#peach does great gifts

[cutejk123]

Art trade with @pinkcreamypeach 🩷🩷

Peach is very happy to bring some presents for her nieces Violet and Blossom

Hmmm… I wonder what she got for them….

Ahhh… yay 🥳

She gave Violet a toy car and she gave Blossom a Guinea pig plushie 🥰🥰🥰

I hope you love it

[meanbossart]

ASK COMPILATION: BODY HAIR, BHAALIST DU DROW, BLOOD INQUIRIES, THE MAN'S DICK AND HOBBIES.

Answering more asks! As always, I want to apologize for not being able to get to everyone - literally nobody has ever complained about it, but I still feel bad 😅I appreciate everyone's questions and sweet messages all the same, and even if your ask isn't here I hope you can be entertained by the other replies!

Anon I feel terrible about having to say this because I can tell you were hoping for a specific answer here, plus doing your very best to sell your pitch to me -

But DU drow hates body hair.

I'm not making this up in the spot just to be a contrarian, this is one of various unimportant character details that have come up already at some point or another, for whatever reason. It is no coincidence that many of the characters he finds unattractive do have visible body hair, like Gale and Halsin whose hairy toes he dreads the sight of.

I refuse to believe that elves are truly dolphin-smooth as that would be an absolute biological nightmare, so both him and Astarion have a normal amount of peach-fuzz all over. Otherwise, DU drow finds the sight of anything longer/coarser than that unseemly, and the feeling unpleasant; it is simply what he grew up with and hence what he's used to. In this respect, he wants people who take after his own image.

As with most things, he could forgive it if he were in love with someone - assuming you don't mind the occasional joke about it. And unfortunately I think something as significant as Halsin's case would be too off-putting for him to ever give them a chance. A Shadowheart situation, on the other hand, he could grow to like.

I believe there's some sources that imply bhaal-corrupted(?) blood should taste a particular way, leaning towards the unpleasant. People can make up whatever headcanons they want with that information, BUT since I spent over half of this game supplying the guy with the stuff and he seemed all too pleased about it, I choose to assume it's not that bad.

I think there would be something... Lively about it? Fairly normal taste but it leaves a tingle on his tongue, like it squirms on its way out and dies in his mouth moments before it can hit the throat. Very salty, but it could just be his skin.

[FAR, FAR MORE UNDER THE CUT]

Bhaalist DU drow likes both cats and dogs just fine (again, he considers the animal kingdom to be it's own thing and hence removed from his fate to butcher humanity) and you wouldn't be wrong to assume he has a thing for dogs in that AU because of their unconditionally loving and loyal nature, however Bhaalist DU drow is still very much a cat person. He likes their independence, their little attitudes, their self-sufficiency, plus the fact that they keep the rat population in check inside the temple. He finds those qualities admirable, respectable, perhaps he would even find them desirable in a partner if, unlike he cats, he wasn't so opposed to them roaming free.

In-game DU drow succeeded the check required to spot Astarion before he could jump him - so yes, just not the version where they end up rolling awkward around the sand for 2 minutes, LOL.

He's semi aware of it, or at least he becomes aware whenever Astarion's mask slips. When Astarion is putting on a good performance, DU drow wholeheartedly believes it. Also, It's worth noting that Astarion does manage to have fun occasionally, and have periods of... Superficial happiness? They just so happen to be unfulfilling, and don't make up for all the other pitfalls of his situation when they inevitably come crashing back. He's also great at tricking himself into thinking this is a good time.

Bhaalist DU drow makes vague attempts at "making things better" whenever he catches him in a mood, usually through physical affection or lavish gifts. That works well enough the first year I think, before everything kind of loses its luster. After that, DU drow just gets it into his head that Astarion "doesn't understand what he must do to succeed and keep him safe".

This is a VERY interesting observation and... Maybe? Especially early in the relationship, DU drow finds Astarion's quasi-predatorial behavior very attractive, but only AFTER he notices his vampirism. I think this outlook of the character contextualizes Astarion's condition in a way that he can immediately understand and simpathize with, even if DU drow doesn't know much about vampires themselves. Of course, this is specific to Astarion - he does not extend this grace to the rest of his kind.

I'll be thinking about this one!

I don't know the video in question but from your description I think they would both be VERY confused, LOL.

HMM, I think that might actually depend on a lot of things! Assuming the woman (or just the other partner) in the relationship isn't a drow, and exactly what KIND of devotion we're talking about (is the drow pro-active? Protective? Does he put his neck on the line for this relationship with pride? Does he seem strong and capable and like he doesn't rely on his partner?) he might see enough of himself in him that they could actually get along. This is similar to how DU drow immediately took a liking to Aylin even though she's this moon-goddess child and a supposed beacon of justice.

The quickest way to get on DU drow's good side is to be the idealized version of what he believes himself to be. Oh, and not get in his way.

If they're both drow it's kind of hopeless though, yeah LOL.

Planning on it!!

DU drow never slept with Haarlep! He only took his clothes off and then attacked him full in the nude.

...I'm not sure how to justify that in the lore, but it's exactly what I did and it's too funny to take it back, LOL

I think Astarion was just kind of baffled by what transpired until DU drow turned to while hopping around pulling his pants back on and asked if he enjoyed the show, then he remembered he just loves finding any excuse to take his clothes off.

That's a lovely compliment, I definitely go for a very "organic" look so I genuinely appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you!!! A lot has actually been said about Gortash in my #enver gortash tag, if you'd like to get all the gritty details. Suffice to say that they had a very odd but significant friendship.

DU drow is the kind of person who shoots awake as soon as the sun starts gracing the sky, but he tends to do whatever he has to do and then go back to bed right after, and stay there at least a bit past noon. He did this both in his bhaalist days and in Astarion's company, though the amount of time he spends asleep during the day definitely increases because of the vamp, especially over time!

So, the urethra in a penis is located pretty much on the underside of the shaft, so the wound actually does not reach it! As far as functions go - peeing and ejaculating - it comes out of the tip's opening as normal. When he first caused the wound it probably did puncture the urethra, but that would have closed up over time. What you see is the injury many years after the fact, after all.

So the implications are pretty minor. Aesthetically, his foreskin hangs a bit weirdly when he's soft (like a tiny little penis curtain) and has more give than usual. Functionally, he has spots within the scarred up injury that are either numb or overly sensitive. Also, you can kind of see the dickhead notch through his underwear which is fun.

Otherwise, that is pretty much it! No worries about the nature of the question I've gotten worse, LOL. Thank you for your kind words as well!

I think he used to write in his bhaalist days - very, very occasionally mind you - like if you scoured the temple you would find a dozen or so ripped up pieces of paper with little short poems on them, written in a very sharp and carefree hand. Anywhere from 3 to 10 lines per-poem, usually less than more. The sentences are descriptive of actions, never feelings or thoughts, but they don't ever seem literal.

Back in those days, he also went to the theater every other year.

Post-tadpole, he ends up dabbling in carpentry, leather-work, and enjoys listening for musical numbers taking place in taverns and inns to go to and watch. He eventually starts pulling Astarion into little slow dances when that happens. I think he might end up writing again someday, but not for many, many years.

[peaches2217]

Have you ever thought about how Mario probably grew up in a loving but financially unstable home, and how he and Luigi likely struggled to eek out a decent life for themselves prior to whatever strange magic brought them to the Mushroom Kingdom? Have you thought about the months where they had to decide which they wanted more: food, or a roof over their heads?

And then have you stopped to think about Peach, a literal monarch with an endless supply of wealth, suddenly giving them a cottage big enough to house a whole family and free access to her castle and inviting them to share meals with her, for no other reason than 1.) she's quite fond of them and 2.) she just can? How she probably views these gestures as meager, the absolute least she can do for her friends, and how she likely has no idea that she's casually giving them a sense of security and belonging they've never had before? How much peace she brings into Mario's life, never having to wonder where his next paycheck or his next meal is coming from, seeing his beloved brother finally having the means to pursue his own hobbies and pastimes, and not even realizing it? Have you ever thought about that?

And have you ever thought about how lonely Peach's life must have been? Even if there were other children her age to play with (never mind that none of them were human like her), she couldn't have played anyway, because every aspect of her upbringing was tailored around making her an effective politician? And how even in adulthood, there's very few people who seek her company just for the sake of it; how she goes into most interactions knowing that she's wanted for her beauty, her power, her influence, and nothing else?

And then have you stopped to think about Mario, a guy with plenty of friends and lots of better things to do, just... seeking her out for no other reason than to talk? How he could have so much more from Peach if only he asked, she would happily gift him any treasure that money could buy, but for some reason she can't decipher, all he wants is her friendship? How he doesn't view her as untouchable or some great means to an end, nor does he just turn a blind eye to their differing social statuses; he acknowledges her position and her power yet expects nothing of her in spite of it, and is happiest simply when he can sit and chat with her about nothing for hours on end? Have you ever thought about that?

Because I think about that, like. A lot.

[semisolidmind]

Okay, okay hear me out.

Let's say our darling Peaches is out on a stroll somewhere and gets kidnapped by some lesser demons (Kidnapped how? Who knows maybe she walked a little too far from the mountain) who wish to present her as a gift to the rulers of the region as idk a peace offering? Maybe for protection? Yet somehow not realizing that she the wife of said rulers?

And Peaches is like both really confused and amused by this. Confused because she's pretty sure most at least know that she's the mate of The Monkey King and his Warrior and amused because these demons really don't know what they're actually doing?

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

Peaches stared at the demon in front of her in confusion, stopping in her struggle with the rope that was tying her hands together while her brows furrowing as she took in their words. "Wait- hold on. You said you were gifting me to the rulers of this Mountain? The same one that you kidnapped me on?" She inquired, trying to understand their logic.

The demons nodded, Moving the cart she was in along the long dirt road. "Yup, To the Great Sage himself and His brother." They replied, not looking at their hostage.

Peaches could only stare in astonishment. She was completely speechless by these demons boldness to kidnap the wife of the people they were gifting her too. A part of her felt amusement at this clearly not at all thought out plan but another part of her feels pity....

She coule only imagine what her husbands would do when they hear of this.....

-----------

Apologizes for any grammar mistakes or if this didn't make any sense at all. I am currently sleep deprived so yeah, sorry for any mistakes.

hooh man. (your ask was well written. sorry it took me so long to get to it)

man, the warlords could have a variety of reactions to this.

easy and most likely answer: the boys are angry. like, unbelievably so. those stupid, ignorant idiot demons are getting dismembered right there in the reception throne room, no time for them to defend themselves. macaque cuts away reader's binds as wukong furiously beats the offending demons bodies into bloody pulp. reader tries not to look or listen as macaque leads her away and gently interrogates her about her capture.

the boys are feeling like playing along that day. they "thank" the stupid demons for bringing them such a lovely "tribute." perhaps they play up "getting a closer look at this human... hmm, brother, doesn't this human seem familiar? y'know, she really does! now where have i seen her before, hmm...oh right! she's our wife." cut to the mook demons stammering out apologies and kowtowing, begging for forgiveness because they had NO idea that this human was the wife of the mountain rulers, honest! the monkey king watches the groveling while macaque frees reader, rubbing her wrists. there's a 50/50 chance the idiot demons survive this time.

reader is feeling merciful, and thus asks her husbands to spare these very dumb demons. clearly they didn't know better, if their harebrained scheme was anything to go by. the warlords, seeing that she's relatively unharmed and clearly not that traumatized by the experience, agree to let them live. but! the idiot demons have to do hard labor as penance. you don't kidnap a queen and get off scot-free, after all.

[googleitlol]

This oneshot is more the length I thought the other one would be, a little under 2500 words. Hope it packs just as much emotion in it, enjoy!

TW: Dead Dove, severe burns

Dove Masterlist:

Samadhi

How on earth did things end up like this?

“Hey.” Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, looks down to his left to see his engaged. His beloved Dove gives him a worried look as she puts a hand on his shoulder. She looks stunning, she always does. “Something is on your mind, Peaches.”

The two of them stand on his somersault cloud, Wukong’s arm is wrapped around Dove’s waist to keep her close so they can both fit on the soft platform. It moves slowly to their destination where others wait for their arrival. He could make the cloud go faster, but he doesn’t want to. He can’t help how fear grips his heart in anticipation for what they are about to attempt. “It’s nothing.”

“Over a decade we’ve been on this journey together, and you think you can still lie to me?” She frowns, her expression more annoyed than anything else. It shifts back to worry as her hand shifts up to hold the side of his face. “We’re supposed to confide in each other, My Love.”

Sun Wukong hums with a small smile, though he can’t hold the facade when she gives him that concerned look. Amidst these last twelve years, she’s become one of the few people that can read him like a book. “I just want this to work. I can’t stand seeing you like this.” His free hand reaches out to her outstretched arm that holds his face. He’s gentle as he encloses his fingers over the wraps that envelop her arms, his thumb brushing back and forth over the material. Wukong has seen the bandaging over her abdomen, the burns that scar her hands. Despite it all, the mortal he’s promised his life to smiles.

“How could it not? I know you three can do this.” Dove reassures him, the fire in her eyes bright as he leans into her touch.

He just has to tell himself this is it. It’ll be over after this. “How is it healing?”

