#oh horo you had it coming

[caffiend-queen]

Oh, I could just EAT YOU UP! A Holidays in Hel Loki-Avengers tale.

I was re-reading this the other day when I should have been getting my new book "Captivated" finished. I'd forgotten how much fun it was writing the Holidays in Hel series... If you're in the mood for some creepy, sexy (not at once, thank god) Loki Halloween tale, look no further.

In which Loki and Mina realize that no holiday is safe from the epic round of truly bad luck that the Avengers have when celebrating the most innocent of times...

***

“You’re expecting me to do what?”

Loki was lounging - elegantly, of course - against a pillar in the huge common room where the Avengers tended to gather when not on missions or getting patched up in the Medbay. He was sartorial perfection in a bespoke Tom Ford suit in onyx. Mina paused from shoveling the candy into one of the massive bowls to smile at him, a little misty with appreciation over his sheer beauty. Her- not her boyfriend, the God of Mischief and Lies could never be called something so ridiculous, her beau? Her partner? Her… Apparently, Loki had been speaking to her because he’d paused, looking at her peevishly.

“Sorry, Loki. I was admiring how unreasonably beautiful you are in that suit, but yeah... just pass out some candy to the trick or treaters? For the media coverage? To make you look... uh... caring?”

Mina said the right thing, of course. The fine lines around his glittering emerald eyes faded away. “Of course you were, darling. This is understandable. I shall repeat myself. You cannot possibly…” He picked up a violently colored package luridly branded as “Unicorn Poop!” pinched between his thumb and forefinger, the way one might hold a dirty diaper. “...Expect me to touch these vile things, much less give them to children?” Loki’s sneer was quite credible, but Mina knew he was posturing. He liked children, though he would rather cut his hair than admit it. He had been shockingly kind to Amelia, Mina’s niece, last New Year’s when her skeevy brother and his wife dumped their daughter in her’s and Loki’s laps and hoofed it to the airport for a Caribbean vacation. 

“The candy is hideous,” she admitted, “but this is the crap kids love now, everything is ‘unicorn,’ or ‘poop.’ Or the blissful combination of both.” Loki tossed the lurid sweet back into the pile in the bowl. “Tony got a tractor-trailer full of the stuff from this candymaker he’s doing business with. The man is some sort of real-life Willy Wonka.” 

“Hmm,” Loki could even make a humming noise sound deeply disapproving. “Is that the bizarre little gentleman I’ve seen Tony squiring around the tower?"

As if he knew he’d been called, Stark strolled into the room, skirting the cases upon cases of candy piled high around the room. “I gotta admit, Horo, this is enough candy to trick or treat the entire state’s population of kids into a sugar coma.”

The man with him laughed, more of a high-pitched giggle that was startling coming from someone as hugely wide and tall as he was. In fact, his height and weight ended up forming a perfect shape of a square. He was dressed in a top hat and a bright candy-colored suit, with tufts of purplish hair sticking out at angles from his top hat.

“Remember when you watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with me?” Mina murmured to Loki.

“Indeed,” he said, folding his arms, “this creature has managed to take all the most unpleasant elements of Sir Wonka and made them even more troubling.”

“Reindeer Games!” shouted Tony, “Come and meet another magician!”

Mina watched as Loki’s entire form stiffened. “Did he just refer to me as a… a magician?” Loki spat. 

“Uh, I think Tony’s already a vodka bottle in for the festivities,” she soothed. “Just ignore him.”

Nonetheless, she pasted on a smile as Tony led the bizarre creature over. Bypassing his host, the man whipped off his top hat, sweeping it low into a courtly bow. “Horatio J. LaDreamy at your service!”

They spent some time sorting through the cases of candy, Horatio holding up each one and exclaiming over its merits like parents with a baby picture. Mina attempted to go through the plan of having Horatio himself pass out the first round of candy for the media coverage. “It’s a really nice thing, if you don’t mind, Mr. ah… Mr. LaDreamy. And the kids will be so excited to meet you.”

“You’re just so scrumptious,” Horatio said, his voice hoarser now, perspiration dotting his upper lip. Leaning in, he held onto Mina’s hand, “I could just eat. You. Up.”

Her revulsion at this freak in his pink-striped shirt and his unfocused, glittering eyes was too great to hide, but his grin only widened as she yanked her hand away. “I have to…” Horatio was still staring at her greedily, and Mina backed away, “...go over… here.” 

She speed-walked over to where Loki stood with a look of profound boredom and a very nice glass of Lafite Rothschild 1999. Taking the glass from him, she downed it in one gulp. The tall, beautiful god looked down at her with the same shock and disgust normal people would reserve for murder, or terrible train wrecks. 

“You just violated that Lafite,” Loki said with deep disgust, “you just spat on it and threw it into the gutter of your untrained palate.”

“Don’t care,” Mina managed, taking the last bit of liquid in the glass, “I needed it. That man is a freak. A total weirdo.” He merely gave her his long-suffering, “Yes, I know this already” expression. “He just told me,” she said, still looking over Loki’s expensively suited shoulder at Horatio, who was now plying an unamused Natasha with an awkward-looking magic trick involving a deck of cards and a very long scarf he kept pulling from his sleeve, giggling with excitement. “He grabbed my hand and said the weirdest thing, he said, “I could just eat you up.” Loki’s eyes narrowed, and she hastened to clarify, “He wasn’t hitting on me, it was creepier. Like he really was hungry.”

Loki thoughtfully eyed the man, who’d somehow gotten tangled up in the scarf he’d been using for his ‘magic trick.’ “Some of the vilest monsters I have battled were quite benign in appearance. I shall examine this creature more closely.”

But really, what happened next was no one’s fault.

***

“Three cheers for… uh...  the… Candy Guy!” Tony was deep in his cups and Mina was just happy he was still standing, thanks to an occasional nudge from Pepper behind him.

Horatio didn’t seem to mind, smiling benignly down on the happy Stark Tower employees, most of them waist-deep in Unicorn Poop.

“Thank you, Tony, my dear friend!” He spread out his giant arms to the crowd, “And to all of you, thank you for helping me bring joy to the children! They don’t want boring old chocolate bars anymore! They want bright, sparkly candy that will make their mouths tingle and their tummies tap dance with happiness! To be honest, friends, I could not do it without you.”

The crowd chuckled, smiling up at Horatio while slipping fistfuls of candy into backpacks, purses, and bulging pockets.

“No!” Horatio said earnestly. “I really couldn’t! The sweetest and kindest among you will guarantee that the next year’s production of the Unicorn Poop candy line will be bigger and better than ever! More than double this year’s output and keeping up to with demand. I just need one thing from you to make every child in the world hold a package of unicorn poop in their chubby little hands.” He looked directly at Mina and smiled, suddenly showing many, sharp teeth. “I just need you.”

There was a violent pink explosion, cotton candy shooting in all directions and sending a spray of crystalized sugar into the eyes and lungs of everyone in the huge room, coughing and wheezing until everyone could catch their breath.

“Where,” snarled Loki in his most severe, stentorian tone, “is MINA?”

“Wh- I do not see Jane!” protested Thor.

Natasha circled the room rapidly. “Bruce is missing!”

Tony suddenly seemed to sober up. “Hey, has anyone seen Pepper?”

***

“Wh- where the hell are we?” Jane gasped, hanging on to a sagging Shanice from Accounting, whose heaving chest showed she hadn’t weathered the abduction well.

Mina, leaning against a candy-striped pillar for balance, pulled away as she realized the pillar was clinging to her hand like the creepiest possible taffy, as if it was alive, wrapping tendrils of its taffy-esque substance up her arm. “Yuck!” she whined, trying to peel the substance off her new black blouse. “If I had to guess, based on the shittiest series of holidays ever over this last year, that that psycho candymaker from hell has somehow kidnapped us and we’re in his dungeon… factory… purgatory… of candy.”

“Right you are, sweet Mina!” Horatio happily approached the group, not seeming to notice how everyone cringed away from him. “You are all here as my very special guests! As the sweetest, nicest people I’ve met this year, you’ve won the Golden Pass to tour my candy kingdom!”

“A Golden Pass?” Mina tried not to laugh. The situation was too serious, but she couldn’t help herself. Horatio was wearing a top hat that looked suspiciously like the one Willy Wonka wore in the movie. “You mean a Golden Ticket?”

“No,” he answered cheerfully, sampling a flower that appeared to be made of lime green nougat, “a Golden Pass is even better! It’s a super-duper big honor!”

Looking around, Mina tried to find an exit. Please god, she thought, don’t let the Oompa-Loompa ripoffs come out singing and dancing!

Because it was an Avenger’s Holiday From Hel, it was worse.

“Are those…unicorns?” gasped Sun Lee, the sweetest girl in HR, who was always making cookies and bringing them to work.

Everyone turned together and sure enough, a herd of alarmingly cheerful candy-colored unicorns came trotting over to them, making some sort of unicorn-type greeting. Not neighing, exactly. More like a mean-spirited giggle, Mina thought dourly.

“Here are my babies!” Horatio held his arms out, greeting one unicorn after another with a kiss on the lips. 

Mina heard a faint “Ewwww…” behind her, it might have come from Maurice in Promotions and Marketing, who was edging away from a unicorn insisting on nuzzling into his neck with the same enthusiasm of a date on Prom Night. 

“Uh, they’re really… I didn’t know unicorns actually existed, though based on this past year you’d think I’d be more open-minded,” Mina said, edging away from the cotton-candy pink horn of the equine interloper trying to snuggle up under her arm.

Horatio beamed at her, oozing charm and a weird kind of faux innocence as he nudged another unicorn - this one a swirl of lavender and baby blue - at Mina, bookending her with mystical creatures. “Come, darlings, I’ll take you on a tour of Horatio LaDreamy’s candy factory!”

Mina could see Darcie gearing up to give him the Stern Talking To, and caught her eye, shaking her head. She’d been gripping her emerald pendant like it was Loki’s perfect cock since they’d popped in to this candy-caned striped hellscape. He’d find them and save the day, like always. She just needed to get them all to play along until he showed up. 

And when he did? She was going to suck his dick like she was mad at it.

***

“Here we are,” Loki raged, “in the - as Tony has repeatedly and tiresomely claimed - the most secure building on the planet, and yet once again, my Mina has been abducted. Again!” He was running his hands through his perfect ebony hair, and it unreasonably made it even more full and flowing over his expensively suited shoulders.

“Thanks, Severus Snape, but remember that my fiancée and another twenty Stark employees also got snatched?” Tony was furious and embarrassed, which served to make him even more annoying. He was attempting to drum some discordant rhythm on the granite bar top with spoons, and it was so unbearable that the even-tempered Steve was the one to reach over and snatch the silverware from his jangly hands.

“Everyone calm down!” Steve was at his most stern and Captain-ish and Loki watched cynically as the rest of the - as Mina called them - the Spandex Squad immediately obeyed. His handsome, stern gaze turned to Tony. “Where did you meet Horatio? How is it that no one knows the location of his factory? Everyone needs employees. Can we track him through the IRS? How did he get the kind of tech that could move that many people at once? Loki, is this magic?”

Loki was pacing around the last location of the lunatic candymaker as he disappeared from Stark Tower with his Mina. “I do not recognize the energy signature, but it feels more as seidr than technology. But all seidr… it leaves a trace. I cannot find one here.” 

Thor was absently swinging Mjolnir, nearly braining one of the waitstaff trying to clear up the candy carnage. He was desperate to smite someone- anyone at this point. Loki glared at his brother after another close pass from the hammer. “Brother, do contact Heimdal and ask for his assistance.” 

“I shall do this immediately!” Thor roared happily, striding masterfully to the elevators.

“A good idea,” approved Natasha.

Loki sneered elegantly. “I contacted Heimdal the moment they all disappeared. He knows nothing. But it will keep my idiot brother occupied while we work.”

Rubbing her forehead, she allowed herself to look vulnerable, just for a moment. “Then how are we going to find them in time?” Looking at him with troubled blue eyes, she said, “I feel like time is ticking down to something. Do you feel it?”

Looking out the window as the sun headed to the horizon, the afternoon light sending them all into sharp focus, Loki fought down an unfamiliar sense of panic. “If one looks to most of the pagan legends, sunsets are often associated with human sacrifice.”

“You don’t-” the blood drained from Natasha’s pale complexion, leaving her sheet-white. She thought of Bruce, his gentle smile and his kind way with those smaller and weaker than himself. “We have to get them out of there.”

“I assure you, my ocharovatel'nyy ubiytsa,” he said grimly, “I am quite in agreement.”

***

Every holiday, Mina thought as the unicorn prodded her in the back with his horn, every goddamned holiday. Would it really be too much to ask to get Halloween off from the Avenger’s holiday fuckups? My favorite holiday? Her self-pitying thoughts were interrupted as Horatio waved grandly and the massive pink and lavender doors before them began to slowly open.

“You may ask,” he puffed, “how my candy is so sweet? So perfectly formed and flavored? How it can be so addicting?” He beamed at the sullen group behind him. “Meet my secret weapon!”

Mina gulped and she heard a shrill scream from Carla from Banqueting and Events as she passed out. It was another unicorn. A gigantic-ass, monstrous unicorn whose horned head nearly brushed the top of a room the size of an airport hangar. She was violent splashes of aqua, purple, and fuchsia. But her eyes were the blazing red of hell and when she opened her big, horsey mouth, she roared, a thunderous strike that hit the group like a fist, making everyone cringe and cover their ears. There was steam rising from the floor, which was liberally splashed with red and dotted with… bits of something horrible. And popping rapidly out from under her striped tail, were- Mina squinted. “Oh, my god,” she groaned, “is that unicorn poop?”

“An A+ for the pretty lady in the front row!” Horatio said happily, “Yes, this is my sweet angel and the producer of the entire Unicorn Poop line! Glow in the Dark Unicorn Poop, Candy Corn Unicorn Poop, Peppermint Striped Unicorn Poop, and Fudgy Center Unicorn Poop, though that last one isn’t selling the way I thought it would.” His mildly puzzled expression cleared as another giant pile of candy flew from Big Mama Unicorn to be separated and packaged by some listless robots in the bright candy wrappers. “Anyway!” he continued, “So my beloved is such a good girl, producing pile after pile of delicious treats, day after day, 24/7. But a girl’s gotta eat, right?”

“What…” Jane’s expression told Mina she’d already put two and two together, “what do you feed her?”

Horatio’s eyes glowed, “Why, only the sweetest and kindest folks ever! After spending the week at Stark Tower and getting to know everyone, I knew I was picking the sweetest, nicest people there! And it’s perfect timing,” his giggle was alarmingly high-pitched, “because my girl is hungry.”

Big Mama Unicorn let out a terrifying bellow, and all the smaller unicorn guards nickered in agreement as the humans huddled closer together.

Loki was still pacing the spot where that candy-coated monstrosity had disappeared, taking his Mina and so many others with him. He had some hopes that as one of the captives, Bruce, at least, might still have the capacity to shift into his larger, angrier form. But he could feel the energy behind the seidr the top-hatted lunatic had used to steal Mina and the others. It was demonic. Straightening his tie, he turned to the others. “I shall return.”

“Wha- hey!” Tony turned to the others. “He shall return? What the hell did Mr. Wizard just say? Where is he going?”

Such was the haughtier and gravitas of Loki, Prince of Asgard and Rightful King of Jotunheim that not a demon dared approach him, the hounds of Hel whined nervously and hid under the furniture as he passed, still sleek and perfect in his ebony suit.

“Oh, it’s you.” The woman, clad in an equally dark suit and a sullen expression was lounging on an ostentatious throne, made of the bones of thousands of different creatures.

“Is that any way to greet your dear, dear father?” Loki plucked a bit of something off his impeccable sleeve, flicking the offending bit away in a flash. 

If her black eyes had rolled any further back, they’d be wedged against her brain stem. “Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, Loki. What do you want?”

“A bit of conversation, darling.” Hitching his trousers, Loki sat gracefully on a chair made of human bones and sinew. “We’ve a bit of an issue at the Avenger’s Tower with abductions.”

