#nero blabbing

[zerothisnero]

I can't stop thinking about this comparison, it's burned into my FUCKING MEMORY

[zerothisnero]

My silly ass rolling up to the function

[zerothisnero]

If Kris Deltarune is truly the player's puppet then how come I can't make them fortnite dance on command?

[77gigabytes]

The Fox's Den {Sylus x Reader}

This just kinda...spilled out of my brain... It started off as a few paragraphs and then spiraled into this, but uh, enjoy.

FAIR WARNING!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLY LONG, I MIGHT HAVE TO SPLIT IT INTO PARTS ACTUALLY IDK

|| Masterlist ||

-Seven

You’re finishing some paperwork at HQ when Jenna slides a manila folder on your desk.

“Advance tech labs has another mission for you.” She says and crosses her arms over her chest, “Hear them out first. Then go take a look.”

As if on cue, your watch beeps with a notification.

You click on it and the mission’s user interface window pops up.

Client: Unspecified - Investigative mission Status: ACTIVE Authorisation: Approved entry - No Hunt Zones: 105, 106, 107, 108

Task details: High-class Linkon residents have been seen carrying protocores to Fox’s Den, a host club, on the outskirts of Linkon. There are suspicions that the club is being used as a trading venue to sell and modify high-grade protocores into the N109 zone.

Objective: INVESTIGATE Fox’s Den FOR PROTOCORE SMUGGLERS. DO NOT ENGAGE OR ELIMINATE SUSPECTS. THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION ONLY.

As you re-read the objectives, Jenna speaks once more, “Have a look through this folder before heading to the Data Sector. ” She places her hand above the folder, “Nero and Tara are waiting there with some more information for you.”

You give her a small nod, “Yes, Captain. Will do.”

You do as you’re told and flick through the contents of the folder.

“Huh, the address is near the N109 zone?” You whisper.

Sylus has a safe house near there, I think.

It’ll be easier to complete the mission if you could crash there every now and then.

I’ll ask him when I have the chance.

There’s a few photos of the club tucked into the folder and from what you can see, it’s quite luxurious.

Entering the club shouldn’t be a problem with the brooch Sylus gave me. Hmmm. I might need to visit Jeremiah some time soon to forge another identity.

You sift through a few more pages and a photo catches your eye. It’s of a blonde woman with a hunter’s uniform and badge but stamped across the page is the word ‘TENEBRA’ in bold red lettering.

“Hmmm,” You hum as you read the sticky note attached, “If encountered, detain immediately? Who is this?”

What had she done to be labelled a Tenebra?

With that thought in mind, you think to your own situation.

Your involvement with Sylus is more than enough grounds to label you a Tenebra, but you brush that thought aside quickly.

“MC?”

Your head perks up from the sound of your name and you quickly press the folder to your chest, “Oh! Tara… Nero. I was just leaving to see you guys, actually.”

“About the case, right? Isn’t it interesting?” Tara grins, “But, yes we came here instead because Nero thinks that the Data Sector is too noisy.”

“They’re blabbing about all the time, it’s dizzying.” He retorts.

He pulls a nearby chair and motions for the two of you to come around, “Come, we’ve got work to do.”

The three of you discuss the case for a while until you ask, “Why am I being sent alone? Aren’t mission usually done in pairs?”

“Yes, well… Technically, it’s only an investigative mission, so the higher-ups don’t think we should waste resources on a mere investigation.” Nero makes quotation marks with his fingers. “You’ve got orders not to engage where possible.”

Tara leans forward to argue, “But even still, Fox’s Den is surrounded by no hunt zones! Isn’t it dangerous?”

“Yes, that’s true, and speaking of which…” He opens some tabs up on his laptop, “As I’m sure you’ve seen, you’ve been approved access to all no hunt zones surrounding the area.”

You nod, looking back at your watch and also the map that spread across the table.

“But that’s not the problem.” Nero continues, “The problem is getting into the club.”

You furrow your brows, “What?” You tilt you head, “Can’t I just go in as a client?”

He clicks his tongue, “They’ve got a very specific clientele.” He says and then draws a rectangle with his fingers, “Invite only.” He emphasises. “Did you think you could just waltz into the place?Everyday?”

You tense for a moment. I thought… with the brooch...

But you can’t tell them about the brooch; They’ll ask you how you got it. So you settle with, “I- well,” you scratch your temple, “I haven’t really thought that far yet.”

...

Your meeting with the two ended just as the sun dipped completely below the horizon

Somehow, they’ve got you a position as one of the hostesses.

You huff. You don’t know a thing about being a hostess.

To be fair, being a hostess would give you the widest variety of intel.

Never had you thought you’d be going undercover like this, but the job must be done, you suppose.

You harshly tug your helmet on and head to Sylus’ safe house on your 270HM.

If he says no, then you can just scout the area on the way back home. That way, the ride there wouldn’t have been for nothing.

“Oh! There you are, little miss hunter.”

You turn around at the voice of one of the twins. “Luke, Kieran?”

“Mephisto told us you’d be here.” Kieran says pointing to the sky where Mephisto circles above the three of you.

“Is Sylus-”

Luke responds before you can finish your question, “The boss has a important business deal, but,”

“You’re more than welcome to stay with us in the meantime.” Kieran finishes the sentence as he opens the gate.

You can almost see the grin behind his mask.

“How long will he be gone?” You ask as you walk with the twins into the house.

“It might not even be until tomorrow that you’ll see the boss.”

“If you’re lucky--” Luke starts

“--I’ve checked your luck index today, miss, you’re not.”

“Kieran!” You smack him on the shoulder

“Anyway,” Luke starts again, “As I was saying, if you’re lucky, he might be done by midnight.”

