#not sure it’s necessary…. it’s not… but I dunno maybe I just think my life is so important I need to post vaguely about it

[floral-hex]

drove my mom to the ER.

[max-nico]

It's Tails first birthday with Sonic. Sonic estimates the kid is turning about 4, maybe 5 today. They're sitting at a little diner in some middle-of-nowhere town, partially because they don't have the funds for much more, but also because Tails only said he would like to go to a restaurant for his birthday.

It seemed like an odd choice for a kid, Sonic is pretty sure kids usually ask to go to things like amusement parks, or trampoline parks, or... Regular parks. He's not quite sure what kids like outside of parks, so maybe he's overthinking it.

Still, he asks Tails why he would want to go out to eat anyways. It seems like an odd choice for a rambunctious 4 (5?) year old.

"Oh." He mumbles, "Well I dunno what people do for birthdays, but one time I heard people back at the island talkin'bout going to dinner! I thought that's what people are s'posed to do, am I wrong?"

Sonic frowns for a moment, unsure of how to answer his question. It takes a little work to make the words he's looking for bubble up from his throat, still pretty unused to talking more than what's absolutely necessary.

"No, not really. You're-You are supposed to do what you want for your birthday. Whatever you want." Sonic's words drag in all the wrong places, and linger when he chokes on vowels. "Like, go to the park or.. something. Would you want to go to the park?"

Tails thinks for a moment and shakes his head.

"No, you don't play with me at the park, and I wanna spend my birthday with you, Sonic!"

Way to hit a hedgehog in his heart strings, huh? Normally when they're at a park there's other kids, so he lets them entertain themselves while he takes a nap on a nearby bench. He's not playing because he doesn't want to play, he's trying to encourage Tails to make friends. It seems, he may have screwed up somehow, not in any unfixable way though.

Sonic frowns, "If we go to the park I'm happy to play with you. Do you want to go?"

Tails shakes his head again, "I'm hungry."

Sonic laughs.

The diner staff are polite. They all have slow drawls that make it practically impossible for Sonic to actually listen to them, but by Gaia does he try. They just ask general questions; drinks, food, sauce, sides. Things like that. Sonic makes sure to mention Tails birthday as well, and the lady promises to come back with two free cupcakes.

The entire dinner flies by in no time at all. Tails does most of the talking, as usual, but Sonic tries harder to contribute to the conversations and ask engaging questions. Even when the fox starts going on and on about plane parts and upgrades that Sonic can't even begin to pronounce, let alone grasp what they do.

Soon enough, their dessert is out. Sonic has never been big on any types of sweets, so as soon as the happy birthday song the waiters sing is over he slides his cupcake to Tails side of the booth. It's more than worth it, even if he would've wanted the cupcake, because the kids eyes light up like Sonic has just handed him the stars.

"Are you gonna blow out your candle first?" Sonic chuckles, pointing at Tails own still sparking cupcake.

"Well duh!" He sasses, grinning.

"What're you gonna wish for?"

Again, Tails thinks, wrinkling his nose as if this is the most important question he's ever had to answer.

"It has t'be small." He says. "Just in case."

An eyebrow raise is shot Tails' way. "In case of what?"

"Well, the elders at the island always said wishin' comes at a price, that's why I was born with two tails y'see? So it can't be big, just in case, cuz I can't accidentally trade ya'up! You're more important to me than any wish ever!"

Before Sonic can respond, Tails has blown out his candle. The hedgehog's eyes are a little misty, and his nose is a little runny, unbeknownst to the little fox across from him. Never in Sonic's life has he had anyone be so.. so genuine to him. He's so beside himself with fondness he isn't quite sure what to do with it all, he feels so swollen with love he might explode.

Quietly, Sonic asks him what he wished for.

"Your long and pro-prosperous health! That means ya get to stay healthy for a long long time." Tails smiles but his face is deadly determined, as if he's truly trying to will his wish into existence by sheer force of will alone.

Sonic supposes he'll have to wish for the same thing on his birthday, just to make sure they're even.

Heyyyy y'all !! Should I probably wait until Tails actual birthday to post a birthday fic? Maybe. Do I care? Nope !! Come talk to me !! I don't bite I swear !!!

Sonic, in this fic for some reason: do you want to go to the park?

Tails: no I do not

Sonic: Have you ever gone to the park?

Tails: no I have not

Sonic: will you go to the park?

Tails: maybe...

Sonic: when will you go to the park?

Tails:

[windvexer]

Heylo! I wanted to ask about your experience post initiation if that's alright .i recently did a tarot reading and got told that to please spirits in order to begin a good working relationship, i must contemplate and be ready to be Changed. there were lots of signs that it could lead to feelings of isolation, and otherness but it will lead me deep into myself (sry if this is too long.) i want to know if u went through something similar, or something else, and is it worth it personally for you. I would also love some pointers as to what I'm supposed to contemplate about. I don't mind the isolation but maybe I'm not understanding some key aspect of it. anyway thank you and i love your blog it's an irreplaceable resource for me. :)

Hi :)

Spirit-lead initiation into witchcraft is a controversial topic, I think in part because it can be very uncomfortable to discuss.

I have been relatively open on my blog that my initiatory experience was extremely painful and required a level of sacrifice and transformation that I was too immature to comprehend at the beginning of the process. Even now it's not something I'm sure I could articulate.

For me it was a process that lasted the majority of a decade. I think this is a relatively average timeline - which I just bring up because I think it's useful to point out that if you are facing the same sort of thing that I faced, it's not just going to be over in a few weeks or months.

Was it worth it personally for me? I don't know. Right now, my answer is that I love who I am and I like my life, and I wouldn't be who I am or have this life if I didn't go through that process. I used to say I'd never do it again if I had the choice. Now, a few years after the fact, sometimes I say I'd do it again. Maybe in a decade I'll think it was worth it.

It's my belief that the sort of initiatory process I, and others, have gone through, isn't necessary for most people to form a good working relationship with the spirits.

I believe that if you have the choice, you should very, very carefully contemplate initiation and only agree to it after a prolonged period of reflection.

So, what's there to contemplate? I dunno. Otherness on the path to spirit-working was a major part of my trip, so if we are kindred, here's maybe something to contemplate:

You are a boulder. You are a very nice boulder in the wilderness. You're composed of many varieties of minerals and metals. You are a gorgeous boulder, glittering in the sunlight, hosting a unique map of inclusions and ore veins unlike any other boulder in the world.

You sit high up on a mountainside. A few meters behind you is a river. Below you is a dry valley.

The waters of the river are pressing up behind you. They rush past you, sweeping by, continuing their eternal circuit in the mountain-range, but rarely trickling into the dry valley below.

One day, you gain an interest - as some boulders do - in allowing some of the water to trickle past you into the valley below. The secrets of nature will allow you to sometimes let water to lap up over your sides, and through narrow crevices, to water the plants you find to be most beautiful, and provide drinking pools for the little animals you hold most dear.

Little by little, the valley beneath you begins to change as you apply yourself to learning the secrets of nature and letting the water flow past you.

After some time, the water begins to whisper in your ear. It appreciates your interest in its flow - it likes your focus on the river. A deal can be brokered:

The river will dissolve only some of the minerals and inclusions that run through you, creating hollow tunnels. Through these tunnels, the water can flow much more easily and rapidly.

But there are conditions.

The conditions are that whatever is washed away can never be returned. How could it? What force in the universe could restore the crystalline structure within you once the waters have carried it away?

