#or not what you want to read right now peridot

[always-just-red]

Super self-indulgent addition to the poly series for my birthday!!! (Works as a standalone fic!) If you see this today you have to reblog, as a gift to me! And this fandom 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ *gets struck by lightning for my hubris*

Breaking Point

L&DS Boys X Reader

(No Caleb yet! I'm not confident in writing him and I wanna make sure I do it right! He'll be joining this series later though, for sure for sure...)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 / ?

Summary: I can't spoil the plot because it's a surprise but just trust me, ok? Look into my eyes! Right here! 👁️👁️ You want to read this. You really do.

Genre: Fluff + humour

Warnings/Additional Tags: gn!reader, platonic-ish! poly, some flirting, swearing, all the guys come with health warnings in this because like I said, it's self-indulgent! (I'm giving me everything I want 😌)

| Word count: 4.5k | Masterlist | Opt-in to my taglist here!

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Love and Deepspace. All work is my own, so please don't repost or plagiarise!

You only have one life, and it’s Sylus’s to take.

He’s stalled. Denied himself the pleasure of snuffing it out, like he was always supposed to. You thought it was sentiment: a fondness that saw him shoot you with nothing more deadly than a wink or a smile, not that those weren’t their own, trivial little murder attempts. Now, he wants something permanent. Something that’ll stick.

His gun is pressed into your back, but you can’t resent him for it. If your gun was at his back, you would have already pulled the trigger.

“It isn’t too late to stop this, Sylus,” you mutter quietly, because the sentiment is there— no matter how deep he’s buried it. You’ll show it to him, even with raw hands and dirt under your nails.

You try to turn but the gun presses harder, urging you forwards like every other time you’ve attempted to slow or reason with him. “All’s fair in love and war, sweetie,” he says with a smile in his voice, and you wonder which one it is: that slow, nostalgic one, or the one he saves for his enemies. All teeth. All sharp. “You understand, don’t you?”

This is all your fault.

The dark, narrow corridor you’re being paraded down is coming to an end. It opens up into a larger room with abstract furnishings: block-like pillars and walls, lined with spidery strips of neon lights. They glow a weak purple, some flickering eerily. It’s still dark, and there are shadows everywhere.

Sylus swings you under a faint spotlight in the centre of the space. “I know you’re there,” he announces to the darkness, one hand on your shoulder, possessive.

There’s no response from the void. Can he hear something? A baited breath, somewhere out in the shadows, or a heartbeat, tripping over itself on adrenaline? You can’t hear a thing; the silence is too thick. Perhaps he made a mistake. Perhaps—

“What do you want, Sylus?” a voice calls out from behind a pillar— Zayne. By the time you look over, he’s pressed himself back against cover, out of sight, out of range.

“Let’s talk about this, yeah?” Rafayel, from behind a low wall.

Sylus tugs you closer: wraps you in a heavy arm so his gun is in front of you, angled inwards at your heart. He’s always loved a dramatic irony, even if it’s private— just for the two of you. “A Deepspace Hunter for a Deepspace Hunter,” he bargains. “More than fair, wouldn’t you say?”                                                                      

“You don’t have to do this, Xavier!” you shout.

“Ah, ah,” Sylus tuts, his warm breath tickling your ear: “Don’t be a hero, sweetie.”

More silence follows, but you know your fate is being decided in the dark. Amethyst eyes are pleading with peridot. Fire is trying to thaw ice. You can imagine the artist gesturing wildly, mouthing arguments, and the doctor solemnly shaking his head— ever trying to solve an unsolvable problem.

None of it matters, because Xavier is already stepping into the light. Hands up in surrender, weapon stowed at his side. His face is a storm and the flickering neon betrays it like lightning. Look— it warns. Divine violence.

Sylus’s hand tenses, ever so slightly, on your shoulder. You look at Xavier. He looks back at you.

“I’m sorry it had to be like this,” he says softly, and you’re in the centre of the storm, where it’s safe and it’s quiet and nothing outside can reach you, let alone hurt you. It won’t last, but it exists. You’re glad it exists.

“It’s okay,” you speak on a whisper.

You know how this has to end. Sylus can’t see it. Rafayel and Zayne— both peeking their heads out of cover— can’t see it either, but you? Of course you do. It’s an instinct: Deepspace Hunter to Deepspace Hunter, like Sylus said. Two edges of the same sword.

When Xavier draws his gun at light speed and shoots you with it, you’re the only one not surprised.

“What?” Sylus gasps as red spills over you.

But Xavier doesn’t stop. An onslaught: he fires relentlessly, aim not letting up for a second. His gun flashes over and over again and the sound is harsh on your ears as he closes in, indifferent.

“Sorry, sweetie,” you hear Sylus murmur, and then you’re shoved forwards— limp and useless— into the arms of your attacker.

Xavier catches you, his gun finally falling silent. The air had gone thick for a moment. Time had slowed. Space had twisted. A few, glistening crow feathers waltz around you, and you glance down at your vest. The lights on it have stayed red.

That was your last, stupid life. The digital counter on your gun is stuck at: ‘000’.

“Thanks,” you say to Xavier anyway, because you wouldn’t have struck the floor quite so gracefully as the feathers.

He’s frowning— staring after Sylus— but your voice brings him back to you. He looks down with a devastatingly handsome smile. “You’re welcome.” Then it’s gone. “And I’m sorry, too.”

“Wha—?” is all you manage to get out before you’re flung into another pair of arms. Xavier is running away; you can hear him. You can see him, in the corner of your eye: a pale shadow, giving chase after Sylus. Slipping into the labyrinth of spaceship-like corridors.

“Cutie?” Rafayel’s calling, and it must be his arms around you, squeezing you.

You want to answer— you’re going to answer— but then he drops to his knees, the fall making your head spin. You feel sick. “Cutie?” he tries again, and oh, him shaking you really isn’t helping.

“Raf, please— please stop.”

He doesn’t. “Stay with me, okay?” he urges, the red lights on your gear reflecting in his desperate eyes. He looks up at an encroaching figure. “Zayne! Do something!”

The doctor strides towards you, casting a nonchalant gaze over your body. When he speaks, it’s a bleak prognosis: “Last life?”

“Yep! Sylus already got me once. And before that, Raf—”

“Shhhh shh shh,” the man cradling you hushes, “don’t speak, cutie. Save your strength.”

“Shot me. He was pretending to be a spy,” you finish.

“I wasn’t!”

You huff. “Really? So I was just imagining you posing every time you rounded a corner? The forward rolls, all the spinning around and stuff— that was all in my head?”

“Guess so,” he shrugs. “It’s not my fault you fantasise about me being some kinda action hero, you freak.”

Your face is dark. “Zayne?”

An electronic gunshot rings out, and the lights on Rafayel’s vest flash red. He gapes down at himself, then glowers at Zayne as they return to their normal, lives-to-spare blue. The doctor shrugs guiltlessly, a slight tug at the corner of his lips.

Footsteps approach and your allies react: Rafayel cradling you tighter (definitely not using you as a human shield) and Zayne levelling his gun at a pitch-black corridor. The weapon drops as Xavier stalks out of it, his pace brisk and his presence commanding. “Status?” he asks, checking his Hunter’s Watch pointlessly. It’s a force of habit. You do it, too.

“We’re one hunter down,” says Zayne, his tone equally pragmatic. “Sylus?”

“Could be anywhere.” Xavier toes a crow feather with what you can only describe as disgust.

Okay… Rafayel’s grip is getting a little much, now. You feebly tap at his hand, but he’s too busy glaring up at your team leader to notice. “How could you?” he mutters under his breath, deliberately loud.

Xavier spares him a glance. Then you, finally. “I did what I had to.”

“What you had to?” Rafayel’s voice is dangerous. “What you had to?”

Just as you’re thinking about how touching his loyalty is, he drops you the rest of the way to the floor. You lie there, stunned, staring up at the ceiling. The artist stands, then— yep! Steps over you completely. “You’ve gone too far this time, Xavier! You don’t get to choose who lives and who dies.”

He’s thrashing about in an uncaring ocean. Xavier’s eyes are calm. “Don’t I?”

You didn’t know challenges could be issued so softly. Rafayel stares in disbelief, then looks to Zayne for back-up: are you seeing this?

The doctor is quiet as he diagnoses the situation, trying to find the path of least resistance. There has to be a middle ground. A way to appease fire without burning his hands.

His hazel eyes fall on you, and you get the feeling you’re the answer. He comes to stand over you. Crouches down beside you, head low in respect as he takes your hand and squeezes it gently, like he’s savouring a warmth that’s ebbing away.

“Zayne…?” you breathe. You don’t quite know what’s happening.

He releases a breath too, for your voice is a memory and he’ll treasure it, always. His spare hand lifts to cup your cheek, and he meets your eyes with unequivocal devotion. It isn’t innocent. It’s dark.

“We will avenge you,” he vows.

…

It’s nice, being dead.

You can meander aimlessly. You can hum to yourself recklessly.

You don’t have to poke your head around each corner, giving signals that the coast is clear or unclear because Xavier decided— worryingly early in the game— that it was you who should always go first. Step into the open, maybe even a firing line. Sylus will hesitate, he’d insisted, his hands on your shoulders and his eyes boring into yours intensely. You’re his weakness. Exploit it.

You’d nodded, wide-eyed, unsure of what else to do with someone gripping you like that.

What would Xavier say now, you wonder, if he saw you— Sylus’s infamous weakness— watching the man with a tender smile? His scarlet gaze is distracted. He hasn’t noticed you yet. Well, he has, but he’s pretending he hasn’t. He’s busy: crouched behind a wall, peering over it cautiously.

You saunter over. “What’s the plan here, Mr Lone Wolf?”

“Quiet.”

“Mr One Man Army. Mr ‘I don’t need a team, sweetie, I could beat you all with my hands tied.’”

Sylus gifts you a sideways smirk. “Aren’t you supposed to be dead?”

“Come on, Sy—” you perch back on the wall he’s using for cover— “death can’t keep us apart. Y’know what that makes me?”  

“Insufferable.”

“Nope. A ghost,” you correct, and the man smiles more widely. It’s still nowhere near enough attention, so you wiggle your arms at him, adding an “ooooooooh!” for good measure.

“You don’t scare me, sweetie.”

Oh really? You study your nails. “You ever think about how if you’d died before you met me, Luke and Kieran would’ve had full creative control of your funeral?”

Sylus’s smile fades the more that image sinks in. “Fine,” he shrugs, “you scare me a little. Now—” he stands to his full height, giving your head a pat— “off to heaven with you, ghost.”

You’re interfering with his mission, you know.

He strides away purposefully, and you can tell he’s enjoying this. The unfair odds. The chance to show off. At last, some enrichment for the wanted criminal who holds your bags while you’re shopping. (Not that he doesn’t enjoy that, too.)

He’s checking over his gun with a customary glance, and the way he moves is addictive; what he’s wearing doesn’t help. A black compression shirt stresses each muscle of his arms and back— the fabric fighting for its life. If you could buy it a drink for its service, you would. You’d buy it ten.

“Yeah…” you exhale, head sideways, gaze low. “I don’t think heaven’s quite where I’m headed.”

Sylus stops.

He turns with a follow-up question, but it never needs to be asked. You’re still shamelessly staring— explaining yourself with faraway eyes and a bottom lip that’s trapped by your teeth. It’s deliberate, of course. Just like you know that shirt was deliberate.

The man’s head tilts in warning. “Careful, sweetie.”

Were his tone a blade he could pin to your throat, he’d know just the right pressure to make your heart stutter. Not too much. Not too little. But he needs to push harder, these days; you’re awfully comfortable at the edge of that knife, and there’s sin in the way you watch him, like you don’t care if you’ll bleed for it.

It pulls him back to you, tantalisingly slowly. A finger lifts your chin, forcing your gaze back to his eyes. “I said, careful,” he repeats, making every word drag.

That gaze sinks low again. An act of defiance; it doesn’t quite reach his body. It stops at his lips.

He leans in closer.

There’s a sound somewhere down the corridor, and a gunshot rings out. Sylus’s arms are around you— a swirl of his Evol stealing you both from reality. You rejoin the world a loud heartbeat later, in a different room, far away from the last. Crow feathers tumble. The scarlet mist dissipates.

Sylus’s vest is flashing red, and he looks at you, betrayed, as it turns back to cobalt.

That’s two lives down, one to go; you’d stolen the first when he’d taken you hostage. “All’s fair in love and war, Sylus,” you smile, untangling yourself from his grasp. “You understand, don’t you?”

You go to leave, but his hand is on your wrist. He pulls you back, and it would be much more threatening if he wasn’t chuckling so fondly. “My team next time?” he asks, kissing the very top of your head.

You sidle away, his hand forced to surrender you. “Maybe,” you grin at him over your shoulder. “I’m in pretty high demand.”

…

“Raf, Raf, Raf!” you chirp, skipping over to the lilac-haired artist.

“Cutie, cutie, cutie!” he chirps back. “Afterlife’s fun, huh?”

“Even more fun now you’re here.” He’s sat on a fallen pillar, arms by his side, legs stretched out. His face is lit by the glow of his vest: a faint but vivid red. Like an ember. “My condolences, fishie.”

He snorts. “Thanks.”

“Gonna tell me what happened?”

Rafayel rolls his head back— a listless sort of stretch. “Xavier shot me. Said I’m a ‘liability’,” he shrugs.  “That I ‘compromised the integrity of the mission.’”

That was a lot of air quotes. “Pretending to be a spy again?” you hazard.

“Nah.”

Ooh! “A gunslinger!”

He’s still staring at the ceiling, but he sighs dreamily, eyes closing. “You know me so well.”

You take a seat next to him, trying not to giggle at the thought of him strutting about in front of Xavier, tipping an invisible hat while the Hunter slowly raised his gun. Gods, how brutal; you hope it was quick. A tiny laugh breaches your lips, and Rafayel opens an eye in suspicion.

