#or why more than one angel has tried to learn the true name of the abrahamic god and got punished

[moonstruckme]

Omg wait are you looking for prince!sirius requests? I love that series but I didn't want to be pushy about it lol

What about some kind of big event for r that she's feeling some anxiety about, and she goes to sirius for help? Like she's giving a speech so she practices it with him, or they do flashcards of important people she needs to know the names of?

Thanks for requesting angel!

cw: allusions to Black family dynamics

prince!Sirius x princess!reader ♡ 860 words

“You’ve got it,” Sirius encourages you. “I’ll give you a hint. It starts with a b, like buttmunch, which if you talk to him you’ll find is really very fitting.” 

Your lips curve, but your brow remains firmly set in concentration. 

“Okay, b. B…Beekman?” 

“Very close.” Sirius puts the flashcard down. “Becker.” 

“Damn it.” You sit back from where you’d leaned forward to peer at Becker’s face, hands clasping around your tented knees. 

“Time for a break?” he suggests. 

“Yeah, guess so.” You reach for the cup of tea sitting on your bedside table, rubbing beside your eyebrow. 

You’re wearing pajamas again. Or, they might not be pajamas to you, but they are to Sirius. Sweatpants and a loose top that drapes off your form and looks delightfully soft. Sirius had tried to follow suit, but the closest he could get was a plain, fitted shirt and his most comfortable trousers. Sirius’ family doesn’t really believe in loungewear. 

He likes that you’re not like that, though. It’s hard to know how normal the Blacks are even among royalty, but you seem less bound to any expectations besides your own than any royals he’s met. You were kind enough to lend him a pair of sweatpants when he arrived, and Sirius has never felt more spoiled. 

“Sorry this is taking so long,” you say. “I was never great with names.” 

“You’ll be alright,” Sirius reassures you. Though, names are sort of a big part of these dinners. Everyone wants you to know who they are, to validate their importance and make them feel like they have a close personal connection to power. Sirius is lucky; memorization comes easily to him, and he’s been kept abreast of who’s dying off and who’s getting married since he was old enough to speak. “Even if you can’t remember all of them, you can always get by with enthusiasm.” 

You cock your head interestedly. “Enthusiasm?” 

“You know. Goodness gracious,” he rolls his eyes, speaking with a deadpan delivery, “it is so wonderful to finally meet you. How are you, how is your family? That sort of shit.” 

Your smile blooms. It really is a lovely sight, and one Sirius wishes he’d been graced with more often since meeting you. He understands why you’ve not been in particularly high spirits; after meeting an entire new family, being forced to make nice with supercilious aristocrats, and learning your family plans to marry you off without really asking for your input, Sirius wouldn’t be feeling particularly smiley either. Still, he hopes to see more of it. 

“Does that really work?” you ask him. 

“Course. All any of them want is to feel like you know them. Whatever accomplishes that is fine. What did the Queen tell you?” 

Your smile fades, your mouth twisting instead with a dry humor. “She wasn’t around. One of her advisors just said to study the flashcards and try to talk as little as was inoffensive, whatever that means. Basically stay out of trouble, I guess.” 

Sirius huffs a laugh. He can’t count how many times people have told him to stay out of trouble. He’s fairly sure he never once listened. 

“Well, I think you’ll do lots better than they’re expecting.”

“Really?” Your eyes turn up to his, big and hopeful. Sirius feels his mouth curve of its own volition. 

“Yeah,” he says earnestly. “Just be yourself, gorgeous. They won’t be able to leave you alone.

It’s certainly been true for Sirius. And the fact is, you could make the biggest faux pas of the century and none of those snobs would call you on it. You’re a princess. 

He does genuinely believe that you could get by even without your status, though. You’re not an imposing presence, but there’s an air about you that puts people at ease. You emanate good intentions. It’s intriguing; Sirius hardly knows anything about those. 

You hide a smile behind your teacup. “I thought we said no flirting when no one was around.” 

“Sorry. Can’t help it. Fair warning, by the way,” he drops his voice into a more serious register, “you’ll probably have to be introduced to my parents. Now that they think you’ve agreed to their arrangement, they’ll want to meet you.” 

“Oh.” You blink, lowering your tea. “Okay. I’m excited to meet them.” 

So this is how you sound when you lie. 

“It won’t be fun,” Sirius warns. “They’re not nice, but they probably won’t really care about speaking to you after being introduced. It ought to be short, at least.” 

“Sirius,” you laugh, and it’s hard to tell whether the twitch in Sirius’ gut is from you saying his name or the sound of your laughter. Further studies will be needed. “They’re your parents. They can’t be that bad.” 

Sirius heaves a sigh, flopping sideways so he’s lying across your bed. “They are.” He gives your knee a pat. “But no need to worry about that now. Ready to get back to the cards?” 

“Sure.” Your posture straightens slightly, a cute, concentrated frown coming to your lips. Sirius holds up the first flashcard. “Alright. This one’s name starts with a w, like wanker.”

[another-lost-mc]

candy prompts: michael + sweet (with a dash of spice)

michael struggles with doubt when you visit the celestial realm.

pairing: michael x gn!reader

content: sfw-ish. some kissing but nothing explicit. insecurity and unhealthy coping mechanisms (michael). hurt/comfort. takes place sometime after s4.

word count: 1.2k+ (oops)

Michael spends most of his free time in his private garden. He tells the other angels he meditates there in the solace of sun and shade under his favourite willow tree, but it's only an excuse disguise the ugly truth: he goes there to run away.

He runs away when his endless responsibilities make his head spin and his jaw clench in frustration. Sometimes he runs away with a third helping of dessert so he can enjoy some semblance of sugary comfort when he feels empty inside. The sweet distraction he craves dissolves to ash on his tongue, tainted by whatever dark thoughts haunt him.

Today, he runs away to his garden and hides from you.

When you came to visit the Celestial Realm, Michael thought he was prepared. In a strange sort of way, it felt like he knew you already despite your limited conversations before. Luke adored you like a sibling and talked about you often. Simeon was obviously very fond of you too, but some of his messages were laced with lustful implications that Michael tried to ignore.

It was suspicious when Michael first realized how close you were with his fallen brothers. You somehow charmed the likes of Lucifer into creating a pact with you when so many others had failed. Not only that, but The Morningstar cared about you enough that he was willing to sacrifice his own life to save yours. It bothered Michael immensely at the time, but the jealousy he used to feel gradually lost its sharp edge and reluctant admiration took its place.

Michael knew he should meet you properly to understand what made you so captivating, so special. He couldn’t underestimate you the way all the others did—he wouldn’t be made a fool of. He steadied his resolve and braced his heart to meet you. You were the only human he respected and feared in equal measure.

He was right to fear you, of course. The moment he laid eyes on you, hesitantly stepping out from that portal and smiling in the realm’s eternal light, he was utterly charmed by you. From that first introduction with your hand grasped gently in his own, you murmured his name like a prayer and he felt the first stirrings of temptation. You were so pretty and so human and he finally understood why so many others fell for you.

He was determined not to succumb to you that easily. At first, he successfully avoided spending too much time alone with you. He made excuses while one of the other willing angels kept you company. If you knew he was avoiding you, you didn't seem to mind.

Every angel within the realm has their true calling and spends their days working or learning or teaching or training. You were eager to learn alongside them and most of them were glad to have your company in return. Even the most stubborn angels fell victim to your easy smiles and contagious laughter. Many were already lamenting the day when you would leave them.

It startled Michael when your interest eventually shifted back to him. He couldn’t make excuses to avoid you forever and you trailed after him as he carried out his duties in the Celestial Halls. He spent hours in his office completing the most mundane tasks but it wasn't enough to bore you or drive you away. You brought books with you to read and told him about Devildom gossip as you scrolled through your D.D.D. and you offered to fetch more tea from the kitchen when your cups ran dry.

He told himself that it was easier to tolerate you than to ignore you. You became a familiar presence at his side and it bothered him how much he liked it. In fleeting moments he found himself wanting even more.

Now he sits in his garden in the shade of his favorite willow tree, head tipped back against the rough bark and his legs are stretched out in front of him. Lately he spends his time consumed by thoughts of you. Tonight he tries not to think about the way you brushed your thigh against his under the table at dinner, or the way your face brightened when you told him you helped bake tonight’s dessert—one of his favourites, of course.

He ate his dessert slowly, slicing into the delicate cake and complimenting your efforts between bites. He enjoyed the fluffy whipped cream and sweet berry filling, but his eyes lingered on your lips when you hummed happily as you finished your own serving. He wondered what you would taste like if he kissed that flirty smile and cleaned that little smear of cream from the corner of your mouth with his tongue.

A quiet rustling nearby catches his attention. Michael’s not surprised to hear the soft shuffle of sandals against the grass as you approach him. He keeps his eyes stubbornly closed even when he feels you bump his leg as you kneel at his feet. He finally opens his eyes and watches with curious reservation as you crawl forward on your hands and knees until you’re practically sitting in his lap. Your hands tremble against his chest and after a moment, he carefully settles his on your waist to steady you. You melt into the touch and lean against him, warmed by his body against your own.

He gives you his silent acceptance of whatever this is and hopes he won't live to regret it. If he were a better angel, he would send you away so both of you can pretend this never happened. But he’s not that angel, not anymore, and he’s always been a little selfish.

Michael wonders what you see when you look at him because your gaze is so affectionate with the slightest hint of desire. It flickers in your irises like the first hesitant flames before the fire burns into a roaring inferno. He can’t remember the last time he felt so wanted; he feels overheated despite the cool breeze that jostles the tree branches above.

Still, he hesitates. What does an old angel like him have to offer someone like you? He bears the weight of so many burdens on his shoulders. His heart is heavy from impossible choices and regrets that keep him awake at night. Years of indulgence have left his belly bigger and softer than it used to be. He doesn’t understand why someone like you would ever want him.

He groans when your lips press against his. Your first hesitant kiss shatters his stubborn resolve and he gently rolls both of you over, laying you on the grass underneath him. Your chest heaves with panted breaths but you look completely satisfied. His brave little lamb. He props himself up on his forearms so he doesn’t hurt you with his weight but you pout like you want to feel more of him. He obliges and lifts your thigh up so it rests against the curve of his hip. He swallows your gasp when he lowers himself and grinds down against you, experimentally at first and harder when you dig your fingers into his back and urge him to give you more. You beckon him with sinful prayers and he feels compelled to obey.

He shudders with each soft noise that tumbles from your lips and each flick of your tongue against his own. His hands find their way beneath the intricately-woven clothes he had made for you while he seeks out all your sensitive places. He drags his mouth over the curve of your jaw while his deep voice murmurs praise into your skin, leaving a trail of biting kisses in his wake.

He satiates his ravenous hunger while he takes you apart with all the skill and patience he can muster. After all, there’s no need to rush—no one will come looking for you in his garden.

read more: halloween 2023 masterlist || obey me masterlist

[aspoonofsugar]

Charlie and Vaggie: Anima and Animus

There's something that I've been dying to say More than anything, more than anything Need you to know I love you more than anything More than anything

Charlie and Vaggie have intertwined and complementary arcs, which are beautifully explored through the jungian archetypes of anima and animus.

WHAT ARE ANIMA AND ANIMUS?

According to Carl Jung, the anima and animus are parts of the human mind. In particular, the anima is the feminine and the animus is the masculine. Everyone has naturally both, but society promotes specific gender values and drives people to repress traits culturally associated with the opposite gender. So, to fully be complete, a person should integrate the negated part. In stories, this usually happens through a meaningful romantic relationship.

Charlie and Vaggie are two women, but they still exhibit opposite gender traits:

Charlie is a princess, who sings her heart out at every chance. She is focused on words, ideals, feelings and she strongly believes in love. All traditionally feminine traits.

Vaggie is a soldier, who shows pride in her fighting abilities. She is focused on actions, pragmatism, battles and she strongly believes in strength. All traditionally masculine traits.

And yet, things are not so simple. Let's consider Charlie and Vaggie's designs for example:

Charlie usually wears masculine clothes, as she prefers androgynus suits. Not only that, but her name means "free man" and she goes with the gender neutral "Charlie", rather than her given name "Charlotte":

Valentino: YEAH! That BITCH Chuckie or Chandler, or I dunno- Something mannish like that.

Vaggie usually wears feminine clothes, as she sports a short skirt and loose long hair. Even her name is linked to femininity, as it literally means "vagina":

Angel Dust: You're doing great, Vagina.

Even when it comes to Chaggie's The Nightmare Before Christmas's allusion...

Charlie references Jack Skellington, as she is the Princess of Hell and a passionate dreamer

Vaggie references Sally, as she is a run-away and Charlie's level-headed helper

So, Charlie seems superficially more feminine and Vaggie appears more masculine, but their looks and inspirations suggest otherwise. Why?

In truth, even if Charlie is a singing disney-like princess and Vaggie is a badass super-soldier, they don't perfectly fit the typical anima and animus characterization. This is true for their appearances and on a deeper level. Specifically:

Charlie is linked to the anima (feminine), but she is active (masculine) and stronger than Vaggie. Finally, even if she is passionate about feelings, she is often insensitive. For example, she doesn't notice her loved ones' struggles, like Angel's pain and Vaggie's insecurities.

Vaggie is linked to the animus (masculine), but she is reactive (feminine) and very sensitive deep down. Moreover, she is weaker than Charlie in terms of raw power, so her obsession with protecting the princess is misplaced.

Charlie is an anima character with a strong repressed animus and Vaggie is an animus character with a strong repressed anima. They have to integrate with each other to become whole. Still, what should they learn from their partner?

LOVE AND HATE

Charlie and Vaggie have the same problem declined in opposite ways:

Husk: Princess, is a bleeding heart who wants to solve everybody else's problems 'cept her own.

Husk about Vaggie: This one judges everyone and everything because she hates herself.

Charlie wants to fix everyone in an unconscious attempt to fix herself. She loves everyone because she herself wants to be loved.

Vaggie is cold and closed off out of guilt and self-hate. She is suspicious of everyone because she can't really forgive herself.

Both girls have low self-esteem, but Charlie tries to compensate with love, whereas Vaggie tries to defend with hate. These different coping mechanisms stem from their upbringings.

Charlie is the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith, who love her deeply, but are also distant and neglectful. As a result, she admires them, but feels unworthy of their attentions and legacy:

Lute: The only reason you're still here is because daddy gave you and your hellborn kind a pardon from an exorcist blade. How does that feel, to know how little you matter?

She is stuck being the lovable, but useless princess.

Vaggie is brought up in Adam's army, which is an abusive environment, where hate is seen as strength. Vaggie has a place in the world because she kills and is good at it:

Adam: You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie. Anyway, you sure fucked up, didn't you?

She is stuck being the ruthless and remorseless soldier.

The path ahead for both girls lies in discovering they are more than just the princess and the soldier. In particular:

Charlie must accept she herself is capable of feeling negative emotions, like pain and anger. She can be aggressive and this doesn't make her mean. It makes her healthy.

Vaggie: Well, I mean… You're the princess of Hell. You don't really use the power that comes with that, which I love about you, but maybe you can… I don't know, command a little more… Authority? Charlie: But that's so mean. Vaggie: It's not mean, exactly. It's… uh, aggressive kindness.

Vaggie must learn to open up to others. She must show vulnerability and express her positive feelings more. She has a merciful and sensitive side, which doesn't make her weak. It makes her strong.

