#oh my god the gears. they're spinning.

[maharlika]

had to put @recurring-polynya's tags out here because they're so good

#byakuya kuchiki#hard agree#i think he was raised to believe that devoting his life to being clan head/serving soul society was the most selfless thing he could do#so he's not really able to process anything as selfishness after that b/c how can you be selfish when you had to give up your entire self?#(do not get me wrong. this is not sympathy. he is very selfish)#but i also think that a lot of bleach is about how love is fundamentally selfish and it's what you do with it that counts#like i'm not sure it's byakuya's *fatal* flaw only b/c there are lots of chars in bleach (gin and tousen for 2)#for whom loving selfishly becomes all-consuming and ruins their lives and ultimately kills them#byakuya is literally just like sora--he came back from the brink of being consumed by his own selfishness#the redemption arc is in progress. he is still deeply insufferable.#but that's kind of his charm right?

my read on byakuya is that he receives little joy from his social position and feels confined by the expectations of his status but endures the responsibilities because he's accepted his fate. his stoicism didn't come naturally, wearing it more like a mask, while his true emotions get shoved down deep and anger is the one most likely to surface. his fatal flaw is his selfishness. rukia's execution is all about how it makes him feel. ("when you were condemned I didn't know what to do. honor the oath I made to my parents or the promise I made to hisana"). he's accepted rukia as his sister but his love for her is expressed as an extension of himself ("you pointed your blade at my pride"). the losses faced during the invasion are his fault ("I could not take out those you trampled all over the seireitei. I led many officers to their deaths. I brought sorrow to their families"). he does genuinely enjoy fighting and finds satisfaction in proving his superiority as a swordsman.

[postracehair]

detour

george russell x reader | 1.8k

you get in a car crash. a very handsome and very familiar man stops to help.

cw: fem!reader, car crash, blood, minor injuries. george is the star, alex in the background because he's a sweetie. hospitals and some flirting. short and sweet!

a/n: first time trying him out, but any excuse to write george saying blimey. --

Later, you'll be able to recall it in flashes.

The empty road, the voice telling you which way to go slightly patchy due to weak signal. The setting sun coloring the sky a brilliant pink, a sense that you might be lost. Waiting for the light to turn green, not a car in sight. It does, and you ease your way through the crossroads. Then -- an awful sound, spinning, closing your eyes and bracing yourself. A sharp pain, no air in your lungs, an eerie silence and then the squeal of tires.

In the moment, it takes you a few breaths to figure out what's happened. One thing at a time, you think. Wiggle toes -- check. Fingers? Check. You can see that the airbag has deployed, which explains the soreness of your chest but it doesn't hurt to breathe. Slowly, you unbuckle your seatbelt and notice that there's blood down the front of your shirt.

"Fuck," you mutter. Your forehead is tacky with it and you wince. Your neck feels a bit stiff and when you turn your head to the side too quickly your vision swims. "Oh, god."

A few moments to rest, then. You need to find your phone and call for help. The sun is almost down and there are no cars back here -- how on earth did someone hit you and drive away?

The longer you sit there the more your head starts to pound. A whisper says you shouldn't fall asleep because -- why? You can't find the word. What were you meant to be doing? Oh, your phone. Where is it? You don't see it by the gear shift, maybe it fell under the seat. God, bending over sends a rush of blood that has you groaning. Plan B. Sit here a little longer.

You're trying valiantly to keep your eyes open when you hear it -- an engine. It gets closer and closer and you expect it to pass you by but the car comes to an abrupt stop and someone gets out.

"Call 999!" they shout. Sounds like a man. "Blimey, there's blood on the window."

A shape appears and the car door opens and there stands -- a man. A tall man. He crouches down so you can see his face. Big blue eyes and a square jaw, pieces of fringe curling over his forehead. Pretty, your bruised brain supplies.

"Hello," he says gently. "Are you alright?"

"Where did you come from?" you ask. His features swim a bit but something is nagging at you. "I think I know you."

His brows furrow. "Alex," he calls behind him. "Are they coming?"

"Yeah," someone shouts back. "They're asking how she is."

The man's attention returns to you. "I'm George, and that's Alex. We're going to help you, okay?" You grunt an assent. "Now, I'm not a doctor," he says, "but do you think you can tell me where you're hurt?"

You try to focus. "I don't think anything is broken. But my head --" You reach for your forehead again but George catches your wrist with long fingers before you can.

"Think you hit it on the window," he explains. "Best not to touch it. Bit of a nasty cut."

Suddenly, you're desperate to get out of the car. "Can you -- I need to --" You tug at the seatbelt.

"George," the other man calls. Alex.

"Concussion," George says. "I think. Mate, I don't know. She's not slurring, but she's confused."

He reaches over you and unbuckles the seatbelt. You swing your legs out of the car and try to stand up. George quickly grabs your hands as you sway.

"Woah," he says. "Are you sure you want to --"

This close it's apparent how tall he is and recognition sparks once again. "I swear I know you from somewhere," you repeat, but it comes out as a croak.

"Do you?" he says lightly. "Alex, can I have the water bottle?"

You close your eyes and take a deep breath, trying to focus. Fuck, your head hurts. It's like the ability to think clearly has simply left you.

"Yeah, you --," you look at him again. He's got a plastic bottle in one hand now, black with a teal wording on it that you recognize. "You...drive cars."

"Well done," George says, smiling. "Do you want some of this?" He hands it to you when you nod and you take slow sips. He keeps a hand lightly on your elbow.

Something occurs to you. "You didn't hit me, did you?" You're pretty sure he didn't but everything is so muddled.

"No," he says, firmly. "No, I promise I didn't." He gently turns you so you're facing the car. It's not a pretty sight. "I think some wanker clipped you at the rear and send you spinning into the pole."

The driver's side tail light is totally shattered and you see that he's right -- the light pole is firmly lodged into the passenger side door.

"Fuck," you whisper. "Where's the other car?" you ask. You know this, you think, but can't put the pieces together.

George lets out an angry huff. "Drove away, looks like."

You frown. "Well, that's not very nice." Your head pounds again and you groan. "I think I need to --"

"Woah, woah," George says. "Let's sit down."

He guides you to his car and helps you down into the passenger seat. You keep your feet firmly on the ground and take more sips of his water.

"What's your name?" he asks, crouching down to speak to you. He's so tall you're almost eye level. "Can you remember that?"

"I'm not that bad off," you scoff, and tell him. "And you --" The piece slots into place. "You're George Russell."

He grins at you. "I'm flattered," he says. "How's the head?"

You press your eyes closed tight. "Hurts," you say. "Am I still bleeding?"

"Not terribly," he replies. "It'll be alright. I think I hear --"

The siren hits your ears, cutting him off. "That's loud," you mutter. George squeezes your knee and stands.

He takes a step towards your ruined car. "Where are you going?" you ask. It sounds like a whine but you can't find it in you to care.

"Just going to get your things," he says lightly. "So you have them in hospital."

"Oh," you breathe. You allow him to walk across the road and lean into your car, searching for your stuff. He manages to find your phone and sets your purse at your feet just as the ambulance pulls up, siren blessedly off.

You look up at George. "Thank you," you say. "Thank you so much --"

He waves you off. "Please," he says. "Listen, I've put my contact in your phone, and I'll get your car sorted, alright?"

"Are you --" Before you can ask him more, the paramedics take over. You're asked questions, given a few quick tests, while George speaks to one of them off to the side. They load you into the back of the ambulance.

"I'll see you later, okay?" he calls. You just nod and lean back on the bed. The doors are shut and you're on your way.

"Nice bloke," one of the paramedics says. "Never met him before. More of a Red Bull man, myself, but glad he was decent. Do you know him?"

You blink. It's very bright in here. "No," you say. "No, he just stopped to help."

"See?" the man says again. "Decent sort. Now, if he could just get a decent racing car --"

__

Since George gave you your stuff, you manage to call the necessary people to tell them what's happened.

"Few bruises tomorrow," the nurse tells you. She's cleaned your forehead and butterfly bandaged it. "But no stitches. You're a lucky one. Now, that blow to your head isn't too bad, but do try to take it easy. Nothing more than some walks and stay off your phone and TV if you can help it for a week or so."

You nod, thankful for the painkillers she's had you swallow. The throbbing has dulled and you can think a little more clearly.

"Now, last thing," she says. Is she...smirking at you? "You said you've got a ride, but there's a very handsome man waiting for you, too."

"What?" you say. You've called a friend and she's going to pick you up but...is George here?

The nurse taps her nose and tells you you're free to go.

You slowly walk back to the waiting room, unsure of what you'll find. But as soon as you're through the doors, you hear your name.

George unfolds himself from one of the chairs and you meet in the middle. You really thought he'd just call, or something, to tell you about the car. But he's here.

"There you are," he says, as though you've been parted for eons. "I wanted to make sure you're alright."

"I'm alright," you tell him. He smiles and takes a step towards you, eyes on your forehead.

"That doesn't look too bad now," he says. "Shame about your shirt, though." His hand hovers in the air near your face like he wants to touch you, but he doesn't.

He's right about your shirt -- it's a lost cause. Collar soaked in blood and the front looking like you were an extra in a horror movie.

You shrug. "Not how I thought my day would go."

George winces. "I'd imagine not," he says. "Listen, I've sorted the car. A tow company has it and I'll send you their information. It's a bit of a lost cause, the bloke said, but I've given them your name and number and if you call your insurance --"

You put a hand on his arm. He's warm through the fabric of his sweater. He stops speaking immediately.

"George," you say, softly. "Thank you." He blinks at you, eyes remarkably blue, before he gives you an easy smile.

"Of course," he says. "I'm just glad we came along."

"Me too." You let him go and swallow.