She shrugged, idly poking at one of the cringing shades with the toe of her sharpened steel boot. “And this concerns me how?”

“Hela.”

The one word was spoken in a tone so low that the granite foundations of the Queen of Hel’s throne shifted slightly.

Leaning forward, Loki’s eyes flashed a searing green-gold. “Do not feign innocence with me. That vile candymaker could not have managed this level of power as a mere mortal. What was your bargain?”

Hela sniffed, tossing her long black hair over one shoulder in a flounce clearly inherited from her sire. “Oh. That irritating little man was constantly bleating about his unicorns and how they got… what was the word? Oh, ‘hangry,’ and he needed the power to move large groups of people to the factory to feed them, and-”

“What did you say?” Loki shot out of his chair, face even paler, “Feed mortals to... his unicorns?” 

Hela shrugged, “His tiresome obsession with those silly creatures… though the monstrous procreator is quite ferocious. She would be an excellent addition to my Helhounds.” She chuckled heartlessly. “Perhaps I shall take her, along with his pathetic soul when it is due.”

In an instant, her furious sire was leaning over her, so close that her throne tipped back. “If a single hair is disturbed upon my Mina’s head, I shall tie you to the hack of one of your beloved Helhounds, and create a seidr that will force him to run through your pits of flaming tar and leave you upside down beneath the surface of one of them. For your continued good health, I do hope no harm comes to those abducted from the Tower.”

For once, his daughter didn’t have a scathing retort.

***

It was hard to come up with a plan, what with all the screaming, Mina thought, dazed and jostling to keep her co-workers away from that giant fucking unicorn from Hel. I mean, it really does look like Loki’s daughter spawned it, she thought a little spitefully. 

She stilled for a moment, ignoring the prodding from the unicorn’s pointy horn wedging just under her right shoulder and shoving hard enough to leave a crater in her back. “That’s it!” Mina gasped. Elbowing past her pink and blue guard, she shouted, “Hey, Horatio! You’re wrong! You think we’re the sweetest people in the building?” 

The candymaker was busy trying to shove Mario from Accounting closer to the gaping maw of Mama Unicorn. Horatio looked over his polka-dotted shoulder red-faced and petulant. “You just hold right there, little miss! It’ll be your turn in a minute!” 

“I’m not sweet!” Mina tried to pitch her voice higher than Mario’s screaming, but it was close. “I have a mouth like a sailor, you asshole! I really didn’t like Aama here-” she pulled over her startled co-worker in the Developmental Science Division, “because she’d always steal the good lab coats and I’d end up with one of the acid-stained ones. I ‘forgot’ to invite her to one of the employee lunches-”

“Hey! Really?” Aama said, looking deeply wounded.

“Sorry, Aama,” Mina said, patting her back absently. “Anyway, I am not sweet! Also, if you saw the kinky stuff Loki and I get into? I’m gonna give that lavender pony from Hel heartburn!”

“I knew you two were into some weird shit!” gloated Darcy.

“Oh, please!” Mina retorted, “You wrote the book- hell, you wrote an entire Wikipedia on kink!”

Her eyes widened pleadingly, and Darcy caught on. “Oh, yes I did! One guy, two guys… once there was a wheel of cheese in the room and a duck, and…”

Even Mario had stopped screaming to hear this.

“Also,” Darcy continued defiantly, “I - I shoplifted some peanut butter and cigarettes from the bodega down the street because I forgot my purse…” She’d come back the next day with a batch of cookies, an apology and the money, of course. Also, the son’s owner really liked her and had given her the peanut butter and the pack of extra-long menthols, but that didn’t help the story. “I’ve drugged Jane’s sandwich before! More than once!”

“You did?” Jane gasped, “You’re- why? Why did you do that?”

Her best friend sputtered a bit, she’d done it to force Jane to get some sleep after working in the lab for three days straight. “Uh… because I’m jealous of you and I’m… uh… stealing all your research! Yeah!”

Jane was bug-eyed with shock for a moment before she recognized Darcy’s wildly twitching eye was a wink and not a muscle tic brought on by sheer terror. “I don’t care, Darcy! Because… because… I’ve been selling it to HYDRA! So there! And I cheated on my taxes! Three times!”

“I stole my roommate's boyfriend!” chimed in Sun Lee, though they’d been broken up for over a year and her roommate didn’t even care, but… she had to top the HYDRA whopper and distract the crazy candymaker while everyone caught on. “And I pulled the last shopping cart in the queue away from an old man who was trying to put his oxygen tank in it!”

Even Mama Unicorn had stopped that endless bellowing, watching with a wrinkled muzzle as the weird confessions got wilder and more offensive as each of the desperate prisoners started chiming in.

“I stole my mother’s wedding ring!”

“I cheated my way through college!”

“My family disowned me after I burned my grandparent’s house down!”

“I- I- I ATE A BABY!”

They all turned - even Horatio and Mama Unicorn - to stare at Kevin from Ground Security, who was not a super inventive guy. “Too much?” he asked humbly, wringing his hands. “But anyway,” he continued, “I’m gonna give that lavender bitch food poisoning, so HAVE AT IT YOU CANNIBALISTIC FREAK!”

“There’s no reason to be rude,” Horatio said repressively, “and you’re upsetting my sweet mama here, her nerves are delicate!”

“We’re going to make you puke cotton candy for a week, you one-horned psycho!” Mina shouted above the others, “You are gonna suffer, lady! And- and- and-” She smiled evilly, “Mr. LaDreamy, your candy tastes like ass. And now we know why. Your Unicorn Poop really is complete and utter shit.”

“Shit! Your candy is shit!”

“Everyone’s laughing at you and your weird turquoise friend!”

“Your candy sucks!”

“Halloween’s going to be canceled if this crap gets out because Manhattan will be covered in kid vomit!”

“That’s ENOUGH!” screamed Horatio, his purple hair sticking out in tufts. “You’re trying to distract me from our sacred purpose here, putting a smile on EVERY CHILD’S FACE AND I WILL NOT HAVE YOU-” He broke off, face almost as purple as his hair and wheezing.

And Pepper delivered the killing blow. “Mr. LaDreamy, I intend to file suit with the FDA regarding your use of hazardous materials and a deeply, deeply unsanitary workspace. I hope your mama… thing there has other talents because she will be paying for your fines into the next century. I am very vindictive,” she added with a dark smile, “and I love making little men like you twist on the hook like a gutted trout.”

Everyone stirred uneasily. This was essentially accurate.

There was an ominous, low rumbling and it seemed like the blood-soaked factory walls were closing in on them. Horatio chuckled, a mean little gurgle that sounded like a truly beastly child’s. “Hush, now. Since you’re not nice, sweet people at all, since you lied to me- Well, there’s only one thing to do.”

Mina stumbled slightly, was that rumbling getting louder? It felt like the pink and red striped factory floor was shifting under her feet.

“I’d planned on waiting until the new year to debut my latest line of sweets....” He smoothed down his ratted fringe of hair and put his top hat back on. “But it’s time, thanks to you-” he said spitefully at Mina, “to introduce my new brand, Devil’s Food Delights.”

There was a bellow. A howl. The combined sound of a million souls suffering and the sound rose and shook the rafters as something burst through the floor.

“Aw, goddamnit,” sighed Mina.

***

“Can’t this thing go any faster?” groaned Bucky, who was hovering over Loki’s shoulder in a truly provoking way, nudging him absently with his vibranium arm and making him yearn to send his own godly elbow into the Soldier’s face. The pleasant thought distracted Loki for a moment and the seidr shimmered ominously. 

“If you don’t take yourself to the back of the jet and stay there,” he snarled, “the seidr will collapse and we must begin again.” He studied the aggressively pink cotton candy tone of his spell. “Due north.” 

***

The Stark employees clutched at each other, trying to keep from toppling into the pit now spreading on the factory floor, an ominous red glow glaring out from the hole. The screaming started up again as a massive spider placed all eight of its horrible, clawed appendages on to the crumbled concrete and hefted its pulsating, plump black carapace out of the pit. All eight of its beady crimson eyes were focused on Mina, who found herself shoved in front of Dante from Armaments and Darcy, who’d started hurling packages of Unicorn Poop at the monstrous thing. This was, unfortunately, the thing that turned its attention to their little huddle and it began scampering over the ruined ground toward them.

Their rescue came - by cynical fate - from Mama Unicorn, who was not happy about her potential dinner being taken away. With another rafter-rattling roar, she hauled her huge pink and blue bulk from her corner, stomping toward Horatio’s latest creation, which reared back with a shrill, chittering sound. From the back of the spider came shooting smeared charcoal and fuchsia eggs. “They’re wrapped in licorice-flavored cotton candy!” Horatio screamed over the angry whining from the smaller unicorns. “With a surprise inside!” he cackled as one of the bundles writhed and broke open, a teal-colored arachnid pulling free from its spun sugar cocoon. 

A blast shook the factory as one of the outside walls exploded, various Avengers pouring through the dust to the rescue. Spinning two wickedly sharp blades, Loki turned in a circle, looking for Mina. He found her - of course - standing in front of a group of cowering office personnel and looking rather nauseated.

“Darling!” Loki was on her in an instant, cradling her face. “You’re not hurt? Whose blood is this?”

“Uh… I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s mine.” It’s not that Mina was not extremely happy to see her princely suitor, but she could not take her eyes off the supernatural train wreck happening right in front of her. 

Steve was turning right, then left, trying to figure out who to throw his shield at. Wanda was rearing back, trying to pull away her scarlet pulse emanating from her hands, while repeating “Ew! Ew! Ew ew ew ew ewewewewe!” Bucky had Darcy slung over one broad shoulder and was pointing an extremely large gun at random angry unicorns.

Tony’s mask came up on his suit and his angry brown eyes scanned the melee. “Who should I shoot? I mean, what the hell…”

Really, it was a toss-up. Mama Unicorn and Big Ugly Scary Spider Thing were tearing at each other- oozing lime-green blood and chunks of both being tossed into the air during the battle. Horatio was screaming at them, “Stop it! You will get along, do you HEAR ME?” But it was clear those two were having none of that nonsense. 

Ducking a flying bit of Big Ugly Scary Spider Thing, Loki turned to find Mina gone. She was writhing like an infuriated eel, trying to escape the surprisingly strong grip of Horatio J. LaDreamy, infamous candymaker and a man currently Losing His Shit.

“This could have been so simple!” he howled, “Your sacrifice would have meant the happiness of children all over the world! But no…” Horatio hissed the word, gripping Mina’s neck tightly and putting something to her throat, something scary enough that she stiffened. His maddened orange eyes met Loki’s. “But there’s always a backup plan!” He was chuckling, but it sounded more like gargling with a mouthful of tar. “You know the significance of the setting sun, don’t you, you insufferable Asgardian?”

Mina corrected from habit, “Oh, Loki is actually both Jotunn and Asgardian.”

“Shut UP!” Horatio screamed into her ear, “I will have my candy empire and if I can’t feed you to Mama Unicorn I will still close the deal with my dark mistress with a sacrifice in her honor. Ah, ah!” He pushed the thing - which turned out to be the tip of the currently disemboweled Mama Unicorn’s horn harder into Mina’s neck. “You’ll stand back, Mr. Friggasson!”

Loki’s hands gripped his knife handles, knuckles white with fury. If that candy-striped lunatic stabbed Mina with that cursed unicorn horn it was over. He knew there was no seidr that could reverse the effects of such a weapon. But with a casual flick of his fingers to the right, he very carefully began circling the two. “You don’t need Mina. Not when you have a god to offer himself in exchange. Come, now. Take the horn away from her neck. I shall drop my knives and surrender to you.”

Oh, Horatio liked that idea, he could tell from the creature’s excitable little wiggle. Mina was silently shaking her head, but Loki’s gaze darted right and back again. She tilted her head, nodding. And to the backdrop of the dying screams of Mama Unicorn and Big Ugly Scary Spider Thing, the candymaker began to rage about the unfairness of life. The excellent quality of his candy. His visionary status. And how cruel it was that Loki’s hair was more luxuriant and silky than his. But the time he’d started on how boring Loki’s ebony suit was next to his magnificently colored ensemble, the irritable god had thrust forward with three fingers and a crisp command: “forsvinn!”

Mina ducked. Horatio stumbled backward and fell on his ass in a rapidly spreading pool of taffy in violent shades of red and yellow. The tipped cauldron rolled back and forth in the corner. “Do not touch it!” commanded Loki as the other Avengers stepped closer, “You will never get free.” Indeed, the candymaker was on his back, kicking and squalling like an overturned beetle as the taffy spread around him in a viscous flood. 

Loki straightened his tie and put an arm around Mina as she handed him the unicorn horn. “So the guys have rounded up all our co-workers and they’re ready to get out of this candy-coated hellhole. But what do we do about the baby spiders and the leftover unicorns and him?” She nodded at Horatio, who looked he might actually be dissolving into his own creation of corn syrup and evil.

Pressing a tender kiss to her temple, Loki smiled unpleasantly. “It shall all… be taken care of. Come along, darling. I shall bathe away that disgusting scent of unicorns and perspiration from you.”

The lit-up monolith of Stark Tower had just appeared in the quinjet’s windshield when Mina stiffened. “Oh, crap! What about all of the kids coming tonight to trick or treat? We can’t give them the unicorn shit.” 

Natasha was flying the aircraft, but she looked behind her with a raised brow. “Do you mean the Unicorn Poop candy?”

“No,” said Loki and Mina together, and she heaved a bit. “It’s actual shit, Natasha. Unicorn shit. Big Mama Unicorn was pooping it out. Piles and piles of-” Putting her hand over her mouth, Mina turned away.

***

“Here at Stark Industries,” Pepper said smoothly, to the reporters clustered around the first group of costumed toddlers, “we’ve been concerned about good nutrition and the amount of sugar the average child consumes every year. So we decided to set a new precedent this Halloween by giving out toys instead.”

Steve and Bucky were tearing open boxes of Avenger’s action figures, stuffies, promotional t-shirts, and more that had been hastily pulled from the merchandise warehouse. Darcy and Jane were happily handing them out to the stream of children. 

“Thank you so much,” recited a five-year-old fairy princess, she looked down at the Iron Man figure she’d been handed. “Could I have a Loki doll instead?”

Tony yanked the doll away from her. “Here’s a towel, kid. Keep moving.”

***

“Where are we?” Mina gasped as Loki pulled off her blindfold. They were on a platform in a massive tree in the middle of a field, dotted with the last of the season’s pumpkins and filled with fireflies, lighting the branches and crisp red and orange leaves with a surreal glow. The platform held a huge mattress with many plump pillows and silky throws and blankets. A low table ran alongside the bed, piled high with bottles of wine and tempting platters of meats and cheeses, fruit, fresh-baked rolls. “And no sugar,” she sighed gratefully. She felt her skin tingle as he ran his fingers down her side and gasped as she looked at the delicate lace and silk concoction he’d “poofed” on to her. It was long, with a high slit in the skirt and a shamelessly low neckline.

“Spin for me, darling.” Loki made a twirling motion with one long finger and enjoyed the sight of his Mina happily spinning in her new dress. It flared out around her ankles and the twinkling light of the fireflies shone through the sheer fabric over the taut line of her thigh, the softness of her luscious bottom. Oh, how he loved her pert behind.

When she spun around again, Mina found Loki reclining elegantly on the bed, sipping a glass of wine and holding one out for her. “Come, darling. The dance is about to begin.”

“What dance?” she asked, gathering up her long skirt to make the awkward crawl across the slippery expanse of the cushions to relax against his long, cool body. Loki nodded to the edges of the field and Mina gasped.

Women, clad in black, walked from the cover of the surrounding forest to meet in the center around the tree. A bonfire surged up, lighting their serene faces as they began their song, moving around each other in a complex web. 

“Um, are we allowed to be here?” Mina whispered, terribly excited but a little nervous. She knew what this was- Samhain. Which meant they were in Ireland, which meant this was one of the most secretive and powerful of the ancient pagan clans. The women dancing ignored them and their luxurious platform, but it was clear she and Loki had been given a nearly unheard-of opportunity.