Her hand retracts, and Wukong lets go of her arm so she can inspect it herself. “I’ve taken care of enough burns to know what I’m doing.” She laughs a little, maybe to make light of the injuries. When she looks up to see his furrowed brows, she sighs. “Maybe in a few days, after Iron Fan and your brother have a few days with their boy, we can visit them for dinner. It’ll be nice to hold Red Son without the fear of him bursting into flame, hah.”

“Red-Brat is more like it.” The sage mumbles under his breath, earning him a light slap on his armoured chest.

“Wukong!” Dove scolds with a sharp glare, and he lets out a chuckle.

That baby could burn her a thousand times, and she’d still defend him with her life. “I know, I know, he’s just a kid.” He can’t help the smile that finds its way onto his face, he loves seeing her jump to his nephew’s defence like that. Gods, never would he think someone could hold compassion for another that does them harm. Wukong will always love her for that compassion.

Despite her wounds, his engaged has held a soft spot for the boy since the moment he was born. With how destructive Red Son’s fire is, Dove’s ability to soothe the infant quickly became a crutch that pained him to see used. Wukong still doesn’t understand her patience, not when the baby nearly kills her as an everyday occurance. Still, she showers Red Son with love. He only wishes she had been that forgiving when they first met. It would have spared him a massive headache.

“Look at me.” Dove’s voice draws him back to the present, the determined look in her eyes captivating his attention. “It’s going to work.”

Even with the soothing presence of her gift, he doesn’t need it to ease his worries. Not when the confidence in her voice puts his troubles to rest. “I know it will.” As he speaks, she leans up to place a kiss over his forehead. “I can’t worry when I have you with me.”

Her smile is warm when she looks up at him. “I love you, Peaches.”

“I love you, Dove.” Wukong pulls her closer to his side, and his beloved rests her head on his shoulders.

Dove breathes a content sigh, her eyes focused on the sky ahead. “Maybe after this, we can ask Sanzang for a little break? We could visit Flower Fruit, spend some alone time together.”

Wukong hums with a small laugh. “Alone time sounds nice… y’know, with all the other monkeys crowding around us to get a look at their soon-to-be Monkey Queen.”

“Hah! I can’t wait to meet them properly.” She smiles, and Wukong looks down to take in what he can of her features. He can’t wait for when they retrieve those scriptures and they can go home, to stay. When this journey started, all he wanted was to be free from the burden of helping the monk and his cranky companion, but she changed that. Now, all he wants is to wake up each morning with Dove by his side, so he can take in those features in dawn’s light in their home.

“It’s settled, then.” He sighs before turning his attention back to the route ahead. “We’ll visit the little guys tonight. Master should be fine for one night without us.”