You smile innocently. The eye closes again, satisfied. “You’d make a hot cowboy. Or spy.”

“I know,” he breathes out. That was never up for debate. “Which is hotter, though?”

Hmm… You scooch away from him, making a viewfinder with your fingers so you can squint at him through it. His eyes flicker open and he catches on, flashing a smile as he shoots you with a finger gun. “Spy,” you conclude.

“Noted.” His chuckle is warm and wistful.

“So… got any good intel for me, super spy?”

He hums like he has to think about it. “Xavier’s got some big plan to beat Sylus. Wouldn’t tell me what it was, on account of the whole ‘liability’ thing? But yeah, it’s big.”

“How big can it be? It’s laser tag.”

“I think I can shed some light on that matter.”  

It’s a third voice, and the intrusion makes you jump. Rafayel, too, but he’d never admit it. You both glance outwards, to where Zayne is wandering over to you. His walk is relaxed. His gear is red.  

“That line would’ve been way cooler from Xavier,” Rafayel whispers.

“So cool!” you whisper back. Zayne can clearly hear every word, so you’re quick to deflect with a: “Hey, Zayne! What happened to you?”

You know what happened— there’s an obvious, kinda horrifying pattern emerging— but you still need to hear it. Zayne shifts on his feet, looking down at the ground as he finds the right words. “I… was a liability,” he says at last.

“Oh, nice!” Rafayel’s hand shoots out. “Join the club!”

Zayne stares at it blankly, but gives in eventually. His hand meets the artist’s in the least inspiring high-five you’ve ever seen.

“How were you a liability?” you chase up, because it’s harder to picture your stoic doctor prancing around like a secret agent.

Zayne rests his gun back on his shoulder. “I was trying to be a voice of reason.”

There’s a low, sympathetic whistle from Rafayel. “That’ll do it! There’s no reasoning with those levels of crazy.” He looks at you. Interrupts before you can leap to your partner’s defence: “Like, how invested are you in Sylus?”

What the hell’s that supposed to mean? “… A lot?”

Rafayel winces, drawing air through gritted teeth. “Yikes.”

He’s messing with you. He’s messing with you, right? You look up at Zayne— calm, cool, collected Zayne— your anchor in all this insanity. He meets your gaze, and you wait for that smile of reassurance: the one he always manages, even when you’re bleeding out before him, courtesy of a Wanderer you underestimated. Everything will be fine.

He shakes his head discreetly.  

Everything won’t be fine? Oh.

…

“Sylus!”

You sprint down a corridor, your teammates hot at your heels and your breath ragged from running. This place really is a maze, and it’s not like Sylus wants to be found. No— your red-eyed damsel-in-imminent-distress is still marching around out there, oblivious. Avoiding you? Probably.

That’s when you see it. You skid to a stop, Rafayel almost crashing into you.

Perched on a nearby ledge, Mephisto is watching you, head cocked. His mechanical eyes narrow, and there’s no usual caw of greeting. You’re witnessing a professional at work. A crow on a mission, just like his master. You wander over, looking up at him. Then you snatch him down from his pedestal.  

“Listen to me, Mephie,” you conspire as he squawks and wriggles. “Get Sylus, okay? It’s urgent. We have to speak to him.”

You set the bird free, launching him up into the air so he can take forth your message, but he nosedives to the ground, landing in a sorry-looking heap, instead. The little pile of feathers moves. Seems to find its feet, then… keels over sideways with a final squawk. Huh.

“You killed it,” Rafayel observes from behind you.

“I did not!” You crouch down, giving the frozen crow a poke. “C’mon, stop being dramatic! Get up.”

No reaction. Rafayel sings eerily: “Deaaad…”

You scoop Mephisto into your hands and he melts into them. A wing hangs down, and his head hangs backwards, too. You give him a shake. Nothing happens. Standing up, you turn, “Zay—?”

“I’m not a mechanic.” The doctor’s arms are folded.

But you’re looking at him, hope in your eyes and a faint— absolutely not fake— wobble to your lips, so he takes the crow reluctantly. He lifts the fallen wing. Examines the sharp black feathers and plates of metal. “Is there an off switch you might have pressed?” he ponders aloud. “Or…?”

“It’s at the back of his neck,” a voice that isn’t yours answers.

You’re suddenly clutching feathers; Zayne has shoved Mephisto back into your hands. “I don’t—” you try to resist— “no, don’t give him to—!” You try to hand him back, but Zayne is stepping away.

There’s a presence, looming. “Hey, Sy!” You spin around with a smile.

The man you’ve been searching for stares at you, an eyebrow raised. “Killed Mephisto, did you?”

“Uhhhh, no? It was Rafayel.”

A squeak from behind you: “What!?”

Mercifully, Mephisto springs to life— fluttering away so he can perch on Sylus’s shoulder. He coos, leaning in to nuzzle the finger that lifts to stroke at his beak. Then he caws at you, over and over, like a manic sort of laughter. That stupid bird’s been spending too much time with the twins.

Sylus looks between the three of you, his eyes falling on each red vest in turn. He smiles languidly. “Been playing spy again, little artist?”

“Nope.”

“Cowboy,” the older man guesses again.

Rafayel is silent, his arms crossing defensively. Sylus chuckles, and just as you’re about to scold him, he holsters his weapon with… flair? And tips an invisible hat in the artist’s direction. Rafayel smiles. “How might I be of service?” Sylus asks you, still roleplaying.

Adorable. Focus! “We came to warn you, Sy. Xavier’s—”

“Totally lost it,” Rafayel cuts in. You glare at him and his eyes protest: What!? It’s true!

“We should stick together,” Zayne says. “At least until we can figure out what he’s—”

The lights around you go dead.

No more spotlights, no more stripes of neon; you’re submerged into darkness. The only remaining glow is your vests— three red, one blue— all ominously still. Afraid to move. As your eyes adjust, you can just about make out the others’ faces. Rafayel and Sylus are glancing around, wary, but Zayne’s uneasiness is different.

“Phase one,” he mutters gravely.

You don’t like that. “What’s phase two?”

Please know. Please know. He looks at you. Gives another one of those little head shakes.

At the far end of the corridor, a spotlight flickers to life. You all watch, caught in a spell of suspense as it illuminates nothing— an empty space where you half expect some spectre to be. It goes dark a second later. Then the next spotlight lights up, closer. It goes out. The next one lights. Goes out. Lights.

Light. Dark. Light. Dark.

“What the fuck?” Rafayel murmurs, standing closer than before. His hand finds yours, and you’re actually grateful. You hold it, tight.

“Stay behind us,” Zayne directs at Sylus.

A much, much closer spotlight turns on.

Xavier stands beneath it, deathly still. Every bit the spectre you’d imagined: you can’t quite tell if he’s of heaven or hell. He might have walked out of either. He might drag you to either. It’s that look again: the one he wore before he killed you. Inevitability. It lives in his gaze. There’s no running from it. No pleading with or changing it.

“Enough,” Sylus growls, pushing past you, raising his gun. He pulls the trigger, and the sound of the shot rings out. Nothing comes of it, though. The weapon doesn’t flash. Xavier’s vest doesn’t flash.

The Hunter tilts his head— another challenge, soft as sleep.

Sylus presses the trigger a second time, then a third, a fourth, a fifth. Though his weapon looks like a gun— pierces the silence like a gun— it isn’t one, is it? It’s a vessel. For infrared light.

Now you think of it, this game was rigged from the start. It must dawn on Sylus, because he stops. He tears the gun from its cord and lets it skitter across the floor, no more useless there than it was in his hands. Energy crackles around his fingers, thick like sticky, red blood.

“Sylus,” Zayne warns, but there are tentative snowflakes at his fingertips, too.

Xavier steps closer, mirroring Sylus— throwing his gun aside with a crash. A delicate twist of his hands and a blade is unsheathed from the darkness. Pure light, holy and sharp. He spins the sword with a practiced elegance and it’s admittedly mesmerising. You can’t not watch.

Rafayel wriggles his fingers free of yours, then steps in front of you. You’d never tell him, but his hand had started to burn.

You hadn’t missed this— this tension. So full of tempered things, meant to hurt.

White light floods everything, everywhere, and you have to shield your face with your hands. The others are doing the same, groaning, hissing curses; even Xavier is wincing as he stares at the ceiling.

This isn’t his doing. Isn’t his light.

…

“Who needs that place?” Rafayel grumbles, plucking a fry up from Xavier’s plate and poking it past his lips so he can chew on it with his thoughts. “I mean, I’ve got a private island!”

“And I’ve got guns,” Sylus smiles.

You look up. “Laser tag guns?”

He blinks at you. Nods agreeably: “Sure, sweetie.”

“I’m sure we can buy some.” Zayne is stirring a chocolate milkshake, and he stoops to take a sip.

The four of you are huddled around a table outside a fast-food place, conveniently next door to the laser tag place you’ve just been kicked out of. There’s a board in there, now graced with colourful mugshots of you all, and not everyone looks miserable in them. Sylus is smirking in his, an old hand at notoriety. Rafayel is winking, making finger hearts.

Xavier is still inside, arguing your case with the manager— appealing the whole ‘lifetime bans’ thing— and his food is getting cold. You slap away Rafayel’s hand as it goes in for another fry.

“You’ve got your own, Raf!”

“So?” His hand is quicker this time, dodging yours and whisking three fries away from their friends before you can stop him. “They taste better stolen. Everyone knows that.”

Sylus hums in accordance as he steals a fry for himself. Vultures.

They all nibble away at their food— sometimes Xavier’s food— and you know you’re all thinking about the same thing. That corridor, those flickering spotlights, and the Hunter commanding them. You’ve not really talked about it, yet.

“Y’know,” you muse, “I’ve never seen Xavier like that before. Don’t you think it was kinda…?”

Rafayel bonks your head with a rolled-up menu. “Stop.”

Zayne snatches it from him gently. Flattens it out again and sets it neatly down on the table. “He is right though,” he sighs. “Stop.”

You giggle. “Hear me out, though—”

“Ah! There you are!”

Two figures approach your table, and the voice is very familiar. Twenty minutes ago, it was yelling at you.

It’s the manager of the laser tag place, and he stands before you, hands on his hips and a smile on his wizened face. “I’m glad I found you,” he continues, “your friend and I have just been talking. He explained everything. Who’d have thought, huh? An invisible Wanderer, messing with the lights like that! Destroying my equipment! Anyway, it was so kind of you to get rid of it.”

He pats Xavier’s shoulder, praises: “What a nice young man!”

“It was our pleasure, sir.” Xavier tips his head in respect as Sylus sniggers.

The manager’s too enamoured to notice. “Anyway,” he turns to the rest of you, “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. It goes without saying that you are welcome back, anytime! My treat, of course!”

You all glance between each-other as Xavier thanks the man for his kindness, then waves him goodbye with a genuine warmth. The manager trundles away, leaving your little banquet in peace.

Xavier smiles so fondly, his gaze an azure sky. There’s not a cloud in it, just a bright, radiant sun.

Your budding support group is speechless.

“So,” Xavier beams at you all, “who wants to go again?”

[mixterglacia]

Hey, for my writers out there.

Remember that even an audience with impeccable media literacy needs SOME direction to follow your intended path.

You can't just assume people will understand when you never give them anything. You can't get mad when they come to a conclusion you don't want when you don't give them any clues.

It doesn't have to be over the top. Hell, things like Eggers films are extremely subtle. But if you're paying attention, you'll get it.

Audiences can't read your minds. They can only work with what they're given. You can't get pissy and claim you have to spoon feed people when you don't even have the food on the table in the first place.

Two brilliant examples currently running are The Amazing Digital Circus and Monkey Wrench.

While we don't fully understand what's going on, there's a fairly reasonable pathway you can find if you're paying attention.

There's something wrong with the company Pomni was at. Obviously you would typically lock up the kind of tech that causes someone to be trapped in the Circus. So either they intentionally made her put on the headset, or they allowed her to find it. (I'm leaning towards the latter.)

Beebs is from an extremely traditional society where strength and stature are obviously valued. His house is clearly in a bit of a shakey state, and his mother is a notable point of contention. To the extent where I wonder if she's even Walrinean (sp?) in the first place. Or if she was a runt so to speak.

Another example is the Crewniverse's FLAWLESS execution of the Pink Diamond, and Gravity Falls Stanford reveal. Both were incredibly subtle, but made perfect sense upon confirmation. Because they'd been quietly nodding at it since the earliest parts of the series.

Then you have things like the Helluverse, where they keep having to explain things on Twitter and Blue Sky, because they either over explain it or not at all. That's not your audiences fault. That's on the writing team.

Of course, there's always going to be things that aren't clearly understood. It happens. Sometimes people are looking too hard into things, and you didn't realize that you kinda fucked up. See the Peridot Canada Theory for an example.

But when it keeps happening, you need to put more care into how you drop hints to your audience. They shouldn't have to look for external sources to understand. See Rise of Skywalker's novelization trying to retcon the Reylo kiss as platonic. See Helluva having to explain Satan's whole deal on Twitter.

Also, don't fucking contradict yourself in the course of your own show. Get a continuity editor for the love of the gods.

Yes, there's a media literacy crisis right now. But there's also just straight bad writing. I find it extremely frustrating when people are out here calling critics stupid for not knowing something that was only mentioned in a one minute segment, of a five hour podcast, from six years ago.

I'll also throw Viv and Co a bone here with my favorite subtle nod of theirs that actually works.

In the pilot, there's a moment where Angel offers to blow Alastor. Unlike some of the other characters he's done this to, who usually react with a benign no? We hear the sound of glass breaking before Alastor regains his composure and dismisses him.