Chaggie have the potential to help each other bloom. Vaggie is the first person to tell Charlie she should be more self-assured in her role of Princess of Hell. Charlie is the first person, who takes care of Vaggie as she is hurt and unable to defend herself. Charlie can teach Vaggie to embrace her inner maiden (love, mercy). Vaggie can show Charlie how to be a real warrior (aggressivity, strength). At the same time, their opposite mentalities lead to some problems in their relationship.

TRUST FALLS (APART)

Charlie: I trust everyone, so maybe you know better on how to build it properly!

Angel Dust to Vaggie: To be fair, do you trust any man? Any men? Men?

Charlie trusts everyone, whereas Vaggie trusts no-one. So, none of them really knows how to trust properly. This becomes obvious in the episode Scramble Eggs, where:

Charlie trusts Vaggie so much she doesn't realize she is putting a lot of pressure on her partner:

Charlie: Oh, come on. It'll be easy! I'm sure you can handle this. Vaggie: Yeah, um, Sure, I can handle this. No problem.

Vaggie trusts Charlie so little she isn't able to confide nor lean on her partner:

Charlie: It's no big deal, Vaggie. You know, maybe I can just help, uh- Vaggie: No. I told you you could trust me, and I'm not going to let you down.

Charlie acts like the damsel and lets Vaggie handle the whole situation. Vaggie plays the knight and refuses to share the burden with Charlie:

So I, I'll be your armor Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll spend my life being your partner

The song Whatever It Takes plays the princess/knight motif straight. Vaggie sees herself as worthy of Charlie only if she can be her knight in shining armor. This may seem sweet, but there is something to be said about Vaggie echoing Carmilla, a mother who is singing to her daughters:

So I, I'll be your keeper Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll keep you safe and keep this secret

It makes sense for a parent to shoulder the burden for their kids' sake. However, a person wanting to do the same for their lover is unhealthy. Especially, when the secret of a balanced relationship is established early on:

Charlie: From the dust of Earth, they created Adam and Lilith, equals as the first of Mankind.

The two partners must be equals, but Vaggie sees herself as inferior to Charlie and tries to over-compensate. In this way, though, she takes away Charlie's agency. Charlie instead knows something is off deep down. However, she does not address the matter because she would need to go deeper into herself, her feelings and her relationships. And Charlie wants to avoid it at all costs.

Chaggie's communication issues are conveyed meta-narratively in Charlie and Vaggie's individual songs:

-Charlie's Happy Day in Hell has our princess sing so loud that she almost covers Vaggie's warning:

Charlie: If I can show them the dream I've dreamed That any soul can change! Vaggie: Those angels' minds are hard to change Charlie: Then they will know everyone can be redeemed From the evil to the strange! Vaggie: They're bloodthirsty and deranged!

She doesn't listen to Vaggie.

-Vaggie's Whatever It Takes is sung by our knight to her princess, but Vaggie has Charlie leave before the beginning:

Charlie: Vaggie, don't say that! You do so much! It's- Vaggie: I'm sorry. I'd… I'd like to be alone for a minute.

She doesn't talk to Charlie.

Eventually the couple's trust exercise is solved positively:

Charlie: No, no, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I put pressure on you. We work as a team. I guess I just thought all this would be easier, but, we'll figure it out, together. I mean, look what your exercise did for them.

Charlie goes out of her way to talk with Vaggie and Vaggie's team-building works. Charlie puts both her and Vaggie's feelings into words, whereas Vaggie builds trust through her actions.

Despite this, Chaggie don't really address their problems, which come back stronger:

Adam: Don't you act all high and mighty Did you ever think your little girlfriend might be a liar? Vaggie: Don't, Adam, please! Adam: What's the fuss? Why hide the fact that you're an angel just like us?

Charlie has been ignoring Vaggie's dark side, so she is devastated when it comes out. Vaggie instead has been hiding the truth from Charlie, so it is revealed in the worst way possible. After this, there is an inversion in Charlie and Vaggie's dynamic:

Vaggie: Charlie, can we talk about this-- Charlie: We can talk later. Right now, we have a job to do. You with us?

Vaggie is the one looking for a conversation, whereas Charlie pushes her girlfriend away. Before they can reconcile, the two girls need to go through individual trips and to find the guidance of two mentors.

A singer

A dancer

SINGING AND DANCING

Rosie and Carmilla are mature versions of Charlie and Vaggie:

Rosie is the Ruler of Cannibal Town, one of the nicest place in Hell. She is good-natured, but respected by her people. Moreover, she runs an Emporium, where she helps her clients with their personal problems. This is pretty much what Charlie would like to do with the Hazbin Hotel. Rosie is also a singer and is inspired by Dolly, from the musical "Hello, Dolly!"

Carmilla is Hell's top weapon dealer, so she specializes in war and is herself an exceptional fighter. However, she is not ruthless and mostly fights to protect her loved ones. She is the kind of person a more balanced and self-assured Vaggie might become. Carmilla is also designed as a ballerina and her two daughters are called after protagonists of famous ballets.

Why do Charlie and Vaggie's adult selves have a singing and dancing motif? That's because Charlie and Vaggie are respectively a singer and a dancer.

Charlie is a singer:

Charlie: My name is Charlie, I like to sing! And when we get to know each other it's the greatest thing!

She always conveys her feelings through songs, like her many attempts to pitch her hotel (to the Sinners, to Adam, to the Cannibals). What is more:

Charlie: But Lilith thrived, empowering demonkind with her voice and songs.

Charlie wants to become like Lilith and to empower people with her voice. Her objective is to grow into an inspiring leader, who changes minds and touches hearts with words.

Vaggie is a dancer:

The problem is that she has yet to realize it. Vaggie struggles with self-expression, which is why she has very few songs in the first season. That said, she shows her devotion through actions, like her determination to fight for Charlie. What she needs to learn is a new fighting style rooted in love. That is dancing, a way to express one-self through the body. This is made clear by the two cut episodes Challenge Day and The Baphomet Ball:

This cut plotline had Vaggie fight proto-Carmilla and lose. Charlie would later cheer her up by inviting her to a Ball. There proto-Carmilla would be impressed by Vaggie's dancing skills. The basic idea is obvious. Vaggie is a fighter, who must evolve into a dancer.

So, once again Chaggie is complementary:

Charlie is linked to singing, words and "soul", as she herself is the Heart of the Hazbin Hotel.

Vaggie is linked to dancing, actions and "body", as she herself is the Arm of the Hazbin Hotel.

As a result, they are given opposite missions to save the hotel:

Charlie must convince the Cannibals to join her army (singing). She must find people, who will help them fight.

Vaggie must discover from Carmilla how to fight the exorcists. This means both learning her fighting style (dancing) and obtaining the angelic weapons.

And yet, to succeed in their respective areas of expertise both Charlie and Vaggie must step into the other's shoes.

Charlie learns to better understand Vaggie and by doing so she realizes the importance of actions:

Rosie: If there's anything I've learned, it's that words are cheap, but actions, they speak the truth. So, what have her actions said? Charlie: That she believes in me, and what we're doing.

Not only that, but she is forced to take a look inside and starts unpacking some of her negative emotions:

Charlie: My girlfriend is an Exorcist angel, and she never told me Rosie: Oh, shit! Quite a secret. How does that make you feel? Charlie: Just, angry, because we share everything, because she always supported me, and my ideas, and-and- and now, I don't know whether or not that was just more of the lies! Oh no that's a horrible thing to think! Do i think that?! Yes! N-no. Kinda?

As a result, she comes up with a song that combines her natural showmanship and charisma with a new resolution to act:

Charlie: For the first time in my life I might have to be ready for this Ready to be the one who's leading from the front Gotta come into my own Gotta come into my throne Gotta take charge and defend my only home And although I kinda feel unsteady Now I need to be ready for this

Charlie steps into the role of leader and is ready to take action:

All: For the first time in our lives We know that we are ready for this Rosie: We'll show Heaven a fight they won't forget! All: It's time to take a stand Charlie: It is time to lend a hand! (Cannibals: Huzzah!) Against the angels and their deadly threat! All: We cannot take it anymore The time has come to go to war Prepare to fight, we're ready for… THIS!

Vaggie inspires the residents of the Hotel to stay and convinces Carmilla to help. By doing so, she shows how much she has grown thanks to her time with Charlie:

Vaggie: What's important now is that we're going to have a fight on our hands. Look, this hotel is about to become the most dangerous place in hell, and we….I, can't guarantee your safety anymore. I still believe in Charlie's dream. I know this place can work. But none of you signed up for this. I'm gonna go learn how we can fight back, and when I come home….Well I'll understand if none of you are here.

Moreover, she learns to fight in a new way intertwined with music (Charlie's passion and world):

This fighting style is focused on defense and survival, rather than attack and killing:

Carmilla: Angels attack quickly, viciously, and without mercy. You'll need to defend better than that.

Carmilla: Well, look at that. You might just survive this.

It is based on love:

Carmilla: I see you're driven by your detestation Your every step is stoked with animus You need a different type of motivation Or there's no way that you can handle this I know you're thirstin' for vengeance, Vaggie You're out for blood But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love

By the end, Charlie and Vaggie meet each other in front of the Hazbin Hotel. Charlie leads the people (soul) and Vaggie has the weapons (body). They have also grown enough to better understand each other. Charlie empathizes with Vaggie and forgives her lie. Vaggie realizes how much Charlie cares for her and is ready to value herself more:

At the same time, Charlie faces some of her repressed "aggressivity" and makes an important step as Princess of Hell:

Rosie and Alastor: She's bound to pass the test as Princess of Hell Like her Daddy, she is madly power-fell!

Vaggie instead learns some "self-love" and makes progress into becoming a true angel:

Carmilla: You're gonna fight without gloves And when that push comes to shove Yeah, you just might rise above Long as you're out for love

These changes are fully embraced and tested in the final battle.

FINALE: DEVIL AND ANGEL

The fight against the Exorcists is where Charlie and Vaggie's integration is on full display, starting with their designs:

Charlie wears a mini-dress with a heart decoration and wields a shield.

Vaggie fully covers her body with an androgynous and practical attire. She fights with her signature spear.

The usually masculine looking Charlie appears feminine. The usually feminine appearing Vaggie looks masculine. Their outfits also fit their respective fighting styles. Charlie is defensive, whereas Vaggie is aggressive. Wait... isn't something wrong? Shouldn't Charlie grow more aggressive and Vaggie more defensive? Yes and this is precisely what happens as the battle progresses...

Charlie is overwhelmed by her anger and grief over Sir Pentious's death and unlocks her full demonic form. She goes from defense (shield) to offense (pitchfork) and injures Adam. Finally, she transforms her arm into a claw and stops the First Man in his tracks.

Vaggie is attacked by Lute, loses her spear and is forced on the defensive. She protects herself from Lute's relentless assault until she reveals her angelic wings and traps her opponent. Eventually, she has pity of Lute and lets her live.

Charlie's climatic moment is a show of strength, whereas Vaggie's is a show of mercy.

In other words:

Charlie appears more feminine, but acts more masculine

Vaggie appears more masculine, but acts more feminine

In comparison to their usual dynamic, Chaggie go through a complete inversion. This development is conveyed also by a small detail: their hair. Charlie lets hers loose, while Vaggie ties hers.

Charlie's hair usually covers her horns and is tied because she represses her demonic side. The moment she gives in to her inner demon, the horns come out and the hair gets loose, just like her feelings are untamed.

Vaggie: I'm not used to fighting with long hair.

Vaggie's hair is an attempt to hide her past and vulnerability. She has it grow after her abandonement to mask her scars (her eye and missing wings). In the finale, she ties it to fight freely. In this way, her brand new angelic wings can come out in all their beauty.

So, Charlie embraces her demon side, while Vaggie has her inner angel emerge. The twist is that Charlie the demon teaches Vaggie how to be a proper angel. Vaggie the angel instead shows Charlie that there is value in demonic traits. They integrate with each other to become the best versions of themselves. This shows also before and after the fight.

In the Finale, Charlie expresses all her self-loathing:

Charlie: He did it for us, the ultimate sacrifice He gave me his trust, and look how we paid the price This bloodshed could have been avoided If I convinced Heaven to work together I took a hotel and I destroyed it I know I could have done better Better, instead of letting you down

Thanks to this, her loved ones come to her side and support her. What is more, she starts to back up her words with actions:

Katie Killjoy: Charlie Morningstar managed to fend off the angelic attack with more than just nice words.

In More Than Anything Reprise, Vaggie conveys her love to Charlie through words and is there for her in a moment of self-doubt and weakness:

Vaggie: You've already done so much So many lives you've changed So many souls you've touched And in the end, if it's only me you've saved

She shows her sweetness and sensitivity.

By the end of season 1, Chaggie are together and stronger than ever. They have made the first steps into integration and tapped into their respective potentials. Both as individuals and as saviors of the universe.

THE MYTH OF EDEN

Charlie: Drawn in by Lilith's fierce independence, Lucifer found her, and the two rebellious dreamers fell deeply in love.

The series starts with a retelling of the myth of Eden, which is set-up as the heart of the series:

Plot-wise all the characters are living with its consequences

Theme-wise it shows the birth of love between the first man and the first woman...

The twist is that the first couple isn't Adam and Eve, but Lucifer and Lilith:

Who are foils to Charlie and Vaggie:

Both couples have a demon and an angel, who fall in love against the odds.

Both Charlie and Vaggie foil Lucifer in different ways. Like her father, Charlie is a wide-eyed idealist, who doesn't fit in her kingdom and wants to change it. Like the devil, Vaggie is a fallen angel, who is let down by heaven and finds love in hell.

Both Charlie and Vaggie are set-up to foil Lilith. Charlie is a demon full of love, who wants to empower others with her voice. Just like her mom. Vaggie is an angel hidden in hell, who keeps secrets out of a misplaced wish to protect others. Lilith is a demon hidden in heaven... wanna bet that she is keeping secrets from her husband and daughter to protect them?

Why is there such a juxtaposition between the two couples? Two reasons:

Charlie is gonna deal with her complicated feelings for her parents through Vaggie. Her partner is gonna challenge her to grow into her own person (microchosm).

Lucifer and Lilith unwillingly broke the world, but Charlie and Vaggie are gonna fix it (macrochosm)

This is why the two couples are immediately juxtaposed:

After Charlie ends her retelling of The Story of Hell, Vaggie arrives to check on her.

Lucifer and Lilith destroyed the status quo:

Charlie: But this gift came with a curse. And with this single act of disobedience, evil finally found its way to Earth. With it, a new realm of darkness and sin. And the order Heaven worked to maintain was shattered.

