#or were abandoned/orphaned very young

[fuckyesbrucewayne]

I was debating on whether to make this post or not, but then I realized that if I cannot be annoying about Bruce Wayne in my Bruce Wayne Sideblog™ then what's the point. So here are basically my thoughts on why Bruce's characterization on Batman and Robin: Year One doesn't work for me, especially on this last issue.

So without further ado, let's begin!

First things first, I'm going to show the panels that are the whole reason I am making this post first, and then analyze what is happening and why I think it doesn't work for a young Bruce that is just beginning. And yes, I will be using as a basis Golden and Silver age Bruce, because he's the blueprint whether Mark likes it ot not.

(To give some context Robin got himself kidnapped, but he saved himself. Alone, I might add.)

This scene begins... with not much promise. This whole comic makes it a point that Bruce is not only clueless about raising Dick (an idea I'm not entirely against) but also makes it seem like he's kind of forced to take care of the kid? For some reason?? The comic treats it like it's a chore he has to do, and that it falls more on Alfred's shoulders than anything... and Alfred is also not very good at it, but that's another story (I'm not completely against that as a characterization choice on Alfred's side).

My whole problem with this basis is that if Bruce is not only clueless but also kind of not interested in raising Dick... Then why did he even take him in in the first place? Like, what was he thinking, and more importantly, what am I supposed to get from this? Because I'm going to assume that the reason he took him in was because he saw himself in him, right? So... it was just a selfish act?? On a whim?? That's it??? You'll understand why I feel that idea is kind of shallow, at the very least.

But going back to the page at hand, we can see that Alfred is making a point of not interfering and letting Bruce figure himself out, but also letting it be known that he... Kind of doesn't like Dick either (which is surprisingly in character with Dixon's Robin origin story, so I guess there's some basis there).

Robin's first question when they're left alone is that if he's going to get fired, which I find "fascinating" that so many modern retellings focus on, because the idea of firing was not that important in the original stories. Like, the fear of being fired was less important than the fear of being abandoned by Bruce or being replaced, that last one was very common... But firing in and of itself wasn't necessarily that big of a deal, and it never was until that infamous story of Nightwing's second origin (which I think you can guess it's not my favorite, not when the first one was so good already... But also because Max wrote himself into a corner with that one. So you're telling me Bruce fires Dick because he doesn't want a young partner and then immediately accepts 12-year-old Jason. As his partner. What.). Anyways, Bruce's answer to that loaded question is "not yet", which is. A choice. Because what are we doing here, why is Bruce taking in an orphan who has lost every semblance of family he had but is also making his position in his household so... flimsy. There was a time when it was literally only the two of them against the world, and I understand we cannot do that anymore because of Alfred, but even then writers have made it a point to write about how these two were a set, a "do not separate" team. They're the dynamic duo for fuck's sake, why is Mark making a point to write Bruce reaffirming Dick's fears about his position being temporary, what am I supposed to understand here about Bruce's character as a caregiver. And also why is he making Bruce separate himself from Dick by saying that he is rich, that the money is his, not theirs. Why are we giving the 12-year-old or however old he is supposed to be here financial insecurity.

I know you will be surprised to know this, but Bruce has always been kind of a workaholic... but not surprisingly, and contrary to what everyone wants you to believe, in his earlier years it was not so exaggerated. He used to do a lot of fun activities with Dick! If Dick wanted something he would cave like a house of cards because that was his little boy.

They went fishing a lot, they had pillow fights, they went to the lake, to the beach, camping, they had fun a lot of the time, HE USED TO TELL DICK TO TAKE IT EASY!!!! Hell, they didn't even go looking for cases most of the time, they would go to a museum or try to relax and a bomb would fucking explode.

So... why are we making a point to show Bruce IN HIS FIRST YEAR WITH DICK telling him that "yeah actually every day matters and if you are not doing something productive you deserve to suffer or whatever". What is going on here. I'm not saying that Dick's workaholic tendencies don't come partly from Bruce, but we all forget that Dick has been a child star athlete since he was five at the very least.

Hell, this comic literally goes into a tangent in the next page about this.

And here we arrive to my last straw with this comic. I'm going to kill someone I fear. In what universe, in what fucking universe, is Bruce Thomas Wayne telling Richard John "Dick" Grayson that he made a mistake in taking him in. Why are we accepting and even praising this characterization. I'm not even going to say anything I'm just going to leave comic panels here.

But yeah this was the page, the panel, that ended it for me. We're not coming back from this. And if you think next page fixes it because Bruce is known to be very autistic blunt and say the first thing his brain is thinking without realizing it can be misinterpreted... Just look at this.

What is this, what is this supposed to be. What the fuck. In other circumstances the idea of "we're here to help each other" is something I wouldn't be against, but it's just the whole conversation before it that ruins it. So basically, after Bruce threatens to throw him out, reaffirms Dick's fears that his position is temporary and that Bruce has all the power in this dynamic, THEN he's like "we're here to help each other yippieeeee help me child" are we stupid. Are we stupid.

Basically I think I've made my point clear. But if not, my biggest problem is this: if Bruce has been a cold-hearted paranoid jackass since the beginning... then what's the point.

What's the point of Jason's death, of the accidentally good storytelling of Bruce going through traumatic event after traumatic event (Jason's death, Knightfall, No Man's Land, Fugitive, Identity Crisis, etc., ETC.) and coming out of them more cynical, more changed, more broken. If he's always been cold and callous, if there was never any fun, any whimsy, any love... then how did Dick become so devoted to him.

Why do they both miss the good old days if there is nothing to miss.

What am I supposed to be understanding here, about the dynamic duo's relationship. And most important of all... What's the point. If this relationship is based on abuse, if this relationship has nothing good going for it, if Bruce has been always an abusive monster and Dick a poor victim that didn't know any better, then what's the point. What is the point of Batman and Robin, if this is all there has always been. Is this all Bruce is allowed to be using this toxic view of masculinity as his basis. Is he not allowed to be fun, to be loving, to feel anything outside of anger or annoyance.

Why does he barely smile at Dick in this comic, even when they're out of the suit, if he is supposed to be in his first few years? Where's the tragedy then, in knowing he used to make him laugh.

Why does he suddenly not seem to like Dick for who he is? Because that's the thing, it just seems like he doesn't like him, like there's no reason he took him in other than a sudden whim, like they are not the fucking dynamic duo, like they are not the blueprint. They just feel like two people that don't even like each other and are forced to live together. And how is this dynamic more interesting, how is this supposed to be better than what we had. What's the point, man.

What's the point.

[angelicalchaoticabyss]

Basing this offa a post I saw. After the events of Beast Yeast chapter 6, where Burning Spice lost his soul jam (I think that’s what happened I just finished chapter 4), and he is now mortal and got his ass kicked by a wild boar and his not injured, encounters a child reader who just wonders around because they don’t really have a home. So, the two just takes care of each other.

Burning Papa.

It had been a while since you encountered that strange monster man. You were just a young cookie, about 8 years old, when you first encountered Burning Spice Cookie. You found him alone in the woods, injured and with this strange red spot on his chest shaped like a triangle, along with what looked like an animal attack injury. You didn’t know how to help other than the little healing magic you had learned from the other kids at the orphanage. The wound had closed up some, and the strange man managed to wake up.

It was awkward between you too, he looked and sounded very mean…but he didn’t hurt you. Or he couldn’t hurt you, as he struggled to move in general.

You introduced yourself to him with a smile, unafraid as you had no idea who he was. You became something in his life that Burning Spice wasn’t used to…a constant. You would always leave the orphanage to come play with him. Well, play in the woods while he watched you. You were quite tough for your young age but he could always tell when something was bothering you.

He was actually going to visit you one day when he spotted you sprinting towards him. You hugged his leg, crying and asking him to “make them go away”. Burning Spice looked up as saw several grown cookies coming towards you both, said cookies skidding to a stop when they spotted him. The cookies felt automatic terror upon seeing him, but they failed to realize that he no longer had his soul jam and was mortal just like them.

Of course, that didn’t stop him from using their ignorance to scare them into leaving. Once they did, he looked down at you and…started to comfort you. He learned a lot about you through his time knowing you. You were an orphan, abandoned at birth. You were considered strange in the orphanage due to your love for fighting...well, play fighting.

He admired it, it was one of the traits he liked about you. You were spry and spunky, always had a grin on your face. But now your face was buried into his pant leg, crying and shaking…it felt like those cookies had committed an unforgivable sin for making you cry like this.

Burning Spice Cookie lifted you into his arms and cradled you, rocking you gently until you fell asleep. He didn’t know why he felt so protective over you, maybe it was because he is mortal now, now he can actually…crumble, meet his final end. But when he looks at you, he feels like he never wants to leave you alone.

He didn’t want to return you to the orphanage, you wouldn’t be loved there. You were never loved there. So, Burning Spice took you to the small place he was staying at in this area. A camp he had created. Due to his countless years, he knew how to set it up after that damn boar attack. He laid you down on his bed and started to cook some of his rations. He was so distracted on the pot he had gotten…stolen, that he barely recognized you sitting up.

“Mr Burning Spice?” Came your little voice.

“Hush small one, food will be ready soon.” He spoke.

You shut up but went over and sat next to him. Burning Spice Cookie was always so fascinating to you. The way he was so tall, how strong he was, and how he was able to scare those big cookies into running away. You smiled up at him, and then gladly accepted the food he had made for you.

That started your stay with Burning Spice, you didn’t return to the Orphanage, as you felt much happier with him. Burning Spice at first tried bringing you back himself, as he believed you should actually have the chance of getting adopted. But when he got close to the actual orphanage you clung hard to his body, screaming and crying, begging not to be abandoned.

Burning Spice Cookie eventually gave up and returned to his camp with you. He laid back on his bed with you on his chest. You snuggled close and relaxed, a happy little smile on your face. He stared for a while before beginning to fall asleep. Then he heard you.

“Goodnight papa…”

He snapped his head up, but you were now fast asleep on him. He was quiet, but then he sighed and relaxed, closing his eyes.

“Goodnight, little spice.”

[weirdsht]

I have this random idea and I neeed to yap about it here lmaoo

I'm just thinking about krs taking care of a teen around locks age, he met them at some point of the apocalypse and decided to take them under his wing.

let's say they transmigrated together or reader a bit after krs, but they meet at some point in the novel, anyways bc krs!cale took care of them for a good 3-4 years before the transmigration he subconsciously does the things he did before without noticing.

another random thing that came to mind:

idk someone: "wow young master, you really know this kid"

cale: "I hope i do i took care of them for a good 3 years"

random person: "when???"

ignore how this might not make sense storywise and probably characterwise, I'm really sleepy 🙏

Homecoming - Cale & Teen! Reader

a/n: i want to write more but my brain is all out of creative juices because almost all of my profs are making us write essays every day. not to mention that directing thingy i need to do for that stupid uni short film

tags: fluff, platonic, reader is unhinge if you squint, gn!reader

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Requests are open and welcome

Navigation Masterlist

“...What are you doing here?”

