#merry answers

[unmerrymagdalene]

Sydney burying aeself in work does not change based on corruption. Corrupt Sydney is no more likely to take a nap on PC than pure Sydney. The dialogue for it isn’t even that different: (corrupt) "Don't move. Taking a nap." versus (pure) "Hope you don't mind if I doze off on you.". Corrupt Sydney just works in Sirris’s shop after school before going to pray in the temple. The underlying problem has not been solved.

Jesus fucking Christ that is so depressing

The underlying problem hasn’t been solved!

This goes into my other headcanon/“I’ve thought about this too much,” but I really don’t think Pure and Corrupt Sydney are all that different?

Like, in terms of how they express their sexuality it is: Corrupt Sydney is more upfront, while Pure Sydney needs to “convince” PC because he can’t make an active decision, otherwise only he can be blamed for it

But they still have the same or similar ideals? I remember seeing this screenshot for the Confessional (while doing research):

I know logistically they’re the same for coding/game reasons, but it still asserts Sydney holds the same ideals after being corrupted. I could talk more about the above but that’s for another post

It feels less like being corrupted fixed all of Sydney’s problem, and more of “it fixed(?) one, but created a whole bunch of others on top of them.”

Corrupt Sydney is also reminiscent of good, straight A teens eventually breaking and swinging into the other direction. They are trying to prove something to themselves and others (mainly that they aren’t that person anymore), but are in a very difficult/sensitive place in their lives. They are figuring out their identity now, and are conflicted and confused.

Imo, Corrupt Sydney still harbors all the problems they had before: overworking themselves, having confusing/damaged ideals on relationships/sex, and still not really handling the whole other parent situation. The only difference is that they fit in with the town way better now.

[mrs-starkgaryen]

Favourite Shakespeare's Comedies

After my other poll, I am going to be specific. There shall be a battle of the favourites!!

For-

Two Gentleman of Verona (comment 🐕)

Winter's Tale (comment ⌛️)

For the love of Shakespeare, please reblog for a better analysis

[gandalf-the-fool]

[nectar-cellar]

amir just wants to remind everyone that he's tall, jacked & handsome btw

[ioniansunsets]

heartsteel christmas dinner 👉👈 who brings what? i can picture Sett staying in the kitchen to prepare ham/turkey 🥰🥰

✖ Heartsteel Celebrating Christmas with You ✖

✖ Word Count: 1.1k

✖ Tags: Established R/S

✖ A/N: You host a Xmas party with your partner uwu (posting this early so maybe if you guys like this I’ll write another quick one for the afterparty and gift opening?)

----

Sett was the best person to celebrate with. Mama taught him well, he was there early in the morning, hells, he stayed over the night before. Up before the sun even rose, the two of you spent time lovingly together in the kitchen. Waking up early with Sett kissing the tip of your nose and carrying you to the toilet to freshen up. Trying to keep you awake as he holds your hand and leads you to the kitchen right after. Cooking up a mad delicious Christmas dinner, baking cookies and frosting them together, laughing as he held you close, face nuzzling into the crook of your neck, giggling together as frosting gets on his nose and his ears twitch in frustration. It was cold out, but with the oven heated up, his arms around your body and the two of you in sweaters Sett’s mom knitted. Maybe winter was even warmer than summer sometimes.

Kayn was a surprisingly thoughtful guy. He knows he can’t cook, he knows he can’t do any cute little handicrafts, he knows his limits. So he does what he does best, help out however he can. Sneaking into stores and buy whatever things you need last minute. Almost a challenge to him finding somewhere selling Christmas Cake and Turkey the day of and somehow still making it to the party early. Staying by your side and trying his best to do exactly as he’s told, you need dishes washed? Its your Christmas gift today, he’s on it. You need someone to decorate the tree? Easy, Rhaast is a surprisingly good at hanging ornaments on trees. You need motivation? Kayn has it covered. A cheeky smile, a soft kiss, loving words of support. He is there. (Hide the presents though, the one thing he doesn’t have is too much self control, Rhaast wants to know, Rhaast has to know, Rhaast found his gift hidden in the locked closet-)

K'Sante straight up tells you to take it easy today. He has friends and connections. You two have a private reservation to the best dinner spot at the roof of an expensive hotel. Sure having a Christmas party at home is sweet and humble but you’re his precious lover! And there was other opportunities to enjoy a warm homely holiday dinner together after you two get married. He was making sure you enjoyed all the glitz and glamor now, friends and family around the two of you, soft music playing in the background as the hotel staff handle all the food and drinks. He holds you close as the two of you overlook the city, lights sparkling both in the stars of the sky and across the ground as the lights in buildings, it was a sight to behold only emphasized by the soft kisses on the back of your neck and the warm hand wrapped around you.