Charlie and Vaggie will bring a new and better one:

Charlie: We'll make a difference, wait and see Charlie and Vaggie: We're gonna do this, you and me

[gabessquishytum]

Ive been lurking for a long time just eating other peoples ideas but i cant get over sleazy pickup artist hob having this religious pussy experience from this weird goth he met at a bar just standing there silently like a mannequin. I would love it if dream was only this unearthly beauty to HOB. Literally NOBODY ELSE gets why this crying wet cat bewitched him body and soul... hob is a total conman on the internet manosphere bc he looks like Alpha Male and he just says some bullshit he makes up on the fly and starts pyramid schemes. He stumbles out of that hookup dazed and confused but feeling like he needs to buy a ring and perhaps commission a golden statue. Hes Different after. Like his accounts drop off activity for a good long while as he tries so desperately to find this Weird Fucking Guy hes not quite sure was human at this point and when people start noticing what hes doing hes an absolute laughing stock but hes too busy pulling all nighters red strings on the corkboard to care hes like an obsessed mad scientist in a monster movie. He goes to that bar EVERY NIGHT. For 100 days. Then his magnificent stranger walks back in and orders a glass of milk at the bar and hob is ready to simp for the rest of his fucking LIFE. Morpheus is this guys Actual Name and hob realizes he could have just like,, looked him up online if he believed morpheus when he told him the next morning then left while hob was in the shower. But dream shares that he doesn't have social media. Or a computer. Or a phone. He pulls out this ancient flip phone held together with scotch tape and willpower so hob can enter his number. He types with one index finger on hobs screen to enter his own. Hob is gifted his presence for another night of insane sex where he almost dies like twice and comes more times in a row than he has in his life. Dream is completely unaffected by literally any media attention and No One Gets The Appeal. Hes like a cryptid and everyone knows who HOB is seemingly BUT dream and he really doesnt care about any of the questions he gets. Usually just responds with some shit like "you could be learning a new hobby right now. Try oil painting, perhaps the clarinet." Its not even beer goggles bc hob is following after this freak like a puppy in the middle of the afternoon wearing all black and a long jacket in August while he picks out the specific peanuts from a big barrel he would like to feed the birds at the park today.

-🔪

Yeah I absolutely love the idea that Dream is a weird skinny gremlin to EVERYONE. Except for Hob. Hob thinks he's an angel, a beautiful ethereal creature, Dream has literally saved Hob’s soul from the torments of cringey redpill internet content. Hob walks around with heart eyes 24/7, basically waits on Dream hand and foot. He doesn't give a shit if he gets ripped on online - he doesn't go online anymore, he's way too busy staring at the way the light filters into Dream’s eyes.

He's so down bad for Dream’s pussy it's almost comedic. He'll get on his knees and bed to be allowed just a sniff, just a moment with his nose between Dream’s legs. He'd buy Dream’s bath water but he's so lucky he doesn't even have to!!! He gets it for free!!!

All this to say: they're both freaks, no body gets why they're Like That but true love finds a way!

[fellthemarvelous]

"I forgive you."

I can't help but wonder...

And I have a lot of feelings around "I forgive you" because, to me, it goes so much deeper than that.

I think we need to go back to the very first scene of season two.

Before the Beginning

Aziraphale is the first one to reach out. Yes, Crowley called him over for help, but Aziraphale is the one who introduced himself. Crowley wasn't expecting him to stick around for so long. He probably didn't think to introduce himself in return because, as he said in episode 6, angels are like bees (and the universe is huge).

When Crowley becomes upset at Aziraphale's explanation of people and Earth, Aziraphale is confused because "you can't just ask God this shit, how rude", but you see the look on his face when Crowley asks how much trouble he can get into for asking a few questions.

It was more than the fact that Aziraphale said something that made Crowley want to question God. He was looking at Crowley. He saw Crowley's wings become darker. It made him anxious, but why?

He was scared of Crowley getting into trouble, but why would he worry about that? What did it mean to him? How would he know? Why would he know? Had Aziraphale already been scolded for being curious?

And the thing he was scared of came true. Crowley got into trouble and he became one of the fallen.

"Unforgivable. That's what I am." (Unforgettable. That's what you are.)

As far as I can tell, Aziraphale never even learned Crowley's angel name (unless Crowley was so famous as an angel that he needed no introduction), but their chance meeting still changed the trajectory of both of their existences.

Why did Crowley fall? Why didn't Aziraphale?

It is something that weighs heavily on Aziraphale's mind. The name he goes by on Earth is A.Z. Fell, and the humans refer to him as Mr. Fell. He chose that name for himself.

He was unable to save Crowley from Hell in Edinburgh and it changed both of them once more. I've already talked about Edinburgh being Aziraphale's Greatest Failure™️ in this post a little bit, which feeds further into the guilt that Aziraphale probably feels when it comes to Crowley's status as a demon.

For 6,000 years, they have had to speak to each other in code.

"Unforgivable. That's what I am." (Unforgettable. That's what you are.)

I think when Aziraphale is saying "I forgive you" he is telling Crowley that it doesn't matter what Crowley does, Aziraphale is going to love him anyway.

Aziraphale can't say "I love you" though because Heaven is always watching. Hell is always watching. Someone is always watching. The last thing Aziraphale wants is for Crowley to suffer more than he already has, and that's where Aziraphale struggles the most.

But I also think that, deep down, Aziraphale is asking Crowley to forgive him. Aziraphale freely forgives because even though he's never fallen himself, he struggles with the guilt of what happened to Crowley. He sees Crowley's fall as unjust.

He tried to warn angel Crowley against the idea of making any suggestions because he feared what would happen.

He lost Crowley in Edinburgh because they had fallen into a pattern of role reversal and Crowley did a good deed in front of Gabriel's statue, which I've also discussed before.

Aziraphale is saying "I forgive you" the way humans say "I love you", and I think that deep down he wants to hear Crowley say "I forgive you too" because Aziraphale can't forgive himself for the part he believes he played in Crowley's fall.

The Metatron was watching when Aziraphale said "I forgive you". Aziraphale is already in enough trouble, which I have discussed before. Twice we have seen Aziraphale say "I forgive you" to Crowley, and both of those times were after Crowley insulted him.

"How can someone as clever as you be so stupid?" "You idiot, we could have been...us."

"I forgive you" is and always has been "I love you" in coded language because Aziraphale worries nonstop about Crowley getting into trouble with Hell (again). He's telling Crowley that no matter what he does, Aziraphale will always forgive Crowley because he loves Crowley.

But I also think he's looking for forgiveness himself because he internalizes his own failures so much that it's eating him alive. (This is common for people who have suffered religious abuse.)

And this is something I don't know that Crowley understands just yet because neither of them talk about what's really important.

[authorscurse]

LOVE LEAVES SCARS: INTRODUCTION

Synopsis: In which! Due to a letter calling her to go back to Texas Verity Rosewood goes back to the place she spent years trying to forget. While she is there, she tries to reconnect with the people she left. Her family, friends, and especially the person she loved most.

[L.L.S Masterlist] [M. Masterlist] [G.H Masterlist]

Case file #1:

[Name]: Verity Rosewood

[Nickname(s)]: Veri

[Age]: 20

[Date of birth]: August 22, 2000

[Gender]: Female

[Sexuality]: Bisexual

[Eye color]: Brown eyes

[Hair color]: auburn

[Height]: 5'6

[Playlist]: Top of my school 【Katherine Lynn-Rose】 Pov 【Ariana Grande】 You're on your own kid 【Taylor Swift】 Brutal 【Olivia Rodrigo】 Little Miss Perfect 【Write out loud】Lose you to love me 【Selena Gomez】 All I want 【Olivia Rodrigo】 Dollhouse 【Melanie Martinez】 Be myself 【Why don't we】 I wanna be yours 【Arctic Monkeys】 Consequences【Camila Cabello】 Mess it up 【Gracie Abrams】 Control 【Halsey】 Elastic Heart【Sia】Applause 【Lady Gaga】 Thumbs 【Sabrina Carpenter】 In my mind 【Lyn Lapid】 Happier than Ever 【Billie Eilish】 Not strong enough【Boy genius】 If Only 【Dove Cameron】

Case File #2

[Name]: Grayson Hawthorne

[Nickname(s)]: Gray

[Age]: 19

[Date of birth]: August 23, 2001

[Gender]: Male

[Sexuality]: heterosexual

[Eye color]: pale gray

[Hair color]: blonde

[Height]: 6'0

[Playlist]: Looking at me【sabrina carpenter】Can I be him【James Arthur】Labyrinth 【Taylor Swift】Daddy Issues【The neighborhood】Ador You【Harry Styles】If I killed someone for you【Alec Benjamin】Man of the House【Marilyn Hucek】Money, Power, Glory【Lana Del Ray】I bet in losing dogs【Mitski】Angels like you【Miley Cyrus】Surface pressure【Jessica Darrow】People Watching【Conan Gray】I ain't perfect【IV of spades】Mistakes like this【Prelow】Mirror ball【Taylor Swift】Favorite crime【Olivia rodrigo】Feelin good【Michael Bublé] Lay all your love on me【ABBA】All of the girls you've loved before【Taylor Swift】Set fire to the rain【Adele】

Verity Rosewood

—The one who absquatulated

"I never wanted to leave, but I had to. For me."

Being the heir of the Rosewood family, Verity has been training and learning how to manage her family's company even at such a young age. She went to different kinds of classes, may it be public speaking classes, business management, dance classes, and many more. She had to be different, to be perfect. The pressure of being the best and perfect heir was exhausting, but she had her friends, right? The Hawthorne brothers have helped her cope with all the pressure and stress her family and everyone else pressed on her. She thought she could handle it, but everyone had their breaking points.

Grayson Hawthorne

—The Heir Apparent

"And that made me hate you even more."

Grayson had been considered as the "Heir apparent" of the family for as long as he remembered. As a Hawthorne, he was taught many things, and that included never showing emotion. He had to learn how to not cry or show signs of weakness. Being one of the oldest siblings didn't help with that at all. In fact, it just added even more pressure on him. Having to be the older and more responsible brother out of the rest. It was difficult. Trying to make yourself look as if you're not broken. He is broken and hurt, yet he makes sure not to show anyone even a second of his true emotions. He was not raised to be like that.

Verity + Grayson

—The never ending story

"In this toxic and suffocating world, we had each other."

The friendship of the Rosewood and the Hawthorne family has lasted for years now. So Verity being friends with the Hawthorne grandchildren was no such mystery. The group was always seen together during classes, tea time, playing outside on the grounds, or even skipping classes together. They were inseparable, but there were 2 children in the friend group that were much closer with each other than the rest; Verity and Grayson. The two consider each other as their safe places, the person who brings comfort to each other. Due to the pressure of their families, both of them really understood each other and considered one another as the place that they could bring down their walls and become their true selves. They felt safe, comforted, and peaceful in the presence of each other. Because for once, they felt as if they had one place they didn't have to pretend as if they're perfect.

[Playlist]: Back to December【Taylor Swift】Play date【Melanie Martinez】Tattoos forever【lauv】Love song【Why don't we】Make you mine【Public】Somebody to you【The Vamps】You and I 【One direction】That way【Tate McRae】Runaway【Aurora】If the world was ending【JP Saxe, Julia Michaels】Your name hurts【Hailee Steinfeld】Why's you only call me when you're high【Arctic Monkeys】Talk too much【Coin】Overdrive【Conan Gray】The one that got away【Katy Perry】House of memories【Panic! At the disco】Back to you【Selena Gomez】Midnight Memories【One direction】Still the one【One direction】Lover【Taylor Swift】The way I love you【Taylor Swift】Favorite crime【Olivia Rodrigo】I love you so【The walters】WYD now 【Sadie Jean】Somewhere only we know【Keane】Afterglow【Taylor Swift】Kiss it better【Rihanna】Kidult【Seventeen】No one can fix me【Frawley】Fall for you【Sarah Kang, Jesse Berrera】Remember that night【Sara Kays】

[captain-mj]

S'mores Mocha

Here ya go :)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Ghost dragged himself out of bed. He was more than a little disappointed Soap hadn’t stayed, but he supposed he understood. Work was work and Soap seemed to take his job very seriously

He went to see Soap as always. Soap brightened immediately and slid a drink over to him. “It’s a thing I’m trying. You’re my guinea pig.” 

Ghost looked at the drink. Dark coffee with marshmallows topping it and graham cracker crumbs covering it. He sipped it. “S’mores?”

“Bingo!” Soap leaned over and kissed his cheek through the fabric, setting Ghost on fire inside. “Think it could be a permanent part of the menu?”

“Oh, definitely. What would you name it?”

“Think of something for me.” Soap smiled.

“Doing less with s’mores.”

Soap laughed. “I like this. Didn’t know you were funny.”

“Oh, I definitely am. I make everyone at work frustrated with me.”

“Tell me another one?”

Ghost thought about it before leaning in. “Why is it so easy to shoot a fish in a barrel?”

“Why?”

“It’s already in the gun.” 

Soap stared at him, visibly fighting off laugher before he cracked and started giggling. “I see why they get frustrated! That was terrible!” 

“You have any?”

“Hmm. Where do you learn to make ice cream?”

“Where?”

“Sundae school.” Soap smiled, cleary proud of himself as Ghost laughed. “You have a nice laugh. You should use it more often.” 

Ghost flushed and smiled at him. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out again?” 

Soap hummed. “Do you want to just come by my house?” 

Ghost nodded immediately. “Sure. Text me your address?”

“Sure thing, sweetheart. I’ll see you tonight.” He winked and let Ghost take the drink. 

Ghost went to Alejandro and Rodolfo’s place when he was done since it was getting later in the day and they should be open. Alejandro wanted details and Ghost once again regretted letting Jason have their phone numbers. Dude did not know how to keep his mouth shut. 

“It was fine.”

“It must’ve been fantastic if you’re willing to say.” Alejandro acted like he had a book of translations for Ghost. Most of the translations were wrong, but he got it right this time. 

Ghost groaned though, not wanting for them to know he wanted to gush about it. “He’s so empathetic. And fun. Self proclaimed adrenaline junkie which is perfect for me.” 

“You could take him flying.” Rodolfo pointed out. His own wings, downy soft and feathered were out. Angelic wasn’t the first time Ghost would use to describe Rodolfo, but he looked the part with his wings out. That wasn’t to be disparagingly, he thought Rodolfo was great. But you see a man kill a group of people and keep walking and its hard to consider them holy in any regard. 

“No. Have to let him know what I am.”

“Are you sure he’s human?” Alejandro tilted his head. “Apparently Gaz has met him before, though he didn’t know much about him. Barely remembers him really.” 

Ghost thought back to the aquarium. “He got upset at the idea of a mermaid in a tank. Shows a level of empathy to monsters most human don’t really have if they think we’re fake. But I haven’t seen anything.”

“Tried and true method is to wear an iron ring.” Rodolfo pointed out. “Though, may cause an awkward conversation between you two if it burns him.”

Ghost thought about it. “Yeah. Might try that.” He ate with them and then left to Soap’s.

Alejandro noticed he had gotten a text from Gaz. “hey why are you asking questions about Soap”

“Oh, he and Ghost have been dating.” He didn’t think much of it. Ghost would never tell them willingly, but he doubted he’d get very upset he told Gaz. 

“I’m sorry, they’re dating? How long?” The sudden punctuation caught Alejandro off guard. 

“They’re not that serious. Why?”

“I just didn’t really see Ghost as that kind of guy. Won’t last very long.” 

Alejandro realized he was clearly missing something. He decided to call Gaz.

-

Ghost arrived and knocked on his door. Soap had a proper house which was funny for some reason. The hallway inside was rather bare and there were placed in the dust on the wall and table that suggested there was usually stuff there. He didn’t question it though because his ski mask was shoved up and Soap was kissing his neck, pinning him to the wall. For a brief moment, panic ran through him but he forced himself to relax and let Soap press against him. The rings on his hands glinted and Ghost kept following those gorgeous hands. 

Ghost ran his hands down his back, admiring the muscle, the softness. He pushed Soap away just long enough to remove his shirt. Soap quickly got Ghost’s off as well, keeping them on equal footing. They met in the middle before Soap started to kiss down his body, sinking to his knees. Ghost quickly tangled his hands in his hair. 

The only thing Ghost could hear was his own breathing and Soap undoing his buckle. He took a deep breath before immediately having it punched out of him by Soap’s mouth. He sank his teeth into his glove to keep quiet and felt Soap’s fingertips dig into his hips as he pulled away. 

