#on a mission --- --- replies

[theabigailthorn]

Shadowheart and Nocturne sure seem like to be good friends

yup, just two gal pals, hanging out, doing each other's hair in a secret back room, Platonically, fighting alongside one another, writing in diaries about one another, just as friends, sharing memories, as friends though

[yeonbam]

I was giggling about how joke was STARVING. said that "yes" to "will you be my boyfriend" already halfway through that kiss like OK GODDAMNNN.

but then I made myself sad thinking about just how much he probably thought, at many points throughout that very day, that this moment wouldn't happen, that he wouldn't get to see Jack again, or ask him who he likes. like he was ready to throw away his whole life into stealing Jack's freedom and that was ALL he wanted, not daring to dream of anything more, not thinking of himself worth, not believing his feelings were returned to that extent.

the light way he said "I almost died today" at the end of the day was dismissed as a joke (another disguise) but the weight of truth within those words was SO LOUD. A confession is literally woven into the unsaid bit— "I almost died today...(for you)" because he truly did almost die for jack. Something could've happened the Very First moment when he was spying on the house, something worse could've happened inside that ice box, something even worse could've happened in that dinner room full of powerful big names, and in the end, without Nang, there's no saying if he would make it alive. he let all his friends out early, even prepared his last wish and said it to hoy, he was READY to die but returned from its gates, victorious.

of course he couldn't wait. he never thought that moment would come and now that it did, he couldn't let it slip away lest it is Another dream he loses grip on.

[vaxxman]

I'm sorry, but your Medic is the most appealing design I've ever seen of him!! You just draw him so.... shaped??? I dunno, it's just very good!!

This is such a cute message to get, here take this panel I drew today, it encapsulates my flushed reaction.

(There's no way you'll be able to guess the context to this panel)

[stealingyourbones]

Bruce takes Danny on a field trip and doesn't tell his colleagues about it.

Superman seeing some kid walking behind Bruce: Batman, who is this?

Bruce: Hmm? Oh he's my big brotherа

Wonder Woman: bi-?? but he looks like a child

Bruce who also loves chaos: That's because he's dead

Danny: *looking into the eyes of the League members will raise a peace sign and become invisible*

The whole League is terrified: WHAT THE F-

Bruce finally gets to prank his coworkers. He's always wanted to but feels that he's too stoic and has to protect his image. Ah well, if he destroys his coworkers perception of him go big or go home right?

[daftmooncretin]

spock pretending not to understand figurative language and earth sayings just so he can roast people will never get old. like go spock play that bimbo act. what an absolute bitch.

[ittybittyluci]

VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALASTOR TO LUCIFER FANS

I need like… an official body count on how many people were totally obsessed with Alastor, but switched over to Lucifer in his whole 2 appearances because he’s just that good.

It just seems like a commonly shared phenomenon that I’ve been seeing floating around (it happened to me) and I am beyond curious as to how many of us there actually are. And, more importantly… what was the moment that they converted?

For me personally the first sentence out of this little fucker’s mouth stole my heart because fuming Jeremy Jordan, enough said.

And then it only got worse…

You can see why

[twnj]

Headcanon nonsense inspired by Spice Unites on ao3 by @clumsydragon28

Letter:

Yo, Shinki

Thank you for your letter that you *had* to write to me. It was such a lively surprise. Shikadai told me that you aren't really one for social media so I thought I would send this by mail. Seriously though - get a phone!

The *special* cocoa bar was delicious! You were right, it reminds me of my mothers ginger snap Shiriken! Just enough heat to accompany the sweetness.

Well excuse me, but I wouldn't talk so much if someone said more than two words at a time! But it was actually really sweet of you to see me aroind the market...

To answer your questions: we only eat pumpkin when it's in season usually. I'm not sure about the mango, I would have to ask my mom when she gets back from her mission.

Please accept these ginger snaps as a thank you for escorting me around the village. I used some or the beautiful ingredients that I discovered at the market place.

I hope they remind you of home...

your ally in spice

Chocho

p.s. tell shikadai he can take that look off his face, or I'll tell Aunt Tem what he was up to in suna!

[classic-oatcakes]

'You ain't as tough and dense as all that' is such an important line to me.

