let’s concentrate on our job here…” she cleared her throat. “Today, I would like to talk about your pleasure on killing and torturing.” She looked at him. “First question, painfully obvious: WHY?” She exaggerated her mimics like an SNL character, J laughed; it was as if she wasn’t taking this seriously. “It’s fun.” She looked at him, unimpressed. And started writing while mumbling with her usual sassy tone. “Needs some hobbies ASAP.” Then, she quickly changed her style as she always did. Her tone switched to a much formal one: “Can we say there’s something inside you that pushes you to do this kind of stuff, like you can’t live without inflicting pain on someone on a regular basis? Or do you find this strategic, is it a tool you use to handle the “empire” you’re currently running?” The Joker looked into her eyes mockingly: “No, Harley. I don’t need to do stuff because I have to or need to. I do stuff because I want to, that’s my thing. There isn’t a little mean psycho inside my head that controls me! Hell, the kingdom I built with little pieces of paper and shimmering stones won’t make me do anything I don’t desire to! How can I call myself the King when other things than myself have control over my mind? I don’t make ‘em cry, because I want to feel good and have money. I FEEL GOOD AND HAVE MONEY BECAUSE I LOVE MAKING ‘EM CRY!” His fit lasted a little more with blood freezing laughter continuing the tense atmosphere. After the cackles died down in the madman’s mouth; Quinzel cleared her throat and continued: “Ok, the next one is my personal question: how can you kill children then?” J rolled his eyes, that was the first time she ever disappointed him: he didn’t expect her to be such a mother hen. “Does it matter child or adult?” “Damn yes it does!” she replied with an obvious amount of anger visible from her eyes. “Then the answer is: I just do. Adult humans are just disgusting creatures with angelic masks. The only good their spawns have, comparing to them, is that they don’t wear those masks yet; meaning, they might be repulsive but at least they’re not liars.” The doctor really did look pissed at that point. It was the first time she looked at him like that. J cursed inside his head. He should have said something else. That really could mess up his plan. He had to say something nice. Even the thought made him cringe. But he didn’t have to since Harleen started mumbling again: “A man-child who talks big. He doesn’t have any children.” The Joker growled in annoyance. “Do you have any?” “Yes, we have a three year old daughter.” Joker’s heart nearly stopped when he heard the word “we”. “We?” “Me and my husband.” The joker suddenly felt the rage building inside him. Husband? Impossible, his plan was starting to seem harder and harder as the sessions passed. Not an obstacle he can’t overcome though, he knew he could make her his. But in a weird sense, he was feeling unreasonably angry and irritated. “May I have his name?” “Lucas. We’ve been together for six years.” He cringed again with the sound of his monotonous name. “He sounds like a softie. A bit low standart for a femme-fatale.” “You sound like a joke. A bit uncreative for being a criminal mastermind.” snapped back the fuming woman. Well that’s the whole point hun, it is supposed to be a joke… Joker gritted his teeth towards her sudden defensive manner: “Well, doll…” he snickered. “…you live quite the plain life to insult mine. Stuck with a weak pimp and a brat, with no excitement… even in bed.” He expected her to slap him or yell at him, yet the anger in her eyes suddenly disappeared as she just smiled and giggled. “Well, Mr. J…” she looked down right to her hands folded on her lap and bit her lip; as if she had found this situation very amusing. “You’re quite predictable I should say; thank you for reacting to all of my remarks…” she giggled again. “…just as I calculated.” The King furrowed his eyebrows at her unusual choice of her words. “Oh, by the way…” she smirked. “We should fix that prejudicious attitude of yours ASAP.” were the last words left her lips before she exited the room that was seized with heavy tension, leaving the Joker dumbfounded and wondering what in the world had happened.

[actionfigureinsider]

    It’s Marvel vs. DC in this month’s Previews catalog! With a new bust, bank and Vinimates from DC, and new Minimates action figures, statues and bottle openers from Marvel, this is one that’s gonna get settled at retail! Read on to see what’s scheduled to ship in late 2017/early 2018 from Diamond Select Toys! Pre-order through your local comic shop or favorite online retailer!

Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne Resin Bust

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Time to go back to the future… the future of Gotham City! Not long from now, Gotham has transformed into a high-tech town, and a high-tech Batman has risen to fight the criminal element. Bruce Wayne is retired, but he mentors the new Batman and keeps him informed on old threats when they resurface. This approximately 6-inch resin bust of Bruce Wayne depicts him as he appears in Batman Beyond, and sits on top of a pedestal base inspired by the city’s ultra-modern architecture. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item # JUL172790, SRP: $59.99)

  #gallery-0-13 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-13 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Justice League Movie Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Complete the League with this all-new assortment of Vinimates vinyl figures based on the new Justice League feature film! Superman, Aquaman and Cyborg team up to take on the forces of evil in this new batch of figures from the highly anticipated movie. Each 4-inch vinyl figure is sculpted in a block-figure style, striking a pose straight from the movie. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Superman Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172792, SRP: $9.99)

Aquaman Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172793, SRP: $9.99)

Cyborg Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172794, SRP: $9.99)

Marvel Minimates X-Men vs. Brotherhood Box Set

A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s the 15th anniversary of the Marvel Minimates line, and to celebrate, we’re going back to where it all began! This four-pack of Minimates captures two classic X-Men and two classic Evil Mutants in the 2-inch mini-figure form. A classically-styled Marvel Girl and Professor X team up to take on Quicksilver (in his green costume) and Toad – one of the first Marvel Minimates ever designed, in his first-ever release! Each Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, including unmasked hair for Jean Grey, a Cerebro helmet for Professor X, and alternate parts to turn Professor X into Mastermind! Packaged on a full-color blister card. (Item #JUL172800, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Minimates Thor: Ragnarok Movie Box Set

A Diamond Select Toys release! Get ready for Ragnarok! The third Thor movie, Thor: Ragnarok, will hit theaters this fall, and DST is celebrating with a new box set of Marvel Minimates based on the film! This 4-pack includes four all-new mini-figures, including Gladiator Thor, villainess Hela, Asgardian Loki and Bruce Banner! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features approximately 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts and accessories. Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item # JUL172801, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Hydra Symbol Metal Bottle Opener

A Diamond Select Toys release! Hail Hydra! Ever feel like every time you open a bottle, two more take its place? Well you’ll be able to make short of those pesky bottles with this solid metal bottle opener in the shape of a Hydra logo! With powerful magnets on the back, it will hang on your refrigerator, waiting, until it is activated to fulfill its purpose – opening bottles! Packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #JUL172796, SRP: $18.00)

Marvel Gallery Netflix Jessica Jones PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! Defenders Assemble! Joining Luke Cage and Daredevil, Jessica ones is the third member of the Defenders to join the Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama line-up! Measuring approximately 11 inches tall atop a New York City-inspired diorama base, Jessica Jones wears her trademark scarf and jacket, and features the likeness of actress Krysten Ritter from the Jessica Jones Netflix TV series. She is in scale to other Marvel Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC Dioramas, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #JUL172795, SRP: $45.00)

#gallery-0-14 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-14 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Marvel Premier Collection Venom Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! Brains! Venom is back, and DST is celebrating his rebrth with this approximately 12-inch resin statue of the original symbiote! Breaking out of a glass tank, Venom is at his full power here, and is a must-have item for any Venom fan. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a full-color window box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira! (Item # JUL172797, SRP: $150.00)

#gallery-0-15 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-15 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Marvel Select Thor Ragnarok Movie Action Figures

A Diamond Select Toys release! They’re friends from work! Send your Marvel Select collection to the distant reaches of the galaxy with these two new 7-inch scale action figures based on the new Marvel Studios film, Thor: Ragnarok! Depicting Thor and the Hulk in their gladiator gear, each figure features 16 points of articulation and includes weapons seen in the film. Each figure comes packaged in the famous Select action figure packaging, with side panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant!