"Do you need a ride?" he says, suddenly. "Alex has just gone to get petrol but he'll be back and we can take you anywhere you need to go."

Your chest tightens with regret. Objectively unnecessary, since you don't know this very famous man, but you wish you could say yes all the same.

"I've called my friend, actually," you say gingerly. "She's coming to get me."

"Good." George runs a hand through his hair, that brown fringe falling over his forehead the way it did when he crouched next to you back at the accident scene. "Good, I'm glad."

Today has been wild, absolutely the last thing you expected. A car crash, meeting this man, ending up in hospital. It occurs to you that anything is possible. You're lucky the crash wasn't worse, and maybe that spurs you to say it.

"I'd love to thank you for today," you say to him, shoulders square. You make yourself look him in the eye. "Alex, too. Lunch, maybe? Once I'm over this concussion?"

You've surprised him, if his expression is anything to go by. Then he grins. "Yes," he says. "I'd love that." His grin shifts into a smirk. "Alex might be busy, though."

You grin back. "Is that so? Too bad."

[vintage-bentley]

so the fandom's defense of gaiman is that the claims can't be trusted since the site publishing them is "owned by a terf" and is therefore a conspiracy to destroy trans people? the fact they're not immediately disowning the guy who, in the best case scenario, initiated a sexual relationship with a 19 y/o employee, hours after meeting her, while being in his 60s and famous/wealthy says everything.

It’s actually insane. I’ve seen people go as far as claiming that the allegations are some sort of conspiracy to end trans rights because Neil defended David Tennant’s little misogyny fit.

Here’s some examples:

—

—

—

—

In my humble opinion, there’s a few things wrong with this line of logic.

I’m putting a cut here since this is a long post.

Regarding DT—that first screenshot seems to be implying that either the allegations were made up about Neil to slander David, or that because there was no “dirt” on David, real allegations were brought up about Neil.

In the first case, if the allegations are made up…wouldn’t they have just been made up about DT? What would be the point in going and making them about NG?

And in the second case, what the hell does DT have to do with that.

People seem to be forgetting that the general public does not associate DT with NG or vice versa. They did one show together, that doesn’t mean that their reputations are forever tied together. Nobody is going to slander NG to get at DT because there’s barely a connection between them.

And regarding the idea that this is some huge conspiracy to end trans rights or whatever…people are forgetting that it’s not like Neil is actually a huge trans rights advocate. It’s not like he’s constantly speaking to politicians and getting involved with trans organisations. It’s not like he’s on the front lines and is the first person the public thinks of when trying to think of a trans advocate.

He literally just said some stuff on social media. He went along with people’s trans headcanons for clout. He said the obligatory “oh yes JKR is a very bad woman”. That’s really it. Other than that, he’s just another straight male.

If the press really wanted to come out with a story that’s going to Destroy Trans Rights!!!!, they’d target a trans identifying person who’s a large face in the movement. They’d go after trans organisations. They wouldn’t find some author who sometimes says nice things about trans identifying people online and slander him in hopes of changing public opinion.

The entire conspiracy is just nonsensical, and to me it’s clearly an attempt to grab onto anything they can to prove that their special tumblr guy is innocent.

It’s also interesting that the one post I added mentions

“What I do believe is that it's awfully convenient that radfems and JK Rowling supporters (seriously, look at the tags of the people spreading the story) are stirring it up

Because yeah…radfems are kind of known for believing women who accuse men of rape and/or abuse. I’ll point to the Heard vs Depp thing again: when that was in full gear, I saw dozens of radfems posting in support of Heard, while everyone else was supporting Depp.

This isn’t an anti-trans thing—this is a feminists believe women thing.

But as we’ve seen repeatedly…the TQ+ crowd is incredibly self-centred. Everything must be about them at all times. I’m unfortunately not surprised that they’re trying to spin this into a “oh my god terfs are attacking trans people!!!!” Thing….even though radical feminists just do not have the social power to run a smear campaign against a powerful male celebrity in order to hurt the trans movement (just typing that out feels insane lol. How is this even a theory people are running with).

That said, when they say “terf” they don’t just mean radfems/radfem-aligned women. They mean literally anyone who disagrees with them.

Apparently the producer of the podcast that came out is Boris Johnson’s sister, who is also conservative. So, most likely not a radfem.

I agree that the source is kind of odd, because it’s such a niche site, and having a podcast about rape accusations reeks of true crime sensationalism. I’d like to see some more solid evidence coming out. Still, I’m believing the alleged victims and I hate watching people scramble to defend Gaiman.

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 96

Ah, I see, so THIS is why Liam looks like a cute beatnik from a 50s jazz club ... oh boy ... he's brought back the German accent BIG TIME and it's giving me massive Caleb vibes ... meanwhile Tal's clearly having EVEN MORE fun with this ... oh my gods ... wow ... that's a DOOZY, definitely ...

Marisha (cracking up): "It sounded like there was more!" Travis: "I know!"

So ... yeah ... it was all SO HEAVY when we ended it last week ... the group is WELL on the way to imploding under the weight of what just happened in the night ... can they come back from this? This is SO WORRYING ...

Oh boy ... RIGHT BACK where we were at the end ... wow ... so it's just the two of them again ... O.O

Fuck ... now even LAUDNA can feel Delilah's starting to take over ... that's not good at all ...

This is starting to sound SO MUCH like Laudna knows she's not going to be around when this is all done ... oh man ... AND she's starting to think maybe that's A GOOD THING? Fuck ... no, really, NO ...

Imogen's trying SO HARD to keep this all together for BOTH OF THEM but I can feel her breaking too ...

Come on, Imogen, that's it, bring her back from the brink ... LISTEN TO HER, Laudna. She's the best thing in your life, and she feels the same way about you, luv. You need to buck up ...

Imogen: "I'm gonna miss our little cottage." Oh fuck ...

Ah shit ... the tissues ... yeah, that's how it is with ALL OF US right now ...

Crap ... that's right, Dorian's missed A WHOLE LOT, he doesn't KNOW about Delilah, not really ... oh, and also about IMODNA ... XD ... AND Chetney's threesome with Fearne and his ex ...

Oh yeah ... Bordor ... that was a whole bunch of wrong ... that took a whole lot out of ALL OF 'em ...

Ashton being all philosphical again abdout villains trying NOT TO BE ... yeah ... he's pretty spot on ...

Dorian: "CAN she be trusted?" Oof ...

Ashton: "You okay?" Imogen: "No." Ahston: "SHE okay?" Imogen: "No." Ahston: "Okay."

Laudna's just been having a good powerful MOPE while all of this has been going on ... yeah, of course she has ... oh FUCK OFF, Delilah. You're not welcome right now ... oh yeah, Fearne, great timing, snap her out of it!

Orym: "Are you all right? I didn't hurt you too terribly did I?" Laudna: "Oh, I think I can see a few ribs ..."

Yes ... please, come on you too, make up. You're FRIENDS, you mean so much to each other. MAKE UP. Yeah. That's it. Exactly that.

Yeah, exactly. Fuck Delilah, we just want our LAUDNA.

This is exactly it, yeah ... she's not alone, they're ALL carrying their own big mistake baggage, she's not alone in that ...

Awwwww ... Ashton's BIG SISTER Laudna ... I love it ... :3

Wow ... yeah, it may be a joke, but Chetney DOES have a point there ... Dorian's the one true innocent in the group now ... you poor sweet summer chaild ...

Nice move, Chet. Yeah, that works.

Oh, that's interesting ... yeah ... that pipe ... yeah ... that could be REALLY GOOD for Laudna right now ... go on, girl, take a puff ...don't be afraid, this can only HELP ...

And then Dorian comes in with the sweetest cap for all that ... awwww ... :3

AAAAAAND just like that Chetney's OUT. XD ... of course he is.

Spin the bottle? REALLY?!!! LOL ...

Wow ... not they're just getting ridiculous ... XD ... "Hammer time?" Yeah, that's the worst one yet ... "Chetney needs sleep"? Slightly better, maybe ...

More rest, at least ... which is needed ...

Liam'#s giving Orym a point of exhaustion for NECESSITIES ... of course he is ... wee selfless lad ... we love him but he does punish himself sometimes ...

THAT'S what the Gambler's Blade does? DORIAN!!! O.O

Essek is a bit ... MOODY this morning ... hmmmm ...

"I like pulp!" XD

Ah, so everything's ready for them ,then? Sweet ... cue gearing up montage ... LOL ... oh, and descriptions too ...

Hot Shots: Part Deux for Chetney ... XD

Oh shit ... that's right ... they're back from the Moon ... IS Orym a little different? And our boy's a bit toussled now ... yeah, that's CUTE, I'm sure ...

Imogen's wearing PANTS now? Okay ...

Dorian's wearing "THE SLUTTIEST SHIRT"! Cute ...

Nipple talk ... oh dear ... XD

Oh wow ... Laudna's kind of giving me some subtle Harrow the Ninth vibes right now ...with a touch of DELILAH too, which is ... worrying, just a little ... O.O

Ashley's alwasy SO GOOD at weaving a beautiful picture, she really is ... and a utility belt. Yeah ... :3

Ashton's rocking a CROPTOP right now? Awwwwww ... and a spike trade with Fearne, too ... cute ... ooooooh ... and "Smiley Day" ... oh man ... I love it ...

Matt makes a rather pointed "prepare your spells" statement that everybody IMMEDIATELY takes as SUSPICIOUS and I'm right along with them. What are you planning, Mercer?

Yeah ... that fucking bloody apron's just gonna leave a trail behind them THE WHOLE WAY ...

Divvying up stuff ... here we go, ten minutes of inventory bookkeeping while we wait for the game itself to start up again ... XD

Ah ... sucking up one Ring of Protection with the harness ... hmmm ...

