#mino translates

[mistbow]

Which of Sorey and Mikleo's exchanges leave the most impression on you? KIMURA (SOREY): The fact that they fight too. That left an impression on me. OHSAKA (MIKLEO): Like at the Aqueduct ruins right. KIMURA: Yes, that! It's still the beginning of the game during that part, they're both still young too, so it wouldn't be strange for them to get into a fight. Sorey is generally mild-mannered towards people, though of course, he can get angry when necessary, but that wasn't the case here. They truly had a childish argument and ended up being apart, but they both each other knew what would happen next. I was deeply impressed by the strong bond between them, where their argument was because they cared about each other. They really did end up fighting out of their concern for each other, these two are really amazing. OHSAKA: In the end, even though what they do may differ, they're looking at the same thing. It's like, even before the final battle, [Mikleo] doesn't say much because he knows everything about [Sorey] already. That's how they both are. Even though it might be short in time, they share many experiences during their journey, getting to know each other even more, and finally, they don't need to say anything to understand each other. I could feel that kind of bond with tacit understanding between them and it realy left an impression on me, it made me think "yeah, that's how they are."

[terminalkisser]

fps game so good im comparing & contrasting different translations of the bible like an ancient monk

[daily-vitamin-minori]

Day 2 of mino egg hunt

Also have I mentioned how much I love minoharu that's crazy

[willpapilio]

Minos Prime, Soul Survivor Monologue, Latin Translation

More than zero people liked the last one I did for ol' Gabe, so why not recycle another old translation of mine for free serotonin?

This one wasn't verified by my teacher, so take it with a big fat grain of salt. It is also, however, a much simpler monologue, so this time I'm actually reasonable confident in my prattling. Again, I'll be justifying my choices after the translation.

Latin Translation: Ah… liber tandem. O, Gabriel, nunc dilucescit rationem(1) tuum, et cruorem tuum fulgebit ante templa hominum! Animal ferri, gratias meas in te(2) liberandi me. Sed scelera genus tuus contra humanitatem admiserant non obliti sunt. Et poena tua… EST MORS.

Liberties:

1: This was honestly the most fitting word I could find. It does mean "reckoning", but take great joy in that it also means "ratio".

2: I'm like 83% certain this works for "upon thee", but who's counting? It's not like Caesar is gonna come back from hell to tell me I'm wrong.

Yeah, only two notes this time. Pretty good for me, I think. Again, feel free to bark this at your friends and loved ones, if you don't want them to keep being your friends and loved ones.

[attila-werther]

horace, odes 4.7, trans. sidney alexander

[sockeyesoren]

na de crack mees kees edit is het tijd voor poes minoes want dat is onironisch een van mn favoriete films

[dravidious]

You're more amazing than stepping down

Made a BUNCH of Ultrakill cards yesterday, here's half of them

[kirstenonic05]

@nibwhipdragon

Drama CD #1-4: A Little Disaster in a Moonlit Night (ENG)

Summary:

A spell cast in the full moon curses Arle with the gradual loss of her magic, memories and identity. Can her old friends break the curse before it is too late?

Translation of the Audio Track:

[DISCLAIMER: This translation was made by @PinkGeekNeni (Nenilein) on twitter! Feel free to repost parts of it or the entire text wherever you want as long as you credit the translator correctly!]

INTRO

Witch: Howdy!  A very pleasant day to y’all! It is me, Witch. So, anyway, have you ever heard talk about how our moon hanging up in the sky might actually have mystical powers? They say that especially on full moon nights the accumulated influence of the moon can amplify one’s magic prowess… Kinda mysterious to think about, huh~? So, today’s story is about a tiny bout of huge turmoil that happened on a full moon night just like that…

-

STORY

[nighty soundscape, cicadas]

Arle: Ah, nothing better about autumn than some good old moon-viewing. Right, Carby?  

Carbuncle: Gu, gugu~

Arle: The full moon is so beautiful tonight. So mysterious… If you keep looking at it for long enough, it’s kind of enchanting, huh…?

Arle: That reminds me, I’ve heard somewhere that the full moon has special powers. Now I wonder if that’s true.

Carbuncle:  (cheerfully) Gu-gugu! Gu-gugu!

Arle: ARGH! Carby, what gives!? You ate all of our dumplings!!

Carbuncle: (happily) Gugugu-gu!

Arle: Hmpf… Oh well. I guess they DO call autumn the “season of good appetite”, huh?

[Suddenly, there are magical sparkle SFXs. A new voice, with a heavy echo and distortion on it.]

???: Ahahaha! Hahaha! Haha!

Arle: Huh? What was that just now? Sounds like somebody’s laughing over there…

SFX: Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps

Arle: Hmm… I think it was around… here… Ah! There they are!

???: Huh? Hey, big girl! Who’re you?

Arle: The name’s Arle! You were dancing, huh? Looks like you are having a lot of fun!

???: Yeah! Dancing when the moon’s so beautiful is the best. It feels sooooo nice~!

Arle: Hmm… Say, you’re not just some regular kid, are you? So, what’re you called?

Puck: I’m a faerie! The name’s Puck! I’m biiiig cutie who loves to dance and play little pranks~! 

Arle: That last part’s not something you might want to say out loud…

Carbuncle: Gu, gu…

Puck: Hey, big girl, wanna dance with me?

Arle: Huh? Um… Sorry, but this is kinda giving me déjà vu to an old acquaintance who liked forcing me to dance against my will, so… I’m gonna pass!  

Puck:  HUH? You won’t dance? Well, then… you’re in for it now! 

SFX: *magic sounds*

Arle:  U-URGH! What is this!? 

Puck: The spell of forgetfulness! You’re gonna forget every- and any whichever thing~!

SFX: *more magic sounds*

Arle: UWHAAAAAA!!!

Carbuncle: Gugugu!! (<spoken in the cadence of “Arle!!”)

Puck: Ahahaha! Buh-bye~! 

-

Arle: …Huh? What was I… doing just now?

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: I feel like something happened just now… Something I should remember, but… 

Arle: Oh no, I almost forgot! I promised Witch I’d Puyo battle her tonight!

Carbuncle: Gugu!

Arle: I’d better get a move on. You know how Witch gets when something upsets her. Alright, let’s go, Carby!

Carbuncle: (happily) Gu-gugu!

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle running*

-

[Later. Theme of Puyo Puyo is playing. Puyo popping and casting noises.]

Witch: Oh-HOHOHO! I’m getting started, Arle~! METEO!

SFX: *impact*

Arle: You’ll have to try better than that, Witch! Aaaaalright! HAH!

Witch: I know right which spell’s coming up from your end!

 Arle: HA-! …Uh? Huh… HATCHUU!! 

Witch: GAH!

Carbuncle: Gu-gu!

[Arle’s sneeze knocked her off-balance. Her board collapses on top of her and Witch.]

Witch: Hmpf… HEY! What’s the big idea! You completely ruined the moment!

Arle: (awkwardly) Ahahaha… Sorry, sorry~! I kinda forgot the incantation for a second there, I think… 

Witch: It’s not like you to let down your guard in the middle of a battle like that, y’know.

Arle: Yeah… I’ve kinda had brainfog for a while now.

Witch: You sure you haven’t caught a cold or something? Tell ya what, I’ll give you some of my special cold medicine, so go home and catch some rest, ‘kay? 

Arle: Yeah, you’re right. Thanks. But, uh… There’s kinda smoke coming out of that bottle, and it sorta looks like goo, so, no thanks…

Witch: Hmpf! Well, I was just trying to help! 

Arle: A-Anyway, I’m gonna call it a night here. See ya! 

[Music fades out]

Carbuncle: (worried) Gugugu…

Arle: This is weird… How could I just forget the incantation? I’ve been using that spell on the daily for ages…

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: Huh? Carby, what’s up?

Carbuncle: Gugu! Gugugu!

Arle: Are you wondering about something? 

[Suddenly, Schezo.]

Schezo: ARLE!

Arle: Huh!? Wait, huh…

Schezo: What a coincidence to encounter you out here. Once again we meet in the dark of the night, broken by the bloom of the full moon. Tonight shall be the night I…!

Arle: Sheh… Sché…Ah, right! You’re Schezo! 

Schezo: (completely thrown off his game) Wha… What in the world is THAT supposed to mean!? Are you trying to make fun of me, perhaps!? 

Arle: (awkwardly) Hahaha… No, sorry, sorry! I just kinda… couldn’t get your name out for a moment there… Anyway, what’cha need from me?