Gladiator Thor Figure (Item # JUL172802, SRP: $24.99)

Gladiator Hulk Figure (Item # JUL172803, SRP: $24.99)

#gallery-0-16 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 25%; } #gallery-0-16 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Marvel Spider-Man Homecoming Movie Resin Busts

A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s almost time for Homecoming! The first Spider-Man film to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost here, and DST is commemorating the occasion with to resin busts based on the film! One depicts Spidey in his high-tech suit, with web wings, while the other shows him in his homemade suit. Each measures approximately 6 inches tall and sits atop a pedestal inspired by New York architecture. Each comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Gentle Giant!

Web Glider Spider-Man Bust  (Item # JUL172798, SRP: $59.99)

Homemade Spider-Man Bust (Item # JUL172799, SRP: $59.99)

Superman The Animated Series Vinyl Bust Bank

A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s a bust, it’s a bank, it’s Superman! The Man of Steel joins DST’s line of vinyl banks based on the DC Animated Universe, with this approximately 7-inch-tall portrait of Superman as he appeared in Superman: The Animated Series! With a coin slot on the back and an access door in the base, you’ll be able to save some dough even as you save the day! Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Varner Studios. (Item # JUL172791, SRP: $22.99)

  Coming This Winter from DST: Justice League, Spider-Man, X-Men & Thor! It’s Marvel vs. DC in this month’s Previews catalog! With a new bust, bank and Vinimates from DC, and new Minimates action figures, statues and bottle openers from Marvel, this is one that’s gonna get settled at retail!

[mredwinsmith]

Coming This Winter From Diamond Select Toys: Justice League, Spider-Man, X-Men & Thor

It’s Marvel vs. DC in this month’s Previews catalog! With a new bust, bank and Vinimates from DC, and new Minimates action figures, statues and bottle openers from Marvel, this is one that’s gonna get settled at retail! Read on to see what’s scheduled to ship in late 2017/early 2018 from Diamond Select Toys! Pre-order through your local comic shop or favorite online retailer!

Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne Resin Bust A Diamond Select Toys Release! Time to go back to the future… the future of Gotham City! Not long from now, Gotham has transformed into a high-tech town, and a high-tech Batman has risen to fight the criminal element. Bruce Wayne is retired, but he mentors the new Batman and keeps him informed on old threats when they resurface. This approximately 6-inch resin bust of Bruce Wayne depicts him as he appears in Batman Beyond, and sits on top of a pedestal base inspired by the city’s ultra-modern architecture. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item # JUL172790, SRP: $59.99)

Justice League Movie Vinimates Vinyl Figures A Diamond Select Toys Release! Complete the League with this all-new assortment of Vinimates vinyl figures based on the new Justice League feature film! Superman, Aquaman and Cyborg team up to take on the forces of evil in this new batch of figures from the highly anticipated movie. Each 4-inch vinyl figure is sculpted in a block-figure style, striking a pose straight from the movie. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box. Superman Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172792, SRP: $9.99) Aquaman Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172793, SRP: $9.99) Cyborg Vinyl Figure (Item # JUL172794, SRP: $9.99)

Marvel Minimates X-Men vs. Brotherhood Box Set A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s the 15th anniversary of the Marvel Minimates line, and to celebrate, we’re going back to where it all began! This four-pack of Minimates captures two classic X-Men and two classic Evil Mutants in the 2-inch mini-figure form. A classically-styled Marvel Girl and Professor X team up to take on Quicksilver (in his green costume) and Toad – one of the first Marvel Minimates ever designed, in his first-ever release! Each Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, including unmasked hair for Jean Grey, a Cerebro helmet for Professor X, and alternate parts to turn Professor X into Mastermind! Packaged on a full-color blister card. (Item #JUL172800, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Minimates Thor: Ragnarok Movie Box Set A Diamond Select Toys release! Get ready for Ragnarok! The third Thor movie, Thor: Ragnarok, will hit theaters this fall, and DST is celebrating with a new box set of Marvel Minimates based on the film! This 4-pack includes four all-new mini-figures, including Gladiator Thor, villainess Hela, Asgardian Loki and Bruce Banner! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features approximately 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts and accessories. Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item # JUL172801, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Hydra Symbol Metal Bottle Opener A Diamond Select Toys release! Hail Hydra! Ever feel like every time you open a bottle, two more take its place? Well you’ll be able to make short of those pesky bottles with this solid metal bottle opener in the shape of a Hydra logo! With powerful magnets on the back, it will hang on your refrigerator, waiting, until it is activated to fulfill its purpose – opening bottles! Packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #JUL172796, SRP: $18.00)