Ezreal was known for holding the wildest of parties, everyone he knows was invited. So nothing was new when he said he would plan things, you just needed to show up and love him. It was a trademark Ezreal party alright. The largest and brightest tree you’ve ever seen set up by the fireplace, a potluck filled with all sorts of dishes from all his friends, decorations strewn across the room and gifts piled up so high in a corner it was almost its own tree, music so loud you heard it before you even stepped in. And when you did step in, eyes meeting his, he immediately blinks to your side, throwing himself at you in the tightest hug he’s given you in a while. A bright smile and a sparkle in his eyes before his lips meet yours, still almost embarrassing to be loved so brightly in front of everyone but at the same time so endearing to know how much he loves you to show you off like this. As everyone else talks loudly all around you, Ezreal sits by your side, one hand firmly clasped in yours under the table as he eats with the other.

Yone was more of a, “ I just want to spend time alone with you this weekend.” kind of guy. Something sweet and different about going out with him on a Christmas date, laughing together as you two go to ice skate (he tries and is graceful most of the time but when he trips and stumbles it is so cute), hands in yours as you two walk around in the evening, enjoying the lights as other sickly sweet couples walk past you. As the night comes and the air gets colder, he would hold you close, wrapping a scarf around you, hands wrapped around yours as he drives you to a dinner reservation in the heart of the city. Nothing too expensive but nothing to cheap either, it was a nice restaurant that he has brought you many times before, just that tonight there was a Christmas special menu, cute decor seen throughout the establishment as you two walk in. There was really just something nice about spending the whole day alone with each other for company. Maybe he was just old or sentimental, but he wouldn’t trade all this for anything.

Aphelios wants to be alone with you but at the same time, he loves his sister and band. So as a compromise, you two celebrate with Heartsteel at night but spend the morning in each others arms as he stays over the night before. Cold weather meant that snuggling up together as you wake up late, soft smiles and softer kisses in the warmth of the bed. Lazy mornings as Aphelios slowly gets up to get the two of you breakfast. With hot chocolate in one hand and some cute pastries in the other, soft music playing in the background, and your partner laying lovingly on your shoulder, this was truly the epitome of winter romance. Getting dressed together, adjusting each other’s hair and outfits, excitedly walking out of your place back to Heartsteel dorms to spend time with his family (both blood and non-blood related). Sure it was noisy with the other boys around, but when you two quietly sit on the couch, Aphelios could secretly admire you as your eyes light up, talking and interacting with everyone important to him. There was a soft of comforting silence enveloping his daydreams around you.

[ask-whitepearl-and-steven]

Instead of saying something that will happen in the AU could you say something that won't happen?

Hmmm........... WD!Steven and Lars will never be friends.

[thewritetofreespeech]

Obey Me - Christmas

❆🎄⋆.ೃ࿔🎁*:・:*🦌 | ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ❆ ₊🎄⋆.ೃ࿔🎁*:・:*🦌 | ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ❆ ₊⋆

“Ahh~! The tree looks so pretty!” Asmo gushed as you all curled up around the 10 foot* fir in the common room. The House of Lamentation nearly dripping in good cheer ‘round it’s once dark dreary halls. “We did such a good job [Y/N]!”

“I just followed the schematic you laid out for me Asmo.” You remark cheekily, sipping your coco. The demon of love & beauty had a very specific vision on how he wanted the tree to look. Artic bliss in whites and golds, he called it. You wouldn’t have been surprised if he had pulled out a level and protractor while you were decorating it.

“It’s nice and all, but it has no personality. You should have let me put my Ruri-chan ornaments on!” Levi bemoaned from the floor. In his brand new Ruri-chan Christmas pjs he’d also gotten with the ornaments. “I had them next dayed from Akuzon JP to make it in time to put them on, and you wouldn’t let me. How is that fair?!”