That is a great example of something that seems like a joke in the moment, but makes you think more deeply. One that also makes you curious as to why he was so defensive. There's a few conclusions you can draw without looking at external media from that.

One, he's a prude.

Two, he has some form of trauma.

Three, he's got a problem with Angel specifically.

Or Four, he's not into sex.

Several of those are at least partially correct. Those were my thoughts when all we had was the pilot alone. They later confirmed he was touch repulsed aroace.

We didn't inherently need the word of god to come to that conclusion. But that's the level of work you need to put in before you can bitch about people missing the point.

What I'm trying to get at, is if you have a regular problem of being misunderstood, or people being unable to follow your character arcs, you might want to review what information you're sprinkling in.

External media should simply deepen our understanding. Not be required reading.

[ask-whitepearl-and-steven]

Um, hi! Regarding that other anonymous asker wondering about the comic's enjoyability, I actually WAS one of the people who voted "I've never watched the show but I do read the comic" in that poll; all my prior knowledge about Steven Universe was from passive osmosis. I don't know anyone personally who likes it either, my baseline is limited to, like, the premise and 'hey I think that one's a major character?' every now and then (this was most recently Lapis Lazuli. Peridot I'm prettttty sure is canon, but I didn't recognise her right off. Betting that Sea Glass isn't. No clue about Jasper).

So if it's of any help, from my experience I do think that your comic is fairly accessible to folks outwith the Steven Universe fandom! I read long-form fanfiction for media I know nothing about on a regular basis, and it does a good job of explaining the core concepts required for the plot to hold water; it makes it much harder to spot foreshadowing that I feel may have been more obvious to experienced readers (e.g. I didn't get anywhere near working out Earl's issue because I didn't know that A. White Diamond could do mind control, or B. what societal role Pearl-class gems (is that the term?) hold relative to the Diamonds), but the actual narrative itself holds up well so long as you're willing to put the thought in. Actively following your blog helps a bit too, I've gotten extra context clues from the FAQ and asks you've answered.

My one warning would be that reading a long-form story for a fandom you don't know is a very different experience. The best way I could describe it is akin to reading Arthurian stories or folkloric retellings without studying the source material: while the main narrative is comprehensible, you become distinctly aware that certain parts are name-checking their original culture in a way that the author expects to be apparent but isn't, not to you. I spend a lot of time faintly baffled when I'm not cross-referencing between multiple fics for commonalities to reverse-engineer (also do that regularly, would recommend), which is fine! It's fun! Might not be for everyone, though.

I just want you to know I love this ask, and I was enraptured reading this. It's a very cool insight! Especially as someone with the exact opposite reading philosophy, this is extremely valuable.

It's neat to also get a confirmation about the fact that a lot of over-the-top stuff that was meant to echo the original show might not get pinged by those who aren't familiar with the original. Though to be fair, people didn't quite pick up on what was happening with Earl even when they knew what White Diamond's powers were.

I also find it hilarious to realize that Jasper might not be a recognizable original-show character to most outsiders. DEMOTED!

[love-takes-work]

Streamily Signing with Jennifer Paz as Lapis Lazuli and Malachite

Jennifer Paz did a signing through Streamily for fans who bought a signed print. Here are just a few highlights of the stream.

She remembers dressing up as "Bob" for a charity purpose.

She does some line reads that Lapis had in the show.

Lapis was not Jen's first voice over work. She did The Angry Beavers back in the 90s. She's done a lot of ADR work for films. However, Lapis was her first recurring character.

Regarding a fusion between Peridot and Lapis, she didn't think much about that, but she thinks they could work together at a nursery in the barn and being a therapist.

She points out that she can't draw "worth shite" when a fan wanted her to draw on the print, so she just wrote her favorite quote ("I just wanna go home").

Responding to "can you do impressions of other Steven Universe character," she did some callbacks from "The New Crystal Gems," doing "the Garnet" and an Amethyst impression.

In response to someone asking if she auditioned for the role of Amethyst, yes she did audition for Amethyst and recorded the pilot episode for it. They just decided she wasn't the right voice for it. She loves Michaela's take on the character.

She loved the Mary Poppins rendition by Lin Manuel Miranda.

She comments that Steven Universe helped her with her mental health.

She thinks Lapis and Peridot were great as an Odd Couple type.

Her plans for the holidays include in-laws coming in next week and her kid gets to hang out with his grandparents. She loves her in-laws who are coming in from Philly. They love to drink and she's not a drinker.

Can Lapis waterbend people's tears? Yes, Jen thinks she can. Ask Rebecca, though. She could've done something to Blue Diamond with that. Jen loves that Lapis said "I've felt worse."

Jen quotes when Lapis said "No" to "Lapis, fly us in!" She loves that Lapis is a "waterbender" but her humor was so dry. She's getting over being traumatized and just wants others to do their stuff.

She gives some advice for handling adulthood: the only way out of difficult things is through it. If you avoid difficulties they will come back somehow.

She thinks Lapis would enjoy flying a kite.

Wouldn't it be funny if Lapis became Bob the Coach and started a Little League? Maybe she'd say "There's no crying in baseball."

Her favorite character from Steven Universe was Greg.

Lapis did a lot of sleeping and reading to recover from her trauma.

Jen's favorite colors are blue and magenta.

Jen used to not know what "ship" meant in a relationship context and had to find out on Urban Dictionary. She has a Gen Alpha kid now and there are phrases she is forbidden from saying them.

One of her favorite lines from "Hit the Diamond" was "This plan sucks."

Her favorite ship was probably Stevonnie.

She thinks if Steven and Lapis fused it'd be because they were playing catch or hanging out--it would be accidental while playing a sports game.

Someone started a goth band called Cult of Lazuli because of Steven Universe and Lapis. Jen loves this!

She can't commit to saying a favorite song. She agrees that Lapis would secretly listen to Taylor Swift.

She would love Steven Universe to come back but she doesn't know if it will. She'll just say yes, in her opinion it will come back.

Her opinion is that Lapis's water powers are somehow related to Blue Diamond's.

She made a joke about how Cult of Lazuli rocks "because we're rocks."

While signing a Malachite print, she said some stuff toxic relationships and how incredible it was that Lapis dragged Jasper into the sea--but for what? She hopes those who have been in toxic relationships are okay now.

She could not sing in Brazilian Portuguese in response to a request, but she took out a shaker and sang some of "That Distant Shore" in English. She thinks it might be fun to learn it in Brazilian Portuguese and loves the singer who did the voice for the Brazilian dub.

She would love if someone could do fanart of Lapis singing "Home" from The Wiz, or "Home" from Beauty and the Beast--all the music about home should be a Lapis playlist.

She answered what kind of car would Lapis have? She would have an electric car, because as a reformed terraformer, she cares about the Earth now. The car would be a VinFast, "because uh, just because." ;)

She was at one time bald due to alopecia during one of the cons that she had met one of the fans at. She remembers L.A. Comic Con. She was wearing a wig that she referred to "a bob wig." (A "Bob" wig? Heehee!) She found it itchy. She asked Kimberly Brooks and Michaela Dietz if they could tell she was wearing a wig. She was stressed out and ended up recovering through the use of addressing vitamin deficiency. She sends a message of support to anyone struggling with alopecia.

She signs some prints with "I'd love to see your color shining through," "Maybe I'm not alone," and "I just wanna go home."

She shared that her mom's name is Aurora (which was somewhat similar to one of the fans getting a print).

She shares that she loves the Muppets and her favorite characters are "the two curmudgeons in the box seats."

She said "Bob" is a favorite for her and she has a few new items in the shop. Some orders were not made in time to get into this signing, so she wants to schedule another one.

[sleepingdeath-light]

joyride ; 18+

requested by ; anonymous (kinktober entry)

word count ; 1010

content ; sexually explicit content, vaginal fingering (reader receiving), implied (stationary) car sex after the piece finishes

fandom ; the legend of korra

pairing ; asami sato x non binary afab reader

read also on ; ao3

minors and ageless blogs will be blocked

Republic City truly was beautiful in the early morning: all gorgeous golden sunlight, pleasantly cold sea air, and a landscape that never failed to leave you in awe no matter how long you've lived there. And given that most of the population would prefer to sleep in on national holidays, the two of you had pretty much the whole city to yourselves to explore and make your own, even if just for a short while.

Though, Asami's idea of 'making it your own' and 'creating new memories' didn't really give you much of an opportunity to explore the oft forgotten nooks and crannies of the capitol. After all, it's quite hard to admire the scenery when your girlfriend's perfectly manicured fingers are buried in your pussy playing with you in just the right way to have you seeing stars. Or when she's speeding, because you were sure that the speed limit was quite a bit below what was fast enough to not be able to decipher which blurs were buildings and which were plants (but what did you know, Asami was the experienced driver, not you).

Not that you'd ever dream of complaining when she looked so damn pretty in this light: soft lips, painted a flawless flirty red, curled upwards in that bright mischievous smile you fell in love with; peridot green eyes glinting with amusement that never looked away from the road ahead no matter how much you squirmed or moaned, the very corners of their lids crinkled with mirth as she continued to touch you; meticulously styled, black hair falling over one of her shoulders in perfect waves that you longed to run your fingers through, the strands just barely brushing against the lust reddened expanse of her cheeks; one hand casually resting on the steering wheel of the vehicle whilst the other effortlessly toyed with your soaking cunt to make a true mess of the freshly done up leather of the passenger seat (the wonders those hands could do... spirits, if they weren't already inside of you, you knew that by now you'd by downright begging for her to plunge those dextrous digits into your pussy without a care in the world for who saw or heard you).

She was as stunning as she was witty, and even as you became too far gone to give any proper response she continued to tease you. Occasionally allowing her gaze to flit down and away from the street for the briefest of moments to observe her handiwork and comment on it, all the while continuing to relentlessly thrust, and scissor, and crook her fingers inside of you.

Calling you the sweetest pet names whilst spreading her fingers as far as they can go inside of you, stretching you out further and further with every 'sweetie' and 'baby' and 'honey' that slips from those perfect lips. Cheekily mentioning how 'beautiful' the city looks and asking for your input whilst knowing that you're far too distracted by the circling of her thumb against your aching clit to even consider thinking of a response. Groaning in a way that made your pussy throb when she brushed her fingers against your g-spot and felt you soak her hand in response, her voice almost airy as she mentions how 'wet' you are and how much she wants to 'taste it' — but, thankfully for you, she presses on, continuing to use those experienced hands to bring you ever closer to the edge.

Thrusting two, and then three, of those long slender fingers into your entrance and using a mixture of crooking, and scissoring, and sliding to coax more sounds from you (more moans, more groans, more whimpers, and cusses, and pleas, and mindless repetitions of her name). Alternating between using the pad of her thumb and the heel of her hand to stimulate your clit, her own movements getting rougher and more desperate as time went on — as if she wanted to make you climax as much as you wanted to finish on her hand. Clenching her own thighs tightly and rubbing them together when you audibly started to mount your peak, her other hand clutching the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles were starting to pale from how harsh her grip on it was.

Desperately trying to hold out for as long as she could until something snapped in you both, and you were sent crashing over the edge of orgasm whilst she ran out of patience and hurriedly, dangerously, swerved into the abandoned car park of some random office building, turning off the ignition a moment later. Though you didn’t even notice what she was doing; far too lost in the throes of pleasure to pay much mind to what was going on beyond what you were feeling in that moment, as if the rest of the world ceased to exist to you: too lost to the haziness of your own mind and the drowning out of all coherent thoughts to hear her unbuckling her seatbelt and clumsily fiddling with all of the buttons and zips on her pants; too focused on the white hot pleasure rushing through your veins and the waves of oversensitive gooseflesh that it left in its wake to even process her reaching over your spent body to slowly push your seat down until you were laying flat on your back; too caught up in the bleariness of your vision and the splashes of white that marred even the insides of your eyelids to see her as she straddled your lap with blown out pupils and started to downright beg you to let her taste you or touch you ('anything, baby, please'), her own exposed pussy clearly glistening with slick and aching for your touch and acknowledgement. Not noticing anything beyond your own high until you'd finally come back down to earth and were met with the sight and sound of your, very desperate, very beautiful girlfriend on top of you and pleading for her exhausted partner to touch her.

What a way to start the day.

[ask-postcrash-curly]

Hey curly! SU time!

Season 5 ep 16: letters to lars

A very sweet episode

-No TWs apply

Season 5 ep 17: can’t go back

Did someone order angst? Well now u have it >:3

-No TWs apply

[beams those episodes into your head]

Letters to Lars... I imagine it'd be sweet. Just from the title.

Ronaldo doesn't know? Jeez. Aw, he's crying, too— Nevermind. Fucking hell, Ronaldo. Not like Lars asked for this bullshit. Hey, maybe Dewey can run the donut shop now?

Cheers to the band and Jamie! Wait, Amethyst and Peridot joined the troupe?! Along with, uh... Barb? And Mr. Smiley. There's a group! Uh. What?

Garnet seems like a tough sports partner. Damn, Dewey's got nothing going for him in life.

So Lars just doesn't need to eat at all anymore. Hey, Steven, the bits—

Stop trying to make me feel bad for Mayor Dewey, for fuck's sake. If it keeps going on like this it might work— HAH! I was right!! I was fucking joking!!

So has Steven been reading the whole time...?

Okay, next up.

Aw, shit, I forgot about Lapis leaving and stealing the barn. Is that— Fucking Ronaldo. Listen, I want to like the kid, but I can't bloody stand him. Let Steven sleep! That second one wasn't even a quest— What?! She didn't go far at all!

I appreciate that everyone still calls it "meep morps."

...Hurts, how surprised she is by Steven being happy to see her.

Has she been watching everyone this whole time? S'like she never really left... I suppose she's mostly been watching Peridot, though.

She got outside the fucking Milky Way? And came back?!

This song's nice, but— sad.