“Shhhh…” he murmured, and she settled back. 

Following the complex braid of movement was so fascinating that it took Mina a bit to realize that there were new dancers in the circle- shadowy forms that danced in and out of the circle made by their living sisters. “Oh... “ she gasped. The living and the dead twined back and forth as their song grew louder, almost a chant and suddenly the fire was burning hotter or something because she felt like every part of her was wildly overheated. She needed something to cool her, and- “Thank you Loki,” Mina moaned happily as he pulled her to her knees, resting that bottom of hers that he’d praised so often on her heels. Kneeling behind her, he pressed his broad chest and a very promising, prominent bulge against the small of her back. The chill radiating from him just made her skin prickle more desperately. She needed him! Why won’t he help her? 

“Patience,” Loki soothed, “watch the ceremony, sweet one.”

Mina blinked hard. The swirl of color and sound vibrated through her skin and settled into the base of her spine, spreading through her and making her gasp, pushing back against his hard, cool chest. Dimly, she felt his cool fingers spread her thighs, circling lightly around her wet furrow, the rough pads of his fingertips sliding back and forth, back and forth in a lazy way that made her half-insane as he circled her entrance, dipped lightly inside and moved back to lightly bat her clitoris. Finally, finally, he lifted her, the tip of his cock slick and wet from her.

“Put your arms behind my neck,” he urged, giving her shoulder a quick, sharp bite, enough to startle her into obeying him. The position made her arch her back, breasts thrust out as she strained to watch the movement of the dancing circle. Still, the women below seemed to ignore them as they continued their delicate dance between this world and the next. The heavy weight of Loki’s cock sliding into her made her clench down, enjoying his groan as it slowed his movements through her. It burned and stung a bit, just as it always did when Loki fucked her, but Mina relished it, craved it as part of the feeling of this god deeply embedded inside her. But the feel of cool lips suckling her clitoris made her let out a startled screech.

“Easy, darling,” purred Loki, lounging gracefully before her, examining himself buried inside her with interest. “I so rarely get to enjoy this lovely view as I take you. So sweet.” His diabolical tongue tickled her again, then lightly nipped one of her swollen lips. “Such a perfect, dark treat. And displayed so perfectly.” From behind her, Loki’s hands began toying with her breasts, pinching her nipples and pulling gently as the Loki below returned to his efforts, suckling her wet center, tongue stroking and fluttering along his cock sliding in and out of her channel. 

The sheer outrageousness of it - the intensity of two Lokis toying with her was too much and Mina’s head flew back, hitting his shoulder as she came. 

Trying to focus as the Loki below doubled down with chilly lips and teeth while seizing her bottom and moving her faster on his clone’s cock, she watched the night sky split, silver light streaming through and coalescing into shapes and shades of the Otherworldly.

“I have missed the play of nug-a-nug…” whispered one.

“Fadoodling they are, and so nicely…” sighed another.

“That’s putting the devil into hell!” shouted one of the more substantial spirits, and they all laughed in agreement, drifting lightly around the three joined together so closely that even the spectres could not see where one began or the other ended. But all the circling souls shuddered and sighed as the Lokis and Mina came together, glowing brighter and holding form for one perfect moment before fading into whisps again.

When Mina came back to some general form of awareness, she was wrapped in a velvety soft blanket, held in Loki’s arms as the other Loki waved down to the witches, still casually nude.

“Thank you for feeding our sisters!” called up the High Priestess. “To have them back with us again… our circle is complete. Farewell then.” She gave a sly wink to Mina. “And perhaps we’ll be seeing you again next year.”

Loki chuckled behind her, squeezing her gently. “There are so many haunts to explore,” he whispered in her ear, “enough for a thousand All Hallow’s Eves.”

Kissing his chiseled jaw, she said with deep satisfaction, “And no more creepy man-eating unicorns.”

***

Horatio J. LaDreamy sat in the smoking ruins of his factory, Big Ugly Scary Spider Thing and Big Mama Unicorn had torn each other to pieces and the resulting scuttle of remaining spider offspring being devoured by the few surviving unicorns. The acrid scent of burnt sugar stung his nose along with the strawberries and cream scent of unicorn blood covering his candy-striped suit. 

“How could this happen?” Horatio said peevishly.

“Because, you vile little man, you deserved it.” The smooth, cultured tone made him freeze in horror, and measured footsteps circled from behind him. Hela was strolling through the wreckage, hands on leather-clad hips. “How did you manage such a catastrophic failure in such a short time?” she mused, kicking at a severed unicorn hoof. “I did expect you back in my realm sooner than later, but even for you, this is simply pitiful.” Her elegant nose wrinkled a bit as she eyed his quivering form.

“B- b- but my beautiful unicorns!” Horatio wailed, “And my Devil’s Food darling and Mama Unicorn eating each other instead of those silly people! Hela, oh Dark Mistress, please-”

“None of that, mortal. Come along now.”

Horatio J. LaDreamy was a creature designed to strike terror into the hearts of the unwary, and a monstrous wave of empathy for the innocents he’d victimized slammed into him like a tsunami as Hela’s elegant hand rose, then clenched into a fist, tearing his soul from his body - leaving a withered, desiccated husk that collapsed into a pile of pink and purple dust.

***

Darcy lay on her back, panting and staring at the ceiling. “Holy shit, Bucky,” she wheezed, “if I knew getting kidnapped would turn you on like that I’d have done it sooner! I think I had an out-of-body experience on that fifth orgasm…”

She turned her head to look at him, he had his metal hand resting on his chest, still heaving from exertion.

“You know you’re some kind of sex demon with that tongue of yours,” she teased.

Bucky gave her a smile. Just a little one, a slight curve of those full lips that for him was the equivalent of tearing off his shirt and strutting around the tower singing “I’m The Man.” Then his head lifted abruptly, looking sharply in one direction, then the other.

“What’s that?”

“What’s what?” hedged Darcy, trying to yank her undies up her thighs.

His blue eyes narrowed. “I heard something. Like a neighing sound- “ He was across the room before she could blink, ripping the closet door off its hinges. 

“YOU BROUGHT ONE OF THOSE ASSHOLES BACK HERE?”

A little mauve and aqua-speckled unicorn cowered behind a stack of winter sweaters, whinnying in fear as Bucky towered over it.

“Stop it, you’re scaring him!” Putting her arms around the petite creature’s neck, Darcy looked up at him, her big, big, brown eyes tearing up a little.

He looked between the unicorn and his girlfriend. “Darce- honey are you insane? Are you remembering what these little bastards were going to do to you? Why would you do this!”

Sniffling prettily, she hugged the unicorn tighter. “Maurice didn’t do it! It was the big ones herding us to Mama Unicorn, he was-”

“You NAMED it?” he paced back and forth, pulling at his hair and absently wishing he hadn’t cut it so short. “We can’t keep a- wait, what is this? A mystical or mythical, or-”

“Arcane?” she offered helpfully.

“Enchanted?” He paced some more, watching the tiny creature burrow into Darcy’s generous bosom. Sighing, he sat down on the bed. “You can keep it for tonight. Tomorrow, you have to take it-”

“It’s not an it, it’s a Maurice!”

“You’re taking Maurice to Banner for a full examination.”

Throwing herself onto him, Darcy chirped, “Okay. Thank you, baby! You’re the best…” She proceeded to show Bucky just how much she appreciated him, and their moans were so loud that even his keen Soldier’s hearing didn’t catch the vicious little chuckle from the closet.

[himebushou]

I finished watching Shaman King 2021 yesterday! Some scattered thoughts on Episodes 38-52!

So much happened in this episode but absolutely everything has been wiped from my brain because WHAT is Marco's battle outfit —

Episode 38

Episode 39

I really need Team The Ren to win this fight!

Yoh finally gets to share his big news, lol

Man, the X-Laws' reveal was a big deal but again, it went at a 100 miles an hour so there wasn't much space/time to absorb everything... and I can't believe how huge that table has gotten, lol

Marco is. A dope.

Episode 40

For me, a Team Horohoro fan, this episode was... truly a lot. I want to know his full story (and despite what Yoh and Ren say, I know that they do, too). He was seriously amazing and guh, just such a fantastic character. I loves the kanji and etymology lesson from Hao, too.

I'm still kinda shocked that Yoh is back in the Shaman Fight as I thought that his being out of the game was a massive divergence that was going to set the series apart, but the way things have worked out is pretty cool!

And the Five Elemental warriors are gonna come from Gandhara, huh? Nice!

The new ending is GORGEOUS. Whoa whoa.

(Also, finally getting some closure for why Yoh has felt so off — poor chilled boy is so stressed.)

Episode 41

hjdjd THIS OST IS OUTSTANDING

I think Marco is dead dead (unless he'll be revived?) and phew, the stuff with the X-Laws' satellite was cool! ALTHOUGH. I'm wondering what the heck they saw that made Hao so damn angry.

Sati doesn't waste any time taking prisoners fjdk

YOH VS HIS ANCESTOR? NICE NICE NICE!

Honestly, some moments have been jawdropping fjhfh

And Oh!Oni was back! And beloved Matamune!

I love this Yoh and Amidamaru focus, eee

Episode 42

I am just becoming increasingly incoherent EVERYTHING IS SO EXCITING but phew, so many people kicked the bucket in this ep?

I am emo about Yohsen oh maaan

I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN THIS BIG SECRET ALLIANCE BETWEEN GANDARA AND THE PARENTS AND MATAMUNE FHDJ YOWWW

Episode 43

And now one of Manta's relatives is getting in on the action and trying to nab the Great Spirit PHEWWW

Jun having trained with Sati? Whoa! And having the mana to resurrect THREE people? When Faust could only do one? I have some questions, but I'm happy my girl is involved!

But since Anna has also mastered the Ultra Senji Ryakketsu, surely she should also be able to resurrect people?

This is so wild but it's exciting so I'll roll with it!

Episode 44

ANNA VS HAO and there are still so many secrets there? THE TENSION.

And then the coffee!! I'm so glad that Yohsen is somehow still around fjfjf

Though damn, Hao, you cheapskate: pay your damn bill!

Tao Ran and Tao Yúan on screen together, yahoo! (Flipping heck, I loved those moments when Ren was so embarrassed about his family cheering him on, lolol)

BUT BLOODY HELL THIS BATTLE. TBH I really want Team The Ren to win because I do feel that they've got Yoh outclassed... the Ren/Horo lightning/ice combo is just too good. Though wow, Horohoro is MAD.

Episode 45

I'm so close to the end and I'm so sad!

Phew, so we find out which elements the boyos are going to have! I was fully expecting Yoh to have fire, so I was super surprised that it'll be Lyserg instead. Joco with the 'Wind of Change' makes sense, as does Ren with lightning (though I'm surprised that this was an element over metal, tbh, especially since Ren made some comments about Yoh's mastery of metal where Spirit of Sword was concerned) and Horohoro with water. Yoh as the sturdy earth guy is good.

(I'm slightly angsty for Ryu... there wasn't much of an explanation from Sati and Gandhara about precisely why the Elemental Warriors had to be kiddos, apart from the established conversation about adults knowing their ceilings. I assume that there's a bit more detail in the manga.)

This fight against the rest of the world, though? Huh, dramatic! I'm a bit sketchy about the whole laser thing becaaause I thought that was spiritual energy that was fired at the island, but it couldn't have been if the whole world is aware of it? So I have questions!

Everyone chillding in the hot spring is so cute, good gracious.

Episode 46

Wow, show's over. Hao is the Shaman King.

Episode 47

HOW is this going to wrap up in a satisfying way when we still have another 8 Patch Officiants to get through djdjd the Lyserg OST hits so haaaard...

Episode 48

Waaaa the adults are having a barbecue and the kids are fighting for their lives and we are losing healers left and right and Opacho can read minds and there are still SO MANY REVELATIONS crikeyyyy

Episode 49

The tone changes are so odd to keep up with; one second, Redseb and Seyrarm are dying and the next, Kalim is bringing everyone dinner and the guys are taking a break to recover mana when it's been explicitly stated they have 15 hours to save the world! This is so whack to me.

WAIT I nearly missed that there was a ton of stuff after the credits and djhff Horohoro doesn't like his full name?

TIME FOR MY BOY'S BACKSTORYYYY

Episode 50

Oh man, the way Tamiko died was actually harrowing and then she's revealed to be Kororo and Ren's just like. Horohoro is now in dope mode we must ignore him fhfjjlfj

Ren has been taking on most of these fights and his battle against Nichrom was swift, but cool; I loved Joco vs Thalim though — and Thalim himself was adorable!

Episode 51

ALL THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS VS HAO!

I'm weeping Shaman King is so special the whole thing is just WE WILL DEFEAT THE BADDIE WITH THE POWER OF LOVE.

urgh urgh this OST!!

I'M NOT REAAADY DOR THIS TO END

Episode 52

I definitely cried during the last episode because parts of the ending were so beautiful; everyone coming together to show Hao that he could be saved — that salvation is in accepting your humanity and believing in the humanity of others. And I found Hao's mother's words so freaking soothing... I'm glad that Hao missing his mother was foreshadowed earlier, but we could have had more of that, I think.

And sure, they haven't fixed the world by 2007, but that is OKAY — most of them are around 22 and at that age, I was a wreck! So they have time and their lives to look forward to and... and I guess I disagree with the folks who say that the end of Shaman King is bad because they feel 'everything was pointless'; there's a lot to do and, even with guardian ghosts, shamans can't do everything alone.

I think this is an anime I could definitely rewatch, at some point. Wow. I love these characters and, as much as I griped about this, that and the other, I loved this story.

And I think it's so interesting that Yoh just. Didn't end up as the Shaman King djbdfh that;s definitely not what I was expecting!

[princevictoriapunk]

Kuraigana

Date: 22.09.2020

Fandom: One Piece

Characters: Mihawk, Zorro, Perona

Theme: Halloween on Kuraigana

OPA Challenge: #FallWriting

Crossposted: One Piece Amino

An island long deserted in Paradise.

Its twisted beauty will mesmerize.

Its fallen kingdom old, forgotten.

Kuraigana left barely untrodden.

Not too long ago raged a war, horrible.

To Marineford it's easily comparable.

From past events Humandrills learnt.

Dwelled in the ruins they had usurped.

Take cover from those raging beasts.

Stride past all ruins, follow the streets.

Careful not to draw the creatures' wrath.

Do not ever turn 'round or leave the path.

These monsters don't seem to fight fair.

Of your surroundings, always stay aware.

Don't worry, soon you're not alone anymore.

When the time comes, I'll reward your valour.

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

A swordsman arrived soon, is he pale.

Did not mind the place's gloomy veil.

Made himself a home in the castle.

Alone; by his side not a single vassal.

Said man, Dracule Mihawk, is his name.

For himself a high title he could claim:

A Shichibukai, a Warlord of the Sea.

Facing him, it's either fight or flee.

For a man like him, a favourable place.

No one was there to disturb his grace.

Even the violent Humandrills feared him,

Yet they helped the man appearing grim.

Little did he know about the future ahead.

Soon, two more mouths would need to be fed.

Out at war was the golden-eyed man for now.

People he'd allow to stay with him, somehow.

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

Barely anyone disturbed his peace.

However, the number soon'd increase.

The Thriller Bark's princess stranded

Without a zombie she had commanded.

Kuma had sent her on a journey there,

To leave her in someone else's care.

Together they had to get arranged.

Life in the castle now would change.

Despite often being a drama queen,

Perona got used to her new routine.

Often lent a hand for the chores.

Mihawk was not the one who deplores.

Horo-horo-horo-horo-horo, hauntingly.

First, the gothic lolita laughs tauntingly.

But only until she sees her biggest fear.

Cockroaches.. can't they just disappear?!

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

Each night, the sky dyed in many hues.

Some purples, teals, greens, and blues.

Dozens of stars and a crescent moon,

Singing each night a lullaby's soft tune.

The princess stepped into the high halls.

A perfect place for masquerade balls.

If she only had Kumashi by her side.