…

Well now, it’s way past midnight and the boys have convinced you to play card games as you wait. From old maid, to kitty cards, to Big 2.

Eventually, they pull out another deck of cards with haphazardly drawn crows. - “We’ve invented our own version!”

Your brows furrow.

“Crow Cards!” They say in unison.

You’re speechless. You shake your head with a chuckle, but oblige them regardless.

It isn’t long before Kieran has passed out on the couch and you can tell that Luke isn’t too far either.

“Luke, why don’t we get you and your brother to sleep?” You suggest.

“Yeah,” He yawns and give you a nod, “but Kieran can sleep here on the floor.” He snorts, but goes to haul him up anyways.

“I can use one of the spare rooms, right?” You ask

“Of course. The boss has even gotten spare clothes specifically for you in every house. They should just be in the closet of the en suite.” He points to one of the doors, “That one is your room.”

It didn’t take very long after your head hit the pillows that you drifted off into a shallow sleep

Just as the sunlight begins peaking through the horizon, Sylus enters into the safehouse

Mephisto is cawing at him incessantly.

“What has you so worked up?” He frowns.

“CAW!”

Sylus walks through to the main area and sees cards strewn across the floor.

He examines them, seeing the poorly drawn crows, and looks to Mephisto, “What?” Sylus raises an eyebrow at Mephisto, “You led me here because Luke and Kieran made you look like roadkill on these cards?”

Mephisto shakes his head and pecks the cards out of Sylus’ hand. He pitter-patters to the door of the en suite and lightly pecks at it

Sylus’ frown deepens but he follows after him.

And there you were - laying on your stomach atop the sheets.

He lets out a small chuckle, “Tsk tsk, kitten,” he shakes his head, “You’ll catch a cold at this rate.”

He gently turns you so he can lift you up into his arms.

With his Evol, he untucks the sheets and lays down with you in his arms.

You have your head on his chest and legs entangled with his own.

With all the movement, you lift your head blink your eyes open, “Hi.” You whisper.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, kitten.”

You plop your head back down onto his chest, “Yeah, I wanted-” you yawn, “I wanted to ask you something.”

“Oh? You’re asking me for a favour? How unusual.”

You only hum in response and close your eyes again.

For a moment, he thinks that seeing you in the sunrise makes the sunlight a little more bearable.

“What is it that you need, sweetie?” he asks, brushing his lips against the top of your head.

“The location of my mission is near this house.”

“And?” he shoots you a smug smile, “What is it exactly that you’re asking, Dove?”

You narrow your eyes at him, “I’m asking if I can stay here for a little while.”

He chuckles and gently swipes at the space between your brows, “Do you know what you look like right now?” he asks, “A kitten with a temper.”

You untangle yourself from his grasp, “Screw you.”

It quite futile since you end up in his arms once more.

“What mission is so important that the hunter’s association would send you into the N109 zone?” He asks.

“One,” You put your pointer finger up, “It's near the N109 zone. And two,” You lift another finger, “Apparently, there’s some shady trading of high-grade protocores.”

“Hah, when is there not?” He chuckles.

You quickly brush his question aside, “But you’ll let me stay, won’t you?” You pout for good measure.

“I never trade for a loss, dove.” He taps a finger on his temple. “What are you planning to give me in exchange?”

“Um…” You contemplate on the question. “I'll trade any protocores I find that I think may be of use to you?” Your intonation makes it sound more like a question than a statement.

“What makes you think that I don’t already have access to such protocores, sweetheart?” He shifts to lay on his side with his head propped up by his arm.

That’s true. What could you possibly offer to a man who already has everything in the palm of his hand?

You glance up at him, “Well, then… truthfully, there’s nothing I can give you.”

I guess he won’t let me stay after all.

One of the corners of his lips tilt upwards into a smirk, “There is…” he pauses as he procures a piece of paper with his Evol, “Something you can give me.”

You take the paper and frown as you read the contents, “Isn’t this that restaurant by the river? The one with the orchids?”

“Mmm.” He hums in agreement.

“What could I possibly give you there, Sylus?” You ask

He chuckles, “Well, it’s quite simple, really.” He leans forward to whisper in your ear, “I want you to stay with me… Until the moon is high above our heads”

His voice is so close to your ears that you have to turn away

“I want your time.”

A few days have gone by since your…encounter with Sylus.

Now you’re face-to-face with the owner of the club.

He has his hand grabbing the lower half of your face, turning it side to side.

You grit your teeth. Keep it together for the mission, MC. You say to yourself.

“She’ll fetch a hefty price from the clients, that’s for sure.” He chuckles

He almost throws you towards a woman who has a comb and spray bottle in hand.

“Another?” She asks

“Get her ready.” He says as he begins to walk towards the bar where the guests are, “I want her ready for service by the end of the week, Stella.”

The woman, Stella, as you’ve learned, rolls her eyes and grabs you by the arm.

She drags you across to one of the clothing racks and pulls various clothes up to your body. She takes some off, and others she returns.

Your eyes wander as you stay still, and for a brief moment, you see a blonde woman in a red dress, strutting towards the exit.

“Tenebra?” You mumble

“What?” Stella raises her brow.

“Huh? Oh, I was asking If I’ll need to wear a bra.” You gulp hoping she’ll believe your cover-up

She stares at you for a moment but then continues to find you a dress.

After a while, she’s finished with your make up and has given you a run-down of the rules.

“For tonight, you’ll be staying with me.” She says as she walks towards the exit

You scramble after her. You barely catch yourself from bumping into her as she abruptly turns around to address you.

“Keep close and don’t wander. Do you understand?”

You nod, “Yes.”