Schezo: Hmpf! You know very well what I need! YOU! Are all I need!!

Arle: Huh…? (pause) (screaming) WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? 

Schezo Heh?

Arle: Wh… Wha… What the heck is your problem!? CREEPER! Get away from me!! 

Schezo: N-No, wait… I slipped up… I meant to say that I need your “magic power”, but… Really, why are you acting like this is the first time that’s happened!? Screaming like you think this is serious… How am I even supposed to take that…?

Arle: Uh-! R… R-Right… You always slip up like that, right… Hah… What’s going on… with me…? 

[Arle sounds like she’s shaking.]

Schezo: Hey… Are you… sure you are alright…?

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu… Gugu-gugu!

Schezo: What is it, Carbuncle? Are you trying to tell me something? -Wait… Arle… You…? 

Arle: What?

Schezo: This is strange… You are definitely the real Arle… But, your aura… The magic you usually exude… I can’t sense it anymore. 

Arle: Huh? What do you mean? 

Schezo: It seems as if something essential is leaking out of you rapidly…

Arle: Ahahah, stop saying weird stuff like that, that’s creepy… I’m… going home! Carby, let’s go.  

Carbuncle: Gugugu! GU! (-> To me this sounds like “Arle! WAIT!”)

Schezo: Wait!

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps*

Schezo: What is going on… What is this sense of foreboding…? 

-

SFX: *magic sounds*

Puck: Huh? The spell was just supposed to take a few of her memories…  But now I can feel all of her energy flow into me like a current…! That’s… not what I was trying to do…  

-

Arle: Huh? Did you hear a voice just now? 

Carbuncle: GU! Gugu!

Arle: Um… Uh… I probably just imagined it! Let’s hurry on home, Carby. 

Carbuncle: (sadly) Gu…

SFX: *Arle and Carbuncle’s footsteps*

-

[Later. Noise of a door being opened quickly]

Rulue: Hmpf! …Arle! Allow me to invite myself in! 

Arle: Um… You’re… Rulue!

Rulue: I heard from Witch. You went and caught a cold, now, did you? 

Arle: Yeah… I mean, my nose isn’t stuffy, but I can’t really focus on anything. Did you come because you were worried about me? 

Rulue: What…! As if I would ever lower myself to worrying about you…! I-I am only here because my Darling said he would pay you a visit! I had to-

[Door opens again]

Satan: AAAARLYYYY~~~ I’ve come for a bedside visit~! 

Arle: WARGH! Who is that!? … Ah… Oh, it’s just Satan~.

Satan: And hello to you too, my Carbunny! You’re as adorable as always today~! 

Carbuncle: (desperately) GUGU, GUGU!!

Satan: Arle, you’ve always been in such good health, I never expected you’d end up catching such a nasty cold. But it’s alright now! C’mon, let your Satan’s burning hot hugs break the fever for you~! 

Arle: Urgh-! You wanna HUG me!? 

Satan: Now, now, you don’t need to hold back. We’re a couple, after all! My fiancée must not be ashamed of public displays of affection~! 

Arle: Fiancée? …Is that so…? The two of us are… engaged? 

Satan: Huh?

Rulue: ARLE! OBVIOUSLY NOT!! What are you saying, are you out of your mind!? 

Satan: I-I mean…  Arle, are you sure you meant to say that just now? Something seems… 

Arle: NONONONONONO! I take it back!! What the heck am I even saying…? It’s just Satan’s usual delusional ramblings! Anyway, stop calling me your fiancée and GET OUT!! I GIVE YOU TWO SECONDS!!

SFX: *magic sounds*

Rulue: Arle, what in the world!! You don’t need to threaten us with magic!

Arle: Um… Uh… (scared) Ah…

Satan: Arle…

Arle: Huh? What spell was I trying to cast just now…? Weird…

Carbuncle: Gugugu…!

-

[Door closes as Satan and Rulue leave the house. They are now outside.]

Schezo: Hey! Satan! Rulue!

Satan: Hmpf. So the Dark Mage has shown himself. 

Rulue: Hey. What in the world is going on here? I’ve never seen Arle… like this.

Schezo: I knew it… So you’ve sensed it too. Something is wrong with Arle. Her memory and energies are slowly but surely draining from her. 

Satan: As long as Carbuncle is by her side I think she is safe physically speaking, but… this is no physical issue, now, is it? This is directly affecting her heart and soul. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an infection that could cause one to lose their memory gradually like this. We have no choice but to try and find the cause. 

Rulue: If that is so, then I will head to Witch’s house. She has a huge collection of old books, and knowing her, she might know a thing or two that does not occur to us. 

Schezo: That is a good idea. But we must make haste. If her energy and memory keep deteriorating at this rate, then there is not much time until she…

Rulue: Until she…?

Satan: We must not let Arle know of this, but there is a possibility she might lose all her memories and magic. Before that happens, we have to…

Arle: …? What does that mean?

Schezo: Arle…! How much have you heard?

Arle: I heard you all whispering in front of the door, so I couldn’t help myself… So, I’m going to forget everything and everyone? 

Satan: Now, now, Arly, it’s alright! We’re all going to save you soon enough.

Arle: But… you said that even you don’t know what caused this, didn’t you, Satan? 

Satan: …!

Arle: (awkwardly) Ahahaha! Oh wow, looks like I’m in trouble~! Ahah, um! …Sorry. Could you leave me and Carby alone for a bit?

Carbuncle: Gugu…? 

Schezo: Arle, wait-! 

[She closes the door in his face.]

-

[Nighttime noises.]

Arle: *sigh*

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: You know Carby… This all somehow doesn’t quite feel real to me. 

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: I’ve always just relied on the idea that everything is just gonna work out somehow… I guess I’m just good at making stuff up as I go or something… but… I don’t think I can just wriggle myself out of this one.

Carbuncle: Gugugu…

Arle: I mean…! I can barely remember any of my spells anymore! It kinda feels like this is it… 

Carbuncle: Gu…

Arle: And also… If I’m honest, there are already so many things I feel I can’t recall clearly anymore. Like, I still know that Schezo is a creeper and that Rulue has a bad crush on Satan… Or that Satan likes to cause trouble, but… that’s about it. I don’t know the details anymore. Hey, how did you and I meet? And how long ago was that…? Carby… Am I gonna forget about you, too…? 

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu!!

Arle: Huh? You’ll protect me…? Ahahaha! Thank you. That makes me happy. 

Schezo: Arle.

Arle: Ah! Um, you’re… Schezo!

Schezo: Looks like you’re not doing well.

Arle: What, me? No, I’m okay~!

Schezo: …

Arle: So, um… Looks like your days of chasing me around are finally over, huh? 

Schezo: What are you talking about?

Arle: All you wanted from me was my power, right? Now that I’m not going to have any powers, you’re probably not gonna care much about what happens to me, huh?

Schezo: Wha…!?

Arle: I mean, it sucks that I’m not gonna have any magic anymore, but… I guess that’s one load off my back at least! 

Satan: Arle. Don’t say something so foolish. 

Arle: Huh? Oh, right, that Satan! Hey, Satan, looks like you had a lucky draw with this, too, huh? 

Satan: Whatever are you talking about?

Arle: I mean, not only am I about to forget all of your past misdeeds soon, I won’t even have any magic to resist you with… Oh, wait, my magic was why you were attracted to me in the first place, wasn’t it? Guess you’ll lose interest in me too then. Maybe I’m actually pretty lucky, seeing how this all means you two are finally gonna get off my case and all! Heheh! 

Schezo&Satan: Arle!

Arle: Uh…What?

Schezo: Don’t force yourself to laugh. It doesn’t suit you. 

Arle: Huh…?

Satan: Arle. Do not underestimate my love. Do you really think I would want to take you as my consort after you’ve lost your memory and power and are docile and easy to manipulate? And above all else, regardless of what happens to you, you will always be Arle. 

Arle: That’s…

Schezo: Arle. I wouldn’t be able to rest if I were to leave you behind in this state. Be at ease, I will protect you. I will tell you as many times as you need to hear: I need you.

Arle: Ahah, Schezo! You dropped some words there again! You meant to say “I need your power”, didn’t you?

Schezo: Hmpf. I’ll let you think so, if you want to… Let’s head for Witch’s house. She should be helping Rulue to research the cause of Arle’s memory loss right now. 

Arle: Yeah! Alright… Let’s go to Witch’s- Uh, huh?

Satan: What’s wrong, Arle? 

Arle: Um… Who was that again? 