“With our luck, don’t jinx it.” That gets him to laugh. He supposes Dove is right, he shouldn’t say anything to risk their chances of a battle-free night. When she lets out a soft exhale, Wukong can feel himself relax just a bit more. “I can’t wait to get a proper tour of my new home with you.”

~~~~

It was supposed to be simple. Split the fire and find someplace to hide his own ring. Easy as that.

DBK won't have to deal with his home burning down every other day and call Dove to calm down his hot-tempered son. Sun Wukong admits, the kid is cute when he isn’t burning everything to the ground. Dove is so fond of him, how can he not like the little guy? Still, he hates every time she’s asked to help him. Dove has been burnt in her efforts to tame his flame, and relying solely on her to ensure a little kid doesn’t destroy the world isn’t a viable option anymore. Nor is it one he’s comfortable with.

The air is heavy among all who stand with the sage. Sun Wukong stands in a circle with his master, the Demon Bull King, and the Third Lotus Prince, Nezha, with the baby Red Son engulfed in flames in the centre of them all. The Monkey King’s brothers, Wujing, Ao Lie and Bajie all stand behind their master, and Dove stands a few paces behind to her Peaches’ right. She has to be on standby in case the separation fails, but it won’t. Like Dove said, this is going to work.

His master steps forward and taps his staff against the drawn out circle on the ground. “For the Samadhi Fire to be split into three, you must harmonise your energies.” He instructs, and the three chosen all look to one another with a nod.

The circle lights up, illuminating with life as it begins. The glow from the markings on the ground encapsulates Wukong’s vision, blinding his peripherals so that all he can focus on is the ring that begins taking form in front of his hands.

It’s a little surprising, how it feels at first. Wukong isn’t sure what he was expecting, but he thought there’d be more… pain involved? Maybe it’s because he can only feel a third of the fire feeding into the ring that takes shape in front of him, but it’s a little underwhelming. He’s taken the brunt of the Samadhi Fire before, he knows it can hurt, but this? Sure, he can feel the heat of the flames pretty strongly, but it's nothing he can't handle. It’s no wonder he was chosen as one of three that could withstand it. Maybe Nezha is having more trouble than him, the lotus prince has always been a bit of a baby compared to the other immortals he knows.

There’s a few flames that lash out more than the others, but it’s easy enough to keep them under control. “You know, this is kind of easier than I thought it would be.” He laughs a little, and that’s when his focus slips. That’s when it all goes wrong.

A flame lashes out as the baby in the centre shouts, and fire shoots out towards the three rings. The sheer force knocks Wukong onto his knees. The other two ring-bearers in the circle shout out at the sage, too late to stop a wave of fire that spews out in every direction. His dragon brother, Ao Lie, is quick to respond to flames that hurtle towards their master and takes a hit head-on. The Monkey King is quick enough to jump back to his feet and take this next hit easily.

But then he hears her scream.

Wukong freezes, Dove’s voice shooting ice through his veins. His eyes shoot wide at the sound of his worst fears coming to life. “Dove!” He hears Wujing call out to his love before heavy steps rush to her location just out of his view.

He moves to turn his head before she shouts. “NO! Don’t– haa… Don’t look, don’t let him…” She shouts out, her voice twisting in anguish, “Don’t stop, Peaches! The ring is almos–” She can’t even finish the sentence before letting out another shrill scream.

Every bone in his body is pleading for him to turn around, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to. His heart is thundering in his chest, fear claws at his skin as he begs himself to focus on the rings. She won’t stop screaming, she won’t stop screaming–

“Dove?! Dove!!” She can’t answer him, can she even hear him?! Gods, he can’t see her! His eyes shut tight, and he fights every fibre of his being not to abandon the ritual and run to her side as Bajie and Wujing shout from behind.

“It won’t go out!”

“It can’t go out!”

Wukong shakes his head, their voices pushing him to the brink of madness. “Dove, please– hang on!” Help her, he needs to help her, shit, he has to move, she needs help! Help her, help her!!! She’s screaming, she isn’t stopping she won’t stop– she’s screaming! Even when she stops, he can still hear her screaming. Her voice rings in his ears.

When the rings fully form, Sun Wukong’s drops to the ground. He turns to run to his love, only to choke back a gasp when he sees her. The fire that had been burning its way up her body whisps away with the rings now complete. Left in their wake and in the arms of Wujing is a limp body.

The sight of her alone is nearly enough to send him falling back. Her entire lower half and right side of her body is covered in fourth degree burns. Her clothes are singed and melted into her skin, into her arms and torso. There’s muscle tissue visible in the meat of her hands and along her legs from where the fire had its fill. All over her body are contrasting amalgamations between charcoaled skin and raw pinks of every shade, even the white of bone pokes out from her right shoulder and knuckles.

“Dove!” He doesn’t waste another moment rushing to her side. Despite her injuries, the woman still breathes. Each inhale is laboured, every exhale pain from her burning lungs. Her voice barely carries to shout when he moves her from Wujing’s arms to his own. “No, no… no, no no no! Somebody help!”

His head whips around to those that now surround them, Demon Bull King hiding away his son’s face from them while Tripitaka rushes to their side. He gasps at the sight of his friend, his staff dropping with an echoing clang. “Master, please!” Wukong begs, his voice never before sounding so desperate.

His master crouches down slowly, his eyes never leaving her, his first companion on his journey. “They’re… they’re too severe.”

“The hell do you mean, too severe?!” Wukong snaps, but the monk can’t even move to flinch. “She’s dying! We have to do something!”

He looks back to Nezha, his brothers, anyone! “Please! There has to be something– we can’t–”

“Peaches…” He barely hears Dove, her voice holds only a shell of the life it did a mere hour ago. He looks down at his love, only now can he realise how blurred his vision is when he can barely make out her features. There’s tears streaming down her face, her eyes are open but unfocused.

Her breathing is ragged as Wukong holds her hand in his. “Shh, shh… it’s okay, Dove.” His voice cracks, he needs to comfort her. “Don’t try to say anything, we’re gonna help you. We–”

His head whips back up to the friends that have gathered around them. “We have to do something, now! Master, there has to be a way! Nezha, there must be something, I won’t let her die! Please!”

“Brother…” Bajie rests a hand on the sage’s shoulder, and Wukong snaps his head up to him. But his brother isn’t looking at him. His gaze is focused on Dove and–

He can’t feel her. That calming presence he’s so used to walking with every day. It’s gone. She isn’t breathing.

“…Dove?” Wukong checks for a pulse, but he finds nothing. His heart sinks. “Dove? Dove, please– Dove?! We said everything would be okay after this.” His voice feels strained, it’s throbbing, there's somethings choking him.

“Dove, don’t do this to me– please! Please!”

“Dove! Dove!”

The king throws his head back in outcry, his queen limp in his arms. His voice is bloodcurdling, his scream so visceral it shreds into every soul present. Wukong pulls the shell of his love into his chest and sobs, burying his head into her shoulder. Her body is warm, but it isn’t her warmth.

He can’t feel her. Why can’t he feel her in his arms anymore?! This isn’t what was supposed to happen, how could this happen? How on earth could things end up like this?! He was supposed to stop her from getting hurt! “Please, Dove… we’re visiting home tonight, remember?”

“…We’re going home tonight.”

[palskippah]

Hi! You saw preg Bowuigi, but may I present to you… preg Mareach ✨

The thought won't leave my mind after I mindlessly drew Mario asking Luigi how is it to be pregnant and then it escalated from there 😔

So! Here's some headcanons (that you can find too in the drawings) for this:

-Mario and Luigi's mamma and uncle are twins, so they have this 'twin gene', and it just so happens that Mario got twins first try and Luigi didn’t.

-Mario has thoughts when seeing his bro expecting, he develops a serious case of baby fever that he refuses to tell anyone about. Like he catches himself thinking about him and Peach expecting and her acting in the overly attentive way that Bowser does, or thinking of a tiny blonde baby with a button nose and blue-sky eyes. He feels a bit guilty about these thoughts.

-Luigi eventually pries the information out of Mario and tries to convince him to talk to Peach about it, that she’d be understanding even if she doesn’t like the idea. Mario’s stubborn and just doesn’t and feels bad for wanting a baby too just because his bro is going to have one.

-To Mario’s surprise (and relief) it’s Peach who mentions the idea of having children (he feels a bit embarrassed that she easily used the exact words he scolded himself for: “I want a baby”), so they shyly entertain the idea.  And they decide they'd like to be parents in the future.

-When Magma (that's the Bowuigi baby's name!) grows and gets to the toddler stage, Mario finally decides that they could start trying.

-(Corny and I pulled this from Deadpool 2 but) He gives the 'green light' to Peach as a sort of anniversary gift and she's so happy she jumps in place and holds him to her chest and rambles about what to name the baby and how they'd look and what they'll do together and– Mario jokingly reminds her that first she's gotta put a baby in him for that to happen.

-Luigi is really excited when Mario and Peach tell him that they’re expecting. He hugs them both and says he can’t wait to finally be an uncle, and that they’ll be great parents.

-Luigi spoils his bro the same way Mario did with him when he was expecting Magma, like baking him treats and his favorite foods whenever they’re at their house and overall being a very good bro.

-Soon Peach arranges a room to make a nursery and plans how it’ll be.

-When they discover it's twins she makes arrangements again to adapt it for two babies, assigning a color to each baby’s things, because she thinks that Mario and Luigi having their signature colors is adorable.

-When they’re back from the doctor after discovering they’ll have twins, they’re both happily thinking about two children. Peach of snuggly wrapped little babies with round noses and brunette hair, and Mario for some reason thinks of two blonde toddlers with matching hats and blue overalls.

-Mario's belly looks big soon and Peach is over the moon because he's so round and handsome.

-He's so shaped.

-Due to almost all of the Mushroom Kingdom citizens being small Mario often loses sight of them, especially when talking to toads. They love to stand close and right in front of him, even if Mario tells them to stand at his side so he can see them. Mario's pretty sure not even the toads can see him over his belly and yet they don't listen.

-Mario lives at Peach's castle but he and Luigi still kinda often stay at their own little house at the outskirts of Toad Town. Luigi sometimes goes by himself or brings some of his children. They like to have some kind of peace apart from their families and the royalness of it all. (Thinking about the fact that Bowser went on a vacation by himself as Junior said once in a game sjdks)

-Peach is very excited for the babies and she always asks for permission to caress his belly and to hold it and to kiss it. She talks a lot to the babies too, even at times holding very long one-sided conversations with them while Mario listens in with an absolutely besotted smile.

-Many nights, when Mario's sprawled on his side with his arms in weird positions and snoring away and Peach's at his back holding him, she mumbles on and on sweet words to her children and her boyfriend, and holds Mario closely.

-Ever since they know he's expecting, Peach randomly suggests baby names to Mario, who shakes his head or actually explains why he doesn't like them. She suggests one day a couple of names just for funsies and to her surprise Mario loves them.

-Peach leaves their bed very early to focus on her royal duties all morning, while Mario's asleep almost until midday surrounded by an insane amount of red and pink pillows.

-Peach eats red power up mushrooms to be able to easily carry Mario around when he gets too tired, that way she doesn't get tired either.

-Late on Mario gets the 'pregnancy brain', he forgets things and sometimes does stupid stuff. Once at their house he dropped a fork, and since it never crossed his mind to ask for help or pick another one from the kitchen cabinet, he ended up stuck in a crouch when trying to reach it, yelling for Luigi to come help him up.

-Donkey Kong and Mario are mean besties, and DK often teases Mario and vice versa. Like DK purposefully drops something and asks in a faux nice voice for Mario to pick it up for him, then does the laugh™ as Mario stares at him unamused.

-DK used to (gently) push Mario to sit in soft furniture and laugh at him for getting stuck. Mario would sulk and cross his arms over his belly until the stupid monkey dignified himself to help him up. Until DK did it one day that Mario had been particularly tired about the pregnancy, and besides the usual reaction he also got misty-eyed and his lower lip wobbled. DK freaked out and couldn't figure out how to console him as Mario silently cried. Peach almost obliterated DK on the spot when she caught them.

-Since then DK isn't as mean with Mario until the babies are born weeks later. Also, he's a bit terrified of Peach now.

-Magma, who's still a toddler, often asks her uncle-mama when the babies are going to come out of his belly so she can meet them.

-They have twin girls! They're identical when they're babies and kids but when they grow older they have more noticiable differences (like height, same as Mario and Luigi and their mom and uncle)

-They’re Nettarina and Mariella. Sadly I don’t care how silly the names are, I like them and so does Mario aksjdksajd

-Mario has strong genes so their babies look a lot more like him than Peach (who’s glad, because she wanted to have two mini Marios!), although he hoped they’d look more like her.

-Mario is already fat and he gets even fatter with the pregnancy.

-The girls (and Magma too) speak fluent italian and english.

And that’s what I have so far! I know i missed some characters that I could have mentioned like Daisy or Toad and others, but maybe I’ll think of them too for another post c:

I hope you liked them, and if you have any other ideas or headcanons feel free to share them, I’d love to know!

[seospicybin]

LEE KNOW

MY WORKS ARE NSFW & 18+ ONLY. MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

These are purely works of fictions. There is now way it represent Stray Kids in any way.

* S for smut. F for fluff. A for Angst.

Appetizer. (s,f) Lee Know made you help him cooking for your dinner date but first, appetizer!

Knit. (s,f) Something flickered inside Minho the second he saw you wearing his clothes.

Pillowtalk. (mild smut, f) Even after a great sex, would Lee Know be able to answer some of your most existential questions?

Cake. (f, suggestive) Minho let you have a taste of his birthday cake and unwrap his gift.

Impatient. (s) Part I / Part II You and Minho just couldn’t keep your eyes and hands off of each other.

101. (s,f) Knowing that his best friend just got a new girlfriend, Lee Know feels the need to teach him how to properly ‘touch’ his girlfriend with a help from you.

Peach. (s,f) Lee Know thinks that certain smell brings back certain memory, but what is it that reminds him of you?

Midnight Blue. (s,f) Part I / Part II / Part III Despite feeling like you were destined to meet each other, your relationship with Minho was doomed from the very beginning. But when another chance comes knocking, Minho is willing to go against all odds to make you stay.

Blueprint. (s,f) Part I / Part II You never worked with a partner before but when it involves the importance of your future, you willing to put up working with Minho.

Strangers. (s,a) Part I / Part II It’s no surprise that Minho treats you like a stranger, especially to you who have just joined the company, but you know there’s more it and you try to find a way to change that.

Cutscene. (s,f) ACT I / ACT II This will be the first time you play a main character in a drama but the problem is Minho will be your co-star. People would consider it lucky to play alongside such famous, talented actor, except that you’ve been secretly holding a grudge against him.

The Crowd. (s,f) Wrong Crowd / In The Crowd / Crowded. You meet Minho again at the high school reunion, the kid who used to sleep in class turns a tattoo artist.

Don't They Know It's The End Of The World? (s,a) Part I / Part II Making a contact with an ancient object, you meet a demon who takes form of the man you desired and forces you to commit terrible acts to stop the world from ending.