“Your silly cartoon characters would have ruined the beautiful aesthetic of my tree Levi.”

“Our tree.” You correct Asmo.

“That’s what I said.”

“Let’s not argue.” Lucifer stated, sitting in his armchair by the fire, and somehow looking very dignified with tiny marshmallows floating around in his cup. “Asmo and [Y/N] worked hard. And it does look very beautiful.”

“Lucifer~!”

“Next year we get to vote on what kind of tree we get in here.”

“Hmmm, perhaps the easiest solution would be to do a few smaller trees next year.” Satan remarked, a thoughtful fist pressed to his chin, at Mammon’s suggestion. “I doubt we would ever agree on one single concept to do. So maybe next year everyone gets their own smaller tree.”

“I don’t think-“YES!” Mammon, Levi, and Asmo all cheer unanimously. Drowning out Lucifer’s doubts.

“Oooh~! Then I could do the tree I actually wanted! A vintage 1960 tinsel tree with pink blown glass ornaments!”

“I can do a whole Ruri-chan tree! No wait, maybe a TSL tree! No no wait! An omake tribute tree to the forgotten heroes of gaming! Uggggh! I can’t decide!!!”

“We can do that creepy Christmas tree we talked about [Y/N]! With the skulls and bats. None of this frilly kids stuff! I bet Akuzon has black Christmas tree on sale now, since Christmas is almost over!”

“Stop!” Asmo, Levi, and Mammon with his phone in hand all come to an immediate halt at Lucifer’s roar. “Why don’t we try to focus on this Christmas before we set about planning for the next one?” He reasoned.

To which his younger brothers all muttered, “okay……”

“Why don’t we open presents?” You suggest, trying to get the light, cheery mood back. To which everyone agreed.

After a bit of squabbling, you convenience the brothers to let you give them their gifts first. They were all eager to give you your present, and open their own, but agreed on ‘ladies first’ for the occasion.

“Mammon, this one is for you.”

“Of course! Your first man always goes first.” The white-haired demon crowed, before taking the box offered and opening it. “MONEY!!”

“Don’t get too excited,” you caution Mammon with a giggle. “They’re not real gold coins, but chocolate coins. They’re more of a Hanukah tradition in the human word, but I thought they still fit the theme.” You unwrapped the one you’d taken out of the box during your explanation to unwrap it and show him the chocolate inside. “I couldn’t remember if you liked dark or milk chocolate, so I got you a mix from some fancy confectioner. I know it’s not real money, but I hope you like them.” You offer Mammon a bright smile, offering him the unwrapped chocolate, to which he blushed violently and muttered his thank-yous.

“Can I have one?” Beel’s voice rang out, breaking your moment, and Mammon clutched his present back out of arm’s reach from the hand trying to sneak into his present.

“Get your own Beel!”

“I suppose now is a good a time as any.” You remark with another giggle as you hand Beel his gift. Already having so much fun. “It’s a vintage candy box!” You explain after he ripped off the paper. “It’s filled with candy from decades long since past in the human world. Some of these they don’t make anymore. I couldn’t decide which one to get, so I just went with my birth decade for selection sake. Oooh! Look! I haven’t had these since I was a kid!”

Beel looked at all the candy, eyes shining like the lights on the tree, and smiled at you. “Maybe we can share this one together later. I’m excited to see why it’s your favorite.”

“Me next! Me next!” Asmo cheered behind you. Practically jumping up and down in his seat for his present.

“Ok. Ok. But you’ll have to calm down to get it. It’s very fragile.” You hand him his gift and wait for him to open it.

“Oooo~! So pretty~!”

“I thought you’d like them. They’re handblown champagne flutes.” You told him. “Some people call them ‘carnival glass’. Given that they’re hand blown they get this really neat color and shape to them, that normal, ‘proper’ glasses don’t get. So it makes them really unique.” You explained with a smile. “It took me a while and a few thrift stores to find them, but I knew Marie Antionette** was your idol so I had to get them.”

“Thank you! You went to all this trouble for little old me?? That makes me happy more than anything! I’ll treasure them forever. And we can drink out of them on New Year’s for cute couples’ pics!”