That was the first thing Cale asked you as soon as he saw you.

“And you are..?”

Was your question to respond to his question.

Because why is this random nobleman talking to you as if he knew you? Sure he reminds you a bit of Kim Rok Soo but still.

This guy is essentially a stranger and your big brother Rok Soo has taught you stranger-danger.

You can see the redhead sigh before pushing his hair back with his left hand. There’s a look of fondness and frustration in his eyes, another thing that reminds you of your big brother.

Kim Rok Soo wasn’t actually your big brother biologically speaking. Both of you were orphans who found each other in the middle of a ruined world. Two abandoned people who found solace within each other. 

You quite literally tripped into Rok Soo’s life a few months after he became a team leader.

The same way how you literally tripped into this weird noble’s porch. 

Speaking of which, that said noble is now telling everyone to give the two of you some privacy. He even asked the cute baby dragon to put a soundproof barrier around the room.

“Are you doing that to mask my screams when you kill me?”

You couldn’t help but ask once everyone was out of the room. Rok Soo had always told you about not letting your impulsive thoughts win but you couldn’t help it.

Cale sighed loudly and tiredly, exactly the same reaction your Rok Soo would do when you said something stupid.

“No I’m not gonna kill you, and no I’m not going to eat you either so don’t even ask.”

You clamped your mouth shut after that. The question dying on your tongue before you could even ask it.

“I’m going explain myself and then you’ll do the same okay?”

You nodded seeing as you don’t really have a choice. You’re in this guy’s turf and there’s no way you can outrun a dragon and whatever monster of a people this guy has with him. And so you behaved yourself and settled on the plush couch you were escorted to.

“My name is Cale Henituse, or at least that’s my current name. I used to be Kim Rok Soo back on Earth before I died.”

…okay what?

What now?

He was who?

Kim Rok Soo— well you guess he goes by Cale now — knows you well enough to know that this information would cause your brain to overdrive. And so he has a glass of iced water prepared for your poor self to drink.

“Wha- how- huh?”

You tried to formulate words after gulping the water but your mind is still reeling. There’s simply no comprehending this new information bought upon you.

But it’s fine since Cale is willing to wait for you to come around.

Even after 3 weeks of waiting, his still very patient.

He knows when to give you space, but also knows when to spend time with you. Cale knows exactly when you need him to be there for you and when your mind is confused about him being a stranger but also being the big brother you dearly love.

Of course, this raised some questions with the others. Cale suddenly took in another teen one day and he seemed to have known them all his life even though he just met them 3 weeks ago.

“Young master you seem to really know that kid.”

Hans asked one day. In a short distance, Ron was also listening in while dusting some decorative vases.

"I hope I do, I took care of them for a good 3 years."

Was Cale’s nonchalant answer before leaving the room in order to go to your bedroom. He had promised you that he’ll let you wander around the forest today after all. 

Meanwhile, the two servants are flabbergasted — Ron was just hiding it better than Hans.

“...3 years? How did he hide from us that he took care of a child, an entire human being, for three whole years??”

Hans asked and the only answer he got was the dust from Ron’s feather duster flying towards his face.

[robin374]

alastor x daughter reader angst If you do, you will be very happy. The reader does not know that he is his father and when he finds out, Alastora will be very angry. PLSSSS

ehem thanks <3

𝔊𝔢𝔱 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔶 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔪𝔢

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔢𝔯 : Alastor x Reader, platonic

𝔑𝔬𝔱𝔢𝔰: Hola. I got too carried away sorry if it's too long. BRUH I JUST FINISHED AND I PASSED THE WORD LIMIT, let me just do a part 2 LMAO

Back when you were alive, you were an orphan. You couldn't remeber who your parents were, but you were angry. You were angry at everything and everyone, if they didn't love you when you were born why didn't they kill you? Was it necessary to abandon you? You didn't want to meet them and start over again as a happy family like your friends at the orphanage dreamed. You wanted to meet them so you could make sure you never talked to them again. Then, when you died, you wandered around Hell. You didn't exactly have a house, you just strolled around the city, maybe even killing someone to let your rage out. For someone who had deer resemblace you were quite agressive, to be honest.

You had died young, in your 17th birth to be exact. You bumped into a group of drunk men, they were drunk enough to pick a fight against whoever crossed paths with them, and you happened to be there. You just didn't survive. You may had born crying knowing nothing about life, but you died with that youth rage and you blamed it on your unknown parents.

One day, you were sitting on the floor reading a book you stole time ago when someone stopped in front of you. You didn't lift your head, you just flicked your gaze to the black dressing shoes and red pants that the person was wearing. "What do you want." You didn't ask, you demanded. "I...I have been informed that you were alone and homeless. So, I've decided to give you a room at my hotel, The Hazbin Hotel!" It was a girl's voice, the Princess of Hell's voice. You recognized her from seeing her singing around the streets not long ago. "Why would I want to go there?" You asked closing the book and putting it inside your bag. "It's just a hotel with a porn star and a pathetic victorian snake. I would prefer to sleep next to a rat with rabies than that, so, thank you but no, thank you." You started to walk away from her, you didn't even want to see her face. You knew you just had been mean to Lucifer's daughter, but she didn't even seem like it. You scratched a spot near your antlers, since you became a demon you didn't manage to get used to them. Then, a shadow appeared out of nowhere and it transformed into a tall man, who smiled at you.

"Now, that's not the best way to talk to someone, sweetheart." He said, his voice was accompanied with a stereophonic effect, it sounded like the radio you used to have in your room when you were alive. "Do I know you?" You said as you straightened your back to look more challenging. He just laughed, which clearly offended you a bit. "You should."

How did he manage to smile for so long? You couldn't remeber the last time your lips drew a genuine smile on your face. You were always with a frown on your face, angry, furious. "You seem to be quite the rebel, aren't you?" He said and before he ruffled your hair you flinched away. "Don't touch me." You hissed. "Ooh the fawn is angry," he laughed causing you to frown even more. "Where is your mother? Did a hunter shoot her?" He smiled even more -if that was even possible- you clenched your teeth and your ears curved downwards, you were trying so hard to not to hit him right then and there, who did he think he was? "Okay, let's calm down. How about you come to my hotel, stay one night and then you decide if you want to stay or not?" The princess smiled, her smile was kinder. You scoffed, "if that means that you won't bother me anymore, alright." They started walking down the street with you, it was the first time you walked with someone by your side. You expected it to be a silent walk but you were wrong, the blonde girl talked you about how she planned to redeem a lot of demons when she got the proof that they were able to do it.

While you were walking up the hill that led to the hotel, your gaze fell on the radio tower coming out of one side. You didn't pay attention to the strange Zeppelin or the huge letters that spelled 'Hazbin Hotel' you just looked at the radio tower. You heard a radio static near you, you didn't pay attention to it though, thinking that it was the coming for the tower. Once you were inside, you were greeted with more people that you thought. Of course, the porn star Angel Dust was there and wasted no time in flirting with you not even knowing you gender. "Oh you're the quiet type? Let me see what that mouth does, pretty please." He pouted and you raised your brow. If that was what he wanted, he would get it. "Get the fuck away from me." You said, shoving him away. Then, you heard a deep chuckle and you turned to your side, you noticed a black cat with wings laughing at the white spider. He had a bottle in his hand. Charlie, made you greet everyone there, but her brows frowned in confused way the moment she didn't find someone called Nifty.

You were about to walk towards the bar when you hit something with your foot. You heard a high pitched voice laughing and telling you to hit her again. You stepped back from the small woman with a scared face and your ears curved downwards. "Hi! I'm Nifty, I clean." She quickly climbed up your body and stopped at your face, her big eye looking intensely at you, you swore she could read your mind. "You are very young to be dead, what happened to you? Oh! What's your name?" She shook you, she was surprinsingly strong considering her small body. "Tell me everything." She growled. "My name's Y/N." You said, and ignored again the radio static, had it been sounding this whole time?

After greeting everyone, you told Charlie that you wanted to rest and she showed you your room. You closed the door and let your body fall in the bed. Even though you didn't want to admit it, you had the feeling that this couldn't be as bad as you thought. It had an old-fashioned aura that made you feel at home, somehow. You hadn't felt like this for a long time, you were always running away from demons that wanted to kill you, harass you, make a deal with you... You were at peace here.

PART 2 HERE

I AM SO SORRY

[bidonica]

How do you think stannis Baratheon felt about renly being close with a Tyrell? And do you think that impacted how stannis felt/treated renly? Or was it only over stormsend

By being close with a Tyrell I assume you mean his relationship with Loras -- ironically I don't think it meant all that much to Stannis per se? Not in terms of Renly being gay (westerosi culture *is* homophobic but also pragmatic about pretty much letting queer people be as long as they don't actively disrupt the social order and are able to perform heterosexuality/masculinity/femininity) and not in terms of the Tyrells having been on the other side of the Rebellion either.

It's about Storm's End and it isn't. When grrm had Jaime say "the things we do for love" it wasn't just a banger of a line and a character moment for Jaime, but I'd venture to call it a thesis statement for the series. At their core, all the main asoiaf characters are motivated by the very basic need to feel loved. Not necessarily in a romantic way; the love of and for your family, or lack thereof, is a VERY prevalent theme. Think of how i.e. Theon's whole arc can be traced back to him spending most of his childhood and young adulthood with a family who, no matter how nice the Starks look to us, was keeping him captive and could execute him at the drop of a hat, and how on the other hand he planned the disastrous Winterfell takeover just to win Balon's approval. Tyrion's... everything. Sansa's "if I am ever a queen, I'll make them love me." And so on and so forth.

Stannis wants Renly to love him. He can't express it because of personal inclination (introvert) and circumstance (average westerosi performance of masculinity; let's not forget he was mocked by Robert for taking care of Proudwing and then pressured to abandon him), but to him Renly is the little brother he basically raised by himself after they were orphaned and Robert went away to the Eyrie. Renly basically turning his back on him and directing his own pursuit of love outwards -- not just Loras, but also just... people in general -- while taking the same dismissive attitude towards Stannis that Robert had, must have hurt for Stannis in a way he couldn't probably express even to himself. You get a feeling there was a Robert-Renly rapport that Stannis was cut off from; not even Tyrion is as excluded by the Jaime/Cersei duo because at least he gets along with Jaime.

Stannis though, is consistently the odd one out in his own family, no matter how useful he is to the Baratheon cause. Renly eventually making his own bid for the iron throne must have been the final blow. It's about him disregarding the law of succession on the surface, but at a deeper level it's him showing no loyalty or gratitude to Stannis. This all deteriorating into Stannis killing Renly via shadowbaby is one of the many instances in asoiaf where a character's genuine desire for love gets warped into something dark and damaging when it doesn't find an outlet or a healthy coping mechanism.