Idk how to explain It but I feel it just shows how much Charles understands Arthur. And that Charles takes no shit.

[elirandom]

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A post shared by umikochannart 🧼💀 (@umikochannart)

[anawrites3]

*Dick training with knifes and katanas*

Slade: I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me

It did, now the poor man have a knife kink 😔

This is so good lmao it actually made me laugh 😂💕 Thank you for sharing with me!

There was just something so different, about Dick training with actual knives. His little bird always was dangerous, even with just bare fists and no gadgets, but the cold steel in those hands made Dick look... lethal. Deadly, especially with that focused expression on his face, determined and dangerous.

And absolutely gorgeous. Slade quickly learned that he couldn't tear his eye away, no matter how hard he tried.

"Let's spar." He found himself saying one day, when just watching wasn't enough anymore.

Dick looked up at him with a raised brow that quickly turned into a smile. He beamed, as if he didn't just cut off the training dummy's arm and something warm pooled in Slade's stomach at how fast Dick could turn from a murderous weapon into the ray of sunshine.

"Sure! I'll kick your ass." Dick laughed, rolling the katana in his hand a few times, the same way he always did with his escrimas. "Let me just put this back-"

"No."

Dick, already on his way to the weapon rack, paused mid-step and glanced at Slade over his shoulder. "I'm not going to fight you with blades, Slade." He frowned. "You know I'm still getting used to the feeling of it. You're going to win way too easily and I'll be very pissed because you cut me so much-"

"I won't be using one." Slade interrupted him again, as if it was something obvious. Dick's frown deepened but he didn't say no yet so Slade continued, stepping closer. "You know training against a real opponent is way better than just smacking around some dummies, kid. I want to see how you're doing and even if you manage to nick me I'll heal up in no time."

"Nick you-" Dick repeated, indignant, but the grin on his lips betrayed him. "Oh, you're so on, old man."

Not able to stop himself anymore, Slade cupped Dick's jaw and leaned down to press their lips together. A small surprised gasp left Dick but he didn't try to move away, no, he kissed back with mirroring passion, burying his fingers into Slade's hair.

Slade hummed his approval. Dick still tasted like the curry they had for dinner and Slade licked into his mouth, chasing the taste of the spices.

"Try to win, little bird." He rumbled when they pulled away from each other. Dick's lips were slightly wet from their spit and he stroked his thumb over the lower one to wipe it off. "For every time you manage to cut me, you get a point."

"And how many points do I need to win?" Dick purred out, smiling.

Slade grinned in answer, "Try to get at least one, kid. Then we'll talk."

Time to test out a theory. There's to hope that it won't make Slade's slight obsession with Dick using knives even worse.

"Bring it on, old man." The curl of Dick's lips turned more sharp, more dangerous, as he pointed the blade at Slade's neck.

Yeah, he was fucked.

[doctor-faint]

@thegreatyin thank you! How's this for a torment:

He's trying to rest, but the light is shining on his face. This will worsen his headache and could give him a migraine. And then he has to listen to the clock ticking on top of it all. Is this enough? Can he ever know peace? Every environment is an adverse environment for him.

[kerothi]

"Man, what a mess."

[cienie-isengardu]

Everyone talks about Bi-Han being gullible/stupid etc for believing Shang Tsung + being manipulated by him. But Bi-Han sided with Shang Tsung because he wanted to break the Lin Kuei free from Liu Kang's control. He only accepted the alliance when he saw the Dragon Army and thought they actually had a good chance of winning. Meanwhile it's crickets on Hanzo "I killed your brother for no reason" Hasashi who got played by Quan Chi the man who actually killed his family & clan and whom Scorpion still grovels to. Not to mention that Raiden said he would try to get Hanzo's family restored if he didn't kill Bi-Han and this loser did it anyway. And this is only the tip of the iceberg for how much jackassery this fool pulls across every game. Yet Bi-Han is the irredeemable evil asshole because he *checks notes* says some mean things to his brothers >:( and some of this is done as Noob Saibot which btw loops back to Hanzo because Bi-Han wouldn't have ever become Noob if Hanzo hadn't killed him.

I think the most gullible person in MK1 was in fact Shang Tsung himself, who for some reason believed that a powerful mysterious being showing up out of nowhere would willingly share her power with him. Talk about a new level of naivety!