And, the river chooses which inclusions will be removed. The river is very wise in these matters; it knows better than anyone how water can best flow through any boulder. It isn't up to you to choose what leaves, and it isn't up to you to choose the nature in which the water will flow through you.

Finally, if you use the secrets of nature to ever stop the flow of water through the new inclusions, you are at risk of crumbling away. The empty caverns within you will dry up and leave you empty in places that should be whole.

The river asks you to contemplate and return with an answer.

Of course it leads you deep into yourself. The river is going to run right through you.

[rey-jake-therapist]

So I keep reading that Sauron and Galadriel couldn't have spent sexy times together because it would have bound Sauron to his form, which I'm pretty sure is wrong, so I searched Google and found something funny dating from 2013. 'Couldn't not share it.

"Sex as means to reproduce.

My answer depending on what that s-word means: I. Couple Glue: Sauron: Not interested in such thing. Wears only friend in his world on his finger until he looses both. Valar: They surely had a couple thingy. Tantric sex that Sting hasn't dreamt of or something. Maiar: Not as apparant as the Valar but probably yeah. II. Love pendant (Obsession) Sauron: The REAL baddies in Tolkien's world aren't some misunderstood emos (for which he has my respect). They don't love or obsesse over gals. EXCLUSION: While he was a blender, he might have faked it (if it was useful for him he would have). Valar/Maiar: Dunno. Probably. Possibly. They want the couple thingy, after all? III. Physical activity Sauron: Surely. I mean why not? And the time argument is irrelevant if we exclude the love/obsession/couple thing. Valar/Maiar: The ones that were happy to try new things surely… Unless it was binding to human form and/or the couple thingy was great enough. Wizards: The time argument holds, as they will also engage in a love/couple thingy. The old age probably protected them from it. Saruman, just as Sauron, was a complete Baddy: yeah he prolly did it. He even got new clothes, as he probably tried to tell himself that the women actually liked him for himself. IV. Reproduction Sauron: Deffo not. Immortals probably had some way to control this, as there was no overpopulation issue in ME. But he would probably kill his women and eat the babies before he conceives possible competition. Valar: Couldn't. If the tantric thing was also as good as sting thinks - lucky bastards. Maiar: Had probably something to do with choice."

To be clear, I didn't write this stuff: Source

More seriously, regarding the subject itself:

From Tolkien's essay Ósanwe-kenta, Vinyar Tengwar #39:

Here Pengolodh adds a long note on the use of hröar by the Valar. In brief he says that though in origin a "self-arraying", it may tend to approach the state of "incarnation", especially with the lesser members of that order (the Maiar). "It is said that the longer and the more the same hröa is used, the greater is the bond of habit, and the less do the 'self-arrayed' desire to leave it. As raiment may soon cease to be adornment, and becomes (as is said in the tongues of both Elves and Men) a 'habit', a customary garb. Or if among Elves and Men it be worn to mitigate heat or cold, it soon makes the clad body less able to endure these things when naked". Pengolodh also cites the opinion that if a "spirit" (that is, one of those not embodied by creation) uses a hröa for the furtherance of its personal purposes, or (still more) for the enjoyment of bodily faculties, it finds it increasingly difficult to operate without the hröa. The things that are most binding are those that in the Incarnate have to do with the life of the hröa itself, its sustenance and its propagation. Thus eating and drinking are binding, but not the delight in beauty of sound or form. Most binding is begetting or conceiving. "We do not know the axani (laws, rules, as primarily proceeding from Eru) that were laid down upon the Valar with particular reference to their state, but it seems clear that there was no axan against these things. Nonetheless it appears to be an axan, or maybe necessary consequence, that if they are done, then the spirit must dwell in the body that it used, and be under the same necessities as the Incarnate. The only case that is known in the histories of the Eldar is that of Melian who became the spouse of King Elu-Thingol. This certainly was not evil or against the will of Eru, and though it led to sorrow, both Elves and Men were enriched."

So it's clearly said that the most binding is "begetting or conceiving", in other words: making babies. Melian lost the ability to change form ever again because she conceived Luthien, not because she had sex with Thingol (yeah I know that one event often leads to the other, but Elves are known for being able to decide when they want to conceive, and I presume it's the same for a Maia). And even in this case, in the text it's said that begitting and conceiving are the "most binding" things a Maiar can do, but it doesn't straight out state that it automatically involves losing their capacity to shapeshift... But then, Melian is the only example of Maia who had a child, and she remained in an Elf form.

Regarding everything that's not begetting/conceiving, it would take Sauron to use his hröa (his body) during a certain time before losing the capacity to shapeshift. And if I understand this text well, it would be the result of him getting attached to this hröa, in a way: he would be so used to this form that he would also lose the desire to leave it.

[flowerwiththemachinegun]

I feel like if you fuck Tseng the next thing you know y’all have 4 kids together. Is this fluff? I think it’s fluff. It felt like fluff.

He literally looks like an absolute baby maker and you’ll be carrying around all of those kids just for them to look like their fucking father.

Rufus is literally begging him to give you a break. At kid number two, Rufus didn’t think much of it. The third? “You may want to slow down.” At kid four the entire crew is letting him know that it’s no longer an accident that he’s getting you pregnant back to back.

I dunno if it was the recent ask from abortion-anon, but I’ve been considering what it would be like to have kids with Tseng. Yanno like, how he would be as a dad, like in a more positive lighting. (I do have versions of these guys in my mind) I also picked 4 (3 boys, 1 girl for my own self insert reasons)

Visions of Tseng going over paper work in one hand and his daughter in the other are plaguing my mind. Standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee on the counter he’s leaning against while her arms are wrapped snuggly around his neck. It’s 3am, he woke up immediately to the sound of cries, quickly getting up to take care of her. Tseng prefers for you to get as much sleep as possible, you two do have three other babies to care for after all. I can only imagine he’d give her the world and she would be such a daddy’s girl, it’s too much for my heart to bear.

Another thought that’s torturing my poor soul, the thought of the version of Tseng for Dead Languages sitting at the dining room table with one of his kids in his lap, the other three sitting around closely as he teaches them his native language. While it isn’t necessary sure, he would much rather they be associated with their roots in some way. Plus they’ll have a way of communicating to each other that nobody else could understand. I also think he would just like to.

I know Tseng would have every bit to do with educating his children. Maybe at times he’d push them harder over the years as I only imagine he’d have high expectations. At times it can be a little toxic, it’s only because he knows they’re capable of achieving any goal they’ve set for themselves. For the most part he’d be very understanding and helpful. Tseng is willing to run on nothing but coffee and 15 seconds of sleep if it means he makes sure his kids are excelling in life.

Depending on what point in time this is? Everyone is awfully fucking spoiled. Though he doesn’t reward shitty behavior from his kids in the slightest and if they’re giving you a hard time I can bet he’d set them straight. I don’t know what he’d say exactly, but I do believe he’d handle everything pretty decently. Swear he wouldn’t even have to raise voice at them.

Firmly believe he’d do his best to make sure you only have to go out of your way to take care of the kids while he handles everything else. If you have a job/career you’re already invested in, Tseng is going to find a way to work with your schedule. I think he’d also make sure that your life isn’t solely taking care of the kids, strongly believes that isn’t the way to live. He does take on as much responsibility as he can, but at times you do have to deal with him being away. It doesn’t stop him from making sure everything is okay at home in the at all. Which means guys, expect some baby sitting from the other Turks. I think he’d trust them the most with Elena.