“Simon, I want to hear you.” 

They hadn’t even made it through the rest of the house and Ghost was wondering if they were right. If Soap was a succubus or demon trying to steal his soul. He’d hand it over if Soap just asked. 

Ghost quickly put his hand back on Soap’s head and groaned as he took him back into his mouth. He wasn’t the most vocal, but he didn’t muffle anything and that seemed to be good enough for Soap. His tongue ran along one of Ghost’s veins and he turned bright red as he moaned. 

Ghost tapped him quickly to warn him but Soap continued on. When he came, Soap just happily swallowed around him before pulling off and looking up at him. 

“Are you okay with me topping tonight?” He asked it casually, like he was asking if he wanted a drink. 

Ghost would let Soap flay him open and eat his heart. Instead of saying something like that, he just nodded and let Soap lead him forward. 

Giving up control was never something Ghost was good at, but Soap was so nice about it. He put him on his back in the bed that smelled like salt and Soap and kissed him all over. Ghost’s skin felt like it was on fire, not used to being touched so much, so fast or so intimately. 

Soap’s tongue ran along the pulse point in his throat and Ghost ripped off his mask to toss it elsewhere. His hands trembled until Soap pulled them to his hips, running his own hands along Ghost’s chest eagerly. He kissed all over him. 

Ghost slowly, slowly relaxed. Johnny wouldn’t hurt him. 

Soap was incredibly sweet as he prepped him. He held him while he fucked him, kissing Ghost’s face as he pushed into him. They tangled together more and more and Ghost wanted to give in. He wanted to give him everything. 

Once they were done, Soap had marked up his shoulders and thighs with bites and Ghost was pretty sure he hadn’t been this sore in ages. Soap was running his hands through Ghost’s hair, their legs still intertwined. He scratched gently at Ghost’s scalp and Ghost had to bite his lip to keep from purring. 

“I’m going to go shower. If you want to join me, you can.”

“I’ll be there in just a minute.” Ghost whispered back, kissing his hand as he pulled away. Now that he was alone in the bed, he noticed the smell. Soap hadn’t worn cologne as long as he had known him, but it was soaked into his bedsheets. Maybe it was just his detergent. Ghost decided to just push it away, not wanting to think about it. Instead, he joined Soap in the shower, flinching at how cold it was. 

“Jesus. Problems with your water heater?”

“No, just prefer it cold.” Soap turned it up a bit for him and Ghost pressed in close to soak up any body heat he could. “I’d think a military man like you would be used to it.”

“I quickly climbed the rank to Lieutenant specifically for hot showers.” Ghost nuzzled along his neck. 

Soap laughed. “You’re so cuddly after sex. Are you like that for everyone or just me?”

Ghost growled at him and nipped under his jaw. He knew the truth was yes, it was just Johnny. Something about him made him soft. 

“You’re so cute, sweetheart.” Soap squeezed his biceps, pulling his attention back on him instead of in his head. They washed up and Ghost grimaced as he had to pull on his dirty clothes again. 

“Oh, I have something that might fit you a bit better.” Soap offered him a shirt. It was definitely far too big for Soap, even if it was still too tight for Ghost. 

“Why do you have this around?” 

Soap shrugged and completely ignored the question, tossing Ghost his phone. Ghost frowned a little, but assumed it may be something embarrassing or from an ex. He didn’t really care, he had Soap right now. 

“Goodnight, Ghost.” 

Ghost realized he was being kicked out and tried to shove down that disappointment. They hadn’t really done much besides fuck. Still, he left, not wanting to overstay his welcome. 

He slept in. He couldn’t remember the last time he did that. Ghost groaned and checked his phone. 

His phone was full of messages from different people. Rodolfo had called him which was never a good sign. After a moment though, he decided whatever it was could wait. The most recent one being from Alejandro saying there was something important and to drop by in the morning when he could so clearly it wasn’t that urgent. 

Did the team go out and get drunk? He saw Gaz, Alejandro, Jason and Rodolfo. It wasn’t the most in character thing for them to not invite him, but he always turned them down so he wasn't upset that they didn’t. 

It clearly wasn’t a mission. Price would’ve called him for that. 

Ghost still wouldn't have answered but regardless. Price would’ve called him. 

He went to the cafe, wanting to see what fun drink Soap would try with him. Maybe he could drag him away. Kiss him all over. Ghost craved more attention. More softness. Greedy as always. 

The shop was closed. Huh. 

Ghost frowned and hesitated. It was 7. The cafe was clearly closed though. It opened at 5. The break in the routine and the concern for Soap led to him walking over to Soap’s home. He glanced around, not noticing anything different. 

Ghost knocked, feeling something in his ears. He shouldn’t be here. Why was he doing this? 

Someone else answered. Someone he barely recognized from when he happened to work adjacent or had to pass through the home base here. 

“Lieutenant Riley.” Wayne smiled at him. He was a Sergeant in a different taskforce. Ghost hadn’t even bothered to pick the name of it. “Did something happen on base?”

Ghost stared, caught between glass. He must have the wrong house right?

“Sweetheart.” Soap’s voice rang out, sounding stupidly excited. “Who’s at the door?”

Wayne saw the recognition is his eyes and put it together. He laughed. For some reason. “Oh, I see. Don’t worry. I’m not upset. Johnny and I have an open relationship when I’m deployed. Didn’t want to tie my husband down when I’m gone so long ya know? Christ, when he said he had slept with a masked military man, I didn’t really put together that you were on leave.”

Ghost nodded silently, though he barely really processed any of it. Husband?

Jesus Christ. All that talk about being heartless and he gave his heart away like a fucking idiot. He got attached. He didn’t even know why. Soap had added fucking sprinkles to his drink and Ghost, no, Simon. Simon made this mistake. Suddenly thought he was special? 

“I’m surprised. He said you were clingy. Never took you for the type. But hey, ever want a threesome, yeah?” He winked at him and Ghost felt sick. What did Soap tell him? Clingy? No secrets between spouses right? 

His body felt on display. His mask only covered the bottom of his face and he felt exposed. Did Soap talk about him? What he looked like? 

“I hope this won’t effect our work, Riley.”

Ghost spun on his heel and left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist: @the-snarky-dragon @elevenclouds @lukewarm-chickensoup @nervouspsychologynerd @korym @cthulhusstepmom @princess-heathen @revenge-of-the-bucket-demon @roachboy

[miirshroom]

Examining Elden Ring Voice Actors Attempt #1 (a.k.a. getting distracted by Comic, Film & TV history)

I've heard for a while that FromSoft will occasionally use the same voice actors across multiple games. And considering that this is the low-hanging fruit of making multiverse connections across games, I have put off looking into this until now. But actually what first caught my attention when browsing through the voice actor names was that Pip Torrens is credited as both White Mask Varré and Radahn. That's an interesting combo.

Also learned that Malenia's voice actor is Pippa Bennett Warner, making their battle a contest of Pip vs. Pippa on the meta level - which is very silly.

The next sections will have significant spoilers for the end of the comic/TV show Preacher.

So then I was thinking, well what does Pip Torrens sound like when he's playing a character without the slightly creaky affect given to Varré? This is the first clip that I popped on - his introduction as Herr Klaus Helmet Starr in Preacher (2017-2019) where within a span of 3 minutes his character demonstrates that he has a snark and a kind of bored confidence, and then in a test exercise almost effortlessly brutalizes a much more muscled man. By using about 3 dirty tricks to get him crawling on the ground, and then calmly and wordlessly fetching a golf club to hit the man's skull until he stops moving.

I read the Preacher comic (1995-2000), at least 15 years ago and most of what I recall is that it was. Not a pleasant time. For any of the characters. Also there was an Irish Vampire. So that all sounds par for the course for the series, and was part of the reason why my thought was "They're adapting THAT? I don't think that I need to experience that story again..." when it was announced several years ago. But what really stunned me was when 1 minute into the clip the testing montage started up to the background music of Blood on the Risers. A song that I specifically called out and connected to Varré in a previous post. So I decided to dig deeper.

The second thing that stood out to me was that the Dungeater face data shows him as having a scar and blind eye on his left side eye which is very similar to "Herr Starr" in the way that he is styled for the TV show and comic source material. Usually this would not be seen by the player - although he is a rare case where you can see inside his helmet if getting close enough.

As a side note for the actual voice actor for the Dungeater - Jim Johnson - his acting resume is fairly sparse in comparison with Pip Torrens. One of his very few named character roles is from 2020 where he played a gold counterfeiter in an Assassins Creed: Gold audiodrama.

But then I read the full biography for Herr Starr in the comic and refreshed my memory on several other details:

"Herr Starr was a soldier of the Wehrmacht [the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945], a man totally devoted to law, order, and duty. This drew the attention of secret organization The Grail, and Starr was brought in after being convinced that The Grail was the best way to fight the evils of the world. Starr quickly rose to power and became the Sacred Executioner, but Starr had plans to become even more powerful at The Grail's highest position, Allfather." - DC Fandom

His main contribution to the plot is as a villain and leader of this Grail organization built around protecting the divine lineage of Jesus Christ, of which the modern day representative has severe cognitive problems because of all the centuries of inbreeding. So Starr tries (and fails) to get the main character Jesse to swap in and masquerade as the true descendant of Christ in their apocalypse cult because Jesse's whole deal is that he is possessed by Genesis, an offspring of an angel and devil who is more powerful than God Almighty (Preacher is generally a story with the plot of find God who had abandoned His Creation. Spoilers: God dies at the end). Being possessed by Genesis gives Jesse the power to command anyone to do anything - as long as they also speak English - though he really doesn't abuse it as much as one might think (in the comic anyways, idk what they did in the show). Mostly he wants to figure out how to free Genesis. Herr Star changes tune real quick from the esoteric goals of the Grail organization to burning all of its resources on a pithy personal vendetta against Jesse.

And the comic sure went with the approach that it's fair game to physically and psychologically torture ex-Nazis! This man is bald because his hair fell out a long time ago from stress (the eye injury was actually from a traumatizing childhood incident), and then through the course of the comic his head has a scar carved down in from front to back that makes it look like a dick (thus why he was trying on wigs in the above screenshot), and he has an ear ripped off, and a lower leg eaten by cannibals, and much much worse. And while the TV show was not aiming to be a perfectly accurate adaptation from what I've seen discussion about they did show the much much worse.

One last note about Preacher is that I appreciate these panels of the Saint of Killers shooting God Almighty in the face and then taking a nap in the big chair.

Anyways, the career of Pip Torrens ranges from 1984 to the present and is quite varied with many roles of short duration. Several selections below, which is almost entirely an excuse to make a list of the British crime procedurals and historical dramas that I think look interesting:

1992/1995 he played archeologist Howard Carter in "The Young Indiana Jones Adventures"

1993 in "The Remains of the Day" as a doctor who has a brief interaction with Anthony Hopkins' character at a gas pump. This is a movie I learned about on a podcast in which Anthony Hopkins's character reminisces about his days as butler to a (fictional) Lord Darlington whose reputation was in ruin post-WWII due to having Nazi sympathies before the war.

1997 he had a role also coincidentally named "Carter" in an episode of the delightfully named "Crime Traveller" (solving crimes by travelling back in time!) on an episode called "A Death in the Family", as role as a Major Lawrence Brownham in a show called "Soldier Soldier" about the daily lives of soldiers on peacekeeping missions, and as a character named Robert Ferguson on a short-lived show called "Bodyguards" about a protection unit for the British Government.

2002 he played Charles Darwin in a TV film named "Darwin's Daughter" and also surgeon James McIIroy in the TV film "Shackleton" about the 1914-1916 Trans Antarctic Expedition

2003 as a cardiologist in a film called "Where the Heart is" and had a role in episode "The Sewer King" from show "Seven Wonders of the Industrial World"

2004 (and 2008) he played single episode characters in British crime drama "Wire in the Blood" which is about a clinical psychologist who gets inside the heads of serial killers to track them down before they strike again.

2005 as Lucius Tillius Cimber (one of the assassins of Julius Caesar) in "Rome", and in the same year as former chief of MI6 John Scarlett in a TV film called "The Government Inspector". And also playwright Noël Coward in a TV drama called "Ian Flemming: Bondmaker"

2006 as Olympius, minister of the Western Roman Empire in "The Fall of Rome" episode of "Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire", and as Judge Mervyn Griffith-Jones in "The Chatterley Affair" a fictionalized version of the obscenity trial of D.H. Lawrence over a book called "Lady Chatterley's Lover".

2007 he played a character in two episodes of British police procedural cold-case unit show "Waking the Dead" in a 2-part episode in which a Nazi dagger found in a wall is traced to the murder of a young girl in 1945 which "reveals some of the horrors of WWII and the Nazi medical experiments"

2009 he had a role in "St Trinian's 2: the Legend of Fritton's Gold" (a British serial comedy that I once saw somebody speculate about regarding Millicent), and played as valet to Dorian Gray in the 2009 film "Dorian Gray" based on the Oscar Wilde story.

2010 and 2016 he had a role in British crime drama "Midsomer Murders" (although a lot of Elden Ring VA's have been on that one, and he was also in a couple of Dr. Who episodes but probably so have a lot of British actors)

2011 a role as an army Major in "War Horse" and a role as an army Major in a TV serial called "The Promise" directed by Peter Kosminsky (also directed "The Government Inspector") which is a period drama depicting the experience of the British soldiers who served in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 1948. Also in 2011 as British art historian, museum director and broadcaster Sir Kenneth Clark in a movie called "My Week with Marilyn" (biographical drama about Marilyn Monroe)

2012 as Thomas de Mowbray (son of Thomas de Mowbray) who raised a rebellion and subsequently was beheaded for his actions in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 2 which was adapted in "The Hollow Crown". The wrong Thomas de Mowbray was linked on Wikipedia (the elder, who dueled Henry Bolingbroke and was exiled to Venice and died there in events covered in Richard II) but I fixed it because this is one of the few shows on here that I have seen before.

Also in 2012 as the chauffer in a film called "The Scapegoat" which has a pretty fantastic premise (a twist on a classic novel of the same name from 1957). A failed businessman meets his doppelgänger who is a recently-fired teacher, and essentially tricks the teacher into swapping identities. Turns out the doppelgänger actually does a pretty good job of turning around the fortunes of the glass factory, and getting along well with the businessman's estranged wife and daughter and other family members. When things start looking up the original tries to murder the teacher who he had tricked into swapping places but in the ensuing struggle he is killed instead. And then then the doppelgänger is convinced to stay by the caretaker of the original businessman's mother who had figured out he was a different person, so he's just like "I guess this is my life now!" and stays with this new family.

2013 as Reverend Kenneth Barnes in a TV mystery thriller called "The Lady Vanishes"

2015 in "The Heavy Water War" as Colonel John Skinner Wilson, who trained ten operatives to parachute into Norway, evade capture, scale an ice-bound cliff, and sabotage an apparatus in the Norsk Hydro plant that was producing heavy water (deuterium oxide) used in Nazi nuclear research

Also in 2015 in the role of a character named Lawrence in three episodes of "Up the Women" which was a sitcom about the Women's suffrage movement in 1910.

And in 2015 in the role of a Dr Hexler in "The Danish Girl", which was a movie that starred Eddie Redmayne in the role of transgender woman Lili Elbe. 2015 again for the role of a Colonel Kaplan, member of the First Order military in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

In 2015-2017 as main cast member The Duke of Cassel in "Versailles", a historical drama set during the construction of Versailles during the reign of King Louis the XIV

In 2015-2019 in "Poldark" as Cary Warleggan - a banker and uncle to one of the focus characters in an adaptation of a historical drama novel series set in post-American Revolutionary War Britain

2016 as characters in adaptations of "War & Peace" and "Hetty Feather"

2016-2019 in "The Crown" as Sir Alan "Tommy" Lascelles who was Private Secretary to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II and Keeper of the Royal Archives from 1943 to 1953.