I have a theory of mine, that Titan Shang Tsung gave enough information about (previous timeline) Sub-Zero to his younger version, because breaking Lin Kuei from Liu Kang’s control was a personal matter to him. Like yes, it would weaken his enemy and bring the planned  chaos and “evilness” into the timeline he despited, but looking at the fact how Lin Kuei in majority of source material was an assassin clan with a strong, old-centuries ties to Shang Tsung, it feels to me likely that "reclaiming" the Lin Kuei was a matter of honor to him. Double so, as some sources went so far and presented elder Sub-Zero if not outright the favorite then one of favorite assassins working for the sorcerer. Frankly, as the story mode shows alone, “Damashi” talked and warned both Shang Tsung and Quan Chi about Lin Kuei before Sub-Zero even met any of them, so there was some behind-the-scenes preparation done and for all we know Bi-Han was targeted by the evil Titan before the main events even unfolded. 

As for Bi-Han, right now he has this misfortune to be blamed and hated for everything, whether he actually did it or not, so no matter what is the topic, he is in a losing position by definition. However, like you said, Sub-Zero did not agree on the spot to join Shang Tsung and actually had a chance to see what the supposed allies could offer him so it is not like he fell for empty promises alone. What is important to remember, Lin Kuei were one of major defenders of Earthrealm, so Bi-Han’s choice to switch sides actually would weakened Fire Lord’s forces, leaving him with Shaolin Monks and - depending how in Liu Kang’s timeline military technology evolved - the armed forces of nations that had no idea about Outworld’s threat. But the first part of Shang Tsung and General Shao’s plan was about depriving Sindel and her daughters of the throne, so there is possibility that before Earthrealm would be put in direct danger, Sub-Zero could alter his plans depending how well the teamwork would go with the sorcerers and General Shao.

If Kuai Liang and Tomas were either captured or eliminated from the picture, Liu Kang would not even know that Bi-Han switched sides until the attack - or, if the alliance played smart, Lin Kuei could backstab Fire Lord’s forces from the inside. And in the scenario in which Bi-Han was not captured by his brothers, he still could have an option (backup plan) to play Shang Tsung’s failure to his own gain if he was cunning enough. For example, he could betray the sorcerer to earn Earthrealm’s victory in the important moment and then lie to Liu Kang’s face that was his true plan from the start - the mission has failed, Lin Kuei brothers were outnumbered; he and Scorpion were trapped inside the fortress with Smoke, who if lucky, managed to hide himself (not something Sub-Zero could even knew). With no way to warn the Fire Lord and not seeing a better solution at that moment, under the pretense he is ready to betray Earthrealm, he learned what Liu Kang’s enemy were doing. Then trusting in brother’s skills, on purpose lied to Kuai Liang to piss him off enough so he could get out and reunite with Smoke. And when Bi-Han faced his angry brothers he fought only to let them run away, so they could carry on the important news to Liu Kang, while scarring Scorpion’s face as proof he was on board with Shang Tsung, so no one could doubt him. Because duty comes above family and isn’t that what was expected from Grandmaster and Lin Kuei?  Isn’t that what their father wanted? For them all to serve Fire Lord and Earthrealm at any cost?

And mind you, at this point in the story Sub-Zero had no idea that Liu Kang was in fact once Keeper of Time and had an access to Geras/Hourglass to rewind time and check what actually happened. For all Bi-Han knew then, the lie would be unprovable and, at worst, he would have to earn Fire Lord and his brothers’ trust again but then, it would be much more easy to play on their guilt, how easily they doubted when he was willing to go extra miles for the sacred duty they all talk and talk and talk about. At the same time, the experiences would teach Bi-Han he can’t trust his brothers and in future he needs to be more cunning about breaking out from Liu Kang’s control and probably relying more on Sektor & Cyrax. 

(And even if Kuai Liang would be upset, he couldn’t complain, because he is the one that wanted to uphold tradition. Bi-Han could then easily come back to the lie he tried to save father’s life and all the cruel things he said back then were an unpleasant necessity and how could you, my dearest brother, doubt me so easily…?)