He definitely cries when they move out. Don’t argue with me, argue with your momma. He sheds a few tears once the two of you are alone and you just hold him while he silently cries against you. He’s just so proud of what they’ve accomplished and that they’re moving on in life, but he’s going to miss having them around 24/7. Making an ungodly amount of noise knowing he’s on a video conference and that the entire board of directors can hear them argue over who stole whose food or the chaos from their roughhousing. Definitely has the “what if they don’t need me anymore” concern. Poor baby, they’re always going to need him, he knows this, simply can’t help the thought though.

Overall? Tseng is a good dad. Only other version I’d have for parenthood is the absent father(okay there may be 1 more version). He’s there but kind of just a background character damn near.

[idontplaytrack]

✧ You & I

Janis ‘Imi’ike x fem!reader

Warnings: fluff, hurt/comfort. quarrelling, coarse language

In which reader’s home life is a mess and she would always run to Janis for comfort and safety.

Requested? Yes / No

p.s. I dunno if y’all are expecting a long one but its a pretty short one, I’m sorry😬

“I told you, I don’t care what you think- I go to work, and you’re at home so the chores are your problem.” Your Dad yells, his voice making your breath hitch. You tried to tune it out and just continued shoving whatever you could into your backpack, periodically glancing at your phone to see if Janis has responded to your text asking if you could go over.

“What the hell does she do all day?!” You heard vaguely. Screwing your eyes shut, you continued hearing, “She goes to school two, three days a week barely a few hours a day. You can’t ask her to help out?! It’s all on me?!”

With tears pricking at your eyes, you forcefully zipped up your backpack, grabbed your phone and made a mad dash down the stairs and straight to the front door. Nothing else was more important than getting out of that house before they could stop you, and before things got worse and stuff gets thrown everywhere. It was a goddamn blessing that Janis lived just 10 minutes away from you, so you could walk there. She calls you while you were on your way there, but she’s already responded to your earlier text that you could be over there anytime. You didn’t pick up, though. You were trying as hard as you could not to breakdown while in public.

Finally arriving at Janis’s you stood in front of her door, pressing the doorbell as you breath became laboured and the dreaded lump in your throat makes its presence known rudely.

“y/n.” Janis answered the door, knowing it was you. “Come on in, darling. I texted you to ask you to wait for me but you didn’t reply so I guessed that you were already on your way.”

The reason for your visit was almost instantly given away by the disheveled look of yours bulky backpack on your shoulder. She takes the backpack from you and led you to sit down. You did so, following her lead as you desperately attempted to blink your tears away. Janis wasn’t big on hugs but she saw you about to cry, she engulfs you in a hug without any hesitation, rubbing your back and telling you that you were okay. That’s never worked out well for you- you’ve always burst into tears when she says that.

Maybe it was because you knew you were truly safe here, physically and emotionally.

“Did they hit you, baby?” She asks quietly.

“No.” You choked on a sob.

She slowly broke away from the hug after a minute or so, analysing your arms and legs. “Babe, what’s the deal with that redness on your thigh?”

You looked at where she was pointing at, realising what she meant. “I was rushing around my room to pack my stuff into my bag, in a hurry. Bumped into a corner of my desk and it broke the skin.”

“You didn’t feel that?” Janis asks, worried.

“I didn’t. Until you pointed it out.” You winced.

She nodded, “Alright. I’m gonna go get the stuff to help you clean that up and a bandaid.”

You weren’t sure why, but once she even started to stand up, you started crying, telling her to stay with you. “Honey, it’s okay. I’m just going to get the first-aid kit. You’re bleeding.” Janis’ words were direct but not harsh. A small sigh falls from her lips as she took you by the hand to go grab the necessary items together with her. She wasn't mad at you and typically, you'd know that. But currently, you were so on the edge from what happened at home that every little thing could make you sob and have a meltdown.

————

As she dabbed the cotton pad with antiseptic on your wound to get it clean, you seethed, barely able to keep still as tears threatened to prick your eyes. "I'm sorry, baby. I know, it stings but I don't want it to get infected." She continues to do so while talking at you, as though a tactic to distract you and get you to focus on her instead. Did it work? Barely.

She carefully places a bandaid over the cleaned cut and told you she was going to throw away the trash in her hands. Now that you were a little bit calmer than before, you let her walk away alone. It didn't even take her a minute and you could see her, but in your mind, you know you just simply could not be alone until you felt completely safe and normalcy returns for you.

She asks you what you wanted to do but you didn't know. Nothing was on your mind. She asks if she could put her arms around you and hug you, knowing that sometimes, you didn't like that. But this time, you agreed to it. "Okay."

"Okay." Janis said back, gently wrapping her arms around you to hold you as she sat together with you on the couch. "Do you want the TV on or off?"

"It's fine, leave it on. You were probably watching something before I came over." You say, snuggling against her chest.

“Rewatching. Charmed.” She smiled a little, “You wanna watch with me?”

“So you can tell me I look like one of the sisters again?” You joked.

“Maybe.” She grins.

“Come on, you know you like the show. Stop denying it.” She giggled, reaching for the remote to press play.

“Which one’s your favourite?” You asked mindlessly, not intending on focusing on the show.

“Baby, I’ve told you this- Phoebe Halliwell was my gay awakening.” Janis replies.

“Really? I thought it was Prue.”

“Maybe her too.” Janis hugs you tighter, “So you were listening.”

“Of course I was.”

Unknowingly, you were at ease, no longer struggling to breathe or on the verge of tears. “I like Prue.” You mentioned casually.

“Oh, yeah?” She looks at you, brushing the hair out of your face as she presses a kiss on your lips, “Maybe I should give you a little treat some time and dress up like her.”

You chuckled, kissing her in reciprocation. “Thanks. For cheering me up. And…everything, really.”

“Anytime, darling.”

[prettywordsyouleft]

2024 Writer's Wrapped

Thanks @blizzardfluffykpop for being so kind and tagging me in their wrap up. I'm not sure if this is going to be an amazing one compared, since I've written very little this year, but I think it's important to look over what I have achieved, considering I have some ambitious goals to get back into writing more in 2025 (life playing ball and not throwing anymore curveballs withstanding).

Tagging @noona-clock because I know B is still writing, and any of my other wonderful mutuals who write who see this, have a go!

Anyway, here is my Writer's Wrapped.

First Fic of 2024:

Every Damn Time - Park Jinyoung x female reader (published 30th April)

You can tell this entire year has been really hard for me and my mother around her health as this was written at the start of the year, I didn't have time to post it until April. At this point in time, Mum had been pretty dizzy from medication and just really unwell, and I remember writing this story out through tears on my phone in bed to calm down enough to go to sleep. Whilst this wasn't anywhere near as bad as it got, writing or reading really helped me endure everything that went wrong this year for Mum. And of course, I turned to Jinyoung for comfort. If it's not him, it's Kyungsoo lol.

Last Fic:

Missed Me - Park Jinyoung x female reader (published 7th November)

The fact that Jinyoung got me writing again thanks to his military discharge still makes me annoyed. But I'm glad I'm writing again, so I guess this story was a necessary evil. It's technically not the last thing I've written this year, as I have two stories to go up in January already, but it's the last thing I've posted in 2024.

Longest Fic:

Business or Pleasure [M] - Jung Jaehyun x female reader (1608 words)

Yeah, I still cannot believe I wrote a dedicated smut scenario either. Let alone post it online, but here we are.