Over the dark marble, she would glide.

An orchestra would play dark melodies,

Shadows dancing past her in her reveries.

The ballroom lit by chandeliers, golden.

A cute, young prince her heart had stolen.

Out of all, her gown would be the cutest.

"Oh, could I be her", you of course wished.

Her precious daydream, it has to end.

If she soon will have another friend?

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

All separated on Sabaody, Zorro arrived.

Thanks to Perona, he luckily had survived.

To retrieve his swords, he earned her trust.

To survive here, they both needed to adjust.

Neither of them had noticed Mihawk's return.

Defeating the Humandrills was their concern.

Zorro got informed about Marineford's events.

The thought of being unable to help, he resents.

His situation he viewed rather realistically.

Compared to Perona and her stay, cynically.

Nonetheless, he defeated all his opponents.

The creatures caused the postponements.

Eventually, to Mihawk had Zorro bowed.

To become the strongest, he had vowed.

Dracule accepted and began the training.

The following two years would be draining.

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

How time flies; it's already late October.

Sweet, Halloween at last had come closer.

Horror and scary stories below we'll bandy.

Did you really expect to get some candy?

Werewolves, vampires, reapers, zombies.

Jack-o'-lanterns, will-o'-wisps, banshees.

Let's dance around the fire, all you witches.

Scarecrows show their face full of stitches.

Join us, all you dancing and singing skeletons.

Tonight you shall become humans' predators.

You too, my dear mummies, Devils and demons.

Because this is by far the best of all seasons!

Enjoy tonight, for we shall spook the mortals.

Whoever scares the most will win the laurels.

You heard right, dear, tonight is Halloween.

This very night we monsters become serene.

Let me make clear one thing, my dear.

I'd love me some company, to be sincere.

Come join this nocturnal waltz of mine.

Let us dance in the moon's soft shine.

[tsukikoayanosuke]

From the Cloud, I Meet You - 12 Days of Ruikasa (2023)

Day 1-2: Past

Stories and legends have always been part of Tsukasa's life. As the prince of the Kingdom of Horos, he has access to the largest library in his kingdom just a few feet away from his room. Days and days he would sit in the corner reserved for him and read all the storybooks they had there. When he grew older, he got attached to theater. To see your favorite tale come to life has been Tsukasa's dream for the longest time. Perhaps one day he could act and dance on the stage like the actors.

One tale that he held close to his heart was the story of the Sky Prince and the Sea Spirit; a tale about a meeting of fate, a forbidden romance, and a tragic ending.

The Sky Prince, coincidentally named Tsukasa, was the son of the Night Sky God, born from the first twin stars along with his twin sister, Saki. Their domain was the starry sky, each tasked with a different duty. Saki was in charge of wish granting through shooting stars, while Tsukasa was in charge of guidance through constellations. They were essentially messengers between the gods and humans; always flying and never touching the earth nor having the ability to have power to create life.

But Tsukasa the Sky Prince had always been a curious godling. Watching the heroes and listening to their tales through the muses made him even more curious about the realm below the sky. Would Earth's ground feel the same as the clouds? Would it always be sunny like here? How does the food taste below there?

However, he didn't see the ground for the first time.

Instead, his feet landed on a mass body of water.

Is this...what they call the sea?

It felt ticklish and bouncy underneath his feet, unlike the soft blanket-like feel of the clouds above. Didn't humans need to use something to walk across this area? A boat? Or was it a ship? This realm was kind of empty. There was nothing that caught Tsukasa's eyes except the vibrant blue color. Seemed like a boring realm. Why do humans want to go through here?

It was then he heard something rumbling. Looking down at his feet, he could see the water was vibrating even more. A loud splash caused Tsukasa to turn around and what he saw shook him.

A sea monster. Something that doesn't exist in the sky realm.

Tsukasa quickly drew his staff before jumping away as the sea monster's tentacles nearly hit him. Summoning his power, he waved his staff to summon his starlight before launching them toward the monster. Tsukasa knew his power was nothing compared to the gods, but he could do something in self-defense. The sea monster didn't back down though and kept trying to catch him. Tsukasa could only glide around and used his light as a reflector.

But Tsukasa didn't see more tentacles sprouting from the sea. One just right behind him as he flew backward, not even noticing until it was too late. It swatted him, throwing him into the sea.

For Tsukasa who had never seen the sea before thus not knowing how to swim, it was a death sentence to him. He could do nothing but sink into the sea monster's open jaws...

Something grabbed him by the waist, dragging him away before the sea monster could close its jaws.

Whoever just rescued him raised their hand as if they were commanding the creature to stay away.

And surprisingly, the sea monster listened to them and swam away.

But Tsukasa was losing his breath. His lungs hadn't gotten used to breathing in a different realm. The last thing he saw was a purple individual's face hovering before everything turned dark.

-----

The first thing he heard when his consciousness awakened was the sound of the water, rolling waves on the beach. It was a peaceful sound, like a lullaby, luring him back to the realm of sleep. But he couldn't. He had to wake up.

So, he opened his eyes. Someone's face greeted him as seawater dripped onto his already wet face. Who is that?

"Oh, thank the sea, you're awake," the figure said who seemed to be a male. "Are you lucid yet?"

Tsukasa frowned. "I think..." he muttered but then a cough erupted from him. The figure quickly turned Tsukasa's body to the side so he could cough out all of the seawater. "Thank you..."

"Not a problem."

When Tsukasa finally could sit up without getting dizzy, he looked at his rescuer.

Purple hair with two cyan streaks and dressed in a white top with frills. He doesn't have a leg, instead, he has a dark purple tail with violet fins, the same color as the fins that are supposed to be his ears. His golden eyes gazed at Tsukasa's sunset ones, filled with curiosity.

"You're not a human, are you?" the purplenette asked.

"Oh, I'm not. I'm a godling." Tsukasa said before smiling. "And you saved me."

He smiled back. "What is a godling doing in the vast ocean? This is not your realm."

Tsukasa let out a nervous chuckle. "Well...I kind of just went exploring before the monster attacked me."

"You know how dangerous the sea realm is? Have you never been here?"

"I've never been anywhere this close. I usually just fly around the constellation."

"The constellations..." Suddenly, the golden eyes widened with youngling excitement. "You're from the sky realm? What is it like up there?"

"O-Oh, well, we have lots of clouds. But the night sky is very beautiful! My job to to guide heroes to their journey."

"Such an important job..."

"Nah, it is nothing."

The purplenette shook his head. "No. It is very important. Without the stars, sailors would get lost in the sea and we sea spirits can't do anything. With the sea being dangerous as you've seen, the stars are their sign to sail through a safer water."

Huh. Tsukasa has never thought about it that way. "Oh..." he blushed, "I guess I did a great job then?"

"Of course," he smiled. "Godling always has the best job."

"So, you're not a godling?"

The purplenette shook his head again. "I'm just a humble sea spirit. I haven't done anything great unlike you."

"But you saved me." Tsukasa grinned. "That's a great job."

"I guess I did," he said with a chuckle.

"Again, thank you for that. I don't know what would happen if I got eaten." Tsukasa offered his hand. "I'm Tsukasa, son of the Night Sky Father and the Guiding Constellation. I should know the name of my savior."

The purplenette blushed slightly but took Tsukasa's hand. "I'm Rui."

-----

Prince Tsukasa of the Kingdom of Horos has always loved the beginning of the story. A being of the sky meets a being of the sea. Two opposites, yet they're attracted to each other. Tsukasa always wished that one day he would find someone special like Rui the Sea Spirit to Tsukasa the Sky Prince. He wishes that his story could be as sweet as their first meeting.

[chukazanmai]

@icedshaman​​ sent: "They got you on the tiny part tho' " (does he know he's gonna get his ass beat? yes. was it worth it? The math says yes, but he's bad at math)

Ren was already annoyed by the words of that random person...and now on top of that Horohoro had to have overheard it and just had to make his own comment about it. 

He was going to kill him.

“How about this “tiny” sends you to hell?!?”

[45percenterthen]

Belated bday fic for bearer of cursed fruit facts @seraphlm and thee plant dad cas truther @cactuscas !! Love u guys v much, happy bday <3 (ao3 link here)

“Fuck’s a horoscope again? It’s like, stars and shit, right?”

He bumps Cas’ elbow, who’s squinting at one of his fern-looking-things like he’s experimenting with horticultural telepathy. The saga of the fern-thing has been turbulent, to say the least. It’s wilting a bit, leaves curling in on themselves like tiny fists. Cas has spent the past few days carting it from one window ledge to another, muttering to himself about humidity levels with a familiar air of irritated devotion. Dean reckons the whole underground bunker situation probably isn’t helping. It’s well travelled, though, for a plant. Dean thinks it should be more grateful.

Cas nods, releasing a leaf with a sigh and sitting down next to Jack. “Indeed. Stars and shit.”

Jack’s engrossed in some magazine, finger tracing the words as he reads. Cas reaches for the edge of the page to hold it taut for him, and Dean can practically see his other hand itching for his phone. Diagnosis time for the fern-thing. Dean’s never seen a favorites bar so wholly taken up by gardening websites. Dean’s pretty sure the definition of true love is pausing Die Hard to read an article about potting soil drainage.

“Do you want to hear yours, Dean? It’s for this week.”

“Sure, kiddo.” To be honest, Dean thinks the concept of fate can very much, actually, go fuck itself. Jack looks delighted though, so he keeps it to himself. He stirs a bit of extra butter into the eggs because that’s the way Jack likes them, dutifully not looking at Cas to avoid a depressing conversation about his cholesterol levels.

“Oh! It says you’re lucky this week, Dean!”

“Awesome, bud! Time to stock up on the scratch cards, eh?”

Sam chooses that moment to come lumbering in. The state of his hair suggests a sleepless night, or that a recent localized hurricane that targeted his bedroom only.

“Hi Sam! We’re reading horoscopes. Dean’s an Aquarius.”

“Oh, cool.” Eileen had been delayed on a salt and burn with some of the new-hunter-network people. Sam looks suitably mopey about it, forlorn housewife that he is. “Mercury’s in marmalade, and all that.”

“Aquarius is ruled by Uranus,” Jack continues, and Sam instantly chokes. On air, apparently. Bastard.

“One more time, Jack? Dean’s ruled by his –”

“You’re a child, Samantha.” Dean looks around for the nearest something-painful-not-fatal to throw at him. Plant’s a no. Instant divorce. He glances at the eggs, but decides he doesn’t want to spend his morning getting egg yolk outta the tile grouting.

“Dude, oh my – I should’ve just checked your horoscope,” Sam walks over to the fridge, catching the Mary Berry’s Baking Bible that Jody sent them for Christmas in mid-air. “Would’ve saved us a talk.”

“Eat your pineapple and shut up, man.”

“Did you know that pineapples are technically berries?” Jack says. Dean wonders if Cas introduced him to WebMD-for-plants. Or maybe this is just a side effect of being The New God on the block. Berry omniscience. “Well. The outside bit is. Bananas are berries too.”

“That’s weird,” Sam closes the fridge door. Stares into his bowl like he’s offended. Dean’s offended Sam eats nothing but fruit in the morning. “After the heaven rebuild. You should, like, fix berries.”

Jack turns to Cas solemnly. “Should I fix berries?”

“Perhaps you should concentrate on heaven, first. Then we can see about berries.”

“I don’t want to ruin the fabric of our established universe,” Jack says, and Dean’s struck, once again, with the sudden realisation that he’s making eggs for the most powerful entity in Creation. Mondays, man.

“I don’t think Chuck had any such purity of intent in mind,” Cas says darkly, pouring more milk into God’s glass for strong bones and teeth, and yeah, Dean’s pretty keen to steer Cas away from that particular line of conversation.

“Hey, what’s Cas’ horo-whatever?” He takes the eggs off the heat and walks over to the table, leaning over to see what the hell magazine this is, actually. Looks Rowena-y. Is the Queen of Hell sending his son-God care packages? That’s one way to establish diplomatic relations.

He rests his hands on Cas’ shoulders, stroking his thumbs at the neckline of his t-shirt when he feels tension. He decides against pressing a kiss to Cas’s hair. Just ‘cause he’s with a dude now, doesn’t mean he’s gonna be all gay about it. Cas’ left hand comes up to cover his own. Their rings clink.

“Cas doesn’t have a birthday, though.” Jack frowns at the page slightly, apparently looking for the section on fallen angel anomalies.

“Then we’ll have to pick one –” Dean starts, just as Cas says, “September eighteenth.”

Cas tips his head back against Dean’s chest, peers up at him. He’s got dried toothpaste at the corner of his mouth. Dean grins stupidly at his upside-down face. “September eighteenth, yeah.” Something swoops in his chest. Cas is earnest, and it’s unbearable. He loves at full volume, and Dean’s as grateful as he is undeserving. He squeezes Cas’ shoulder. Tradition, and all that.

Jack taps the page. “It says you’re a Virgo, Cas!”

They’re still staring at each other as Jack starts reading aloud. Dean brushes hair off Cas’ forehead and thinks, for once, he’s landed himself the permanent kind of happy. Dean’s pretty sure he’s loved him for years and years, quietly, achingly.

There’s the sound of cutlery against ceramic, and Dean looks up to check Sammy’s not weeping into his fruit bowl out of sheer girlish pride or whatever. He’d made it six words into his best man speech before the waterworks. Dean’s never letting him live it down.

⁂

“So,” Dean says later, after Sam’s gone to collect Eileen from town, and Jack’s off on heavenly refurb duty. “My lucky week, huh?”

Dean circles his arms round Cas’ midriff. Lets his chin rest on his shoulder, because he can, and also to check Cas isn’t half-assing the washing up.

“Apparently so.”

Dean hums. It’s funny. They’re married. And yet moments like these, the big ones, still manage to make him a bit nervous. It’s stupid. He’s hardly gonna say no. But Dean supposes they’ve never managed to get anything in the right order. Two deathbed confessions amidst a decade of friendship. An ‘I love you too’ echoing off brick in an empty room. Two kids co-parented before they even kissed, and they were already living together when they started dating. Someone get Nicholas Sparks on the phone.

“Perfect week to put an offer down on a house then, right? That one on the lake?”

Cas drops a fork into the bubbles. He turns his head to reply and Dean takes it as an opportunity to kiss what’s within reach. The smile lines around his eye, his temple greying with the proof that Cas loves him. He’s all in. Dean is too, terrifyingly.

“Really?”

“Yeah, dude.” Dean nods at the fern guy. “Your plants would appreciate the sunlight, right? And there’s a room for Jack.”

Cas spins in his arms, leaning against the sink to look Dean in the eye. Dean grabs at his soapy palm, intertwining their fingers, confident in his sappiness when no one’s watching.

“I know I always say Sammy didn’t make the most of his college experience, but dorming in my forties isn’t exactly what I meant –”

“You’ll miss him, though.”

“Of course, man. Lived with Sam my whole life. But,” Dean relinquishes the hand to cup Cas’ face, “I kinda wanna do my own thing now. With you. So, move in with me, Mr. Winchester? Somewhere… overground?”

It’s so off-your-feet sweepingly romantic Dean feels like he deserves a medal. Maybe this is their karmic justice after the proposal debacle.

Cas is smiling at him, soft and sweet. “Okay, Dean.” He puts wet hands around his waist and Dean doesn’t even care that it’s seeping through his t-shirt. “Lake house it is.”

Dean leans in, kisses him three times in response. He lingers on the last one, smiling against Cas’ mouth. Cas knows what he means.

[shiningstages]

A light tap on your shoulder. You turn around to see Hecate staring at you with wide eyes one single exposed eye, sketchbook held open, pen poised as though to take notes. If you don’t shoo her away, she’ll take that as permission, clearing her throat softly.