[kiame-sama]

Part 2 of Cuteness Lore!

Because Human Babies were very cute, what if Fae became prone to sometimes steal Human Babies from their parents when they weren’t looking? (Or in more common cases, their parents were killed/separated from their baby)

Some other species would do this too, but it was the Fae who were the most likely to do this (They couldn’t resist the cuteness)

But they kept and raised the Human Babies even as they got older because of how quickly attached the Fae Parents became over such a weak and defenseless species that they began to freak out when they started to get older and panic when they realized how short Human lives are

These Fae felt both the greatest joy and pain when their Human Children grew up and passed away in within a century

Lilia ‘jokes’ that if Reader has babies he’s going to snatch them up (This joke did not receive positively as Malleus just looked pissed over the idea of someone thinking they’re worthy to marry one of his hoard, especially HIS Human!)

Fae are- in this AU- a much longer-lived version of other non-fae species. So in the instance of Sebek, he is half Fae-Raiju (Which often have a more dog-like appearance) and half non-fae Raiju (which are often more lizard/crocodilian in appearance). There is only one species that does not have a non-Fae counterpart and that is Dragons. Alternatively, there is only one species that does not have a Fae counterpart; Humans.

Concerning the history of Humans and these Fae types, Humans would often give their lives defending their young from the many dangers that exist in Twisted Wonderland, leaving behind Human young with no parents to claim/raise them. Fae enjoyed the curious nature of Humans and were typically the first to take in an abandoned/orphaned Human due to this genuine affection for the soft little species. In more war-torn areas or places where Humans were commonly hunted, Fae would go on excursions with the sole purpose of finding Human young they could then keep and raise. Finding an unattended Human, especially Human infants, was akin to winning the parent lottery for the many Fae that adored these strange little creatures.

It broke their hearts to see how quickly Humans lived and died when put in comparison to the long lives of the Fae that raised them. Some Fae parents would suffer serious heart-break when their little Human children died and would go into a state of mourning for years. Many Human families had a Fae patriarch/matriarch because the Fae was keen to raise their Humans, their Human's infants, and their infants, and so on. Many older Fae had raised at least one Human in their lifetime, so when it was decreed that Humans were extinct, several Fae species became enraged or even violent towards any who had participated in the downfall of Humans.

Malleus is not pleased that Lilia would even suggest HIS Human be bred by anyone, let alone someone who was not him a member of his hoard. Honestly, the few Malleus would even allow to entertain the idea of breeding his Human is himself and his hoard. Everyone else be damned. Lilia knows this and he is just amused that Malleus is even considering anyone of his hoard or himself having young with this Human because he knows he is going to be the baby-sitter regardless of who the parent is (He honestly hopes he gets to be the actual parent of at least one of the Human's children and wonders if everyone in the Hoard would be willing to have a child with the Human). Lilia genuinely wants lots of infants to care for- even if they are only half-human- because he misses the super cute Humans and their infants.

[kurokoros]

One thing about BNHA that I find fascinating is the way that heroics and parenthood intersect. There aren't actually many examples of Pro Heroes having families in the series. I can only remember four notable ones, and three of them are actively detrimental towards the child(ren) involved, because the Pro Hero parent(s) prioritizes their career over the wellbeing of the child(ren).

The Iidas are the only hero family that don't really have any issues, based on what little we see of them. Tenya and Tensei both seem happy to be heroes, and the family appears to support each other after Tensei is attacked by Stain. We don't actually know enough about the Iidas (or Tenya tbh) to know exactly how heroics and parenting overlapped or if there was conflict there.

Where we can see that conflict is with the Todorokis, the Shimuras, and the Izumis (Kota and the Water Hose Duo). With all three families, there's a Hero parent (parents, in Kota's case) who, in the bluntest terms possible, really fuck up their kid(s) because their career and "the greater good" were valued more than their own children.

To start, the Water Hose duo continued to work as a team despite having a preschool aged child at home. No staggered schedule, no parent on indefinite leave from their notably dangerous career. And they're both killed by a villain while protecting civilians, leaving their three-year-old an orphan. This was extremely negligent on their part, and completely unfair of them to bring a child into the world and do nothing to ensure he wouldn't end up orphaned because of their jobs. The Water Hose duo were probably very good people, and they were certainly good heroes, but they were not good parents. They sacrificed themselves for the greater good and left their son to suffer the consequences. Ultimately, Kota is left feeling abandoned, angry, and resentful of hero society. Personally, I think this is a completely valid reaction and I never liked the way the narrative pushed for Midoriya to change Kota's mind, because Kota was never entirely wrong. The Water Hose duo may not have intended to leave their son an orphan, but nothing suggests they took precautions against this. As heroes, their deaths were noble; as parents, their deaths were traumatizing and debilitating. These are both truths that can exist.

The relationship between Nana Shimura and her son Kotaro is similar and, again, leaves a child effectively orphaned and with a crippling feeling of abandonment. Like the Water Hose duo, Nana was a very good person and Hero and clearly an excellent mentor to All Might, but, while I certainly have some empathy for Nana's situation and the difficult choices she had to make, not all of her decisions were in the best interest of her child. Obviously, the existence of OFA and AFO makes the situation complicated, and these complications are only made worse by the muddy timeline of when Nana received OFA from En and when Kotaro was born. There are two hypothetical timelines, 1) Nana marries, has a child, becomes a holder of OFA, her husband is killed by a villain, and she leaves Kotaro at a foster home and cuts all contact with him in order to protect him from AFO, or 2) Nana becomes a holder of OFA, THEN marries, has a child, etc. Neither timeline paints the most flattering picture of Nana as a mother. Like with the Water Hose duo, her duties as a Hero and holder of OFA is valued more than her duties as a mother of a young child. I can't say whether or not I think Nana made the wrong decision to cut contact with Kotaro for his own safety, because it's complex situation where none of the characters win, but the story does end with a child alone and a parent who ends up dying in the line of duty as a martyr for peace.

Not much needs to be said about the Todorokis. Endeavor valued his career and public ranking as a Pro Hero so highly that he purchased a wife, dabbled in eugenics, and abused and neglected his wife and children in nearly every way imaginable. Of his four children, three of them actively hate him at the start of the series. Touya becomes a villain with an end goal of murdering his father. Natsuo is basically no-contact with his father. And Shouto is angry and spiteful. Enji is, and always was, a shitty parent.

In conclusion: Heroes in BNHA make really shitty parents because they refuse to place their children over their careers.

[burnatthecrossing]

I’ve been thinking of how tragic QiJiu is in canon.

Because like. We have the initial “Yue Qingyuan loved (familial or romantic) this man no matter how scummy he was, and now that Shen Yuan is in his body, he can never repair that relationship.” Going a little deeper, we have the fact that he has to watch Shen Yuan, who is very obviously not Shen Jiu, live the life that Shen Jiu built for him and build it up even better. He has to see just how broken and petty of a man Shen Jiu was—to the point where someone else takes over his body (WITH him being a figure of great importance) and nobody does anything about it. It’s not even because nobody notices, because there’s no way nobody noticed. It’s because they like the new and improved version better.

Then, with pre-canon, we have the pre-established tragedy. It’s been written to be such. Shen Jiu, in the Qiu Manor, suffering abuse; Yue Qingyuan, trying his hardest to become good enough, strong enough, to return for Shen Jiu, only to shoot too far. Spending years in the spirit caves trying to gain enough control to escape. Finding Shen Jiu far too late, and assuming his remains to lie among the ashes of Qiu Manor. Then, when Shen Jiu is found again, wanting to keep him around, even if he has to be hated for it.

Yue Qingyuan’s actions during the Sect days are complicated, and I don’t trust myself to have deciphered them correctly, but I think his choices were made out of a combination of guilt and a desire to keep what he has. He knows that his Xiao-Jiu hates him, but he thinks he deserves it; he just wants to keep him from hating him even more so that he won’t leave. He thinks the best way to do that is to cling to what they used to have, look as strong as possible, and turn a blind eye/grant any wish to avoid Shen Jiu feeling betrayed.

Meanwhile, Shen Jiu just wants an explanation, but whenever he asks why his Qi-ge never came back for him, all he gets is apologies. He stays because he knows that the sect is his only chance at a good, stable environment, but he avoids Yue Qingyuan as much as possible because without an explanation, he has no reason to disbelieve what he already thinks is true: Yue Qingyuan hates him and abandoned him. His snappy (to put it nicely) attitude is a projection of this. Yue Qingyuan insists on calling him Xiao-Jiu, but Shen Jiu feels like Xiao-Jiu is dead. He thinks that if he’s mean enough, Yue Qingyuan will recognize that and prove the previously-written belief right by leaving him again.

THEN we have Luo Binghe. I’m not going to focus on this that much, because this is a QiJiu analysis, but Shen Jiu sees himself in Luo Binghe. His abuse is a mix of spite and his own twisted worldview. He’s angry that Luo Binghe, while also being an orphan, was able to have a loving mother and is young enough to cultivate properly. He thinks that Luo Binghe needs to see how cruel the world is. He thinks a lot of misguided things. Yue Qingyuan doesn’t stop him. Both of them are bad people for this, no matter how you view it. There is no excuse for child abuse.

This obviously comes to bite them both in the ass later, when Luo Binghe grows up to be an all-powerful demon lord and takes his revenge. He targets Shen Qingqiu for obvious reasons. He razes Cang Qiong to the ground for being complicit in the abuse. However, the one other person that receives special treatment (besides Ming Fan. Ouch.) is Yue Qingyuan. It’s mainly because of his relationship with Shen Qingqiu, but I think it’s also because Luo Binghe knows how easy it should have been for the Sect Leader, if no-one else, to stop Shen Qingqiu’s abuse. He lures Yue Qingyuan in with the hope of rescuing Shen Qingqiu, because he knows how protective Yue Qingyuan is of him. He uses the shards of Yue Qingyuan’s sword to taunt and torment Shen Qingqiu. He never lets Shen Qingqiu rest.

And the thing is: Neither of those lives allow them to reconcile. They’re so emotionally stunted and determined to keep things how they are that they never truly understand what happened to them. When Yue Qingyuan finds out what happened to Shen Qingqiu in SVSSS-verse, it’s with the pain of knowing that the person who went through that is gone, so he can never really atone. And Shen Jiu, crippled by his past, is destined to be scum, killed off before he can ever have peace.

enjoy your day lol

[moonlitstoriess]

The Hidden Legacy- A Ruhn Danaan x Rhysands sister series

Chapter 1: The Echoes of a Forgotten Name

Summary: Rhysand’s sister, Seraphis, long thought dead, was taken by the Asteri/Valgs, her memories erased and turned into a ruthless killer loyal to their cause. After Bryce kills the Asteri, Seraphis seeks vengeance on her and everyone else involved. As she hunts them down, Rhysand and the Inner Circle discover the shocking truth: she’s alive, and now their enemy.