The moon's got stuff on it now. Just wait a while. Well, a long while, but it wouldn't be much for a gem.

Ah, shit. Pink Diamond again. So, what, she wanted to quit the colony and the other diamonds wouldn't let her? She was afraid that Rose Quartz would hurt her, so she— Well, shit. That's honestly fucking sad.

Aw, no, Lapis! That went awful.

...Why is he assuming it was the Pearl he knows? And not, you know, any other pearl? With a sword that's a similar shape to his mum's? Seems more likely than Pearl just casually approaching the diamonds while being part of a rebellion against them.

[thousandyearphantombunker]

how the fuck was Steven supposed to kill the diamonds? With the crystal gems a team consisting of like 8 people? One is a human girl with a sword, another is a random technician and another is a disabled soldier? With the breaking point? The diamonds are huge and have insane powers they could use to protect themselves with ease so...and if somehow he did find a way to kill them- what would the aftermath be? What would happen to the corrupted gems? The system on homeworld wouldn't have changed, they'd still kill the off colors, they'd still be colonizing planets etc. would spinel still be waiting never knowing anything about what happened to her friend? Like what would have happened- 'oh the diamonds will probably go right back to killing people if Steven let them live and therefore Steven will be responsible for all the blood on their handa when that eventually happens, it's also unjust and toxic that Steven forgives other peoples abusers on their behalf we always let the colonizers have redemption arcs and portray the people they hurt as villains for fighting back' yeah okay, you cop Steven is a moral failure who is guilty of colonization and hes an abuse apologist who ignore the victims and demonizes them(where we watching the same show? Did we not see Steven try to help centipetle? Did we not see him break down over the cluster- could Steven had forgiven the diamonds for the sake of the victims? I do give some shit to Steven for how he acts about rose but even then he's a teenage with PTSD)-The situation also changed from 'homeworld gems are coming back to earth after the war to create a geo-weapon, they thought they won the war and didn't care about colonizing the earth anymore' to 'now they want rose quartz to hang for as justice for what happened to pink diamond' to 'pink diamond faked her death and her attempt to escape the abuse and evils of her home ended up turning her friends into monsters and her deciding to die to create Steven has led her sisters trying to drag her back to homeworld to uphold the horrible caste system' no more going after earth the way they used too, now the conflict was personal.

su's ending was bad- it felt hollow rushed and like so much happened but also like not enough was happening- it was a mess but also, su is about restorative justice and changing unhealthy family dynamics, and that's actually great. I get pissy about Steven Universe's ending-lapis, peridot, lars and bismuth were completely irrelevant the complaints i have about white diamond are the exact same ones i have about the collector (i hate them both) the movie piled more shit onto rose's bad rep sheet when it was really unnecessary and the show only portrays the perspective she was a brat which was great at the start but once you see how internalized she was and that shes an abuse victim the show should have portrayed her more empathetically, and if we wanna talk about the show as a whole- i hate that shattering can be reversed fully now and that jasper didn't stay dead as much as i love her, i hate that the show never acknowledged how toxic sadie was toward lars (kidnapping him and steven the donut prank- lars was a dick but sadie was a psycho) or how its hard to defend pearl after they made her a total creep (even if you don't read fusion as sexual its still super uncomfortable to see pearl lie to garnet like that and take advantage of something that meant so much to garnet) and i dislike that peridot lost her edge and the episode "too far" pissed me off (amethyst you encouraged peridot to be mean and call garnet a slur, pearl a braindead slave and Steven an affront to nature but when she made an accidentally ableist remark while trying to compliment you that's when it became a problem?). Su botched a fuckton of its messages and the filler was hit or miss in terms of quality and a lot the hate was Deserved (it did get uncomfortably sexual when it came to certain fusions- and rebecca sugar being Jewish bi, nonbinary etc doesn't exempt them from criticism- it felt perverted in several parts and rocknaldo was a worthless episode though if I hear another anti-Semitic take on this show im gonna flip- y'all don't know what Nazism is please stop using that word without understanding it) but I while I have my complaints about the ending I think Steven changing the diamonds minds was the only appropriate way for the show to end, the show always was about making amends or living life after the carnage had settled without focusing on vengeance/perpetuating the cycle of violence it was always about seeing nuance and not seeing you people you come into conflict with as enemies. I'm not angry at the diamonds being redeemed, I hate how it was handled, I'm not angry at the show for saying bismuth was wrong I hate how it was handled she deserved better but Jesus christ can we stop acting like the only appropriate way the show could have ended is with Steven 'realizing pacifism is bad and killing the abusers/colonizers is the only answer' because fuck diplomacy and systemic change-

also Steven is fully willing to use violence, Steven would pick up a gun and shoot to before batman or aang would ever if it meant saving his world (this isn't me shitting on those characters just pointing out Steven isn't that extreme of a pacifist) and Steven carries a lot of anger as we see in su future (whether or not you think it's a hot mess it's canon) while i don't think he hates the diamonds he definitely resents them and is afraid of then but holds back (until he ya now gats... Way worse mentally), he wants to fix the system not get justice or vengeance or make huge moral judgements where he is in the right when he hurts others- steven isn't an abuse apologist who believes him self morally superior (he actually kind of is afraid of that) he isn't afraid to use violence if he seems it necessary (he's a diplomat and his skills lie in talking things out- of course he'd go to that first) he cares a lot of about the victims of the diamonds and people who have been hurt- even if they hurt him. Steven is deeply flawed his martyr complex reveals him to be incredibly entitled and desperate to be in control and for others to be hurt or bad so he can fix their problems so he can feel good about himself and deals with a lot of guilt and by future he has developed anger issues- but he always cared about others that's why he did what he did and does what he does

[mythicaldemigoddess-of-deltarune]

Buttercup Lifts Couch & Mammon Becomes A Dad...? (2024)

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

Credit for Steven Universe Series goes to Rebecca Sugar

Credit for Hazbin Hotel & Helluva Boss goes to Vivienne "Vivziepop” Medrano

Credit for Invader Zim goes to Jhonen Vasquez

Credit for Undertale & Deltarune goes to Toby Fox

Credit for Transformers goes to Hasbro & TakaraTomy

Credit Transformers Animated Series goes to Sam Register & Matt Youngberg

Credit for The Powerpuff Girls goes to Craig McCracken

Credit for Danny Phantom goes to Butch Hartman

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

if anyone is wondering, Pink-Pearl is suppose to still look like her original gem humanoid but she is also suppose to be a Moth, and well if Lonely-Pearl was a Moth in her corrupted form, it would make sense that Pearls in a Crossover between Helluva Boss/Hazbin Hotel and Steven Universe, they would be Moths but still look a bit how they originally looked.

I want to call Pink-Pearl by the nickname "Vollie" but it's okay not everyone calls her that, and it would be interesting in a Crossover Fanon Timeline she forms a friendship with Verosika.

and yes I gave that Soundwave a bow on their head, it is suppose to be one of those Sound-Wave copies of the Original Sounwave.

I have had the idea for a while, that Lancer mistakes Mammon as his Dad, just in a different outfit...

I worked on this drawing around January and I'm just now posting it on February...it was not great a few days ago, I know during my trying to write a theory that has to do with Sari that of course has to do with a Crossover with Hazbin Hotel and TFA...

the connection kept going on and off, and yeah I ended up noticing a bit too late that I forgot to put the word "just" and well it is called "Hazformers Theory: What Sari Could Be Doing With Her Autobot Friends MIA" but even when I was trying to write it, the connection kept going off on me, and it was only making me more mad and feeling not so happy...so even when I got lucky and was finally able to post it, but when I wanted to log back on to fix and edit what I notice I forgot to put down on it...and yeah I had finally got around to it today...

but I was having some trouble logging back on, which I think it was because of the connection going off and on me again, and it might of possibly messed up my password, cause when I did try to use it again today......it didn't turn out too well, I still couldn't get on and at some point I had to make a new password just so I could post not only some new fan theories, but also this drawing and that

I seriously wasn't having a good day, I couldn't really get to sleep and well I do feel a little tired right now, it doesn't help that what happen was I guess a bit stressful...

and anyway Peridot is being Feral and is suppose to have Doe Ears and a Tail, like Peridots end up with Deer like appearance.

Alastor ending up adopting her and having her on that very thing that we see her have on her in one of the episodes of Steven Universe, well it can be one of the ways to keep her from running off when she gets all feral...like it only comes off if she calms down and doesn't act all feral.

and even when you make the drawing big, to read what is being said...

here is what Mammon is saying...

"when did I become a Dad…? I don't remember having a kid…unless Stella has been keeping it a secret from me. oh man, do I need to marry Stella?! I'm NOT ready yet!!! I need to call Stella and tell her to pick up our little acciden-…cough I mean Son."

also in this drawing, Buttercup Utonium is 22 years old, so this is the much older future self of Buttercup.

I think I will post one more thing, than I will be heading to bed to get some sleep...I rather post it now than wait until either tomorrow or in a few days...plus if I'm able to, I may talk more about that Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss Theory that has to do with Soul-Partnership Contract...

anyway hope some find it funny that Lancer thinks that Mammon is his Dad, and making Mammon very confused...also I like the Mamtella ship between Mammon and Stella.....their ship name still sounds like a type of food you put on toast, and I don't know if many will end up using that Mamtella ship name or not, so far I'm the first to call those two by that ship name. XD

[errorryx]

blood moon – part three

read on ao3 | read part one | gemcyt/life series, 3.2k words

for this update, i scrapped an old scene that provided context but was otherwise very boring. if you're curious, there's a longer explanation available in my ao3 notes.

—

Bdubs woke up in the late morning to the sound of several people arguing in the next room. He recognized Grian and Cleo’s voices, so he got up to see what all the fuss was, only to run right into Pearl in the hallway.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Pearl said in a low voice. “I was just…”

“Snooping around?” Bdubs attempted to deliver this line with an intimidating glare, but he only managed a yawn.

“What? No, of course not! I just wanted—I wanted to talk to you, actually.”

“Why’s that?”

“Grian said you were an expert on building. I had a few questions for you.”

“Really?” He brightened. “What else did he tell you about me?”

“He said if I had any questions about making a base, I should go to you first.”

“Well, he’s absolutely right. I know everything there is to know about building. I built this base we’re standing in now, you know. It’s called a crastle.”

“It’s lovely,” Pearl said. “Probably my favorite base! Don’t tell Grian, though.”

“Oh, you flatterer.” Bdubs waved her off modestly. “I do my best. So what were your questions?”

“Do you know what a chimney is?”

…A chimney. Right. Yes, he definitely knew what that was. “It’s the top part of a fireplace,” Bdubs said with perfect confidence.

“And what’s a fireplace?”

“Why, it’s the place you put fire, of course!”

Pearl looked baffled. “Why would you need a place to put fire?”

This stumped him for a few moments. Why would anyone have a place for fire in their home? “It’s a very complicated question,” Bdubs said. “I could explain it, but it would take all day, and I’m sure you’d find it very boring.”

“Right, of course.” A small smile appeared on Pearl’s face. “I wouldn’t want to take up all of your valuable time.”

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

“I guess I want to know why you’ve all started building bases for yourselves in the first place,” Pearl said. “They’re very lovely, but I don’t understand what they’re for, exactly.”

“Oh, of course! You’re a pearl, so you’ve probably never had a space just for yourself, right?”

Pearl blinked. “I guess not.”

“When me, Cleo, Tango, and Impulse first got here, we found lots of old ruins,” Bdubs explained. “That’s where we got all our books. Let me see, where is it…” He got up and looked through the nearby bookshelf. “Here it is! Man-Made Wonders of The World.”

He presented the book to Pearl with a giddy smile. Pearl took it, flipping through the first few pages with delicate hands. “What’s a man?”

“It’s short for human,” Bdubs said. He was very proud of having figured that one out on his own. “They’re a type of life-form that used to live here on this planet a long time ago. Cleo thinks they’re extinct, because otherwise we would have found one by now.”

“And they built all these? Without gem technology?” Pearl’s eyes widened. “Where are these structures? Have you seen them all?”

“Well, that’s the problem,” Bdubs sighed. “This planet’s really big, and none of us have a working ship anymore. If we had one, we might be able to explore, but it would be a long journey on foot, and Cleo doesn’t believe me when I tell her I can make sure we don’t get lost.”

“That’s a shame,” Pearl said, so quietly that Bdubs almost missed it.

“Wait a minute!” he said. “You must have had a ship to get here, right? Where is it?”

Pearl looked very much as if an agate had just walked in and caught her goofing off. “Well, you see—”

“Bdubs!” Cleo called from the other room. “What are you shouting about?”

“Coming!” Bdubs answered. “Don’t go anywhere,” he told Pearl, before poking his head into the other room.

He was greeted with the sight of two unfamiliar gems, a rose quartz and a peridot, the latter of whom seemed to be attempting to hide behind Grian. (It wasn’t working.) “These are Lizzie and Mumbo,” Cleo told Bdubs. “They came here with Pearl, apparently. Pearl was just here a second ago, but…”

“Oh, she was talking to me!” Bdubs said. “We were having a wonderful little conversation about bases.” He glanced back into the hallway, but Pearl had already disappeared. “Huh. She must have wandered off.”

“Seems to be a habit of hers.” Cleo didn’t look too happy. “You entertain our guests for a minute, and I’ll go make sure she’s not rifling around in our storage.”

“Sure thing!” Bdubs’ arms instinctively went to perform the diamond salute, but he knew Cleo hated when he did that, so he disguised the gesture by clapping his hands together. “So how did you guys all get here? Where’s your ship?”

“They claim there’s no ship,” Cleo said on their way out of the room. Her tone of voice clearly indicated that she didn’t believe them.

“It crashed,” Lizzie told him very solemnly. “Horribly. Went up in flames and everything. Big disaster.”

