#ones more supernatural Vs down to earth

[rennyrose]

Hi! I love your monster Trigun au so much!!! Could you tell us more about vampire vash in this au? Is he still 100+ years old?

Thank you I’m glad you like it haha- and he is yes-! There’s a lot of stuff I need to work out and fill gaps on but™️ here’s some recent art snippets and a tad bit of lore-

Vash and Knives were born sometime in the 1800s, and of course grew up together very close- However Vash became chronically very ill, and at one point Knives became very desperate and would do whatever to keep his brother alive

Knives also had a special interest in the occult/supernatural, which would result in sacrificing a piece of Vash so his brother could become something else- then shortly after to do the same to himself

Now Vash continues to attempt to live as normally as he can- (with the exception of helping a new friend struggling to handle beastie tendencies)

[jinjeriffic]

Dan Phantom vs. the Justice League

Most DCxDP fanworks gloss over how Dark Danny/Phantom kills the JL, or argue that TUE wouldn't play out the same way in the DC universe, since there are tons of superheroes and some would have a way of beating Dan. So let us dig into this with a shovel!

I would like to point out that we have seen plenty of apocalyptic/dark futures in DC. Even without Dan, that superhero multiverse is constantly teetering on the knife's edge of catastrophe! It feels like every couple of months someone has to stop the end of the world. Dan is just one more possible future to avert.

Dan is not a mindless monster, he is capable of planning, subterfuge and working with/coercing others to work with him (i.e. Fright Knight). He has both Danny and Vlad's memories, so in a crossover setting there is no way he wouldn't know about the public superheroes and villains at least.

Speaking of, DC is obviously crawling with supervillains and world destroying entities. Nobody said Dan had to conquer the world alone! I can totally see him working with and manipulating other villains to achieve his goals, only to stab them in the back later (ho-ho).

Dan's powers of invisibility, intangibility, duplication, overshadowing etc. make him an ideal candidate for infiltration, espionage and sabotage. Unless a person or location is specifically shielded against ghosts with tech or magic, he can get in and out without anybody noticing. Sure, someone like Batman probably had his home proofed against supernatural attacks, but surely not most of them! I envision him taking down Earth's heroes by extensively spying on them first.

Consider: Dan causes a major disaster that requires superhero intervention (runaway train, high-rise fire, sinking oil tanker etc.) and waits for someone to show up. When they do, Dan uses his duplicates to follow the hero(es) home/to work etc. Learn their identity, their weaknesses, their loved ones etc.

Dan could strategically leak hero identities to villains with a grudge who have no problem going after their civilian lives. This could also act as a smoke screen so the heroes don't immediately realize someone is targeting all of them.

Overshadow a loved one and use them to kill the hero - "Oh, Hero X got in an argument with their SO and their SO shot them in a fit of passion? Their SO claims having blacked out just before they picked up the gun? Trauma will do that."

Use intangibility to plant bombs, nerve gas, radioactive materials, etc. in the homes of various heroes and set them off in a coordinated strike.

Probably the biggest threat to Dan would be magic based heroes or supernatural entities (Captain Marvel, Doctor Fate, the JLD, etc.). They would also be the most likely to have countermeasures in place against ghosts, or a way to detect him. But they're also mostly suited for fighting the supernatural. I admittedly don't know enough about a lot of these characters - would say, Zatanna think to have a shield in place against sudden sniper attacks? Dan could steal some money and hire Deathstroke/Deadshot etc to blow their head off when they're out in the open.

Have I mentioned what a nightmare Dan would be in terms of security? I can totally see him say, breaking into the CDC and unleashing smallpox, ebola and any number of virulent diseases on the world. Cause some nuclear meltdowns. Knock down a dam. Steal some highly radioactive isotopes! Would the magic heroes be protected against something that can give you a lethal dose of radiation within minutes?

What I'm saying is, a clever and ruthless villain like Dan could unleash enough chaos with his OP powerset to overwhelm the heroes and then pick a lot of them off. He's pretty much the definition of someone who just wants to see the world burn!

[nuttylittlefruitcake]

The Narcissistic Abuse Believer To New Age/Alt-Right Conspiracy Theorist Pipeline

Let’s say that you are an abuse survivor. Let’s say that you had an abusive parent and/or ex. Let’s say you’re looking for support for abuse survivors, and a lot of the things you’re finding reference the concept of narcissistic abuse. You read more on the topic and begin to identify with a lot of what narcissistic abuse is supposed to be. You think to yourself “yes! this is exactly what I went through!” You research more about narcissists, how to spot them, what makes them tick, all the ways in which they would use and abuse you. You may not even know that NPD is a real disorder. You may not realize that narcissists are, more often than not, survivors of abuse just like you. Maybe you’re just genuinely misinformed. Maybe you just don’t care. A lot of people are here on the pipeline. Granted, this is not a good place to be (nowhere on the pipeline is) as it’s still incredibly harmful to pwNPD, but this is only the beginning.

Enter the Empath. The empath is allegedly a figure who experiences great empathy and compassion and, in turn, seeks to help others. They are generally portrayed as a kind and loving figure. Likewise, the Narcissist is the opposite. They’re evil manipulative abusers who only seek out vulnerable people to hurt, while not caring about the needs or feelings of others. You’ve been doing research for a while, and so you obviously know about the Empath. Let’s say you’ve internalized this idea that the Empath and the Narcissist are juxtaposed figures. Now, let’s take it a step further and say you’ve begun to believe that they have supernatural powers and that they use these powers for good/evil depending on their alignment. Let’s even say that you believe there’s a war going on between the two, that the empaths have to stop the narcissists from enacting their evil onto the world.

Supernatural powers like:

One very important thing we need to understand is that in New Age belief, The Empath and The Narcissist are two very particular figures that play a role in the belief system. To them, it’s not a disorder, it’s something else entirely. You might have noticed that the way some people talk about narcissists is wrapped up in spiritual, new agey language. Many years ago, I came across a YouTube channel that, in hindsight, was very new agey and ableist. I go back to that channel and what is the second video I see?

And if we go down a little further?

Spiritual language. Comparing us to demons, claiming we’re here to sabotage people on their (likely spiritual) paths. That is what a narcissist is in New Age belief. Empaths are here to do good and narcissists are here to do evil.

Now here’s where we get to the good part. If you reject the inherent truth that anyone has the capability of choosing to be a good or bad person, and instead believe that there’s a group of people sent here to do good and a group of people sent here to do evil, then I honestly don’t believe you’re too far off from believing in Starseeds vs Reptillians.

Starseeds are a concept founded in fascism, antisemitism, and white supremacy. It is believed that there is an ongoing spiritual war between the starseeds and the Reptillians, a group said to have been secretly running various organizations on Earth for thousands of years (sound familiar?) The starseeds want to help the Earth ascend to a new age, 5D, the Age of Aquarius, whatever you want to call it, while the Reptillians essentially want to keep that from happening. Honestly, just replace empaths with starseeds and narcissists with Reptillians and it’s pretty much the exact same thing. To New Agers, there’s practically no difference. And once you’ve made it to New Age territory, you might as well be knocking on the alt-right’s door.

There’s so much more about starseeds and Reptillians, and honestly New Age in general, that I just can’t fit into this post, but if you want to learn more, creature-wizard is a good blog with a lot of resources on the subject. I understand that it’s fun to joke about the ridiculous things people say about us (demons and such) but it’s also important to recognize how deeply dangerous narcissistic abuse rhetoric is, and that it leads to nowhere good for anyone. New Age ideology has always been ableist and eugenicist, and it’s been talked about how “starseed signs” are just autistic/ADHD traits, but I feel like the anti narc ableism also needs to be acknowledged. I’ll leave off with this:

If you genuinely believe in narcissistic abuse, then you are on this pipeline. Think long and hard about whether or not this is really where you want to be

[writers-potion]

Hi there! Do you have any tips on how to write a secret society? Whether it's a good or evil society?

Writing Sauce for Secret Societies

Secret (Hidden) vs. Secretive/Classified

An important distinction to make while writing exclusive societies is the extent to which they shirk the eyes of the public and/or government:

“Secret” or “Hidden” societies push their existence under the rug. No one but the members know of their activities at all. (e.g. Camp Half-Blood from the Percy Jackson series, the wizarding society of the Harry Potter series)

“Secretive” or “classified” societies exist publicly with a clear purpose. However, the specifics of their activities are only disclosed to his members. (e.g. the CIA, higher-ranked military organizations)

While secret societies are often illegal, rebellious, or anarchist, secretive societies are legal and institutional. 

Here are some other elements that I think a secret society requires. The specifics of how these are implemented will depend on the size of your society. 

The Origin Story 

What is the society’s motto? Who created it? Why do the members/the public need it? 

A goddess creates a secret society of demigods to protect them from monsters. 

A professor creates a secret society to teach illegal materials to his best students. 

A society of the undead striving for survival on Earth after the

Membership Requirements & Rules

How many newbies? How are they recruited? Any consequences if prospective members fail? Any initiation practices? Consequences for breaking the rules? 

Inheriting a particular bloodline: demigods, half-angels/demons, royal blood, etc. 

Becoming a supernatural creature: vampire, zombie, werewolf, etc. 

A rigorous interview/testing process (could be similar to a job interview)

Sending prospective members on a dangerous mission 

Existing members paying prospective members a visit in the middle of the night

Sending out dream messages and instructions for initiation constantly until potential members are obliged to come.

The Cover-Up Story 

How does your society keep itself hidden? How do they cover up for their mistakes if classified information leaks out? 

Killing any witnesses and outsiders. 

Exerting control over media/news/government organizations (either back-door or legally)

Using a magical cover: memory-redaction, mist/veil that manipulates appearances, etc. 

The power bestowed by the society upon their members are immediately withdrawn upon excommunication or if they break rules 

The cover-up story has to be stronger for larger, ancient secret societies to make it plausible that they’ve managed to survive hidden. Think of strong mechanisms that makes it the members’ own interests to keep the society protected, even though it may cost them their life. 

Funding and Maintenance

Where does the society get its money/weapons/materials from? 

Generational wealth that the members’ family possess. 

Secret governmental/university funding, obtained under someone else’s name

Having members who are placed in high-ranking position in companies, banks, the government, etc. 

Could be as simple as a trust fund/endowment fund run under a fake name (e.g paper company, a fake family name that is handed down from one society leader to another) 

Hope this helps!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! Also, join my Tumblr writing community for some more fun.

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

[manwiththemagic]

The writers of s11 were cowards. If IIIIIIIIIII was in charge I'd made Lucifer's weird obsession with Sam show up more. Like the writers have very obviously included it and yet when Lucifer is processing the same vessel as cas, and therefore pretending to be cas, he just fucks off and tortures Crowley with fucked up bdsm pet play.

Like the few times casifer and Sam interacted were GOLD. because Sam sees it as his best friend cas, and Lucifer (who keeps talking about Sam like they're toxic ex's) is pretending to be him!! Although not to well. Like his freaky smirk when sending Dean into the past and coming back to harass Sam? Dude lives off of sadistic pleasure.

The way he full on LAUGHS when Sam says he trusts him bc Sam thinks it's cas?? Like gold!?!? Don't know why the writers didn't do more with that.

Also why not do more with the 'lucifer sent Sam visions to get him down to hell'. Like Lucifer is Obsessed w/ sam because that body/vessel is "supposed to be" his. And yet after revealing himself he doesn't try and convince Sam anymore?

He's just given up? Like nah man I don't believe that. I feel like he woulda fucked with Sam more in cas' body. And like it woulda been a way better not-romance-romance plot then whatever the fuck Dean and Amara were..

Like that came outta no where... I mean I get it.. but ew?? We saw her grow up, and maybe id argue "well there were two versions of her!! One physical on earth, the other her actual form and memories as a celestial being!!" BUT NO. SHE CALLS CROWLEY UNCLE CROWLEY.

cause he like raised her for a day or wtv..