See masterlist

Chronomancy: The mastery of time, allowing one to bend, twist, and manipulate the fabric of temporal reality.

The Asteri realm, once an epitome of unyielding power, now lay in ruins. The remnants of it's dark grandeur whispered of a time when it reigned supreme. Shadows flitted through the crumbling architecture, now an empty expanse where the only echoes were those of a fallen empire. The stillness was profound, the silence punctuated only by the faint hum of residual magic.

Amid the debris walked Seraphis, her presence a stark contrast to the desolation around her. Clad in a black cloak that fluttered with her steps, she was a figure of cold determination. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the remnants of what had been the heart of the Aster's domino. To her, this destruction was not merely a loss but a catalyst for a deeper mission.

Seraphis' existence had been shaped entirely by the Asteri. From a young age, she was taken and molded into their perfect soldier. They told her that her parents had abandoned her, leaving her out on the streets as a newborn to die. She was an orphan with no form of family, no parents or siblings. Her upbringing was harsh and uncompromising. She was trained to harness the full spectrum of temporal manipulation--abilities that allowed her to travel through time, reverse it's flow, and manipulate it's very essence. The Asteri had crafted her to be both a weapon and a guardian of their interests.

Under their guidance, Seraphis had become a master of time's complexities. Once she was old enough and they deemed her fit for it, the Asteri took her with them to new world's as they went on conquering--no sharing their greatness with the world. That's how she ended up joining them when they would go from one universe to another, her time-manipulating power's growing stronger with each time.

She remembers how in Erilea she would send Maeve and Erawan the direct orders coming from the six Asteri. Of course, no one was more pissed than Seraphis when that Aelin Galathynius and her lapdogs ended up winning the war. Well, atleast they got rid of incompetent idiots like Maeve and Erawan. She also played a covert role in the shadowy events that unfolded, aiding the Valgs in their machinations and ensuring their influence remained unchecked. She had begged Polaris, The North Star, to let her go finish what Erawan couldn't but...they didn't allow her, seeing her as too valuable to risk.

When the Asteri's control extended to Midgard, Seraphis continued her work with the same ruthless efficiency. She wove through the intricate tapestry of its politics and power struggles, her presence a silent but undeniable force. Her actions, often unseen, played a key role in the Asteri's manipulation of the city's dynamics.

Now with the fall of the Asteri and their defeat at the hands of Bryce Quinlan, Seraphis found herself in a new reality. The Asteri, the only family--no matter how cruel--she had ever known, were gone, and their cause lay in ruins. Austrus, Eosphoros, Hesperus, Octartis, Polaris, Sirius, Vesperus and....Rigelus.

Oh, Rigelus.

Though millions of years older than her, Seraphis was the only being ever that Rigelus didn't look down on. Instead, he saw her as a close second, always being kind towards her--or as kind as someone like him could be. The respect and authority she held over everyone else just like Rigelus and the other Asteris was impressive.

Seraphis wouldn't call what they had with him love. No, a far cry from that. More like a sick obsession and posession that he felt towards her, always having her watched and protected, kept by his side on every event and conquest. And Seraphis loved every moment of it. She didn't care if that made her look sick, yearning for his and only his attention.

No one could ever understand what she and him had anyway.

Does it matter now? No. No, it doesn't.

Their loss ignited a fierce loyalty within her, driving her to seek vengeance. Those Midgard rats, particularly the bastard Bryce Quinlan, had disrupted everything she had been programmed to protect. Seraphis's focus was singular and unyielding. Her powers, unparalleled in their scope, were a tool for her vengeance. The remnants of the Asteri's legacy would be avenged, and she would ensure that their enemies paid dearly for their defiance.

Maybe, maybe Rigelus was against her being in the battlefield and focusing more on improving her powers more for this very reason. Knowing him and how he would always be fifteen steps ahead of everyone, even his fellow Asteri's, Seraphis wouldn't be surprised if he knew something like this would happen and she would be left as the one to avenge them.

Seraphis’s thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound—a shuffle, almost imperceptible. Her head snapped toward the noise, eyes narrowing as a figure stepped out from behind a crumbled pillar.

The figure was hunched, draped in ragged robes that trailed on the ground, their face obscured by a deep hood. There was something otherworldly about them, an eerie stillness in their movements, as if they weren’t quite tethered to the reality around them.

An oracle, perhaps. Or one of the soulless travelers that drifted through the remnants of the universe, always seeking but never finding.

“You,” the stranger rasped, their voice a dry whisper carried by the wind. “You are lost.”

Seraphis’s expression remained impassive, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of a blade at her side. “I am not lost,” she replied, her voice cold. “I know exactly where I am.”

The traveler’s hooded head tilted slightly, as though studying her. “Do you? You walk among ruins, chasing ghosts of a fallen empire. What is it you seek, child of time?”

Seraphis bristled at the title, her grip tightening on the hilt of her blade. “That’s none of your concern.”

The figure seemed to sigh, a sound that echoed strangely in the empty space. “Vengeance is a heavy burden to bear. The threads of time do not forget. Every action leaves a scar, every choice a ripple. You of all beings should understand this.”

Seraphis regarded them with a penetrating stare. “The Asteri were my family. Their enemies are now my enemies. The vengeance I seek is not for solace but for justice.”

The stranger nodded slowly, their gaze thoughtful. “Justice and vengeance are often indistinguishable in the eyes of those who wield power. But remember, the threads of time you manipulate weave through all that exists. Even in vengeance, there are consequences that ripple forward.”

Seraphis stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “You speak in riddles. Say what you mean.”

The traveler raised a bony hand, palm out, as if to placate her. “I mean only this: Beware of the paths you walk, for time is not a line, but a web. Tug on one thread, and you may find yourself tangled in another. The truth you seek may not be the truth you remember.”

A flicker of unease stirred in Seraphis’s chest, but she pushed it aside. “I know my truth. I will restore the legacy of the Asteri.”

The traveler bowed their head slightly, as if in resignation. “Then may you find what you are searching for. But remember, time itself may turn against those who wield it carelessly.”

Seraphis said nothing, her jaw clenched as the traveler slowly turned away, disappearing into the shadows as if they had never been there at all.

She stood still for a moment, staring after them. Their words clung to the air, echoing in the empty halls of her mind. But she pushed them aside as she always had. There was no room for doubt, no room for hesitation.

There was only vengeance.

Seraphis remained standing, her figure outlined by the towering ruins of the Asteri realm as she watched the shadows engulf the mysterious traveler. Doubt was a weakness, a sentiment she had long been trained to overcome. Her purpose was clear.

Turning back to the wreckage of the Asteri empire, she let her gaze wander over the shattered remains, of what had once been untouchable. Each piece of debris, every crumbled wall, was a reminder of her mission--of the legacy she would rebuild through blood and retribution. The ancient cities, once towering, had now faded into dust, but she would ensure that their enemies would remember them. They would remember through pain, through fear, and through her.

She moved through the ruins with a calculated stride, her mind already spinning threads of time, pulling at the edges of the past. In her hands, time was no mere concept—it was a weapon, one she had sharpened over centuries. She had walked between the lines of history, bending it to the will of the Asteri. They had shaped her, honed her into the ultimate instrument of control.

Rigelus had always been there—overseeing her progress, pushing her further, demanding more. Where others would have seen cruelty, Seraphis had only seen purpose. His obsession with her, the cold possessiveness, had been her source of strength. It drove her to perfect her abilities, to become more than just a soldier. She was his favorite, his chosen, and she had relished every moment of his attention.

The whispers of time teased her now, fragments of events from Erilea and Midgard slipping through her consciousness. Maeve and Erawan had been her pawns, their strings manipulated under the orders of the Asteri. She had done their bidding, silently observing the collapse of entire worlds, her presence unknown to the mortal players. Aelin Galathynius, Bryce Quinlan—all of them had merely been cogs in the Asteri’s grand design, and yet, somehow, they had prevailed.

Seraphis’s jaw clenched. She could still remember the sting of watching Aelin ascend, of seeing Erawan fall. The threads of time she had woven through that world had come undone, slipping from her grasp, leaving her powerless to intervene. That Aelin had won infuriated her. She’d wanted to be there to ensure Erawan’s success, to be the force that would crush the rebellion—but Rigelus had forbidden it.

And now, Bryce Quinlan. Seraphis’s hands twitched, her magic itching at her fingertips. The half-fae princess had killed the Asteri, destroyed everything Seraphis had been built for. Seraphis knew that Bryce’s power over the Gate was formidable, but it wouldn’t save her. No, not when Seraphis had centuries of control over time at her disposal. The moment would come, and Bryce wouldn’t even see it approaching.

But she couldn’t rush. Not yet.

Seraphis knew that striking without preparation was foolish, especially after the Asteri had been blindsided. Bryce would be expecting retaliation, the remnants of Midgard’s population on high alert. Seraphis needed time to plan, to gather intelligence, to weave herself back into the folds of the worlds that were left.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d need allies.

She came to a halt at what had once been the central hall of the Asteri’s council. The chamber had once thrummed with power, where decisions that shaped entire worlds had been made. Now, only silence reigned here. Seraphis’s silver eyes flickered as she raised a hand, time itself responding to her unspoken command. The air shifted, the ruins stirring as she pulled at the threads of the past.

For a moment, the hall was whole again. The pillars straightened, the ceiling restored. Seraphis stood at the heart of it, watching as ghostly figures flickered into place. The Asteri council in all its glory—Rigelus at its helm, the others in their seats. She stepped forward, her fingers grazing the edge of the spectral table.

“I’ll restore it,” she whispered, her voice filled with cold resolve. “I’ll bring you back.”

She let go, and the illusion faded as time returned to the present. The ruins crumbled once more around her. The past, it seemed, was not yet willing to reveal its secrets.

But Seraphis knew it was only a matter of time before she’d be ready to act. The Asteri’s cause had not died with them, and neither had their most powerful soldier.

She turned, her cloak swirling around her as she left the council chamber behind. The traveler’s words, though dismissed, lingered in her mind like an unwanted guest. The idea of consequences—of time itself rebelling against her—was absurd. She controlled time. She was time. The scars she carved into the fabric of history were her own to shape.

As she stepped out into the barren expanse once more, the wind picked up, swirling dust into the air. Seraphis narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t alone.

A voice, soft and detached, called out to her again. “Still chasing ghosts, I see.”

Seraphis’s hand was on her blade in an instant as she turned toward the sound. The traveler from earlier stood at the edge of the ruin, watching her with the same unsettling stillness. This time, though, they did not approach.

“I thought I told you to leave,” Seraphis said, her voice a low growl.

The traveler smiled, though it didn’t reach their eyes. “I did. But time has a way of bringing us back to the places we least expect.”

Seraphis’s patience wore thin. “You enjoy speaking in riddles. Speak plainly or be gone.”

The traveler’s smile faded, their voice lowering. “I am not your enemy, Seraphis. But your path is darker than you realize.”