“I’m doing a research,” she tells you. “What do you think happiness is?” ( for any of your muses / just one or multiple !! please feel free to answer however you'd like !! )

It's as if the whole argument stops dead in it's tracks. Well, argument might've been a strong word, at least for all the sinners present - Leon, however, definitely viewed the conversation as something that could turn ugly real fast. It was his shift to supervise the recreation area, so of course he wanted to do his best to make sure all the sinners had the safest amount of fun possible. And everyone was grinning...He could just feel the heat behind their stares. Horo arguing that her battle axe was the best thing ever, while Summer pointed out all of the prowess in her various inventions, and Chelsea showed off her beloved Sitri while stoking the other girls' flames. Somehow he got roped into it, and the amount of expectant gazes and yelling in his face was a bit too much for him. If only the Chief was here...Chief always knew what to say...

Before he can mutter something that could set off a mini war, a light tap on his shoulder feels like an angel's heavenly touch to get him out of here. Turning around to find Hecate, however...Wasn't bad, per say. Her own wide-eyed gaze at him made him gulp, however relaxing the presence of the most loyal sinner was, worried that she would want to join the conversation and boast about her Nightmare or something. But the words that do come out of her mouth take him aback. "Happiness...?" He can't help but stare at her for a minute. While it could just be a question to drag him away from all of this, Hecate did look serious and curious enough...

"If it's research, then I suppose you've been trying to ask everyone, right?" His arms uncross from where they were on his chest, hands going on his waist. At confirmation from her, he turns to make her more shown to the rowdy group, whistling through his teeth for a bit of attention. "Hey girls, I think Hecate has a question of her own." Nodding his head over to the other girl, everyone else looks at her as she repeats her statement and question, producing the first moment of silence this entire afternoon.

Horo's the first to break it though. "Well, it's a feeling, right?" Another beat of silence. Horo can't help but look around, a bit baffled when no one agrees with her, "I-I'm right, aren't I?!"

"I think you need to be a bit more detailed." Leon states through a huffed laugh. "Or, if it's easier, rather than defining happiness, it's more of what's happiness to you. Like an object, a person, an event - "

"Oh, that shit's easy then! Obviously it's being a part of The Legion!" Horo shouts it out like the proud and loyal follower she was, pounding her fist to her chest. Everyone makes a polite sound of awe, as if that wasn't the answer she'd give at all. "Zoya and The Legion are just so amazing and powerful! They want to do everything they can for Syndicate, and Zoya rushes towards that goal no matter the cost. Being a part of that - being a strong part of the team, kicking ass in their honor, and doing everything I can to help - is the most rad thing there is!"

"Oh~?" Summer and Chelsea let out an amused sound at the same time, both of them smirking slightly.

The response makes Horo's cheeks go red, "W-What's that supposed to mean, "Oh~"?! You wanna fight?!"

"No, not at all - I think we established anyways that I could easily - " Summer starts, but then a very loud and obvious cough from Leon, followed by a gesture to Hecate, makes the genius pause. It leaves her a moment to think, leaning back and curling up into her floating gunner chair, looking at the imaginary sky and humming several sounds. Leon debates if she's actually gonna grace Hecate with an answer or not, knowing how bored she can get with trivial matters.

But she does manage to surprise him. "...I kind of have to agree with you, though your thoughts are so narrowminded." A compliment in an insult. Horo would lunge at her had Leon not given her a look as Summer continued. "Happiness is experienced by everyone. Whether they do a good job, feel like a part of the larger whole, get to watch their favorite anime, eat a really good snack, or get one step closer to their goals - The smallest and biggest things can make a person happy." It's an answer that makes everyone go silent once more, yet Summer looks like she just said the most obvious thing.

"That said, though," She starts up again, sitting up in her chair with a twinkle in her eye, "for me specifically, it's all my awesome inventions and the praise everyone around the world has given them! I wanted to explore my world and cure it of all the evil with every research project I did, no matter what the cost was. The only reason all my research has slowed down is because...Well, I'm in jail, the institute claims I'm "too dangerous", and baddies and nutcases stole all my weapon ideas, which doesn't help with getting research money. Only they made inferior replicas of my true masterpieces. Ha~, if only they could see that." She pats her gunner seat proudly on the remark, then gets distracted with polishing out a slight blemish.

And this time it's only Chelsea laughing in amusement, but Summer pays her no mind as she starts talking to herself about maybe upgrading again. "They both certainly have such wide scopes on this topic, don't they hun?" It's a pet name directed out both Hecate and Leon, twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers. "Though I don't think they're wrong, either. Happiness can mean anything to anyone, as long as it makes them feel that special way." As if on cue with her words, Horo shouts after Zoya upon seeing her from afar, and Summer had already zoomed out of the area to probably pester the staff for more materials. Looking after them as they both run off, she continues, "I think there's a kind of devotion in happiness as well. When you find that thing that makes your heart race, but also makes you feel so calm and at ease, that you commit to doing it more often or wanting to learn more about it. Or it's something that you just can't let go of, no matter what, because it makes you feel so...alive." There's a softness to her southern ring in her voice, now staring at nothing but seemingly everything all at once.

Then, just as quickly as the moment came, it went away with her passionate gaze. A hand immediately lays on Leon's chest before he can protest, "That said, I could make all of you very happy in various ways. Gems and other riches beyond your wildest dreams are my specialty, after all. Of course, I can buy you other gifts or precious things that you desire. And, of course, you'll always have my company - "

"Yeah, no. I passed, and I'll still pass, thanks." Leon writes her off quickly, taking her hand and instead placing it on Sitri's head.

The glittering, sentient feline pushes into the touch, and thankfully it does make Chelsea get distracted with petting her instead. "Oh, of course I never forget to treat you right, Sitri. No I wouldn't; no I wouldn't~" Bending down to kiss the gem creature on the nose, she does start playing with her a bit more, before recalling the gems back into her. "And, of course, Chief is still my other favorite sugar baby." A side glance at Leon, as if he was filled with any jealousy for the Chief in that regard, before Chelsea, too, pounces away.

Leon can't help but sigh in relief, a hand going to rub the back of his neck. "Well, I hope those answers helped you out, Hecate. I don't know if you meant to ask right then or not, though, but I still want to thank you for - " He starts, finally looking down at Hecate again. Only for her wide-eyed gaze to fall back on him, pencil ready on paper despite the amount of writing she had done already. He lets out a sigh, "Ah, I feel like their answers were pretty solid, Hecate. You're not gonna get much better out of me." Even if they all ended up being pretty selfish too. Though, in the grand scheme of things, his prompting made them give out semi-selfish answers, and he'd be lying in saying his own answer wasn't selfish either.

So, upon the sinner's unmoving gaze, he sighs into a smile. "In the way the others were saying it, I guess happiness to me is Sherry and Claire, and this job that helps me support them. Working here was really hard, at first. Adjusting from fighting goons pumped with mania to, um...becoming friends, in a sense, with you guys. Learning things with the Chief, getting my ear bitten off by Nightingale's rants, getting along with my coworkers while going on dangerous missions. It's all been hard, but it's rewarding too. The learning, of course, but also just...Being alive with the people I have left. Making sure they get the care and love they deserve...Them being happy makes me happy, you know?" He pauses then, jaw clenching a little as his smile presses into a thin line. A million thoughts go through his mind on that confession - a woman in red even springs to make his chest tighten - before he shakes his head. "...Happiness is what you make it. It can be selfish, selfless, or a mix of the two. It can be anything that gives you a sense of pride or joy in life, whether it be the tiniest thing or the biggest achievement. I think what matters for happiness is if you're having fun or enjoying doing anything you do; seeing anything around you; touching; tasting; feeling...What you like is in the eyes of the beholder, and it's the same with the concept of "happiness". You just have to find what makes you happy."

He rubs his neck again, cheeks a light blush at rambling for too long, and he lets out a forced chuckle to clear the air. "S-Sorry, maybe that was a bit too preachy or optimistic..." He looks away from Hecate for the moment, down at his boots that shuffle a bit as he straightens himself up. He let's a moment of silence fall between them as he composes himself internally, dusting off his shirt as if it had anything on it in this clean environment, before meeting Hecate's gaze again. "Even though it was probably just a bunch of rambling from all of us, I hope it helped you with your research. If you ever have any other questions, just let me know, and I'll try my best to answer."

[bowandcurtsey]

Okie dokie! First request here so forgive me if I’m not doing this right.

Out of all of the Hage adoptive siblings, Rekka is supposed to be the oldest after Yuno and Asta right? She’s 13 at the start of the series. I’m not sure if we ever learn her birthday - however we do know for a fact that 2 years have now passed seeing as Asta/Yuno/Noelle are all now 17. Which means Rekka should be 15. I’m also not sure if it’s ever been confirmed what time of year the Spade Kingdom arc takes place - but let’s just say everyone leaves for Spade in or around April-ish. So in March, just before everyone leaves for Spade, Asta and Yuno agree with each other to slip away from their trainings for 1 day and surprise show up at Rekka’s grimoire ceremony. Like no one expected they’d be able to come with everything going on so Church family didn’t invite Asta and Yuno so they wouldn’t feel guilty. But the day of the ceremony, Rekka turns after receiving her grimoire to look at father Orsi, sister Lily, Nash, Arlu, and Horo and of course they’re smiling proud at her and she sees her two magic knight squad brothers behind them all both grinning at her (Asta is always loud so he probably starts LOUDly cheering and hard clapping his hands for Rekka, probably making Yuno roll his eyes and scaring the crap out of the rest of the church family who had no idea the two were behind them)

Really just Asta and Yuno being awesome adoptive big brothers fluff? I imagine, even though we never really see much of her, it would mean the world to her if they made sure to take the time to show up and support her when she receives her grimoire.

Really hope I did this right!

Hello Anony! Thank you for this request!

I couldn't find much information on Rekka, she didn't have a page on the Clover Wiki but yes I do believe that she'll be receiving her grimoire this year! hehe

Here's your request!

Asta & Yuno Ft. Rekka and Hage Family

Rekka returned to the church after she received her Grimoire. Everyone was cheering for her and there was a feast prepared.

"Congratulations our dear Rekka!!" Father Orsi cheered and clapped for his adoptive daughter.

"Thank you everyone!" Rekka looked to her younger siblings, who were very proud of their older sister and were also eying on the feast that was prepared.

Suddenly the doors slammed opened, and a strong gust of wind came through.

There stood the two Hage heros, their older siblings, Asta and Yuno.

"CONGRATS REKKA!!!" Asta shouted at the top of his lungs, much to Yuno's dismay

"OH MY GOD CAN I SEE YOUR GRIMOIRE??" Asta ran in, while everyone was still in a shock.

"We took a day off, because we remembered Rekka would be getting her grimoire today," Yuno explained with a soft smile, "here, we brought some desserts."

"Asta! Yuno!" Fathe Orsi was close to tears now.

"You took an off day for me?" Rekka looked at the both of her adoptive brothers, they were her idols and role models.

They both nodded their head at her.

"I can't believe it!" Tears started to collate at the corner of her eyes, "I didn't think you'd both would be here!"

Asta and Yuno looked at each other, they didn't expect their presence would mean so much to her. They smiled at each other, glad that they made this decision.

"Hey, Rekka!" Asta asked with his mouth filled with food, "Would you try out to be a magic knight?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure..."

"You should try!!" Asta exclaimed

"Let her do whatever she wants," Yuno rolled his eyes at Asta, "she's good at other things as well."

"Maybe I want to be a teacher, like Sister Lily!" She beamed as sister Lily chuckled.

"YEAH!!" Asta shouted again, "SISTER LILY IS AWESOME! MARRY ME SISTER LILY!!!"

Yuno yeeted Asta out of the dining room.

"He's still as lively as ever huh," Father Orsi smiled in adoration.

"As annoying as ever, you mean." Yuno continued eating, "Anyway Rekka, I'm sure you'll be an awesome teacher."

Rekka grinned at her older brother, having their assurance just meant so much to her. She was sure that she'll never forget this day. Her two adoptive brothers came to celebrate her grimoire receiving with her!

After dinner, Asta and Yuno asked Rekka to showcase a few spells that she learnt. They (actually mainly Yuno) even gave her some tips on how to make use of spells and how to train, they did a little sparring with her.

"your skills are pretty impressive," Yuno patted her on the head.

"YEAH! REKKA!" Asta exclaimed, "you were like wham! and Whoosh!"

"Speak in a human language dumbass," Yuno gave him an unimpressed look.

"hehe," Rekka giggled, "Thank you Yuno and Asta, you guys really made me very happy today!"

-end-

[wasdname]

kakegurui anime vs manga pt. 2

ah, rei batsubami. she doesn’t exist in the manga, so every scene with her in the anime obviously isn’t in the manga. i think i will ignore the scenes with rei, since it’s anime-exclusive and everything else that happens isn’t really affected by rei being there or not. this post will mainly be comparing things that happened in the manga that didn’t happen in the anime for kakegurui xx (season 2). here’s a link to pt. 1 for season 1:

https://wasdname.tumblr.com/post/615241570260811776/kakegurui-anime-vs-manga-pt-1

LONG post with spoilers under the cut. season 2 had a lot more differences than season 1.

i’m going chronologically according to the anime. this might get confusing later, but bear with me. there’s a LOT to cover.

let’s jump into the very first two episodes of xx, when kirari announces there will be an election with the student council and the -bamis are introduced (ch. 34): 

the one person who would know about kirari’s family would be, obviously, sayaka, kirari’s secretary.  in the anime, sayaka has no clue who they are and kirari makes rei introduce them (more on that later).

after the introductions, we get reactions from each student council member. yuriko asks sayaka what she thinks about the situation:

and here we have the first major difference. in the manga, because tower of doors happened already, sayaka is much more confident and content both about herself and her relationship with kirari. she doesn’t need to understand everything that happens in kirari’s head, and sayaka knows that kirari doesn’t love or value sayaka any less because she doesn’t understand or for the things she chooses not to tell her. in the same way, kirari doesn’t understand sayaka all the time either, the difference being that kirari was never bothered by that as much as sayaka was bothered about it. SO, in the manga, we have a mutual understanding between the two characters now, thanks to tower of doors.

however, in the anime, sayaka reacts much differently and agrees with yuriko:

the fact that she doesn’t know who the -bami’s are also adds to pre-tower-of-doors sayaka’s growing list of “things kirari didn’t trust me enough to tell me”. they really want sayaka to suffer, huh?

i already wrote a bit about the meeting between kirari and terano (Ch. 36) in pt.1, so i’m going to skip over that to the next thing (but i’ll come back to this in a bit, it’s related, trust me), mary and ririka’s meeting (ch. 40). there’s a little bit of extra dialogue before mary takes off ririka’s mask:

it’s not that significant, but mary’s a little more animated in the manga, where in the anime she just kinda listens to what ririka’s saying without interrupting:

and then the mask comes off, and mary mentions ririka’s appearance:

“Kirari’s already exposed this face to the public. She doesn’t see it as any big secret.”

this line is interesting. i don’t know what to make of it yet. ririka is hiding her face, despite the fact that she claims kirari doesn’t care. so is ririka wearing the mask of her own volition? it’s easy to assume that kirari’s forcing ririka wear the mask, but that’s apparently not the case. i want to refer back to chapter 36 again, since it’s related here, the meeting between kirari, ririka, and terano:

notice how terano calls out ririka, not kirari, for doing this. why is that? was terano calling out ririka for being the one responsible for deciding when kirari and ririka switch identities, or was ririka just doing what kirari told her to and terano was calling ririka out for being kirari’s door-mat? or maybe i’m completely overthinking it (lol) and terano was just calling out ririka simply because she was the one in front of her? god i wish we could have seen how this scene played out.

we haven’t yet seen kirari and ririka interact at all, even in the manga. the mystery that is kirari and ririka’s relationship is one that i can’t wait to see unfold. 

onward. there’s extra insight into miri’s feelings in the manga during the gamble vs. mary and suzui, when one of the sisters has to lose (season 2 ep. 4, ch. 43):

poor miri :( in the anime, she kinda just does what miyo tells her and faints, skipping over her thoughts about her sister threatening her.

this one isn’t significant at all but i thought it was funny, the first rankings (Season 2 episode 5, Ch. 44):

#9, horo joumaru.... exists (lol). in the anime, he wasn’t even ranked, instead being replaced by sumika.