Most Popular Fic of 2024:

Personal Torture - Bang Chan x female reader (has 127 notes currently)

I still dread returning to the gym thinking about this. I had to quit to take care of Mum full-time soon after writing this as I just couldn't do everything in a day, and now I'm wanting to improve my health so I can look out for myself anddddd definitely not getting a personal trainer any time soon if I return. But I love this story. And if you love Chan, well maybe you should look out for 2025 👀 a series I started like 2-3 years ago is FINALLY getting posted...

Personal Pick:

Well, there's only one fiction left that's not posted above, so let's pick it now.

Roll Into Me - Park Chanyeol x female reader

I dunno why I wrote this, just that I was enjoying playing around with how far I could take my suggestive content without cringing.

*whispers* Business or Pleasure is actually my favourite of them all, but the less said on that, the better.

Total Fics Written:

Five published on here. Two that are unpublished and will be shared next year. Several ideas written down but no progress on yet.

Total Words Written:

4975 - way more than I thought I'd get done.

I also have a fictional world that I write on for my close friends. And I think I did about 3-5k there earlier in the year. I'm really behind in that world actually >_<

Top Artists Muses:

Annoyingly, we know who is my top muse.

In Conclusion:

2024 wasn't the year for me to write, but a year to survive. One that I had pockets of creativity to endure what a shitfest it was for me and my family. Equally, it showed me that writing is helpful, and that I shouldn't feel like I can't do it anymore because I read books now. It's kind of a snobbish sounding response that, but what I mean is, I know I don't have the backbone to publish a book anywhere. I couldn't handle someone like myself who reviews books on the regular trashing anything I write. So I decided, I just can't write anymore somewhere in amongst that thinking.

But I can, and I don't have to publish a novel to prove that. I just have to write in what capacity I choose to.

Let's hope I can give this blog more love in 2025, try new things, keep expanding on what I enjoy writing, and just rediscover my love for writing whilst enduring the grief I'm living through with the death of my mum. I think it will be a cathartic experience.

[thecheshireninja]

um, so what is up with the temple of silence?

After just finishing Cyno's second story quest, I have mixed feelings. And because he's my favorite and I'd been waiting for that story quest for ages, I might as well rant a bit... (Warning: disorganized thoughts to follow.)

The whole "reawakening Hermanubis" thing did not quite sit right with me. I understand their motives for doing so, but the story at no point tries to justify how they did it. They themselves called it an experiment. On human children. *scratches head* I dunno, it all just seems lowkey unethical to me. Especially since they admitted adults could not withstand the power, which means... people might have died? (They didn't find it necessary to clarify.)

Even though they did succeed, the ends definitely don't justify the means because Cyrus then ran off, ruining everything. Which, can I just say, GOOD ON YOU, Cyrus, taking a child away from a human experiment where he could grow up with at least a semblance of normal life. But why did the man feel so guilty about it?? The emotional betrayal I understand, but he--and everyone else in this quest--made it sound as if he was fully in the moral wrong.

Perhaps we can give the Temple the benefit of the doubt and say the adults who could not withstand the Ba fragments willingly gave themselves up to the experiment. But Sethos and Cyno were children. I don't think they had much choice. I especially don't think Cyno had much choice given that he was sold by his own parents for this purpose.

Yet upon learning this no one so much as batted an eye. Cyno, the General Mahamatra, who goes on long and heavy about the principles of justice he dedicates his life to upholding... Genshin, what are these inconsistencies?? Drawn all the sharper when you think about the next major story quest they released after this one--Arlecchino's, which also features the subject of human experimentation on children? Now obviously Dottore is on another level because the mental and physical trauma his research inflicted are undeniable where Cyno and Sethos turned out all right, but you know. I'm just seeing some uncomfortable parallels here, is all.

In the end, I think it's because the writers chose not to address any possible consequences for Bamoun's work. Maybe something like "he didn't end up harming anyone in the long run anyway so he can get a pass, unlike Dottore." Cyno survived the discomforts he endured after absorbing the fragment, after all, and now he's doing just fine. Sethos finally gets the freedom to find meaning for his life outside the burden that was pushed upon him as a child (and yes. Yes, I know this is meant to be an allegory, or at least can be construed as such, but I dearly wish they had used a different method to convey it). And let's assume the people who couldn't withstand the Ba fragments either survived or, if they did die, sacrificed themselves willingly. Either Bamoun was making a lot of optimistic predictions that paid off in the end, as was alluded to in the story, or the writers just couldn't be bothered to dive into the potential side-effects of these major revelations.

Cyno is written as a strong-willed, confident, and mature character. It's fair that the writers wouldn't want to give him an existential crisis at his age (he's clearly older than the type who usually do--barring the immortal not-quite-humans who never age out of existential crises). It's not that we don't get to talk about trauma that I mind, so much as we don't get to see him express his moral opinion on things. Almost every time we've come close, he only talks about the rules of the Akademiya. It would have been nice if he could say more in this quest, but oh well. Honestly, I was happy enough to see more dimension to Cyno's character and of COURSE, his relationships. I'm SURE people have discussed all this before and I'm just late to the party. And I could have missed something, but I figure if it was small enough to be missed it probably wouldn't have changed my opinion.

I suppose a Cyno story quest part three would be too much to wish for, anyway...

[bil-daddy]

My Road Trip (platonic) with Jesus

Just some pics of when I showed @one-coming-is-enough all the kingdoms of the world. And no, before anybody asks, that is not a euphemism.

Yeah, sure, we cuddled a bit--

--but that was just to keep Jesus from freezing to death! I'd do the same for Job's kids (even @ennonymous-twink, though that would mostly be to keep him from trying to cuddle with @mrazfellco).

And yeah, I did show him some pornography,

but the kid (human-god) had to learn about the birds and bees sometime, didn't he? He was already 33 years old for Satan's sake! Wouldn't want him to get to 3000 without learning how babies are made--not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything.

See? That's not even me. That's Crowley (whoever he is) and from what Aziraphale says they had a pretty awkward conversation on the Ark about why unicorns were about to go extinct. So glad Aziraphale doesn't waste his time hanging out with that idiot anymore.

But Jesus, honestly, if you had such a great time on our road trip,

why'd you go back? You knew what was gonna happen.

You didn't have to die like that. You had your whole life ahead of you and you just threw it away. Out of--I dunno, some self-sacrificial stupid sense of duty, or blind loyalty to a God who didn't care enough about you not to set you up to be killed in one of the more creatively brutal ways humans have come up with to kill each other.

And sure, you came back, rose from the grave, escaped your tomb, ascended to Heaven, whatever. But none of that would even have been necessary if you hadn't been executed in the first place!

You could've king of the world. Or you could've just been an anonymous nomad. Point is, it would've been your choice. Not some pre-determined destiny chosen for you before you were even born.

We could've kept on travelling together (platonic) There was so much more I wanted to show you (platonic)

...sorry. That was a lot, wasn't it? It just gets to me. What She puts people through, you know? And when people choose Her instead of their own freedom and happiness. Looking at you @supremearchangelaziraphale

I think I need go lie down now. Have a drink.

Maybe a smoke, too.

@eraserhappy

[gren-arlio]

Ah, Visual Novel Disc System games, my beloved. Welcome to Episode 8 of (Waku) Puyo Extras.

(Serilly reading a fashion magazine is pretty nice honesty. Too bad that Honey Bee and Momomo are gonna appear any second now.)