One Bite. (s,a) A part of One Series. There’s nothing more enticing than the forbidden apple and Minho’s forbidden apple takes in the form of you, a girlfriend of his close friend but all he only needs is one bite. But does one bite will ever be enough?

Two Truths and A Lie. (s)

R1 / R2

Let's play two truths and a lie, and here goes the first thing about you: You want to fuck your roommate's boyfriend, Minho.

Till Death Do Us Part. (s,a)

You and Minho head to a cabin for a weekend getaway but beneath the seemingly normal relationship, both harbor dark secrets and hidden desires to end the marriage by any means necessary.

Viewfinder. (s,f,a) Seungmin x reader x Lee Know. Part I / Part II An accidental reunion sets the sparks fly between you and Seungmin, but the relationship takes a turn at the end of the summer and you seek help from your frenemy, Minho.

Too Hot Too Handle. (s) You and Lee Know become contestants in a reality dating show, Too Hot To Handle.

Belonging. (s,f,a) Bangchan x reader x Lee Know.

Chan and Minho’s life together takes a surprising turn when an unexpected visitor arrives on the night of their anniversary.

Play Pretend. (s,a) Lee Know x reader x Han.

Minho, a seasoned actor, is joined by Han, an idol stepping into his first major role for a BL drama and their chemistry on screen makes everyone wondering what’s real and what’s an act, including Minho’s girlfriend, you.

The Equation. (s,a) Seungmin x reader x Lee Know.

Seungmin trusts nothing but numbers and dating you slightly changes that notion until Minho comes and mess the equation.

0325. (s,f,a) skz x reader. SIDE A A series of short fics inspired by Stray Kids songs.

[hitchyboi]

Hey idk could you do a softie Kano bit. Like what dating him would be like and if he had a soft spot for you? Not enough Kano fluff on here! Thanks !

Dating Kano Headkanons

A/N: Kano is not usually a character I would write for but this honestly was a lot of fun. Breaking down a character I haven't spent too much time analyzing is always a fun time, character studies are the best

Kano isn't really the romantic type. He isn't the kind to spout poetic words of utter admiration for his partner or to partake in moonlit walks to a romantic picnic but... everyone is well aware you are his.

He's a very physical. In many ways. Kano loves to have some sort of constant claim on you so others know to back off. Frequently seen with his arm around your waist and pulling you flushed against his side, his hand has a noticeable tendency to wander down further no matter who's around

If you're sitting and helping him plan out cargo loads for the Black Dragons, he finds it hilarious to constantly poke and prod at you until he gets a reaction. Will grab tufts of your hair and use the ends to tickle your cheeks

If anyone dares to flirt with you in earshot of him. He will take great pleasure in knocking their skull against his metal place 4 or 5 times. Or more until he's heard enough cracks to soothe his temper. Then they can be thrown into the cage fights for everyone else's entertainment

While he isn't poetic he is very talkative. Has no shame flirting with you while he's going about his criminal activity I mean... He's the damn leader. He can do whatever he wants and if that means spouting an ungodly amount of inuendo's until you're a blushing and stuttering mess, absolutely he's going to do that

Kano is a man all about reactions. He loves to rile people up and see how he can get them to tick, that goes for his partner. That's partly why he fell for you. He loves seeing all the reactions he's able to get out of you

He can go too far however at times. Teasing and prodding that can sometimes come off as insulting. Kano will laugh and play things off as a joke but when you completely blow past him and leave. He knows he fucked up

The tough guy persona cracks in these moments. Wanting to chase after you and assure you he didn't mean to hurt you yet not quite knowing how to go about that. Kano usually throws himself deeper into the Black Dragon, hoping to distract himself from the guilt eating away at his insides

Kano does come around eventually however, slipping back into your shared bedroom. His head held lower than normal for the boisterous man with an armful of trinkets and gifts he collected for you. Partially illegal. Mostly illegal but that's what the man specializes in

It's hard to stay mad at him for long when he's sitting there looking like a rejected puppy.

Surprisingly he's a good cook! He's a wizard when placed in front of a grill with meat and herbs to use. He doesn't really measure things out but goes on gut and whatever tastes good in the moment. Has yet to make a bad meal

On the saucier side- He can eat a peach for hours ;)

[newkatzkafe2023]

Alrighty, so... What if s/o was starting to overwork themselves and not really notice. Whether it's from going to work, doing chores or a mixture of both and the Monkey Husbands finally need to step in and intervene. How would you suppose they do so, or say?

Oh no half of them will put a stop to the bs before even gets to that point😠✋️

(Lmk Wukong) it takes a hot minute Or him to realize that he hasn't seen you too often lately. The guys were behind on some of the bills. So you've got some extra hours at your job in order to pay them. But it's been running you into the ground without you noticing.

(Lmk Wukong) Welcome home peaches🥰🥰

Monkey Queen(Y/N) Hello sun

He immediately registers the tone of your voice and how tired you sound. He decided to brush down all the snacks you guys would have for their movie nights And a heating blanket You gave them as a gift. He brought you away from your desk. As you guys started a movie marathon cuddling on the couch. Not long after you fell asleep right on top of him. He thought you were so cute

(NR Wukong) He hasn't seen you in a long time and here it doesn't like it. He stopped by your home and found you doing a mountain of paperwork. You look like he hadn't slept in the days. And the only thing you seem to be drinking with some coffee. It was had obvious bags under your eyes and was surrounded by your jobs paperwork. This will be easy. Wukong would ask if their is anything you need. What you didn't know was that he was giving you tea to make you tired even more before. Finally falling asleep on your desk. What side he takes shields in bed and talks to you when He'll take care of you from now on

(Mk Reborn Wukong) oh hell no stop that bull crap the second is shows itself. You were helping out born the village because of a recent demon attack. A lot of stuff got destroyed. So you were switching from helping people rebuild their homes to harvesting fruits and vegetables to watching the village children. You had your hands full for a while and it's causing you to neglect your Husband. That ends now. After you've got back from helping an elderly couple. You The notice that we're calling was taking a nap which was strange because it's usually up to greet you, he must have got back from something it was doing so. You are gonna be quiet and just lay next to him. What you didn't notice is that he got ahold of you. And his grip was getting tighter and tighter. You're trying to move but it wasn't working. So you just gave up and decided to take a nap with him. Not knowing that he was smirking right behind you.

(HIB Wukong) He feels you're stretching yourself way too thin hear. It's one thing to take your job seriously and to help out as much as you can. But it's not a thing to run yourself into the ground until the brink of exhaustion it is not for him. He knows you want to provide but this is too much So what he does Bring you to a village spot you remembered passing by And I still need you to give you Type of treatment They got. That was the only time you felt so relaxed and you have Him to Thank.

(Netflix Wukong) As great as you are for helping him with the demon attacks and protecting the village. You will need some time to yourself. In the fact that he's saying that you know it's serious. He loves you too much to watch You. Kill yourself over work that he can handle with the snap of his fingers. It's just not fair to him it's certainly not fair to you. So he treated you to a hot springs he knows where you felt all your problems go away you kissed him as a thank you😘😘😘

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG 😇👍

[quitealotofsodapop]

Ok, but Slowboiled Wukong is really, really confused about everyone in the Celestial Court's reactions to his pregnancy and how long it's been when he and DBK are searching for clues in s2. Like, he expected them to attack him or something. Where is this concern coming from?? Multiple celestials have approached him about it??? Even the Queen Mother had sent an attendant to give him a basket of peaches when she discovered Wukong was in Heaven???? Why is everyone acting so nice!?

DBK just scoffs. His little brother is an idiot. Did he really expect everyone to hurt the baby!? Even whilst excommunicated from Heaven, Tieshan's parents and multiple celestials had still sent them gifts when they had announced the birth of their son! Surely Wukong should have expected the same!

What does his brother MEAN he expected the opposite!?

I 100% see the Queen Mother's interactions with her kids being very different from how she treats her grandbabies + her enemies and allies children.

Xiwangmu lost her chance to meet her daughter Zhinu's twins when she retaliated so harshly that the sky split open. She never wants to feel or induce that separation again. Sadly in her grief she curses her exiled daughters to not carry young without great suffering (hoping it would discourage them from reproducing with humans/demons) - something she comes to deeply regret in centuries afterwards.

When she discovered that Tieshan, her boldest and youngest daughter, had nearly died bearing a half-demon son despite this curse; Xiwangmu sobbed with joy and guilt for days on end. The little Red calf recieved many a divine baby shower gift and blessing in his first year, even if PIF curled her lip with distain at their arrival.

And so when Sun Wukong, one of the most destructive beings in the universe, is confirmed to be having his own, very dangerous pregnancy - the Queen Mother deems him under her protection. He may not be one of her own (at least to her current knowledge), but she does not wish him or his future little one harm. Wukong awakens to many a gift basket of peaches in the final weeks of his Egg's development. He's not sure how to respond.

Xiwangmu also, in a way, wants to be there for the milestones she missed with Red Son's development. And of course to learn that Guanyin, her eldest daughter in spirit, was the one to deliver the long-overdue baby safely - she rushes into Wukong's recovery room like a grandmother with thousands of years of doting to spend.

Red Son def gets caught in the crossfire of Xiwangmu meeting Yuebei for the first time. The Queen Mother pauses at the sight of flame-red hair and her daughter's steely gaze, and has to stiffle her delight at meeting her grandchild in person.

The Jade Emperor is a little different. He responded to the loss of his daughters (Zhinu, Songzi, and Yin) by retreating into his (metaphorical) shell. He became secretly afraid to get attached to his children and grandchildren less he feels that pain once more. He often comes off as cold and even disinterested at times, but truly he is hurting. Seeing a little girl running around the Jade Palace with his daughters' features immediately causes him to soften.

Bai He isn't sure who this "grandpa man" is, but Mr Monkey King and Macaque got really nervous when he brought her back to them when she got lost in the palace after an appointment with Lao Tzu. He's really nice though, he showed her the frogs that live in the ponds of the royal garden. He seems really sad when he think's she isn't looking.

DBK isn't even surprised. His and Tieshan's child is amazing - celestial/family bad blood or not. And he wouldn't expect less from their treatment of his little brother's child either. It's the one thing he admires about the royal couple.

[pinazee]

Season 2 final thoughts:

My apologies to my Psych mutuals, my hyperfixation took me on a trip to Hatchetfield and very soon it’ll be in cinderellas castle. It can’t be helped. I plan on finishing my rewatch, especially because I’m about to get into one of my favorite seasons, but it’ll probably be sporadic at best.

Here are my final thoughts on season 2!

This is the official season of lassie stumbling upon shawn and gus by happenstance. He does it in american duos, dis-lodged, black and tan, and im counting lassie standing in front of his pic at the museum. He can push them away as much as he wants but shawns like a boomerang.

I find it incredibly disrespectful that shawn and gus took credit for finding that dinosaur when that one guy literally died for it . Also im pretty sure it would be impossible for a t-rex to be discovered in california because it was all underwater at that time. But thats neither here nor there.

Shawn being a forgery/handwriting expert brings up a funny/depressing image of little shawn having to write lines but in different peoples handwritings

Shawn is an incredibly fast thinker! He saw this scene

And not only deduced what actually happened, but also came up with a cover story for him at the same time.

Word of the day Abulic: abnormal lack of ability to act or to make decisions. Psych writers just casually dropped that little pearl in the middle of a scene in the finale

Overall it was a great season! Juliet got some more scenes, plus her character is beginning to get fleshed out, Gus was even funnier than i remembered, the heartfelt moments were very well acted especially by james who nailed the whole avoidant turmoil of it all. Henry, though, as ive stated in previous posts, is a lot harder to watch as a full fledged adult. He’s just such a prick to shawn any chance he can get. I’m so curious if I’ll be able to forgive him myself down the road. I mean, no wonder Shawn split when he turned 18 and hardly spoke to him again. Man, i wish we could’ve seen Shawn right after he left cause that is one juicy peach. He’d just be all angsty, jumping from one job to the next, getting fired or losing interest (or my personal headcanon is that his gifts of seeing everything kept getting him in some sort of trouble kind of like Poker Face (with natasha lyonne)).

Shawns add’l talents/ random knowledge:

-sketching

-forgery/ handwriting

-can operate a forklift (i think thats what it was lol)

-chess

-tango

-Spanish (honorable mention- he knows enough to speak it passably so i added it) and possibly Portuguese though i bet he just learned the one random phrase to try to trap jann

-acting

-airport codes

Gus niche interests:

-reality tv/ spanish soap operas

-archaeology

-legal tender

-santa barbara models/fashion

Rankings

The Blueberry Tier

American duos

Shawn (and gus) of the dead

Sixty five million years off

Black and tan: a crime of fashion

Nectarina Dulce Tier

Bounty hunters!

Lights, Camera, Homicidio!

Green Apple Jacks t-shirt tier

If you’re so smart then why are you dead

Rob a bye baby

Gus’ dad may have killed an old guy

Theres something about Mira

Did-lodged

And down the stretch comes murder

Psy vs. psy

Genocide of color Tier (somewhere a rainbow is weeping)

The old and the restless

Zero to murder in sixty seconds

Meat is murder…but murder is also murder

[zelphin124]

LCB-3 -> Canto 1: Chapter 17

Ugh, this chapter put me through an emotional wreck, be prepared. I am SO sorry for Hyde, again- Masterpost Chapter 16 <--> Chapter 18

~o0o~

The smell of human corpses should’ve been something Jekyll was subject to, regarding her occupation. However, the particular rotting flesh being burned alive was not something anyone could get used to. Such a smell was coming from the burnt, crisp melted flesh on the ground as the party ascended. Before Jekyll could observe it any further, Dante ran forward, panicking. “Oh gosh! What happened?!” 

Silence. 

Mallo glanced down at the corpse, allowing Jekyll enough time to identify it used to be Mark. “Hmm,” Mallo shrugged. “Unsurprising.” 

“Seems he’s dead,” Lenore added. 

“How is he–” the manager paused, clenching his hands. “Oh, I think I know why.” 

Mallo knelt and picked up some of the flesh with her fingers, rubbing it together. It was rather sticky. "Hmm... It’s similar to the sunburst rainfall abnormality. You know, the spear we sacrificed earlier.” 

“But Mark sacrificed it,” the manager countered. 

Mallo looked unimpressed. “That’s because it’s likely from the abnormality where the spear came from.” She wiped the flesh off her hands and back into the pile. 

“Finally, a worthy opponent,” Lenore smirked. “Our battle will be legendary.” 

“Mark probably just found the original abnormality when he flew up,” Mallo continued. “Do you know where sunburst rainfall came from?” 

"...I do,” there was a great hesitancy in Dante’s voice. “The Sun King... he’s back.” 

“You’ve fought it before?” Mallo furrowed her eyebrows. “Hold on a minute. What risk level is it?” Her face of curious inner thought soon turned to a pale, discolored stare as the blood drained from her face. 

“It’s an ALEPH; last time we fought it, it was weakened and deterred.” 

“Is that weakness still active? I sure hope so.” Lenore’s smirk fled from her face at the mention of its threat. 