Idk s11 is better than s10. Like the episode from baby's prospective?? PEAK CINEMAAAA!! also not that I dislike s11, no I quite love it, I just wish the dean plots were more fleshed out, and that it was more "Dean and Sam vs the world!!" Then Dean vs Sam yk??

Like where's my dynamic duo??

That's part of why I didn't like s10. Like no I loved the IDEA of Mark of Cain dean, and demon dean was hilarious (although I HATE him) but it was just Dean vs Sam, Dean vs cas, Dean vs the world. And idk I liked the idea, cause this time it was sam doing everything to save Dean, but man I just didn't like the fighting..

Also s11 had a mention of TMNT, S10 did not so... points!!

S1 and 2 of spn were peak ofc, and s3 was good but not really memorable for me?? Idk I'll go back and rewatch once I finish the series (just finished s11)

S4 and 5 were also really good, we got Castiel who is peak, blood junkie Sam, which was one of my favorite plots!! And of course a lot more bobby. Rest in peace king!

And unlike some I loveeeed s6-7 like.. the soulless plot, and death? Dean dealing with soulless sam?? Chefs kiss I mean mwah. Then Sam tweaking because of hallucinations. NOT TO MENTION GODSTIEL?? loved him sm stg.

8-9-10 is where it kinda fell off. I mean idk the leviathans?? Weak. Hated them ngl. Idk if they were s7 but either way.. mid. I didn't like purgatory bc no way Sam would do that?? But I did like how it developed deans character..

I don't remember what happened in what season but I lovedddd kevin, hated metatron (but in the "it's because he's well done" kinda way), the tablets were aight, Mark of Cain was uh... something.. (I hate demon dean but he was peak..)

So like idk.. show is peak though, I'm just at that point in the hyperfixtion where it's like "BUT I COULD DO IT BETTER!!" ykwim?? NVM I'm sick with a fever, supernatural is all I have going for me man.

[shaylogic]

DBDA Season 2 Wishlist Part 2:

Seeing the inside of Charles' Bag of Tricks and learning more about the mechanics of it

Charles running into one/some of the bullies that killed him. They're much older now. Maybe he has realizations about them like Edwin did with Simon. Or maybe they're still scum attacking people, and Charles poltergeist-haunts their asses

Finding out more about how Edwin learned all these languages, magic tools, and supernatural creatures lore. Did he pick it up in Hell or after he got back from it?

On that note, what exactly went down with him in Hell? "--traded to a demon who traded me to another demon who traded me to something WORSE than a demon!"

Crystal family/ancestor tree realm and powers. I'd love to learn more about each woman at the table, like Avatar past reincarnation life flashbacks

Niko new character love interest?

Mission to help Tragic Mick. Maybe we get to see Sedna?! Crystal could potentially make that happen, since she addressed Lilith and the Forest Spirit.

The Dandelion Sprites/"gods"? become cursed to be mortals and now they have to figure out how to navigate the world as attention-seeking assholes. Maybe they work with Crystal's parents lol

Crystal and Charles really make a go at dating to see if those feelings can really go anywhere, but there ends up being quite a bit of conflict and difficulty. Still, we get lots of nice ship moments in the early half of the season.

Edwin has started accepting and leaning into modern gay culture and tries chatting up guys to distract himself from Charles and Crystal (trying to be a good friend to Charles, especially).

If they can get the copyright permission, please gods give us Edwin and Niko watching Heartstopper together. Charles happens to witness a bi Nick scene when he's walking through.

More Niko & Charles friendship development. They didn't get enough moments together in season 1.

More ghost possession! The Night Nurse is already well aware of them, so they're not alerting her. But of course she would not allow it.

Night Nurse refuses to be a secretary and forces the boys to do paperwork after every case. They've got homework now.

Also, in s1e1, there's a pregnant pause between Edwin and Charles talking about the dangers of possession. There's a story there, and I need to know it in season 2. What did Edwin do? Who'd he try to possess?

More clear explanation to the audience of how touch works between humans/ghosts and ghosts/ghosts on various planes (earth vs hell for example, so we can go back to scream and cry at s. 1)

Crystal and Niko girls' day sightseeing in England!

Now we're in London, we're back on the boys' turf. Where are their main hangouts, contacts, and magic shops? Do they have any place special to the two of them with nostalgic memories? It's been 30 years!!!

We've seen some Edwin culture clash (and I want more!) but also more Charles culture clash with modern times (charles: "😮‍💨 Can you believe they don't make mixed tapes anymore?" Niko: "🥰they do playlists online now. I'll make you one! " Crystal: "👀 You made mixed tapes, Charles?")

Cat King and Meowpheus interaction

Domestic friend fluff (core four all in a big bed together watching movies)

Feel free to add your own wishlist in the reblogs/comments! <3

[yanderes-galore]

Fandom: Invader Zim

Character: Tak and Gaz Membrane (aged up)

Pairing: Romantic-Rivalry

Type of Fic: Concept

(Optional) Other info I should know: Gender-neutral human reader

Okay! I'm utilizing the college AU I set up in the Gaz concept for this. Tak returns to Earth for revenge on Zim... only to meet you and Gaz again.

Sorry it isn't that good... I ran out of ideas :(

Yandere! Tak vs Gaz Concept

Pairing: Romantic - Rivalry

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Jealousy, Stalking, Overprotective behavior, Kidnapping, Isolation, Dubious relationship.

You vaguely remember Tak from when you were young.

You had been friends with Gaz and Dib in school and were aware of the issues involving Zim.

However, like Gaz, you knew Zim wasn't a big issue.

If any Irken was, it was Tak.

Yet even then she was always more focused on getting revenge against Zim.

You never thought you'd see Tak again.

Years have passed since then... You even helped Dib and Gaz save the Earth from a Florpus Hole.

Now you're all in college, occasionally still having to tolerate Zim's stupid little plans.

Dib went into studying astrology and engineering for his major.

Gaz went into coding and video game development.

Meanwhile you're doing your own major with Gaz as your roommate.

You barely even thought of Tak, too focused on school and keeping Zim in check.

That is until you heard of news from Dib.

Turns out, somehow, Tak managed to find her way back to Earth to finish what she started.

Considering how Zim was still on Earth, it's expected you'd be dragged into Tak's return.

After all, the last thing you need is two Irkens fighting and causing chaos in the process while you study.

Tak is no longer here to destroy Earth... for the most part.

She mostly wants revenge on Zim, especially since he sent The Tallest into a Florpus Hole.

However, while Tak tracks down Zim...

She meets you, Dib, and Gaz again.

Ironically I feel Tak and Gaz have similar characters to one another.

Tak's disguise is even a goth girl, still just as advanced as it was years ago.

She probably sneaks into your college to spy on you since she recalls you and your friends dealing with Zim constantly.

Although, it appears she soon finds a new target to hunt the longer she's on Earth.

Gaz, as your roommate, is no doubt going to notice if Tak sniffs around somewhere she isn't supposed to.

Gaz has cared about you since elementary, she's getting quite tired of having to deal with supernatural threats hunting you or Dib down.

She's probably quite tired of Irkens as a whole by this point.

She already has to deal with Dib being obsessed with exposing Zim... even in college.

Now she soon realizes she has to deal with the opposite.

An Irken is obsessed with her roommate...

Honestly, it's pissing Gaz off.

Tak originally stalks you with the intention of getting info out of you.

You're with those Membrane humans, you should know about her target...

Yet Gaz keeps stepping in, eyes narrowed in a glare each time she sees Tak or MiMi.

Gaz already doesn't mess around when it comes to you.

You are either her crush... or just outright dating while in college.

Tak's just going to ruin everything in Gaz's eyes.

Especially if Gaz only recently got you to be hers.

Gaz, like any Membrane, has planned meticulously to make you hers.

She's lucky to be your roommate and your girlfriend.

She finally has you as hers... She's even gotten rid of people for you.

Yet now... Now Tak has decided she needs you?

These two are definitely fighting.

Tak's obsession may start as just needing info... but she realizes you're an... interesting human.

She has to blend in with the humans anyways...

Might as well make friends.

This often leads to Gaz and Tak confronting one another.

Tak still has little knowledge on human relationships.

She probably doesn't quite understand what's between you and Gaz.

Girlfriend...? Is it a special rank between humans?

Irkens don't really know how to show human love.

Or just... love.

To Tak, she just feels like she wants to claim/conquer you, since Irkens are used to that.

Is that what Gaz means when she says you're partners?

Has she... conquered you?

...

For some reason that makes Tak feel ill and a bit envious.

How strange.

So... Overall I feel the dynamic would be this...

Gaz is your overprotective girlfriend who is quite tired of aliens ruining her personal relationships...

While Tak wants to take you from Gaz in an attempt to under her strange fixation over you.

Tensions are high... you can sense it.

Gaz is rarely able to focus on her work for school.

She's also around you more often, usually on edge as she grumbles about Tak.

Tak is often either using MiMi to stalk you or sneaking into your classes to see you.

She feels oddly warm around you even if she sees most humans disgusting...

Maybe she's sick.

I can see Gaz spraying Tak with water or scaring off MiMi to keep the Irken away.

It's all an annoyance to Gaz.

Meanwhile, Tak simply sees it as a new goal while she tracks Zim.

Gaz is genuinely trying to protect you while Tak sees this as a game.

Gaz probably tries to keep you in your dorm to discourage Tak.

Yet if Tak tried to take you... Gaz is no doubt immediately tracking where you went with help from Dib.

I can sort of see things coming to a head where Gaz can't take it anymore and decides to try lethal force.

Not the first time she's done it... people are scared of her for a reason on campus....

Tak might try also since Irken have decent combat skills and weaponry.

Can I see them killing one another?

Yes.

Gaz may have more of an advantage due to Dib though.

Maybe Zim too, since Zim no doubt wants Tak gone.

Tak's smart though... she's going to wait things out and strike when no one's aware.

Eventually Tak will have you to toy with...

Irkens naturally have a need to conquer.

Tak's going to try and take you... Even if she has to kill your precious humans...

Gaz feels a similar way... She refuses to let Tak ruin everything.

One way or another, someone's ending up dead...

Leaving you to end up trapped one way or another, as this rivalry would also reveal Gaz's crimes to you.

[marlowethelibrarian]

Writeblr intro!

Hi, I'm Marlowe, they/them, late 20's, not white, not straight, not cis. But I am a magical wizard. (also i have an MLIS degree though im not currently working in a library)

I've been writing this n that for a long time now, but I'm starting this blog now bc I wanted a place to aggregate and post some of my stuff as I continue to work on my writing. I usually write adult fantasy or scifi, though I guess it might play to a YA audience. I like to look at themes of trauma and scarcity and what that does to a person.

I also like to analyze and liveblog about stuff that I am reading/watching and pick apart writing decisions, so that's going to go here too.

------------

WIPS

Raviaki Versus

Status: Waiting for Round 1 results

Word Count: Approx 30k words

Warnings for: Disease, eye trauma

Project Tag | Character Tag | Worldbuilding Tag | Snippet Tag

My contribution to the storytelling competition, the Summer Leagues Original Character Tournament.

Ravi, the genius halfling alchemist and unrepentant drug dealer has been sacrificed to seal the plague goddess Irra. However, they get the opportunity to enter an interdimensional tournament with a blanket wish as a prize. Is it their opportunity for freedom or are they simply providing Irra an opportunity to escape?

Available to read here:

Now available on Ao3!

Currently up to: Round 2 vs Kiriata and Aztachronopilas

_________________

Project: Salted Earth

Status: First draft in progress

Word Count: ~33k atm

Genre: Queer Adult Fantasy, Political intrigue

Warnings for: Infanticide, violence, implied sexual assault, abuse, transphobia and ableism

Project Tag | Character Tag | Worldbuilding Tag | Snippet Tag | WIP Intro post

The story for Project Salted Earthcenters on a pair of identical twins, separated by birth. One raised in the temple of Suyo as a talented priestess, the other a genius alchemist that has run out of luck and time and realizes they have an uncanny resemblance to the up and coming priestess…. However, they find themself with more than they can chew, as the aging queen priestess and her heir are at odds with each other, and their twin is being groomed to possibly replace the crown priestess.