Imogen's jealous of Essek's floating thing ... not surprising ...

Ooooh ... ExU: Calamity recap ... cute ...

A FEW tries? Oh, I don't like the sound of that ...

Wow ... they're all REALLY crossing their fingers ... XD

Rolling a D100? Oh fuck ... 14? Hmmmmm ... ouch ... oh, that didn't go well ... they went NOWHERE and took 11 points of Force damage each ... bugger ...

Second try ... ANOTHER roll ... 45? Okay ... SEEMS like the right place ... an abandoned encampment? Interesting ... oh, sounds like it's NOT where they should be, then ...

Lyrengorm? Where?

He can only do it ONCE MORE for the day? Bollocks ...

A final roll ... 61 ... MORE snow ... much colder ... Orym's ENTIRELY BURIED ... a particularly AGGRESSIVE mountain range this time ... some kind of VERY fancy castle ... oh, so we ARE in Eisselcross ... but we're not sure WHERE ... oof ...

Crap ... they've been spotted ... by SOMEBODY ... big lumbering somebodies ...

Undead ice giants? Yeesh ... yeah, better hide ... argh ...

Matt: "There's a reason you took a BOAT to Esselcross last time!"

And now it's time for a break ...

Do they run? Do they fly? WHAT DO THEY DO?!!! Hiding's obviously out of the question ... eep ...

A DISTANT Command on one of them? Risky, Imogen ... "HALT!!!" Oh, it doesn't work on undead? BALLS ...

And now one of them flung a rock ... BAIT & SWITCH!!! Nice save, Orym! Crunch ... STILL 26 points of damage ... ow ...

There's a whole BUNCH of 'em coming now ... AAAAAAAH!!!

Essek's trying a HIGHER level Teleport ... okay ... one more roll ... 48? Oh bollocks, Laura! This is so bad ...

DO NOT give Mercer ideas, Ashley! O.O

More snow ... elsewhere ... hmmmm ... Essek has no idea where they are ... great ...

Yes. Sniff the wind, Chetney ... the air is THINNER ... oh, they're AT ALTITUDE right now ... cute ... on a mountain, then ... that's just PEACHY ...

Oh, if they had something FROM Aeor? I mean THEY COULD just use a piece of FCG ...

Looking into Essek's memories, then ... O.O ... and a glimpse of Aeor ... it's all VERY dramatic ...

Aha, a specific anchoring point ... good idea ...

Laura: "Guidance? Will that help?" Matt: "No, but it's nice to have." XD

So, the Staff ... oh boy ... this could go SO BAD .... she rolls 99 for it ... well, that's ... potentially good?

A frozen woodland glade ... Huh?

Don't shoot the rabbits with your harp, Chetney. They'll only explode and that's not what ANYONE wants ...

An amber coloured dome of energy over them? Oh, yeah, that definitely rings a bell ... XD

At least it's nice and warm in here ... although they are in danger of getting buried under the snow before morning ...

Essek's just IMMEDIATELY going to sleep, then ...

Fearne, you're adorable ... :3

Chetney's going hunting. WITH THE HARP. Oh boy ...

And he shoots a boar? Oh, okay, I suppose that's too big to just blow up ... food!

There's a huge city out there? Hmmmm ... no chance that's Vasselheim, maybe?

Time for food, then ...

Another try at Teleporting, then ... roll AGAIN ... 53? Fuck ...

They land ON THE SLOPE of a mountain ... AAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Another jump ... another roll ... 46? No, NINETY-six ... somewhere icy and cold ... oh, that's it, then. They made it ... phew ...

Yup, they're here. On the VERY EDGE of the ruins, then ...

Time for Stealth, then ... group check time ... oh boy ... fucking hell, Travis ... 41?!!! How the FUCK did you do THAT?!!!

Shit ... are those more of theose undead ice giants? Oh no ... gods, bo what to know WHAT these things are ... eep ... O.O

Going down into the gloomy underground darkness ...

ICE TROLLS?!!! Lovely ... yeah, just GO QUIETLY, please ...

It's getting STUPID tight in here ... this is NOT GOOD ... Chetney's going ahead to check the route ...

Oh, that's a DROP. Great ... now what?

So they have to climb down with the rope ... great ... oh, Chet wonders if he could ICE-CLIMB down? I really don't know about that ... oh, the Immovable Rod, that shoudl be helpful ...

Yeah, this couldn't possibly go wrong ... O.O

A ruined courtyard? Fascinating ... smelling for anything alive down here ... a clean must? Strange ...

So he's climbing down, then ... okay ... the others getting down will be ... INTERESTING ...

Oh yeah, some light might be helpful now ...

Bones? Frozen into the ice underfoot? Hmmm ... that could be ... problematic ... and some bodies too ... oh lovely ... there's SOMETHING unpleasant down here, clearly ...

Wait ... WHO is this? Oh ... FUCK ... shit! Oh, that is SWEET!!! Nice callback ... O.O

So, going EAST then ...

The Praesidis Ward? Hmmm ...

A giant cavern that was once a city ... weird ...

It's getting WARMER? Hmmm ...

Fearne has a point ... this DOES look like that weird ruined city in the cavern on Ruidus ...

Wait ... there's SCARY things down here to be on the lookout for? Way to bury the lead there, Essek ...

Yeah, DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, people ...

He became a FISH. Really? Fascinating ...

Another Group Stealth check ... generally good rolls once more ...

Skeletons? Lots of them? Great ... this place is like a necromancer's wet dream ... I really hope this isn't where Mercer's heading with this ...

Grim Psychometry? IN HERE?!!! Whoa, Chet ...

That is ... troubling and not terribly infomrative, really ...

Crap ... was that a troll?

Moving on, then ...

Weird creepy corpse ... which wasn't there LAST TIME Essek passed through ... charming ... it IS moving, but, like, RIDICULOUSLY slow? Oh, that's unnerving ...

Imogen, AGAIN, don't touch ...

Oh, this seems like a nice, fancy place ... but Essek's not taking any chances with it, clearly ... and somebody's been through here, too ... hmmm ...

HE did this? Interesting ... well, at least he hasn't lost his sense of humour ...

Another cavern ... more industrial environs this time ... fascinating ... and it's curving UPWARDS as it goes ...

The Genesis Ward ...

It just smells of metal and water ... okay ...

So we have a specific destination now, then ...

What, try to home in on Ludinus' Harness? Could that work?

Oh, so there really ARE other things moving around in here besides the group ... that's disconcerting ...

A tent? Really? Well THAT is a pretty major sign of life ... I think they may have found what they're looking for ...

Arcane Eye? Cool ...

Oh, so something happened here ... something VIOLENT, according to the blood ... and CORPSES ... Ruby Vanguard? Oh wow ... THAT'S interesting ... this was ... relatively recent, looks like ...

More of an eagele's eye view of the cavern now ... a big jagged hole in the floor, off in the distance ... great ...

Heading in to take a look at the tent, then ...

So the deaths happened within a space of DAYS, then ... it looks like they all killed EACH OTHER?!!! O.O ... whoever did this was ENJOYING themselves? Charming ... and one of them killed HIMSELF ... and apparently was very HAPPY when he did it ... that's just LOVELY ...

It's a pretty nondescript knife, Imogen ...

Grim Psychometry again, then ... oh boy ...

Oh, so the elf was the one who killed them all ... really violently, with SIGNIFICANT manic strength ... carves soemthing into his chest ... and then kills himself too ... wow ...

Chetney DRAMATICALLY unveils the elf's chest ... a sigil ... what is it, then? Ask Essek ... he doesn;t recognise it ... Laudna casts Eyes of the Rune Keeper ... no joy, it seems ... hmmmmm ...

Oh ... Laudna asks DELILAH if she recognises it ... great ... she doesn't either ... great ...

Don't take a pee on the arcane time dome, Orym ...

Something's grinding out there ... stone on stone ...

A group stelth check, but grading everyone individually as they hide? Oh boy ...

Two groups, then ... roill well, guys ...

It's VERY TALL ... oh boy ... that is DISTURBING ... that's like ... it's a hood, but it DOESN'T actually have a head? Ye gods ... and it has a VERY BIG HAMMER it's gragging behind it ... and there's LOTS of teeth in a maw in its belly ... well THAT noise was just unsettling, Matthew ...

Fuck ... a whole bunch of creepy translucent scorpion-like creatures seem to crawl OUT OF IT ... charming ... and they're searching the area ...

Laudna just gave herself away ... and they're all going RIGHT FOR HER now ... oh fuck ...

And THIS is where Matt chooses to end it ... but not before he gives us a look at the Battlemap for next session ... and it's MASSIVE ...

Oh, this is gonna be a SCARY encounter to start things off next time ... But it's the end of the month, so that's gonna be a FORTNIGHT'S wait ...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

[aquarium-ina-bag]

Where Danger Finds me, it Follows with Tides - 4

Likes doves in the wind ch4

Word count: 1.1k

Relationships: Wednesday Addams x Reader (she/they)

Warnings: threats (duh)

A/N: I've been waiting to make that Jersey joke, BTW this is slow burn, cat and mouse type stuff, so you gonna wait for a kiss like after confession. Thank yall for the support

"You know there’s a thing called the internet; you remind me of my uncle, always resorting to a damn book." You groaned. The sound of a squeaky chair spinning was starting to annoy Wednesday.

"Your uncle seems like a highly ingenious person. You wouldn’t be able to acquire factual information about such beast online." Wednesday educated. 

The library was empty since it was past curfew; there was only a dim yellowish light illuminating a small radius, and it flickered constantly. The book in front of her was decrepit, with curses written in it, names of older holders marked on the corners of its pages, pages ripped, and half of the information in the book was crossed off. This was no help. The raven closed the book with vigor.