“Given that Mark sacrificed the spear, I don’t know.” 

“Okay,” Mallo started to pace back and forth, avoiding stepping in Mark’s remains.“We’ll be fine as long as..." she mumbled her answer out of earshot. “Honestly, I’m impressed.” 

Dante rested his hands on his clock face, breathing deeply. “I’m surprised there’s anything left of him.” That was all he said before he turned the clock, gasping in pain as Mark slowly returned. 

His charred skin slowly softened to its normal peach color as consciousness returned to Mark. He immediately was equipped with an ID Jekyll couldn’t identify, nor did she care to name. There are too many of them to keep track of... 

As he stood to his feet, the six wings of bright feathers returned to his back, floating gently behind him. “Took you long enough, manager.” 

Dante recovered from his pain and rested on Pen’s shoulder before looking up. “Are you okay? What happened?” 

Mark shrugged. “Bad tale of Icirus?” 

“I’ve met one before.” 

“Cool, so I met Jatayu,” Mark continued. “I also met this... thing that’s like made of sunlight and fire wings. That is what killed me.” 

“Oh, yeah, it does sound like you ran into the Sun King.” 

“Sun King? Dumb name.” 

“Boastful, but that’s the idea.” 

“Pride coming from an abnormality? Who would’ve thought?” Lenore chimed in sarcastically. 

Mark disregarded her comment and continued. “Jatayu tried to fight it, and I tried to help. Guess what happened.” 

Dante’s flames dimmed. “He’s still up there.” 

Mallo’s concern was also raised. “You saw Jatayu, right? How is he?” 

“Instead of normal, he has a vulture skull and wings on his arms," Mark answered. 

Dante fidgeted with his hands, getting more nervous by the second. “So he is distorted. We don’t have long, but before we can continue, I have one last thing. What is that on your head?” 

The party lifted their eyes to see a soft crown of fire emitting from Mark’s head, circling it slowly. 

“Huh, looks like an EGO gift,” she shrugged. “I guess burning yourself to a crisp wasn’t worthless after all.” 

“I have six wings and a crown. At this rate, they should call me the Sun King.” 

Mallo scoffed. “There’s no way.” 

Mark smirked, amused by her reaction. “C’mon, it’s a joke.” 

She only offered him a deadpan stare. 

“Speaking of fire,” he shrugged off her reaction and pulled out a bottle he bought from the bar. He knocked off the lid, which fell down the spire and started to chug the drink. 

Mallo sighed, rubbing her eyes before changing the subject. “Oh my gosh, okay... Are we just going to stand here, or are we going to stop Jatayu’s distortion?” 

Mark shrugged again, wiping his mouth after a sip. “I think Jatyau is losing.” 

I don’t think an ALEPH is something to mess with, Jekyll reasoned on her own. No wonder he is losing. 

Mallo began to back up said point. “Logically, an ALEPH versus a distortion... Yeah, we need to hurry up.” 

Someone having a mental breakdown is not going to fare well against a monster, Hyde added. His blood will be shed. 

Mark continued to pull out various drinks before offering some to Lenore. They had some mild conversations in the back as the group continued up. 

Jekyll bent down to scoop Gerald into her arms, holding him close as they continued up the spire. Hold on, Jatayu, we are coming. 

As the party rose from the previous challenge toward the next level upon the spire, they found... the same building as before.

What? Jekyll glanced back down the path they walked up, double-checking to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. 

The rest of the party seemed to be doing the same, observing the landscape as if they had just gone in circles. 

The only difference notable in the building were a few small embers, flickering flames billowing inside through the windows, daring to grow larger; it became a den of agony and pain.

Dante tilted his head. “Hm. The same place again. That’s.. new. It has never done something like that before. Perhaps a different era in Jatayu’s time?”

“It looks like it’s about to set on fire,” Mallo shuddered. 

“Not much to it or to do about it,” Mark sighed. “It’s a memory.” 

“Even if we could, do we have any water?”

“Does it look like I have water?”

“Exactly.” 

“Flames are beautiful,” Lenore smiled slowly. Her reasoning came from a place of her ID rather than the actual flames. She had worn the same ID for some time now as if it were – in her opinion – the best one. 

“Oh,” Mallo looks over at Lenore’s flaming ID. “Yeah.” 

“This has something to do with Jatayu’s past again, likely,” Dante interjected. “I don’t have a good feeling about this, but there is nothing we can do but sit and watch.” 

Mallo didn’t seem convinced. “We don’t have to step inside it, right?” 

“We have to,” Mark answered before the manager could speak. 

“I… hope not." Dante’s words were a lot more timid as his attention lay on the scene before him. 

Lenore looked at all of them confused. “What’s the worst that could happen?” 

Mallo didn’t believe her ears. “Gee, I don’t know, maybe burning alive?” 

Lenore stared at her plainly, as she was currently on fire before her. “I’ll go inside if no one else wants to.” 

Can you all shut up and get on with it? Hyde groaned, rubbing her face. Enough with this endless chitchat.

“I wonder,” Mark changed the subject. “Do you think each place we go to fetch the golden boughs will reveal and put us through our own memories?” 

The party went silent for a moment. There was some thought about the possibility, and it seemed to terrify most of them. 

“Maybe so,” Lenore shrugged, appearing to be the most accepting of the idea. “It happened once before.” 

Mallo laughed uncomfortably. “Haha! No, it won’t happen to me.” 

Jekyll and Hyde stood silently. She glanced over at Dante, who slowly turned away as if he knew it was true. 

…Aw hell nah, Jekyll waved her hands in dismissal. No, no, no, this is NOT what I signed up for. 

This will... be a first, Hyde sighed, clearly not liking the thought. It’s worse than others seeing your personal Split Shards moment. 

Mark too noticed Dante’s turn-away and also gave him a nasty side-eye. 

The world once again shifted into a monochrome black and white as the fragments of memories formed once again. The building appeared to be larger than last time. It was more lit up with neon signs, and music bleated from inside. The various sounds cheered with life as once more, two familiar figures arrived on the scene, entering into the bar with glee.

The younger brother – the memory of Jatayu – carried in his hand a small, yellow box with wrapping and a green bow on top. The older brother – Sampati – only wore a relaxed expression on his face. Both of them appeared to be a bit older than the last time the company saw them. Sampati was adorned in a feathery coat and carried a large spear on his back. The younger was addressed in the distinct P. Corp attire: a bodysuit that glowed with a gleaming light. 

They met up at the bar, commencing small talk as they closed the door behind them. The party watched slowly before all of them followed inside, with a strange need to hear the conversation. 

The older brother spoke first. “So, Jatayu. Are you going to tell me why you have that box yet, or…?”

“It’s a surprise. You’ll get it once we’re inside; just don’t worry about it. Besides, you said you had something to talk about as well.”

“Various things, yes. I suppose that I can... stifle my desires for a bit then~”

The bar was a bustling, thriving building, rich with entertainment, a contrast to the last time they were here. It had more guests and larger bands playing in the background. The brothers made their way further in, moving toward their favorite spot in the bar, the front stools.

Jatayu glanced around the bar, smiling. “Glad to see this place is doing better. It deserves it.”

The older brother agreed. “Quite. Kollam is experiencing a large boom in popularity for tourism after all; it makes sense that more and more people are coming. This tiny town is finally on the map as somewhere worthwhile.”

“All thanks to the new and rising Grade 4 fixer, gaining fame and fortune where he goes.” The memory of Jatayu gestured to his brother, attributing the success to him. He set down the present as he sat himself. 

His older brother followed, sitting down next to him and scoffing. "Oh, please, like I am the only one responsible. You’re also to blame, you know? Sir P. Corp  Architecture Department Manager~” He tossed a soft jab at his brother, causing them to both chuckle. 

The bartender wandered up to them and offered them their favorite drinks without an order and a payment. Sampati pulled out the money to pay, placing the ahn over the bar as he nodded in acknowledgment. The bartender accepted the payment and went on with his job, attending to the other customers waiting for him. 

“It’s not that special." Jatayu twisted his finger on the glass. “There are multiple managers, and we’re still working under the Head Director too. Still, I’m a lot farther than when I began.”

“And it shows! Look at you, wearing their colors. You know that you are outside of work, right?”

“Says the man carrying a large spear on his back and our father’s coat.”

“….Shut. How dare you call me out!”

A playful chuckle escaped them both as they taunted each other, taking a sip of their faloodas. It wouldn’t be long before they began to turn their attention towards the box.

“...So. What’s this then? You wanted to see me; I needed to see you, so it’s only right you go first.”

“Right to the point, huh? Not gonna wait and enjoy the moment for a bit?”

“Who says we can’t be serious and relax?~ Why can’t we make progress and be at ease?”

“Fair enough, I suppose that makes sense... heh. Here.” The memory of Jatayu muttered as he took the box in his hand before giving it to Sampati. “You’re set to become a Grade three Fixer in less than two months at your current rate. It’s going to get more and more dangerous. You won’t slow down any. So, have this.”

The older brother raised his eyebrow as he opened the box, unwrapping the paper by its bits and revealing to the party a mechanical orb. It was vaguely heart-shaped and nostalgic compared to the heart Jatayu ripped out earlier in the Lobotomy Corporation facility. It fitted in his hand perfectly, designed with his specifics in mind. He looked confused mostly, rotating the thing in his hand. "You... got me a heart?” 

The younger brother took a sip of his drink, looking away. “It was a-a personal project of mine. Personal body barriers. Meant to protect and shield the holder from anything. I didn’t want you to get hurt, so... there.”

“Ah, you made this for me?” He raised his head, stopping his inspection of the object as he smiled softly. 

“I’m working on making a second one, for your wife, though. I’d like to make sure the first one works. Two birds, one shield.”

“Aww~ Looks like my brother does love me... heh. This is thoughtful, Jatayu. I’ll make hella good use out of it; you need not worry about that.”

"True, though. Ideally, it never gets used.”

There was a moment of silence that befell the room. Sampati’s smile faded as he stared at the box. After a moment, he sat the box down on the counter and placed the device into his pocket. It beat like a heart, glowing with a pulse inside it. “About that,” Sampati began. “I guess it’s time for me to tell you my news." He took a moment to collect himself; the hesitation was clearly uncharacteristic of him. 

Jatayu noticed as well, and he turned to face his older brother, spinning in his seat. His expression changed, not for the better. “Sampati?” 

“Jatayu, I need you to promise me something.” 

“Sampati? You’re being a bit cryptic, but go on. What is it?” 

The older brother didn’t respond immediately. He took a breath, facing his brother before offering a smile. 

“...You are going to be an uncle.” 

The look of shock on the party’s comrade’s face was rememberable. “What?” 

“My wife, she is pregnant. I am going to be a father in 5 months to a beautiful baby girl. And you, Jatayu, are going to be her uncle.”

It was as if the entire bar had gone silent at the news, the air growing quiet and dense as a result of it. A few bystanders looked in their direction, having overheard the news. 

Jatayu’s face contorted with emotions, ranging from shock and surprise to widening eyes in awe, growing in suspense at each moment. His eyes gently formed tears as a bright smile, stretched across his face as his heart raced. His breathing got heavier by the moment; it was clear this was big news for him, and the intention of the importance of family to him was true. 

It was at this moment that Hyde finally understood. …So this is why he values family. She sighed. It is as much as I value art. 

And we… Jekyll glanced away. We insulted that right out of him. 

It was the first time Hyde felt anything close to remorse or guilt. I see... how I screwed up now. 

You do? 

She nodded. I may not agree that family is that important and still believe it is a weakness to him, she glared back at the brothers. But I see how my words in one of our last interactions could have affected him. 

Jekyll sighed in relief. So you will—

I am not sorry for what I said. I know what I say is true, and it is hard to hear. Hyde paused, recalling herself. But the truth would not help Jatayu in the state he is in. He must be eased into a different belief before it can work. Right now, I see he is tied down by family, and it is the core of his actions. 

...Gosh, he really is Lanyon. 

Truly. If we wish for Jatayu to return to us, we must succumb to his level of flawed thinking and drag him out of it. 

It wasn’t much of an apology; Jekyll could feel Hyde’s pride fueling itself within her. However, it was a step closer to feeling some form of change in her actions, some form of civilized thought. That was all she could ask of her counterpart, and she would not complain about it. Does this mean you will apologize to him? 

Not in the way that you hoped I would, Hyde shrugged. But I believe I need to rethink my plan in terms of confronting him. He will not be convinced to let go of his chains so easily. This is why. 

Normally, you would not put up with something that held people back. 

I suppose I need to start learning how to. 

“I…” The memory of Jatayu finally spoke. “I am going to... to have a niece.” He panted lightly, trying to catch his breath as his eyes gleamed toward his brother. Tears flew from his overjoyed soul. “I’m going to be an uncle! You’re going to be a father!” He held his head low, excitement building in his chuckles. 

The older brother nodded. “I plan to, yes. It’s… thrilling, but terrifying.” 

“Of course it’s terrifying! You’re going to be a FATHER!” Jatayu chuckled and exclaimed as he spun in his seat happily. 

“I know, I know. Which… is why I need you to make me a promise.” 

“Hm? What? Yes, of course, whatever you need, Sampati. I’ll be happy to babysit if needed or get supplies.”

“Thank you, but... not those. I need you to promise me... that..." He trailed off, the atmosphere flowing with his voice as he settled down. The anticipation in the air was noticeable. “I need you to promise me that if anything happens to me... you will be there for her.”

“...huh?” 

“I need you to promise me that, if, for some reason, I die... you will be there to care for my daughter.”

“I… Sampati. You can’t just drop that news on me, and then speak as though you are going to die tomorrow! You have a responsibility to fulfill now!”

“I know, I know. I don’t plan on running from it; I want to be there. I want to see my daughter grow, but I am... I’m terrified... This... this city... it’s not for the faint of heart. People die in the hundreds daily, potentially thousands. Anything could kill me at any moment.”

“…I see now.”

“And, likewise... anything could kill her at any moment... I don’t want that.” The older brother raised his head, looking directly at the younger. Tears streamed down his cheeks, not ones of happiness, but rather ones of fear and despair. “I trust you more than anyone in this world, Jatayu. I trust my brother from the bottom of my heart. I will strive every day to keep safe the ones I love and be there for them. You, Bhumi, my daughter, all of Kollam... but... I am just a man. I want to know.” He reached out through choking tears, resting his hand on Jatayu’s shoulder. “Promise me... that if something happens to me... she will be okay.”

It was Jatayu’s turn to join his brother in weeping. They stared at each other as if they were tackling reality together. However, a strong determination filled the younger brother’s eyes. “Sampati,” he began, reaching out his own hand to rest on his brother’s shoulder. “I promise. That no matter what happens. That no matter what time of day or state of the world. I will make sure that they are okay.” He paused as he thought, light returning to his soul. “I will make sure that you will be there to see it all. That you will be okay too. I am going to make this world safer.”

“...Huh?”

“You said it yourself. This world can take anything without warning. It’s dangerous—too dangerous for a child. I don’t want you or them to get hurt. So, today is going to be the beginning of a new world.” He patted his brother’s shoulder, his tears drying up on his face. “I don’t know how... no. I am already coming up with ideas of how. But somehow. I will make this world safer for her. For you. For everyone. I will do all that I can to make this world better. I don’t want to lose my brother, nor my niece or sister-in-law.”