She wraps a red band across your wrist with ease, “This bracelet means that you’re off limits for the mean time.” She grips your wrist and squeezes, “So I suggest you keep it on your wrist even if your life depends on it. You won’t have this luxury for long.”

What have I gotten myself into?

You spend that night observing each and every one of the hostesses and clients.

Memorising faces, names, voices. Anything.

As the week ends, you’re back at the safe house trying to piece all the information you have so far.

You’re hunched over the coffee table with papers scattered about. Some of which you’ve scrunched up and have unintentionally made into Mephisto’s playthings.

You huff.

Everything looks normal, but clearly that’s not the case if HA has sent you here. They wouldn’t have sent you here if there wasn’t some concrete evidence of a covert operation.

Sylus stops cleaning his gun and smiles as you frown. The bastard.

You huff once more and rub your temples.

“You look as if you’re going into a grand battle.” He chuckles and leans back into the sofa.

“I feel like I’ve gotten nowhere!” You throw your hands into the air.

He carefully returns the gun to it’s case and settles himself on the floor next to you, “Talk to me.” He pulls the pen from your hands and spreads the papers across the table, “We can figure it out together.” He glances at you with the smallest of smiles.

A couple of weeks have gone by and you’ve gotten better at acting as a hostess.

You find that a lot of these clients have a very loose lips - ever so willing to give information with so little incentive

Today, you’re cozied up with a client, your legs in their lap, and an arm wrapped around one of theirs.

You grin internally as he continues to talk about all the protocores he could offer you.

“Oh?” You say sultrily, drawing circles on his arm.

YUCK

“Oh, I do, baby.”

EUUUGHHH

You’re trying your best to suppress a scowl.

“I could give you all -”

You glance up at him as he stops mid-sentence.

Your gaze shifts from his face to the mirror behind him where your eyes meet Sylus’s intense gaze.

What is he going here?

Sylus nonchalantly walks over to the two of you and the room has gone still.

“And who might this be, sweetie?” He glowers at the man, but his question is directed to you.

You open your mouth to reply, but the man beat you to it, “Mr Sylus, I’m-”

"I didn’t ask you.” He says sharply.

“Sylus, what are you doing here?” Your grip around the man loosens and you quickly shift your legs to plant your heels on the floor.

“Well… Sweetie.” He emphasises the endearment as he pulls you from the other man’s lap, “I’m here for you,” He pulls you to his chest

Without another word, he tugs you into one of the private rooms.

With the momentum, you fall to the loveseat in the middle of the room.

“Sylus!”

“When you said you had a mission here, I assumed you were going in as a client.” He locks the door and makes his way to you, “Not a hostess.” He narrows his eyes as he traps you between his outstretched arms on the loveseat.

“Why does it matter?” You glare back at him, “I’m still getting the information I need.”

“You realise that I could get you all that information in the blink of an eye, right?”

You know that. You do. He never lets you forget. Head of Onychinus. King of the N109 zone.

But what does that say about you?

Always relying on someone else to do things.

Always relying on Xavier on missions. Even Rafayel helped you at The Nest. Zayne’s always taking care of your health, and now Sylus, too.

When had you ever truly done anything yourself?

You grit your teeth, “Look.” You say as you muster up all your courage to glare at him, “I appreciate the help, but I’m not some dove that needs saving.” You push at his chest, “I can do this on my own.”

He yields as you push him until both of you are standing.

“I can’t just rely on you for everything,” You say.

Tenebra - the word plants itself at the forefront of your mind

His chest heaves as he looks at you, but he doesn’t speak.

“What am I supposed to say to the association?” You walk towards the door but look back at him with a soft smile, “They’ll label me a Tenebra for even breathing the same air as you, remember? We can’t have that now, can we?”

He takes a hold of your wrist. “You know I’d never let that happen.”

“Mmm.” You shake your head, “I know, but even then… I want to be able to proudly say that I was able to do a mission with my own strength.”

He doesn’t say anything, so you shrug your hand away from his hold.

“So,” You place you hand on the door knob, “Let me do this on my own, Sylus.”

As you leave, he deflates onto the loveseat with a sigh.

As much as it stings that you don’t want to rely on him, he understands what you’re trying to say.

You’ve gone many days without seeing Sylus, not even at the safe house.

At the host club, you return to your dressing room with the brightest smile, you’d think your face would split in half.

That drunk client spilled all the beans. They are smuggling protocores through this host club. He mentioned a warehouse south from here, in the no hunt zone. Luckily Jenna authorised your entry into that zone. You’ll have to check it out after you leave the club.

As you exit, your watch beeps, “Huh? Wanderers? This far from the no hunt zone?”

Your hands settle at the hilts of your hands guns strapped to either thigh.

With vigilant eyes, you scan your surroundings. Trees upon trees in every direction.

Taking soft and steady steps, you head deeper into the no hunt zone.

Eventually you see lights scattered throughout the tree line.

There’s a large building stood in the centre of the clearing.

As you walk closer, you hear voices. “The warehouse.” you whisper.

Then a truck whizzes past and you duck for fear of getting caught.

It drives far into the warehouse and you follow around to get a clearer view.

They seem like specs from this distance, but they’re unloading the protocores from the truck.

The impatient part of you screams to just sneak into the warehouse.

But that fire is quickly extinguished when you notice a few men patrolling the warehouse.

“I need to come back another time. With a plan.”

The next few days you observe the schedules and their protocol for receiving deliveries

You manage to sneak your way into one of the trucks as your shift ends at the host club.

In the truck, you’re shallowly breathing from the adrenaline coursing through your veins. You close your eyes to take a deep breath as the truck slows to a stop.

“This is the last one for today, boys. Let’s do this quick!” You hear a man shout.

Your hand comes up to press at your sternum. Your heart is beating right out of your chest so much so that blood is thumping in your ears.