"Get up; we need something different," Wednesday commanded. You complied like a dog, she was curious why.

"Like the internet?" You asked while following her.

"No, a diary."

"Oh, my gods, we don’t have time to write about your hatred for the world." I want to get this A as much as you do." 

Wednesday's face softened in confusion, plural? She brushed it off. The two of you paused at a statue of the beloved patron, Mr. Poe. 

"Wednesday, what is this?" 

"Be silent for once." She really didn’t mean that. The sound of two snaps and gears maneuvering echoed throughout the hall. The statue revealed its secrets.

"You learn new things every day." You followed the evil-thinking girl down a stairway. 

Wednesday rummaged in her black leather satchel for a flashlight. When she acquired the gadget and flipped it on, you complained.

"Geez, now I can’t see."

"How? It was dark." 

"My," you emphasized the word, "eyes adjusted." 

She nodded for a second, and you two finally hit the floor.

"What the heck is this?" you asked.

"The nightshade’s hideout." 

"Nightshades?" 

"Your incompetence for knowledge is appalling." Wednesday walked to a photograph of a man covered head to toe in silky brown hair. She removed the photo, revealing a safe, and began to work on the code."

"I’ve only been here for a year, and during that year I was working."

"Are you not 16?"

"I am." You reassured

"That tattoo on your maxillary bone said otherwise." Wednesday was stalling with this safe on purpose. You noticed.

"It’s not a tattoo; it's, uh, a birthmark." 

"A perfect eye of Ra is a birthmark."

"How’d you know?"

"Where are you from?" She avoided the simple question.

"Wow, Addams, you actually want to get to know me. I’m surprised." You teased.

"Forget I said anything then."

"Fine, fine, Egypt, a couple of miles off Aswan. You?"

"Jersey."

You chuckled "That makes a lot of sense now."

She rolled her eyes. Finally, she cracked the code. On opening the safe, there were a small variety of books. She pulled out a brown, beaten-up leather one. 

"Is that it?" You inspected the book behind her shoulder, maybe six inches away from her. Why didn’t she feel disdain? She flipped through the pages, which contained information on mounds of different creatures. You stopped her for a second.

"Let’s do black dogs; they're native and easier things to find. They eat sheep, don’t they?"

She hummed, "Death omens, you have taste." 

"Ooo, we’re on compliments now?"

"Quit." she snapped.

You walked Wednesday back to her dorm room and barely spoke a word to each other. You enjoyed it—quietude even. Once you reached her dorm, you said goodnight to each other. Oh, if you could replay such a moment, you’d do it over and over.  

──────

Wednesday on the other hand, was caught in her somewhat vulnerable moments; the last person she wanted to be caught by was Enid and that ludicrous hand.

"Was that who I think—" The blonde girl piqued

"Shut up."

"You still think of them as rivals?"

"What are you doing here? You said you’d be at Yoko’s." 

"Ms. Fisher caught us sneaking around and sent us back to our dorms." Enid complained, "Lucky you that you got to sneak around with Y/n to have a little reading date." 

"It wasn’t a date, and don’t say that again." Wednesday's dander thickened.

"Oh, I wait to hear what Bianca would say about this." Enid performed an English accent. "The backstabber, that wrenched Addams, betrayal!"

"Go to sleep, Enid, or I’m going to declaw you right this instant." 

──────

Bianca practically threw her tray on the table.

"Geez B, are you still mad about Ms. Fishy Fish?" Yoko jabbed 

Bianca avoided the question to interrogate Wednesday. "I heard you had fun the other night, Wens." 

Wednesday turned to Enid with dagger eyes and stabbed her food. "It was mandatory, Barclay."

"I told you to stay away from them Wednesday." Bianca reprimanded

"I wasn't informed I took orders from you, but you sound like Xavier."

Bianca grimaced, almost the whole table did. 

"Don't speak about that bossy stalker," Enid said.

Wednesday's attention was on something new. This bird has been staring at her since she entered the quad, it looked like a hawk. Like some madman, the black-haired girl left the group and started to head to the tall walkways where the bird was located. She ignored the calls of her friends and trekked on. only to be greeted by the bird flying away and by you. There you sat, unbothered, feeding birds. She couldn't take her eyes off you; you looked so peaceful and surrounded by the life of different varieties, the sun shining on your face practically kissing you gently. Finally, you gave her attention instead of the birds. 

"You spooked me." You chuckled 

"Why are you here?" 

You laughed again; she loved the way your sharp teeth showed when you laughed. "I could ask the same thing." 

"Well, I asked first."

"Okay, that's fair; I'm feeding the birds in peace." 

She noted the way you said 'in peace'. Were you still happy and at peace even though she broke it?

"Now you, why are you here?" 

Why couldn't she speak? Of course, the truth is that she's chasing a bird, but a lie would be that she's looking for you, and that's worse.

"I was strolling around."

"Wednesday Addams strolling around never thought you went places without a purpose."

"I have free will."

"I admire that."

Why did she warm up to the praise from you?

"But I know that's a lie."

Why do you have to make everything difficult for her?

"I came to see you about the project."

You knew that was a lie, too.

"Get up and let's go; I want to get this done already," she commanded.

"Don't you have class? I didn't know you were that devious." Again, you got up quickly to follow her.

"I repeat, I have free will. Didn't you hear?" 

You laughed, realizing that this girl had just quoted you.

[gffa]

choose violence ask game: 6, 18, 10, 18, 24, 25

(i can’t remember which ones you’ve already done so here’s a bunch don’t feel obligated to do them all)

Ohhhh, you really did choose some violence for me! 6. which ship fans are the most annoying? I have met some extremely lovely Reylo fans, but I have also been bombarded by some of the worst Reylo fans, oh my god. Like, if you force me to choose one side or the other, I'll probably end up defending Reylo fans overall, because fandom was absolute shit to them, some of them were genuinely harassed, but also some subsections of Reylo fandom were fucking awful to others, including John Boyega, what the actual fuck. For awhile, too, you couldn't make a post about just about anything in fandom without Reylos trying to come into your space to make it about their ship, like I'm posting about the prequels era Jedi here, it has nothing to do with Rey or Kylo! Why are you trying to make it about them! I do not see this as a reflection on all shippers, however, because let's be clear, my second answer is that there is a sub-section of Obikin fans who are grinding my gears real hard and they are ANNOYING AS FUCK, christ, yet I still love the Obikin fandom. (But, honestly, I have my bones to pick with Codywan and Obitine and Anidala fandoms, too.) 24. topic that brings up the most rancid discourse Anything to do with the Jedi, but most especially anything that touches on that they're Buddhists instead of a more Western-centric religion, or pretty much anything to do with Mace's character and how he's written as an angry, mean character and how often that just so happens to get put on Black characters. It feels like these conversations never seem to get anywhere, we're all just spinning our wheels and festering together.

[arithecreatorsstuff]

Cruel and Malicious Phraseology

Since the JLA ban on profanity in the workplace took effect, some of us have gotten rather inventive in expressing our less positive sentiments. No guesses for which member of the Old Guard had the most insults hurled at them, but... his initials are HJ. There is no context, only hostility.

"I could put an entire box of alphabet pasta through a spin cycle and come up with a better plan than that. Stop trying to be Batman, one is enough."

"Go stick your head inside a black hole, you posh knobhead!"

"Listen here, you overhyped rodent posterior... rocking up like you're the brightest glow stick in the rave negates the very idea of a stealth mission. Adjust your glow to match your intellect, please."

"You got this, huh? Looks like you handled that masterfully. Tell you what there, Mastermind... let me know if you need help finding your teeth after that glorious victory."

"Plans A, B, AND C all tanked? Over to you, Glowworm, you usually head straight to Plan D for "dumb crap" anyway."

"Quick question, do you even Metal Gear?"

"Oh, what in the unholy name of Ymir's jockstrap did we walk into this time?"

"Do... do the Big Bosses not realize pockets are a thing? Like, where am I supposed to keep my wallet, or anything, really? Is the Marquis de Sade the staff tailor, because wearing this is gonna drive me mad."

"You and I have been friends for a while, but... when you say things like that I kinda want to stab you in the eye with an explosive arrow."

"I get now why you prefer being underwater. Less dumb. Much less screaming. Speaking of... I bet you know some epic dive spots. They'll be at this for hours, we're not needed here. If the Boss asks, you're teaching me marine ecology in the wild."

"Huh. Here I thought Joker held the title for "Most Punchable Face on Earth", yet here's the new heavyweight contender, ready to throw down for the belt."

"Go boil your head in some more of that cheap weak sister beer!"

"Why don't you go hug a claymore mine already?"

"Eat my boots!"

"No, ma'am, I'm not ready for that jelly, I prefer cream cheese on my bagel anyway. You're... not talking about food, are you? Oh, monkey bread."

"Repeat after me: Pants. Are. Not. Optional!"

"I'd rather drown than EVER go clown. I might not have taste, but I have standards."

"Oh, by Artemis' sandals what did you do this time?"

"Yanno, you and a certain dirty old man thunder God have the same issue: too focused on the ladies to do your job. Eyes in the head, you ain't her type. Trust me."

"IN THE NAME OF SIGYN'S GIRDLE WILL YOU STOP SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE THAT! The Boss can get away with it, as he was trained in silent infiltration and is not a creepy drunken sorry excuse for a washout. Either knock on the door like a normal human, or run the risk of having to sing "I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" to even enter the men's locker room."

"You died? I see your brain sure stayed dead."

"It's a RAID, not a rave. Lose the shiny stuff and glow trim, we're trying the Splinter Cell approach. Also... do you really need the three extra ammo belts? They're thugs, not the blooming Xenomorphs."

"I know over 20 languages, yet cannot explain exactly how much I'd like to beat you with a pufferfish."