Of course, in the end Sub-Zero was captured by his brothers and the possibilities thwarted but my point is, just because Bi-Han joined Shang Tsung, it does not mean he had no longer any autonomy over the course of action or that he wouldn’t make a backup plans for various outcomes. Lin Kuei were trained from childhood to do their duty and as far as we could see, they play the role of black ops for Liu Kang - what most likely also includes espionage. And in the espionage art one must be ready to act at any given moment and plan ahead. Bi-Han said himself, he has no loyalty to Earthrealm nor to Outworld and I do not doubt he would play the game with his survival and Lin Kuei’s best interest in mind. Who he would need to betray in the process would depend on who was winning and who was the most beneficial ally.

I think we all can agree that Lin Kuei mission and Bi-Han’s betrayal was a rushed subplot and both the brothers and emotional impact of the story would benefit more if Sub-Zero wasn’t cut off from the events right away after fulfilling his main purpose - giving a ground for new Lin Kuei vs Shirai Ryu conflict that won’t have any importance until the next games will use it. It is not even a matter if Bi-Han acted logically or not, but more the feeling of incompetence of everyone involved. Nitara and Ermac didn’t raise the alarm the moment when intruders were spotted (and Nitara literally screeched / screamed when she attacked Smoke). Bi-Han didn’t behead Shang Tsung when he had an occasion; instead he idly waited for enemy soldiers to run up to Lin Kuei - and really, if he knew the mission was endangered, he should have used the precious seconds to eliminate the target. Even if he was killed, there would be one enemy less for Liu Kang to deal with. Kuai Liang alone beat all the main fighters, burning the stone soldiers like they were nothing while Smoke, well he had one moment of serious panic and after that was just there, pushed to the background. Bi-Han’s choice and development of his subplot could be taken in interesting, even twisted directions in the hands of capable writers. And by that I don’t mean the intelligence of writers but capability to care for Bi-Han’s plot beyond the need to break Lin Kuei from Liu Kang. Because him acting either on impulse or seizing an opportunity he awaited for years does not mean he needs to stick to Shang Tsung & General Shao to the bitter end. I, for one, would like to see how cunning Sub-Zero could be in such a situation but for that NRS would need to let him be in the story as a full-fledged character that develops alongside the events and not be just there to push events and other characters' storylines forward.

As for original Scorpion, I feel there is in general a great change in perception of his and Sub-Zero’s storylines, as Scorpion in the earliest source materials, including the oldest comics, usually played the role of antagonist, while Sub-Zero even as an assassin could be pretty heroic on his own. Now the roles seems to turn around, however I suspect the main reason why fans give Hanzo benefit of doubt and forgive him any foolish decisions but won’t give Bi-Han the same treatment comes down to this: Hanzo is acting on strong emotions, something we can see by visually aspect of the games and heard him personally speaking about them while Sub-Zero does not externalize his emotions, because such openness is not in his nature (the old comics are better in that aspect but how many people even remember them these days?). It is much easier for fans to forgive character’s “stupidity”, the all wrongly made choices when character will openly admit to be upset, angry, devastated or traumatized than to forgive the one that won't spill out their guts, won’t cry or feel sorry for themselves and will just adapt and go on with their life. People forgive acting on overwhelming emotions when those are all over the place because emotions are something easy to relate - and who of us did not lose control over them at least one? Hanzo is powerful male character in terms of firepower and skills alone but he is also deeply messed up, traumatized man whose life was fucked up and now he is trying hardly to piece it together and to rebuild his sense of humanity and honor. Bi-Han as Noob Saibot just… adapted and moved on with his life and the amount of people he would admit any feeling of regret or injustice done to him I can count on one hand and still have a finger of two free. Meanwhile everyone who cares to learn, knows Hanzo is grieving after his clan and family or is upset or angry and so on. Which is also why I think so many characters (and fans) think Bi-Han as a Noob Saibot is so vile and evil - because in contrast to other Wraiths and/or Revenants, he does not show any sign of trauma, be it leashing out in anger or outrightly speaking how deeply wounded he is, even if he died in no less brutal way than rest of fallen heroes - and isn't it ironic that Kuai Liang was accused about that too? Of not looking traumatized enough because he does not show openly his pain . And accused by Sonya of all possible people?