this is where things might get a little hectic, because there’s multiple things in this one episode that is spread out over multiple chapters in the manga, but bear with me. in the same episode, rin and sumika challenge kirari to a gamble. the anime cuts to the second half of the gamble, but in the manga, there’s a little bit more build up (ch. 50):

and then kirari immediately proceeds to tear apart rin’s lie. god, i love kirari so much

and it’s at this point where the manga and anime match up and kirari goes “all in” a million times.

next is the yumemite vs sumika gamble (still season 2 ep. 5, but ch.51). the reason the manga is ahead here is because the anime moves the greater good game to after this gamble, but it happens earlier in the manga (ch. 45-49). 

before the meeting, there was a scene that wasn’t included in the anime where mary and ririka are trying to find someone to gamble, which is why they weren’t in the pre-gamble meeting for the yumeko/yumemite vs sumika gamble. this is confusing because, chapter 46 (season 2 episode 5), the scene where mary decides she will work with ririka if she can win a gamble, didn’t happen yet. the anime kinda shoots itself in the foot here, and i’m still not sure why they decided to move things around they way they did, which resulted in the loss of this scene (maybe to build suspense for the greater good game? idk). i’m going to include it here, since it’s relevant, and we’ll go over the chapter 46 scene with mary/ririka in a bit when it happens in the anime. here’s the scene, at the very beginning of the yumeko/yumemite vs sumika meeting (ch.51):

“It’s a pity, but oh well...” the yumary ship is sailing

there was also a little bit more dialogue during the meeting where they’re discussing how to beat sumika that was kinda cute that didn’t make it into the anime:

“Let’s whip Kawaru Natari’s (i refer to her as sumika) butt!” “YEAH!” you dorks. i love them.

next is the scene with mary and ririka (back to ch. 46). mary’s a bit more aggressive in the manga:

 but the main difference in the manga is that ririka wants mary to make good on her promise earlier about punching her if she wins:

which is kinda intense. then mary yells at ririka which makes her cry (which doesn’t happen in the anime):

the end result is the same, though. mary wants ririka to gamble to prove herself, and if she wins....

we get this killer line from mary in the manga which didn’t make it in the anime, because the whole punching thing wasn’t even in the conversation:

mary implies that she’s going to punch kirari, since it’s heavily implied that ririka is under kirari’s orders to work with mary (but who knows? i don’t think ririka ever explicitly says who she’s working for, but correct me if i’m wrong, i could have missed it). man, i wish they kept this scene intact in the anime.

next, season 2, episode 6 (ch. 53), yumeko and yumemite vs sumika:

in the manga, when it’s revealed that yumemite broke her finger in an attempt to trick sumika with a reflex, the crowd disapproves. the anime doesn’t show this. this leads to a little extra dialouge:

sumika is actually impressed by yumemite’s resolve, and even encourages yumemite to continue to pursue her dreams. imo, this adds more to why yumemite doesn’t want to win against sumika in the last round, even though this small scene wasn’t exactly necessary for the point to get across (the anime cut it), it’s just nice that it’s there, because it makes the reader acknowledge sumika’s charm/manipulative-ness as well, and shows that yumemite is completely moved by sumika in every way. 

after round two, there’s another extra bit of dialogue that didn’t make it into the anime, which gives us a little more insight into what someone like sumika is doing here:

again, not that significant, but it’s there. she just wants to observe people, and what’s more “alluring” than her own crazy family? also, it doesn’t matter, but why are they naked?? i’m not complaining ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

it’s not that significant, but there’s another extra exchange between yumemite and sumika before the final round, when yumemite convinces herself she will lose in terms of talent no matter what: 

everything else that happens is essentially the same. 

mary is also shown checking up on this gamble in episode 5, at the beginning of all this:

in the same scene in the manga, she’s just walking with ririka behind her, without her phone:

good job, anime. they also show her checking her phone later in both the anime (at the very end of season 2 episode 6) and manga as well (ch. 55). it’s just nice because it shows that mary cares about her friends even if she can’t be there with them.

season 2 ep. 7 (Ch. 45-49), aka, the greater good gamble. there’s a little bit of dialogue the anime doesn’t show, about terano having to revise her plans (also, holy sh*t, when was terano expecting to defeat kirari?):

this isn’t too significant, but there’s a bit of extra dialogue about how many votes sumeragi earned and how she earned them when she’s conversing with manyuda that they didn’t show in the anime (ch.45):

there’s also a little bit of insight into sumeragi’s thoughts about terano and yumeko when they all get together for the greater good gamble, before they start playing (ch.45):

and again, some more extra pre-game stuff from ch.46, where we get to see a little more of ibara’s personality and sumeragi’s thoughts:

this isn’t that significant, but there’s a little extra dialogue from ibara and manyuda during the first turn when manyuda asks yumeko if she feels guilty about ruining people’s lives when she wins:

“You nervous? Want me to hold your hand? Hmmm?” ibara’s such a big goofball (lol)

there’s some more pages that include sumeragi’s thoughts during the game about the gameplay, but it’s not that significant. it’s mostly her saying things that we the readers already know, or her explaining the gameplay that’s happening. so i’m not going to include it since it doesn’t really give any insight into her character (it’s not that deep, really) and this post is getting long AF. 

after the first perfect round where everyone paid 5 coins in taxes, we get a very cute moment with ibara and manyuda in the manga that unfortunately didn’t make it into the anime (season 2 ep. 8, ch. 48):

i’m really liking ibara (lol).

that’s it, for everything that happened in the manga that didn’t happen in the anime. again, i excluded everything with rei, since she didn’t exist in the manga. i also excluded the scenes with sayaka that kinda build up to tower of doors (for example, season 2 ep. 8, at the very end where sayaka wants kirari to order her to get rid of terano) and the tower of doors arc itself (season 2 ep. 9-10), since it overlapped with season 1 stuff and i already covered that in my previous post. they didn’t change much in the tower of doors arc anyway (literally only the puzzles on the doors were a little different), it was very faithful to what happened in the manga (thank the lesbian godesses)

i encourage y’all to watch the anime if you’re curious about rei and how they integrated her into the story, as well as some extra scenes with kirari and sayaka (i mentioned one already, season 2 ep. 8 at the very end, there’s also two small scenes in episode 12 about rei) .

let me know if i missed anything, season 2 was difficult to do because it involved going back and forth through multiple chapters. if you’ve read all this, thanks for sticking with me til the end :)

[shikkearu]

Part 24: Anniversary

- "Come to Buu!" Moria cheered. - "No Mamma!" Hancock clapped her hands. - "You gotta choose, Pappa." Shanks shouted from the side.

Mihawk sighed loudly.

They stood in a row just waiting for Perona release Zoro. She had come up with the idea while they waited for the rest of the people to show up to their little gathering on a beach she had gone a lot to with her husband. Mihawk had thought it was a stupid idea, have a competition like this of who was Zoros favourite grandparent. It was demeaning to call him like a dog so he took no part other than stand there. Everyone else had gotten excited by the idea. They had actually bet on who was the favourite. Most money went onto Mihawk since he spend the most time with him, but Moria was a close second.

- "Ok, Zoro. Just go to your favourite grandparent." Perona softly whispered to him and released her hold of him. Zoro toppled forward and looked at the cheering adults. Then he started to walk. Morias and Hancocks cheers got even louder whilst Mihawk rolled his eyes. Zoro walked and then he turned and walked away from all of them. Everyone held their breath. He walked a bit forward and then stopped. He looked around confused.

- "Where are you going idiot?" Ace ran to Zoro and turned him around to face the adults again.

But Zoros pride had gotten hit and he sniveled. He ran straight back to Perona and hugged her. Everyone pretty much laughed. Zoro had inherited his bad sense of directions from his father.

- "Zoro just got distracted. He's got a lot on his mind." Perona hissed protectively. - "Did anyone bet on Perona because she is clearly the winner here." Shanks laughed loudly.

Everyone shook their heads and Shanks laughed even louder.

- "Just me then. Okay, pay up."

Mihawk glared at Shanks. Even if the thing had been stupid he should have bet on him.

- "Sorry, Hawky. Nothing personal."

Muttering people paid up. Hancocks sisters drove to the parking lot. They had picked up Chiffon, Lola and Absalom. Absa rushed out of the car as quickly as he could, followed by Lola. She would have chased him around, but was stopped by Chiffon, who just shook her head. The two Boas were visibly bothered by the car trip. Another car drove up. From the passenger side stood up Cindry. She rushed off to hug Perona who had let Mihawk take Zoro from her. It had been awhile since the last time they had seen each other. Her acting career was sky rocketing at the moment so she was very busy most of the time. From the drivers side stood Law which surprised Perona.

- "Oh, you know Law?" She wondered outloud. - "Yes, but we're just friends. I was gobsmacked when he told me you two had gotten into contact." She looked at Perona and petted her hair slightly. "Are you jealous?" - "Of who?" Perona looked at her in a bit of disbelief. - "I came here with a dashing male and you wont even lift a brow." She smirked. "Quite cold." - "Well I came here with a dashing male as well." Perona tilted her head towards Mihawk. - "Perona, I didn't know you were into dilfs." Cindry gasped dramatically. Perona laughed and shook her head.

- "Seems like everyone is here. Let's head to wards the beach." Hancock announced excited. - "Is that the Empress?" Cindrys eyes glittered and she headed towards Hancock.

- "Hey." Law came to Perona. - "So you and Cindry are friends?" - "Sort of." He smirked. "She didn't seem too excited of our relationship." - "There is no relationship, stupid." - "Oh we aren't friends?" He was amused. - "I didn't mean it like that." Perona snarled and blushed slightly.

Law patted her head and started to go down to the beach with the others. Absa came to Perona quickly.

- "Why is he here?" - "We are friends. I've been messaging him this spring." - "I don't really like him." - "Because he is not a womanizer like you?" - "Ouch. But he definitely is one. He's just sneaky about it." His face went a little disgusted. "Not very sure if he's even trying to hide it." - "Well good thing I'm not planning on a romantic relationship with him." Perona huffed. "He's ok if you get to know him, just has a little bit of a jerkish side to him." - "Jerkish is mildly putting it."

- "C'mon you two! Don't keep us waiting." Lola shouted loudly.

- "In a bit!" Perona shouted to her, before looking back at him. "You need to turn her down properly." - "I've tried." he groaned. - "Not in a joking banter way. Proper sit down way." - "Yeah, I'll try." he sighed and started to moved down to the beach.

Perona looked the scenery over and sighed. - "Is there a beach like this where you're at?" She wondered in her head as she trekked down

----

They were sitting at a small wooden dock with their feet in the water. The tadpoles nibbled their toes. There was a gap between them, large enough for a person to sit between them with ease and maybe a little space to spare. Anxiously he kicked the water and looked at her coyly.

- "I- Can I hold your hand?"

She looked at him wondering. Any other guy she had dated had never asked permission for such a thing. But he was shy and kind.

- "Why?" She teased him. - "I don't know- Or I do but- Aargh!" He blushed and covered his eyes with his hands. "I've been thinking all day how pretty your hands are."

She blushed slightly. He couldn't even look at her. What a cute and sweet boy.

- "Never mind. I don't think I'd be able to. You're too much for me. Gotta built up my resistance." He looked far into the ocean.

He set his hands on his side. What she could see of his face, was deep red in color. She slowly inched closer to him. He was shaking. He knew she was moving closer, but didn't turn or say anything. She took his hand into hers and he started shaking uncontrollably. He curled into himself. His face was even deeper red.

- "Horo horo horo! You're so cute." He looked at her in agony. - "You're the cutest!"

She too blushed and looked away. It must have looked silly to a passerby. Two people barely holding hands and dying out of embarrassment.

He was the kind of guy she never imagined she would fall in love with.

----

That day was a bit cold and she stood on the same dock as they had been years earlier. She had wished for a finer weather, but you couldn't choose it in advance. At least it wasn't raining or awfully windy. Maybe it might get warmer as the day progressed. Mihawk walked to her only wearing a white dress shirt and long dark pants. She had to wear a cardigan over her shirt not to feel cold.

- "What are you doing here by yourself?" - "Just reminiscing the first date." - "What did you do here?" He looked down at the murky waves thrashing against the poles of the small dock. - "Just sat and talked. You know he was awfully shy back then. Couldn't even hold my hand properly." - "Sounds like him." Mihawk hummed.

They stood there on the dock and for a moment it all was serene and calm.

- "The others have set the things already. They're wondering where you are." - "It's a bit... suffocating." She sighed "To be there surrounded by so many people... Dunno. Maybe I'm just being sensitive today."

Perona started to swallow tears. The idea had been so good, but right now it felt weird. Weird to be happy and talk of all the memories of her husband. After all it was the day he had died a year back.

Mihawk pulled a tissue from his pocket and offered it to Perona. Grateful she took it and blew her nose. At least Mihawk knew how she felt and even if he didn't, he was there and that mattered the most.

- "Please." She whimpered and moved towards him, lifting her hands as a sign for him.

He met her halfway and closed his arms around her. She grabbed onto his shirt and sniveled. Heavy tears fell onto his shirt as she pressed her cheek against his chest.

- "Let's go back to the others. I don't think he would have liked us to wallow in grief like this." - "He probably wouldn't have." Perona snorted squeezing against him. - "No, he would have." he let out a short bitter laughter. "I've told you how much he was like Hancock. He would have died of a broken heart."

Perona separated from Mihawk and looked at him. How could he say such things?

- "He was stronger and better than me." - "Well he was better than you in many ways, but..." Mihawk slightly brushed her cheek. "He could have never been as strong as you have been. Such mental strength doesn't run in the family. I hope Zoro got some of that strength from you." - "But I've been leaning onto you all this time. You've lend me your strength." she insisted.

Mihawk shook his head. He had quickly found it to be quite the opposite. He lend strength from Perona more than he wanted to admit. He turned and started to walk away.

- "Let's head back."

She rushed to his side and took a hold of his hand, but he shook it off. Perona pouted unhappily.

- "Just today. Please, Mihawk." - "I don't want people to make false assumptions of our relationship." Especially one certain red head." he scoffed. - "So mean." Perona huffed and tried to grab onto his hand again. - "I'm not your personal comfort pillow." he grunted, "Didn't you invite that Law-guy here for that?"

Mihawk hadn't meant to say it. It just slipped. He didn't understand why he felt so angry and jealous thinking about that man. When Perona had said they should invite Law too, the surge of pure hatred, that filled his heart, was unreal. He didn't know this man enough for such hatred to be righteous, though he could remember what Absalom had said of him of him during Christmas and it had been concerning.

- "I've told you there's nothing going on between us." she frowned at him. - "Sorry, I'm just worried that's all." - "Ugh, don't be. I can handle myself."

She took a couple of skips to make some distance and went to talk to other people, some of her husbands friends were there too, which was nice considering how they hadn't really been in touch the past year aside from the funeral. Law was the only one, so Mihawks reaction just angered her more. Stupid old man, she can handle herself just fine. Didn't need him sticking his nose to everything.

Zoro rushed to Perona and demanded to be picked up. The amount of people was starting to tire him and Buu or Mamma were not as good as Mommy. Perona lifted him up and sat down at the table. Law came to her.

- "You want something to drink?" he asked politely. - "Oh yes, please." she sighed still bit annoyed by Mihawks antics.

Law quickly returned with two beers.

- "Aren't you driving?" - "I won't tell, if you won't" he held a finger to his lips. - "Please don't. You know how I feel about alcohol these days." She chastised him. - "It's because of him, isn't it?" Law nodded towards Mihawk who was drinking some juice as he talked to Shanks. Shanks had volunteered to take pictures and was showing his equipment to him. - "Or maybe it's because of you." Perona rolled her eyes. - "Fair point. Alright I go take these back. Would you rather have some juice then?" - "Yes, please. Oh and some for Zoro too."

Law quickly returned with some juice. Dragon was busy barbecuing and soon there would be some real food.