“I know my path,” she snapped. “And I don’t need your advice.”

The traveler studied her for a moment longer before nodding slowly. “Very well. But remember this—time is not as loyal as you think.”

With that, the traveler turned and walked into the wind, their form fading into the dust.

Seraphis stood there, alone once more, her mind already discarding the encounter. There was only one thing that mattered now: finding Bryce Quinlan and finishing what the Asteri had started.

She would bring time itself to its knees to see it done.

With a final glance at the desolate landscape that had once been the center of her life, she turned on her heel and began to walk, her steps deliberate, her mind racing with plans. She couldn't afford to waste any more time in this hollow place of memories. Midgard awaited her, Bryce and her puppets blissfully unaware of the storm that was coming for them.

Seraphis extended her hand, her fingers shimmering with the familiar hum of temporal power. She closed her eyes, focusing on the thread that would lead her to Midgard. Time bent to her will, the universe shifting around her as she tore through the veils of reality.

When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer in the ruined empire. The air was crisp and cold, the sky above a muted gray. She stood at the edge of Lunathion, the sprawling metropolis stretching out before her, it's towers scraping the sky.

For a moment, Seraphis took it all in--the hum of life and magic, the scent of the sea carried on the breeze, the distant sounds of the city's chaos. It was an intricate web of power, alliances and fragile peace. She would tear through it all.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her mind already calculating her next move. Bryce Quinlan might have been the one to kill the Asteri, but she wasn't foolish enough to think that her target would be that simple. Bryce wasn't alone--she had allies, strong ones, and it would take more than brute force to bring them all down.

No. She would need to be smarter, patient. The plan would unfold piece by piece, and by the time they realized what was happening, it would be too late. The city would be hers to dismantle, it's champions falling one by one.

Seraphis began to walk, blending into the crowd with ease, her hood low over her face. The streets were filled with fae, shifters, and ordinary citizens going about their lives, blissfully aware of the storm brewing in their midst.

This was no longer just about vengeance. It was about control--taking back what had been ripped ripped away from her. And Seraphis had no intention of stopping until the last remnants of these street rats were nothing more than dust.

Let the games begin.

Seraphis moved through the crowded streets of Lunathion like a shadow, unnoticed and undisturbed. She watched the people around her with detached curiosity, studying them, their movements, their habits. They lived in this world, so sure of their safety, of the new order that had come with the Asteri’s fall. Fools. 

The Asteri had been invincible for eons, and now that they were gone, these mortals believed themselves free. But freedom was an illusion, fragile as glass. Seraphis would shatter it.

Her power thrummed beneath her skin, the flow of time bending ever so slightly as she moved. With a mere thought, she could slow it to a crawl, watch the world freeze around her while she continued untouched. But now was not the time for such displays. Now was the time for observation, for patience.

She knew the city well, even if she had never set foot in it herself before now. Through the Asteri’s influence, she had seen Lunathion grow, its streets mapped out in her mind long before her arrival. The Asteri had ensured her knowledge was extensive, always keeping her one step ahead of their enemies. That was how she had operated—always in the shadows, just out of sight, but always present.

Bryce Quinlan was the key to it all. She had torn down the Asteri, and for that, she would suffer. But Bryce wasn’t the only one on her list. Hunt Athalar, Ruhn Danaan, and all the other lap dogs. All of them had played their part in toppling the only order Seraphis had ever known.

As she passed through an open market, Seraphis paused, her gaze locking onto a news holo-screen. The display flickered to life, showing a broadcast about the city’s newest heroes. Images of Bryce and her allies flashed across the screen, their faces well-known to everyone by now. The city had hailed them as saviors, but Seraphis only saw targets.

Her lips curled into a faint sneer. “Enjoy the limelight while it lasts,” she muttered under her breath. “It’ll all come crashing down soon enough.”

Without another glance, she moved on, slipping into an alleyway where she could plan her next steps in peace. She leaned against a brick wall, closing her eyes briefly as she reached out with her powers. Time was a river, flowing constantly, but she could see its branches, the possible futures that stretched out before her.

She saw herself confronting Bryce, the clash of power, the chaos that would unfold. But it was distant still—there were obstacles to remove first, pieces to shift into place. She saw glimpses of Bryce and her minions, saw them moving through their lives, unsuspecting. They had no idea she was here, that she was watching, waiting.

But something else stirred at the edges of her vision. Something… unfamiliar.

Seraphis frowned, her concentration breaking as she pulled back from the threads of time. There was a presence she hadn’t expected, a ripple she couldn’t quite place. Someone—or something—was watching her in return.

Her eyes snapped open, and she tensed, scanning her surroundings. The alley was empty, the market bustling just beyond, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being observed. Her hand moved instinctively to the blade at her hip, her muscles coiled for action.

“Show yourself,” she called softly, her voice low and dangerous.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, from the shadows at the far end of the alley, a figure emerged.

They were tall and cloaked, their face hidden beneath a deep hood. But unlike the ragged traveler she had encountered in the ruins, this one moved with purpose, with grace. There was a weight to their presence, a power that prickled at the edges of Seraphis’s awareness.

“Seraphis,” the figure said, their voice smooth and calm. “It’s been a long time.”

Seraphis’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her blade. “Who are you?”

The figure took a step closer, their movements slow and deliberate. “You don’t remember me, do you? Perhaps that’s for the best.”

Her patience was wearing thin. She stepped forward, her power surging to the surface, the air around her thickening as time began to bend. “I won’t ask again.”

The figure paused, as if considering their next words. “I’m not here to fight you. In fact, I’m here to offer you something.”

Seraphis’s eyes darkened. “I’m not interested in offers.”

“Oh, I think you will be,” the figure said, a hint of amusement in their voice. “You’re here for revenge, yes? To make those who wronged the Asteri pay?”

Seraphis remained silent, her gaze cold.

The figure chuckled softly. “You may be powerful, Seraphis, but even you can’t take on this crew alone. They have allies, resources—things you can’t even begin to imagine. But I can help you. I know things. I know their weaknesses.”

Seraphis tilted her head slightly, intrigued despite herself. “And why would you help me?”

The figure’s hood shifted as if they were smiling beneath it. “Let’s just say I have my own score to settle with Bryce Quinlan and her friends. We share a common enemy.”

Seraphis studied them for a long moment, her instincts on high alert. She didn’t trust easily—especially not strangers who appeared out of nowhere offering help. Whoever they were, they were dangerous. But perhaps, in this case, dangerous could be useful.

Seraphis let her hand fall from the blade at her hip, though her guard remained up. “You speak as though you know much. And yet, you haven’t even shown me your face.”

The figure laughed softly, a low, melodic sound. “Trust isn’t something freely given, is it? But for now, let’s keep things this way. You’ll find out more when the time is right.”

Seraphis’s eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, the figure stepped back, already fading into the shadows. “Find me when you’ve made up your mind,” they called over their shoulder, their voice trailing off. “You know where to look.”

And with that, they were gone. Only the stillness of the alley remained, along with the faint hum of magic in the air.

Seraphis stood there, contemplating the encounter. Whoever the stranger was, they clearly knew more than they let on. If they could be trusted—or if she could control them—they might be the key to speeding up her plans. For now, she’d keep her distance but watch closely. 

She pushed herself away from the wall, stepping back into the crowd, disappearing once again into the flow of this metropolis life. Her focus sharpened. She didn’t need anyone’s help—yet. She would deal with Bryce and her gang in her own way. But there was something about that presence earlier. It lingered, unsettling her in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn't quite like anyone she'd known before.

Moving toward the heart of the city, Seraphis caught a flicker of movement to her left. Just a glance, quick, fleeting—but her gaze caught it in time. A tall figure, cloaked in shadows, moved through the market. For a split second, his profile appeared—just long enough for her to notice the tattoos curling up his arms, the way his eyes scanned the surroundings like a predator assessing the area.

Ruhn Danaan.

She didn’t know him. But as her gaze followed him for that brief moment, something stirred in her. A pull. It was faint, distant, almost unnoticeable. She clenched her jaw and forced it aside, refocusing her attention.

He turned a corner and vanished into the crowds, oblivious to her watchful eyes. 

Good. He should remain that way for now. Her target wasn’t him—not yet. She had bigger prey to hunt.

But as she moved away, that strange feeling lingered in the back of her mind.

Seraphis continued through bustling streets, her mind a storm of plans and calculations. She navigated the urban labyrinth with practiced ease, the weight of her mission pressing heavily on her shoulders. The city’s vibrant life was a stark contrast to the darkness she harbored within.

As she walked, she observed the people around her with a cold, analytical gaze. She noted their routines, their behaviors, and the various places that could serve her needs—resources, potential allies, or convenient places to remain hidden. The city had a pulse, a rhythm that she had to understand if she wanted to exploit its weaknesses.

Finally, she found a small, nondescript motel tucked away on a quieter street, away from the main thoroughfares. Its faded neon sign buzzed faintly in the dusk, and the building itself seemed to blend seamlessly into the backdrop of the city’s urban sprawl. It was perfect—low profile and unremarkable, a place where she could stay under the radar.

Seraphis pushed open the door to the motel with a practiced nonchalance, the bell above the entrance jingling softly as she stepped inside. The small lobby was dimly lit, and the air carried the faint, musty odor of old carpets and stale coffee. Behind the reception desk, a man sat hunched over a magazine, his eyes glancing up as she entered.

The man looked up, startled by her sudden appearance. He was in his mid-forties, with a graying beard and weary eyes. He quickly set the magazine aside, his expression shifting from mild curiosity to apprehension as he took in her commanding presence.

Seraphis walked up to the counter, her gaze sharp and unyielding. She placed a stack of cash—more than enough to cover the cost of a room—on the desk, her fingers lightly drumming on the surface as she spoke. “I need a room. Now.”

The man’s eyes widened as he took in the cash, and he gulped nervously. “Of course, ma’am. Right away.” He fumbled with a set of room keys, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to keep his composure.

Seraphis leaned closer, her voice a cold whisper. “I don’t want to be disturbed. Understand?”

The man nodded vigorously, his face pale. “Yes, yes, of course. Room 7. Just down the hall to the left.”

Without acknowledging him further, Seraphis took the key and turned to leave. The man watched her go, his relief palpable. As she walked down the narrow hallway, she heard him muttering under his breath, though she couldn’t make out the words. It was clear he was shaken, and that was exactly what she wanted.

Once she reached Room 7, Seraphis unlocked the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her with a decisive click. The room was small but adequate for her needs—a bed, a table, and a window overlooking the street below. She set her belongings on the table and began to prepare for her next steps, her mind already working through the plans she had laid out.

The motel’s ambiance, with its dull colors and low hum of activity, was perfect for laying low. The chaos outside was a useful cover, and she would use this time to strategize her moves carefully.

The hunt was just beginning and Midgard's fate hung in the balance.

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Taglist is open!