Jekyll observed the situation as she recalled Jatayu’s current mission and current state. He didn’t make due on that promise... His niece is kidnapped. 

The world is cruel to those who let themselves be bound by attachments. 

“Jatayu, thank you.” His brother smiled. "You... You truly are the best brother anyone could ask for. I promise you that you will not lose us.” 

“I am still trying, brother,” a louder, overall voice could be heard above the bar as if they were watching. It was distorted, and as it spoke, the scene came to an end and faded away. “I have never given up on that promise, nor will I ever give up on that promise to you.” 

There was nothing more to be done as the music and idle conversation faded. The bar was empty, save for the bartender at the end. A rumbling took place outside, which snapped Mark out of the silence of the party as each of them processed what they had just seen. 

“Well, there is probably something waiting for us outside." Mark had a neutral expression on his face as he adjusted his pipe. “Once you guys are done thinking about the memory of whatever, join me outside for the typical fight.” 

Let’s not dwell on this any more than we need to. Hyde turned away from the bar, urging Jekyll to follow after Mark. Let’s go bash in some monster heads.

Jekyll obliged, shaking her head as she fought for control before immediately following Mark outside. The pink armor of her ID returned. Her paintbrush turned into a gun, and Hyde analyzed the stats. 

…Wait, she paused. Our unique charge didn’t reset. We are still at the same number we left the previous battle with. 

Is that a bad thing? Jekyll lifted her eyebrow, observing the stats. It lets us deal more damage. 

I wish I knew what it exactly meant; the ID’s memories are not helpful at all. 

A surge of power rushed through Jekyll’s skin. Who cares? This feels good. 

Almost too good... 

The helmet quickly identified the enemies with black hearts. There were two sloths and two greed peccatulas. Two small doubt robots would turn into larger monsters if not killed, just like on the previous floor. They approached the party like every other enemy had. 

Gerald popped out of Jekyll’s grip onto the floor, ready to fight as he whirled around. His eye rested on the party coming out to help them, with Dante safely tucked behind the bar wall. 

The tension in the atmosphere skyrocketed like insurance rates as Mark lunged forward toward the doubt robots. He barely hit both of them before blocking their attacks. 

Mallo didn’t assess the battlefield quickly enough and was attacked by the sloth peccatulum that lunged for her. She countered its attack by striking it back. The first attack prepared her for the second one; she clashed against the second sloth peccatulum and won with ease. She rushed toward the first greed enemy before hitting it skillfully. 

Jekyll adjusted her gun and shot at the greed peccatulum attacking Mallo. She caught it off guard and sent it flying back into the bar wall. She smiled, sighing softly. 

However, her relief was not for long. Suddenly, warning sirens went off in her helm. The code started to shake as everything turned from a pink shade to gray. Her vision blurred, and her eyes couldn’t see properly as everything became a daze. 

“Warning: Max Pink Heart reached. Initiating Extermination of Black Heart Protocol.” 

What is happening? Hyde asked calmly. 

Jekyll clenched her head, backing up out of the fight as she tried to regain her composure. I can't—I can’t think straight! I must… I must eliminate all black hearts! 

Hyde quickly picked up what was going on. This must be the abnormality’s doing. Take the helmet off—there was no reply. Her eyes furrowed as she tried calling out again. Jekyll? 

Must eliminate all black hearts. 

She barely saw Lenore use an EGO as she walked into the battlefield. “This is to show you all that I am,” Lenore uttered, slamming a mechanical arm into the first sloth peccatulum. 

Gerald followed suit and attacked the same enemy in its open wound. 

The tiny robot turned into a much bigger, tankier robot, like before, looking like a factory machine. The feathers on Mallo’s back unsowed themselves and attacked the enemy with ease. 

But who was the enemy? 

As Jekyll looked out from her helmet, she noticed the black hearts were now on everyone, allies included. She could tell no difference between them as if her allies had abandoned her to combat all the enemies on her own. Her vision was black and white, with grey outlines of everything vibrating violently. Her head spun and she could only think one thought. 

Eliminate all black hearts. Her suit turned black as she aimed her gun, ready to fire at the blackest hearts she saw, which were the closest sloth peccatulum… and Mark. 

The movements of the enemies around her were erratic; she watched them blur side to side. But their hearts did not escape the skill of a sniper. She could not discern the moves of the battlefield, only the movements of her own. 

Jekyll shot the first greed peccatulum after watching it move unexpectedly. She shifted her gun and shot the sloth peccatulum, imploding him on the spot. There was no hesitation in her attacks as she aimed for Mark, only seeing a gray outline with a large, black heart in the center of it. The bullet when it was shot split into two, with the second bullet traveling to the robot in the middle of the battlefield. 

Jekyll struggled to regain control of her actions and body in the suit. She watched Mark block the bullet with his shield, but it wouldn’t be long before the suit fired again. Her thoughts were not her own, and even Hyde could not break through the power of the ALEPH abnormality. To think that the party had to face one of them was terrifying enough. She would not have chosen the ID if she knew it would have turned on her allies. 

But it was too late. The gun reloaded itself as the doctor’s arms adjusted to aim at new targets, scanning for the most black of hearts amongst the enemies and allies. It shocked Jekyll how black her allies’ hearts were, but it was difficult to tell them apart in the first place. 

The only one without a black heart was Gerald, who still looked relatively the same in her gaze. His heart was still pink, and he looked up at Jekyll with great concern. 

Protect good, pink hearts. "Must... eliminate all bad, black hearts," Jekyll muttered, the control in her mind keeping a grip on her actions. 

The gun pointed at the robot, firing the moment the calculations were complete. The suit shifted to Mallo, firing at her as well. 

The feathers didn’t seem to appreciate the attack. They swarmed in front of Mallo, blocking the bullet before lashing out toward Mark. 

The feathers ripped at Mark’s flash, cutting him off from a clash from a greed peccatulum. They tore at his skin and muscles until he imploded on the spot. They killed him without a second thought. 

“Huh, Karma–” Mallo barely got her words out before the feathers swarmed toward Jekyll… before they dove next to her and swarmed Gerald. 

They tore at Gerald’s eye and claw, devouring him in their hungry rage. The glass ball he rolled on shattered. No matter how much Jekyll tried to break free to save him, it was no use. The feathers finished their job, and all that remained of the doctor’s pet were the glass shards and a pink feather. 

GERALD! Jekyll cried out in pain, trying to reach out to him. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to fight the suit to go to him. Her heart stopped, and aching hopelessness seized her soul. The one thing she had cared for… was gone. 

However, the suit only glanced at the body before aiming the gun strictly at Mallo, firing many rounds at the killer. They shot through her protective feathers and into her shoulders and chest. Mallo crumbled onto the floor, gasping for air as she looked over. 

Lenore stepped in front of Jekyll as she prepared a firey attack. “You need to get a hold of yourself!” Her voice was faded and distorted as she rushed ahead, attacking the giant robot. 

Jekyll couldn’t do anything as the suit attacked the greed peccatulum. She saw the feathers unsowing themselves and charging toward her, but there was nothing she could do. 

They ripped at the armor, collapsing it onto Jekyll’s skin. She cried out in pain as she fell to the floor, unable to move her limbs. The suit itself seemed to be in too much pain to move further. They staggered her. It wasn’t long until Mallo fell into a corrosion as a result of Jekyll’s attack. She charged at the robot and Lenore, who were still fighting, and killed her comrade with an EGO Jekyll could not identify. 

Jekyll did everything in her power to try and move to keep fighting. However, more feathers from Mallo’s back shot at her again, pushing the metal further into her skin. She felt her stomach and lungs rupture from inside her, and everything faded to black.

* * *

The hands of hell were never pleasing, but it didn’t take long for Dante to pull her out immediately. In fact, it was quite quick compared to the normal rebooting time. 

As soon as Jekyll felt the strength return to her body, she sprung up and rushed out the door of the bar, analyzing the battlefield as much as she could. 

No, no, no, no! Gerald, Gerald! She clasped her hand over her mouth, desperately looking for her friend. 

The battlefield was a wasteland. The blood of the dead peccatulum poured onto the ground, and the robot remains lay dead on the floor. The sun beamed brightly overhead, slowly reflecting on the liquid and glass on the floor. 

…The glass.

Jekyll stumbled over to the pile of sharded glass that lay resting beneath her. Her eyes scanned it in disbelief as her hands started to tremble. No… NO, please... Her lips quivered as she collapsed to her knees. Her hands ran along the edges of the shards, picking them up as they sliced at her fingers, only making her tremble more as her blood spilled onto their clear appearance. Gerald... Gerald I... She couldn’t think straight. Her vision blurred as tears seeped down from her face. She removed her monocle to stop the buildup before she broke out in a sob, clutching the pieces of glass close to her chest as she curled upon herself. Her cries were not smothered, and there was no comfort for her aching heart.

Hyde approached Jekyll in their minds slowly, resting a hand on her shaky shoulder. I’m… I’m sorry, Jekyll. He’s gone. 

Jekyll shook like an earthquake before she turned around and hugged tightly onto Hyde’s legs. 

The painter herself could feel Jekyll’s pain as her own. She hesitated before resting her hand on her counterpart’s head. She rubbed her hair slowly, unsure how to comfort herself. Such loss for a creature we’ve only known for a short time… She began, unable to show her sympathy and care properly. Grief is something most experience. Let me take over as you compose yourself. I shall take care of the logistics as your process. 

It was one of the few times such grief was not caused by Hyde herself. The difference she noticed is there was no thrill to it. There was no joy. Seeing something that had the potential to be great die in someone else’s hands rather than her own did not bring her the same satisfaction. Perhaps it was the closest she could feel to grief over something she had lost, but she refused to acknowledge it. How could she? She watched people go through this pain in her own lust for blood and never batted an eye. But when the pain was with her, with the very person that bore her into the world, she could not shut off her heart as easily. 

Jekyll slowly nodded, sobbing harder as she clung to Hyde’s legs. Her grip on reality loosened as she let go of control.

Not a second passed with Hyde hesitating. She immediately took the reigns of the body, and the tears stopped. Her soul shook as Jekyll wept in the back, but she inhaled sharply, steeling her heart. This. This is why attachments are horrible and why I’ve gotten rid of them. This is why I have done what I have done: to eliminate pain like this… 

Hyde loosened her grip on the shards, staring at them intently as she watched her blood stain them. She stared silently into the distance, contemplating the decisions that led up to this point. A rare, solemn expression was heavy on her face. I shouldn’t have encouraged Jekyll to keep it. I was a fool. 

Footsteps approached her out of her sight. She could tell the manager was coming to talk to her, which made her grip on the shards worse. I do not need your comfort, Dante. She hissed in her mind. Things are already bad as they are. 

“You…” He began, stopping as he stood behind her, his flames not as hot as they used to be. “You okay, Jekyll?” 

Hyde rose to her feet, turning her head slowly toward Dante. For a moment, there was a flash of pain in her eyes. It faded as Hyde raised the monocle to cover Jekyll’s eye, revealing her red eye. She untangled her bun and let her hair fall to her knees, shaking it as a facade returned to her mannerisms. She smirked. “Jekyll will not be available for... some time,” she carefully chose her words.

Her gaze turned to the bar, where she spotted Mallo leaning on the doorframe, looking at her with a sorrowful, guilty stare. She had her arms crossed as if she were listening intently. 

Hyde could feel the rage and grief radiating in her soul from Jekyll, but she quickly suppressed it. “It seems that..." The painter turned her attention back to the manager. “Human greed was more important than a treasured life, via the feathers,” her head gestured to the collection of feathers on Mallo’s back. She stared back at Mallo with raised eyes before she shrugged, glancing at her own nails that were chipped from the glass. Her carelessness masked her perfectly. “Se la ve, we knew the damage they did. Keeping those things around really makes it clear where your priorities are, Dante.”

It was an intentional jab, which forced Dante to pause and think slowly. “Yeah, it... it was good while it lasted. It was a... uh... good thing. Gerald was.” 

Terrible words to comfort someone, Hyde critiqued. Not that you were ever good at that. “Yes, he was,” she said in a clearer tone, laced with a bit of wrath. Hyde glanced down at the broken body. “Shame that he had to go, but..." She shrugged, recalling what the maestro taught her. “There is no beauty in things that last. Even paintings wither away when their time comes.” She looked back up at Dante, leaning on her hip. “That’s why we miss things. Perhaps it’s some kind of... messed up empathy that we possess. We can’t enjoy what we have in the present.” 

The manager tilted his head and took a step back. “That’s not really that screwed up. If it is, then we are both messed up in the head.” 

Do not compare your incompetence to my insanity. Hyde scoffed. “Tell me, Dante. How shall I explain to Jekyll Gerald’s passing in a manner that doesn’t condemn the one who killed them with their greed and desire for a shiny wing?” 

Dante took another moment to respond, the flames on his head dimming more and more as his hands clutched one another. He glanced away from Hyde to turn his focus to Gerald’s remains and Mallo’s wings. “I… I’m not fully sure there’s any ideal way to put it. At the end of the day, seeing the wings and how they act... They are a bit indiscriminate, but they try to do good… It’s not really a clear-cut story, sadly. There might not be any way to make the story one hundred percent innocent.” 

Every fiber in Hyde’s being wanted to snark toward Dante, showing him that she would not tolerate such an answer. However, the pain she felt in her soul overbearing her wrath, and her intentions sunk into despair. She turned her gaze back toward the pet she had named, her gaze softening as her shoulders relaxed. “I don’t think you will see Jekyll for a while. W… She’s pretty distraught.” Hyde tried her best to stop her voice from breaking, lacing it with anger. “Not just over Gerald, but the whole..." She cleared her throat. “We didn’t have full control over the ID you gave us. Do not put that ID on us ever again if you wish to see my counterpart soon.” 

“Thank you. That’s helpful information.” 

Hyde shrugged in response, turning away from the manager as she stared back down at the glass shards. Emotions toiled in her mind and soul, and Jekyll’s cries did not cease. It was difficult for her to maintain her general attitude when Jekyll’s pain was felt as her own. She ignored Dante as if she were dismissing him from the conversation. 

But Dante stayed. He took a step forward; his hand reached out. “Are you okay, Hyde?” 

Hyde paused. You're asking me? She turned around with a cheeky grin. “Of course, I'm—” she stopped. Her eyes rested on Dante’s clock. He didn’t have an expression, but if he did, she knew she would see concerned, caring eyes. It bothered Hyde to an unholy degree. For a moment, there is a brief second of pain. The grand facade of Hyde fell, and her unfaltering smile that never left her cocky attitude faded. She would never admit it, but she, too, was upset and mourning Gerald’s passing. All could be seen by the manager in the brief moment it was visible. 

As if Hyde still had some humanity left in her. 

Mallo shifted on the doorstep, drawing Hyde’s attention. The next beat in time, the moment faded. The facade returned, and Hyde forced a smile again. It was as if the moment of vulnerability had never happened. “How can I not be great? I am Hyde, the great myth, the docent teacher, the one who is bound by no morals and obligations to do what I please. There is only room to be great, because I am free, and I hold no remorse.” She raised her voice as a proclamation of power, sending shivers down anyone’s spine who heard it. 