Characters in a thriller called "Deep State" in 2018-2019 and another thriller called "Roadkill" in 2020. Actually in a rare crossover of careers Pippa Bennett Warner also stars in "Roadkill".

And the last one that I want to note chronologically is "Des" in 2020 starring David Tennant as serial killer Dennis Nilsen, where Pip Torrens plays trial defence counsel Ivan Lawrence in one episode.

[oatmilk-vampire]

Third of December || Steddie

Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Steve Harrington x OC (minor)

Summary:

Steve gave Eddie his sweater one cold December day. Then he gave it to Heather.

Inspired by the song Heather by Conan Gray!

Word count: 2.2 of pining and love confessions!

~~~

Eddie Munson has been called a lot of things.

Smart was not one of them.

Because if he was smart he would have confessed his true feelings a long time ago, or he wouldn’t have fallen in love at all.

He would have lived a single existence, the only friends being those in Hellfire or Corroded Coffin. Well, besides Steve of course. But he’s a different story. Different story, same problem.

You see, Eddie never intended to fall for the one popular boy but here he was. The freak falling in love with the former king of Hawkins High. That’s good enough to be a movie.

It’s the third of December. Hawkins has finally recovered from Vecna’s wrath and his name has been cleared. He was a free man, except for the cage he kept himself in.

Because with December came a much colder Hawkins, and with a colder Hawkins came Eddie’s refusal to dress properly for the inclement weather in favor of keeping his normal aesthetic, and with that comes the predicament Eddie Munson currently finds himself in.

Because this man can face high school three times. This man can witness his middle school friend be supernaturally murdered, then be framed for it. This man can survive Demobats. But he couldn’t survive his feelings and he sure as hell couldn’t survive Steve Harrington’s yellow sweater.

“Huh. Looks better on you than it does me, Munson.” Steve had told him with that smile like he doesn’t know what he’s doing to him.

If only Steve knew how much Eddie liked him.

Maybe then he wouldn’t openly check out their former classmate who wandered in to rent Pretty in Pink, and boy, did she look the part.

He couldn’t even fault Steve. She was a sight for sore eyes, her own brighter than the blue sky.

She’s got Steve mesmerized while Eddie dies just a little more inside.

Why would Steve ever kiss me? I'm not even half as pretty.

Eddie tries not to watch as they oggle each other.

Now Eddie has learned his lesson. He wears winter coats, gloves, and a God forsaken beanie on his head. He doesn't need to borrow anymore of Steve's sweaters, even if he secretly loved it and felt much warmer in the flimsy fabric smelling of Steve's cologne than he ever did in his own winter gear.

But because of this, he now suffers a different fate entirely.

You see, Steve gave her his sweater. It’s just polyester, but Eddie can tell by the way Steve’s eyes light up as she flits across the room in the oversized garment– he likes her better.

He watches as she stands, holding Steve's hand. As Steve puts his arm around her shoulder, Eddie can't help but feel colder.

I wish I was Heather.

But how could I hate her? She's such an angel. But then again, kinda wish she were dead.

Eddie distances himself from Steve after that. It's not healthy for him to pretend like he's fine only to shoot daggers at her when their backs are turned. He begins avoiding any group hangouts, knowing Steve will be present with her. At first he still attended, and looked forward to it. It was his opportunity to spend as much time with Steve as possible, using the excuse to get way too close to him. But then Steve started bringing her around and Eddie felt like an outcast yet again as they all fawned over how perfect she is.

At least he still had Hellfire Club. As friendly as Steve was, he still hadn't warmed up to the idea of playing any of Eddie's campaigns; and if any of the kids dared to break character to talk about Steve's new girlfriend, he pulled rank over them and quickly shut them up, allowing DND to be his safespace once more.

His heart aches as he hears the phone ringing, knowing it's got to be the very one he's avoiding. No one else was really close enough to be calling him, except for maybe Dustin.

“Hello?” His voice reflects his mood, down and unwilling to socialize. It wasn’t a Hellfire night, so there’s no reason for him to leave his and Uncle Wayne’s trailer.

“Eds! Hey, man. Wanted to see if you were up for a movie night?”

“Who all’s going to be there?” He already knows the answer.

“Oh, just…” He begins rattling off their mutual friends’ names. Usually Eddie tunes him out after the first name – Heather – but Eddie didn’t hear the trigger word yet.

“Um,” He starts, not wanting to remind him to invite his girlfriend if by some miracle he had forgotten, but Eddie didn’t want to go and get stuck there with her even more.

“Um?” Steve prompts when Eddie forgets to speak.

“Oh, um, is Heather going to be there?”

The line is silent and for a second Eddie has the irrational thought that Steve hung up on him for asking such a stupid question. Of course she’s going to be there.

“No, she’s not. I don’t think she’ll be around for any other movie nights either. Or any hangouts for that matter.”

Oh shit. Oh shit. Is she dead?

“Oh my God. Steve, what happened? I’m so sorry.” He rushes out, imagining metal wrapped around a tree or even worse– another entity from the Upside Down.

“Nothing happened, we just sorta broke up. It was pretty mutual. I don’t really wanna go into it right now, if that’s okay?”

Oh shit. Oh shit. He didn’t have to feel regret! She isn’t dead, so Eddie doesn’t have to feel bad about feeling so happy…

Who was he kidding? Of course he should feel bad. His good friend, and possible love of his life, is hurting and probably doesn’t want to be alone right now, hence the impromptu movie night with all of his friends.

Shame on him for being relieved at Steve being very freshly single.

“Oh, okay. Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you or anything, Stevie. Yeah, I’ll be right over.”

“Great, thanks, Eddie. Can’t wait to see you.”

Steve can’t wait to see me.

Eddie’s heart picks up speed.

“I can’t wait to see you either.”

The movie of the night is Stand by Me, followed by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for those who wanted to stick it out and hang out longer.

Only Dustin and Eddie wanted to stay, and understandably so. Their shared best friend was hurting, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud.

When the movie was over and the three collectively realized it was indeed a weeknight which meant school for Dustin and Eddie –unfortunately he was held back yet another year thanks to the mess Vecna brought– and work for Steve. Eddie offered to give Dustin the ride home, allowing him to chuck his bike into the back of his van.

He watches in silence as Dustin forgeos his and Steve’s usual handshake, instead going in for a solid hug. Eddie follows suit as soon as Dustin clears out and takes his keys to wait in the van.

“You gonna be okay, Stevie?”

“Yeah, man. I’m good. Thanks for coming. It means a lot.” Eddie doesn’t miss the way Steve tries to maintain eye contact but fails miserably as his eyes look anywhere but Eddie’s.

“Of course. If you need anything please let me know. We can hangout again soon, yeah?”

“Yeah.” he agrees more cheerfully than he sounded just a moment ago.

He had kept a cheerful and joking attitude about him pretty much all night but Eddie saw it slip more than once when it was just the two of them in conversation.

They exchange one more smile before Eddie turns away to take the younger teen home.

He barely gets out of Dustin’s neighborhood before he’s racing back to Steve’s.

Despite breaking a few speed limits, the drive to Steve’s felt longer than usual, like Eddie was moving in slow motion.

He only got hurled back into the present when he stepped up to the grand door.

He takes a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

He knocks on the door quickly and without rhythm, only realizing how harshly he was banging on it when Steve yanks the door open with a bewildered expression.

He must think I’m a crazy person. Maybe I am.

“Eddie? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Jesus, I thought you were the cops. Is everything okay?” His eyes rake over his body, then peer behind him to check for imaginary threats.

“Why would I be the cops? I'm okay, I think, but I really need to talk to you.”

“Okay, um, come in.” Steve ushers him in and locks the door behind them. “Jeez, when you said hangout again soon I didn’t think you meant in thirty minutes!”

When Steve’s joke doesn’t land he switches back to his infamous protector mode. “Are you okay? You’re kind of scaring me.”

“I don’t know. I feel like I’ve made a horrible mistake– Wait, no. No. Not a mistake, just… I waited too long. My timing is terrible.

“Oh.” Steve rubs the back of his neck, “Um, okay, well no time better than the present, right?”

“Maybe. It completely depends on how you feel in about two minutes.”

“How I feel? Eds, come on. Talk to me.”

Eddie sighs and scrubs a hand down in frustration for himself. Just spit it out, Munson!

“It’s just– I completely misunderstood you. I was so stuck on the image I had of you. That you were just some guy–”

“I am just some guy.” He interjects, confusion clouding his voice.

“No. That’s not what I mean. I mean I thought you were just King Steve. Some womanizer-type guy. You’re not just some guy. You’re special. You’re one of a kind. I thought I hated you for so many reasons but I realized it’s not that at all.”

“Eds, we’ve had this talk before, remember?” He almost giggles at him and Eddie feels like he’s going to combust.

“Not this talk, Stevie. I’ve never had this talk and I doubt you have too.”

“And what talk is that?” Steve holds his breath.

“I thought I hated you because I thought I was jealous of you, but I realized it wasn’t that at all.” He takes a rasping breath as he steps closer to Steve who was staring into his dark, watery eyes. “I realized I don’t want to be you. I want to be with you.”

He takes one more step closer, their lips just a breath away.

“I realized I love you.”

Eddie is thoroughly surprised when Steve kisses him first. My God, were his lips soft.

Steve Harrington is kissing me. Oh my God! Steve is kissing me! Played on loop in his head for the whole duration. His lips tasted of root beer and cigarettes, Steve must’ve had one while Eddie was away.

“I’m so glad you feel this way too.” Steve breathes across his lips as he pulls away.

“Yeah, man. I’ve pretty much felt like this since we got roped into trying to save the world together, at least that’s when I realized my actual feelings about you.”

“Same. I was always just too scared to act on it.” Steve admits with a blush staining his cheeks and Eddie thinks he’s never looked more gorgeous.

“Well I’m glad you finally did. But, Stevie, I don’t want this to be some rebound for you or anything. So if you need time or space, we can pick up on this at a later date.” He offers sincerely.

Steve doesn’t hesitate to shake his head. “No way, we’ve waited long enough. You’re not a rebound. You could never be a rebound.”

“But you and Heather literally just broke up.” Eddie insists, “Her side of the bed isn’t even cold yet, Steve.”

Eddie tries to ignore how Steve flinches.

“You’re why we broke up, though, Eds. She knew I wasn’t perfectly straight, and I knew she wasn’t you. It would have never worked out even if we wanted it to. Plus she was a little homophobic and that’s not cool.”

“Ew. Glad she’s out of the picture then.”

“Me too.” Steve’s eyes sparkled as he very obviously looked back to Eddie’s lips, licking his own.

“Down boy.” Eddie jokes despite being just as eager to kiss Steve again, to do a lot more with Steve.

Steve huffs. “I just had my first gay kiss, let me live a little.”

Laughter bubbles out of Eddie and Steve follows suit.

“God, why did it take us so long to figure out our feelings?” Eddie questions as Steve goes in for a proper hug that Eddie happily responds to.

“Beats me. I’m just glad we finally did.”

Eddie pulls back just enough to make Steve look him in his eyes.

“Okay, serious question.”

“Yes?”

“Can I have your sweater back now?”

Steve shakes with the force of his laughter.

“You can have all of my sweaters, Eds.”

[xx-hail2theking-xx]

the tale between gods? I think I know some of Life And Death, but it's possible I'm wrong. the others though, no.

as many answers as we've sought, this is what we know, to my memory

that Life loved Death and Fascination so much that it created the universe, for Fascination to watch, and Death to look after its souls at their end. and Love is the youngest, patented by all three. this we learned from demonkind. that Destruction demanded Creation create shy a Herald, then proceeded to murder the first thirteen, still starlets. that King Paimak fed from Creation's blood.

that Fascination turned xpr back on xpr mate and child, grew bored of watching the universe, and created angels to do so for it. this we learned from Love, as well as that the unnamed god is both the oldest, and the youngest. fi called the universe's creation an act of Love great enough to create it's god- though my wording may be mistaken. fi told us that if a god died, another would... arise? to claim it's aspect? saying in the same moment that this had never happened. so I wondered how fi knew this. I could only assume that another told fir. fi told us that the unnamed god was both the oldest, and the youngest. that Creation hated it, for restricting it.

that Void wasn't a god, but something else, something bigger. this we learned from Destruction. that shy called it shy's mate. that Creation murdered it. that Time did not exist yet, so there was no order of Time in which shy could have tried to stop it. that this is why shy hates Creation, and seeks the Destruction of all it's created.

Time told us that the Void was suffocating, and that Creation agreed. that the Void was a necessary sacrifice, and called it the 'our canvas,' as I remember it. tik also told us that Time cannot exist in the Void, so though tok's attention is perpetually rent apart by so many possible timelines, tik does not seek its return.

Creation showed us disdain, while claiming to love us. save the anger it showed to one watching, who didn't speak. it claimed its creations were perfection, that it's plan was perfection.

Fascination called angel and demonkind playing pieces for xpr game with Destruction. told us part of the Void's true name, and claimed there was barely anything left of it anyway. the other things xp spoke of, were of a far more cruel and personal nature, and need not be shared.

Death has been silent.

the final God has been silent as well. we have supposed they might represent the aspects of Change, and Thought. but we were told their name and aspect have been lost.

the Void let us know it remained. and it asked for our help.

...

so, the tales of your kind? between the gods? what we know is limited. most of what we've heard has been from the gods themselves, but I know that a great deal has been omitted, and we have been seeking answers. can you tell us more? will you?

...We.. are impressed. that is... more than We expected.

to speak with so many gods. it must be an honor.

We congratulate you all. We pity you all.

We hope Death will be merciful with you.

[edenfenixblogs]

Buckle up folks, this is gonna be a long one, with a lot of re-blogged additions. Mostly because there can only be 30 images in a post at a time. And I have, uh, way more than that. This was part of an experiment I did with @thatmuslimlady-deactivated20240 (who I am devastated about being deactivated, by the way. Truly I cannot even find the words tbh. She is a bright light, and I hope she's doing well.)

I know she deactivated her old blog because all the i/p stuff and the antisemitism and islamophobia was getting to her. Seeing as how none of those things has slowed down even a little bit, I wouldn't be surprised if she's gone again for the same reason.

However, our friendship and that history is exactly why I reached out to her via DM about doing this. Here was our convo:

And it's true, B''H! She received a lot of support, visibly, from Jews as well as other people! Which brings me incredible joy. I am not surprised that she received support, as she is a lovely person. I am not surprised that Jews stood up and did what was right to defend her. Despite what people seem to think about Jews and how we think we feel about both Muslims and Palestine, I know we are not crazed beasts looking for Muslims to harm in the name of Israel (or whatever the bigots seem to think motivates us for hateful purpose).

I am (happily) surprised that there was not any hatred and (very happily) surprised that no Jewish people (or those speaking on behalf of Jewish people) said anything negative at all. Not because I expected any kind of horrid thing to take place specifically. It's just that I don't hold Jew to a different standard than any other group. I get people of all kinds being hateful to me all the time. There's a lot of Jewish pain at the heart of this conflict, and I wouldn't be shocked (saddened, but not shocked) to learn that some of us have allowed our pain to morph into hatred. And I'm not saying that Jews don't ever do Islamophobic things all the time! I'm sure many Muslims and Arabs on this site have encountered bigoted and unkind Jewish people in their comments. I've called out some of those people! So I'm not trying to cast Jewish people as perfect angels who do no wrong ever, is all I'm saying. But I was very happy for my friend that she didn't experience this, even when posting to #Israel and #I/P and #Palestine, as that seems to be where a lot of hate is festering right now. I reblogged her post and planned to link to it, but I can't find the reblog on my dash. IDK where it went. Luckily, I do have the replies to her post saved. (I've tried to redact names wherever possible for obvious reasons, but have kept profile pix as those are not usually unique to specific users)