"But did you die again? No? So... why so grumpy, Mr. Grouchy von Groucherson?"

"How? How do you claim to be a master shot, yet miss the ginormous glaring weak spot every time? Are you a plant from the Court of Owls? Make it make sense."

"Huh. Sniper scope, but still can't see the obvious. Just ask her already! Aphrodite help me, but you're blind if you can't see she likes you."

"Thanks, but I don't associate with the chronically dumb."

"A date? Let me check my calendar. Sorry, looks like I'm going to be washing my hair for the foreseeable future."

"Would you kindly get your head out of the poor man's rear entrance so he can get some work done?"

"Games teach you problem solving in real time, teamwork, the importance of understanding the mechanics in any situation, how to manage difficult individuals, pattern recognition, and much more. Odin's eyepatch, you must be a pretentious little sod to think you can't learn from gaming. Now quit whining and pick your fighter already. You're holding up the match."

[that-one-weird-kid-from-school]

God damnit! God damnit! God damnit!

I can't, I can't anymore!

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Why can't I just comprehend time right?!

Why can't I fucking wrap my head around a work week?!

It's five fucking days and a two-day break!

Yet, I just can't imagine that today is Thursday, I can only remember that yesterday was Tuesday, and I know that yesterday was Tuesday because the day before that was Monday!

Five days is so long, I can never fucking grasp that as a goddamn concept! It basically feels like forever for me!

Going to school for the whole day takes so much commitment, I have to prepare my school mentality for five shitting days in a row!

And then, there is a two-day break, where whenever I just get in my break mindset, school starts again!

It's just this endless loop over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again!

When will it fucking end?!

In the past, it was acceptable, I could just go wherever I needed to, but now, I have work to do, I have posts to make, I have responsibilities that I need to fulfil, I need to fucking do something!

And it takes time, time that I don't have, with that school loop, I barely have enough time to fucking live!

There is nothing I can do, except wait for the school year to end, but that is an awful strategy.

Do you know why?

Do you fucking know why?

Because in my mind, a month is an eternity, a week is an eternity, four days is an eternity, I can't fucking grasp that much amount of time!

You think that I'm exaggerating, huh?

You think that I'm overdramatizing how I have trouble keeping track of time, huh?

Well, let me tell you, big guy, not everyone will have the same gears spinning in their head, not everyone has their sanity lined up straight.

You don't know how bad this is.

You don't know how bad this is.

You don't know how bad this is.

It's so bad, that I mentally comprehend a few hours ago as yesterday.

This happens almost every day, sometimes I feel that ten minutes ago is yesterday!

"Oh, if you think that that is yesterday, then how do you know that it's an hour ago?"

Well then, James, you still have a hot, big titty, goth, anime waifu that you think that it's going to marry you, but you know fully well that they're fictional.

We can fully believe one thing, yet we know that that is not true, you jackass!

Oh, but you don't know, you don't know, you don't know how bad this is for me!

Oh, it feels like every thought that pink has, green just says that they're not true.

I don't know what I believe!

I don't know what I believe!

I don't know what I believe!

I don't know what I believe!

I don't know what I believe!

Am I just joking the whole time!?

Am I just putting on an act for nobody to see!?

Am I just being a little pet for the universe?

If so, then I'm doing a good job.

Wouldn't anyone want their pets to be entertaining?

[h-a-unted]

What are rare-pairs that you’re passionate about?

Who was your first OC?

Are you happy with how your favorite canon muse was portrayed in canon?

How do you describe writing / rp to others?

Questions for the mun!

Rare-pairs... oh my god I have so many of those that I'm drawing a blank right now. I think the one that comes to mind is strangely Da.igo Doji.ma and Goro Maji.ma from the Yakuza games lmao, maybe even Ichiban and Zhao from the same games, idk I just vibe with them. But Daiji.ma was my shit for the longest time. And also probably Kuroiwa and Yagami from the Yakuza spin-off, Judgment. OH! And also Soma and the professor dude or like... his subordinate Akutsu (but I guess that last one wasn't a rarepair) from the sequel of the spin-off. Does Maevelight count as rarepair? Cause they'd be my top rarepair as of now (and maybe Zack and Cloud if they count as rarepair) I'm wondering if I'll like Home.lander and Fire.cracker but that probably won't be a rarepair lmao.

My first OC, I am unsure if I can pinpoint... I think it was this servant girl called Lilian I made for a canon character, when I used to try and run from my male/male ships to be "normal" lmfao! My first OC here though was my AI, AIROS. My sweet bean, my lovely android who is trying to learn about the world without knowing he is a spyware watching over the people. I had a lot of verses for him... maybe I could add one for the boys, but he'd be too much of a good boy to be able to survive in that world... Though it'd be a good chance to give him a real-life FC I guess.

I have so many favorite canons that change with what I'm currently obsessed with. Like, before the boys it was Adler and I immediately 'hated' him as a mechanism of defense because I actually loved him a lot lmfao, his characterization was top notch in-game, so much that everyone really wants him to appear in the sequel despite the wrongdoings he did to the protagonist. Anyway, since right now I am obsessed with the boys and clearly But.cher is my favorite – it's safe to say I'm pretty satisfied with most of his portrayal in canon, as of Season 3. There is a leak that has me just a little doubtful about what they're trying to do with him going forward, but I'm hoping it's explained in a way I can get behind, they've done well, so far. Otherwise, I feel like they did a very nice, deeply flawed character that I adore. It hits all the spots I love in a character and, honestly, I feel it was tailor-made for me to love, at least the show rendition of him. I don't like the comics one at all. Aside from that, I think Raiden from Met.al Gear has been practically my sleeping agent all-time favorite or so, and I absolutely love what they did with his character (not me vibing with a "mood swings" type of character trying to do good, but also being unhinged). I miss him and his struggles a whole lot, wish they would've continued his games.

I describe rp as "I portray a character from a series or invent one and make up scenarios with friends on the internet who portray other characters. We keep the scenes going back and forth." Despite this, I don't think my mother gets it at all. My friends didn't get it at the start, until I made them rp with me via notebooks when we were in middle school, it turned into an obsession for all of us... Good times lmao.

[actualmermaid]

So there's this Lambert afterlife fic I've been thinking about for a while

(Lambert being Nicky's war boyfriend in Holiest Among The Living. Lambert is not a nice guy. He is a very chivalrous and well-respected medieval Norman knight, but he is not a nice guy. He does bad stuff in real life, because "doing bad stuff" is his day job, which he hates. He has a very beautiful, very stupid hunting dog. He's the leader of a socialist mercenary frat house. He's an atheist, but he likes church guys against his better judgment. His goal in life is "dying in bed." He's an OC that I'm really proud of, just from a "storytelling as craft" perspective.)

Anyway (spoilers) he dies at the end of Holiest. He wakes up in... he's not sure where. He's in pain and can't sit up, but he's lying in bed in warm, comfortable chambers, and he's being attended by his mom and sister. He can hear the women of the house singing as they spin and weave. He can smell spring rain on the pine forest outside. The fatal wound he received from Nicky is still there, but it is clean and bandaged.

He starts to recover and gets his bearings: he appears to be the lord of his own manor, with lands encompassing fields, forests, and mountains. He locates more dead friends and family, but only certain ones, and everyone a) knows that they're dead and b) believe themselves to be in heaven, with God.

Lambert has his "this is the bad place" moment: he knows that he's a professional thug and penis enjoyer who doesn't belong in heaven (in his mind--not the reader's), and decides that he hates it in heaven, and he's going to escape. He gears up to go hunting, gets on his (long-dead) favorite horse, and rides off into the woods.

He rides until he comes across Mimir's Well, and a one-eyed wanderer accompanied by two ravens. He recognizes the wanderer as Odin, and greets him respectfully ("lord of my ancestors, I did not expect to find you here.")

("Who did you expect?" replies Odin with a twinkle in his eye.)

They banter a little bit, and Odin bids Lambert drink from Mimir's Well. He bends to drink, and falls through the well into a "mirror universe" of sorts. He is at an ordinary well that he remembers from his childhood, and instead of Odin, there is his court physician from the manor: a little brown Jew he had noticed and then brushed off in an earlier scene. Surprise! It's Jesus.

Lambert then goes through a series of journeys and trials related to his own past, with Jesus advising him in sort of a direct, down-to-earth way (the exact mechanics of this afterlife situation are not really explained, and Jesus repeatedly avoids answering Lambert's "is this heaven or hell" questions. It's implied that even he doesn't know how it all works). These are especially ugly or otherwise impactful moments from Lambert's life, and he has to process them and articulate what was going on. This ends up being the bulk of the story.

Between episodes of this, Lambert goes back to the manor house. He still gets hungry and tired and his wound sometimes gets aggravated. He talks to the other people there. Etc. He starts to relax.

The turning point in his journey comes when he finally revisits the moment that Nicky killed him, and he follows along unseen as Joe and Nicky leave the battlefield. We got Nicky's POV on this in Holiest, but now we get Lambert's POV, and Lambert is like "oh shit, he really wasn't lying, I was the monster and he slew me like one."

Jesus is like "yeah basically. But I died for your sins, and all I want in return is for you to clean up your house. The wandering spirits of your comrades are looking for hospitality."

Lambert's kind of like "do I have to?" but then Jesus reveals himself to be the great High King--the image of God that was preached most commonly to Lambert in his mortal life. The idealized feudal lord. Great and terrible, but merciful. Lambert bends the knee and swears fealty, and then his snarky, nerdy (and strangely handsome?) court physician is back, and he's smiling.

Back at the manor, Lambert's sitting down to dinner, warm and dry while a torrential rainstorm rages outside. Suddenly, a bunch of his dead buddies burst into the hall, muddy and gross and looking like they just came off the battlefield in the Holy Land. They walk in and start acting like medieval frat boys, putting their feet on the table and spitting, and Lambert is like

"GENTLEMEN. GET YOUR FUCKING FEET OFF THE FUCKING TABLE. THIS IS A LADY'S HOUSE."