Schezo: What…!? Arle, don’t tell me you…! 

Arle: And, to start with, who are you people? Huh? Where am I? Why am I here? 

Satan: A-Arle, pull yourself together! You can’t have forgotten me, the great Satan!

Arle: Ahahaha! It’s nice to meet you! Looks like you know me from somewhere? Your name was ‘Greatsatan’, huh? 

Satan: …!! SCHEZO!

Schezo: Yes, we seem to be approaching the event horizon! Let’s go, Satan!

-

Witch: Um.. well…

SFX: *browsing in a book*

Witch: Em… huh…

Rulue: Witch, are you STILL not done with your research?

Witch: Hmm… Please give me a tad. Gradual memory loss is a rather rare symptom, y’know…

Rulue: Well, speed it up somehow! …I hate to admit it, but I don’t have the slightest clue about matters of sorcery, so this is up to you!

Witch: Argh, could you stop putting me under so much pressure!?  

Rulue: …! It is not in my nature to just stand by and watch… Hah, why am I wasting my time here, when right now my Satan is by Arle’s side and watching over her? 

Witch: You say that, Rulue, but I can tell that you’re plenty worried about Arle yourself, aren’cha? 

Rulue: …? Where did that come from?

Witch: Oh, I’ve just never seen you with that distraught look on your face before, is all. 

Rulue: I-I am just distraught that my darling prince is spending time with Arle and not me, that is all- 

Witch: Oh, reeeeally? Is that all? But if Arle lost use of all her spells, defeating and getting her out of your way should be easy for you, shouldn’t it? And then your beloved “darling prince Satan” would be yours once and for all. 

Rulue: (shaken) T-That’s… I…

Witch: What’s wrong? 

Rulue: OH-HOHOHO! Don’t you dare lower my noble, queenly self onto such a disgraceful level! I will defeat Arle in a fair and equal battle and win my darling Satan’s love and attention of my own power! 

Witch: Hm~? Oh well, if that’s how you wanna spin it, then okay. Continuing our research… Ah!

Rulue: Did you find it!? 

Witch: Here! Look at this! This has to be it. P… “Puck”. Um… According to this book, “Puck” is a faerie who loves to dance and play pranks on humans. Its specialty is a spell that inflicts its victims with forgetfulness… 

Rulue: So that is what did it to her…Really now, Arle, how could you let yourself be done in by such a creature? Tch, you are such a handful!

Witch: But this is odd… It says that Puck’s natural magic power isn’t all that strong. All the spell should do is make things slip from one’s mind for a short while… (she turns a page) Hmm… Maybe this has something to do with the fact that we have a full moon today… Moonlight naturally has magic-boosting properties, so maybe it affected that faerie and-

Rulue: I do not care about those details! I will go and finally report what we have learned to Satan now! …Oh, my Satan! Your Rulue… Your Rulue is coming for you~!

[Rulue runs off]

Witch: Hey! I was trying to explain everything you need to know!! Come back here-

[The door closes]

Witch: Waaaaait!!

-

SFX: *magic sounds*

Puck: What do I do? That girl’s power won’t stop flowing into me…! What’s going to happen to me?

SFX: *running footsteps*

Puck: I never meant this to go this far!

Carbuncle: (accusatory) GU! Gugu!!

Puck: Urgh!

Satan: We found you…

Schezo: So you are the one who stole away Arle’s memory. 

Puck: Huh? Why do you know about that? Ah! It’s that big girl!

Arle: Hey! Let go of my hand, stranger! What in the world are you all doing, ganging up on a defenseless child!? 

Rulue: Arle, stand back! We are doing this for your good! …How could it make you forget about your rival, the noble fighting queen, Rulue!? I will never forgive this! 

Arle: Eeek! What is wrong with this lady!? Those arms are way too strong for someone who looks so beautiful!

Rulue: Shuddup!! Looks like even amnesia can’t touch that smart mouth of yours, huh!? 

Arle: Amnesia…?

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu!

Schezo: Hey, Witch! What do we have to do with this thing to get Arle’s memory back? 

Witch: Well… I reckon they’ll just come back by themselves if Puck is knocked out, maybe? But that’s not what’s important, now, listen-

Schezo: I see… *sound of him drawing his sword* 

Satan: I must admit, I do not like the thought of needing to bully a weak creature to resolve this, but… can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. 

Puck: P… Please forgive me! I never meant for any of this! I still don’t even understand it… My powers just seem to be working a whole lot more strongly than usual! 

Witch: Hm, aha. I knew it… Then that would mean…

Carbuncle: (asking) Gugu?

Satan: Hmpf! I will hear no excuses! 

Arle: W-Wait! What are you doing, Mr. Horned, Mean and Green!?

Satan: I am the Dark Prince, Satan!

Arle: And you, you silver-haired excuse to call for an adult!!

Schezo: My name is SCHEZO!

Arle: Can’t you see that that little guy is scared? Why are you being so awful to him!? 

Satan: Well, that…

Schezo: …is quite simple. All that we want…

Satan & Schezo: …is for our old Arle to come back to us!

Arle: Huh…?

Schezo: Let’s go! 

Arle: STOOOOOP!

Schezo: (off balance) Gah…!

Satan: What is it NOW, Arle!?

Arle: Look… I get the gist that you guys are doing this for me. But, please don’t hurt someone for my sake, okay? 

Satan: Do you know what you’re saying? 

Arle: Okay, listen… From what I gather, I’ve lost my memory and forgotten all of you, right? But maybe… and that’s just a “maybe”... that doesn’t mean that my feelings for you all have disappeared!

Carbuncle: Gugu?

Arle: I’ve been watching you all fight for me this whole time, and seeing that, I somehow feel warm, as if I really, really loved you all from the bottom of my heart. So, maybe I can make this work even without a few dumb memories! We can just make new memories together! Right? 

Schezo: Ah…

Satan: Arle…

Carbuncle: Gu! Gugu!

Rulue: How can you say that so easily? …Then again, that way of thinking is so quintessentially you…  

Witch: Um, I’m sorry to bust this very heartwarming moment, but… it seems there’s some clouds coming in. Aaand, there they go covering up the full moon, and-

SFX: *magic sounds*

 Arle: Huh? …Huh! 

Schezo: W… What’s wrong!?

Arle: Whoawhoawhoa… What’s up with my head, I… Uh… Hey, Satan! Schezo! Rulue! Witch! What are we all doing here? 

SFX: *quick Carbuncle footsteps*

Carbuncle: GUGUGUGUGUGU-GUUU!!

Arle: Ahahaha! Carby! Hey, what’re you being so cuddly for all of a sudden? 

Satan: Arle! Do you recognize my magnificent self now!?

Arle: What are you talking about? OBVIOUSLY I recognize you! Not like you’re easy to confuse for anyone else! 

Witch: Hmm, just as I’d thought. The amplification of Puck’s magic only lasts as long as the full moon. As soon as it was covered up, he went back to his usual abilities.

Rulue: Wha- Why didn’t you say so earlier!? 

Witch: I tried! You were the one who ran off before I could finish talking!

Puck: Heeey… I have no idea what’s going on, buuut…  looks like everything’s back to normal now, so… 

Arle: Wait, uh… What is even happening right now? 

Carbuncle: Gugu, gugu, gu!

Arle: Let’s see, I ran into a faerie that called itself “Puck”, and then… AHHH!! YOU’RE PUCK!!

Puck: Nonono, I’ll never do it again, never again! Like I’d ever put myself through something so terrifying again! BUH-BYE!!

[He warps out.]

Arle: Whoa-! …And he’s gone.

Satan: Aaaarly~!! I’m so happy! Now, in celebration of the return of your memories of being my loveliest fiancée, how about a passionate baiser from moi to-!

Arle: Who are you calling “fiancée”!?

SFX: *she punches him. Hard*

Satan: URGH-! (under heavy groaning) Yeah… Our old Arle’s back… Charming and strong-headed… as she should be…

Schezo: Hmpf… Arle. So it would appear your powers have returned to you! Thus, let us resume… our endless dance of passions!! 

Arle: Yeah, yeah, I get it already. But could you at least try to reel in the embarrassing misspeaks in public a little? *sighs* You’ll never change, will you, Creeper?

Schezo: Urgh…! 

Rulue: Looks like she’s completely back to normal. So much ado about someone like her… We should’ve just let her be if you ask me!

Arle: Heh? What’s with the attitude! I don’t remember asking for your help! 

Witch: By the by, Arle…

Arle: Yeah?