“Funny coincidence,” Bdubs said, “that’s exactly what happened to ours.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pearl through the window, in the process of sneaking away. She met Bdubs’ gaze for a split second, and gave him a wink before vanishing from view.

—

Scott was out in the garden when Jimmy heard a visitor knocking at their door. Usually he waited for Scott to tell him what to expect, but it had been a while since they’d had any surprises, and besides, Scott rarely gave him a straight answer when it came to the future. So instead of waiting for him, Jimmy got up and opened the door by himself.

“Hi! You’re Jimmy, right?” Pearl stuck out her arm, and he took it, bewildered. “I just learned about handshakes from Bdubs. Did I do it right?”

“Probably,” Jimmy said with a shrug. “I wouldn’t know. What’s up?”

“You fuse a lot, right? I wanna talk about fusion.”

She must have seen Flower Agate at the party last night. “Yeah, sure. Come on in.” Jimmy stepped aside to allow Pearl to enter. She took a few steps, only to be stopped by the sudden appearance of a wall of ice between them.

“No,” Scott said evenly from where he stood at the back door, his arm outstretched. “Not happening.”

“Scott, what’s going on?” Jimmy backed away from Pearl, who looked just as confused as he felt. “Is something wrong?”

Scott ignored him. “I can’t tell what you’re planning,” he said to Pearl, “but it won’t work. You’re going to get yourself and a lot of other gems hurt.”

“What are you talking about?” Pearl asked. The ice only came up to her waist, but she didn’t try to step over it. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.” Her voice trembled on the words.

“Maybe not, but you will.”

“Is this about a future vision you saw?” Pearl said. “Just tell me what it was, that way I can—”

“I’m not taking that risk,” Scott said. “Just stay away from me and Jimmy.”

“Hey, wait a minute!” Jimmy interrupted. “Can’t we talk about this? I’d rather have nobody get hurt, if that’s an option.”

“You and I can talk about this,” Scott told him. “But you—” he turned his attention back to Pearl, “—need to leave.”

Before Pearl could respond, Scott pushed the ice wall further forward, forcing her out the door. It slammed shut, and he hurried over to lock it.

“What has gotten into you?” Jimmy asked him. “Wouldn’t it have been a better idea to talk it out with her? What harm can one pearl do?”

“You really have to ask that question? You’ve met Joel.”

He couldn’t argue with that—Joel had caused a lot of trouble when he’d first arrived. But for the brief time they’d spoken, Pearl had been perfectly pleasant. “Can you at least tell me what’s going to happen?”

“I can’t,” Scott said.

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Yes, you can.”

“No, I can’t. There are too many possibilities right now. We’ll have to wait it out and see how things end up.”

Jimmy loved Scott, he really did, but sometimes he made Jimmy want to tear his hair out. “Then what’s the use of future vision if we still don’t know what to do?”

Scott didn’t answer him. Jimmy looked down to see a small ring of ice encircling the hem of his skirt.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said hastily, reaching to pry Scott free of the ice. He set him down on the couch. “Forget I said that. How about tonight? Can you see what happens tonight?”

“We go to the party,” Scott said slowly. “We fuse again. It’s—I think there’s a new fusion? It’s hard to see as Flower Agate.”

“So that’s good, right?” Jimmy asked. “We’re safe.”

“I think so.”

“We’re safe,” Jimmy repeated, with more confidence this time. “We’ll be fine.”

He hoped Scott believed him. He wasn’t sure he believed himself.

—

Mumbo was at a party with a bunch of rebel gems, and people were fusing.

At least, that’s what he thought they were doing. Pearl had warned him this would happen, but it was one thing to hear about it and quite another to see it for himself. Right now, the sapphire and the lapis lazuli were involved in a dance that made Mumbo want to politely avert his eyes—yet at the same time, he couldn’t look away.

“This is…a lot,” he said.

“Yeah,” Pearl agreed. “Are you freaking out? It’s okay if you’re freaking out. We can go back to the ship.”

“No, it’s alright!” Mumbo couldn’t imagine going back to the ship and letting this happen without him. “We can stay.”

The sapphire and lapis finally fused, and he got to watch in real time as their forms merged into one. It was slow and confusing and oddly beautiful. He let out a gasp when the ball of light finally solidified into a single figure, which stood taller than most of the other nearby gems.

“I’m trying to be supportive of Gri,” Pearl said. “I know he likes this. When he fused yesterday, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so…”

“Happy?” Mumbo guessed, searching for Grian in the crowd. He found him talking to a blue gem, with Scar somewhere off in the distance. Maybe Grian didn’t always fuse with Scar, then. Maybe he liked to branch out. “He seems really at home here.”

He’d officially reunited with Grian that morning, which had been wonderful, but…strange. Tense. Mumbo had been expecting everything to promptly return to normal once they found Gri, but it was becoming more and more obvious that that would not be the case. Even worse, Pearl seemed to be in denial about it, and Mumbo had been taking cues from her for long enough that he had no idea what to do.

His attention was pulled to the nephrite and green jasper he’d met earlier, who were—well, if the previous fusion dance had made Mumbo want to look away, this one made him want to bury his head in the ground. Still, he watched. He’d never seen anything even remotely like it. He couldn’t imagine himself ever making moves like that, but perhaps he could manage a twirl or two. Would he have to take off his limb enhancers?

“I don’t know what else to do,” Pearl said.  “Do you think if I fused with him, it would convince him to choose us instead of them?”

“Huh?” The second fusion dance had reached its culmination, but a third and a fourth had started up. Mumbo managed to tear his eyes away for a moment to look at Pearl. She had taken on an odd in-between color, which corresponded with the sun’s current position most of the way below the horizon. “Beg your pardon, did you say you were thinking of fusing with Grian?”

“I might as well try.” Pearl got to her feet. “I’ll just go ask him. No big deal, right?”

Mumbo was fairly certain that Pearl and Grian fusing would be a recipe for disaster, but he doubted Pearl would listen to him. “He’s been talking to that blue gem for quite a while now. You might be interrupting something.”

“I don’t care.” Pearl was fully red now. “We’re losing him. He’s in love with this planet. If we don’t offer him something better, he’s going to realize he prefers it to us.”

“Surely there’s a better way than—”

Pearl had already begun walking away before he could finish. Mumbo didn’t follow her. He’d seen enough of Pearl in her red state to know there wasn’t anything he could do except watch the disaster unfold in front of him.

“Boys,” a very sarcastic voice said behind him.

Mumbo looked up to see Rose Quartz—no, Lizzie—taking a seat in the grass beside him. “What’s a boy?” he asked.

“Not sure!” Lizzie said. “I heard Cleo say it earlier, just like that. I think it’s an insult.”

“Boys,” Mumbo repeated, trying to mimic her derision. He watched Pearl storm up to Grian and grab his arm, pulling him away from the blue quartz. “I really don’t understand pearls.”

“Me neither,” Lizzie said, with a little huff of exasperation. “Want a flower? I’ve been picking off the petals for fun.” She passed Mumbo a small white blossom with long petals, the stem severed halfway down.

Mumbo methodically plucked every third petal as he watched Pearl and Grian’s conversation from afar. He didn’t dare approach them, but he couldn’t help but wonder what they were saying.

—

“What are you even saying?” Grian said, throwing up his hands. “Have you gone mad?”

“Am I not good enough to fuse with?” Pearl asked. “You’ll fuse with spinels and quartzes but not me?”

“Pearl, I’m not—” Grian cast a glance at BigB, who was trying to mind his own business. It was proving to be a very difficult task. “I haven’t even fused with any quartzes yet, I’ll have you know. And besides, it’s not about what type of gem you are.”

“So why not? Spit it out.”

“I don’t think this is a good time.” Grian looked wary, but his mind was clearly made up. “Not while you’re still red.”

“That’s it, then?” Pearl threw up her hands. “You won’t fuse with me because I’m off-color?”

BigB winced at that one. “Woah, okay, I don’t think that’s—”

“Don’t you start,” Pearl snapped. “I’m talking to Grian right now.”

“Actually, I was talking to him first,” Grian said, before BigB could figure out a polite way to exit the conversation. “I know you’re still adjusting to living here, Pearl, but BigB didn’t do anything wrong.”

Pearl gave him a look of pure fury, then turned the same gaze on BigB, who immediately put up his hands in surrender. “Fine,” she said. “I get it. You’d rather hang out with your new friends.”

“Pearl, I don’t—”

“Whatever, Gri,” she said coldly, and turned on her heel, walking away into the dark.

Grian sighed. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he told BigB.

“Did you know her from somewhere?” BigB asked him. “That really didn’t seem like a conversation between two gems that met yesterday.”

“I guess there’s no point in keeping it a secret if she wants to have loud arguments in front of people,” Grian said. “Yeah, I know her. At least, I thought I did.”

“That bad, huh?”

Grian shrugged. “Something’s going on with her, but I have no idea what it is.”

“You think it has anything to do with the whole color-changing thing?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her do that before.” Grian stared off into the woods where Pearl had just disappeared. “I’ve never seen any gem do that before.”

“Me neither,” BigB said. “I bet if anyone knows, it’s Ren. He’s seen a lot of weird stuff.”

“You think he’d know something?” Grian looked even more worried at the prospect. “I’m not sure if I should bother him with this.”

“I can ask him,” BigB volunteered. “I don’t mind.”

He looked around at the rest of the party, finding Ren lounging in the grass by himself. He was surprised Ren and Martyn hadn’t formed Red Diamond yet, considering all the other fusions that were going on, but he wasn’t about to question it. “Hey, Ren! Can I ask you something?”

“What’s up, dude?” Ren waved him over. “Is something wrong?”

“Not with me,” BigB said. “I just wanted to ask, have you ever seen a gem change color?”

“Hmm.” Ren took a moment to think. “I can’t say I have. Not permanently, at least.”

“What about temporarily?”

“Well, that’s a different story. I’ve seen it happen a few times.”

“You have? Really?”

“Sure, have, m’dude. It’s pretty funky.” Ren sat up straight, immediately towering over BigB. “Happens sometimes on planets with different types of suns. Most gems look about the same, but sometimes a gem will go a bit—well, I don’t want to say off-color, but—”

“So it’s just a trick of the light?” BigB asked.

“Sometimes,” Ren said. “Sometimes nothing else happens, but—haven’t seen it myself, mind you, but I’ve heard certain gems will start to go a little off the rails, if you know what I mean.”

BigB laughed. “Like we all did when we got here?”

“Hey! Not all of us!”

“You’re right,” BigB said. “It was mostly you and Martyn.”

Ren sighed. “I suppose you’re not wrong. Why were you asking about color-changing gems, anyway?”

“You’ve met the new gems, haven’t you?”

“Seen ‘em, yes. Not really had a chat with any of them yet. I was planning on introducing myself, but I was worried I might intimidate them with my size.”

“You could always shrink down,” BigB suggested. “But yeah, Grian and I just talked to Pearl, and she was kind of…the wrong color? Last I saw her she was close to the same color as Grian, but this time she was red. Is that normal?”

“She was red, you say?” Ren looked alarmed. “Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. Saw it with my own eyes. Grian said it happened last night, too.”

“That’s…not good,” Ren said. “Where is she now?”

“She got upset and ran off.” BigB pointed in the direction he’d seen Pearl disappear. Ren’s frown only deepened.

“We should probably go make sure she’s okay.” He got to his feet, then looked down at BigB and hesitated. “Maybe I’ll take your advice on that shrinking thing. Wouldn’t want to scare her.”

BigB watched as Ren shrank down to match his height. Amusingly, Ren’s gem stayed the same size, making it look huge on his chest. It was odd to be able to look Ren in the eye, but BigB found he quite liked it.

“Alright, you lead the way,” Ren told him.

“Just you and me?” BigB asked. “We’re not getting anyone else?”

“We don’t need a whole group for one pearl,” Ren said. “She’s not hostile, is she?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then I’m sure we’ll be fine!” Ren flashed him a grin. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

—

<Previous part | Next part>

(I'll update this fic with the next part when it's done, but you can save it on ao3 if you want to make sure you catch it!)

if you read this all the way through and enjoyed, please consider reblogging!

[zeethequeer]

ABOUT MY STEVEN UNIVERSE DR

"I'd rather be me with you~"

✨BASICS✨

Name: Mae Cipollini

Age: 26

Height: 5'5"

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye Color: Grey

Skin Color: Light

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Lesbian

Pronouns: She/Her

✨FAMILY✨

Mom: Daniella Cipollini

Dad: Samuel Cipollini

Siblings: None

Aunt: Vidalia

Uncle: Yellowtail

Cousins: Onion and Sour Cream

Closest Friends: Greg, Rose, Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, Steven, Peridot, Lapis, Blue Pearl, Yellow Pearl, Volleyball, and Bismuth,

S/O(s): The Diamonds

✨EXTRAS✨

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Cereal

Favorite Show: Camp Pining Hearts (Courtesy of Peridot)

Song That Reminds Me Of DR: Levitating - Dua Lipa

Favorite Drink: Cider

Hobbies: Beach combing, singing

Time of First Shift: The day I moved to Beach City

✨MY LIFE STORY✨

"I don't need you to respect me, I respect me~"

My mom is Vidalia's younger sister. After my parents died in a car accident when I was 12, I moved to Beach City from Empire City the next summer to live with Vi.

The same day I moved there is during the events of 'Greg The Babysitter'.

I met Rose and Greg, immediately becoming like a little shadow refusing to leave them or the other Crystal Gems alone.

After what was actually not very much convincing I got Rose to agree to start training me to help them find corrupted gems on Earth. It became basically impossible to separate me from them after that. After losing Rose, Pearl took on training me.

During the time of the events of the show I'm 26, 27, and 28. During the events of the movie and Future I'm 30/31.

I'm not on Earth during the majority of events of the movie, and parts of Future as during those times I'm actually on Homeworld.