“You think we’ve got some aether cores to sell today?”

“Tch, I wish.”

As their footsteps grow louder, you take a slow breath-

BEEP BEEP!

You gasp as your hunter’s watch detects wanderers nearby. You grasp at your wrist to dampen the noise. Hunching over, cradling your arm as it beeps again.

STOP! Please!

“What was that?”

What do I do? I’m going to get caught.

“Check it out.”

Think. Think.

From their footsteps, you can tell one of the men has walked into the truck.

THINK!

You don’t have a choice.

With a grunt, you charge at the man, shooting him in the chest, before hauling his body to cover yours as you exit the vehicle.

“INTRUDER!” the other man yells. “INTRUDER! LOCK EVERYTHING DOWN.”

Sirens blare as shots are fired in your direction. One lodges itself into your thigh. With a scream you dump the body shield and limp as best as you can out of the crossfire.

Another shot whizzes past the side of your arm. Another into your lower abdomen as you turn to shoot at them.

Before you make it to the forest, a loud roar shakes the ground and you stumble onto all fours.

A wanderer. A Hoarfrost Wyrmlord, you recognise.

It stomps it’s way towards the warehouse, likely drawn in by all the noise.

You scramble away as best as you can, but behind you are the men from the warehouse.

Your breaths have become rapid and shallow, “Where…”

The Wyrmlord locks onto you, blowing out gusts of air from it’s nostrils.

You begin shooting at the Wyrmlord but it looks unphased.

You duck for cover as it shoot icicles your way.

Protocores. You think. “You must have a shield somewhere.” you say as you peak over the metal pillar.

“You!” A foreign voice takes your attention.

The man has his gun pointed to you.

Swiftly, you kick your leg out in an attempt to disarm him, but he catches it and kicks at your other leg so that you land face first into the dirt.

For a few moments, you wrestle him until he’s got you in a choke hold.

You elbow him in his side and as his grip loosens you try to swing him over your shoulder.

But he uses the momentum to kick off of the pillar, and the action flings you backwards, and your back hits the ground with a thud.

You grunt and struggle to stand.

Before you can shoot him, a Harte Knave slashes through him.

Just as quickly, your bullets pierce though the Harte Knave and it disintegrates in dust.

Another roar shakes the ground as you and many others are pulled into a protofield.

“No!” You scream.

“Sylus!” You yell into the air.

Hoping, praying that he just might appear out of thin air.

...

“CAW!”

Meanwhile, Sylus is seated in another safehouse.

His leg is bouncing up and down.

You should have returned to the safe house hours ago, but there has been no notification of your arrival from the security system.

For every centimetre the moon rose into the sky, so did his worry.

“I appreciate the help, but I’m not some dove that needs saving.”

Your words echoed around in his mind for the past few hours.

“I can do this on my own.”

He knows that. You’re strong. He’s seen it.

“They’ll label me a Tenebra for even breathing the same air as you, remember?“

Tch.

“I can’t just rely on you for everything,”

But something was wrong.

His intuition never failed him.

“CAW! CAW!”

“Mephisto.” Sylus quickly stands and stretches his hand out for Mephisto to land on.

A holographic video pops up and Sylus sees you dropping the lifeless body and limping away into the tree line.

The screen flickers for a moment as you scream his name before you disappear into the protofield.

Even before the video ends, Sylus is rushing out to his motorcycle. He pulls up the coordinates from Mephisto’s previous location history and speeds away.

Why did I leave her by herself? Near the N109 zone nonetheless. I’m a fool.

In the protofield, the Wyrmlord is the last wanderer.

There are only a few other humans left and luckily, the Wyrmlord is beginning to stagger too.

You’ve managed to break it’s shields but you’re heavily wounded and the Wyrmlord has caused the temperature to drop so rapidly that it’s difficult to even pull the trigger.

Sylus… Please…

You know he can’t just appear into a protofield. But somehow his name on your lips gives you enough strength to continue the fight.

Out of desperation, you’ve managed to resonate with some of the Evolvers.

And with great effort, you and another Evolver deal the final blow to the Wyrmlord and you’re transported back to the warehouse.

Sirens are still blaring and the edges of your vision are fading.

“Sylus.” You whisper walking away from the warehouse.

You grunt as you slump against a sturdy tree.

The shards of ice that were lodged into your stomach have vanished along with the protofield and now your blood has begun to soak through your clothing.

With a few harsh tugs, you rip your sleeve off and press it against your wounds.

Everything hurts, but you try to slow your breathing.

Your watch beeps once more.

The adrenaline causes you to perk up at the thought of more wanderers.

WARNING! Critically low blood pressure - severe blood loss. Coordinates have been sent to the nearest Hunter’s Association field lab.

When you wake next, the room is too bright for your eyes to adjust.

You blink and raise a hand to your face to block the light.

Glancing around, you notice it’s like any other bedroom.

You groan as you sit up.

Looking down at yourself, you see the faint outline of multiple gauze pads from underneath your top.

You limp out of the room, using the wall to take most of your weight.

You flinch as you feel a tap on your shoulder, hands immediately going to where your guns would have been.

“Relax, Kitten.” Sylus says, with both his hands up in the air, “I’m just trying to help you.” He begins to lower his hands.

“Sylus…” You croak from the dryness of your throat.

You could do nothing but stare. Was this real?

You were hyperventilating a little, and he’s never really seen you so high-strung.

“You’re safe.” He says as he slowly cups the side of your face.

“Sylus… I…”

He lowers his forehead to yours and you visibly relax.

“You’re safe with me, sweetheart.” He repeats the phrase as he gathers you into his chest.

“I won’t let you go ever again.” He whispers. “Never again.”