In the below post I'd like you to notice, a week after we both originally posted early January 15th, her note count was 332. Aside from reblogging and liking each other's posts, neither of us did anything to promote or drive engagement with our posts. My note count at the time of making this post is 104 Notes. This is not an inherently good or bad thing. It just means more interactions with her than with m than me. And that would have been terrible if it included anything bigoted. But it didn't, for which i am very grateful. (Also, note: many of the photographed users identify as Jewish in their usernames.

Her interactions looked like this:

and this

This is all fantastic. People coming forward to defend human kindness and to make the correct and uncomplicated assertion that being bigoted is always wrong. People coming forward to say loudly and proudly that they will police their own communities for bigotry and to ensure that it will not be tolerated. People coming forward offer support and an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Truly the best that we humans can be to one another.

This was...very much not my experience.

Don't get me wrong! I did get some love, and for that I am eternally grateful. This isn't the oppression Olympics and we are just two people--neither of us are speaking for all Jews or all Muslims. But almost immediately, my end of things got...complicated.

So complicated, in fact, that I wasn't able to post that night like I planned. I looked into my notes and was instantly overwhelmed.

And before I explain why, I just want to be explicitly clear: THIS DOES NOT MEAN I WANT MY FELLOW JEWS TO STOP SHARING MY POSTS OR WRITING TO ME WITH THEIR CONCERNS OR TO BE SILENT ABOUT THEIR PAIN WITH ME OR ANYONE ELSE!!!!

I simply wish to highlight the overwhelming nature of Jewish pain at this moment in our culture.

I always intended for this post to be included in my #The Antisemitism Experiment tag. I didn't expect it to be a whole new aspect of the experiment itself. But it's absolutely become one.

It wasn't just that I received a tremendous amount of hate (which I did). It wasn't just that it was violent and actively threatening (which it was). It was more than that.

It was that instantly--and I mean within moments of posting--my pain was removed from me entirely and became something else. I stopped being human. I became a theoretical subject or an object of hate.

Note: I am not obscuring usernames in this small section, because you can literally see the usernames in the notes of this post anyway.

You see, the first notification that i saw on this post after I posted it was this. Like...Immediately. Like this person was waiting to attack a sad Jew. (And no, please don't send hate to this person, please. I never want anyone spreading hate, especially not in my name. This person is not the point anyway. The behavior is the point.)

TW: SUICIDE BAIT/DEATH THREAT

I screenshot this by reflex. I don't know why. I felt the need to document it. It felt horrible enough that it had to be remembered I guess. But at the same time, I kept thinking to myself "Ugh. I don't want this on my phone. Why am I keeping this horrible memory?"

Over the next week, @arabian-knight sent several more nasty messages to me, which I ignored. @dougielombax attempted to de-escalate on my behalf, which was kind. And I watched for a week a @arabian-knight and @dougielombax engaged in a debate about whether or not I and all Jews deserved to experience antisemitism and hatred and death threats entirely without my involvement. I wasn't relevant because I wasn't real, at least not to @arabian-knight. He was shadowboxing someone who did not exist and who was not a part of the conversation at all. But he also didn't seem to see me, the actual human being who he dragged into the boxing ring and just fucking wailed on repeatedly. He also sent me some kind of horrible message in my inbox. It might have included a death threat or suicide bait--or it might have just been the garden variety "You deserve this." I cannot recall. Because after seeing his initial messages, I decided not to engage anymore until the day I decided to compare my post to @thatmuslimlady-deactivated20240's the following week.

After messaging her as shown in my last screenshot of our convo, I went to my inbox to screenshot @arabian-knight's message to find it gone. As were all the comments he made on my post--at least to me. Because he blocked me. I never engaged with him at all. But he came into my space and harrassed me then he blocked me.

I was instantly so glad I took that first screenshot. IDK if his messages still show up in the notes of this post. It felt like the strangest, most invasive gaslighting. I spent a week ignoring constant horrific attacks on my person and on my culture and the moment I went to speak about it, the rest of the evidence vanished. I was so gutted, I decided not to do the post. It wasn't going to serve the purpose I thought it would serve and I didn't know how to move forward. I re-directed my energy elsewhere.

I suppose I expected a bit of that. The being hated and gaslit and threatened and dehumanized. It'd already been happening for a while.

But what caught me off guard was the horrible solidarity with fellow Jews. The things we have all gone through. The way the internet at large has ghettoized us in the digital age. The way we are all so isolated from one another and from our non-Jewish communities that surround us. We've become nothing and no one to anyone but each other and, only if we're lucky, a few very kind Beloved Goyim who have kept our hope alive. Non-Jews who are very much the exception in The Jewish Experience, not the rule.

So I started looking through my notes more. And checked my (sorry) often neglected inbox. And when that all got overwhelming, I would go to watch a show I like or a YouTuber I like and find that they were spouting irresponsible rhetoric. Or I'd go to Facebook and see my IRL Jewish friends feeling openly miserable and everyone ignoring them. I'd go to text a friend about something unrelated or to see if they wanted to hang out or just share a funny thing from my day and ask about theirs all to be met with the same exact response: Nothing. Silence. It became very apparent that the vast majority of people I know have blocked or muted me despite never even bringing up Palestine with them specifically. A couple people respond to me vaguely and occasionally as long a it is the most surface-level possible subject matter. A "Hey! How are you doing?" was mostly unanswered and absolutely never reciprocated.

I'd go for a walk outside and see reminders about the war or overhear people talking about all Israelis being evil or how 10/7 was somehow justified "because Israel" (as if anything could ever justify such horror).

It is fucking inescapable. And I have wanted to scream at anyone who has suggested that I "step away" for "my mental health." There is no away. Every form of escapist media I enjoyed most is now filled with people who can't distinguish between Jew sand Zionists and Nazis. They're filled with people who are A-OK with ethnic cleansing and mass expulsion of Jews, so long as those Jews are Israeli (and so long as those same people don't have to answer the question of "OK, so were are these millions of Jews gonna go? What's your proposal here? How will they bee kept safe?"). I can't be with people I can't enjoy modern media, because its become so stressful wondering whether or not the people who make that media actually want me dead.

I can't keep from wondering if the people who are speaking out about Palestine (but not saying a word about bringing the hostages home or the bombs constantly fired into Israel or the sky high levels of antisemitism) are staying quiet about every single pressing possible issue that affects ANY Jew ANYWHERE in the world are doing so because they have actually decided to care about Palestine (which is good; they should) and are just a little single-focused due to the truly horrible scale of the tragedy--or because they actually think that (at best) Jewish suffering is unimportant right now or (at worst) deserved and necessary. There's no real way for me to know. The only way that people can actually signal that they care about me as a friend or me as a friend or Jews ass a people is for them to actually say and do something to prove that. And it's frankly fucking terrifying that I can count on one hand the number of non-Jewish friends in my actual real life who have done a single thing to risk letting anyone know that they (gasp!) are friends with a Jew on purpose! And that they (double gasp!) care about how that Jew feels. I can think of exactly two (2) people (plus my sister, who is not Jewish). Two. You know who you are, and I love you. The rest of my support system is people I've never met IRL, because they are the only ones who talk to me anymore. (And I could not be more grateful for you. You have no idea).

I can't step away for my mental health, I can only stop talking for your convenience. And if talking is all I have left, you won't take that from me too.

I've been reading Agatha Christie and Terry Pratchett books like I breathe oxygen, because they're dead and if they were antisemitic, I don't have to know. It won't affect my present or inadvertently harm other Jews for me to enjoy their work.

So, as I perused the internet in the vain hope of escapism, I saw the other Jew like me. The ones who are invisible in the real world now and who are ghettoized digitally.

And you know what I did? I SCREENSHOT EVERY SINGLE INSTANCE OF SOCIETAL FAILURE.

I noted every single time I've seen a Jew cry out in loneliness and every single time someone wished death upon us or refused to listen to us or minimized our suffering or tried to steal and invert our tragedy, deny our history, and otherwise abuse and neglect us. AND I'M GONNA SHARE THEM.

Not all on this post, but in other reblogs of this post. And because I'm not a monster, I will actually put all but the first picture/row of pictures under a read more going forward.

But this post stays long. And it stays inconvenient to scroll past, because maybe--JUST MAYBE--someone will see this wall of text enough times to actually read it and internalize it and change how they behave. Or maybe I'll just make some antisemites annoyed, and I'm personally fine with either. I'd prefer the former, but won't be mad at the latter.

And once I do post the pictures, I can FINALLY delete the hate off my photo library. Hopefully it'll run out. Hopefully you'll all stop being hateful toward us. You're all in control of how long this lasts, not me. Stop giving me and other Jews horrible experiences to share, and you'll stop having to see this wall. But it's gonna be awhile. Because you've done a lot of harm to a lot of people, and now I'm their megaphone as well as my own. Oh. And this is how many notifications I've gotten since I've started typing, I'm really hoping that none of it adds more info to screenshot:

And these are the folders devoted to all the times in which people have isolated Jews from their communities and threatened their safety.

And here's the folder of Goyische support which I also plan to share. There aren't as many photos in that one:

And in case you are one of the people who are determined to misinterpret this post:

I AM NOT A ZIONIST.

I AM PRO-PALESTINE.

THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT PALESTINE. NEITHER THIS POST NOR THE USER WHO WROTE IT DENY INJUSTICE FACING PALESTINIANS OR THE SUFFERING THEY ARE ENDURING.

THIS POST IS ONLY TAGGED PALESTINE, BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF JEWS BEING DRIVEN OUT OF PRO-PALESTINE ACTIVISM BY A COMBINATION OF ANTISEMITISM AND ERASURE.

SUBSEQUENT REBLOGS OF THIS POST WILL NOT BE REBLOGGED WITH THE PALESTINE TAG, BECAUSE THIS POST IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT JEWS AND JEWISH SUFFERING ONLY.

Friends and allies: Reblog as much as you want. Keep sharing your stories. You are not alone in your pain. Future reblogs of this post will either be queued or scheduled. (I'll never share personal identifying info without explicit approval from you or unless it was made available widely already.)

I am experiencing a lot of antisemitism due to the ongoing conflict and I would like it to stop, please.

[mythicaldemigoddess-of-deltarune]

My Ace Flag & Decepticon Symbol Buttons (2023)

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

Credit for Transformers goes to Hasbro & Takara

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

[Note: Don’t Reblog Without Permission...] 

[Edit On March 26, 2023: had to edit this....and also replace the word “badges with buttons”.......well I guess they were more like Button-Badges to me....]

I want to say that my plan was to still keep to not posting anything until a few days later, and there is a reason why I decided that, it’s just someone had made me unhappy, it just seem they were doing something on purpose despite me pointing out some important facts.....plus I am going to think over what to do about it, anyway a part of me wants to post a drawing I did of Blitzwing from TFA, that has to do with a Fan Headcanon about him, but maybe I will wait a few more days before I post it.....I think this will be the only post for today, and I will try to keep from posting else until maybe a few days later in this month or until maybe somewhere around April.     

I had to take a picture of the buttons that I had made,

well the Ace Flag Button one, was made on August 25, 2021...

while the Decepticon Symbol Button was made on March 21, 2023...

if I find the right colors, I can try using the colors Lavender/Violet, Light Turquoise, White, Ice Blue and Blue-Gray for the Aroaceflux Flag in Button form.

still not sure if many will even use it though, and I guess it’s fine if it’s just me that ends up using it for now.

so yeah, I drew a Decepticon Symbol on Paper, colored it and put it in a Button.....so that is my Decepticon Button, it might not be 100% perfect.

but it’s like, wanting to support the True Decepticon Cause, and not the whole bad stuff that some Decepticons have done that really has nothing to do with the real cause....

I am starting to think that Rose Quartz and Megatron have more in common than I had originally thought, and Megatron may have been part of the Council but took the form of Megatron or at first a Mech with no name until given the name “Megatron”, and he learned the dark truth, that while the Toxic-Rich that would become Autobots lived with out a care, there were others who are suffering, and it might be weird, but what if it turn out that Megatron was originally a Femme who was named after Solus Prime, like his original name was Solus and even as both Megatron and Solus, he tried to get the Council to listen but they always ignored both Megatron and Solus (who they had no clue were one in the same...) and I guess that is a weird theory, but it be interesting if it turned out to be true.....that would be a big plot twist.          

to take the picture of the two, I had to wear those buttons and then once I got the pictures taken, I started to do some editing and resizing of them a little and removing some parts that had to do with the shirt...

I know that not all Autobots are Bad, but they still have some Bad ones in their ranks, and even clueless ones who offline a Vehicon without a second thought.....yeah we are suppose to see the Autobots as the good guys, but the Autobots aren’t really 100% the good guys, because of their stupid corrupt caste system....

"Decepticons Get It Done, But Crystal Gems Do It Better."

(referencing the song "Brunettes Do It Better" by Kidforce.)

yeah I’m weird enough to view Steven Universe and Transformers having some similarities, at least Steven was able to finally get through to White, Yellow and Blue....

I think I will make a button that has to do with Steven Universe, next.

maybe not right now, but sometime I will...

so the Decepticon Button in this, is like a Honorary Type Thing....

like siding with the Decepticons who are still on the right path and fighting for the true cause, and not the whole conquering or destroying thing...

anyway when I do make some other buttons, I can post them on here sometime.......but it will have to be a long wait, so it can’t be this month.

so yeah in a Fan way, this Defective Earth Angel is becoming a Honorary Decepticon (even if it isn’t canon and is like more fan like.), but still like some of the Good Guy Autobots, but still know that half of the time, it will be the Autobots who will be in the wrong some percent of the time, same as the Decepticons....

anyway this time for sure, this will be it until a few days or so...and this will be the only post for today as well.

and yeah, when I can and if I can find the right color pencils and crayons to use, I will make a Aroaceflux Button that matches the new design I had posted some days ago...  

I’m going to check out some stuff on here while listening to Dark Horse by Katy Perry.  and I will try to keep myself from posting anything else up until a few more days this month or until April...

[aziraphales-library]

Hi there, LOVE your blog <3 do you know any fluffy, tender fics written from Crowley’s POV? I’m into him still thinking his love is unrequired, and deeply feeling and reliving the smallest words and gestures, since he thinks it’s all he can ever have

Hello! Here are some fluffy pining Crowley fics for you...

Run Your Hand Across My Head (Just Like This) by AnonymousDandelion (G)