During the events of the show, I end up on Homeworld during the trial and Lars and Steven trying to get home. I meet a similar fate to Lars, ending up a pink human after Steven saves both of us. Lars still stays with the Off-Colors, insisting that Steven and I both go back to Earth despite my insistence of staying behind instead.

✨FAVORITE SCRIPTED✨ ✨MOMENTS✨

The Crystal Gems & My Reaction To Seeing Yellow Diamond For The First Time

Amethyst - "Can we go back to one thing?"

Pearl - "I wanted to circle back to that as well. Mae, about what you said-"

Amethyst - "YOU CALLED YELLOW DIAMOND HOT!"

Me - "Can we maybe NOT talk about that right now? I'm freaking human, those kinds of comments happen."

Pearl - "Fine. But we will talk about it later!"

WE NEVER TALK ABOUT IT LATER

I call Jasper a clod.

I call Holly Blue Agate a clod and flip her off even though she doesn't know at all what that gesture means.

I help Steven with getting to Korea to find Pink's palanquin. I'm more secondary support cause Greg still goes with us, and fail miserably at keeping Greg from getting kidnapped cause my dumb ass sees Blue Diamond and has a total 'Hopeless romantic dumpster fire of a lesbian' moment.

When I find out Steven managed to get Yellow Pearl to call him Pink Lasagna.

Bismuth being a supportive friend and winggem when I go to her about my crush on the Diamonds cause frankly I don't trust Garnet for completely unbiased advice for several obvious reasons.

If you read Steven Universe fan fiction and found the scripted moments familiar, yeah! My DR is also a reader insert fan fiction I wrote on AO3 called 'Change Your Life". My script just isn't as stiff as the fan fic version.

[parasitejasper]

CLICK READMORE FOR SOME GAY ASS SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uhhh what the signma....

reading my previous story isnt necessary because these arent connected at all but if you want to know what the characters look like/what they do i'd reccommend popping into the tag i use for this and checking out the context/character desc. post ∩^ω^∩

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

it was a cool, crisp spring morning. the sun was beaming, bathing everything in a golden hue. the fog and dew were still lingering, giving the air an almost magical appearance. there wasn't a single cloud in the sky, and the sky looked like a fine blue silk blanket.

morning had always been his favorite time of day. especially mornings like these.

he seemed to always be the only one excited to wake up so early. who could blame him, though? it always looked so beautiful out at this time of day.

beatiful...

he doesn't seem to notice himself getting lost in thought. his eyes seemed to drift away from the window he's sitting next to and towards his bandmate leaning against him.

towards the real reason he loves mornings.

the sun shined in on azure's soft, baby blue fur, accentuating his features in all the right ways. it made his flaming amber eyes seem to burn even brighter when the rays hit them. it reflected off his lashes, and made them look like fine brushstrokes on a canvas.

painted only by the finest artist.

it was only when their car hit a bump in the road, was he knocked out of his thoughts.

actually, whether it was a bump or a body was debatable.

in the driver's seat was rockyclaw, who was steering with one hand and downing a bag of chips with the other. why he's even allowed to drive is just one of those things we're never meant to know.

"alright, last stop before we're there. if you're hungry, go ahead and get something. the vendors said last minute that they couldn't make it, don't forget." rockyclaw said, as he pulled into the parking lot of some gas station.

near instantly, malachite slung her door open. she mumbled something along the lines of 'thirsty as fuck' as she walked (read: ran) inside.

"i'm gonna go in, check out what they've got. you guys wanna come with?" rockyclaw asked, pulling the keys out of the ignition.

peridot got out with him, motioning 'i'm hungry' as they walked in together.

now it was just kunzite and azure.

azure decides to break the silence.

"you know, i noticed you staring at me earlier,"

kunzite searched his voice for any kind of annoyance, but nothing of the sort was there.

well. he can either fuck this up and sound like a complete nerd, or he can say something really witty and smooth.

but he's never said anything witty or smooth before in his life.

azure could tell he was fighting a losing battle with himself right now. it was kind of funny, actually.

he gently grabbed his paw and spoke softly.

"i don't mind it, when you do that. i think it's kind of cute, actually."

oh. he swears he could die right on the spot.

he doesn't really know what to say, so he just nuzzles his snout into azure's hair in response. he makes sure to take in his strikingly sweet scent before moving away.

azure kisses him on his cheek, which leads to kunzite kissing him back, which leads to one thing, which leads to another.

by the time rockyclaw and the others get back, neither kunzite nor azure are in their seats anymore. both of their hairs are a mess, and kunzite's tie is off who knows where.

the two are interrupted by peridot clearing her throat.

"having fun, i see?" malachite sarcastically adds.

if they didn't have fur, their faces would surely be beet red.

"fuck- uh, forget you ever saw that." kunzite stumbled over his words as he shuffled back into place. azure followed suit, but still never took his paw off of kunzite's.

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

the crowd was cheering loudly. they had just finished up the final song of the day, and it felt like the world had been lifted off their shoulders. they were all tired, after a long day of performing. after all, wearing full dress suits gets uncomfortable after enough time.

they packed their instruments up and motioned toward the crowd, heading off backstage.

"pretty good show today, huh?" kunzite said, his voice a little rough from singing.

azure had always loved it when his voice sounded like that. when it got a little deeper, a little coarser, it drove him insane.

and as per usual, he had to voice these thoughts.

...which led to him being pushed up against a wall and having sweet nothings mumbled to him.

it always led to that.

but really, he wouldn't ever change it. not for anything in the world.

[problematicbots]

Winged Sentinel au: Snippet 8: Friendship?

TW: a lot of physical violence.

Standing in an open space close to Fort Maximus, Longarms was working on a console nearby. At this point, he had already read Elita’s Journal and he knew what part to use to expose Sentinel to the council his career yet for some reason Longarms found himself not immediately heading toward the council hall to show them what he found instead he found himself stalling for time for the whole  cycle always digging himself into work making up excuses to his lord Megatron to why he used this to his advantage

So far, it is working, but he knows eventually he can't do this forever, and Megatron's patience will wear thin. Yet, lucky that hasn't happened yet, and Longarms can on another day without revealing what's inside Elita's Journal to the rest of the council.

Until one day, he was met by an unexpected visit from Blurr, who ran towards him in a flash, looking tired and out of breath. Longarms, as much as he hated it since he was acting like an Autobot, couldn't help but stare down at him in genuine concern. 

Out of the ant of the Autobots, Blurr was the one he spread the time with as he remembered the initial agent taking him out to watch plays together, how they would spend hours discussing science together during Oregon breaks, and how he would sometimes lead a servo. 

 So Longarm watched the blue speeder pant for a little bit before collecting his bearings as his faceplate turned from exhaustion to excitement although the tiredness was still in his optics.

“oh thanks, Primus isn't my favorite prime “exclaimed Blurr in enthusiasm yet still clearly tired from his run,

Longarms’s spark swells at this: he was Blurr’s favorite prime, and he couldn't help but feel..honored..oh scrap, that Autobot propaganda was messing with his hard drive again…yet he couldn't help it as joyful tears fell down his optics. 

“Wait, I'm your favorite prime?” asked  Longarms clutching his chest plate with his servo 

“Well of course, actually hold on I got some for you ” replied Blurr searching for something on his person 

Longarms widened his optics in astonishment as Blurr pulled a yellow amulet that was shaped like a peridot gem and he placed it on his servo.

“You know how you always talk about different types of amulets, right? Well, I got this for you during the break. I hope you’ll like it, “ smiled Blurr.

Longarms felt his spark swell up more: he couldn't believe this; Blurr went out of his way to remember something that he liked and didn't do out of self-interest or for his cause. This was the sweetest thing anybody ever did for Longarms.

“Yo-you got this for me, and you came from earth just to give it to me,” stuttered Longarms, genuinely touched by the gesture.

“Yes, and not only that, but I collect samples that have evidence that suggests that the real spy may still be in our ranks, “ spoked Blurr.

Longarms’s spark thump ready when he heard that oh scrap, was Blurr going to find out that he was the real spy all along...no.. not now, not here.

“ Wait, how are you certain that Warp isn't still the spy?” gulped Longarms with viable nervousness  on his faceplate

“Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?” replied Blurr with a grin.

Longarms didn't want to hurt Blurr, but if he didn't do anything, he would be exposed to the Autobots as a spy, and his mission to ruin Sentinel's career would be a failure.

It was with either him or Sentinel’s career that was going to be destroyed. Either way, he was going to lose Blurr's friendship, so with a heavy spark, he reluctantly put away the amulet as his faceplate turned one of remorse for what he was about to do 

“Blurr, you’re a good guy, and I- I'm so sorry for this, “ sniveled Longarms.

“For what-” Before Blurr could react, Longarm expanded his servo and used it to try to slam Blurr into the ground, causing the blue speedier to join backward on the ground before he could get hit.

“L-L-ongarms what are you doing!” Cried Blurr backing against a wall with a look of pure betrayal and terror on his faceplate that broke Longarms's spark Yet the Decepticon spy managed to suck it up.

“My job,” spoked Longarms coldly, although his optics say otherwise as tears float down his faceplate before expanding his other servo.

SLAM  

SLAM

SLAM 

This time, he didn't miss his aim at precision: he successfully crushed Blurr into a cube using his servos alone. Usually, Longarms would be impressed by a feat like this; however, once he pulled away from the smashed Autobot, a look of pure shock and disguise flashed across his faceplate at what he did as he looked at his slightly bloody servos in fear.

Is this how the Autobots felt about the Decepticons…this fear..this terror... This wasn't respectful or honorable at all..this.. felt horrible, yet Longarms knew that he couldn't come back from this; he needed to get rid of the evidence, and most importantly, it was time to finally expose Sentinel to the council.

So with sharky sevros, he quickly gets rid of the blood on himself before picking up Blurr’s messed up corpse, and to his horror, there was still a spark…. Blurr was still alive.

Longarms, in a panic, rushed towards Cliffjumper’s office, where the red Autobot was doing some light paperwork, showing no interest in what Longarms was holding.

Longarms took a deep breath before passing blur- the cube over to Cliffjumper while trying to act casual but he was a complete mess.

“Toss this out, “ ordered Longarms to Cliffjumper, barely managing to keep it together as small tears dropped ped down from his faceplate before marching towards the council hall. His scared faceplate turned into one of determination, yet with doubt leaning in the back of his hard drive. 

Cliffjumper on the other servo didn't ask any questions and did what he was ordered to do toss the the cube into a garbage chute without second thought after all it’s his job to follow orders no matter what 

____________________________________________________________________

Ultra Magnus and the rest of the Council were in the middle of a meeting in a heated debate about something along the lines of a new unit called the “Aerialbots”  when suddenly…

 Longarms busted into the room with a datapad in his servo and approached the council of Autobots, who turned over to Longarms in bewilderment except for Alpha Trion, who was seen to have a little smirk on his faceplate. 

“Longarms, what is the meaning of this?!” demands Ultra Magnus, upset that one of his important meetings has been interrupted by another prime.

Longarms could see that all optics were on him. He nervously made a quick fake cough before speaking, not wanting anybody to think he was a crazy mech who had entered the room for no good reason, so he regained his bearings before apologizing. 

“Sorry for the interruption, sir; however, I believe you should read this,” spoked Longarms before tossing Elita’s Journal on top of the Council table with every council member looking in interest. “It's important.”

Ultra Magnus, although annoyed, did trust Longarm's judgment and was somewhat curious about what the datapad contained.

“Very well then” sighed Ultra Magnus, picking up the Datapad to take a closer look at it.

Longarms’s spark thump as he watched Ultra Magnus slowly swipe to the first few pages of Elita's Journal 

_______________________________________

Ever since that weird night, things have been different between Sentinel and the Twins.

Sure, they still do their usual training session, which was mostly just a few air tricks and reading protocols now since they were already done with the whole basic flight lessons, however on occasion, after every session, Sentinel would take twins out somewhere, whether it to Maccadam, emporiums, exhibitions and play performances. 

Of course, Sentinel makes excuses as to why he is taking these two to these places, like it being a part of their training. So, usually, he tries to make it seem educational or to make it seem like these trips were rewards for their progress so far.

When in reality, even Sentinel will never say it out loud: he likes spending time with them, and he doesn't admit that he may grow a bit attached to them, but only a little bit! Right?

It wasn't just Jetfire and Jetstorm that were pushing this change. Previously, he just changed himself to a jet out of frustration that he couldn't teach the twins how to fly, but nowadays, weirdly, being a jet has become a part of his identity, and he could never imagine being a grounded vehicle again.

Sentinel wasn't the only one to embrace his identity as Jet; he could tell that Jetfire and Jetstorm loved doing tricks in the air with them, rarely coming down back to the ground that Sentinel had to order them to do so.

“Another toast to another successful training session; keep up the decent work,  you two, for a couple of days, and you mi.t. if possible will be promoted to full members of the elite guard  “ announced Sentinel to the twins at their table at  Maccadam as he slowly raised a glass of oil.

“does..that mean we won't be kicked out of places anymore “ questioned Jetstorm still shaken up from the whole accident with the hostess yet lucky Jetfire was able to calm him down by sharing his oil with his brother 

“Not under my watch as, say before, under my command, you'll be treated just like any other soldiers with the same rights to dine, quit, rejoin, and be allowed in anywhere as you please unless it is against protocol  just any other Autobots “ spoked up Sentinel firmly “now anymore repetitive questions?”