I told you it was long XD. I had fun though. If you guys like it, I don't mind fully fleshing this out into chapters. I really enjoyed writing this one actually.

|| Masterlist ||

-Seven

[zerothisnero]

This is literally the best way I could ever explain warrior cats to anyone and I hate it

has this been done before

[spacialrift]

yall still read pjo

[raskolni-kin]

i have a lot of thoughts while watching the nero-sporus scene but i didnt take note so here we go, some idea i can still remember lol

first, they’re wearing the exact same striped dress shirt

the way tom telling the story after talking to greg about *greg getting a magical castle*, it’s like he wanted to remind greg that he is still the emperor nero and greg is still his slave boi

also the fact that he (and the writers) chose the story that nero killed his wife instead of another version (his wife died from childbirth and nero used sporus to cope), i feel like they really wants to show that tom is this 👌 close to gone girl shiv right now. he looked so tired, so *i want a divorce* lol (i was even surprised to see him wearing wedding band this ep tbh)

“I’d castrate you and marry you in a heartbeat” ,,,do i even need to explain😭 it’s like tom saying he’d rather be with greg than anyone else in this situation (whether bc he thinks he can still control greg or whatever, *it’s complicated). it’s the closest thing we ever have to tom’s love confession and coming out.

then greg responded with a silly rabbit smile, thinking it was a flirtatious joke as always before he slowly realized that ‘no this is not a joke. tom is dead serious,,, shit’. he felt it. he felt something’s cooking and he was WAITING FOR IT. he even ASKED TOM FOR IT.

but then tom immediately turned to wrestling (very intricate ritual) imo it’s like his first instinct after saying something that is NOT STRAIGHT AT ALL is to conceal it with toxic masculinity, violence, anger. it reminds me of water bottle scene last season,,, internalized homophobia.

this made the next part even more heartbreaking

greg: i don’t wanna do it.

tom: *after mocking him* NEITHER DO I, GREG.

tom also doesn’t want to do it, but do what? bc there’s so many things he didn’t wanna do right now. i feel like this sentence was more of a general statement to everything he’d told before.

he doesn’t wanna go to jail.

he doesn’t wanna castrate and marry greg (= he doesn’t want his homosexuality, more equal power dynamic… not really but i hope u get the point lol)

BUT he also doesn’t wanna start this wrestling fight (= he doesn’t want to conceal his homosexuality, have power, dominance, anger)

and yet he still ended this exchange with more angry talk of business and executive blah blah blab. there’s A LOT to unpack here. tom is having a BIG big gay crisis.

im so normal and not losing my mind at all

[pagingdoctorbedlam]

The other day, I was talking to my wife about One Piece College AUs, and we determined that CP9 are all frazzled grad students (and Enies Lobby is when they grab Robin so they can all focus on their PHD theses together, but those darn Straw Hats keep interrupting).

Clearly, Lucci, Kaku, and Jabra are all zoology students, writing their papers on different animals. Lucci and Jabra won’t stop arguing about their hypotheses. Kaku wants people to stop laughing about his subject, giraffes are Important Subjects Of Study you guys.

(No one knows if Hattori is an emotional support animal, or a pigeon Lucci trained for a class project that now won’t leave his side, and he’s not answering.)

Kalifa is a chemistry major, working on unusual applications of soap. Blueno is a physicist. Both of them are having meltdowns over their papers, but have to remain cool because the Bio students won’t shut up.

Kumadori studies physiology, but is blatantly ignoring his own advice so he can power through his papers. No one knows how long he’s been awake at this point, or what kabuki theater has to do with his research.

Fukuro is the only non-STEM grad students of the group, being a journalism student. However, he won’t stop blabbing about things he shouldn’t, and everyone knows he couldn’t stick to an NDA to save his life. He’s honestly considering dropping the program and becoming an online gossip columnist of sorts, but first, he’s got to make sure all his STEM friends survive the term.

Spandam is everyone’s guidance counselor for their majors, but really, he’s just trying to achieve tenure and take some credit for the theses his students come up with. This plan is already going to hell, especially since Nero already dropped and Robin keeps threatening to switch counselors.

(Bonus round: Bedlam, my OC, is obviously a med student. They keep telling the others to rest a bit, even as they’re on their fifth energy drink of the day.)

[zerothisnero]

HELLA YEAH TRAIN TIME!!!

Reblog to open a rail line from your blog to the person you reblogged this from

[limitlessgojo]

Blood Bound: Extras

Warnings: Action, !Bleeding!, Coarse Language, Cuts/Cutting, Fighting, Depictions of Blood and Violence, Death, Gore, Japanese Mythical Folklore, No Major Character Death, Slight Horror, War

Previous Chapter: Inferno: Flames of Hell

Next Chapter: 百鬼夜行 - Hyakki Yakou

Word Count: 500

Tags: Kamo Noritoshi x Reader, Soulmates AU, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Fem!Reader

Notes: If you want to be tagged for every update, and specify if you're okay with NSFW posts or not, please mention it in the comments below ty ❤

Additional Notes: As always, warnings for each chapter are updated. We are getting into a darker part of the story. It might be too vivid or triggering for some people so always read my Warnings.

Chapter 17.6: Glass Mirrors

Both you and Noritoshi had just finished another mission together. You went back to campus afterwards, washed up, and then had dinner with him in his room.

"Oh my gosh, that Korean drama an elementary school friend recommended to me? You need to watch it!" You blabbed excitedly.

Noritoshi smiles and listens to you. Your voice and presence had a soothing effect on him. He could feel his stress melting away.

He must have zoned out, because the next thing he knew, there was some coconut and mango cream on his nose. He flinched back in confusion as you laughed out loud.