The manager retracted his hand. “No remorse... at all?” 

“Why should I have remorse?” Hyde tilted her head, crossing her arms and chuckling to herself. “It only holds you back from what you really desire to do. You can’t give into your deepest wants when you are bound by the standard chains of someone else’s society.” 

The moment of silence followed by the manager was deafening. His hands rested in front of him, clasped together as he slowly nodded. His clock rotated to glance down at Gerald’s glass. "That's... true,” he hesitated as if he were scared to admit it. “Not sure if I agree with it, but it is not wrong. Still, if you say you’re fine, I will not push it. Though, do understand that you matter too, just as much as Jekyll does.” 

The gesture was kind, but it was the most crap that had ever come out of his mouth, in Hyde’s opinion. She didn’t believe him. “If lying to yourself makes you feel better about the situation, then by all means, keep at it.” The painter chuckled to herself and shook her head, turning away from him once more as she bent down to collect Gerald’s scraps. She pulled out one of her collecting bottles from her jacket and placed them carefully in them. Matters as much as Jekyll does; what a load of rubbish.

“Well, take some time to recover, as much as you need. Or, to break the news to Jekyll. We are not fully ready to move on, so there is time.” 

The wrath boiling inside Hyde got the better of her. “Do we, Dante?” She snapped, turning her glare toward him. “Do we really have time? Because I remember we were in a rush to get back to a member who ran away! Can’t blame 'em,” her voice relaxed. “But we don’t have time to linger and ‘have time to recover’ if we want to catch him. We are in such a rush because you all ‘care’ about him.” 

Dante’s reply was one of soft words and care. “Just as we were in a rush to get to you.” 

Hyde stopped picking up the shards, processing what he said. She remembered vividly the pain she was in… 

The only person that rushed toward her was him, the manager. 

The vulnerability returned, and Hyde, for the first time, had difficulty masking her emotions. “Go.” Her voice lowered like a threat. “Leave us now.” You speak nothing but lies; you probably thought I was Jekyll when I was hurt, and you come to console me as if you aren’t afraid of me and what I am capable of. 

Dante obliged and took a step back. “We will be preparing to leave for the next floor inside the bar,” he nodded in a brief farewell. He turned to leave but hesitated, looking back. “You are an important member of the team, Hyde.” He ticked. “Don’t beat yourself up as if you were not.” 

Hyde made no visible movement to Dante as she continued to pick up the shards, one by one, placing them carefully into her containment jar. She listened to the footsteps getting softer by the second and shook her head. Her heart ached, and she clutched her chest, a small tear falling on her hands. 

What is this sorrow that I feel... that cripples me and my objective? Why does it hurt so much? 

She continued to pull the shards together, wiping the floor clean of Gerald’s remains. There was no trace left of him when she finished. She sealed the jar and put it in her jacket once more, sighing as she slowly calmed herself. Maestro taught you better than this; she talked to herself. Now is not the time. 

 Jekyll seemed to have calmed down from her weeping as well, slowly pulling herself together. Hyde, I-I’m sorry I—

Shut, Hyde snapped. It was not your fault. It wasn’t mine either. Do not feel sorry for yourself. It hurts. 

Jekyll nodded slowly and did her best to retain the information that she wasn’t responsible for her pet’s death. If I had just protected him—

You were not in control. Do you not remember this from the grueling therapy sessions you gave? We don’t know how to protect. The circumstances just happened to have him dead. We will keep him as a memory, always as something beautiful. 

The doctor seemed to like that answer. She nodded and backed up, watching what Hyde did like a movie. 

Heavier footsteps approached Hyde. The painter stood up and turned around to see Mallo walk slowly toward her. The woman stopped a fair distance away, her head bent and her wings tucked into her back as if they knew they had done something wrong. She awkwardly stood there before speaking. “I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be,” Hyde offered a malicious grin, not feeling the same vulnerable attachment with Mallo as she did with Dante. The manager drew something out of Hyde that she couldn’t place her finger on, as if he was connected to her and knew her memories. Mallo, however, did not, and Hyde would not let her grief show again. “Greed is how you get ahead. It is how you gain, just like how you gained the wings on your back,” she almost spat out those words, but kept her tone cool. “They are a nice touch to your figure. Very art-inspiring, in fact. It’s… as if your sins could free yourself from your chains.” 

Mallo sighed. “The ends did not justify the means, and I... It wasn’t under my control, but I’m sorry anyway.” 

Hyde flattened her face and looked to the side. “I’ll tell Jekyll that.” 

I heard her. 

Mallo raised an eyebrow as she also looked away. “Okay,” she glanced up the spire. “Is there something I can do to make it up to you, at least? I’m trying to... atone for my mistakes.” 

You act as if I need something from you to be satisfied. Hyde glanced back at her coworker. I don’t. "Do you know where I am from, Mallo? Not Jekyll, do you know where I am from?” 

She looked confused. “Uh, no. We haven’t talked a lot, and Jekyll doesn’t talk about you a lot.” 

“Naturally,” Hyde rolled her eyes. Seriously? 

Listen, Jekyll wiped her face. I—

“I assume you come from the same place, or a similar one since you guys share a body after all—” 

“My home,” Hyde interrupted, straightening her posture. “Which I did not wish to leave; we have a system of three strikes. After the third strike, no grace is given out. You have already crossed your three strikes with me, and this appears to be the second for Jekyll.” She lied through her teeth, seemingly convincing enough. She waltzed up to Mallo and rested a hand on her shoulder. “You have her grace." Her voice went from a sarcastic politeness to a lower threat. “But note that if that third strike is cast against her, I will personally make your life a living hell. No one would find your body, and the only ones who would know of your demise would be those people that you pray I never utter their names.” 

Mallo was a tough person, not easily frightened, but even Jekyll noticed how she shuddered briefly in fear. “I don’t know how I wronged you, let alone three times. I do apologize,” she took a more humble stance than usual before shooting a glare at Hyde. “I don’t think you would. I’m calling your bluff. You are quite a threatening person, I’m sure of it, but…” She shook her head. “I don’t think you would. Jekyll wouldn’t forgive you.” 

Hmm, your apology could be worked with, Hyde paused, thinking. But I am no person to lie about my strength and my connections. 

Hyde, Jekyll reached out. We talked about this—

“Do you think Jekyll would be able to forgive you over me?” Hyde asked, tilting her head. 

Mallo shrugged. “She seems more understanding.” 

You don’t understand her, though. I do. “Jekyll has to forgive me, I am in her mind and soul. I’ve kept her alive for years,” Hyde stopped, snuffling a cackle. The crazed look of insanity returned to her former dull gaze. She looked Mallo up and down. “You underestimate my connections with the Middle. But let me offer you a proposition instead.” 

Mallo stepped back, her eyes wide at the mention of the name. “No, no, if you had connections, you wouldn’t be here.” She stopped backing up and took a step forward, bending over to try and intimidate. “If you had connections with the Middle, you would have killed me already.” 

“May I remind you it was Jekyll who joined; there was no background check on me?” Hyde pulled out her brush in front of her, gripping it to face Mallo as her voice lowered. “The Ring is not so far from the Middle when it comes to the Five Fingers.” 

Mallo stepped back, feeling the threat in her voice. She respected Hyde and gave her some distance, thinking and shaking her head. “They may not be so far, but I don’t think you guys get along very well, do you?” 

Hyde only smirked. Not if you stroke their egos long enough. The sisterhood is more reasonable than the brothers. “Let’s put our discussions aside... Jekyll is quite fond of you. I am bound to make sure she stays safe. So, here’s the deal. Take every action you commit with caution; do not put Jekyll through any more unnecessary pain. Do not lose that third strike with her, or I shall call some old friends.” Her gaze darkened. “You rest on her forgiveness, once that’s gone..." She lifted her head in a dominating position. Thinking. “Unless…” She paused for a moment. She wouldn’t be too bad of an art piece. “Perhaps inspiration can be drawn from you as well. Something... full of art, full of... reality.” You are someone who does fit the description of who they are looking for. Your name is written in their book of vengeance, perhaps. I know some of the members have talked about someone similar to you. You tried to take someone out of the Middle... Yes, that was it. 

She did? 

Brief conversations that I have heard, she recalled. So that’s why they don’t like her… 

“I don’t plan to break any strike; I am just trying to do what I think is right." Mallo’s gaze softened. “I’ve tried to do right before, but every person ends up dead when I do, so I’m trying to atone, so should I be held responsible for trying to do what’s best?” She looked almost pleadingly at Hyde. “I don’t know why I’ve wronged you; I know I’ve wronged Jekyll, but I didn’t plan to break anything, so I’m sorry.” 

“That’s where you're wrong, seeking in what’s doing right,” Hyde laughed. “You do what others tell you is right, and not what you want to do.” You fold to society, something that will keep you captive for the rest of your life. I am not a slave to society’s rights like you. “I don’t like you, Mallo,” Hyde smirked. “You impose your will as a law onto others, as if you are some kind of guide or savior from someone’s circumstances, dragging them out of a place they couldn’t escape themselves when you alone cannot escape.” Her words were intentional as if to get under her skin. “You are a walking contradiction, but that is also what makes you so... fascinating.” She lifted her hand. “I’m not one to tolerate many, but I think you intrigue me just enough to perhaps... give you that second chance.” It was a deceitful offer, just like all of her propositions, but Hyde snuffed the pain and grief she felt in order to make her words work. 

Mallo was not understanding her cryptic messages. “Walking contradiction? I don’t know what you mean by that. I do what I think is right, but I know it’s not always right, but I’ve learned that. I knew what was best for people; I knew people’s suffering; I worked in one of the worst corporations in the City. You do not know what it’s like to have someone beg for you to kill them to put them out of their misery, for them to be in pain so much they grovel at your feet!” 

The insanity returned. “Delightful, is it not?

“What? No!” Mallo backed up more, horrified. “How can you say that?”

Hyde chuckled and leaned on her hip, her elbow resting on it. She lifted her hand as if she was holding tea. “So Jekyll never told you.” 

I would never tell her about your wrongdoings! Jekyll stammered, trying to get involved. It’s a bad look on both of us!

Were you not the one who gave me the idea to keep them alive? Hyde snapped. 

But not to–

Make them suffer more? Your memory is faulty. 

“Jekyll never told me... what? She doesn’t say a lot about you; far from that.” 

Hyde tilted her head. Of course, she didn't; she’s too afraid of the public eye to admit she enjoyed it as much as I. 

…

Hyde smirked at the thought, feeling Jekyll shudder in her mind. She looked up before turning to walk into the bar, her hair flipping at her head motion. 

The painter could feel the wrath seeping through her coworker. “Hey! I was talking to you! Come back here!” 

Hyde turned around; her eyes perked in an innocent, curious face. She observed Mallo’s mad and annoyed look, and it did not bother her at all. She stared at her comrade, scanning her. You’re angry as if you expected better of me. I am Hyde; get that through your head. 

The former Lobotomy Corporation employee tried to pull herself together. “Look, at least from what I understand, Jekyll only cares about you because she has to. She grudgingly puts up with you; she tolerates you because you can’t do anything about it. You are stuck with each other. You are not her. I’ll put up with you for Jekyll’s sake but don’t expect me to respect you as I do with Jekyll. You don’t deserve it. You aren’t like her.” She turned around, lowering her voice to a whisper full of malice and hatred. “You aren’t even someone a mother could love.”

Something cracked in Jekyll’s soul when Mallo uttered the words. Her lips quivered, but Hyde refused to show it. She stood straight, raising her voice with a wrath that was not previously in her as if her grief was breaking loose. “I killed my mother, Mallo!” She roared authority in her voice with a tinge of pain. “To love me is to put aside my crimes that I don’t regret. That’s why you can't love me; it’s why Dante lies through his teeth when he claims he can! I have the strength to triumph in this world without affection or love!” She spat out the words in disgust, gripping her paintbrush. “Jekyll does not have that same strength yet. Stop teaching her as if she can rely on those fake, faulty things. She can't, Jatayu can’t, and it’s clear that you can’t, either.” She rested her vocal cords, lowering the volume of her shouts. “It’s a foolish lie. It makes you weak.” Hyde huffed out a breath of frustration before turning her heel and walking inside the bar without another word. 

Hyde strolled across the bar in a neat, composed posture, as if her wrath had not existed moments before. No one suspected a thing as she sat at one of the stools on the far side of the bar, eyeing the bartender carefully as he cleaned a cup. She exhaled a breath she was holding in, rubbing her face. 

What have you done? Jekyll covered her mouth in a panicked state. You just told her—

I don’t care. Hyde traced her fingers along the pattern of the wood counter. They are bound to find out sooner or later, whether it’s through me or the golden bough showing them. 

Hyde—

Mallo opened the door to the bar, shortly after. Rage boiled from her face as she turned toward the manager. “Hey, Dante,” she gritted a fake smile through her teeth. “Can we have a chat for a minute? Outside?” She swung her arm around Dante; everything about her casual tone was fake. 

“Uhm…” Dante stammered as if he were having flashbacks. “Okay? Is everything okay?” 

“Just need to talk to you real quick,” she said sarcastically. “Come outside.” 

They left quickly after that, Dante showing great concern with Mallo’s erratic behavior. 

Why are you ruining this for me? Jekyll cried, hatred seeping from her soul. Why do you always have to ruin what I build?! Why are you destroying my life?!

You want to talk about destroying a life? Jekyll, you brought this upon yourself! Hyde snapped back. You took me out of my life; what did you expect me to do? Sit back and obey like a dog, as if I were fine with this? 

You’re not supposed to give us a bad reputation!

Too bad, I already did. Hyde rolled her eyes. I did what I had to; I gave the truth. You know I am right! I know your soul; it’s connected with mine. You cannot deny that you agree with me. 

Jekyll stopped, sitting back down as tears fell from her face. She clutched her arms.

All this talk about forgiving me, Hyde continued. When you forgot I still haven’t forgiven you. 

Jekyll sighed. I know I signed up for Limbus Company, it was a rash decision. I know I ripped you away from the Ring without your consent. We were going to be arrested if I didn’t act quickly.

The maestro would’ve protected us.

I didn’t want to live in such a horrid place... People think it’s wrong.

But you don’t. 

Jekyll paused, listening to Hyde’s words.

Hyde saw she was getting through. You don’t think that. That’s why you went to the Ring in the first place, right? You were the one who joined them before handing that life to me. Don’t think you’re so high and mighty; you are right down in this hell with me. 

Jekyll shook her head. No, I can’t… it was you who—

Stop lying to yourself, Hyde snapped, shoving Jekyll out of conversation. Maybe when you’re willing to admit your faults, then we will talk. 

I will never be like you. 

No, Hyde glanced back, her gaze unreadable as if she didn’t know if she wanted to feel angry or insane. You’re worse than me.

[delopsia]

I absolutely adored and loved the Rhett headcanons. Can we please get matching Bobby ones pretty pretty please with diabetes inducing amount of sugar on top 🥺🙏💕💕💕

Aaaaa, thank you! I was hoping somebody would ask for a set of Bobby headcanons! :D This got a little long again 💃