(His mom is laughing into a handkerchief)

And he proceeds to whip them into shape, basically. Still bearing his wound, he sets out to turn his house into an idealized heavenly medieval manor, and the fic ends with some variation on "let's go to work."

[limetimo]

RRAB fics I read (September 15)

Downfall - Year 1 by Lunarde Walburga is abusive, Sirius has a lot going on, and Regulus investigates.

Compass by star4daisy Journalist James gets to interview his favourite band - turns out Regulus Evan and Barty are in a poly relationship and would really like him to join them!

The Stars Welcome Him (with open arms) by Regisdrowning after the Prank Remus finds sanctuary with Regulus and his friends

Stay in your Lane by Regisdrowning swimming au! Regulus has to deal with rooming with JAmes, the bestie of his estranged brother :D

Underdressed by Thzebr Unspeakable Draco gets yoinked into his 1995 body, messy stuff ensues, Regulus makes a benavolent appearance in like, chapter 29, but his cameo is really cool

The Black Days Are Over by SagaEllen Regulus is a Seer, copes badly, then gets his ass in gear. BAMF Dorcas

enchanted (to meet you) by muchmoreclever Disney's enchanted Wolfstar AU!! Sirius as Giselle! Like the lore behind this thing--

The healing journey of Regulus Black by LupinsChocolatePraline As he leaves for college, Regulus gets the chance to start healing from his parent's atrocious parenting, religious abuse and autoimmune disorder he didn't even know he had. Good thing his boyfriend Evan is here to help!!

heartbeat on the high line by alarainai for damagecontrol modern wizard AU, James is doing a project on muggle cinema and decides to recreate love scenes from famous romances. His co-actor? Regulus Black. What James doesn'T know is that Regulus is harboring a massive crush on him. It has everything.

The Missing Link by Keysie needs no introduction. regulus is adopted by the lupins and falling for james, wolfstar is going strong

blue and yellow skies by alarainai jegulus quidditch rivals to lovers real neat

working title: padfoot regulus au [evil author's day] by coincidences CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE

Late by cassiopeiablack1994 too fucking late do James and Sirius realise that their feelings have always been mutual. Nasty break-ups with their married spouses ensue. Future Regulily is promised, though Prongsfoot takes the stage

Do Not Go Gentle by AsILayDying Hermione has an oopsie and ends up in 1976ish(?), enrolls in Marauders year, butts heads with Regulus and locks him in a book club relationship, dates Remus, tho the endgame is Hermione/Regulus

Brighten the Dark by skeptique for onbeinganangel regulus falls out of the Veil for no reason whatsoever, looking circa 26ish and insisting on living in HIS house which is HArry's house now actually. Turns out they're really good roommates,,, (oh my god they were roommates! ♥)

Cowboy like Me by calamitoustide for inevitablestars Lily and James are both in the "seduce them and rob them (and kill them)" business in the wild wild west, and they both set their eyes on the same target (Regulus). I really enjoyed this one!

stars will fall by calamitoustide crying screaming throwing up, Regulus' health is shitty and he knows he's dying at a faster speed than aother people but he refuses to let that stand in the path of his brother's happiness

I know you want me, I (don't?) feel the same by Fallingfromthestarss marauders are in a band, slytherin skittles are in high fashion, Regulus is mean and James is a simp

A Violent Kind of Spin by Cassiara James and Regulus fuck in a muggle gay bar, it changes the course of history

treat me soft (touch me cruel) by damagecontrol james is horny for regulus, sirius is not a fan

oh, my, love is a lie! by artiest for Amethystx_22 regulus goes to queer therapy, makes some friends, and James has a sexual awakening

holding all this love out here in the hall by calamitoustide James is dating Remus AND Regulus but feels like he should not mix them together? Turns out he shouldn't have worried. Love me a good QPR in a polycule

The telephone box by LadyOlive (Leoberry), Leoberry regulus calls for help

Let the Light In by calamitoustide for malakiwis JAmes is in love with the idea of love; this is him realising he's aroace, ft aroace Regulus' insights who's a tiny little ahead in figuring things out.

Best Part of Waking Up by starling011, TemieTem They fuck nasty (Sirius/Regulus and later +Remus) but there's also a lot of plot chapters

should've been a cowboy by calamitoustide James is horny for Regulus in cowboy stuff

aim for my heart (go for blood) by calamitoustide jegulus were in love, got married, had Harry,,, and then something went wrong and they fell apart and came to despise each other. After 9 years of living in 2 separate households, Harry devises an evil master plan how to get his dads back together. things got worse before they get better.

All the Fools Sailed Away by enbysiriusblack Peter is playing 5D chess with the war and I kinda adore him? Jegulily

sunset in the maze by damagecontrol jegulus sexy times

Past Zero Hour by anonymsly CURSE BREAKER REGULUS! THE RISKS HE TAKES ARE CALCULATED BUT BOY, IS HE BAD AT MATH!!! ♥♥♥♥♥

Little Star (How I Love You Like I Shouldn't) by fairies_withspirits they fuck nasty

Little Star (How I Love You In All The Wrong Ways) by fairies_withspirits they fuck nasty but in multichapter muggle au, with plots

I'll keep you safe by Fenrir13 werewolf regulus!!!

The Quest Of A Ginger Cat by Krummbein regulus is crookshanks...

What We Do Today by Moe64 a really good take on the "Marauders read HP books trope"

Wild World by Calypte band au! A lot of Regulus angst and lyrics, estabilished wolfstar and slowburn jegulus

Can we find the light by MusicDiva2003 James is straight up not having a good time

the golden king by maladaptivewriting once upon a time Regulus was in love with JAmes potter, so when the cave spits him out in 1991 looking 11 he rolls into hogwarts to keep an eye on harry.

Captain of the Waves and the Month of Death by Funkita Regulus haunts Grimmauld place, only Sirius can see him.

The fire is swell by Funkita regulus is straight up not having a good time, goes suicidal

The water will drown by Funkita regulus is still straight up not having a good time but this time he has Cardacor Deadborn in his corner

Operation Walburga's Arbitrary No Kissing Ever Rule by courfee 10 things i hate about you Jegulus AU, the villains are Walburga nad miscommunication

I'm not tired (never of you) by thestarsforus Bartylus besties to lovers, somebody give Evan a hug

My Liege by lord_m0th Regul sis sent to assassinate james, accidentally saves his life instead. medieval au

[correctrvbquotes]

Fade in on the Boys and Tex outside O'malley's base near the warthog.

Tex: What took you guys so long to get here?

Simmons: There's six of us, and this is only a three-seater jeep. Half of us had to sit on someone else's lap.

Donut: It was a great road trip. My favourite part was when Grif tried to change gears, and he accidentally-

Grif: Hugh, please, let's not tell the story. Is there somewhere I can wash my hands?

Sarge: What'd you find, Tex?

Tex: Well, O'Malley's holed up in his fortress. He's been fortifying his defenses for a few days now, and he's got some help, one of those religious nuts you guys picked up.

Caboose: Oh, I like them. They were funny.

Tucker: Caboose, they tried to kill you because of a flag.

Caboose: I try not to remember the bad things about people.

Tucker: That's all they tried to do, there were no good things.

Caboose: That's okay. I have a really bad memory-wow look, a beach!

Sarge: Shut up Caboose. What's yer plan, Tex?

As Tex explains her plan, we see a majestic, panoramic view of O'Malley's base.

Tex: Well first we have to breach the outer wall.

Caboose: Oh. I love breaching!

Tex: Then, we have to get past another wall.

Grif: Two walls? Some people are so materialistic.

Tex: The second wall has a guard tower, and an enormous razor-sharp spinning blade.

Simmons: What that thing? It's spinning like two miles an hour.

Tex: I didn't say it'd be hard to get past. After that, we have to pass the gun turrets, and break into the building.

Sarge: And then we attack O'Malley.

Tex: No. That's when we plant, this.

Caboose: ...We're planting a volleyball.

Tex: It's not a ball, it's a bomb.

Caboose: We're planting a volleybomb?

Tex: I've scouted a location inside the base where we can set it off and take the whole place down. I marked the spot with a big X.

Tucker: You scouted it.

Tex: Yeah.

Tucker: If you got past the two walls, the huge spinning blade, the gun turrets, and made it all the way in to the fortress, why didn't you just plant the bomb then instead of putting a big X on the floor?

Tex: ...I can't carry it.

Grif: What?

Simmons: What was that?

Tex: It's too heavy, okay? You happy?

Grif: Yeah kinda.

Tex: I need one of you idiots to carry it. I don't have the upper body strength to move it on my own.

Grif: See, girls act like they're so tough, but the first time they need someone to move a couch, who do they call.

Tex: ...

Grif: Please don't kill me.

Sarge: (walking to the volleybomb) Ahh, go ahead and kill him. We could use the armor for spare parts. Here, this thing doesn't look so heavy, let me t-yooo that thing ain't movin'!

Caboose: I can carry it.

Tex: I guarantee you'll need two people.

Tucker: No it's true, he's got crazy strength. Church and I think it's God's way of compensating.

Caboose: (lifting the bomb) See...

Sarge: Great Paul's Bunyan, he's like an ox.

Caboose: But I have no horns... or lumberjack friends.

Grif: Come on, no way it can be that bad. Let me give it a-

Caboose hands over the bomb to Grif, who promptly drops it, making the screen shake

Grif: Wheaugh! Hugh. Okay, you can carry it.

Sarge: Alright, then we'll storm in there, blow up O'Malley, leave Grif for dead, and maybe find some clues about what happened to Church and Lopez.