- "You seem close to him." Law remarked as he handed her her juice. - "Well Zoro is my wonderful little bean." she looked at the child on her lap and smiled. She did not want to take part in what Law was insinuating. - "No, your father-in-law." he kept going. - "Today is some sort of weird jealousy day, instead of a day to commemorate my husband." she groaned and threw him a glare. - "Hmm? I'm not jealous. It just seems weird." - "Nothing weird about us being friends." - "Does he know that? I saw how he hugged you back there at the dock." He cringed. "I was coming to get you and saw that." - "Can we talk of something else?" She looked back down at Zoro. "All these people rather talk about relationships than your daddy and it's quite tiring." she kissed the top of his head. - "Daddy?" Zoro looked at her confused. - "Umm here." She picked her phone and showed a picture of him and his father. "That's you and that's daddy."

Zoro fumbled a bit with the phone, carefully looking at the picture. But as he did, he accidentally swiped the picture away. Zoro didn't really understand why it made him feel so distressed and he started to sniffle.

- "Oh no, Zoro. Please don't cry." she tried to calm him.

Law sighed and picked up Peronas phone and put the picture back.

- "There's your dad. He went nowhere."

Zoro calmed down and looked at the picture again. Looking at the man made him feel happier, but he just didn't remember ever meeting this person called Daddy. Maybe he would meet him someday. Mommy at least liked him a lot.

----

Soon the food was served and everyone started to converse as a group. They listened to stories, cried and laughed remembering this person who had touched all of their lives, even if by little. Once they were done and it was starting to become a bit darker, they decided to go to the grave yard. Most people had brought something to the grave and it looked similar to the way it had been during funeral. Perona felt like crying. Mihawk was beside her holding Zoro and she tried reaching for his hand, but before he could react, it was Law who grabbed and squeezed her other hand. She looked at him confused, but then smiled. She whispered a small thank you and looked back at the grave. Mihawk felt like his heart had suddenly been eaten by a black hole. He shouldn't be so jealous, why was he like this?

They bid everyone a farewell and everyone left as they had gotten there. Mihawk and Perona were the last ones to leave.

- "This day was really good after all." She sighed. "My heart feels somewhat lighter."

Mihawk hummed in agreement.

- "You know it's nearly been a year you two started to live with me." - "It's been good even though the circumstances were not." Perona smiled a little bit. "I don't think we should hold a party for that."

Mihawk smiled and he took hold of her hand as a sign of solidarity. It felt so warm and good to hold it, but she shook herself off way too soon for his liking.

- "I'm tired. Let's go home."

[lia-snow]

My 10 Fave Babes of All Time

Tagged by @faecakes​. Thanks! (I loved your selection btw~).

I think I did this one a while ago but I took the chance to make this my first drawings of the year :pp to start warming up again ww. These are in no particular order.

1. Horokeu Usui (HoroHoro) / Shaman King.

Horo was probably my first masive 2D crush. I obsessed over him like a psycho lol. I learned every single little thing about him (and I mean trivial stuff like... the exact numbre of frame, page and volume for his first appearance xd), the meaning of his name, the name of his techniques (which were in Ainu). Oh, and also, SEIYUUS! Horo started my obsession with making seiyuu connections x) (I was never really fan of Ueda Yuuji, tho). And I really admired Horo... I felt he was like my soulmate, my perfect husbando. So, based on priority right, he should be like my #1 bae :')

2. Hinata Hideki / Angel Beats!  &  Kuga Aki  / Kamisama Dolls.

I'm putting them together because they're both special characters to me for the same reason: I knew Kimura Ryouhei because of them, and I loved him from the very beginning. Coincidentally, I started watching Angel Beats and Kamisama Dolls at the same time, and the contrast between these two characters, voiced by the same seiyuu, made me fall in love completely. They're both so different. Hinata is a bright, loyal, energetic boy while Aki is this manipulative, rude, meticulous, violent guy (though he's also super calm and indifferent about certain things). Hinata had me loving his voice changes whenever he was put into ridiculous and funny situations while Aki got me melting becasue of his manic laugh. I love Hinata & Aki both as characters, not just because of Kimura, but they're the perfect examples of why KimuRyou is my fav seiyuu <3 <3

3. Kise Ryouta / Kuroko no Basket.

Oh boy..... my love for this man burns like a thousand suns bursting, ISTG. He's too pure too good to pretty too shiny too precious for this world. Ok, I admit... Kimura Ryouhei is partly at fault here lol. Kise actually reminded me a lot of Hinata and I liked him from the start too, but soon I started loving every single little thing about him. He's introduced a little as an arrogant dude but soon enough comes to change after his loss against Seirin (I loved it when he cried sddsffg). He's like the cheerful, carefree member of the group, but he also shows so much determination, strength, and even selfishness. But I really think he's the most admirable of the Generation of Miracles. And he's so pretty I wanna cry everytime I see him, sob.

4. Judal / Magi.

Yes, the Kimura Ryouhei syndrome continues... but I swear it's coincidence(?). Judal caught my eye since I saw him in the opening (that sequence when he's falling, grabs a white rukh and turns it black it's mesmerizing), but when he was finally introduced in the show, I WAS DOOMED FOREVER. Goddamn, I loved his personality. Even if he's a little bit of a psycho, I loved his childish arrogant attitude. He's like my twisted son ♥ Except... not really a son, because... he makes me feel things 6//6 (???). Aahaahgsdjhk yes yes ok, I love his design, really, L O V E   I T ♥ ♥.  His long braid, those beautiful ringed eyes, the makeup on them, the necklace and bracelets, that crop top, those abs, DAT WAISTLINE  aksjdhjkashdkjhgasgasd ⁄(⁄ ⁄ ⁄ Д ⁄ ⁄ ⁄)⁄ He needs his own manga, there's just never enough Judal in my life.

5. Nozaki Umetarou / Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun.

I've said this before, but it me. Nozaki is me, I am Nozaki (except I'm not tall and handsome lol). Looks cold, mostly serious, suuupr dense in some subjects (specially about love and romance), zero experience in love... but somehow still makes love stories! His shoujo manga is terrible haha but he's surprisingly popular as mangaka in spite of that x) I bet if I were to draw a manga it would be as ridiculous as his (or if my comics serve as an example... well, there ww). He has this stoic aspect, but he makes the most idiotic faces when he gets excited too~  I think Nozaki is more socially skilled than me but we're both awkward anymway(?) xD. He's my spirit animal ♥ 

6. Netherlands & Finland / Hetalia.

Ah, my time in the Hetalia fandom... feels so distant :') Italy was my fav at first but then I started roleplaying Fin (the first chara I ever roleplayed) and my love for him kept growing from there. He was just too adorbs <3 I got to know a lot of super nice people, both on the internet and irl, because of him. Also, back then I listened to lot of metal music, and I always pictured Fin as a secret metalhead xD And then Netherlands... I don't remember exactly how I started liking him, I remember they released the chara design, stuff happened, and then there I was cosplaying the dude. Hahaha ah, even though I loved Fin, I couldn't identify with him cause he's super cute,  happy and lovable; but Netherlands was more like me~ Stoic, cold, tsundere. Over time, Netherlands became my favorite over Fin, but they're both special.

7. Furukawa Nagisa / CLANNAD.

My precious child. The purest girl ever created. A National treasure, istg. She's not the type of female characters that I usually like, but somehow she got me from the start. She's too adorable, sweet, innocent and good. She's just too good!!!!!!! She's always caring for others, always supportive of her friends, and tries her best even though she's phisically weak and lacks confidence. She's so strong and admirable, she makes my heart melt. CLANNAD made me cry rivers and hit me hard when... well, when After Story happened. She's the type of character that I want to protect from all evil. I also LOVED Nakahara Mai's performance as Nagisa, btw. I kept watching her scenes over and over just to listen to the cutest voice akjshd <3 I really love this child ;//;

8. Licht Jekylland Todoroki & Lawless / Servamp.

Well, as you would expect x) It's probably obvious that I love them both so hard. And I want to clear up for the records that it's not just because I love them together, or the homo hints flying all over the place between them. I love them both as separated characters. I really admire Licht. His resolution, his unbreakable spirit, his attitude, the hard worker he is, his strength, his pure innocence about the things he loves, his vision, his badassness, his frankness, his creativity...  He's a gem, the type of person I could never be :')  ALSO, HE'S HOT AF. Lawless is so beautiful. He deserves the universe. I feel him more in a spirital way. How he lost faith in everything, how meaningless lives seemed to him, the vicious cycle he was in. But the fact he's able to change that (with Licht's help) is truly touching and praiseworthy. He made a deep impression in me. Ah, and of course, his flamboyant personality! He's such a dork ahah xD I love his nerdy side, his energy, even his bragging. And the fact that he can literally go from hotdamn vampire to cute hedgy in no time is amazing xD ♥ Also, his voice.... yeah, you know this by this point, but the fact he's voiced by Kimura Ryouhei makes him even more perfect than he already was (everytime I listen to the Drama CDs, I literally have to go back and listen to his lines again because kjahsdjkg perfection in my ears). So yeah, I love my boys ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

9. Morgiana / Magi.

Ah, Morgiana ♥ ♥ The ultimate example of the type of female character that I like. She's strong, kind, determined, tough, has a strong sense of justce, needs no one to do shit for her, BUT she's not arrogant, aggresive or extravagant herself. She's quite, starightforward and helpful. But she's also soooo adorable and cute!! The way she puffs up her cheeks when she's mad, her smile, the little tears on her eyes when he was encouraged by Hakuryuu, her happy face, the way she dances around wearing that exotic outfit... man she is gorgeous, she's amazing, she's a goddess. And dem kicks, THE KIIICCCKKKS, god she's a BADASS. She seriously became like a prototype of my perfect gurl. No kidding, after her, everytime there's a badass fem chara that I like, I call her "a Morgiana". And I know she's probs being "controlled" by Sinbad in the manga right now, but I cried when she said she has come to love herself because of all the time she's been with Alibaba. I'M SO PROUD OF HER <//333

10. Special mention to: EVERY KIMURA RYOUHEI CHARACTER.

Agh, I just.... it's amazing how without a miss, characters voiced by Kimura always become my favourite. I always love them, for one reason or another. I mean, I have other seiyuus I love too (Kaji Yuki, Nakamura Yuuichi, Ishikawa Kaito, Sugita Tomokazu, Kamiyan....), but I don't always like their characters. But with Kimura, I ALWAYS do. I don't know all of his roles, obviously, but here's some that I absolutely love:

Takakura Shouma [Mawaru Penguindrum]  |  Yagami Riku [Prince of Stride]   Nishimi Kaoru [Sakamichi no Apollon]  |  Atou Touji [Tokyo Ravens]  |  Hauser [Nanatsu no Taizai]  |  Izuminokami Kanesada [Touken Ranbu]  |  Wakamatsu Hirotaka [Nozaki-kun]  |  Fujimoto Takatora [Aoharu Kikanjuu]  |  Kimata Hayato [Meganebu]  |  L-elf [Valvrave]  |  Furuya Chihiro [Sankarea]  |  Bokuto Koutaro [Haikyuu]  |  Shimotsuki Shun [Tsukiuta], etc....

- Special mention 2: Jorah Mormont, Eddard Stark, Jon Snow. Because I love GoT, and these are my favs, but I can't draw real people ww.

I’m tagging @pastenaga​, @stars-glow-for-you​, @adeslowmoqueen​, @rhomilch​ & @reimeijennoir​~ Feel free to do it if you want uvu/ Don’t worry guys, you don’t have to draw the charas to do this www Actually, you don’t have to write anything about them either lol my hand slipped(?)

[celtfather]

Amazing Celtic Women #429

Amazing Celtic women are on this week’s Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

Beth Patterson, Cady Finlayson, Catherine Koehler, Na Skylark, Judith Weikle, Anne Roos, Gwendolyn Snowdon, Kathy Barwick, Fionnuala Sherry, Merry Wives of Windsor, Christine Weir, Joni Minstrel, Mary Knickle, Cynthia Bennett, Jacie McConnell, Laura McGhee, Chrissy Crowley, Bernadette Morris

I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you did, please share the show with ONE friend.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is dedicated to growing our community and helping the incredible artists who so generously share their music. If you find music you love, buy their albums, shirts, and songbooks, follow them on Spotify, see their shows, and drop them an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

Remember also to Subscribe to the Celtic Music Magazine. Every week, I'll send you a few cool bits of Celtic music news. It's a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Plus, you'll get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free, just for signing up today. Thank you again for being a Celt of Kindness.

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:05 - "Heather on the Moor" by Beth Patterson from Hybrid Vigor

4:23 - "When the Battle Is Over" by Cady Finlayson from Celtic Purple

6:30 - "Briar and Rose" by Catherine Koehler from upcoming album

9:37 - "The March Of The High King Of Laois-Osullivans March" by Na Skylark from Old Ceol

13:50 - "Wine of the Gauls" by Judith Weikle from Pirates, Poets and Patriots

16:57 - “Manx Courting Song” by Anne Roos from Haste to the Wedding

19:33 - CELTIC FEEDBACK

24:17 - "Little Duke Arthur's Nurse" by Gwendolyn Snowdon from Three Strand Braid

28:17 - "Red Haired Boy" by Kathy Barwick from In My Life

30:38 - "An Cuilfhionn" by Fionnuala Sherry from Songs from Before

33:56 - "Lannigan's Ball" by Merry Wives of Windsor from Bottoms Up

37:28 - "Horo Haradala" by Christine Weir from Weir Celts

39:15 - "Black Is the Color" by Joni Minstrel from Joni Minstrel Kicks the King

42:02 - CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

44:39 - "Wild Irish Man" by Mary Knickle from Weave

48:24 - "Out with the Rubbish" by Cynthia Bennett from Cauldron of Life

52:04 - "My Piece of Gratitude Re-Mix" by Jacie McConnell from Mystical Moments A Sign Of Things To Come

56:01 - "Tell It Tae the Love" by Laura McGhee from Green Eyes

58:46 - "Trundle's" by Chrissy Crowley from Last Night's Fun

1:03:20 - TIME FOR PARTING

1:04:25 - "Until We Meet Again" by Bernadette Morris from Where the Heart Is

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts or to our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

  CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic musician and podcaster. This show is dedicated to the indie Celtic musicians. I want to ask you to support these artists. Share the show with your friends. And find more episodes at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. Get our free Celtic music app right here.

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Join the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 With the new year comes a new votes in the Celtic Top 20. This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. Just list the show number, and the name of as many bands in the episode as you like. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2019 episode.  Vote Now!

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out every week and has done so since 2014. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon.

Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. Plus, you get to hear episodes before regular listeners. When we hit a milestone, you get an extra-long episode. We are super close to getting a two-hour instrumental special.

Thanks to our newest patrons: Barbara B S., Julie M.

You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast at http://patreon.com/celticpodcast.

  I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com

Jacob Kenner emailed a photo: "Marc, I was listening to #427 while cleaning up the donkey pen when you asked us to share what we do while listening. I realized I almost always save the podcast for when I have a farm chore or a building project. I think it helps me relax and keep going.

This is Violet (left) and Franklin (right), rescued donkeys we have in north central Washington State in the Okanogan highlands. Thanks for letting me share Celtic music with my donkey friends."

Bryan MacAvoy emailed: "I was teleworking, recovering from ACL surgery, and listening to the pod (from 9/12), and practically dropped my laptop on the floor and re-injured myself jumping to see what that sound was: BassPipes, Orchestral Pipestep, that’s what. LOVE IT.

I quickly went over to Amazon music to find what they had there (a few more), and am listening. I would not have thought myself a fan of Celtic Trad/ Dubstep Fusion, but here we are!

Would love an episode dedicated to Gaelic Trad sounds in modern dance/ hip hop/ pop. I know that’s a tight niche, but if anyone is up to it, it’s you!"

Beth Hlabse emailed photos: “Hi, Marc,I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for another wonderful podcast (412). Thanks to you, I discovered Heather Dale and I was very happy to hear her once again on you ‘cast.

I’ve attached some photos of what I do while listening to the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. I’ve been cross-stitching since I was 12 (more years ago than I want to say) and I’ve found that listening to your podcast has kept me going on my more difficult projects. Keep up the good work and much joy, peace and happiness in your new home!"