Witch: Just for the sake of my personal research: Do you recall any part of what happened while you had lost your memory?

Arle: Huh? Uh… Oh, right. I think I can remember, kinda!

Witch: …Including the part where you said that you, and I quote, “really, really love all of us, from the bottom of your heart”? 

Arle: WHA-!? Uh… Um… Eh… That was just… I, uh… I was amnesiac! You can’t take that seriously! 

Witch: But was it not you who said that, even though she’d lost her memory, her feelings have remained the same? Which would make the previous quote a confe-

Arle: WAAAAH, STOP! STOP, STOP! 

Witch: Now, now, Arle, answer the research question: Was that statement, in fact, a confession of your true feelings~? 

Arle: NONONO, SHUT UP! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF THE WORLDS, SHUT UP, WITCH! JUST STOP TAAAALKING!!!

-THE END

[minolikeswords]

Think we should make a documentary (something soft and something heavy)- Mr Reca x F!Reader

cw: established relationship! Filming (I mean, it’s Mr Reca, what else do you expect?), Sub!Mr Reca, restraints (tied to bed), Nipple play (m receiving), leashes, riding, choking, one use of mommy, multiple rounds (implied), hand job, traffic light system, praise and degradation, orgasm denial, pet names (dear, honey), unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it, kids). Let me know if I missed smth <3

wc: 999 words

Mino’s notes: This man needs more attention and bottom/sub content, have you seen the way he laughs? That’s a bottom if I’ve ever seen one

© minolikeswords do not translate, copy, or repost my work to other platforms.

Minors do NOT interact or you will be blocked!!!!

“You know, when you said you wanted to try out my- nnghh- film equipment, this isn’t what I had in mind,” Reca winced when you tightened the restraints on his arms, “really honey, is all this necessary?” He asks, his tone uncharacteristically reserved and face flushed in a warm red as you pick up the camera, grinning slyly.

“More than necessary actually, I asked you for an hour of your time today, and you know I’ll make damn good use of it,” you hold up the surprisingly heavy camera after making sure three others around in your room are in place. Setting the fourth up so it captured Reca’s face and body, already stripped down to only his boxers. You smile at him warmly.

“Just trust me with this, alright?”

Reca swallowed, nodding his head and watching as you turned all the cameras on, his eyes jumping to your body as you slowly pulled your top off too, making a show of it. That’s how it was with you both. A game of who threw on the best show.

You climb on top of him, bare ass rubbing against his clothed bulge as he threw his head back and groaned. Hips bucking to feel more of you and your hands wrapping around his throat, squeezing just enough to make his eyes roll back. “Colour?”

“Mmnn, green,” he whined, you pin his hips down using your own, leaning down to kiss the side of Reca’s lips. Kissing his jaw and dragging your tongue along his neck. You feel his breath hitch as you bite down gently onto his sweet spot, grinding your pussy against his crotch as he pulled on the restraints.

“Such a good boy for me,” you whisper against his neck, feeling him shiver as you pull away. Your fingers brush up against the newly made hickey on his nape as you squeeze harder, “Come on, Reca, look at me, aren’t you the one who tells me passion is held in the eyes?” You smirk, pelvis grinding against his bulge experimentally as you feel him twitch inside his boxers.

Reca turned back to look at you and a part of you swore you might’ve came from the sight alone. His pupils already blown and breathing heavy, “please? Please I wanna feel you and touch you.” He tugged harder on his restraints to prove his point, desperately jerking his hips to experience more of you. You return his pleading gaze with a smug smile, lifting your hips off him as you shift so you’re sitting more on his thighs. Pulling his cock out and stroking it slowly as precum drips down the tip and onto your fingers, “Oh yeah? And what’s the magic word, handsome?”

“Hnnnghh, fuck- please I need your pussy,” You stroke his cock harder, gazing at him in awe as he pushed his head back against the pillow, drool leaking down the side of his lips and nipples perked up with need. He looked ethereal, “You’re such a good little slut, but that’s still not the answer I’m looking for, honey,” you coo, feigning innocence. Your hands picking up the pace as you stroke him harder and feel his cock throbbing.

“Are you going to cum, hm? Do you think you deserve to?” Your hands move up and down his cock harder as soft whines and pleas leave Reca’s lips. His eyes glazed over in pleasure and thighs trembling under you as he feels his release nearing, a cry leaving his lips when you pull your hand away just as he was about to cum. His gaze met yours, “did you really think I was going to let you cum so soon? You still haven’t begged properly, slut.”

You saw Reca’s gaze darken with lust, hips bucking and cock rubbing against your hand for some friction as he says, “Please, mommy? Want you to make me cum,”

“Fuck, now that’s a good boy. See, that wasn’t so hard now was it?” You climb up on top of him again, adjusting your position as you rub his tip along your folds. Your palms resting on his chest for balance as you slowly sink down onto his shaft, “mmmnn- gods,” you moan out as Reca bottoms out inside of you, his head thrown back again and hips bucking deliriously against yours as you start to ride him. One of your hands drifts up to choke him, while the other flicks his nipples, drawing out a whine from him as you pull on them.

“You’re so- haahhh- so tight” whined Reca, most of his words unintelligible babbles as your ass slammed down against his thighs. Pussy clenching around his cock and sinful moans and whines from you both filling the room. You feel Reca’s hips stutter, his orgasm approaching fast as his eyes roll back and he squirms harder against the bed, soft pants escaping his soft lips as he squeezes his eyes shut.

You rock your hips back and forth against his cock, shivering as his crotch rubs against your clit every time and tightening around it more as you feel him throb, “G-gonna cum- nnnghhh~” both your releases wash over you at the same time, your hips slamming down onto Reca’s shaft one last time. Your fingers pinching his nipples and squeezing his throat harder as his warm cum filling up your pussy and you slowly pull away, letting his seed drip down your legs.

“Hnnn- that felt wonderful” he panted quietly, his eyes watching you curiously as you got up and off the bed, stumbling slightly to regain your balance, “Are you turning the cameras off? We can do it lat—” he pauses mid sentence. Eyes following as you walk right past the cameras and grab something from a black bag at the corner of the room, turning around with a black leash and a collar in your hand.

“Why would I be turning the cameras off, my dear? After all, the show must go on.”

[cookinguptales]

So there's this Euripides play called The Cretans that we only have partial fragments of. It's basically about the fallout from Pasiphae giving birth to Asterion, the Minotaur, and the fight she has with her husband, King Minos, over it.

Poseidon drove Pasiphae mad and forced her to have sex with a bull, but it was 100% Minos's fault -- he's the one that was supposed to sacrifice that bull to Poseidon, and he's the one that decided not to do it. Pasiphae was cursed in order to hurt Minos, and in this play she is spitting mad that he intends to have her put to death for her actions when the whole damn thing was his doing.

I particularly love these sections here:

and

(translation by P.T. Rourke)

Like of all of the lost Euripides plays we know of, this is the one that I'd love to have a full version of the most! We don't know whether Pasiphae managed to get away or not! We don't know if she lived or died! We don't know if she got to yell at Minos some more about being a giant dipshit!

Anyway, I really had these fragments in mind when I was writing AITNISTS. I only got to actually depict Pasiphae in one flashback from Asterion's POV, but I tried to remember her as the daughter of a god and a powerful sorceress in her own right.

Never forget the Pasiphae that once made her husband ejaculate snakes. :')

[mistbow]

From Kimura Ryouhei (as Sorey) and Ohsaka Ryouta (as Mikleo) quick interview as partners (one of the many interviews/other stuff that they have as Sorey and Mikleo). The [5th] question was "please give a message to your partner."

Kimura to Ohsaka (orange block): "I'm really glad that you're my partner. Even though we have a close relationship and we voice a lot of characters together, it always feels like you bring something new. Thank you."

Ohsaka to Kimura (teal block): "It was fun being your partner. Let's go play together again!"

[8o8o8o8o8]

Okay but consider: tower of babel hell where each layer speaks a different language.

Gabe's still a polyglot and he's resigned to translating and delivering messages for the old men. Then one day Minos just send wildly explicit sext

The Ferryman assumes Gabe only speak real languages and not their conlang (hobby number 5827). They've been making up terms of endearment. He hasn't corrected them so far

V2 is trying so hard to help these people but they only knows English, Finnish, and C#. The terminals price language packages so fucking high. They're missing out on so much lore

V1 realized it can change what language it hears Gabe in. Currently, it's enjoying Mandalorian Gabe

[thefugitivesaint]

Mitsushi Haneishi, ''Tales from the Land of Brahma' (梵天国物語), 1954 (Source)

Uzaburo Mino, ''Flying Horse'' (空とぶ木馬), 1954 (Source)

I'm probably not translating these titles correctly so bear with me here given my use of various "translation algorithms" to help me along. I was digging through Japan's 'National Diet Library' to see what's buried in there and came across two books with interestingly similar panel illustrations. I couldn't dig up much more information than what's provided in the NDL archive itself on the artists but that's probably due to my own limitations given I don't read nor speak Japanese.