Tex: You mean your robot? He's in there with him.

Sarge: Lopez is in the building?

[multifandoms27-blog]

Oh God...! | Armin Arlert x F!Reader

Content: Mainly angst, but there's some fluff too. Not an established relationship between Armin and reader.

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, profanity.

Notes: I wrote this for my good friend. You know who you are lol. <3

~*~*~*

Armin stood trembling by himself on the rooftop. Eren had just died, so had Mina, Thomas, Nack, and Milieus. Eren gave himself to protect Armin, and all he could do was fucking sit there...that's all he could fucking do.

He didn't know how long he was sitting there while his fellow cadets in the 104th were slaughtered around him, or how many other soldiers' lives were given because of his insolence. Armin beat himself up while continuing to do nothing.

Armin clutched his head as Eren's death replayed over and over and over in his head, while the screams of his squad taunted his ears. His vision became blurry with tears, his head pounding with an onset of a headache. Everything was spinning, Armin wanted to puke, or cry, or die. He couldn't tell.

He didn't hear a new squad come up, nor did he hear the shouts of his name. All he could hear were the screams of his squad members. It wasn't until he was shaken that he finally snapped out of it. His vision cleared and his headache rolled away, his nausea pushed down. When he looked up, he saw (Y/n) sitting there, worried sick.

"Armin! Oh, there you are! What happened? Where's Eren and the rest of the squad?"

Armin stumbled over his words. "(Y/n), I...I...I couldn't-"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ymir spoke, her arms crossed. "They were slaughtered. Nobodies seen them, and they're not around."

"Armin...Armin is that true?" (Y/n) looked back down at the blonde boy.

Armin couldn't respond. Ymir scowled.

"The only reason he escaped death was because he was too much of a coward, I bet."

"Ymir, shut up! You don't know that!"

"Oh sure, defend the coward!" Ymir shot back.

"I'm with (Y/n) on this one, shut up, Ymir!" Conny chimed in.

"Oh yeah?! You both wanna go?!" Ymir yelled, causing Armin to put his hands over his ears and hunch over into (Y/n) embrace.

"I will beat your ass and finally shut your mouth if you don't-" Conny was interrupted.

"Guys, guys, please! Enough! Everyone is tired and scared, but come on! We have to work together and get Armin somewhere safe!" Christa stepped in between Conny and Ymir.

Ymir and Conny quieted down and looked away from each other. Christa looked to (Y/n). "(Y/n), please take Armin and get out of here."

"I can't leave you three-"

"We'll be fine. Make sure Armin gets back safely, then rendezvous back with us." Christa gave her a small smile.

(Y/n) looked up at her from where she was kneeling, and nodded. "Come on, Armin. Let's go."

Armin clung to (Y/n) as she scooped him up into her arms. Using her ODM gear, she brought him further away from any titans, making sure they both were safe. Glancing back, (Y/n) could see Reiner's group struggling with a titan, probably a 10 meter. (Y/n) growled.

"Armin, wait here. I need to help Reiner's squad with-"

"No!" Armin screamed and grabbed onto her coat. "Don't leave! Please, please, please, (Y/n)! Don't leave...oh God...!"

"Hey, hey, Armin, it's okay." (Y/n) pat Armin's head and embraced him, hearing him sob into her chest. "There are no titans around, it'll takle me a few minutes, it'll be okay."

"No, n-no that's not why I..." Armin looked up, tears streaming down his face. "I don't want you to die...please...please don't go...!"

"Armin...if I don't help them, they might die."

Armin's sad face scrunched up even more in pain. "Then...then I'll go with you...! If you...if you get in trouble then I-I'll do what I didn't with Eren and save you..."

(Y/n) looked down at him hesitantly. "...okay, but if you're feeling like you're going to freak out, back off okay?"

Armin nodded vigorously. Both of them then used their ODM gear to get closer to Reiner's group. Armin stayed on the rooftop when Bertholdt slammed into the roof right next to him. (Y/n) shot out her anchors into the titan's shoulder, swung around and cut into the nape of the titan's neck and killed it.

Reiner's group landed safely on the roof with (Y/n). Armin immediately stepped halfway behind her.

"Thank you, (L/n). Why is Armin here?" Reiner commented.

"His squad..." (Y/n) glanced down at the small boy.

Reiner nodded. "Right."

"Come on, we need to keep moving. Thank you for the help, (Y/n)." Annie nodded to her in acknowledgement.

"No problem. Be safe out there." (Y/n) watched Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie ride away.

Armin was beginning to shift back to the state he was in earlier at the sight of the titan, and he tightly grabbed (Y/n)'s hand. Her attention was snapped back to him. "Hey, hey, Armin...it's okay."

Armin once again embraced her. "I know that was quick but...oh God...what if you were eaten just as quickly...?"

"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm alive. Everything is okay. Let's get you to safety."

Armin looked up at her, and nodded. His blue eyes filled with tears that she wiped away. Armin thought that she looked like an angel in all this chaos - an angel of death, maybe. As she scooped him up in her arms again and rode away on her ODM gear, he couldn't help but feel safer than he ever had been in her arms.

And for once today, when he closed his eyes, he finally didn't see the slaughter of his squadron.

[arachnoflora]

alright, so

just watched ratatouille for the first time in eons and my gears started spinning and they've spun to the realization that it usually seems like the smaller party in a g/t story is the one trying to integrate into the larger one's world or society or life. like a borrower adopting human ways and learning to live a little more human-like.

but like, whats stopping things from going the other way? i want the biggo to learn the wonders of the smol world and integrate into it (without shrinking down or anything! as they are!). i want them to say hi to all the little fellas and maybe help in ways only a big fella can!

(this whole ramble sorta pertains primarily to stories with tinies living in a typical human sized world, less so to stories in which the g/t elements are derived from a giant living in a world or environment inhabited primarily by those of smaller stature)

like okay hear me out: a human stumbles across a borrower (or any other like, small species, i dunno borrowers are just kinda my main blorbo genre) out in the wilderness while they're like, hiking or something. the typical "oh my god you're small" stuff plays out, but in this scenario the human is kinda in the borrowers' territory, as opposed to the more archetypal scenario with the borrowers in the human's home. they bond, then the human is introduced to the other borrowers and it takes time, but they warm up to each other. suddenly big friend is visiting regularly and slowly learning how these wonderful guys live and maybe teaching them a bit about human life, but the focus is on the human learning to be more like them, and fitting into their world, rather than the other way around.

[atherix]

Dear Midnight readers,

We are gathered hear today to mourn the loss of Atherix after she was brutally murdered by both gnawing and shaking at the hands of Stitch.

Atherix was a lovely writer in their time, produce for us two quality chapters in a matter of hours and she will be missed.

The burial service will be on thee plot B at Fuck You Cemetery at Midnight Tonight.

I AM GOING TO SHAKE YOU SO MUCH. YOU ARE LIKE A SNOW GLOBE AND I AM AN OVERENTHUASTIC CHILD IM. I DON'T HAVE COHERENT THOUGHTS BC I READ THE FIRST CHAPTER WHILE INCOHERENT AND THE SECOND CHAPTER RIGHT AS I WOKE UP THIS MORNING. HOW FUCKING DARE YOU, FIRST OF ALL???????

GOD the glyph disappearing. The faCT THAT I KNOW WHY YOU FUCKING BROUGHT IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM TORMENTED WITH KNOWLEDGE.

The comb, the memory sharing, the vulnerability as Scar puts it I am in LOVE

ALSO THEY SAID THE TITLE. I don't care that midnight is super common in the story it makes me happy anyway.

And Grian not getting the whole shadows are light but not thing is so funny. oh my god.

'the magic the gods hold' SHAKES YOU. SHAKING YOU. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE.

OH AND THEN THE DREAM AT THE END THERE??? EXCUSE ME!!! I mean. I knew it would come back up. But the fact that its there is making me INSANE

and then the fucking. the ALLEY. 'Its been a few years' HOW MANY IS A FEW, GRIAN. I NEED TO KNOW, GRIAN. ARE YOU FUCKING SURE SIR???????? Listen. Listen. I didn't even think that maybe grian was in stasis or some shit til everyone else was like 'is grian actually like centuries old and doesnt know' BECAUSE NOW. I AM THINKING ABOUT IT. I AM CONNECTING DOTS. I AM FUCKING GNAWING ON SHIT. THE FACT THAT HE SPEAKS ANCIENT. THE FACT THAT SCAR'S TOME HAS ADDED LINES THAT WERENT IN HIS BOOK. THE STATE OF THE ALLEY. The crack was narrows but now theres a giant hole in the ceiling. Other creatures have taken up residency in the alley. Grian's constant 'hes a little confused but hes got the spirit' vibes about everything. MY GEARS ARE FUCKING SPINNING.

God the fact that Grian just goes in. That grian keeps gettingb pulled out of his own head by his mates. The fact that Mumbo pulls Scar and tubbo down because its definitely not safe for them to just stay outside the mountain oh my god but then. Then.

Why DO the Watchers want the Tome hidden in a city full of Observants is my fucking question that I still haven't cracked. This is like one of those geodes full of water - thunderegg? I think they're called??? But I have theories okay. If the watchers are supposedly all seeing but the Palace had them wandering around AND they were walking around in a physical enough form for Grian to kill THREE of them right. Right. And theres the whole - the watchers Grian remembers werent following the stuff inside the tome right. WHAT IF. WHAT THE FUCK IF. [I feel like im talking to like. a twitch chat bc I know you arent gonna say shit about it] BUT OKAY THESE WATCHERS ARE LIKE. DEVIANT. THEYVE STRAYED. AND THEYVE MADE A BREAK OFF WITH THE ALLEY. AND THEY MAKE PEOPLE HIDE THEIR TOMES TO HIDE THEM FROM THE EYES OF THE OTHER WATCHERS, WHO SEE THAT THE ONES WHOVE TAKEN FORM ARENT FOLLOWING THE RULES. IDK. LISTEN. I READ THIS HALF DELIRIOUSLY.