_________________

Project Hail Mary

Status: Draft 1

Word Count: 5k currently

Genre: Horror

Warnings: Gore, Weird Pregnancy, transphobia, claustrophobia

Project Tag | Snippet Tag

Inspired by a spooktober challenge with the words RIP and SPORE

A team of five scientists and engineers travel to the depths of the Hail Mary Cavern system, in order to help establish a habitat away from the ravages of climate change on the surface. Things don't go as planned.

Project: Void City

Status: Draft 2

Word Count: 4k

Genre: Supernatural Urban Fantasy

Warnings for: Gore

Project Tag | Character Tag | Worldbuilding Tag | Snippet Tag

An old short story, How to Break a Vampire’s Heart with some potential to rework

Adrian, supernatural cop with an unusual super power faces down a real vampire at the vampire costume contest

[my-stories-vault]

Chapter 7 ~ The Supernatural Wars.

Pairing: English Dean Winchester X English Y/N L/N

Blurb: When the residents of this Earth found out that they were but a draft in God's numerous stories, they decided to make noise in hopes that their creator would return. Nothing can be louder than the begs of the powerless, the cackles of the ruthless, or the unending destruction left in the wake of the most merciless wars any universe can ever see—here the bloodshed never ends. So, tell me how can two young soulmates, then, find love's shade of red under all this crimson gore?

Warnings/Trigger Warnings (18+): Language, gore, violence, major and minor character deaths, thoughts of suicide (not graphic), substance abuse (alcohol and cigarettes), mentions of wars (I mean, it's in the name).

{ Series Masterlist ; Main Masterlist }

Chapter 7: At Ease, Soldier.

Salem, unaware of your presence, had closed the gates. Inevitably, you had to climb a tree and jump out, tearing the train of your gorgeous dress in the process.

The castle was deathly silent. You easily escaped the night patrol, having known all the insider stuff. You had your heels in your hand; your make-up had run down your face—you must look like salt-and-burn material, you were sure.

In a few minutes, you turned the curve after the hallway beyond the stairs. Your room was the highest one in the Western Tower; that was how the castle had been partitioned after the New Law.

All you cared about right now was sleep. You would deal with the mayhem in the morning. Media would probably be there; ready to turn your every word into the year's scandal; brodcasting your shameful dealing of the Governor to the Continents across the world.

Your plans of sleep went to crap when you noticed the figure sitting at the foot of your door, his head thrown back as if he'd fallen asleep, his hands curled in his lap, and his legs were upside-down Vs.

You paused before him.

The minscule moonlight was streaming in from the window at the end of the hallway, lighting your door, and in that process, Dean. He seemed peaceful; his mouth opened slightly, and he was drooling from the corner. He was in shades of black and white, his dirty blond hair silver on one side and appearing black on the other.

You hadn't observed his well-fitted suit before: velvet green jacket, black pants and black vest with a white undershirt and Italian leather dress shoes. He even had a cute little bow up to his adam's apple, designed intricately with refined gold lines to define his status. In the sombre shades, his dark clothes fell prey to the onyx night—almost disappearing into the walls, but standing out all the same.

Peaceful.

So taken with his beauty, that you realised belatedly why he must be here.

To fire you, of course. Your image of him soured; he couldn't have waited till the morning, could he?

You wondered how much he would notice if you pushed the door open and let him spill inside the threshold of your room. If he was a heavy-enough sleeper, he probably wouldn't notice your moving him back out and closing the door to his back.

He snorted in his sleep, as if mocking you even unconscious. He moved to rest his knees down, trying to cross his legs in a more comfortable manner, you assumed.

Before you could move out of the way, his foot bumped into yours.

It wouldn't have been a big deal, had that not woken him up.

Definitely a light-sleeper, you frowned at his rousing face, shooting a longing glance to the door. So much for sleep.

'Y/N,' his voice crackled with hoarseness. Weirdly, warmth spread in your chest.

It was soon replaced by fear as the man drew to his full height. Without your heels, you came to his chest. You contemplated putting them back on, just to feel better about yourself.

You overruled that plan, and barged in through your door, ignoring him when he opened his mouth, presumably to scold you.

'Where have you been?' his voice was lacking the annoyance you expected. It was soft.

He's pitying me. That was worse.

You threw your heels at the foot of your bed a little petulantly.

'No need for small talk,' you said sharply, on to business. Your hands crossed as you flipped around to face him. The effect must've been diminished with your ruined make-up.

'What do you want, Mr Winchester?'

You didn't expect him to turn a bit pink. He veered his gaze away, his hand going up to scratch his neck - as if he was embarrassed.

'Selina told me not to bother,' he cleared his throat. 'Said you would need space, but, uh, I wanted to check on you,' he shrugged.

'I'm fine, Mr Winchester,' you said, though the clenching of your heart eased at the prospect of not facing expulsion in the same night.

'Good, good,' he shuffled awkwardly. 'Well, good.'

His concern touched you a little. It reminded you of how he saved your career once. While he was quite dislikable, he also had several redeemable qualities . . . More than perhaps you did—he was checking up on you despite you screwing up the chance he gave you on a silver platter, after all.

'Thank you,' you said. Stern and soft. Their weight settled heavily between the two of you. 'For everything.'

His expression mellowed with a brilliant smile—it put the arrogant moon to shame. At least he didn't look like he wanted to run anymore.

'You say that like it's goodbye,' Dean joked, trying to lighten the intensified mood. He expected a smartass retort his way but his intended effect was met with a flinch.

'You should leave,' you were abruptly formal. It gave him a whiplash.

'Did I say something wrong?'

'We can talk about my removal in the morning,' you stated.

'What removal?'

'Is it not enough that I'm being banned; do you want me to narrate it?' your English accent wrapped around the words so that it made them far sharper.

His brows crunched. 'Banned? Where from?'

You were incredulous, yet curious.

'This,' you waved your arms between the two of you. 'I-I crossed a line! I beat a Governor—'

'Who assaulted you.'

'You have no proof!'

Why am I arguing?

But you were right. You failed.

Dean strode with long steps until he was a foot away. His calloused hand brushed up your shoulder, and you tensed. Your instincts itched to punch him too, but your mind caught up to his actions. His rough fingers traced your arm with an unexpected delicacy.

'What's this then?'

You calmed your fight-or-flight enough to follow his fingers. Bruises marred your skin blue in the shape of fingerprints.

Huh.

You hadn't even felt them forming. Sure enough, even your other arm had it.

'I don't understand,' you whispered in dismayal. 'What do you want from me?'

'What?'

'You're being nice to me,' you said it like an explanation, raising your eyes to meet his. 'You hate me,' you pointed out. 'You had a good chance to ban me, but you aren't taking it. You're a Firstborn, people'll believe you blindly. Why would invest your faith in someone you can't tolerate?' You were at a loss with this man, why would he do you a favour if not to flaunt it in your face; if not to blackmail?

His lips pressed thinner, his hand dropped from yours.

'That man was a sleazebag, Y/N,' he declared the obvious. 'And I don't hate you.'

'I got you arrested,' you persisted. 'And you're still helping me. Clearly, you want something.' Your hands went up to cross again.

He'd never been more exaggerated with you. He hadn't known he could be.

'You should've stopped at nice,' he snapped. Everytime he took a step forward with you, he took ten steps back. He didn't know why he bothered at this point.

He turned to leave you alone; next time, he would listen to Selina.

He was halfway out when you muttered it so low that he was almost sure his hearing was fooling him.

'I'm sorry,' you garbled out like it was hard for you.

He turned to make sure it was sincere.

Your hands fidgeted, but at least they weren't crossed before you anymore like a goddamn shield.

'I don't understand human interactions,' you admitted.

He was just glad you realised it, he was starting to think you didn't have that self-awareness.

'But I'm a master-manipulator.'

'You've never been able to manipulate me,' he said. You gave him a look that told him not to test your intelligence.

'I haven't tried,' you confessed.

You realised the cavernous depths of your truth when you said it out loud, even to yourself, for the first time. Come to think of it, you subconsciously chose what people would bear the brunt of your stoicity. The only reason you've been resisting Dean is because you somehow know you can't - or won't - hurt him. You didn't have to resist your family because you loved them, and you didn't have to manipulate them because they would only want good things for and from you. And it scared the bejesus out of you to think of how you've been resisting Dean the hardest - he's the only person outside of your family who you . . . No. You're being silly; you can't care about this stranger.

And yet, the facts were undeniable.

'Why not?' he faced you fully again.

You were frustrated with that question yourself. How nuts would he think you were when you said that an invisible force was seemingly compelling you - giving you a reason to be honest and open with him without wanting to. You wanted to hate him so, so much, but an unseen link was making it impossible.

'I don't know,' you carefully put. 'It's like . . . there is something stopping me from . . . from lying to you.' You huffed then, 'Too bad for you - I'm so much more pleasant when I'm manipulative.'

It made him snort. You shared a truthful smile with the man. An understanding blossomed, and the comfort level rose to what it had been back the first day you'd met him.

'I don't want anything from you,' he said, candidly, trying to be sweet.

Your shoulders fell in disappointment. 'I know.'

Your attitude bewildered him.

'Do you want me to want something?' he asked. This was where he would expect you to lash out and hide again. But as it looked, you were fighting what came natural to you. You were fighting against your resistance, you were fighting to be honest.

'I, uh, well,' you struggled to get it out. 'I don't want you to . . . take advantage of me. You know. But, uh, well, I - okay, I wouldn't mind getting on a case!'

He tilted his head to the side.

'I thought you believed Leaders didn't work cases,' he said. He had been trying to make you comfortable by not letting you on one, by not saddling you on cases with himself, by allowing you to have an option to go to the light ones with whoever you liked. You had seemed disgruntled when Sebastian told you about it originally, and based on his best friend's advice, he'd decided to let you sit it out unless absolutely necessary.

'Well,' you frowned. 'Yeah. But you hunt.'

He raised a brow. 'It's not a competition.'

You got slightly defensive again. 'I know. I just . . . ,' you bit your lip, drawing his attention to them for a second. 'I just feel useless,' you finally huffed out. 'I want to help! However you'll accept it. We share a Leadership now, it isn't about you and I anymore - it's us. We can share the load of cases, divide it between us.'

He considered you for a long moment.

As it was, he felt like he didn't have enough cases without the Leviathans to keep him out of the palace that he found suffocating; he didn't want people to die, but he did want monsters to kill; the castle was too Leaderly, too formal for his tastes; like Hell he would split cases with you. But since he shared a Leadership with you . . . .

'Fine,' he announced. 'We leave in the morning.'

'W-We?'

He shrugged non-chalantly, but your hesitation slightly stung. 'Unless you don't want to.'

'No!' you said quickly. 'I mean, yes! I mean, I wouldn't mind. I mean - you'd be an amazing partner - I'll learn lots.'

He had to bite his lip now, to supress a smile.

This might be why he bothered with you; she's adorable.

'Mr Winchester,' you added, slightly flushed, trying to save your dignity.

'Good night,' he half-smirked, shutting the door after himself.

You were left mumbling the platitude back to no one, claret in face.

Your knuckles tapped on the see-through surface, the window droned down.

'What?' he asked. He had a to-go coffee cup in his hand, another one lying in a carrying container on the seat beside him.

'Where's the other car?'

You were all ready. Dressed to impress in your finest hunting attire, if not the most comfortable; with a camping back-pack snug against you.

'It's just us,' he corrected.

'Oh.'

That didn't make you exactly queasy; it was a new feeling you couldn't put your finger on. It was like a mixture of excitement and cold feet.

'Get in,' he ordered.