[remidyal]

FHJY New Names over-analysis post

We're a few days past an episode that introduced a lot of new npcs and ideas and all, and I figured I'd dig into some of the names and references and all that I noticed to see if any hints might have been snuck in there for the rest of the season.

Interim Emergency Backup Principal Arcturus Grix: A couple of different things in here, but I'll just get what I think is the most likely one out of the way: Arcturus is a star that is part of the constellation Bootes (a herdsman in various myths), and the name translates to 'guardian of the bear'.

Or, perhaps, guardian of the owlbears.

Brennan absolutely seems like someone who would have at some point been way into constellations and their stories so I'd put money on this being an intentional stealth-ish pun.

I think Grix is just supposed to sound machine-y but I might be missing it.

Terpsichore Skullcleaver: Back on the Greek mythology theme, Terpsichore is one of the Greek Muses, and specifically is the Muse of Dance. Obviously a wildly appropriate name for a dance teacher who is hopefully going to actually inspire Fabian.

Skullcleaver presumably means she is of some relation to Katja, of course.

Lucillia Lullaby: I mean, this one is pretty obvious; a Lullaby is a type of song, and from what she saw she seems to be a pretty calming presence to suit attempting to get a toddler to sleep as that song type does. This name was actually, unlike the two above, on the payroll list from freshman year so it's a lot more directly on the nose (because, frankly, Brennan was coming up with like 30 npcs who would probably never appear).

Tiberia Runestaff: Runestaff similarly is just kind of obvious and also was on the freshman year list; Tiberia as a name literally just means born near the river Tiber, and so I think was chosen mostly because it sounds kind of severe and wizard-y.

Yolanda Badgood: Also from the freshman year list, and I suppose it would take someone both bad and good to teach students of both 'good' and 'evil' divinities. Brennan's gotten better at his NPC names over the years, or just it's hard to do a freaking list. I sympathize, as someone who keeps a random name generator tab open while GMing. Also, on a random note, the freshman year list has a driver's ed teacher (one Alphonse Doublefist) and I NEED a scene of Fig having to take driver's ed because she's been driving without a license for two years.

Mazey Phaedra: Mazey is such a groanworthy name for a minotaur-adjacent person that I'm surprised they didn't throw things at him for it; Phaedra is another Greek myth name, this one of the daughter of Minos (of building-the-maze fame) and also a whole other thing we don't have time to get into because it might start Discourse and that probably isn't relevant because it's really just another Minotaur reference.

CUS Dabus: One of the universities Riz looks at, I mostly want to call it out because of being a reference to my personal favorite official DnD setting. It's mentioned as being in the City of Doors, which is the nickname of course of the extra-planar city of Sigil. The Dabus are a race that are the entourage of the mysterious Lady of Pain, the very-definitely-not-a-god who loosely rules over that city. I doubt we ever really visit Sigil, but who knows, we've been to the Nine Hells and the cosmological stuff seems to largely conform to traditional DnD.

[girlactionfigure]

Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who put his family and career at risk by issuing thousands of hand-written transit visas to Jewish refugees fleeing Eastern Europe.

Chiune was born to a middle class family in Mino, Japan on the first day of the 20th century – 1/1/00. In elementary and high school he was a top student, and his father wanted him to become a doctor. Chiune’s own dream was to enter the foreign service, and he deliberately failed the medical school entrance exam by writing only his name on the test. Instead Chiune attended Waseda University and majored in English. He also joined a Christian fraternity to practice his English.

In 1919, Chiune passed the Foreign Ministry Scholarship exam, and served in the Japanese Imperial Army as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed in Korea. He resigned his commission in 1922 and trained for the Foreign Ministry, learning Russian and German in addition to English. He aced the qualifying exam and was sent to work in the foreign office in Harbin, China.

Chiune’s strong moral compass led him to resign his post as Deputy Foreign Minister in Manchuria because of rising Japanese violence against the Chinese (just two years later was the horrific Rape of Nanking by the Japanese Imperial Army.) Chiune returned to Japan, where he married Yukiko Kikuchi. They later had four sons.

Next Chiune went to Helsinki, Finland, where he worked as a translator for the Japanese delegation. In 1939, Chiune became vice-consul of the Japanese embassy in Kauna, Lithuania. Part of his job was to find out if Germany planned to attack the Soviet Union, and to relay any information about this to his bosses in Berlin and Tokyo.

In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania. At that time, approximately 1/3 of Lithuanians were Jewish, many of them Torah scholars. The USSR viciously persecuted Jews, especially religious ones, and the Jews of Lithuania were desperate to escape the country – especially because Nazi Germany was occupying more and more of Eastern Europe and would soon be in Lithuania. Hundreds of them, mostly Orthodox, visited the Japanese consulate to beg for exit visas to Japan. The official Japanese policy was that candidates for visas must go through elaborate bureaucratic procedures and pay significant sums of money. Chiune contacted his superiors at the Japanese Foreign minister to ask if the rules could be relaxed to help Jewish refugees. His request was denied, as were his next two requests.

Chiune could have thrown up his hands and told the Jews there was nothing he could do for them, but instead, as he did in China, he was governed by his strong sense of right and wrong, rather than soulless bureaucrats. He ignored his orders and started issuing ten-day visas for Jews to travel through Japan on their way to safe havens like Shanghai, China, where 20,000 Jews rode out the war safely.

As word got out about the Japanese visas, Jews from all over Lithuania as well as Poland began to swarm Chiune’s office. He simply wouldn’t say no to anybody, and spent 18-20 hours a day (!) painstakingly writing visas by hand. He created a month’s supply of visas every single day from August to early September 1940, providing an escape route for thousands of Jews. On September 4, the Japanese consulate in Kauna was closed and Chiune had to leave the country. He was determined to create as many transit visas as possible, and continued doing so up until the last minute. At Kanuas Railway Station, a crowd of Jews gathered to say goodbye. Right before boarding the train, Chiune bowed deeply and cried out, “Please forgive me! I cannot write anymore. I wish you the best!” Someone in the crowd shouted, “Sugihara! We’ll never forget you! I’ll surely see you again!”

Chiune was reassigned to East Prussia, then Prague, and then Bucharest, Romania. When the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1944, Chiune and his family were imprisoned in a POW camp for a year and a half. Finally they were released in 1946 and returned to Japan, but the foreign office had heard about his unauthorized visas, and he was forced to resign. At about this time, the Sugihara’s youngest son died of leukemia at age seven.

Unemployable in Japan, Chiune made use of his excellent Russian language skills and spent the next 16 years working in the Soviet Union while his wife and sons stayed in Japan. Chiune’s exceptional heroism was unknown for many years, until 1968, when he was contacted by Yehoshua Nishri, an attache working at the Israeli consulate in Tokyo. Nishri spent his youth in Poland, and heard stories of the legendary Japanese hero. Nishri made it his mission to publicize Chiune’s heroic acts, and the next year, 1969, Chiune traveled to Israel as an honored guest of the Israeli government. Jews he’d saved lobbied for him to be recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem, and in 1984 he received the honor. At that time he was too sick to travel, so his wife and son Nobuki accepted the award on his behalf.

Chiune was asked why he risked everything to help thousands of strangers. He answered, “You want to know about my motivation, don’t you? Well. It is the kind of sentiments anyone would have when he actually sees refugees face to face, begging with tears in their eyes. He just cannot help but sympathize with them. Among the refugees were the elderly and women. They were so desperate that they went so far as to kiss my shoes. Yes, I actually witnessed such scenes with my own eyes. Also, I felt at that time, that the Japanese government did not have any uniform opinion in Tokyo. Some Japanese military leaders were just scared because of the pressure from the Nazis; while other officials in the Home Ministry were simply ambivalent. People in Tokyo were not united. I felt it silly to deal with them. So, I made up my mind not to wait for their reply. I knew that somebody would surely complain about me in the future. But, I myself thought this would be the right thing to do. There is nothing wrong in saving many people’s lives… The spirit of humanity, philanthropy… neighborly friendship… with this spirit, I ventured to do what I did, confronting this most difficult situation – and because of this reason, I went ahead with redoubled courage.”