Marvel Gallery Netflix Jessica Jones PVC Diorama A Diamond Select Toys release! Defenders Assemble! Joining Luke Cage and Daredevil, Jessica ones is the third member of the Defenders to join the Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama line-up! Measuring approximately 11 inches tall atop a New York City-inspired diorama base, Jessica Jones wears her trademark scarf and jacket, and features the likeness of actress Krysten Ritter from the Jessica Jones Netflix TV series. She is in scale to other Marvel Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC Dioramas, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #JUL172795, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Venom Statue A Diamond Select Toys release! Brains! Venom is back, and DST is celebrating his rebrth with this approximately 12-inch resin statue of the original symbiote! Breaking out of a glass tank, Venom is at his full power here, and is a must-have item for any Venom fan. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a full-color window box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira! (Item # JUL172797, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Select Thor Ragnarok Movie Action Figures A Diamond Select Toys release! They’re friends from work! Send your Marvel Select collection to the distant reaches of the galaxy with these two new 7-inch scale action figures based on the new Marvel Studios film, Thor: Ragnarok! Depicting Thor and the Hulk in their gladiator gear, each figure features 16 points of articulation and includes weapons seen in the film. Each figure comes packaged in the famous Select action figure packaging, with side panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! Gladiator Thor Figure (Item # JUL172802, SRP: $24.99) Gladiator Hulk Figure (Item # JUL172803, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Spider-Man Homecoming Movie Resin Busts A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s almost time for Homecoming! The first Spider-Man film to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost here, and DST is commemorating the occasion with to resin busts based on the film! One depicts Spidey in his high-tech suit, with web wings, while the other shows him in his homemade suit. Each measures approximately 6 inches tall and sits atop a pedestal inspired by New York architecture. Each comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! Web Glider Spider-Man Bust (Item # JUL172798, SRP: $59.99) Homemade Spider-Man Bust (Item # JUL172799, SRP: $59.99)

Superman The Animated Series Vinyl Bust Bank A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s a bust, it’s a bank, it’s Superman! The Man of Steel joins DST’s line of vinyl banks based on the DC Animated Universe, with this approximately 7-inch-tall portrait of Superman as he appeared in Superman: The Animated Series! With a coin slot on the back and an access door in the base, you’ll be able to save some dough even as you save the day! Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Varner Studios. (Item # JUL172791, SRP: $22.99)

from AwesomeToyBlog http://ift.tt/2uXp27B

[thedramafilesblog-blog]

Appearing before the Dramacourt: Man to Man Ep 02

***If this is your first time browsing The Drama Files, please read The Rules section first for our reviewing and rating system***

Issues:

Whether job interviews should include horoscope compatibility questions

Whether the best way to wake up non morning people is to build a homemade IED

Whether the subway scene with the random Black guy was okay

Whether the fight for chicken was reasonable

Whether Cha Do Ha is even necessary for this drama

Whether Mo Seung-Jae and Song Mi-Eun are in an unhealthy marriage

The Rule(s):

No! Interviews should be about a person’s work experiences.

Dangerously yes.

No. They totally didn’t need to make the Black actor seem like a sketchy person and freak out over his appearance at a subway. Slightly racist vibes here . . .

Yes, oh, yes! When you’re on a diet and you’re craving chicken or some snack . . . you’ll do anything for it!

Absolutely not. There should only be bromance in this drama.

Yes! He seems to be a very manipulative, controlling husband.

Analysis:

Jubiemon J: Man x Man’s episode two was interesting and fun despite a few negative parts! I enjoyed the comedic scenes like the ones that poked fun at celebrities’ lives and an overused running scene with the two leads in Korean rom coms. I laughed pretty hard when I saw Woon Gwang doing all he could to get his chicken. Honestly, I think people who are on diets can understand his pain. (You also sympathise with the celebrities we see who have to diet to get that ideal body. Pretty sure managers do control and limit their snacks or what not like in this drama.) I also really liked how we are getting to know Woon Gwang as a character through Sulwoo’s observations as a spy. Sulwoo is an expert at reading characters, so it’s easy for us to believe his description of Woon Gwang.