“What are the rest of us going to drink out of?” Belphie asked from the floor.

“Old boots for all I care. Stop stepping on our moment!”

“Belphie,” you remark, breaking up the tension yet again by hanging him his gift, “this one is for you.”

“It smells.” He commented. Holding the gift in his hand and stiffing it with more intent now that he’s decided it’s a scratch-and-sniff present.

“Just open it Belphegor.”

True to his sin, Belphie opened the package slowly and found several small bundles inside. “Are these drugs?”

“NO! Gosh Belphegor! They’re herb satchels to help you sleep!”

“I don’t need any help sleeping. I sleep all the time.”

You growl a little under your breath, but try to remain calm because it’s Christmas as you explain. “They’re supposed to help you sleep better. I read in one of the herbology books they gave us at school that lavender, rosemary, rose, and chamomile help people to sleep and have good dreams.” Which was the point you were getting at. “You stick it in your pillow and it should help you get a better night sleep. Also they smell really nice.”

The youngest demon seemed to understand the point you were trying to make. That you had given him a gift not just for his sleep, but mental health; having confided in you that his dreams were not always peaceful. He clutched one of the small purses to his chest and pulled his knees up to his chest as well with a small smile. “Thank you [Y/N]…..”

You offer him a soft smile, still a little annoyed at his irksome behavior before, but knowing it’s not all his fault. You move on to the next gift.

“Satan, this is for you.”

“For me?” The blonde replied, seeming genuinely surprised. He set down his drink and took the gift in hand. “You didn’t have to get me anything.” Unwrapping it, he found a beautiful leather-bound book behind the colorful paper.

“It’s a journal.” You tell Satan as he flipped through the blank acid free pages with a confused look. “You have so many books written by other people, I thought it would be nice for you to write something of your own. Or just a place to keep your thoughts. Maybe you’ll have a best seller one day like Simeon!” He seemed fascinated by the idea. Curious, even, on what he could put on the blank pages to make them his own.

“Levi, this is yours.”

“M-M-Me?! I-I can’t believe you got me something for your normie holiday.” The blunette stammered. He pulled the tissue paper out of the bag and pulled the small, handheld gift out. “What is it?”

“It’s Ruri-chan.” You reply. A little miffed that he couldn’t tell what it was. You didn’t think your final product was that bad. “I couldn’t find anything you didn’t already have; within reason of the price limit we set. So…I found a tutorial online for how to make crochet anime figures and they had one for Ruri-chan.” It took you forever to find one, but God bless the internet.

Levi looked up from the small doll in his hand. His eye sparkling like a character in one of his animes. “You made this for me?!?!” You give him a nod and the demon turned about as hot pink as Ruri’s cap, clutching the doll to his chest. “I’ll treasure her forever! My forever 2-D girl made just for me by my forever 3-D girl! It’s a dream come true!”

“It’s not that serious Levi….” You tell him with a chuckle. However, he’s already gone. Babbling to himself about where he’s going to put crochet-Ruri-chan in his room. You just give a soft sigh. “Lucifer, this one is yours.”

“Saving the best for last I see.” The eldest brother remarked with a cheeky grin before taking his gift. He opened it calmly and delicately. Barely ripping the paper at all compared to his brother’s. It finally came free though, and Lucifer held the picture frame up in his hand with a surprised sort of look. “This is….”

“It’s the picture we all took in front of RAD last year.” You know he knew what it was, but still beam up at him from the floor as he held the picture.

It was taken on the last day of the exchange program. Lord Diavolo had insisted that you all take one before you all left, to commemorate the occasion and completion of the program. A happy, but sad occasion for most of the people in the picture. It was also the day that you told the brothers that you weren’t leaving. That you had decided to stay, and wanted to be with them. That you couldn’t go because your life and your heart was here now. That got a much better picture the second time around.

It might be the only photo in existence where all of the brothers were happy and smiling. Where they all seemed content, and excited for life for a change. It’s also the only photo, that you can think of, where all of you are together. “I thought you could put it on your desk in your office. The frame isn’t very fancy, but I thought it looked nice.”

Lucifer just continued to stare at the picture. Then he calmly, carefully, sat the frame down on the side table to his left, stood up, and took the two steps between you. You only had time to blink once before Lucifer had you up on your feet and wrapped in a tight hug.