Chiune Sugihara died in Japan on July 31, 1986. Despite being a hero in Israel, and among Jews worldwide, he was completely unknown in his own country. Even his own children didn’t know what he had done. A huge delegation from around the world attended Chiune’s funeral, and only then did he become known in Japan.

Chiune received many awards and accolades, most of them posthumous. Among them are Sugihara Streets in Vilna, Lithuania, and Jaffa and Netanya in Israel. There is a Sugihara House Museum in Kaunas, and a park in Vilna where 200 trees were planted on his 100th birthday. There is a life-sized statue of him in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, featuring a plaque with a quotation from the Talmud, “He who saves one life, saves an entire world.” In 1998, Chiune’s widow Yukiko traveled to Israel and was warmly received by survivors who’d been saved by her husband. There is a Sugihara park in Jerusalem, and he was featured on an Israeli postage stamp in 1998. The Lithuanian government declared 2020 “The Year of Chiune Sugihara.” He has been the subject of multiple works of art, including books, films and a play.

It’s estimated that over 100,000 people are alive today because of the brave actions of Chiune Sugihara.

[jazzthatonewriterchick]

Hit ‘Em Up! (18+ Fic)

Pairing: Cowboy!Gojo Satoru x Cowboy!Geto Suguru x Black!Cowgirl!Reader (Slow Burn/Enemies to Lovers)

Synopsis: You get to meet Geto & Gojo the Gunslingers, the notorious outlaws that have every town and law enforcement in a twist, when your bum-ass BF offers you as payment to avoid going to prison. Little do they know that this is only a part of your plan to get what you desire. But when you realize that the infamous gun-slinging, smooth-talking cowboys could be everything you want and more when they offer you a deal to team up with them, will you successfully be able to go through with it? 

Warnings: Smutty Smut; 18+ (MINOS GTFO); poly!SatouSugu; Reader is Black & Fem; Mention of other JJK characters; Porn with Plot; Tragic Backstories; T/W for Childhood Trauma, Parental Death, Violence, Panic Attacks & Torture; Angst/Hurt/Comfort; Hand Kink; Masturbation; Voyeurism; Gay Sex; Polyamorous; Double Deepthroat; Mutual Oral; Fingering; CMNF; Spitroast; Riding; Unprotected PiV Sex; Creampies; Outside/Public Sex; Shotgunning; Multiple Positions; Spit Kink; Facials; MDom/fsub Undertones; Aftercare

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this fic. However, as this is my writing, I do not give permission for my work to be reposted on any other sites that are not from my own accounts. Thank you!

Chapters: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen PT I & II. Nineteen. Twenty. Twenty-One. Twenty-Two. Twenty-Three. Twenty-Four. Epilogue + Soundtrack.

********

ELEVEN: A HELPING HAND.

It isn’t hard to find the theater. 

There are signs everywhere which wealthy-looking carriages and automobiles follow down the road. You totter down the cobblestoned road on your horse, feeling comfortable enough to do so being that your identity is still protected because you’ve kept it hidden for so long. 

When you finally come to the theatre, all you do is stare at it for awhile, enchanted by and fixated on the structure and architecture of the humongous building. You can tell it’s old, the stoned walls and steps aged with time and decades of shows and stories put on stage. Guests in their tailored suits and expensive dresses doused in fur shrugs and hats despite the heat walk up the steps to the building, unaware of you and what you’re here for. 

You slide off of Reneigh’s saddle and fix your dress before tying her to a street pole between two carriages. “Wait here, darlin’,” you coo to her as you stroke her side. “I’ll be back.” Reneigh flicks her ears and nudges you in response, telling you to be quick about it and to stay safe.

With your heart pumping as quickly as a hummingbird’s wings, you strut in your shoes up the steps to the doors of the theatre. You come to the front lobby where several ticket booths are set up handing out tickets for the show. It’s an opera, translated to “The Sweet Sensation of Suffering”.

You walk up to a young man in a red suit, hat, and white gloves dressed as a ticketman. “Good evening, madame!” the young man says. “How can I help you?” 

You keep calm, not wanting to give yourself away despite your roaming eyes. You’re looking hard for Benji but you suddenly feel like you’re looking too hard. You take two coins out of your purse. “One ticket, please,” you say, pushing the two coins across the counter.

He takes them before clipping a ticket for you and passing it your way. “Here you are,” he politely says. “Enjoy the show, miss!” 

You give him a small smile and a nod before heading towards the doorway stated on your ticket. You pass by multiple people that are so unlike you. They don’t hide. They don’t sneak. They don’t have to dodge the law or danger at every corner. Though they don’t give you weird looks, you still feel uncomfortable. You feel like you don’t belong here. 

The only time these feelings shut off is when you’re finally in the theatre and walking to your seat among the sea of people adorned in expensive clothes, accessories, and jewelry. ‘This place is like a pick-pocketer’s gold mine,’ you think to yourself. Pardoning yourself, you shimmy through a tight row and find a spot next to an older woman in a blue dress and silver updo. She is busy speaking to her much younger lover next to her, paying no mind to you. While she sits on your right, the seat next to you is empty. 

The stage below is covered by a red curtain, the show not on yet. Just enough time to scout for your target. You begin to look around, scanning each face and back of the head. Your body reacts each time as if you see your target, your hands trembling as they grip the seat and your blood pumping. When the lights finally dim and the audience cheers, your eyes move to the row at your left. 

There, in the upper left corner a few feet away, you see him. You nearly gasp but hold your breath, staring at him in the darkness. He is sitting in a box with two other women, each one adorned in pearls and gloves, one of them holding binoculars to see below. On stage, the curtain rises and a plump woman with a big bust wearing a long, black dress begins to sing in Italian. Her voice is soft yet powerful but it doesn’t gain your attention. You’re too busy staring at Benji. 

‘It’s him,’ you realize. ‘He’s really here!’

The Bandit nearly takes up space with how big he is, sitting in his suit and puffing on a cigar between his meaty fingers. He watches the show below, completely oblivious to you who stares at him with bloodlust like a shark in the darkness.

‘He’s so close,’ you think. ‘If only I could just move closer…’ 

But you can’t because someone has sat down next to you. You abruptly turn to the front, watching the show below. The woman has now sprouted fake wings that flap around, controlled by the thin ropes holding them from up above. “Fancy seein’ you here, ma’am,” a very familiar voice suddenly says beside you. 

Your body instantly tenses, recognizing the voice immediately. ‘No,’ you think in dread. ‘It can’t be…’

“Oh, I’m sorry,” the voice says. “Do we know each other? You just look so…familiar.” Slowly, you turn your head to see your seat neighbor and find it to be none other than Valentine dressed in a rogue-colored suit. 

It’s like seeing the Devil with your own two eyes. He smirks at you, his ringed hands folded in his lap. “Ah,” he chuckles. “So it is you. Glad to see that prison didn’t make me go completely insane.” You can’t move, your body glued to the seat, yet you find the will to speak. “W-What are you doin’ here?” you whisper. “H-How are you–” 

“Here?” Valentine finishes. He leans toward you, his lips brushing against your ear. “Usually, I wouldn’t expose my secrets to a lyin’, backstabbin’, nosey ass bitch like you.”

You flinch at the ice in his tone. “But since ya caught me on a good night, your target down there bailed me out.” 

He nods up at Benji still smoking his cigar, his big hand on the thigh of one of his female guests. You stare at Valentine, wide-eyed. “Oh, we work together!” he laughs. “He’s my boss. Didn’tcha know? Well, ya know now.” 

Immediately, the realization hits you dead on. “Gojo and Geto,” you shakily whisper. “The Cherrywood train massacre…you framed them for it. Benji helped you do it.”

Valentine puts a finger to his lips, smiling. “But why?” you ask. Have the Gunslingers left the Bandit feeling THAT butthurt because they left him? 

“Benji is a very secretive man, as I’m sure you know,” Valentine says. “He had to take precautions to make sure his two infamous slingers ain’t run they mouths about where he is or what he’s doing. He was hopin' the train would kill ‘em when it crashed, but prison worked just as well.” You grip your seat harder, your gun pressing against your thigh.

“So what now, huh?” you hiss. “You gon’ kill me too? In front of all these people?” His devious smirk widens. “I was thinkin’ of talkin’ first,” he chuckles. “We don’t wanna rush this.”