It’s easier to relate and understand characters wearing emotions on their sleeve because all the reasoning and effects of their actions are either easy to trace and connect or explicitly stated by characters themselves. Hanzo is such a character. He is sad and angry so he acts in a way a sad and angry man would. Bi-Han though? If people except Bi-Han - a characters specifically connected to ice - to spill out his guts how he feels, to cry how unfair his life was and how everyone is mean to him or to vomit the over-sweetened praises for anyone he likes or jump at any occasion to cuddle anyone at arm length to know he feels anything at all, then… Well, that is definitely not the right character for them. Bi-Han just doesn’t work like that and sure, his anger may flare here and there, but as I was pointing out in different metas and analyzes in the past, that man is not overly emotional to begin with, even when talking with people he likes and cares for. I won’t lie, sometimes to understand Sub-Zero’s reasoning one needs to use all imagination and do some mentally gymnastics as the character won’t tell us what is happening inside his head the way Hanzo would. But that can be fun on its own, to examine and analyze and build theories. However, let’s be real here, it is not for everyone and each for their own.

[scatterbrainedbot]

THROWING THIS DOODLE AT YOU WITH AGGRESSIVE AFFECTION!!

Wanted to render it but ran out of time :') BUT PLEASE KNOW!! Your Rat son au is my Roman empire. I think about it at LEAST once a week, like the designs and concepts and characterization and UGH EVERYTHING!! ITS ALL SO GOOD!! AND UR STYLE?? IM FOREVER CONSUMING IT!!! Literally peek nostalgia, comfort, even thru the angst its just so perfect im-

and- and splinter just bring me so much joy. Hes so goofy and soft and I sob every time I see him, imagine getting like the most gentle and affirming hug- I would cry immediately.

AHHHH!! ANYWAY STAY AMAZING ZACH!! :D <33333

TRIONA

TRIONA. TRIONA I AM SHAKING.

OH MY GOD???? LIKE OH???? MY GOD??????? THOSE ARE MY BABY SONS OH MY GOD THEY ARE GORGEOUS AND COZY PERFECT AMAZING I AM FULLY EMOTIONAL

LOOK AT THEM LOOK AT THEMMMMM AHHHHHHHHHH I CANT STOP STARING AT THEM BUT ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AWAY BECAUSE I AM LITERALLY TEARING UP?????

I LOVE THAT U CAN TELL A STORY FROM JUST THEIR POSES AND POSITIONS LIKE MIKEY DEF CAME OVER TO PESTER DONNIE AND FELL ASLEEP ON HIS LAP SO DONNIE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO STAY AND NAP TOO (cause its illegal to disrupt little brothers sleeping in ur laps of course, same rule as cats) AND THEN LEO WANDERED IN AND PROBABLY SMILED THAT AFFECTIONATE BIG BROTHER SMILE BEFORE CURLING UP BESIDE THEM THEN RAPH CAME A LIL BIT LATER WONDERING WHERE EVERYONE WAS AND AFFECTIONATELY CALLED THEM A BUNCH OF BOZOS BEFORE TAKING A SEAT WITH THEM (in a semi blind spot too the protective little baby) AND HE DIDNT MEAN TO FALL ASLEEP BUT IT WAS JUST TOO COZY AND AHHH

UGH AND THEN OLD MAN SPLINTER COMES TO CHECK ON THEM AND THOSE ARE HIS BABIES HIS LITTLE BOYS I AM SOBBING TRIONA I LOVE IT SO SO SO MUCH I AM BEYOND WORDS

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

||Next mission: The haunted mansion of lost souls||

Reserved Jujutsu kaisen au Rp with @demon-blood-youths

After the crazy night of the Hotel, the others thought it was all over but seems not. After a week, another mission was given to show some sort of Haunted Mansion? Gojo gave them another mission, speaking of another one. Megumi and Nobara watches from the side seeing the house was really a mansion!?

It even took Yuji to try an calm Sukuna who was already close to burning it. “Sukuna please calm down! I’m sure we ca-”

‘LET ME TAKE OVER!! I’M FUCKING THIS DAMN PLACE UP!!! I’M BURNING IT TO THE GROUND!!’

“Sukuna, you can’t! You’ll be killing others in the mansion-”

‘LET ME TAKE OVER!! I’M NOT GOING THROUGH SOMETHING THIS STUPID AGAIN!!!!!’