Jetfire and Jetstorm as always stared at him in admiration: now that was their leader, not Ultra Magnus who never bothered to show off to most of their training sessions but Sentinel who had been here since day one

“No sir!” Squealed Jetfire and Jetstorm at the same time toasting to the prime by clinking their glass of oil together 

______________________________________

“ Sentinel sir I bet he's going do a backflip“ squealed Jetfire leaning closer on the theater’s balcony as he watched the play below with his brother quietly happy to side wearing 3D sunglasses and Sentinel in between them

“Wait…Why would he do a backflip? Is this play about the great war or something?“ questioned Sentinel, wondering what gave Jetfire the idea this was a stunt performance

“Because it would be very cool “ simply replied Jetfire with a little shrug. 

Sentinel raised his non-existent eyebrow in bewilderment and somewhat amusement since he didn't even know how to argue with that point so he decided to change the subject.

“Well…not as cool when you guys learn- I mean, how I  taught you two to do that Barrel Roll,” bragged Sentinel proudly.

“yeah that was pretty cool..” replied  Jetfire 

Ah, the classic Barrel Roll, the first trick that Sentinel ever did as a Jet, the same one he taught Jetfire and Jetstorm today.

He remembered it in perfect detail: he showed a diagram of a barrel roll to the twins explaining how to do it in detail before showing them an example by doing the stunt himself, when it was the twins' turn to do that stunt he flew alongside them watching them in anticipation and without flaw the twins successfully flip around in the without crashing into anything making Sentinel sign in relief.

Wait, why did he sigh in relief..he knew they were going to be fine, so how come..he felt a way of anxiousness over his  Hard Drive, but before he could think about it far, he was snapped out of the memory by Jetfire's excited screech.

“See, I told you he would do a backflip,” squealed Jetfir,e, pointing at the actor on stage doing the flip while Jetstorm’s jaw dropped in astonishment as little “ooooh” came out of his faceplate.

“All right, calm down, you two. This is a play, not a parade, “ lectured Sentinel, although in a bit lighter town than usual.

During these trips the trio were met with many optics prayed on them, most were looks of disgust, confusion, and.. interest.. an interest that Sentinel didn't like at all since a few Cybertronians were licking their glossa at them…fortunately Sentinel’s glare usually scared those..creeps.. off yet that wasn't always the case.

One day at an exhibition on the history of Elite Guard, the twins were sitting down and playing a game on a hologram of a battlefield on a table in the lobby of exhibition the while Sentinel in the background is having a back-and-forth argument with the ticket inspector holding up a pretty long line of annoyed or bored Cybertronians.

Yep, just another normal trip with their leader with Jetfire playing the battlefield game on offense while Jetstorm mostly chose defense,  everything was just fine 

 until an older femme approaches Jetstorm with a creepy look on her face that Jetfire doesn't like, and neither does Jetstorm.

“Hey huh, do you mind we’re kinda in the middle of something here? “ spoked Jetfire sternly, trying to act like his prime as he got up from his seat to stand in front of his brother protectly.

The elderly femme didn't listen to Jetfire and instead placed her servo on his shoulder and caressed it while Jetfire angrily tried to push her servo away while Jetstorm tried to tell her to cut it out luckily it didn't take long for Sentinel to notice quickly brushing his argument the ticket inspector to the slide before bolting over to the elderly femme.

“SERVO OFF THE AUTOBOT”  shouted Sentinel instinctively pulling the organic spray that he usually carries on him and quickly sprays it on her optics, which immediately makes the elderly femme fall l backward on the ground, catching everyone in the line's attention as they all grasp and whisper at the sight.

“My optics!” she screamed before getting up and rushing out of the exit of the exhibition, leaving everyone in shock except for the twins, who are once again grateful that their prime is here.

“IF I EVER SEE YOU FACEPLATE AGAIN, I WILL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE YOU’RE CHARGED WITH ASSAULTED  AND IS SENT TO THE DARKNESS PITS OF KAON WITHOUT A BERTH,”  screamed Sentinel after the elderly femme before turning around to check on the twins.

“Thank you, sir,” muttered Jetfire and Jetstorm with a sigh of relief.

Sentinel was about to say you're welcome when he noticed somebody took his spot in line and was able to get past the ticket inspector without any problems

That is it. Sentinel was officially done with the place. Not only his place in his line was taken, but his soldiers got assaulted without anybody doing anything about it. He decided that this wasn't worth it.

“Come on, let's get out of here. This place sucks anyway,” huffed Sentinel before leading the twins out of the exit leaving everyone in the exhibition in shock.

While the majority of patrons and staff in the exhibition went back to what they were doing although a bit shaken up, a small group of a few mechs followed Sentinel and the twins outside in interest, although, unlike the elderly femme, their interest is seen less creepy and more out of curiosity as the group watched in awe as the trip transformed into jets before flying off into the sky.

“That is the most marvelous thing I have ever seen!” exclaimed one white mech on the ground, looking over to his buddies. “ you know I wish I was a jet, I never felt comfortable in this frame”

“Hey, do you think if we join the elite guard we could be jets too?”  questioned a red mech in  excitement

“That's a great Powerglide!” squealed the same white mech from before.

“Wait what if we could get in trouble for this! ” gulped a Sliver mech nervously.

“Hey, come on, Sliverbolt, if the subcommander is doing it, I don't see why we can't, “ shrugged Powerglide.

Sliverbolt couldn't argue with that point as he stared up at the trio of jets Autobots flying further away into the distance 

Little did he know Sentinel overheard everything in the air, and the prime couldn't believe this: there were Autobots who were genuinely interested in flying, not in a creepy way wanting to join the elite guard. 

Sentinel never really thought of it before, but what if there could be a whole unit of flying Autobots on the elite guard ready to defend Cybertron? That isn't just him and the twins?

Now, that would be a sight to see, and perhaps using his duties as sub-commander to encourage a more pro-flying Cybertron, this would not only be a win for the twins but be a perfect way to beat Megatron at his own game.  Who knows, maybe one day, there could be flying Autobots outside of the elite guard, but for now, a unit is a small place to start.

“Huh, what do you know? I guess they aren't all creeps and cogheads after all, “ muttered Sentinel under his breath before returning to Fort Maximus with the twins.

Once the twins headed back to their quarters, Sentinel immediately went to work for six months to make a more pro-flying Cybertion by first proposing the idea of a whole unit of jet auto bots which he described to called the “Aerialbots”  to the council before promoting it with posters, broadcasts and just any form of media he gets his servos on to spread his message. 

The results were mixed with a few Autobots showing interest in flying and asking where they could sign up while others protested against the idea, and the council was still in debate about his idea.

Not the ideal results that  Sentinel wanted, but hey, at least there is interest, and if we can make that go higher, it would put pressure on the council to approve his idea. 

Despite all this, Sentinel somehow always finds time to train and spend time with the twins on occasion 

_________________________________________

“Sentinel, sir, I know this is supposed to supply run and all that but if you don't mind, I made this for you,” muttered Jetstorm, walking out of one store in the emporium and giving Sentinel a picture. 

Sentinel stared down the picture in brief confusion before his optics widened once he realized what the picture was: it was a messy drawing of himself with Jetfire and Jetstorm above the word “us” on it.

Sentinel didn't know what to say he was completely speechless as the spark swelled a bit but at the same, he had no idea what to do with it.. should he sign it on.. wait no that's ridiculous this wasn't an autograph.. this was sentimental ... he needed to.. put it somewhere important.. yeah that will do 

“Sentinel, sir, are you Ok? I can take it back if you want “ asked Jetstorm in concern that Sentinel hadn't spoken to for a full minute.

“N-NO-huh I mean I'm just going to take this to my office real quick, just make sure you and your brother come back to your quarters before closing hours ok..actually scratch that leave before 3..well you know what to do!” yelped Sentinel putting the picture away before bolting out the emporium leaving Jetstorm confused yet a bit amused.

That was their prime, a little weird, but their leader, whom the twins not only see as a mentor but as a friend too. 

_________________________________________

Jazz stood inside Sentinel’s office with the resignation note in servo, looking like a complete mess: his shades had a small yet visible crack on the left side. He just badly escaped multiple violent protests against jet Autobots.

Jazz remembered trying to convince the protesters that he was just passing by yet they didn't listen to him due to the fact he was wearing an elite guard symbol which the protesters saw “as pro jets” 

This resulted in him getting punched in the faceplate, and worst of all, he recognized most of the faces of the protesters: most of them were his friends or autobots he trusted..all turned on him for even associating  with jets. 

Sure, it was only one punch, and lucky the counter-protest th managed to pull him out of there's before things got ugly,  however, this was the final straw for Jazz's mental state: it used to take no time at all for him to reach Fort Maximus but now..well he lost count of the many days he was lost in the crowd of protesters and counter-protesters 

Ever since Project Vedette was approved, nothing other horrible things have happened. First, Sentinel crashed into that building; now, only Jazz was getting verbally harassed but also physically, and Nothing good could come out of Autobots fighting other Autobots. This was way too much for him 

So he approaches Sentinel's desk, ready to place the note there when he.. suddenly hesitates for a moment. 

He started having second thoughts about whether he should resign or not after all quitting probably wouldn't stop all this harassing probably won't stop even if quit and he would be leaving Sentinel behind to deal with these people

That would be so selfish of him to do so, especially toward someone who he kinda sees as a friend

However, at the same time..he sorta makes a whole scene at Maccadam about quitting, and if he backed out now…would he be harassed again?

There was only one way that Jazz could think of that could stop all this madness and gain everyone's respect again without anybody getting mad or hurt. It was simple but effective:  shut down both  Project Safeguard and Project Vedette. No more jets, no more problems, right?

So, with a sigh, Jazz turned away from the desk and was about to throw away the note in a nearby garbage chute.

CLICK 

Sentinel entered the office immediately spotting the note in Jazz's servo and the prime faceplate twisted into a look of surprise,  suspicion, and a briefly mortified

“Jazz… what that's in your servo”  questioned Sentinel as a look of betrayal crossed the prime faceplate.

Scrap.

[witchcraft-and-metaphysics]

Amulets and Talismans: Your New Favorite Witchy Jewelry

Let’s talk about amulets and talismans, shall we? If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already know that witches, Wiccans, pagans, and the spiritually curious alike are drawn to these little magical trinkets for a reason. But why? What is it about these seemingly simple pieces of metaphysical jewelry that have been so treasured for centuries? Well, buckle up, because I’m about to dive into why amulets and talismans are essential for any witch or pagan—and why you should be wearing one (or several) right now.

I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by these little pieces of magic. In fact, I own a variety of amulets and talismans in different shapes and sizes—some to protect, others to enhance, and a few to just look awesome. And honestly, if you’ve got a heart for magic, there’s no reason why you shouldn't have your own collection. It’s not just about looking cool (though, let’s be real, they do). It’s about harnessing the energies that resonate with your soul. Whether you’re a witch, a Wiccan, or just someone who likes to dabble in metaphysical practices, amulets and talismans can serve a number of purposes in your spiritual toolkit.

What’s the Deal with Amulets and Talismans?

Now, let’s talk about the difference between an amulet and a talisman because, yes, there is one. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, I assure you, amulets and talismans each have their own purpose. An amulet is generally used for protection. You wear it, carry it, or place it on your altar to ward off bad energy or evil spirits. Think of it as your spiritual armor. On the other hand, a talisman necklace is something you use to enhance or manifest a specific energy or desire. It’s all about conjuring the vibes you want in your life. Need more love? Grab a heart-shaped talisman. Want to boost your creativity? Go for a moonstone or lapis lazuli piece. Both are magical, but each serves its own distinct purpose.

Let me tell you, there are a lot of options out there. From symbols like the pentacle, tree of life, and triquetra, to stones like amethyst, carnelian, and peridot, the choices are practically endless. Some people are drawn to ancient symbols, like the Celtic knots or Thor’s Hammer, while others gravitate toward crystals with specific metaphysical properties. Yet others will simply carry pocket stones or charms. Whether you're working on protection, manifestation, or spiritual connection, you��re bound to find a talisman or amulet that resonates with your energies.

Why Do We Choose Certain Amulets and Talismans?

For the witches, Wiccans, and pagans among us, the selection of an amulet or talisman often goes deeper than aesthetics. In fact, the symbolism behind the piece is typically the deciding factor. There is a lot of Wiccan jewelry now. Consider the amulets and talismans of the Celtic peoples, for instance. The Celtic tradition is rich with symbolism: the spirals, the knots, and the triskelion all have deep metaphysical meanings. These symbols have been used for thousands of years, and they still carry power today. If you’re drawn to Celtic jewelry, you’re likely aligning with energies related to nature, growth, and cycles of life—stuff that's foundational to pagan practices.

Personally, I’ve always been fond of sun, moon, and star symbolism. Those of us who feel a strong connection to the celestial bodies often gravitate toward celestial jewelry that reflects those energies. Whether it’s a sun pendant, a moonstone ring, or a starry charm, these amulets and talismans can help you channel celestial power. Plus, let’s be honest, they just look cool. If you’re a moon lover like I am, wearing something with the Triple Moon symbol is a great way to remind yourself of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

Amulets and Talismans: The Magic in Your Jewelry

Now, let’s get down to the real reason we love amulets and talismans: the magic. It’s not just about what they represent—it’s also about the energy they hold. Amulets of magic are said to hold protective energies, and many witches wear them during rituals or on a daily basis to help safeguard their spiritual well-being. Crystals like black tourmaline and obsidian are particularly powerful for this, as they are believed to absorb negative energies.

As for talismans, these work wonders for manifesting your intentions. Whether you're looking to enhance your personal power, attract prosperity, or draw more love into your life, wearing a talisman can be a potent reminder of your goals. Think of it as a constant energy infusion. I’ve got a garnet pendant I wear when I’m focusing on personal strength, and it’s like having a little energy boost tucked under my shirt. I also like to wear a citrine talisman whenever I'm manifesting some financial abundance. Hey, a little magic never hurt, right?