He opens his jacket and pulls out a gun, laying it on his lap. You stare at him, fear making your stomach flip flop. “But if you tell me where Geto and Gojo are, I just may spare ya. The only thing I’ll do is drag ya out by your hair and let the law have ya.” 

Both options are horrible, so you don’t hesitate to fix your mouth to lie. “They’re not here,” you say. “It’s just me.” 

Valentine grips your neck and roughly yanks you toward him. “You lyin’ whore!” he snarls into your ear. “Don’t fuckin’ try me, bitch. I’ll blow your brains out right here.” He presses the gun into your cheek, making your heart pound.

“And then what?” you growl. “You’ll be caught before you can even escape! Look around you!” 

He does and his ugly, enraged expression softens. Then he laughs. “Oh, you clever bitch. Now I remember why I liked you so much…other than how amazin’ that pussy was.” He trails the gun down South, prying your legs apart. You do your best to resist punching him.

“What do you want?” you whisper. 

His eyes flash with something that isn’t friendly or warm. “Revenge,” he growls. He doesn’t elaborate any more than that, but he doesn’t have to. “You’re comin’ with me right now and don’t even think about tryin’ to fight me off.” His free hand grabs your wrist while the gun presses into your side. 

You don’t even get a chance to utter a prayer when the doors to the theatre suddenly open with a loud bang that startles the audience and the stage below. You turn, finding your gunslingers standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the light pouring into the doorway. The music ceases, allowing them everyone’s full attention as they walk into the room. 

You’ve never been so happy to see them. Their hats sit low on their heads and their guns are already in their gloved hands, ready to shoot. “Sorry to interrupt this show,” Gojo calls, his voice echoing among the silent theatre, “but we’re lookin’ for somebody. So if ya value your life and don’t want to end up six feet under, I suggest–” 

“They’ve got guns!” someone screeches from somewhere in the room. And just like that, the entire theatre erupts into madness. People race to the exits, avoiding Geto and Gojo, stepping over each other and knocking each other down. Distracted by the commotion, Valentine’s hand loosens its grip on you. 

Quickly, you yank yourself out of his hold and hurry out of your seat, doing your best to move among the crowd of people. Gojo and Geto are just a few feet away from you, but Benji is gone. 

You raise a hand to try and get their attention, but you’re suddenly stopped by a sharp blow to the back of the head. 

With a gasp, you fall to your knees and grip the back of your head. Your fingers come back stained with blood. “Oh, not you don’t,” Valentine snickers. “You don’t get to run away from me that easily.” 

You sink onto the dirty theatre floor, your face pressed against the carpet. Valentine stands over you, his eyes void of light. Just darkness. “Nighty-night, bitch,” he whispers. 

It’s the last thing you hear before silence descends over you and you fall into an inky blackness. 

**********

You awaken sometime later to some cold water being splashed in your face.

“Wake, wakey, bitch,” Valentine sings. “It ain’t lights out for ya yet.” 

You sputter and cough as you’re forced awake, suddenly staring up at the starry sky and a man standing above you. You try to move, but can’t and look down to see yourself restricted with rope bound tightly around you. Your dress is ruined and one of your shoes are missing.

But none of that stuns you as much as the state you find yourself in: your legs, ankles, and midsection are all tied to the railroad tracks of an outdoor train station. Immediately, your head is flooded with warnings signals, alerting your entire body of danger. “What is this?” you gasp. “Where am I?” 

The man standing above you smirks down at you, his gorgeous face and wicked smile illuminated by the full moon above. Where you belong,” Valentine cackles. He turns around, laughing to something behind him. “See, I told ya her reaction would be priceless!” You squint into the darkness behind him where benches sit under a hood for those to wait for trains. 

The entire station is dark, the gas street lamps completely void of flames. You see shadows lingering near a bench, one of them four-legged and whinneying softly. You recognize it as a humungous horse. The other shadow rises from the bench and stands under a non-lit gaslamp. He lights a cigarette, illuminating his horribly familiar face and salt-n-pepper hair. “You,” you hiss. 

Benji smiles at you, his gold tooth glinting in the moonlight. He struts up to you and Valentine in his suit, confident and pompous. “Nice to finally meet you too, miss,” he chuckles. “I’ve heard lots about ya. You’ve got the entire population of male outlaws shakin’ in their boots with the pistol on you. That’s impressive.” 

He puffs on his cigarette before lightly tapping the ashes on your dress, putting holes in the fabric. “But not enough to shake me,” he growls, his face darkening. “I been lookin’ for your ass for a minute now. Word is you were out lookin’ for me too.” 

You don’t say anything, knowing well enough not to. He kneels down in front of you, his one brown eye narrowing at you. “I know what you do,” he snarls. “You hunt down guys like me and Valentine. You hunt ‘em, smoke ‘em, and then leave ‘em for the buzzards or the law to have.” 

He smirks maliciously. “Well, you won’t be doin’ that this time, sweetheart. Sorry to break it to ya, though you did do a fantastic job.” 

Valentine shakes his head down at you. “Needy thing just couldn’t leave us alone,” he sighs pittingly. “I knew there was a chance you’d find your way here. Soon as I saw ya walkin’ in here, I knew we had to act now. That’s why I waited here for you and your stupid boyfriends to come through when Benji’s men lost y’all on the road.” 

You are horrified as everything starts to unravel in front of you. So they are trying to kill you and the Gunslingers. They knew you’d be here. “I had a feelin’ it was you,” Valentine says. “That woman I ran into earlier at the hotel. I’ve never seen ya face, but I knew I’ve seen them vengeful eyes somewhere before.” Benji chuckles at this, standing up to smoke the rest of his cig. 

Though it’s so obvious, you ask anyway: “So what are y’all gonna do?” you hiss. “Just kill me?” 

The two outlaws smile, filling you with dread. “Bingo,” Valentine chuckles. “Well, we were gonna wait till your outlaw lovers got here to save ya, but they’re nowhere to be found unfortunately.” 

“I told y’all, they ain’t here!” you angrily say, raising your voice. “We parted ways on the way here. I came to Sage County by myself to find Benji.” Valentine’s expression grows sour and he slips a gun out of his jacket. “You lyin’ little–” 

“Hang on,” Benji cuts in, holding him back. “She may be tellin’ the truth. And even if she ain’t, you know she won’t say nothin’ about where they are.” He turns to you, actually looking so sorry for you. 

“Sorry to do this to ya, Y/N,” he sighs. You shiver at your name coming from his lips; it sounds so utterly wrong. “But I just can’t have anyone huntin’ me down like this. I’ll hand it to ya, honey: you’ve got guts.”

He takes his cig out of his mouth and tosses it down into the railroad tracks near your head. “But then guts will gethcha killed.” 

At that moment, the traffic lights above you turn red, signaling the arrival of the train. And then you hear the clanking sound, meaning that it’s almost here. You begin to wriggle around as the outlaws walk away from you, leaving you to die. “Wait!” you shout. “Wait, wait!” 

Benji hops on his horse first while Valentine hops on after, giving you the middle finger. “Have fun makin’ the newspapers, bitch!” he laughs. “I’m sure the law would love to see that your ass is finally dead and gone.” Benji’s horse whineys as if it’s taunting you too and takes off down the road, leaving you alone. 

And then the sound of the train whistle blows. It’s like Death calling you. You turn your head to the left, finding the train moving toward you in the distance. “Fuck!” you scream. You wriggle and buck under the binds, trying to shimmy your arms out, but nothing works. So you scream.

“Help!” you holler. “Someone, please help me!” You plead and shout until your throat burns, tears springing into your eyes. 

But no one is here. So no one is coming. You begin to cry as the train chugs forward, getting closer and closer to you with every passing second. This is it. You’re going to die. You close your eyes, seeing Geto and Gojo behind your eyelids. ‘I’m sorry,’ you think. 

You almost believe yourself to be hallucinating when you suddenly hear boots running toward you and then some soft, calloused hands on you. You open your eyes, looking up in the pale green ones of a stranger. He is a handsome blonde, possibly in his early 30s, wearing a crisp button-down with the sleeves rolled up to expose his veiny, toned arms, dress slacks, and polished shoes. 

“It’s going to be okay, miss,” he pants, his voice deep and soft like silk. “I’ll get you out of here.” He begins to tug at the ropes and at the knot under your breasts.

When you realize that he is in fact real, you begin to sob even more. This is God sending you an angel. “Hurry!” you cry. “Please, please hurry!” 