You did so, belting yourself to the seat. Dean let his car roar, heading it into the forest, beyond the palace gates. It reminded you of freedom; it felt like ages since you'd left the palace, you didn't realise how cooped up you had been.

There was rock music playing pleasantly in the background. You liked cars, long drives, and speed in general. It was the only mode of transport that didn't make you paranoid about your survival.

'I'm surprised you don't take Sebastian everywhere,' you said.

He countered: 'Do you take Boa everywhere?'

'I stay in the castle most of the times,' you said dully. 'You roam.'

'Were you this sheltered back in America?' he turned it on you again. 'I would think you've been on lots of cases.' He took on a teasing tone, 'Thirty vampires and whatnot.'

You smiled at him with an admonishing edge. 'I wasn't a Leader back then.'

'Wait,' he processed that. 'Are you more afraid of people than monsters?'

'We're the most high-ranking officers in the world. And there's only twelve positions. Competition kills, Mr Winchester,' you said. 'Last night was case in point.'

Dean's face twisted with fury; he was glad you'd hit the man where the sun don't shine; if you hadn't taken care of yourself, Dean would've been forced torture the man with his bare hands—his anger hadn't forgiven Neel Simone as easily as you did.

But that wasn't the point.

He managed to rein his temper, taking a few minutes to breathe it out.

'The statistics would suggest we have higher chances of dying by the other factions, Y/N,' he retorted when he was ready. He was hoping that if he took your name enough, you would melt enough to extend him the same courtesy.

'Them, I'm equipped to handle,' you clarified, picking off like you didn't even notice the long pause in between. 'Monsters, Demons, Angels? I get. People are not my cup of tea.'

How English.

You may have not been educated about the tree stuff, but the British routine, you had down-pat. It served to amuse Dean greatly.

'I can attest to that,' he laughed - couldn't help it. A hearty sound it was; made you smile.

'Amusing,' you tried to be snide. But your mood was too good.

'Nah, you take the fun out of stuff,' he playfully claimed. You narrowed your gaze at him, but he wasn't afraid of you to retract the statement; he did notice your analytical attitude though.

'Right there,' he said, waving towards your crunched brows. 'See? You're always overthinking. I shall be more worried that your face will be stuck in that arrangement forever.'

You would disagree but who were you kidding?

'It pays off,' you dryly remarked.

'At what cost?' he scoffed. 'Look at it my way. If anyone, we would be prepared for anything. We would be quick on our toes.'

'I guess,' you said. 'But I wasn't ready for trees,' you commented, doubting what he said.

'And you learnt a large part of it in a month and a half,' he eased you. 'You're better than most, darling.'

There was that nickname again. You wanted to request him to stop calling you that, but you were afraid he would take offense and it would dampen the good mood the older Winchester had going . . .

Okay, fine, you inwardly huffed. Maybe I like it a little. No one had used a nickname for you before; it was a unique experience—all sweet and intimate.

But it's not professional, came the argumentative whine.

'I just mean, a couple of apocalypses won't kill us, you know,' he continued jokingly.

'If Mr Singer doesn't change the way he thinks, a prophecy would be enough,' you rolled your eyes.

'Aw, you know him,' he said, as if he did. 'Just taking precautions. He means well.'

You realised his reverence for the aged man so you didn't ruffle those feathers. You wondered if he knew all the other Leaders close-handedly as well.

Instead, 'Can I ask you something?'

He inclined his head as if he were waiting.

'Where do your ancestors come from?'

Dean raised a brow at the sudden switch of topics. Then again, your brain could barely lay still on one.

'America,' he responded. 'Both sides. Secondborns.'

'Oh. So your paternal side came to Europe, and your maternal side went to Asia?'

If Firstborn Leaders were given claim over the land that their fathers ruled on, then Papa Winchester must've been a European. While the mother would've been from Asia which gave Sam, the Secondborn, a right to that throne.

Just like your mother was from Europe, making you an heir to it, after the Firstborns and all, that was.

'Actually, it was reverse,' Dean said, throwing off your calculations. You stared at him like he was a puzzle. He shifted in his seat, feeling the need to explain.

'I had the claim to Asia,' he started, 'but I gave it up.'

There must have been a buffering sign on your forehead that prompted Dean to explain more.

'Sam got Asia, Cole got Europe with Gordon. All was well.'

'But you've fought Amara,' you told him. Was it all a lie?

His dark smile made you wonder what links you were missing.

'Out of Leadership,' he said.

What the fuck?

'You just solved one of world's largest problems forever, because what? You were bored?' you tried and failed not to sound like you were talking to a misbehaving teenager.

He gave you a grumpy look. 'I gave up my Leadership because . . . I had the Mark Of Cain.'

You were aware of that from the lore. It set back your shoulders into the seats, and uncontrollably, your eyes darted to his right arm.

'It's gone now,' he sighed. 'It was the key to Amara's jail.'

You knew Amara had been a modern problem. But your family often kept you out of loop unless absolutely necessary. For the recent-most years, you didn't know any political facts of the world because your mother thought it best if you were to learn them on your own - part of your training it was. Communication is the best way, she said, we all need to learn to communicate.

'So you were cleaning up your mess,' you phrased.

Dean flinched, but you didn't notice.

'Huh. All that disappointment, such a waste,' thinking of how angry your mother had been, thinking Dean saved all those people out of sheer goodwill.

'What do you mean?'

You didn't trust him with your mother's opinions. What if you got her into trouble?

You just shook your head. 'Nothing at all.'

'No, come on, I want to hear that,' he pushed.

Your expression pinched with denial. 'There's nothing for you to know,' you warned him.

He eyes flashed with his own anger; he'd found another limit of you. He exhaled through his nose. The conversation tapered as a result.

It wasn't until miles had been crossed when you opened your mouth again.

'How'd you become a Leader then?' you asked, your curiosity far greater than the tension between the two of you.

He frowned at your audacity. He wanted to petily strike a deal that he would give an answer for an answer.

Somehow, he knew he wouldn't win that argument.

Maybe if he gave you another inch, you would be willing to open up.

'I defeated her. Lots of casualities,' his throat tightened around the last word. "Casualties" was a loose word for how much loss he had been responsible for.

I'm poison, his heart spit at him. He could still see the gravestones . . . .

'I remember,' you nodded. You had been happy then that no family member of yours had been harmed. Then again, the Darkness had seemed to concentrate her fury on Asia more. It made sense why now - her arch-nemesis was there.

You realised Dean wasn't speaking.

His eyes were on the road, but they were also far away. His hands were tightened severely on the wheel. His bottom lip was quivering.

'Mr Winchester?' you called him. He didn't seem to hear you.

You hesitated, but then you placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Hey,' you said. 'Mr Winchester, are you okay?'

He came back to himself, blinking more. He removed your hand from his shoulder as if it creeped him out; it made you pink with embarrassment, you folded your hands in your lap gently.

He cleared his throat. When he spoke again, he was robotic, answering just for the sake of it. 'I was made Leader here, after Cole was killed during . . . .'

You didn't remember a Cole. He mustn't have been an extraordinary Leader; you felt a passing of sympathy for the forgotten man.

'Where does your family come from?' Dean's voice was thick, and he was just glad you didn't notice - or, if you did, you didn't point it out.

'America, on my father's side. Seth took over,' you stated. 'Europe on my mother's. I'm an heir.'

Dean knew that all, of course. He'd been in this Leadership business half a decade before you came about.

'Did you always want to be a Leader?' he asked.

'Of course,' you said within a heartbeat. Without any thought. No doubts or qualms.

'Why?' he wondered.

You considered him; there was no reason to your wishes; but of course you would be a Leader, or a wife, what other option would a woman have in this world? You chose one of those two.

'Why didn't you want to become one?' you flipped the tables. If anyone would have a unique answer, it would be Dean.

'I asked first.'

You rolled your eyes. 'Fine. It's all I've ever known, done, or thought of.' You seemed proud of that exclamation.

Dean felt a surge of pity eventhough he'd sort of known that. But to hear it from you, coupled with your happiness regarding it, just made it more sad.

'Did you never think about a family?' he hinted.

You gagged. 'I hate marriages.'

That was new information.

'Why?' he frowned.

'You wouldn't understand.'

'Try me,' he persisted.

'It's like using a man,' you sighed.

'What now?'

'Come on,' you urged him to reach the epiphany. 'Whoever I marry, my mother will want a Leader or a high-ranking official, at the least. I'll be using the poor bastard.'

Dean didn't point out that you completely ignored the fact that men use women for their means all the time. He wondered if you saw the irony of not wanting to use men, when your own mother would throw you under the bus if it fitted her needs. Your mother would sell you to immoral men.

'Isn't that what you want?' Dean asked before he could stop himself. 'To be a Leader all your life?' Better to marry a good man and live than marry a dog and die everyday, in that case. If you wanted to be a Leader - this is the reality.

You looked offended. 'Of course not!' you said. 'I want to pave way into our history on my own. Not by piggy-backing credit off of my husband,' you said the last word like it was an insult. 'I'd rather be a good Temp than a bad wife. And if they like my work, maybe I'll be permanent - but all on my own!'

So, you wouldn't marry a man because you'd be hurting him by "leeching" off of him, but did you even consider, through any of this, about yourself? Did you think about protecting yourself in this?

You were selfless in unexpected places; Dean secretly admired you for it even if it angered him inexplicably.

You were unknowingly fighting your mother's ideologies - everything your mother stood for, and you didn't even realise it. At the same time, you were isolating yourself, hurting yourself in the process.

'And you won't marry for love?' he shot at you.

You grimaced. 'Love? Have you met me?'

'Right,' he smiled mildly for that one, albeit, it was with sarcasm.

'Don't tell me you want love?' you teased him by making that word sound breathy and sultry. It made his face warm.

'Are you done?' he rolled his eyes, even if your snickers were infectious. He didn't think he'd heard you laugh after that first night; somehow, you broke his anger.

'Well, but, be honest. Marriage: nay or yay?' you seemed curious enough.

He shrugged, his countenance giving nothing away. 'At one point, I dreamt of it.'

'What changed?' you pried. Then, you gasped - 'Wait, did you have a girl in mind?!'

He gave you a perceptive glance. 'You're having too much fun,' he noted. You didn't seem to gauge his series of serious thoughts at all.

'I thought I was no fun,' the fact seemed to make you guffaw.

'What's so hilarious?' he levied you with his glare.

You tried to cover your mouth but the sounds escaped still, muffled for your efforts. 'Nothing,' you chuckled, 'It's just - you're so . . . taciturn.'

He arched a brow, Explain.

You gestured at him in answer. 'Just, you. You're so hard to read!'

'Is that an insult?' He wasn't sure with you either; you gave him an equally hard time, though he wouldn't admit it. Like right now, you had switched topics faster than made sense.

'Compliment,' you amended. 'You're, like, you're special. And you're frustrating. All at once. I don't understand you.'

'Do you try?' he offered.

You huffed. 'You're just very human. With emotions. You, and your best friend,' you made your face. 'Probably your family, too.'

He didn't know what to do with all of that as you simpered down into your thoughts, looking out the window. He'd seen this happening before: you would stop in the middle of a conversation, forgetting that you were saying something, and look somewhere beyond, pensively.

It gave Dean time to understand you; it was like you weren't thinking of yourself as human. He didn't know how to interact with that.

Just like that, it was silent for the rest of the ride.

Crocottas; a few of them had invaded a small house on the outskirts of a town. It had went unnocticed until recently because it started getting greedy for food. While it had preyed on two-three human souls a year, it was now having a fattening meal of fifteen over three months (maybe it expanded the family). Mostly travelers who were unfortunate enough to hear the monster moan in the voice of a loved one. The Governor asked Dean for help because they had their hands full.

Your research localized the monster. Dean's brawn and practice got you a watchtower a little ways away from the abandoned hut. You were keeping an eye on the house with a shared binoculars - trying to establish the house as a monster's lair and not someone caught in the crossfire. You had insisted on labouring to make the hammocks, where you both could sit or nap.