[starsfic]

we hear about pigsy's mom alot but what about the rest of his family? pigsy having a fairly big extended family that maybe lived more rurally. despite the distance, they keep in contact through social media and the occasional family gathering. showing support in any way they could. when they found out he adopted an abandoned child they were very supportive offering advice on childcare and a few even sending money to help him support the kid. They welcomed the child as easily, and though he didn't get to see them much Mk did have a good relationship with pigsys family, especially with the other kids. there was one set of relatives, who didn't quite approve but remained quiet since the rest of the family adored MK. that is until said relatives came to visit pigsys shop for the first time in years and saw that MK was still around. "Cus you still have that kid around? come on he's an adult now, any responsibility you have of had is over with just kick him out already" and this was why this cousin and his family weren't welcomed back in all those years. this particular cousin and his wife had a very negative opinion of "adopted kids" regardless of what pigsy and the others felt they saw MK as "a stain mudding the bloodline" or whatever bullshit. pigsy wasn't happy having to listen to the two grip at him about it. but he became really irate when they and their two kids started spreading their hatful viewpoint to mk directly. and on his birthday no less.

Anon: Monkie kid prompt: “Pigsy?”, asked MK “Hm?”, answered Pigsy “How come you never talk about your dad or grandpa?”

AITA for letting family drama ruin my son's birthday?

So, for context, I (44M) and my partner (42M) adopted my son (20sM) when he was about three, soon after my mother passed. I come from a very large family that mainly lives out in the country- I broke tradition by moving to the city, and we mainly keep in contact through email, social media, and calls and the occasional mass family gathering. Additional context, my father took my mother's surname because he was orphaned very young.

My family was delighted when I adopted my son, even though I was in denial about being his dad. There was a massive outpouring of love, advice, and even money since the adoption was a surprise (my son was abandoned and left to wander around). The only issues I had at that point were with my cousin and his wife, who had certain views about adopted children and bloodline purity. They tried to tell me once to just give him up to the foster system, and I told them to shut their mouths. They did because they knew they were outnumbered.

The second issue was when my son came out as FtM trans as a teenager. He didn't know his name when I found him, so I picked my mother's name on the spot. When he came out, he chose a name similar to hers but mainly used a nickname because the name was long. My father and grandfather took issue with this- as far as I knew, they had no issues with trans people until they found out about my son. I think their issues were based on grief, but the stuff they said was nasty and rude, and I cut them off.

Now, this past weekend was my son's birthday and Gotcha Day. My son has been going through a massive health struggle thanks to some massive events that happened one right after the other, leading to an attempt on his life last year. However, he has been getting help thanks to his friends and family, including a recently discovered bio-brother. My son has also gained a partner who decided to propose to him during the celebration (I have thoughts about the partner and how long their relationship has been, but I do know they love each other). Bio Brother owns a few buildings, including a large manor in between my place and my family's, and insisted on throwing a huge party because he loves the shit out of my son.

My cousin and his wife, including their two teenagers, were invited. I hadn't really thought about it since they had behaved ever since I told them to shut up. I assumed they would behave...except they didn't.

At some point during the party, they yanked me and my partner aside to ask why Son was still in our lives. "Cus you still have that kid around? Come on, he's an adult now; any responsibility you have of had is over with. Just kick him out already." was one of the few things said. I was angry, but then I found the teenagers cornering Son, saying the most vile things about him.

This included revealing why I didn't talk to my father or grandfather anymore.

The party was ruined after that.

Everyone has been telling me it wasn't my fault. I had thought that they would behave. I didn't know their teenagers would be so rude and nasty to the birthday boy. My son has been pleading with me not to blame myself, but I can see the shutters going down in his eyes.

Is this my fault?

[shima-draws]

YIPPEE PRETTY BOY IS FINISHED 👀

More info on him below!

Name: Rozen (Codename: Cavalier)

Age: 32

Hair color: Strawberry blonde

Eye color: Magenta

Element: None

Rozen is currently a member of Nahu's party, but before then he was working as a high-ranked officer of an underground gambling ring 😳 It wasn't a job occupation he necessarily chose, he really ended up there because he had nowhere else to go after a tragedy occurred in his childhood. And speaking of which--

Rozen was abandoned by his parents at a young age, dumping him into the first orphanage they could find. This of course caused a lot of trauma and essentially made it so that he no longer trusted anybody due to fear of abandonment. He grew up bitter and angry at the world, living as a troublemaker and pretty much going by his own rules (which caused the director of the orphanage plenty of headaches). Unfortunately due to his prickly personality this made it nearly impossible for any one to adopt him--but he preferred it that way, intent on leaving the orphanage on his own as soon as he was of age.

This all went to shit when a new kid was brought into the orphanage, by the name of Malachi :)

Malachi's circumstances were completely opposite of Rozen's--he had a family who loved him, but their lives were brought to a violent end when they were suddenly attacked by a group of rogues after their fortune. Rozen looked at Malachi and immediately saw himself; angry, bitter and broken because of the cards he'd been dealt. This in turn lead to a very...rocky start between them, due to how similarly they acted around people. Rozen viewed Malachi as a little brat and basically had the opinion of "boo hoo you're an orphan well at least your parents loved you and didn't throw you away like mine did". (So, a biiiiit of jealousy there. LMAO) Malachi thought Rozen's arrogant and stand-offish personality was annoying and correctly called him out for being a total fake. They were definitely at each other's throats for a while!

All of this changed when Rozen got a bit too big for his britches and pissed off the wrong crowd. Surprisingly, Malachi rescued him from being beaten to absolute shit and Rozen was shocked that Malachi actually helped him. Nobody had ever shown him that kind of care all his life, and Malachi was in the same shitty situation that he was, except probably worse. Rozen started to soften up around him after this, and slowly started to drop his defenses and show his true personality. Despite Malachi finding Rozen's change of heart "creepy", and his sudden personality change kind of drastic, he couldn't help but grow attached to him too. Before long they were practically attached at the hip, and if you saw one of them you'd know the other wasn't too far behind.

At this point Rozen was fully himself instead of the persona/act he'd been putting on for all his life. AKA he essentially has the personality of a golden retriever, is kind of an airhead (or an idiot, according to Malachi), and is a total softie. Him finally showing his kinder side helped Malachi too, and eventually, after spending two years together, Malachi was crushing on him HARD lol. Of course, Rozen only really viewed Malachi as a best friend, especially due to their age difference (being 4 years apart, with Rozen being 17 at the time and Malachi being 13).

The two of them were determined to leave the orphanage together, either being adopted as a package deal or just leaving when they were finally of age. This came crashing down when a couple looking to adopt just Malachi showed up, and despite the pair's attempts to sabotage any sort of chance Malachi would get adopted, the couple was insistent on taking him home. This sparked some suspicion in Rozen, wondering just why they were so intent on Malachi. He soon found out that these people were connected to the rogues that had killed Malachi's parents--they were seeking the same fortune and knew that Malachi was the key to finding it. Rozen confronted them and convinced them to take him instead, as Malachi had told him he had no idea about his parents' riches so he'd essentially be useless to the couple. Rozen offered his services and promised he would stop at nothing to find them the treasure, as long as they left Malachi alone. The couple agreed.

Malachi, of course, was devastated to find out about Rozen being adopted (and right before he'd become of age too), not wanting to be apart from him. Rozen explained his reasoning and revealed it was all part of his plan--he'd go away with the couple and then slip back to the orphanage in the middle of the night, where he and Malachi would run away together. With a promise to return, Rozen left with the couple, and they stopped at a nearby manor for the night.

As Rozen was preparing to sneak out and back to Malachi, the manor was suddenly attacked. The couple who had adopted him were slaughtered in the ensuing break in, and Rozen barely escaped alive. One of the villains managed to catch him off guard and cut his eye, leaving him half blind. Horrified, he raced back to the orphanage, only to find the entire village engulfed in flames--along with the orphanage itself. Rozen immediately tried to run into the building, fearing that Malachi was still inside, waiting for him--but before he could do so, he was pulled back by a strange figure.

The figure revealed he was the one who organized the attack on the couple and their accomplices, explaining that they had betrayed his trust. The couple were the ones to initiate the fire in order to wipe any evidence that they'd visited the town in the first place, wanting to cover their tracks. The figure introduces himself as the head of an underground crime organization by the codename of Roi...you see where I'm going with this right 👀 He tells Rozen that, regretfully, there were no survivors, and Rozen breaks down in tears upon realizing that Malachi was gone.

Roi offers Rozen a place among his men, seeing as he had nowhere else to turn to. Rozen, too distraught and emotionally unstable, numbly agrees. This would turn out to be the worst decision of his life.

Roi takes Rozen back to his headquarters and has him sign a contract, essentially chaining him to Roi and the organization as a whole. Rozen is trained to become a master of deception and the overseer of the gambling ring, working at various casinos and resorts to scam big spenders out of their money. By the time Rozen realizes what he's gotten into it's far too late; there's no escape for him and he's completely under Roi's control. Escape means death, and while Rozen wouldn't mind dying to be reunited with Malachi, fear stops him from ever going through with it.

Years pass and Rozen's skills only improve. Out of all the "games" that go on in the ring he becomes an absolute master at cards and takes pride in it (his sleight of hand is actually insane). Being a non-elemental, he uses card-based magic as his offense. He becomes a well-known and respected (and feared) member of the organization, and Roi regards him highly, eventually promoting him and giving the codename "Cavalier". However, things are a bit different behind the scenes--Roi is merciless, abusive, and just an overall toxic person to be around, and Rozen is not excluded from his wrath despite being his so-called "favorite". Rozen has had to endure his abuse for years, and is in constant fear for his life. It's really bad 😭

Things start to shift when Roi brings in a new pawn by the codename of Valet. Valet is surprisingly sympathetic considering the type of people Rozen works with, and Rozen grows to admire his cool head, sharp tongue and intelligence. However, Valet begins to butt into his business, urging him to break free from Roi and find a better path in life. Rozen isn't too happy with someone intruding on his personal matters and lashes out at Valet, causing a rift between them. Valet only wants to help and doesn't want to see Rozen suffer; Rozen knows better than anyone that there's no escape from Roi and has resigned himself to his fate--and he doesn't want to see Valet get hurt either.

This is when Nahu and co. come in ;)

Nahu and co. are sent to infiltrate the gambling ring, and immediately things are thrown into absolute chaos. After many twists and turns (and plot), Nahu goes to face off against Roi in one final fight. Roi captures Rozen and chains him up, unwilling to let his perfect pawn go free, and poisons him so that he loses any strength to escape. While Nahu is absolutely wrecking shit fighting Roi, Valet sneaks up to where Rozen is being held and attempts to set him free. Through the haze, Rozen witnesses Valet trying to free him, and sadly reminisces about Malachi. Rozen tells Valet to let him go, to let him die--that way he can be with the only person he cares about again. Valet yells at him and says no, he can't die, because--

Valet is Malachi.