"Wha-"

You cut him off as you licked the cream off his nose. "Mmm that's really sweet." It was the dessert you had prepared for him. Some mango and coconut sago, as you had found out he has yet to try sago and Taiwanese bubble tea.

"Y/n, you know you're incredibly obnoxious at times." Noritoshi shook his head. 

You beamed up at him, grinning mischievously. It was one of your rare open mouthed smiles. He loved it so much.

Suddenly, a sharp pain raced across his head. He blinked his eyes. Something wasn't right. 

You looked a bit fuzzy.

"I feel like I'm forgetting something." He said worriedly. You smiled, throwing your arms around him. "Toshi, you're overthinking again."

"You're right. I must be." He let you smother him in kisses. Soft touches and nose rubs along the sides of his cheek.

He felt like he was drowning in your warmth. You lifted his left hand and pressed a deep kiss on the space below his inner wrist. 

It was smooth and clean skin. His brain fog slightly cleared.

Clean?... his soulmark was gone. He started panicking, rubbing furiously at his wrist. Where is it?

"Toshi baby, what's wrong?" You asked worriedly. He looked up at you. 

"It's gone. Our soulmark is gone, darling." he said in disbelief. You tilted your head and lifted your right hand, showing the inner wrist. 

Blood dripped down from the jagged Phoenix mark that was crudely carved onto it. It looks like someone did it with a sharp knife. He winced as you pressed a finger into it, making more blood ooze out.

"Gone? But Noritoshi, you were the one who broke our bond, weren’t you?"

You disappeared.

He woke up in a cold sweat, left hand stretched out towards the empty space, on the bed, beside him. The space that was reserved especially for you. 

Tears streamed down his face as he gasped aloud. Heavy breaths echoing in his room.

His Phoenix mark burned like crazy, a bright red aflame in the dark.

It was just a dream. You weren't there with him. The smell of your shampoo was long gone. Your warmth non-existent. He grit his teeth and shut his eyes, trying to ignore the pounding in his head. 

He held his left wrist close to his heart as he curled further into his sheets. The only lingering connection and warmth he shared with you. 

You weren't really with him. It was just a dream.

Taglist: @lessie-oxj @rizzo-nero​ @whoreuc @fkngkumiko @isl3t @gojoussunglasses​ @onepotatostand-blog @s-t-f-u-b-i-t-c-h @sunaswife @lordguameow ​ @track5enthusiast @nayydoesthings @a1hina @r-rose08 @cherriesanwine ​

Blood Bound: Table of Contents

[grinmalkinhat]

1. vik never called soda a pedo. all vik said was soda allegedly drew nsfw art of you and shared it in a server. knowing how you two acted and some of the even vaguely nsfw shit ive seen from you or soda, that tracks. i do not mean that in a “ur both freaks” way, i mean it in a “i knew you guys” way. brutal honesty shit idk. 2. that ”furryphobia” shit was from well over a year ago and was poorly worded. the dude believed furries are zoophiles and thats what i was trying to get across. i was just awful with my words and realized that cuz i was called out for it immediately. 3. i dont even wear a tail its just cat ears. and even so why is that weird. im fucking thriving. dont act like i havent seen you draw yourself in catboy catmaid shit too lol its the same fucking thing. youre literally a fucking dangan cosplayer too shut the fuck up. 4. you know what youre doing. youre looking at 19+ pages of viks fucking blog. thats the definition of cyberstalking. he has you blocked from this account on vamps main, i have you blocked from this account on my main, yet you go and brag on anon about block evading. neither of us want anything to do with you, and i wish you had the brains to realize that. move on. keep this and look at it, always remember you lost friends because of yourself and your own actions. im surprised you ever even answered that first ask consideration you pretebded to be my friend and screenshotted posts and disc messages to blab abt me. if vik made you hate me or anyone else so much, why are you always a creep on your own accord. goodbye

okay since you're gonna be a little whiny bitch I'll answer this publically <3

1. that is calling soda a pedo. vik fucking called it cp. not to mention vik and nero shared nsfw art of the danganronpa characters too so that's the exact same thing. it wasn't nsfw either it was my ideal body you fucking creep.

2. you literally fucking CALLED it furryphobia. who cares if it was over a year ago (it wasnt) you were at an age to know better. the privilege you show is insane.

3. why are you so caught up on this LMFAOOOO did the furry get their feelings hurt. I'm not a furry I'm a cat glad you're stupid tho. who cares if im a cosplayer

4. how would he know that unless he has an ip tracker on his fucking blog. i check it so his stupid junko kin ass doesn't fucking spread shit again. I've literally seen it happen. he's pathetic. you literally fucking sent me an ask on your own accord. if you hadn't maybe i would have gotten bored. I'm allowed to look at someone's fucking page. it's not creepy its the fucking internet. I did pretend to be your friend! because vik wanted fucking shittalking ammo. because vik is a fucking snake. if you wanted nothing to do with me you could ignore me but vik checks my shit constantly too so shut up ^_^ I don't give a fuck if I lost friends that are creepy furries who slobber over fnaf like it's the gospel. imagine suibaiting a 15 year old because she was cishet. go fuck yourself. i hope someone sets you on fire

[oveliagirlhaditright]

I don’t know if I can properly do a review for Neo the World Ends With You. I can talk about the bullet points about the plot and how it’s the perfect sequel to TWEWY there, but other than that... I feel like it’s just going to me being like, “It’s good. It’s good. It’s so good” and gushing about my favorite parts. But you know what? Here I’m going to try it, anyway:

So, I saw someone complaining about how the artwork for Neo wasn’t original, because if you put it beside TWEWY (the Switch version), if you didn’t know any better, you might think you had two copies of the same game... And that’s because the creators tried to make this “TWEWY 2″ in every way possible, even with the box arts being so similar. And I just- I love that so much! 