'You are taking forever,' Dean growled, watching you work alone on the sleeping arrangements. You were halfway through one, and Dean had various ways to make the process ramp up - if only you were open to suggestions.

'Patience is a virtue,' you said in a clipped tone. The combination of the humid atmosphere and the mosquitoes wasn't making this a pleasant experience for either of you. You had slathered enough repalent on your skin but the buzzing of the insects still bothered your keen hearing. Dean's whining wasn't going to uplift your mood.

'Guess who doesn't give a fuck about patience,' he muttered testily, his eyes glued to the instrument of sight.

'Chill out; your knees won't give out until I'm done, old man,' you snapped.

It drew Dean away from his duty long enough to stare at your audacity - who knew you had such a sassy mouth? Surely, no diplomacy of yours was bleeding through right then.

'Old man?' Dean fixated. 'I'm thirty, dude.'

'Yes, and that's five years older than me,' you were smug.

He rolled his eyes. 'I'd like to see you climb a tree faster than me.'

'I'd kick your ass,' you said in amateur confidence.

'Yeah, right. Just because you can swing your own weight now, doesn't make you Tarzan.'

'Who's Tarzan?' your nose scrunched.

He scoffed. 'Don't tell me you haven't watched fucking Disney - what loveless world did you grow up in?'

It was your turn to be exasperated. You ducked under your loose construction for the hammock and snatched the binoculars from his hand.

'Don't be so overdramatic,' you chided. 'Just because I don't like television, or music, doesn't make me an outcast.'

'Maybe you should look up the word, you bookworm,' he made a face at you: a withering glare and a twisted mouth, as if he were watching an alien that disturbed him.

In your periphery, you noticed a movement that prompted your device to your eyes.

'Looks like a normal establishment,' you noted. 'A woman. Middle-aged. Just drew the curtains.'

'Crocottas can shapeshift,' he said.

You nodded. 'Agreed. It's also filthy in there,' you frowned. 'Crocottas like that.'

Dean shrugged, 'True. But you would be surprised by how many humans like that too.'

Fair point.

'Let's give it a day to show it's true colours,' you said. 'We'll discuss ourselves as bait tomorrow.'

'Who made you the boss?' Dean scoffed, even if he liked your plan.

'Oh,' his annoyance seemed to have a different effect on you. Your hands folded before your body, an irritated apology written in your eyes. 'I'm sorry,' you said, fake again. Tense and stiffened, 'Did you have another plan?'

He groaned, 'No. Would you stop treating me like that?' He pushed past you to work on the hammock, his hands agile and quick in wrapping the rope around the tree-trunk.

'Like what?' your lips only etched down deeper.

'Like I'm your frigging boss or something,' Dean said. 'We're equals - you said that yourself.'

'But you're my superior.'

'I'm not.'

'You're a Firstborn, Mr Winchester. And a man. You surpass me by natural advantages.'

'Well, I'm choosing not to use them,' Dean said, slapping the hammer into a nail hard.

You crossed your arms. 'Why so?'

'It's just not me,' Dean's explaination was simple enough. 'Look, you're my colleague. And we're gonna fucking bicker. Don't mean you should duck back into that corporate shell.'

'Seems fairly reasonable,' you contemplated him. 'Also, seems unlike any guy I've met.'

'I'm not any guy,' he said, proud of himself.

He was giving you evidences of that every step of the way. It was you who had a hard time believing him. Because if he was right, then he was infinitely easy to like and care about and that would just be stupid on your part.

Meanwhile, he had finished your hour's worth of job in minutes. He dusted his hands as a show off his brilliance, a smug smile creeping up on his face as he stepped back from the hammocks.

'All right, shut up,' your formality seemed to melt away once more.

Someone yelled your name.

You shot up from your half-dozzing state to full awareness only to be thrown off the hammock and off the watchtower platform altogether. Your hands grasped the edge in time and you pulled with all your might, coming up to a waiting fist that bruised your jaw. You endured it with a grunt and headbutted the monster in it's stomach, simultaneously pulling your legs up.

You landed another kick to a female teen on the edge of the platform - she didn't have the benefit of upper body strength or reflexes to survive like you did. You didn't wait to watch her splatter to the ground two hundred feet below when the guy who had punched you came to take you in a chokehold with an enraged shout.

Half your body was hanging off the edge as you wrangled with the man stemming your flow of air. One hand went in keeping him away from feeding on your soul while the other was discreetly reaching your dagger around the waist.

He landed a surprise blow to your nose and you could feel your nostrils collect blood. It further made breathing harder.

Seeing no other option, you pretended to lose control, your hand limping down to your side. Your other hand was tightly grasped around your weapon

His fingers around you loosened and he threw his head back to let his monstrous teeth descend. Your mouth opened in correspondence, and a white glow transferred from you, connecting the predator with you in a disgustingly intimate way as he began feeding on you.

It took your body a minute to overcome the shock but your mind was screaming against the walls of your head, making it pound. Everything went extremely hazy, you functioned on sheer experience and willpower.

You didn't realise your actions until your blade plunged down into the monster and the blood came down spraying, most of it on your face and some of it in your mouth. You gagged convulsively, squeezing your eyes shut.

Weakly, you shoved the body off of you, and then overturned on the platform to hurl over the side.

When two hands tried to grab you from behind, you threw a misplaced thrust of your weak elbow backwards; it almost made you topple off the platform again. But a gentle hand caught your hand. Another smoothed down your back, soothing you. Two arms with tempered strength pinned you to your place so you wouldn't topple over again. You couldn't hear the words of comfort over the noise of bile exiting your body, but now you were vaguely aware of Dean Winchester taking care of you.

The insects were too much for you to stay in contact with for long. Collecting the bodies, you both made a small pyre in a clearing a little far away and burned them. You called the next village for cleaners to take care of the house the Crocottas had infested.

At that same village, you and Dean freshened up. Brushing your teeth rarely felt as good as it did that day. You also took a long shower to feel the filth of the monsters wash off your body.

When you exited the bathroom of the local motel, you saw Dean munching on room service. He only bothered to look up when you stole a french fry from his plate.

And then he swallowed, his scold dying on his tongue.

His eyes trailed down from your pink one-sided off-shoulder t-shirt that touched your navel but left some space until your light blue ripped jeans began. You completed the ensemble with ankle-length heeled boots. You wore a long overcoat in public spaces, buttoned from top to bottom for Dean to have seen what was underneath any other time; he hadn't thought you were capable of dressing as casually as this.

When you flipped your hair right after towel-drying them, his gaze snapped up to you once again. Warm water had made your cheeks flush, and your wry hair did something to Dean; he wanted to see if he could smooth those unruly curls out with his fingers.

'Your turn,' you said, folding the towel neatly over your arm, never the one to be untidy.

'What?' Dean's voice was a little coarse.

'The shower,' you said, unbeknownst to his attraction for you. 'I left hot water for you.'

'T-Thanks,' he cleared his throat. 'I left some shrimp for you.'

You smiled, taking away the lid from the other covered plate, sure enough, half of the dish remained. You took the chair opposite Dean's and started digging in.

Dean shut the bathroom door behind himself and lightly groaned. He also mentally chided himself for checking you out of all people - what was he thinking?

He climbed into the shower - he just needed to get laid at some point. He could not be attracted to you. Yes, that must be it - it had just been time.

Outside, you had pulled up your phone. You were surprised to find no calls - as if no one had needed you while you were hunting. But you forced yourself to cheer up because you are hunting. That's what's most important.

And you would have to keep doing it if you wanted to make a name for yourself. No one should think you were living on the Leadership money like a leech.

'Uh, Dean?' you called to the closed bathroom door.

'Ye-Yeah?'

Was it you, or was his voice shaky?

The shower could've distorted it, you decided.

'Where are we going next?' you wondered.

'Uh, I don't know.'

'Oh,' you said. 'Because I thought if you'd not gotten a page, I could probably sift through the news and find us something,' you explained enthusiastically. 'What do you think?'

'Uh, can you - um, not talk to me in the shower?'

It instantly made you turn to the colour of beetroot.

'Oh, yeah!' you said, awkwardly. 'My apologies!'

'It's just . . . weird,' he defended.

'Of course!' you said, kicking yourself for not realising it earlier. 'Why don't I take a stroll while I'm on it, huh?'

You didn't wait for his answer and hastily escaped the room.

God, I'm such an idiot, you let your head thump on the closed front door of your temporarily shared room.

It was two more cases before the end of the week when you two started heading back for the castle. It was seven in the evening and you had just entered a five-star motel room to clean up and "hit the hay", as Dean put it.

'I'm just saying we don't need Leader discount,' you told Dean. 'They're sucking up to us! If anything, we should have discounts proportionate to incomes.'

'And that's why you paid for the next ten rooms in case some needful villagers stop by,' Dean said, side-eyeing you as he placed his bag on the bag counter between the main door and a wardrobe.

'I'm going to keep track of that, you know,' you said, like a business woman.

'I believe you,' he chuckled. 'Say, why don't you issue an order about it?'

You were appeased with that idea. 'I'll get right on it!' you were already removing your phone and heading for the balcony.

'Does that mean I get first shower?' he asked.

'Knock yourself out!'

An hour later, you'd taken that shower, and finished your calls and all those formalities. A continent-wide rule for hotels - check! You felt utterly impressed with the idea; and it would not have been possible if you hadn't been hunting and seeing your Continent yourself.

When you raised your head, it was to Dean's form lazily propped against his pillows and yours that he stole from your bed. He was on his stomach, intently watching the fifty-five inch television.

Three times, you had shared a room with this man now, all with twin beds. Out of the week, these were the only three nights where you both hadn't bunked in hammocks. And all three times, he'd asked for a room with a television.

You didn't understand his obsession.

These shows were being streamed especially from the alternate universes because the concepts of acting, sets and movies was quite foreign to about ninety percent of this world. The other ten percent was rich people like you, and half of you guys chose to not waste time; so.

The figures moving on the screen disinterested you, yet Dean watched them like a luxury he highly appreciated. His expressions changed with the flex of emotions the characters demonstrated.

You were more ensnared with his face than the inanimate box of stories.

You hadn't realised how much you liked watching him until this trip you took with him.

You observed him more sincerely than most people. You knew what he looked like better than most people you met, and that fact had taken you by surprise this week.

You didn't know Selina's eye colour, but you knew Dean's was green. You didn't know how the Griffith twins liked their hair but Dean's was cropped into straight badass strands that suited his gorgeous dirty-blond colour. You didn't know where your Governors' faces curved and flattened even when you'd spent hours learning them from their files, yet you knew Dean had a sharp-angled jaw, a straight perfect nose, bow-shaped full lips, and perfectly arching eyebrows; he didn't even have a fucking photo on his file. For God's sake, you knew his arrogantly confident gait and his handsome body atop the pinnacle of his bow-shaped legs. You usually realised his movement in your periphery even when you weren't paying attention to him.

You knew about him without even trying.

It tolled alarm bells in your mind.

Since when did you compliment the most random-ass things about a person you didn't even like?

'You'll wear a hole in my face if you keep staring, darling,' Dean smirked, his eyes religiously never straying from the flatscreen. But he was aware of you, as you were him.

You blushed hotly. That was another setback with Dean, he made you fucking blush. You always felt shy around him when he said and did things like that.

'What are you watching?'

Mercifully, he took your bait to switch topics.

'The Walking Dead,' he glanced at you. 'You mustn't have seen it.'

'Got it in one,' you said.

He uncharacteristically paused the show, turning on his right side to face you better on the bed away from the door. Another quirk of his was to always sleep on whatever side that was closer to the door.

'I still can't believe you don't like this. Or music.'

'It's not like it's a crime,' you shrugged.

It tickled him, 'You're so wrong.'

'I just don't understand what you see in them,' you gestured at the screen.