Hello everyone, it's the guy whose computer exploded on him once as well as the only Ciel fan in America (Seriously, I'm glad some fans know about Quest nowadays). Thankfully, the computer's slowly but surely getting fixed, so who knows, maybe I'll continue Arle's route next month due to every week having something planned this time around. (Apologies, Arle route watchers)

As the silly meme about PuyoLympics comes around and goes around (Thanks Witch,) I haven't neglected to speak about what the poll wanted to speak about: Serilly's Happy Birthday.

Would you call this a character speculated episode? It's more of a game starring a character, but I dunno.

With that, I think we can begin. Hope you enjoy.

------

First, let's talk about its origins:

Serilly's Happy Birthday was released in 1998 from Disc Station Volume #18, a magazine that carried either demos of games or full blown games, on the Windows 95.

(For some extra info, there were 2 sets of magazines. Issues #0-32 and Volume #1-27.)

It's a little unclear what month this was released, but we can make do with what we got.

(Cover page for the Volume.)

However, and idk if this is big news or not, but I think I found an page covering Serilly's Happy Birthday, though not in the best quality out there.

I haven't seen this anywhere on the Puyo Nexus, or anywhere else really, so take this with a grain of salt. If true though, I adore how it looks.

Apparently it was made by the people who made the Tower of the Magician artstyle, which would make a ton of sense, but take this with a grain of salt.

(No Schezo though. Yeah he just makes a cameo, but hey, would've been nice.)

Also, tiny Carbuncle. You love to see it.

-----

So, whats the game about?

The game itself is a Princess-Maker (Or in a better term, Social Simulation, didn't know the name first time around,) type game, a genre where you see the world of our own and the fictional world. Take Animal Crossing or Tomodachi Life for example. Or The Sims.

The story is that Serilly was given the ability to go on land, but she still doesn't have any legs. Minor misconception but an understandable one.

You then...simply put, plan Serilly's birthday as a whole, going through a week by week basis to get to the end of the year.

(A screen showing the days. From the Japanese characters from top left to bottom right, its Arle, Rulue, Suketoudara, Witch, Draco, and Owlbear.)

You may wonder what the numbers mean on the left. I'm glad you asked. They're stats that increase whilst doing activities with Serilly, such as dancing with Incubus, studying with Satan Masked Principal, I believe training with Samurai Mole, cleaning with Kikimora, etc.

From top left to bottom right, it goes Power, Head(? Due to Samurai Mole,) Cuteness, Story(? Or negotiation.), Kindness, and fatigue. These points are given in random increments, and doing too much tires Serilly, so heads up on on that.

(Cleaning with Kikimora. This is the best quality I could find this.)

Speaking of characters, here's some that appear in this game:

Arle

Witch

Suke

Owlbear

Masked Principal (NOT Satan. Wrong guy.)

Rulue

Draco

Incubus

Kikimora (Man. She's everywhere.)

Schezo. As a cameo in I think one of Witch's supports, and he's not the best written here.

-----

Wait, Supports?

Now you may wonder what I mean by supports. Well, to get an ending, along with Stat Points, you need to talk to the person themselves, which is why with my little Fire Emblem brain, call them supports. You have to have spoken to them enough, as well as get the necessary stats to get their ending, which is why it's so hard to get Draco's ending, least from what I see and hear. And Witch flat out won't talk to you if you're too stupid for her apparently.

However, while a little one-note, the supports and talks themselves are very charming in their own right, and they look stupid good to boot.

(A small support you can get with Witch.)

So, with those 6 characters I mentioned for the endings, there's 7 possible endings. One of them is NO ONE going to Serilly's birthday. If I ever got this ending, I'm retiring from everything.

Serilly herself is still fairly shy, but much more outgoing than what we're used to, which is nice considering she's the star of the show. I genuinely like how she's written here. Not Waku Puyo levels of great, but still top 2 IMO.

The characters themselves are roughly the same, with some expections. For example, the Masked Principal is actually incredibly nice to you, which is just...amazing tbh, Rulue is more dedicated to her training than anything, and Schezo...sucks as a character this time around. He's just a dude walking around saying "I want you!" like an actual pervert rather than just being a goofball about it. Oh, the misery. (Everybody wants to be my enemy...)

But what do some of these endings look like? Unfortunately, our old pal "The 10 image limit," has attacked us once again, and so, I can only show 4 of them.

But they're the popular characters so...I guess we win this time.

I genuinely love how this game looks, man. And the endings themselves are super charming in their own way. I believe in the Masked Principal ending, she helps people swim (Panotty, Archan?, Honey Bee, and Kodomo Dragon,) and it's honestly super cute.

-----

So what do I personally think?

I think this game is incredibly interesting, as it's something that Disc Station or Puyo has a whole hasn't really seen. They chose an interesting character with Serilly, and they honestly made this game look visually stunning. The music is nice to listen to, and the characters are fairly nice to you for the most part, which is a nice change of pace considering it's, well... Serilly.

Overall, if you can ever find a way to see gameplay of the sort, check it out.

This is a shorter Puyo Extras, but I think I covered most of the basis of this game. That'll be all for now.

Cya guys.

[watchingspnagain]

Rewatching Fallen Idols

Welcome to “Okay So It’s Not a Loki Episode, but I’m Still Super Magnanimous and That’s the Biggest Takeaway Here: A Supernatural Rewatch Blog” with Lor and Mace!

Up today, s5e5: Fallen Idols.

Our boys get intrigued by a case that involves James Dean’s car as a murder suspect, which turns into a series of murders, all seemingly by famous dead people. It’s…weird, to say the least (and can I get an “amen” to the idea that it sounds like something Loki would do? Thank you.) The culprit is Leshi, a pagan god from the Balkans who has found a new feeding ground by transforming into the likenesses of famous people and feeding off their fans. It takes the form of Paris Hilton in the end and wails on both Sam and Dean before Sam can kill it. Cut to an end scene in which the brothers actually…talk? About their feelings? This, too, is weird.

Mace:

maybe open the garage door first?

Lor: 

naaaaaw

Mace:

absolute banana loafs

oh GROSS

Lor:

RIGHT?

mmmm Baby engine

Mace:

yeah

Lor:

"back"? where's "back"? they are IN the only home they have. there's no "get back" from anywhere they ever go pets them

Mace:

YEP

Lor:

omg Dean's "you are so stupid" face

Mace:

HAHAHA

Lor:

down, Dean

Mace:

RIGHT?!

Lor:

"oh we are definitely checking this out"

Mace:

how his little face just lights up talking about it

Lor:

YAAAAAS

OMG ROLLED UP SHIRT SLEEVES

Mace:

YAS

Lor:

AND NOW HE'S ON A CREEPER I CANNOT

Mace:

HA

OMG SAMMY

Lor:

haaaahahaha SAM

YES

"don't even look at her or she might not like it" I love him

Mace:

YES

Lor:

he needs someone to gently massage his neck and give him little temple kisses

Mace:

okay, if it disappeared, then there’s no research to do, and surely someone else has already done it

HA

Lor:

RIGHT?

Mace:

esp THAT car

Lor:

DEAN WINCHESTER stop lying to girls to get laid. for one thing, it's not necessary

Mace:

right?!?! Jesus, honey, just smile at them

Lor:

RIGHT?

he's mad at you for correcting papers in red ink

Mace:

HA

Lor:

i love that their "this cop is an idiot" faces are different

Mace:

I CAN UNDERSTAND HER

Lor:

"she's not making any sense in Spanish either" like he would know

OMG THAT'S AWESOME

Mace:

HAHAAHA

Lor:

well done!