Why do I recognize the Magical Menagerie. And WHY does Grian take his Tome if he already has Scars unless theirs some like godling part of his brain thats just like, dragon hoarding all the tomes. What is going on. What the fuck.

I dont fucking know if I believe that grian's only been gone for five years at this point. Relatively recent abandonment my ass, Scar. Tubbo and Mumbo have already called it, I'm believing your anons, Grian is OLD. WHERE ARE THE REMAINS. 5 YEARS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR BODIES TO DECAY COMPLETELY AWATY. ABSOLUTELY NOT. THIS PLACE IS OLD AS BALLS.

And the way Grian just FLIES off when he hears Tilly's bark and the fact that I fucking TRUSTED YOU!!!! THE PALACE LOOKED LIVED IN AND THEN YOU TORMENT ME WITH THEIR DEAD LOVED ONES?? YOU MAKE MUMBO WATCH AS ONE OF HIS MATES AND HIS COVEN CHILD HIT THE APPARITIONS OF HIS DEAD WIFE AND DAUGHTER????? EXCUSE ME HOW FUCKING DARE YOU????????

the watchers eat pets im calling it now. This is a completely baseless accusation. they eat the pets.

'They prey on your emotions and then consume everything you are' HEY UH. HEY THERE TUBBO. TUB TUB. HEY BESTIE. ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY YOUR PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY BEING CONSUMED??????

AND THEN THE FALLING. AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ALL SO FUCKED UP. I AM SHAKING YOU. YOU ARE A CHEW TOY TO ME RN.

Oh man, looks like I need to get fitted for the casket real fast hjkfgdhskg-

OKAY BUT THAT ENTIRE INTRO TO THIS MADE ME CACKLE LIKE A HYENA COME ON-

... Am I at least a pretty snowglobe- KHFSJKFHSJKFKSJ OKAY BUT I CACKLED MYSELF TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT JUST IMAGINING YOU WAKING UP AND LOOKING AT YOUR PHONE AND SEEING MY "YOU'RE GONNA KILL ME" AND THE UPDATE NOTIF AND IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT <3

HEHEHEHE :) KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN NEVER SHARE WITH ANOTHER READER HEHEHEHE. Idk if it'll be catharsis when it comes up again but HFKSHFKJSK :)

He's trying to be better for them <3 Trying to be more open and honest and let them in more <3 And the memory sharing- it means so much more this time because last time he shared his memories with them they were asking questions, but this time he volunteered the info himself- invited them to see it, and I am so khfdshgkjdfshgkjfd I am so NORMAL about them <3

I LOVE A GOOD TITLE DROP <3 And hey. Midnight is very significant in the Midnight series :) Cough cough a midnight sun.... the Midnight Alley........ a midnight Eclipse.................. :)

Grian over here like "LIGHT IS LIGHT AND SHADOW IS SHADOW" lmaaoooo I love him, magic is a conundrum to him.

🙂 Hehe~

LOOK. LOOK IT WAS A PERFECT CHANCE. HOW COULD I RESIST :)

Hey. Hey Stitch. Looks like there are some surprises I haven't mentioned to you yet LMAO <3 I will neither confirm nor deny anything, and I shall explain nothing <3 I will say this, though.... for someone running away, Grian sure hasn't met anyone looking for him, has he. :)

Grian is just. So. Stubborn. If he didn't have Mumbo and Scar to reel him in this would have gone So Bad hjfdkjk but also the fact that he LETS them help him I am just so hjkfdskkfds

You are speaking to a chat, yes, because I can answer literally NONE of those :'D And these are questions I will not answer in private either <3 I need to leave SOME mysteries for you <3

You know, if the last page of the Tome is different, I wonder what else might be. Just. Just saying. :) As for why you recognize Magical Menagerie, it was mentioned in Midnight Melody, so <3

*cough*alsostalactiteswhereglassusedtobe*cough* Sorry sorry got something stuck in my throat, but :) It's an interesting idea isn't it, my dear Stitch and readers~

Haha the Palace IS lived in :) :) TRUST ME. IT'S OKAY TO TRUST ME HAHA <3 Okay but also Scar having that split moment of like "oh shit what do I do I know it's not his dead wife but it LOOKS like her" and just hjfdhsjkghdskj BUT I FUCKING DARE <3

HFSJUKHFKJS LMAO baseless accusation but you know what, they don't deserve the benefit of the doubt.

:) Hehehe

WHERE WILL THEY LAND I WONDER? HEY STITCH. STITCH DO YOU REMEMBER. I MENTIONED IT BEFORE. :) But. But hehehe <3

[illdothehotvoice]

That wasn't asking for permission that was a warning. ANYWAY before I start it may SEEM like I have a lot of negative things to say so I don't like the game but they're all pretty minor things (and as a long time fan of the series pretty reasonable to get annoyed about) but are easily ignorable/easy to get used to. got long so:

SO Positives:

- It's fucking GORGEOUS. The backgrounds are beautiful the colors are great (a lot of the areas remind me of Superstar Saga so far which is ALWAYS a plus for me!!) I was always SO scared of this series going 3D and I am so glad I was proven wrong.

-The dynamic cutscenes are definitely different but are really nice! They work really well in the game's style and I don't think a previous entry would be able to pull them off.

- The music is fucking great. I will be watching the credits like a hawk to see who composed for the game

-MARIO'S STOMACH HAS JIGGLE PHYSICS whoever's decision that was deserves a raise.

-SPEAKING OF MARIO his characterization is probably my favorite in the entire series right now. His expressions are so good and his implied dialogue is great qwq. He is so tired let him rest.

-Luigi's characterization is also really nice. Luigi Logic in particular was something I thought was going to be an annoyance in the over world (specifically for menial tasks) but I actually enjoy it a lot. I like that I have full control over when it happens and it's really fun to just let him loose. Like the amount of times I've verbally gone "Yeah have at it Luigi. Knock yourself out." in the past 6 hours is wild dsjgknfh. It's great. My friends keep saying I'm talking to him like a fucking dog lmfao.

-I also really like the character designs and I've seen it pointed out before but the range in body types so far has been really nice to see.

-I also quick wanted to add that there is clearly so much love for the series baked into this game. I know some of the reefs that were shown off in promotional material were like Shroobs and shit. and there have been so many animations so far where I've been like "Oh! That's Luigi's level up dance from Dream Team! Or that animation originated in Superstar Saga! Oh! The way Luigi spins down on enemies for his jump attack is a direct reference to Superstar Saga key art of the spin jump!" It's really nice touches and maybe it's just cause I am. Neurodivergent and M&L is like. My me me big boy hyperfixation ever but GOD it's so nice to pick up on those details.

OKAY NEGATIVE THINGS I HAVE A LOT TO SAY BUT THEY AREN'T LIKE. BAD:

-I am 6 hours in and the story hasn't picked up yet. To be fair I am taking my sweet ass time but this is a complaint I've seen a couple times throughout the past couple days. I THINK things are starting to pick up? Wild that it took me like 5 hours in to see even one main villain. I have one more island to get and then I'm on my way to the first lighthouse so we'll see. Really hoping things will pick up soon. It's not BAD that the story hasn't picked up as some stories just need time to build up and these games are so long they're allowed to do that sdhjgknfh just. I know there are greater things to come and I would like them. To come.

-*Deep inhale* The first time I leveled up Mario I was so distracted by the fact that he didn't do a dance that I didn't notice until after the fact that I didn't get to choose a stat to boost and was in so much denial about it I literally had to level him up again to check. Like actually my biggest complaint so far. Everything else is like a minor inconvenience this was actively a bad choice. One thing I have always REALLY liked about the series it that you got pretty much full control over the Bros. stats and could boost the ones you want to fit your play style. Now that's entirely up to gear and Beans and considering I have BARELY seen beans so far I'm thinking that I may not have as much control over stats as I would like :-)))). It just seems really silly to get rid of a core mechanic of a series on the 6th game?????

-Battle controls are annoying me. Not the fact that you have an extra A or B input depending on the Bro that's fine that's good. But literally okay this doesn't SEEM like a big deal but the fact that Luigi's menu is controlled with A instead of B messes me up a LOT. I have to CONSCIOUSLY think "I need to move my thumb down to B after these first two inputs on A" because I have 15 years of muscle memory under my belt of "Just keep pressing the same button that you navigate the menu with to attack" and this has seriously made me miss Luigi's first attack input way more than it should and it was REALLY frustrating at first! Now that I have more time with the game under my belt it isn't AS annoying but I still mess up my Luigi input like 20% of the time because of it.

-And minor over world controls complaint: I don't like when the game actively tries to make my life easier and have Luigi automatically jump up on ledges after Mario. If your muscle memory kicks in and you press B you can actively stop him from jumping and mess up the jump and god dammit back in my day nintendo LIKED making my life harder and calling it a mechanic lmfao. (this one is fine I'm pretty much used to it by now but thought it was noteworthy for those who haven't played the game yet).

ANYWAYS that's my thoughts so far. Despite my small grievances I am REALLY enjoying it so far. It hasn't topped Superstar Saga or Bowser's Inside Story for me yet. Partners in Time is out of the rankings entirely cause I never gave it a fair shot. Better than Paper Jam for sure (and I like Paper Jam) and I still need some time to decide if it's better than Dream Team or not for me yet. I think overall I just need more time with the game and it needs some more time to show me what it's got in store.

I played Brothership for 6 hours straight yesterday do y'all want my thoughts so far?