The sensation of fingers on his head, tender and careful, pausing to caress his cheek and then moving on to comb through hair. The voice, calling him by his new name with a completely unrealistic note of fondness. The face, smiling down at him, that Crowley wished he could pretend he didn’t recognize.

Above all else, the sense of safety, of being totally enveloped in comfort and trust and something that, even asleep, he hadn’t dared name…

~ ~ ~

OR: A sequence of moments through the ages involving Crowley’s hair being touched by Aziraphale. Five times before their happy ending… plus one time after.

Sunlight by Essiggurke (NR)

Crowley was always cold. If he had ever felt the warmth and the light of god’s love, then nothing of it remained. He spent his life in darkness and cold. And he hated every second of it.

The only light left in his life was the angel by his side. The angel, Crowley loved for thousands of years, and who would never return his feelings.

Or so Crowley thought. But well the great plan is ineffable, isn`t it.

Can’t See the Forest for the Pining by cyankelpie (G)

“Have you tried talking to Mr. Fell about it?” asked Adam. “I bet that’d fix things right up.”

Crowley shook his head. “He wouldn’t want to hear it.”

With an annoyed huff, Adam added, “Or I could fix it, if you don’t want to.”

With a chuckle, Crowley said, “I don’t think even you can fix this, Adam.”

(Adam learns something about Crowley’s relationship with Aziraphale. Soon afterwards, Aziraphale starts acting unusually affectionate towards Crowley. Crowley has no idea what’s going on, but he’s certain of one thing: whatever Aziraphale says, he does not love Crowley back.)

Hell in a Handbasket by SaunterVaguelyDownward (T)

“I’m leaving, thanks for the wine.”

Aziraphale blanched. “Crowley! Please. The last time we argued it almost led to the apocalypse and the time before that I didn’t see you for over one hundred years.”

“And whose bloody fault were both of those?” he snapped.

Aziraphale froze. “Mine, dear boy,” the angel replied simply and sincerely. He inhaled deeply, gathering himself. “Which is why I refuse to let it happen again.” His eyes were pleading, his expression serious as he reached out slowly and let his hand land gently on Crowley’s shoulder.

The demon flinched and Aziraphale recoiled, his face filled with hurt.

Crowley’s jaw clenched. “Well, maybe it’s my turn to be unreasonable.”

In which the only way Crowley can be saved from a demonic curse is if his angel admits feelings of true love. But there's no way Aziraphale could ever possibly feel that way about Crowley...

One Dance Whose Steps I Never Could Learn by hapax (T)

Or, Five Times Crowley Took Romantic Advice From Anathema (plus One Time He Took Romantic Advice From Newt)

“Shaddup,” Crowley said, a bit of fondness leaking into his voice. “We’re not friends, neither. You’re just this bint who I tempt into ditching her fiancé on a monthly basis.” “And you are just this camp old horror that comes to me to whine about his boyfriend-who-isn’t-really-his-boyfriend,” she retaliated, resting her chin on her folded hands.

Anathema Device has the perfect plan for tempting Aziraphale to realize that he ought to be with Crowley (not to mention distracting herself from own upcoming wedding): adapting scenarios from cheesy rom-coms. Crowley is doubtful, but hasn’t got one single better idea.

the fact of his pulse by lexophile (NR)

The revelation of the angel’s face hovering over him—and his firelit, affectionate expression—is more than he can cope with right now. Crowley shuts his eyes again, although he does make an effort to relax his shoulders and curl his knees in towards his chest. He’s aware that lying in the fetal position with his head on an angel’s lap is just about the least demonic thing he’s ever done.

-

Or: five times Crowley successfully conceals his crush on Aziraphale and one time he fails.

- Mod D

[unnecessaryshenanigan]

Who’s [MC]?

Summary : After your death, Diavolo found a replacement for your empty seat in the program. But the new student, Yuki, was so just like you and now, she thrives to know who you are and why they kept mentioning your name.

—

“I’ve been bothered about this since yesterday but.. Who’s MC? Are they the human Lord Diavolo mentioned that I’ll replace in the program?”

—

Who’s [MC]?

Chapter 2 : None of Your Business

—

Yuki’s question left the dining room eerily silent. You blinked a few times and tilted your head, waiting for the brother’s reaction. Now that she has mentioned it, the brothers don’t talk much about you nor bring you up.

You saw how Beelsebub’s hands tightened on the burger he’s eating. Lucifer’s hands stopped mid way, Mammon clutched his utensils, Leviathan froze, Asmodeus bit his nails he’s too proud of before, Belphegor gripped the fork he’s holding and Satan stared directly at Yuki. 

The room’s arua was so intense, you could see Yuki become paler. She hitted a nerve right there.

“Where did you hear that name?” Satan asked. “I’m pretty sure none of us brothers mentioned that name to you..”

“Hey Lilith, where did she heard my name?” you asked while chiming silently, standing lazily beside Mammon. 

“Why are you asking me? I’m with you almost every time” Lilith replied. You ‘tsked’ but said nothing.

“Well..” the intense glare from Belphegor and Satan was enough for Yuki to be scared down to her soul. They’re demons. They could kill her anytime they want. But since she’s in custody under Diavolo then it’ll be fine. “L-Luke mentioned that name earlier.. I tried to ask Simeon who’s the owner of that name but all he said is that they're important to all of you.. And that it’s not his job to explain to me who’s [MC]..”

Yuki’s voice was shaking and small. You rolled your eyes, “Seriously..?”

“Simeon really likes giving my brothers a hard time, eh?” Lilith sighed. “I’m gonna talk to that angel later..”

“Hey, let me come with you!” you answered excitedly, forgetting the moment that’s unfolding in front of you. “It’s disappointing that Luke couldn’t see me though..”

“He’s still a child [MC].. His power is still weak but he’ll manifest it.. Though in kinda long time”

“Hmph.. I hope I’m not reborned when that time comes”

“You can't be reborned [MC]..” Lilith said in a matter of fact tone. “First, your soul is attached here in Devildom.. With my brothers still holding onto you”

“Yeah right” you rolled your eyes.

“Exactly,” the light said. “They couldn’t let go nor accept the fact that you’re dead, that's why you’re still here in Devildom.  Second, even if they accept the fate, move on  and end up in the gates of heaven, I doubt that you’ll be reborn much more welcomed in Celestia.”

“And why is that?”

“Father doesn’t know that I was reborned as a human, remember? And you’re my descendant. Which means that if Father learned about your existence, he’ll be mad and I’m more than sure that your soul and existence will be wiped.”

“That’s dark..” you commented. “But true though. Screw blood lineage.”

“Ain’t my fault”

“Yes it is!” you argued playfully. “You’re reborned! Had children and now look at me! I share your blood!”

“I didn’t ask Lucifer to save me!” Lilith argued back. “And out of all, of course I didn’t want an ungrateful sheep to be my descendant! Hmph!”

“You have the audacity to use that ‘hmph’ thing. Doesn’t sound good on you”

“Gosh.. you’re kind when you’re still alive but look at you, you little ghost sheep!” you could practically hear Lilith trying her best not to laugh. 

“Why you–”

“Knowing who that person is is none of your business” you and Lilith snapped out of your playful arguing when Lucifer decided to chime in. At first, no one answered before Asmodeus said that it was no one she should know of but Yuki insisted; even if a single thing about the human, it’ll be enough.

“[MC] is out of your league nor you have any business to do with them” Lucifer wiped his mouth with a napkin before standing. Everyone’s gaze watched his every move. Lucifer stares straightly at Yuki’s golden eyes as if warning her. “You’re here as an exchange student, Yuki. The only thing you need to do here is to study and survive, not interfere in someone else’s business”

“But no one would answer me!” Yuki shouted. You blinked a bit before smirking.

“Just how curious is she about me?” you commented, amused how Yuki wasn’t scared for her own dear life. Now that you think of it, there’s a time you shouted at Lucifer yeah? Oh, there’s also when you and Beel let Luke inside the house when he and Simeon had some misunderstandings and when Luke had a hold of Grimoire. There’s also that time where you freed Belphie from the attic and had to face his wrath, getting you almost killed in the process. 

“To the point she raises her voice at Lucifer..,” you chuckled. The light floated around Yuki as if protecting her. “She’s reckless isn’t she?”

“Says the one who’s far from reckless?” Lilith remarked. True though, dying for a person who you’re not family nor special with..

You groaned before walking next to Yuki and rested your hands on her shoulders. 

“Damn Lucifer gotta chill” you commented and whistled, looking at Lucifer who seemed to not like Yuki’s sudden raise of tone. “Damn McPride face”

“I’m sorry for raising my voice but..” Yuki mumbled, shaking. “I-I want to know more about this place. If I were to stay here for six months, don’t you at least think that I deserve some knowledge about it?”

Mammon and Leviathan watched intently on Yuki, eyes and ears wide open. 

“Everyone was comparing me to that [MC] and I just wanna know.. Who they are or how they regained their momentum here in hell.. Because everyone seems to look up on them and I’m just curious.. Curious on what they look like.. How they behave.. Where they are..” Yuki looked at Mammon before Lucifer. “I want to know why they had to be replaced by me..”

“Curiosity kills the cat,” Belphegor commented, turning everyone’s attention to him. His glare rested on Yuki. “You’re the cat and the more you become curious about them, the more you’ll be involved with us and I don’t want that. So stay your curiosity at bay if you don’t want to die”

You know Yuki shivered based on how you see her tremble. Lucifer said nothing and left the dining hall, after was him Satan and Asmodeus who only gave Yuki a cold gaze.

Mammon, Leviathan and Beelzub returned to eating; Belphegor and Yuki were still looking at each other.

“Why is everyone such a bastard?” You shake your head. “Can’t they treat Yuki nicely?”

“Why? Did they treat you nicely at first?” Lilith deadpanned.

“Well at least Mammon and Levi are nice to me!” you retorted. 

“Lie to yourself” Lilith deadpanned again. “Leviathan approached you because of Mammon. Mammon also approached you because of his credit card. If it weren’t for that reason, no one would approach you.”

“You seriously don’t overlook situations don’t you?”

“I was observing”

Yuki let go of Belphegor’s gaze. She said nothing and went to her room.

“Poor girl..” Lilith compassed. “As much as I want to help her, I can’t connect with her, much more call for her.. She doesn’t have at least ounce of my blood in her”

You sighed before floating towards the front door. 

“Tsk.. C’mon Lilith!” you invited. “Thought you still gonna have some ‘talk’ with Simeon?”

“Oh yeah right..”

The two of you left HOL, didn’t mind Yuki nor the brothers and headed straight towards Purgatory hall. It’s not like you two don’t sympathize nor care for Yuki but it’s just as what Lucifer said..

It’s none of your business, nor Lilith’s.

Your time helping others is up, and you can’t do anything as a ghost anymore. As much as you don’t like it, you cannot do anything but watch.

—

This chapter is dedicated for @charm-reaper(Idk if it works I’m honestly new here so yeah..).. Thankyou for the praise hehe🤧🥰

[ofholyfire]

In a way, the brothers are celebrities in Heaven, but Michael pays no mind to any of that. He does what he was tasked to do; nothing more, nothing less. Avoidance of hubris and pride were lessons hard learned ages and ages ago. He only finds it necessary to be known in name because of his duties and believes in keeping a separation of himself from any personal glories and excessive praise. As commander, this also means less closeness to other angels than one might expect. He is a fighter and moments of tenderness are not easy to come by. His being unaccustomed to such physical contact is what makes Cherry's talents so effective. The fact that he caused the archangel to shudder is more than impressive on its own. Archangels are a resilient lot and are difficult to affect, yet the cherub has easily done so.

Michael himself is indeed overwhelmed by the sensations and tries to reason out what they are and why he feels them so strongly. His body reacts in another shudder and feels as if he has an excess of energy humming within himself. He doesn't know what to do with it, but the thought to draw closer to the source in some way does cross his mind. The impulsive urge to kiss or touch burns to be fulfilled, yet his logical brain keeps him from doing something so sudden and audacious. Michael does, however, continue to stare without realizing it as he observes the soft, beautiful features of the little cupid. ...Is this Eros, the deep, romantic type of love people craved? It was certainly different from the love he held for other angels and his brothers. This felt much more intense. Michael is aware that each angel has its own skills and talents in its own domains of power, but he certainly hadn't anticipated being on the receiving end of any. Much less, a cupid's enchantment. A warning would have been appropriate, but he is hardly angry about it.

His body pitches forward ever so slightly while he and Cherry are so close, and he finally blinks and shakes his head as if to wake himself from the trance when he hears Cherry speak.

"Ah.. I... No, it's alright," he says as his fingers absently brush the patch of skin the other touched. "This is... your God-given talent. It is your gift... How powerful it is."

He still buzzes with energy, like the jolt after a deep stretch, or a relieved gasp after drinking cold water to quench one's thirst. To relieve it and so show his gratitude as he initially planned, he turns around and sits back onto his heels in a kneel. Gently taking each of Cherry's hands into his own, he holds them side bye side before himself and bows his head in a show of humility.

"You also said that you weren't afraid of me. If that is true, then I am relieved. For your compassion and aid... thank you.. and these blessed hands."

Then Michael lifts them to his mouth and presses a soft kiss of reverence to the back of each.

Cherry feels a small smile curl at his lips as he is soothed by Michael's words. It probably was a silly question, but he didn't think it so, and that meant a lot to the cupid. He hums softly, listening with interest as Michael speaks about his brother, he seemed to really care for him, and that was nice to see. Cherry, like most of the other lower rank and file of heaven, had heard a lot about their archangel superiors. Stories, mainly, no one ever got to actually meet them! Starting with the meeting between Gabriel and Mary, the many military exploits of Michael, Raphael warning Eve and so many since then. They were, in a way, celebrities.

Lifting his eyes from the cut as Michael turns to him, with a slot bat of thick, light and slightly curled lashes, Cherry gazes back at the eyes smoothing over his face . His own eyes caught in their pretty, if not intense, gaze. "I hope it doesn't hurt any more" he says softly, voice almost a whisper, as they were so close. His finger gently curling back from Michael's skin before lowering the flannel to his lap, still caught in that deep gaze.

He hadn't really expected his touch to have an effect on a creature as powerful as an archangel, but maybe it was just the opposite. Someone so unused to touch, it might be a little overwhelming. It was intended to be a nice, warming sensation. The very fibre of a cherub's being centred around love and affection, so with their touch comes the soothing feelings of those emotions, but maybe it was unfair to spring it on a creature hardened by conflict who perhaps didn't know how to process those feelings.

Letting out a soft, breathy chuckle, Cherry lowers his eyes, breaking the contact of their gaze and lets his head shake a little. "I'm sorry" he murmurs gently, before glancing up to him again. "As a cherub, I can't really turn it off-" he tries to explain, hoping Michael hears what he means. No, you're not going mad, yes, it does feel warm and no, it's not real. Just... cherub things.

[therealvinelle]

Ok I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I'm just now copying your Norwegian Bella AU into a text translator, and if you don't already have 50 people in your inbox demanding a translation then shame on ALL OF US because this is glorious! And while Google Translate does have a certain charm (it translated "piper hun ut" as "she beeps") I'm curious to see how you'd put it in English.

Troquantary is referring to this post. In which Bella doesn't speak English.

Fun fact, you're the only one who's gone into my inbox to request this. I was so sad, had the translation half-written and everything, but I was too proud to beg. So thank you, Troquantary, for popping this ask.

As for the dictionary fuckups, sounds about right. I made a few typos, too, that made Google Translate suffer even more. (Such as managing to mix up "henne" (her) and "hendene" (hands), resulting in Aro patting Bella instead of clapping his hands. Poor Google.)

Also, there are a few cultural references and language things that would be lost in the translation, in an attempt to keep them I included notes clarifying things.

Some things, like Aro and Carlisle's very old man way of speaking, are easier said than done to translate, you'll have to bear with me there.