✧˖° General Bob Headcanons

Snores, but very, very lightly? To the point that he sounds more like a cat purring than anything. If you tell him he does it, he goes red in the face and denies it, even if you have video evidence of it. Bobby hears snoring and immediately thinks he must be snoring loud enough to guide ships through the fog...

Bob has this funny thing where he intentionally buys damaged products. He got left out of things a lot as a kid, the last to be picked for dodgeball, was always last to be partnered up for assignments, little things that never felt all too great.

So now he's taking home a dented can of Lysol because he knows how shitty it feels to be left out.

It is so, so easy to make this man smile. You can make the dumbest joke of all time, and Bob's got a cheesy grin that's brighter than the sun itself.

Bob doesn't always have the words to describe what he's feeling or trying to say. No matter how hard he tries, those words simply don't bubble up in the ol' noggin, and he's stuck stuttering until he can come up with something.

The longer he can't find the words he wants to use, the brighter his face goes. Blushes from the tips of his ears all the way down into his chest. Poor baby looks like he's been sunburnt

Buys trinkets that remind him of his friends, and he's got an entire shelf dedicated to housing them. A glass-blown phoenix that he found in a gift shop, a plush coyote that he picked up at the zoo, a horseshoe because his momma loves horses.

Has a talent for origami. It started out as a meaningless thing to ease his nerves, but it quickly devolved into an obsession. Flowers, elephants, stars, butterflies, he knows no bounds. He's been known for leaving them in places and waiting around the corner to see who takes it. There's no better feeling than watching someone find it and take it with them.

That being said, Bob showers his significant other in them. Once he becomes comfortable, you will never know peace. There are stars in your cups, there were origami flowers lining the edge of your clawfoot bath this morning, and you've been finding hearts for months.

Hates when people stand behind him. It's more of a nervous thing than anything because there is nothing worse than thinking you're alone and sensing someone looming behind you. If Bob can find a spot where his back is to the wall, you best believe he will be there.

Bobby can play the guitar and the piano, but he's so, so shy about it. He doesn't know where to look or what to do with his eyes while he's playing it, and he really, really doesn't know what to say if you compliment him on it.

Green thumb. Every plant is safe with Robert Floyd; growing up on a farm, it's hard not to get good at growing things. From dandelions to lettuce, he can garden just about anything.

Also happens to talk to the flowers as if they can hear him. "Hi buddies, are you getting enough sunshine?" "Hold on, hold on, I'll water you in a second." "Do you need me to rotate you?"

Eats all one type of food before moving on to the next thing on his plate. It's more of a focus thing than anything; Bob just doesn't...think to switch from the mashed potatoes to the green beans until the potatoes are completely gone.

Speaking of food, Bob unintentionally gives his S/O food-themed pet names. Honey, peaches, sugar, pumpkin, sweetie. He hardly notices he's doing it; it's just one of those things that happened.

Bob could very well have his vision corrected with a simple surgery, but he chooses not to have it because he's so used to having glasses. He's been wearing glasses since he was five; they're a part of his identity at this point.

He's one of the unlucky ones who turn bright red when he drinks alcohol. Didn't realize it until someone pointed it out, and now he absolutely will not drink in public because he's afraid of turning as red as a stop light.

Drinks his coffee black. Primarily because he can never get the ratio of additives to his liking; too much creamer, but then it's too much sugar, and oh, well, would you look at that, he accidentally grabbed the salt instead of the sugar.

Animal lover to the core. Please take him to the zoo or the aquarium, he's been dying to go, but nobody will go with him :( His favorites have always been the red pandas and the jellyfish. For no reason other than he finds them cute.

Bob's got thighs for days. God, is it a sight to watch him struggle to get into his jeans. He's always gotta jump to get them past those perfectly pale thighs.

Does this thing where he gets lost in your eyes when you speak. He's listening, but good lord, he is absolutely drowning in the way your eyes twinkle as you talk to him. Chin in hand, humming along to whatever you have to say.

[rendy-a]

hi hi! can I ask for some househusband Ruggie with a side of cottagecore? the literal kind- fluff, and tysm for writing! his S/O has a garden full off food, can work carpentry and the repair work, so.. does he just decide to be a malewife with the occasional side gigs? (at least half of his living costs just became free) how would he navigate a life like that? would he brag about his S/O? did he pull a 'yes I do the cleaning yes I-' in the head the second he learnt about it? ty again!

Thank you for the request! I had to look up what Cottagecore was but, agh! that fits Ruggie so well. He'd love to have such a self-sufficient spouse as his partner. I hope you enjoy my musings about living in the countryside with Ruggie.

He can’t get used to having food available all over.  Garden, check.  Orchard, check.  Canned food in the pantry, yes.  Homemade bread on the table, you know it.  Is this home or a buffet?  He can’t help but hoard a little bit of food in his Tupperware.  Luckily, turning those leftovers into new meals is also one of your hobbies.

Ruggie has spent so much time doing odd jobs that he can’t comfortably sit still for long periods of time.  You introduce him to some of your idle hobbies to help him deal with the change.  Knitting on the porch wiles away the evening.  You’ll each have a new pair of warm socks before winter.  When the snow keeps you indoors, you teach Ruggie how to needlepoint.  Embroidered cushions make great gifts (and are easy to sell in the summer farmer’s market shishishi!)

Self-sufficiency means making a lot of things yourself.  Ruggie is used to fixing items from his odd jobs but you are full-on making things from scratch.  Whether it is furniture, a new garden bed or a replacement roof on the shed; if something needs making, you are making it together!  You need to teach him the ropes, but Ruggie makes for a first-class woodworking assistant.  There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a project that you’ve done together.

Deep fall was setting in and Ruggie was doing his annual check-over for winter.  You both knew it was unnecessary, but it gave him comfort to know things were there, so you ignored it.  You passed by the root cellar and could hear him counting jars of your canned food.  “How are things looking down there?” you called to him.  You heard a surprised yelp from below before your spouse’s face appeared in the stairwell.  “Geeze, don’t scare me like that.  I almost dropped a jar of peaches,” he reproaches you gently.  You smile an apology to him.  “I think we’ll be ok.  Might have to ration the berry jam; I wish we’d have noticed when the birds started in on our bushes,” he finishes with an annoyed expression.  You give him a grunt of agreement and wander away. 

The next time you noticed your spouse doing his secret inspection was the following day.  You were returning from the neighbor’s place.  You had an arrangement with them to trade some of your special recipe canned tomato sauce for their soft, homespun yarn.  You had chosen a yarn ball with golden hues that reminded you of your spouse’s adorable ears.  You smiled as you walked over the last hill separating your home from the next and caught sight of those same adorable ears poking up from the rooftop.  You knew what he was doing up there; checking for leaks and worrying that your little nest would be less than cozy over the cold winter months.  Even so, you called up to him, “Lose something up there?”  He jumps up and looks down at you guiltily, “Ah no.  I thought I heard a bird or something trapped up here and came to give it a look.”  You smile at him, “Find any?”  He looks at you suspiciously, “No but maybe I should keep looking.”  You wave a goodbye, “Ok Dear, just be down in time for dinner.  I’m making those biscuits you like so much.”

Dinner that night was a quiet affair, but it usually is.  One of your favorite parts of living in the countryside is the silence that comes from having no close neighbors.  You love the soft change in melody when the birds stop chirping and the night insects take over instead.  You open the oven a tiny crack to check on your cooking (it’s progressing well) and then wander off to find your spouse.  Ruggie is in the linen closet checking over your warm blankets; probably both counting the quantity and searching for holes that need mending.  “How’s the inspection going?” you ask from behind.  Ruggie heaves a tired sigh, “It’s all in order.”  You tilt your head to the side, “You don’t sound happy about that.” 

He grabs the collar of his shirt and looks at you accusingly, “It’s not right.  Something doesn’t feel right.  Life can’t be this easy.  My life can’t be this easy.” He finishes quietly looking at you out of the corner of his eye.  You step to his side and rub his back comfortingly.  You’d chase all his demons away, if you could but you know this is a battle for him to conquer himself.  You lay your head briefly on his shoulder and remark, “Diner will be done soon.  Come sit down whenever you are ready.”  Then you give him a kiss on the cheek and head back to the kitchen.

One of your favorite things about cooking for Ruggie is how thoroughly he enjoys his meals.  He eats your simple fare with relish, lip-smacking after each course.  “Seconds?” you ask impishly.  He gives you a wide grin and holds out his plate.  You put another helping on and he thanks you with his signature “Shishishi!”  When you finally gauge that even a glutton like Ruggie has had his fill, you come over to collect his plate.  You put your arm around him and kiss the top of his head, “All set?”  He lets out a contented huff and puts his hand on your arm, “Yeah, I’m full.”  You move to grab the plate, but he does not release your arm.  You look down at him and he mutters, “So full.”  Then he leans his head into your belly and closes his eyes.  You move to give him a full embrace and lean your head on the top of his own. 

The winter winds would come soon but what did it matter when your cottage was so filled with warm love.

[anartisticalniche]

Pirate AU (A Corsair Freebooter) Masterpost

(Name for the AU credit goes to @lizaluvsthis)

SYNOPSIS

Mario, a famous actor in the theater image of the Mushroom Kingdom and "bodyguard" to its ruler, seemingly disappears from the land overnight.

SMG4, a screenplay writer for a theater and his friend, is asked by Princess Peach to go search for him alongside his brother Luigi, and to bring him back to her.

They find out that he has apparently been taken by pirates roaming the port, and they depart for his search in the seas on the Skybreaker vessel, guided by Captain Tari and her righthand Saiko Bichitaru.

During their voyage they encounter one of the most notorious crew of pirates that roams the waters of this sea: Captain SMG3 and his followers, on board of the Black Bomb vessel.

Forced to join their crew, a great adventure and destiny awaits them, between curses, magical beings, sea monsters and creatures, and a war between land and sea inhabitants.

QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE PLOTLINE AND UPDATES

FIC/ART POLL

LINK TO THE AO3 FIC

SHORT ONESHOT FIC "THE MIRROR"

DOODLES/COMICS/ART DESIGN ETC

-Introductive post to the AU

-Doodles 1

-Brewing Romance XOVER!

-Luigi Doll

-Saiko/Tari/Peach designs

-Coatless Three

-Four and Luigi Bi talk

-Assorted SMG34 doodles

-Inkopolis and SMG4 studies

-Dancing with your captain

-Four to the rescue!

-PDA couple SMG34

-Four in a Victorian dress

-Assorted crew doodles

-Desperate

-Three loves money (server sticker)

-Drunk lovey dovey Four

-Stop doubting

MAIN STORYLINE

-SMG4 meets the Mario Bros

-Four being an ass

-Fic: Prologue

FANART/FIC BY OTHERS

-First encounter (SMG34) by @lizaluvsthis

-Flirting with a blade to the neck by @lizaluvsthis

-KAR-KEN?! by @anonymousfudanshi

-Fighting side by side by @k1ra0nloose

-Pirates designs by @chaoticlad

-Tari design by @anonymousfudanshi

-Where do you think youre going mate by @merp0515

-Merchant Karen design by @chaoticlad

-Xover of aus meeting Normal Four by @lizaluvsthis

-Bi awakening SMG4 by @hamlos

-Smg3's ship by @marasiatheferret

-Interpretation 2.0 by @marasiatheferret

-Switch + Pirate by @hamlos

-SMG34 Pirate au + other aus doodles by @lizaluvsthis

-Bday gift for me :3-SMG34 suspenseful moment by @lizaluvsthis

ASKS

-Various trivia (Crew and Kidnapping of Mario)

-Story or fic?

-Folklore and such

-Do they speak pirate?

-Name of AU

-Mario Appearances

-Nintendo Mario and Pirate AU

-Main Timeline

-Where you can find the AU

-Romantic ships in AU and age info for some of the characters

-Does Meggy turn human?

-Oh hellos and pirate au

-Pirate outfits for Axol and Boopkins?

-Who wears eyepatches

-Four hurt?

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

saw you talking about tea the other day and now i'm intrigued 👀 any flavors you're particularly fond of? asking for a friend also. please do ramble about it bc it's delightful :D

Jay! Hi! Fellow tea lover?

Hm… I love lots of teas, but really I prefer simple teas to anything super decadent or elaborate. I don’t ever add anything to my teas unless I’m sick (then I’ll add a bit of honey).

My go-to is just a simple green or peppermint tea, though I’m also a huge fan of spiced chai and earl grey. I adore jasmine tea - jasmine is probably my favourite, but it has to be a good jasmine, so I don’t have it all the time (again, it gets expensive). I always have some green or peppermint tea on hand though - a quality cup is always nice but I don’t as much mind if these are the cheaper kind.

I’m not a huge fruit tea person, though I did have a peach white tea once - that one was lovely cold - and of course a good lemon ginger is always nice. If I’m having bubble tea though, I always go for a mango or lychee green tea if they have it!

I have to say that I can’t remember what pu’erh tea was like - I know it was interesting and I liked it, but I’d need to try it again I think to recall it properly. I haven’t found a rooibos tea I’ve been particularly crazy about, but it’s nice too, just not what I’d gravitate towards.

If you want a sweet or dessert type tea, then any oolong is great, but I think I’m spoiled for that wuyi oolong now hahaha. I’ve had a vanilla black tea - it’s really good. I’d highly recommend that one. I also have this sweet apple-cinnamon tea with nuts. I don’t have it super often, as I’m not a fan of sugary teas but this one is a nice dessert on its own. It’s very nutty which makes it pretty unique.

When I’m sick, I’ve had a couple good teas. One I have for colds is a eucalyptus-mint. I recommend having this one only when you are very congested because boy is it strong. Tastes amazing though. Also my mom had several Korean friends when I was little, so I have fond memories of her making yujacha at their urging when I wasn’t feeling well as a young kid, and boricha for us to put in the fridge and drink cold. I love both.

I don’t usually have chamomile at home, but this is largely because on days when I’m really incredibly stressed (like, shaking with anxiety, actively spiralling, kind of stressed), I like to go for a walk in the evening and pick up a chamomile from a nearby café to take back with me. It’s an indulgence that way.

Other cool teas I have tried:

Butterfly pea flower tea: More of a novelty than anything but this tea is bright blue and changes to red when you add citric acid. It’s a natural pH indicator!

Lavender black tea: Incredibly good. This was another gift from my mom a few years back. Very nice in the evening.

Mushroom tea: These tend to be incredibly overpriced due to purported health benefits so I’ve only ever had samples but honestly? The ones I’ve had are very nice, a smooth, rich flavour. Not convinced they’re worth that price though.

Dandelion tea: People say this can be used as a coffee substitute. I’m not entirely sure I agree with that but it does have a dark roasted flavour that is similar to black coffee. It’s a little sweet though. I like this one a lot, but I only have this with food because if I don’t have anything in my stomach it makes me cramp a bit (as I found out the hard way) :/

Matcha green tea with roasted rice: Okay a friend of mine got me some of this as a gift when she went back to visit family for a bit and. Um. This tea is so incredibly good. We had some together and it was fantastic. I’ve been saving it and only having it at times I know I can really savour it because I want it to last. If you can find some good quality stuff I highly recommend it.

Aaaand sometimes, admittedly, I will enjoy an orange pekoe. It’s nice on occasion. I make it pretty strong hehe

I hope this was fun for you your friend! 😆

What are your favourite teas, Jay?