Taking Care of Your Magical Jewelry

Let’s talk about the care of your precious amulets and talismans, because, as much as we love these pieces, they do require a bit of attention. Crystals and stones can absorb energy, and if you’re using your jewelry for magical or protective purposes, you want to make sure it’s working at its peak potential. That means regular cleansing and charging are essential.

Cleansing can be done in several ways, depending on the stone and the type of energy you’re trying to clear. A smudging with sage is a classic method, but some people prefer to use palo santo or even the cleansing powers of moonlight. I personally love placing my amulets on a selenite plate overnight—selenite is famous for its ability to clear negative energies.

As for charging your jewelry, well, that’s equally important. Just like you wouldn’t expect a battery to work without charging it, your amulets and talismans need to be recharged to keep their energy fresh. One of my favorite ways to charge my magical jewelry is by placing it outside under the full moon or letting it soak up the sun’s energizing rays. Trust me, your amulet will thank you.

Wearing Amulets and Talismans in Rituals

Many people wear their amulets and talismans in rituals, as the energy they carry can amplify the power of the practice. Whether you’re calling the quarters, opening a portal, or working with elemental forces, having your talisman nearby is like having a personal magic amplifier. Some of my favorite rituals involve wearing my pentacle talisman when invoking the elements or using my goddess pendant during rites to honor the divine feminine. I find that the right amulet can really help focus my energy and intentions.

In addition to wearing your amulets during rituals, many people like to place them on their altars, in their sacred spaces, or under their pillows at night. If you’re working on specific manifestations, it’s a good idea to keep your talisman close by as a reminder of your goals. If it’s charged with the right energy, it’s like a constant, quiet little prayer or incantation on your behalf.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Amulet or Talisman

So, whether you’re drawn to a tree of life pendant, a pentagram, or a simple amethyst amulet, remember that amulets and talismans are more than just pretty jewelry. They are powerful tools in your metaphysical practice. With the right care, they’ll serve you well, helping you to manifest, protect, and enhance your life in ways that only magical jewelry can. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to find that piece that resonates with you, cleanse it, charge it, and start wearing it with intention.

Now go ahead, get yourself an amulet or talisman—you deserve it. Magic, after all, is a lot more fun when you’re wearing it on your sleeve (or your neck). ✨

[maria-ruta]

Favorite episode of Steven Universe and why? Favorite gem design?

oooh ive been thinking about su again lately and I love this show a ton so I'll be glad to to answer (ill put under read more lol bc thats a lot of text haha)

Favorite episodes:

the cat fingers - ooohwhat a wonderful body horror! and the first episode of the eries that made me go "haha what the fuck?" when i was watching it for the first time

giant woman - first intruduction of fusion and cute song and opal! ah good memories <3

the roses room - oh also such a good one

first aperience of lapis and episode after that - wow what there are other gems? and crystal gems are hiding something and maybe not so good? and monsters are also used to be gems? wowza! also such a beautiful visual with all the water magic and blind lapis and water tower

sugulite episode -oh hell yeah! also strong in a real way is a great song

STEVONNIE!!!!!!!!!! "screaches" tbh I love all the episodes when they appear (maybe except for the car races) - the first one and the one where Stevonnie has to survive on some alien planet for a while is "cheif kiss"

two episodes when the green hand apears and when we find out Garnet is a fusion - ah a CLASSIC <3

on the run - the song, the first time we see the kindergarden, the I NEVER ASKED TO BE MADE holy shit im so emotional over this episode, might be one of my very favorites

the episode where Garnet and Steven go to investigate what is the claster and they see those fucked up mutants - HOLY SHIT IT WAS SO SCARY AND UNCANNY I LOVE THIS EPISODE SO MUCH also one of my most faves

episode where Pearl gets very mad that lion belonged to Rose and that Steven knows something she doesnt and that Rose has secrets from her - when you see how fucked up it is, when for a second you could see she wants Steven to fall, but also knowing later on whats shes been going through... can understand why (understand, but not excuse)- such controvershal feelings but hey thats why we love this show dont we?

Timetravel sandclokes episode - hey another fucked what the fuck :D also love how Steven is surprised he can be so annoying lol

befriending Peridot <3

Pearl Steven and Greg build spaceship

Garnet shares abuility to see the future, so Steven and Connie don't get into snowstorm

bunch of rubies arrive and everyone play baseball - so fucking cute fhgfdhjfg

Garnet's story of how Ruby and Saphire met <3

When we see Blue Diamond in person for the first time and she steals Greg and how team goes to save him - so much good stuff, they tears, caused by Blue, the human zoo, THE AMETHYSTS <3 the whole diversion plan, the WHATS THE POINT OF FEELING BLUE song <3

First aperience of Smoky Quartz, Steven and Amethist having troubles feeling like shit, Jasper's downfall, the "you killed my diamond, your diamond - Pink Diamond!" and "come here sis" - very good

Peral goes puk and has a crush on pink haired biker girl UwU

Bismuth episode

traveling into Pearls head episode

Garnet wedding <3

the final is also so good (even tho its rushed and I WISH so much that there would be more of gathering rebels gems throughout the galaxy to overthrown the diamonds, but I know how pressed the whole crew was to finish the series right here and right now... even with all that, I think they managed to make a great final! <3 )

AAAND steven the future too

how all the traumas finall catching up - good shit

especially love the episode where Steven and Peridot make dream show

and the two perls episode also very good

Pearl and Bismuth rollerskate UwU

and when Steven was with Jasper

and the final <3

woof that was long haha

Favorite designs:

I love the main 3 (i remember when i was teen i hated new designs, compared to the pilot, but later on I started to think that new ones are better... idk, I think Garnet's square afro and huge hips and Pearl's nose are SUPERIOR)

I really like Rose Quartz's design - shes so prettyyyyyy

I liked Blue Agate design! those boots wowza!

Peridot and her cool limbs (i dont remember the name of those thingies)

Blue Diamond has cool design but

THE WHITE DIAMOND??? oh man, I love her design! so stunning but creapy! the use of white and black, the wibes of b/w old tv shows? very very cool

I ALSO love fusion designs so much!!!

I especially like how more stable fusions tend to have less limbs and have more humanoid form

I like how fusions that have amethyst in there tend to have very sharp teeth and even extra maw (exept for Opal... but maybe she just doesnt open her mouth wide enough for you to see hehe)

I like Pearl+Ruby fusion (sorry I don't remember her name... I dream to draw fan comics about them but eh...)

I also like how gems, who've been healed from their monstrocity still have some kind of monster aspects

like little horns and such

I like the gem that used to be the worm, who eated shiny things haha shes cute

AND SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN????? whats her buisness looking so swell????? shes so cool loking but she only been there for like... five seconds ToT

ok im done thank you

[darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght]

Chapter 15- Part 1

Alright, so- Jasper Ward is still trashed, but maybe now it’ll be slightly less trashed than before. Let’s start by heading down this street for anything new.

Aha, new things! Just as I predicted!

Now, something I know we can do for a fact: go get that other police officer who was behind that one annoying vine!

There you are! Get over here so I can go get that item too!

Perfect! That’s both the Jasper Ward officers safe and sound, and that means the rest are all in Beryl Ward- as if we needed even more incentive to head over there. But what’s the super special item over there, before we get going?

That’s…y’know what, that’s still useful, I won’t complain.

Anyways, something else I want to check is- what?

Wild Pokémon can still be encountered? The heck? Get outta here, I’m trying to explore!

Like I was saying- I’m heading back to that one building with the guy freaking out over his Mareep because the one doorway was blocked by another vine. But now that the PULSE is gone, it should be open…

OH! That’s even better than what I was expecting! Which Field is this one gonna be about?

Well, it’s about time I got some info on those dang trees! I’ve only fought on that specific field about a dozen times already and can already get a decent idea of what it’s all about, but hey, better late than never. Though, given the U.I. issues, I might be better off just reading its info on the wiki…

WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S ONLY SPECIAL BUG MOVES THAT GET THE BOOST- 

Anyways! Let’s head to the right side of the ward now that those other vines are all cleared, see what there is to discover. Like more street signs!

Pretty sure that just loops back around? Lemme go down and check-

Well, that’s even more handy! Hard to afford a lot of those right now, so I’ll take street Potions wherever possible.

And…yeah, it does just kinda loop back around. Good, that makes navigation even easier! But actually, since we’re down here, might as well just check in on the police station- I’m curious if the rescued officers will be there, and if anything special will happen if we talk to them.

Yeah, okay, nothing special here, let’s just continue with exploring.

Let’s see- there’s a house down here and an inconspicuous rock, is there a hidden item there?

No item, but- I can see Peridot Ward down there! Those are the gates the train came in from, and that house the first Magikarp thief was in! Hello down there!! How did none of you notice the tree horrors going on like right above all of you??

Anyways, into this house now-

Ohohoho, what have we here? A Mareep, running around super fast just like a certain guy in another building? Like Pokémon like Trainer, I guess. Let’s see what we can do to calm it down.

I- I’m sorry, she obtained the Mareep? Did she just steal that guy’s Mareep??

Um…okay?? Cool? Good for us? I had a feeling we’d get the Mareep in the end, but- right now, right here? Before even returning it to the guy?

Well, uh- we have it now. Now, what to name it…

Nimbus- there we go! Cumulonimbus clouds are often the ones associated with thunderstorms, and Mareep and Flaafy have those cloud-like appearances with their wool and all- like so, in its PokéDex entry:

But now that we’ve found Mareep, I wonder if anything will happen if we put it in the party and talk to that guy again? Well, let’s do exactly that and give it a try.

…Um. The guy…is gone? He has vanished into thin air? Maybe he went into the back room, hold on-

…Ah. Well…this is awkward. Uh…guess we can just…keep Nimbus, no strings attached. Good for us…?

Next

[natsumesakasaki666]

TSUMUGI BIRTHDAY 2023

Translation of mini talks, birthday story, and phone call

Mini talk 1

Tsumugi: Wow, are all those presents for me?! Thank you so much~♪

Could it be that these gifts were went by fans?

Well then, let’s leave it here in this spot for now.

Anzu: That’s a large pile of presents…

Tsumugi: ah, Anzu-chan . Thanks for helping me♪

So all of these were sent by fans. To think I’d received this many… I would have never imagined it

Mini talk 2

Tsumugi: The project proposal that I’ve been working on with Anzu-chan is complete!

I've sent it via “hold hands” not too long ago, it’d be great if you could take a look at it

…huh? Is that not why you came to NewDi?

Anzu: I came for another matter…

Tsumugi: Hmm, I wonder if I can make some time to chat with you in the common room…

Aha! It looks like I’ll have some free time later in the evening, if that’s okay with you♪

Mini talk 3

Sora: HaHa~♪ Senpai, Anzu, hello☆! Sora came to get you because the party is about to start~

Tsumugi: Hello Sora-kun. So it’s that time already…

Sora: woah, that large pile of presents next to Senpai is amazing. But it looks like it’s about to collapse

Anzu: Shall I place them in bags?

Tsumugi: That’s a good idea. I’m pretty sure I have some paper bags seomwhere around here…

Sora: Sora will help too! These presents are filled with feelings for Senpai, so Sora will handle each one carefully♪

—————story—————

Prologue

Tsumugi: Sorry for making you wait~

Good work today Anzu-san♪

Sorry but is it alright if I put these down here? It’s more presents I got from the party….

Well then, please excuse me. Oof ♪

Anzu: It’s very colorful

Tsumugi: Yes♪ Just by looking at it like this makes my heart flutter.

Some are from Natsume-kun and Sora-kun, and I also got gifts from Tsukinaga-kun and Saegusa-kun♪

Part 1

Tsumugi: Oh and everyone in the circle I’m in also gave me a present♪

Everyone in biblion gave me a cushion that looks perfect for reading books with!

Here it is! It has a nice soft squishy feel to it~♪ Anzu-Chan, you can go ahead and try touching it too!

Anzu: it feels nice

Tsumugi: Right♪ Reading a book while leaning against this cushion… it sounds nice doesn’t it?

Eichi-kun gave me some tea leaves as a gift, I'm sure if I brewed some to accompany my reading, it'll be an even better experience!

Part 2

Tsumugi: Phew, it’s nice to have a day where I can take it easy~

I’d never thought I’d receive so many gifts in one day

It’s possible that I may have received the most gifts ever

Anzu: you are adored

Tsumugi: Fufu, I’m so thankful for that…♪

Each and every one of them chose a gift with me in mind. That alone is more than enough to make me happy.

Part 3

Tsumugi: Um, Anzu-chan, what’s with the box you pulled out…?

“Sorry for adding to the pile” you say, it’s not a problem at all!

Thank you for the gift. Is it alright if I open it now?

Anzu: Of course

Tsumugi: Wow…! It’s an elaborate brooch! Fufu, it’s sparkling all over

Since it’s from Anzu-Chan, shall I put it on now♪

Part 4

Tsumugi: How is it? It gives off an elegant impression when wearing it♪

Hmm. If you look closely, the color of the stone in the middle is slightly different from the one swaying below...?

The stone below looks like the unit color of "Switch"….

Anzu: and the stone in the middle is…

Tsumugi: So that’s what it is, the color is based on Peridot which is August’s birthstone.

Come to think of it, Peridot symbolizes “hope” and “happiness”. It seems that happiness comes just by wearing this♪

Part 5

Tsumugi: Now then, shall we start heading home? We don’t want to get back too late.

Thanks for today. I’m so happy to receive such a lovely gift at the end of the day.

I’ll savor the happiness I felt today and give it my all tomorrow

Anzu: Let’s do our best together!

Tsumugi: That’s right♪ and I’ll give Anzu-chan more joy and happiness than what I received today!

After all, I am a magician who brings happiness to others♪

Phone call

Tsumugi: Hello?

Thank you so much for today!

The photos you sent were the ones you were taking with your phone right?

Everyone in each photo looks like they’re having fun, it makes me so happy

I look forward to working with you tomorrow!