Recognition hits immediately. Valet has always seemed familiar to Rozen, though he could never put his finger on it. But now he can see it, Valet is Malachi, Malachi is alive, Malachi has been by his side this ENTIRE time and he is SUCH a fucking idiot for not realizing sooner--

Nahu defeats Roi, and before Rozen succumbs to the poison, Malachi threatens him and says he'd better not die before he can kick his ass. Rozen laughs and thinks I can't BELIEVE I didn't notice, they talk the same way.

Days later he finally wakes up to find Malachi beside him, and immediately bursts into tears. Malachi explains that he'd been rescued by one of the townspeople when the orphanage went up in flames. It left him with a few burn scars but it ALSO awakened fire magic within him, which he can now wield freely. Malachi was told that Rozen had been killed by the people who attacked the village--which weren't actually the rogues, the village had been attacked by Roi himself, and HE was the one to set the village ablaze. (So Rozen had even been manipulated by him back then. MAN) Malachi refused to believe that Rozen was dead despite all the evidence claiming otherwise, and spent the next 15 years searching for him. Malachi was eventually employed by a sort of intelligence agency that sent him undercover to the gambling ring, and that was when he found Rozen again and realized he was alive. However, while Malachi was 100% ready to blow his cover and escape with Rozen, he was coerced into staying for the mission, much to his frustration.

Malachi tells him that he hadn't thought of anything else for the past 15 years, and now that he'd found Rozen he'd never leave his side again 🥺 Rozen feels the same way. They both realize they're probably in trouble, with Malachi prepared to abandon his duty to be with Rozen and Rozen with his...complicated history being involved in an underground crime organization. LMAO

Luckily for them, Nahu is all about recruiting them, and they both agree to join his squad <3 Their new life together begins!! Rozen has to grapple with the fact that Malachi is definitely not the kid he used to know and has grown up, a lot. Malachi, meanwhile, has been in love with Rozen since he was 12 and is trying everything he can to properly express that. Rozen slowly comes to terms with the fact that yeah, he's probably in love with Malachi, and things just get more interesting from there as they dance around each other for months just trying to figure it out ;)

AND THAT'S HIM MY MASTER OF CARDS MY HEARTBROKEN KING MY SLUT TITTY-WINDOW THIGH-HIGH WEARING KING thank you for reading mwah <3 (Also Malachi will be posted soon I have to write his side of the story as well lol)

[wasteful-sam]

Headcanon time!

One of my biggest headcanons for Rolan is that he has a soft spot for orphaned tiefling kids.

I mean, we have preconditions for it:

It's implied that he has been taken into Cal and Lia's family at some point, likely being abandoned by his family.

The way he is so protective of his siblings also suggests that he's quite accustomed to taking care of them, perhaps stemming from doing so since they were young. So, perhaps, he sees his brother and sister in those orphaned kids.

The way all three of them jumped in to protect the children in the Shadow-Cursed Lands while others didn't.

How Ide and Umi continue sticking around Rolan and worry about him at the bar, even though he's being a rude asshole. I think there's more to it than just them being grateful. Maybe they know another, softer side of him. Remember, in Act 1, most of the kids prefer hanging out in the cave with Mol, not around adults. So, for Ide and Umi, this is not very typical.

So, keeping all this in mind, I want to believe that, after the events of Act 3, he keeps in touch with them somehow. Maybe the trio even takes some of the orphans to live with them in Ramazith's Tower. There, they can help out with small errands. And then, eventually, some of them might stay and work there once grown-up.

Needless to say, I actively push for this headcanon in "Worthy," the scene between Mirkon and Rolan being one of the first indicators. And yeah, more of that to come.

Rolan definitely has this softer, kinder side to him, which he actively chooses to bury under the brick wall of arrogance. But he's gonna crack eventually, he always does. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[weirdlookingsnakewithlegs]

hey sauce, ☄️ here,

Seekers deserve to have a kinda small handle on their back, like just at the base of their neck wide enough to put a digit or two through. So they can be picked up like kittens. It can either fall off with age or stay there for their entire life (assuming they never receive any sort of injury). Just scoop them up and you're my friend now. No more runaway Seekerlings. Just nab you're coming with me now, do not resist.

The flock also deserve to kind of be like cats in the sense of they take turns with young, coparenting. Maybe one or both creators are worn out from one thing or another? Just need to get up and get a vent of fresh air? No problem, another jet will step in watch the little flappy bastard, whether it be the other creator, an available trinemate, or another flock member.

now for sads. It's inevitable at some point, there will be instances where the second creator has passed while a Seekerling is still young. Could be after the flappy bastard is born, could be just before, but at some point there will be an instance of a creator's partner not getting to be there to help raise said little flappy bastard. Another instance where either living creator's trine or dead creator's trine step in to fufill the primary purpose of the deceased creator. also could go the other way! Creator dies, maybe from complications or is taken out by some outside force, leaving just the second creator and flappy bastard Seekerling. Rest of the flock, especially the two creator's living trinemates will swoop in very quickly to fill that role (pun intended).

and for slightly less sads. It would also be some inevitable instance where both creators might perish in some way. Could be a flock extinction, orphaned Seekerling found in the wrecks of a bombing or after their creators were killed, could be an instance where one creator was already dead and the other perishes at some point, but either way if they don't perish and live long enough to be found (assuming one of the first three events), they're very likely to be adopted by either one of the creator's trinemates (if applicable) or potentially given to another creator who'd perhaps lost a Seekerling (maybe by defect and dispatched by the Winglord).

also give them glowsticks. please, let them have some glowsticks this can only end well.

These are all beautiful ideas, I love them so so so much buuuut I would like to add the idea of flock adopters, aka seekers that tend to take in orphaned or the rare abandoned seekerlets. For example, Wheezingarrow, who certainly picked up and raised a large amount of younglings despite never having any of his own, it’d be so fun to watch him wrangle like six seekerlets, snagging on their handles and holding them up to gently scold them. You could also consider altruistic behavior! Perhaps a seeker that lost their seekerling takes in a predacon bitlet, now wouldn’t that be chaos?

I have no doubt though that the living trinemates would eagerly scoop up the little seekerling(s), probably being extra doting given the circumstances as they don’t have the creator/sire bond the original creator did.

Also seekers working like a cat colony is 100% real in my mind, it’s where the cliques and flock ideas came to me from. They definitely take turns with their young, after all sometimes mom and dad need a fly without their little balls of chaos, who better to watch them than the rest of their trines, clique, or the flock? Love to imagine these little babysitting adventures are what got Thundercracker and Skywarp to meet as their creators and sires were apart of different cliques.

As for the glowsticks, bold of you to assume most seekerlets wouldn’t bite into them just to get a taste of those foul chemicals(<- has bitten into a few glowsticks as a child). Assuming they didn’t try to gobble on it, I can imagine some maybe snapping them open to cover themselves in the chemicals, why stick glow when you can glow? Probably would scare the life out of their parents but it would also be adorable in the sense a seekerlet might strap some glowsticks to themselves, parading around biolights they haven’t quite developed yet.

Also it’d be hilarious if someone like Thrust still had his handle and Ramjet just has to snag onto it every time he tries to start a fight.

[ueinra]

Victor Hugo's fathers and their adopted children:

Claude Frollo and Quasimodo:

[ Then it was that he approached the unhappy little creature, which was so hated and so menaced. That distress, that deformity, that abandonment, the thought of his young brother, the idea which suddenly occurred to him, that if he were to die, his dear little Jehan might also be flung miserably on the plank for foundlings,—all this had gone to his heart simultaneously; a great pity had moved in him, and he had carried off the child. When he removed the child from the sack, he found it greatly deformed, in very sooth. […] Claude’s compassion increased at the sight of this ugliness; and he made a vow in his heart to rear the child for the love of his brother, in order that, whatever might be the future faults of the little Jehan, he should have beside him that charity done for his sake. ]

Vol.I - Book.IV - Ch.I NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS (1831)

Jean Valjean and Cosette:

[ Jean Valjean had never loved anything; for twenty-five years he had been alone in the world. He had never been father, lover, husband, friend. […] When he saw Cosette, when he had taken possession of her, carried her off, and delivered her, he felt his heart moved within him. All the passion and affection within him awoke, and rushed towards that child. He approached the bed, where she lay sleeping, and trembled with joy. He suffered all the pangs of a mother, and he knew not what it meant; for that great and singular movement of a heart which begins to love is a very obscure and a very sweet thing. Poor old man, with a perfectly new heart! ]

Vol.II - Book.IV - Ch.III LES MISÉRABLES (1862)

Ursus with Gwynplaine and Dea:

[ "Well done, Homo. I shall be father, and you shall be uncle." ]

Vol.I - Book.III - Ch.VI L'HOMME QUI RIT (1869)

Cimourdain and Gauvain:

[ Cimourdain had conceived a passionate love for his pupil. Childhood is so ineffably charming, it absorbs all love. All the power of loving in Cimourdain's nature had, so to speak, concentrated itself upon that child; the heart, condemned to solitude, fed upon this sweet and innocent creature, which it loved with the combined tenderness of a father, a brother, a friend, and a creator. To him he was indeed a son,—not of the flesh, but of the soul; he was not his father, the author of his being, but he was his master, and this was his masterpiece. […] The only being on earth whom he loved was this pupil,—child and orphan as he was. ]

Vol.II - Book.I - Ch.III QUATREVINGT-TREIZE (1874)

[vaultnewt]

A Most Loathsome Lepidopteran: What Makes The Mighty Monarch So Malicious?

“You don’t know the half of it. I hate everything. Seriously- I hate myself more than most villains hate their archenemies! I’m all hate.”

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

My analysis of Malcolm “The Monarch” Fitzcarraldo’s life after the plane crash that rendered him an orphan. Basically, me trying to connect the dots based on what canon provided to us and theorizing what shaped him into the man he grew up to be.

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

[EXTRA LONG POST + SPOILERS FOR The Venture Bros. BELOW THE CUT]

WARNING: The following analysis includes references to child neglect & the mistreatment of children in the foster care system, which may be especially upsetting for some. I also will be alternating between characters’ legal names and their respective villain aliases throughout this analysis. (Malcolm/The Monarch, Sheila/Dr. Girlfriend, etc.)

Reader discretion is advised.

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

We all know that The Monarch was orphaned following the plane crash that took his parents’ lives. He was “adopted” by a colony of monarch butterflies living in the New Jersey Pine Barrens but, after their migration south, he headed back to the city and was able to claim his inheritance. However, with his butterfly brethren being the only foster family he talks about in present day…does that imply that nobody cared to adopt little Malcolm, even with the possibility of eventually having access to a massive influx of wealth?

It didn’t seem that the Fitzcarraldo family had butlers or nannies or anything of the sort. If so, you’d think The Monarch would’ve mentioned them or that the series would’ve at least alluded to their existence. This is shown to not be the case, as their absence is quite evident from the way the Fitzcarraldo house had been abandoned for decades and was in shambles by the time Malcolm, Sheila, and Gary move into it.