He got up then. His black shirt loose over his frame, and his black shorts displaying his legs that were currently tangled with his sheets. You had to force your eyes to his face, but your tongue licked your bottom lip unconsciously.

'Okay, forget the television,' he posed. 'Why not music? I've seen you dance.'

'At parties,' you clarified. 'When I don't have an option. It's always so rigid, so . . . annoying,' you said. 'People touching you,' you frowned.

'Haven't you ever danced with someone you like?'

'Sure,' you said. 'Always do, don't I? It's customary to dance with your date and family.'

He rolled his eyes. 'Outside family or whatever platonic date you bring.'

He had your cornered.

'. . . No?'

His eyes narrowed at you. 'You are hetrosexual, right? Or am I wrong?'

Your arms reflexively crossed over your body. 'That's personal.'

'You can tell me,' he assured.

You scoffed, 'Will you be comfortable telling me?'

'Sure,' he replied nonplussed. 'I'm straight,' he winked, just to fuck with you. 'Your turn.'

Heat licked your neck. 'So am I,' you gritted out.

The smile that lit up his face didn't make much sense to you. You were too busy trying not to hide your burning face anyway, lest it gave your emotions away. As is, you weren't able to look him in the eye.

To your dismay, it was only getting worse.

'So you've never danced with a guy you like?'

'I have!'

'It can't be your father, brother, or from your team.'

You glowered at his seriously curious face. '. . . I haven't.'

Why were you getting this third-degree again?

'All right,' he grinned then. 'So you're the hit-'em-and-quit-'em kinda girl?'

His inquiry was met with a blank stare. Slowly, the mirth was wiped off his face.

'You have had one-night-stands, right?'

'Mr Winchester!' you just about shrieked. 'That's preposterous!'

When his cheeks flamed, it settled you a little. But not enough to let him off the hook without a warning.

'You might want to stop talking about my personal life lest you want me to storm out and find another room!'

His eyes widened as you fumed. But he surrendered by resuming his show.

Despite the voices of the television, the awkward silence between the two of you was defeaning. You were stiff and ramrod straight on your bed, and he didn't know what to do with his limbs at all, shifting in his seat with discomfiture.

You groaned audibly when he paused the show again, a few minutes later.

'I'm sorry - it's just, was I the first guy to kiss you?' he asked, his cheeks consisted of red tints as bright as healthy apples.

'Do you want me to walk out?' you hissed.

'Come on, please?' he levied you with a pleading look that you struggled to defy. Your plans to walk out of the room and slam the door in his face seemed silly and uncalled for when his eyes took that sheen of a puppy-dog's.

Curses!

Reluctantly and regrettably, your voice came out softly. 'First person.'

You said that so low that Dean was half-sure he misheard it. He would've asked you to repeat it if you hadn't looked so embarrassed - as if wishing for a natural calamity just so you didn't have to talk to him anymore.

'First . . . person?' Dean confirmed. Your head inclined as if in a nod.

It made Dean's heart clench for you, at the same time as it did a weird happy dance. It made his urge to hold you strong - both out of pain and possessiveness.

As the reality of your words set in, his anger also slowly took form. No one before him had been affectionate enough to kiss you on your forehead?

Now that was preposterous.

He would've called a bluff had he not known you enough to know your truths from your lies.

Once again, he didn't know how to interact with this. It was like you were calling yourself a non-human all over again; and that would actually make sense because it appeared as if you'd never been treated like one.

'I'm going for some air,' you said abruptly. Only you knew how you were controlling your urge to fan your face.

Dean didn't have words to stop you even if he wanted to pull you into his arms and show you how loveable you are - or well, you can be when you're not being a freaking pain in the ass.

But his senses weren't computing fast enough, and he registered the soft shutting of the door.

He cringed at his inability to comfort you and fell face-down on the heap of pillows.

'I'm an asshole,' was muffled.

You had to take a few deep breaths before you could unlock the door. Your phone said it was two in the morning, so you had given Dean plenty of time to fall asleep. It had also been enough time for you to gather yourself without his unavoidable charm to corrupt your feelings.

While you tip-toed in the dark, ready to dive into your bed and get your four hours, hoping that that conversation would be locked in a box in both your heads - Dean sensed you.

His hand hit the switch on the lamp and threw light on your form. You froze like a thief caught. You pouted longingly for your bed.

'Hey,' Dean said softly, as if talking to a baby deer that could hoof away.

You sighed, 'Hello.'

'Look, I'm sorry,' Dean sat up. 'I shouldn't have pried - it's just unbelievable.'

You huffed, 'That's not a good apology.'

'I've told you I think you're beautiful,' Dean argued his case. 'It's just unbelievable that you wouldn't leave a trail of heartbroken men.'

Your brain confused your lips: should you smile or frown with that?

'I'm just not that kind of a woman,' you stated, walking towards him to stand between the two beds. 'And I don't like intrusive questions.'

Even seated, he reached between your chest and your abdomen.

'I think,' he raised a hand that made you tense. His fingers brushed a strand of your hair back behind your ear, leaving a line of tingling on your cheek and butterflies in your stomach. 'You're wrong,' he quirked up a half-smile, 'about being that kind of a woman.'

Your mouth was slightly open in astonishment and speechlessness.

He dropped his hand and retrived your pillow, thrusting it gently into your hands. He plopped down into his bed.

'Sorry if I crossed a line,' he muttered, not sounding sorry at all.

He flicked the lights back off which gave you motivation to find your legs again. You lowered yourself into your bed, facing away from the Older Winchester, feeling your heart rate accelerate for inexplicable reasons. It didn't help that your pillow now had his intoxicating scent all over it. And instead of shoving it away like you probably should've, you snuggled closer into it, hugging it with one hand, while the other brushed your head, remembering the time when his lips touched you there.

It was weird how his presence made you feel least like a soldier you were born-to-be, and it wasn't because you had stopped doing your duty. Somehow you were hunting and protecting while still feeling like this!

So girly. So normal. So real!

As the tow of darkness took over you, you couldn't help but let your heart flutter in Dean Winchester's name.

A/N: They're both like tortoises, huh? Slowly peeking out of their shells 🙃. Fun fact - "Tortoises mate when they're not hibernating. During courtship, the male tortoise bobs his head at the female, nips at her front legs, and then mounts her." Dunno, found it funny from when I looked tortoises up 😂.

Tag List.

@hobby27 @stoneyggirl2 @globetrotter28 @aylacavebear @emma1998sblog

[finalgirlsamwinchester]

Thoughts on a potential Sam & Benny relationship? Platonic or otherwise? 👀✨

Hi!!! thank you for asking this hehe. See Benny falls under the category of characters 'assigned' to Dean who personally, to me, also have a lot in common with Sam when you really look beneath the surface (Cas is another character who falls in this camp). And what he has in common with Sam is just. a lot more thematically meaningful to me lol. Also I'm sorry... this is gonna be mostly literary analysis because i'm a real freak who judges ship potential between characters according to ~themes~ 😔

Benny, like Sam, is a character who's born from liminality. He's forced to occupy that space by the nature of his existence, but just like with Sam, his ambiguities aren't allowed to remain within the narrative. I'm using liminal here as a catch-all to cover both the idea of ambiguous identity and ambiguous zones between bordered territories, regions that in essence don't 'belong' anywhere.

Both Benny and Sam are not-monsters. Sam is the human who's never quite human, Benny is the monster who's never quite a monster. It's interesting to me that on a narrative level, Benny has to be 'exorcised' from the story first before the show fully leans into the stable home territory of the Bunker. From that point in the story onwards, any ambiguities in Sam's identity get squashed too. He's forced to occupy a rigid, unquestioned sense of belonging now - to the hunter community and to his family. His monstrous associations are something purely referred to in the past tense (i'm not referring just to the demon blood arc here, but how his soulless and hallucifer arc frame him as something 'dangerous' to the narrative).

Benny's introduction alone renders him a liminal creature, he comes from Purgatory, an 'in-between' realm sandwiched between Earth and Hell, a place of perpetual fighting, journeying and movement. there is no real home to be found in Purgatory. There's no place for rest. And when we learn his backstory, we learn that he was a literal sailor, a monster pirate hunting on open waters. He is a displaced person without a nation, no stable 'home'. The ocean doubles as another form of Purgatory; a liminal space for travellers, where one is always journeying and vulnerable. In that sense, he's a metaphorical double for both Sam and Dean, stuck journeying forever in their car, moving from one liminal space to the next (for them, in the form of motel rooms. there's a great chapter in the book TV Goes To Hell: An Unofficial Roadmap of Supernatural on this).

On a surface level, Benny embodies the type of free, rugged masculinity Dean has always idolised and aspired towards. On one level, he fits neatly into the same category as Gordon, Ketch etc. under the category of guys who just hearken back to John. But the added dimension of him being a non-practising vampire is what ties him to Sam, and what makes him an engaging side character to me. (Like, the literal denying-themselves-of-blood of it all). Real belonging will always come at the cost of erasing some integral part of who they are, a part of them that marks them as non-human.

Benny's brief subplot also directly mirrors Sam's arc in early s8 - both of them try to settle down and try and place roots. For Benny, it's with a descendent in Louisiana (a migrant trying to reconnect with his roots? [sniper on the roof takes me ou-]). But for the both of them, Dean is the ghost of hunting who disrupts this false, temporary sense of settlement. For Sam, it's Dean's return from Purgatory that pulls him away from a 'false' peace. For Benny, it's his association with Dean that draws hunters upon him (through Dean comes Sam, then Martin). Hunting in Supernatural is the boundary enforcer, the border police, the violent vigilantism that draws strict lines in the sand between humanness and monstrosity - a functional metaphor also for the ways we define who gets to be considered a citizen vs. an illegal alien.

(Also all of this fits into a meta I'm currently trying to write where I'm parsing my own feelings on why Sam's isolation/ambiguity resonates so particularly with dilemmas around identity and isolation as an immigrant child of migrants, compared to a character like Dean. So a bookmark here for further meta on a deeper reading into migrant narratives present in Benny + Sam's arcs?)

tldr; imagine if there was a single person of colour in the Supernatural writer's room (lol) damn what could've been!

[aina-otsuki]

I may or may not have gotten off track and made a fanfic about “A Kairos Moment”. @avaetin ever since your created that fanfic and ship I’ve never been able to look back.

Anyways anyone know a the show Star VS The forces Of Evil? Now imagine Nico’s family born from the “failed” clay prototypes made from the escaped essences of Earth, Sea, Sky, and Pit. Making them have magic but they were able to create their own ancient type of magic. Which like in the show they have a wand passed down from each queen. But instead of having a single wand passed down why not have them create their own wand along with their own spells to back up their own creation. I see Nico as the family’s Eclipsa (Queen Of Darkness) and Celena (the Shy). I think he’d be Eclipsa because why not. Also I think he’d look wonderful with an umbrella. Celena is mainly because of what’s said about her in that one episode where Star’s inside the wand and like reading stone texts about each wand user. I like started writing a bit of a fanfic about it.

Oh! Totally almost forgot about the kingdom his family has. So the Kingdom’s name is Eclipsara bc why not. Now kingdom is know to be hidden in the shadows and within plain sight. It’s where light and dark take a dance in a perpetual waltz. The capital is called Nightspire. It’s where all the most culture of the kingdom is held. Then there’s the major trading city that’s surrounded by a forest and near a river. Whisperwood is its name. It’s called this for a reason actually. The woods of that forest is where the trees whisper murmurs of secrets and where tales of yore are carried within its winds. This kingdom has all kinds of people from supernatural beings to normal people that live together in harmony among the rule of their dear Queen or King. OH!! The spells I wrote spells that are similar to the shows except they’re Nico’s spells and and like what if Nico took Aeon, and his children to the kingdom to let them have a “normal” childhood. Eclipsa was like hated for leaving her kingdom for the one she loved so instead of that for Nico. I’m going to have his family praise him for it. Like they did for Maria. Like they do for every family member who had enticed an immortal and powerful being.