Rockin those shades brah

All the bromance

Jubiemon J: Now the bad parts to this drama . . . The political scenes were again dry, but luckily they weren’t terribly long like in Whisper or the Defendant. I understand that they are necessary to get the plot going, but I feel like the comedic scenes are far more memorable than the dark back drop. I actually think if they had gone with some evil mastermind or the leader of some group like in the movie Spy, that’d be better. Somehow this political part just . . . feels overdone now that so many Kdramas are taking a stab at it. (I get that there have been some political issues in Korea, so that’s probably why the Kdramas are sticking to showcasing corruption. However, when so many of them are doing this . . . the message gets lost, I think . . . especially when you start mixing genres together like comedy.)

Legit no one cares

Profiling your boss like…

Jubiemon J: That political section doesn’t bother me THAT much because this drama does try to minimize the scenes. What bothers me the most is the character, Cha Do Ha. Her existence is a huge setback to this drama. There’s no need for romance here or her whiny attitude when Sulwoo is just focused on the mission. Yes, I get that in spy films, the male spies generally have some femme fatale, but honestly . . . this drama could have put a better comedic spin to this. They made her into a hormone-filled cringey fan girl who keeps raging at Sulwoo or trying to act all cutsey around Woong Gwang who clearly sees her as a good employee/fan girl. Not to mention, they gave her the worst haircut that’s uneven. I can’t even call it asymmetrical because it wasn’t supposed to be like that type of haircut. Her haircut is like the meme with the cat with the green pomelo hat. I just can’t take it. (Look at the poorly cut ends. Man. Cringe.)

RedRosette J: I was raving about the first episode because it had all the spy stuff going for it and in this episode the spy stuff took a back seat while the characters figured out how they fit into the plot with each other. Like Jubiemon said, the running on the highway montage in the PJs was absolutely hilarious, as was the Chicken Run. This drama seems to do really well with the comedic aspects of spy-action. Like Jubiemon, I too am tired of the politics in kdramas lately. It’s over done and seems unnecessary. I tended to zone out and skip the politics scenes.

That being said, Park Haejin is doing a stellar job with Sulwoo. The character comes off as a closed person who doesn’t really show his cards and is an enigma to everyone else in the drama, but with his handler, he is a totally different, vivacious, boyish guy who loves to do normal things like play video games. Park Haejin really portrays the duality of a spy’s life really well. And just as much as he is a great actor, Kim Min Jung, unfortunately falls short. Like Jubiemon said, the acting is over the top, cringey and just annoying. It was fine (for me at least) in the first episode where she didn’t have much screen time, but when she was cooing and squealing every few minutes it got very old, very fast. I feel like she’s over doing the ‘carefree’ aspect of the character to show how different Do Ha’s character is from Sulwoo so their personalities stand out in stark contrast when on screen, but come on. Does she have to be so cringey?

My one criticism of this episode is the ending speeding car chase. I find it hard to believe that someone with Sulwoo’s super spy skills failed to realize beforehand that the stunt car was tampered with! Not to mention, he saw the guy tamper with the car and leave, yet he did nothing to stop Woon Gwang from getting in the car! Yes he was being held back by Do Ha, but we’ve established that she’s barely a real obstacle so….Yes, Yes, its because they wanted to include a fancy shmancy car chase scene but I found it really hard to believe given the info we were fed about his super skills up until that point!

When you got sass coming out of your eyes

LOL this guy!

Regular dude vibes

Ugh!

Preach!

If only working overtime in our jobs involves champagne…

Issue 1: Whether job interviews should include horoscope compatibility questions

RedRosette J: So I get that this was supposed to be for comedic effect, but I think that her annoying demeanor totally turned me off. If it was supposed to be a funny interview, I just wasn’t sold on it. That being said, being asked horoscope compatibility questions at a job interview, while it would be totally funny, it would not be productive to either parties. I really didn’t understand the point of this scene, except that she was trying to grill him and make him feel uncomfortable, but what really ended up happening was me skipping the scene because I got annoyed. Although I will say that it would be kind of nice to be asked a funny question at the end of a formal interview!