Dr. Girlfriend directly states The Monarch was raised in that house, but seeing as how he never mentioned any other foster parents or, at the very least, loving parental figures in the wake of his parents’ deaths and migration of the monarchs…well, it sparked some inquiries for me.

Why wouldn’t Malcolm have simply stayed in his parents’ house following their death? And if he didn’t want to have the house anymore, why wouldn’t he simply sell it for more money instead of letting it fall into such disarray? Why wasn’t he taken in by his closest living relatives or somebody else his parents could entrust him with (ex. Jonas Venture Sr.) in the event of their untimely demise?

All of these unanswered questions led to me developing a theory, which inspired me to write this post in the first place:

Malcolm “The Monarch” Fitzcarraldo was left in the state’s care after his parents’ death but aged out of the foster care system due to nobody wanting to adopt him, which left him with an unshakable bitterness towards the world and a strong sense of hatred towards himself to this day.

Think about it- a young, spoiled, likely neurodivergent boy with a genetically-ingrained predisposition for aggression who, on top of that, has severe trauma and difficulty connecting with others, is placed in an orphanage. The unfortunate truth is that a lot of kids like this- like Malcolm- are considered “problem children”.

Prospective foster / adoptive parents tend to be averse to dealing with “challenging” kids and are sometimes even outright discouraged by adoption agencies to veer away from certain children due to them being “disagreeable” or otherwise requiring too many needs to be cared for “properly”.

One could argue that The Monarch refused to go with anybody who did want to adopt him because his real foster parents- the monarch butterflies he considered his family- were still out there, and he was still waiting for them to come back for him. But, even so, don’t you think a truly loving set of parents who really wanted to take him in would be able to persuade him by saying he could stay with them while they waited for his butterfly foster parents to return?

With this in mind, the idea of The Monarch not having anybody in his life during the time period between his butterfly companions’ migration and his early adulthood doesn’t seem so farfetched. His behavior would likely isolate him from other kids and make him off-putting to adults, the likes of which would make any love-lacking and attention-starved child disillusioned with other people and the world as a whole. And it certainly would have made The Monarch’s years in whatever orphanage(s) he stayed in quite unpleasant and detrimental to his sense of self.

Sure, Malcolm acquired more money than most people will ever see in their lifetimes but, at the end of the day, he ultimately had nothing. Nobody. No amount of wealth could change the fact that he was an unwanted orphan child who knew he was unwanted. What made him so unworthy of love in the eyes of others? Why couldn’t he stop being so agitated and volatile all the time? Why did everybody he’d loved up to that point abandon him? Why did he have to keep having outbursts so terribly violent that he frightened other kids and made the adults cross with him? He couldn’t help it.

It goes without saying that feelings like these would be so big and overwhelming for a grieving little boy- a boy who’s scarred by his past, deeply lonesome, and just wants to be adored unconditionally by someone- to withstand.

So, what is a person to do when they have, for most of their life, been neglected and seen as nothing more than a burden by society?

It’s simple, really: you get a person who will do anything to be noticed, even if the attention they receive as a result is negative. You get a person who knows that what they’re doing is wrong but ultimately harbors no remorse over their actions because their goal is to be heard and seen, which is exactly the wish that’s fulfilled when they do those things. Why would they stop there? It’s not like they can go home, so why not go big?

They’ve already tried their best to be nice, to slice away all their sharp and unseemly edges and bare their bellies at the expense of their own well-being, as a means of satisfying others and hopefully receiving the love that they’ve craved for a lifetime.

But why be loved when you can be feared?

Why not be…a supervillain?

Thus, Malcolm slowly comes to accept himself as the rotten-to-the-core person everybody up to that point had made him out to be. Oh yes- he’d prove them all right and make them regret it for what little time they had left in their pitiful lives. He pursues the life of villainy, takes on his identity as The Monarch while serving as a henchman, eventually finds himself forging friendly relationships with other villains as time goes by…for the first time since The Summer of the Monarchs, Malcolm finally belonged to a group.

He’s not shunned, not viewed as a nuisance, and not disrespected for merely being himself. Why, he even meets the woman that ends up being his future wife as a result of taking the path of evil!

“I am not a good guy. Period.”

Being bad never felt so good.

And yet, despite it all, The Monarch is a deeply insecure man who loathes himself and, in his own words, is “lonely” and “unable to connect with real people.” He has a beautiful wife who loves him, riches out the rear, a doggedly loyal henchman/best friend, raw sexual prowess, a passion for his craft that oher villains admire, phenomenal improvisation skills, a ferociously confident air about him, and is powerful in his own right. He’s desirable! He’s respected! He’s loved!

So why is it that Malcolm is still…broken?

I imagine spending a whole decade being perpetually demonized by other children and cruelly punished by adults who are supposed to provide for you would make any man think pretty poorly of himself, even if it’s been over 20 years since he’s escaped from that life. He certainly isn’t going to heal from it overnight, and he certainly isn’t going to be “fixed” by the “power of love”. Having somebody who supports and adores you does help, sure, but it isn’t a cure-all and it should never be treated as such. It takes a lot of time to recover from a past like that and the healing process certainly isn’t going to be linear, especially when said treatment occurred during such a vital development phase for a person.

That being said, if The Monarch did spend those 10 years between his return to civilization and his early adulthood years being mistreated by others on account of behaviors stemming from his naturally-heightened aggression levels (which he can’t help) and probable trauma responses, it’s no wonder that he has such a strong hatred for literally everything. It’s no wonder that he spiraled so badly after his (temporary) breakup with Dr. Girlfriend because he spent so many years with her and had never been that vulnerable with another person before she came along. It’s no wonder that, under certain circumstances, he reacts in a way that is rather immature and irrational for a man of his age.

In other words, it tracks that Malcolm would have lowered emotional intelligence/regulation as a result of neglect from adults, isolation from kids his age, and lack of adoring parental figures in his youth.

I feel like Sheila knows how Malcolm used to be treated in depth and, as a result, tries her best to be patient and understanding with him. Maybe even more than he deserves sometimes. She knows he’s impulsive, short-tempered, stubborn, and utterly childish at times, but he’s also passionate and loving and ruthless and witty. Sheila loves Malcolm for who he truly is and, even though he really REALLY grinds her gears sometimes, he’s still her king butterfly at the end of the day. And she wouldn’t change him for the world.

“Can you do better than a man you adore and who really needs you?”

Anyways, all of this is to say that The Monarch was likely subjected to a very lonely and miserable rest of his childhood following his parents’ deaths, which only exacerbated his developing behavioral issues, made him hate himself and everybody else due to nobody willing to put in the effort to get close with him, and led to him adopting a dangerous, heavily antagonistic lifestyle.

I don’t believe Malcolm’s arrogance and confidence is a façade, though. It’s clear that he relishes in the path he’s carved out for himself. He has acquired a decent amount of self-love and heightened euphoria surrounding the person he’s become. It doesn’t exempt him from going through intense rough patches, though, and he finds himself sometimes falling back into those old patterns he had during his lowest point(s) in life. Not that he’d ever confide that sort of thing in somebody he didn’t 1000% trust and who he knew wouldn’t pity him for his “oh-so-sad” childhood. It’s far too late for condolences you could never properly provide to him in the first place, so do him a favor and keep all of that weepy, sympathetic bullshit to your fucking self.

My point is, Malcolm is not helpless or some kind of misunderstood soft boy deep down. There’s plenty of villains out there who would fall into that category but he is definitely not one of them. He’s ruthless and cunning and very VERY intentional in what he does. We know what he’s about because he makes it very clear what he wants. He is, however, an incredibly sensitive man with a hair-trigger temper that shows a deeply insecure and juvenile side of him.

No matter how much therapy The Monarch might choose to go through, it won’t fill the mommy & daddy shaped hole that was violently punched into him at the age of 7 (almost 8). That “childish” side of him will never grow up because it’s something that could have only flourished with the guidance of a parents’ love.

Some stolen things can never be returned, no matter how badly you wish for them to be. And in the case of Malcolm “The Monarch” Fitzcarraldo, the thing he lost was something nobody would care to give back to him.

But that’s okay- he doesn’t want it.

Not anymore.

[rorycharles01]

Were-Cats non replica concept lore dump (part one of probably many lol)

ooh okay, where to start...

I guess I should start with some of the backstory lore - Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella were turned around the same time, fell in love and got married. After a decade or so, they decided that they would create a found family of werecats, be they born, abandoned, or turned. They agreed that they would never turn anybody else, as to not put anyone else through the trauma of being turned. Throughout the years, the tribe became so large and spread out, Deuteronomy decided to gather everyone once a year to catch up, celebrate, and sacrifice one of their own to their god, The Everlasting Cat. The chosen sacrifice will get the chance to be reborn into a new Jellicle life. As the years went by, they tried to have children of their own, only to discover in the late 1890's that Grizabella was infertile. Desperate to raise children and have a family of her own, Grizabella found two young orphan brothers (Munkustrap and Tugger) fending for themselves in the streets and impulsively turned them. She lied to Deuteronomy for decades, but accidentally admitted the truth to him in 1987, causing him to banish her from the tribe.

Munkustrap, being the older brother, is next in line to become the Jellicle Leader, and this year is his big test, running the Jellicle Ball - at the end, Old Deut passes over leadership (inspired by Tecklenburg). Tugger is referred to as the "Party Prince" and relishes being the centre of attention.

I think I alluded to it in the tags of my last post, but Victoria starts the show as a human ballerina taking a short-cut home after class, only to get chased down and attacked by Macavity and the Henchcats during the Overture. they drag her off in the climax of the piece, and instead of a car passing by, we hear Victoria's scream of agony as she turns for the first time. she re-emerges where the boot usually drops, and the Mystical Cats (Misto, Jemima, Cori and Tanto) bestow her with the knowledge of the Jellicles.

relationships time!!! so Old Deut and Griz are divorced, obvi. Tuggofelees are together!!! they're monogamous, but Tugger plays into the flirting from his fans, Misto playing the "jealous" boyfriend. they're very healthy in their relationship, though. (I have lots of little choreo and blocking bits between the two of them - including the pas du deux being between them instead of Victoria and Plato, since Viccy's just met these people lol). Munkustrap is poly - he's in a relationship with Alonzo and with Demeter, Demeter is also with Bomba (hopefully that makes sense lol). speaking of Deme - her and Macavity are Jemima's bio parents (let's just say that her conception wasn't entirely Deme's idea... Mac has broken every human law... but Everlasting Cat be damned if she wouldn't protect that kid with her life).

(I'll do more delving into the Jellicle tree later - I've got lore for pretty much every single character lol)

okay, I've gotta eat dinner, but I'll go more into the plot later. (I know I've barely scraped the surface sorry!!)

oh! if y'all have any questions, any specific characters you wanna know about next post and I'll add it!