I feel like Neo is almost moreso now an act two to TWEWY--the final act--than a sequel, per se.

But, like, a lot of us were theorizing from the beginning that Rindo’s mask thing might be tied to him not speaking up, like Neku’s headphones were tied to how he shut people out. And this was true. And, ahh. What a beautiful thing this was. To have such protagonists for the two games and to see them grow. And while I expected Rindo’s character arc, it was honestly a lot better than I was expecting. I grew to like him a lot more than I thought I would. And I loved him making the decisions to go back and try to save his friends, even though he knew it might make things worse, when before he could rarely make a decision on his own. I really felt his struggle here, and it was executed well and this was pay-off after everything that came before it.

TWEWY gave us Taboo Noise and Neo gave us Plague Noise. At first, this kind of bothered me. Because I thought if one could make Plague Noise, surely someone like Sho or Mr. H would have tried that in the first game, when they were trying to become Composer and save Shibuya, respectively. But now that I get what they were going for with it, I’m all for it. And TheDeliveryGod points out that they might be a reference to Covid with the “Plague” name and with Rindo wearing a “mask”, which I hadn’t thought about. I know they started coming up with some of this before that, but maybe. Edit: This all ties into Neku and Rindo’s character arcs, too. Originally, Neku didn’t want anyone to force their values on him and probably would have been happy if they all thought like him. But in the end, everyone IS thinking alike and it’s not what he wanted at all. In Neo, Rindo has a problem of speaking up and making decisions. And in Neo, this leads to people not being able to think at all.

Anyway, TWEWY had everyone brainwashed by the end and Neo had it so they couldn’t think at all. And oh my gosh, I did not think that Nagi and Fret’s psychs would come in to save the day (and Neku and Tsugumi’s as well), but this is another amazing payoff and I could watch this segment again and again. Eep! It was such a beautiful text bubble scene and cutscene!

And when I was first playing the game, I was starting to worry if they’d delve deep into the characters... and really explain everything, make me care about everyone and everything and add replay value. But they did. They really did. I never thought they’d make me care about the Shinjuku Reapers, but here we are. I feel so bad for that tragic family now. And ahh! Knowing that Shoka is Swallow now has so much replay value! ...And makes her and Rindo even more shippable, of course. I’ve gone back and played a few chapters and I can see it now. Ahh. And of course, the character development is spot-on. Which is what TWEWY is all about. I never should have doubted. I really loved all the flashbacks with our girl Shoka, too, and seeing her and Ayano’s relationship, and what she was like before she found herself with Gatto Nero.

Rindo gets pulled back into the RG similarly to Neku’s ending! And at first, you think that’s his happy ending, too! But all is not right, of course. But because Neku’s struggles (him finally letting people in) got the attention (a change of heart) of another higher being (the Composer, Joshua, and he gave Neku and the gang their happy ending), it does the same thing with the angel Haz. And can I just say... there’s something about this whole segment that is just sublime? I want to watch it over and over and over again. It oddly might be my favorite part of all of TWEWY now, and that is really saying something. But Neku’s story was about letting people in and he did that, so story out. But Rindo’s was about making decisions... and he has one more important decision to make--the biggest one--before he can get his happy ending, and Haz leads him to it, subtly. Sort of like how I think Joshua was subtly trying to get Neku to change his mind about destroying Shibuya in TWEWY.

Oh. And you finish off the big bad by doing a Fusion with your whole party again, and you all sort of land/flash on the ground afterwards like you did in TWEWY, too!

And I’ve rambled enough about the new NeShiki scene in my NeShiki posts since Neo. But that essentially being a continuation of their scene from TWEWY: MMM. My heart! It almost makes not seeing Shiki’s face all these years worth it for that moment. Almost.

And then the title changing to “The World Begins With You” again, but with Neo this time... is just the most beautiful and awe-inspiring thing they could have done and I can’t thank them enough for it.

And the sheer joy I felt when I realized that this game had Another Day, too.

There are other smaller things, too. Like I’m pretty sure shark Noise start appearing on the day they did in the original (the day Rhyme got erased). And how Transformation--a song that plays as boss battle music against Sho--plays when you first meet him in TWEWY.

Neo really is TWEWY2 through and through, even though the developers didn’t want to call it that (so newcomers knew they could play it without knowing the first game), and I can’t thank them enough for that. What a wonderful world this was. ^_^

Oh! And the ending scene with Rindo and Shoka playing FanGo was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen--the perfect ending, really--and felt like it came straight out of a Disney movie.

It makes me wish I could rewatch all of this in one-go... except I can’t. Haha.

Oh, and of course I love that we get a new menu art, ala what FFXV did, where the darkness is gone and we have Neku in the art, too:)

...

And now onto a few tidbits of some of my million favorite scenes: 

I love that Beat calls Nagi Pinny. LOL. I love everything about Beat in this game. Speaking of:

That one quest where that one guys becomes possessed with Noise and is fretting about his sister and you fix him up, and Beat says, “I love a guy who cares about his little sis.” :)

And when you’re exploring the urban legends (that is very Twilight Town KHII, I must say. Side note: Stealth Sneak from KH, I can’t believe you made it here, too), and you’re doing the stair ones, and Nagi falls down them and Beat’s like, “Yo, Pinny. You, ai’ight?!”:D:D:D

I think this was another part of the urban legend day, but when that guy imprinted on that girl to just end her friendship with all her friends, since she was stressing about friends growing further apart, so he decided to just cut her losses. And Beat was like, “How about I imprint you to stick your hand up where the sun don’t shine, yo?”