Yeah, that’s about it. I’ll probably reblog the spells I made later.

Should I be working on my Jasico Fanfic instead of posting. Yes. Do I care and think everything I’m writing in the fic sucks and change sentences every few minutes. Yes. Should I not procrastinate and write my fic instead of saying I’ll do it later cause I have school work. Also yes! Anyways here’s the small part I started for this AU!

“A young girl stood in front of a tapestry. She was the oldest of her sisters. She, like her mother, was inevitability, the end. She was the fate others faced within their final breath. 

She was Atropos…

She looked at the tapestry with wonder. This was her mother. Her mother had titles her father hadn’t known of. She thought it was interesting to learn about this. She would admire the tapestry more later, for now she should read what her Mother’s people had to say about her. She looked down to read a tile of stone with gems and riches all around and a symbol of her mothers family. 

“Niccoló, Queen of Eclipsará. To an Eclipsaran King was wed but took a primordial for his love. And away from Eclipsará fled.”

Atropos felt like scoffing; they made her mother out to be someone bad. Leaving a kingdom for love doesn’t mean the person is bad. She disliked the fact they simply painted her father out to someone bad on the tapestry. Atropos thought they hadn’t known anything about her father. However, just as she was about to leave when she saw the stone change wording.

“Niccoló, the Flower and Star, he who hides behind a shadowed umbrella. The hand that does sweetly hold, a trove of cosmic secrets that have never been told.”

It wouldn’t let me upload my picture of the docs. So I had to copy paste which sucks. Anyways I bid everyone goodbye.

[halfbakedreviews]

Half Baked Review: Miss Night & Day

Length: 16 episodes | ~ 30 min/episode Half Baked Jury: It's fun Emotional Investment Level & Binge Degree: Grill Cheese Sandwich Overeasy (Low to Medium) + Serial Murders FL: LOVE! ML: We love a strong lead 2ndML: He exists Genre: Rom-Com, Fantasy/Supernatural, Murder Mystery,

Characters Ingredients:

☀️: FL day time, ~ 50 years old 🌙: FL night time, ~28 years old ⚖️: ML, tall prosecutor 🎤: 2nd ML, kpop star with anxiety 🔪: murder, murderer 🚨: police

Plot Synopsis Instructions w/ a Dash of Spoilers

Okay so... 🌙 is an unemployed 28-year-old, and it's not because she hasn't been trying. 🌙 lives with her parents and becomes the victim of a scam and that's how she meets ⚖️. It's a really cute meet cue in all honesty. Anyway, 🌙 meets a magic cat and falls down a well and magically inherits a body that turns 50 years old in the daytime and then 28 years old at night. At first, 🌙 upset but then she gets over it and then finds a job at the ⚖️ office when she is ☀️. Her parents freak out though. ☀️ takes the name of her missing/deceased aunt as an identity. ☀️ is great at her job, she is really excited that she can land a job as an older woman and finally fulfill her dream of working as a civil servant (sort of). ☀️ is full of stamina and eventually gets promoted. ⚖️ is a bit ageist (just a heads up). Anyway, ⚖️☀️are chasing a drug/murder case by day, while ⚖️🌙 are catching feelings at night.

This is a fun light-hearted drama with a really interesting murder mystery in the background.

Recipe Hiccups

It seems that drug addiction is something that is being shown more and more in South Korea. Interestingly, there is a juxtaposition that is explored here -- drug addiction that is part of a societally rejected subculture vs. drug dependence that is a result of mental unwellness. Personally, I think this is a really sticky issue to be black and white on because everyone has their own story and struggles. I just hope that the portrayal doesn't result in continued misunderstanding. K-drama writers, what is it with dismembering bodies?!!! I will say this particular serial killer's approach is different & weird (hint it includes drugs and hacking of body parts). The only thing I can't wrap my mind around is why the two were combined. Are they making a case that drugs and heinous crimes are correlated? Is it an attempt to create a unique psycho? did the K-drama generator insist on the two?

Beware of the hideous CGI cat and some annoying people who thought beating up a cat was a good idea. There is a special place at the bottom of earth's broiler for people like that.

Baked till Golden

I love love love love love it when k-dramas explore different stories. This k-drama we get to interact with older folks in such a delightful way, it's almost like sitting in a high school cafeteria. The title sequence is so cute. It's a mashup of Sailor Moon influence & comic books. super cute 🥹✨💕

Jung Eun Ji APINK queennnn is our FL so obviously it's wonderful and so is Lee Jung Eun one of the Greatest Actress of All Time (prove me wrong).

If I said it wasn't chef's kiss I would be lying, these ladies really carryyyy the story and I am eating it up. The pace of this drama is nice. This is a gimme the recipe kinda of drama. I recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ happy watching! 🍪

[defining-skyology]

Defining Spirits.

[[[Long read/article ahead]]]

[[[>Continue-Read]]]

Hello all of my two readers, welcome back!

Please observe the following definitions from Google for the word "spirit".

Got it all? Some kind of understanding? Good, because we're actually going to avoid using ANY of these specific definitions for this post. Enjoy the word vomit~ ❤️

When writing fiction, the concept of death can be molded in so many different ways.

Whether your character's death is literal or figurative, material or spiritual, alarming, unsettling, uncomfortable, horrifying, somber, sacrificial,

Or sacred, important, meaningful, glorified;

Death always marks the end of one story.

But in many stories, it also then marks the beginning of a new one.

Let's make a bold beginning statement to start off our Defining process with this term, something to rattle the house.

Ancestors =/= Spirits

From now on within the blog, we will understand that the difference between our Ancestor, and the Spirits of our Ancestors, is extremely important to acknowledge.

They are physically, vitally, spiritually, and thematically, different characters from each other.

While Ancestors have solid bodies that are often believed to be a composite combination of both Light and earthen matter, Spirits have broken free of their earthen shell with the help of the Descendant.

We've deemed in the last post that earth + Light (plus an affinity for humanity) creates an Unnatural Being somehow. If this is the case, then without that earthen cover, the Being is now left as just '100%' Pure Light.

In other words, Spirits have become Natural Beings, compared to their mortal coils from before.

A common misconception I've heard among the community over the years is that they (the Spirit) would likely be 'just' a fragment, 'just' their Soul left over, split from their body. The major reasoning behind this thought process is the most common, stereotypical definition of Spirit that we discussed before; either just as a synonym for Soul, or as a description of a ghostie "manifestation".

I personally see this as a disservice to the wonderfully crafted design of Beings of Light. The Light substance that has escaped the shell of the dead Ancestor is not just an 'energy', not just a spiritual concept, not at all. Physicality and Spirituality go hand in hand in the Sky universe, because Light does not die or shrivel; and at most can only be contained. All of this is why I believe that

Spirits are still 'proper' Beings.

Please Observe the Merriam-Webster definitions for the word "spirit". You will find that the word can be a lot more contrived and technical than the specific, stereotypical ways that most people and cultures use it, and the first two potential definitions given are the vibes I want to go with. The vibes that I (personally) believe match the most with what Spirits (as a concept within the Sky universe abiding by the laws of Light-substance 'science') were intended to be.

They are entities that are 'alive'.

Pure Light essence. Supernatural but not immaterial. No less Pure than the Creatures who dance in eternal wonder for the Megabird; no less free than the Descendant. They are now a part of the Megabird's plan; the true Nature of all things.

As before, Natural Beings are one with the Light, fully Connected to all extensions of the Megabird. This Connection is magnified by a direct Connection that Descendants make with each Spirit when they help them Ascend. Though this is getting into more complicated territory for a much later day, in short,

Spirits are Projected down from the Sky when the Descendants call upon them, through this Connection.

This strong visual theme occurs every time they appear and reappear in front of us within the world, and just like the discrepancy of Spirit vs. Ancestor, I believe that it would be a mistake for us to ignore just how intentional this visual theme of them Descending down from the Sky is.

It must not be overlooked.

Alright, well so far we're making pretty substantial ground towards a nice, clean, single sentence Definition for our term.

Here's what we know so far:

- Spirits are Natural Beings that are rejoined as a part of the Megabird.

- Spirits are projected from the Sky. (In some strange direct relation to us.)

But... Why do they come back down into the world if they're already Ascended?

The Answer lies within the word I've been using to describe their arrival whenever they appear; they are being Projected. By what?

By us.

Our Connection with them after we save them allows us to call upon them (and I'd like to believe that, canonically, this can be done at any time) and have them be Projected down into the world from the Light.

We know that the reason the Spirits come back is to spend time with us. Yes, that is genuinely what I believe is the flat canon reason why Spirits can just casually exist within the world as we see them do in Aviary and other places and events. They are trying to help us through our journey, and the most important thing that the Descendants need right now in this era, above all things, is to stay mentally healthy.

They want to make sure that we don't ever have to feel alone.

And unlike us as the Descendants, the Spirits aren't programmed with a mission. The Spirits are free now, just like the Creatures. But they still want to help us. They want to be with us and spend time with us. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

So now that we know why, we have all the pieces.

- Spirits are Natural Beings that are rejoined as a part of the Megabird, freed out of their earthen shell.

- Spirits are projected from the Sky.

- Spirits descend from the Sky in order to help the Descendants.

🎉🎊🎂🎆🎈🎉🎊🎉🎉

And there we have it folks; the Definition for our term "Spirits", and what that means to Sky.

Another day another article. I seriously do not have the ability to just make a short bitesized, digestible post.

But that's okay. I think giving myself the time to pour a bit more actual love into each post is a lot nicer in its own way anyways.

Thank you so much for reading, and have a good day/night!

[aufi-creative-mind]

How would Magic and Deities originate per say in your Botw-Totk worldbuilding project? Plus if the past games are canon in your stuff or not

Oooooh yes! I love these kind of worldbuilding questions. I have a lot to share for my BotW-TotK worldbuilding project (and this also relates to my BotW-TotK Family and Legacy series), so I'll try to break them down into three topics.

(I will also keep this spoiler-free for TotK lore since it hasn't changed much of my ideas)

--

Firstly, yes! The past games are canon to my worldbuilding. They all happened in the "Age of Myths" as described in BotW lore. I imagined that there was a cataclysmic "convergence" event when the multiple timelines were weaved together into one singular timeline prior to the events of BotW-TotK. Sort of similar to the Dragonbreaks from the The Elder's Scrolls series - where time was broken into multiple timelines before they somehow converged back together into one singular timeline. And everything that happened in each timeline are all true and did happened - despite contradicting one another.

So.....try not to think to hard on that one. Very few people in the BotW-TotK Hyrule know about the "Convegence" event. And most view the stories of past games as fairytales or folklore.

I had an idea that the story of Majora's Mask is a children's tale that a lot of kids would pretend-play as "Majora VS Fierce Hero".

--

Secondly, magic, I'm gonna be very honest. I haven't put much thought on how magic works in this version of Hyrule and sorta took the soft worldbuilding path of how magic works in this world Essentially, magic does exist in Hyrule but how a person can use it is rather unclear.

There are magic gifted ones like Zelda and her Sealing magic, Mipha with her healing and Urbosa with her lightning powers.

Then there are supernatural abilities like Link and his Flurry Rush which in my headcanon, is a time-based power.

And then there are abilities that can be taught. For example, the Yiga Clan's teleportation techniques and Revali literally created his own power of Gale through great effort and sheer will.

And then, there's the whole magic-tech aspect as well with the Ancient Sheikah tech and later, the Ancient Zonai stuff with TotK. So I can't really say much other than "game mechanics I guess?", without hurting my poor brain even more.

--

And finally, DEITIES.

The way I approached the deity / faith sytems of Hyrule is sort of like a softer worldbuilding version of The Elder's Scrolls' faith systems. The deities such as Hylia and the three Golden Goddesses are worshipped by the many peoples of Hyrule but not really present beings themselves (besides speaking via the Goddess Statues to the blessed few...and Link).