“Your not killing anyone!”

“YOUR NOT THE ONE TO TELL ME ANYTHING!!”

Megumi and Nobara sweat drops seeing Yuji and Sukuna arguing or him getting headaches from it. Yeah, the king was furious right now. He was even trying to hold his left hand down while showing flames since Sukuna was trying to take him over.

“..Should we do something?” Nobara said.

“...I..I don’t know if we can.” Megumi sighed.

[stellar-solar-flare]

Suuuuuper random, but I spent the day re-reading your Christmas fic— The Great Christmas Debacle and it’s such a fix for whenever I’m craving a good “idiots in love” trope. A delicious angst with a HEA that just scratched all the dopamine centers in my brain LOL anyways just reminded me how your fics got me back into loving Steve fics again and wanted to just share my appreciation for your work— you’re so good. Along with Arrhythmia but that’s another adoration post to talk about later so good.

Loving how your blog is coming together too! Beyond gassin’ you up ✨, I was curious about how our Century!Steve and Reader are doing?? I miss this power couple!! 🗡️👑

Hope you’re having a great day, lad~

Oh my goodness, this message is so wonderfully kind! Thank you for taking the time to tell me all this - I'm always super excited to hear that someone is rereading an old fic of mine. I'm glad that The Great Christmas Debacle (AO3) hit the right spot!

And it's beyond flattering to hear that my fics have gotten you back into Steve fics! That's among the best compliments I've ever gotten, so thank you.

It's been wonderful to be here on tumblr, and people have been so kind and welcoming to me! Thank you again for the lovely message. If you ever feel like sharing, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Mission-Induced Arrhythmia (AO3), too.

As for the next For Centuries (AO3), I have the next chapter in the works, and it's quite a major one at that. Under the cut is a small sneak peek from Chapter 18, so MAJOR SPOILERS for the fic For Centuries if you aren't caught up (haven't read the CH 17). I hope you enjoy! Very much unedited still.

(My overall spoiler tag is 'spoilers to ssf fics', in case you want to block that, but any sneak peeks that are spoilery will be under a cut.)

You broke the eye contact between you and Archduke Rogers, because looking into the endless, deep blue that seemed to be lit from within much like the stained glass in the high hall had been certainly wasn’t helping you gather your rattled thoughts. You deliberately let your gaze unfocus so that you could focus on everything that was running through your head, to make some sense of it. A low, metallic sound drifted into your consciousness — Archduke Rogers sheathing his sword, and you more sensed than saw him sharpen next to you. Where did you go, my duchess? he had asked you. Where had you gone? It was as if your soul was only barely contained by the edges of your being, something rattling the cage inside and ready to grow until it would burst at the seams. Your mind was scattering into a million different directions, but in the end, every half-formed, haphazard thought found one destination. Soulmates. The word drummed in your head, echoing something you could not describe. You weren’t certain that even after the conversation you had had with him today, you were ready to call the Smith sentimental, but something about all this made you ask more questions you didn’t have an answer to. Slowly, you turned towards the bowl for the ritual, still resting on the small table. The very last embers were shining in the kindling underneath, and of course, you had heard of certain mages inhaling all kinds of smoke to gain insight from the gods, and yet, it seemed like too obvious an explanation to what you and Archduke Rogers had experienced in that other realm. The presence of the gods, the power of the goddess of fire flowing through you. If stars were fire, fire that made the world, fire into which all would once return to be made anew… Then what was the true nature of its goddess, and how could the love of someone so powerful to be so doomed, if the story of the northern king was true? “Those that love are the fiercest of them all,” you whispered. “What are the contents of a heart filled with love if not fire? What is this burning that consumes me if not a pyre; and it shall warm the forge in which I shall sharpen my sword.” “That is beautiful,” Archduke Rogers murmured, and only when he did, you realized you had spoken out loud. “Is it a prayer?” “It is from a play,” you replied, feeling the heat on your cheeks. “From a monologue of Prince Wulfric, who claims he shall slay the whole world if it tries to separate him from the woman he loves.” “A man after my own heart,” Archduke Rogers said, his mouth curling up into an one-sided smirk, and your heart lost its steady rhythm as you realized what he was alluding to.