Mace:

thanks!

omg Sam’s FACE

Lor:

YES

Mace:

i don’t remember this ep at all, but it’s got to be Loki, right?

Lor:

I know nothing, Mace

Mace:

sigh

Lor:

lol Sam's face when he says "that look like James Dean" he's so done

Mace:

LORE

EVERYBODY DRINK

YES

Lor:

YAAAAAAS

Mace:

omg Sammy you are so hot when you’re correcting language

Lor:

yeah, Sam, well, say it in Latin, buddy

LOLOLOLOLOL

Mace:

HAHAHAHA

Lor:

nnnnnggg henley and leaning

Mace:

YES

Lor:

that Ghandi one was really good. looks just like Ben Kingsley

Mace:

I’m pretty sure Gandhi was a dick, wasn’t he?

HAHAHAHA

Lor:

I dunno maybe?

Mace:

I feel like I vaguely remember that he was hugely racist or misogynistic or something

Lor:

i know someone in the history of my schooling made me watch that movie but I remember like NONE of it

Lor:

lol Dean's "aaaaah THERE it is" look

Mace:

YES

I’ve never seen it

Lor:

who's... Gen Y? isn't that what they called millennials before they called us that? because they mostly wouldn't be kids?

Mace:

no idea

Lor:

OMG DEAN

Lor:

he and I are the same person, I swear

Mace:

HAHAHA

dude, don’t lean into the jumps scare, christ

Lor:

RIGHT?

lol even a hunter raised in the life first thinks it's his big brother being a jerk when something goes bump

Mace:

“wanna see my Gandhi impression?”

HAHAHA YES

Lor:

lol

"couldn't've been a fan of someone cool?"

Mace:

HAHAHAHA

omg Dean laughing at Sam

Lor:

YES

"that is good. even for you, that is good"

Mace:

yeah

Lor:

iiii feel like there's a little revisionist history going on there, Sammy, hon

Mace:

huh

Lor:

lolol this poor sherriff

Mace:

right?

Lor:

I mean I feel like Dean does treat him like his little brother, but not like he's not an equal?

omg his ARM

Mace:

I disagree. Dean still thinks Sam’s being away at college and rejecting The John Cause makes him lesser

Lor:

huh. interesting

Mace:

that compounds with his Big Brother Knows Best business

Lor:

well he certainly has that

maybe it's the characterization of "dragging me around" that I disagree with? Sam always chooses to come back? and it's not like Sam never picks the case or directs where they're going to go

Mace:

letting him make some of the decisions is not the same as treating him as an equal

Lor:

I can't get over the fact that Paris Hilton agreed to do this

mmm, fair

Mace:

I can’t believe they wanted her to

Lor:

LOL

it's so meta. I really hope she gets it

omg the wink

Mace:

huh. I really don’t care if she did or not.

YES

Lor:

I sense that you do not care for PH

Mace:

i do not think about her at all, in fact

Lor:

very good. I think watching this episode is the only time I've ever thought about her. except for the times I had to read persuasive essays about her from students

Mace:

ha!

Lor:

awww, Dean offering to let him drive

Mace:

indeed. LETTING him drive. but sure, he totally sees him as equal.

Lor:

Dude it's HIS CAR

Mace:

it’s their father’s car.

it’s THEIR car

Lor:

he gave it to Dean, though

Mace:

fine, but making a big deal out of LETTING him drive it is my point

Lor:

grumble mutter whispers maybe you have a point

Mace:

graciously lets you joint the correct side of the argument

Lor:

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

it's always been your magnanimous spirit that's drawn me to you, Mace

[but-make-it-sapphic]

Back at it again with a tough lesbian fanfic. I have a type, I suppose. 👀 They gotta look like they could hurt me. 😅 Anyways, here’s:

Chaem from Coral Island | Cooking Up Romance

“Hey!”

A gentle nudge startled me awake. I blinked and stared down at the culprit. One bare foot—tanned and wide from years of walking around without shoes—was poised in the air, ready to strike again if necessary. I traced it upward, my gaze trailing along its owner’s muscular calf, their thighs each thicker than my head, their perfectly sun-kissed abs and biceps that looked like they could crush me in a bear hug if they wanted to.

But there was nothing playful in the way their owner gazed down at me. Their expression was set, almost stern. “You’re in my way.”

“Oh? Uh…sorry.” I quickly climbed to my feet and bent to retrieve my towel. “Are these spots assigned or something?”

“What?” Their face scrunched up in confusion. “No. This is just where I stand. I’m the lifeguard here.”

I glanced to my left down the beach, seeing only the woman in the chair. To the right, I found no one. “Uh huh. And…exactly whose life are you guarding?”

They crossed their arms over their chest, and my attention was immediately diverted to their chiseled shoulders. Muscles like that had always been my weakness.

“School is about to let out. And this beach is the place to be when you live on such a small island.”

I forced my gaze upward to meet their eye again. “Uh, Sure. Yeah, that makes sense. Well…happy guarding.”

After taking a few awkward steps away, something pulled me back: a gut feeling I couldn’t ignore. I needed to at least get their name.

“So…is there really nowhere else one could go to… I dunno, hang out?”

They cast me a sideward glance, seemingly surprised that I was still standing there. “Do you mean for the kids, or…?”

I felt my cheeks grow hot. “Oh! No, I mean for me.”

“Well, there’s always Fishensips for food and karaoke.”

“Oh, perfect! I love food!”

The slightest smile twitched at the corner of their full lips. “I recommend Frank’s pesto pasta. It’s the best around. There’s also Raj’s Coffee Corner right out front where most islanders go in the mornings. Their coffee is really good, or so I hear.”

So, they don’t drink coffee…

“And what’s your favorite place on the island?” I asked.

They turn toward me, their expression softening just a bit. “The hot springs, without a doubt. Nothing beats a hot soak after a hard workout.”

I swallowed hard, determined to not allow myself to imagine it. “That sounds amazing. I’ve been working so hard all morning trying to clear all these stupid rocks out of the garden and…” I trailed off, worried I might begin to ramble.

“Right. You’re the new farmer.”

“I’m Riley,” I said with a smile.

“Riley,” they repeated. Their voice was deep and a little gruff. I loved the sound of my name in their mouth. “I’m Chaem.”

But they didn’t move to shake my hand or anything. They still stood there, cross-armed, as their gaze flitted between me and the ocean.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Chaem. Could I…ask your pronouns?”

“She/her is fine,” she said. Then she chuckled. “Thanks for asking. Most people just assume. I guess the tourists aren’t used to seeing strong women.”

I hugged my towel to my chest with a chuckle. “Oh, trust me. I get it. Long hair and a little mascara and most people assume I’m a woman. Not all nonbinary people are androgynous.”

“Exactly! Do you use they/them?”

“I do,” I said with a nod. “But I wouldn’t punch someone for throwing a she in there now and again.”

Chaem nodded, amused. I dug my toes into the sand and wracked my brain for something to ask just to keep her talking. But she spoke up before I could think of anything.

“Well…I’d better get to work. It only takes a split second for somebody to get into trouble in the water. But I bet the Beach Shack has people in it if you want to chat.”

I glanced toward the little hut with a frown. “Oh, that’s all right. I…don’t really know anyone yet. But maybe I’ll see you at the Fishensips sometime?”