How they are being worshipped differs between different races and clans.

The universal Hyrulean creation story is about the three Golden Goddesses. Din, the Goddess of Power, created the material realm and the red earth. Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, created the laws and brought order to the world. And Farore, the Goddess of Courage, created the life forms to live on this new world. When they departed from this realm, they left behind a fragment of their divine essence in the form of the Triforce.

In the Hylian faith, they worship the Goddess Hylia as their chief deity who was blessed with the power of the Triforce to protect the land of Hyrule from the evil darkness. And so for the Hylians, they hold Hylia to a very favourable view as a Goddess of Light and divine protector of their homeland of Hyrule with the Queens and Princesses - many named Zelda - are seen as living incarnations of Hylia or even as her "daughters" with her divine blood. (Also my headcanon is that the name "Hyrule" is short for "Hylia's rule")

However for the Sheikah, my headcanon is that their faith follows a theme of duality that is not often present or spoke about by their Hylian counterparts. Perhaps for them, Hylia has "light and shadow" faces - she is the Goddess of Light that loves and protects her people, but she is also a Warrior Goddess that defends and judges those under her gazes. Thus, Hylia isn't seen as an "always good and loving" goddess and is instead recognised as a "benevolent but has a harsher side" entity. To love and to fear.

And this is just for the Hylian and Sheikah clans. The other races may have their own interpretations and pantheons - the Zoras may see Nayru as their chief deity as opposed to Hylia. Or the Gorons may put Din as their cheif deity. And heck, the Gerudo may have their own pantheons of gods or even ancestor worship that differs from Hylians.

(That being said, my Ordon worldbuilding project does has its own faith systems that is separate from the Hyrulean faith. And it focuses on the four Light Spirits as the divine guardians of the region. But that deserves its own post).

[smowkie]

finished the first bingo card for the summer from @ficreadingchallenge! thank you for such a fun challenge ❤️

list of fics under the cut

1. fluff

A Handful of Halloweens by WonkyElk

McShep, SGA, 2,592 w, teen

summary:

John and Rodney share a few Halloweens.

2. rec'd by a friend - thanks, @novemberhush ❤️

Warmth by bccalling

Buddie, 911, 699 w, gen

summary:

A tiny little fluffy snapshot of a Buckley-Diaz family camping trip and a chilly night out by the campfire.

3. superpowers / no powers au

Superteam! series by WonkyElk

McShep, SGA, 16,784 w, teen

summary of part 1, We’ll Name It Later:

“So, all four of them …” she indicated the members of her premier Gate team, all currently cuddled up asleep in infirmary beds and looking so peaceful and cute and so painfully vulnerable, that she almost wanted to slip them each a snuggly teddy bear, against bad dreams, “have, in entirely separate incidents, each somehow acquired a superpower?” Carson shrugged helplessly at her. “It’s been a really weird day.”

4. rarepair

One Functioning Human by TwoTales

ZelenKay, SGA, 848 w, teen

summary:

“You just had to touch the fucking plant, Radek.” Radek’s eyes stung, his ears ringing. Tears tracked down his cheeks as he lay on the ground. “Do not talk, it hurts too much.” Radek opened his eyes and peered over at him. Rodney’s closed eyelids and the skin around was hot pink, his face wet with tears and snot as he wheezed.

5. long fic (>25000 words)

Everything Changes (And You Gotta Be Ready) by Temaris

McShep, SGA, Doctor Who, Torchwood, 25,083 w, teen

summary:

When Sheppard is lost between Gates, McKay moves heaven and earth to get him back.

6. found family

He's Ours by Brumeier

SGA, 929 w, teen

summary:

LJ Comment Fic for Scary Wednesday prompt: Any, Any Character(s), fear of intimacy In which John learns that his fear of intimacy has been subverted, when he wasn't paying attention.

7. newest fic in the tag of your choice - #Twenty Years Later

wrong side up by dedkake

SGA, 2,800 w, gen

summary:

“Colonel,” Teyla says, stopping him outside the gathering tent with a hand on his elbow. She searches his face for a moment, her smile softening at whatever she sees. “Please consider what he has to say before you respond. This opportunity—I think it is what we have all been waiting for.” or, things are coming together for this alternate timeline.

8. fic from your first fandom

Reunion by JaneDavitt

Wincest, Supernatural, 342 w, mature

summary:

Dean's taking a much-needed shower and Sam's remembering too much. Credited as the first Supernatural fic, and so the first Dean/Sam fic too, which is something I only discovered much later.

9. inspired by another fanwork - inspired by 12. de-aging / kidfic What Happens in the Clubhouse by skoosiepants

The Knights of the Pegasus Galaxy vs. the Chicken Pox by DevilDoll

McShep, SGA, 5,906 w, teen

summary:

After the worst was over, having space chicken pox was kind of awesome. A Clubhouse universe story.

10. didn't know they were dating

it started out with a kiss by beckybegins (QueenTheatrics)

Buddie, 911, 5,457 w, teen

summary:

It’s a normal day when Eddie decides he’s going to blow up his life. OR The fic where Eddie kisses Buck, panics, and speed runs a relationship.

11. gift giving

like a freight train by dedkake

McShep, SGA, 536 w, gen

summary:

It could've started before the storm. or, Rodney's in panic-mode and John interrupts.

12. de-aging / kidfic

What Happens in the Clubhouse by skoosiepants

McShep, SGA, 5,981 w, teen

summary:

Right, yes, because traveling through the eleven miles of forest between here and the 'gate will be a piece of cake when we're roughly the size of dwarves, with all the strength of a bundle of sticks!"

free space

Cake or Death by Brumeier

McShep, SGA, 2,494 w, teen

summary:

It was just a piece of cake, but for Rodney it was far more dangerous.

13. BIPOC main character

Pegasus Miracles series by A_Storm_of_Roses

Aiden/Ronon, SGA, 8,445 w, explicit

summary of part 1, Pegasus Miracles:

After 6 years, dozens of planets, and countless dead Wraith, Aiden Ford returns - quieter, lonelier, and unsure. After 7 years as a Runner, Ronon thinks he might just understand. Or Aiden and Ronon get the happy ending they both deserve.

14. enemies to friends / lovers

Hope by badly_knitted

Teal'c & SG-1, SG1, 405 w, gen

summary:

When Teal'c meets the strangers, he feels the first real stirrings of hope for his people.

15. magic

Achilles’ Heel by WonkyElk

McShep, SGA, 8,495 w, teen

summary:

He’d learned a few things over the past six months. How far dragonfire could reach and how it cooked you so fast, you were dead before you finished screaming. How the claws and beak of a griffin tore through flesh like it was the smoothest of butter. Most of all, he learned that life would be a whole lot more bearable if he could manage not to care.

16. space AU

Following the Stars to Home by WonkyElk

McShep, SGA, 16,197 w, mature

summary:

He was almost out of the landing zone, when a murmur of rippling excitement caused him to look back. Apparently, the Rusty Bucket - or whatever it was called - wasn’t the only ship to have picked today to visit the dullest planet in the known universe.

17. hurt / comfort

Distraction by laceymcbain

McShep, SGA, 9,064 w, mature

summary:

“Have you tried ear plugs?” Rodney asks. “It’s in my head, Rodney. Ear plugs don’t do a lot when the voices are inside your brain!”

18. gen fic

Reckoning by tacit

SGA, 5,375 w, teen

summary:

Written December 2007 for the SGA H/C secret santa. Everybetty requested gen Shepwhump featuring Beckett, that didn't skip over the medical details. This is what came out. Nb: At the end of The Defiant One, McKay nods to Sheppard's gun shot wound and asks if Sheppard's okay. Sheppards replies, "Other than this and a few cracked ribs," which seemed eye-rollingly over-stoic, to me. I've taken a bit of poetic license with the severity of Sheppard's injuries.

19. werewolf AU

when the autumn moon is bright by callunavulgari

McShep, SGA, 2,881 w, teen

summary:

There weren’t, strictly speaking, supposed to be wolves in Atlantis.

20. secret relationship

Magic Marker by trinityofone

McShep, SGA, 1,711 w, teen

summary:

John’s eyes were wide with horror. “You’re telling me that I walked around all day with ‘Property of Dr. Rodney McKay’ written on my ass?”

20. secret relationship - again, i couldn't decide which to use, so you get both

Jane Wyatt did it first by mayachain

McShep, SGA, 243 w, gen

summary:

It's not that they're being subtle, exactly.

21. under the influence

Deep Space Malady by LogicGunn

McShep, SGA, 3,332 w, teen

summary:

Rodney swears when the extension in his assigned room rings at stupid o’clock in the morning, waking him up from a deep sleep (and pleasant dreams about messy-haired Colonels) barely half an hour after his head had hit the pillow. He fumbles for the receiver in the dark and hisses at whoever is at the other end of the line.

22. new (to you) fandom

Crossing the Line by Zilentdreamer

Rysposito, Castle, 2,311 w, teen

summary:

There is a line that divides us from want we want. Sometimes we don't even realize its starting to blur until its gone.

23. video edit / fanmix

Run Baby Run by randommindtime

McShep, SGA

24. epistolary

Beach Real Estate by ficontessa

McShep, SGA, 3,405 w, gen

summary:

If you're going to go all in on wacky AUs, why NOT one where John is a beach realtor? This is ridiculous and I'm not even sorry.

[this-world-of-beautiful-monsters]

now i'm thinking about how in lis1 we see christianity in the form of soft harmless characters like kate marsh, who is victimized by her faith that she holds onto so desperately, and by the evil nonbelievers who mistreat her for it, and lis2 is all about characters like lisbeth who use their faith to harm others or characters like Jake trying to actively escape it. in lis2 christianity is alternately a violent colonial force designed to shatter queer families/families of color and as the backdrop to acts of divine destruction, divine justice like Daniel's and as a watcher deliberately letting all this happen. i saw this post somewhere about how spn portrays christianity as this ominous omnipresent force in the american landscape and that's how it is for the diaz brothers, it's an uneasy potential explanation for Daniel's powers that turns into a tool of control, it's the cold stars from above, it's the crosses at graves during their most traumatic moments, it's the gap between Esteban's religious art and Lisbeth's even while depictingly seemingly the same god.

ntm that kate contains most of the explicitly christian elements of lis1, but in lis2 christianity seeps into episode after episode the way it does in real american life, constant to the point of virus, popping up in dialogue and imagery and conflict and plot structure, constant themes of belief and sacrifices and justice vs forgiveness. this could even extend how you interpret the endings of the game--the whole point of the supposedly superior "redemption" ending is being saved from sin, washed clean through suffering--so is parting ways, almost the idea of peace achieved through a sacrificial lamb, while lone wolf is the divine punishment for Daniel's hubris. blood brothers is the only ending that breaks from the mold by reveling in sin and refusing to accept a reward later for suffering now, creating a filthy greedy eden on earth instead, falling down south to a country us culture works very hard to demonize as some kind of criminal deviland and refuse to rise back up the coast into whatever cages have been set for them.

while lis1 has all sorts of theories about the supernatural events, ghosts and sci-fi stuff and weirdly appropriated Indigenous mythology, divine origins is one of the few constant explanation for Daniel's power that comes up again and again, as constant as or more than the general themes of superhero comic tropes. and the worst part is you can't prove a negative, you can't prove Daniel isn't divine, because we never get any other explanation for his power the way we never get any explanation for the other ability sets. if we still don't can't be sure Rachel or Max or whatever was behind The Storm, we can't prove god didn't send Daniel to lisbeth, only that said god would be very, very cruel if he had. he's a maybe-divinity trapped in a christian system that too often ignores or distorts its own teachings, or only clings onto the most hateful ones, and of course systems like that are designed to create specific kinds of bloody angels or specific kinds of holy sacrificial lambs, so it's up to Sean to decide which one his brother is going to grow up to be.