RedRosette J Aside: The weirdest interview question I’ve ever been asked is: ‘if you could be a phone, what phone would you be?

Jubiemon J: I too understand this was supposed to be for fun, but I was really annoyed at how she was doing that for the sake of getting rid of him. I still don’t really get how he offended her. She was the one that first rudely went up and assumed he was paparazzi and deleted his photos. Sure, she is supposed to be the one that points out that Sulwoo is suspicious, but her character just is set up in a way that makes it seem like she’s interfering with his mission in a totally unfunny manner.

Jubiemon J Aside: The weirdest interview question I”ve been asked would be: “Who is a figure that you hate and why?” To answer RedRosette’s interview question, I would have been a total troll and said your phone.

When the interview is not going as planned

Real qualifications people should be looking for

Issue 2: Whether the best way to wake up non morning people is to build a homemade IED

RedRosette J: I am not a morning person and I have such trouble waking up, but yea I think someone hanging a homemade IED in front of my face would wake me up so fast, it would probably be a world record! This scene was one of my favourites from this episode. Sulwoo has some serious swag man….casually building IEDs in the bathroom and what not.

Jubiemon J: Personally, I never understood the issues with getting up because I’ve never been the sort to sleep in. That being said, I also dislike mornings. Regardless, I do know of people who struggle to get up in the mornings, so this IED Sulwoo made would definitely be effective!

How to wake people up 101

That’s how its done peeps

Issue 3: Whether the subway scene with the random Black guy was okay

RedRosette J: At first this scene was funny. Then they introduced the random Black guy and it became not funny real fast. I didn’t appreciate how they made this guy into a sketchy person and had Woon Gwang freak out when he saw him. Just because he’s Black doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. People really need to stop these archaic associations of blackness with evil. Honestly. It’s really not funny. Please stop. #notimpressed

Jubiemon J: I also didn’t like how this drama inserted this scene as well. However, I have to say that based on my experiences in some bigger cities in Asia like Taipei or Tokyo, people do sometimes get surprised or shocked when they see a Black person. A lot of times it’s because these areas are very homogeneous for their population, so they’ve never seen a Black person. I can understand with the surprise that comes to that or genuine curiosity about another culture; however, I still don’t like how in this drama, everyone’s response seemed to be more out of the fearful type of surprise like they were freaked that the Black guy might hurt Woon Gwang.

The only thing that they did right later was when Sulwoo was explaining to Do Ha how he never let Woon Gwang into some danger zone during that scene were she was bitching at him at a restaurant. Sulwoo didn’t mention the Black guy as a threat at all and talked about getting rid of the drunk, Korean guy who was coming at Woon Gwang. I’d like to think that in this case, the Black Guy’s presence was also to show the difference between Woon Gwang and Sulwoo. Sulwoo doesn’t identify someone as being a threat based on their race; he’s not racist at all. Woon Gwang, on the other hand, seems to have lived in a bubble and based on his action, he either hasn’t interacted much with other cultures or may be racist. Either way . . . I think this drama would have been better without this Black Guy scene.

Issue 4: Whether the fight for chicken was reasonable

RedRosette J: This scene had me laughing so much. By far the best scene in the episode. They actually made Woon Gwang’s Chicken Run into a spy-action sequence. Absolutely hilarious and totally believable. People will go to extreme lengths to eat fatty, greasy foods when on “diets”! The best part about it was the whole “romance in the alley” type scene with Woon Gwang and Sulwoo fighting for the drumstick. If this was any other kdrama, it would have been a perfect set up for a accidental kiss while fighting for a drumstick! LOL!

Jubiemon J: This Chicken Run was the best! Okay that hand-holding part was hilarious too. I loved both equally. I do think this shows very well the feelings that people get when they’re going through a diet! You definitely have cravings of junk food and there are times when you absolutely must eat that something. I totally pity the celebrities who have to go through great lengths to get whatever body they’re achieving. Mad props to them. I really enjoyed the bromance the two shared while bonding over this Chicken Run. I’m absolutely sure Sulwoo would have given Woon Gwang that drumstick had Do Ha hadn’t barged in. Ha!