“Ah~! No fair! I wanna hug [Y/N] too for my gift!” Asmo bemoaned. Already bounding over to wrap his arms around you from behind.

“Oy! Don’t crowd around [Y/N]! I should get my hug first because I got my gift first and I’m still her first guy!” Mammon protested. Coming over as well to shove Asmo and Lucifer’s arms out of the way to wrap around you from the side.

“Group hug!” Levi cheered, joining in.

It was all very nice. Then there was another strong squeeze, seemingly around all of you, and the group made a collective weird noise as they came off their feet. “B-Beel! Oy, Oy! Put us down!” But it was too late. And even though Beel’s strength was enormous, his balance was not. You all quickly end up on the floor in a heap; moaning quietly over the fall on hardwood.

“This is why I don’t participate in group activities.” Belphie muttered.

“Sorry everyone. I guess I don’t know my own strength…..” Beel apologized. Rubbing his head both in embarrassment and to sooth the small bump forming on the back of it.

“That’s ok Beel.” Belphie assured. Being remarkably understanding for someone who wasn’t just dropped. “You meant well. You just get over excited with those big muscles sometimes.”

“Try to drop us somewhere softer next time.” Mammon grumbled. His back cracking as he tried to straighten up from where you and Asmo landed on him. You’d feel really bad for him if your own butt wasn’t throbbing at the moment.

“Why don’t we all take this opportunity to watch a Christmas movie?” Satan announced, in an attempt to bring back the holiday cheer to the party.

“Ooo~! Let’s watch White Christmas!”

“Boring!” Mammon bemoaned. “We should watch Die Hard.”

“Mammon! Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie!” Asmo argued with a frown.

“It takes place during Christmas. Therefore, it’s a Christmas movie.” The silver haired, silver tongue demon reasoned with a smug look.

“Compromise: we should watch Home Alone.” Satan reasoned. Again, trying to be the voice of reason.

“No! We should watch something animated. Like Tokyo Godfathers!”

“I like Rudolph.” Beel commented quietly. Building off Levi’s animation suggestion, but in a different direction.

“We’re never going to make a decision like this…..”

“Agreed,” Lucifer stated to Belphie’s complaint. “[Y/N], you decide. What do you want to watch?”

You think about it for a moment, and then make a decision out of the choices provided for what to watch. The ‘losers’ all groan at their defeat; the one winner crowing happily. You all pop the movie in a settle in as the opening credits start; snuggled up together with blankets and brothers. The warm lights from the tree tinkle behind you, and you know it’s a cliché, but this is the best Christmas ever.

[ihopesocomic]

The Hyena getting driven out by Merry when they didn't need to be would just leave a bad taste in my mouth

They're whole communities too, with families and children, they deserve to live on the land and eat just as much as the lions do

Just because we don't see much of the hyenas doesn't mean they're just mindless creatures that deserve to be driven out for trying to live

Personally not a fan of when media portrays predators as bad or vicious for just doing what they have to

Yeah I bet it's scary for the lions when hyenas attack them, but I bet it's also scary for zebras when lions attack them, doesn't mean the lions deserve to be thrown out

Which is why I prefer villains like Edge and his family in these sorts of media, they're not doing these things to survive, they're doing it for power and control which yknow IS pretty bad and not just something they gotta do

Sorry for the rant

Exactly.

I'd also like to say that just because you perceive a community as evil or dangerous, it doesn't give you the right to demand that they be driven out of their ancestral home like Vicious demanded.

Lions are not innocent in their relationship with hyenas. They won't hesitate to kill hyena cubs - which the hyenas had in abundance vs. Cheerful and Bold, who were subadults by this point - and they will viciously defend carcasses from hyenas that they don't even intend on fully eating out of pure territoriality.

Yes, Clever did not feel safe having Cheerful and Bold around them but that's good ol' bias at play here. Chances are the hyenas may not have harmed them at all. We just don't know. Perhaps some of the hyenas felt the same way towards the lions as Vicious did towards them. Perhaps not.

We just don't know and that's what makes this whole thing tragic. That these two groups of animals share core values of survival and looking out for their family and yet they end up on the brink of war with each other for no reason other than an inability to communicate with each other and co-exist. Which is how Merry saw it and why he tried to his best to mediate. - RJ

[answers-of-the-heart]

Happy Holidays, Everyone.