“Sure,” she said simply. “See you.”

"Yeah. See you."

I backed away with a wave of my hand and turned on my heel to plod off through the sand. Chaem was...direct. A little gruff. But she'd been friendy, right? I couldn't have imagined it. As I passed by, Yuri lowered the corner of her book just enough to shoot me a playful smirk. She’d heard every word, I was sure of it. Heat flooded my face and I walked faster just to get the heck out of there.

The longer I walked, the more foolish I felt. By the time I reached the cabin, I was certain that I’d been blinded by muscles and that I’d ignored every sign that Chaem had little to no interest in talking to me. I was always doing that!

But after years of all work and very little play, I was starved for attention. I finally had time for socialization. I was ready for friendship. And, if I was lucky, for love. Coming to this island was supposed to be my chance at a better life. And I wasn’t creating it by keeping myself cooped up in that old cabin. I needed to put myself out there!

So, I cleaned myself up and picked out my cutest outfit. And as the sun began to set, I made my way across the bridge and into town for some dinner at Fishensips.

Read more…

[dross-the-fish]

A drabble about Theo learning about Hatshepsut (who acted as a male pharaoh despite being AFAB, mostly for political power)

Sorry this took so long. I had to do some research on Hatshepsut because I didn't actually know much about her. I also wasn't sure under what context Theo would find out about her or which character would give her that info but I did my best with it!

...

Watson was surprised to find Theo hiding away in the library, nose buried in a book of law. She hadn’t struck him as the type to enjoy reading, much less about a topic as complex and intricate as the criminal justice system and Watson found himself wanting to question her on her choice of reading material.

“Miss Kipp, what brings you here? Everyone else is in the dining room. I know you don’t eat but it’s not like you avoid company. What are you reading there?”

Theo gave him a resigned shrug and shut her book, moving it so that the cover was obscured and shifting aside to make room for Watson to sit with her on the velvet sofa, “Harkers are here to see Quin,” she sighed, avoiding the question about her choice of reading material, “They ain’t rude exactly but I know when I ain’t wanted. I figure it’s better for everyone if I stay out of the way until they leave. They brought Lord Godalming with ‘em too. I don’t know if he’s all affronted with me because I’m a monster or because I’m in trousers,” she chuckled dryly then caught herself. Giving Watson an anxious glance she quickly added, “I swear I’d ‘ave put on a dress if I knew we were ‘avin’ company. I ain’t doin’ nothin’ disruptive on purpose.”

Watson reached over to touch her shoulder reassuringly, “I know you aren’t, Theo, I’m not here to scold you.”

“’Preciate that,” she replied, “I could wear dresses if that would make everyone more comfortable, I don’t mind. I can’t do much about me fangs but I c’n try to look more…well, more regular if y’think that’d help.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. If this isn’t an impertinent question, would you mind telling me why you chose to be a male impersonator? And why you wear the costume outside of your performances?” Watson asked.

Theo chewed her lip anxiously, she seemed momentarily to shrink into herself before she screwed up her courage to answer, “It feels…right. I dunno how else to explain it. Even if it’s a role, passing for a man makes me feel secure, gives me more freedom and especially if I’m walkin’ the streets at night, it feels safer, so long as no one can tell the difference. To tell the truth I got a taste of livin’ like a man after I started performing and I liked the doors it opened. I settled fer bein’ an actress but when I started out, I thought if I could just get me foot in the right door, I thought maybe I could figure a way to be a lawyer,” she waited for Watson to laugh at her but he didn’t. He sat with his hands folded and patiently waited for her to finish. Emboldened she pulled her book back into view and continued, “I seen too much injustice in my life and when people like me, people who are on the lower rung of society, as it were, get an unfair shake from the law I want them to have a friend on the other side who can represent them.”

Watson nodded thoughtfully, “You know, that reminds me, Holmes once told me a story of an Egyptian king who was a woman. Shortly after a case involving an actress named Irene Adler he took a bit of an interest in remarkable women,” he smiled fondly at the memory, “Once Holmes took an interest in anything he became obsessed and he devoured every scrap of information he could find on the subject with the purpose of broadening his mind. In his research he found an account of a Pharaoh named Hatshepsut.”

“This Pharaoh was a woman? A woman who lived as a man?” Theo asked incredulously.

“She was, and her reign was a prosperous one, but it was, if I recall correctly, quite the scandal at the time and after she died her successors tried to erase her from history.”

“So…she wasn’t accepted?”

“It was complicated. It’s undeniable that her reign was one of peace and prosperity and that she was largely respected during her time but it was unheard of for a woman to be king, and that is what she was, a king, not a queen or a regent but king to her people. Quite an accomplishment, wouldn’t you say?” Theo nodded, “Do you think maybe, I could still be me and maybe… more? Do you think if I c’n cure meself of this affliction,” she bared her fangs and gestured to her mouth, “I could be what I want?”

“You could certainly try, Theo, even the smallest chances can succeed with enough effort, perseverance and a little bit of luck,” he smiled kindly and Theo felt a lump form in her throat.

“T-thank you, doctor, I don’t think…I don’t think anyone’s ever said anythin’ like that to me before.”

“Between you, Adam and Erik it seems there are a lot of people who could use a second chance and a little encouragement. Now, I’m sure that tome you have is quite advanced, I’m a doctor, not a lawyer, but I know a thing or two about criminal justice. What say we go through it together? Could pass the time until the Harkers leave,” Watson offered, looping an arm around her shoulders and giving her an energetic squeeze. Theo gave him a tiny but genuine smile and cracked the book back open, “Alright, Doctor Watson, I think I’d like that.”

[inverted-flowers]

Secret Life Tarot Reading no 7.

It's Etho's turn!

This is the last reading done prior to Ep 4s! Which is mildly annoying to myself cuz I was really hoping to get more of them done this week... Anyway! I didn't know what color to use for Etho so I picked purple cuz no one else left is gonna be purple.

First Card - Start

I've drawn The Star in Reverse to describe the (now passed) start of the season for Etho. I'm really feeling like this is about his first task from the secret keeper. This card is talking about an initial (albeit probably short lived or simply just fake) arrogance. That's then followed by feeling overwhelmed. I really don't wanna spoil for those who haven't seen it so I'm not sure there's much else I can say. This is past tense too so...

Second Card - Individual

This card is meant to describe how Etho plays Secret Life. For this I drew the Nine Of Cups. This card talks about comfort and accomplishment and I'm thinking he's probably just trying to have some fun. Which makes sense to me! So far Etho's pov gives a much more chill vibe than the other's who have at least some air of competitiveness.

Third Card - Social

This card is meant to describe how things go for Etho in the social aspect this season. I drew the Eight Of Wands. This card talks about direction and being back on track. Maybe we're talking about Etho and Cleo here. They are teamed up this season after their whole divorced family thing in Limited Life. But there's a line in my deck's manual that I'd like to quote because... wow lmao. "The ideas and opinions of the flock are no longer in the way."

... Tango, Impulse, and Skizz really getting dissed by a deck of cards huh? Now I'm not so sure that's what she's getting at here but this was too funny of a concept not to share haha.

Other than that this could be talking about outside Cleo and Etho's team as well. Or, even more interestingly, particular times this season! Maybe he does really well with avoiding letting the others distract him too much from his tasks for example. How fun!