Chicken for days

Ain’t nothing as sacred as this drumstick boi

Behold the power of the drumstick!

Issue 5: Whether Cha Do Ha is even necessary for this drama

RedRosette J: TBH, I really liked the parts of the drama where Cha Do Ha wasn’t in and when she wasn’t talking. The character really doesn’t seem to do much to advance the plot except be “cute” except that she’s not cute because it’s (as we said before) extremely cringey and ridiculous to see a grown ass woman behaving like this. Unless the character gets a major overhaul and stops being cringey, I am unlikely to become her fan anytime soon. I would be perfectly happy with Park Hae Jin and Park Sung Woong’s bromance thank you very much.

Jubiemon J: No, she’s not necessary for this drama. I too enjoyed the scenes where she doesn’t interfere with Sulwoo’s mission. People should start a game where they drink whatever whenever they hear her say something like “I want to talk to you Sulwoo”. I swear within this episode, we’ve heard that line repeated at least four times? We’ve mentioned numerous times about why she has been cringey, so I’m not going to be repetitive here. I also don’t think a full-on love plot would serve this drama well. Sulwoo’s character honestly doesn’t feel like the type that’d fall for her. Perhaps the goal was for him to fall for someone so not within his usual type that it’d be funny. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble seeing an obsessive, borderline sassaeng with a cool spy.

What is this? -_-

That’s how we feel every time Do Ha starts squealing -_-

This is very much a big brother-little sister vibe

Dumbest plan ever

Exactly what we think

Issue 6: Whether Mo Seung-Jae and Song Mi-Eun are in an unhealthy marriage

RedRosette J: As I said before, I don’t really care for these two characters. I’m totally over this whole rich chaebol married couples who play political mind games with each other like some twisted foreplay scenario that most dramas seem to have lately. Honestly. I really don’t care for these two. He seems like a psycho and she seems to be just as evil. Whatever. Ugh.

Jubiemon J: Though I don’t care that much about these characters like RedRosette, I still think it’s important to point out that they are in a very unhealthy relationship. I do like how it is realistic for this drama to portray that the seemingly perfect marriage to the outside world is really not so perfect. Often we only see the perfect side of some relationship because people only share the best sides on social media. We think all those people are in perfect, glowy relationships, but that might not always be true.

Song Mi Eun seems to have sacrificed love to marry for the rich, at least so far it’s portrayed that way. It might be darker than that like Mo Seung Jae blackmailing to hurt Woon Gwang if she continued to be with him. We already saw that Seung Jae hired someone to mess with Woon Gwang’s car just because his son was saying how Woon Gwang as a superhero was the best and that he’d watch that movie a lot with his mom. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the one behind Woon Gwang’s previous stunt accident in a car as well.

Seung Jae really is dangerous and way too controlling. Mi Eun can’t even act like herself in front of him, it seems. She always has to seem like the perfect woman and be careful with how she phrases words. It’s clear she still has some lingering feelings for Woon Gwang because she tries to make sure Woon Gwang’s career is successful and tries to convince her husband to invest in his movie. Obviously her husband isn’t stupid and sees through her seemingly innocent business venture. That’s why he says he’s fine with giving pity money, but not with the . . . son fanboying over Woon Gwang as a super hero. This relationship would have been healthier if Seung Jae just communicated to her his jealousy. He just needed Woon Gwang to be gone instead. Ugh. No.

Conclusion: Appeal Allowed.

Rating: 3 = MM. Okay. Fine. (Mostly because we don’t like Kim Min Jung’s character and the draggy political plot. Jubiemon J remark: I don’t hate that political part that, that much since the drama did try to minimize the scenes. They should employ that with Kim Min Jung’s character too. Cut her character out.)

File No: Man-To-Man-EP-02 Appearing before the Dramacourt: Man to Man Ep 02 ***If this is your first time browsing The Drama Files, please read The Rules section first for our reviewing and rating system***

[selesta-tsukino]

These two just jump scared me and now I gotta go to work like nothing happened 🤣

andy & elodie