   Aaron Adair emailed: "Hi, Marc--I've been a LONG time listener and recent supporter through Patreon and have loved the music you've played over the years. It has made me yearn for my home country although until now I've never been. Thanks to you and your terrific podcast, I'm currently waiting to take off for Dublin, Adare, Galway, and points in between for my very first trip home. Listening to the Ramblin' Irishman episode is the perfect episode to prepare me for my adventure.

Thanks for all you do to encourage, educate, and support artists and listeners about the greatness of Celtic music. Blessings to you and your family. "

Robyn emailed: "Hi Marc, I, of course, love your podcast. Recently the love of my life, my husband, died. And I wanted to share with you how we listened to your podcast. I would come home from work and my dogs (3) and my husband would jump in the car and we'd go for a ride. It was a time with no phone, no distractions, just connecting with each other and see how each other's day went.

Often we'd be listening to your podcast, singing along or just enjoying the music. Okay so not so unusual - one of our favorites is Loch Lomand. And now that he's gone ughhh brings me to tears each time I hear it but I can't stop playing it. I had missed some podcasts due to his illness, but when I listened to #407 oh my. Sobbing in my car, and remembering loving, great times. Thank-you for adding to the connection to life and love you have brought me. And now I have become a patron in honor of my husband, John. Slainte."

  #celticwomen #irishmusic #celticmusic

Check out this episode!

[shikkearu]

Irreplaceable Part 5: Clearing out the apartment

https://www.wattpad.com/539581455-irreplaceable-part-5-clearing-out-the-apartment

Zoro was not fine.

He was more silent and got spooked more easily. If Perona went away even for a tiny moment he would start crying. They, Mihawk included, stayed by Morias for a couple of days. He was more than happy to have them there and even started to bond with Mihawk.

- ”What are you two reading?” Perona came into the room while rocking Zoro to sleep. Mihawk and Moria were sitting on the sofa looking rather smug. - ”Wait! That's the photo album! Moria, don't!” But it was already too late. - ”You were really cute dressed up as a bear,” Mihawk was smirking. Moria was showing the most adorable five-year-old Perona dressed up as a bear. - ”She wanted to grow up as one. It was a way of life for her. When I told her she couldn't be a princess and a bear, well...” He pointed to the next picture of her now wearing a crown and a tutu over the bear outfit. Mihawks smirk widened as he looked at the picture and then at Perona. - ”You know it's not too late for that yet,” Mihawk said and he had the most nastiest look on his face. ”I bet we could find a suit your size.”

They both laughed grossly.

- ”And an astronaut suit,”Moria added, ”as she wanted to be the princess bear of all bear astronauts the next week.” And ofcourse there was a photo to show along.

- ”You two are the worst!” Perona grunted. ”Come, Zoro. Let's go find a more peaceful place.”

- ”Zoros gotten a bit better now.” Moria was holding Zoro who was a bit spooked but not crying. - ”Oh, that is good,” Perona shouted from the next room. They were teaching Zoro back to his normal self. It wouldn't take long. Mihawk sat infront of her and let out a small sigh before saying: - ”Lets leave Zoro here with Moria.” Perona looked at him angry. - ”Only for the weekend,” he added, ”We really need to start the work on the apartment and we can't have Zoro go to another episode like that.”

She nodded. She didn't want to upset Zoro and she was ready to deal with the apartment.

They went by Mihawks house. A week had been wasted at Morias and it was time to start working. At the apartment Perona pointed out which furniture to keep, sell and trash. Mihawk started taking photos and making ads at online selling pages. Perona went through their old clothes. She could smell her husband everywhere. But still she went through everything, though a bit teary most of the time. By the end of the day she had filled several bags worth of clothes to take for charity. She only kept the newest and most dearest pieces she had. She could buy new some day. She also kept a couple of her husbands clothes. It was funny but she didn't have any favourite clothes of his. His style was very dull in the end. Mihawk had already got a couple of messages concerning the double bed and closet. Thankfully the city was big, so it had a lot of people interested in cheap furniture.

They decided to sleep in the apartment, Perona on the bed and Mihawk on the sofa. They woke up quite early in the morning. Mihawk went to get some breakfast for them, while Perona sorted out the mail that had come there before the address change. Bills, adds and a letter to her husband. It didn't have an address on it, but she knew who had sent it.

He looked at the letter grossed out, before tearing it to shreds. - ”Who is it from?” - ”My `mother´” he said disgusted. - ”But didn't she leave early on?” Perona was baffled. - ”Well it's not my mother actually,” he laughed a tiny bit. ”It's my father faking to be my mother. Such a cliché, I know.” - ”But why?” - ”When my mother left I was about six. I was at the day-care and mothers day was close. We had to make cards to our mothers. I did one like a good boy, but when father came to take me home, I stomped on it and cried that I hated mom. He calmly took the card from me and said he would send it to mother for me. And I had been happy. Maybe getting a card from me telling how much I loved her would get her to come back.” He looked angry and Perona petted his cheek looking worried. - ”You don't need to tell me.” - ”I want to.” He took her hand before pressing his face against it, closing his eyes. - ”I got a letter from her. She explained that it had been her job as a model that made her go. That she was sad that she had left. She promised to write me whenever she could. I had been really happy and told my father about it. He was acting surprised.”

They were now laying on the sofa, his head against her chest. She caressed his hair.

- ”There was never any address to send a letter back to. Said she didn't have a permanent residence and that father would tell her what she needed to know. By twelve I had figured out it was father writing me. I confronted him once about it, but he insisted it was my mother writing those generic letters.” He sighed. - ”I haven't read any of them in years now and they don't come in so often. Last one was hmm... half a year ago. But I humour my father by telling him how glad I am to get letters from my mother. Hey, Perona...” He turned to look her in the eyes. - ”Hmm?” - ”Promise me that when we get kids, we'll never abandon or lie to them like that. Even if we split.” - ”Horo horo. What makes you think we'll get kids? You fool! I might leave you tomorrow.” She showed him tongue. He grinned. It was the day before he proposed to her.

- ”Does this look familiar to you?”

Mihawk looked at the letter she was holding inches from his face. He grabbed it and after taking a good look he gave it back to Perona. - ”I don't know who sent it.” - ”You did!” - ”I have never sent my son letters. We used emails and text messages.” He frowned. ”Open it.” - ”Didn't you fake that his mother was sending him letters?” She pouted. - ”Do I really look like the type of person to do that. Open it and see for yourself!” Mihawk was right, of course he didn't look like the type at all. Perona opened the letter and read it. It wasn't meant for her husband. It was for her.

”Good spouse of my son.

I have tried to reach him for years and I fear he stopped reading my letters a long time ago. So i wish this final letter will reach you instead. I have learned from my ex-husband of his passing and I regret that I haven't been able to get acquainted with you. I am a very busy person and my personal life has suffered because of it. I know that I have a grandchild and I wish to see them atleast once. My husband has failed to relay any pictures to me. He says he needs our sons' permission and since he is now gone I ask it from you. If you could give him a permission to send me some I would ever be so grateful.

The mother of your husband”

- ”What the hell is this letter? It barely gives any information on her and all she does is ask for pictures. What kind of a mother is she?” Perona already knew the answer to that. - ”She had her reasons,” Mihawk said quietly. Perona looked at him. She had thought he was a bad father, but -oh- how wrong had she been. Maybe the mother as well wasn't such a bad person. - ”What does she do for living then?” - ”She works on the fashion industry. Maybe you've heard of her...”

Peronas eyes widened as he said the name. - ”But she seems so young. I can't believe it.” - ”Believe it or not.” - ”The mothers day cards?” - ”I sent them to make her feel bad. She just never felt bad enough to meet up with him. I did try, but she wouldn't do it.” Anger flashed briefly in his eyes, but most of all Mihawk looked worn down. Clearly talking of his ex wasn't something he liked to do. Perona thought for a moment and then finally said: - ”Can you try arranging a meeting for us? If she wants a photo, she can take one by herself.” - ”I will try,” he sounded defeated.

They were going through some old papers trying to figure out which ones were important and which were not. It was very boring to do, so she took the photo album her husband had carefully assembled for them. On the cover with big letters read ”Our Romance”. He had been into tacky stuff like that. Mihawk chuckled and started going through it with her, while she explained where each photo had been taken.

- ”What happened in this one?” Mihawk pointed to a picture of Perona laughing, holding out a hotdog. Text under read: ”The moment I fell in love” - ”On our second date. Right after a seagull had taken his hotdog. He was sulking so I offered mine to him. He was so taken back that he told me to stop and let him take a picture. The moment felt really stupid at the time.” - ”I can imagine. He was really into photography. He wanted me to take photos of him doing silly things. Like the one of him holding a large cappagehead he had grown.” - ”Yeah, that's a good on- Damn!” - ”Got you.” Mihawk looked at her smugly. - ”Yeah, you did. Don't let it get into your head.” She smiled and punched his shoulder. Mihawk looked back at her with a gentle smile. She blushed and took out her phone. - ”Let's take a photo together!” She held her hand out and at the moment both stuck their tongues out. Perona laughed at the photo. Mihawk looked ridiculous. It was good. - ”Thanks for helping me. I wouldn't be able to do this on my own.” She rested her head against his shoulder. She felt safe with him around. - ”Not a problem. I wish I could have been more with you, back when he was still alive.”

They continued sorting the papers.

[shikkearu]

Irreplaceable Part 4: Memories of better times

https://www.wattpad.com/539580061-irreplaceable-part-4-memories-of-better-times

The morning light was shining softly through the cream white curtains. It was going to be a lazy day. He was laying on the bed with his chest bare, enjoying the small weight on top of him. His little Zoro finally at home. Perona walked into the room wearing only a loosely buttoned white dress shirt. Everything was soft, white and clean.

No rush, just this room and them.

- ”My perfect little wife, come here.” He reached out and gave her a beaming smile. She laughed softly. The light hit her hair making it glow golden. - ”Good morning,” she said before sitting next to the two. He caressed her cheek. - ”You're so beautiful. I love you.” She smiled warmly and turned towards Zoro. - ”Horo horo. I'm sorry, but I love only Zoro now.” She planted small kisses on Zoros back and head. He curled his tiny fingers in his sleep. - ”My cheeky ghost girl,” he chuckled making his chest shudder. Zoro woke up and started whining. Perona gently picked him up to her chest. Freed of Zoro, he rose up and leaned against her back and looked as she tried to feed their baby. - ”Doing well?” - ”Not quite, but we're getting better.” He was proud of her for not giving up. She nearly did at the beginning. Thankfully the nurses back at the hospital knew just the right words. He smoothed the small tufts of hair on Zoros head.

- ”My beautiful wife and son. I will love you forever.”

Perona woke up with tears on her cheeks. She was curled on his childhood bed, holding his white shirt that had lost his scent a long time ago. She rose up slowly and blinked. It was afternoon already. She saw a note next to her cellphone.

“Grocery shopping with Zoro. You looked so peaceful sleeping so I didn't wake you up. Will be back by four. Please call if you need anything.“

She neatly folded the shirt putting it back where she got it. She hurried downstairs. There wasn't much time to check if she wanted them to buy something while in store. On the way something caught her eye. The door to study was left open. A temptation too great to resist for a nosy girl like her.

It was clear that this room hadn't been saved from renovation. Hastily packed boxes full of books waiting to be shelved again. Carpet was rolled and leaning against the wall. Wine bottles, some empty, most were full. It was a controlled chaos. She went by the desk. It was covered with files and papers from his work.

- ”Tsk! Very careless, mr. Dracule.”

Behind a stack of papers were three frames. She took a closer look. There was a small faded photo of young Mihawk holding a tiny baby in his arms. He was dead tired sitting on the swing. Yet he was still somehow beaming with happiness, a stark contrast to the gloomy man he was now. Second photo which was the largest, was of his son holding a massive cabbagehead, though it was hard to tell it's true size when only comparison point was a scrawny ten-year-old boy. Third photo she recognized instantly. It was one of their wedding photos. Her new husband held her by the waist trying to steal a kiss, but she had leaned lower and lower while holding his neck. Just after taking the shot, they had both toppled over. He had buried his face in her breasts and laughed so loudly it hurt her ears. She had called him a pervert and he had responded with a sneer:

- ”Can't wait for the honeymoon, dear!”

She took the photo as tears rolled down her face. He had been so handsome. She wished she could go back in time. Three years before he had asked her to marry him, two years married just the two of them and the last year full of joy with their little boy. Those six years over and over in an endless loop.

A car drove to the yard. Mihawk and Zoro were back. Hastily she put down the photo and ran out the room, leaving the door the way it had been before. She was by the front door cheerfully welcoming them back.

- ”Have you been crying?” Damn, he was sharp. - ”Little bit, but it was during my sleep. I just woke up.” - ”What did you dream of?” Mihawk raised one brow. He could tell that she was lying. - ”I can't quite remember. It had him in it, I think.” Cue for Mihawk to stop questioning. ”How's my little man? Did you enjoy your little trip?” She took Zoro from him. Zoro started babbling. The way he was doing it indicated that he would say his first word soon. An idea that made her happy and sad at the same time.

- ”Oh? Is that so? Tell me more.”

He looked at the door to his study. Open. He never left it open. Though it now made sense that she had lied. He looked around to see if she had touched something. Everything seemed the same. He looked at the frames. The wedding photo was clearly visible. He quickly hid it away so that only the top of the frame showed. He couldn't bear to look at them nor put away.

In the kitchen Perona was preparing food. It was spaghetti and meatballs. As simple as it could get. Still something smelled burnt.

- ”I'm better at making sweets” she lamented. - ”I noticed the door to my study was open.” She stiffened as if a chill had gone through her. Clearly she had been there. He didn't really mind it, but he wanted her honesty. - ”Have you been to the study?” A long silence fell. She was getting nervous. - ”Umm...” He went a bit closer and crossed his arms. This was getting entertaining. - ”A photo had been moved. ” She opened her mouth as to say something, but instead stirred the sauce a bit faster. - ”I was hoping it was you and not burglars.” - ”Uh! I-” - ”Yes? I really wouldn't want to upgrade the security.” - ”I want to go to the apartment tomorrow.”

He was shocked. Playtime was over.

- ”I think it's time, don't you?”

He nodded in agreement.

It was.

They hadn't taken much with them yet. Just Zoros travel bag and paper to make notes. They weren't going to stay there for long. Just enough time to list what furniture was going to be sold, photo those and to figure out what they needed for packing.

On the yard Zoro became alert. At every noise he would quickly turn and look. - ”Are you scared, Zoro?” Perona asked him. No answer. She petted his back and he relaxed a bit.

At the door she hesitated. - ”I can open it for you,” Mihawk said. - ”Thank you.” She was so thankful that he was there.

It was cold and dark inside. Perona was filled with sadness. She set Zoro down, but before she could take off his shoes he dashed off. He ran and crawled excited from one room to the next. At every door he cried out:

- ”Dada!”

Perona and Mihawk watched in horror as desperation started to settle in Zoro's face. One final time he cried out for his father before looking at his mother with pleading eyes. Perona couldn't take it. She fell on her knees sobbing uncontrollably. Mihawk didn't know who to comfort first. The moments devastation was too much even for him. Finally Perona forced herself to crawl to Zoro and hold him as they both cried.

- ”I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.” She kept repeating with a broken voice.

Mihawk was pale as a sheet and loathed himself for being so helpless. He gathered his strength and with shaky hands he helped Perona up. They were soon back in the car. Mihawk made sure Zoro was well in his seat. Still crying, but safe. Perona had stopped crying and was rubbing Zoros belly while whispering something soothing. But when Mihawk looked at her face, her eyes were empty and devoid of emotion.

He sighed and opened his phone.

It was dark when they got to their destination. Zoro had cried himself to sleep and Perona was looking out the window, still numb. They got out of the car and a figure was waiting for them.

Peronas eyes widened and she cried out:

- ”Dad!” before dashing to Moria who took her into a warm embrace.