Additional notes are that I added a few things to this version, many of them because translating is hard, but a few because while translating I thought "oh you know what would be much funnier-" and then wrote that.

Alright, without further ado:

When Renée left Charlie she did not go to Florida, she went to Oslo. And she went all in to make her daughter a true Norwegian, hiring Norwegian nannies and making sure never to speak English around the child. Since transatlantic flights are expensive, little Bella Swan rarely got to visit her father, and as such she never did learn what should have been her native language.

She quickly forgot what English she did have in favor of Norwegian, with the exception of words like “Yes”, “No”, and “I’m Bella”.

The few trips she took to visit her father were all the more awkward than in canon since she couldn’t play with the Black kids. Let not the blame fall upon Charlie: he took Norwegian classes and speaks conversational Norwegian. He can’t speak to Renée, because her Norwenglish is incomprehensible even to Norwegians, but he can communicate with Bella.

Not that he’s had a lot of chances to do so.

Bella makes it to seventeen years old, she’s in second grade at Handels* and is a major outsider among the preps there, and then Renée marries a handsome skier**. Together they shall travel the continent all winter to participate in as many skiing races as they can, and in the summer they’ll take gigs at Hurtigruta to see the coast.

*“Handels” is the nickname for an Oslo high school infamous for its pupils being rich and beautiful blonds who are going to be CEOs when they grow up.

**Skiing as a sport is huge in Norway

***Hurtigruta is a famous ferry that travels across the Norwegian West coast

Bella, who sucks at skiing and is too young to work at Hurtigruten, takes the hint.

With dread in her stomach and dictionary in hand she goes to her father in America.

Where she doesn’t speak the language.

Faen.

Charlie gives her a car, and I wish this meta was set in the present because I could have joked about electric cars and the automat only driver’s license*, but Twilight is set in 2005 so I can’t. The car part proceeds without drama.

*An increasing number of Norwegian youth take the driver’s license for automatic cars only, and we’re the country in the world with the highest percentage of electric car purchases.

School is worse than in canon, because she is now a thousand times more sensational than if she was merely the new student. She is from another country! All of Forks keels over with excitement.

To make matters even worse, our girl doesn’t understand a word of what people are saying.

She is too awkward to let them know she doesn’t know English. It’d become a thing, and they might think she’s dumb. To be fair, it’s not good that she’s been through primary, secondary, and now a year and a half of high school and still sucks at English.

So she nods, smiles, mumbles “Hi, I’m Bella” to the new faces, and blushes heavily when anybody says anything.

People assume she’s shy. That’s a bit boring, but oh well.

She has her biology class with the redhead hottie she noticed during lunch. She watched him and his family, they were fascinatingly pretty, but she doesn’t know anything more about them. Sure would have been great if she could have asked the tiny girl (was it Jess?) about them.

Biology proceeds as in canon - Edward badly wants to eat the delicious girl, but fortunately doesn’t.

She runs into him in the office when he tries to switch to another biology lesson, but she has no idea what he’s saying so she only has the suspicion that this somehow concerns her. Which is still uncomfortable, but Bella is probably the problem here. The hottie surely can’t be.

He’s missing from school for a week, Bella finds that weird.

He returns, and to her great horror he starts talking to her.

“Hello”, he says.

Bella dies inside. He’s too handsome!

"I'm Edward Cullen," he continues, and ok, she got that. The hottie is called Edward, that’s good to know. She’s not sure she caught that last name, though, Köln?

He says something else, it’s gibberish to Bella even though she’s concentrating, and at the end there he says “Bella Swan”.

She gulps.

"I'm Bella Swan," she confirms and nods. That should be correct. God, she hopes it’s correct.

He smiles a crooked, boyish smile. She’s awed. She didn’t think it was possible to be so beautiful.

He says something else.

Bella didn’t catch it.

She blushes even harder, she hasn’t been more embarrassed in her life. Here he is, the most handsome guy in all the world, and she has nothing to say to him. Literally, they don’t speak the same language.

She should tell him.

It’s one thing to chicken out of telling the town she doesn’t speak English, but there’s something different about Edward Cullen. He deserves the truth.

But...

He’s the most beautiful person she has seen in her life. He is American, too, so the odds of him knowing Norwegian are microscopical. If he finds out she doesn’t understand a word he says he’ll stop talking to her, and selfish as she is she doesn’t want that.

So with a slightly guilty conscience (but not enough to fess up) she contributes to the conversation with enough words and smiles to pull through. "Yes", "No", "Thank you", and "That's nice".

He is surprised by several of these answers, but instead of giving her odd looks and losing interest he grows more invested in the conversation.

Class ends.

The next day the near accident happens, and he saves her. She is stunned - dear god, did he just pick up a whole car? After teleporting across the parking lot..?

Soon she’s in the ER, and more than a little bit stressed about that fact since she knows the Americans have a terrible healthcare system.

She hopes Charlie has an insurance.

An insanely beautiful man walks into the ER, and Bella is shocked. He is just as handsome as Edward and Edward’s lunch friends!

He introduces himself as Carlisle Cullen, and Bella can only assume this is someone’s older brother. Possibly related to the blonde girl.

He smiles at her, says something, and she answers, "I'm Bella Swan."

He frowns.

That must have been the wrong answer, then.

His hands return to investigating her scalp, and to her great surprise he switches to perfect Norwegian, "kjenner De* noe ubehag når jeg holder her?" Do you feel any discomfort when I touch here?

*De is the Norwegian polite pronoun for “you”. Du = thou = the French tu, and De = you = the French vous. These polite pronouns went out of use in the 1980’s, save for when addressing royal persons, and would be considered antiquated in 2005.

He hurries to add, "Norsk lærte jeg i... fjor sommer. Det var et nettkurs." I learned Norwegian… last year. Online class.

"Hvilket da?" Which one? Bella asks, because Charlie needs to hear about this. The doctor has beautiful, if slightly outdated, pronunciation.

The doctor’s smile turns uncertain. She gets the feeling there’s something he doesn’t want to say. "Husker ikke," I don’t remember, sier han etter en litt vel lang pause.

That’s a shame. And weird.

"De hadde hellet med Dem i dag, som ikke ble truffet av den bilen." You were lucky today, not getting hit by that car. he then says, noticeably changing the subject.

"Det var ikke hell, det var Edward," It wasn’t luck, it was Edward, she replies sharply.

The doctor definitely looks uncomfortable.

She continues, "Han krysset skolegården på et blunk, og plukket opp hele bilen. Jeg så det," He crossed the schoolyard in a moment, and picked up the whole car. I saw it,

The doctor laughs. "Om han kunne det hadde nok gymkarakteren hans vært meget bedre. Nei, frøken Swan*, jeg beklager å si at det høres ut som at De er litt omtåket. Det er helt normalt ved hjernerystelse." If he could do that, his PE grade would be a lot better. No, Miss Swan, I’m sorry to say you seem confused. That’s normal with concussions.

*Addressing a young woman as “frøken” is even more outdated than using polite pronouns.

Why does Bella get the feeling he’s lying?

She’s discharged.

We’ll jump ahead to her trip to La Push - that trip uneventful, since Jacob knows she doesn’t speak English. They stick their hands in their pockets and stare at the sea.

The next day she’s shanghaied to Port Angeles, because apparently she said “Yes” at the wrong time when talking to Jessica (Turns out Jess’s name was Jessica!) and accidentally said yes to a day trip to Port Angeles.

Like in canon she wanders away from the others, and as in canon she is nearly gang raped. And again as in canon she is saved at the last moment by Edward.

He buys her dinner, and she can’t believe her own luck- and misfortune. A date with the most handsome guy on the planet (hence the luck) and she can’t say a word to him (hence the misfortune)!

He says things to her, lends her his jacket, and really this is it for Bella, she’s peaked, life can’t get better than this.

(That’s a lie, it would be better if she spoke English.)

He’s so amazing.

She’s gotten pretty good at navigating conversations with him, so she nods and aha’s her way through.

In his car on the way home the tone takes a more serious turn.

He asks her about something, and it’s a serious question, that much she’s gathered. She answers in the confirmative.

He is silent.

Did she say anything wrong?

(Edward, on his end, just asked if she knows what he is. She said yes, so calmly, not even a trace of fear in her.)

A few days later he takes her out on a walk in the woods.

He shows her a meadow in the woods, and when he steps into it he lights up in the sunlight.

Bella is in shock.

She knew there was something different about him, but- holy cow. This guy isn’t human.

Is she dating a god?

She stumbles into the clearing after him, and they spend a day together where he says things, and she can barely hear any of it (nevermind understand it) because she’s so distracted by how pretty he is.

The next day he takes her to a house in the middle of nowhere. She doesn’t want to guess that this can be where he lives. Surely gods don’t live in houses?

He shows her inside the house, and introduces her for Dr. Cullen and a lady with a name she doesn’t catch.

Bit weird that these two are acting like a couple of parents, they’re far too young and divine for that.

Edward shows her around in an old-fashioned office, and she doesn’t know what to make of i when she sees a painting of Carlisle. Edward launches into a long story when he sees her watching it, unfortunately she doesn’t catch any dates or artist names. At one point she heard the word “suicide”, though, and that’s not good.

She doesn’t get much out of the story.

The baseball game doesn’t happen because Bella didn’t pick up on what Edward wanted and didn’t realize she was being invited to a thing. They spend the afternoon watching a movie instead.

The relationship continues, impeded slightly by communication problems, but she’s mostly able to cover those up.

Until her birthday comes around.

She gets a papercut.

Jasper lunges at her. Edward throws her into a glass table, and then everyone is leaving.

Carlisle is kind enough to switch to Norwegian when he’s stitching up her arm, perhaps remembering the last time she was his patient. "Jasper har ikke vært på dietten vår så veldig lenge." Jasper hasn’t been on our diet for very long.

"Diett?"she asks. She’s never seen Edward eat anything. She wasn’t clear on what the Cullens ate, honestly she thought they were above such things. She was thinking maybe photosynthesis. The knowledge that they apparently eat food astounds her, but diets?

"Dyreblod istedenfor menneskeblod," Animal blood in stead of human blood, Carlisle clarifies.

Whachasay?

Carlisle gives a slight smile. “Jaspers liv som vampyr fikk en brutal start." Jasper’s life as a vampire got off to a brutal start.

...

Vampire?!

Bella’s missed something here.

Oh dear lord, oh fy faen, she has missed something.

“Åja”, uh huh, is all she can say, and suddenly she’s very aware of the fact that she’s sitting there with a bleeding arm.

And Carlisle.

Who is a vampire.

Over the course of the following conversation Bella makes a host of discoveries.

Edward has been a vampire this whole time, and he’s a telepathic vampire. Whether Bella should be a vampire too or not has been a matter of hot debate, but due to religious reasons Edward doesn’t want that.

Carlisle also brings up how Edward died of the Spanish flu.

"Jeg var under den oppfatning at Edward fortalte deg bakhistorien min?" I was under the impression Edward told you my back story? Carlisle asks at one point, and Bella just has to ask very nicely if he’d be so kind as to repeat it.

Turns out the guy is nearly four hundred years old.

Jaha.

Jahahaha jaa ha.

That’s… a lot.

She wanders out of the house in shock, and hardly notices Edward’s strange behavior over the next couple of days.

One day he picks her up at school, and takes her behind the house.

That works out.

He’s a vampire, but he never hurt her. He is endlessly beautiful, perhaps easier to love now that she knows he’s not a god. He’s her Edward, and that’s suddenly easier now that she knows.

They can still be together.

But now that she knows this about him, it’s about time he knows something about her as well.

It’s time to finally be honest with him.

So when he opens his mouth, she opens her mouth as well, but she doesn’t get any further than to “Edward-” before he launches into a monologue.

She’ll have to wait until he’s done before saying her piece. It’s a bit embarrassing, but it doesn’t seem like he intends to stop talking anyway.

And what he’s saying seems to be serious, so it’s probably best to let him finish.

Edward concludes his monologue by kissing her forehead. Then he disappears.

Where did he go?

A big unsure, Bella goes back to the house. She’ll just have to wait until he gets back.

She doesn’t know what to think when Charlie returns from work and tells her the Cullens have all left.

Oh, god.

Edward must have found out she doesn’t speak English.

She made a mockery of him.

He has every right to leave.

Knowing this doesn’t make it any easier to live with.

Bella sinks into a depression.

The hallucinations begin, as in canon, though Hallusinward speaks Norwegian. Thank god for small mercies.

The friendship with Jacob (dictionary in hand) blooms, as someone has to help her see those hallucinations.

The cliff diving happens, and Alice shows up. Bella’s not sure what this is about, but she has gotten good enough at English to know that something bad happened, and Alice wants them to do something.

She’s a bit surprised to find herself on a plane to Italy, though.

Alice tells her to “Run to Edward” and ok, she got that, actually.

So she saves Edward.

After that she’s taken into the sewer, which turns out to house dozens of vampires.

Bella, Edward, and Alice are received in some kind of hall, where an unusual vampire has quite a bit to say. She understands some of what he’s saying, at least the part about “la tua cantante”. She knows a bit about Italian, see, so she knows that he’s talking about a song now.

She wishes she knew the context.

At one point he takes her hand, and appears fascinated by it. She wonders if he’s a palmreader. Not very vampirey, but what does she know.

He asks her a question.

"Yes," she says.

Saying yes has gotten her this far, after all.

But when he lights up and claps his hands together, and Edward and Alice stare at her in shock and betrayal, she knows she must have said the wrong thing.

The two are dismissed from the room before Bella can do or say anything, she’s just listening to Edward make a racket outside in the hallway.

Not good.

The unusual vampire brings her further down in his sewer palace to a basement, and she is given comfortable clothes to wear.

This is getting terrifying.

The vampire leans towards her - and she chickens out.

"Jeg snakker ikke engelsk!" she squeaks. "Non habla ingles!" I don’t speak English.

Han stanser, og ser forvirret ut. "Que- Hva behager*?" I beg your pardon? spør han etter et øyeblikk.

*A very formal, and slightly outdated (you can use it, but people will think you’re putting on airs. And they will be right) way of saying “excuse me?”

Sobbing, Bella tells him the whole story, from how she didn’t want to be the weird kid in school to how she’s now somehow in Italy without knowing why nor what she just agreed to.

When she’s done the vampire starts laughing.

"Dette forklarer jo en hel del," This explains quite a bit, ler han. "Men, kjære Bella, jeg er redd det ikke endrer noe." But, my dear Bella, I’m afraid it changes nothing.

He tells her that she has agreed to serve him and his army of undead warriors into eternity.

Well fuck.

"Du skal få slippe det, når du ikke visste hva du samtykket til - men skjebnen din forblir den samme. Loven er loven." You’re released from that promise, as you didn’t know what you agreed to - but your fate remains the same. The law is the law.

After a moment of silence, during which she looks terrified, he hurries to add, "Vi har en lov. Du må bli en av oss." We have a law. You must become one of us.

A law that Bella Swan has to become a vampire?

People are finally speaking Norwegian, and Bella is still lost. And it’s too embarrassing to keep pestering this poor, polite man with questions.

So she nods.

He gives her a glittering smile, and bites her.

When she wakes, Aro offers her an English course. A language course that, naturally, leads to her staying in Volterra. Why not learn a few more languages while we’re at it, dearest Bella?

Some time later Edward breaks into Volterra to save his Rapunzel, only to barely recognize her now that she’s a vampire who says things. Lots of things, she talks all the time now. WHAT DID ARO DO TO HER.

Too mortified to admit that she never spoke English, Bella claims she’s been brainwashed.

Aro is having too much fun to correct her, and the whole sad affair sets off a regrettable flood of rumors.