(Ko-Fi if you wanna support my art)

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

Thought of a babysitting question for sk!Sun & Moon:

When babysitting and the parents would be picking them up late, what do the two do if the child is afraid of the monster that's under the bed or the monster in the closet?

Also happy Yuletide!!

And be safe with your holiday travels.

Moon would go under the bed/into the closet himself, assuring the child he would scare away/fight and eat any monster he found.

[unmerrymagdalene]

“Jordan taught me a thing or two about discipline”. But the only time Jordan personally physically hurts the player is in the introduction to the temple weapons. What did Jordan teach you about discipline, Sydney?

Ok there’s like, 2 ways you can possibly spin this:

1) Jordan has taught the values of discipline to Sydney verbally, throughout their time in the Temple. Sydney hangs on every word because they’re a follower through and through, and takes all of the Temple’s messaging to heart. They’re also a fairly disciplined person on appearance, in reality they’re hanging by a thread

2) Jordan may of? Done some punishments near Sydney? I have no proof of this but my god it feels interesting right?

[frodo-with-glasses]

Why do you draw Merry with such a gaunt looking face?

Well, in the case of my most recent comic, the reason he looks so gaunt is because he—as well as Sam and Pippin—are supposed to look…well, dead. The book says that “their faces looked deathly pale”, but since it’s hard to communicate unusual paleness in a black-and-white art style, I opted instead to portray the sunken, shriveled look of a corpse.

It’s probably even more striking on Merry than it is on Sam or Pip, because he doesn’t have round cheeks to soften his face like they do.

As for all the other times I draw him—the reason he has such sharp cheekbones and a chad’s square jawline is because he is, in fact, the chadliest hobbit, and Hot Merry makes a very specific subset of my friends swoon ;-)

[ohnoitstbskyen]

You were NOT kidding, the Going Merry’s sendoff really did hurt…holy shit.

Every time I re-read that bit I'm like "okay I've read this part like nine times I'm not gonna cry this time" and then I cry anyway because good GOD is it built up well

[year2000electronics]

Curious: have you listened to Man on the Internets music bytes for SPM? If not, i recommend giving them a peek when you have a chance! Im very fond of the ones for Champion of Destruction, Brobot Battle, and The Ultimate Show myself

OHHHH YOU BET YOUR ASS I HAVE!! i’m a huge MOTI fan i’ve been listening since i wanna say the i am octavio lyrical adaptation? i am such a huge dork for video game songs with lyrics they make me so very happy

[pseudowho]

can you bully me into studying for my SATs?

I could, but I'm ruthless. The only person I bully into working hard is myself, and I promise you do not want me to speak like that to you.

I always tell myself, be your future friend. Would future you be happy with past you, for knuckling down and studying? Or would future you be disappointed with you for slacking off and wasting an opportunity?

Be your future friend. If you can do something now that will benefit the you of the future, you should, frankly, give your head a wobble and fucking do it (barring any serious, significant restrictions, including mental health, life being on fire, etc etc.)

Here is the bullying: this is how I talk to myself. I abhor this and I do not talk to anyone else like this...are you ready? Are you sure you want to go ahead? Do you mean it? You must know I don't think this about you...but here we go. Bullying below the cut.

If you want to be a worthless sack of shit and die anything less than the best version of yourself, then sure, slack off. If you want to be pathetic and make lame excuses, then sure, slack off. Otherwise, stop being a little bitch, put your toys away just for now, and WORK. You see that nice thing over there that you want? You see it? Fucking earn it. Don't expect life to be handed to you on a silver platter, because of you want to have even a fighting shot at beating Nepo baby after Nepo baby, then pull your finger out, get your head down and fucking challenge yourself. Will it be hard? Yes. Will the you of the future be proud of the you of the past? Also yes. So you fucking focus just for now, eat well, drink well, sleep well and work well. Work hard: play hard. Get on with it and stop finding reasons not to.

Alright. Good talk, kiddo. I love you. Don't hate yourself like I hate myself.

(nobody in my life ever spoke to me like that; I did it all to myself I'm afraid, and continue to do so)

Love,

And good luck,

-- Haitch xxx