Or in Another Day, when Beat says to Neku, “We’re not getting much screen time,” and Neku replies, “Let’s let the kids have it. That gives us more time to...” Beat: “That’s right: Tin Pin Slammer!” Nagi: “Those two sure seem to have gotten themselves into something exciting over there.” Shoka (I think it was Shoka): “Oh, they’re playing that game that was super popular three years ago.” Hahaha. I also loved the reference to Reaper Creeper with Rhyme and Coco, and Nagi and Fret being like WTF is that?

All of the character interactions are wonderful, and you know I’ll be making posts upon posts about them. But I love that we passed the Bechdel Test with some sweet Shoka and Nagi moments.

That whole scene where Joshua helps Shoka and Rindo is just the greatest. I keep watching it over and over. I love that he helps her in such an asshole-y way. Everything’s a game to him (though you know what? Maybe it’s also a reference to Rindo and Shoka meeting and bonding through FanGo) Oh, Josh. But maybe that was the only way he could do it. The Neku and Josh scene is also wonderful (he tried to help Neku after Coco shot him. He did... even if it was to lock Neku in Shinjuku for three years, because he didn’t trust him to blab that Josh was the Composer? I’m kind of with Neku on that one, “Oh, brother”. But it all worked out in the end, and the following moment with Neku and Josh is really special).

Though I really am wondering why he didn’t help more, and why no one thought to get the Composer for help... probably because he couldn’t interfere. Got to get those secret reports to explain everything, I’m sure. You know what? I’m sure he was actually pulling some strings behind the scenes.

Adore all the stuff with Rhyme. I’ve gushed about that in other posts. She’s so cute now! Always was. And I’ve so proud of my hacker daughter!

Shutting up now. And expect a million more Neo posts in the future. What a game. What a series! So glad I can say that about TWEWY now.

Edit: And I’m so glad that angels were in here, and that that plot got expanded on from the original!

[zerothisnero]

LIES!

[m-morii]

can I get general relationship headcanons with Nico please? with a fem reader please 💕

me, a Nico biased lesbian seeing this ask: interesting,, 👁️👄👁️💅

RELATIONSHIP HEADCANONS W/ NICO

Expect lots bad pick up lines and suggestive jokes, you two would have plenty of inside jokes as just one glance would make both of you fall in laughter;

Brags to Nero about you ALL THE TIME, he has to tell her to shut the fuck up because he just can't stand Nico blabbing about you being the most amazing person she ever met, even though he thinks it's cute sometimes;

Lots of nasty hugs and kisses as she always comes out of her workplace really dirty and messy so you have to basically have to force her to get in the shower;

Chill nights with Nico would always be you two hanging around on the sofa playing games or watching a show on the TV;

Nico's a cuddle bug even though she doesn't admit it, she loves when you're just chilling between her legs doing anything while she plays with your hair and whisper sweet nothings to your ears;

Would call you cute pet names such as: Babe, Sweet cheeks, Baby girl, Sugar, Honey, etc.

[zerothisnero]

"I regret meowthing (`･ω･´)9"

(Kitty belongs to @questioningstressing)

[aethernoise]

some stories i want to write

but haven’t (yet)

@autumnslance  @anomaliewrites and @to-the-voiceless all tagged me for this, so after a third tag I decided to finally Perceive the question and attempt an answer. I have tons of ill-defined ideas floating around the uplander braincase at any given time so I tried to narrow down a list of concepts I hope you find interesting. Some highlights are:

- THE OTP IS GETTING MARRIED exactly what it says on the tin. they’re getting really impatient so I have to do something soon. 

- The Fuck-You-Werlyt-Quest Fix-It Fic more of a "save Raubahn and Cid from character assassination while also giving Alyx a chance to say what we're all thinking" type of fix-it, the plot is largely staying the same. Established key points: Alyx confronts Raubahn about Gaius, Alyx punches Gaius (with magic), Cid punches Gaius, Cid calls Nero, ?????, profit.

- Whomst the Fuck is Wolfram Taris & Why Should I Care In just want to write some stories, even just one, about ARR Alyx and my laughably underdeveloped Scion-adjacent scoundrel OC. It may very likely require a replay of ARR to get into that headspace.

- Black Magic, Grief, and You I want to combine and flesh out my previous prompt responses spanning the Heavensward Black Mage quests to create a single narrative... BUT ALSO include bits and pieces from The Shadow of Mhach raid storyline--and if I’m really feeling spicy--culminate in the big arrogant disaster Alyx cooks up in Azys Lla (yes, the one Alphinaud yells at her about). Just one long dramatic pain train.

- The NSFW Ardbert/WoL/Fray Self-Care Sandwich  Listen...this is a challenging thought, but I want to write it so badly. I’ve never written smut involving more than two bodies at once? but what if 2/3 are dubiously corporeal anyway?? Aether makes all things possible. Logistics be damned, the WoL deserves this. I deserve this. 

- A “Beholden” Epilogue I CAN’T BELIEVE EMET SAVED RHODRY’S LIFE A SECOND TIME..... I have yet to play 5.3 MSQ for him but part of the reason I’ve been saving it is to really savor how amazing that moment is going to be with him. I’m definitely writing something, not sure if it will just be a drabble or a whole-ass fic.

- Speaking of Emet-Selch (There’s That Entire Other AU) So there’s this other story I’ve dabbled in with those Emet-POV prompt responses about dancing and drinking and angry kissing against a doorframe (and a bit of unpublished filth).... it feels like something that wants to be a longfic I don’t have energy for. Hopefully, I can strike a compromise with myself somewhere, and tell a whole story without agonizing over not telling enough.

UM I’LL STOP THERE wheezes I don’t know if I should tag anybody, but if it would help your creative process, go ahead and use me as an excuse to blab about your ideas!