He does so, trying in vain to untie the knot but it’s too tight and the ropes are too thick. “Goddammit!” he swears, panicking. The train is getting closer, its whistle damn near taking out your eardrums. Then you remember. “My knife!” you shout. “It’s unde my dress!” 

The blonde looks down at your legs, momentarily hesitant. He even blushes. “I’m sorry about this,” he whispers before his hand crawls under your dress to feel up your thigh. His fingers are long and calloused as they drag against your skin. Finally, he slides the knife out of your garter belt and begins to saw at the knot, moving fast. 

But the train moves faster. It gets closer and closer, only several feet away from you. You begin to cry louder staring into its headlights like a deer. Finally, the rope breaks and you are released. 

“Got it!” he shouts and yanks you on top of him without a moment’s hesitation. You fall into the dirt off of the tracks together, alive and breathing. 

The train zooms past you a second later, its engine and the steel tracks rumbling in your ears and blowing your hair as it passes. To think that you would’ve been under that train if the man hadn’t freed you a second before makes you sick. You would’ve been dead. 

The man looks up at you, panting heavily. “Are you alright, miss?” he asks. You don’t say anything, too stunned to speak. His thigh is wedged between your legs as you lay pressed against him, the shock of the situation fading. 

“Y/N!” Geto shouts. You and the man look up, finding the Gunslingers jumping off of their horses and barreling toward you. You jump off of the stranger who stumbles to his feet, stunned at the two outlaws. And even more at the pistol Geto pulls on him. “You get the fuck away from her,” he demands, his voice low and frightening. “Who are you?” 

The blonde puts his up in defense, shaken. “Hold on now, I didn’t–”

Geto cocks the gun at him. “Talk,” he demands. “Now before I put a bullet in you.” Gojo stands behind the blonde, his gun also drawn and his blindfold pulled up to expose his shockingly blue eyes. 

 “Wait, Geto, stop!” you shout, grabbing Geto’s arm. “He didn’t do anythin’ to me! He just helped me escape before the train came. He saved my life.” Geto’s sharp expression softens somewhat at the revelation, but not enough to drop the gun. “It’s true,” the blonde huffs. “I would never do anything so barbaric to your lady, especially in the situation she was in.” 

The Gunslingers share a look before looking back at the blonde standing between them. “Name?” Gojo asks (more like demands).

“Kento Nanami,” the blonde introduces. “I’m a doctor from Willow Springs who came here for a medical conference in town.” Your eyes widen and your stomach flips at the name. Your dream home. “Willow Springs?” you breathe. 

The blonde nods, not at all understanding why this excites you. “Yes, it’s where my place of business is. I was just waitin’ for the next train when came across you and those two men. One of them got away, but I managed to get his partner.” 

Geto and Gojo only drop their guns because Nanami walks you up the road to where Nanami’s blazer lies next to a very beaten-up, dead-looking Valentine. His nose is dripping with blood and one of his closed eyes look swollen as he lies in the dirt. “He’s just unconscious,” Nanami says. “He’s not dead.” 

Gojo looks up to the sky, relieved. “Thank God!” he sighs. “We don’t need the law on our backs even more than they already are.” 

But Geto still isn’t convinced. “And you can swear you’re tellin’ the truth?” he asks, still giving Nanami that same sharp stare. Nanami firmly nods, his eyes unyielding and his jaw set. 

“Then I owe you a big apology,” Geto says, slipping his gun back in its holster by his hip. He puts his hand out for Nanami to shake (Nanami doesn’t take it). “Forgive me, Mr. Nanami. She’s very special to us.” At this, your stomach flutters. 

“And in some very big trouble,” Gojo growls. The fluttering stops and you glare at the white-haired outlaw. “Sorry about this whole thing, Mr. Nanamin!” He pats the blonde hard on the back, smiling sheepishly. 

“It’s Nanami,” Nanami corrects him, still frowning. “And it’s quite alright. I’m sure an outlaw has his habits, especially if they have business with Valentine and Benji the Bandit.” His eyes switch to you, knowing yet not judging. “And with you too, apparently.”

Though you feel slightly hesitant about revealing your true identity, you know that it’s inevitable. And the man just saved your life. “I’m their partner,” you explain. “I’m the Fatale Femme.” 

Nanami nods, barely having any kind of reaction. “I’m not gonna tell,” he says, sensing your thoughts. “But the entire world knows who you are at this point being that your posters are everywhere. Though I’m not a fan of violence, I respect what you do for victims of it by bringin’ justice to them, many of whom are from my town who fell victim to people like the ones you’re after.” 

At that moment, you feel all of your tension and concern leave you. “Well, that’s nice to know,” Gojo chuckles. “Listen, was there any chance Benji told you where he was headin’ off to?”

Nanami shakes his head, much to your dismay. “I’m afraid not,” he sighs. “He rode off headin’ that way.” 

He points opposite to where the train is headed on the second set of tracks on the other side of the platform. “He’s headin’ North,” Geto says, squinting into the dark.

You slap your thigh, overjoyed. “Which means we still have a chance to get him!” you exclaim. You turn to Nanami and vigorously shake his hand. “Thank you again for your help, Mr. Nanami. We’ll be on our way now.” 

But the Gunslingers aren’t as eager to jet as you are. Gojo clears his throat and lays a hand on your lower back. “Y/N, sugar,” he begins, “I know you must be a little frazzled right now so your head ain’t workin’ right, but I’ll fill in the blanks for ya: did you just hear where Mr. Nanami is from?” 

You blink at him clueless and he raises a brow at you. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to go with him since you’re fixin’ to go there anyhow?”

Now is when the gears in your head finally start training and you shove his hand off of you. “What?” you snap, bewildered and shocked. “But what about our deal? And I can’t just take a train! What if someone recognizes me?” 

Gojo snorts, rolling his sapphire eyes. You’re actin’ like we can’t just get you inside with the luggage.” You glare at him, hating his go-lucky attitude when he’s talking about you abandoning your mission. “And you’re actin’ like I can just leave my horse and break my promise,” you snap. 

“You’re not breakin’ your promise, darlin’,” Geto soothingly says. He moves to touch you, putting a gentle hand on your shoulder. “We’re just sayin’ that it’d be better if you just leave now instead of stayin’ here with us since we’ll have to part ways in Willow Springs anyway. You almost died tonight and–” 

“Oh, stop!” you scoff, smacking his hand away. “I’m not a little girl and I sure as hell ain’t your woman, so stop treatin’ me like I am.”

Both men look at you in shock though you see something else. Something like disappointment in their eyes. You ignore it. “We are partners. I gave y’all my word and I ain’t goin’ nowhere until Benji is behind bars. Besides, I’ve had many brushes with death before, so this is no different.” 

Even as you say that, your nerves are still shaky, knocking you slightly off balance. But wouldn’t anyone still be shaken from almost getting hit by a train? Nanami clears his throat to ease the tension. “Well, if you ever decide to chance your mind and show up in town, I’d be happy to help.” 

His eyes are kind despite his stoic expression and you nod, exhaling to release your anger. He looks down at his watch, tapping it. “Y’all might want to head out before the next train comes.” 

“First we’ve gotta take care of him,” Gojo says, nudging Valentine with his foot. “And leave a note for the law folk.” He smirks at Geto who already takes a pencil out of his pocket. 

Before you pack up to go, you sit Valentine up against the pole of a street lamp and pin a note to his chest: “A Valentine gift for the sheriff - from G, G & FF”.

While the duo set their horses up to head out, Nanami walks you away from the tracks, his hands behind his back and his blazer on. “Thank you again for your help, Mr. Nanami,” you say softly.

He nods, clearing his throat. “Kento,” he says. “I’ll make sure the sheriff and his men get him behind bars for you.” He then retrieves his hands from his pack and holds an item out to you: your knife. “You be careful with them, miss,” he says, seriousness in his gaze. 

You stare at him for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, you give him a grateful smile and take the knife. “Y/N,” you whisper. “And thanks, but I can handle ‘em.” He nods, leaving it at that, and you depart. 

You are quiet as you walk up to Geto’s horse, refusing his help. You hop on yourself and get settled on the Bronco before he hops on in front of you. Gojo hops on his own horse, giving you a concerning look as he passes by you. 

“Do you wanna talk about what just happened?” Geto gently asks, not looking at you. You place your hands on his hips, his back pressing against your front, and ignore the way his scent makes your body feel.

“No,” you answer, more bitterly than you meant to. “I just wanna take a shower and leave. We’re wastin’ time the longer we’re here.” 

Geto nods and clucks his tongue twice, making his horse follow after Gojo. And that’s the end of it.