Fourth Card - Big Impact

This card is meant to describe what makes the biggest impact for Etho. I drew Death in Reverse. This card discusses being resistant to necessary change which then holds him back. There's honestly a lot of ways this could manifest. Firstly he could be dealing with alliance trouble which seems unlikely. Then there's the option that this alligns with a task. It could also crop up socially with Etho maybe holding a grudge that only serves to cause him more problems to keep.

Fifth Card - End

I drew the Seven Of Pentacles in Reverse for the ending of Etho's season. This card represents doubt and how short term positives can cause more harm for the long term. This is very very broad and could apply in a lot of different areas but... well maybe not a win prediction here huh?

Final Thoughts and Theories:

This reading was painful... literally. I don't know why but while I was drawing the cards I got this awful burning sensation on my palms. Like it felt as if I'd just tripped and scrapped my hands on like a newer-ish sidewalk ya know? It was only during the selection process so uh... I dunno what that was about. But I did pick the cards a bit quicker this time so that's nice! My indecision usually causes QUITE the delay lmao.

So I don't exactly think this was predicting Etho as our winner here. With our 2nd card though I highly doubt he'd be too upset over it. This reading feels a lot more broad and open ended almost. It's hard for me to say much in the way of my usual ideas for how the cards predictions may manifest.

'Til next time friends!

[apheliia]

🌻 I AM BACK HELLO i revised only one topic and gave up on studying so... funny. i love math so much frfr.

i saw your wip list and im just happily jumping around saying yippe every second HAHAH some of them sure break my heart ngl the one with arlecchino and la signora??? aphe who hurt you. WHO IM HURT TOO /lh i already want to hug [name] because grieving sure sucks and when youre a child it probably hits even harder because... how do you tell a child that someone is just. dead. gone forever never coming back. it sucks

and yk i also vote for comfort part for pantalone and younger sib reader (<literally suggested this idea). look no i love the angst and hurt BUT LET THEM BE HAPPYY for a little moment..... although i dont know your exact plans for this fic, i would happily read [name] trying to maybe. accept that this is who pantalone now is.. but not like "oh i know he did bad things but this is my brother )):" way but more like... "okay he's not a good person now and there is nothing i can do with it and i have to learn to accept this" kinda way. lot of conflicting feelings not necessary forgiveness but simple acceptance for how life happened and moving on... i like themes like this??? dunno why

the venti and [name] "are we friends in every universe" is already tugging on my heartstrings HAHA i have a feel that they might be in fact friends in every universe but... their friendship doesnt always have a good end. sometimes it ends badly, sometimes it doesnt, but no matter what, they will always find each other... still im interested how youre going to write it 👀

that kafka wip with teen reader... do you know for how long ive been thinking about different uses of her spirit whisper AJHSHD and funnily the very same scenario, with kafka using her powers to calm someone down from a nightmare also popped in my mind!! lowkey jumped on my seat when i saw this wip 😭😭 im so excited for it. gently holds it 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌🙌

REAL AS FUCK FOR THAT LMAOOOO HELPPPPP

but i am very glad you are interested in my wips heheheh AND IN MY DEFENSE!!!!!!!! IN MY DEFENSE THAT ONE WAS A REQUEST!!!!! SO I DID NOT COME UP WITH IT. MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK THAT TO THE ANON WHO SENT IT /lh but that fic will be soooo tragic when i do finally write it.

well MAYBE i'll consider it then............. but that is definitely the angle i would write it from!!! definitely not "i know you're terrible but you're my brother and Blood Runs Thicker Than Water" NO!!!!!!! would definitely be more along the lines of "you are terrible and you're my brother. i love you. i hate you. i hate what you've done. but i know you won't change now and there is nothing i can do about that. there is no forgiveness for you here. but i have no choice other than to slowly accept it because i deserve to live happily and not bitterly over someone else's actions, which i cannot control. i do not forgive you. but i accept you because i value my peace."

YESS EXACTLY THAT IS EXACTLY HOW THAT WIP GOES we are together even when we should not be. we live together. we die together. you die and i do not, but a piece of me does, and i almost wish it had been me instead. IT'S SOOOO AUHFGFGHJFH i can't wait to finish and post it honestly hehehe

it was a request from a moot, i believe!!!! and i am also very excited to write that one, because i totally think kafka's spirit whisper would work for mundane things like nightmares too <3

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 144

Chapter 144: "Help Us"

Just a real nice panel of Sonju, though poor Jin is fearing for his life. One wrong move and it's over, buddy.

Mujika looks so proud of him and/or relieved that he's going easy on them. Sonju could end them all right now if he truly wanted to, but regardless, he's certainly enjoying himself right now.

Ayshe may not have been close to either Hayato or Jin, but I love that she still calls out stuff in demon language to warn Sonju again (someone she's just met) rather than help the boys (whom she has known for however long). I know she's not fond of humans ever since the Lambda crew killed her father, but it's not like this duo was there when the attack happened. I guess I'd be against anyone who puts a blade against my neck though too.

I always thought the seizures were kinda conveniently timed for this moment, especially for each clone to experience them at the same time. At least we were already aware that they do happen as a side effect of the Lambda experiments as we saw from Barbara back in ch129 so knowledge of them didn't come completely outta nowhere, but I didn't think the attacks were necessary for now. I mean, despite the their enhanced strength, Sonju still could've taken down every clone with little effort.

Mujika is such a sweetheart though, jumping in to help these kids despite them trying to attack her and Sonju only a couple seconds ago.

Of course I know this whole setup was to allow Hayato & Jin to reconsider their opinions on demons, which is great, but I dunno, maybe it's just me wanting to see Sonju in action again after so long that I wish the whole seizure thing didn't happen now. Also love that Ayshe is still keeping Hayato held down. Girl is taking no chances.

Who would've guessed that one of the sweetest boys in the series could become so violent. Lambda definitely changed him and I can't necessarily say it's for the better. It's that whole "not waiting for Emma" bit that irks me the most though, like I know Norman's already made plans with the Geelan's clan to carry out the attack on the capital city and Norman's short on time to begin with due to his own health, but aahh, darn broken promises!

Another reason I'm not too fond of how the anime handled the children's reunion with Sonju & Mujika is that it took away a lot of the focus from Gilda, which is a shame because this is a sweet moment between her & Mujika. The mom friend and demon mom.

Just thinking about all worrying and panic Ray must've went through during those three hours of waiting to see if Emma would return safely is enough to make me feel anxious. I do wonder how he reacted the very moment she did finally return though. Was he so relieved he cried? Or (affectionately) annoyed that she took so long? Did he apologize profusely that he wasn't able to reach the day & night alongside her? Many possibilities. (note to self: remember the three hours upon reaching ch159.)

No no no no, not good enough! Don't fall for that smile, Ray! You need all the details NOW! It is a matter of great importance! Aaahh.. sure, yeah, good on Emma for putting on such a strong act considering the heavy price of the reward she just learned, but damn, coming back to these panels always hurt now!

I may be the forgetful one here, but how exactly did the troublemakers manage to find out about the hidden detail of Norman's plan? We as readers knew this since we see everything between the characters and their conversations, such as Vincent testing out the poison, but them? They've just been chilling out at paradise this whole time, right? I know there's been some extra pages of them snooping around the base but I don't think they found or heard anything that would suggest Norman's plan involving all demons.

Favorite panel/moment:

Jin shaking in fear but more importantly, Ayshe freeing herself and slamming Hayato down to the ground.

And this. I just wanted to see more of them interacting over the next few days before and after the capital attack.

Lastly, Mujika's smile here is perfect.